Yuuri was still feeling a little lightheaded as he stood by the ice, watching Michele Crispino's program. He'd missed the ending of Emil's and hadn't heard the score, but he really couldn't find it in himself to care. It might have simply made him more nervous to know, and there were much more important things to think about. He'd missed the beginning of Mickey's skate, too, but could already tell what the story was about. Michele was able to portray it well. The story suited him, too. The brave knight. No doubt protecting his sister from the world. As he landed a triple lutz, triple loop combination, he moved his warms as though he were fighting off a hoard of monsters.
He moved into a step sequence, but Yuuri found himself distracted as he felt Viktor's presence beside him. He would be on the ice soon. He'd promised to show Viktor all the passion he'd been hiding within himself, but could he really do that? Yuuri wasn't even sure what it was he was hiding. He didn't know what Viktor had seen in him, it was something he was still trying to make sense of. Still, he'd promised. There was no way Yuuri could let Viktor down.
Mickey's step sequence came to an end much sooner than Yuuri was expecting. Or maybe he'd just been distracted, he wasn't sure. He watched as Michele took his bows, stepping off the ice and heading towards the kiss and cry. It was a good performance, though the level of difficulty in the jumps was lower than most of the other skaters. Yuuri glanced over at Viktor, taking a shaky breath to steady himself. It was like he could still feel Viktor's hands on him, his lips still tingled from that kiss. If it wasn't for where they were and just how important this was, he'd drag the Russian away, have him all to himself. But he couldn't. All he could do was skate. Maybe that was why Viktor had done it. He'd been worked up. The passion was at the forefront of his mind, the thoughts of being with Viktor, being close to him, being his. It would be all he could think about on the ice.
"Michele Crispino has earned in the short program… 89.65. He is currently in second place."
Yuuri was already waiting on the ice by Viktor's side as they announced Mickey's score. It wasn't awful, but it was certainly the kind of score you'd want to improve upon so late in the Grand Prix Circuit. Still, the free skate was yet to come. Time would tell, and Mickey did seem to have the skills to make it through. Yuuri watched as Viktor waved at the crowd. They seemed so excited to see him. Of course. It made sense when he really thought about it. This was Russia, Viktor's home country. The adoring fans would be everywhere. Still, Yuuri wasn't willing to share Viktor's attention. Not today. Without thinking, he gripped Viktor's tie, tugging him close and speaking softly, "Eyes on me. Remember?"
Viktor smiled, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Upon hearing the announcement that he was next, Yuuri reluctantly dragged himself away from Viktor's side, making his way to the centre of the ice. As the music started, it was as though Yuuri's body moved on instinct, glancing to Viktor, making sure he was watching. The good thing about this program was that he'd skated it so many times by now that he really didn't have to think about the steps. It was all muscle memory at this point. It meant he didn't find himself lost in the program and forgetting about artistry. Today, he could think about Viktor. He could think about the request he'd made. Viktor wanted to see his passion, and Yuuri hadn't been sure of exactly how to project that. Then again, a lot had changed over the last week, and maybe that was really what he'd been needing.
As Yuuri worked his way through the step sequence, his thoughts were filled with Viktor. While before, it had been about his need to keep Viktor around, this was different. He couldn't stop thinking about the possibilities he now had with Viktor, about the feel of their bodies pressed close together. For so long it hadn't been something he'd even considered before, but now it was his reality. Viktor was his, and he couldn't wait to tell the world. It was all he could do not to shout from the rooftops that Viktor Nikiforov belonged to him, that he deserved him, and that nothing could take this from him now. His mind was filled with thoughts of Viktor's touch, the way he'd held him close; so dominating, yet filled with care and love. Yuuri was putty in Viktor's hands, but he wanted to make the Russian feel the same way. He wanted to make him weak at the knees, wanted to be able to leave him speechless.
