In that moment, Yuuri hated himself.You're an idiot Katsuki. You talked at the beach and you JUST talked about this with Yuri. All he wants is to make you proud of his growth and progress. You're going to have to get over having a personal bubble, for his sake. You're his coach, you're responsible for him now. You know what'll make him happy, so cheer him up!Before he could walk away, Yuuri quickly reached out and grabbed Victor's arm.

"Wait..."

Victor's eyes went wide as Yuuri turned him around and pulled him into a hug.

"I'm sorry...you always surprise me. You're the best student and I'm proud of you...Vitya"

Victor froze and felt his face and ears turn bright red. Yuuri...is hugging...me. And he...he called me Vitya. He called me Vitya! OH MY GOD, HE CALLED ME VITYA!!

"Victor?" Yuuri warily called as Victor remained red and unresponsive.

Victor suddenly felt his legs give out as he felt himself overwhelmed with joy. He faintly registered the little squeak Yuuri made as he fell, and he felt his heart burst. How is he so adorable?! I love him so much!

* * * * *

"Victor, have you given any thought to what you want to do for your free skate? We're running out of time to come up with a winning choreography and still have time for you to practice."

"I have. I uh, was wondering if I c-could...use agape?"

"Agape? Really? Are you sure? I thought you wanted to break away from that type of music this season."

"Yes, I'm sure. I've thought about it, and I want to show that I've improved and become more in tune with my music. If I don't use something similar to what I've used in the past, it'll be too hard to tell if the change is because of me or the music."

"I suppose that's...actually reasonable. But what about your whole 'surprise the audience' thing."

"Well, I still want to do that. Which is why Eros is still so perfect! Agape can be my new short, surprise the audience first with my new found ability to connect to my programs emotionally. And then we can use the full-length Eros song as my free, and surprise the audience with the new music. Besides, you already have a gorgeous choreography essentially done, and they're two parts of the same song. They'll work perfectly together."

"As long as you've thought this through completely, and this isn't just some whim."

"I have. And it's not a whim. I promise!"

"Okay. We can add some more footwork and another quad to the end of Eros to flush out the routine for time if you feel you have the stamina for it."

"I do! And even if I don't, I'll work extra hard to make sure I can handle it." Victor suddenly paused and starting tapping his pointer fingers together. "Now, uh, would you mind if, um, I used another one of your old outfits...maybe...please?"

"Really? You could literally have anything made, but you wanna dig through my old stuff again?"

"I already know which one I want! The see-through costume of legend from your Junior days! It's totally agape!"

Yuuri shook his head at Victor's choice, but couldn't find anything distinctly wrong with his decision-making process, so he agreed to Victor's idea for Agape.

Victor leaped at Yuuri and gave him a huge bear hug. "Yay! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Yuuri just smiled and gently returned the hug.

Yuuri's hugging me back! Be still my beating heart!

* * * * *

"Hey Victor, can you come here for a minute?

Victor, who had been doing figures all morning, immediately stopped and skated over, glad for the break.

"Yes Coach Yuuri?"

"I just wanted to give you a heads up. Since you don't have to go to any qualifying competitions to get an assignment in the Grand Prix series, I agreed to help out an old friend when he reached out to me recently. His skater has been having the same problems as you, and I offered to host them for a week before all the major competitions for this season start. I just wanted to let you know that my time and attention will be split for the next week, but I still expect you to be just as focused on your training. Understood?"

"Do I know them?"

"I don't think so. Minami-kun was a promising skater, but he never made it to the senior ranks. He completely tore his ACL when he was younger. He underwent surgery and therapy, and was fully cleared to skate again, but he was too worried about another serious injury to continue skating competitively. He didn't want to leave the ice completely, so he went back to school and started working with his old coach. He recently got his sports therapy degree and certification, so he's been working with skaters that have had major injuries in the past."

"Wow. That's really impressive."

"Yes, he's very dedicated. His skater, Odagaki Kanako, had a similar knee injury, so he's been especially committed to helping her excel. She's 15, and this is her last year in the Junior division, so Minami-kun said he wanted as much help as he could get to make it the best year and boost her confidence in preparation for her transition to Seniors."

