Yuri!!! On Ice Book 1

Chapter 41

December 8th, 2025
Victor's POV 1st Person
I stand on the side of the rink, the podium bright and glittering before me. The podium I, for the first time in my life, am not on. Yurio stands in the center, with JJ and Minami on either side. He's ecstatic, looking radiant as he beams at the crowd, and while JJ looks annoyed he's been beaten, Minami echoes Yurio's grin, thrilled by his bronze. The other competitors, however, are not happy with the results and stand at the edge of the rink; burning with shame or anger, or in some cases both.

I'm some cases.

I can't seem to tear my eyes away from the gleaming gold medal hanging around my rink mate's neck, my sixteen-year-old rink mate. I hate the sight of it there, looking perfect next to his blonde hair tied back into the braid from last year. He deserves it, I know he does, he's worked harder than anyone here, but still, I can't help despising it. It's not fair, why was I the one who got injured and had every chance of winning ripped away? Why was I the one whose five-time title got historically removed?

I knew what I was doing last year, and I'm glad I took the season off, but I was so excited to make my comeback. It's just that this isn't a comeback, only humiliating. I wish I hadn't competed this year, I wish I hadn't gotten hurt, I wish I hadn't done this stupid event! Now everyone who watched this competition bore witness to my failure, to my downfall of downfalls. 

Who am I anymore? I don't know who I am without skating, but these past few days have made it abundantly clear that that part of my life has been closed off, which leaves me- Where? I don't know where that puts me, but I do know that I don't belong here anymore. I don't belong with talented skaters, I don't belong at the scene of their gleeful hopes for the future. Above all, I don't belong at the exhibition skate tomorrow, or anywhere near it for that matter.

I catch an early flight back to Saint Petersburg and ignore both Yakov's and Yurio's calls as they try to figure out why I've disappeared. Yurio's just won a prestigious title, and will most likely win another in a few weeks' time, they don't need to be thinking about me, mess of messes that I am. 

I blow past Yuuri once I get back to our house and retreat to the bedroom, standing by the window with only Makkachin by my side. I need to think.

Yuuri's POV 1st Person

"Victor, what-" He's passed me and up the stairs before I can even turn around. I stand there, the cold winter air filling the hallway as our front door hangs wide open. Slowly, I close it and raise my eyes up the stairs, following the path my fiancee's taken. I walk quietly up the steps in his wake and put a hand lightly on the entrance to our bedroom.

I find the door unlocked and walk into the room. Victor stands by the window, Makkachin at his side. He doesn't turn his gaze to me but speaks anyway. "I'm done," He says quietly, 

"Done what?" I ask him, although I think I already know the answer. 

"Skating," He says simply, not the vaguest trace of emotion in his voice, "I'm quitting,"  I knew this was where he was going but it still comes as a shock.

"Why?" I ask before I can stop myself, for I know full well why he wants to quit, I would too, I did, but I'm surprised he actually is as he's not one to give up. Although, of late, I'm not really sure what he does and doesn't do anymore.

"Why?" He echoes my question and I can hear a shred of resentment in his tone, "What do you mean, why? Isn't this what you wanted?" I was not expecting this and it catches me off guard, 

"Want this?" I ask him slowly, careful to keep my tone light and merely confused, as I am. "Why would I want this?" 

"You tell me," He says and turns, waiting for a response.

"I don't want that," I say blankly, "Why do you think I do?"

"You didn't want me to compete," He replies icily, "I did and I failed. Now I'm quitting, this should make you happy,"

"Happy?" I cannot keep the self-justifying note out of my voice, "I didn't want you to compete yes, but that's only because I was afraid it would go badly- I would never be happy about you being upset,"

"I'm not upset," He says smoothly, and while everything about his outward demeanor agrees with him, I beg to differ. "I'm just giving you the facts, skating was a part of my life, now it's not. Simple as that."

"If that's what you want....." I trail off even as my mind screams at me to try and talk him out of it before it's too late. 

"It's not." He replies, "But it is what it is,"

"Well if it's not what you want," I can't stop myself, "Why are you doing it?"

"It's my only option," He says and gives a jerky shrug, "There's nothing more to say about it," I know the topic is closed but I persist in spite of everything that's telling me to stop.

"It's your decision," I say, "And I'll support you if this truly is what you think is best but-"

"I'm not asking you to support me." His voice is very quiet, a whisper really, but it cuts across mine clear as ice. "I'm merely informing you before the press arrive," He holds out his phone and I take it, seeing pictured on the screen an announcement to the public. 

"Wow," I don't know what to say, "You really lost no time in doing this did you?"

"Why delay the inevitable?" He says with a nonchalant jerk of his head. "It'll be harder the longer I wait,"

"I guess," I say and find it hard to think straight, not believing what's so plainly in front of me. With a pointed look at the door, Victor takes his phone from me and returns to the window. I understand that I am dismissed, and leave, shutting the door quietly behind me. All I can think as I walk downstairs was; Who was that?

**Author's Note!**

Hang in there! I know these past like 10 chapters have been painful, and I know that it seems like Victuri is a sinking ship, but just hold on a little longer! There's a good reason for all of this I swear, I'm not just torturing you all and the characters for no reason. It's necessary. Please dont hate me, and I'll see you next time! (PS, who was super productive today and got a crap ton of homework done and got two chapters published? Me! And yes, that was my *not so* subtle way of telling you there's a new chapter of The Unexpected out! Check it out if you want! Bye! <333)