Chapter Text
Three years ago.
“Mr. Katsuki, you won silver at last year’s World Championships behind Viktor Nikiforov and Four Continents behind Cao Bin. The Grand Prix Final last year and this year by only a fraction of a point behind Viktor Nikiforov, you also won gold at Skate America and NHK trophy qualifiers and this year’s Four Continents. Tell us, do you plan on taking the gold this time? What’re your plans for the next season?” A young Japanese reporter eagerly hold out his microphone in front of 20-year-old Yuuri Katsuki, Japan’s Rising Star.
The young skater blushes and looks at is coach, Celestino, almost in silent question. He timidly smiles at his coach before giving the same smile to the younger reporter.
“I plan on doing my best, and maybe if I’m good enough, win a medal or even gold. For next season, I plan on starting the season fresh with new programs. but let’s not focus on that, let’s focus on what’s happening now, right?” Yuuri smiles, directing his gaze to between the reporter’s forehead.
He thumbs at the water bottle in his hand anxiously, looking over to the arena entrance.
There he was. In his third world championships as a senior. Yuuri has been on one hell of a ride, having a fantastic senior debut when we transitioned when he was eighteen.
Winning multiple medals, making his country, his family proud. He stood on the podium with his long-time idol, Viktor Nikiforov.
Maybe, if he did well, he’d get the courage to talk to him.
“You’re making your country really proud. top in Japan at such a young age since your junior days. Would you like to like to say something to your supporters back at your home country?” The Japanese skater turns his attention towards the camera, smiling.
“Everyone, thank you for supporting me through the ups and downs of my career so far. I wouldn’t be here without your endless support and kind encouragement. I hope you will continue to support me with my career. I hope that I can perform my best for this Worlds and the other competitions to come. I am proud to be representing my home country and its people, thank you so much.” Yuuri bows, smiling at the camera and forming a V shape with his forefinger and ring finger.
The Italian man clears his throat, placing a hand on Yuuri’s shoulder and jerks his hear twice towards the doors. Yuuri understood, nodding before bowing at the reporter.
“I’m sorry, Morooka-san. I have to go now.” The reporter bows back to the skater, taking his hands in a handshake.
“Thank you for having this interview with us, Katsuki-senshu. All of Japan is right behind you.” Yuuri smiles once more before walking over to his coach.
The older man raises his eyebrows at his skater’s shallow breaths, placing a hand on his shoulder in concern.
He takes a few more breaths before looking up at the coach, smiling in reassurance. The older man lets go of him, walking in comfortable silence towards the entrance.
It was a tradition of some sort. A routine. The two only communicated through their eyes and body language rather than words, it helps Yuuri’s nerves.
Every now and then Yuuri gets anxious out of his mind that he has to take a pill, but today didn’t seem like one of those days.
It was odd, but welcomed. Yuuri was normally a mess when he places high in the short program, but Yuuri’s nerves seem to be at bay. He was calm and determined to prove himself to the world. He was ready.
He zips his team jacket further up, entering the arena and walking up to the rink side.
He clutches at his jacket cuffs, bouncing on the rubber mat. He was in the last group of skaters to perform, the second to last all in all.
Celestino watches him with observing eyes. He couldn’t help but feel off. Yuuri was different, the atmosphere was different, something was just different.
The Italian coach snaps out of his daze when the Yuuri goes to the line of skaters getting ready for the six minute warm up.
He shakes the feeling before following the skater. Just as Yuuri exchanges pleasantries with the other skaters and having a brief conversation with his senior, Oda, Celestino gives Yuuri his pre-warm up lecture.
“None of your major jumps, especially the one you’ve been obsessing to ratify. Do it in the competition. Stick to your doubles, got it? Just do some laps and run through some of your steps, lower the difficulty a bit, yeah?” Yuuri nods, bouncing on his blades to calm himself down.
He removes his guards as they announce their group, shoving them towards Celestino before getting on the white ice.
A pair of eyes watch the entire interaction from behind the Japanese skater. He raises an eyebrow, bright blue eyes dancing in curiosity.
They each get announced, Yuuri bowing to the audience when it was his turn.
He blows through the warm-up, being mindful of his surroundings to make sure he doesn’t collide with any of the other skaters. He does his warm up jumps, a few double toes, loops, and an axel.
Settling with a gradually lowered in difficulty step sequence. As the time reaches to a minute left, Yuuri gets an idea, one that contradicts what his coach says.
He gains speed and launches himself into a perfect triple Lutz, no wobble, no mistakes.
He looks over at his coach who displayed a rather displeased look. Yuuri feels his lips tug into a small smile, satisfied with the jump and his coach’s expression.
Yuuri didn’t technically break all his rules, except for doing a triple. He didn’t do the jump. The jump the wanted to be the first to be able to do.
He skates off, but feels something loosen.
Yuuri looks down at his boot, but doesn’t see anything out of the ordinary. He shrugs at the feeling, figuring it was just his sock shifting.
