December 15,
Beijing, Republic of China
Beijing had always been an important city to Yuuri.
It had been the first international competition where Viktor had coached him, the first time he had won silver, the first time Viktor had kissed him (on live-television, he might add. Yuuri dies of mortification and love every time he remembers, cursing his husband's penchant for PDA. )
Being here without Viktor by his side is a hard pill to swallow, and if Minako notices his melancholy mood, she doesn't say a word about it. Instead, she forces him into the bathroom in the morning, preparing for a day of sightseeing.
Spending only a few minutes getting ready, Yuuri washes his face thoroughly before smacking on some lotion and sunscreen. He snorts lightly to himself, Viktor's crazed skincare routine had rubbed off on him soon enough, but Yuuri could never commit to the five-step routine his husband had. No, Yuuri kept it minimal, a single cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen for the morning, battling sun cancer a dollop at a time. What was the sunscreen Viktor liked again? Was it even made yet?
He sighs suddenly, remembering all of the drama behind Viktor's favourite skincare. All he knew was that one minute he was begging Mari to send them over to Saint Petersburg by the boatload and the next he was pouring it down the kitchen sink - something about capitalist conglomerates ruining everything for him.
Yuuri makes a mental note to look for the brand when he has the time. Patting the excess product on his neck, he exits the room to find Minako sitting on her bed, crossed legged.
The room they shared was not big at all, only a few square feet long. There were two single beds crammed on either side of the room, and a single square window on Yuuri's end that only cracked open slightly. Regardless of the ventilation hazard, the hotel was nice. The mattresses were firm and pillows soft. There were no obstructions outside of the window view, only the vast expanse of the city.
"Are we going to meet Miyamoto-san for breakfast?"
"Rina-chan said she'd wait for us at the hall. She's booked some time for you at a public rink, you wanted to rehearse the gala piece before practice tomorrow, right?"
"Hmm."
"Let's go then." Minako leaps from her bed, pocketing her phone into her back pocket. "Make sure you're bundled up, it snowed last night."
Yuuri slips on a black sweatshirt, pulling up his hood. Then, he bundles himself up in a warm overcoat. It's long, reaching the back of his knees and pitch black, a sleek birthday gift from Mari and his parents that fits him snugly. He tucks his hotel key-card into one of the card slots of his wallet, before shoving it and his phone into the deep pockets of his coat and wearing his black boots.
He checks that he has everything once more. Slipping on a black mask, he hikes it up over his nose so that his glasses rest directly on top. He's lived long enough to know that you're meant to place glasses on top of the mask to prevent fogging. It brings his attention to his new glasses.
With such short notice, Yuuri had opted for some thin circular lenses instead of his customary square rims. It took some time getting used to them, but now they were as well-loved as his old ones. With a final cursory glance at his reflection, he hikes his duffle bag over his shoulder, exiting the room to meet Minako out in the hallway, ready to brace the cold Beijing morning.
"What are you, cosplaying as the Grim Reaper?"
"Shut up." Yuuri's voice is muffled behind the mask, but Minako laughs loudly at the tinge of red that spreads across his ears. "I checked the news - dust levels are predicted to rise through the day. You should wear a mask too, sensei."
She rolls her eyes, but snags the packaged, white surgical mask Yuuri holds towards her. "Okay, you health nut. Let's hurry up and meet Rina-chan."
They make their way towards the elevator, reaching the lobby within seconds. Miyamoto is waiting for them by the doors, clad in her own mask. "Wow, Yuuri-kun. You look very dapper."
"Sensei said I looked like the grim reaper."
"Oh, I... " She doesn't say a thing, but the way she bits her lip makes Yuuri think she agrees.
"I'm never wearing all-black again."
"No, no!" Miyamoto shakes her head furiously whilst Minako cackles by her side, pushing the two of them through the revolving doors. "Black is 100% your colour."
Beijing is cold, and Yuuri is infinitely grateful that he is wearing a mask - the cold sweeps across his forehead, sending his hair into a windswept mess, but his face is protected by the mask. Miyamoto doesn't have the same luck, nose already turning a bright red against the stark snow-covered street.
It's loud now that they're outside of the hotel, the rumblings of the city bursting in his ear. There are stretches of cars rolling slowly across the road, stuck in the morning traffic on the way to work and Yuuri huddles closer to Minako, weaving his arm through hers. Minako does the same on her other side with Miyamoto, and the three of them are a team, pushing through the crowds of Beijing.
"Where are we going for breakfast?"
"There's this nice cafe a few minutes up ahead," Miyamoto pulls out her phone, looking at directions. "They have really nice croissants."
"Oooh."
Minako narrows her eyes.
"It's after the competition, I can eat whatever I want now."
"You still have practice later."
"Oh, that reminds me." Miyamoto breaks in between Yuuri and Minako's battle of wills, tugging out her phone. "I was only able to get time at a local ice rink, we'll take a cab straight after breakfast? I booked it for 11, that way we can still go see the competition later."
"That's plenty of time." Minako smiles at her. They reach the cafe soon.
Yuuri immediately sits at a small table near the entrance - it's circular, with a leather-bound armchair on one side and a small bench pressed up against the wall on the other. It's right next to the window, and Yuuri and Miyamoto sit down whilst Minako goes to order for everyone.
It isn't as busy as Yuuri expected, with most people opting for takeout coffee rather than staying seated. A shame really, Yuuri muses, looking around at the ambience of the store. It's low-lit, with hanging bulbs and bookshelves all around him. The colour palette leans towards reddish browns and brass, and Yuuri immediately feels warmed. It's something out of a vintage postcard, a stark difference to the industrialization outside.
"Have you decided which costume you're wearing for the gala?"
Yuuri pulls off his mask, tucking into his pocket. "Miyamoto-san, do you trust me?"
"Why are you saying it like that?" Rina's face turns pale.
"I'm being honest, this is 100% a coincidence and we did not plan this at all."
"Yuuri-kun. Please, just rip the bandaid off."
"We brought the gala costume with us to Beijing." Minako plops down a tray on the table,
Miyamoto switches between gaping in shock and looking impressed. "Do I even want to know why?"
"We were planning to try and do some kind of dress rehearsal with the costume for Worlds here because the costume just arrived the other day. Yuuri was itching to test that the sleeves were working, because they're a focal point, and we thought we'd have some time now. Now, it's like fate."
"So, you have it with you?"
Yuuri pats his duffle bag. "It's just the over-layer we need to test. Everything else works just fine, I want to make sure the sleeves don't hinder me whilst skating. We had to get rid of a lot of the fabric during the test-runs, this should be the final piece."
"Oh my god." Rina places a hand on her heart. "You're so lucky, wait what's there to test with the sleeves?"
Minkao sends her a scheming grin. Yuuri downs his coffee.
minako-okukawa 7h
House of Beans, Beijing, China
[PHOTO: A collection of three photos. The first, which is the one that shows up on Minako's feed, is of a breakfast spread. It includes various Western-style breakfast delicacies, such as croissants, pancakes, and a type of egg in a tomato sauce. The second is of Yuuri, a candid where he is mid-drink, fingers curled around a mug of steaming coffee. He is turned to the left, showing off his side-profile as he looks towards the window. The lighting casts him in a washed-out, ethereal filter. He looks undeniably soft and beautiful. The third is a picture of Minako herself, spooning some egg into her mouth. She's looking up at the camera, raising a thumb up cutely.]
?ￂﾠ ➤
Liked by christophe-gc, mari-k, Nishi-yuu, and 10,987 others.
minako-okukawa 学生と一緒に朝食！私たちは JSF_Official Miyamoto Rinaと一緒にホテルの近くのとても素敵なコーヒーハウスにいます。初めてしゃくしゃをしようとしているのが北京ハハだなんて信じられません。ゆうりはブラックコーヒーとパンケーキにこだわった、なんてつまらない。
#shakusha #brunch #yum
[Breakfast with my student! We're at a very nice coffee house near our hotel along with JSF_Official Miyamoto Rina. I can't believe that the first time I'm trying shakusha is in Beijing haha. Yuuri stuck to his black coffee and pancakes, how boring.]
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minako-okukawa 4h
Phoenix Palace, Beijing, China
[PHOTO: A selfie, taken by Minako, of herself, Yuuri and Rina. Between them, there is a mouthwatering, steaming hotpot bubbling in focus. Yuuri is holding out a peace sign and Rina's eyes are focused entirely on the food.]
?ￂﾠ ➤
liked by mari-k, Nishi-yuu, and 11,231 others.
minako-okukawa #勝生勇利と JSF_Offical宮本リマとのお祝いディナー #Hotpot #勝生勇利 #Beijing #Yum #FoodTrip #CongratsYuuri
[A congratulation dinner with #Katsuki Yuuri and JSF_Official, Miyamoto Rina.
