Chapter Five: The Golden Girl and Boy
a/n: disclaimer, english is not my first language, so, please excuse any grammatical errors.
this'll be about the team event as you can kind of tell by the pictures lol. i will apologize in advance as i will exclude alysa liu from participating in the team event to make way for natalia. that's my only adjustment. i hope you are okay with that huhu. i made the decision to keep amber because i feel like, in this sense, with amber's backstory, the team gold means a lot to her. anyways, i hope you understand and enjoy the chapter!
Flashback to January 30, 2026
"We need to secure Team Gold" The head of the U.S. Federation of the U.S. National Championships stated to both Ilia and Nataliaā just them, no other Team U.S.A figure skaters for Milano Cortina.
The room that they were in was not too small, but it felt very suffocating. Ilia and Natalia had just finished press conferences, and were pulled into a room sneakily by the head of U.S. Figure Skating.
Natalia was the first to speak, "Shouldn't we be discussing this with the other selected skatersā"
"No," She was cut off by the Head, making her smile tight-lipped, Natalia wasn't a fan of being cut off, "There's a reason why it's just the two of you."
"That being because?" Ilia spoke up, crossing his arms.
The Head gave a small tight-lipped smile, one mimicking Natalia's, "It's evident that only the two of you are the ones who will bring the Team Gold for the Singles Category. And, the individual Gold."
She had to pinch herself to stay respectful and not actually have herself bark at the Head, "With all due respect, Sir, we kindly accept your praises. However, wouldn't that look bad on our end? Having just the two of us compete for the Team Gold in the Singles Category?"
"It's our only shot. We have Chock & Bates for Ice Dance, and Kam & O'Shea for Pairs. That's securedā"
"āYou want a back-to-back gold for Team U.S.A" Natalia cuts him off, "Due to ROC being pulled down to Bronze after the doping scandal of Kamila, Team U.S.A got Gold in the Team Event in Beijing. You want another Team Gold. And, you think it's best if only Ilia and I skate the individuals?" She adds.
The Head nods, "Precisely."
"That's absurd" Ilia starts, "We aren't the only skaters in the individuals that can pull us toā"
"Don't be modest now" The Head scoffs, waving his hand at them dismissively, "Maybe for the Women's Category, Alysa or Amber can butt in. But, for the Men's? Ilia, you're the only hope for Team Gold."
Natalia wanted to get physical on the man. They already had so much pressure from the media and the press, now, they're being pressed by the Federation itself? It's like Ilia has no way out.
"That's insulting to Maxim and Andrew," Natalia comments, "And, you're talking about Amber and Alysa as if they're just backups. And, you left out Isabeau."
The Head sighs, "But, do they have a solid foundation?"
Natalia and Ilia both silenced. It was true, but it wasn't at the same time. It was the goddamn Olympics. All Olympians are very talented athletes, among the small percentage of those who excel in their sports. It was true because Ilia and Natalia have a solid track record with a long winning streakā it was very certain they'd do well. It wasn't true in the sense that it's not only them who have a solid track record. All seven of them single skaters were chosen for the Olympic spots for a good reasonā they were all talented.
"We'll skate the short program" Natalia finally speaks up.
This made Ilia turn his head towards her with slightly widened eyes, as if a bit hurt that she didn't consult with him first.
"You both have to skateā"
"We're not skating both programs. We're not going to" Natalia directs, "In less than three or four days, Ilia would be skating the short program after the Team Event finishes. That means, if we go by your way, he'd have to skate four programs in a span of a week. That's tolling."
"And, you're not concerned for yourself? Why are you only stating Ilia's situation?" The Head asks with a raised eyebrow, making Ilia turn towards Natalia, due to her defense.
She sighs, running her fingers through her long blonde hair, "It's not the same for me. The Women's event starts four days after the Men's. Meaning, I'd have around a week before I start skating my programs again," She stated, "Can't we have a redo of Beijing? Have me skate the short, and have another strong skater skate the free. Works for Ilia and I."
The Head blinks, turning to Ilia, "What do you think?"
Ilia sighs, looking towards Natalia who made a great bargain, "Yeah. We'll skate the short program, it's less tolling than if we skate bothā or, the free in contrast."
