The crowd persisted in a deafening roar, alight with the flurry of flashes from the cameras of eager fans. Yuuri's head buzzed with adrenaline, still reeling, still unable to shake the tingle in his lips as he stood next to his former rinkmate on the podium. Silver was yet satisfactory, considering how well he had done on virtually no sleep. But he was motivated and determined now, more than ever, to clinch the gold in Russia.

He tried hard to keep from drifting off into his mind somewhere else...another world was submerged in glimmering blue oceans, wrapped in a warm, sleepy embrace. Exhausted, Yuuri, along with Phichit and Christophe, made his way off the ice after the medal ceremony concluded.

Victor was waiting for him with the softest, yet most attentive gaze. The brunet stepped off to the side as Phichit and Chris headed past them toward the locker rooms, giving them both a respectful nod. Turning back to Victor, he was met with a look he'd never seen before.

It seemed to be drawing him in with yearning. There was a flicker of apology, and...love. So much love. They had grown so close in the last couple months, and the boundaries of where one ended and the other began had progressively blurred. And now, the fine line they had been flirting with had been literally leapt over in front of the world.

Victor pulled him in, wrapping his arms around him and snuggling into his neck.

"Yuuri, what I said earlier...I'm sor-"

"I know, Victor," Yuuri replied with a sigh, letting out all of the tension in his body. "You already apologized, remember?"

He pulled back and looked deep into those loving, bright eyes that smiled down at him, knowing exactly what he meant. He had a taste of Victor's love, and now every part of his being wanted more. He wanted to unfurl these wings that his beloved had given him. Yuuri caressed his pale cheek, rosy with the chill of the air, and ran his thumb along Victor's bottom lip.

Victor's eyes widened at the intimate act, knowing what was on his love's mind. He covered the hand on his jaw with his own, before taking that gentle hand and pressing a kiss to Yuuri's palm.

Yuuri blushed at the intimate gesture, but took his hand in his and laced their fingers together.

"Let's go," Victor said with a smile. "I think dinner and a nap are in order."

"Sounds good to me," Yuuri replied, relief evident in his words. His shoulders loosened as they went to collect his belongings in the locker room. Victor waited for him out in the hall as Yuuri went in to grab his bags.

There was much chatter as he entered, congratulatory hugs for some and consoling words to those who were going home empty handed. But as people noticed Yuuri enter, the din quieted. All eyes were on him.

Everyone had seen Victor kiss him. Everyone who had been around them the last couple days could tell they were close, without a doubt. But this was a whole new level of relationship between coach and student.

Christophe raised a brow at him.

"Yuuri, how on earth did you manage to nail him down?" The lascivious Swiss asked, giving him a visual once-over. "Inquiring minds want to know."

Even Phichit, Leo and Guang-Hong looked at him wide-eyed with wonder. The Russian idol, who they all looked up to, had just shown the world how much Yuuri meant to him.

"Yeah, Yuuri," Leo piped up. "I had no idea you guys were an item."

Yuuri put both hands up, silencing the four skaters and some onlookers.

"Guys, you are my friends," he began, "Believe me when I tell you that this is all new. I...That...It was the first time he..." Yuuri couldn't find the words.

Phichit grinned wide.

"Wait, that was your first kiss? Wow!" The tickled Thai exclaimed.

"What a way to break the ice!" the petite Chinese skater added with a laugh.

There were giggles and and congratulations.

"I didn't know you were actually one of us," Christophe added with a sly grin. "Not gonna lie, I always pegged you as straight."

"Well, I..." Yuuri stammered. "He..."

"My little katsudon is not the type to label himself, Chris," came Victor's voice as he stepped up behind Yuuri. Smiling at him as he rested a hand on Yuuri's shoulder. The brunet covered is face, embarrassed by the free use of the term of endearment in front of the crowd.

Victor shot a sharp look at the European champion.

"And don't you go getting any funny ideas," the Russian threatened, in a light and amused tone. It came off as a joke, but Yuuri knew his Victor better than that.

Before anything got heated, he pulled his bags out of his locker, grabbed his lock and shoved it in his bag and threw it over his shoulder.

"O-Okay, Victor, let's go get ready for the banquet."

They dismissed themselves, as they would be seeing everyone in a couple hours at the banquet.

Despite not having gotten more than an hour of sleep and then skating for his life, Yuuri's adrenaline pumped life into his body. He was high on life and love as they strode proudly into Hotel Nikko New Century and through the bright and airy, gilded lobby. They ascended the escalators, past the two-story tall palm trees, towards the elevators. They got into the empty lift and pressed the button for the 21st floor.

The urgency between them began to percolate with a single glance. Victor's kiss had opened up the flood gates of the emotions they had been holding back for months. Their hands remained woven together, both unable to let go of the other.