#Hotpot #KatsukiYuuri #Beijing #Yum #Food #CongratsYuuri]
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minako-okukawa 3h
Angel Bubble Tea, Beijing, China
[Photo: Two pictures. The first, the one that shows up on Minako's feed, is an Instagram-worthy picture of Yuuri, hair windswept, wearing a mask and holding bubble tea in his hand. He isn't looking at the camera, and half of his face is covered by a mask, but it's a truly, mouth-watering candid photo. It shows off his all-black ensemble outfit. The second photo, after swiping past, is of three bubble tea drinks pushed together, where Minako tags Rina on her drink, as well as a tag to the bubble tea shop on hers.]
?ￂﾠ ➤
liked by christophe-gc, , sara-crispino, and 842,891 others.
minako-okukawa チャンピオンは苦い飲み物を好みますが、彼でさえタピオカパールの呼びかけに抵抗できませんでした。
[The champion prefers bitter drinks, but even he couldn't resist the call of tapioca pearls.]
#勝生勇利 #BubbleTea #Beijing #BrownSugarForMe #MatchaForYuuri-kun #Rina'sSugaryExplosion
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figure-skating-gods: oh my god.
mihana: ˉ̡̠̭̭"( ⑉¯ །། ¯⑉ )ˉ̡̠̭̭"
Nishi-yuu: ゆうりくん?！[Yuuri-kun?!]
jessica-b : Holy fuck.
あかり: (´ ω `) (´ ω `)
sana-okada: 私の心-奥川先生は私よりも良い写真を撮るT.T [My heart - Okukawa-sensei takes better pictures than me T.T]
mari-k: 私はその服の功績を認めます。すべての祝福と賛美を私に送ってください。
[I take credit for that outfit. Send all the blessings and praise to me.]
(view all 81 replies)
mihana ?
Nishi-yuu ?
sana-okada ?
あかり?
阿部 : よくやった、ゆうりくん！あなたがいなくなっている間に私はレベル15を通過しました ¬‿¬ [Well done, Yuuri-kun! I've passed level 15 whilst you were gone.]
minako-okukawa: ゆうりくんは私に教えてほしいのですが、私なしで引用しますか？[Yuuri-kun wants me to tell you, and I quote "WITHOUT ME?" ]
( view all 51 replies)
宮崎: 奥川先生！おめでとうございます、ユリと一緒に北京で最高の楽しみをお過ごしください！スタジオを再開する予定はいつですか？[Okukawa-sensei! Congratulations, I hope you have the best of fun in Beijing with Yuuri! When are you planning on opening the studio again?]
minako-okukawa: ゆうりさんの大会終了後、またスタジオをオープンします。彼は今のところ私の優先事項です ^。^[I will be opening the studio up again after Yuuri's competition. He is my priority at the moment ^.^]
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毎日百合 everyday-yuri
勝生 勇利 [Katsuki Yuuri]
ユウリ・カツキニュース [Katsuki Yuuri News]
[Fan-account of the Junior Grand Prix Champion, Katsuki Yuuri]
? Japan ? ﾟﾇﾵ ? ﾸﾏ Joined November 20XX
1,021 following 872 followers
Followed by mihana, jessie-bessie, haru-haru, suji-k and 70 others
Tweets Tweets & Replies Media Likes
? Pinned Tweet
毎日百合 everyday-yuri . Nov 30
これは、ジュニアフィギュアスケーターのカツキユウリに関する毎日の更新を提供するために作成された新しいファンアカウントです！ゆりくんへの愛情を分かち合いますので、よろしくお願いします！
[This is a new fan account created to give daily updates about junior figure skater, Katsuki Yuuri! Please look on us favourably as we share our love for Yuri-kun!]
9 ? ﾸﾏ 13 ⟲ 28
毎日百合 everyday-yuri . Dec 15
[PHOTO: A reposted photo of the infamous Bubble Tea Photo™ from Minako's instagram]
[He looks so handsome today, just like a model! Okukawa-sensei, you are a master.]
921 ? ﾸﾏ 3.1k ⟲ 8.2k
m-hsas 0.0 この人は誰なのか ？ ？ [Who is this person?]
18 ? ﾸﾏ 191 ⟲ 712
moto-hうわー、彼はとてもハンサムです、なんてことだ [Wow, he's so handsome, oh my god]
92 ? ﾸﾏ 321 ⟲ 421
keke-s 彼はアイドルですか？[Is he an idol?]
19 ? ﾸﾏ 32 ⟲ 421
nana-chan 彼は何歳 [How old is he?]
12 ? ﾸﾏ 71 ⟲ 234
everyday-yuri 高校生 [A senior high school student!]
76 ? ﾸﾏ 172 ⟲ 561
higashichaaa 新しいアイドル？それとも研修生？[A new idol? Or a trainee?]
1 ? ﾸﾏ 18 ⟲ 71
tamichan うわー、とてもきれい [Wow, so pretty!]
1 ? ﾸﾏ 8 ⟲ 432
BAKAKUN キラキラ [ kira-kira , meaning glittering or shining]
2 ? ﾸﾏ 8 ⟲ 714
taketakechan 彼はツイッターを持っていますか？またはInstagram？彼はインフルエンサーですか？[Does he have a twitter? Or an Instagram? Is he an influencer?]
1 ? ﾸﾏ 8 ⟲ 81
kaseuya 彼のお名前は？[What's his name?]
1 ? ﾸﾏ 18 ⟲ 71
bekiko 彼は有名人ですか？俳優？この日から、私はファンになります[Is he a celebrity? An actor? From this day on, I'll be a fan!]
23 ? ﾸﾏ 52 ⟲ 621
everyday-yuri
彼の名前はカツキユリで、ジュニアフィギュアスケート選手です。彼は数日前にグランプリファイナルで優勝し、ジュニアナショナルチャンピオンです。
[His name is Katsuki Yuri and he's a Junior figure skater. He won the Grand Prix Final a few days ago and is the Junior National champion.
321 ? ﾸﾏ 218 ⟲ 672
Trending . Japan
勝生 勇利
[Katsuki Yuri]
10k
タピオカティーの写真
[Bubble Tea Photo™]
81k
ジュニアナショナルチャンピオン
[Junior National Champion]
1k
抹茶タピオカティー
[Matcha Bubble Tea]
18k
抹茶くん
[Matcha-kun]
7k
アイドル
[Idol]
21k
JGPチャンピオン
[Junior Grand Prix Champion]
7k
フィギュアスケート選手
[Figure Skater]
1k
ただ生きようとしている daiantukia . 1h
タピオカティーの写真に写っている人は誰ですか？ははは
[Who is the person in the bubble tea photo? hahahahaha]
14 ? ﾸﾏ 29 ⟲ 99
星の目 umichan . 52m
タピオカティーを持った少年。彼の名前。彼の住所。彼の星占い。詳細を教えてください。
[The boy with the bubble tea. His name. His address. His horoscope. Give me all the details.]
21 ? ﾸﾏ 91 ⟲ 181
ドゥーキープキエ dookuma . 21m
[gif ]
私、この抹茶バブルティーの写真を渇望している私のタイムライン全体を見るためにログオンします。そうは言っても、O.O
[Me, logging on just to see my entire TL thirsting over this Matcha Bubble Tea Photo. That being said, O.O.]
19 ? ﾸﾏ 79 ⟲ 211
毎日百合 everyday-yuri . 1m
[A gif replaying Yuuri's beautiful, back-counter triple axel from his short program. The blue fabric of his costume twirls around him whilst he's doing his rotations in the air, landing in a swirl of blue, ocean-like waves.]
疑問に思っている人のために、＃バブルティーの写真はジュニアグランプリチャンピオンとジュニアナショナルチャンピオンのカツキユウリのものです。彼は数日前のショートプログラムで世界記録を更新しました。彼は日本で数年ぶりの金メダリストです。本当に私たちの誇り。これが彼のパフォーマンスへのリンクです。]
[For everyone who is wondering, the #BubbleTeaPhoto™ is of the Junior Grand Prix Champion and Junior National Champion, Katsuki Yuuri. He broke the world record in the short program a few days ago. He is Japan's first gold medalist in years. Truly our pride. Here's a link to his performance!]
21 ? ﾸﾏ 109 ⟲ 721
丹梨
なんてこった、そのジャンプは美しい。
[Oh my god, that jump is beautiful.]
0 ? ﾸﾏ 0 ⟲ 201
結愛
フィギュアスケート、あなたは言いますか？
[Figure skating, you say?]
