A/N: I thought about the timeline for Nationals, because I was watching the actual Japanese and Russian Nationals after YOI was over, and realized they are held the same time every year, over Christmas weekend. Which meant our sons Vitya and Yuuri have to compete apart. Such drama, such fertile soil for fanfic. Thus, here we are. Hope you enjoy this, and stay tuned for the remaining days till the competition!
And now, the standard disclaimers from years yonder: I do not own Yuri! on Ice, any of its characters, or its story. The rights go to everyone at Studio MAPPA, writer Kubo-sensei, director Yamamoto-sensei. This is a work of love towards their efforts, and no profit shall be made off this work by me or anyone. Please attribute to me and them if you plan to refer to this work, as a courtesy.
Saturday, 13th December 2104
10:47 pm, Barcelona, UTC+1
"How are you going to make your comeback? Next season, you could ask the guys running the Russian placements to start you out with the Challenger Series, and book you the later Grand Prix events, that way you can start easy. I'm sure they'll be happy to accommodate their Russian Hero, national treasure and beloved star. You'll just make a call and -"
"Yuuri, I've already asked Yakov to sign me up for this year's Nationals. I have to compete at least once this season to maintain my national rankings at least."
"Oh, well when is that? Can I come watch?" Yuri puts on his puppy dog eyes and kitty cat smile like he did a few days ago to get Viktor to bring him around Barcelona, hoping to get some good seats for the Russian Nationals.
"You … can't. I'm sorry. We -" Viktor almost whispers his answer, as if saying it softly will lessen the denial.
"Why not?" Yuuri is surprised at the rejection, feeling very hurt. "You don't want me to watch you skate?"
"No it's not that. It's because you have your Japan Nationals and -"
"That's in 2 weeks. It'll be over so soon, and 4 Continents aren't till February, there's plenty of time for a break and I'm sure a weekend away won't hurt and since you're my coach I should stick with you so that means -"
"No, I mean, it's because Russian Nationals are the same weekend as Japan's."
Yuuri's face goes from slightly flustered to broken, emanating all the sadness of a dashed hope, like receiving a gift only to have it taken away. In a sense, it was. Yuuri was going to have to spend a weekend without Viktor.
Viktor's birthday weekend.
11:05 pm, Barcelona, UTC+1
"I was looking forward to spending your birthday with you in Tokyo!" Yuuri is actually whining, mouth drawn into a dangerous pout, hands gripping the bedsheets threatening to claw through them. "They have all the really pretty Christmas lights everywhere, and we could walk down the Meguro River where it's quieter but still very pretty -"
Viktor lets Yuuri run his mouth, which has been running for the past 15 minutes now. The boy does have stamina all right. Better let him blow out his steam now before Viktor breaks the news further, which he's sure Yuuri will not take any better.
Viktor doesn't notice when a lull has developed, and Yuuri lets out an exhausted sigh. He was still thinking about how to best phrase the unfortunate situation they will be in for the next two weeks.
"I'm sorry for being so bratty, Viktor. I was just hoping to have you with me, now that I'm actually going to Nationals. We'll make up for it. We can go to Tokyo a few days early and spend some time together before you head for your Nationals."
Ah crap.
"Uuh… Yuuri… About that…" Viktor hems and haws, fidgeting and practically wearing a hole down into the carpet. "I… have to go back to Russia right after this?"
Blinks. Yuuri blinks. Not comprehending, or choosing not to comprehend, Yuuri just blinks at Viktor.
"What do you mean?" The tone is deceptively calm, in the eye of the hurricane. Viktor, on the other hand, is already feeling the gale force winds emanating from Yuuri, making him want to shrink and run for cover.
"Well, I'm out of practice, so I have to go back to St Petersburg to train with Yakov. And it takes too long to get into Hasetsu and get back out to St Petersburg, that would be nearly 3 days of just travelling. With nationals in 12 days, I can't afford to waste that kind of time, especially since we still have to travel to Moscow for and go for the practice skate, so I really only have maybe eight nine days to get back up to speed. And bozhe moi I don't have any programs, what am I going to do…"
Viktor is avoiding eye contact with Yuuri, his focus progressively faded from the physical world as he rattled on. He is worried about Nationals, and just now realizing the extent of the challenge his next few years would be, coaching Yuuri while still competing on the physical decline.
So Viktor doesn't notice that Yuuri has lost his hard edge, a montage of emotions passing by his face. First incredulous, then irritation, followed by guilt for feeling that, finally tenderness, the kind a mother feels when her child cries helpless and hurt from scraping a knee. Viktor doesn't notice when Yuuri stands up and walks over, until he feels a hug and Yuuri's hair against his cheek.
"It's ok, I understand. Don't worry, you're the best skater in the world. You will win this."
The words are muffled into his shoulder, but Viktor feels them through his very soul, lightening the load as it yokes to Yuuri's and shares the burden, chest-to-chest, heart-to-heart.
I can do this. I have Yuuri, I can do anything, for him.
11:36 pm, Barcelona, UTC+1
"I have to talk to Yakov tomorrow about going back to train with him immediately. Also I have to buy the tickets to St Petersburg. And my skates are still back home. I mean Hasetsu. And most of my clothes, so we'll have to ship those back to St Petersburg. If we call home tomorrow and have them sent for express shipping they should arrive at most a day or two after I arrive. Good thing I have spares still. And what about Makkachin? He will miss me! Also how are you going to prepare for Nationals without me? Who will coach you while I'm away?"
Viktor is getting very worked up, trying to buy plane tickets on his phone but not succeeding because of all the things he's thought up to worry about. Yuuri just sits by, quietly amused at this new uncomposed Viktor, who keeps calling Hasetsu his home. The latter makes Yuuri immensely happy, to know that Viktor considers Yuuri's house in Hasetsu home, their home together.
"One thing at a time, Viktor. You buy the plane ticket first, then I'll call home and we can tell okaasan about packing some things for you. It's already morning in Hasetsu, she'll be up by now. And then we'll go to sleep, get some rest for the exhibition and banquet. We can work out the coaching plans tomorrow, there's still time."
Viktor huffs out a sigh, runs a hand through his hair. "There's still time. Okay." There's still time to be together after Nationals.
