Yuri!!! On Ice Book 1

Chapter 43

December 19th, 2017 (A Few Hours Later)

Yuuri's POV 1st Person

We walk through the airport and I let my mind wander, following the group as I daydream. We cross the threshold of the baggage claim and a silver head turns to us. Victor. He stands by the carousel as suitcases revolve on it, and smiles. It's been so long since I've seen him smile. He leaves his place and starts walking towards me, a broad grin gracing his features. I take a step towards him, and, unsatisfied with our current distance, Victor starts to run. I follow and we meet in the middle, me throwing myself into his arms. He kisses me and the world stops, just the two of us sharing an act of intimacy gone unused for so long. My eyes flutter open to meet his beautiful blue ones and-

"Yuuri!" I turn and see Yurio staring at me incredulously, "What are you doing? We're going this way," I shake my head slightly and see that, indeed, our party is moving in the opposite direction. "Dumbass," Yurio mutters and turns from me, rejoining the group. I follow, the Victor I held just a moment before dissolving like mist around me.

Stop that, I scold myself, He's gone and he's not coming back. Just the thought is enough to make me break down so I push it away, walking on briskly, firmly rooted in reality.

When we reach the hotel the first thing we all do is sleep, well, most of us anyway. Yurio and Otabek fade away, whispering about something that brings a smile to the former's face, a lovely sight. It's nice that they're so happy together. Still, I can't help but heed the tiny speck of jealousy that creeps into my thoughts as I watch them; smiling and laughing without a care in the world. I remember feeling like that, with Victor by my side I could take on anything. Now, well, now I can try.

"Yuuri!" My name is called for the second time and I turn, stumbling backward as someone launches themselves upon me. For an insane moment, I think it's Victor, but soon realize it's none other than my best friend.

"Phichit," I laugh and extricate myself from the tangle of luggage so we can hug properly. "I missed you, how is everything?"

"Great!" He answers enthusiastically, then subdues himself somewhat, "What about you?"

"Fine," I answer blithely, lying through my teeth, but not being able to tell the truth quite yet.

"So Victor's..." He trails off and waits for me to finish his sentence.

"He's himself again," I lie, smiling so convincingly even I believe it for a moment. "He couldn't come because he has the flu and I forced him to stay home,"

Phichit laughs but still has a glimmer of doubt in his eye, "So you two are good?" 

"Better than that," I find myself saying before I know what's happening, "We're perfect,"

"So the plan's still on?" My best friend inquires eagerly, looking relieved and excited. I, on the other hand, have no idea what he's talking about but agree anyway. "That's so wonderful!" He gushes and gives me another hug, "I can't wait to see you win the gold, your wedding will be so beautiful!"

Oh. That plan.

I nod and smile, willing myself to keep up the pretense. It's not that I'm in denial or genuinely believe that I'm getting married, I'm not that naive, but I just don't want to talk about it yet. I don't want to face the press conferences and sympathy, even from the people I care about most in the world. Not yet. It isn't time to grieve right now, it's time to suck it up and compete. Plus, there are no absolutes in life. We didn't confirm that we're over, it was a suggestion, a maybe at best. Just an unfinished conversation, that's all. Some time apart will do us good. Maybe when I get back Victor will have changed his outlook on life. Maybe, just maybe. 

"I'm not sure about gold," I say with a smile, and indeed I'm not. "Yurio's not going down that easily." It's not only that though; I haven't been practicing well and I'm definitely not going into the competition with the right attitude. Besides, I don't want to win. The 'plan' Phichit was referring to is known to the public, and if I did indeed win gold, I'd be forced to confess that my engagement is over. Having ended in tears just as it started.

I gently excuse myself, pleading jetlag and retiring to my room to rest. This I do, but end up staying awake for far too long in a vivid dream similar to the one in the airport. I wake disappointed and carry the feeling with me all day.

December 20th, 2025- The Next Day- Grad Prix Final Short Program-

Yuuri's POV 1st Person

"And now, last up for the Men's Short Program is Yuuri Katsuki!" The announcer booms from overhead as I glide onto the ice. I greet the audience with energy, smiling at them as I almost never can, and freeze in my starting position. 

The music begins and I feel eyes on me. My head snaps up as I begin the choreography, searching the crowd for the face I know is hidden amongst them. There he is. "Beautiful triple Lutz from Katuski!" He smiles gently and leaves the stands, making his way slowly down to the rink's side. His eyes are glued upon me and I can feel the radiant look on his face as I soar through the air. 

"A perfect Quad Salchow just then!" I sail to the ground and touch down gently, again finding my fiance in the mass of faces before me. I skate my entire routine for him, just another day in practice, and as I approach the final jump, there's no doubt in my mind that I'll land it. 

"Spectacular height on that Quad Flip! That's it, the program's over! Well done Skater Katsuki!" I melt from my ending pose and stand up straight, beaming at the audience and the cameras, smiling for all to see. I look toward the stands with a grin on my face, excited to see his reaction- but no one's there. 

Yakov waits for me as I step off the ice, handing me my guards and praising me for a performance I don't remember giving. Apparently I did well, not that I really care either way.

Victor's POV 1st Person (Same time)

Yuuri waves to the audience from the TV screen, grinning broadly. His eyes seem to search for something among them, for what I can't tell, but it seems to be hard to locate.

A perfect program and all he's thinking about is something just out of view, just out of reach. What could it possibly be that's so important? This, however, doesn't matter. The object of his gaze is inconsequential, the only thing I notice is his face. He looks so happy. What could be making him so happy?