Tähdenlento (Shooting Star)
Ship: Niko Kytösaho × Artti Aigro
Fandom: Ski Jumping RPF
Note: Dear Merle (@merlesrandomstuff ), this year I was your Secret Santa. I was so happy to write you a little fic. I know how much you like Artti and Niko together. So, I tried to write something wholesome with them. I hope you like. I also wish a wonderful Christmas around your loved ones. Stay safe and take care.
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Artti Aigro and Niko Kytösaho were sitting in the snow at the ski jumping hill of Titisee-Neustadt. Everyone left but they stayed for a few moments. Just to reflect on the competitions they had. They had been a couple for quite some time now. One of the key foundations of their relationship was communication. They talked through everything. On that snowy day, Artti was frustrated. Not with Niko but with his ski jumping performance. He did well, but according to him, not well enough. He had troubles of putting two great jumps together. The Estonian wanted to win a competition. He wanted to prove himself that he was good enough.
Niko had noticed the mood of his beloved. He tried to reassure Artti to no avail. He showed him unconditional support. The Finn kept telling the Estonian that he was already good enough. Artti was thankful for that. Niko told him that his time would come. Maybe sooner than later. He genuinely believed in his boyfriend and wanted to help. When Artti wanted to go back to their accommodation, he asked for some alone time to think. He wanted to figure out a way to help him. At first, he thought that he should go to the Norwegians to make Artti believe in his potiental. He had also thought of leaving him little notes. However, the Finn quickly scrapped the idea.
As Niko was heading back to Artti, something caught his eyes. On the night sky, a shooting star passed by. He quickly wished the best for his love in the form of claiming a victory. He hoped that it would come true. He wanted to see his beloved Estonian free from the burden he carried with himself. When Niko got back, he rushed to his love. He didn’t hesitate for long. Niko wanted to share the little magical moment with Artti.
“Oh, you say that you also saw the shooting star…” Artti sighed, “Did you wish for something?”
“Actually… yes. I did. However, I don’t want to tell what my wish was,” Niko added as he was stroking the Estonian’s face, “If it comes true, you will be the first one whom I tell.”
“It would be nice…”
“Of course, darling,” Niko kissed Artti’s forehead, “Maybe my wish comes true soon. It would be a small Christmas miracle.”
“I just hope that you wished for something.”
“I did. I wished for the best for someone close to my heart.”
Niko didn’t tell Artti purposefully that he meant the love of his life. The following days, he tried to keep it a secret. He hoped that not a single soul would notice. Keeping this little secret made him smile often. If Valentin Foubert or Roman Koudelka asked the reason of his happiness, he answered that the thought of being loved made him smile. They knew that Artti was his special person so, they just wished him more happiness. This way a big rock fell off his heart every day.
Unfortunately, during the weekend, Niko had to see Artti broke down again. He messed up his second competition jump. He fell from 7th to 18th. It broke Niko’s heart seeing his love cry. Artti started to think that the problems were with him. Normally, he would have been satisfied. Not that day. He knew that he messed up and lost a place on the podium. Niko tried to cheer his love up but Artti was inconsolable. Niko hugged him and stayed by his side. Artti looked up with tears his eyes. Little did he know that he would have a chance again.
A few days later, in Engelberg, Artti almost put a lot of pressure on himself. Niko lifted the weight from his shoulder. He kindly asked his love to take a deep breath and focus on his jumps. He didn’t want Artti to fall into a deep spiral. Artti finally listened to his love and did as he was asked to do so. Artti shot a faint smile and they started training together. Niko tried to take Artti’s mind away from his worries hoping that it would pay off. Before their qualification jumps, Niko pulled Artti away from the others and had a little pep talk with him. He looked deep in his love’s eyes and said with confidence:
“Just do it like we did at training. Please take a deep breath and focus on the good before you jump. Don’t let your worries overshadow your thoughts.” Niko started his little talk, “We both know that you are capable of it. Maybe this is your time. Don’t let it vanish. Be my Christmas miracle. I know that it is hidden deeply in you. Now, please shine bright, my little star.”
With that, Niko kissed Artti’s forehead and went to do his jump. Although, he didn’t make it to the competition, he focused on his boyfriend. He didn’t know how his words worked for his love. Soon, he got a part of the answer. The Finn’s words worked like some kind of magic on the Estonian. Artti finished 2nd at the qualification. Artti felt himself again and was optimistic. Niko saw the hope in his eyes. They went back to the accommodation together. Artti had his signature smile on his face after a long time. Niko was pleased to see his boyfriend in a cheerful mood. For a small moment, he looked up and saw the shooting star again.
“Artti, quick! Look up!”
“Oh?” the Estonian gasped.
“Wish something.”
Artti listened, kissed his partner and promised to tell Niko once it turns to reality. The Estonian ski jumper was delighted to share a magical and romantic moment with his love. They were little children at heart. This was the reason why Niko hoped in a little Christmas magic. Maybe it still existed in this world. Before their dinner at 8 pm, Artti asked his boyfriend if they could go on a small walk. He wanted to see the Christmas lights and the market of the Swiss village. Niko asked their trainers if they were okay with their little program. They nodded and wished them a good time.
