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Momentum || Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen x OC!fem!figureskater ~not much knowledge required, OC explains things to Max as he was never into figure skating, so you'll understand too <3

-> Chapter IX ''Pretext'' -> Chapter XI ''Spiraling'' -> This fanfic's masterlist

Chapter X ''Beginning''

"You talk about outfits, but what about my gift? I'm still waiting."

Yeah, that was one of the first things Max said, when she picked up the phone. Little did he know she already had everything packed and just waiting to be sent tomorrow. It should arrive before Christmas, at least she hoped it would.

"Who said I'm sending you anything?" she teased and put the phone on speaker as she wanted to prepare herself some tea.

"Come on, Christmas gift?"

"Who do you think you are, to deserve Christmas gifts from me?"

"Clearly someone important, if you ask me about outfits."

Amaliya rolled her eyes at that and reached for her favourite cup and then for a box with her favourite tea.

"Maybe something will come, maybe not. I haven't decided yet whether you behaved well enough to get a gift."

"My mom would say I did." he answered without a second thought. "I'm visiting her for Christmas, my sis will be there too. What about you? Any plans?"

It was supposed to be a light topic, something people discussed without giving it much thought and had similar answers. Go home, spend it with family. For her it usually was no different, but not that year. She stopped pouring tea in the cup and thought for a few moments how to answer to not sound bad.

"I have Nationals." she only said, with a light tone, resuming her movements.

"On Christmas Eve...?"

"No, not exactly–" she sighed, putting the box down and it was hearable though the call. How to not over–explain it? "Competition is twenty–second and twenty–third, so technically I could come home, but it's... gonna be tiring and not much fun. Besides, it's not big in Russia, we rather celebrate a New Year's Eve. But it's just the Olympic season, I usually come to Milano."

"From all I heard it seems like Olympic season is really getting to you."

Yeah, it is. He didn't even know how much. She was glad she wasn't currently injured and thus didn't have to push through pain – like the last season. The Worlds, on which she managed just because skates are stiff and painkillers worked. She could withdraw, but didn't want to. Could she skate? Yes. So the answer about participating was obvious. Of course she never told that anyone outside the environment. How bad her ankle actually was.

The thing is, she's used to working hard, pushing through limits to not get replaced. As you must prove you're worthy of even training in that group, not to mention representing the country. Competition is bigger than in other countries, maybe that's why it is like this. Just three spots, when there are many times more girls yearning for those.

"It's once in four years after all."

"You make it feel like it's once in ten years or more."

She let out a chuckle at that, despite that it wasn't that funny when she started to think about it. But the truth is... She doesn't know if it isn't her one and only chance for Olympic Gold. Will she be good enough in four years to even make it to the team? How will she feel, physically?

"Either way, it's very important."

"I get it. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed, if you even need it."

* * *

Days tend to drag when you're waiting for something. Luckily, Max didn't know he should be expecting something – okay, he might have hoped, but Amaliya hadn't said anything sure about sending a package.

Until one day the package came, and now stood proudly on the table in the living room, as Max went for scissors to open it. He was away for just a few seconds, but cats already came to see what's going on and what that strange smell is. Sassy was first to jump on the box and inspect it, meanwhile Jimmy circled it and put his paw against it.

"I want to open it." said Max, when he came back with scissors and saw Sassy sitting on top of it, looking at him as if she didn't understand what he said. "Don't look at me like that. Get down, please?"

Seeing she had no intention of moving, he sighed and put the scissors down on the table, to have two free hands to pick her up. Of course she protested a little, as she wasn't a big fan of being held. As soon as she saw ground under her, she wiggled and Max let her down. He could have waited a little until she got down herself, but the truth is... he couldn't. Mentally. He was just too excited to see what's inside to wait any longer. For a moment he doubted Ama planned on giving him anything – at least before Christmas – and the very next day he got a package. And couldn't wait to open it, as excited as if he was about to flat–out.

