NOTE: I used names from real life skaters who won/placed during the 2011 Grand Prix, but I only used names and nationalities, I literally know NOTHING about these people, or their skating. Also, this is a work of FICTION, so obviously none of it is true anyway. :)

Everything after the performance is sort of a blur for Viktor. It's the same thing, the podium, skating across the ice for the photos, even thanking everyone for their support. Even if he does have someone else in mind besides his usual coach, fans and fellow skaters. It's not until he can change his clothes that he really starts to relax, smiling a little when he thinks of the last part of his performance, playing it over in his mind for a moment as he wonders what Yuri thought of it. He's sure the younger skater was watching, there's no doubt in his mind about that.

There are just some things that he can't properly express through words, this feeling he has when he thinks about Yuri being one of them. Viktor knows that it's odd to put so much on one person, but there's never been another person in his life like the shy Japanese man. Everyone around him has always been confident and sure of themselves. The same way he feels about himself. To see everything from the other side, from a different perspective, is refreshing and fascinating. There's more to it than that, but the buzz of adrenaline is still in the Russian's system which makes it hard for him to concentrate and focus on it.

By the time there's a knock on Viktor's dressing room door, he's finishing packing up his case. "Yes, come in." He says politely as he looks over at the door expectantly. And a tiny irrational sliver of his brain briefly daydreams about how wonderful it would be if Yuri were to step through the door.

The very opposite of the gentle, shy and innocent Yuri, Viktor's coach, Yakov is the one who opens the door with a frown on his face. Which is pretty much his default expression. "You did well tonight, Vitya. But if you ever pull a stunt like that again, you will be in big trouble. Changing your program without telling me?" He asks, his voice raising in his displeasure.

Viktor just smiles a little at his coach, taking his scolding in stride. "I'm sorry, Yakov. I wasn't sure I was going to do it until I got out on the ice." He half lies, since he was sure earlier in the afternoon that he was going to do it. "But it was a great success, yes?" He asks with a slightly brighter smile.

"You are lucky it was. What made you change it, the ending is unlike you." Yakov notes, since for the most part Viktor has always chosen programs that are graceful, gentle and sometimes somber, but he's never been one to use music with a quick tempo which requires fast movements and foot work. Not that he couldn't, it's just not his preference from the older Russian's experience.

"Is it? Well, perhaps I should change that." Viktor says sweetly while somewhat dodging the question since he doesn't want to tell his coach about Yuri just yet. "Is the press waiting for us?" He asks as he slips on his red and white Russia jacket, zipping it up to hide his rather normal t-shirt he's wearing underneath.

While knowing that his pupil is dodging him and yet not knowing if there is anything he can do about it, Yakov merely nods a little. "Yes, they and the other skaters are waiting. You took too long. You should be more considerate of others." He scolds again before he turns and walks out, leading the way to the little hall where they have the table set up for the press conference.

Viktor approaches the stage and he smiles a little at the two men that got Silver and Bronze, shaking their hands and posing with them with a smile before he takes a seat in the middle and glances around at the small crowd of reporters and cameras.

"Chrstophe!" One of the reporters starts, lifting a hand. "How does it feel to get so close yet with such a large margin between yourself and Viktor?" The man asks, getting right to the hart of the matter.

Fortunately, like the professional that he is, Chris just waves his hand a little in dismissal. "I consider it an honor to finally be standing beside Viktor on the podium. It may be my first time but I look forward to repeating the performance. Viktor is an incredible skater who deserves the gold he won today. His program was just wonderful. But that's alright, it just gives me something to strive for next year. If I were to beat him so soon it would be boring, ya?" He asks with a wink at the crowd and a flirty smile.

"Speaking of the performance. Viktor, you changed it at the last minute and you mentioned in another interview that there was someone special in your life, is it a girlfriend?" One of the female reporters quickly latches onto that line of questioning as she shouts out to the skaters.

