this is set in 2021. five years after the cannon story line

Ages -

Viktor - 33

Yuuri - 29

Yuri - 20

Otabek - 23

Chris - 31

JJ - 25

Yakov/Lilia - 75

"I'm retiring"

The crowed gasped as those words left Viktors mouth.

After his gold medal come back at the 2017 Russian nationals Viktor had won a silver in his first Grand Prix back in the game, narrowly missing Yuri Plisetskys score by two points.

He brought it back winning gold in the 2018 and 2019 GP finals. In the September of 2018 Viktor Nikiforov and Yuuri Katsuki were finally married, it was only a small wedding with family, close friends and of course their furry ring bearer watching the happy couple tie the knot after a long two year engagement, shortly after the wedding Yuuri announced his premature retirement from competitive skating, deciding to start up skating classes at Ice Castle.

In 2020 Viktor Nikiforov, now aged 32, wasn't as flexible or as agile as his younger competitors but he still managed to secure a silver medal being a few points ahead of JJ, the crowds still cheering and screaming for the legendary Viktor Nikiforov.

The year 2021 was a bad one competition wise for Viktor, the now 20 year old Yuri stormed pasted his older rink mate securing a gold in every competition making it his best year yet. Viktor struggled the entire season, after falling and almost having to pull out of the cup of China he just managed to just make it into the Grand Prix barely scraping into third place with Yuri and Otabek taking gold and silver.

"So Viktor how are you feeling about your first bronze in years?" A news reporter asked the silver haired skater as he exited the ring "a little disappointed. I hoped for gold at least one last time" Viktor said with a small shrug.

"Last time?" The reporter queried the mans choice of words. Viktor nodded "I'm retiring"

The crowed gasped as those words left Viktors mouth. "Permanently this time" the skater added.

"R-Retiring?" The reporters eyes widened at the statement "Viktor.. wow.. I don't think anyone was expecting this from you.. what made you come to this decision?". Viktor smiled "I can't keep up with the younger competition anymore, my fall in the cup of China made me realise that I'm not as young as I used to be, I turned 33 a week ago, I'm retiring now while I'm still on the podium".

Before the reporter could ask another question Viktor had already moved away, walking to Yuuri and slipping his hand into his husbands "I'm proud of you" Yuuri said softly, smiling at his lover.

Viktor sighed softly and gave a small nod "let's get back to the hotel.. I'm not in the mood to deal with any more reporters" he spoke quietly, frowning at the floor. Yuuri nodded in agreement "good idea.. there'll be plenty of time to talk to them at the banquet tonight once you've rested" he chirped happily. Viktor couldn't help but smile, it always cheered him up seeing Yuuri so happy.

The pair managed to get back to their hotel room pretty easily, most of the reporters wanted to speak to Yuri who had won his second GP gold in a row - the fourth gold in his senior division career.

First thing Viktor did was flop on the couch and sighed, grabbing the laptop from coffee table "I'll make us some dinner. Any requests?" Yuuri asked looking over his shoulder as he walked to the little kitchen, only getting a shrug in reply. Yuuri frowned slightly "you ok babe?" "M fine..." Viktor sighed, looking up slightly at his husband "anything you cook will be perfect" he flashed his husband an big fake smile before laying back down properly on the couch.

Yuuri sighed soflty but didn't question Viktor further, starting on dinner deciding on a warm vegetable soup. He smiled happily as he cooked, he couldn't wait until after the banquet, finally he wouldn't have to share his husband with skating. Once the soup was fully cooked Yuuri dished up and walked into the other room to give Viktor his.

He paused for a moment as he heard Viktor talking. "Daddy will be home soon. He's brought you a nice present for being such a good boy" Viktor smiled at the screen as he video chatted with Makkachin, the poodles greying muzzle was pressed against the other screen as he tried to lick his master.

Yuuri smiled as he watched his husband interact with the poodle, Makkachin would definitely be happy that Viktor would be around more now he was retired. The poodle whined softly as Viktor said his goodbyes and hung up, sighing as he placed the laptop back on the table "i hate leaving him behind" he said sadly, sitting up properly so they could eat.

Viktor was unusually quiet through dinner, only speaking to answer Yuuri as the younger chatted away trying to encourage his husband to talk to him. When he'd finished his bowl Viktor stood up and patted Yuris head as he went to the kitchen "that was great thanks" he said quietly, not really seeming like his usual self.

Viktor stayed in the bedroom until it was time to go to the banquet making Yuuri worry more about him "are you sure you ok?" He asked for the thousandth time as they walked up to the large room for the banquet. Viktor sighed "yes Yuuri I'm sure" he said leaning in to press a soft kiss to his husbands lips before opening the door and walking inside.

"Chatting and Laughter filled the room creating a lively atmosphere.

"hey Viktor. Yuuri"

The couple looked up to see JJ jogging over to them, champagne in hand. JJ had grown up a little in the past few years, he was a lot more modest about his skating and now when he congratulated his competitors he was sincere not just teasing them... unless it was Yuri, he still loved to tease Yuri.

"congrats on the medal Viktor" Jean congratulated the Russian "shame to here your retiring, the ice wont be the same without you"

Viktor gave a small shrug and smiled "thanks JJ, it would have been nice to get a gold for my last skate... I guess I just cant keep up with you youngsters" he joked. JJ laughed and sipped at his drink "any big plans for your retirement?" he asked

"I'm sure Yuuri and I will figure something out" Viktor answered with a shrug. Yuuri gave a small hum of agreement already having a few plans for the two of them - moving out and getting a place of their own, maybe start their own little ice skating school or open their own rink, hopefully they could adopt he loved the thought of him and Viktor becoming parents.

"JJ"

Hearing his name being called the Canadian skater looked over his shoulder and grinned "I should get going, the Missus is calling me. talk to you later" he called back at two as he ran back over to his wife.

Viktor hummed softly, grabbing a glass of champagne each for himself and Yuuri. The couple watched the crowd of skaters and coaches from by the door, half listening to other peoples conversations, they didn't really want to mingle just yet since Viktor want really in the mood to be answering 'why are you retiring' over and over again.

The silver haired Russian sighed softly to himself as he scanned over the crowd, a smile returning to his face as he saw his long time friend

"hey Chris, long time no see" he smiled happily as he approached his friend. "Viktor!" Chris hugged his friend tightly "oh my god how have you been?"

"getting by.. what about you? you didn't make it to the finals again this year" Viktor said with a small pout, he missed skating with Chris the Swiss skater always made things interesting. Chris nodded with a soft sigh "Ja, I've been helping my coach train up some of his new little skaters.. I've planning on announcing my retirement for the past two years..." Viktor frowned "whats been stopping you?"

Chris gave a nervous smile and rubbed the back of his neck as he answered "I've been waiting for you'