"You too?" he looked at Jimmy, who moved his tail, sharing some of Max's excitement, waiting to see what's inside – or just wanting more food, or an empty box.

Max picked him up too and got off the table, and then picked up scissors again, to finally open the box.

First thing to see inside, was much of a bubble wrap – as if something could happen to a plushie inside. He eventually took it out and squinted, as it wasn't exactly what he expected. Was it... Was it that thing she often held during competitions? The... Tissue holder, yeah, that.

But there was something in that. He took out the folded note first, and sat down on the couch to read it: 'If my performance ever moves you enough to cry (or you just catch cold or spill something). And a little friend to keep you company (he always eavesdrops on our calls, and told me he wants to meet you. He's small and promised to not to cumber). He makes me smile, hope he'll be as nice to you too ♡'

He smiled to himself while reading, even a little wider when he saw a little heart at the end. A familiar warmth spread in his chest as he read this once more before reaching to the tissue holder again, to get that 'little friend' out of it.

It really was small, which somehow melted his heart. Small enough to carry it everywhere in the bag or backpack, to put it next to the bedside lamp. Just to keep it near always. He raised it a little, the lion now sitting on his hand looking at him with its forever–smile.

It wasn't just funny and sweet on its own, it was more about the fact how she described it. That it makes her smile, is nice, tells her it wants to meet him, and always eavesdrops on their calls. It meant it had to spend some time in her apartment, was personal, yet she decided to give it away to him. He meant enough for her, to give him something she cares about, something she probably once got from a fan and found it special enough to keep.

And that it's to keep him company. Small enough he can take it everywhere and remember her.

"You like it too?" he looked to the side, at Sassy who just jumped on the couch. Now with two paws on his thigh was outstretching herself, trying to have a sniff of the little plushie.

Meanwhile Jimmy? Jimmy jumped into the box and it fell off the table. Obviously Max immediately turned his gaze there, but Jimmy ran out of the box just to get into it again, so it seemed like everything was okay.

When he was looking away, Sassy sniffed the toy closely and didn't like it smelled like someone.

Seeing how invested in that is his feline, he brought the plushie closer to his face and also smelled it, feeling the faint scent of perfume. Something sweet, like a... strawberry? Strawberry cake?

"You're aware it's mine, right?" he said, as Sassy jumped onto the table and stepped into the hole of the tissue holder. "It's not your new bed, it's a tissue holder. You know, those white things you like to take out of the box and play with? And I have to clean it later?" he reached with a free hand and petted her.

Then he took out his phone and took a photo of Sassy still sitting in the tissue holder, just after that quickly going to messages.

Max: *sent a photo of Sassy in the tissue holder* Max: Gift approved by the lady of the house Max: And the little one is as nice as you said

Amaliya screenshotted those messages as soon as she received them and liked to look at them from time to time – just like on the other of their messages she kept saved like that. Getting back to those, or voice messages, helped her deal with hard days and stress – better than mindless scrolling though Instagram.

It was one of those days, when she sat down and read those, remembering the moments she first saw them. But even that couldn't push away thoughts that kept circling in her mind. Now, at twenty–third of December, day of the free skate on Nationals, she was just after a short morning ice session.

She grabbed another tissue from her cat tissue holder and blew her nose. It was normal, going from cold to warm environment, she didn't question it. She could even throw the used tissue to the bin and not miss. Amaliya looked down at her feet in unlaced skates. There were two thoughts that kept coming back to her: First, about Evgenia, and second, about Christmas.

Her dear friend didn't take part in the Nationals, as she was still healing her foot. Though told her she will participate at Europeans and despite not competing at Nationals, will be in the team. It didn't make her humour better, as it had to be something serious, if Evgenia didn't push through this to compete. Or maybe just prioritized the Olympics. After all, she'd tell her if it was that serious, right?

Second though was no lighter. She might have already made the decision of not coming some time ago, but it still hurt a bit. Not because Christmas were something special for her, but because they were for her dad. He surely was understanding but sad she won't make it.

