"Good, I'm glad you're able to come up with some semblance of understanding of the songs. And you're quite accurate actually. The first is 'In Regards to Love: Agape'. The theme is unconditional love. The second is 'In Regards to Love: Eros'. The theme is sexual love. Both are different and have their strong points, but both also come with their own challenges. So? Which do you pick? And why? Take some time to think about your answer. I want to hear your reasoning, not just 'because I wanted to'."

Victor stared down and kicked at the ice with his toe pick. He knew deep down his decision wasn't some sort of weird test, but he felt that there was some right answer he needed to give. Now if only I knew what that was. After a few more minutes of silent self-debate, Victor answered.

"I pick Eros. I don't know how much you know about my career thus far, but for so long, I've been given the more graceful, elegant songs. I guess part of it has to do with my long hair. For years now, Yurio has used it to play off an androgynous look. That, and Yurio is huge into ballet. He even has connections with the Bolshoi Ballet, so we've had some pretty impressive people help us with form and choreography. I've been trying to convince him to allow me a wider array of music and skating styles, and considering his husband you'd think I'd have all the options in the world, but noooo. He said that once the public started viewing me a certain way, it would be hard to break from it. And it's true to some degree. I didn't believe him, and did a fun rock mix as an exhibition piece one year, and the backlash was intense. I was too young to be using such music. I was too young to be skating like that. I was trying too hard to be someone I wasn't. But I've always loved the idea of doing the opposite of what people expect to surprise them. I've finally been given the option to do something different, encouraged even, and I'm going to take it. And what better time to re-invent myself than at the start of my time in the Senior ranks."

Yuuri smiled, pleased with Victor's answer.

"Alright, let's get to work."

"Well, are you ready to see the choreography that goes with the music?"

"W-wait! Would you be able to show me the Agape routine first?"

"Why? Are you having seconds thoughts on your decision?"

"No! It's just...I'd...I'dreallyliketoseeyouskatesomethingnewbeforeanyoneelse."

Yuuri stood awkwardly, trying to repeat to himself what Victor just blurted. When he brain was able to process the hastily spoken words, he began to frown. Why does he care so much? It's not his song, and it's not even complete. Victor noticed immediately and started to scratch the back on his neck in embarrassment.

"I-I know it's not the song I chose, but I'm curious and I'd still really like to see it. And...and then I won't be distracted wondering what you'll be skating to, and I can focus 110% on my own program. Please!"

Yuuri sighed. "Fine, give me a minute to warm up and get into my headspace for this. Can you go off to the side and control the music for me?"

"Yes coach!"

At Yuuri's signal, Victor hit play. He had just listened to a small section of the music not even 5 minutes ago, but hearing the whole song and seeing Yuuri skate at the same time was breathtaking. Crap, this is hard. Is Eros going to be just as difficult? As the song ended, Yuuri stood still in the final pose, hand clasped and raised above his head, breathing heavily. After a few seconds, he let his arms fall. Victor stood silent on the side of the rink. Yuuri skated slowly over to the younger skater.

"Well, what do you think? I know it was probably very similar music to what you've skated in the past, but what about the whole performance?"

It took Victor a moment to regain himself.

"The music was similar, yes, but overall...it was something completely different. How is it the music can be the same, but the end result is so different?"

"That's what you can do with your program if you lose yourself and let your emotions take over as you skate. If you become lost to the music."

Victor nodded dumbly. He didn't fully understand, but if there was a way for him to improve, to create such a difference from what he was used to, he would do everything he could to figure it all out.

Once Yuuri had regained his breath, he skated back to the center of the rink and signaled Victor to start the music. Just as with Agape, Victor was struck by how much...more...the whole routine was. He knew logically the music was the same, but the feelings he got watching Yuuri fly across the ice were completely different from when he first heard the song.

As Yuuri continued his seductive dance on the ice, Victor found his thoughts wandering. Damn, he's so hot. Such Eros! I knew coming to Yuuri for help was a good idea! However, as the intricate step sequences and spins increased in both quantity and difficulty, Victor felt his thoughts go wild. Huh? Can I skate this? Jumps have always been my forte. But that footwork! Can I do his choreography justice? It's just so amazing. Just watching Yuuri skate this is mesmerizing. He gets so lost to the song. You can tell he's not just listening to the music, he's feeling it. I want to skate like that, but is that truly possible? What is this feeling? Why is my heart beating so fast and so hard? Can I really do this? I wonder what it would take -

"Victor, are you okay?"