The Head nods, "Good. Both of you for the Short. Who do you suggest taking the Free?"
She turns towards Ilia, "Alysa, Amber, and Isabeau all have different styles and scoring... but, in technicality, Amber seems like the best shot. She has the Triple Axel."
"I'll go with Andrew, since he's the silver medal. If he doesn't want to, Maxim can take over" Ilia said.
The Head nods once more, "Are we sure with Amber, because sheā"
"We're sure with Amber" Natalia defends, knowing what the Head was about to say. That Amber can be inconsistent and that she's more fragile as an older skater.
Ilia looks over at Natalia's determination with Amber, and nods as well, "Amber's the best shot for the Free Program. And, I think Alysa wouldn't want to skate her Free Program for the Team Event."
The designated day for the Team Event's start. The Pairs and the Women's Short Programs will start today.
Natalia was the competitor for Team U.S.A's Women's Singles Short Program skate. She recalled the words of the Head, making her feel uneasy. It was toughā being called one of the sole hopes of Team Gold.
She sighs. She was in her room, having herself get ready for her program. She tied her long blonde hair into a french braided bun, and secured it with as many bobby pins as she could, then sprayed it heavily with hairspray.
She looks at her light blue flowery costume sitting on her bed, ready to be worn. She bit her lip in nervousness.
This was a different feeling than she had back in Beijing. Natalia was only freshly seventeen back in 2022, going to the Olympics with Roman by her side as her attending coach. She had shorter blonde hair, she still had her braces back then, and had a soft American sweetheart look to herself. In the Team Event, she wasn't the hope for Team Goldā it was Nathan Chen and Karen Chen. She was chosen for the short program because she had solid technical abilities and her artistry was top notch. She skated to Kate Bush's Army Dreamers, which helped Team U.S.A into second lead after Kamila. But, in the individual event, Natalia scored higher than Valieva by just a point.
Because of that skate, she was referred to as the Girl in the Battlefield back in Beijing as her short program to Army Dreamers connected with her free program to the Hunger Games Soundtrack.
Now, there was no Nathan Chen nor Karen Chen as the hopefuls for the Team Eventā four years later, they were replaced by two Russian-American 21-year-olds from Fairfax, Virginia. Now, Ilia and her were the hopefuls for the Team Event in Milano Cortina.
All of Natalia's thoughts faded once she heard her room's doorknob twist and the click of the door indicating someone opened it. She sat on her desk, where she was getting ready with the makeup bag on top that was practically a vanity too with the built-in mirror and lights around it.
"Roman?" She asks, thinking it was him due to him always checking on her before performances.
She didn't know it was Ilia until she saw a glimpse of blonde locks, "What are you doing here?" Natalia asks with a small smile and her makeup only done with the baseā no eye makeup or lip makeup yet.
"Came to see you before showtime" Ilia shrugs as he closes the door behind him, and walks to her, "Back in Beijing, did you do your hair too?"
Natalia blinks, "I've done my hair since I started skating in the Seniors division. Tatiana's no longer accompanying us for competitions, so I adapted."
"Is that how dad got to know how to braid Liza's hair?" Ilia chuckles, crossing his arms, his face curious and intrigued.
She nods, "I guess so, he usually watches me do my hair. Sometimes, he helps with the pins so my hair doesn't move."
"Is your hair stable now?" Ilia asks as he picks up one of her remaining bobby pins on the desk.
Natalia shakes her head to see if there are movements, "Not that much. You can stab more pins, just make sure they're invisible to the eye."
Ilia hums as he sticks some more bobby pins to secure her hair, looking so concentrated.
She glances at him via the mirror, and smiles softly before continuing on doing her eye makeupā just a nice gradient blue look.
"You know, I could never do this. Do all the hair and makeup" He comments, "Women do such wonders."
Natalia snorts, "Aren't you a good feminist."
He chuckles at that, "But, I'm stating facts. Men don't have to do much about how they look on the ice except for their costumes. Maybe gel their hair, but I don't do gel."
Natalia looks up at him through the mirror, "That's a good acknowledgement for the lady skaters."
After Ilia secures her hair in place, he sighs and sits down on her bed, far from the costume laying down just to not ruin it, in case, "They're making me skate both programs" He finally says.
