Chapter Text
“Again. But this Time clean up your double tours”
Last time it was his Tour en l'air and before that is was the Pirouette, but before that, it was his battement en rond. Yuri tore out his hair tie, yanking out several strands in the process. The only way Lilia Baranovskaya would be satisfied is if Yuri stopped breathing and some sort of master puppeteer would drag his dead body through the piece. Maybe then would he achieve true “perfection” or true “beauty”. A dead person dancing, people love that kind of fucked up shit.
Before the battement en rond it was the double tours.
“Shut up you hag you already told me that. Do you have any word in your vocabulary besides again and double tours?”. Yuri tried to yell but he was out of breath so it came out as more of a pained screech.
“Yuri Plisetsky. Do not show such disrespect. If you would do it right the first time I wouldn't have to tell you to fix it.” Lilia says. Her tone as cold and dismissive as ever.
Yuri grinds his teeth together as he repositions himself in the center of the studio. The melody starts out intense and ends with the same kind of severity. The scales of the piece go up and down and up and down until Yuri Feels nauseous. It was hard to find the right beat, he could slowly feel himself getting swallowed by the noise. One, two, three, one-. Yuri stopped counting, rather he forgot where he was, both in the music and in the room.
Land. Arabesque leading into five double tours. Was the room always this small? Tour en l'air.
Yuri growled in frustration when he felt himself step out a little. With sequences of steps this fast there was very little time to think already but with the music, Yuri couldn't even hear what little thoughts he had left.
Grand Jete. Land. Tour en l'air. Get a grip on reality. Land. Stop.
As Yuri spun so did the room. Noise, This song wasn't music. It was just noise. Even when the beat died down it just picked back up again and again.
Brisé. Brisé. Brisé again. Victor never had a problem with these. Brisé. Land.
As the last notes faded Yuri could start to hear his ragged breathing.
Lillia watched with a bare expression before speaking. “Yuri when you dance this piece what are you thinking about?”. Her tone and made it sound less like an inquisitive question and more like a demand.
“I am thinking about hitting you and Yakov in the head with this metal water bottle and setting this building on fire.”
“Be serious Yuri, What is the theme of this piece”
He walked over to the bench in the corner to sit down,“Ask Yakov he choreographed it” Yuri says between gulps of water.
“You clearly don't understand. How do you feel when you dance this piece?”
Lilia had never asked that kind of question before. Technique, mastery, Beauty, And resilience were all things that Yuri understood. Those four things were what you needed to win, what you needed to be a principle dancer. Ballet wasn't like any other style of dance. There were more important things to focus on during a performance than your facial expression. It didn't matter what you felt as long as you had those four principles.
Well there was one thing that he definitely wasn't thinking about, and that is the music. If anything he was thinking about smashing the speakers with a rock.
Up and down the scales. Then back up again. He could never quite keep up with the melody. Always one step behind.
Yuri thought about Lilia’s stupid question for awhile before he answered. Never before had Yuri been interrogated like this. Never before had he struggled this much with a program. “Lli-like I am trying to survive.”
“Is that all”
“Yes.” He replies curtly.
Lilia turns her back on him but he could still see her face reflected in the mirror. Yuri didn't know if he expected his coach's expression to change when he told her about his interpretation of the piece. The slightly disgusted face Lilia always wore remained stagnant except for the slight twist of her mouth. Now she looked at him as if he were a child, who when left alone destroyed everything antique in the house.
“If that is the case then do it again, except for this time don't step out of every single turn you do.”
Lilia started the music before Yuri even had time to get into position.
Land. Fuck. Arabesque leading into five double tours. Godda-.
At his rate, Yuri wouldn't have a voice or teeth left by the end of the night.
______
About half an hour later Lilia decided that Yuri couldn’t do it again and dismissed him with a flick of her wrist.
This wasn't one bad rehearsal of many but rather Yakov and Lilia being pissants and making every rehearsal bad. Even stretching hurt.
Yuri sits down in front of the mirror and presses his back against the cool glass. After taking his phone out of this bag he flips through his notifications.
A call from Victor and The Pig? They normally call on sundays.
Neither of them left a message which meant that Yuri would have to physically call them in order to decide if they were worth talking to right now. What a drag.
Yuri decides to facetime The Pig because after that shitty practice Yuri didn't want to see the unwavering superiority that was always seemed to be present Victor's eyes. The phone rang twice before Katski answered.
“Ah Yurio, nice to see you.”
“Not nice to see you. Pig.” Yuri made sure to tack on that last insult so Katsuki didn't think they were too friendly.
“Victor and I want to talk to you about someth-”
“What do you mean ‘Victor and I?’, If he is there I swear to-”
Victor pushes Yuuri about of the way to make room for his face on screen. “Hello~ Yurio, How was practice” he chirped.