"I can appreciate that kind of dedication. Minami seems like a really great guy. I'm sure we'll get along great!"

* * * * *

I hate him. Okay, hate might be too strong of a word. I reeeeeeally don't like him. Victor had been fuming ever since Minami had walked in. How dare he get so up close and personal. He's perpetually touching him in some way, like that stupid hand on Yuuri's shoulder right now. It wasn't until he saw the nervous looks Odagaki was shooting his way that he realized how much he was probably scowling. Victor tried to put on his media smile and walked over to say hello.

"Oh, Victor, come here. Let me make the introductions. Victor, this is Minami-kun and his student, Odagaki Kanako. Minami-kun, Odagaki-chan, this is Victor Nikiforov. Victor came to me for the same reasons you did, and after a bit of a tumultuous beginning, I agreed to coach him for a season so he could get a fresh perspective and input on his skating."

"It's nice to meet you both" Victor said with the fakest smile he had. He cringed inwardly when he saw Yuuri look at him questioningly. Of course he'd probably see right through that smile. Please don't say anything. Please don't make this awkward!

Fortunately, Yuuri never said a word. After a brief tour of the rink's facilites, Yuuri asked if there was anything they wanted or needed before going back to the onsen to finish getting settled in for the night.

Odagaki spoke quietly. "Um, Katsuki-sensei, I was wondering if you would be willing to skate a quick routine for me. I know what I'm here to learn this week, but talking only helps me so much. I do better when I can see an example, and it would be nice to have something to think about so I'm ready to begin tomorrow. If it's not too much to ask."

"Sure. Victor, would you mind if I used Eros? Since we've been working on it so much, I feel most comfortable with it right now."

"Of course." I will never say no to watching Yuuri's Eros.

"Okay, thank you Victor. Would you mind starting the music once I'm ready?"

"Can do Coach!"

Yuuri skated out onto the rink, and did a few laps and single jumps to quickly warm up. Once he was ready, he stopped in the middle and nodded at Victor. Once the song was done, he came over to the edge and stopped.

"Well? I know we really didn't talk much about the program beforehand, but what did you think?"

Odagaki spoke first. "Thank you Katsuki-sensei. I was really able to feel the Eros in your routine. Minami-sensei is very energetic, but that doesn't always translate well into other emotions."

Victor genuinely smiled, pleased that she didn't seem to be someone he'd have to fight for Yuuri's affection. His smile faded when he turned and looked at Minami, who's eyes had blown open in adoration.

"That was amazing! Yuuri-kun's pure charms became a rich Eros in the best form of betrayal possible! Kanako-chan, you saw it, right? You saw that triple axel? For me, that was a GOE of 3,000,000 points!"

Victor took a deep, calming breath. Nope, definitely hate him.

* * * * *

Once dinner was over and they had all gone their separate ways to get ready for the evening, Victor ran to Yuuri's room, fully intending on cornering Yuuri until he answered all Victor's questions. He stopped when he saw Yuuri laying on his bed, laughing while buried under both Makkachin and Vicchan.

"Makka, you traitor!" Makkachin looked up before turning back around to continue licking Yuuri's face.

Yuuri chuckled. "Makkachin is a sweetheart! I'm sure there's plenty of poodle love for the both of us."

Victor sat down on the bed and pulled Makka over, partially because he was jealous of the attention Yuuri was getting from both dogs, but also because he didn't think he'd be able to contain his heart in his chest if he had to keep watching Yuuri love on both dogs. Once he got enough poodle cuddles to not feel left out, he got back to his original purpose.

"How close are you to Minami? He seemed overly happy to see you when he first walked in. And what is his deal? He was all over you, more so than me. And I'm not saying your Eros isn't captivating, but he seemed a bit too excited after you were done with the routine."

Yuuri sat up but continued to hold Vicchan in his lap.

"Like Odagaki-chan said, Minami-kun is a very energetic person. When we were younger, he treated me as his one and only idol on the ice, and strove to be just like me. He would take everything I ever said to heart. So I guess in that sense, he's a lot like you."

