Disclaimer: I don't own YOI, just this fanfic. Enjoy!
Hey, hey, hey! Guess who's back after a two-three month break? That's right me! And I present to you: a new chapter! I'm sorry about the long delay in a new chapter, school's been SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER *one million SUPER's crazy stressful for me! If you guys are going through or have gone through grade 12, then you'd understand.
I've been working on this chapter during the microscopic spare time I have. And thanks to my dropping out of a course, I now have a spare, so that means more time to work on this fanfic! (Don't worry, I didn't drop the course purely for fanfiction writing. That would be stupid.)
Anyways, I tried to keep Victuri high and strong in this chapter, because you guys deserve this. Thanks for sticking around.
Please REVIEW, FAV, and FOLLOW! (Only this way, I'll have the motivation to keep working!)
Ch. 25: A New Year, A New Start
Outdoor Ice Rink.
The clouds in the early morning dark sky parted, revealing the bright moon behind it. Now with a light source, Yuri could easily see his surroundings, including Victor.
He was crying.
If it wasn't for the moon, Yuri wouldn't have been able to tell. Victor wasn't making any noises or sudden movements. He just rested his forehead against his right hand and let the feelings of sadness, guilt, and anger wash over him.
Tears fell onto the top of the rink's sideboards.
So, that was it.
The end of the backstory.
The truth Victor was hiding.
Yuri knew that he should feel complete. Relieved. But instead, he felt empowered. Like he didn't want this story to end. He felt like getting up and doing something.
"Victor."
"What?" Victor whispered through his pain.
"I know you probably heard this a lot, but I'm going to say it again. It's not your fault."
"It was."
"No, it wasn't."
"Yes, it was. And everyone knows it. Liv. Yakov. Angela. All of Liv's family. Probably her friends. And you." Victor shakes his head. "It was…"
Yuri sees that telling Victor it wasn't his fault is going to be futile. So he attempts a different approach.
"Alright," Yuri stands next to Victor. "So it was your fault. But it was also you who administered first aid and called EMS. It was you who helped her enter the Olympics. It was you who prepared her for the Nationals. It was you who saved her."
Victor lifted his head a little, opening his mouth to say something.
—"And it was you who saved me." Yuri quickly adds.
He looks at Victor. His eyes filled with gratitude and appreciation like never before. Victor covers his mouth to suppress the gasps.
Yuri turns around to face Victor fully. His fiancé. Victor is speechless. He looked so overwhelmed with emotions that at any moment, he might break down.
"I know you're still afraid, Victor. Afraid that I'll go through the same harsh treatment by the ISU. That I'll be hurt by desperately trying to improve my technical skills—"
"But you are doing it right now!" Victor shouted. "I told you to lay the rest of this season off to let your hip heal completely! But you're still planning to go the Four Continents and Worlds!"
Yuri was taken back. He forgot all about that. Well, not anymore.
"Alright. Then once we go back, I'll withdraw from those events. Promise." Yuri answers with a very final tone. "We'll refine my skills during the summer and I'll be fresh entering next year's Grand Prix Series."
Victor looks slightly relieved to hear this. He calms down and pushes his hair out of his eyes. "Ok, ok. Sounds good. I promise, I'll work with you extra hard this off-season. I won't let you falter. I won't let the ISU deduct you unfairly."
Yuri's eyes turn serious. His fists curled up tightly.
"Fuck. The ISU."
That caught Victor off-guard. But also woke him up. He nodded in agreement. His eyes equally serious.
"Fuck the ISU." He replied.
Yuri steps closers. "Fuck those judges."
"To hell with them."
"Fuck those robots on ice."
"They're all amateurs who think they're so great."
"Fuck all this bullshit. They're things of the past. It's time to move on."
Yuri stops in front of Victor. He takes his hands in his and squeezes them tight. Victor nods gently.
And smiles.
"How did I manage to find someone who knows exactly what to say to me?"
Yuri returns the smile. "It's like what you said, 'things happen because we push life down that path.'"
The two of them stayed quiet for awhile. Just standing there happily with their fingers intertwined and smiles plastered on their faces. Then Victor broke the silence.
"Let's go home."
"Let's go home."
