Yuuri was sure to get up bright and early. His heart was jumping at every passing moment. He'd soon be near Viktor again.

Which should he wear? The blue and black skating clothes or the more vibrant, red and black? Red was passionate and what Yuuri felt like wearing but it was also flashy. What would Viktor be wearing? Should he try to match? No, no that would be too weird.

Yuuri groaned and impatiently shuffled in place at his fashion frustration. He decided to slick his hair back and decide the outfit after he saw it with his whole ensemble.

Of course all the time he'd spent choosing made him later than he wanted. Still, he would not be so late to have Viktor waiting.

While Yuuri had been styling his hair, he'd spied an outfit in his closet that made him discard the other two. He hoped it wouldn't seem too flashy but still looked nice enough on him to catch Viktor's attention.

He hopped off the train at 10:30. Plenty of time.

Yuuri couldn't help smiling in anticipation. Over the night, he came to terms with the idea that he might want to pursue Viktor romantically but, he was far too scared of the answer to ask himself.

Yuuri neared the meeting spot when he caught a glimpse of shiny hair, reflecting the sun beams. It was blindingly brilliant.

"Viktor!" Yuuri's heart soared.

"You're here so early!"

Viktor looked up from his phone and glanced around the crowd, searching for the source of Yuuri's voice. When he spotted him, a large grin spread over his lips.

"Good morning, Yuuri!" he could have put angels to shame with that look of purity.

Yuuri ran up to Viktor, ready to embrace him but he stopped himself.

"That would be too bold right now." he thought.

"Yuuri, stand right there." Viktor said with his finger under his chin. He was analyzing something as he looked Yuuri up and down.

Yuuri stopped dead in his tracks to let Viktor take in his form.

Viktor made a picture frame with his hands and looked through it at Yuuri.

"I like it! Photogenic little Yuuri." he beamed before laughing and wrapping one arm around the black haired man's shoulders.

"Smile!" Yuuri looked up to see Viktor posing for a selfie with him. He had just enough time to make a V sign with his fingers and give a shy smile. The shutter clicked and Viktor shoved the phone back into his pocket.

"Are you ready to go?" Yuuri asked with obvious joy in his voice. Viktor seemed to pick up on it too. He nodded and they started towards the rink.

Along the way, Viktor told Yuuri all about his travels and all the fun people he'd met. He also talked extensively about his poodle and coach. Yuuri found himself enjoying how much Viktor was opening up to him. He felt a little bad that he was not contributing much to the conversation... but then again, he was nowhere near as interesting as the 5 time world champion.

"We're here." Yuuri suddenly had to interrupt. Viktor went quiet and he looked up at the sign for the rink before rushing to the door. Yuuri followed and as if Viktor remembered his manners, he stopped and stood to the side to let Yuuri go in first.

Yuuri let out a little giggle and walked past Viktor, giving him a sideways glance and a smile.

Once inside, they could hear the chatter of the skaters on the ice. Some were beginners and others were comfortable. Yuuri went to get them a badge that let them on the ice. They both had their own skates. While Yuuri sat to put his skates on, Viktor got up and walked over to the counter. He said something to the man. Yuuri saw the man bow and go into the back as Viktor was returning.

"Did you have a question? I could have helped you... I come here a lot." Yuuri watched as Viktor put a finger to his lips and winked.

And what was that supposed to mean?

Over the loudspeaker, Yuuri heard an announcement that the rink's scheduled reservation was going to be in effect for the next few hours.

The crowd of people made their way to the sides. Many were ready to be done skating for the day. Yuuri felt his heart sink.

"Oh, Viktor, I'm terribly sorry... I didn't know they made reservations this early..." Yuuri started. His hands stopped tying his skate. And Viktor had been looking forward to this... it was his idea in the first place.

He wondered why Viktor wasn't saying anything and looked up to see him still tying his skate happily.

"Viktor, didn't you hear..."

"Who do you think reserved the whole rink, Yuuri?" Viktor flashed him a mischievous look.