He uses the remainder of the warm up doing single-double combinations as tanos and rippons.
They were soon called off the ice to make way for the first skater of the group, Cao Bin.
Yuuri takes his blade guards from his coach, snapping them on before taking the water bottle too.
The older man eyes him, narrowing his eyes. Yuuri looks over, tilting his head and removing the bottle from his lips.
“What?” The coach sighs, crossing his arms across his chest. “Didn’t I say to only do doubles? Don’t think I didn’t see that look on your face you make when something’s wrong.”
Yuuri shrugs, smiling at Seojun Lim as he passes by. “I’m sure It’s nothing. I’ll readjust my boot in the athlete’s room.”
Celestino sighs, giving in. He was never really able to get the skater to listen.
The skater was stubborn and competitive, trying over and over again until he gets it right.
But it was okay, it was one of the things Celestino liked about Yuuri when he picked him up to be his skater.
A model student, one that stands their ground but listens when suggestions come, flexible to many things.
His stubbornness is what led him here, at the world championships as one of the skaters favored to win.
This might me his year, after all, he is about to make history in his skate.
Yuuri starts to walk to the athlete’s area, removing his boots and replacing them with his shoes as his hands start to shake as the nerves start to kick in.
He takes his phone and earphones out of his jacket pocket, placing them into his ears securely.
He opens his warm up playlist and plays the piece he was skating to, Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 16 in Allegro Molto Moderato.
He plays out his program in his mind, visualizing every aspect as he moves his body on autopilot. He marks his jumps, dancing along to his steps.
No matter how much Yuuri loved skating, he would always go back to his roots as a dancer.
A barre and a mirror in a studio as much as a home as the cold, unforgiving, but beautiful ice.
He puts the piece on replay, wanting to embed every turn, leap, move into his body.
As it replays again, he readies himself to jump. He launches himself in the air, spinning 2.5 times before coming down, holding out both arms to balance himself. He repeats it, one rotation jump, two rotation jump, three rotation jump, four—
He feels a hand on his shoulder, his coach shaking his head at him as he readies himself for a quadruple jump.
No, it wasn’t the time for that. Yuuri knows, he knows that even with his stamina doing all these jumps and steps would only exhaust him before his performance.
Yuuri nods, letting a deep breath escape from him. He goes over to the chairs by his mat, pulling a towel from his bag to wipe his sweat.
He needs to get ready, straighten out his costume, slick his hair back, put concealer under his eyes to mask the evidence of his lack of sleep, lace up his boots.
The man stretches out one last time, holding his leg in Développé to accommodate his Y-spiral before pulling it above his head in a needle, making sure his les were straight and his back arched.
Yuuri comes out of the pose, shaking his legs to lessen the stress.
He takes his pouch that contained his lip balm, concealer, and hair gel and heads out of the room to prepare himself in the comfort room.
The piece was still on loop, distracting Yuuri from the cameras and the competition.
He didn’t need to hear them.
He didn’t want to hear them.
Katsuki Yuuri of Japan, twenty years old. Finally, a competitor that can dethrone the reigning king of figure skating. Blah blah blah.
Yuuri didn’t need to hear that. He didn’t want the pressure. He just wanted to prove himself, he just wanted to be proud of himself.
He slips into the bathroom, locking the door to keep the prying reporters away.
The Japanese skater grips the edge of the sink, heaving deep breaths to calm himself.
It was only a few more minutes until his turn, he needed to pull himself together. He pools water into his hands, collecting as much as he can, splashing the cold liquid on his face.
“Come on, you can do it. You have to do it.” He slaps his cheeks, pressing his hands flush against his face.
He exhales, grabbing the pouch. He adds gel onto his fingers, spreading it across his fingers.
He combs the bangs away from his forehead, pulling on the tissue paper to wipe the droplets of water on his face.
Dotting the concealer just below his eyes, blending it with the pad of his ring finger. Lip balm spread on his lips. A routine he’s come to memorize.
Yuuri leans on the ceramic sink, looking himself over in the mirror one last time before he exits the room.
He shoves his hands in his pockets, trying to ignore everything around him. Everything was in slow motion, blurry, unfocused.
The door to the athlete’s area opens suddenly, a newly freshened up Yuuri Katsuki enters the room.
There were only 3 skaters in the room. Cao Bin, the first skater. Yuuri, and Viktor who was scheduled to skate last.
Chris was no longer in the room with them, meaning Oda was performing now. Yuuri walks over to where his coach sat with his boots by his feet.
Celestino pats down on the seat beside him, gesturing Yuuri to put on his skates.
He ties his skates tightly, making sure his sock was well adjusted and accommodated his foot well.
It still felt a bit different, but Yuuri deemed it alright, he’ll check on it after the competition.
He was sure it was a small thing, he probably needed new boots.
A man comes in, an ISU official. He says something to Yuuri, but Yuuri couldn’t hear a thing, earphones still blocking the sounds of the world outside his mind.