Events of the day.
After the heartfelt conversation at the side of the outdoor rink, the two men drove back to the apartment to finish up with packing.
Victor's parents were already awake by the time they arrived through the front the door.
"Welcome back!" Nicole exclaims, all dressed and prepared to go. "You didn't go into the red light district during your outing, right?"
"I don't even know where it is in this city," Victor answers calmly.
"Don't lie to me. I know that one of you're rinkmates lives there."
Victor waves his hand before disappearing into his room to get his luggage. "But I don't visit Max!"
Nicole shakes her head before diverting her attention to Yuri. "Yuri-angel! Can you believe it? We're finally going to meet your folks! And in time for the New Years! Isn't this wonderful?!"
"Yeah! I completely agree! It'll be the most lively the inn has been since Christmas!"
From behind them, Kostner appears with a load of suitcases. He stumbles across the hall with them.
"Oh, yeah. It'll be so lively that the entire place might come crashing down."
"Nay!" Victor cried from his room. "Do not jinx it!"
Nicole replies with a laugh and helps out in taking out the luggage. After a quick breakfast and wash-up, Yuri empties the apartment of suitcases with Victor's parents and transferred them down to their car.
The flight they all booked was scheduled to leave sometime before noon, so they should arrive at Yuri's place around the evening.
As soon as Victor managed to get the trunk to his parents car closed, they were all set to leave! Makkachin was put in the back seat of Victor's car all safely tucked and everything.
Yuri double checks to make sure he didn't forget anything in Victor's apartment. Luckily, he didn't. He enters Victor's car and they hit the road, with Kostner and Nicole in their car behind them.
It was an hour before noon once they arrived at the airport, and the smell of the food corner restaurants was more than heavenly!
Lunch was simple and greasy. It was one of the few times Victor didn't complain about Yuri eating fried food. Yuri was shocked to see the huge appetite Nicole harvested upon seeing the size of her food tray.
"I burn it off easily, Yuri-angel. That's how I keep in shape." Nicole quickly answers upon catching his stare.
After they finished eating, it was still rather early, so they decided to split up and look around the shops. Yuri found a beautiful keychain of a glass puppy in one store and immediately buts it.
He runs off to find Victor. After finding him at the food corner again with Makkachin, Yuri presents him with the gift. It was met with a tiny squeak of delight.
Victor instinctively pats Yuri on the head, "Thanks!"
But he then realizes what he just did. And quickly redraws his hand in panic, his face flushed. Yuri felt his own flush as well.
"Uhhh…ah! Sorry!" Victor apologized.
"Haha. Should I start wearing dog sweaters?" Yuri gestures to Makkachinr while stroking his soft fur.
"You should start keeping this happiness up!"
As soon as Victor's parents returned from the stroll, they prepared to enter the plane. All their luggage was safely put away, it was time for them to finally board the plane.
As Yuri sat down in his seat next to the window, he felt a rush of excitement run through him. This morning, he was feeling a little incomplete after the end of the backstory, but now.
Now, he feels complete.
With Victor playing on the tv screen on the back of the seat in front of them, the plane ready to take off to take him back home, his folks finally being able to meet Kostner and Nicole, and Makkachin sleeping soundly in the seat next to Victor.
Yuri felt as if everything is going to be alright. Nothing is bothering him right now. Not even the fact that Olivia Nguyen is still alive and breathing somewhere in this world. Probably even aware of his relationship to Victor.
The flight took a few hours. In the meantime, Yuri watched Victor gradually fall asleep. The early morning outing was finally taking its toll on him. Combined with the time zone difference, it wasn't long before Victor fell completely unconscious.
Yuri also began to feel fatigue take over him soon after. It wasn't too long before he also fell asleep.
"Attention passengers! We are currently landing! I repeat, we are currently landing!"
That woke Yuri up from his good long sleep. But Victor was still going at it. Looking out through the window, Yuri could see traces of the ground and airport below them, partially hidden by white clouds.
Yuri gently shakes Victor awake as the plane descended.
"Huh? We're here?" Victor blinks.
"Yes we are." Yuri replied.
Soon after the plane has landed completely, they all got off and went to retrieve their luggage inside the airport. Nicole couldn't stop photos of everything with her phone.
