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“The last skater of the Grand Prix Finals is Katsuki Yuuri!”
“The famous ice skater, whose skills could be on par to Viktor Nikiforov, has won gold medals left and right, and after a long-term break he’s finally returned to Grand Prix to get his gold medal!”
“Seven years ago, his gold medal was stolen by none other than Yuri Plisetsky, who has unfortunately decided to take a break this year.”
“Will he be able to stand on the highest place on the podium this year, or will the new generation take over?”
“Either way, he’s going to give it his all.”
“Please be sure to welcome our skater’s last performance with open arms!”
From a distance, Viktor hears the crowd cheer at the mention of Yuuri’s name. Yuuri lets out a nervous laugh at the cameras shifting to him, and the hands clutching onto Viktor’s grow shaky.
A near robotic voice echoes through the ice rink.
“Repersenting Japan; Yuuri Katsuki!”
Yuuri’s face seems to pale, but Viktor isn’t quite sure. Before he could even give reassurance that yes, you nailed your practice jumps, and yes, you’ll be completely fine , Yuuri’s sweeping his hair with a confident smile, and is leaning forward.
But before Viktor could close the gap, Yuuri abruptly pulls back, a grin on his face. He pouts his lips to form an air kiss, and pulls away from Viktor’s limp arms.
Yuuri skates away, and welcomes the crowd’s wild cheers and anticipation. Viktor should know well enough by now that Yuuri is no longer the same man he met seven years ago; he remains just as flustered and kind hearted, but his confidence grows with every year being coached by Viktor.
Of course, Viktor absolutely loves it. He’s finally transformed his little adorable pig to a handsome prince, someone who doesn’t falter in the face of the paparazzi or rude interviewers.
Still, he sees Yuuri’s shaky arms as he closes in on himself to perform Yuri on Ice.
“It’s your story.” Viktor whispers to no one in particular. “Tell it to the entire world, my love.”
As the piano begins its first notes, Yuuri tilts his head up and his hands slowly bring up his face. Viktor has seen this performance, again and again, but he doesn’t think he’ll ever be tired of watching the way he moves.
Viktor wonders what drove Yuuri during his short program. Yuuri was, of course, wonderful during all of his past short programs, but the previous one harbored lust and endless courting that sent everyone into a frenzy.
Viktor supposes, in a way, he’s responsible for stripping Yuuri of his innocence. Each short program, he evolves as he delves into a deeper understanding of Eros, and his motives pile onto each other; becoming an enticing pork cutlet bowl, becoming a woman no man could resist, stealing Viktor from the world all for himself, and showing the world how much he enjoys to have only Viktor by his side.
Still, Yuuri manages to come out all of that victorious, with a wink and a smile.
Yuri on Ice, however, tells his own story of his understanding of what love is, and how he emerges unfazed despite the hardships he faces.
“He lands the combination!”
Viktor blinks out of his thoughts with the conmentator’s excited, shrill voice cutting through the crowd’s cheers.
Yuuri’s body movements are fast but elegant, holding an essence of relaxation that few skaters can achieve under the eyes of the entire world.
Viktor lets out a sigh of relief. He shouldn’t be concerned about Yuuri’s nervousness ruining his performance; really, he shouldn’t. But somewhere in his heart, he can never let go of the little pig that danced his way into his heart.
Perhaps the little pig still exists somewhere in Yuuri, too, and it’s only exposed for Viktor to see.
But hiding behind shy, little Yuuri, lingers dark shadows clinging onto him, whispering self-deprecating things into his ears and shaking his confidence until he had none.
And the last thing Viktor wants to see is Yuuri falling apart and shattering under his very fingers again.
“And he lands the triple loop beautifully!”
He still remembers their first encounter very well; a small banquet that Viktor never really cared about. Yuuri barely caught his eye the first half of the night, until he started to make a little circle for himself and pulled Yuri into a dance battle.
