"What do you mean you're retiring...?" Yuri asked with his eyes wide.
Before that happened, let's go back a bit backward.
Yuri saw Yuuri go down with Viktor. They were both silent and didn't even bother to look at each other or talk.
It made Yuri feel that something is a bit off since Viktor would always engage a PDA towards Yuuri. But him being silent and distant meant trouble itself.
Yuri then decided to go to Yuuri, grab his hand, and went to some corner where no human shall hear them.
Which brings us to this event right now.
"Viktor may already know since I told him before I started my Free Skate. It's time for me to go ba-"
"And let you retire? I DON'T THINK SO SHITHEAD!" Yuri bursted.
The thought of Yuuri retiring didn't even cross his mind. Sure he said that when they first met, but it was for different reasons. Yuri didn't want to admit it, but Yuuri retiring isn't what he wanted.
"How can you retire when you already broke his record!? Not anyone can break that old man's record!" Yuri didn't want him to retire.
"If anyone should retire, IT SHOULD BE HIM!" Yuri let out deep breaths from his sudden outburst.
"Yuri, I... I ..."
"Something happened between you and Viktor right?"
'I don't want him to retire...'
Yuuri stared at him with wide eyes.
"If it's not that reason..."
' I know that there's something wrong... but...'
"Then I'll just have to snatch that score off the bat!"
'I'll beat you so you could stay...'
"Yuri..."
"I'll give you time to decide. After my free skate, after this competition, tell me your decision."
'The first time that I had fun competing, then you're leaving? Not a chance, idiot.'
-/-/-/-/-
Celestino could really tell that something was off the hook. After Phichit finished his Free Skate he didn't even bother to open his phone, he just held it. By the barrier, Phichit stayed and watch Yuuri skate.
Celestino asked the Korean man to stay and watch over Phichit for awhile in which Seung-Gil nodded.
The stoic man stayed beside Phichit as they watched Yuuri's Free Skate. He watched, but by the second half, he stared at Phichit.
Phichit was watching and observing his best friend. Seung-Gil didn't say anything. He merely observed Phichit's expression. He still kept his usual emotionless demeanor, but inside, he's a bit shocked to see Phichit silent.
'He truly knows his best friend for a long and patient time.'
Seung-Gil stared at Yuuri, 'You must be lucky to have Phichit as your best friend.'
"Seung-Gil, Yuuri skated perfectly."
Seung-Gil nods, "Then he's fine."
Phichit stares at Seung-Gil, "Yet, something is also wrong."
Seung-Gil stares at Yuuri who went to the kiss and cry along with Viktor. He noticed the way Phichit narrowed his eyes.
"The score board for Yuuri Katsuki is..."
Their eyes widened.
221.63
He broke Viktor Nikiforov's Free Skate record.
Seung-Gil saw Phichit cover his mouth as he silently laughs out of joy.
"Yuuri... He did it!"
Seung-Gil smiled when Phichit also smiled. Seeing the Thai's smile made his heart flutter.
He looked at his left and saw the new skater that Celestino took under his wing.
'Michael Mendoza, huh...'
Michael continued to stare at Yuuri with awe especially when the score finally showed up. It seemed that there's gonna be another rival to compete in for the next season of the Grand Prix.
-/-/-/-
'...Katsuki Yuuri, watch me closely.'
It was Yuri's turn for the Free Skate. The way he started his performance was still the same, yet it still had that graceful beauty.
"Russia's Yuri Plisetsky, age 15. He is skating Allegro Appassionato in B minor."
Yuri skated the same, but this time, with emotions and thoughts overflowing his mind. His steps were quick and refined and he flawlessly spins on the ice with such pace.
"If he wins the Grand Prix final, it will surely make history for Yuri Plisetsky as the youngest skater to win gold."
Then he jumped his first quad.
"Quadruple Salchow!"
"Success!"
Then from a spiral, he jumped again.
"Triple Axel!"
"Another success but with his arm raised again! This will greatly add his score because of the difficulty mark."
He continued his choreography. Dancing on the ice to enthrall the audience. When he caught a glimpse on Yuuri's eyes, he remembered something.
Yuri watched the Japanese Yuuri skate at his program. He was amazed at the performance Yuuri gave to everyone. He slightly flinched when he screwed up some of the jumps. His eyes were still glued even when the dance ended.
'Yuuri Katsuki.'
The Japanese bowed, but still bear a disappointed expression.
'He screws up his jumps, but his step sequence grabs your attention.'
Yuri darted his eyes on the Japanese Yuuri as he went towards the kiss and cry.