Natalia paused, her hand still up to blend her eyeshadow with her brush, "What?" Then, she faces him, dropping her eyeshadow brush onto the desk, "Didn't we already talk to the Head about not doing that?"
He sighs, "They're desperate. They wanted you too, actually. But, Iā"
"What are we, puppets?" She cuts him off with a scoff, "Verbal agreements mean nothing in the godforsaken country," She mutters under her breath, "You agreed to it?" Natalia sighs, calmer now.
He nods, "It's not like I had a choice. It was either I do both, or we take Amber out, and you do both. I didn't want Amber to miss out on it, she has been looking forward to skating in the free."
Natalia looked weird right now, having one eyelid with eyeshadow and the other still naked, but Ilia couldn't care less. Neither of them.
"I'm so close to representing another country right now" She spat, "I literally negotiated with the Head not to do that to any of us. Especially to you," She scoffs.
Ilia gives her a smile, one that confused her since he was smiling gleefully at her, "That's not how you should react, you know? You should be as frustrated and annoyed as I am" Natalia points out.
"You're angry for me" He reasoned.
"How could I not be? You're skating your two programs twice in a span of less than two weeks. It's so fuā messed up" She argued, not wanting to curse as she sees Roman walk into her room from the corner of her eye.
"What's messed up?" Roman asks as he sits beside Ilia on her bed.
Natalia took a deep breath to calm herself down, "Your son is skating four times in a span of a week" She mutters.
Roman nods, already aware of it, but not commenting further.
She raised an eyebrow at him, "What, you're okay with that?" She asks softly.
Roman shrugs, "We can't argue further. We already tried to negotiate."
Natalia nods, accepting defeat as she then does her other eyelid, "Then, that's that" She sighs, "Did you come here to tell me?" She asks Roman.
He nodded, "And, wanted to check if you're almost done."
Natalia nods as she finishes her eye makeup, then goes on to do her eyeliner and her lipstick. She looks at them, "Good?"
They both nodded. This made Natalia go to them and get her costume, "Can you zip me up later?" She asks Ilia.
Roman smirked at how Ilia's ears reddened. Usually it was Roman who would do it, since it'd just be her and him, but now with Ilia here, "Uh, yeah, just call for me in the bathroom."
She nods and goes into the bathroom, changing into her costume. After a while, she calls out, "Ilia, zipper,"
Ilia takes a deep breath before standing up from the bed to attend to Natalia, making Roman silently chuckle.
"Next to skate for the women's singles short program. Representing the United States of America in the Team Event, Natalia Petrova,"
Natalia had given her blade guards to Roman, along with her Team U.S.A jacket, and got onto the ice. She waved through the arena, cheers roaring the place.
She took a deep breath as she approached the middle of the ice, placing her hands together in a prayer position as she closed her eyes.
"The reigning Olympic Champion from Beijing, Natalia Petrova, skates for Team USA's short program. Her program is packed with hard elements and artistry. She has been labeled as the Supernova of Figure Skating. And, she lives up to that name very well. Here she is skating to Alice in Wonderland's Soundtrack, Alice's Theme." Tara Lipinski stated.
"Yes, the only figure skater with 24 consecutive gold medals won. Not just in the women's category, Tara. She is a force to be reckoned with. The Gold's Favoriteā not only a favorite for Gold. She is Natalia Petrova of Team USA" Johnny adds.
Natalia laid down on the ice sideways, placing the side of her head onto her arm, mimicking Alice's fall to Wonderland for her starting position. As the music started, it was as if Natalia commanded the ice. The ice wasn't her obstacle, she was the ice's worst enemy with how easy her movements are.
As she did her crossovers, Natalia then readied herself for her first jumping pass.
"There it is, setting it up for her first jumping passā"
She took a deep breath before doing her Triple Flip jump, executing and landing it cleanly with complete revolutions, without any pre-rotations. She landed with a hyperextended leg.
"Yes! I'm telling you, Johnny. She has one of the best jumping techniques ever. It's so flawless"
After the Flip jump, she did crossovers and entered a butterfly spin into a camel spin. She then transitioned into a donut spin, having eight revolutions before switching to a needle spin.
