*ding dong*

At the sound of the doorbell, Yuuri curiously looked up from the magazine he was reading on the couch. He'd only just settled in after a long day of practice, snuggled up in baggy sweat pants and a hoodie, his hair still damp from the hot shower. The last thing he felt like doing was getting up.

"Phichit, you got it?" Yuuri yelled into the kitchen where his roommate was busy going over his upcoming class schedule with their coach Celestino.

"I'll get it, it's probably your new flatmate," Celestino shouted back and Yuuri heard the sound of a chair sliding as the older man got up and walked toward the door.

"Thank you Ciao Ciao," Phichit said sweetly and Yuuri chuckled at the strange nickname with which his friend had recently dubbed their coach.

Yuuri settled back into the plump sofa cushions, propping his sock-clad feet up on the coffee table. He was more sore than he'd been in months, having pushed his body to the limit on some of his jumps, a limit it seemed eager to protest considering the amount of times he'd fallen. Sighing, he stretched his shoulders slightly, wincing at the pull. At least it meant he was gaining muscles he reasoned. Or bruises.

"Come on in," Yuuri heard faintly from the front room as Celestino welcomed in who he assumed to be their new flatmate.

Though he and Phichit had shared a room in the small house Celestino had for his star skaters since he had moved in two years ago at age 18, there was a third master bedroom that had recently freed up after their friend Johnny graduated in May. Celestino had been on the lookout for a new skater to take his room since then, though it was only a week ago when he had apparently found a candidate.

"I hope your flight wasn't too bad," Celestino said from the other room and Yuuri heard the distinct sound of luggage being hauled through the door. "This is Phichit, one of your new housemates."

Yuuri cocked his head to the side, magazine forgotten in his lap, listening for a response.

"Phichit?" Celestino prompted, and only after a few seconds did he hear a muffled response.

"Oh, um wow, it's a pleasure."

The new flatmate laughed and Yuuri frowned. Rarely was Phichit rendered speechless.

As footsteps trailed into the living room, Yuuri turned his head, watching as first Celestino lead the way followed by...a vision.

Yuuri gasped audibly, blinking multiple times and finally shaking his head. But no matter how many times he attempted to clear his eyes, the man before him remained.

Viktor Nikiforov, the most decorated skater in the world, his idol and muse, was standing not three feet away. And attempting not to laugh at him.

Yuuri felt his face heat up as embarrassment seeped in. He looked down his own body, taking in the sock with a hole in the big toe, his black sweats worn almost grey, his hoodie that was three sizes too big, and decided on the spot that this absolutely was the worst moment of his life. Meeting the man he looked up to, had worshipped since he was a kid, as he sat like a slob in his living room. All he was missing was a coke resting on a beer gut, orange cheeto rements on his fingers, maybe some stubble… Yuuri stopped his train of thought. No this was bad enough.

"Umm, Yuuri?" Celestino said, giving him a concerned look.

Yuuri blinked owlishly at his coach.

"I said, this is your new flatmate, Viktor."

Holding out a lean, immaculately manicured hand, Viktor cocked his head to the side and smiled that brilliant smile at Yuuri. "It's a pleasure Yuuri."

Yuuri could not stop staring at Viktor's hand. No matter what he tried, his body was frozen in place. It was so perfect, Viktor was so perfect. Why was this happening?

"I think he's forgotten to breath," Phichit chuckled, coming up beside Viktor.

Oh right, air, he'd need that. Yuuri inhaled a deep breath before slowly taking his eyes from Viktor's hand and trailing it up, admiring the thin frame hidden behind a stylish brown coat, the long silver hair that flowed over one shoulder, the soft blue eyes that danced with mirth as their owner bit his soft pink bottom lip. And oh shit Viktor still had his hand out. Should he shake it? How long had it been, how did muscles even work, would this just be his life now?

Finally giving up, Viktor let out a soft laugh and turned to Celestino. "I think he's glitched, maybe we can come back once he reboots?"