They probably told him to stand by, Oda’s routine must be coming to an end. Right, it was time.
Yuuri bows at the official as he walks past him, chocolate eyes catching ocean blue framed by pristine silver for a millisecond before Yuuri was out the door.
His mind must be playing tricks on him, Viktor Nikiforov was not watching him, He probably didn’t even regard Yuuri as more than the Japanese kid who’s lucky enough to land himself into international competitions, winning medals on a row of flukes.
Never mind, this wasn’t what Yuuri needed right now. After all, isn’t that why he was here in the first place?
To prove himself to the world that he can skate on the same ice as Viktor Nikiforov, to prove it to himself.
It was now or never, he was at the peak of his career, no better time than now. At the World Figure Skating Championships, don’t you think?
Yuuri entered the arena with his coach following close behind him, shutters of flashes following his wake.
He balls his hands on his side, ignoring the blinding lights of the camera flashes as he walks by.
Christophe was in the middle of his skate, just less than 5 minutes until Yuuri has to perform.
He draws out a shaky breath, cold shaky hands Reaching for the zipper on his team jacket.
Pulling it down, Shrugging the weight of it off his shoulders. The familiar cold air wraps around him through the fabric of his blue and black costume.
Cheers erupts, Yuuri gulps eyes darting to the heaving figure on the ice. Chris was done. It was his turn.
Yuuri runs a hand through his gelled hair, making more strands escape to his forehead.
He hands His coach his jacket, silently walking closer to the entrance. He smiles at Chris as he exits the ice, blushing when the man winked at him.
A tradition they’ve been doing since juniors. The smile and wink at the entrance before the free skate.
Yuuri removes his white and red blade guards, handing them over at the offered hand of his coach.
As he slid onto the ice, it was as if a switch was flipped. Yuuri had this aura of extreme focus around him, daring anyone but his coach to go near him.
He became untouchable.
Gliding over to the boards where his coach stood on the other side, he stabs the ice with his toe pick to ground himself.
The Italian man looks over the skater’s figure, eyes studying and searching for anything unusual.
He narrows his eyes, hand reaching over to straighten a wrinkle on the costume top.
He nods firmly, placing his hands flat on the board as he prepares himself to speak.
“Remember, mind your steps, mind your jumps. If something doesn’t feel right on a jump, just downgrade its difficulty than have it pop or have you fall. Tighten your jumps, make sure your center is, well, centered. Aim for a level 4 step sequence, you’re known for that. Just skate. Bare your soul on the ice, that’s what you’re the best at.”
Yuuri absent mindedly nods, eyes glued towards the blinding white of the ice. It was now or never, he can’t fail.
But what if he falls? what if he pops his jumps? what if his performance wasn’t enough? What if he doesn’t score enough to make the podium? What if-
A hand secures itself on his shoulder, making him look up to look at concerned but determined eyes.
Celestino urges the skater to breath. In, out, in, out. Yuuri exhales, smiling at the older man, eyes silently thanking him.
“Skate for your family, Yuuri. Skate for your friends. But remember to skate for yourself. Now go out there and show them who Yuuri Katsuki is.” Yuuri smiles, nodding his head firmly.
“Now on the ice. Representing Japan, Yuuri Katsuki. Skating to Piano concerto in a minor, op. 16, allegro molto moderato by Edvard Grieg.”
Yuuri takes a lap on the ice, waving customarily at the audience and bowing at the judges, skating to the center as the loud cheers starts to quiet.
He touches his thumbs with each of his other fingers, his pre-skate routine. Positioning himself into his opening pose, taking a deep breath, counting 1, 2 ,3—
The music starts, drowning out every one of his senses. He focuses on the music, the movement, what was in his adventure.
He thinks about his family, his friends, his home. If he did well in this championships he would go home, visit after 2 years of not seeing his family in person.
See his nieces that he hasn’t seen or held since they were first born.
Skate with Yuuko and Takeshi until they were lying on the ice, exhausted after a gruesome session just like they did when they were kids.
Dance the night away with Minako in the old, but beautiful ballet studio.
He needed to make the proud before he came home, to repay his parents for all the sacrifices they made for his career.
to repay Yuuko and his family for the coaching they offered him when his family couldn’t afford one, to repay Minako for all the lessons she gave him during afterhours.
He was indebted to these people, he wanted to show them what he had accomplished with their endless amount of support and love.
He enters into his flying sit spin combination, keeping his center centered.
His first jumping pass is next, a triple Lutz triple toe loop combination.
He glides back, foot tilting to the back outside edge of his blade, digging the toe pick into the ice, spinning three times, arms raised, landing on the opposite foot on the blade’s back outside edge, then launches himself into a triple toe loop.
He lands, no wobble, already skating to his next move.
A quad toe was next.
Yuuri had planned to put three quads in his program, one in the first half, the rest in the second since it had a higher difficulty.
But that was just what was on paper. Three quads.
No, he was going to do four.
