Chapter 2 – Stay Close to Me

Author's Note:

Glad I finally finished this Chapter before Episode 6! Can't wait for the next episode~

I appreciate if you leave a like, follow and/or review after reading! ~ It motivates me to write more (:

Chapter Sypnosis:

Victor invites Yuri for a stroll to the beach while walking Makkachin. The two of them shared a heart to heart conversation - Yuri comes into terms of his current relationship with Victor, and gradually understands and learn how to express with his heartfelt feelings towards his one and only beloved Russian coach.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Moments after I escaped into my room, Victor was at the other side of my room, knocking the door.

"Hey, Yuri~ forget about the morning bath…let's go for a stroll to the beach with Makkachin~"

I tried to ignore it but my guilty conscience wouldn't allow it. I gradually grew fearful when I heard the knocking stop, and I immediately opened the door and grabbed Victor by the arm.

"W-Wait…I'll go…Just give me a few more minutes to wash up, Victor."

Victor turned to smile at me, with a cheery tone in his voice. "I'll wait for you then~"

Both of us strolled down to the beach together with Makkachin, to find the area void with people. The beach was so calm and serene that I could hear the waves pounding onto the shore to the breezy wind. The salty sea breeze filled the air, and it was unusually refreshing.

We found a good spot where we sat down side by side, with Makkachin all snuggled up beside Victor. I was reminded of that time a few months back when Victor suggested that we go to the beach together. He loved the beach in Hasetsu, as the scenery had reminded him of his time back in St. Petersberg. It was also the same place where the both of us had a serious "heart to heart" talk, where I finally plucked the courage to open up to Victor.

I took the chance to pop Victor a question that I had been dying to ask for so long.

"Victor…do you enjoy living in Japan and coaching me…? You can be honest."

"I'm enjoying every moment, even right now. I think coaching you was the best decision I had ever made."

"Why do you think so…?"

"Because I met you of course."

I could see the twinkle in his eye as he happily gave me his reply. I felt like I was on cloud nine.

"I want to ask you the exact same thing, Yuri. Do you like me coaching you?"

Without a moment of hesitation, I exclaimed out loud.

"YES!"

I took a deep breath as I continued to speak.

"you've helped me so much – teaching me all that you know, giving me so much advice and helping me build confidence in myself. I couldn't have done all these without you. Thank you so much, Victor."

Victor had a smug expression written on his face, and he was apparently pleased with himself like a proud parent.

"You're very much welcomed, Yuri. But you should keep these words until you win the Grand Prix Finals~"

A sudden epiphany had struck Victor as he remembered something that he wanted to tell me about.

"Yuri. Do you remember what I mentioned the last time we were here together…?"

I shook my head in my futile attempt to remember, but Victor took the chance to repeat his words.

"What do you want me to be to you?"

"Ah…Yes…I remember saying that I just wanted you to remain who you are, Victor."

Victor turned around to look at me straight in the eye as the mood turned serious.

"Yeah. But the Victor that I am right now…is going crazy over you."

I was puzzled. Victor claims that he's crazy over me? Am I that horrible at figure skating for him to go crazy to work as my coach…? That can't be it. I did not know truly what he meant, and questioned him cautiously.

"Is that supposed to be a good thing or a bad thing…?"

In response to my question, I could see Victor pulling out his usual mischievous smile, coupled with his irresistible eye wink. He always does that when he tries to flirt at me. Or was he teasing me again? I do not know.

"It really depends on how you think of it, Yuri. I hope you can think of it positively though".

I felt my blood rushing to my cheeks. I felt so embarrassed that I couldn't maintain eye contact with him and covered my face instinctively. Did Victor just confess to me romantically? A barrage of questions suddenly invaded my mind as I was thinking of multiple possibilities to make the situation less awkward. How I was supposed to respond to him…?

I was totally at a loss for words, as this was the very first time I had experienced such a situation. Unconsciously, I started to spill my heart out directly for him to hear, hoping that he could help me derive with an acceptable answer. What is this burst of emotion that I am feeling right now…?

"I don't know…I'm confused with myself. I can't help but blush whenever you touch me. My heart beats faster whenever I think of you, and…I just want to keep holding on to you and be by your side. Isn't this selfish of me?"

"Do you want me to tell you what that emotion is…?"

"What…?"

"Perhaps that emotion is love? And I meant it in a romantic way."

Victor's words struck a chord in my head. Was it really love? Do I love Victor in that sense…? That feeling was so foreign to me that I could not identify. I remembered the speech that I had made in the press conference yesterday when I was reminiscing my past. I identified my feelings and my current bond with Victor as "love", but was this "romantic love" instead of the more abstract "love" that I thought of? I was so confused that I felt my heart ache. My pessimistic side gradually took over me, as I started to harbour doubts in my head.

"Me…? Love…? I'm just an average man who cannot display mature sexiness, do not have significant experience in love and relationships, not to mention having low self-esteem and is always mentally weak...I'm not someone who is capable of loving another."

I could see Victor trying his best to encourage me while refuting my words.

"Nonsense. You are not weak, Yuri. No one thinks of that at all. I can even see that you've improved a lot in terms of self-confidence. Do you remember what I have always told you during training? "To dance like you want to seduce me" and "To imagine that you are the most beautiful person on ice right now". You've managed all of that in my eyes, Yuri".

Victor touched my lower lip with his thumb as he leaned closer to me.

"You've got plenty of Eros, Yuri. The whole world hasn't discovered it yet and I want to let them know the real you. I haven't seen another person as sexy as you are. But I feel that there is still room for improvement…in terms of your sexual appeal and performance…and trust me. I want to be the one to teach you the true meaning of Eros."

Victor started to hesitate for a moment and continued speaking his mind. "Can I kiss you right now? If you say yes, I will do it~ I just want to seek your permission first this time…"

Victor silently gazed at me with his innocent puppy eyes, like he was expecting something in return. I felt my heart flutter again. He was so adorable that I couldn't help but smile. I had no reason to object as I gradually realized my true feelings towards him. I was also in love with Victor, and the following reply was my answer to him.

"I don't think you need permission anymore then~" I cheekily replied him as I leaned over to kiss him on the lips. Albeit my poor skills, Victor returned the kiss with a more romantic and intense one. When our lips parted, Victor hugged me gently as he continued to whisper sweet nothings in my ear.

"I love you. Please stay close to me, Yuri."