In which Yuuri skates for Victor

…o…

Although Hiroko warned him that they would eat dinner soon, that didn't stop Yuuri from running to Ice Castle Hasetsu, the local ice rink. He had practically grown up on that ice, along with his closest childhood friend, Yuko. Along with her husband, she now owned the ice rink, and their young triplets already learning how to ice skate. Even though it had been five years since he visited Hasetsu, Yuuri had kept in touch with Yuko. After all, she was the whole reason he had started skating in the first place.

He passed an old fisherman as he neared the Ice Castle, breathing heavily and panting. The old man gave him a startled look, as if concerned for his health. Yuuri resisted the urge to turn his head and yell, "I'm not having a heart attack, I promise!"

Maybe Minako hadn't been over-exaggerating about how out of shape he was. He hadn't skated for a while, and he hadn't watched his diet. He knew that he had gained weight, but he had never fully processed how much of an effect that would have on him. It would take nearly a month to burn all the fat off, but that was only if Yuuri avoided pork cutlet bowls…

…so, he planned to gain weight instead.

He slowed down to a walk once he reached the top of the stairs leading to the Ice Castle, and held on to the rail for a minute to catch his breath. The sign said that the rink was closed, but the lights were still on and Yuuri could see Yuko putting away skates through the glass doors. Yuko's family, who had always owned the ice rink, had always allowed him in after closing times, so he hadn't really thought about not being allowed in.

His hand faltered as he reached out to grasp the door handle. Why would they let him in late again, though? Sure, he still talked to Yuko now and then, but he had abandoned Hasetsu. Yuko had helped him so much, even encouraging him to go to the Detroit. He had let her down.

Why was he doing this?

Suddenly, his eyes brightened. He took a deep breath and stood straight, adjusting the scarf around his neck before opening the door. Yuko immediately looked up, and delight filled her face.

For Victor.

"Yuuri! Oh my gosh!" Yuko sang, hurrying out from behind the counter. She stood up on her tip toes before engulfing Yuuri in hug. "Oh, it's been so long!"

Yuuri smiled, hugging her back. But he jumped in surprise as three identical faces popped up from behind the counter.

Yuko turned her attention to what Yuuri was looking at, and smiled as she saw the three young girls. Pointing at one at a time, left to right, she explained, "These are the triplets! Axel, Lutz, and Loop!"

Yuuri was only allowed a brief moment to wonder how Yuko had given birth to triplets three years ago and was still incredibly skinny and fit, before he was bombarded by questions.

"Did you really fail the Grand Prix Final?" Axel asked.

"I heard he crashed and burned at Nationals, too," Lutz said, turning to her sister.

"And he even quit things with his coach," Loop said.

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"What about a crush?"

"I heard you had a crush on mom when you were little."

"Girls!" Yuko scolded. She put her hands on her hips and glared at the toddlers. "Those are not appropriate questions!"

"It's okay, Yuko," Yuuri said, a bit dazed. "To answer your questions: I placed low in both competitions. I cut off things with Ciao Ciao because I was coming back to Hasetsu. And for your last three questions: I'm really, incredibly, indescribably…gay."

Yuko laughed at his answer. She was one of the few people that Yuuri had come out to when he was little, but he had still never showed her the name of his soulmate. She understood, of course, and never pushed it after he said no the first time she asked. That was one of the reasons that Yuuri respected Yuko – she knew her boundaries.

"But that doesn't answer whether or not you have a—" Axel started.

"Now, it doesn't matter who he has a crush on. It could be Victor Nikiforov for all it matters," Yuko cut her off. "But Yuuri didn't come here to answer your questions. Shoo." She waved her hands as if that would do anything to make them move.

The triplets left after a few grumbles, but Yuuri was sure they would be back soon. Meanwhile, though, Yuko turned back to him. She clapped her hands together, the smile returning to her face.

"So, what are you doing out so late?"

