An Unexpected Love (A Yuri Plisetsky Fanfiction)

Chapter 10: Comfort

Ayumi sat in total silence, eyes wandering as the Audi drove along Lakhtinskiy Avenue. The sun was low in the sky; it has been about four hours since Roman picked her up from the ice rink. The said driver was focused on the road, yet his gaze wavered to the rear-view mirror every so often. He was growing concerned for the lady at the back seat who was constantly fidgeting on her phone as if expecting someone to call.

The two have been on the road the entire afternoon. Roman was beyond confused when the girl jumped into the car and asked him to drive aimlessly throughout the streets of Saint Petersburg without any explanation. The look of urgency in her face made him follow with no questions asked. It was obvious that the girl was out on a mission, but the lack of any form of reaction from her over the past few minutes has really made him start questioning her motivations.

Despite her silence, Ayumi's mind was buzzing. Yuri has been missing since he rushed out of the rink that morning. She has done nothing but look for him, eyes constantly looking out in hopes that she would see his recognizable blond hair as her car passed by.

Her phone has been in her slightly trembling fingers the entire time. She has tried texting and calling her friend, all to no avail. She even asked Viktor and Mila to keep and eye out and call her if Yuri comes back to the rink, but she has not heard from them since making the request.

She opened her phone once again, her shoulders slumping as she saw the lack of any reply from Yuri. Tapping on the messages app, Ayumi typed one more pleading message.

Ayu: Please, where are you? I'm worried. I need to know you're okay. (07/08, 03:23 p.m.)

The past four hours have been mentally draining, but she refused to go home until she knew Yuri was safe...and alive. His last words as he exited the rink still made her worry. Also, the sun was about to set, and Ayumi knew perfectly well how some people can be after hours. She shook her head slightly trying to get rid of the unsettling thought.

They were now driving out of the city proper, heading to Primorskiy District. The road seemed to get closer to the shoreline. Ayumi wondered how far this search would actually take them. The car passed by a well-tended portion of greenery stretching out to the sea. It was a small park, and Ayumi couldn't help but marvel at the view.

Then something she saw made her heart stop, her hands dropping her phone. There, standing along the railing along the edge of the sea, was an unmistakeable figure. The slim body was leaning out, wearing a blue Russian team jacket with the hood up. It didn't take a genius to guess who it was.

"Roman, stop the car!" Ayumi suddenly shouted. Roman, startled, slammed down on the brakes. As soon as he did, the girl reached down to grab her phone, shoved it in her pocket, and immediately got out of the car.

"Miss Ayumi, are you sure about this?" Roman asked, seeing the reason for her sudden need to leave.

The girl looked back at him and smiled. "Don't worry about me for now. I just need to take care of this. Please stay close by, though. We're gonna need a ride back." Roman nodded and continued to drive away.

Ayumi walked slowly, approaching the figure. The sadness in the boy's eyes made her heart clench.

"Yura?" she said quietly.

He quickly turned to face her, eyes wide in surprise. Standing beside him, she continued. "Please. Talk to me."

Yuri once again looked out to the sea. He a lot to say, but he couldn't find the words to.

"No Ayu," Yuri answered. His shoulders slumped. He was lying—he really needed to talk to her. He wanted to. She was the only person who has ever tried to get to know him. The real him. But he had way too much on his hands. He knew better than to burden someone else with his problems.

The girl didn't leave. She stared at him with downcast eyes. "I... I know that you're going through a lot, and that I'm probably the last person you'd want to talk to. But I can't help but worry about you Yura. Please..."

Her words made Yuri look at her in confusion. "How...how can you say that I don't want to—"

Ayumi looked away. "You've been avoiding me like the plague the past few days. I just couldn't help but think that you were back to hating me."

The boy's eyes widened. "No, Ayu. It's not like that. I never... I never hated you. Never."

"Then why are you shutting me out, Yura? Do you not trust me?"

It was Yuri's turn to avoid her gaze. He stared out across the sea. "Because I need to deal with this alone. I refuse to drag anyone else down with me. Especially you."

With that, Ayumi's heart shattered. No. You don't need to go through this alone.

Reaching out, she held his hand which was resting on the railing. She used her other hand to turn Yuri's body towards her. Her grip on his shoulders tightened as he stared down on the ground, refusing to meet her gaze.

"Listen to me. I won't pretend like I understand what you're going through. But I do know one thing: you do not need to go through this alone, Yuri. Never alone."

Yuri looked into her eyes as she continued with a trembling voice. "I understand if you find it difficult to open up to me. I probably haven't made it easy for you. But I... I need you to know that I won't give up on you. I'll always be here to listen to you. Even if you can't tell me everything, it's okay. I promise to meet you halfway, no matter how much you choose to tell me."

She looked back at him with concerned eyes. "I won't leave you alone, Yura. No matter what."

Tears formed in Yuri's eyes as he watched her. Ayumi's face was so soft and sincere, as if she was his own angel. Her own eyes were pleading, and Yuri something he hasn't seen in a long time. Something he only saw in his grandfather.

His heart swelled. Ayumi cared about him. This girl, a girl he actually cherished, truly cared about him. "Ayu..."

He was slowly brought to a hug, Ayumi rubbing her hands on his back soothingly. For the first time, he let the tears fall from his eyes. He returned the hug tightly, squeezing her in comfort.

Ayumi just stood there as Yuri cried. She knew how much he needed this. She continued to trace soothing circles on his back as he exhausted every pent-up emotion he's had over the past few days.

She felt Yuri relax as his tears finally stopped flowing, but she did not let go. Her gaze went out to the sea, and soon she spoke up.

"Yura look," Ayumi whispered. Yuri slowly dropped his hands and turned towards the railing. Across the sea was the most colorful sunset he has ever seen.

She turned her body to face the view. "Do you often come here in times like this?" He didn't say a word, and she continued. "If you do, I can see why. This place is such a peaceful place to think. Simple and quiet. It's absolutely beautiful."

A gentle breeze flowed by and pushed Ayumi's hair back. Her eyes were soft and her face had a gentle smile, the light of the setting sun accentuating her features. Yuri couldn't help but stare at his friend, all thoughts of the sunset forgotten.

You're right. It's absolutely beautiful.

The girl staring out across the sea was shocked when she suddenly felt arms wrap around her waist from behind.

Yuri pressed himself close to Ayumi, hugging her close. He placed his head on her shoulders and closed his eyes.

Ayumi turned her head to look at him in confusion. She was about to say something when Yuri suddenly spoke with a soft voice. "Can we stay like this for a few minutes longer? Please?"

She let out a soft gasp. The boy definitely seemed more relaxed now, but there was still a slight pain in his eyes that has not left him. She slowly brought a hand to Yuri's cheek. He looked up at her with wide eyes.

She smiled sincerely at him. "Of course, Yura."

The sunset pulled her gaze back in, but she tilted her head slightly to make room for Yuri. He buried his face deeper into the crook of her neck and breathed in comfort.

That moment, Yuri knew.

No, he felt it weeks ago, but it was only then that he could finally say it to himself with conviction:

I am falling in love with her.