Hurrying down the hall, they made it to their suite and swiped Victor's key card, entering the room in haste.

The door slammed shut with a thud as Victor was shoved against it as it closed, Yuuri's lips connecting with his eagerly in their second kiss. All the feelings Yuri held onto for his Eros skate poured into this kiss and their mouths melded impassionedly. Soft and pliable, Victor's bottom lip was taken hostage by Yuuri's ardent advance.

He gathered Yuuri into his arms, pressing their tight and muscular bodies flush against the other as their passions progressed. The younger man's head swimming with a heady concoction of love, longing and lethargy, he dared lick at his lover's lips, entreating entrance. The Russian retaliated but not only allowing the kiss to deepen, but reciprocating in exploration of the brunet's moist mouth.

In the stillness of the densely insulated room, the sounds of soft suckling of lips meeting and parting filled the air. Hums and pants of delight escaped in between kisses as the two men savored the other's essence in ecstacy.

The unadulterated elation over took them as they let go of the boundaries that had once stood between them: Idol and fan, Coach and Student; as two friends forged into the territory of being lovers. Barely breaking contact, they fumbled their way over to the bed and Victor lay Yuuri on his back as he went to lay on top of him, shedding bags and coats along the way. The minutes ticked by as they never seemd to tire of tangling tongues and roaming hands. Victor palmed Yuuri's ass, caressing it and grabbing it firmly as he pressed his hips into Yuuri's.

"Ahh..." Yuuri gasped under the delicious pressure on his groin.

"I could devour you, right here, right now," Victor purred. "I want to know the full extent of your Eros, Katsuki Yuuri."

He smiled against Victor's mouth, raking his teeth along his lip.

"And so you will..." he ensured his argent beau in a sultry tone. He stroked his cheek once again as Victor took a minute to take in the moment, and look at his languid lover lying beneath him.

"God, Yuuri, you are exhausted," he said, coming back down to reality. "As aroused as you make me, I know you need to rest. We have a long travel day tomorrow." He sat up on the edge of the bed and Yuuri sat up to meet him, smiling. The satisfied silver medalist leaned in for one last lingering kiss before standing and stretching.

"I'm glad you understand," he said has he got up to change into regular clothes out of his gym gear. "I wish I had more...um...energy. But, a full belly and a good night's sleep sounds perfect. It's already getting late. The banquet starts at seven-thirty."

Victor tore his eyes from Yuuri's half-naked form to look at the clock on his mobile phone.

6:42 p.m.

"The banquet is in the ballroom downstairs, so we don't have to go very far. Let's just shower and unwind," the older skater suggested, his eyes settling back on the definitions of his lover's toned body. "Yuuri, you are absolutely beautiful."

Victor's candid declaration stopped the brunet in his tracks. Returning to an upright postion as he got his pants on, his fastened the button and turned toward his beloved.

"That's an overwhelming statement," he replied with a bashful smile. "The most stunning man on the planet thinks I'm beautiful. It might take me some time to wrap my brain around that one."

"Well, I'll keep telling you in the meantime," Victor said with a soft chuckle.

Forty-five minutes passed quickly. Once they were ready, they headed down to ballroom on the third floor for the traditional post-competition festivities.

After the initial introductions and announcements, the buffet was served. Victor and Yuuri marveled at the array of quality seafood, meats and fresh vegetables on display on their table. Phichit and Celestino, Guang-Hong, Leo and their repsective coaches all sat together at a table. Yuuri felt at-ease with his trusted and respected friends and fellow competitors.

Yuuri found, as they shared their dinner, that Victor's little quirks, like wanting to feed him food that he thought tasty, were no longer embarrassing. He happily allowed himself to eat shrimp from the Russian's chopsticks and revel in the feeling that they were sharing on an even deeper level. They had found a new sense of trust and intimacy today and they each explored different ways to express that.

They were deep in conversation about current events in the Western Hemisphere, Brexit, the U.S. presidential election amongst other topics, and Victor's fingers idly stroked the palm of Yuuri's open hand. The younger man remained fixated more on the touch than the discussion at hand, as he was mesmerized by the new sensations. It dawned on him finally that he had stopped caring so much about everyone around them.

The younger men blushed here and there as they noticed the little gestures, knowing how happy and in love their friend was. But also, it was their idol, the one and only Victor Nikiforov who was in love with him. The American and Chinese boys exchanged a knowing look with Phichit.

Those two were in love, and were not going to apologize to the world for it.

Beyond their blissful bubble at the table and their comraderie, prying eyes observed closely and a few of those flys on the wall happened to snap some flashless photos. The whispers echoed around them all night, with Yuuri and Victor none the wiser. Little did the couple realize that their little displays of affection, and their wordless declaration of love would cause some waves in the skating community.