Yuuri gulped. This was it. There was no going back. He rubbed his heads, and averted his eyes from Yuko's gaze. They landed on the glass doors leading to the rink. The lights were turned off, but patches of moonlight drifted through three windows. It almost looked like some enchanted garden.

"I wanted to show you something."

…o…

After putting on his skates and making it onto the ice, Yuuri took off his glasses and handed them to Yuko. His vision was rather bad, so he was required to wear them all day. He only took them off for skating. Celestino had suggested contacts so he didn't ram into a wall like he did in his first Junior performance, but they had only ended up irritating Yuuri's eyes.

"Please…watch," Yuuri murmured, as Yuko set down the glasses next to her. She smiled and nodded eagerly, gesturing for him to start the performance.

He took a deep breath, before turning around and skating to the middle of the ice. He didn't have the music for what he was about to do, but he hoped that it wasn't needed. He wanted to convey something that was beyond comprehension by sound, and that was something he could only do by moving.

He began, lifting his arms above his head before dropping his head and arms at the same time. Yuko gasped, and Yuuri knew that she had recognized the performance.

Victor Nikiforov's free program, with the music Stay Close to Me.

The truth was that Yuuri hadn't really stopped skating, he just had stopped going to Celestino's practices. Yuuri wasn't sure if he could ever truly stop skating – it was something that he was dependent on, something he had always done. It was a routine, a necessity.

He wasn't a genius, he knew that. He wasn't naturally talented at much. Sometimes it seemed as though the only thing he was good at was screwing up.

Like at last year's Grand Prix.

His only chance to meet Victor. To meet his soulmate.

Triple Axel. Clean landing.

He knew that Victor was his soulmate. Every time his graceful figure came on to the TV screen, or any time Yuuri read an interview that was conducted about him, his heart filled with an indescribable sort of joy. At first, he had labelled it admiration, too afraid to accept the word written on his wrist. But the one fateful day, when Yuko had suggested they try to recreate one of Victor's performances, his life completely changed.

It almost felt as though he carried a part of Victor with him when he skated with Yuko in those routines. He felt like a bird, free and soaring through the clouds, so high that no one could ever reach him. But Victor was beside him, and only Victor. Because nothing else mattered then.

Quadruple flip. He stumbled and fell.

Yuuri could feel the tears streaming down his face as he scrambled up, but they were not caused by his fall. He had lost his opportunity to unite with Victor. He had given up everything, crashing and burning and failing. He was falling away from Victor, reaching his hand out hopelessly, knowing that he could never be close enough ever again.

It was only Yuko's awed applause that caused Yuuri to look up. He realized that he had finished the routine, despite the fall in the middle. He had never been this involved in a performance, never before so deep in his emotions that he didn't realize what was going on around him.

"Oh, Yuuri…" Yuko whispered, tears falling down her own face. A weak smile covered her face, and Yuuri knew that she understood the meaning behind the performance. "Even Victor would be proud of what you just did. If only he could see…"

Little did they know, three little girls hiding in the bleachers were making that wish come true.

…o…

I apologize, but this author's note won't have much to do with the story. But thank you for 300+ follows! Also, thank you again to Addi for accommodating for my wild schedule! The rest of the note is just me being a mushy girlfriend so please feel free to skip.

ISAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

HAPPY TWOOOOO MOOOOOONTHS!

You know, it's really really hard for me to explain how much I love you. Never in my life did I ever think that at such a young age, I would care for someone as much as I care about you.

You came in my life when I was really struggling through a lot of things. I was forcing myself to be positive and do what everyone expected of me and wanted, but I didn't feel that way around you. You made me feel comfortable and happy again. That's why I love you.

You're kind and considerate. That's why I love you.

You believe that fictional worlds are full of magic. That's why I love you.

You make me smile and laugh at times when I feel like I never will again. That's why I love you.

You made me feel happy about who I am. That's why I love you.

You're beautiful inside and out. That's why I love you.

You find joy in the simplest things. That's why I love you.

THAT WAS REALLY CHEESY NOW I'M EMBARRASSED I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD DELETE THAT

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…o…