'I want to see him skate with no mistakes.'
'What kind of guy is he?'
-/-/-
Yuri followed him when Yuuri went to the toilet. He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
'What a loser! He's crying!'
He kicked the door.
-/-/-
Yuri glared at him and noticed his eyes slightly red. He became pissed even more when he saw the hollow look onto the Japanese skater's orbs.
'This guy...'
"We don't need two Yuris at the same bracket."
"Just retire already."
"Moron!"
-/-/-
Before the event began, Yuri noticed it. The same hollow eyes that Yuuri had back at the Sochi Grand Prix.
'The same eyes...'
Underneath his bangs, his eyes widened.
'It's like from before...'
"Oi, Yuuri..."
'Did something happen between you and that old man?'
Yuri looked away and clicked his tongue.
Yuri hardened his gaze, 'You're gonna retire when you get gold?'
'You don't care that you already got a high score than Viktor's?'
He remembered their conversation.
'That's a load of bull!'
He remembered Yuuri's hollow eyes.
'Don't disappoint me!'
He jumped and landed, "Triple Flip!"
He was reaching the second half and his thoughts were about Yuuri Katsuki. Him retiring is something that made his blood boil.
'I'm going to win!'
He jumped, but he flubbed his Quad Toe Loop. But he quickly got up and executed a beautiful spiral position.
Yuri could feel himself getting tired, but he needs to perform. He needs show his strength. He needs to put some senses onto someone.
He needs it because he wants it.
'I know that Yakov, Lilia, Grandpa, Yuko and the others, they are all watching.'
'But you... I need to knock some senses onto you, idiot!'
"Quadruple Salchow! Triple Toe Loop!" He raised his arms by the Triple Toe Loop.
'Are you watching Yuuri Katsuki?'
'I'm going to beat your record someday.'
He jumped his combination and landed perfectly.
"Quad Toe Loop! Double Toe Loop!"
"It seems like Yuri Plisetsky has added another quad in his list!"
'If you retire now... I'll make you regret it for the rest of your life.'
'But, I noticed something...'
'So if that old man did some shit, then I'll do the same way you did...'
'That made me wanna compete against you.'
"Triple axel, Single Loop, Triple Salchow!"
"He did it!"
He raises his leg and spins.
'Don't retire until I say so, moron!'
He ends his spin, raised his arm, and took one final pose as the song ends. He's panting heavily as he looked up. The cheers of the crowd were blocked from his ears. He could feel the tears in his eyes. Yuri finally collapsed onto his knees and covered his face.
-/-/-
Yuuri didn't even look away from Yuri's performance. He watched every inch of his dance until he end. He was shocked when Yuri flubbed a jump, yet managed to get up quickly and continue. He silently prayed for the young Russian skater to hang in there. By the end though, Yuri managed to finish it with a bang.
He didn't even move and Yuuri saw him collapse onto his knees and cry. The pressure of the Grand Prix must have triggered onto Yuri himself.
'Yuri, you did well.' He smiled as he saw Yuri went to the Kiss and Cry with Yakov and Lilia waiting for him.
In the end, Yuri got a score of 200.97 which his total score is 319.53!
Yuuri came in second with a total score of 319.46!
JJ is third with a total score of 300.62!
Yuuri couldn't believe it. But he let out a relieved smile when he stood at the podium with a silver medal. Above him is none other than Yuri Plisetsky who is now the youngest winner of the Grand Prix Final. JJ is at Yuri's left side who got bronze.
It was Yuuri's second time at the Grand Prix. But now, he's able to win a medal for his country.
He's now done with his first task. He has to deal with another.
'I need to find Viktor.'
-/-/-/-
"Yurio?" Yuuri was baffled when the young Russian skater went towards him.
"Katsudon." Yuri nodded in acknowledgement.
"Didn't Yakov and Lilia already left? I thought that you would at least went with them."
Yuri clicked his tongue, "I'm here for answers, Katsudon. That also includes you."
"E-eh?"
"Speaking of you, where's that old man? I need to talk to him."
"Oh, perfect timing, I was also looking for him."
"Lead the way then, Katsudon."
The two walked and looked around. They keep their eyes peeled for a certain silver haired Russian who disappeared out of nowhere.
Yuri saw the other Yuuri fidgeting in his jacket sleeve. He puts a hand on Yuuri's shoulder and looked away.
"Congratulations on getting silver." Yuri said in a whisper.
Yuuri chuckled, "Thank you, Yuri. Congratulations on getting gold, though. That was amazing."
"Yeah, yeah." Yuri blushed at the compliment.