Yuri represses the urge to hurl his phone across the studio.
“Why are you here Victor I didn't call you.”
“Well, I called you so...”
Yuri growled “put The Pig back on, I don't have any interest speaking to a traitor”
Yuuri knew his word were harsh and his tone even harsher but Victor didn't even bat an eye.
“Why he here there?” Yuri demanded.
“Well we do live together so we are together a lot I guess”
Oh yeah, They were married. Their wedding had been so incredibly stupid that Yuri had blocked it from his memory. Although his best man speech was pretty good and Victor had let him wear a tie with tiger stripes. That was it though.
“Whatever, just tell me what you want. I'm busy.”
“We want you to come to America and help us out!”Victor says from somewhere off screen.
Yuuri filled in the details ”well Victor and are putting on a workshop and doing a show at the end of it. We are trying to gather the best dancers from around the globe in order to create the first international dance company. It should be a great experience fo-”Yuuri didn't get to finish.
“No,” Yuri says, “never. I have an actual ballet to work on. I don't want to learn whatever different bullshit styles you are going to teach or be part of your stupid dance company.”
“Oh come on Yurio, believe it or not, it might be good for you to break away from ballet for a little bit. It sounds like you're stuck” Victor whined.
All muscles in Yuri's body tightened as all the air in the studio left him for dead.
“What?” Yuri whispers.
Victor pushed his way back onto the screen. “It is not like Yakov and I stopped talking after I left.”
“I see you head about their offer,” Lilia says from across the studio
Yuri snapped his head up from his phone. Lilia and Yakov had appeared in the doorway. He didn't even hear them come in.
“We'll talk later”. Yuri hisss and then hangs up.
“What the hell was that all about” Yuri screams at his coaches.
Yakov didn't react to Yuri’s words at all, “You will go whether you like it or not Yuri. It will be good for you”
“What do you mean by ‘go’? What do you mean by ‘offer’?”
“Yuri, stop yelling. You will go stay with Victor and let him train you for a while”
“So I can be more like him, more like that traitor”. Yuri stopps for one second as the realization hits him.“Are you giving up my spot in the ballet? Just like that!”
“It is time for break,” Lilia says.
And with just those five words Yuri's blood runs cold. Lilia had never once asked him about his emotions and she sure as hell had never told him to take a break.
He let his head roll back into the mirror so he could look up at the ceiling.
Age 18 and already a washout.
Yuri has been replaced and it stung. Some wide-eyed upstart, Didn't matter who, would take his place and not think twice of it. He would have to leave Russia and go stay with Victor and The Pig. Yakov and Lilia would buy his plane ticket but they probably wouldn't even drive him the airport or wish him well. Not the Yuri needed them. He wasn't some teenager who didn't know shit.
Yuri's ego wasn't so big that he couldn’t realize when people were better them him at certain things. Yuri knew he would never dance like Katsuki Yuuri or choreography like Victor. He didn't want to. He didn't need to be like them.
But now Yuri didn’t have a choice. He reached for his phone to send one text.
Tell me the time and the place.
The Pig responded quickly.
New york city. Yakov has your tickets. We will pick up at the JFK this Tuesday. Can't wait to see you again!
Yuri didn't text back. He didn't feel the same way.
______
Yuri’s flight was delayed for three hours and the only solace that he found in that was the fact that Victor and The Pig would have to wait for him.
The 10-hour plane ride left him feeling sore and bitter. He Normally didn't mind flying that much but this trip felt especially like the decent straight into hell.
Yuri called Victor because The Pig was probably driving.
“Where are you? I am at gate 3”
“We are just walking over now”
“Wait, what do mean walking”
Victor didn't answer his question. “Oh there you are”. Victor says right before he hangs up. Seconds after Yuri spotts them walking over with coffee in hand.
“Hi Yurio, We got you some coffee” Yuuri handed over the cup. It was still hot.
“Where the hell is your car or taxi or whatever. I am tried I don't want to walk”
“Wow, that sounded whiny even for you”, Victor comments.
“We are picking someone else up. Actually, it was a good thing your flight was late so now we don't have to wait for Otabek”
Goddamit all
“Otabek?”
“Yeah. he is one of the dancers we’ll be working with”, Yuuri answers
Victor took one of Yuri’s duffle bags “You might actually like him.” Victor heaved the bag over his shoulder. “Wow this is heavy what did you pack?”
Well you didn't tell me how long this goddam workshop would be
But Yuri didn't say that out loud. Instead, he watched the people push past others and the signs change. Yuri had been to New York before but he didn't remember it being so loud. Everything was loud from the person yelling into their cell phone to bright garish colors of the terminal signs.
