Chapter Text
JJ was one of the best figure skaters in the entire world, and he sure as hell knew it. So you can imagine the disappointment he felt in himself when he came third in the Grand Prix Final. If only he hadn't let his nerves get the better of him... That gold medal was rightfully his. And now, he has to stand on a podium in front of the entire world and show off the fact that he'd just been beaten by some fifteen year old punk. Still, he flashed his usual charming grin as he posed for various pictures, trying not to show just how humiliated he felt as he somewhat retained his dignity. "You said you wanted to climb the podium with me, didn't you?" A voice none other than Yuri Plisetsky's came from beside him. "How does it feel knowing that I'm better than you?" He smirked tauntingly at him before kissing his gold medal.
JJ just hid his annoyance, putting on his usual overly confident act. "That's JJ style, princess. I'll make sure not to go easy on you next year." He smirked with a wink, grabbing and pressing a kiss to Yuri's gold medal much to the blonde's displeasure. "You're such an asshole." Yuri growled at him as he wiped his medal on his costume whilst poor Yuuri Katsuki just stood there, pretending he didn't hear the two arguing and posing with his silver medal.
After what felt like hours of picture taking, JJ stepped down from the podium and made his way over to the edge of the rink, breaking out into a wide grin when he saw Isabella stood there talking to his mother. "Izzy!" He called out, all the cameras managing to capture the moment he ran over to her and flung his arms around his fiancée. "I'm sorry I didn't win gold like I promised... But I swear on my life that I'll bring you a gold medal next year!" JJ beamed as he pulled her into a gentle kiss. "Get a room, assholes!" Yuri called out to them as he made his way over to Lilia and Yakov whilst flipping the couple off and making JJ chuckle into the kiss.
Isabella pulled back, giving JJ a soft smile with a strange glint in her eyes. "I'm... So proud of you..." She said, her voice giving off an odd tone. JJ didn't think anything of it, kissing her cheek before gazing at her with a loving smile. They'd been together for almost five years now, the first time JJ laid eyes upon her being in their classroom in high school, with him being far too nervous to go and speak to her, which was extremely out of character for him. He could still remember the day they had their first kiss, him thinking about how lucky he was to be kissing the most beautiful girl in the world the entire time. And now here they were, at the Grand Prix Final together with her cheering him on. And JJ still thought she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen...
"You should get some rest tonight, honey..." Isabella said, her eyes fixing on his medal and looking a little sad before forcing a smile again. JJ pouted in response. "But sweetie... It's the banquet tonight. You know I can't miss it..." He said as he played with Isabella's hair, to which she almost looked... Annoyed..?
Isabella sighed. "Darling, you've done a lot today... You can go if you'd like. But I won't be there..." She said. JJ frowned, taking her hand and forcing a smile as he waved to the cameras, dragging her out of the rink as quickly as he could to somewhere a little more private. "Bella... What's wrong..?" He asked softly as he began to play with her hair again. Isabella looked as if she was about to snap, but instead, she just smiled softly at him. "Nothing... I'm just tired. And I wanted to celebrate your success tonight together..." She said with an innocent smile as she hugged JJ tightly, beginning to press soft kisses to his neck. JJ blushed when he realised what she meant, becoming flustered as he stepped away. "Bella... You know how I feel about that..." He said, staring down at the ground as he ran his fingers through his hair awkwardly.
Isabella let out a frustrated groan. "Come on JJ! We've been together for so long! We know we're going to get married. Who cares if it's a few months before the wedding?!" She asked as she folded her arms with a scowl. JJ frowned a little. "A few months..?" He asked, chuckling a little awkwardly in confusion. "Bella... I didn't win gold, we can't get married until I win. I made a promise." He sighed, Isabella's expression twisting into one of anger before chuckling bitterly. "Of course we can't!" She said, mocking his tone before glaring at him. "This is one of the things I hate most about you... You're always so stubborn!" She hissed.
JJ sighed, pretending that the words didn't hurt him. "I love you, Bella... And I want to marry you. But I can't go back on my promise..." He said as he cupped her face and gave her a small smile. "Please... It's only a year..." He whispered as he hesitantly leaned in to kiss her.