Smiling sweetly at the crowd, Viktor just tilts his head to the side a little. "You're going to embarrass me! No, that person is not a girlfriend." He reassures, still trying to be vague about gender. "But you're right. I did change my program because of meeting them. It wasn't for them, but merely to express to the world that my recent outlook has changed, since this year I was inspired by my own feelings rather than a particular story I wanted to tell." He explains as he looks at the reporter. "I do hope they approve, though! They're a great fan of skating, so I am sure they saw it." He gushes a little, putting one hand against his cheek with a slightly broader grin.

"Were they able to make it here to see you tonight?" Another reporter asks from the side, the personal questions always being more popular than the same old questions about technique, performance, etc. So whenever something comes up they tend to latch onto it. Figure Skating fans go nuts for gossip.

Viktor glances over and he looks sad for a moment. "Unfortunately no. They had plans and events in their own life which meant they could not attend. That's alright though. I'm glad everyone got to see me skate today, I have had such a warm welcome here in Quebec!" He says cheerfully, trying to make it clear that he is done talking about Yuri, and that they should start asking other questions.

The questions thankfully move away and to the other competitors as well, no one asking about next year quite yet because this is just the start of the championships and there are at least two more that Viktor is planning on competing in, which means the next three months are going to be very busy for him.

When it finally ends, Viktor sighs as he gets up. "Congratulations again, Chris. Your performance was spectacular this year. Will you be going to the European Championship?" He asks curiously, knowing that both of them are eligible for that.

Chris smiles a little. "You know I will, I have to try and beat you and get to World's, no matter what venue it's at. Someday I will beat you here at the Grand Prix though, Viktor." He says in his normal flirty tone. "Will I see you at the banquet tonight?"

Considering that because he has forgotten about it, Viktor just smiles. "The banquet! I almost forgot. Of course I'll be there! I look forward to seeing everyone. I had better get back to the hotel so I can dress properly for it, I wouldn't want to be an embarrassment to Yakov and Russia." He says sort of half jokingly as he thinks about it, giving a small little shrug.

"Alright, then.. I look forward to seeing you there, Viktor." Chris says before he turns to head off with his own coach, pausing to smile and wave at some fans hoping for pictures.

"Come, Viktor. Let us get back to the hotel and get cleaned up. We should have time for something toe at before hand." Yakov says as he comes up beside his skater.

For once, Viktor doesn't argue, he just nods a little. "Of course, Yakov." He says before he follows him toward the exit, smiling and waving at some of the fans, giving a group of girls a wink which makes at least half of them swoon over and makes him chuckle lightly to himself. He's honestly not sure what it is about him that makes them do that. He knows he's above average in looks, but he's certainly not a movie star or anything like that.

On his way back to the hotel he thinks about that, reaching up to play with some of the fringe that occasionally covers one of his eyes, twisting a lock of it around in his fingers for a few moments. He's never thought of himself as unattractive, and while he can't see the appeal himself, he has used his looks to get his way occasionally. Taking advantage of how other people react is probably not a great thing to do, but no one ever said he was perfect.

Shrugging it off with his usual dismissive manner, Viktor smiles at the hotel staff as he makes his way through and then heads to his room to get ready for the banquet, loading up his computer to see if there might be anything from his eager young friend. By the time he's showered and shrugging into his dress shirt, he sees the email and pouts a little as he at first sees the overall length. But, he supposes it is quite later and Yuri did previously say he had Finals this week, and almost right after he has a competition. So Viktor can't be too upset with him, he has to learn to be patient and give the younger man time to do what he needs to do.

Giving a small smile at the monitor at the brief, yet heartfelt email, Viktor shakes his head for a few moments. 'I really must get him to be more confident in himself.' He thinks fondly before stepping away to finish getting ready, primping a little in front of the mirror before he smirks and grabs his cellphone, taking a picture of himself holding up the Victory sign and a faint smile on his face, before he opens a brief email to send a message with it.

~oOo~

Date: Dec 19, 2011, 10:13 PM

From: v-nikiforov

To: k-yuri

Subject: Good luck!