0 ? ﾸﾏ 19 ⟲ 31
一千花
私たちの国にこんなに美しいスケーターがいるなんて知らなかった
[I didn't know our country had such a beautiful skater]
0 ? ﾸﾏ 1 ⟲ 12
冴咲
彼は世界記録を破ったのですか？おめでとう！
[He broke the world record? Congratulations!]
1 ? ﾸﾏ 2 ⟲ 172
二湖
私が若い頃、フィギュアスケートは巨大でした。それが新しい世代で持ち直し始めているのを見てうれしいです。
[Figure skating used to be huge when I was young. Glad to see that it's started to pick up with the newer generation.]
2 ? ﾸﾏ 1 ⟲ 12
蓮
ハンサムでアスレチック、次にあなたは彼が賢すぎると私に言うでしょうT.T
[Handsome and athletic, next you'll be telling me he's smart too.]
5 ? ﾸﾏ 71 ⟲ 193
旦陽
私は百合先輩の学校の生徒です。彼は大学進学クラスであるクラス3-Aにいます
[I'm a student at Yuuri-senpai's school, and he's in Class 3-A which is the college prep class!]
18 ? ﾸﾏ 98 ⟲ 228
蓮
わぁ？
[Waaa?!]
0 ? ﾸﾏ 1 ⟲ 18
冴咲
冗談だろ。彼は完璧すぎる。
[You're kidding me. He's too perfect.]
1 ? ﾸﾏ 1 ⟲ 7
一千花
彼には何か問題があるはずです
[There's got to be something that's wrong with him.]
6 ? ﾸﾏ 2 ⟲ 31
S_Hideaki
残念ながら、ユリくんの完璧な自己への唯一の苦痛は、彼が非常にプライベートであり、干ばつでユキの苦しみを私たちに残していることですT.T
[Unfortunately, Yuuri-kun's only blight on his perfect self is that he's very private and leaves us Yuki's in droughts all the time T.T]
1 ? ﾸﾏ 2 ⟲ 13
YURIFAN02
彼はソーシャルメディアで活動したことはありません
[He's never active on social media.]
1 ? ﾸﾏ 2 ⟲ 24
スージー suji-k
ゆりくんにはソーシャルメディアがないので苦しんでいます。それが彼のコーチ、姉妹、または親友からのものであるかどうかにかかわらず、私たちはパン粉を探す必要があります （πーπ）
[We suffer because Yuuri-kun doesn't have social media. We have to scrounge from his coach, sister or best friend to find even a single photo]
1 ? ﾸﾏ 18 ⟲ 71
宮原花 mihana . 5m
….
4 ? ﾸﾏ 3 ⟲ 10
宮原花 mihana . 4m
なぜゆうりがトレンドなの？
[Why is Yuuri trending?]
12 ? ﾸﾏ 1 ⟲ 80
宮原花 mihana . 1m
!
9 ? ﾸﾏ 1 ⟲ 82
宮原花 mihana . 1m
泣きそうだ
[I'm going to cry]
7 ? ﾸﾏ 3 ⟲ 101
宮原花 mihana . 1m
抹茶くん ? ! ! (*≧艸≦)
[Matcha-kun?!]
12 ? ﾸﾏ 82 ⟲ 211
宮原花 mihana . 1m
タピオカティーの写真」としてツイッターをトレンドにしているユウリではありません。奥川先生、あなたはこのファンダムに祝福を与えています。!
[NOT YUURI TRENDING ON TWITTER AS 'BUBBLE TEA PHOTO'. Okukawa-sensei, you are a blessing to this fandom!]
8 ? ﾸﾏ 2 ⟲ 211
[instagram] New notification! dwlkaso has followed you!
[instagram] New notification! feifei21312 has followed you!
[instagram] New notification! 美海 has followed you!
[instagram] New notification! 陽菜 has followed you!
[instagram] New notification! 冴咲 has followed you!
[instagram] New notification! 佑泉-一千花 has followed you!
[instagram] New notification! has followed you!
[instagram] New notification! jiji-sakura has followed you!
Minako throws her phone across the room, the constant stream of notifications bursting through her phone. She wants to cry, maybe even die.
She takes one look at where her phone lays on the floor, illuminated by the sheer number of followers she's suddenly gained, and then back to the lump of a student on her left, sleeping without a care for the world whilst Minako suffers.
Forget killing herself, she's going to smother Yuuri in his sleep.
December 16
Beijing, China
The Morning of the Gala Exhibition
06:00 AM
There is no other way to explain it - Yuuri is going to die from exhaustion.
There should be a law stating that teenage bodies need over twelve hours of sleep to function, but alas, at exactly five-forty-five, Minako had rudely stripped Yuuri of his blanket with a gleam in her eye. She must have taken some pride in the act, grinning maniacally when Yuuri cried as she ripped the curtains open so that the beaming sunlight burned his eyes.
The public rink Rina had booked for Yuuri had ended up being empty most of the time, which was expected, since it was during working hours. It meant that he had free-reign to practice across the entire rink whilst wearing the over-layer of his gala costume. The sleeves turned out better than he expected, but it was Rina's astounded face that made him feel elated.
Minako had been the only person who had seen the gala piece in its entirety. Yuuko and Takeshi had watched short parts whenever the two could find time, but neither had been able to see the full piece. It was gratifying to have another person enjoy the whole entity as much as he and Minako did.
By the time lunch came around, all three were exhausted but feeling far more prepared for tomorrow. Rina in particular was clearly burning with excitement, treating everyone out to dinner. She had whipped out a black credit card, a glint in her eyes as she said "On the JSF's behalf of course."
They had stopped by a hot-pot place that had the best shrimp dumplings Yuuri had ever tasted. Minako was partial to the pork, but everyone agreed that the peking duck they had tried later was the best.
He was kind of upset that he'd be leaving Miyamoto once he'd become a senior. As far as he knew, there are different departments within the JSF that handle Juniors and Seniors. Because Miyamoto was in charge of Junior skaters, it was unlikely that he would see her again, although she had said that National competitions were headed by all factors of the department.
After watching the men's free skate, and seeing Viktor being crowned as the consecutive Grand Prix Champion, they had left the rink to go sightseeing. Miyamoto and Yuuri had a heated discussion about Viktor's components, in particular trying to figure out the reason why he only did the quadruple flip in the short and not in the free.
"He could capitalise on the jump," Rina argued. "No-one else can do it. He'd have a higher base value if he did the flip in the short and the free."
"He doesn't need a higher base value." Yuuri pointed out. "He won with just the quad salchow in the free. Why would he expend more energy on a risky jump when he's guaranteed to win?"
Miyamoto had pouted at that, going on about audience satisfaction and how fans came for the flip, but Yuuri would always defend his ( future )-husband. "He uses the flip in the short so that he leads. Then, he watches how everyone else skates for free. From there, he can decide whether he'll put the flip in or not. It's low-cost, high reward. It's strategic ."
The day had moved on.
Beijing at night was a sight to behold, golden lights flickering in the darkness and hoards of performers scattered across the streets. Hundreds of lanterns hanging from windows and shop corners illuminated the paths.
Shops were open till late, and Yuuri had invested in multiple souvenirs for his family and the Nishigoris, (including some matching qipao -inspired dresses for the triplets), all packed and ready in his suitcase. By the time Saturday had come around, Yuuri, Minako and Miyamoto had become a well-oiled machine.
Out of everything in the world, galas were Yuuri's favourite part of competing.
The environment after a competition was a difficult thing to describe - it was like a bubble had popped, the tension out of everyone's shoulders would release and the most intimidating skaters were sporting the biggest smiles.
It was freeing .
Skaters could perform pieces that could never be performed in the uber-conservative judging system - skaters known for their elegance and beauty were suddenly performing in hotdog costumes or cosplay (Yuuri is definitely looking forward to Future-Phichit's iconic Spongebob routine)
Yuuri embraces the Viktor-otaku he is, and actually lets himself be excited to see Viktor's gala exhibition. He remembers his little bisexual-self having a complete meltdown the first time he watched Viktor's Britney Spears medley. Now, he gets to see Viktor in a plaid skirt, live . What a time to be alive.
He yawns loudly, eyes watering with unshed, tired tears. He had to skip breakfast to make it on time to the practice session. Immediately, his mind goes to the bubble tea he had yesterday.
The sweetness of the taro had controlled any bitterness from the matcha. Yuuri never had a propensity for sweet drinks, he'd rather have a cake or a biscuit and curb it with a bitter drink. Bubble tea was the one sugary drink that Yuuri indulged in, but it was hard to find a drink that had the right level of sweetness to bitterness that Yuuri desired. Everything was always too sweet. The matcha and taro had been perfect . Yuuri salvates just thinking about it.