Victor frowned. I don't want to be compared to him. What I think of you is not mere idol worship.

Yuuri continued. "Then after his injury, I guess he still used me as motivation. He said if I could skate through my sometimes crippling nerves, he could work through the pain of his recovery and rehab. His worst attribute is that he has a habit of letting his emotions get the best of him, especially when he's happy or in the presence of someone he looks up to. But he's honestly harmless. He can be a bit much at times, but I've pretty much gotten used to his overwhelming presence over the years."

* * * * *

The rest of the week had pretty much the same routine. Both Victor and Odagaki would warm up in the morning and work with their respective coaches on nit-picky details. Then in the afternoon, Yuuri would bounce back and forth between the two teenaged skaters giving pointers and tips. Victor did his best to contain his jealously (yes, he'd admit it now), but seeing Yuuri in such close proximity with someone that idolized him just as much was fraying what little patience he had. The touching had pretty much stopped after the first day, but that didn't make it any easier for Victor to tolerate. By the time the final day came around, Victor was in a good mood thinking about Minami finally leaving.

"Yuuri~!"

He wandered from the rink to the reception area out front, only to be stopped dead in his tracks. There was Minami, with his hand on Yuuri's shoulder (again), leaning slightly with his head inclined towards Yuuri.

"You're amazing Yuuri-kun. Thank you so much for working with us this week. You're like the god of improving PCS scores."

Stop touching my Yuuri! Wait...is Yuuri smiling back?! Victor's delicate patience finally snapped. He. Is. Mine!

Victor started jogging towards the two. "Yuuri!"

Yuuri started to turn his head towards the sound of Victor's voice. "Eh?"

At the time, Minami waved and shouted "See you later Yuuri-kun! Thanks again!"

As Minami walked away, Victor picked up his speed until he full body tackled Yuuri. He threw his arms around him and tucked his face into Yuuri's neck. Yuuri's face flushed red as he felt Victor's breath on his skin.

Then without thought, Victor bit down on Yuuri's neck. He felt Yuuri tremble and smiled. He gave it one more long second before he stepped back, reached up to Yuuri's face, then ran back to the rink.

Yuuri was still frozen in shock when Minami came rushing back in. When Yuuri didn't immediately respond, Minami reached out for Yuuri's shoulder to turn him around.

Yuuri-kun! Wait! I -"

Minami paused, seeing the small mark that had suddenly appeared on Yuuri's neck.

"Yuuri-kun, you have something on your neck. What happened? Are you okay?"

"N-nothing!! It's okay!!" Yuuri flailed, suddenly hyper aware of his surroundings.

"And where are your glasses?"

On the ice, Victor was back to skating figures while wearing Yuuri's glasses, a satisfied smirk on his face.

* * * * *

Victor and Yuuri were in the middle of cool down stretches when a trio of voices broke the comfortable silence in the rink.

"Yuuri!"

"Victor!"

"Assignments!"

Yuuri sat up while Victor jumped to his feet in anticipation.

"This season," Lutz began, "Victor's been assigned to the third event: Russia's Rostelecom Cup! While they won't be directly competing, Victor's best friend Christophe Giacometti will be there participating in the Juniors, which is being held concurrently with the Senior-level complement."

Victor clapped his hands and smiled. "Oh yay! I'll get to see Chris!"

Axel grabbed the phone from Lutz's hands. "And his second event will be the sixth event: the Cup of China! He'll be up against his fated hair rival, Celestino Cialdini, who just so happens to be coached by Yuuri's best friend and former rink mate Phichit Chulanont. Who will come out on top? Who will have the longest, most luscious and luxuriously flowing locks?!"

Victor wailed and dramatically collapsed onto the ground. "Yuuuuuri~! Celestino doesn't have better hair than me, does he?"

Yuuri scowled momentarily, prompting Victor to sigh deeply and mumble "Coach..." while still pouting. Yuuri rolled his eyes but smiled fondly at his distressed student. "No Victor, he doesn't."

Victor closed his eyes, smiled, and hummed in contentment.