Thin Ice

Chapter 1

I sit in the hot spring of Yu-Topia Katsuki, thinking about next year's competition. Last season's competition was rough, and it'll only get harder from here on out. I get out of the hot spring, the water running off of me as I step onto the tile. After I dry off, I change into my yakata and go on my search for Yuri. 

"Mom, I already told you I don't want any drinks tonight." Yuri said, not wanting his mother to nag him any further. 

"Oh, honey! We're celebrating for you! It's your last week before the regional event!" Hiroko responded joyfully.

I walked into the eating area and found Yuri and Hiroko quarreling with one another, "Yuri! Privet!"

Yuri looked over at me with a unique kind of shine in his eyes that I am only able to see. He ran over to me, quickly escaping the previous conversation with his mother, "Victor! Would you like anything to eat before we go practice?"

"Now, now Yuri, we can't have you worn out a week before the regional event. You must go rest!" I started pushing Yuri down the hall to his room.

Yuri was struggling to stand his ground and not be fazed by my hands, "Victor! I'm fine! We should go practice so we're fully prepared!" He said to me with an eager look in his eyes.

I'm not one to notice small things with everyday people, but with Yuri, I notice every little emotion running through his mind. Even with the slightest movement of a hand, I can see how he feels. I stopped pushing Yuri and thought for a moment, "Fine, we can go practice, but only for one hour."

I saw the relieved look in his eyes like he was meaning to say something. What was it? I clapped my hands together, "Toropit'sya! We don't have all night!"

Yuri nodded and rushed into his room to change into some proper skating clothes. I myself went into my room to change. Tonight, I was determined to figure out what it was he was keeping from me. When I finished changing, Yuri came out of his room a well, "Are you ready?"

Yuri nodded and smiled at me, "Ready."

We waved goodbye to Hiroko and started walking towards Ice Castle. On the way there, I was debating whether or not I should ask Yuri about his secret. Though, it could end in us not practicing. To see if Yuri is hiding something, I moved a little closer to him and let our hands touch. Usually, Yuri would get flustered. However, this time, he sped up a little as if he were trying to get away from me.

When we got to Ice Castle, Yuri attempted to rush in, but Yuuko stopped him. "Yuri! Victor! It's getting pretty late, what are you doing here?"

Yuri tried avoiding eye contact and responded, "Well... uh... we wanted to get some practice time in tonight, you know, before the regionals."

Yuuko looked at me like she was questioning Yuri's reason for being at Ice Castle. I smiled at her and said, "Da, he didn't want to relax and settle down because he was scared his skills might decrease."

"Well go right ahead!" Yuuko moved out of our way and smiled at us.

We both went into the bench area and put our ice skates on. I looked over my shoulder at Yuri, who seemed to be completely focused on something in his mind. Just as he turned to look at me, I quickly looked away so it wouldn't seem as if I were on to him. 

"Come on, Yuri," I said as I stood up, "we don't have all night to practice." I smiled at him and walked into the rink. 

Quickly, he followed after me. I stepped onto the ice along with Yuri, still wondering how I'm going to bring up whatever seems to be on his mind. He started practicing his routine for the regionals, and I made sure he did every jump and movement just as planned. Suddenly, Yuri stopped in the middle of his routine and looked at me with a different look in his eyes.

"Victor, I have to tell you something that I've been thinking about lately." He said as he skated towards me.

"You can tell me anything, I'm your coach, remember?" I smiled reassuringly.

Yuri stood only a foot across from me, "Victor.." He sighed heavily, hesitating to speak, "I..."

I tilted my head and looked at his eyes, he was averting my gaze. "Yuri, what do you want to say to me?"

"Uh... I just wanted to ask if you wanted to eat a pork cutlet bowl when we got back home?" He smiled, but it wasn't a happy smile, no, it was a smile that told me he was lying to me.

I knew that whenever he was like this, he was going to want to keep himself busy to get his mind off things. "Yes of course," I smiled softly at him, "I'll be right back, I have to do something." 

Yuri nodded and went back to practicing his routine. I stepped off the ice and walked into the lobby where Yuuko was, "Yuuko? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it, Victor?" She looked up from her phone and leaned against the counter.

"I wanted to know if anything is bothering Yuri, he won't tell me what it is." 

"Well, he told me he had something on his mind, but he was afraid that I'd spill it to you." Yuuko looked at me and then at Yuri who was slowly skating. "Is that all?"

"Yes, you are a big help, spasibo." I smiled at Yuuko and waved as I headed back into the rink.

I watched Yuri for a moment, the light of the rink shining down on him as he moved gracefully across the slick ice. I leaned against the rink wall and watched him carefully, examining his body movement and his facial expressions. He looked up as if he knew I'd been watching him. 

"Victor, is there something wrong with the routine?" He stopped skating and stood on the ice.

"No, not at all. Just keep doing what you were doing."

He nodded and continued the routine. First, a triple axel, then a double toe loop, and then a combination spin. I thought to myself. I look over at the time and noticed an hour had already gone by.

"Yuri! It's time to go!" I shouted to Yuri, who was already on the other side of the rink. He quickly skated over to me and got off the ice.

I walked behind him as he went into the bench area. We took our skates off and gave them back to Yuuko. As we said our goodbyes and left Ice Castle, I could feel the guilt of Yuri not telling me what he wanted to really say. To make him feel more relaxed, I held his hand and started up a conversation over what we'll do this week. I could feel the tension release as his entangled hand relaxed against mine. When we made it back to Yu-Topia, Yuri and I went into the eating area to have a late-night dinner, otherwise known as a pork cutlet bowl. I can't help but feel happy, happy that Yuri and I are still here together. Even if I don't know how to show romantic affection towards him, I can still be his coach until the very end. 

Minako was with us, and she was already drunk. Yuri, being the smart man he is, decided to have a few drinks. He and Minako laughed and kept on drinking together, watching the recordings of last season's competition. I liked seeing Yuri happy, but it amused me when he got drunk and had no idea about how he acted. I prefer not to get drunk, it also doesn't have an affect on me. I like this side of Yuri, he's happy and free spirited, it makes me feel warm inside.

I hope this never ends...