'Where's that old man?' Yuri grumpily thought.
"So, you and Viktor are engaged, right?" Yuri asked.
"Um, I'm not sure about that, Yurio."
Yuri arched an eyebrow, "Why? He seems to be head over heels for you."
'I've seen something that I want for Viktor to clarify.' Was what Yuuri's thought said but instead he said, "Truth to be told, I only bought those rings as a good luck charm. I was shocked too when he said that those were engagement rings."
"Let's find that idiot so we can have answers, then?"
"Yeah."
A few steps later, Yuri went in front of him to block his path.
"Yuri?"
"Katsudon... Yuuri, about what I aske-"
They heard a loud bang from the nearest changing room. They looked at their left and saw a door that was ajar. They could hear voices which was familiar.
"That voice belongs to Viktor." Yuuri said as they both silently went near the door.
But they heard another voice of a female.
"He's with a girl?" Yuri arched an eyebrow.
Yuri peaked at the bottom while Yuuri is above and sneak a peak too. They saw Viktor and some girl talking and they were too focused to even notice the two Yuris spying on them.
"I never thought that you would be this low to call me back, Vitya~"
Yuuri flinched at the nickname. While the other Yuri seems to silently click his tongue and glared at the brunette''s figure.
'What the actual fuck?' Was what the two Yuris are thinking right now.
"You know why I called you here, Canis." Viktor said.
The two of them couldn't see clearly of Viktor's expression.
But the way the woman was wearing is clearly revolting. Her buttoned shirt is so tight and she opened some of the buttons so her clevage can be seen. Her jeans were so ripped to the point that she doesn't even need pants.
"Did you and that pig had a fight~?" She purred as she seductively went near Viktor with her breast shaking at every move. "You know that I could satisfy that heart of yours, Vik~tor~"
'Oh that slut wants some ass kicking huh?!' Yuri thought.
"Canis, what we've done in the past is long forgotten."
"Oh how cruel, Vitya~" She puts a finger on Viktor's chin as she licked her lips.
"After our times together, you're still cold towards mee~"
"Canis..."
"After all, you did this so you can be back with me, right~?"
'WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!? DOES THIS BITCH WANT TO BE DEAD?!' Well, Yuri is ready to kill.
"Remember our deal, Viktor... You did your end of the bargain, I can now love you back~"
"Canis."
"Oohh... I remember our sex for the first time. It was sweet and invigorating. I miss having that with you, Viktor~"
Her breast is on Viktor's chest. Their distance is gone. Yuri was ready to go in and knock them some senses. But he looked towards Yuuri and his eyes widened.
"Y-Yuuri...?"
"After all, all you need to do is break his little heart."
Her tone was seductive but it was revolting. Yuri was ready to puke.
"After all, you called me a few times. But what you first said towards him is soo crueeel~~ Since he forgot your precious time at the banquet, you wanted to teach him a lesson, too, neeee~~~"
Canis chuckled as she planted a passionate kiss towards Viktor.
Yuri gagged with disgust. But he felt Yuuri covering his mouth to block any sign of his trembling voice.
Yuri felt like he wanted to already get out of here. But his body couldn't move.
'I need to move! I need to get Katsudon out of here!'
"... Part of the plan, right?"
They heard Viktor who finally spoke a word.
"I did plan on doing that."
Yuri heard a choked sob. He couldn't look away, he couldn't look at Yuuri. He was afraid to see those orbs again.
"You're right, I planned on playing with him and breaking his heart after the Grand Prix final is over..."
Yuuri couldn't take it anymore. He ran away as quickly as possible.
Yuri didn't waste any time and ran after him.
'Shit!'
-/-/-/-
Phichit and Seung-Gil were currently together as they roam around in Barcelona. Actually, Phichit is currently taking his last selfies on every beautiful sight and Seung-Gil, who was forced/begged, to join in every picture taking. Seung-Gil kept his normal stoic face, but if you were to look on it closely, you could see that he tried to smile at the camera.
"Shouldn't you be resting, Phichit? You finished your Free Program a few moments ago."
"You said that you're gonna leave tomorrow morning. The gala and the banquet is tomorrow, and I know that you need to train. So I decided to go sightseeing with you!" Phichit said.
"Oh..." Was the only word Seung-Gil said.
"Anyway, let's buy some souvenirs. I'm sure that your coach and your dog would love that."
"How do you know about my dog?"
"I checked your instagram account. Even if it's always filled with your dog, I'll admit that she's cute!"
"Well, your hamsters are cute too." Seung-Gil looked away to hide the blush in his cheeks.