She could. She thought about it even last morning, but then, getting up from the bed, remembered how much she doesn't have the strength for that, to travel just for one day. The further it was in the season, the more she was forcing herself to get up from bed, get some strong coffee, suck it up and do her job. That one dream of Olympic gold over her neck keeps her going. She can collapse only after she has it in her hands.

The training she told about when asked about New Year – she could move those. Or miss one day. But what would it say about her? She doesn't care enough. She's not taking it seriously. She just wants to have fun. Others who aren't even in the national team come and she won't? She thinks too much of herself. She can't have people think or – even worse – speak about her like that.

Today she secures her spot for the Olympic team, another step towards her dream.

She took off her skates completely, wiped the blades, put soakers on them and put them in her skating bag. You should never leave your bag – or just skates and costumes – if you don't want someone to destroy your chances of winning. It never happened to her personally, but she heard stories of destroyed costumes or skates put against the red–hot heater. Wouldn't like it to happen to her.

After she put on her boots, she threw a bag over her arm, taking a bottle of water out of it. She went to the bathroom and then got some water into her mouth, rinsing it and then spit water out to the basin. With forearms resting against the basin she looked up at herself in the mirror. Tired eyes, bags under them she will cover with make–up. Hair sticking out of her bun after the training. Not exactly a look of a champion.

And her head hurts, that throbbing pain that irritated her through half of the training and is still there. She's gonna have to get some painkillers before going out on the ice. But why does it even hurt her? It can't be period, she's on the pill and skips placebo. Purely to not have any unpleasant surprises in competitions.

It's probably just because she hadn't drunk anything since she woke up. Or tiredness. Or stress – even though pressure doesn't come on her that much anymore. Or everything combined. Maybe she ate something bad? Maybe that yogurt she had for breakfast was not good anymore? But she would notice, right? Or maybe that's some random headache just to spite her.

"Just a little more." she murmured to herself, turning on the cold water and rinsing her face.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Amaliya still had a lot of time before her start. The event starts half past five, but until her turn comes it's gonna be around half past eight, maybe a few minutes earlier. Either way, enough time to have some rest, do her make–up, put on a costume and warm–up.

But those weren't easy hours, not until she took the painkillers and they started working. The most important thing is that going onto the ice she felt good enough and delivered a good performance. Of course, it wasn't a win she hoped for as Evgenia wasn't competing, but proving once more she can do better than her younger teammate? That meant a lot to her. Meant, she's not replaceable yet.

Didn't mean she stopped trying to get better, to the level she saw young juniors aspire.

Just the next day, when she could have a day off, she decided to come to the training complex. When she still had that adrenaline, that excitement from winning and will to try, instead of laying down in bed. She decided tomorrow will be her day off, yet regretted it rather quickly, when things weren't going as she wanted them to.

Must have been a funny sight, a day ago a flawless performance, becoming Russian National Champion, and today? Falling on the jumps that were supposed to be just a warm–up. If that wasn't enough, her throat was getting a little sore, probably due to spending so much time on the ice rink. And winter overall...

Luckily, the training session wasn't an absolute disaster. She did manage to land the quad toe loop a few times – underrotated, she felt that, but she was getting closer to achieving it. No reasons to be proud yet, but to have shivers of excitement? Totally. What she didn't know was that some junior from the club filmed one of her attempts. And decided to share it with the world through Twitter.

@ username *Slightly blurry and shaky video from the boards, of Amaliya attempting a quad toe loop*

A quad toe from Amaliya Svetlanova, will we see it in competition soon? 👀

Amaliya didn't see it, no one tagged her on it and she herself wasn't as active on Twitter as she was on Instagram. But if she saw it? She surely wouldn't be happy. Not because someone secretly filmed her, that happened many times already, but because it wasn't perfect. It was still a poor attempt in her eyes and she wasn't ready to share it. Also because of the expectations it would raise towards her and criticism of risking just before the Olympics.