Ugh, he could so do with the same bubble tea now. Maybe after rehearsals he could convince Minako to order some for the thought of food in his mind, Yuuri pushes through the auditorium door into the west wing of Capitol Gymnasium.
The arena was huge, (emphasis on huge ). There were multiple rinks within the building, half of which were audience-ready. Yuuri and the other junior skaters were supposed to meet at one of the hockey rinks, unused because it was the end of the hockey season.
He didn't really know a lot about the other Junior champions. What he did know was that they all would be stuck inside the hockey rink together, forced here early because they were Juniors. God, if being a senior skater means waking up later, he'll move right now.
There were five skaters, six including him, that were waiting outside by the entrance.
A visible hush settles around them as Yuuri walks towards them. There are fugitive glances sent his way, and Yuuri feels like he's suddenly being put on show.
For once, it's not because of his… circumstance (what with the whole time-travel thing), that he feels old. Yuuri was biologically two years away from his twenties. Mentally , he was almost in his thirties. He was most definitely the oldest in the group.
Yuuri is once again reminded that figure skating is a short sport. There is no such thing as a long career. Viktor was 29 when he retired. Yuuri was 28.
It was the hardest pill to swallow - Yuuri was still in the prime of his life, not yet even reaching thirty and his competitive career was over. His body just couldn't take it.
And even then, he and Viktor had been anomalies in the sport, pushing themselves to the very brink that their mortal bodies could take them.
They had long careers, fulfilling careers with over a decade on the ice, but that was only because they had started out young.
It had been why they were so revered - to be able to compete for so long in the sport, when others were too injured to continue, was a miracle in itself. To continue to win, to be the best of the best for over two decades of competition? Unheard of.
The Chinese team who had won the pairs, Wei Jinglei and Xu Han, were only fourteen and fifteen respectively. The Canadian ice dancers, Tiffany Barrot and Kevin Yu, were of a similar age. The winner of ladies, a Ukrainian skater by the name of Nadiya, was only thirteen.
They were all babies .
The pairs are talking amongst themselves, keeping within their teams. There are looks of some kind of reverence sent Yuuri's way, and suddenly Yuuri realises who he is - the skater who broke Viktor Nikiforov's world record. The reverence sort of makes sense. Yuuri can't help but try and ease the distance, sending what he hopes is a kind enough smile. He decides that he might as well try and act like an adult.
He places his duffle bag on the ground and rubs the back of his neck nervously, deciding to turn to the one skater who was just as alone as he was. "Morning."
The Junior champion squeaks, mouth gaping open. Yuuri's close enough that he can see the way her big, green eyes widen when she realises that he's talking to her. "Good morning!" She warbles out.
Cute , Yuuri chokes out a laugh. She kind of reminds him of Minami, big-eyes and looking up like she'll faint if he comes any closer. It's so adorable , and Yuuri suddenly misses the other skater. If Yuuri did his maths right, he would be twelve.
"Do you know when we're supposed to start?" He directs this question towards the group, and the other skaters stammer out some kind of response.
"We've been here for ten minutes already." Jinglei speaks out. "We tried to call our coach, but he's busy with Bin." Cao Bin - the Chinese male skater. Yuuri remembers him vaguely at his wedding - apparently, he and Christophe had been Viktor's only friends during seniors before Yuuri came along. So they were under his coaching team, Yuuri notes.
"I'm Jinglei, by the way." Her face turns red, before she elbows her teammate. "This is Xu Han. We're big fans of yours." Xu Han isn't saying a word, mouth open and gazing at Yuuri with some kind of admiration.
"So are we." It's one of the Canadian skaters, Kevin, Yuuri remembered, who looks like he's also of Asian descent. "I've always wanted to meet you, Yuuri." He holds out a hand, and Yuuri is quick to flash him a smile.
Instead of grabbing his hand, Yuuri opts for the informal choice and breaks any of the tension in the room, reaching out to ruffle the boy's hair. Kids these days , Yuuri thinks, laughing when the boy turns a bright red. Acting all mature, so adorable. "Thank you, I watched your performance as well. I really liked the step sequence in the second half, the no-touch part was really cool."
"You watched our performance?" Tiffany gapes. Kevin sort of looks like he's going to faint.
"Hah, yeah I saw some highlights while I was warming up."
"Wow!" Kevin's mouth drops open. "Thank you. That's… that means a lot."
Yuuri bends down slightly towards the younger girl, smiling when she gaps in wonder.
"Your triple lutz in the free program at the end was amazing too, Nadiya."
"... You know my name?"
"How could I not know the Junior Champion?" He laughs, patting her head. "You're thirteen and doing a triple lutz. It's incredible." She is quiet for a moment, before a golden red flashes across her nose and cheekbones. She stares up at him, eyes turning into stars, melting under his praise.
Yuuri hopes he is being kind enough. He never knows how he comes across to others, Viktor had told him once that he could be intimidating when he wants to be, so Yuuri schools his expression and tries to look as open and kind as he can.
They all end up engaging in light conversation. Xu Han, he finds, is willing to talk once he gets started, sprouting out anything that will keep Yuuri's attention on him. Kevin seems to take it as a challenge, and then Yuuri finds himself stuck between the two young skaters, vying for his attention.
Yuuri himself makes some non-committable comments about what he's going to do next year in seniors. After years of struggling to make small talk, Yuuri had found the best way to survive was to divert attention. If he turned the conversation away from himself by asking other people questions, it would take the brunt of social interaction away from him.
So that's what he does, directing most of the questions to the other skaters and watching as they slowly became more open.
The time on his watch blades that it's six-fourteen. The gala organiser is almost fifteen minutes late. If this keeps up, Yuuri and the other Junior champions won't have time to practice before they'll have to meet with the senior athletes to learn the opening performance.
Yuuri purses his lips.
He doesn't realise he's tapping his foot, until his whole body is moving towards the door of the rink. "It's open."
The other skaters follow him in. The small hockey rink is big enough that they could warm-up without bumping into each other too much. The room was obviously booked for them, Yuuri realises, when he finds a call sheet with all their names on and a schedule list. The lights are all on, the rink prepared for the skaters. There were even little snacks and refrigerators set up in the area where a Kiss & Cry could've been.
Obviously, they were expecting them. So why isn't there a single staff member waiting for them?
Yuuri swallows the anxious feeling that settles in his stomach. He'd forgotten that Juniors weren't as well organised as seniors. If it goes on like this, none of them will have practiced their pieces for the exhibition. "Let's start warming up." He says. "That way, when the official comes, we can start practice right away."
"... Are we allowed to?" Nadiya bits her bottom lip, picking at her nails.
"We'll just be doing some laps around the rink to warm up." Yuuri rests a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, if someone yells at us, I'll take responsibility."
He walks down towards the rink barrier with purpose, and soon the others fall in line with him. He puts his bag on one of the seats near the front, before tugging off his jacket. He's clad in his all-black, skin tight sports legging. His top is old Ice Castle memorabilia, a tight, navy blue graphic tee that has the Ice Castle logo on but under the ice-rink lights, it looks just as dark as his legging.
Before he starts his warm up, he sends a quick text to Minako, letting her know what's happening. Then, he pulls out a rolled up yoga mat from the depths of his duffle bag, and settles it out in the space between the ice rink and the seats. He sits cross legged, takes a deep breath to settle his mind and body, and begins his stretches.
The others take heed of his routine and begin stretching too, although Nadiya keeps looking back towards the entrance. After ten minutes of full-body stretching, Yuuri is now feeling pissed . He had hoped by the time he finished his warm up, the official would've turned up by now.
The door slams open, and all heads swivel towards the entrance. It's not the official - no, it's Minako, walking down the stairs with Miyamoto hot on her heels, face stormy.
"I came as soon as you texted." She nods towards Yuuri, before turning towards the other skaters. She switches to English, telling them "Miyamoto here is trying to contact the officials. She's already sent a message to your coaches, but since I am here, you can enter the rink and start to practice."
The tense environment from before starts to loosen in the presence of adults. Yuuri slips out of his sneakers, and instead pulls out his skates to start lace them tightly. Nadiya comes to sit next to him, pulling on her own skates. She's smiling, relief spreading through her entire body.
Yuuri nudges her. There is a small smile stretching on his own face. "Told you I'd take responsibility."
December 16
Beijing, China
The Morning of the Gala Exhibition
07:45 AM
Halfway through their run-through, a frazzled looking person comes running in. Minako had already overtaken the entire practice session, timing it so that each skater had exactly half an hour on the ice to go through their routine.