Yuuri moved into his spread eagle before landing his first jump without much effort. His mind wasn't on the routine. It was on Viktor. The way it felt to be pressed against that wall, the way it felt to have Viktor kissing him with all that passion. Nothing had felt that right. He didn't know why he'd pushed it back for so long, why he'd tried to deny his feelings for so long. He'd been spending all his time with Viktor for months. He could've had him so much closer. And now he just wanted to make up for all that time, to kiss him, to hold him, to tell him how much he meant to him without worrying about what he would think. His triple axel was landed flawlessly as he thought about what it would be like to switch their places, to be the one to take Viktor by surprise. Viktor had surprised him all his life. It would be amazing to do the same to him.
He caught sight of Viktor watching him as he moved across the ice, and it only spurred him on further, knowing Viktor was watching him, knowing that this was his chance to give Viktor exactly what he wanted. Of course, he couldn't be sure that he was portraying all the emotions he wanted to in this skate. He could only hope. As he landed his quadruple toe loop, triple toe loop combination, Yuuri knew that the skate would be coming to an end soon. It was a little bittersweet. This was a chance to really show Viktor this side of himself that he'd apparently been wanting to see for such a long time. Was this what he'd seen at the banquet? Was that what he wanted? Yuuri was always trying to forget about what could've happened, knowing that the person he was when he was drunk was definitely not who he was in reality. If he could bring out that side of himself, though, if he could give Viktor that glimpse without the need of liquid courage, all the better.
Only a moment later, the music was ending and Yuuri was in his resting position at the centre of the ice, his arms wrapped around himself as the crowd began to cheer. He really didn't know whether or not he'd done well. He hadn't been paying attention to the program. He knew he hadn't hit the ice, so he must've landed all his jumps, but that was all he'd really paid any mind to. He was too busy thinking about Viktor, about being his and knowing that Viktor was his in turn. His movements remained on autopilot as he took his bows before heading towards the kiss and cry where Viktor was waiting for him. It took all his self-control to not lean into Viktor and enjoy having him right there. There was so much lost time. So much time wasted that they could've spent so much closer, but he told Viktor he wanted to keep this to themselves until the Grand Prix Circuit was over and he meant it. He still had to prove himself.
"Yuuri Katsuki has earned in the short program… 111.97, a new season's best. He is currently in first place."
Yuuri was frozen in place as he heard the announcement. It was hard enough to get a score over one hundred. How had he managed to get a score that high? He felt Viktor's arms wrap around him as he hugged him, but didn't move, trying to go through the routine in his head and figure out how he'd managed to get a score so high. Viktor's voice broke through his daze, "I told you, Yuuri. That program was made for you."
Looking over at Viktor, he smiled and hugged him tightly to his chest, "It was good, right?"
"It was perfect. I only wish I knew what was going through your mind."
"I'm sure you'll figure it out." Yuuri laughed, pulling away as he heard the announcement for the next skate. The Russian punk would be next on the ice, and he was excited to see him skating again. It was hard to believe how long it had been. Without thinking, Yuuri was getting to his feet, calling across the rink, "Yuri, good luck!"
"Davai!" Viktor called from beside him and the pair of them smiled brightly as they waved to the blond standing on the ice. It only seemed to cause annoyance in the young boy, but it was hard to tell if that annoyance was real. Yuri was hard to read at the best of times, it proved especially difficult when he was so far away.
Instinctively, Yuuri grabbed Viktor's hand, pulling him away from the kiss and cry and heading to find a spot rink side to watch the performance. He was still reeling from his own score, but he'd wanted to see Yuri perform this program for a long time. The music had already started, and he was already moving along the ice by the time Yuuri had settled on a spot to watch from, his eyes trained on the boy gliding along the ice. The first jump was a triple axel. It wasn't the first time he'd seen Yuri fall, but it was certainly a rare sight. He had something on his mind. He wasn't concentrating on the skate. That's what it seemed like, anyway.
The next jump came quickly, but this time he was landing his quadruple salchow, triple toe loop combination flawlessly. He seemed to be back in the rhythm of things. Whatever had messed him up to begin with was gone as he moved along the ice. The final jump was a quadruple toe loop, and Yuri didn't seem to have any issues landing it. All that was left was his set of step sequences and spins. Yuri's spins were always a sight to behold. He was more flexible than most of the other skaters, most likely because of his age, and he used it to his advantage. The routine seemed to come to an end all too soon and the pair of them cheered excitedly for the Russian at the centre of the ice.
