Victor felt eyes on him. Someone was staring at him. Intently. Victor was standing with Yuri and Yakov, the former being chewed out by the latter for not listening to Victors 'nagging'. They where surrounded by other skaters and coaches and the odd reporter or two, the Grand Prix Final for mens' singles had just ended and they were all milling around near the exit to the rink, most waiting for cars to take them to hotels. He had just won his fifth consecutive GPF. Of course people would be staring at him. Victor peered out of the corner of his eye and could vaguely see a person standing, looking in his direction. His starer. Victor didn't usually mind talking to other skaters, or fans, but it had been a long day, he was tired and he couldn't escape the fact that he'd felt empty and hollow as he'd skated his performance. He'd told his story but there had been no real heart to it. It's like he was skating in black and white, unable to bring colour to his tale. He wanted to be in his hotel room with a bottle of something alcoholic, stuffing his face with food. Victor assumed that his starer was a fan too shy to approach him and he knew he needed to be Victor Nikiforov, just for a little longer. He pasted his mask on, mouth stretched wide in a smile but with no real feeling behind it. He turned….and his smile bloomed in to the real thing.

His starer was the cute Japanese skater….Yuuri Katsuki. Oh hello….you can stare at me as long as you like. Victor thought to himself, his smile broadening. But then he saw the other skaters eyes…his posture…he looked so sad. So defeated…..depressed. He looked like Victor was beginning to feel a lot of the time. Victor hadn't spoken to the skater before, hadn't even met him properly, he'd only seen him via YouTube videos when he was doing his research and scoping out the other competition. Katsuki was a new skater to what was usually the same old group. He'd been curious. He'd watched all the YouTube videos he could find, and he'd enjoyed his performances. He'd wanted to see more. Victor didn't even know this man but he didn't like seeing him so sad, not after he'd made it to the Grand Prix Finals, quite an achievement in itself. But Victor understood why the skater was unhappy. He'd watched Yuuri's programs, he'd made sure he'd be able to watch. He knew something was wrong…something had to have happened, because he knew that Katsuki could do better. Katsuki's skating wasn't always perfect, he struggled with his jumps sometimes, and he appeared to have an issue with nerves, but the performances he'd put out at the Finals…they were nowhere near his usual standard. Something bad had to have happened…something to upset the Japanese skater.

Victor knew that Yuuri was a fan of his, he could tell from his skating. It had some of his style. And so Victor felt a plan formulate in his mind. He wanted to help. He couldn't exactly walk over to Yuuri, this skater he'd never met or spoken to before, and deliver a motivational speech. He would think the skater he admired was mad. Or a stalker if Victor ended up letting slip that he'd watched every video of him he could find on YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and Facebook.

He had a way to lure the Japanese skater over to him, casually. With no pressure, no attention drawn. It would just be them, chatting….and Victor hopefully getting his number, because he really is, so very cute. As a fan of Victors, it would hopefully cheer Yuuri up to get to talk to him. Victor would give him a boost, motivate him. Remind him that he's here, at the freaking Grand Prix Final with a skater he's admired. He'd made it this far, and it was far from easy. He would take a photo with Yuuri Katsuki.

Victor made eye contact with Yuuri, and noted with delight the other mans reaction to him. The slight flush to his cheeks. The way he swallowed as his eyes locked on to Victors. Ah…a crush maybe? My chances just improved.

"You want to get a commemorative photo?" Victor asked, looking directly at Yuuri. He watched the other skaters eyes widen. "Sure thing!" Victor said cheerfully, turning fully to face him. And now he'll walk over to me…and we'll take a photo…I'll cheer him up….get his number…and….wait. No. That's not supposed to happen. Where's he going? Why is he walking away from me? What did I do?

Victor did not get a photo with Yuuri Katsuki. Yuuri Katsuki turned and walked away from him, without even acknowledging him. Victor watched him go, a feeling of overwhelming sadness sweeping through him. He'd just wanted to help this adorable but incredibly sad man, who reminded Victor so much of himself in that moment. They were both lost, but Victor had wanted to try to save him from heading the same way as he was. From losing all inspiration…all love of skating. He wasn't sure what he'd done wrong.

"Was it something I said?" he asked himself quietly. Yuri snorted from beside him.

"You're such a moron. Why do you assume everyone wants a photo with you?" he grumbled. Victor took a deep breath, and pulled his mask back on. He turned to Yuri with his usual plastic smile and false cheer.

"But…who wouldn't want to get a photo with me? I'm Victor Nikiforov! I'm a skating legend…plus…I'm really good looking" Victor winked at Yuri, preening. Pulling his mask on tight to cover his hurt bewilderment. Yuri said a very, very bad word in Russian and Victor raised an eyebrow.

"Nobody wants to take a photo with you and your giant ego. There's no room" Yurio growled.

"Now Yurio, are you still upset because I uploaded that photo to Instagram?" Victor said innocently.

"I don't know what you're talking about" he scowled.

"You do! You do! The one where we're wearing the matching cat ears and the shirts your fan club made us! So sweet!" Victor clapped his hands excitedly and Yuri looked like he was seriously contemplating murder. Victor had forced Yuri in to both items and nearly lost an eye in the process. He'd then promptly nearly lost a more important appendage when he'd wrestled the boy to take a photo.

"ITS NOT CUTE. They're rabid. You gave them ammunition for weeks. Months." he snapped. "Fanfictions. Fan art. Flower crown edits. It's hideous. Humiliating." Yurio descended into mumbling, the odd Russian swear word tossed out.

"You really should lighten up more Yuri, nobody likes a sour puss" Victor admonished. Yuri levelled him with an impressively frightening look.

"I hate you!" he snarled.

"Aw no you don't Yuri, I know you love me really." Yuri looked him dead in the eye, completely unimpressed.

"You're hurt he didn't want to take a photo, but maybe you should consider the fact he might have had a really bad day." He said before stomping off. Victor gazed after him bewildered. Did Yuri know something about Yuuri that he didn't? About the situation? He shook his head. Trust Yuri to see through his mask. He should know better than to try to pull that trick with the teenager. At least it had kept him off the scent for a moment or two, given him time to recover himself. Pull himself together. Although he was aware Yuri had most likely allowed him that time by playing along with him.

Victor gazed off in the direction Yuuri Katsuki had trudged, but saw no sign of the skater. His coach had disappeared too. He sighed. He had truly, just wanted to help. Why do I always have to say the wrong thing?