"I know!"
Their conversation was interrupted when Phichit's phone rang and vibrated. He took it out of his pocket and saw a text message from none other than Yuri Plisetsky himself.
"It's Russian Yuri texting me."
"Let's see then." Seung-Gil said.
Phichit unlocked his phone and his eyes widened.
Subject: About Katsudon/Yuuri
Chulanot, meet me back at the hotel. Let's talk at your room, PRIVATELY. You could bring that 'friend' of yours if you like.
P.S, When I said meet me, I will say, NOW. IT'S IMPORTANT!
He looked at Seung-Gil and nodded.
"It seems important. We should head back." Seung-Gil suggested.
Phichit nods as they sprinted back at the hotel.
-/-/-/-/-/-
Yuuri stayed at their hotel room. He waited for Viktor for a few hours now. It was already dark and there was no sign of the silver haired Russian. He fidgets on his sleeves as he waited.
'I just need answers.' He thought as he looked at the door.
'I just need answers.' He kept on repeating it.
'It's just not good to assume things without knowing the story.'
He smiled, but it wasn't his normal happy smile, 'I know that Viktor would say that this is all a misunderstanding. Then we'll return back to normal. Him going back to being a skater and I...'
The door opened and Yuuri saw Viktor. But he noticed that his hair and coat were a bit messy. Yuuri observed Viktor and saw that he was a bit tipsy.
'No, he's really drunk.'
"Ah, Yuuri~ I forgot to congratulate you for getting silver~"
"Yeah..." Yuuri nervously smiled.
"Though I'm not kissing it cuz it's not golz."
Viktor wobbly walked towards Yuuri. His body collapsed onto Yuuri as he clung onto him.
"Viktor..." He looked down.
Viktor noticed Yuuri's slumped shoulders, "What's wrong, Yuuri~? Aren't you happy that you're already at the podium?"
"...yeah, I am."
Yuuri noticed that Viktor's gaze seems to harden, "You don't sound so sure, Yuuri."
"Viktor..."
"Is it because you are planning to retire?"
"Viktor-"
"Just because you won a medal means that you're giving up skating, Yuuri?"
"No, that's not-"
"THEN WHAT THE HELL YUURI?!"
Yuuri flinched when Viktor finally bursted his anger.
"Viktor, calm down I-"
"How could I calm down!? You're retiring! You're going to leave me!"
"Viktor, you're drunk. Let's just-"
"I am fine! The drink didn't affect me!"
"Viktor, please calm down-"
"How could you say that!? Is it because you won silver? Then we'll just have to-"
"IT'S BECAUSE THE WHOLE WORLD LONGS FOR YOU TO RETURN, VIKTOR!"
Viktor stopped yelling when he heard Yuuri's outburst.
Yuuri looked down, away from Viktor's gaze, "You are Viktor Nikiforov, the skating legend and the king of the ice. The world waits for your return to your throne. I'm just me, I have no throne. It's all yours."
His bangs covered some of Yuuri's eyes as he looked at Viktor, "You've done a lot for me and I'm very thankful. You made my this something so memorable. That's why, thank you, Viktor. Thank you for being my coach."
Yuuri bows in front of Viktor.
Yuuri then heard a chuckle. He looked up and saw Viktor covering his eyes and letting out a forced chuckle.
"I never expect this... Yuuri Katsuki is saying something so selfish."
"Selfish or not, it's my decision."
Viktor clicked his tongue and grabbed Yuuri's wrist.
"Viktor...?"
"Yuuri... Just why are you saying this!?"
"You said that it's only until the end of the Grand Prix final!"
"Here I thought that you might need me even more!"
Viktor tightened the grip on Yuuri's wrist.
"Ah! Viktor, you're hurting me!"
"I can't accept that Yuuri! I can't accept you leaving me! Am I not good enough for you!? Am I-"
"YOU'RE ALREADY DONE WITH ME, VIKTOR! YOU ALREADY FINISHED THE TASK THAT YOUR GIRLFRIEND ASKED YOU! YOU'VE DONE IT OKAY!?"
Viktor's eyes widened. He lets go of Yuuri's wrist which became red from the hard grip.
"You... I heard you... What you said to thise girls, what you said to Canis. I heard them all. You don't need to stay..."
"Yuuri..."
"You love Canis right? It's not right that you need to cheat on her. Go back to her, Viktor."
Viktor clicked his tongue, "So, are you gonna throw me away and forget like what you did at the banquet?"
"Viktor..."
"I mean, that's where you're good at. You're good at forgetting things."