She constantly nagged Kostner. "Oh, check this out!"
"Omigosh, look at this! You don't see trees like this back home!"
"Gasp! It's that robe I've always wanted! Victor, why didn't you bring me any of this stuff when you attended your competitions here?"
And that went on until they walked down to the bus station, where Yuri guides them to the bus that will take them to the inn.
The bus wasn't too crowded, luckily, probably because they caught one of the later ones, instead of the afternoon one. The sky was darkening as they neared their destination. Lights were slowly lighting up the snowy countryside.
At last, the bus stopped at the station near the inn. Yuri helps Kostner take some of the heavier luggages out of the bus and down the street.
"My place is just a 20 minute walk from here. My folks are already notified of our arrival, we should be able to walk there without tiring too much. Or if you want, I could call my sister."
Nicole waves her hand. "No, no, that's fine! We'll manage, or at least I can manage. How about you, Kostner?"
"I don't what you're talking about, I'm as fit as I was from my college days." Kostner huffed as he walked away awkwardly with a handful of suitcases.
Yuri quickly followed from behind. "Alright then, if everyone's fine with it. That's ok."
The group of four walked down the empty snowy sidewalks of the winding seaside road. The lampposts made the atmosphere seem warm despite the freezing temperatures.
Victor nudges Yuri from the side. "Psst. Did you remind your folks to hide the alcohol?"
Yuri looked confused for a second. Then he remembered the reason behind Victor's question. "Ohhhhh. Yeah, about that. Well, no."
"What?!" Victor half-shouts half-whispers. "Do you even want your inn to stay standing?"
"Aw, come on—Victor—it's not going to be that uncontrollable. Your mom won't bring the place down."
Victor subtly points a finger to his mom walking in front of them while looking at Yuri with a 'I can't believe you,' face.
"That right there, is a bomb, just waiting to explode. The last thing she needs is something fanning her spark. And that's alcohol! So heed my warning, Yuri!"
Yuri sighed in defeat and takes out his phone. "If it makes you feel better, I'll send a message to my folks to tell them to cut down on the wine tonight."
"Good choice, Yuri," says Kostner suddenly.
He was listening in on the conversation from behind them the whole time. Victor fist bumps his dad.
"Agreed."
Several minutes later.
The group of four finally made it to the front doors of Yuri's family inn. They were able to see the colourful lights hanging here and there from down the street.
And now up close, it looked even more lively than it was. The bright golden lights mixed with reds, greens, and purples brought a sense of festivity and warmth to their hearts.
Yuri took three deep breaths before finally opening the doors.
"I'm back!"
"Yuri!" Everyone inside cried in excitement.
They stopped whatever they were doing and rushed to the front lobby to greet and hug Yuri. His parents were the first to hug him, then his sister Mari, then Takeshi and Yuko and their triplets, and of course, Minako.
Right after they acknowledged him, they turned their full attentions to Victor, who was slowly inching behind Yuri for protection, just in case they haven't completely forgiven him yet for hurting their precious Katsudon in the first place.
Luckily, they didn't seem menacing to him. Instead, they immediately switched interests in their newest guests, Victor's parents.
Nicole steps forward, dragging the giant suitcase of presents behind her. "Hi, so nice to meet you all! I'm Victor's mom, Nicole!"
"You're his mom?" Yuri's father cried in shock. "I thought you were his older sister for a second there!"
Nicole laughs like a humble movie star. "Ah, stop it. I already that a lot from my patients."
Kostner cuts in before Nicole could talk again, taking this small window as a chance for him to introduce himself too.
"I'm Kostner, her husband and his dad," Kostner quickly says in a friendly tone while giving everyone a fast handshake. "It's really a pleasure seeing you all here, especially during this time of year. I'm glad we can celebrate and get to know each other better. Again, thanks."
"We should be the one saying, thanks," Yuri's mom replied. "Thanks for looking out for Yuri when he was away from home. It means a great deal to us, me especially. Come on in! Let's get this party started!"
Everyone begins chatting amongst each other again, conversations were sparking and going on like crazy between the different families.