Oh god he was funny. Of course Viktor was funny, he was perfect. Both Phichit and Celestino laughed and Yuuri tried his best but it came out instead as a strangled cough.

"Let me show you around then," Celestino said, guiding Viktor thankfully away. "So that was the living room, I'm not sure if Yuuri will ever leave it again but we can only hope. This will be your room." A door creaked open and Yuuri sighed as Celestino took the other man away. The more doors between he and Viktor, the easier it was for him to breath again.

"Yuuri?" Phichit said, settling beside him on the couch. "You're worrying me."

Ever so slowly Yuuri took back control of his body, finally flinging his head back against the couch and staring at the ceiling. "Phichit, please tell me I did not just act like an idiot in front of Viktor Nikiforov."

"Ummm..." Phichit started.

"Do you think, I mean maybe he didn't notice me?"

"You mean before or after you almost asphyxiated and ignored his handshake?" Phichit chuckled.

"My life is a dumpster fire," Yuuri groaned, rubbing his face into his hands.

"And this," Yuuri heard Celestino say as he came back into the hallway, "Is Yuuri and Phichit's room.

Yuuri had never ran so fast in his life. Bolting up from the couch he sped down the hallway, grabbing the door right as Celestino had pulled it open and slamming it shut in both he and Viktors' faces. Back against the door, Yuuri panted, his heart beating out of his chest as he strained to hold back the newest impending wave of embarrassment. Eyes darting, he surveyed his side of the room, taking in the dozen posters and prints of Viktor that he had lovingly plastered to the wall. He'd been wrong earlier. This would be the most embarrassing moment of his life. If Viktor saw.

"Just a second," he shouted, his voice breaking a bit as he scrambled to pull images of his now manifested idol from the wall, his hands moving faster than he ever thought possible.

"What the hell Yuuri?" Celestino yelled through the door and Yuuri gasped as he saw the handle turning from where he stood on his bed. Quickly throwing a blanket over the pile of posters he'd torn down, Yuuri backed up against the wall, hiding the last two from view just as Celestino walked in frowning at his young student. Chest heaving, Yuuri looked down as Viktor also walked in, eyes darting around the room and smiling up at Yuuri before giving him a little wave.

"I'm so glad you aren't' paralyzed after all Yuuri," he purred and Yuuri felt his cheeks flush at the sound of his own name uttered by those perfect lips. Blue eyes surveyed the spots on the wall where tape and pins still stood, obvious clues to the poster that once graced them, before darting down to the blanket that not so successfully hid said posters. A corner or two still peaked out, though thankfully no tell tale signs of Viktor's printed face showed.

"I'll just show you the kitchen then," Celestino said, walking out and leaving Viktor and Yuuri alone in the room.

"You know," Viktor said softly, his eyes darting from the partially covered posters up to Yuuri, "It's not like I've never seen a naked woman before."

Yuuri frowned down at the other man and finally recalled how to speak. "Huh?"

"You don't have to hid them, I won't judge."

"I'm not sure…"

"The posters? Didn't you take them down just now because you didn't want to offend me?" Viktor cocked his head to the side smiling mischievously.

Of course just then Phichit took the opportunity to walk in. "Oh wow Yuuri you took down all your posters of…"

"OF NAKED WOMEN?" Yuuri said, a bit too loudly, his eyes darting from Phichit to Vikor and back again with what he hoped was a lot of conveyed hints.

"What? Oh yeah. Naked women. And I must say, it's about time," Phichit scolded. "I'm glad you've decided to stop longing over them and go out on a real date." His eyes twinkled at Yuuri as he slightly inclined his chin toward Viktor.

"Oh," Viktor said a bit sadly before looking back at Yuuri. "Well I...I'd better go see the kitchen then." Silver hair flashed over his shoulder as Viktor walked out, closing the door softly behind him.

Yuuri took the opportunity to quickly snatch the last two posters from his wall, hide them under the pile and slide down onto the bed. Phichit immediately joined him, back resting against the wall as they sat shoulder to shoulder.