Isabella immediately stepped away from him, shaking her head. "If you loved me you'd want to marry me as soon as possible instead of keeping some stupid promise you made!" She snapped at him. "But no, you go finish your interviews. We'll talk properly later." She said as turned on the spot before storming off, leaving JJ stood there rooted to the spot in shock.
Of course they'd argued before, they were a couple after all! But there was something about this argument that seemed odd to JJ. It wasn't like their usual arguments of who finished the last of the milk or when Isabella went on a shopping spree using their joint account. As much as he hated to be pessimistic... It was almost as if she was breaking up with him... JJ just shook his head, chuckling at himself for even thinking about something like that. He loved Isabella. And Isabella loved him. They'd been inseparable since high school and there was no way they would break up over some dumb medal. She probably needed some time to cool off, it had been a stressful few months for the both of them after all.
*
Once JJ was finally done with his many interviews, photography sessions, meet and greets and various panels to speak about his success and plans for next year's Grand Prix Final, he made his way up to the hotel room, wanting nothing more than to see Isabella and make up with her. He'd always hated it when they argued, often finding himself apologising to Isabella despite her being the one in the wrong just so that they could go back to normal. That was one of the very few things that JJ found a little irritating about their relationship, she never apologised for anything...
"Bella!" JJ called out once he'd unlocked their door. "I'm done." He smiled, sitting on the bed where Isabella was curled up reading a book, barely sparing him a glance. "How was it?" She asked in a cold tone, making JJ frown a little. "I... Uh... It was okay. Are you still not coming to the banquet tonight?" He asked, hoping that she had changed her mind.
"No. I'm not." Isabella said as she sat up, closing her book before placing it on the bedside table and looking up at JJ expectantly. "Well?" She asked, making JJ sigh. "I want to keep my promise to you, Bella... I'm sorry." There it was. The apology again... Isabella rolled her eyes in response to him. "Okay. Goodnight then." She muttered, clearly annoyed as she lay back down and pulled the blankets over herself. "...I love you Bella." JJ said as he ruffled her hair and pressed a kiss to her head, his fiancée moving away from his touch coldly.
JJ just sighed, stepping back and just deciding that she still needed some more space for a little while. He quickly changed into his suit, saying goodbye to Isabella and still not getting a response from her before he finally just gave up and left her by herself.
"JJ! There you are! We were worried you'd be too tired for the banquet tonight!" His mother beamed at him when he entered the banquet hall, trotting over to him in her slightly-too-high heels and handing him a glass of champagne. "Here, you can enjoy yourself tonight. You've earned it." She smiled, hesitating for a moment before pulling him into a tight hug, his father suddenly appearing out of nowhere and ruffling JJ's hair. "We're both so proud of you, kid." He chuckled, JJ breaking into a wide grin as he hugged both of his parents tightly. "Thank you..." JJ said quietly. "I promise I'll win gold next year. I won't let you down this time!" He smiled, the look of determination on his face making his mother laugh. "Oh, JJ... You could never disappoint us..." She grinned as she kissed his cheek before stepping back. "Is Isabella not coming tonight..?" She asked, suddenly noticing her lack of presence.
"Ah... No. She was a little tired tonight." JJ said as he took a sip from his glass, his father tutting. "She's the one that's tired, eh? She's not the one who just won bronze at the Grand Prix Final!" He laughed, his wife elbowing him. "Alain!" She exclaimed, giving him a stern look and making her husband chuckle. "Hey, I'm just saying, if JJ can make it down here, so can she." He laughed, making JJ let out a small chuckle. "You don't want to be stuck with us all evening. Go and talk to the other skaters, we'll handle the sponsors." His mother smiled at him, making JJ hesitate for a moment, weighing up his options for a moment. "Thanks mom... I'll see you two later!" He beamed before walking off, having absolutely no idea where he was going or who he was going to talk to.