Attachment: 20111219-181140 . jpg

Yuri,

I'm sorry I kept you up so late, but I'm glad you got to see my performance. Thank you. Don't worry about those silly interviews or anything like that, I'm certainly not expecting you to watch them. And do not stretch yourself too much to reply to me. You need to be sure to get your rest and study this week for your Finals. Perhaps after then you can respond properly if you don't have time beforehand.

Good luck with your Finals this week, and I've attached a little picture for good luck! I'm just about to go to the banquet, and had a few minutes' to kill before I left. I'm sure you'll do better with your performance than you think, and I'll be sure to watch them!

Good luck and pleasant dreams!

Your Friend,

Viktor

~oOo~

Nodding to himself about his brief email, Viktor presses send just as there is a knock – more of a pounding really – at his door,

"Viktor! It is time for us to leave!" Yakov yells from the other side of the door in his usually burly way.

Smiling slightly at the antics of his coach, Viktor makes sure he has his hotel key and phone before he heads to the door. "No need to be so loud, you'll wake people, Yakov." He scolds his coach before he steps out the door and shuts it behind him. "I was just gathering my key and phone." The Russian skater explains before he walks away and toward the elevator.

"You're actually on time for once, I'm surprised. It's not as if you have anything to be ashamed of, you won the Gold Medal, so I do not understand why you always procrastinate over these things." Yakov grumbles before he turns to look at the retreating back of his skater. "Don't walk away from me, Vitya!" He yells angrily before he stomps after his charge, stabbing the elevator button angrily.

Standing there casually as he waits for the elevator, Viktor just offers his empty, fake publicity smile to his coach. "I'm not ashamed. I just like to be fashionably late." He says in a sweet tone, though it's partially a lie. He never really has fun at the banquets, having been to so many that they're all just the same to him anymore. So there's no sense of anticipation, no need to preen and show off like he might have when he was much younger.

Yakov just snorts a little as he steps onto the elevator, knowing his star skater well enough to know that he's not really telling the truth but there's no need to dive into it. He only interferes with his skater's lives when it starts to affect their performance. Otherwise, he doesn't care what they do. He's not the type who is touchy-feely, even if he is proud of them when they win.

Content to be silent, Viktor puts his hands in his pockets as he enters the elevator and waits for it, watching the numbers tick down. At least he should know some of the people there, so that will be nice. Maybe he'll get to chat with them a little. A few glasses of champagne and the night should fly by – or so he hopes.

By the time they get to the hall, the gathering is in full swing, and Viktor smiles a little to a few people, nodding politely. Yakov moves off quickly to talk to another coach which suits him just fine.

"Man, you got another gold, it's kind of a given at this point. Don't suppose you're going to retire anytime soon?" A young man asks that Viktor recognizes as Patrick Chan, the Canadian that made Bronze.

Viktor smiles a little and shakes his head. "Not yet, I'm afraid, Patrick" He says before he chuckles. "I don't know about it being a given. It's not as if I slack off. Otherwise you or Christophe might overtake me! You did well out there today." He says with a small nod of his head as he lifts his champagne glass in a silent salute.

Patrick just snorts a little and shrugs. "Not like you can tell that you've been practicing so hard, but I know you do. Don't slack off, or I might catch you next year!" He says, patting Viktor on the back with one hand before he heads toward a group of female skaters, apparently willing to take this golden opportunity.

Viktor smirks a little as he looks after the other man. He likes Patrick, though they've always been more competitive than friendly, but he finds him a little predictable. And at least from his point of view, being predictable is the worst thing that can happen to a skater.

The next person coming to talk to Viktor is someone he'd much rather talk to, the Gold medalist for the Ladies' Senior division, Caroline Kostner from Italy. She also can be seen giving the Crispino twins a hard time sometimes, though they don't share a coach and are in different divisions. But being from the same country can create bonds at events like these.

