For the sake of his happiness, I hope Victor can learn to emotionally connect to more than just his routines.

"I think this season will be interesting..."

*****

"You know, you never did tell me what you announced as your theme. I heard a few words I recognized from the few times I've competed in Russia, but I am nowhere near fluent. Or even remotely competent to be honest."

"Well, going off the music I'm using this season, I decided my theme should be 'love'." I can't tell him what I said. Half the reason I was able to say it in the first place was because I knew he wouldn't understand what I was saying.

"I guarantee you said more than just that sentence. You talked for a solid minute. Victor, I need you to tell me what else you said in that statement so that I'm not blindsided by someone asking me a question I can't answer or requesting a statement that I can't properly give."

"But...I kinda said most of it in the moment. I don't really remember what I said." And it's not completely a lie. I couldn't help myself once I saw you come in the room.

"Oh, don't worry about it. Yuuko already sent me a link with a recording of the Q&A session. You can just re-watch and repeat everything you said, but in English this time."

"But..."

"Victor. Why are you so hesitant to tell me?" Yuuri narrowed his eyes and stared at Victor. "What did you say?"

"Nothing bad, I swear. I-I just..." Think Victor. How to word it...delicately. Thiiink. Thiiiiiink! Oh! "Okay, it's just that I went on and on about how through the love and support I've received throughout my life, I've been able to grow and flourish, and how I've become a stronger person because of it, and how I'm going to prove it with a Grand Prix Final gold medal. I didn't want to say anything because in the moment, I couldn't stop myself from saying what I said, and I was nervous because what happens if I can't use the power of love to survive until the final? What will people say? Will they think I just ran my mouth and I'm all talk and can't follow through with what I so vehemently declared on international TV?" Also not a lie, but gracefully side-steps the part where I essentially unofficially confessed my feelings to the world. Yeah, let's avoid that for as long as possible.

"Oh, okay. You had me worried that you said something a bit more extreme. There was quite a commotion when you were done talking, but if you were just being extremely confidant, I can see why they'd be a little shocked, especially since it's your senior debut and you've never faced this kind of competition before."

*****

"The first competitor, currently in sixth place, is the Czech Republic's Tomáš Verner, age 18. He is skating to music from the movie Anastasis. His theme is 'Cyberpunk: I've ceased to be human'. Just as his theme suggests, he's planned four quads, a superhuman feat."

"The score for the Czech Republic's Tomáš Verner is 189.15. His total score is 271.58. He's currently in first place."

"We now have Italy's Michal Březina, age 20. He finished the short program in fifth. Will he make a comeback in the free skate? He is skating to 'Serenade for Two."

"Here come the scores for Michal Březina of Italy. His score is 193.24! His total score is 282.89. He's surpassed his personal best by almost twenty points! He is now in first place!

"Up next is South Korea's June-hyoung Lee, age 20, who finished the short program in fourth. He is skating to 'Pavane Pour une Infante Défunte'."

"The score for June-hyoung Lee of South Korea is 164.37. His total score is 256.2 Although June-hyoung Lee recovered after a fall on his early quadruple loop, he suffered a huge loss in the standings. He's currently in third place.

"Here on his home turf, we have Yakov Feltsman, age 16, in third place after the short program. Just listen to those cheers! He is skating to 'Piano Concerto in B-minor: Allegro Appasionato'. The program was choreographed by the other coach at his home rink, Yuri Plisetsky. Feltsman's coach, Georgi Popovich, specifically chose a piece well-known for its difficulty and heart-pounding intensity."

"Yakov Feltsman from Russia. His free skate score is 199.87, a personal best! His total score is 297.96. He's currently in first place!"

"Alain Leroy, age 19, from Canada is in second place after the short program. He is skating to 'Partizan Hope'. He has also planned four quads in this program. If all of them are successful, his free skate program will have the highest technical difficulty among all the skaters."

"With a flawless program, what will the score be for Alain Leroy of Canada? His free skate score is 198.41! His total score is 299.97! So close to breaking the 300 point mark! The only skater that was known for constantly surpassing that high of a score was Katsuki Yuuri."

As Alain got off the ice to receive his scores, Victor stepped on and around for one last pep talk from Yuuri. He put both hands on the rink wall. Yuuri stepped up and wrapped a hand around one of Victor's clenched fists.

"How do you feel? Are you ready?"

"I think I'm ready. I know this routine better than Agape. I know we had to add the quad toe loop at the end to make the jump composition more appropriate for the free skate, but I feel like I can do it."

"You've already shown the world you have drastically improved from your Junior days. Now go out and show them the whole new you. You've always had to be Agape. Now show them the irresistible Eros I know you can be. Fight with your own personal charm."