He jumps, four rotations, both arms above his head, lands it.
He pushes into his step sequence, letting his emotions take over.
Triple Axel, single loop, triple Salchow, arm raised. Spin combination, choreographic sequence.
He flies through the program, letting the muscle memory take over.
Quadruple Salchow, a bit wobbly on the landing.
Triple loop, double toe, arms raised.
Y- spiral.
The program was coming to an end, towards the part where he worked so hard for the past year.
He put his everything into this jump, blood, sweat, tears, his entire soul. He needed to land it. Be the first to land it in competition.
He takes a breath as he glides backwards, back outside edge, toe pick digging in. 1 rotation, 2 rotations, 3 rotations.
Four rotations, arms raised above his head, lands. No wobble.
He smiles to himself, almost laughing. The crowd starts to scream.
He did it.
He ratified the first Quadruple Lutz in competition.
He skates, joy filling him. He readies himself for the last jump, his signature triple axel.
Gliding forward, toe pick digging in, rotates three and a half times. He already knows he’s going to land it. He smiles as his blade makes connects back to the ice. It was perfect.
He bends his knees further to ready himself for his spins. With only the spins left in the program, nothing could go wrong now.
Except something could go wrong.
Terribly wrong.
Something snaps. The pressure form the jump snapping the laces, loosening so fast Yuuri could barely react.
His knee drops onto the solid ice, the boot’s tongue giving out under Yuuri’s weight. He cries out in pain, hands immediately going to protect is head.
The music stops, the sounds of gasps and screams for the paramedics echoing across the room.
He lays there, on the cold surface with tears of pain running down the sides of his face.
The shooting pain from his knee distracting him from the padding of the paramedics carefully running towards him.
“Mr. Katsuki, can you hear us?” Yuuri grunts, placing his forearm on his eyes. “Where is the pain?” The other paramedic asks, helping Yuuri sit up.
“left knee.” Yuuri briefly answers, the pain too much for him to handle. “We’re going to put you on a stretcher, Mr. Katsuki. Is that okay with you?”
Yuuri shakes his head, pushing himself off the ice, wincing as he added pressure to his leg.
“Mr. Katsuki, I really don’t think—“ Yuuri raises a hand, stopping the paramedic to stop talking.
“I’m fine, just. Just help he get to the exit. Please.” Yuuri didn’t want to make a scene.
The worst happened, his lace snapped, he injured himself, he probably got himself disqualified.
He limped towards the exit, gliding on his good leg.
He collapses into Celestino, tears running down his cheeks again as he repeats a phrase like a mantra.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry” Yuuri sobs into the coaches’ jacket, the Italian man rubbing his back.
“shhh, it’s okay. Accidents happen, let’s get you checked out and wait for the ISU’s decision to either keep your program or disqualify you from the free skate.” Yuuri nods numbly. it was over.
He sits on the chair, hissing as he hits his knee accidentally.
A woman come up to him and smiles, a checkboard in her arms. “Hello Mr. Katsuki, my name is Dr. Ainsley, I’m the doctor in standby here for the world championships.” Yuuri bows his head respectfully.
“Follow my finger with your eyes.” She holds he index finger in front of Yuuri’s eyes, moving it sfrom left to right.
“I’m going to ask you a few questions, okay?” Once the woman received Yuuri’s permission to come closer into his space, she takes a chair and sets it in front of Yuuri.
“What’s your name?” Yuuri looks up, eyes confused. Hadn’t the woman just called him by his name a minute ago?
“Katsuki Yuuri.”
“age?”
“twenty”
“date of birth?”
“November 29”
The woman pauses, jotting down on her clipboard.
“Do you know where you are right now?” Yuuri hesitates.
“London World figure skating championships?”
The woman hums, writing again. She smiles at him, kneeling down to examine his legs. “How’re you feeling? Nauseous? Dizzy?” Yuuri shakes his head, lips forming into a thing line.
She hums, squeezing his left ankle. “Do you mind?” Dr. Ainsley taps gently on his boot.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll untie them.” Yuuri pulls on the laces of his right boot, the tightness on his foot loosening.
He winced as he turns to unlace what was left of his left boot’s shoelace. The lace was positively done for.
The lace must’ve thinned out from the friction, snapping in the worst possible moment yet.
Yuuri should’ve seen the signs, it felt different since that morning’s warm up.
He should’ve known when it loosened, the signs were right in front of him. He could’ve avoided this, he—
“Mr. Katsuki?” A hand on his shoulder snaps him out of his daze, the doctor’s green eyes meeting his.
“Pardon?” The woman smiles understandingly, pushing herself off the matted floor.
“Tell me if you feel any pain. Any pain at all, no matter how big or small the pain is. Okay?” She takes Yuuri’s right leg and places it on top of the chair she sat on earlier, squeezing the ankle.
Yuuri shakes his head no, repeating the process when dr. Ainsley examined the rest of his right leg.