Things never felt so restless under the roof of this building before. Everything was out of order. Nothing was in place. And that was okay.
Everybody was enjoying themselves to the fullest. The food was being served on any flat surface that could be used as table. Drinks were readily placed in the fridge, so whoever's thirsty can take do as they please from the options available.
The triplets were crowding around Nicole as she chatted with Yuko and Minako, constantly asking her about the details of Victor's life, how he was when he was little, personal interests, and more.
Kostner sought refuge in the game room with the rest of the males of the household, where they whipped out a deck of cards and started an intense game of president.
Laughter erupted here and there at the end of every sentence in a conversation. It was so loud, Yuri just had to retreat to his room to rest his ears.
Shutting the door behind him, he slid to the ground, exhausted.
Even through closed doors, Yuri could still hear the noise coming from the party and the vibrations on the door from it.
Knock, knock.
"Can I come in?" Victor asks.
"Wait." Yuri stands up and opens the door for Victor.
He stumbles inside and slumps onto Yuri's comforter, looking even more exhausted than Yuri. He exhaled loudly against the soft bedding.
"Home sweet home…"
Yuri walks up next to him. "You mean my home sweet home."
"Which is basically my home too," Victor mumbles.
"Haha. For now, yeah. Just don't ruin it for yourself. Anything wrong that happens here because of you, I won't hesitate to kick you out."
Victor sits up in the bed, squeezing one of the pillows. "You're so cruel, Yuri. My folks and I came all the way here to see your family. And you'd kick us out so easily?"
Yuri raises a brow. "I said I won't hesitate to kick you out. I never said anything about kicking your parents out along with you."
Victor slowly falls to his side like a dead robot. He remains there for a few seconds before regaining the ability to speak again.
"Then I really hope your folks hid the alcohol, because if they didn't, then something is going to really happen, and I'll really be kicked out."
"Exaggerations." Yuri countered.
"Sleep with me?" Victor quickly asks, perking up again.
"I'm not in the mood," Yuri calmly answers before leaving the bedside and looking out the window of his room.
Outside, the snow was falling from the sky with no wind to blow it all about. It looked a like real winter wonderland out there. Soft, white, and beautiful.
Victor gets up out of the bed, slightly deflated. "Never mind then. I'm going back outside. Feel free to join me when your ears are ready again."
The wooden door slid shut behind him as Victor left the room. Yuri leaves the window and sits down at his desk where he turns his laptop on.
A whole bunch of email and social media notifications bombarded him as soon as his homepage finished loading. Yuri quickly marked all of them as read before slowly going through each one of them to see what's important and what's not.
A new email alert came up. It was from Phichit.
Happy New Years, tough guy!
I wish for the best fortune for yours and Victor's relationship. I'm pretty sure you're done fixing and making up (you ARE done, right?)
Anyways, yeah. So I look forward to seeing you at the Four Continents and Worlds! Let's plan to go somewhere there!
And don't you worry about anyone coming between you and Victor. You have the backup of your family, the fan girls, and more importantly, ME.
So stop being so afraid of Liv (who isn't even there right now) and put on your big boy pants! Worry more about keeping your relationship going.
Happy New Years again!
Phichit
Yuri smiles and sighs as he read the email. It felt peaceful and nice compared to the rowdiness outside. He might as well reply right now, while he's still in the mood for replying.
Hey Phichit,
You're absolutely right. I got back together with Victor. Yes, the process was long and exhilarating, but we're back together.
And his parents are over right now at my place for New Years Eve. It's really loud here. I'm afraid that windows will start cracking.
Oh, and I won't be attending the FCC or the Worlds. I promised Victor to let my injury heal completely this season. Sorry. You can't have me and Victor together AND have me at competitions.
About Liv…I don't think I'm afraid of her anymore. I mean, what happened is something of the past. I'm the current relationship, so I'm going to do what it takes to keep his eyes on me.
But damn, I have to admit that I do kind of feel bad for her. After hearing what Victor tell me, I can't help but feel some pity and sympathy. She's been through some shitty experiences.
I've been through shitty experiences too, so it's easy to relate.
That aside, I have to tell you that I finally know where Victor gets his personality and craziness from. My God, his mom is so much more worse than him! XD.