Yuuri couldn't be sure if the blond was annoyed with them, or just his own performance. Maybe a mix of both. From the short time they'd spent together, Yuri Plisetsky had made it clear that he didn't tolerate anything short of perfection. He expected only the best from himself, and that performance wasn't quite good enough for someone like him. Yuri sat beside Yakov at the kiss and cry, and all they could do was watch and wait to hear the results.
"Yuri Plisetsky has earned in the short program… 98.09. He is currently in second place."
It certainly wasn't his best, and they all knew he could do better. It wasn't a bad score by any means, though. It was one of the best of the day. There was only one skater left, and he was still in second place. Still, the annoyance was clear. Yuri expected more from himself. He'd have to make up for it in the free skate. Yuuri made a mental note to ask Yuri if he was alright later. Something was obviously on his mind.
As the final skater for the day was called, Yuuri felt Viktor's arm wrap around his waist, pulling him back to reality. If it was anyone else, he'd probably tell him that they were in public, that he shouldn't be holding him like that, but even before they'd admitted their feelings, Viktor had always done things like that. It was just who he was. If anything, it would be more suspicious for him to suddenly keep his hands to himself. Glancing back at Viktor, he leaned into him without a second thought. Maybe he was indulging himself, but he couldn't help it. It felt good to be with Viktor like that.
"You're still in first place. Feeling okay?" Viktor asked curiously as Jean-Jacques Leroy began his short program with a quadruple toe loop, triple toe loop combination. He landed it well, but Yuuri was more focused on what Viktor was saying, realising that Viktor was once again worrying about him. He must've really scared Viktor back in China. Yuuri couldn't blame him, really. It wasn't the worst skate of his career, but it wasn't good. It was definitely one of the more painful skates he'd ever done, at least emotionally. But he didn't feel those nerves here. He felt calm. Maybe that was simply because he had Viktor so close to him. Maybe it was because the final skate hadn't been scored yet. He couldn't be sure.
"You don't have to worry about me, I feel fine." Yuuri reassured, his eyes on the Canadian skater making the ice his own. The audience were all clapping and singing along to the music for his short program, and JJ seemed to only be spurred on further by the attention as he moved into his step sequence. He was definitely a talented skater. It was hard to believe so many of the skaters were so young, but he could see why all of them had gotten this far. JJ, though. He seemed to be a crowd favourite.
Viktor's arm tightened around his waist for a moment, and there was this feeling of safety. A warmth seemed to overcome him. Viktor was right there, and he was trying so hard to make sure Yuuri was going to be okay, that China wouldn't happen again. He just wished he hadn't scared Viktor the way he had back there. Of course, it wasn't about the skate in the end. It was about that kiss. That kiss was what had made him have that meltdown in China, but it turned out to be the best thing he'd ever done. Yuuri watched as JJ landed his final jump, a quadruple lutz. His routine had been flawless. The crowd was engrossed in 'King JJ'. As much as Viktor didn't seem to like JJ for his lack of sportsmanship, he did seem to have all the talent to backup his confidence.
It felt like JJ was on the ice forever. Even after he'd finished skating, he stayed in the centre of the ice, throwing up his hands in his trademark 'JJ' symbol and waving to his adoring fans. Yuuri had gotten bored of watching it a long time ago, and was instead looking around at the crowd, trying to find some of the other skaters to gauge their reactions to the performance. The only skater he could see was Seung-gil, and his expression was impossible to read.
"It's going to be close." Viktor spoke softly. If Yuuri wasn't so close, he might not have even heard him. He glanced up at Viktor to see the serious look on his face, then back to the ice only to find that JJ had moved to the kiss and cry. Viktor knew JJ was a tough competitor. He knew that he wouldn't be easy to beat, and that it was going to be difficult to know who would end up in first place after the short programs. The judges had a lot on their hands.
