I don't know what exactly inspired me to write this fic. I think it was that scene in Episode 11 where Viktor started crying, and I thought that he cried really prettily. This deals mostly with Viktor's background. I don't normally tend to write angsty fics, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I don't own YOI.

'We'll all by cheering for you, Yuuri.'

'I've made katsudon for you.'

'You'll do great. i'm sure of that.'

'If you ever want to quit, you can, you know. We won't think any less of you for it.'

'You will do great.'

'Don't worry about what we'd think. We would always support you.'

Viktor Nikiforov sighed as he played the moments he had seen between Yuuri and his family over and over in his head. They were so loving. So kind. So supportive. They truly cared for Yuuri. Not just because of his achievements, but because they loved him. They were there for him when he achieved and they were there for him when they fucked up.

Viktor wished he had a family like that.

He thought of the orphanage in St Petersburg which was his home till he turned thirteen. he thought of the dreary grey walls. The harsh, strict caretakers. The other children who were all cold and unfriendly. His only escape was the ice skating rink nearby. He was nine when he first tried skating. He had stolen ice skates from another kid, and sneaked into the rink.

It wasn't easy. He kept falling over.

'Hey, boy.' he turned around to see a middle-aged man on skates. 'Don't you know how to skate?'

'N...no.'

'Is this your first time on ice?'

'Y...yes.'

'You seem to have quite the knack for ice-skating.'

'Whaa..t? But I kept falling over.'

'For someone who has never been on ice before, you have been doing admirably. If you want, I can teach you to skate.'

'But you're a stranger.'

'I can see your potential, boy.'

'My name is Viktor.'

'Yakov Feltsman.'

Viktor had started spending every minute he could at the rink with Yakov. He sometime had to sneak out of the orphanage to do that. Many a time, he got caught and severely scolded. But they were not too concerned about his safey. They did not care.

Four years later, as he was skating, he noticed that a couple in their forties were watching him intensely. He wondered if they were skaters themselves.

That day, he was told that he was to be adopted. By that couple.

'Vitya! How can you sleep so peacefully after coming fourth. I am ashamed to see my son behave like this.'

Though he referred to him as his son, his adoptive father never really regarded him as such. For his new parents, he was just a tool. A tool to regain their lost reputation as skaters.

However he performed, it was never enough for them. They did not think he was good enough. They did not think he was worthy of being their son.

'Vitya! You useless waste of space. We did not adopt you so that you could bring bronze medals.'

They did not adopt because they wanted a child. What they wanted was a medal making machine.

The day he turned eighteen, Viktor packed his few belongings and left home.

'Yakov, can I stay with you?'

'What? Where is this coming from, Vitya?'

'I left home. I couldn't bear being with them anymore. Please Yakov. It wouldn't be for very long. I am looking for a suitable place for myself, and I'll move out once I find one.'

Yakov had looked at Viktor sternly for a moment, before agreeing to let him stay with him and his then-wife Lilia.

Yakov had always been kind to Viktor despite his sternness. So had Lilia. Viktor was popular and easygoing, and he had made loads of friends among the ice-skaters, who all cared for him and were like a family for him. Yuri Plisetsky, Georgi and Mila felt like family for him, and his other skater friends including Chris, were always there to look out for him. But he felt a pang of loneliness every time he watched Yuuri with his family.

They did not treat him like a medal making machine. They did not care whether he won or lost.

Hot tears streamed from his eyes. He did not cry often, but he couldn't help it.

'V...Viktor?'

He looked up to see Yuuri. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, he wiped off his tears.

Yuuri couldn't believe it,

He had seen Viktor Nikiforov crying.

He couldn't help notice how pretty he looked when he cried. He felt ashamed of thinking that when his idol was clearly pained. But he couldn't help it.

What had happened to him? He was normally so sunny and cheerful.

Did something happen? Was he regretting his decision to become his coach?

Yuuri couldn't help feeling strangely guilty.

I hope you liked the backstory I gave Viktor. I feel a bit guilty about making him go through so much! Do review.