The official apologizes, stating a mix-up in rooms, but Minako's deathly glare was enough to make him sweat and stammer. They continued the practice run under Minako's guidance, until it was half seven.
"We really must go to the main gala rink, the seniors will be there." The official stammers. "We have to go through the opening performance."
Minako's face tightens but ultimately decides to listen, flagging down the other skaters. They make their way out of the rink after cooling down. Yuuri wipes his face with the towel Miyamoto hands him, and Nadiya falls in line next to him.
He laughs at the way the girl clings to him, slinging an arm around her shoulder. "So, Nadiya. What's your favourite colour?"
"Blue!" She pipes up. "I've got a cat whose eyes are really blue - that's why my dad named him Indigo."
"You've got a cat?!" Yuuri sifts inside his jacket pocket, pulling out his phone and handing it to Nadiya so that she can see his lockscreen. "This is Vicchan, he's a toy poodle."
"Wow! He's so cute!"
"Isn't he? I've had him since I was thirteen. He's five, which means he qualifies for senior citizenship." Nadiya guffaws at that, and the two start to exchange photos of their respective pets. Xu Han overhears Yuuri explaining one of Vicchan's escapades against a blue car down his neighborhood street and offers his own tid-bit about his pet turtle, who is over seventy years old, running out into on-coming traffic scarily fast.
"Everything you know about turtles being slow is a lie . I'm telling you, it's terrifying."
By the time they make it to the rink, the other juniors are following behind Yuuri like little ducklings. It is insanely adorable to Minako, who snaps a quick video and sends it to Mari. It's even more hilarious because Yuuri seems to have no idea the effect he seems to have, as each skater hangs onto his every word like they were biblical revelations.
Nadiya grips the side of Yuuri's sleeve when they walk into the arena, turning pale. It's obvious as to why.
The arena is not the same one they had competed in - rather it was a single, large rectangular ice-rink with no borders fitted around. That didn't mean there weren't seats. No - the place of the gala exhibition was perhaps the biggest arena Yuuri had been in.
Rows and rows of seats raised high up into the alcove of the ceiling as far as Yuuri's eyesight could take him, like a stadium preparing for a concert. The rink itself reached from one part of the arena to the other, a spectacular sight of ice stretching for as far as Yuuri could see.
Rather than the rinks used for competition, where seating was found on all four sides, the gala rink only had seating from the front and two lateral sides. The back area was completely boarded up, covered by holographic screens. There were no seats on that side either, only a wall. There were technicians next to it, testing to see if the screen was working. Another person was moving behind it, and Yuuri realises with a start that it was the entrance for skaters.
Cameramen and other television crew flutter around in a jumble of chaos, setting the room in a constant buzz of movement. Spotlights and mutli-coloured filters were fixed into the ceilings, with a long rigging system for cameras to be able to shoot from above. It was no wonder there was no official at the Junior practice - it was all hands on deck for the exhibition.
Never before have senior and junior skaters been in the same place at once for competitions. It doesn't matter that they're competing in the same sport, at the end of the day, junior skaters were not in the same playing field as seniors. They don't have the money or the sponsorship or the status. They're just kids, trying to make a living out of the thing they love.
So, to Yuuri and the other Junior skaters, the spectacle of a gala is earth-shattering. And then, to add to the mysticism of it all, the senior skaters are already out on the rink, laughing and looking at ease amongst the chaos.
There is a magnetic quality to senior skaters. The way they walk, the way they move, every part of them is different . Sure, all of the people here could probably do a double axel, but Nadiya's double axel compared to Sara Crispano? The difference made by experience was outstanding.
And at the center of this overwhelming group is Viktor himself, a god amongst kings. There are stragglers all surrounding him, big names that Yuuri had only ever seen through the television screen. And yet, Viktor was the one at the centre, a sun pulling everyone into his orbit.
Yuuri swallows heavily. Their small group of junior skaters draws attention. Xu Han and Jinglei wave goodbye, skating up to Cao Bin who's waiting for them. Kevin and Tiffany also leave, meeting their coaches by the side.
Yuuri laughs, ruffling Nadiya's hair when her eyes lighten at the sight of an older, training mate. "Go on, I'll see you for the performance." She skimpers off, sending a cheery smile, as she slips off her skate guards and skids onto the huge ice rink. Yuuri does the same, handing Minako his skate guards. By the time he steps out onto the ice, nobody is looking his way.
It wouldn't be too bad, Yuuri has always been the kind to stay on the fringes. Here, he could see Viktor without being called out for it. There is something undeniably magnetic about Viktor, more so than other skaters. He's too far for Yuuri to actually see him, but the air around him is different.
The first time Yuuri had ever met Viktor was ingrained in his brain - the hot flush of embarrassment in meeting his idol when he was at his his lowest, the unwarranted irritation when said idol did not know even know who he was, the grief that he knew then and there that he would probably never be acknowledged by him - they all came slamming back into Yuuri's mind.
It was different now. Yes, Yuuri was not a senior skater, so technically , he wasn't on the same stage as Viktor, but they were on the same rink .
He can't do this.
For months, all he had been thinking about was Viktor, Viktor, Viktor. And now? Now that he's right here, in the same room as him? Yuuri knows he'll make a mess out of it.
Things were not perfect then, but Yuuri had no scale to compare it to. Now, he will constantly think about how things had happened before. He doesn't know how to interact with a twenty-one year old Viktor. He doesn't know if he even can.
His body feels incapable of movement, a paralysed cage stuck. Viktor is so beautiful, under the lights of the rink, he's washed out into an angelic, golden glow, so far away from Yuuri's grasp. This is not like before, when they were on equal footing, when somehow, Yuuri had made Viktor fall just as madly in love with him as he himself was.
This Viktor was a stranger to him.
He can feel the fear creep up through his body, twisting around and ensnaring him in it's trap. He can't do it, he can't talk to Viktor. There's no way he'd ever give him the time of day-
"Well, if it isn't our record-breaking Junior."
A shriek rips out of Yuuri's throat. Hands encircle around him, and then he's lifted off the ice, his vision a blur of abstract colours as he's dizzyingly spun around. Yuuri grapples with his balance just as quickly, he's placed back down on the ice.
All of the tension in Yuuri's body evaporates. Christope.
He's as loud as always, eyes glinting in mischief and cackling as Yuuri almost topples over. "Chris! Why would you do that?!"
His voice echoes out in a laugh, pulling Yuuri into a tight hug. "It's fucking karma. How could you keep me in the dark about those routines? The triple axel, the step sequence ?"
Christophe pinches Yuuri's cheeks, exuberant in his delight. "I'm so fucking happy your back on form. It gave me fucking goosebumps, Katsuki."
Yuuri bits his lips. If there's one thing Yuuri knows, it's that he is emotionally constipated. It's a fact of life, he overpanics and thinks that everyone hates him, so much that he ends up ignoring all of the social cues in front of him. He doesn't get people. But he's been working on it, and it's all because of Christope.
"I couldn't have done it without you."
There is a gleam of emotion spreading across Christophe's face, and he pats Yuuri on one of his chubby cheeks. "What are friends for?"
"Yeah, what are friends for?" Sara cuts on, skidding to a stop and shedding a huge sheet of ice across Christophe's skates. He screams as the cold ice melts on his clothes. Sara snickers in response.
"Don't leave me out of this. I'm being accosted by that German pair skater." She shudders in disgust. "He won't leave me alone."
Both boys swivel their heads around and notice how the German's skater doesn't even notice that they're all glaring at him, far too focused on Sara's behind.
"Everyone knows you're fucking sixteen, what a creep." Christophe's face twists in disgust. Without prompting, he and Yuuri curl around her, blocking his view. Christophe wraps an arm around her shoulder, and Yuuri channels his inner-Minako, sending a frosty glare the man's way.
"Men are all gross. Except Yuuri."
"Thank you for the stellar evaluation, Sara." Yuuri holds out a hand to Sara, who grins, shaking it with enthusiasm as they both choose to ignore Christophe's cry of dismay.
"Betrayal!" He sobs. "How will I ever survive?"
"Oh, get over it." Sara laughs. She turns around to look at the other skaters relaxing on the rink. A few skaters have started to lightly stroll around, causing the rink to flood with background chatter. Some are sitting at the side, legs extended out whilst they rest. Her eyes follow all the top skaters in the world, until it focuses on the best.
Her eyebrows rise.
She nudges Christophe.
He sneers at her, still resentful of her earlier comment, but there is no heat in the expression. "Chris, look." Her voice is painted in mirth, eyes alight with hysterical laughter. She looks like she will explode any minute.