And his dad…is the only sane guy in the family! I feel so bad for him! How did he keep his sanity, living with a wife and son as crazy as the two of them?!
Well, I probably will never found out.
But enough about me.
How about you? How are things going on in America? Did you meet anyone special yet? Any interesting things happen?
Please tell. I miss talking with you.
Happy New Years to you too!
Yuri
Clicking the 'send' button, Yuri leans back in his chair and stretches. Then, he ambitiously sat up and entered his browser search engine typing in its search bar, 'Olivia Nguyen.'
Yuri's heart still pounded, but not as violently as it was prior to Victor's confession. Images of her at her competitions and standing with a medal around her neck appeared along with several links forums, articles, and pages about her.
It was the same stuff as before when he first searched her up. But this time, he saw it through a different perspective. Every single article that talked about how she was robbed of a medal, Yuri felt pity and anger towards the judges.
Every forum that talked about her possibilities of placing on the podium or winning, Yuri would take sides with the people who trust her consistency.
Every image of her now seemed less intimidating and more gentle. Yuri is able to look at every picture of Liv without having to turn away or flinch. He saw someone else there.
Someone who isn't a rival for Victor's affections, but just another skater. A victim of the corrupt ISU. A beautiful skater who delivered beautiful programs only a few people could appreciate.
Yuri felt his blood slowly getting hotter as his fists curled. He felt empowered once again. He felt like getting up and proving something to the world. He wanted everyone to pay attention to him for just a moment and see the beautiful things he could deliver on the ice.
And he wants people to like it, love it!
"No more hearts of glass," Yuri whispers. "Or at least I'm try to. Easier said than done, but I will try."
In the living room of the inn.
The party was still going on, Yuri's mom did mention that they were planning on staying up until midnight so they could set off fireworks.
Yes, even the triplets are staying up! Despite Takeshi and Yuko's attempt to take them to sleep. They just wanted to stay up so they would be there when Nicole finally opened he suitcases full of gifts.
"Are you sure you want to open the presents for everyone at New Years?" Yuko asked.
"Why not?" Nicole asked. "It's more traditional and celebratory this way."
Yuko presses a finger to her head. "I really don't want the kids to stay up late. And they won't go to sleep until…"
"Kids! Here's your present! Enjoy"
Kostner immediately flew over along with the triplets as soon as Nicole called. He grabbed two more suitcases by the wall and placed them next to the one large suitcase already on the floor before Nicole.
He and Nicole opens and distributes the gifts around.
The triplets received three new skating outfits and cute animal head skate protectors.
"Mine's the panda, called it!" Axel cried.
"Then I'll take the elephant!" Loop claimed.
"I was fine with any one of them from the beginning, so I guess mine is the dolphin," Lutz shrugged with a grin.
Yuko got a designer purse with a credit card to a popular jewelry store. She was too shocked to even speak.
Takeshi leaped with joy when he saw his gift. It was a drone. Yes, a drone. An actual drone that could fly and record videos while it did. Amazing.
"Oh, my!" Yuri's mom exclaimed as she held up an expensive-looking pair of earrings and bracelets. "My husband would never buy me anything like this!"
From the other side of the room, Yuri's father's eye twitched. But his scowl quickly turned to a smile when he saw his gift. A brand new waterproof phone case. And it came with a chain to wear around one's neck!
Yep, everyone was smitten with Victor's parents' gifts to them. Nicole stood back with pride as she took a large gulp out of a green glass bottle.
Victor missed that. And he also missed the pile of empty glass bottles in a spot next to the fireplace. Instead, he took Yuri out to the back of the inn.
"It's almost a New Year, Yuri. Can you believe it?"
"Yes. And no. So much had happened this year. I placed second at the Worlds. I found out a secret about you. Yurio and I are closer than ever now. I met your parents and your rinkmates. I sustained my first injury that caused me to withdraw. And of course, there was our brief fallout—"
"But it's over now." Victor replied. He pointed up to the starry sky. "There's about 200 stars we can see right now. But there's more. We know there's more. But what can we do about those stars? We just imagine them. But we already have a window of stars available to us right now. So cherish those stars. Cherish those moments in life that shines brighter than any other event."
