Chapter Text
NHK 2015
Michal threw himself onto a hotel bed, his body screaming for rest. Falling asleep at that hour would be a disaster though, so he reached for his phone to look for some distractions. He scrolled through his instagram, checked emails, and then decided to reread his conversation with Sergei.
> Talked with Javi. He has it really bad for Yuzuru.
> REALLY BAD
Seriously, and that man was twenty seven?
< Ok, got it. Is he gonna do something about it?
> He don't say. But we both go to rostelecom, will try to know.
And then messages from Russia, quite concerning if anyone asked Michal.
> Made him drunk. He almost cry.
< Well that's bad???
> He think Yuzuru not care. He scared they lose friendship.
'I didn't sign up for so much drama.' Michal muttered to himself.
< I'll figure something out.
It was easier said than done. He couldn't just go to Yuzuru and say: hey, Javi has feelings for you, maybe go talk to him? That would be way out of line and Michal had no intention doing anything like that.
He knew that talking to Yuzuru would be quite a challenge. He was on the homeground, and his superstar status was making it pretty hard to get closer to him while in Japan. Also, Michal didn't want to be a jerk and distract him during competition with some insinuations, so he guessed he would have to wait for the banquet or the gala. Only if I'll do well enough to be invited.
But the more time the better, because honestly? He had no idea what to say.
Michal grinned to himself as he realized who could help him. He quickly checked the time and started typing a message.
< Babe, how to suggest someone that someone else likes them, but without being direct?
> What do you need that knowledge for? Should I be concerned?
< I just wanna make two idiots talk about their feelings.
> Aww, this is cute! Didn't know you like to play cupid :*
> Idk about suggesting feelings, but if you wanna make them talk, you can imply that there's someone else involved. Jealousy can do wonders!
Michal narrowed his eyes. It seemed kind of brutal, but it could actually work. Yuzuru was crazy competitive, so maybe that would kick him into action.
< Thank you, you're brilliant. Love you!
> Love you too. Good luck tomorrow, get some rest :*
The banquet was in its apogee, meaning loud music and tipsy skaters fooling around. Michal was sitting at so called Slavic table, which was composed of him and all the Russians. He had pretty good time, sipping his wine and eavesdropping on his companions, but when half drunk Maxim started sobbing over his free skate he decided to check on the others. To be precise, he wanted to find Yuzuru, because he hadn't had a chance to talk to him before, barely seeing him during these few days.
He took another glass from a passing waitress and took a sip while he was scanning the room.
Yuzuru was sitting at a table, accompanied by a girl Michal didn't know, who had her eyes glued to her phone. The rest of team Japan was dancing pretty wildly in the middle of the dancefloor, so Michal took a deep breath and decided to just go with it.
'Do you mind? I feel a bit lonely in there.' he said lightly and Yuzuru nodded, pointing the nearest chair 'Thanks.' Michal flashed him a smile as he sat down 'Congratulations on your win. Barcelona once again, huh?'
'Yes, I very happy.'
'Shame I won't be there. I really wanted that sightseeing with Javi.' Michal sighed and congratulated himself mentally for being so smooth.
'You and Javi good friends?' Yuzuru asked carefully; he clearly wanted to sound casual, but Michal could see how he narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
'Oh, you know how it is.' Michal waved dismissively and took a sip of his drink 'Now you probably know him the best, right? Do you know any gossip?'
'What?' Yuzuru suddenly seemed very stiff, his gaze fully focused on Michal now. It was kind of intimidating and the Czech felt a bit guilty about what he was doing, but it was for greater good, right?
'Like, half of the skating world has a crush on him. I bet he won't stay single for long.' Michal really tried not to flinch at his own words. He could feel Yuzuru's eyes boring into his soul and he wished he had drunk a bit more before.
'Half of skating world?' Yuzuru repeated slowly and Michal tried not to panic 'Like- who?'
Yuzuru's eyes were dark and intense, and Michal regretted everything.
'Well, for sure not me, I'm engaged!' he laughed awkwardly 'But he's a great guy and he deserves some love, right?'
All of the sudden, Yuzuru's dark expression was swept away from his face, his eyes turning soft and vulnerable.