"Jean-Jacques Leroy has earned in his short program… 113.56, a new season's best. He is currently in first place."
OoOoO
The hardest part of all of this was that he still hadn't gotten a gold medal for Viktor. It would be nice to say he at least had gotten one in China. Even if he failed at the finals, being able to say he'd received at least one gold would be an achievement. After JJ's performance, Yuuri wasn't so sure it was going to happen. He had to up his game for the free skate. He couldn't hold anything back. Yuuri knew a lot could happen. There were only a couple points between them, but he also knew what JJ was capable of, that he no doubt wouldn't be pulling any punches in his free program. Standing outside the venue in the cold night air, Yuuri was concentrating on nothing but his free skate, trying to think of ways he could possibly improve it, make it more difficult, make it something that could beat the Canadian skater.
"Hey! Pork Cutlet Bowl!" He was broken from his thoughts at the sound of the Russian Punk's irritated voice. Looking up, he saw Yuri Plisetsky making his way over to him, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched him, "Where's Viktor?"
"He's inside. Said he wanted to talk to Coach Yakov." Yuuri shrugged, realising this was his opportunity to ask Yuri about his skate, "Hey uh, is everything okay?"
Yuri frowned as he looked over the older man, "Why wouldn't it be?"
Yuuri knew he had to be tactful. Yuri Plisetsky wasn't the type to take criticism too well, and he really didn't want this to sound like criticism in the first place. He was simply worried. Yuri wasn't the kind of person to accept mistakes, and there were obvious ones in his performance that day. He took a breath, looking down at his feet as he spoke, "You just… seemed like you had something on your mind during your skate today."
"Oh." It was a simple response, and not the defensive one he had been expecting. Yuri was looking at the door to the venue as he spoke. It was as if he was hoping someone would walk through, someone would give him an excuse not to speak, "You and Viktor are a thing now, da?"
The sudden question caused a sharp intake of breath from Yuuri, choking on air. He coughed and spluttered as he looked over at the blond, shaking his head and arms wildly, his eyes wide, "What!? W-Why-why-why would you th-think that!?"
Yuri simply rolled his eyes, a tut of disapproval escaping his lips before he continued, "Don't play dumb with me. I saw that performance today. There's only one reason you would skate like that."
Yuuri really hadn't realised that his skating that day had been so obvious. He didn't want the world knowing about the relationship he had with Viktor. Not yet. But he knew that this was the best thing that had ever happened to his skating. He couldn't possibly deny that. It didn't feel right to deny any of it to Yuri, either. After all, what would it matter if he knew the truth? It wasn't like he would go running to the press and tell it to the world. Yuuri watched the young boy, realising that he was waiting for an answer, "Is… is that why you fell in your program today?"
"Let me make one thing clear," Yuri turned to face him, his usual angry demeanour back on display as he violently stabbed at Yuuri's chest with his finger, "You can do whatever you want with Viktor, I don't want to know, but you can't keep him away from Russia. He's coming home once the Circuit is over. He's going to help Yakov train Mila and me. You can't keep him in Japan."
Yuuri frowned as he listened to him, "That's what you're worried about?"
"I'm not worried!" Yuri quickly denied the thought, stepping into his personal space and emphasising his words for clarity, "You need to know your place, Piggy. If you keep him in Japan, he'll be miserable."
It wasn't something Yuuri doubted, honestly. Viktor had said already that he was homesick. He didn't doubt it at all. He knew that Japan was a nice adventure for Viktor, but it could never be home. He wouldn't force Viktor to go back to Japan with him. Honestly, he hadn't even thought that far ahead, but he knew that he wanted to stay in Viktor's life. Yuuri offered the young boy a reassuring smile, "I'd rather move to Russia than force him to stay in Japan."
Yuri groaned in disgust, moving away and shaking his head, "You two make me sick."
Author Notes: Not the greatest of chapters, but I really wanted to get this one out today. In the next chapter, the free skates begin! Who will win the Rostelecom Cup? Who will qualify for the finals!? Find out next time on Dragon Ball Z!