Flame Of Siberia: Yuri!!! On Ice Sequel

Chapter 2 - Part 3

Natasha's POV

I jolt awake, curled up as best as I can in the reclined train seat. The journey tracker says we will arrive in 40 minutes... I managed to sleep for half the journey despite having drunk so much coffee.

With a yawn, I get up and go to the bathroom to get changed out of my slouchy sweater into a wool jumper, swapping my T-shirt and shorts out for jeans and a long sleeved top. After splashing my face and cleaning my teeth I go back to my seat, feeling slightly better having made myself look slightly more presentable.

The train slows down on the tracks, and the city comes into view. The sun is high and bright and barely a cloud in the sky, high-rise buildings and traditional architecture coming into view. I feel as though I'm coming home - and yet at the same time, it feels like a new experience altogether.

We arrive safely in the station, and the driver comes on the intercom as we park outside the gate.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have now arrived at Moscow Central. The current temperature is 16°C with forecast of sunshine. On behalf of the crew, we hope you have a pleasant stay and thank you for choosing to travel with us."

I drag my heavy body across the platform - luckily my suitcase containing my ice skates and my new uniform in it is still intact. My phone vibrates with a text from Alexei.

"I'm at the pick up point. Looking forward to seeing you after all this time :)"

With another reason to be excited, I head through to the pick up point, where burly taxi drivers are holding up signs with the names of their passengers written in messy Cyrillic. I scan the area with my eyes, and on the far right I see a young man with a strong build and dark hair, weatind a smart-casual shirt and tie, and an official looking hospital lanyard around his neck - holding a sign with my name on it. My brother, Dr. Alexei Melekhov.

Without hesitation, I run into his arms and he gives me a bear hug.

"Well, if it isn't the Flame of Siberia!" Alexei laughs, spinning me around like Yuuri did.

"I'm surprised you can still lift me!" I reply. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too," he breathes. "Come on, let's go to the apartment. You must be exhausted."

We head out into the car park, a cool breeze and the sound of squealing train brakes and guards' whistles in the air.

"My car is in the multi-storey, it's about a minute's walk." Alexei says. I follow him up the many levels - and my jaw drops of its own accord as we stop at an immaculate black Mercedes sports car. Alexei helps me with my bags and I get into the passenger seat next to him.

"Wow..." I breathe, taking in the purple LED lights and the heated seats.

"She's a beauty, isn't she?" Alexei smiles. "Come on, let's go."

The engine starts even more smoothly than Viktor's Porsche - although the music is a little bit of a culture shock. The J-pop and classical music I am used to is replaced by One Direction and Katy Perry - music I have not listened to since I was here the last time. As much as I miss the music that Yuuri showed me, there is a sense of nostalgia and comfort in the air.

"Is this music okay? If you want, you can show me what you've been liking recently," Alexei suggests as we leave the car park and start cruising down the motorway.

"No, it's fine. I miss hearing songs like these, to be honest," I respond.

Just under an hour later, we arrive at Alexei's apartment in the city centre. I take off my coat and trainers, stretching out on the sofa and looking out at the view over Moscow.

"You're lucky I got a two bedroom. Your room is the second door on the left, opposite mine. If you need anything, call me if I'm not at home," Alexei starts.

"Got it," I reply.

"Ah, I almost forgot. Your welcome home present from me is on your desk. It's just something small."

A little surprised, I walk over to my room with my bags. The room is completely pristine, with white walls and dark brown wood flooring. The bedclothes are black and grey, with an Aztec pattern on the duvet - and on the desk, I see a small flowering cactus, a plaque that reads "Never let anyone dull your sparkle"... And a rectangular box wrapped up with a bow.

I open it carefully - and inside is a light blue phone case that I have always wanted and a brand new pair of AirPods. After hooking up the AirPods and fixing the case onto my phone, I run straight to Alexei for another hug.

"You really didn't have to do all this..." I breathe.

"It was no big deal," he replies. "I'm glad we're still on good terms after all this time."

I can't help but laugh as I help get out ingredients for lunch. "Of course I wouldn't turn on you, you're my brother. We're family."

Alexei smiles as he starts boiling the kettle for pasta. "I can't believe you've grown up so fast - it only seems like yesterday that we were skating together on the lake back home."

"Are you still skating?" I ask.

"Well, I try to. It's just that I'm always on call at the hospital and I rarely have time to practise. But I do when I get the luxury of a free evening," he replies.

"Once I get on the ice I will show you my new home rink and we can get back to it - if my new coach and rink mates don't mind," I suggest.

"But of course," Alexei responds, adding tomatoes to a pan as I stir the pasta in another pot. "Just don't get mad at me if I fall," he jokes.

I burst out laughing as I pass the garlic to Alexei. "If you can still lift me, it should be no problem."

As much as I miss my old home, I can already tell I'm going to like it here - it's like Alexei and I have never been apart despite only having seen each other twice over the past three years.