"JJ! Over here!" An overly enthusiastic voice came from somewhere in the crowd, none other than the living legend himself waving at him excitedly. JJ chuckled, making his way over to him. "Viktor! Congratulations on your first year of coaching being a success!" He greeted him politely. Viktor laughed, clearly tipsy. "I should be the one congratulating you~ Third place!" He beamed. "I thought I'd take it easy on the other two~ Give them a boost of confidence." JJ purred with a laugh, Yuuri quickly running over to them with a chuckle. "I-I'm sorry about him... He did a few shots when we got here." He said, wrapping an arm around Viktor's waist and making the Russian suddenly gasp excitedly when he saw him. "You'll come to our wedding, right JJ~?" Viktor giggled, throwing his arms around JJ's neck. "Promise me you will!!!"
"You two are still getting married..?" JJ asked, making a small blush appear on Yuuri's cheeks. "W-We talked about it earlier... We agreed that we want to get married as soon as possible..." "I'm so in love, JJ~ How do you do it?! I just want to kiss Yuuri all the time..." Viktor pouted before grinning as he turned to Yuuri who squeaked in surprise as the Russian suddenly lunged at him. "Wha?! Vitya! N-No! Not in public!" He squealed as Viktor tried to kiss him. JJ just laughed. "I guess I'll leave you to it! Be safe~" He teased before walking off.
Viktor and Yuuri were still getting married... Despite Yuuri not winning a gold medal like they'd agreed... The two had only known each other for a year, while he and Isabella had known each other since high school. Was he being unreasonable for keeping his promise and postponing the wedding..? He told Isabella that he would only marry her if he won a gold medal. Did Isabella think he was kidding? It wasn't like he didn't want to marry her! He was completely and utterly head over heels in love with her.
So why wasn't he marrying her as soon as he could..?
"Get out of my way, loser!" Yuri Plisetsky growled, drawing JJ out of his thoughts as he walked past with Otabek who trailing behind him a little awkwardly. Yuri stopped in his tracks when he didn't get a reaction from the Canadian, deciding to taunt him in the hopes that he'd at least get something. "Look at you. Even dressed up like a silver medal, how pathetic." The blonde sneered as he looked JJ up and down, mocking the metallic suit he was wearing. JJ just let out a little chuckle, deciding to let the kid have his fun. "What does that make you, kitten? You're not exactly best known for your fashion sense. Who picked that suit out for you?" He teased Yuri, taking the hem of Yuri's black and white striped blazer between his fingers and pulling him a little closer as he pretended to examine the fabric.
"I did." Otabek said in his usual monotone voice, making JJ feel a wash of guilt overcome him and immediately regretting all his life decisions that led up to that very moment. He immediately let go of Yuri's jacket, quickly downing the rest of his champagne before praying to god that Otabek was a little more understanding of his sense of humour than he was when they had trained together all those years ago. "You did a great job at picking out your own suit, but I think it's best if Yakov and Lilia pick out the kitten's clothes." JJ said as he winked at Otabek who practically recoiled in response.
"They're not the bosses of me." Yuri hissed at JJ with a glare. "I can pick out my own clothes, but Otabek helped me, you know? Friends do that for each other. But of course I wouldn't expect you to understand that since you don't have any." He smirked, JJ holding back the scowl that was trying to form on his face and instead forcing a smile. "I don't need friends to do that for me, kitten. I have my future wife. But of course I wouldn't expect you to understand that." He said in a mocking tone before laughing as he rested a hand on Otabek's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "Don't be afraid to put the kitten in his place when it comes to fashion. You seem to know what you're doing." He purred, looking him up and down and winking at him again. He gave him a small smirk before walking off, holding back a laugh as Yuri began to shout obscenities after him.
Despite their silent alliance, it was normal for JJ and Yuri to tease and taunt each other like that, somehow knowing each other's boundaries despite not mentioning them even once. JJ never brought up Yuri's parent, and Yuri never mentioned JJ's glaringly obvious anxiety.
JJ would consider Yuri a friend, believe it or not. Although now that the blonde had brought it up, he suddenly realised the lack of real friends that he actually had... Sure, he had acquaintances that perhaps bordered on friendship. But he'd never had any clear-cut friends despite how hard he tried... All the other skaters just seeing him as cocky, self-centred and unapproachable. Even all the years that JJ spent training with Otabek, he knew Otabek wouldn't label them as friends despite how much time the two had spent together.