Victor paused for a moment before he opened his hand and interlocked his fingers with Yuuri's. He stood on his toes and pushed his forehead against Yuuri and stared into his eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll show my love to all of Russia."

Victor let go and got into his starting position. As he glanced back, he noticed Yuuri lightly touching his forehead. He smiled as he saw Yuuri's still surprised face and realized that Yuuri had unconsciously moved. Yes, I'm glad I have some sort of effect on him.

"The final competitor is Victor Nikiforov, age 17, also here in his home country. He is skating to 'In Regards to Love: Eros', another program choreographed by his coach, Katsuki Yuuri. After delivering an amazing short program smashing his previous personal best, let's see if Nikiforov will be able to give us another awe-inspiring performance here in the free skate."

The music started and Victor let his mind wander. Be the woman. Play the game and seduce the man right back. Victor licked his lips and whipped his head to where Yuuri had been to make sure he was still watching. As the program continued, Victor thought of all his fans that were probably in shock by his music selection. They can laugh at me all they want. They can think it's not like me. But I bet everyone will really want to know the new me. But they don't matter. I'm the only one that can satisfy Yuuri. We've gotten so close, he's opened up to me so much, and I'm still realizing how much I've learned about him that no one else knows. I feel like I'm the only one in the whole world who knows Yuuri's love. I'll prove it with this program.

"That was an incredible program! I do believe we're witnessing the birth of a new Victor Nikiforov. And here come his score. 191.56. His total score is 298.4. He was unable to surpass Canada's Alain Leroy to keep his first place standing, but he was able to keep his fellow Russian skater Yakov Feltsman in check to secure a silver medal at his first ever Senior-level competition!"

*****

After the proudly standing on the podium for his first Senior competition, Victor was whisked away for interviews. Yuuri trailed behind, but felt his nerves slowly going out of control. After answering a few questions of his own, he felt his control of his outward emotions slipping. He noticed a few people glance his way, and he was assaulted by his own mind and thoughts. They're mad. They're upset with me. I've failed them. Why did I think I could do this? This was such a bad idea. Yuuri decided to walk outside to get some fresh air and clear his mind. He walked to the nearest intersection and leaned against the sidewalk rails. Yuuri was so deep in thought he didn't realize anyone had come up behind him until he felt a foot get planted firmly in the center of his back

"There you are Katsudon. You made me look for you."

Yuuri turned to face his sudden guest. "Oh, Yuri..."

"What was that earlier? Stop creeping everyone out. You looked weird after the medal ceremony when Victor was talking to the reporters. I couldn't tell if you were constipated or wanted to cry."

"Wow, gee thanks...Yurio."

"Don't let Victor rub off on you. That's a stupid name. We never had a problem when we were both skating. I don't know why it's apparently a problem now. Anyways, what was wrong?"

Yuuri sighed. "I was...just thinking...he was in his home country and he'd gotten so used to winning gold with you, that I let both Victor and your country down by only coaching him to a silver medal."

Yuri gawked at Yuuri. "Are you kidding? You have no reason to feel bad! His jumps were already good, so he'll just need more practice with all the different quads he randomly wants to practice. That'll just take time. There's nothing you can really do but continue to support him with that. But what really mattered, what really changed, his PCS scores, they've never been higher! And that was all you. And might I add this is his SENIOR DEBUT! No one expects him to magically become a god in the Senior division where there are much more experienced skaters, both in abilities and dealing with the pressure. So shut up and stop acting like you've committed high treason against mother Russia."

Yuri tossed a brown paper bag at Yuuri.

"Here. I assumed you hadn't had any in a while and figured you might like some."

Yuuri opened the bag and looked in.

"Pirozhki?"

"Yeah, but they're not just any old pirozhki. Eat."

"Huh? Right here?"

"Oh my god, just eat!"

Yuuri took a bite, and his face lit up. "Katsudon pirozhki!"

"That's right! I found grandpa's recipe when I was sorting through some of his boxes, and thought you'd like a little taste of nostalgia."

"It's just like when you two would have me over when we were competing close by. They're vkusno!"

"Just...keep up the miracle work you've done with Victor so far, and I'll consider this meal properly repaid. Now, do you feel better yet?"

"Yes, I do. Thank you Yuri."

"Good. Now go find Victor before he turns into a blubbering mess because you vanished on him."

They both turned to walk back inside. As they entered the front doors, Yuuri turned back to Yuri one last time. Before he runs away because of his 'reputation'. I can't believe people still think we're some sort of weird arch-rivals or something.

"Thank you again Yuri."

"Shut up Katsudon."