For now, they were the only two who existed on their own little planet.

With bellies full, sated and exhaustion finally getting the better of a hard-worked Yuuri, they decided to call it a night.

The younger men were quick to lay on the guilt with a chorus of "Awww, but Yuuri!"

When the exhausted silver medalist told them that he only got about an hour of actual sleep the night before, all eyes went wide, skaters and coaches alike. Celestino laughed and slapped Yuuri on the back.

"If you skate like that on no sleep, then I don't even want to know what you'll do when you're rested!"

They bid their friends farewell, and made promises to keep in touch. They wouldn't be seeing Leo or Guang Hong at the Grand Prix Final this year.

"See you in Spain, Phichit-kun!" Yuuri said, grinning confidently.

"For sure," he replied. "Go kick some ass in Russia!"

As they exited Victor caught the sharp stare from the table nearby where Yakov, Georgi and some of the other Russian skaters. Yuuri didn't see the smug look Victor gave them as they walked past.

Back at the room, they stood in front of one of the two beds, facing one another. There was no question that they would finally share a night's sleep together. Victor began by removing his blazer and throwing it on the other bed along with his tie. Piece by piece, he undressed Yuuri.

With every article of clothing he removed, he let his hand drag in long strokes, caressing Yuuri's sore muscles, and sending shivers throughout his body.

Standing there in nothing but his boxer briefs and socks, Yuuri began to reciprocate the gesture. Slowly he unbuttoned Victor's shirt, letting the shirt fall from his shoulders and smoothing it off of his body. He unfastened his pants, and slipped his hands down the back of the Russian's waistline, sliding over Victor's perky posterior. The older man hummed his appreciation for the manuever as Yuuri was able to get the pants to fall down around his partner's ankles. Now Victor was in nothing but his black briefs and his socks.

Yuuri reached over and grabbed the pillow off the unused bed and threw it over onto the one they would share.

Victor gave him a small sly smile.

"You enjoyed our little nap today, didn't you, kobuta-chan?"

"Well, once I calmed myself down, yes," replied the tiring twenty-three-year-old with a bashful smile. "Maybe after a good sleep we can discuss other things when I can actually think about them."

Victor chuckled as he turned toward the bed and sat on its edge, holding his hand.

"Yuuri, let's go to sleep together," he proposed.

Smiling shyly, Yuuri nodded and padded over to the other side of the bed and slipped in, meeting Victor in the middle. Their legs entwined and they drew each other in closely, basking in the the building warmth between them. Lifting his head one last time to meet him, Yuuri kissed Victor languidly, lingering on his lips for a moment before tucking his head under Victor's chin and slipping into a blissful slumber, enveloped in his lover's embrace.

As morning light invaded their hotel room, Victor woke to the steady soft breathing still curled up against him. The pure contentment of finally having openly expressed his affection for the younger man settled over him, refusing to allow him to move an inch. The peaceful notion was something he recognized as a new emotion, something he had denied himself, and had been denied, for most of his adult life. As he gazed down at the mop of soft obsidian hair, Victor mulled over the singular moment that caused a revelation in his heart.

"You don't have to say anything, just stand by me!"

'Stand by me', his words were the exact meaning of 'Stammi Vicino', the aria and routine that brought them together. The meaning and nuances of that song were engrained in his soul, and the parallels in the events of this entire year of his life were not lost on him. Even now lyrics of the song echoed this very moment:

'Le tue mani, le tue gambe,
Le mie mani, le mie gambe,
I battiti del cuore si fondono tra loro.'

His eyes began to burn with tears, his chest tingling with warmth as he felt their limbs intertwined with each other's, just as if they were melting together into one.

Yuuri, if only you could feel how my heart beats for you right now. Someday soon...I will show you how much you mean to me. And it will be perfect.

He had come up with what was, indeed the most perfect way to tell Yuuri that he loved him. And he planned to do it after the Grand Prix Finale.

His silver strands shook as he shivered in his giddiness. He held the slumbering Yuuri just a little tighter, tight enough to rouse the brunet from his sleep.

"Hmm? What was that for?" he asked, his voice groggy upon waking as he nuzzled into Victor's chest.

Victor chuckled, keeping his little surprise idea to himself.

"No reason in particular, other than being happy," he responded, kissing the top of his lover's head. "Ohayou, Yuuri."

"O-ohayou..." he replied, catching onto the wave of emotion Victor seemed to be riding. All this time he had denied both himself and Victor this innately intimate act of sharing a bed. Despite always having wanted to, he couldn't bring himself to do so, not wanting to possibly set himself up for heart break. Yuuri had known for some time that he was attached. But now, Victor was too much a part of him now to ever be able to let go.

Yesterday, however, he came to realize that Victor felt the same. This whole time, he, too, had been feeling their bond with the same profundity. Returning the embrace, they snuggled back in until Yuuri's alarm went off.