Yuri Plisetsky was the closest thing JJ had to a friend...
"You seem to have a talent at angering the tiger, but the real question is, can you tame him~?" A voice purred from behind JJ, none other than Christophe Giacometti moving to rest a hand on JJ's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. JJ laughed, turning around and giving the other a wink. "I have my methods." He said as he took another glass of champagne from one of the waiters making their way past, taking a sip. "What about you? I don't see your kitten anywhere?" He said teasingly, making Chris laugh in response. "He's stuck talking to my sponsors, that's the best thing about having your boyfriend as your manager, he does all the dirty work for me... Well, sometimes." Chris winked at him.
JJ had always felt welcomed by Chris, whether it was at a competition or the banquet, he knew that if he needed to start a conversation with anyone just to appear as if he was being social, he could go straight to him. His usual charm and wit intimidated him at first, but now? He has no idea what he would be like at competitions without him...
Still, just as he'd thought before, Chris also wouldn't exactly consider him a friend, seeing him more as someone to flirt and talk with until he was whisked away by his godlike boyfriend to go and make out in a corner somewhere.
JJ just smiled, taking another sip of his drink.
"I'm sure he does..." He winked at Chris, the other chuckling a little. "Where's your soon to be wife..?" He asked. "Too exhausted to walk? I've seen the amount of stamina you have on the ice. I bet her p-" "Chris!" Chris was cut off by his boyfriend, walking over to him and throwing his arms around the blonde's waist before kissing over his neck. JJ couldn't help but breathe a silent breath of relief, not wanting to answer any more questions about Isabella tonight.
"You'll have to excuse my boyfriend... He hasn't even started drinking, that's what's worrying." Chris' boyfriend laughed. "I don't believe we've met, my name is Masumi." He smiled sweetly, practically having to tear his arm away from Chris to shake JJ's hand. "You must be JJ. Mr bronze medal himself." He winked at him with a chuckle. JJ just laughed. "The one and only." He smiled, relaxing a little in the other two's presence.
Maybe JJ could make friends after all...
"I'm so impressed with your routines this year. I know you'll be able to get silver next year, Chris being the one to get gold of course." Masumi giggled with a wink to JJ, making him laugh in response. "Thank you. But I can assure you, I'll be beating your boyfriend next year too." JJ teased, more determined than ever to win that gold medal. Chris smirked in response. "Oh? Is that a threat or a promise?" He chuckled a little with a wink, Masumi pouting a little as he kissed at his boyfriend's neck again, clearly getting a little jealous of the other two's interactions.
"What would you like it to be?" JJ purred as he downed the rest of his champagne. Chris opened his mouth to speak before groaning when he heard his name being called from somewhere in the crowd. "Chris?! Masumi?! I turned around for one second!" Chris' coach yelled. Masumi chuckled. "That's our queue to leave. It was nice to meet you, maybe see you next year!" He smiled sweetly, Chris nodding before pressing a kiss to JJ's cheek. "Au revoir..." He purred, hand brushing against the other's ass as he turned to leave with a sultry wink.
*
After many, many hours of socialising with people that JJ simply could not give two shits about and having to watch what could only be described as a strip club performance from Yuuri Katsuki, he finally made his way to the hotel room, feeling himself break into a wide smile at just the thought of crawling into bed with Isabella and holding her until they fell asleep.
"Bella..?" JJ called out softly as he walked in, just a little tipsy from the amount of champagne he'd consumed. Isabella didn't respond, facing away from JJ as she snored softly.
JJ broke into a small smile, clumsily tugging off his suit before crawling into bed beside her. He shuffled closer, pressing a gentle kiss over her cheek as he wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close. It was times like this that JJ knew that this was all he ever wanted in life. To hold someone in his arms like this, for it to feel as if there were nobody else on the entire planet except for the two of them...
He loved Isabella more than anything in this entire world...
He let his eyes drift shut as the thoughts of their future together lingered in his mind, too tired to notice the bruises on his fiancée's collarbone and the already fading red scratch marks on her back...