He winces when dr. Ainsley’s hand wraps gently around his ankle. “That hurts?” Yuuri nods, blinking back tears as he tries to straighten his leg. “Where else? Where did you land?”
“Left knee. It hurts really bad.” His voice croaks. He was in so much pain, he needed to get some air.
The woman examines the knee, delicately handling it. “We need to get you to the hospital, get an x-ray. Make sure you haven’t damaged anything major.”
The skater’s head snapped towards the woman. “What? No! what about what the ISU says about my free skate? The quad Lutz?”
“That wouldn’t be necessary, Mr. Katsuki.” A man’s voice came from behind him, walking into view.
“Mr. Hernandez.” The man, Mr. Hernandez, nods at Yuuri. “How are you doing, Mr. Katsuki?” Yuuri smiles tightly, both hands pointing towards his knee. “I’m holding up.”
“The ISU decided that we should give you a score since the program was on its end with just your combination spin left. Don’t worry, The Lutz was reviewed and completely Ratified. Congratulations Mr. Katsuki.”
Yuuri sighs in relief, smiling at the man. “I- Uh- I need to collect my score before going to the hospital.”
“No, no. you go on ahead. Mr. Giacometti has already volunteered to inform you on your scores. The health and wellness of the skaters are the upmost highest priority. Get well soon, Mr. Katsuki.” Yuuri smiles, bowing to the man respectfully.
Celestino pats his back, a small relieved smile gracing his lips. “Come on, let’s get that leg check on.
YUURI KATSUKI— INJURED AT THE WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHPS AFTER RATIFYING THE FIRST EVERY QUADRUPLE LUTZ
By: Bella De Croix
[Picture of Yuuri Katsuki’s mid-quad Lutz at the London World Championships]
London— Friday evening at the 20xx World Figure Skating Championships, Yuuri Katsuki gave a beautiful, near perfect performance in his free program. Ratifying the first Quadruple Lutz in Figure skating history. But all the glory and joy Katsuki had felt at that moment died down when he fell on his signature rippon triple axel.
According to the Katsuki’s team’s and the ISU’s statements, Mr. Katsuki had not been disqualified from the competition for not finishing the program due to a malfunction with his gear. Katsuki’s lace snapped from the pressure of the jump, having him land on his knee.
Katsuki managed to snatch to snatch the silver medal with less than half a point above Giacometti, but had not been able to be at the award ceremony and the skate exhibition. Fourth placer, Nobunari Oda performing in Katsuki’s place.
There is no statement about Mr. Katsuki’s health, but he is being treated now at the Saint Joseph’s hospital. All we can do for now is hope for Mr. Katsuki’s full recovery and swift return to the ice.
Talk with us about the world figure skating championships on twitter @Thestarofficial
Kai @Katsudone · 5m
I have never felt so many emotions all at once. First I felt absolute joy when Yuuri has a near perfect performance landing all his jumps, got level 4 on all his sequences (though no surprise there really). Then shock and frustration on that fall. That damn lace just had to snap THERE?!
Yuuyuu @icetea · 5m
That really looked like a bad fall. With a hit to the knee that hard? There’s no way that wouldn’t be a major injury. Let’s all pray for a miracle that Yuuri only got a bruise.
DetroitSk8erz @Hamstersindetroit · 4m
So I’ve been following Yuuri’s career (along with the other DSC skaters) since his junior years, and I remember Yuuri having a really bad fall on his hip on an attempted triple axel. Yuuri went through a badly injured hip and came back to the competition stronger than ever. 1/2
DetroitSk8erz @Hamstersindetroit · 4m
Yuuri’s a strong person and he never gives up. While Yuuri takes his time to heal let’s all hope for his speedy recovery and his return, give him all the love and support. YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS YUURI-CHAN 2/2
ari @Skategeek · 3m
can ya’ll imagine how Giacometti feels right now? Getting bronze just 0.32 points away from silver, and the silver medalist having a fall bad enough that he couldn’t resume his program? All I’m saying is that Christophe should’ve placed higher.
Ces :D @ishiskates · 2m
@Skategeek this isn’t the time for this :D
Angel @Viktorswife · 2m
Looks like it’s bye-bye Katsuki. He was getting cocky about getting close to Viktor anyways. Ratifying a quad Lutz before Vitya? Karma’s bitch.
Kai @Katsudone · 1m
Wtf? First of all, this has nothing to do with Viktor. He hasn’t even been attempting a quad Lutz in practice. Second of all, how is Yuuri getting cocky? Yuuri has always been humble about his abilities and he doesn’t compare himself to other skaters. 1/3
Kai @Katsudone · 1m
“we all have different styles and our own perspective on our skating, I don’t think it’s right for us to compare ourselves to others. Each and every skater has their strengths and weaknesses. We’re all trying our best to be our best selves, and to me, that’s all that really matters.” – Yuuri Katsuki 20xx 2/3
Kai @Katsudone · 1m
So, shut your mouth and stay in your negative little corner with your small little brain if you don’t have anything nice to say. Okay? Okay. 3/3
“Mr. Katsuki?” The Japanese skater looks up at the call of his name. The doctor, Dr. Sallow, stands by the door way, knuckles tapping on the wood.