Chris narrows his eyes, letting his arm fall from her shoulders to look in the direction she is pointing. His eyes widen, before he snorts loudly, slapping a hand against his mouth to stop the laughter from spilling.
He turns directly on the ice so that he's standing in front of Yuuri. Sara joins him and can no longer hide her amusement, laughter pouring out of her. Yuuri, however, is not amused. In fact, he's pretty scared. Nothing Christophe ever finds funny is actually funny .
"Okay, so don't panic."
"I have anxiety Chris. Don't tell me not to panic."
"Okay, well then just deep breathes," He lifts his shoulders, exhaling in a dramatic reenactment whilst Sara cackles to the side. "One more, deep inhale and let it all out, baby. Okay, now. Somebody is looking your way."
Yuuri frowns, his forehead wrinkling. "Who?"
"Oh my god!" Sara's voice drops into a whisper, but nothing could hide the sheer ecstasy seeping out of her voice. "Is he glaring at you?"
"Who?!"
"Nikiforov."
"WHAT?!"
"He's glaring at you- and why wouldn't he!" She grins. "You did just break the record he held for over four years."
"Oh my god. He's looking at me? I'm going to faint."
"I'll catch you, babes." Christophe steps away, skating so that he's now standing behind Yuuri, arms wide open. "Look, it'll be like a trust exercise!"
"Stop joking! What if he- is he coming over?! SHIT-"
"Hey, Viktor!" Christophe waves his hand manically, grinning as the older skater makes his way over.
Fucking Viktor Nikiforov - it's like everyone in the arena just stops and stares at them, wondering what Christophe did in his past life to be graced by the king's precense.
While everyone else looks like shit at seven in the morning, Viktor Nikforov looks like a million bucks. Wearing a white Nike shirt, ( Christophe is pretty sure he's a Global Ambassador for the brand) that clings to his frame, puncturing out every lean muscle there is in his torso, Nikiforov looks like he's just walked off a campaign ad. His hair is pulled up into a coy, little bun, all twisted ringlets of silver perfectly placed on top of his head. God, he's even wearing mascara .
He has to, or are his eyelashes actually that long? It has to be mascara, they're coated a thick, inky colour. Unless, Viktor's hair colour is fake and his real hair is black. Oh my god, did Christophe just discover the secret behind Nikiforov's life? He should've known that he wasn't actually born with silver hair. Who in their right mind has naturally silver hair, with all of its beautiful shine? There's no way it's not artificial. Oh god, now that Christophe knows, will he be taken out by the bratva? Is he going to die?!
"Christophe." He slaps him on his back - touching him! Viktor Nikiforov is touching him - all close-lipped smiles and serene eyes. He's so laid-back, Christophe wonders if he's ever nervous. There's no way, not Nikiforov. He must've sold his soul to the devil for how confident he is. "How've you been?"
"Good." Christophe hopes it's his imagination that his voice came out like a squawking duck. "I was just talking to my friends. Why don't I introduce you, this is Sara and this is- Yuuri? Yuuri?"
Sara blinks. Christophe blinks. Viktor Nikiforov blinks. Yuuri does not blink.
Because Yuuri is nowhere to be seen.
"Excuse my language, because I really don't want Okukawa-sensei to beat me for corrupting her student, but what the fuck are you doing, kid?"
There is so much David wants to know. First, why is Yuuri hiding behind him? Two, how is Yuuri hiding behind him, when he was at the other side of the rink two seconds ago?
"Shh!" Yuuri whispers frantically, hands coming out to grip the sides of David's jacket. It's slippery under his hands. He doesn't know if it's his sweat or the material, but either way, he holds on for dear life.
"If you hold on any tighter, you'll rip my jacket."
"If I exist, then I'm perceived and I do not want to be perceived at this moment in time. Ergo…" Yuuri motions towards himself.
"Why you are using me as a human shield."
"Exactly."
Okay. David thinks he's pulled a muscle from laughing so hard. Yuuri Katsuki is a fucking riot .
Yumi skates quickly towards them after finding herself forced into conversation with a Spanish skater. She takes one look at Yuuri, who's covering his face with mortification, and at David who's crouched over, tears streaming down his face, and decides she wants to know everything .
David gets immense joy out of watching Yuuri's face crumple into an array of scarlet - David didn't even know the human face could turn that bright - as he repeats exactly what Yuuri said, word for word.
"I'm getting that tattooed on my forearm."
"Senpai!" Yuuri shouts.
"Yumi! Yumi! Yumi!" David grabs his partner's hand, holding it up to his chest, eyes alight with mischief. "I could get a matching one!"
"Oh my god, we could organise a couple date!"
After they enjoy a few more minutes of laughing at Yuuri's despair, David finally musters up the power to ask Yuuri why he's hiding behind David.
"You're 185cm." David's chest puffs out in what can only be seen as pride, obviously getting side-tracked at the compliment. Men, Yumi rolls her eyes, puncturing the air out of his lungs by slamming the back of her elbow into his ribs.
"Okay, other than the fact that David's tall, what is the reason for why you're hiding in the first place?" Yumi asks.
"Christophe's trying to introduce me to Viktor Nikiforov."
"What?! Nikiforov? That's amazing!"
David nods in agreement. "It's hard for us to even talk to him. Nikiforov is on a completely different level… well , maybe you would know more about it than we do." His grin takes on a sly gleam.
"But he's too pretty . I'll faint."
Yumi looks like she's about to protest, but then stops herself, thinking. "You know what, that's absolutely valid."
"I'm straight and I even stare at his butt." David sympathises.
"No, I don't think you get it." Yuuri takes a deep breath, closing his eyes as he reveals his darkest secret. "When I was eleven, my best friend showed me a replay of him at the Junior World Champions in Sofia and I've been skating competitively ever since."
"Oh." Yumi blinks. "Wow- that's, wow. That's a big deal. And you just broke his world record that's been untouchable for over four years."
"I don't know how to talk to him without making myself look like a complete nut job."
"I'm sure you won't be that bad." David pats him on the shoulder. "Want me to go up with you? I'll be an emotional support pole."
Yuuri shakes his head. Whilst the visual thought of David standing like a bodyguard next to him, ready to catch Yuuri if he faints, is both a comforting and hilarious image, he decides against it. "I'll somehow slip in that I named my poodle after him, and then I'll be known as Creepy-Yuuri for all of eternity."
David and Yumi freeze.
"You- you named your dog after him?" David starts to cry of laughter, actual tears leaking out of his eyes. He crumples onto the ice rink, howling like he's in pain. Yumi decides he should be in pain, and pinches the part of his neck that she knows is sensitive. His cries of agony go unheard as she ushers Yuuri into a warm hug.
"There, there. Ignore the idiot. We'll gaze longingly at Nikiforov from afar together."
December 16
Beijing, China
The Gala Exhibition
15:18 PM
"The junior skaters are so adorable."
"Weren't they? The Chinese team's routine was so cute."
"And the female skater? Her cheeks were so round, I could die pinching them-"
There is only so much backstage talk Viktor could deal with before he wants to rip his ears out. Alas, he wouldn't be the Figure Skating Darling™ if he wasn't beloved by all people. Closing his eyes, he hopes nobody tries to force him into conversation, plugging his headphones in so that his exhibition music blasts through the buds.
The backstage dressing room couldn't really be called a dressing room. It's a closed off area for skaters to change into their costumes, but in reality, it's just a huge, long hallway that's been set up with mirrors. Most of the skaters are loitering around in their own little groups, stretching and preparing for their own performance.
Viktor should at least try to be social, but ever since the finals, putting on a fake smile for other skaters is so exhausting . After his landslide victory, the distance between him and the other athletes grew exponentially. There's only so much polite niceties that Viktor could handle before he starts to rip his hair out.
So Viktor decides to stick to himself, surrounded by his close-knit team. After Yakov grounded him (yes, he got fucking grounded !), nothing could put Viktor into a good mood. Not even when Ksenia sauntered in, big blonde curls puffed up around her face, ready to smother glitter all over Viktor's body. Ksenia is always a darling to speak with, and her team of stylists are running around, fitting Viktor into his little outfit and doing final touches.
She'd known Viktor ever since he was a spotty thirteen year old trying to make his name known in the saturated field of skating in Russia. She was the sage genius behind all of his most iconic costumes, placing levels of details that helped Viktor fall into his performance perfectly. If he's dressed the part, then he can play the part.
The two of them were a well-oiled machine, attuned to each other's moods without even being in the same room as each other. They were a team . So it's obvious to Ksenia that Viktor's sulking.
