All About Us [Yuri Katsuki x Reader]

78 - Stutter

Walking back to your seat you held your head down low. You could not believe you had just said all that...and on live television no less. You swore that the whole thing sounded a lot better in you head but then...

Ugh. You swore that this would be the last time you pull off something like that without at least wording out what you had to say. You sounded so cheesy. You only hoped nobody's ears bled throughout your piece. You sat down and covered your face with your hands hoping that Yuri would get on with briefing everyone about his own theme so that the two of you could go home and you could forget this day has ever happened.

"Next up we have the recent champion, Katsuki Yuri. He is thought to be the next leader of men's single skating in Japan."

You slumped down further into your seat. You hoped that Yuri's theme would take everyone's mind out of your humiliating monologue.

Seeing your deflated state, Yuri steeled himself as he stood up from his seat with his whiteboard in his hands. He held the item tightly against his chest and slowly made his way to the center of the stage.

He took his sweet time getting there, that's for sure. Once he did reach the center, he just stared at the whiteboard for a long time. Uncertainty was written all over his face.

The announcer (whose name escapes you) began to worry, "Um...if you'd please show us your theme for this year. We are all eager to know."

With a deep breath, Yuri placed his whiteboard on the small platform for everyone to see.

He carefully took the microphone and placed it near his lips, his face was flushed and his eyes were looking anywhere but the camera, "My theme for this year's Grand Prix series....is 'Love'."

You listened to Yuri with rapt attention. Of course, you already knew of his theme but you have yet to listen to the whole reason as to why he chose said theme. The two of you never really got to discuss it.

"Choosing a theme for this year has been rather difficult. There has been so many people who had helped me in my competitive skating career thus far..." he started, "But somehow...I have never thought about it as 'love' until now."

You blinked slowly, trying to take in all that Yuri has said. You crossed your arms and rested your chin on the palm of your hand. You could not imagine what was running inside Yuri's mind right now. 

"Honestly, I am blessed that I have a lot of people supporting me...but I had a really hard time accepting that support which is why that I have always felt like I was fighting alone."

Your  breathing hitched.

Did he really feel that way?

"But now I realize that there are a lot of people who sincerely cares for me," He paused then swallowed thickly before continuing his statement, "It does not necessarily have to be 'romantic love'. All my life I had been surrounded  by love right from the very start. I find it in my friends, my family and my coach, Victor...I just could not recognize it...but now...I could see things clearly."

Everyone was in awe at what Yuri was saying. All of you were hanging on to every word that escaped his lips. He was speaking with such sincerity that astounded everyone in attendance.

"Now that I think about it, the concept of love is actually fairly new to me. I had a hard time labeling what love actually was until..." he paused again but this time it was a lot longer than the first. The sound of camera's flashing was the only thing you could hear.

Much to everyone's surprise (especially yours) he turned to you, looking at you with those soft, chocolate brown eyes of his that you loved so much. You were not sure why he was looking your way and you really did not appreciate that everyone's attention was suddenly drawn back to you but...you found that you did not mind that much...because he was looking at you with such adoration in his eyes that you were willing to let it slide.

"Until I finally found someone who made it all clear to me."

You lightly gasped and covered your mouth with your hand. Your face felt hot as blood rushed to your cheeks.Your heart was racing a hundred miles a minute.

"I have finally found someone that I wanted to hold onto..." His eyes never left yours.

Why was he doing this to you?

Was he doing what you think he was doing? He might as well have said 'I love you' to you on live television. 

"I have decided to call what this emotion that I feel, 'love."

Everyone in attendance was speechless. Even the photographers had stopped taking pictures in favor of listening to what Yuri had to say. 

He once again faced the audience. The softness in his eyes were now replaced with a firm resolve, "Now that I know what love is, I am a lot stronger now...and I will prove it at the Grand Prix Final," he clenched his hand tightly and raised his fist in the air, "With a gold medal!"

That settles it. Yuri's little speech takes the cake.

You found your eyes moisten a bit at his declaration. Not only were you insanely proud of his drive to win...you also still could not get over the fact that he had technically just proclaimed his love for you on television. You still could not calm your heart.

You watched as Yuri happily waved in front of the camera.

You smiled softly at the scene.