Yuri didn't know how long they walked but it felt like it had been miles by the time they reached their destination at baggage claim.
“Who are we waiting for again,”.Yuri asked
“Otabek. He is from Kazakhstan right Yuuri?”
The Pig readjusted his ugly glasses on his face.”Yeah we met when I traveled to California for a show. He was training at the school there and we shared a studio space. You might actually get along with him Yurio and I think he is around your age”
“What the hell does that mean you Pig”. Yuri spat
Katsuki waved his hands in front of this face and let out a nervous laugh.”Nothing-nothing”
Yuri left Victor and Katsuki to go sit down on a bench and play with his phone. Not even one minute had passed before he heard Victor call him over. Now Victor and Katsuki weren't alone, both of them were talking with a man who Yuri assumed was Otabek.
The first thing the Yuri noticed was that he was short. Shorter than The Pig. His dark hair was styled into an undercut which practically screamed ‘I ride a motorcycle and listen to bad punk music’. Broad shoulders and muscular looking arms hinted at the fact he wasn't a ballerina. Well, that fact and the dark headphone looped around his neck. Yuri could still hear the faint pulsing beat that definitely wasn't classical being produced from the headphones.
Before Yuri had the chance to say anything Katsuki jumped in and introduced him, “Ah Otabek this is Yuri Plisetsky From Russia”
Otabek just nodded once in response ”Otabek Altin”
Yuri waited for him to say anything else besides his name but he never did.
Victor and Yuuri watched the whole exchange with narrowed eyes. Yuri guesses that he must have looked like he was going to try or say something illegal and or rude because Victor quickly whisked the both of them away back to wherever their car was.
Yuuri and Victor had parked in a spot meant for pick-ups which seemed to inconvenience others trying to leave the airport. Victor probably parked Yuri thought. The fact that they even had a car in New York city is so completely ridiculous and unnecessary. Yuuri frowned when he saw their car.
“You told me you found a spot in hourly parking”
Victor shrugged and smiled.
Ridiculous, unnecessary and yet such a completely Victor thing to do.
The whole car ride back the Katsuki-Nikiforov apartment was filled with Victor and Yuuri chatting away like school girls about their upcoming dance company. Otabek, whenever addressed directly, would either nod his head or hum in agreement. Yuri began to wonder if he was A)Stoned. B)Mute or C)Incredibly tired.
The Katsuki-Nikiforov apartment was in Soho and apparently very close to the studio they would be practicing at. The building itself was large with gaudy greek inspired pillars and detailing. Red brick differentiated the building from the gray on either side of it. Yuri Wanted to hate it but once he saw the lion sculptures guarding the main entrance he just couldn't.
Victor pulled into the parking garage and lead Otabek and Yuri up the stairs to their room. Yuri cursed the existence of stairs, if Victor and Yuri have so much goddamn money why didn’t they buy an apartment that wasn't on the top floor. Victor probably liked the view or some other bullshit.
Yeah that must be it.
The elevator wasn't an option because Otabek seemed to be doing just fine even with his short legs. Yuri would choose death before letting this second-rate dancer beat him. However Both fucking duffles were heavy and awkward to carry.
Fuck America.
“Here we are”,Victors says when the finally arrive.
Yuri looks around and sees that Otabek is still there. It takes a bit of time in Yuuri’s sleep deprived state but it finally hits him, like a bottle of vodka hurled straight at his skull.
“Wait he is staying with us”, Yuri asks just to make sure that this isn’t actually happening.
Victor and Yuri glance at each other but it is Victor who decides to speak.“Well yeah, it is a three bedroom apartment”
First losing his position in the ballet. Then saying goodbye to his beloved cat. Then a terrible ten hour flight and then this. Yuri doesn't say anything instead he looks over to Otabek whose face is a stony as his coach Lilia.
In order to break up the awkward silence, Victor unlocks the door to let them inside. The Furniture was the same furniture that Victor had back in Moscow expect for the addition of a couple things. The low table in the center of the room, the white dishes with chopsticks set out on the counter, and the stacks books most likely belonged to Yuuri.
Victor points to two doors on the left side of the room. But before he can even say anything Yuri storms into the closet room and throws his bags on the floor. He then begins to throw open up every door in the room which isn't a lot of doors. One door exactly but who's counting.
The door opens up to a bathroom which is nice. Expect for the fact that it is shared bathroom. Yuri prays that Otabek isn't a slob because if that is the case then Otabek should be the one praying.
When Yuri returns to the living room he sees that Victor's dog had appeared. Makkachin the large brown poodle was making himself very comfortable on Otabek’s lap.