She usually didn't like when things like that were shared, even when it was done by the team. That's also why she wasn't too happy about the documentary. She was aware that nobody does things perfect at the first try, but showing falls and struggles? She'd rather not.

The post of course spread quickly in the skating community, and everyone had something to say, especially when it came to arguing.

– omggg, she's so close!!! It's like, just a half rotation missing!!! ⤷ yeah, she has the height for it, just needs a bit more rotation ⤷ Wtf are you saying, she rotates more on her 3A than that attempt 💀

– she should focus on artistry. ⤷ it's literally been perfect for YEARS. The issue is she's not the judges' favourite :( ⤷ not the judges' favourite??? She literally holds the SP world record and just won the GP final AND nationals 💀 ⤷ yeah, because who wasn't there? Don't act like it didn't matter. I'd be sooo mad if I was her ⤷ let's be honest, BOTH Svetlanova and Medvedeva are overscored. They should be thankful for every medal they have stolen ⤷ 'stolen'? 😂 From who? Even with 'right' scores they would still be better than everyone else ⤷ then why are they overscored? And why is Medvedeva put over Svetlanova with her 3A? ⤷ I'm not denying favouritism, it has always been in skating 🤷‍♀️ I'd be mad if I was Ama. I still wonder how her lutz gets less points than Evgenia's with flat edge... ⤷ so my point with them being overscored still stands lol. Not even mentioning they're prerotating as hell ⤷ Bro, EVERYONE prerotates 😭

– rotation left the chat ⤷ but she held it, kind of impressive, my ass would kiss the ice

– someone tell her to focus on the 3A, thank you ⤷ She's already the queen of 3A, now pushing the limits 💪 ⤷ risking before the olympics? That's pure stupidity 😂 I won't even pity her when she gets injured, she's asking for it ⤷ But that's what elite sport should be about??? pushing boundaries ⤷ idc, it's before THE olympics ⤷ She's a multiple medalist and champion, I think she and her team know better than some random on twitter ⤷ Evgenia is injured without attempting a quad lolz Still think they know what they're doing? ⤷ Bruh, we don't know why she's injured

– 24th December and she's training? Or is it an old video? ⤷ One word: Russia (and Eteri) ⤷ poor girl 😭 Just yesterday were nationals, she should be resting! ⤷ that's why those girls are the best ⤷ it doesn't take much research to know christmas is not a big thing in russia ⤷ Yeah, but she's half italian, so I just thought...

– You all need to calm down, it's one training clip. Half of these jumps never make it to competition

– HOLD ON EVERYONE, OLYMPIC GOLD IS COMING!!! ⤷ It would be rated lower than a good triple toe... But who knows, with Eteri bonus everything's possible

The post didn't get to Amaliya, but it got to Max. Absolutely randomly. Yesterday, due to not much time, he was refreshing an account on Twitter that was giving updates on the Nationals. And today, on Christmas Eve, got a notification with this proposed Tweet to see.

Blurry video didn't tell him too much, but surely more than comments with language he still did not quite understand. But he understood both admiration and criticism. People questioning what she's doing, thinking they know better what she can and can't do. He doesn't know if and how risky it may be, but if she's doing it? Clearly not enough for her to care, so people could shut up. Except they never do.

More irritating are people saying that you don't deserve something. He hopes even if she sees that, she doesn't give a single fuck about it and just continues to do her job. He was just a casual viewer, not even for long, not knowing all those technicalities and details of the scoring system, so he can't speak about that, but he could say she was the most pleasing to look at. Objectively, not because he liked her. She had that... Flow. Those fluent or sharp movements, whatever was currently needed. Her whole body was telling a story, including face expressions. Not everyone could do that. But maybe he's too casual a viewer.

What really caught his interest were comments about her training the day after competition instead of resting. And people bringing up training regimens in the camp. Max himself was raised rather harshly when it comes to sport, at least that's what people said. This time he was put in the position of an observator, and that's what made it hard to judge.