The crowd was both disgusted and enticed at the same time; refusing to look away despite the growing second hand embarrassment on their faces. Viktor, however, had only watched in pure amusement as Yuuri lured Chris into a pole dancing battle, and eventually dragged Viktor by the tie as well.
Some of the guests yelled in alarm as Viktor was dragged into the scene, but the protests to let him go die as Viktor laughs and dances with the handsome boy he’s never seen before. Every step and movement enamored Viktor, leading him to want more.
“You’ll be my coach, won’t you?” Yuuri slurred, his wide, gorgeous eyes shooting straight into his heart.
Yuuri had wrapped his arms around Viktor’s neck, a giggle escaping his lips.
“Be my coach, Viktor!”
“The triple axel is executed perfectly!”
Viktor remembers that he felt his walls crumble, right there and then. It was hilarious, to see the living legend Viktor Nikiforov fall head over heels for a drunk Japanese skater who landed in last place and had nothing to lose; but he remembers the world blurring out as Yuuri’s words engrave into his heart.
Yuuri comes and leaves into his world as quickly as that, and the immense pressure as a legend keeps him from revisiting that memory again; until a viral video shows a slightly more chubby Yuuri dancing to his program.
He remembers letting out a hum while petting Makkachin, failing to express his inner grin as he thinks: I found you.
He flew to Japan at the earliest convenience, and ended up in a quaint little town.
The look on Yuuri’s face when he entered the hot spring just to see Viktor’s naked body was priceless.
Drunk Yuuri was a far cry from the fumbling mess that was Yuuri Katsuki; he blushed easily, he failed half of his jumps, but he was adorable nonetheless.
“He has yet to show signs of fatigue, despite doing two combinations splendidly!”
“He’s known for his great stamina, after all.”
The Yuuri that many see today is the Yuuri he himself and Viktor built together. And Viktor－ well, Viktor wouldn’t change it for the world.
And he wanted to help Yuuri chase away the dark shadows that plagued his nightmares. He wanted to skate with Yuuri forever and ever. He wanted to be with Yuuri, watch him grow, watch him cry, and watch him smile, for the rest of his life.
The realization comes to him as Yuuri enters his step sequence, and his heart pangs painfully at the thought of Yuuri basking in the world’s attention without Viktor supporting him.
Yes. He wants to forever be with Yuuri, and give him his love till death did them part.
Perhaps, in the afterlife, he would find a way to circle back to Yuuri.
His eyes burn and he’s smiling so wide it hurts. His entire body shakes and it hurts, but he’s so happy, so, so happy that he loves Yuuri and Yuuri loves him.
“He did it again!” The commentator shrieks, surprise bleeding through his voice. “He’s done a quadruple flip flawlessly, Viktor Nikiforov’s signature move!”
Yuuri is panting, red in the face and sweating all over, but he’s so beautiful.
“That concludes the final performance of Katsuki Yuuri, the man who went above and beyond our wildest dreams!”
The crowd explodes into cheers, and roses and plushies are thrown at Yuuri.
Viktor’s heart nearly bursts at how happy Yuuri looks; oh, how he wishes to keep that smile forever.
“Yuuri!” Viktor shouts, as Yuuri stumbles his way towards him.
Yuuri laughs, a gorgeous and delirious grin on his face. His laugh is infectious, and Yuuri grabs his hands to kiss him.
But Viktor pulls back, and his eyes sparkle with unshed tears as he breathes;
“Marry me.”
The world halts to a stop, and Viktor blinks. Oh God, he didn’t mean to say that－
But Yuuri giggles, breathing out a yes, and Viktor finally leans in to kiss him.
Viktor’s hand cradles Yuuri’s head, and the crowd blurs. Nothing matters anymore, except for the two of them.
“I love you so much.” Viktor says.
Yuuri leans his forehead onto Viktor’s. “I love you too.”
Their rings shine under the ceiling’s light, a promise sealed between their words; a bright future awaiting them.