As I watched the last episode of Yuri!!! On Ice I found myself somehow desperately wanting for Victor and Yuri to kiss again. It was almost like a rabid need (I actually recorded my reaction so there’s evidence). The show plays with this on purpose (particularly in the final episode), when it looks like they are going to kiss, but it ends up as a hug or something else.
If you want to put it plainly, Victor and Yuri — despite everything that happened — never get to that “100% canon” status. Some hearts will be broken. Some people will debate that it was just all queer baiting in the end.
But then I realized. We, as a culture in general, are obsessed with confirmation of relationships. Why does something need to be “100% canon?” We have grown into the bad habit to not believe a couple is really a couple unless they say “I love you” to each other (or have sex), as if those are the only words (or actions) that count when you love someone.
Media is over-saturated with “I love you’s,” and we have been conditioned to believe that this is the only way to confirm a romantic relationship.
But we don’t. We don’t need Victor and Yuri to say the words, “I love you.” We know they do.
They say it every single episode.
We see it in how their hearts break.
In the stand-alone wordless frames that say everything without speaking a word.
Their relationship shows every single moment in a traditional romance, without actually saying it verbatim.
First kiss.
Sleeping together.
Natural PDAs.
Getting engaged.
Yuri!!! On Ice doesn’t need Victor and Yuri to say “I love you.” We know.
Anyone can say the words “I love you.” Say it so much that they become habitual and empty. We grow into the belief that just saying the words makes everything perfect when it sometimes doesn’t.
More media should follow Yuri!!! On Ice’s example. To create a beautiful, meaningful, and heartfelt relationship without the need of the words “I love you.” Because in the end, love is expressed in the things we do, not the things we say.
Victor and Yuri love each other and no matter how you want to label it, it’s a fact no one can deny.
I find it that YOI fandom does not appreciate this cameo enough. So here you guys go. Another long post and no cut - sorry, not sorry.
Stephane Lambiel
What google says: Swiss figure skater/coach/choreographer. Olympic silver champion, 2 times world champion
What google does not say:
The Freaking GOD of Spinning
He’s Viktor Nikiforov the Skater
He’s also Viktor Nikiforov the Coach
As well as Viktor Nikiforov the Choreographer
He is the Phichit-type friend (meaning the greatest)
He’s got Georgi’s drama intensity,
Christophe’s sexy moves and ass
Yuuri’s mesmerizing footwork
And Michele’s chivalry
He’s THE PRIMA BALERINA
He is THE PLAYER in the “Eros” story
He’s also the most beautiful Lady in the town
And last but not least
HE IS THE DUETTO
AS WELL AS THE AFTERPARTY
Bonus: he’s also the cat
Now you know who that sexy French belongs to :D
Seriously though. Stephane Lambiel is a freaking Legend. He’s a great figure skater, an amazing performer, a blessed choreographer, an attentive coach, a wonderful friend (take any figure skater and you’ll find a dorky pic of them with Lambiel).
He is loved by everyone: women, men, dogs, cats, critics, judges, audience and fellow figure skaters.