Just Imagine... [Yurio’s Crush on Yuuri 1/3]
Sees this Japanese skater with amazing step sequences, something Yuri struggles with himself, and follows him to talk to him.
Plans to talk to him, but the idiot’s crying and you can’t get over how he’s already shattered your illusion of how great he is.
Accidentally makes him fear you, but if it motivates him to skate better, then mission accomplished.
Watches Viktor totally not know who he is and offend poor Japanese Yuuri, who is already upset with himself.
Tells Viktor he better damn well apologize to Yuuri at the banquet.
Looks up Yuuri Katsuki online and discovers he’s 23. Wtf, he looks like he’s 16.
Makes Viktor apologize to Yuuri
Is called out by Yuuri and insulted for the bathroom talk, challenged to dance off
Enjoys dance off more than kittens (wtf is that even possible?)
Wants to talk to Yuuri more, but Yuuri starts gushing about how he’s been Viktor’s fan forever and challenges him to a dance off
Takes pictures of dance off for Viktor, but can’t keep his eyes off Yuuri (result: all shots of Yuuri are stunning, but pics of Viktor are crap)
Never sends Viktor the pictures, but makes Viktor and Chris send him pictures from the banquet (’for blackmail’ is the excuse)
Tries to forget about Yuuri, but keeps looking up his old routines online, uses Google Translate to read his profile on the Japanese figure skating site, and takes up video gaming because Yuuri lists it as his hobby
Can’t bring himself to delete the pics from the banquet
Still bothered by how old Yuuri is, but still doesn’t know why
Checks results of Japanese Nationals, only to see that Yuuri came in last place
Deals with crushing disappointment by playing video games and avoiding articles about how Yuuri might retire
A TRIP TO JAPAN (Episode 2)
Sees video of Yuuri skating Viktor’s “Stay Close to Me” routine. It’s not perfect, but he’s landing his jumps and the step sequence is just as fantastic as expected. (What the hell. If he can skate like this, why didn’t he do better at the GPF?)
Finds out Viktor left to coach Yuuri, and feels a strange sense of jealousy. Wasn’t Viktor supposed to choreograph his senior debut short program? That’s right. That’s all he’s jealous of.
Stalks Viktor’s social media until Viktor tags the location (#ninja, Hasetsu Castle), then takes the first flight to Hasetsu
Doesn’t know where the crap Yuuri lives, but thankfully a local fisherman points him towards a building and says “Viktor”
Finally sees Yuuri, but the idiot runs right past him without looking at him. Yuri makes a point to stand out, so he’s very taken aback
Loses himself to anger (since he came all this way and Yuuri’s ignoring him) and kicks Yuuri, then blames Yuuri for it. (Gah, it’s his fault I feel this way! Whatever this feeling is…)
Calmly tells Yuuri about Viktor’s skating career, accidentally reveals his true thoughts. He knows he can surprise people because people have been underestimating him all his life.
Reminds Viktor about his promise. Viktor proposes a battle, which quickly becomes “Onsen on Ice.” Since Yuri wants to see Yuuri skate again, he agrees. Besides, there’s an irrational desire to get Viktor away from Yuuri. Again, he has no idea why.
Yuuri gets assigned the upbeat song. Yuri’s jealous, but he also really wants to see Yuuri skate it.
ONSEN ON ICE…VERY EROS (Episode 3)
Can’t focus on this “agape” bullshit because he doesn’t believe love exists
Even though he treated Yuuri like crap, his family has taken him in to their onsen, given him shelter, and fed him. Is it a cultural thing? Even Yuuri is being way kinder to him than he deserves…
Watches Yuuri skate like crap again. What happened to the poledancer? That was the most “eros” thing Yuri had ever seen.
Yuuri’s “eros” is katsudon (pork cutlet bowl) wtf. Suddenly has the urge to call Yuuri ‘katsudon.’ It beats the other insults, and secretly it makes him happy since it’s Yuuri’s favorite food and his “eros” apparently.
