After a devastating finish to his career, Yuri and Viktor return to yuri's home rink in Hasetsj, before returning to Russia.
Upon their arrival, after much persuading from Viktor, the couple headed straight for the ice rink to greet Yuuko, Takeshi, and the girls.
When Viktor pushed open the door, leading a quiet Yuri by the hand, they were greeted by a moment of silence before Yuuko came running into the entrance hallway, "Viktor! Yuri!"
Yuri kept his head down, and mumbled, "H-hey Yuuko..."
Yuuko turned her gaze to the clearly down Yuri, "You did really well in the competition Yuri! Don't worry!"
Still seeming thoroughly interested in his shoes, Yuri mumbled quietly, "T-thanks... I guess..."
Viktor smiled a bit nervously, and put a hand on Yuri's shoulder, "I'm sorry Yuuko, we should probably get going. I think Yuri needs a bit of time," and with that Viktor led Yuri out, looking over his shoulder at Yuuko with an apologetic glance.
Yuuko smiled, "It's ok, take your time, and take care of Yuri."
~ ~ ~
Later that evening, Viktor was sitting with Yuri in the hot springs, when he made the move to ask Yuri, "Hey Yuri..."
Yuri looked up, from the surface of the water and his wavering reflection.
"Are you doing ok? You seem really shaken up by this. You've been acting weird all season as well... I'm worried."
Yuri looked back down at his reflection, "I... Viktor... I'm not sure I want to go on..."
Viktor looked at him, puzzled "You're retired, you don't have to keep skating. Why are you so shaken up by this? You won't let me down by quitting skating."
Yuri didn't speak for a few minutes, creating a tense silence between the two.
Viktor finally broke said silence, "Yuri?"
Yuri hesitated a moment, his mouth hanging open awkwardly before speaking, "I don't mean I want to quit skating..."
Viktor's expression brightened, "That's great! Then what do you mean you aren't sure you want to go on...?" Viktor trailed off, his voice thick with worry.
"I mean with life Viktor..." Yuri continued staring at his reflection, tears starting to fall, rippling the reflection.
Viktor stared at him in shock, for a moment, tears beginning to flow, before stammering, "W-why? Why Yuri...?"
As Yuri's tears began falling faster and faster, his reflection slowly became so distorted it was hardly recognizable, "The ice... The stress... I feel like I let you down Viktor..." Yuri said between sobs, trailing off at the end of each sentence.
Viktor quickly lunged forward towards Yuri, trapping him in an enormous bear hug, "You haven't let me down Yuri, in fact, quite the opposite... I'm proud of you... I'm so proud of you..."