Yuuri's mouth dropped. Renting the whole place was no easy feat, not to mention expensive. But if you're Viktor, you have that kind of power. Viktor Nikiforov didn't do things half-heartedly. He wanted to skate with Yuuri and that meant skate with Yuuri only.

The Russian stood with a little hop, placed his hands on his hips and looked down at a still shocked Yuuri.

"You ready to have fun?"

He could feel all eyes on them as they walked down to the ice. Those who knew who Viktor was were gasping and chattering about how lucky they were to see him in person. The other half who didn't know him looked like they were salty about the fact that they had to stop skating. However, as soon as Viktor set foot on the ice, it seemed to welcome him. He skated gracefully across the slippery surface, gazing up at the ceiling to take in his current stage. The sour onlookers flipped their moods 180 at the sight of him. Yuuri was dazzled as well. He was trying to take his jacket off and join Viktor as soon as he could.

Viktor spun around to face Yuuri and saw him unveiling the outfit he'd chosen for the day.

Yuuri was dressed head to toe in black but he had a shirt with snow patterned sequins around the hem. Bursts of snowy swirls daintily reached up his torso half way. The bottoms of the pants had the same design. Yuuri had bought this to skate in before he was injured. He liked the subtle flare of the costume because he could wear it to skate in casually. After the accident though, he couldn't bring himself to put it on.

Viktor skated towards him, sliding the last few feet in parallel. He had his arms bent up at the elbows towards Yuuri, offering him his hands to help him onto the ice.

Yuuri blushed at the gesture.

"You look stunning in that, Yuuri... Did you get that just for me?" Viktor joked with an earnest voice.

"No." Yuuri defended.

"I just thought it would be appropriate for today." He was such a bad liar.

"It is more than appropriate." Viktor purred as he reached out and took Yuuri's hands, pulling him out onto the ice.

They slid for a few feet as each of them registered the moment. Both of their senses were tingling about the contact. Soon though, one foot after the next, the two were casually gliding around the rink. Sometimes they slowed, sometimes they sped up. Sometimes Viktor did little footwork tricks.

They were alone in the rink now. All the onlookers had gone.

"How much can you still skate?" Viktor asked.

Yuuri was surprised by the question.

"I can still do mostly everything; I cannot make any large jumps or anything more than a double." Triple axels, lutzes and flips were no longer part of his life.

"Can I watch you skate? You can do a simplified routine if you want." Viktor seemed to be bubbling over with a need to watch Yuuri.

"I-I haven't practiced in so long... I don't even remember the full choreography..." Yuuri stammered.

"Just try." Viktor pleaded with puppy dog eyes.

Yuuri was feeling the pressure rising. His idol wanted him to perform for him and he was going to make a total fool of himself. He watched Viktor skate to edge of the rink, giving Yuuri space to move. With a little wave of his hand, he was telling Yuuri to start.

What routine did Yuuri know by heart? A thought crossed his mind.

He skated to the center of the rink. Eyes closed. Deep breath. He knew.

Yuuri let the music start playing in his head before lifting his face to the sky. He spun around himself and began to skate Viktor's Stay Close to Me.

He knew he couldn't hold a candle to Viktor's performance. Not like he could two years ago. Yuuri chose this one because he loved to skate it. He wanted to show Viktor how much he loved his skating and how much he adored this time he was spending with him.

He glanced over to where the skater was standing. He had Viktor's full attention. Yuuri felt a pang in his chest as that loop around his heart tighten again. It was pulling him towards the Russian with such strength; Yuuri couldn't help but let some of his true emotions spill into his skating. His movements were slow and purposeful. He let the weight of his feelings move him around the ice. He let the lightness of his joy carry him into the air when he made his jumps.

"Viktor, can you tell that I am falling for you?" Yuuri thought, almost hoping Viktor could hear him.

The music in his head was nearing the end. With a few final motions, Yuuri stood in the final pose, facing his only audience member.

He said nothing. Viktor just stood there with his hand over his mouth and the pink tinge spreading from his nose to his cheeks.