"Don't laugh," Yuuri said pointedly as the man beside him shook with mirth.

"But I can't help it. You and your posters of 'naked women!'" Phichit doubled over and Yuuri banged his head softly against the wall.

"Phichit, please, this is a nightmare. What will I do?" Yuuri moaned.

Putting an arm over his friend's shoulder, Phichit bit back his laughter and tried to take the situation seriously. "Look, you're overreacting. Just take some deep breaths and try to act normal. He's just a guy."

"But what is Viktor doing here? Shouldn't he be in Russia? Does he think this is Russia? Oh my god are we actually in Russia?!"

"Yuuri, okay remember the deep breath thing?" Phichit said soothingly as Yuuri attempted to calm himself. "I have no idea, but if you try to talk to him instead of just letting your mouth go dry I'm sure we could find out."

"Right, okay, yeah I can do this," Yuuri said, smiling over at his friend and remembering to breath for the first time since his idol walked into his life.

A short knock on the door followed by a silver head of hair peeking in made him instantly forget once again.

"Oh, sorry," Viktor said, frowning slightly at the two men on the bed. "I can come back…"

"What? Oh no, you're fine," Phichit said happily as he kicked off the bed. "What's up?"

"Well, I was wondering," Viktor looked to Yuuri, "if maybe you wanted to get some food? I haven't eaten since, well I really don't know anymore, this time change has me all mixed up." He smiled softly, scratching the back of his head, his eyes looking tiredly between the two men.

"I have to study," Yuuri said quickly, looking up just in time to see Viktor's face fall.

"Oh," he said, before replacing his disappointment with a smile. "Sorry, I thought classes didn't start till tomorrow?"

"They don't," Phichit said, looking pointedly at Yuuri before turning back to Viktor and flashing a grin. "I'll go with you though, I don't have any studying."

"Would you? Thank you Phichit. Maybe next time Yuuri?" Viktor said hopefully and when Yuuri just stared at him his eyes lost their sparkle and he looked away.

"Um, I'll just get ready, meet you in the kitchen in five?" Phichit said and Viktor nodded, casting a last glance at Yuuri before leaving.

As the door closed behind Viktor, Phichit gave his friend a disparaging look. "Yuuuuuri," he said, dragging his name out.

"I know, I know. I froze again."

"And were acting incredibly rude! Why can't you eat with him?" Phichit scolded.

"I don't know? I need to plan what I'd say, how to dress, what I'd order…"

"Oh my god Yuuri!"

"Look, I need you to do me a favor," Yuuri said, crawling forward on the bed toward his friend.

"Okay?" Phichit replied warily.

"Find out his class schedule for me? Please?"

"Why, so you can make sure you don't run into him?" Phichit said in exasperation.

"Maybe?" Yuuri said, though mostly he just wanted to insure he didn't have to practice at the same time as Viktor. Having Viktor skate with him, watching as he flubbed his jumps and landed time after time on his ass would probably keep him from ever taking to the ice again. So if he could find out when Viktor had class and try to skate at those times…

"Yuuri?" Phichit said, snapping him back to reality. "I'll do this, but please, please tell me you'll try with Viktor? Just one normal conversation. I know you can do it."

"Of course I'll try. You think I want to be a nervous wreck around him? I've worshipped him for years, he's everything I've ever wanted to be. It's just…"

"I know, just try to not let your anxiety get the best of you. He's just a man. Okay?"

"Yeah," Yuuri sighed as Phichit gripped his shoulder in solidarity.

Turning, Phichit grabbed his coat from the closet and pulled it on while Yuuri stared off into space, his brain on overdrive.

"Look, just take this time to think up things to talk about with him. Like skating. And classes. Maybe your dogs? It'll be a lot easier than you think okay? I'll be back in a bit," Phichit said, opening the door.

"Phichit?" Yuuri said softly and the other man turned. "Thanks. Really."