Once again the soothing strains of baritone, which had come to symbolize the love that had grown between them, washed over them, signaling their imminent return to Japan.

Over the course of their journey home they were met with little smiles, questioning stares and a few random fans of various ages that wanted pictures taken with them. One teenage girl giggled as her mother took their photo. She turned to them and thanked them, and added in English:

"You two are so cute together!"

And then she ran off with her family, leaving the two of them reeling as it hit them...

The entire international skating community saw their kiss.

"Victor," Yuuri nudged his partner, "Our fans know."

"Of course they do," he replied with a smirk. "Does that make you uncomfortable?"

"Well, not exactly," Yuuri responded, trying to discern his shock from his other mixed feelings. "I just know that we are going to be met with mixed feelings from now on. I have never had to deal with that before."

Victor nodded, understanding Yuuri's plight.

"Well, when we get back, I have a story for you," he alluded. "But all I can tell you is to just be yourself, and remember that other's opinions on your life choices don't matter."

He let those words seep in as they boarded and settled into their seats. With Victor by his side, he always seemed to more easily find his self-confidence. Victor believed in him just as much as he did in Victor. That, in and of itself, provided the strength to surmount anything.

When they landed in Fukuoka Airport in the early evening, the last thing they expected was a welcome wagon. The Katsuki's, The Nishigori's, Minako-sensei, who had arrived home earlier that day, all awaited them outside the Arrival gate with a giant banner that read "Omedetou! Katsuki Yuuri, Cup of China Silver Medalist!" A small crowd had gathered, and curious onlookers stood by, waiting to catch a glimpse of their dazzling national hero and his ravishing record-breaking Romeo.

As the pair rounded the corner and caught a glimpse of the crowd beyond the exit, Yuuri's breath caught as he grabbed Victor's arm, halting his steps and pulling him back around the corner.

"Victor," he breathed, wide-eyed, "did you see that? I am not ready for that."

Victor dropped his bags and took Yuuri's face in both hands, holding a steady gaze.

"This is something that comes with being good at what you do. The more notoriety you have, the more the fans and the media flock to you," Victor stated calmly. "Remember that I am standing right beside you."

He gave his cheeks a soft caress before dropping them and reclaiming his bags.

"Come on, Yuuri, let's do this," he urged him along with a hand on his canvas back pack.

They rounded the corner for the second time and Yuuri inhaled deeply as he steeled his nerves to enter the throng and keep a smlie on his face, accepting the compliments and questions with grace. Crowds have never really been his thing, but with Victor beside him, he knew that they would tag-team the chaos together.

Minako spotted the shock of silver hair approaching, accompanied by a pair of blue-rimmed glasses, and called out to them.

"Victor! Yuuri!" She yelled. People looked at her, then turned to look and see just who the amassing spectacle was for. People stopped and let them by, whispering their names. Some clapped, some called out congratulations. The crowd erupted into applause as the two skaters walked through the gate. There began the frenzy of flashes as frantic fans flocked for snapshots of the dynamic duo.

Hugs were given to their friends and family as they were inundated with congratulatory cries. They took another few minutes to satisfy fans with a photo-op. A couple of fans wanted shots of just the two of them. One tried to get them a little closer to each other.

"Squeeze together a little more," the young woman said with a wink, gesturing with her two hands, urging them into a more intimate pose.

Victor eyed Yuuri with a grin, and pulled him close in a sideways hug, pressing his cheek to Yuuri's temple. A few of the girls squealed in delight as they clicked away. Many of the fans bowed their thanks, and waved them goodbye as they left the skaters with their family. Everyone just looked at them awestruck. Yuuri seemed so...relaxed.

They got them back to Hasetsu with enough time for a late dinner. Yuuko seemed to have to work hard to keep the inquisitive triplets at bay. It was if she was holding them back. Loop had begun to say something, but her mother's hand quickly clapped over her face. Yuuri had given his old friend and rink mate a curious look. All she said was,

"I'll text you tomorrow." A giggle escaped her lips and she nodded down at her rambunctious girls.

The couple could smell the pork cutlets frying from down the hall in their corner of the house as they settled themselves in for the evening.

They assumed their usual places at the table as Hiroko served up the guys' helpings of katsudon. Makkachin, happy to have his two favorite people back after nearly four days without them, curled up under the low-rise table at their feet. They ate happily, too busy devouring the dish for dinnertime discussion.

The TV had been off the entire time, which was unusual. Usually the television was kept on during waking hours, so that guest could be entertained while relaxing over a plate or drink. Once he was done eating, Yuuri got up to turn it on, when Mari came in and stopped him.

"Wait, Yuuri...Victor..." She said as she looked back over her shoulder before coming to sit with them, across the table. "Before you turn on the TV, I just want you to know we all support you two being, uh...together."