Yuuri skated over to him.

"Yuuri, that was wonderful." Viktor's voice was soft and a little broken. He sounded like he was trying to hold back tears.

"It wasn't that amazing, I can't skate it like you do." Yuuri tried to be modest.

"No, Yuuri, you can't! You skated that with your own passion." Viktor's face was serious now.

"It may not have been as advanced as when I skate it, but you were injured. It was beautiful the way you skated it because you made it your own."

Yuuri couldn't believe his ears. His skating was being praised by the very person he admired.

Viktor took hold of Yuuri's hands and led him out onto the ice further. Those cool blue eyes were gazing longingly into his chocolaty brown ones.

"I feel like you've inspired me, little one." Viktor swirled them around.

"R-really?" Yuuri choked out.

"Yes. I knew I had a reason for meeting you." Viktor pulled again, getting Yuuri in step with him as they waltzed across the ice.

That tugging was so fierce in his chest that Yuuri was sure his heart would burst. He could feel Viktor's breath on his face. It felt like the rest of the world vanished and all Yuuri could focus on was the man before him. They moved in perfect sync to each other's movements. Viktor ran a hand through Yuuri's pulled back hair, drawing him in closer to his body. Yuuri sighed and allowed himself to press flush against the Russian. Everything seemed to be resonating perfectly.

Viktor's hands traveled lower and rested on Yuuri's waist. The love stricken man felt the urge to jump, when he did, his arms spread like wings and firm hands guided him up before lowering him back down with ease. Yuuri's skates touched the ice with hardly any sound at all. He felt Viktor press his nose into his hair for a moment before dipping him backwards. It was like flying. He was brought back up, craning his neck to look up at Viktor's soft eyes. They were nearly nose to nose now. Nothing else mattered, nothing in the world.

"Can you feel it too?" Viktor spoke with a whisper.

Yuuri was sure he knew what Viktor meant. How could he feel anything else but desire to be near this man who was a mere stranger two days ago.

"Everything feels right." Yuuri breathed out while he wrapped his arms around the silver haired man's neck.

The dance came to a stop. Both of them couldn't do anything else but look into each other's souls. Both trying to figure out what the other needed, wanted.

Viktor broke the silence first, taking Yuuri's hands up to his chin and never leaving the sight of his warm brown eyes.

"What do you want me to be to you, Yuuri? A friend, an idol... a lover?"

The last word made every cell in Yuuri's body scream. His heart was crying to him again while his brain was trying to make him think rationally. He knew what he wanted. He knew yet, a stronger side of him wanted to ask what Viktor wanted.

Yuuri's eyes threatened to cry but he stayed composed.

"I want you to be Viktor Nikiforov." Yuuri declared.

"And I want Viktor Nikiforov to be whoever he wishes."

The answer was so innocent; Viktor furrowed his brows and made a funny half smile.

The overhead speakers made a low tone before a voice spoke over it.

"The reserved rink time will be spent in 5 minutes. Please make your way to the shoe room."

There was a click and the spell was broken. Yuuri and Viktor were standing in the middle of an ice rink with empty bleachers and high ceilings.

Viktor guided the man back to the side walls. There they removed their skates and put their street shoes back on. Yuuri covered up with his jacket and Viktor packed his skate bag.

"Are you hungry, Viktor? Since you surprised me by renting the rink, the least I can do is treat you to lunch." Yuuri really just wanted to spend more time with the man who'd enchanted him.

"I could go for some food." Viktor replied with a little smile and shining eyes.

"Do I get to pick?"

Yuuri nodded his head.

"Just nothing too pricy..." Yuuri added just for safe measure.

Viktor chuckled before taking Yuuri's hand.

The Japanese man was startled by the bold move. He tried to reason that Viktor had done this quite a bit today already but when they reached the exit, he still hadn't let go. They stepped outside and walked up the street and Viktor's grip never loosened.

"Viktor... our hands..."

"You told me to be myself and be whoever I want that to be." Viktor interrupted.

"I want to be the Viktor who's holding your hand."