Viktor makes them stand under waterfall in white robes. Feels oddly relaxed around Yuuri, remembers his step sequence and his “Stay Close to Me” video, and then thinks of his grandpa, someone else who makes him feel relaxed.
Oh snap. Does ‘feeling relaxed’ mean ‘unconditional love’? Yuri feels it for both Yuuri and his grandpa, but he pushes away the idea of Yuuri. Grandpa is his agape. That’s it.
Yuri can see Yuuri’s entire chest through his robe. It’s oddly fascinating, so he makes himself look away. Then he sneezes. Gosh, he needs to get out of there fast.
“Where’s Viktor?” he says. “Nagahama Ramen.” Yuri grabs Yuuri’s hand. “We’re going there too!” Yuuri pulls away at his touch. “Huh?” He’s so surprised and his cheeks look a little flushed. He rushes ahead. They don’t end up going to Nagahama Ramen.
Is shocked when Yuuri very politely asks him to help him land his quad Salchow. Wait, does Yuuri see him as real competition? (He’s been expecting everyone to underestimate him because of his age. Yuuri asking for his help is oddly touching.)
Picks a sexy see-through outfit for his agape performance. It’s got a cross at the center so it fits the theme…probably.
Fails to present a perfect performance. Since Yuuri sees him as a real competitor, he wanted to prove it once and for all. He can’t even hear Viktor’s cheers.
Finally gets to see Yuuri skate again and it’s unlike anything he’s done before. It’s just so “eros.” And that step sequence. He missed a landing on a jump, but Yuri hardly notices. Oh crap. His heart is pounding. This is different than any performance he’s ever watched before. It’s making his chest clench tightly.
Sees how Viktor is looking at Yuuri, remembers the banquet, realizes that Yuuri will win this Onsen on Ice for sure. Viktor didn’t come here just because of the video. He’s got a crush on Yuuri. And for some reason, that hurts Yuri deeply.
Leaves before he can cry, almost starts to cry outside but Yuko stops him. He tells her to pass on the message that he’ll beat Yuuri one day. Run away…he tries to convince himself that’s not what he’s doing. It’s not like Viktor would let him stay anyway. No, Yuri needs to improve and then he can face Yuuri again…and it’ll give him time to figure out this strange feeling.
The whole flight back Yuri can’t sleep since his mind is filled with worries. Yuuri is 8 years older than him. Why does that still bother him? This is stupid. He shouldn’t be thinking about him, but he can’t help it.
BACK IN RUSSIA (Episode 4)
Once back in Russia, Yuri throws himself back into practice. He needs to be better. Next time he faces Yuuri he wants Yuuri to be impressed with him. He tries not to think about it too much, but in every spin, every jump, he feels a tug at his heart, he remembers that pounding during Yuuri’s performance.
Lilia arrives and Yuri’s ready to do whatever it takes, to become someone else. He busies himself with practice, not only to become better but to distract himself. Don’t think of Yuuri. Don’t think of Yuuri. Stop saying his name. It’s ‘pig’ or ‘katsudon.’ Katsudon…eros… That performance. The banquet. Crap. Why did katsudon have to be so delicious?
Yuuko texts that Yuuri’s producing his own free skate program. Yuri’s glad he got her number. She’s his only line to Yuuri. Ever since Onsen on Ice, Yuri refuses to contact Viktor, that traitor. How cozy is he getting with Yuuri? He was soooo flirtatious. Does he really like Yuuri? Could Yuuri like him too? He’d noticed a fair amount of blushing from him. Crap. Why does he even care?
The assignments for the Grand Prix Series are announced and all Yuri can think about is whether he’ll see Yuuri or not. Will he get to compete against him? How will he face him now? But even though he’s worried, he’s excited to see Yuuri again. Especially to see him skate. Yeah, that’s all. He likes Yuuri’s skating. That doesn’t mean he likes him…or does it? But Yuri can’t deny it anymore…he’s probably liked Yuuri from the first time he saw him skate.