The two glanced at each other.

"I mean, we all kinda got the hint when Yuuri, here, essentially confessed to the world that he loved you on national television," she said pointedly, raising a brow at her little brother.

Yuuri blushed a little. He had never had that discussion with Victor, and just assumed he either didn't understand or wasn't affected by it. He knew differently now. Still, he was curious and gave Victor a questioning glance.

"Oh, I watched it again at some point later that week online with subtitles ," he admitted nonchalantly with a dash of flirtation lacing his words. "I stored that adorable little bit of information away for the right moment."

"Well, anyway," Mari continued, staying on topic. "Let's just say that your little stunt has been the talk of the skating world, and most of Japan for the last twenty-four hours."

They both went still for a moment, knowing precisely what that meant. Then, they glanced at each other and laughed.

"Whoops!" Victor said in English with a shrug.

"To be honest, Neechan, we're really happy, and we aren't going to let people who don't understand bring us down," Yuuri said frankly.

"That's great," she replied. "You really shouldn't give a shit about what they think. But unless you want to see your smooch on repeat, and listen to people spout their opinions about it, then don't turn on the TV. Consider that moment your 'international coming-out'."

"Gotcha. Thanks, Nee-chan," Victor winked.

"You're lucky I like you, Victor, or I would've swatted ya for calling me that," she said giving him a smirk. "I think that's why even Otou-san is okay with it, because it's Victor. He think's you're the greatest thing to happen to Yuuri."

Yuuri could barely take hearing all of this gushy craziness.

"Tou-san? Really? But what about Kaa-san?" he said wide-eyed with disbelief.

"She told me a couple of months ago that she's been suspicious of you being in love with Victor from day one," she exaggerated a little, but got the point across.

While her overwhelmed younger sibling covered his heated face for a moment, trying to process everything, Victor tried to assuage the situation by complimenting the family in his mediocre Japanese.

"Well, you are all lovely, and we are grateful for your understanding and support," he replied, rubbing Yuuri's back, trying to bring him back to zero.

"No problem," she replied, lighting a cigarette as she turned to leave, and then pausing. "My advice would be for the two of you to shut off your phones and relax tonight. Deal with the media bullshit tomorrow. Because you know they going to be trying to hunt you two down for the scoop. Maybe take a day off from practicing at the rink? You know they'll go there first."

She walked out of the room and Victor's hand moved from Yuuri's back to the nape of his neck, raking through the shorter hair there.

"Breathe, Yuuri," he soothed. "I've had to deal with this all of my adult life. The insane media coverage, both positive and negative, the lack of privacy...It all part and parcel."

"I'm just not used to it," he admitted. "I'm sure I'll adjust. You know me, I just need a little time."

"Indeed I do," he said commanding Yuuri's doe-eyed gaze. He leaned in and left a tender kiss upon his lover's lips. "Vkusno..." He said with a chuckle, making Yuuri smile. "There, that's more like it."

Victor stood up and stretched out a hand to Yuuri to get him up from the table.

"Let's get one of those floating trays and a couple flasks of sake!" Victor went and stuck his head in the kitchen, dragging Yuuri by the hand. "Hiroko-san!"

She came out from the pantry, smiling at the sound of Victor's velvety voice.

"Vic-chan! Did you like your katsudon?"

He smiled and leaned in and hugged her, surprising the older woman.

"Always. You are a wonderful cook...and mother," he complimented the tender-hearted matriarch. He knew where Yuuri got a lot of his traits, inside and out.

"Well, you're part of the family now, so you are always welcome," she gushed.

Victor blushed at her words, his baby blues watering.

"Well, I'm glad to have such a lovely family to be a part of. Thank you."

Yuuri noticed Victor's sudden softening, and choice of words. It made him wonder about what Victor's story was going to be about.

If it concerns his past, and perhaps his family...it sounds like it may not be good.

Remembering what they had invaded the kitchen for, he asked his mother for the tray, the sake and cups.

"Sure thing, Yuuri. You two have a lot to celebrate!" she declared, almost cheering as she handed them everything. "Here, go enjoy the rest of the evening, you two. Go and relax. If you need more sake, you know where it is."

"Yes, mom. Thanks again," he bowed his head and smiled back at her before heading out to the baths with Victor.

After scrubbing off and easing into the onsen, Yuuri placed the tray and it's contents on the surface of the water. Slowly he made his way over, hi aching muscles finally giving way in exhaustion, and sat with Victor and poured him a cup of sake. Victor did in kind.

They raised their cups to each other and Victor hooked his arm around Yuuri's. Yuuri looked at him, silently asking for the salute.

"To the next stage..."

