abstractborders | Grand Prix Banquet REDUX

[Second place. A silver medal.

Honestly? Yuuri was pleased he'd gotten that much. He'd honestly thought that his short program at ruined his chances at the podium at all but Victor had helped him get a grasp on his strength again; helped him get a grasp on his thoughts and his anxiety and well--

There was always next year.

Dressed in a well tailored suit in a deep navy, compliments of a certain coach of his, Yuuri was actually looking forward to this year's banquet. He was still terribly embarrassed by everything he'd learned happened last year but he was still ready to have a good time. Just..no alcohol.

Instead he's just going to mingle, having lost sight of Victor when the other went off to talk to some of the other skaters and Yuuri ended up at a table by himself, indulging in the moment of quiet to just watch and lose himself in thought. A small smile played on his lips as he rested his chin in his hand and watched everyone mingling, glass of sparkling something or other held carefully in his free hand, clinking softly against his ring as he shifted it back and forth.

At least he'd walked away with a gold of some sort, right?]

[A world record for the short program. Another record made when he won gold on his senior debut. Knocking JJ right back down to Bronze like he damn well deserved to be, though it was irritating for different reasons now since he'd become friends with Otabek.

Yakov and Lilia were delighted. They both hugged him as the score came in, edging out Yuuri Katsuki for victory. There was that momentary elation but the time it took for them to place the gold around his neck, Yuri was back into that state of mind when the music had ended and he couldn't catch his breath.

He fell.

He chose red for his slim suit, as a reminder of his free skate outfit. Banquets weren't entirely his choice to begin with but tonight he felt even more on edge.

Jumps were his specialty, he'd mastered jumps early. The moment played over and over in his head. Yakov put a hand on his shoulder when he noticed Yuri clearly well distracted. He said something in Russian, something about appreciating where he was, reveling in his victory.

Yuri at least politely excused himself. Which, considering who he was, was out of character. His head was whirling. .12. That as too close. Point Twelve.

Because he fell.

He stops beside a table, blonde hair falling free into his face. He taps his finger tips against the table before bending a knee, mentally going over the jump again in his head, letting himself feel how he should have landed.

His weight shifts onto the leg, hands starting to extend out a bit in a pantomine but his hand bumped into someone's arm and he retracts like a cat being sprayed by water. ]

Katsuki!

[Quickly, Yurio, deflect! ]

Not getting blasted drunk like you did last year?

[Yuuri snaps out of his momentary haze of happiness when he's bumped into and he blinks, turning his head to look at the person, immediately set to apologize--]

Yuri-kun!

[Despite the immediate jab Yuuri can't help but smile, straightening up and letting his hand fall to rest on the table.]

I think I'll pass on that, as entertaining as it was for everyone else.

[Setting his glass on the table, Yuuri stands and offers a hand to the other skater, smile doing nothing but warming.]

I never got a chance to properly congratulate you.

[Good, it seems Yuuri just assumed Yuri was trying to get his attention and nothing more. He would certainly look foolish right now, having won gold and...

He looks at the hand being offered to him. His eyes slide away, some redness forming on his cheeks, brow furrowing just show in a small, quick expression that spilled his disappointment for just a moment.

Then he takes Yuuri's hand, gripping unnecessarily firmly. ]

I knew the gold was mine after the short program!

[He put on a look of dull arrogance, trying to maintain his image at least a little. ]

Its just the first of many. I hope you and Victor can settle for silver from now on.

[The embarrassment the other showed from time to time was always rather endearing to Yuuri. The firm grip is returned and his smile grows.]

You definitely deserved it.

[The other had worked his ass off. As much as Yuuri wanted the gold there was no denying that Yuri had given him a run for his money the entire time and in the end it had been close.

Next year would be different.

His smile turns into a playful grin as he releases the other's hand, chuckling.]

I settled for silver this time. I won't let you get gold again that easily, Yuri-kun.

[Yurio glanced aside again at the deserved it. He had mixed emotions. He had hoped winning gold would feel.. better. Yet it didn't. He had to win, there was no other option of course.. And he had almost lost...

And he'd fallen... ]

What?

[He looks back at Yuuri with surprise. He was going to stay on for another year? Yurio hadn't.. gotten that news yet.. ]

You.. You're not taking the gold from me next year! I'm going to be a SIX time winning champion, and--

[Wait, Yuuri wasn't retiring... and Victor was coming back. JJ, of course, was staying and his technical skills.. Chris would too, Otabek was amazing on the ice and...

His eyes were starting to burn, heartbeat rushing in his ears. His face felt hot and he sways a little on his feet. ]

[Got you there, Yuri~ He's going to try his hardest for that gold so you better be prepared to fight just as--

Yuuri notices the change in the other immediately and his grin fades into a worried look as he starts to reach out to rest a hand on the teen's shoulder.]

Yuri-kun, are you alright?

[Yuri jerks back, pushing the hand away. He needed water, his mouth felt like a desert. He grabs a glass off the table and knocks it back, before half spitting it out into the glass. ]

Gross, what is this?!

[He puts his hand over his mouth, holding the glass out to Yuuri. It was champagne. He needed WATER. ]

I'm fine, I'm just thirsty and everything here is alcohol!

[Yuuri immediately withdraws his hand, holding both up as a sign that he wasn't going to try and touch the other. He wasn't entirely sure what was going on and it was a little worrying, especially when the teen reached for a glass--]

Wait--

[Too late.

Wincing, the older skater took the glass, giving the other a slightly apologetic look.]

There should be some over by the bar, Yuri-kun.

[He looks to the bar and when he turns back.. strands of his hair was sticking against his face a bit. He didn't look at Yuuri for the moment. ]

I messed up.

[His hands were in fists, wrists bending forward and back. Then he shakes his hands out. His fingers felt cold and tingly.]

Its stupid... I did what Victor asked me to.

What he asked you to do?

[What was Yuri talking about?]

Yuri-kun, what do you mean? What did he ask you to do?

[He shouldn't have said anything but it was too late now. ]

Victor came to me before my free skate... after your's. He said you were planning to retire after winning gold.

[He's looking down, his hair hiding his face in a blonde mess. ]

He asked me to win gold. So you would keep skating. So I did, I won but I still messed up, I fell. I almost lost and I shouldn't have fell at all!

[Victor asked him to win gold. Asked him to win so Yuuri would keep skating.

The older skater is caught in a moment of shock, staring at Yuri like he's grown a second head or something like that. He had honestly expected the younger skater to beat him anyway because he knew how hard Yuri had been working but to know that Victor had told him to win..

He's torn between crying and laughing honestly.

Without a word he moves forward and wraps Yuri up in a hug, pulling him close before the other can protest and ducking his head some to muffle his voice.]

...Thank you, Yuri-kun.

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