Yuri rests his head against Victor's shoulder. It felt so warm and soft. He felt like it was made especially for him. He liked to think that it was.
"I'm really happy, right now, Victor." Yuri says in a confident voice. "I don't want this to end."
Victor wraps an arm around Yuri. "So long as we keep our ends of the relationship and remain honest with each other, nothing will end this happiness. Nothing."
The time is now 11:59.
Yuri gently pries himself out of Victor's grip. He stands in front of him, the moon shone behind his head, illuminating his face. Making him almost appear angelic.
Victor is in awe of the image of Yuri in front of him. Yuri swallows and exhales gently. His hands curl into fists then relaxes and repeats again.
The time is 12:00.
Yuri steps forward with no warning and placed his hands on either side of Victor's face, bringing him in. And sealing the distance between them.
Victor was caught off guard by the kiss, but didn't flinch or jerk by accident. He wraps his arms around Yuri's back and pulls him closer.
Boom! Kaboom!
All over the sky, fireworks were going off, displaying a wide array of colours as the couple below seal the ties of their severed bonds.
Not too long after the kiss. Yuri pulls back, his eyes shining with tears and purity. Victor smiles gently at him, affection and love emitting from him like an aura.
"Victor, my resolution is to make the right choices from now on. Starting from this choice right here. I choose to be with you."
Victor takes Yuri's right hand clasps it with both of his hands. "No need for something as formal as a resolution. You could say that to me anytime in the year, and I'd still believe you, because Yuri, you're—"
BOOM! CRASH! BOOM!
That explosion happened in close proximity to them. Smoke came out of the other side of the inn. They both rushed over to see what happened.
A portion of the inn's hot springs' change rooms and the guest rooms overlooking the hot springs was torn open with pieces of glass and wood in the water of the springs.
All of the wood looked charred and there was still traces of flames left behind. Already at the scene of the crime was Yuri's parents, the triplets, Victor's dad, Minako, and of course, Victor's mom.
Both Minako and Nicole were looking dazed on the ground, and in one of Nicole's hand was a barely functioning firework lighter.
Victor's eye twitched violently as he witnessed everything before him. Yuri quickly ran up to his parents, who looked pale and like they were about to faint over.
"Mom! Dad! What happened?"
"Huh?" Yuri's mom stuttered. "I—I don't know…all I wanted to do was set off the fireworks out here…heh, heh…"
Minako slumped onto her back, drunk. "Hic! That's exactly what we did! Ms. Katsuki, what did we do wrong? I was just following, hic, instructions…"
"Ha!" Nicole laughed. "The bigger the explosion the better! Good luck beating our firework everyone else who's setting off fireworks right now! Haha!"
Yuri slowly turned over to Victor, who really looked like he was about to explode and his entrails would fly as far as to the moon.
Yuri's dad wobbled down to his knees. "At least it wasn't the large firework. That would've been a real emergency…"
Victor finally lets it out.
"Yyyyyuuuuurrrrriiiii! I told you we should've hid the alcohol! Look! Your in really did fall down! And who's to blame for it? You! You! You! You! You!"
Sigh. "Scratch my old resolution. My new one's going to be 'fix Hasetsu Inn.'"
"Me too," Yuri's mom mumbled.
"Add me to that list Yuri's dad said before wobbling away from the scene.
Yuri himself also began to find his knees wobbly he stared at this horrible scenery before him.
"You were right, Victor. You were right. How were you right?"
Let's hope that Yuri's family forgives Victor's mom and quickly fix the inn and move on and pretend that nothing ever happened...
What you guys think? Are you still going to stick around even though future chapters will most likely come very late? I would appreciate it greatly if you do!
Seriously, the only reason I finished this chapter, is because I know that there's people out there (even though it may not be a lot) who are waiting for the next chapter of this fanfic, heck, even for the ending!
So I can't give up yet! No! Not until this fanfic is over! Not until season 2 of Yuri! On Ice comes out! Not until figure skating in real life becomes less corrupt and is coming back to life again!
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to REVIEW, FAV, and FOLLOW! (Remember, you're the ones who are making this fanfic possible.)
See you all a very long time from now!