Chapter Text
"And this marks the fifth consecutive win for the twenty-seven year old Russian legend, Victor Nikiforov. Now some speculate this may be his last season but with this masterful performance it may lay those rumours to rest". The announcers cheered over the speakers.
The top three skaters all took a victory lap waving to the adoring crowds. Victor smiled at the crowd sucking up all the attention. He lived for the moment, skating in front of huge audiences, competing against the best in the world. It was in his blood. And he loved it.
But his heart sunk the moment it was all over and he was dragged by the officials over to a panel where they shoved their noses where it didn't belong to the point it made him uncomfortable.
He'd heard it for long enough now. For the past few years it had been spreading through the gossip. Before he got on the ice. After his Grand Prix winning performance. It never stopped.
"Will you be competing next year?" One of the panelist asked.
There it was.
Taking a deep sigh Victor rested his head in his palm. He was still quite uncertain whether he would be able to compete next year and even if he could it would be almost impossible to compete at the same level which he already had been.
"Well I do love to surprise the audience!" He grinned trying to hide his uncertainty.
Cameras flashed in his face and more interviewers yelled questions out expecting immediate answers.
After a long time the security guards finally escorted the three medalists away from the panel into their changing rooms.
Victor imediatley closed the door behind him. He dashed over to the sink and splashed his face with water. After quickly grabbing the bottle next to the sink he began to gulp it's contents down. He proceeded to splutter everywhere. The stress of the panels became worse and worse after every competition. It was beginning to kill his passion for the sport. Almost as if it was killing the very thing he lived for.
The same question still kept playing i. His head.
'Will Victor Nikiforov compete next season?'
Before Victor could sort himself out Yuri Plisetsky burst into his changing room.
"Victor we have to leave soon!" The stroppy fifth-teen year old complained.
Victor turner around, still leaning over the sink, and pulled a fake smile. "Oh of course Yuri. Let me just pack my bag."
Yuri glared at Victor his hands stuffed in his pocket in a scruffy fashion. Somehow the teenager intimidated the fully grown man however he took his mind of things momentarily. Once Victor's bag was packed Yuri lead the two out into the the main hall.
"Yuri, you did well tonight but I think you're step sequence could do with a bit of work." Victor suggested trying to make conversation with the younger skater.
"I won didn't I so who cares?" Yuri snapped back.
It was attitudes like this than annoyed Victor. He had so much potential too but unlike Victor Yuri didn't strive for perfection or the best performance possible. All he cared about was winning. As much as he enjoyed working with such a talented skater he became frustrated by the thought of dealing with Yuri. Unsurprisingly their coach found the two of them and continued to lecture Yuri on everything wrong about his performance.
Victor's eyes began to drift when he noticed a Japanese guy clearly a few years younger than him with glasses gazing at him. Victor turned around to face this person, it appeared he'd competed in the Grand Prix but his form and physique seemed off. Nonetheless Victor gave the boy a smile. He looked quite taken back by this action. Maybe he was a fan of Victor's?
"Do you want to take a photo?" Victor asked offering his hand. "Sure."
He proceeded to stare at Victor for a moment as if he wanted to talk to him before turning around and walking off.
"Yuuri!" Someone yelled after the boy.
'So his name's Yuuri too' Victor mentally noted looking over at the Russian Yuri.
Yuri appeared rather aggravated by the presence of this Japanese Yuuri however before they knew it they were being ushered off to their plane and were on their way back to Russia and their ice rink at home.