Alexander and (y/n) were now both on the plane that carried them towards the opportunity they have waited so very long for. If he was honest, (y/n) was a bit ridiculous about his mom staying in contact, making sure she'd call often and that she'd at least send pictures of Pumpkin to him every day. 'I'm really gonna miss my cuddle buddy though... She's such a sweet kitten.' While it wasn't the same by any means, (y/n) did bring a few plush cats so he would be able to sleep better. He was playing with his black cat plush mindlessly as he listened to one of his favorite songs: Hope of Morning, by Icon for Hire.
The song had always held a deep meaning for him, a song about continuing the fight for tomorrow and holding on for the sake of his future. Now that he finally got his chance, it seemed to be a much happier song; he had finally reached his tomorrow. "Yo, (y/n) smile." He did as his coach asked, not quite registering why until after the flash just about blinded him. "Alexander! Give me more warning next time." The older man just chuckled. "Well, since we're finally here we may as well commemorate it right? Besides, we need to document your journey in advance for all the fans I know you're going to get." (Y/n) flushes, embarrassed and not nearly as confident in himself as his coach seemed to be. "You say that but..." "Don't worry so much, (y/n). You've got this, and I'll be looking out for you too. You're not doing this alone, so don't be afraid to lean on me when you need to, got it? That's what I'm here for."
The younger of the two nods, a soft smile forming on his face. "Thanks." Nerves at ease, he begins to succumb to the comfort of sleep. When he wakes up, he'd see that he was tagged in a certain Instagram post... With both the one they had taken earlier and several shots of him sleeping while cuddling his plush cat.
Bro Coach: On the way to train my ice skating champ @BeautifulDisaster in Japan! Isn't he adorable when he's asleep??? When isn't he cute tho, honestly? #GrandPrixSeries
The older of the two couldn't help but to grin at all the likes and comments. He'd have to make sure to really get (y/n) out there this year, to make up for time lost. Even if it would wind up embarrassing his little brother beyond belief; that was half the fun of it after all.
Time skip brought to you by sleeping through the entire flight.
Everything was situated -with the two staying in a local inn- much quicker than either anticipated, so Alexander decided that it would be a good idea to begin with practice quite early. "Alright (y/n). We're going to probably do this pretty similar to how we usually would at home. We work together on deciding a theme, then you skate to the song freelance and we decide where to go from there, okay?" (Y/n) simply nods as his coach opens the door to Ice Castle, jumping at the squeal that comes from the woman he can only assume is the Yuko that Alexander had mentioned before.
"Oh my gosh! The photos don't even do you justice, you're so adorable (y/n)!" 'Photos? What does she mean by...' "Alexander!!!! I thought there was only one!!" This was so embarrassing for him, he wasn't the most fond of photos to begin with. But knowing Alexander, a few sleeping photos were only the beginning. His whole life was gonna be a documentary now.
"Heheh, don't worry about it (y/n). Let's just go practice okay?" He sighs, but simply goes along with it. About mid-way through his stretches Alexander begins to discuss possible themes. "You've always done better with really emotion filled, sadder themes. Maybe we should do something themed around loss?" (Y/n) laughs. "Any other year and I'd say to go for it, but I'm finally getting a chance here and all. Hmm.... Actually I've got an idea. The theme can be a caged bird, a story about someone trapped with limited movements and chances in the beginning. Then as it gets closer to the end the bird grows freer and freer, adding more quads and combinations in the second half. As if to say 'Look at me now. You'll not put me in chains again.' It seems like a pretty good metaphor given our history with the Grand Prix, doesn't it?"
Alexander had been shocked into silence. He'd never heard such a passion from (y/n) before. The younger had a habit of just going along with the first thing he suggested, but this theme was the best he'd heard of. Something completely unique to him and his struggles in the skating world. It was perfect. "You absolutely have to use that as your main theme. Leave arranging the short skate to me. This is something that tells your story after all; I want you to covey it your way with only some tips from me here and there. We may be in this together, but this is your journey."
