Victor and Alexander were discussing coaching tactics a ways away, (y/n) stretching out again while Yuuri did so. The two coaches had similar students in some respects, both lacking in the sort of confidence most ice skaters have. The reasons may have been different, but (y/n) and Yuuri had a lot in common.
"I have to wonder (y/n)..." the shorter of the two tilts his head at Yuuri. "If you can skate like that, then why is this your first year competing in the Grand Prix?" (Y/n) seems unsure as to what degree of truth he should tell Yuuri. They're partners and competitors, but what if he reacted as his father did? Partial truth it was. If he pressed, then he would be more blunt.
"Regulations. I wasn't allowed to even compete locally before I was nineteen. I still practiced and trained under Alexander, but I couldn't do much about the rules. This is the first year I've been allowed to compete in the Grand Prix, so no one outside of America really knows of me yet." Yuuri seemed more confused than he was to begin with. "Why wouldn't they let you compete? With talent like yours it definitely wasn't a lack of skill, but I can't think of any other reason..." "I'm Trans, Yuuri. They refused to let me compete in the men's skate so I refused to skate at all. I was offered a place in the women's Grand Prix, but I'm not... I'm not a woman so I refused to skate. Alexander really stuck his neck out for me to get me here; he's a lot like a big brother to me. I owe him so much, but he always acts like it's not a big deal at all."
Yuuri's eyes widen for a moment in realization. '(Y/n) is sort of short, but honestly I'd never have guessed. It must have been really hard on him.' Yuuri smiles at him. "I'm really glad that you're competing this year, (y/n). Let's both do our best, okay?" (Y/n) could cry; he was so relieved that Yuuri didn't treat him any differently now that he knew. "Yeah! Let's work hard. What do you want to work on first?" "Could you help me with some quads? You make them look so easy." "Sure thing Yuuri!"
The two coaches look on fondly, seeing (y/n) help Yuuri with his leaps, their height, and his general form. "Yuuri seems to be getting along well with my little brother... I'm glad. He can be a bit skittish around people he doesn't know well, but he has admired you both for quite a while." Alexander chuckles warmly. "Oh has he now? Honestly that's really sweet, especially given his skill as well... If I was competing this year I'd be a bit worried, truth be told. He'll be some stiff competition." Victor honestly had the same question as Yuuri did. Why hadn't they heard of him sooner? Alexander knew exactly what he was wondering; it wasn't exactly that hard to guess. He couldn't just out his little bro without permission though, so he'd ask. "Yo, (y/n)? Is it okay if Victor knows? He seems a bit perplexed." "Sure! Yuuri already knows so I don't see why not."
"The reason you didn't know of him prior to this year is because he's transgender, Victor. The regulations kept him from competing for ages, and this is the first year he's been invited to skate in the men's Grand Prix. They refused to acknowledge him as a man for a very long time, and honestly I'm just glad that they finally allowed him. (Y/n) seemed to be losing hope at ever competing past the local level, so this was just what he needed." Victor smiles, nodding. "Yeah, the regulations for that sort of circumstance are unfairly strict. Yurio only got to compete because Yakov coached me... He had a bit more sway in the world of ice skating, so they allowed him to compete despite being trans. I'm glad that (y/n) finally got his chance. It'll be a beautiful thing to see Yurio not be alone in this matter, and the two are both debuting in the same year. I think it'll be good for them both to know that they aren't alone."
Speak of the devil and he shall appear. "What the hell Victor?! You leave Russia to train another ice skater? What about your promise?"
"Easy Yurio. While you're here I can train you as well. Besides, there's someone else here I really want you to meet. (Y/n)! You and Yuuri take a short break; I want you to meet Yurio." "Why should I care about that pipsqueak, Victor?" "Because he's like you, Yurio." "Huh? What do you mean by-" "He means that I'm transgender. That's why I'm debuting so many years behind when most people do."
Yurio seemed shell shocked for a moment, quickly recovering. "I... I think we'll get along just fine. Do you wanna go look around with me? We may as well scope out the area." Alexander laughs and nods his head. "I'll tag along with you two, if you don't mind. I've visited before, and (y/n) has an atrocious sense of direction. I'll stay back so you two can talk all you like; I'll just be there in case you want to get somewhere in particular and aren't sure which way to go."
"Tch, sure. If you're his coach then you can't be that bad, and it'd be nice to have someone who knows the area with us. Let's go."
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...