“His name is Makachin”, Yuri Tells Otabek
One corner of Otabek lips twitched upwards into a half smile as he scratches behind Makkachin’s ears. “Nice to meet you Makachin”
He greets the dog, the dam dog but not me, Yuri Plisetsky a living sentient person.
Yuri tries to hide a scowl when Victor appears from the kitchen.
“Dinner's almost ready I am sure you guys must be hungry”.
Yuri may be stubborn but he was never above admitting to being hungry, ”what is for dinner?”
Victor smile widens ”Yuuri's is making your favorite”.
“You can't mean,... katsudon?”
“What else?” Victors says.
This whole ordeal might have been shitty but at this moment life wasn't so bad. Yuri scrambles to the table to wait for The Pig to finish. It was nostalgic, having dinner with Victor and Katsuki like they did back when Yuri visited them in Japan. The smell of japanese food cooling and the familiar banter between Yuuri and Victor was nice to experience again. The only thing that that did not belong in the picture was Otabek.
Yuri couldn't help but noticing his clumsy use of chopsticks. It wasn't so bad that Yuri could say something rude but it was bad enough to be frustrating to watch. Although It did fill Yuri with a small sense of pride that he was looked like a better house guest than Otabek did now.
It didn't matter, though. Victor and Yuuri weren't even watching as they were preoccupied staring at each other like this was the day they fell in love.
Yuri silently fumed while he watches Otabek readjust his grip on the chopsticks for what had to be the millionth time.
“Oh Yurio I forgot to tell you what classes you will be taking for the duration of the workshop!”
Yuri turns to Victor ”What do you mean asshole, I only dance Ballet”.
Victor tried to look apologetic as he spoke. “Well about that”. Victor trailed off. ”Yuuri was going to choreograph a piece for you and Otabek”
Yuri honestly couldn't believe what he was hearing right not. Surprise was one emotion he was feeling that was for sure, along with disgust, bloodlust, and frustration. The moment of serenity that Yuri had been feeling minutes ago was over.
Katsuki perked his head up, a piece of meat still hanging out of his mouth “I am?” He asks much to Yuri’s surprise.
Victor's mouth twitched as he exchanged a look with Yuuri and tried to communicate something that Yuri couldn’t decipher. He wonders if they practice that look or if it just something that you can do once you get married. Katsuki nods his head in understanding.
“Well, umm-that is is for the night! you guys must be tried. See you later I mean-see you tomorrow!” Yuri so eloquently states.”I mean See you in the morning, bright and ear-early” Yuuri trips over his word as they scurry to their bedroom.” You guys can just clear the dishes we’ll deal with in the morn-”Victor then slams their door shut before Yuuri can finish.
When Yuri hears the sound of a lock clicking into place he knew he wouldn’t be able to talk to The Pig and The Traitor until the tomorrow.
With no one else in the room Yuri turns his attention back to Otabek who is making progress on this food at an outrageously slow pace.
“Did you know about this?” Yuri questions. Otabek set his chopsticks down and looks up at Yuri with the same apathetic look he always has on.
“No.”Otabek pauses before speaking again. “I knew I was supposed to dance to piece created by Yuuri but I didn't know it would require a partner”
“So you did know?”, Yuri asks. He can start to hear the annoyance is showing in his voice.
“No.”, Otabek says again. “I signed up for two workshops. One contemporary and one freestyle.”
“What do you mean sign up?”, Yuri hisses through his teeth.
At first No response, Then deep breath, Then contemplative expression. “Did you just hop on a plane to New York without knowing anything about the workshop?”
Yuri slams his forehead down on the table. It is the only thing he can do to prevent himself from reaching across the table and strangling Otabek. “Yes, please enlighten me” Yuri sneers into the wood of the table. Of all the people Yuri could be prying answers out of it just had to be Otabek.
“The point is to take a class in your own style and then a class in a style you have never experienced. At the end, you perform two pieces. One from each class. This is just a trial run for Yuuri’s and Victor’s future dance company.”
“And you signed up.” Yuri asks.
“In a sense,Yes” Otabek answers.
That doesn't really help him but Yuri is tired and sick of talking. Victor is going to have a lot of explaining to do tomorrow morning. Yuri lifts his head from the table. “Listen up because I won't say this again. I will take a shower first. I will then go to bed. I will wake up with my alarm. I will not dance with you. I will not dance some shitty contemporary piece, Ballet, that is it. that is all I need.” Yuri got up from his spot at his table and walked towards his room.”And for god’s sake get a fucking fork form the kitchen. We won’t be able to have breakfast tomorrow if you’re still eating dinner.”
Yuri storms over to his bedroom and slams the door before Otabek can respond.
Needless to say the dishes didn't even get cleared that night.