"Gosh, that flexibility!"
Natalia then did crossovers before landing her second jumping pass, a Triple Axel. The crowd cheered as she landed it beautifully, executing it as if it were easy.
Afterwards, she did a beautiful step sequence with twizzles. Then, she did her signature deep cantilever, garnering cheers. After her cantilever, she does her last jumping pass for the short program, a Triple Lutz + Triple Loop Combination. Which she did with Rippon Arms, and an elegant hyperextended leg when she landed it.
Then, the harmonious choir of the music came about. This made her do her ever so elegant choreographic sequence, beautifully portraying Alice spiralling in Wonderland.
Then, as the music heightened, she entered a flying sit spin into a full on sit spin, then, transitioned into a hyperextended Y-Stand spin. As the music ended, Natalia did her ending pose with a feminine bow.
The arena is filled with applause and cheers.
"The Reigning Olympic Champion, everyone!"
"That's definitely the leading program!"
Natalia bowed to the audience before giggling and skating back to the boards, going to greet Roman with a hug, then wore her blade guards and her Team USA jacket.
As her replay played onto the screens, Natalia met with the rest of the Team at the Kiss & Cry. Natalia gave Ilia a knowing look, making him chuckle. She sat down with Roman at the bench, holding up the Snoopy plushie Ilia took with him from her room for her.
As the screens reach her way, the skaters of Team USA cheer gleefully behind Natalia, making her giggle at their enthusiasm.
"Natalia Petrova of Team USA has garnered..."
Natalia bites her bottom lip as she holds her Snoopy plushie tighter. Roman, who sits beside her, is also nervous for her.
Technical Element Score: 47.76
Program Component Score: 38.84
"...86.60 points for the Team Event's Women's Singles Short Program Skate. This puts Team USA in the lead."
Natalia gasps at the high score, it was a season's best for her short program. Her hands leave Snoopy, and go to cover her mouth.
"86.60, a season's best!"
She looks over at Roman, who was already clapping and cheering for her. Then, she feels hands on both of her shoulders, shaking her. She turns around and sees Ilia with a wide proud smile on his face, doing that awful football-like woo's.
Maybe it was awful to hear, but Natalia couldn't be happier that she heard him cheer for her so proudly.
The designated day for the Team Event's second day. The Ice Dance and the Men's Short Programs will start today.
Natalia wore her long blonde hair down, wearing leggings and a black fitting long sleeve underneath her Team USA jacket since she wasn't performing anything today. It was Ilia's turn.
She was still bitter about the Head forcing Ilia to skate two of his programs for the Team Event, but it's not like she can argue against it.
Natalia was in Ilia's room as he was already wearing his costume, "You look worried," She comments.
Ilia chuckles and sits down on his bed beside her, "Well, it's the Olympics."
She shrugs, understanding his nerves before running her fingers through his hair, "You'll do great on the ice," Natalia assures, "This is my second favorite short program of yours."
He raises an eyebrow, "Second?"
She nods, "Nothing beats MalagueƱa."
He laughs at that, "Guess so," He then smiles towards her, "You calm my nerves, you know that?"
She only hums as she continues caressing his hair, he melts onto the feeling, closing his eyes a bit, "Natā"
"We should go there now" Natalia cuts him off when she sees the time through his phone lighting up from a notification, giving him a small smile, "Should I bring this with me?" She adds, standing up to grab his lucky soccer ball.
He blinks at how things progressed, momentsrily forgetting about what he was about to tell her, and nods, "Yeah, I need the soccer ball."
Natalia hums as she grabs his Team USA jacket and helps him wear it over his costume, "The brown pants make you look like a tree."
Now that they were waiting for Ilia's turn, it looked as if Natalia was shitting bricks compared to Roman.
"You're worrying too much" Amber comments as they sat together where Team USA is currently seated.
Natalia looks at her, "I just hope he skates the way he wants."
She nods, "And you're sure it's entirely platonicā"
Natalia sighs, "Just platonic, I swear."
"Next to skate for the Team Event's Men's Singles Short Program, Ilia Malinin of Team USA."
Natalia holds Ilia's soccer ball tightly, seeing him with Roman at the boards before he skates onto the rink. Having that ever confident smile and aura on himself.