Alexander takes a few moments to find a good song, and decides to use the speakers while they had the chance of practicing on their own. It doesn't take long for (y/n) to completely immerse himself in the music, but it does take just long enough for the younger male to not notice the entrance of his two idols that he was so excited to meet. Alex gives them a quick wave, then turning his full attention right back to his pupil.
The pure emotion on (y/n)'s face was enough to stun the usually talkative duo into silence. Alexander was unaware of the sad smile that found itself on his face, knowing just what his little brother was thinking about to display that sort of trapped emotion so clearly. The majority of the first half of his skate involved complex step sequences, with a few smaller combination jumps. He had to keep himself as small as possible for this half, limited movements and his arms were held close to him. (Y/n) was the perfect image of a bird who could not fly, one who had forgotten freedom from the confines of his cage. Of course, that was because he had been there. The time he spent closeted was the hardest time of (y/n)'s life; he felt suffocated and trapped without any hope for escape. When he came out, his mom was so very kind and accepting; telling him that she accepted him and loved him as he was. His father on the other hand... Was not nearly as kind. He yelled and screamed at him, telling him that he'd always be his little girl and that he was a freak to think otherwise. Despair is written on (y/n)'s face; he was a bird that got a glimpse of freedom only to be shoved back into his cage. It got so bad that his 'father' told his mom that it was either him or forcing (y/n) to be who he wasn't. 'If my mother hadn't thrown him out... I don't know if I'd be where I am today. Or if I'd be at all for that matter. Thank you, mom.'
And suddenly, the transition begins. (Y/n)'s face grows more hopeful, the softest of smiles gracing his face. His first binder, finding ice skating, meeting Alexander and training under him, competing in local competitions, starting testosterone, top surgery. All of his milestones and accomplishments were written across his face as his movements become more fluid. His arms move more freely, the bird having gathered the courage to fly. (Y/n) did three quads in quick succession, taking advantage of his saved energy and stamina from the beginning half of the story. It would be worth more points in the second half anyways. As the music nears its end (y/n) jumps higher than one would expect someone of his height to be capable of doing. It wasn't just any jump though, it was a final quad. His arms spread upon landing, both held out as he spins in place. The bird had shattered his chains; the bird could fly and no one would cage him ever again. He had the chance to achieve his dream.
(Y/n) was brought back to Earth at the sound of loud clapping and cheers. His head whips over to the direction that only his coach had been in prior, balking at the sight of not just Yuko's triplets uploading his performance for the world to see, but also two of his favorite skaters in the senior division clapping and cheering.
"You're even better than I anticipated, (y/n)! That was a stunning performance." He might melt. Genuine praise from the Victor Nikiforov? If (y/n) was dreaming then he never wanted to wake up. "T-thanks. I've had plenty of time to practice after all." Honestly, he was surprised that he didn't sound more bitter about that. Maybe it was just that it didn't matter anymore, that he was achieving his dreams one by one. He didn't have to be held back by the struggles of before any longer.
"(Y/n), Alexander. What would you two say to joint training with Yuuri and I? (Y/n) seems to be overflowing with talent, and he seems like the type to give good pointers and teach others well. I'd like him to help Yuuri gain confidence in himself while working on quads and jumps. And Alexander, you have far more experience with being a coach so I think it'd be a huge help to the both of us. What do you say?"
The two look to each other for a brief moment, Alexander nodding at (y/n). "We'd love to Victor, Yuuri! I look forward to working with the both of you!" If (y/n) had told his younger self that he'd be standing here today, he wouldn't have believed it. Miracles truly did exist, and they seemed to be coming to him one after another.
YOU ARE READING
The Right to Skate (Yuri On Ice x FTM Reader)
Fanfiction(Y/n) has been skating for most of his life; it was his passion and his dream. The reason no one knew anything about him? It wasn't a lack of skill; it was a lack of opportunity. He had never made his junior debut, and he was quite late to be making...