“We have your x-ray results, can I come in?” Yuuri shifts on the bed, flinching when he moves his injured leg.
He nods, shaking his coach awake. “the results are here.” Yuuri quietly says, preparing himself for bad news.
He sighs, when will this be all over? He just wanted to know what’s wrong with him an and go home.
Go home and sink into the hot springs, play with his dog, or maybe have a walk with Phichit in Detroit.
All he knows he is he doesn’t want to be here, in a hospital, worrying about his future and how he can skate again.
Could he still skate? That’s the big question right now.
It was probably sprain, a little fracture maybe? He hoped it was just that. He didn’t know what to do without skating. It’s been his entire life.
Maybe he’s okay, maybe it’s just his brain thinking it hurt. Maybe it was just an illusion. God, he hoped it was just an illusion.
He looks up to the celling as Celestino starts talking to the doctor, drowning out the sounds of their voices.
He wanted to home. Run away, sit in his bed and cry into Vicchan’s fur.
This was all too much, so much at one time, he hadn’t even received the news yet. God, where, when, how can he go—
“Yuuri?” A hand gently places itself on arm, grabbing the Japanese man’s attention immediately.
“huh?” He asked, looking at his coach before shifting his eyes towards the doctor’s sympathetic eyes.
“Dr. Salow ask if you were ready to hear your results.” Yuuri looks down to his lap, curling his hands into fists above them. He nods, slowly raising his head to look at the man. “okay…”
The doctor gives him a small smile before turning to his clipboard.
“your left foot has a grade 1 ankle sprain, not anything too serious, and I saw in your file that you have experienced this a few times before so you already know the drill. Just keep off it, ice it to keep the swelling down, use wraps to support your ankles, keep it elevated. Your knee on the other hand…”
Yuuri’s breath gets stuck in his throat, already knowing that it isn’t going to be good.
“What happened to his knee, doc?” Celestino questions for Yuuri, rubbing a hand on his back.
Dr. Sallow sighs, looking at Yuuri with pity filled eyes.
Yuuri hated it, he hated that he was who the emotion was directed to.
He hated that he doesn’t even know himself what had happened to him, but he already knows that it could end his career, his whole life. It all felt like a bad dream.
“Your knee hit the surface really hard, causing a stable fracture on your patella, it may heal with the right treatment in 2-3 months.”
“2-3 months isn’t such a long time. He can still compete in the next season if he takes it easy, no?” Celestino relaxes his hold on the skater, visibly relaxing. However, the doctor gives him a small apologetic smile.
“unfortunately, in the process, Mr. Katsuki tore his ACL. It’s a level 2 tear and it takes around 6-9 months to heal. You may need to get surgery on both of the injuries to ensure a safer return to the sport.”
At that moment, Yuuri heard Celestino’s sharp intake of breath.
He knew it could be the end of his career.
Phichit+chu
[Picture of Phichit and Yuuri in what looks to be a hospital room. Yuuri looking ahead of him while Phichit has his arm around Yuuri’s shoulder, looking straight at the camera]
♡ 3.5k likes
Phichit+chu @Y-Katsuki is having his surgery today, came to keep him company while we wait. ยูริทำให้ดีที่สุด!! #YuuriKatsuki #Yuuriganba #hopeforYuuri
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It’s been seven months from then, and it was now the start of the competition season, Yuuri had no idea what to do.
He had spent the time for his recovery catching up on his college classes, pouring every bit of his time into taking care of himself, physical therapy, school, and helping out the younger skaters at the rink. Something to keep his mind off his injury.
He changed his major from business management to sports coaching, taking business as a minor instead.
Took classes on Russian and Thai to fill the time that was used for the ice that was now empty.
He wasn’t used to all of this time, he wasn’t used to being unoccupied.
The doctor had cleared him for mild training again at the 5-month mark since his injuries had healed wonderfully and faster than most.
After months of physical therapy, months of sitting around, months of being away from the ice, he was finally allowed to return to it.
But, of course, there was the possibility of reinjuring his knee.
So there he was, sitting in Celestino’s office, about to make the biggest decision of his life.
“I want to retire.” Yuuri quietly says, looking down to his lap to avoid his coach’s eyes.
“I want to focus on school, to learn about coaching.” The room was silent; a drop of a pin could be heard.
The Japanese man fidgets, worrying about what his coach might say.
Yuuri has been thinking about this for the last two months, thinking about what his future may look like.
He could stay, skate until his legs gave out, but he knew one wrong movement and all that comes down.
But he could retire, study about sports coaching, that way he can stay close to the ice even without being on it, it was the safest option for him.
“you’re doctor already gave you the okay, why do you still want to quit?” The stern but understanding voice of his coach interrupts the silence.