"Stop looking at me like that. I'm not sulking!" Viktor says, sulking .
Ksenia rolls her eyes, pulling Viktor up so that he's sitting in front of the mirror. "I'm so convinced."
Backstages of gala exhibitions are weird for Viktor. Days ago, the competition was so tense, you could cut through the atmosphere with a butter knife. Now, everyone is suddenly acting all buddy-buddy with athletes who, only a day ago, they prayed would be struck by lightning. So forgive Viktor if he's feeling a little exhausted by the political facade.
It's freezing at Capitol Gymnasium, so cold that Yakov had taken one look at Viktor's shivering body and gruffly thrown a blanket all over his exposed legs.
Speaking of his legs: this costume, whilst 100% the right decision, was killing him. Why did he think wearing a short skirt in the middle of December whilst ice skating was doing him any favours? Female skaters are another breed of insanity, he realises. Imagine having to wear skirts this short all the time ? He'd die of hyperthermia!
Yakov hated the outfit and program. Which made Viktor want to do it even more. He very much thought that Viktor's exhibition piece deserved to be left burning in the trash, but the audience loved it. And who was Viktor to disappoint them?
It had been the one time Viktor had complete control over his program, and from the audience's reaction? He had nothing to worry about. It was his dream to win at the Olympics with a self-choreographed program, and this year had cemented that Viktor was on the road to glory. With the Olympics only two years away, Viktor was closer to his dream than ever.
So why is he sitting in this backstage chair, replaying his brief meeting with Katsuki, over and over again? Because he's real , something inside of Viktor wistfully murmurs.
"You look lovesick." Ksenia's fingers curl, cringing. "Have you learnt nothing from my lessons? You do not fall in love, Vitya. You make them fall in love. Who is it this time? The hockey player from Canada? Or that pretty official who's been making eyes at you the whole time. You know, the cute one who's always backstage when you are."
"Wait, you mean Yibo? No way, I'm pretty sure he's dating Bin."
Ksenia gasps loudly. "Cao Bin's dating ?"
"Well, sleeping is more accurate, at least. He had a suspiciously large bruise on the back of his neck, and unless he's falling on the ice neck first, I'd say it's a hickey."
"I'm going to cry. I thought we had something special!"
"You gave him a blowjob four years ago like, once." Viktor grimaces. "And I really don't want to be reminded of walking in on that, please ."
Ksenia pouts, but her focus is back on Viktor's face, tilting it back so she can apply a glimmering shade of blush pink to his eyelids. "I guess we're both heartbroken-"
"I'm not heartbroken!" Viktor leaps out of chair, walking back to the small seat behind him and laying down. His spindly legs hang over the armrest. It's unaccommodating and uncomfortable and Viktor wants to die .
"Okay, so maybe my ego's slightly bruised, but technically it's my fault since I was incognito and there's no way he would have recognised me, but like still !" He whines, childishly.
"Right." Ksenia sits in Viktor's abandoned chair, swivelling it around so that she's staring right at him. "Remind me to charge Yakov for the therapy session, but lay it all out, sweetheart."
"I met the most beautiful person in the world and he didn't even look at me!" Viktor cries. "I don't know whether to be happy, because trust me I looked like a complete mess, or annoyed that he didn't realise who I was."
"Let's look at it positively, now you can prepare for when you do meet him. You're Viktor Nikforov! I'll even spruce you up myself-"
"I tried !" Viktor sobs. "This morning, at the practice session! I was wearing my good shirt too!"
"Wait, the Nike one?"
"Yes! The white, limited edition one! And I was wearing those black leggings that cling to my ass, you know, the one that got me ranked first in every 'Sexiest Off-Rink Outfit' twitter poll there ever is. He didn't even look my way!"
"Who is it?" Ksneia voice turns deadly. "Is he a fucking monk? There's no way someone is treating my Viktor that way."
Viktor covers his face. "I can't tell you, because then Yakov will kill me."
"Why?"
"Because I snuck out to go see him."
"... You did what?!"
"I snuck out to go see him. Yakov caught me sneaking back and now I'm grounded for the unforeseeable future." Viktor sighs heavily.
"Okay." Ksenia's face pales. "It can't be that bad."
"He's already called Lilia."
"Oh. Oh god."
"I'll be dead before I even land in Saint Petersburg."
Ksneia heaves herself up and directs Viktor back into his seat. "Well, let's get you extra ready then, since it might be your last performance before you're buried six feet under."
Viktor pouts, looking into the mirror. He's not unattractive, far from it. He's been on the cover of Vogue Russia and Sports Illustrated . He's the Global Ambassador for Nike , he has commercials airing all over the world. Viktor Nikiforov is a catch . "Do you think I should just go up to him? Rip it off like a bandage?"
Ksenia freezes. "Wait, you haven't even talked to him yet?" She grabs Viktor by his shirt, now understanding all of the blood pressure tablets seen in Yakov's rink office.
"Of course not! How could I, when he's the most beautiful person to walk this wretched earth! I almost fainted when his eyes turned to look at were bedroom eyes, Zenya!" Viktor bawls. "Bedroom! Eyes!"
"... And you liked it." Ksenia's face scrunches into a grimace. "Viktor, honeybear. Listen, I of all people do not kinkshame but -"
"It's not like that!" Viktor cries. "It's… no-one's ever looked at me like that before."
"Oh my god."
"No- no, no not like that." Ksneia didn't look convinced. "Okay, so it may be like that, but I just want to get to know him! He broke my record-"
"Wait, are you talking about Katsuki?" Ksenia purses her lips, obviously trying to not burst into laughter. Shit. Viktor thinks.
"Let me just recap everything." She tugs Viktor forward, so that he's leaning up in his chair. Pulling out her trusty, waterproof eyeliner, she leans down so that she can accurately draw a cat-like wing on the outer-corner of his eyelids. It has the added bonus of forcing Viktor to sit still . "So, this kid-"
"He's eighteen."
"This skater breaks your world record which is admittedly a feat of itself. You sneak out to go watch him or whatever, and he made 'eyes' at you, and now you're inexplicably horny because he's the first person in years that made you work for it."
"I am not 'inexplicably horny'! And he didn't 'make eyes' at me. He didn't even know who I was!"
"Oh, so you like the fact that he doesn't like you? A, you want what you can't have, sort of thing?"
"No- look." Viktor shoves Ksenia's hands away from his face, in case she actually does poke his eyeballs out with her eyeliner. "I started asking around, seeing what he's like behind the scenes. Apparently, he's either one of two things - painfully shy, or just not talkative. Also, he was with a staff member at the time and he could've been busy, but still- ugh, am I that unattractive when I'm just wearing sweats?"
"Of course not, baby. You're dazzling even if you haven't showered for two days!"
"I can hear your sarcasm from a mile-away." Viktor pouts. "Fine, make me look so jaw-dropping, he can't take his eyes off me."
"That's more like the Viktor I know and love." Ksenia grins. There is hardly any person near the make-up station, most stretching out behind them on rows of yoga mats. There are a few television screens mounted across walls, and Viktor's eyes are constantly turning towards them.
There is a sound behind him, a short clamour of noise, and Viktor sees through the reflection of the mirror that Christophe Giacometti, the silver medalist, and Sara Crispano, who won bronze, were pulling various chairs near one of the televisions.
"Yumi!" A voice calls out , and Viktor cranes his neck, seeing the Japanese ice dancer, (David, was it?), scream out " Hayaku !" Quickly - Viktor's watched enough Sailor Moon to know what that word means. He swivels in his chair, Ksneia obviously tired of trying to fix Viktor's makeup, and watches as the rag-tag team of athletes all bundle up near the television.
Yakov materialises next to him, arms crossed and his forehead cinched in worry.
"What's going on?" Viktor asks.
"Katsuki's about to perform."
Viktor leaps from his seat, the sound of his chair falling to the floor muffled by Yakov's quick reflexes, catching it before it fully fell. Most of the seats next to the screens broadcasting the programs were already filled up, and Viktor could already feel himself pouting. He'd have to stand up, and cran around like a fucking creep to see it- ugh, he never get's to watch Katsuki properly , the universe is not fucking fair-
"Oh, Viktor!" A voice calls out to him. Viktor's eyes refocus on the group in front of him, Christophe's hand is waving him over. "We've got a spare seat here, if you want to watch."
"Yakov, can I-"
"Ugh, get out of my sight already." Yakov pushes Viktor towards the group. He settles into the little chair next to Christophe, wrapping his blanket around himself so it covers up his exposed legs. He'll have to slip on his thermal tights before he gets on stage, Viktor realises, but at the moment, he's only thinking about Katsuki, eyes trained on the screen.
