"Yuri.. Why don't you ever talk to Viktor anymore? Why don't you even talk about him?" Yuri's older sister asked, leaning against the doorframe of his room. The skater frowned, rolling over on his bed and facing the wall. "I don't want to talk about it." He says, tone cold. His sister sighed and walked away, she had expected that reaction. Yuri listened to her walk away, staring at the wall. After a few minutes he got up, got dressed to go, and left.
Yuri was got to the rink and went onto the ice. Slowly, he skated around the rink to warm up. Then Yuri began to skate his program. As his skates skimmed and glided over the ice, he began to think. He knew Viktor never intended it that way it happened. Yuri had overreacted. Maybe. He jumped, landing perfectly, and letting the force carry him across the ice. Yuri jumped again.
"You wouldn't be good if it weren't for me, right?"
The words flashed into his head, ears still remembering the carefree yet meaningful tone. Yuri hit the ice, almost forgetting to land. He winced.
"…Go back to Russia."
Yuri slowed to a stop on the ice, staring down at his skates. It still hurt, that Viktor said that. He still couldn't believe it. He still couldn't forgive.
The time passed so quickly, Yuri thought as he sat at the Grand Prix, waiting to get out on the ice. He tightened his laces, making sure they were secure. He looked around at the stand filled with people. The announcer's voice streaming through the small buzz of conversation in the rink. They had been called in from warming up on the ice. Yuri would go out any moment. Any moment. Finally. They called his name. Yuri removed his jacket and stepped onto the ice, skating to the center. He stopped, looking out at the crowd, then took his position. "Take Me To Church" began to play. Yuri skated, full of grace and perfection. It was so different from the year before. He was much more precise, refined. Much less desperate, much less emotional. He finished with a moment of silence before he was cheered, a standing ovation. He got off the ice, going to take a look at his score. He received it with a satisfied and happy smile. He went to watch Chris skate. Then Minami. Then he went to the break room.
Viktor stepped on the ice, Yuri watching through the screen. He didn't want to watch in person, he didn't know how to act. He hadn't spoken to Viktor since that time. He watched Viktor skate, leaning forward as it progressed. Only a minute into it, Yuri left the breakroom, hurrying to the rink. He had to see it in person, he had to feel it. And he did. He stepped out, standing behind the wall as he watched. Viktor danced, skated. Viktor showed it all. And Yuri understood it perfectly. The song faded, Viktor stilled. The whole rink, everyone, was silent. Not even breathing, it seemed. And then suddenly, it roared. Yuri stepped forward to the gate, eyes on Viktor. The platinum seemed to sag slightly, then he turned, eyes finding Yuri. There seemed to be surprise there. Viktor skated towards him, stopping a few inches away. Yuri could see him hope. He could see the regret, the apology. Ah, he was hopeless. Yuri sighed, stepping to the side. He supposed he could begin forgiving Viktor. "C'mon. Let's see how you did."
