A/N: This is going to be a multi-chapter story (so not a one-shot). If there are any mistakes (grammar/spelling), let me know. Please read and review.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yuri On Ice. All credit goes to the owner.

Thanks to Angel From Above Is Here for proofreading.


It had been four years since Yuri moved to Russia, following Victor, who had decided to come back as a competitive skater, and two of which they had been married. They had gotten married after Yuri had succeeded in winning a gold medal at the Grand Prix Final.

There really weren't any big changes in their lives after they got married. They were a little bit more affectionate in public, though for Victor this had never been a problem, and Yurio would give a few more snide remarks but aside from that, everything was the same. They were already living together before getting married and their relationship wasn't exactly what you could call a secret. Everyone knew they were together and they didn't mind it one bit, well maybe except for Yurio. But all in all, everyone was glad to see them so happy.

Just a year ago Victor had decided to retire. He had won another several golden medals in the three years after his break, however he felt that Yuri and Yurio were quickly following in his footsteps. They were progressing so fast in their skating, it amazed him. He already knew this, of course, since the Grand Prix Final where both Yuri's had broken his records. Deciding that he had had his time in the spotlights, he made the decision to retire, though he would still remain Yuri's coach.

They were in the middle of practice at the ice rink in St. Petersburg. Yuri was having trouble with the execution of a quadruple salchow and no matter how much he tried again, he couldn't land the jump. Victor knew that Yuri had something on his mind, it was only then that he messed up his jumps. As his husband he knew Yuri would talk about it when he was ready but as a coach he had to be strict.

"Again, from the top. Focus, Yuri." he said.

Yuri did his routine from the top, but instead of getting better, it got worse.

"Your free leg was sloppy after your second jump. You also need more speed for the quadruple salchow and you over-rotated during your combination jump."

Yuri was disappointed in himself. He was a 27-year old professional figure skater and he could still mess up the easiest jumps. And now, that jump was the salchow.

Seeing the look on Yuri's face, Victor suggested taking a break.

"Why don't we stop here for today? We can start again tomorrow with a clear head."

Yuri didn't give a response.

"Yuri, we both know that if something's on your mind, you mess up your jumps. And when you mess up once it gets to you and you mess up other things. By the way, resting is also very important, so let's go home and start again tomorrow."

A little reluctantly, Yuri gave in and together they went home. When they got home they had dinner, went on a walk with Maccachin and watched a film. All the while, Yuri was very quiet. Finally, Victor decided to ask what was on his mind.

"Yuri, you've been very quiet. What's on your mind?" he asked, being as straightforward as always.

"N – Nothing. I – I haven't been quiet. I'm not being quiet." Yuri said in a panic.

Victor looked at his husband with that look and Yuri knew that he wasn't fooled. Who would be? He was an open book.

He looked away from Victor and said in a small, almost inaudible voice, "I was thinking about retiring."

Not having heard what Yuri had said, Victor asked, "What?"

"I said I was thinking about retiring." He said a little louder.

"What? Why?!" Victor asked with a shocked expression on his face.

"There are many new and young skilled skaters. I mean, look at Yurio. He is only 19 and already has achieved so much. He surpassed me a long time ago. I mean, he taught me how to do a quad salchow when he was only 15 and I still mess up that jump."

"What are you talking about? Yes, Yurio is talented but so are you. You are amazing as a skater and as a person. Just look at what you have accomplished! Especially these last four years!" Victor said.

"There will be enough other and more talented skaters to take my place when I retire. Skaters who have achieved more or will achieve more than I have."

"Is this your insecurity that's talking? It is, isn't it? How often do I need to tell you that you are great before you'll start believing it yourself?" Victor said, not willing to let Yuri retire. "Was this what was on your mind? The reason that you couldn't land your jumps?"

Yuri didn't answer, which was the only thing Victor needed to know that he had hit the nail on the head.

There was a moment of silence. Yuri decided to break it and was the first to speak.

"Would you be mad if I retire?" he asked uncertainly.

Victor looked Yuri in the eyes and said, "No, I wouldn't be mad. I would be sad, though."

Victor kept looking at Yuri and he knew that Yuri had made up his mind. He could tell by the look in his eyes.

"Can I do something or say something to change your mind?"

"No, you can't."

There was a small pause.

"Besides, I already accomplished my goal. I got to skate on the same ice as you these last three years." Yuri said with a smile on his face. "And you can help by giving me the best program for my last season."

While Yuri said this, he grabbed Victor's hands with his own and had a smile on his face like a weight was lifted from his shoulders.

"Of course." Victor said with a fond smile on his face, while he squeezed Yuri's hands as to show him that he would stand by him no matter what.

When all was said and done, they went to bed. Yuri fell asleep almost immediately. You could see that he was relieved: a weight had been lifted from his shoulders and Victor wasn't mad.

Victor was lying in bed. He was watching his sleeping husband, a fond smile on his face. Of course, he was sad that Yuri would retire. Who wouldn't be? Yuri was the kind of skater you could just watch all day and still be entranced by, even on the off chance that he messed up. He looked at his husband and thought about how stubborn he was. This stubborn side of Yuri reminded him of himself. He could be as stubborn as Yuri, if not more so. There had been enough times when Yakov had made a comment about it.

Still a small smile on his face, Victor put his arms around Yuri and pulled him closer. After some time he fell asleep, thinking about what would be the perfect program for Yuri's final season on the ice.