There are other eyes on him though, in particular, from the two Japanese skaters from before. "Hi?"
"Hello." The female skater stutters. She's cute, like a little kitten. Viktor immediately narrows in on the slippers on her feet. "Oh my gosh, is that Sailor Jupiter?"
Her eyes widen slightly. "You know Sailor Moon?"
David cuts in, eyes drawn to the screen "The skaters are done. Yuuri should be next."
"Do you know what he's skating to?" Chirstophe directs the question to David, who shrugs his shoulders.
"No idea." Viktor notices that he does not have an accent when he speaks English, not like everyone else in this group does. Is it American? Or somewhere else- he really can't pinpoint it. "All I know is that Miyamoto-san was singing its praises for hours this morning. Yuuri choreographed it, so we can expect it'll be good."
"He choreographed his gala piece?" Katsuki is eighteen. Viktor had only been given free reign over his gala pieces after he won silver at Montreal, at twenty. He, of course, was allowed to help with his programs since Juniors, but it was always a collaboration.
"Yuuri-kun always choreographed his own gala pieces, but this year, he also choreographed his short and free program."
He choreographs his own programs? Viktor pride plummets to the floor. "The same ones that he won with?" The ' same ones that he broke my record with' goes unsaid, but everyone hears it the same.
David nods. "Okukawa-sensei, oh, erm, his coach? She twiddled here and there, but Yuuri is listed as the main choreographer."
Katsuki creates his own routines. That perfect piece of program was created by him . Viktor's heart thuds against his chest.
" Introducing the male Junior Grand Prix Champion."
A hot flush of warmth spreads through the underbelly of Viktor's stomach. Finally, he thinks. He can actually see Katsuki properly this time and devote the correct attention that his skating deserves. Twisting his blanket so that he's seated more comfortably, Viktor is entirely focused on the screen.
The camera is sweeping towards the audience, rows and rows of people, the flash of their phone a painting of stars against the pitch black arena. There is a single spotlight, aimed towards the entrance of the rink near the back. Katsuki steps out of the darkness and into the light.
Viktor's breath catches.
He's not the only one. David's eyes widen and Yumi gasps loudly. Sara is whooping, a loud voice breaking through the silence. Christophe has his phone out, snapping pictures and videos like a proud mother.
The costume is nothing like Viktor has ever seen before. It must be a type of traditional Japanese clothing. He's itching to know more about it.
Katsuki is framed by the costume's soft layers of teal blue that reflect off the spotlight, highlighting the flecks of gold that run throughout. There is a black corset-like belt at the center that cinches his tiny waist in, with gold detailing pulling it all together. His sleeves . God,the sleeves! They're huge and billowy, pure white silk that flows across Yuuri's arms like air.
He looks like something out of a painting, a god from the heavenly clouds coming down to bless the mortal world. He looks ethereal.
"What is he wearing?" Viktor asks, even as he feels his throat dry up.
Yumi is the one who answers, although her eyes never leave Yuuri's figure on the ice. "It looks like a kimono , but I've never seen it draped like that before."
"And now," They must be watching the broadcast from one of the cable channels, as a commentator's voice comes through the screen. " We have the Junior Grand Prix Champion, Yuuri Katsuki of Japan. He only turned eighteen last month in November. With a record-breaking short program, everyone is eager to see what this talented young man has in store for us at his first ever gala performance, here in Beijing."
Katsuki skates to the center of the rink. His face is pointed downwards, the camera finally focusing on his face. Up close, he's just as pretty, Viktor sighs to himself. The stretch of his jaw is a sharp line, following up to little ears that are adorably red. Is he nervous ? Viktor laughs to himself. God, that's adorable .
Viktor can see the way that the air turns into smoke as he exhales deeply. The music begins the moment he eyes snap open.
It's traditional too, matching his costume to a tee. Strings fill the arena, the sound akin to something like a harp, but there is a deeper, gravelly kind of quality. While harps were airy and light, this instrument had depth . Viktor feels like he's amongst cherry blossoms, sucked into the beauty and culture of Yuuri's home. With every stroke of the strings, Yuuri rises to match.
The music is a slow build, with Katsuki answering to it's call, flowing into a dance that complements the tone of the music. It builds, and now, Katsuki is throwing his body into a flurry of steps, moving from one part of the arena to the next. It quickens, turns maddening, and Viktor can only watch, wide-eyed, as Katsuki is somehow able to become equal with the speed of the music.
Viktor can't help the dream-like sigh slip out of his mouth. There's no way Katsuki is fucking real. He can't be, to match this deafening music, to be it's equal is ridiculous. There is no gap, no time to breathe. Only Yuuri and his music.
The audience gasps as Katsuki's sleeves spread out, like waves of petals being thrown into the air, whenever Katsuki extends his arms. They billow around him, wings of beauty that carry him through the program. Every part of his arm complements the music, from the curl of his wrists to the point of his fingertip.
Viktor is sucked in.
The camera pans to Katsuki's face, and there is so much emotion . He embeds every movement with a story, and as the song turns melancholic, Viktor digs his fingers into the palm of his hands. There is no way this skater was awarded only thirty points. It's blasphemy, it's treasonous . Viktor will haunt every single one of those judges till the end of time for it.
The music begins to slow, and Katsuki glows as he throws himself into multiple spin combinations. The flexibility, the ease , the breath control, everything is so mesmerizing.
"He's insane." Christophe gapes.
"He hasn't done a single jump. It's just ...skating."
Just skating. Pure skating.
Katsuki didn't need the flips or the jumps to entrance an audience. All he needed was the music and his two feet.
The music begins to slow, and the choreography finally gives Katsuki time to rest. He skids to a stop, hands curled to his chest. Sweat drips on Katsuki's cheeks, looking like crystal tears as his face artfully twists in agony. He uses his arms to reach out to the audience, and there are gasps, aching calls of wonder as everyone's eyes follow him. He's calling, begging, for someone to reach out and hold him.
It's mealcohoic, sorrowful, and Viktor can feel his heart break. A lapse of silence floods through the backstage as Katsuki's music stops. For one moment, everything stills.
And then, Katsuki comes alive .
The music bursts out, a storm of meteorites burning up in the atmosphere. Katsuki is its gravity, pulling the notes down to the ground with his expressive and artistic dance. Viktor's heart stutters when the camera pans to Katsuki's face. He is smiling, smiling so brightly that it's like he's laughing.
He matches each beat with the exuberance of spring, sending bursts of petals with every swirl of his costume. He arches his spine into a glorious ina bauer, the wind flowing through his sleeves and his hair, a free woodland spirit bringing about sunshine and goodness to the winter of the rink. Katsuki is a child of spring, of life itself, and on the ice, he is beautiful.
It's as if the music lifts him, and Katsuki's speed increases. How, Viktor could never know, because it's like he's a wisp, flying across the arena with arrays of twizzles and mohawks and chockturns, and every technical word Viktor could think of.
There are no words to describe it. The music builds, like a thunderstorm of rain, when suddenly all of the instruments are sucked into a vacuum, until there is only one thread of an instrument playing, a single drop of rain, that ripples out. Katsuki curls his body into a sitting spin, lifting upright spin, with one hand extended to the heavens, the other curled around his body. The music drifts off, Katsuki ending on the final ping of note.
There is silence.
And then there is screaming.
The crowd can be heard from backstage, a roar of noise so thunderous that Viktor can feel his chair shaking. The camera follows Katsuki's every move, as he collapses to the rink floor, heaving with exhaustion. Finally, he crawls himself up, drained and heaving for breath, rising his body towards the audience.
"Yuuri Katsuki is teaching us all, here in Beijing, what figure skating is all about! In its purest form, with not a single jump in sight. The delicacy, the elegance, I have never seen a performance like this before. Yuuri Katsuki, of Japan!"
"-iktor, Viktor!" Someone is calling his name. He blinks, suddenly seeing Sara Crispano looking at him, eyes wide. "Yo-you're crying."
He touches his cheeks. There are small trails of tears, barely there, but enough so that Viktor can feel them drip down his chin. "Oh. I-I didn't realise." Someone hands him a tissue, and he starts to dab his cheeks, trying to hide the flush of embarrassment that spreads through his body. He just fucking cried , in front of Yuuri's friends! The mortification seeps into him.
Christophe seems to change the subject, turning everyone's attention to him when he says "Yuuri's just shitted on every single judge that said he deserved those PCS scores."
"That routine has to be fucking exhuasting. There were no breaks, like at all."
"Well, he looked like he was dying at the end, so yeah, it must be."
"He's insane." Viktor finally croaks out. "Yuuri Katsuki is fucking insane ."