Victor blinked as he came out of his thoughts. He looked around to realize he was no longer standing along the wall.

"Wait, why am I in the middle of the rink?!"

Yuuri had skated off to the side to pause the music and returned.

"You tell me. I was in the middle of the routine when I noticed you slowly skating out. I had to stop so I wouldn't run into you."

"I must have been lost in my thoughts, I'm so sorry Yuuri!"

Yuuri glared at Victor.

"Sorry, sorry. Coach Yuuri. You'll have to be patient, it'll take a bit to get used to calling you something else."

"Or you can just be cognizant of what you want to say before you speak. Anyways, what did you think?

"Oh, um...it was very 'Eros'"

"That's oddly unspecific, but good I suppose. Now, everyone is different, but I've found what helps best is to think of someone or something that represents what you're trying to show the audience. The more you understand the feeling yourself, you clearer your feelings will be to the audiences and judges. You picked Eros as your routine, but do you have any Eros inspiration?"

"You said the theme of the song was sexual love, right? Then...no, not really. I've never really been involved with anyone. As a skater, our schedules are too crazy and as I started doing better in competitions, I realized people didn't want the real me, they wanted the celebrity me. Not really appealing for relationships."

"Well, I can honestly say that I'm glad I won't be cleaning up after a trail of broken hearts as you traverse the globe. But I'll admit I'm similar. I was always so absorbed in my skating to think of anything else. Besides, outside of skating, I'm nothing special as a person, so it's not like I've had to fight off suitors or anything."

Victor froze. "What? Nothing special? Are you serious? You're totally special! Everyone loves you and I always hear stories from older skaters about how you're so polite and kind. Even Yurio speaks about you without an underlying tone of perpetually seething rage, which is a big compliment from him, just so you know."

"Yes, but Victor, those were superficial connections. Yes, I genuinely cared about the other skaters and my fans, but most of them just knew what I portrayed at competitions and to the media. That's partially my fault because I've always been a private person, but it's true. Think about it. How many random facts do you know about me that aren't common public knowledge? What juicy details do you know about my life?"

Victor froze again. "I-I'm sure I know something, I swear! Um...uh..."

"It's not a bad thing Victor. Just keep in perspective that I'm not merely what you've seen at competitions or on TV. I'm just a normal person that just so happens to have one really impressive skill."

At that, Yuuri went off to clean up and store the speakers. Victor shook his head and moved to a nearby bench to take off his skates. He glanced around, and not seeing anyone, allowed himself to get lost in his thoughts again. What is Eros to me? Ugh, so not used to this kind of thing. I hope I can figure this all out. I have to win! I will do whatever it takes to stay with Yuuri!

* * * * *

When they finally got back to Yu-topia Katsuki, Yuuri's mother was waiting by the door to the kitchen.

"Welcome back boys, are you both hungry enough for me to start dinner now?"

Both Yuuri and Victor nodded eagerly. Hiroko chuckled, but turned around to walk back into the kitchen.

"Do either of you have any special requests?" she yelled from the pantry. "I haven't started prepping anything, so the choice is yours."

Victor thought for a moment before realizing he knew nothing of Japenese cuisine other than sushi and ramen. He looked to Yuuri helplessly, but Yuuri merely shrugged and said "Whatever you want." Victor thought for a few more moments before deciding.

"Yuuri, what's your favorite food? I want to try my potential coach's favorite food!"

Yuuri narrowed his eyes at Victor's lack of formality once again, but nodded and walked towards the kitchen.

"Mom, can you make some katsudon?"

* * * * *

"Vkusno! This is amazing!"

Victor ate with such enthusiasm that Hiroko brought out a second bowl just as Yuuri finished his first. Yuuri glanced over at Victor devouring the food with a mix of longing and jealously.

"I've always gained weight easily, so Minako-sensei only allowed me to have it when I won a competition. So enjoy it while you can, because starting tomorrow, you'll only be allowed to eat it when you make the podium."

