Mydei Yuri!! on Ice/Figure Skater AU (Pt I)
Hello! Just a lil something before I get dragged back into the exam trenches. I might try writing up a lil something for this AU, but my storytelling tends to come out of my anus; so, IDK how comprehensible it’ll be. TvT
That said, while I say, “Yuri!! on Ice AU,” this might be moreso “inspired by Yuri!! on Ice.” (I’m such a clickbaiter.)
Like Yurio, Mydei makes his senior debut and competes in the Grand Prix after winning gold in the Junior World Championships.
He’s 17 instead of 15 since the ISU Congress recently increased the age of senior skaters from 15 to 17. Also, any Phaidei stuff already feels kinda bad with such an age gap. While Mydei is a remarkably emotionally-mature character, the adolescence and age gap is… no. Ain’t nah way I’m writing/drawing Ice Skating Phaidei if it’s 15 x 22 y/o. 💀
(Also, just to clarify, even if someone hits the age of 18/“legal age”, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE SUDDENLY A MATURE BEING. Consent is important NO MATTER THE AGE. Age can (kinda) just a number, but PROPER COMMUNICATION is necessity to matter what. Everyone must feel safe and willing without coercion.)
Actually, as I’m typing this, I think I will adjust the settings to “World Championships at 17” and “senior debut at 18.” After looking into the recent ISU senior regulation changes, Mydei would likely be one of those junior ice skaters who were pushed to debut at 15. However, because of high-stress, Mydei became severely exhausted and contracted spondylolysis (stress fracture often to the L5 vertebra — may not be the infamous T10, but still thematic to Mydei’s back issues, I guess :P). For a while, he had a bit of back pain and stiffness. However, because of his strenuous training, the symptoms escalated until the combination of muscle spasming and difficulty maintaining balance caused him to collapse before/during competition.
Mydei spent the next 6 months going through rest, bracing, physical therapy, and surgery. He managed to rework a new training program. Because of his experience, Mydei emphasizes the importance of health — oftentimes reciting his latest nutritional findings to his followers. He becomes a bit of a fitness buff in the ice skating community.
Following his surgery, Mydei tried making fig stew for the the first time. It was a viewer’s recommendation, but Mydei had a quick recipe from his deceased mother. It’s a bit of a teary affair as Mydei tastes his first proper meal for the first time since his strict training regime started. It’s a bit saltier than he remembers. However, it’s a start.
Thus, the origin of his fig stew obsession and the christening of his chimera plushie: Fig Stew.
(His friends and viewers also help him on his side quest to discover his favorite fruit. In the end, it’s during his visit to Castorice’s hometown, Aidonia, that he has the taste of fresh-pressed pomegranate juice. After some experimentation, he ends up with his signature recipe: pomegranate juice, soy milk, and a bit too much honey.)
Mydei ends up spending his 15s in recovery. However, he readies himself in time for some Challenger Series competition before getting invited to the Junior Grand Prix (Mid-October). (Is this realistic? Probably not. TvT) His relative success lands him a spot in the Junior World Championships (March) where he wins gold.
Mydei bites into his gold medal with pride. (He keeps the Fig Stew plush too.)
Anyway, as you may have guessed by now, the Yuuri Katsuki equivalent is… Phainon! I’ll try to draw him next time, but — heads up — I get more inspired by Mydei than Phainon. This may take a while. :,)
To the people who DO know figure skating and spinal injuries, please correct me in the comments. I will conduct more research and write to the best of my abilities when the time comes. Alas, it is dark outside and the clock says “AM.” So, I’m off to bed now. TvT
If anyone wants to write the AU instead of me, please feel free to HMU and send the AO3 link. :3 🤲