Niko and Artti walked through Engelberg as it was snowing. The snow was crunching under their feet. They checked the tiny Christmas market. As time passed, the Estonian started to get cold. So, Niko got a cup of hot chocolate for them. He chose a pure chocolate one for himself and a vanilla flavoured one for Artti to warm him up. They sat down on a bench near the ice skating rink to enjoy their little free time. As they were drinking their little treat, Artti asked Niko if his wish from Titisee came true. It took Niko by complete surprise as he totally forgot about it. He shook his head and said:
“Unfortunately, no. I wonder if it ever will.”
“Maybe tomorrow, it will.” Artti grinned, “Also, thank you for the hot chocolate.”
“Maybe. I am glad that you love it.” Niko sighed as he thought of his wish. Did the Christmas miracle really exist?
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh… Nothing… I was just deep in my thoughts.”
“That’s okay. I am just happy that we are together,” Artti admitted and took a sip from his drink, “You know what? I let go that I have to win a competition. It has put a lot of pressure on me. Maybe it would help with my performance. I realised at the qualification that I made a big mistake.”
“You have just grown in my eyes. I am proud of you.”
“It means a lot,” Artti told his love, “I am so grateful to have you in my life. I am gonna support you the same way as you do me.”
“Thank you…” Niko hugged his love and checked his phone, “It’s 7:30 pm. Don’t we have go?”
“Right. We don’t want to miss dinner.”
They stood up and left for their accommodation. They shared the dinner with their teams. They chatted and started preparing for the night. After their quick showers, Artti and Niko decided to watch an episode of their favourite TV series. The Estonian put his head on the Finn’s chest listening to his heartbeat. Although, Artti dozed off shortly after 10 pm to wake up in time. On the other hand, Niko’s thoughts raced. It seemed that Artti’s worry found him. He couldn’t fall asleep until midnight.
The competition day arrived. Finn wake up around 7 am. Just a tiny bit later than their usual. He saw Artti being angry at something or someone. He was a little grumpy as he was awoken by a sound. He, however, didn’t channel his anger on Niko. Instead of asked his love if he slept well. Niko nodded and yawned as he was getting dressed. Artti followed suit. As they were getting ready, the Finn asked what the matter was. Artti answered that he was awoken by Karl Geiger’s laughter. It pissed him off as he had been awoken from a nice dream. He quickly shrugged it off. Artti decided that it wasn’t worth it to worry about it. He wanted to focus on the competition.
A little time later, Artti suggested to have breakfast and a coffee together to help him to calm down. They rushed to the breakfast hall. They ate together Niko even brought Artti a cup of coffee to wake up. When they finished their meals, they rushed to get on the ride to the hill together. Once there, Artti started training. Niko told him his plan. He decided that the best was probably to stay around the leader box. Artti gave him a hug.
“Good luck. You can do it,” Niko smiled and hugged Artti, “Now, shine bright, my little star.”
“Thank you,” Artti smirked and went to do his job.
Niko started to worry. He knew well that Artti might relapse if something didn’t go his way. So, he stopped. He didn’t want to let Artti seeing his worry. Like always, history repeated itself. The competition’s first round went well for Artti. He reached a solid 5th place. He had a chance again to be on the podium. Niko knew that he had to talk to him. He quickly walked Artti to give some comforting words just in case. The Finn asked the Estonian if he needed some before his second jump. Artti politely refused and went on his way.
The second round had started. Niko’s anxiety rose by each jump. When Artti was about to jump, he had to take deep breaths calm down. Artti didn’t mess up his jump. He took the lead and had to go to the suit control. Thankfully, he passed the check and had to wait. The first two jumpers were easy to handle as they were a point away from him. The last two were tougher. One of them was Karl Geiger. Not even 5 minutes later, he secured the podium spot. Shortly after only Karl was left to jump. Artti knew that he had no chance. He was already happy with his new personal best. He thought that he would be second. While he was packing, Niko was looking up and he was packing his stuff. To his everyone’s and his biggest surprise, the German landed shortly before the green line in Simon Ammann’s style. Niko waited for the results. All of the sudden, a quite loud disappointed roar pierced his ears. Karl lost the victory by a teeny tiny margin. He needed half of a meter. He rushed to Artti who didn’t know what had just happened.
“You won, my love… you won!” Niko exclaimed, picked Artti up and started spinning around with him in his arms.
“Whaaaaaaaat?” he asked with disbelief in his voice
“My wish! It came true. You won. Karl messed it up a little.”
Tears were forming in his eyes. Artti didn’t want to believe his ears. It wasn’t about winning a competition. He didn’t believe it for a moment because of what he had feared. Quickly, Artti realised. His wish also came true. Previously, he had feared of not sharing the winning moment with Niko. When they had seen the shooting star, he had wished for a tiny thing. He wished for sharing the special moments with his love. He wished for wonderful memories. Together. Memories with his beloved that couldn't be taken away from anyone. Maybe it was the Christmas miracle he had been waiting for. Maybe it was magic but… With being wrapped in Niko’s arms celebrating his first victory was just the beginning.