“I’m scared. I’m scared I might mess up and injure myself again. I’m scared that I won’t be able to skate, dance, walk if I do injure myself again. This way, I can still keep myself connected, with the littlest risk possible.”
Celestino sighs, leaning back against his chair. “Without the prizes and the sponsors, where would you get your income for your college fees?”
Yuuri looks up, finally. He straightens his back, taking a deep breath in. “I’m going to do ice shows, maybe get a part time job. I was hoping I could get an assistant coaching job here…”
“I know I can’t change your mind.” Celestino sighs when Yuuri nods firmly.
“I can offer you a coaching job here, since that wouldn’t really be a big difference from what you do around here, aside form your training, of course. You spend more time assisting the younger ones than even Camilla, you’d think you were the coach instead of her.”
Celestino laughs, eyes having a glimmer of sadness. “you know you’re always welcome here, Yuuri. Be it a skater or a coach, the club will always be there to support you.”
“I know, thank you.”
“now, let’s start making a few calls to the JSF and the ISU, shall we?”
YUURI KATSUKI RETIRES AFTER AN ACCIDENT AT THE WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS
By: Lauren Samulles
A few hours ago, the JSF had released the list of skaters that would no longer be competing, and to the surprise of many, Yuuri Katsuki’s name had been on the list. As it wouldn’t be a surprise since the accident at the 20xx world figure skating championships, it was as Phichit Chulanont had been posting about Katsuki’s progress and fast recovery on Instagram.
The skater had been cleared to go back to the ice, but had chosen to retire instead.
“It was for me to prioritize my well-being and my health. The injury had taken a toll on me and I did not think it would be good for myself if I had chosen to go back. I am planning on finishing my education and am planning on coaching in the future. I will still be doing ice shows and performances. Thank you so much for all the support you have given me up to this point, it has been a pleasure to be able to skate for you. Thank you so much.” Katsuki had said in an interview with the JSF, along with the other retiring skaters.
It has been a pleasure to watch this young skater grow and be the best he could be. All of us at the Star wishes you good luck on your journey ahead.
3 years later
“Pull your arms in a bit more, yeah? You’ll have a less chance of under-rotating it that way.” A Japanese man clad in Mizuno sportswear, points out to the Thai skater practicing jumps on the ice.
“I wanted to do Tanos and Rippons by this age, like you were. You were off raising your arms on every jump, ratifying quads, and here I am, under-rotating a toe-loop.” The skater groans, skating towards the edge to the man coaching him.
“hey, you’re learning a quad toe-loop, it’s still hard to do, like learning any other jump for the first time.” Yuuri smiles, handing Phichit the water bottle.
“You know, you’re the most chill coach I have ever had.” Phichit jokes, downing the bottle half way immediately.
Yuuri rolls his eyes, but smiles. “I’m not technically your coach, I’m just assisting. You know I really only coach Juniors and novices.” Phichit hums, placing the water bottle on the boards. “Break time!”
“oh no you don’t, you took a break 10 minutes ago. We still have to get you to stop under-rotating that quad toe before the qualifiers.” The Japanese man laughs when Phichit groans, skating closer to the center of the ice.
“can you like, show me how to do it? I think it’d be better for me to see it before I attempt it, don’t you think?” Yuuri hums, narrowing his eyes.
“Fine, but you better be able to do it before your session ends. I have to warm up for Alicia’s jump training anyways.”
The skater moves out of the way to give way for his coach to demonstrate the jump, smiling when Yuuri loops towards the center. He pulls out his phone to record the jump.
In the three years since Yuuri had retired, he rarely jumps any of the major jumps, and Phichit had taken the role as the person who records each and every jump, step sequence, spins and post the to his social media.
but of course, Yuuri doesn’t know that. Phichit would bet anyone a hundred bucks that Yuuri would kill him if he found out.
He positions the device perfectly to hide it from Yuuri’s view and presses record when the man on the ice starts to gain momentum.
He glides forward, switching to a backward facing position and takes off with his toe pick digging into the ice.
He crosses his arms tightly on his chest, spinning four time before landing on the back outside edge of his skate.
He skids to a stop, turning towards the Thai skater. “you saw what I did, right? I tightened my arms, kept my core strong. If you start to get a hand of it, I might try to convince Celestino to let you practice Tanos.” Phichit smiles brightly and nods, placing his phone back on the boards.
He skates towards where the Japanese man had stood, pushing him playfully to the boards.
Yuuri chuckles at the younger man’s antics, resting his back against the edge of the boards, looking at the skater hopping on the ice.
“You ready?” Phichit nods, his expression determined. He starts to gain momentum, switching backwards, and digs his toe pick in the ice.
He spins four full times and lands it, but touches down. He grunts, pushing his hand off the ice. “That was better, you got the rotations down. You just have to land it. Again.”
It takes 3 more touchdowns and a fall, and four more of Yuuri’s stern “again.” Until Phichit finally lands it perfectly.