'Right.' he said quietly, his voice rough, and Michal suddenly felt very bad. Maybe that wine was finally kicking in.
'Um, okay, I think it's time for me.' he said, standing up clumsily 'Thank you for the company.'
Yuzuru blinked quickly, as if he was confused, and gave him one of the best fake smiles Michal had ever seen.
Europeans 2016
Well, at least it's first ten Michal thought numbly, walking to the locker room It could be worse.
He was used to falling down after the free, but dropping from third to tenth hurt way too much.
Still, he applauded all the medalists, because they deserved it for sure. He wished Sergei was there too, he kind of missed his endless enthusiasm. And well, he probably would handle Javi better than Michal, because he wasn't sure if he was ready for dealing with all of that by himself now.
He stayed a bit longer than needed in a locker room to catch Javi before leaving.
'Congrats for the fourth title.' he said honestly 'Must feel great, huh?'
'This is crazy.' Javi shook his head, and it was really funny how genuinely amazed by his success he always seemed.
'Hey, do you have plans for tomorrow morning?' Michal asked suddenly and Javi shook his head 'Would you be up for a walk around the city? Bratislava's pretty cool and I could show you around if you'd like. We could catch up, last time we've talked was in Shanghai I think?'
'Sure!' Javi's face lit up with a smile 'You've been here before?'
'Brno's like, two hours away, I've been here at least ten times.'
'Well, can't say no to that offer then, you're like a professional guide.' Javi laughed.
'Great. I'll see you after breakfast then.'
Michal was genuinely glad that Javi accepted his offer. It wasn't only about his wicked plan, he just really liked his company. Also, the Spaniard had a secret superpower- he could make everyone smile, and Michal felt that he really could use it.
'Woah, this is nice.' Javi looked at the city spreading beneath them.
'Well I'm happy you like it.' Michal grinned. He had shown Javi the old town and then dragged him on the castle hill, which had a great view on both the city and the Danube.
'Wanna sit down for a bit?'
Javi nodded and they quickly found an unoccupied bench. The weather was nice, the temperature something around zero degrees, so not too cold to sit for a little bit. They had nice time catching up during their walk, exchanging news and plans for an upcoming off season. Now Michal didn't even have to look for an opportunity to ask about Javi's love life, because the Spaniard brought it on himself when he asked about Danielle.
'Honestly, I can't wait to get married.' Michal said with a chuckle 'Don't let me talk about her, I'll bore you to death. Better tell me about you. You have someone special?'
'My love life is an endless streak of disaster.' Javi deadpanned, but Michal saw a slight grimace on his face.
'You want to elaborate?'
Javi looked at him as if he was weighting his options, and then sighed quietly.
'How do you confess to someone you're not even dating?'
Oh boy.
'So it's like that, huh?'
'Like what?'
'You're scared of rejection.' Michal said gently and Javi's face cramped.
'Am I that obvious?' he let out a shuddering laugh and Michal shook his head.
'Not really.' he sent the Spaniard a smile 'Look, it's not my place to tell you what to do, but I'd say- go for it. I don't know the situation but I can see that this is hard for you. You'll end up torturing yourself with what ifs if you don't try.'
Michal wasn't naive; no matter how much him and Sergei wanted these two to get together, it wasn't that easy. Sometimes people just weren't meant to be together, despite the fact that they loved each other. But Michal also knew that there was nothing worse than living without a closure, without a chance to move on. Javi and Yuzuru just had to be honest with each other, so they would stop living in that horrible uncertainty.
'You sound just like Sergei.' Javi muttered and Michal almost chuckled at that.
'We're both so old and experienced.'
'Hey, you're my age! You're so smug because you're engaged!' Javi elbowed him but then his face turned seriosus again, his eyes getting a bit foggy.
'You don't even know who it is.' Javi muttered absently after a moment and Michal's stomach twisted. He thought about Yuzuru's eyes, raw and glistening.
'Whoever it is, they deserve honesty. You both do.'
Javi chuckled wetly and finally smiled again.
'You were right, you're old and experienced.'
Michal decided that it was enough; he put a hand on Javi's shoulder and gave him his best smile.