On one hand, things people were writing about were concerning. Long trainings, just one day off in a week or none, rumours about girls not drinking water on the competition days, keeping low weight, skating on injuries. But considering how often people exaggerate or make up stuff, nothing from those words could be taken as a one hundred percent truth.

On the other hand, there was Amaliya who, someone in that environment, not some random person on Twitter. And she was... Completely normal. Yeah, they weren't seeing each other in real life, but grew close – at least from his side. Something would surely slip up and he would notice. She sometimes said she's tired and often was going on or coming back from training when they texted or talked, but it's just an elite sport. She was looking completely normal. Skinny, fit, but normal. Also, he – and most probably all of those people on the internet – didn't know how the training looks. There are surely many exercises they do. Like stretching, she often texts while stretching, and it's not that tiring like jumping, but is also addressed by her as 'training'.

And the last thing, what he himself went through since childhood. It wasn't easy, but is clearly paying off now. His dad was harsh, but now he can fulfill his dreams. Just as she is obviously fulfilling hers.

That was what made it conflicting and didn't let him form a straight judgement in his head. If the things people were saying were true, it wasn't a good environment and Ama might have – or still do – suffer from that. But even if he acknowledges that, he's still justifying his own path through the sport.

Those two opinions just don't match.

And probably won't anytime soon. Especially without any clear info, and he won't be asking her that, for many reasons.

Amaliya, not even knowing about the post, obviously also didn't know that Max saw it, and read comments under it that caught his interest. She was coming back from training in the early evening, not scrolling through her phone or listening to music, as she didn't feel like it. She felt worse than usual, maybe she overdid it. All she wanted was to lay down, didn't even have to shower – though it would be pretty nice after the training...

She looked through her bag, searching for keys as she was almost at the building, and then her phone rang. She didn't expect anyone particular while reaching for it. A quick glance on the screen told her it's her brother.

With a heavy sigh – that turned into a cough – she picked up and raised her phone to the ear.

"Hello?" she murmured, coming back to searching for the keys.

"Do you want good news or bad news first?" a familiar voice filled her ear, but she didn't really focus on it. She chose the right key and opened the door, already annoyed by all the stairs she has to climb.

"Whatever." she answered bluntly, going up.

"Hey, what's wrong? You sound... Pretty bad, sis."

"I just overdid it. Went to train today instead of accepting a day off, and well..." she coughed again. She put keys in a bag for a moment, to take out a water bottle, as she felt dryness in her throat. "But tomorrow I have the whole day to myself, so it's gonna be alright. Don't worry. What's up?"

"Then maybe first the good news. You're great, we all were already together at the day of your free skate and congrats sis, now officially an Olympian. And the second good news: A Christmas gift is on the way, should reach you soon."

Despite how she felt, bad, tired and annoyed while opening doors with one hand, Amaliya couldn't help but smile at that. At someone being proud of her. At remembering her despite that they were growing up mostly apart, at how close they still managed to be. She could already imagine how problematic that gift would be to open, but that actually made it better. Will help her for a moment pull thoughts away from skating. Just like any conversation with Max also does.

"And the bad ones?" she dropped her bag in the hallway and leaned against the wall.

"I got into a pretty heated argument with mother and might have ruined Christmas Eve. So you haven't missed much."

"That doesn't sound like bad news to me."

"I didn't plan to argue on such a day. Wanted to just keep an eye on mother, but well..."

"I bet I'd explode even faster than you, don't worry. Whatever you said, she deserved that. I'm more worried about how dad reacted..." she murmured the last sentence, finally reaching to the zip to take off her thick jacket.

"You have time for a longer talk?"

"Yeah, just let me take my shoes off and brew some tea."

And they talked. Pretty long, as at the end of it Amaliya was already laying in bed and as soon as they finished, she turned–off the bedside lamp, grabbed the cactus plushie and turned on her side, hugging it tight and pulling the duvet up to her chin.

~

tag list: @anaylen01

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