They both recalled that discussion from back in April, when they talked about reaching the 'next stage' as a performer, finding the inspiration and connection to one's feelings. Yuuri knew right away that it was a double entendre, referring the the next stage of their relationship.

He smiled at his blue-eyed beau, and echoed the salute before they partook of the smooth, warm liquid. With a smile, Victor disentangled his arm and leaned in, capturing Yuuri's lips with his own. He suckled gently on his lover's bottom lip, grazing it gently with his teeth as he released it.

"Oishii..." he purred in his lover's native tongue. "God...every time I kiss you, I don't want to stop."

"Me, neither," Yuuri admitted softly before going in for another kiss. It was tender and tentative, dragging a damp hand over the hot , wet skin of Victor's shoulder. "Last night spoiled me, you know."

"It spoiled the both of us," he retorted, amused. I've created a monster, haven't I? He chuckled at the thought. "Should I assume you want to snuggle up with me like I do with you? Because, if so, then I get to be big spoon tonight."

He got another content chuckle from Yuuri, as he seemed to concur.

As they drank more sake, Victor decided to tell Yuuri a little about his lost life at home.

"You know Yuuri, there really isn't much left for me back in Russia. I've burnt bridges with almost everyone," he said somberly, his brow furrowing in dismay. "I didn't necessarily want it that way, but it may all just be for the best."

Yuuri cocked his head to the side, eyeing him with a sympathetic yet questioning gaze.

"My father has always been a hard-ass, and very unforgiving. I was 'soft' in his eyes at best. My mother was the only one who knew that I was..."

He trailed off, his eyes emulating the rippling waters of the onsen.

"My mother died when I was twenty-one. She was really sick with cancer."

Yuuri's eyes began to water as he realized why Victor appreciated his mother so much. Victor divulged that his father had caught wind of Victor's orientation through tabloid rumors and shunned him, mere months after the loss of his mother. His younger brother being a near carbon-copy of his father, he no longer spoke to either of them. We went on to discuss Yakov's stern coaching as 'tolerant' of him, but not 'accepting. Tolerant because Victor was his big success story.

"Russia is not hospitable toward men like us, Yuuri, which is why we will have to be on our best behavior there, if we want to avoid trouble," Victor advised.

Yuuri sat there, indignant and fuming.

"You know what? Screw that. My college years in America made me see that same-sex relationships aren't a big deal. The big slogan over there was 'Love is Love.' And I happen to agree. Who cares?"

Victor looked at him shocked at how righteously angry his Yuuri could get. He opened up his mouth to reply but his beloved kept on.

"Victor, you are the all-time greatest skater Russia has ever had. You're going to tell me, that you being with me would change that?"

"It's more complicated than that," he sighed, tiring of the exhausting conversation. "Let's just say, I can't remain in the spotlight being openly gay."

Yuuri just sat their, stunned. His heart hurt for him, wishing that the world wasn't so horrifically narrow-minded...wishing that he hadn't endured such terrible hardship with his family.

"Understood," he conceded. "At least we have Hasetsu, and my family and friends."

"Indeed," Victor nodded, wiping his eyes. "They are truly good people."

Two empty flasks, and after about a half hour of cuddling and stealing kisses in the hot springs, two blissfully woozy skaters wrapped themselves loosely in their robes and headed back to Victor's room.

With inhibitions lowered a couple of notches, Victor slid the shoji shut behind them and ignored the lack of light in the darkened room. He led Yuuri by the hand to his king-sized bed and lay him down.

Yuuri flushed red from head to toe, knowing that he was about to get his first real taste of Eros. The intimate aura between them was a cocoon of golden warmth. He was nervous with anticipation, but trusted Victor implicitly. The seductive silhouette of Victor's body straddling his legs sent zips of pleasure racing through him.

"I want to see you, Yuuri," murmured the beseeching baritone. "Like a man. Like my man."

Slowly he pulled at the green sash that held Yuuri's robe closed and let it fall at his sides. With painstaking patience his pushed one side open, running his fingertips down his lover's side.

Yuuri sucked in a breath and and held it a moment as he adjust to the sensation. As he relaxed it became soothing, rather than ticklish, and he reveled in the Russian's reverent touch. Victor leaned in and placed a kiss at his hip. He jolted a little at first in his hypersensitivity, but as Victor repeated the action, peppering more and more of his pale skin with his feather-light fingers and lingering lips, Yuuri's body heated to the touch. His lover moved toward the center, at the seam of the other side of his robe, and nuzzled his navel. The younger man tittered at the tickling touch.

Until Victor warm wet tongue began tracing circles on his skin there.

He let out a soft pant at the tingling trail it left behind. He felt his arousal begin to swell. With the other flap having fallen, Yuuri and his incipient erection were laid bare, open and fully at Victor's disposal.