'Okay, I think we should go before we freeze.' he checked the time quickly 'Wanna grab a lunch? I gotta be back around three, but I know a good place near.'
'Sure. You've plans for the afternoon?'
'Yeah, Eliška skates today, I always go with her if I can.'
'Oh, say hi from me.' there was no trace of previous sadness in his expression, and Michal wondered how many emotions he could hide behind that smile of his.
< Please, tell me you're gonna be at worlds, Idk if I can handle it on my own.
> My federation not like me this year.
< WHAT
< Look, I can't deal with their sad smiles anymore.
> Lock them in bathroom!
< Seriously, that's your advice?!!!
> Good luck! Write me news :D
< Don't you dare. IT WAS YOUR IDEA!!!
< Did you really just leave me on read?
< I'll murder you.
< I'll let you know if something happens.
Worlds 2016
It was nice to finish a skate without a feeling of utter disappointment. He had made a few mistakes, but it was good enough for a season's best and guaranteed him top ten finish.
Maybe I still have it.
Michal sat in the green room for a moment before he had to leave, but he still made sure to watch the other guys skate. He winced a few times watching Yuzuru's skate, his heart clenching with sympathy. He knew how the Japanese felt, they all had been there. But he knew that he would be back stronger, like always.
Then it was Javi's turn and he stunned the world once again. Michal shook his head with disbelief, his lips curling up into a smile. This guy.
He wondered briefly how the situation in the leader's room looked like. Was the atmosphere good? Did they hug? Or maybe they couldn't even look at each other?
Michal shook his head, deciding to put that aside for a moment. He really needed to call his mother.
Michal was sitting at the Slavic table once more. On his right Maxim was brooding again, this time over drinking age in the US. On the other side of the table Mikhail was laughing at him, finishing his drinks in record time.
'This is stupid.' Maxim grumbled to everyone within his reach 'I'm 21 in June, in Russia I can drink for like, three years already.'
Michal just rolled his eyes at that.
'No one's gonna arrest you if you'll have a glass of wine in here.' he said before turning to talk with Nicole.
He had fun, talking and dancing a little- he just had to dance with his little sister- but his eyes were darting to Javi and Yuzuru from time to time. They seemed perfectly fine, all smiles and laughs, but Michal could see a few longing gazes, always thrown when the other one wasn't looking.
For a moment he very seriosuly considered locking them in the closest maintenace room, but he knew that nobody would give him the key, so he dropped that idea.
The party was getting a bit wild now, most of people tipsy and loose, and Michal started to lose hope. He had no idea what to do, but at the same time he didn't think he could survive going through it all for the next season.
Nope, no chance.
He spotted Javi in the corner of the room, talking with Alex. But after a moment the American left and Javi was alone again, his fingers wrapped around a glass. There was something sad about this picture, the world champion standing all alone and watching other people dancing and fooling around, and Michal's heart skipped a beat.
'Sorry.' he muttered to Elena and quickly made his way to the Spaniard.
'Hey, you okay?'
Javi nodded, but something was clearly off.
'I think I need to leave for a moment.' he muttered and Michal felt a sting of concern. Javi didn't look as if he had drunk too much, but he didn't seem well either. Then Javi's eyes darted to his left and he flinched, and Michal didn't have to turn to know who he was looking at.
'Come on, let's go to the lobby.' he touched Javi's arm slightly and the Spaniard nodded, putting his glass on the nearest table.
They were almost out of the door when Michal felt someone's stare on him. He turned his head and saw Yuzuru, his dark eyes narrowed, watching them intensely. Michal held his gaze for a few seconds, hoping that the other man would understand.
It's your turn now.
They lobby was empty, excluding the two of them and a receptionist, who shot them a questioning look before going back to work. Michal led Javi as far from the party as possible and looked at him seriously.
'Are you alright?'
'Yeah, I'm fine.' Javi said, failing an attempt to smile 'I was just- I was thinking.'
Michal really wouldn't stand that sad expression for another minute.
Screw it.
'It's Yuzuru, isn't it?'
Javi blinked, stunned, and then hid his face in his hands with a groan.