"But, but, Yuuri~! My metabolism is great! Why do I have to follow your old dietary rules?

"Victor, if you're training with me, you'll follow my rules and maintain a strict diet. There's nothing wrong with eating healthy. You say you're metabolism is great, but I don't know that for sure, especially when it comes to my family's home cooking. I'm not going to let you risk it."

Victor opened his mouth to say more, but Yuuri was not in the mood to argue. He decided a direct appeal to Victor's apparent idealization of himself would be the best way to end the conversation. A small, petty part of him also wanted to get back at Victor for his earlier unfair persuasion skills. He looked Victor dead in the eyes and smirked.

"Besides, just think of it as getting the real 'Katsuki Yuuri' experience. You'll sleep in the same building that I grew up in, you'll eat like me, train like me, learn to skate more like me. Doesn't your inner fanboy just want to squeal?"

Victor deadpanned. Yuuri took his continued silence as an acceptance.

* * * * *

After dinner was over and they had washed up, Yuuri knocked on Victor's door and peeked in.

"Hey, I've got a couple things to do, so I'll be busy for a little bit. When I'm done, we can talk about the plan for our little competition. Deal?"

Victor nodded, and turned to his boxes as Yuuri left. Is it even worth it to unpack? What if I lose and have to leave? Re-packing would be such a pain in the ass. Ugh. Fine, I'll just get out the essentials for now. Only a few clothes, enough to get me by till I know for sure. Oh, and this shirt. I look really good in this shirt. Oh, and these jeans. They make my butt look really good. Oh, and this too. And -

* * * * *

"Zdravstvuyte, Sportivnyy Klub Chempionov."

"Um, hello, I was hoping to speak to Yuri. Yuri Plisetsky."

"Speaking. Who is this?"

"The other skating Yuri."

"What the hell? Katsuki Yuuri? Why the hell are you calling me?"

"I recently made the acquaintance of someone I think you might know rather well..."

"Oh god," Yuri paled, "you're the one that Victor went to for help 'connecting to his programs', aren't you? I'm so sorry. I swear to god next time I see him I'm going to kick his ass with my knife shoes."

Quiet giggles came through the phone, and Yuri frowned in anger.

"The fuck are you laughing at you pig?"

"'Knife shoes'? I haven't heard you say that since we were in Juniors. Really Yuri? Or wait, should I call you 'Yurio'?"

"Fuck! Off! Pig!"

"Anyways, yes, Victor is here. I initially said no, but he wouldn't stop talking and begging and he looked like he was about to cry. It was awkwardly persuasive."

"Yeah, I'm painfully aware of how he can get."

"Anyways, in the moment, I agreed to a trial coaching. I told him that if he could show emotional progress in his skating, I'd coach him for the season. If not, he agreed to go back to Russia and ask your forgiveness. I sincerely apologize if I overstepped my boundaries by giving him that deal without contacting you first!"

"Honestly? I've been trying to get him to feel his programs for years. But even in my own career, I always focused on having a technically perfect program before I cared about stupid emotions, so I'm not exactly the best example. If anyone can get his stubborn ass to listen, it's probably you."

"I also told him he was not allowed to post on any social media where he was right now. I would greatly appreciate it if you would keep it a secret as well. I have no desire for the paparazzi to swarm my hometown."

"As if I'd let his childish impulses burden you any more in your personal time. I might not be pleased with your decision to retire, you still had plenty of years, I know you did, don't argue. But I won't further your misery. You already have to deal with the brat. That's punishment in and of itself."

"Thank you. I said he could call anyone, to let them know he was at least alive, but as of right now he hasn't told anyone and he says he has no plans to, but as his coach, I thought at least you should know. I didn't want you to worry."

"Tch, I wasn't worried."

"Yuri..."

"Fine, whatever, okay, I was. A little. Whatever, no big deal. You know, I still hate that other than Otabek, the only other person to know me so well was my biggest rival."

"Only because I took the time to get to know the real you and refused to believe that the spitting anger was anything other than a facade."

"Oh fuck off. Go bond with your new student or something. God knows you'll need a miracle to get him to listen."

"Thanks for not being upset with me, for essentially stealing your student."

"Yeah yeah, don't think this means I actually like you now or some shit. Dosvidaniya."