He is so beautiful. I can't get enough...His scent...His taste. The silver fox smiled to himself as he got an eyeful of Yuuri's ridges and curves.

"You don't know how much restraint it is taking me to go slowly, Yuuri," he confessed, voice thick with desire. "But you are so very delicious..." Victor's hand back down his chest to casually brush the tip of his hardening length. "...and I am going to savor every inch of you."

The brunet hummed at the prospect of being devoured by his azure-eyed idol. His head lolled back as Victor hovered over him, caging Yuuri between his arms. He had to wrap his mind around what what happening to him...all these amazing sensations. It was his tongue running up his chest, his teeth grazing his nipples, his mouth in the crook of his neck.

As Victor paid extra attention to his neck and collarbone, Yuuri reached up and untied his koibito's robe and reached for that libidinous adonis, bringing them into full contact. Skin on skin, taut muscles flexing and contracting as hands and arms roamed and entangled.

Both men groaned as their groins ground together. For Yuuri, it was sensory overload, Victor's throbbing hard on pressing up against his own straining arousal. His whole body lit with a smoldering fire, deep and hungering.

"Yuuri," Victor's voice a lascivious drawl, "I'm going to make you come for me. Hard."

Yuuri bit back a moan, clutching Victor to him as the rumble of his lover's statement went straight to his pulsing shaft. Victor silenced him by devouring him, tongue diving in to claim the beautiful gift that was Yuuri's love. Yuuri met Victor's erotic undulations, stoking the flames that grew between them.

Victor broke the kiss, violently shrugging off and flinging the robe from his shoulders. He wasn't about to let Yuuri climax like that. He had other plans.

Slinking down until he was face to face with Yuuri beautiful, fully engorged length. He wet his finger with his mouth and began gently prodding Yuuri's tight entrance.

Yuuri gasped and tightened up more so. Victor grabbed his hand and held it.

"Do you trust me,Yuuri? Let me make you feel amazing..." he encouraged gently.

Yuuri inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. Once Victor felt Yuuri's muscles relax, went on to work his magic.

In slow, massaging motions, he inched his way gently into Yuuri's virginal cavern. One knuckle became two, and then more, when Yuuri moaned.

"Mmm, there it is," Victor purred, curling his finger and purposely prodding his pleasure spot. He heard his name for the first time, cross Yuuri's lips. It was like a prayer, one for release from this delicious torture and Victor was his merciful god.

Hearing Yuuri crumble into a mess of moans mixed with cries of his name was intoxicating.

And then for the crowning glory, with his free hand, he took Yuuri hard cock in a firm grip as he continued fingering him. Victor licked his lips as Yuuri looked up to see his mouth open and take the head of his arousal into his mouth.

Soft mewls of pleasure filled the air as Victor began to suck gently, massaging the shaft with the flat of his tongue. He settled into a languid and hypnotic rhythm, his hands and mouth moving in perfect sychroneity.

"Kimochiiiiii..." he groaned, losing his grip on English.

Yuuri's body sizzled, his head thrown back; it was like he had been electrified. It all gathered and coiled in his core, he knew he was on the verge, like his body was bursting at the seams. He gripped the comforter as if it would stop him from spiraling into the heavens.

Victor could taste the slick pre-cum weeping from his swollen head. Yuuri tasted like no other. And the heady combination of love, lust, and adoration spurred him on to pick up the pace.

Gauging Yuuri's inability to stifle his moans, or to decide which language was coming out of his mouth, he knew his lyubovnik was almost there. Taking his whole length in, he sucked harder as he worked his lover frantically, in full rapid strokes

"I-Iku...Iku-yo!" Yuuri hissed before he slapped his hand over his face, letting out a visceral groan as Victor shoved his finger in as deep as it would go. Yuuri came hard in his mouth, slick, salty, and slightly sweet on Victor's tongue. He pulled back to the head, and pumped his shaft as he helped him milk the orgasm for everything it was worth.

Every little whine he drew from his man was music to his ears.

Yuuri's arms flopped limply to his side in the dazed sweat of the afterglow as he panted Victor's name, equating him to a divine power. Victor pulled away, swallowing down his lover's essence, before leaning back over him. Emphasizing his delight in his lover's tongue:

"Ore no katsudon wa...honto ni...oishii yo..."

Yuuri, overcome with the euphoric haze of his orgasm, pulled Victor in for a long, loving embrace. Passionate, yet unhurried, Yuuri tasted himself on his ravishing Russian's tongue, mingling with what he has coming to know as the most enticing flavor of them all: Victor Nikiforov.

More than anything, feeling how aroused Victor was, Yuuri became desperate to reciprocate.

But he no idea how.

Finally after a long moment, Yuuri regained his senses and pushed gently at Victor's shoulders.

"I want to make you feel good to, you know."