Amber glances towards Natalia's disposition, smirking at her.
Once Ilia finished his short program, Natalia jumped up and held the soccer ball up in the air, cheering with the audience. But, it was as if like a siren call, Ilia could hear her distinct cheer.
Team USA transferred to the Kiss & Cry with Roman and Ilia on the bench, the screens started showing Ilia's replay. Natalia went to Ilia and gave him his soccer ball, ruffling his hair up, "You did great" She smiles widely.
That was all the praise he needed.
"Ilia Malinin of Team USA for the Men's Singles Short Program has garnered..."
Technical Element Score: 54.50
Program Component Score: 43.50
"...98 points for the Men's Singles Short Program, which puts Team USA in second place."
Natalia shook Ilia from his shoulders to distract him from thinking he could've done better, which helped a lot.
The designated day for the Team Event's last day. All disciplines' free skate will occur today, and so will the medal ceremony.
Natalia wore her hair down, but curled her hair with beach waves to appear well. Then, she put her natural makeup on. And, wore her full Team USA get up that made them look like the Marshmellows from Ghostbusters.
Ilia had worn his Free Skate program costume. And, since Amber would be competing for the Free Skate, she too wore her Free Skate program costume.
Amber's scores placed Team USA to second as she placed 3rd for the Women's Singles Free Skate, meaning it was down on Ilia to make them grab their Team Gold. Natalia could feel the burning eyes of the Head of the U.S. Figure Skating Committee on her, as if to tell her that he told her so. That it'd be down to one of them, if not both of them at the end.
Now, everyone was counting on Ilia to clutch that gold medal. As only one point separates Japan and the USA for that Gold.
As Ilia skated, Natalia couldn't focus. All she could feel were the burning pair of eyes haunting her.
I told you so. I told you so. I told you so.
Once Ilia had finished, she didn't get to see his skate, which made her feel bad that her mind was elsewhere. She congratulated him with a gleeful smile and hug.
Then, his scores came, 200.08 for the Free Program.
After Shun Sato's skate, it was determined that Team USA had won the Team Gold.
Team USA burst into cheers. Natalia immediately hugged Ilia tight, her arms around his neck and her face buried onto his chest, "You did it..." She whispers.
Ilia was stunned by the sudden embrace, but didn't hesitate to hug her back tighter on her waist, burying his face onto her neck, "We all did it."
Natalia hums, pulling away to ruffle his hair, "Go get your first Olympic Gold, Golden Boy" She teases.
Ilia laughs at her, "My pleasure, Golden Girl."
Amber looks over to Roman with the same look, as if saying that the two were oblivious for their growing feelings.
After the podium had been set up, the Team Event came into conclusion with the Medal Ceremony.
Natalia looks over at Amber who was strategically tearing up by looking down so that her makeup wouldn't ruin, which made Natalia chuckle and rub her back with a hug.
She then glares at the Head of the U.S. Figure Skating Committee, as if daring him to take this moment away from Amber.
Once Team Italy and Team Japan had gotten their respective Bronze and Silver Medals, it was time for Team USA.
"And the Gold Medalists of the Team Event, Team U.S.A!"
The whole arena cheered as the Team USA skaters skated to the podium and got on top of it. Natalia stood beside Ilia, with Amber to her right.
"Team USA's Ilia Malinin"
Natalia clapped and cheered beside him, making him chuckle and thank the presenters as he was given the Gold Medal around his neck. He waved to the crowd and let out a big sigh of relief, making Natalia rub his back for comfort.
She smiles and thanks the presenter as she is given the Team Gold medal around her neck. Once the presenter then placed medals on other Team USA skaters, Ilia looked over at Natalia and then fixed her hair by grabbing all strands with one hand into a ponytail to put the medal ribbon underneath her hair strands.
She smiles appreciatively towards Ilia, "Thanks,"
"Anytime, Golden Girl" Ilia smirks.
That made Natalia nudge his arm with her elbow, making him laugh softly.
This moment is where Ilia wanted to stay.
a/n: long ahh chapter lol š guys i hope you like it huhu š again, english is not my first language, so, excuse some grammatical errors. the flings are going to start in the next chapter, so stay tuned šø
