Who Is He? / Viktuuri

Chapter 7

"Next up, Katsuki Yuri and Victor Nikiforov!" Says the loudspeaker. I freeze still half way through my leg stretch. My eyes are as wide as an owls and I can't seem to move. This is the last skate of the Grand Prix and the only pair skate we have planned. I have a score of 180.54 so far, placing me 5th out of 6. Victor is doing well though, he is 2nd so far with a score of 240.34.

Suddenly Victor crouches down in front of me and looks deep into my eyes. Everything around me seems blurry apart from him. He brushes my hair out of my eyes with his hand and tenderly caresses my face before leaning in closer... and closer... into a kiss. My eyes widen more than they were before, if that's possible, but then everything just went away. All my worries, all my fears. I have nothing to be afraid of because Victor will always be there. I slowly close my eyes, letting all my thoughts slip away. I completely lose track of time until I hear the loudspeaker call our names for the second time. I squeal with fright and jump up, grabbing Victor's hand as I do so. We run to the ice rink and smile to each other as we set foot on the ice. I hear the loudspeaker announce our performance;

"Now performing, Katsuki Yuri and five time world champion Victor Nikiforov!" It says. Wait, what did it say again? Something about a five time world champion? Has Victor been hiding something from me? No way, this can't be true. If it is, I have to perform well to keep his reputation up. Victor is at the other end of the rink now, preparing to start. I am at the other end, I get into position. But my knees feel like they are going to give way and everything looks distorted. It sort of feels like a dream, but not a good one. I've never been this nervous before a performance before, I really hope I don't mess up and make Victor upset. I hear the music start and I begin skating across the perfectly smooth ice, trying to remain as calm and graceful as possible. At this point in the routine, Victor and I are skating on our own, but we join up soon. I love this song so much, I remember choosing it with Victor. He said that this was our song, and whenever we skated to it, we must skate as if it was showing everyone how much we love each other. It's time to join up now. I feel worse than ever, the cheers from the crowd seem so distant and the music doesn't sound right. All I can hear are the urgent thoughts in my head, shouting louder and louder. I need to perform well. I start skating towards Victor and he skates towards me, his beautiful eyes glistening like stars on a clear night. I love him so mu-

"YURI!" Somebody yells. I recognise their voice, although I can't put my finger on who it is. The music stops suddenly and I hear the crowd gasp with fear. What's happening? Why am I on the ground? I can't get up, I can't open my eyes, I can't seem to make a sound. I can hear everything around me though, what is wrong? I feel a cold body push into me, shaking me, clenching their teeth, trying not to cry. I feel a drip on my cheek though. It brings a warmth to my body, although I still cannot move.

"HELP!" I hear the person shout. What is happening? Did I collapse? It was too much pressure. I couldn't bear it. The cold body is now on me, hugging me, sobbing into my ice cold cheek. Why can't I wake up? What is this weird feeling? I hear people on the ice coming closer to me, whispering things that sounded serious, although I can't make out what. I'm not too sure what they are doing to me, I think they are putting me on some sort of stretcher. Where am I going? I am lifted up swiftly and carried away somewhere. The sobs that I heard are now drifting away further and further, until I can hear them no longer. What have I done? What is wrong with me?