Phichit smiled. "I'll put in a good word for you okay?"

"I think it'll take more than a word for him to not see me as a freak, but thanks," Yuuri laughed as Phichit shook his head and shut the door behind him.

Sighing Yuuri opened his laptop and tried to watch tv but his mind was so awash in a chaotic whirlwind of Viktor emotions that he just couldn't concentrate. What on earth was Russia's star skater doing in Detroit, going to his school, being taught by his coach? There had been no news about Viktor leaving Yakov for a new coach, no drama about a falling out with the Russian team. Granted, he wasn't very savvy with social media, but Phichit sure was. His Thai friend had been trying to get Yuuri to post more to his Facebook page ever since he'd helped him set it up, though now his newest obsession was Instagram. Yuuri sighed again. He hoped this newest app would phase out soon, he really did not want to have to get another social media account.

Regardless, if there had been any new info on Viktor, Phichit would surely have told him, Yuuri reasoned. But if there was no drama...he racked his brain but felt like he was missing a huge piece of the puzzle.

Shaking his head, Yuuri got up and carefully rolled his poor abused posters, tucking them carefully into his closet. He then stared at his computer, the wall, the ceiling, and then his holey sock for the next hour and a half until he heard the front door open.

Mind suddenly once again in primal fight or flight mode, Yuuri dove under his covers, hoping that if Phichit brought Viktor into their room he could pretend to be asleep. With the lights on. Damn it.

And he still hadn't thought of a single interesting thing to say to Viktor. At least they didn't actually share a room.

Moments later after some muffled words in the hallway Yuuri heard their bedroom door open and shut followed by the weight of someone sitting at the foot of his bed.

"Yuuri," Phichit sighed, and Yuuri peaked over the top of his cover, finding only his roommate who was staring exasperatedly at him.

"If you're done hiding," Phichit began and cut Yuuri off with a glare before he could contest, "I've found out some things that you might want to hear."

"Oh," responded Yuuri, feigning nonchalance as he sat up in bed and smoothed the covers. "So how was dinner?"

"It was quite normal actually. Viktor's very easy to talk to, you're going to be fine. Really Yuuri. I get it, you've got anxiety, but get it out tonight and try to make a go of things with him tomorrow okay?"

Yuuri nodded, wishing it were only that simple. "So…?"

"Well looks like he's here for at least the semester. I'm not sure if he's getting a degree though, such odd class choices. Modern dance, Costuming 101, The Art of Opera? I don't think he understands what general ed classes are but his course load will definitely be interesting."

"Huh, well did you find out why he's here?" Yuuri asked.

"He actually was pretty vague about that. Something about branching out with skating and finding his passion? Not really sure," Phichit said, taking off his jacket and folding it in his lap.

"Oh," Yuuri wondered about that but perhaps Viktor would say more when he was less jet lagged. "Well, did you talk about anything else?"

"What, you mean like you?" Phichit teased, "As a matter of fact he did ask about you. Nothing big, just if you were feeling alright and if you skated a lot during the week."

"What did you tell him?"

"Well I said you were just a bit shocked tonight-don't worry I didn't tell him you have anxiety," Yuuri sighed a Phichit continued, "but then he did ask a rather odd question."

"Oh? What?"

"He seemed almost nervous, it was kind of cute. But he asked if you and I were dating," Phichit snorted.

"Wait, what?" Yuuri almost yelled. "Why...how? Huh?"

"I guess maybe he got the wrong idea when he walked in on the two of us sitting in bed together," Phichit laughed. "Anyway, I swear he seemed almost relieved when I told him you were single."

"Ugg...did you have to phrase it that way?" Yuuri groaned. He sounded so pathetic.

Phichit only laughed more. "Look, you need to just treat him like anyone else. It's going to be fine, tomorrow will be easy, I promise."

-To be continued in Chapter 2

If you love YOI art like the beautiful cover for this fic, be sure to check out my amazing friend Pikuchwan's Redbubble: people/pikuchwan