'Am I really that fucking obvious?'
Michal didn't answer. His heart was beating fast in his chest and he kept glancing in the direction they had come from.
Come on, Yuzuru.
'What do I do?' Javi looked at Michal, his voice strangled 'Things are okay, but I can't- I can't mess up. It would hurt too much.'
'Javi-' Michal didn't even know what to say anymore, so he just touched Javi's arm, trying to provide him some comfort. But then he raised his head and over Javi's shoulder he saw Yuzuru, who stopped noiselessly a few steps away. His eyes were burning holes in Michal's face and Javi's back, his lips pressed in a tight line, expression unreadable.
'I don't know what to do.' Javi said, his face raw and open 'What if he breaks my heart?' he asked quietly and Yuzuru's face twisted with hurt, and Michal couldn't take it anymore.
'I think you're doing it yourself. Same as him.' he nodded in Yuzuru's direction and Javi span around, his face paling in a second.
Michal could swear there was a crack of electricity when their eyes met, and he knew there was nothing more he could do.
'Just talk. Please.' he muttered weakly before turning and walking away.
'Javi-' he heard Yuzuru's trembling voice behind him and suddenly Michal realized that it was it. All these months of plotting and thinking how to make them talk, and that was the end- at 1 am in a lobby of a Boston hotel. He risked a glance over his shoulder and he saw that the two of them were standing closer, their heads bowed and fingers trembling.
Suddenly he felt so much lighter.
Now it's all in your hands.
'Hey, big brother, are you okay?' Eliška asked with concern when he slumped heavily on a chair next to her.
'If you ever fall in love, remember to talk about your feelings.' he instructed her and she shook her head with a smile.
'I'll bring you a drink.'
'I love you too.'
< they talk. I think.
> And?!!!?
< They still not baaack hah
> You drunk??
< maybee
Michal woke up with a hangover and a new message on his phone.
> Thank you. Really. I owe you.
< Thank Sergei, he dragged me into this. I hope everything is fine?
> Ahh, I should've known it was him!! You're both so sly!!!
> The best.
> You're both so old, experienced and awesome.
> Yuzuru says hi.
Michal smiled to himself and groaned immediately, his head killing him. But then he read the last message once more and he felt like laughing again.
It was so worth it.
Cup of China 2016
Sergei waved enthusiastically and Michal smiled at him in response, making his way through the crowded corridor. The last time they had seen each other had been during worlds in Shanghai, but it felt like only a few weeks.
'Hey!' the Czech grinned and gave Sergei a quick hug 'How are you?'
'Good, good. You?'
'Motivated to kick your ass.' Michal said with a very fake serious expression and Sergei laughed.
'See you skate in Canada, you did good.' he said sincerely and Michal smiled again.
'Thanks! It was a good competition.' Michal looked around if no one was eavesdropping on them and lowered his voice a bit 'Yuzuru thanked me at least five times tho.'
Sergei chuckled, happiness setting somewhere deep in his chest.
'After worlds Javi call and say thank you a lot.' he patted Michal's shoulder and then raised his hand 'We did good.'
'We did.' Michal grinned and gave him a five 'But you owe me a drink, I was on the verge of a mental breakdown there.'
'Okay! But now everybody happy.' Sergei said and Michal's smile turned soft and thoughtful.
'Yeah.' he nodded and suddenly Sergei was very happy that he had chosen him as his partner in crime.
Someone yelled Michal's name and the Czech flinched, sending Sergei an apologetic look.
'Sorry, apparently my coach can't live without me.' he chuckled quietly 'Good luck, man.'
'You too.' Sergei smiled widely as he watched Michal walking away to talk with his coach.
A moment later he felt someone tugging his sleeve and he saw his so much younger teammate, looking at him with big eyes.
'I think I've lost my coach, help.' Alexander muttered 'I don't even know where the locker room is.' he whined and Sergei chuckled.
'I'll show you.' he said, deciding to act older and responsible.
'I saw you talking with that Czech skater.' Alexander said suddenly when they were walking 'Are you friends?'
Sergei looked at the boy and ruffled his hair in a very uncle gesture.
'Yeah, we are.'