Victor, overwhelmed by the beautiful sentiment, complied.

"I would love that," he said with a soft sigh. Yuuri look at him, his expression eager and full of wont. The more experienced of the two, Victor knew he would have to guide him. Now was not the time for him to have his way and rut his younger lover senseless. Yuuri was not ready for it.

With a kiss on his forehead, he instructed him.

"Here, get up on top." Yuuri got up and straddled Victor, mimicking his earlier position.

Victor took Yuuri's hands in his. And implored him with a single look.

"See me...touch me...like a man," he echoed his previous statement. "Like your man." Blue eyes bore intensely into Yuuri's dark gaze. "Seduce me...and claim me for yourself with all of that lovely Eros."

Yuuri understood completely. He gave into his curiosity and combed his fingers through his favorite mop of silver strands, gripping Victor's face and kissing him firmly before moving on. He nuzzled his lover's face before laying a flurry of kisses upon it, meandering down the sensuous Slav's neck. His tongue seemed to take on a mind of its own, as Victor's scent and taste infiltrated and overtook his senses.

Breathing him in, he trailed his nose and mouth down Victor's chest. His hands wandered, memorizing the curvature of every muscle in his beau's body. A curious tongue darted out and licked at his lover's rosy nipple.

Victor let out a soft 'Ahh', gasping at his touch.

That's all that Yuuri needed. Affirmation that he was, indeed, the only one who could satisfy his Adonis. The virile virgin hadn't realized until this moment, that he had been waiting for Victor for his entire life. From high on his pedestal to melting at his touch, Yuuri Katsuki had found Victor Nikiforov, or rather the other way around. But indeed they were kindred spirits, complimentary beings...soulmates.

Yuuri, imitating his lover's earlier ministrations, his hands and mouth wandered further and further down his body-lips, teeth and tongue-testing, tasting, tantalizing.

With every erotic utterance that exited those plump pliable lips, Yuuri made sure to reward his Russian Romeo with a rapid retaliation. Every moan, every gasp he elicited from Victor was met with something to tip him over the edge. The languid drag of his tongue along the beautiful 'V' of the junction at Victor's hip and leg elicited a primal growl the inexperienced lover had never heard before.

Which brought him face to face with the one untouched, yet highly coveted part of Victor's body. That sleek, rigid, rosy shaft glistened with his obvious arousal. Without further hesitation, Yuuri took hold of him and gave his length a firm stroke.

"Nu ti dajosh..." Victor exhaled in his native tongue. "Please, Yuuri, don't stop."

The wave of confidence that washed over him wanted to hear his beautiful silver fox beg for more. Just knowing that he had that affect on the most important person in his life, was enough to continue his exploration.

He was a little nervous about reciprocating the attentive actions of his mouth, but his tongue reached out and ran along the underside of Victor thick erection. A couple more laps, and Yuuri was hooked, as if his lover's essence was an erotic narcotic.

He mentally noted to himself to treat it like an ice cream cone or popsicle, and he did, soft suckling and twisting around the engorged shaft.

"Yuuuuuuriii..." came the drawl of his name upon Victor's lips, heavy with desire. He thought for a second as to what to do...

Exactly what he had just done , but with a helping hand.

Victor's hands grabbed Yuuri's hair, guiding his head as he took his throbbing cock deeper into his mouth. A babble of words, Russian, smattered with English, poured forth as Victor lost control of his sanity.

Yuuri grew more confident, and sucked harder. Breaking only for a brief moment to lap at the ridge of the head of Victor's arousal.

Suddenly determined, he set his mind on making Victor come like he had. He took Victor in his grip and stroked firmly and rapidly.

Leaning in, he commanded his lover.

"Victor, look at me when you come. Don't ever take your eyes off me."

Kissing him deeply, Yuuri sent Victor over the edge as their intense gazes bore into each other, while Victor panted his name.

"Ahh, Yuuri...Ya konchayu!"

Yuuri felt Victor's cock twitch in his grasp, and suddenly his hand was warm and slick with his lover's seed. Prolonging his climax, he stroked him slowly for a moment before letting go.

"No matter what you do, kobuta-chan...I can never take my eyes off you," Victor sighed, kissing Yuuri softly.

Both completely spent, the nearest t-shirt did the cleaning up of Victor's stomach and Yuuri's hand. Mustering just enough energy to pull a blanket over them, the two blissful beaus passed out sound asleep, spooned up together.

The next morning, there was a knock at Victor's door.

"Hey...guys?" It was Mari.

In a haze as they woke to the sound of her voice.

"Yeah? What it is, Neechan?" Yuuri replied.

"Next time, could you give me a heads up that I need to wear earplugs to bed? This shoji is literally paper."

Their eyes flew open and they looked at each other in shock, cursing in stereo.

"Oh, shit."