Hello my lovely readers, sorry for the long absences. I had a few things going on in my life that didn't allow me to write, but we'll discuss that later. So enjoy the chapter, and hopefully, there won't be any tears later.

Yuri POV

After what she decided yesterday, we hadn't had a chance to talk about it. I knew she wanted to avoid conflict and respect her decision, but I wanted to know who was making all these problems.

As we walked to where Renji lived, I didn't want to question her or make it seem I was disappointed in her. She seemed to be thinking about something that she almost tripped but I got her arm to regain her balance.

"Thank you."

I nodded as we continued our walk, as much as I hate to admit this I wish those two idiots had come with us.

"Yuri, are you mad?" She asked all of a sudden.

"Why would I be mad," she looked a bit uncomfortable making me nervous about how my expression is right now.

"Listen I'm not mad just a bit worried that's all," I said as I let out a deep breath.

"Worried about what?"

"Well, you coming back to Hatsetsu to train while I'll be in St.Petersburg far away from you. It feels like you'll move on for someone who'll sweep you off your feet, and I'm a bit insecure about myself that I can't make you happy," I said making me wonder if I sounded stupid.

"Yuri I can assure you that would never happen I'm the one who's more worried about you," she said as she looked away.

"Why?"

"Are you serious? All the girls are drooling over you especially when they see your..." she blushed and pouted seeing she won't say what.

"See my what?"

"Your butt," she mumbled as she hid her face with her hands. I couldn't help but laugh at the thought of her being shy to admit she looks at my ass.

"Now since when?"

"Around two years ago, at the banquet, all the girls just stared at you and when I noticed how they dress I felt so childish in my dress." Her blushing face made me smile that she's been holding this in. I hugged her closed and kissed the top of her head.

"I would be a fool letting you go just to be with some nobody. You are my agape remember and I would do anything to make sure you never forget it."

"Even if it means losing the gold medal?"

"Even if I have to quit skating," she teared up and hugged me tighter.

"I would never forgive myself if you stop skating for my sake," she said as I smiled seeing her putting me first again.

"I swear some things never change, what am I going to do with crying little mouse?" I said as kissed her forehead and made my way to her soft lips.

Your POV

As we reached Renji's house I knew I looked like a mess while Yuri seemed a bit disheveled in his hair and lips a swollen.

"(F/n) and Yuri so glad you two could finally make it, I apologize for the mess but I wanted to make you guys a delicious meal when you came," Renji said as I noticed a few papers on the table and some medications.

"Is everything alright Renji?"

"Let's eat first before we discuss a few things," he said as he brought out some dishes that I recognized immediately.

"I figure since Yuri was going to come I wanted to know if my borscht can beat your grandfather's borscht. I also have some baked carp fish so I hope you two like it," he said as he led us to the dining room where all the food was.

'I get the feeling Renji is hiding something more serious than Veleta did.' As he began to serve the food I couldn't help but observe him. Even as we ate he tried to eat slowly, his hands were always shaking and I know he's old but he's not old enough to be shaking all the time.

"Renji is everything alright?" He smiled and nodded.

"I'm as healthy as a horse I bet you I can still land a quad if I try," he said I began to worry.

"Renji I've known you practically my whole life, you're part of my family, and I can tell when you're forcing yourself that everything is alright." He sighed like he knew there was no point in hiding it anymore and showed me how he truly felt.

"Well no one other than you two will know about this, I got a call from my doctor a few weeks ago, and turns out I have cancer," he said as I couldn't believe what I heard.

"Renji why didn't you tell me sooner," I asked as he smiled.

"When you reach my age and have a fulfilling life it's hard to live sometimes. I married the love of my life and enjoyed every adventure we had together. The many friends we made and the children we were able to teach, and even had the chance to see two of them go beyond our expectations. The one thing we have ever regretted was not able to have kids of our own." Renji said as he smiled sadly.

"We tried many times but we couldn't, I have always wanted a child but it hurt Valetta more seeing that she wanted a child of her own too. So when we opened our skating rink we decided to show the children the joy of skating. Around the time when you and Yurri started to skate, it felt like we had children of our own. Now that I'm on stage three I'm preparing everything and I'm leaving the rink to you as well a few other things." When he said that it felt like someone had poured ice water over my head.

"I know it's a lot to take in but let me enjoy what little time I have left in this world. I have a few things I want to do before it's my time and one of them is seeing in Grand Prix final in person like the good old days. I probably won't be able to move much after then but I want to see it one more time." When he said that it almost felt like he regrets nothing and enjoyed what he's done with his life. I grabbed his hand and he grabbed to hold my hand too.

"I promise I'll make sure to take you the grand prix final with me, it's the least I can do for everything you've done for me and my family." He smiled as he squeezed my hand and teared up.

"I'm very grateful for everything," he said as he teared up.

Yuri POV

I felt terrible about the old man's condition, and I could only stay quiet, watching them reminds me of the relationship I have with my grandpa. I don't think I could even skate at my full potential even if I could.

"Yuri?" I looked up and saw them with a smile.

"Are you alright?" Renji asked as rubbed my shoulder.

"I can't help but feel a bit homesick seeing you guys enjoying time together. Makes me want to visit my grandpa and spend more time with him," I said as he smiled.

"Yuri, I'm sure this isn't a bit too much of me to ask you of this, but can you promise me something?" Renji asked as he nodded. He asked for (F/n) to give them some privacy, and she told them that she'd wash the dishes while they talked. When she left, Renji and Yuri went to his old office where he had all his pictures of his wife and him and their journey together.

"Sut Yuri," he offered as he took a seat in a chair while Renji went to grab the box he had.

"I've been around (F/n) for many years when she started skating, and I've never seen her skate more beautiful until she met you. I know you wouldn't break her heart, so I wanted to give you this before anything happens to me," he said as he handed him the wooden box.

"What is this?"

"When you think you're ready and want to spend your whole life with (F/n) open it and you'll find something that will help you," Renji said as I smiled and thanked him. I can understand why (F/n) sees him like family, and I wish that he'll live long enough for him to see us win gold.

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So what do you guys think, I know I've been gone for a few months and haven't posted much but during the summer I went to at least 4 funerals, and right around the beginning of September I received a few cake orders that people wanted and some cupcakes orders as well. So that took all my weekends to write. After that my mom got her cataracts removed and she couldn't bend down, do heavy lifting, or do any work so I had to nurse her back to health take her to her doctor's appointment, and translate. To top it all off these past few weeks she got sick and I got sick barely last week so just yesterday but I'm almost back to my healthy self. So I had to take the chance to write before anything else happened and I don't want to let that opportunity slip by me again. So hopefully for those who have waited patiently for this chapter thank you for understanding that I might not be able to update every week but I'm trying. Just like I'm trying to make a routine for me to follow but life likes to push us around. So I hope you enjoy this chapter and maybe if luck is on our side we can get another chapter before 2024.