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“Why exactly are you taking photos of our luggage?” Yuuri asked skeptically. “Other than to show off how much of a pain it is to travel for competitions?” For this particular competition, it truly was a pain to travel with everything. One suitcase for costumes, one suitcase for skating gear, one suitcase for clothes and team uniforms, one carry-on for skates, and one carry-on for everything else.
And that was just for one of them. There was twice that amount stacked by the door, because Yuuri and Phichit would be traveling together.
“Because I’m documenting every step in the process!” Phichit proclaimed. “From our front door to when we’re forced to split ways at the Olympic Village. Thankfully, we still get to see each other every day, since you’re contractually obligated to appear in every daily vlog post. Don’t forget!”
“Contractually obligated?” Yuuri repeated, smiling slightly despite himself. “Which contract is that?”
“Our best friends and roommates contract!” Phichit said promptly.
Yuuri rolled his eyes. Of course.
“Are you done taking photos?” He asked. “Can I take these to the van now?”
Phichit sighed as if put upon. “Yes, yes, fine,” he said. “Be boring like that.”
“Finally,” Yuuri muttered. He could understand a photo or two but twenty minutes of pictures was just too much.
There was a reason he liked to leave an hour before he was supposed to and that reason was Phichit Chulanont.
Yuuri swung his and Phichit’s skates onto his back before picking up four of the suitcases by their side straps, two in each hand. It was difficult and heavy, but it was the easiest and quickest way to handle the few sets of stairs down to the van.
“Oh my god,” Phichit whispered and snapped a picture of the feat of strength. Yuuri’s fans were going to love him for this.
When Phichit said he was going to document every step of the trip, Yuuri hadn’t realized it was more of a promise than a statement.
He took photos of literally everything—the van they took to the airport and Celestino in the driver’s seat, the check-in counter at the airport, them waiting at the gate, the plane they were taking, them boarding the plane, the food they were served. There were countless selfies, most of which Yuuri was reluctantly dragged into.
Yuuri couldn’t fault his friend for his excitement, though. It was the first time Thailand had sent any athlete to the Winter Olympics. It was a big moment not just for Phichit, but also for his country.
And it was probably selfish, but Phichit’s actions took some of the pressure off of Yuuri. If Phichit was posting pictures of the both of them, it meant that Yuuri didn’t have to post pictures of his own, which meant that he could stay off of social media longer, thus avoiding all of the articles and posts the Japanese media were writing about him and all of the comments fans were making that predicted he had a shot at the podium. With Phichit’s photos featuring Yuuri, he could avoid all of that until they stepped off the plane and the cameras and microphones were shoved in his face.
So Yuuri plastered a smile on his face whenever Phichit’s phone pointed in his direction and dutifully repeated the lines Phichit fed to him. It was a good distraction during the achingly long flights and layovers that made up their journey from Detroit to Beijing.
The travel was the worst part of competing internationally. Phichit was a lifesaver and Yuuri once again thanked his stars that he had 1) decided to train in Detroit in the first place and 2) decided to return to Detroit after getting gold at Nationals and his subsequent assignment to the Olympics. The travel itself would have been shorter from Tokyo to Beijing, but it would have been a lot more awkward since the only other person Yuuri knew on Team Japan was Kenjirou Minami.
Yes, Phichit was definitely a godsend, Yuuri decided, smiling for yet another selfie.
After they landed, there was still the process of customs, getting their credentials, and traveling to the Olympic Village—all while dealing with the actual media.
By the end of it all, Yuuri just wanted to go to bed, especially since they’d been traveling for nearly a day by then.
Alternatively, he wanted to put on his skates and do figures for several hours, but since ice time and practice was strictly scheduled due to all the events, collapsing into a bed was really his only option.
As they got off the bus at the Olympic Village, Yuuri was fully prepared to deal with a theatrical separation from his best friend.
Instead, Phichit was silent, staring at the compound with undisguised awe.
Snagging the phone out of Phichit’s hand, Yuuri quickly snapped a picture of his friend’s expression. Then he swung an arm around Phichit’s shoulders and tugged him into the perfect selfie position, showcasing the Olympic rings in the background.
A perfect way to show how we’re both feeling right now. Wish us luck! ~ Yuuri
“I can’t believe we’re actually here,” Phichit whispered as Yuuri posted the photos.
“Me neither.”