He lands, no wobble, no fall, no touch down onto the ice. Phichit gasps, smiling widely. “Yuuri! I did it!”
Yuuri smiles back with the same amount of enthusiasm, tightening his hold on his phone before skating towards the younger man. “I recorded it for you.”
“Looks like you’re finally landing that Quad toe, Phichit. Great job.” A man says from the boards.
“Ciao Ciao! Did you see that? It was all cause of Yuuri’s help.” The Italian man chuckles at his student’s excitement.
“You’ve been doing great yourself, huh, coach Yuuri.” Celestino winks playfully at the assistant coach, who blushes in embarrassment.
“Anyways, take a break Phichit. I need to talk to Yuuri about something. But after your break you better be landing that quad toe at least five times before you get off the ice.” The coach tilts his head towards his office door, gesturing Yuuri to follow him.
The two coaches enter the office, Yuuri closing the door behind them. They take their seats, sitting in silence just like they had three years ago.
“You wanted to talk to me about something, Coach?” Yuuri nervously asks, put off by the prolonged silence.
“Yes, I did.” The older coach answers curtly. He sighs and looks at the wall of trophies on the other side of the room.
“You’ve been offered a coaching job in saint Petersburg, by Yakov Feltsman.” Yuuri opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out of his mouth, leaving him gaping like a fish.
“Coach Feltsman has been having a problem with his health lately and has also been lacking in help.
He called me about me possibly lending him one of my assistant coaches to assist him in coaching some of his skaters for this season. I recommended you.”
“I- w-why? Do you not need me here anymore?” The Japanese man asks, voice low and trembling.
“You’ll always be needed here; you are one of the biggest reasons why our skaters are improving so quickly. You know that, Yuuri.” The older coach clears his throat.
“I recommended you for that reason. Mr. Feltsman is one of the most influential people in the circuit, having him on your side would be beneficial for your image as a coach in the future. This could be good for you.”
“but what about Phichit? Alicia? Yahiko?” Yuuri frets. Celestino chuckles, tone fond.
“Yuuri, I have plenty of assistant coaches. Emily, Amber, Ivo. It’s only for a season, and you can decline. It’s all up to you.”
“But what if it doesn’t go well there?”
“Then you come back here.” Yuuri looks at his former coach, scanning his face.
“You’ve been here since you were sixteen and was a junior skater hoping to make it big. Don’t ever think that you wouldn’t be welcomed here with open arms, because you are a part of our family through and through.” The Italian man gives his former student a reassuring smile, one which the younger man returns.
“then, I’ll do it.”
Yuuri arrives in Russia after a 17 hours and two stop overs.
He adjusts his mask and sighs, gripping the suit cases he had.
How is he going to find his way around a busy airport, much more a city in another country he’s unfamiliar with.
Well, at least he knew the language, thank god for Russian classes.
He pulls along the large suitcases, heading towards the airport’s exit to get a taxi.
Maybe he should go to a café in the airport, he was pretty tired. Get some caffeine and some food in his system.
He already had a place to stay, an apartment Mr. Feltsman had rented for him while for his time in Russia.
He should get some groceries, but oh, he didn’t know where to get some. Crap, why did he come here?
“Katsuki.” A gruff voice calls his name, making him turn reflexively.
There stood two Russian men, one younger and one older, one a coach and one a skater he had used to compete against.
He walks over to Yakov Feltsman and Georgi Popovich, bowing in respect when he finally reached them.
“Mr. Feltsman, Mr. Popovich. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I wasn’t informed that you would be picking me up from the airport.” Yuuri says in accented Russian, shaking each of their hands.
The older Russian snorts gesturing Georgi to take one of Yuuri’s ginormous suitcases.
“And what were you going to do? I was told you don’t know you’re way around here, having only stayed in the arena and your hotel room at competitions.” Yuuri laughs in embarrassment, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I was never quite the social type, I had my eye on the prize in competitions.”
“some people could use that mind set.” Mr. Feltsman mumbles underneath his breath making the two younger men laugh.
“let’s get you settled in your apartment, get you some groceries, essentials, etc. than tomorrow you start at the rink, you meet your new skaters Mila, Yuri, Alexei, and a few junior and novice skaters. Let’s see if you are what Cialdini makes you out to be.”
Yuuri takes a deep breath in before they exit the airport, the cold air of the outside slicing into his skin.
“Of course, Mr. Feltsman. I will do my best.” The old coach gives him a once over, scanning his expression with careful eyes, smiling when he saw the fire of determination burning deep in his chocolate eyes.
Georgi laughs in amusement at the younger man’s words, looking over at his coach who had the same amused expression.
“Oh Katsuki, your hair would be falling out from the stress of handling these brats.” Yakov says barely audible, but Yuuri hears it, making him give the coach a bewildered look. The Russian skater pats his shoulder.
“Welcome to Saint Petersburg, Katsuki. You’re in for one hell of a ride.”