"Viktor, I was drunk that ti-"
"BUT YOU FORGOT IT!"
"BUT I WASN'T THE ONE WHO PLAYED WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S FEELINGS!"
Viktor had enough. He let out an angry laugh and looked at Yuuri bitterly.
"Want to know the truth? Fine! It's true! I planned all of this so I can get back together with Canis! I coached you and played you around my finger! I did this! After the banquet, Canis noticed it! I fell in love with someone else because I slept with a drunk Yuuri. She later finds out because she was there when I was moaning your name and you were moaning mine!"
Yuuri gasped as his eyes widened. He can't look back and he cannot cover his ears.
"Then falling for you... All of this...!"
"It's a waste of time then?" Yuuri finished his sentence.
"So what if it is!? It truly is-!"
Viktor realized what he just said. He covered his mouth from shock.
"I see..." Yuuri's voice began to tremble.
"I... I'm sorry for bringing trouble for the past eight months, Mr. Nikiforov. Seems like my actions caused a misunderstanding to the one you truly love. I'll be on my way then. I won't bother you then. Thank you for coaching me, Mr. Nikiforov. The payment for the coaching fees shall be transferred on your account."
"Y-Yuuri...? I-I can explai-"
"There's no need to, Mr. Nikiforov. I understand. I'll be on my way then."
Before Viktor could even reply, Yuuri ran away.
-/-/-/-
Yuuri ran away from the room and out of the hotel. For him, it didn't matter to where he's going, he needs a place to be alone.
Every part of him hurts. His heart was aching. Knowing that his first time was Viktor himself, it hurted even more.
He felt played, he felt like he was a fool. For a year, he was fooled. He believed it, so it was his fault for falling.
Yuuri wanted to get away. He wanted to go somewhere and cry. Where no one would see him. He didn't want them to see Yuuri in his state.
'How could I have been so stupid? Now look... You've been played around.'
By running, he didn't notice a speeding car heading towards him. Yuuri was frozen and his eyes widened.
"WATCH OUT!"
From being hit by a car, he was grabbed by the back of his jacket and pulled away from the speeding vehicle. The car zoomed and let out a loud beep of its horn.
Yuuri's form was wrapped around another figure. He didn't notice that he was breathing heavily and his eyes are wide as plates.
"Y-Yuuri Katsuki!" The figure exclaimed, "Shit, are you having a panic attack? Stupid! Of course he is!"
Yuuri couldn't make out the voice. He was breathing heavily and his ears seemed to block out any sounds especially the man's concerned voice. His eyes are starting to get blurry.
The man cursed in a different language and seemed to panic at the situation in front of him.
"Ah... ah!" He went through his pocket and grabbed his phone.
"Phichit help me! NOW! I'm with Yuuri and he seems to be having a panic attack! ... I don't know!... He was about to be bumped by a car but I manage to save him... Oh god, hurry up Phichit! Fuck, bring Seung-Gil!"
He kept his phone at his pocket and looked at Yuuri. The Japanese could see green sparkling in the man's eyes.
"What should I do?! What should I do?!" The man panicked.
Yuuri reached out and clutched the man's jacket sleeve. The man's eyes widened and quickly put his hand to cover half of Yuuri's face.
"I-I don't have something for you to breathe in... But I read that doing this can maybe help you." He said.
Yuuri breathes through the man's hand.
"To try and change this topic... I should introduce myself then?" He nervously chuckled.
He noticed some of Yuuri's saliva dripping down, but he was too concerned to notice.
"Anyway, I'm Michael Mendoza, age 24."
Yuuri's breathing started to turn normal.
'Good!' Michael thought.
"Phichit and Seung-Gil are coming, so let's try and calm down together, okay?"
Yuuri shakily nodded.
"Um... Well... I'm gonna join the Grand Prix soon... So get well okay? I want to skate on the same ice as you!"
Michael's eyes widened when he heard footsteps and voices nearing them.
"Phichit! Seung-Gil!"
They quickly ran towards their side and Phichit kneeled down to check on Yuuri.
"Oh god, Yuuri!" Phichit exclaimed as he held onto Yuuri.
Seung-Gil went towards Phichit's side and said, "Let's carry him and find Celestino. He may know what to do."
Michael didn't waste any time and carried Yuuri in his arms. They ran but Michael was fast.
Michael looked at Yuuri in admiration and with worry.
Phichit send a quick text while running and thankfully Seung-Gil assisted him to make sure that he won't stumble, fall, or bump onto someone.
Subject: none
FIND CELESTINO, NOW! YUURI COLLAPSED!