Notes: I had so much planned, but this has gone off in its own direction. I'm not sure how much is left at this point, but I'd still like to end it the same.


Anastasia was uneasy on the ride to the rink. She kept telling herself just a few more days, then she could return home and forget what happened. Tatyanna pouted in the backseat between her and Yuri. Yuri was on his phone, texting, though he would glance at her every now and again.

When they arrived, Tatyanna took Anastasia's hand as the two of them followed Yuuri, Victor, and Yuri into the rink. "You OK?" Tatyanna asked softly.

"I'm fine."

She was not, but she would not admit to it. She was also angry at herself for allowing that woman to rattle her so. It was hard to put it out of her mind, but she tried for Yuri. And for Tatyanna as well, who did not like seeing her sister so flustered.

Once they arrived and parked at the ice rink, they breezed past fans and press alike. Yuri kept his hand protectively on Anastasia's back until they shut the door behind them. Yuri and Viktor walked ahead of them, discussing which routine to practice. The Norin sisters and Yuuri's pace were much slower as they walked deeper into the rink.

"I'm glad you're here."

"Huh?"

Yuuri smiled at Anastasia as he shifted the bag he was carrying from one shoulder to the other. "I think you're not being here has really messed with Yurio's head. He hasn't said as much, but..." he trailed off, hoping Anastasia understood what he meant.

She blushed deeply and hung her head. "I'm sorry," she began softly, "I shouldn't have let this bother me so. I should have been here for Yuri. If he performs poorly, it'll be my fault."

It was Yuuri's turn to look flustered. "No, no, that's not what I meant!" He rubbed the back of his neck nervously and tried to think of a way to take back what he had just said. That would have been impossible. "I just meant... with you around, Yuri - "

"Hey, piggy! I need my skates!"

Yuuri hung his head that time and sighed. "I'm sorry," he managed to say before he hurried off to Viktor and Yuri.

Tatyanna and Anastasia exchanged a look. "I don't think he meant to offend you," Tatyanna said gently. She held her hand out to her sister and led her to a seat near the ice. As Yuri stretched, he and Viktor were deep in conversation. From where they sat, neither sister could hear what was being said, but as Yuri was gesturing towards the ice, both assumed it had to do with his routine.

Anastasia reached into her pocket and removed her phone. "Here," she said as she offered it to Tatyanna. Tatyanna took it but did not start playing on it just yet. She wanted to watch Yuri skate. Since she was a child, she had grown up near the ice, and she loved watching the sport.

Yuri was one of the most graceful skaters either sister had seen. Anastasia observed as well, breathlessly, as Yuri glided over the ice. She was snapped out of her daze as Yuuri sat on the bench beside them.

"Viktor's changed his routine a little, but it's still great." Anastasia turned to Yuuri, then nodded her agreement. "Did you fix his costume?" It sounded like awkward small talk to Yuuri's ears, but he was still embarrassed by his earlier words.

"Yes. I re-enforced the stitching, so it shouldn't tear again."

As they watched the two men on the ice, Anastasia heard faint chiming noises from her phone. It seemed Tatyanna could not ignore the game she had been playing on it after all. She smiled and shook her head. "Do you think he'll do well?" she whispered to Yuuri.

"If he skates like this, I think so."

Anastasia knew, as well as Yuuri, that anything could happen during a routine. She did not want to think of the negatives. No one did.

"He's been so moody lately," Yuuri continued. "More than usual."

Anastasia had to stifle her laughter. "He's Yuri," she said with a sigh. "There's usually something that makes him sulk."

It did not look as though Yuri was sulking at the moment. As they watched, he pulled off an easy triple jump and landed in a spiral. Yuuri thought of telling Anastasia the last time Yuri tried that jump, he had slipped, but he decided to keep quiet. He had said something Anastasia took wrong earlier, so he would not risk that again.

"Oh wow, he looks so great!" Tatyanna had looked up from Anastasia's phone.

"This is the best I've seen him do," Yuuri agreed.

"I've seen better. Done better as well."

The trio on the bench turned to see Santiago Romano. He leaned over the railing on the level above them and smirked. He then addressed Anastasia directly.

"I can offer you much better work than he could. How about it? You could certainly have a much better time - "

"Hey! Leave her alone!"

Anastasia turned as Yuri shouted. Were the situation not so worrisome, as Yuri could be ejected from the competition if caught fighting with another skater, it would have been amusing. Yuri skated across the ice, dragging poor Viktor behind. Viktor had held onto the younger boy's shirt to stop him, but as they were both on the ice, it only caused him to glide behind Yuri without any restraint.

"Don't, don't," Anastasia said as she stood and met Yuri on the edge of the rink. She put her hands on his chest. "It's not worth it."

Viktor, panting slightly, agreed with her. "Give him the rink for a bit," he muttered. "We'll get more practice in later."

Yuri sent both a glare and an offensive gesture at the other skater before he plopped down on the bench by Tatyanna. He removed his skates while muttering. Tatyanna heard him and clasped her hand over her mouth to keep herself from giggling. As he slipped on his shoes, he heard his phone buzz from the pocket of his bag. He fished it out and half listened as Viktor said something about grabbing lunch.

"No thanks," he said as he stared at the screen. "I have something to do."

He slipped his shoes on in a hurry and grabbed his bag. He hurried past them as he stuffed his phone in his pocket. "Yurio!" He ignored Viktor as he called after him. Anastasia looked to Yuuri as he looked to her. What on earth could Yuri have to do in such a hurry?