Victor shivers at Yuuri's whisper, then goes limp, all the air in his body rushing out at once. He's not sure what he expected Yuuri to say; it isn't like Victor has any idea how he could possibly return to his own career while still supporting Yuuri's.

But...maybe he's making it more complicated than it needs to be. He loves skating, coaching Yuuri has only reminded him of how much he loves it. But the idea of going back without Yuuri at his side makes him feel as though his insides are being pulled out of him. And maybe Yuuri's right. Maybe he just...shouldn't.

He could retire, go out at top of his game after having dominated the competitive figure skating world for over a decade. Retire and coach Yuuri to gold after gold until Yuuri retires too. He could still do ice shows, exhibition skates, and he'd have Yuuri. Where's the fun in competing anyway when everyone takes it for granted that he'll take gold?

He could do it. It's a steep price, but so was what Victor paid for his skating career in the first place. Twenty years of life and love and loneliness, spent to transform Victor Nikiforov into Victor Nikiforov, living legend.

But it's a price he can pay.

Victor takes a deep breath as the words sink from his brain down to his chest, wrapping around his heart.

"Okay," he answers Yuuri, and his voice is steady. Steady as a heartbeat. "I'll stay."