Sliding her hand up to Viktor's shoulder, Carolina looks up at him and smiles a little. "Hello Viktor, it's good to see you again." She says before leaning up to kiss both his cheeks, a greeting that the taller man returns.

"And you as well, Carolina. Congratulations on the gold medal. I'm sorry I didn't get to see your performance, but I'm sure you deserved it." The Russian replies with a polite smile as he looks down at her.

"Of course I deserved it, otherwise they wouldn't have given it to me." Carolina scolds lightly. "I, however, did catch your performance. It was spectacular, I've never seen you change the feel of your performance so much from beginning to end. That must be some inspiration you found. I'm happy for you." She says with a small smile as she pats his bicep a little.

Putting his hand to his chin in thought as he mentally reviews his past routines, Viktor nods a little. "You are probably right, I don't remember all of them." He says politely with a small smile. "But yes, I found an incredible amount of inspiration from this person." Once again he phrases his answer carefully to avoid using any pronouns which would indicate gender. Not only does he not want Yuri harassed if they somehow find out it's him, but he doesn't want the media storm either. It's bothersome, and it's better to keep them hanging like this.

Carolina considers for a few moments. "You haven't ever said.. is it a woman or a man?" She asks the pointed question as she narrows her eyes slightly, obviously digging for information.

"You're right, I haven't ever said." Viktor says smoothly with a little smile. "You're being so pushy tonight, Carolina! Are you jealous? Or perhaps you've had too much champagne." Tilting his first glass, half empty, toward hers, he just smiles a little, knowing that one of those two guesses will elicit a response which he can hopefully manipulate away from this line of questioning.

Frowning at her fellow medalist, Carolina's voice is sharper and accent slightly thicker when she replies. "I am not jealous! I am in a committed relationship right now, Viktor. I knew you were vain, but I didn't think it went that deep. You think just because I'm curious, I have to be after you as well, like all of those fluttering fangirls that stalk your every move?" She demands as she looks at him. "I've half a mind to throw this champagne in your face. For your information, this is only my second glass and I am not so much of a lightweight as that." Her tone goes cold and harsh and she frowns a little as she glares at the other skater.

Glad his plan worked and not really surprised at the temper from the younger, Viktor just gives her an apologetic smile. "Forgive me, Carolina! I didn't mean to imply anything by it. I was just joking! I never knew you were so sensitive." He says with a little bit of amusement and a small chuckle. "What does Michele Crispino think about your temper, hmm? I've seen you talking with the twins a lot, and I did not see you paying much attention to Sara." He says with a little smirk as he looks at her. A little defensiveness and hopefully she'll either abandon him or try a completely different line of conversation. That's the hopeful outcome at least.

"What?" Carolina asks in surprise as she stares at him. "I do not like Michele! He's got too much of a complex about his sister. He's interesting to tease though, and a little dense." She notes with a bit of amusement, shaking her head for a moment, though her tight bun doesn't even so much as move. Something that fascinates Viktor a little.

"Yes, he is a little clingy of his sister, it seems. I hope that is merely brotherly love and not anything inappropriate. That would be a horrible scandal." Viktor admits sadly. He's seen awful scandals ruin skaters before and it's never a pretty thing. Which is one of many, many reasons he's mostly kept to himself and attempts to stay out of the public eye as much as possible. Thankfully the paparazzi don't usually hang out outside the home rinks of any of the skaters. Even him.

Carolina nods a little, her previous question apparently forgotten for now. "That's true. But I don't think it's inappropriate, I think he's just very overprotective of his sister. She's very pretty, I'm sure she gets a lot of unwanted attention." She points out, attention drifting as she glances around them. "I should go and find my coach, make sure she is not drinking too much. It was good seeing you, Viktor." With a small wave of her fingers at him, the younger skater turns and heads away in search of her coach.

Letting out a little sigh when she leaves, Viktor nods and runs a hand through his hair. That was maybe unnecessary, but it was also a close one. He's glad she wasn't more tenacious with her questioning. Which also means he is not the focus of her interest, not off the ice. Also a good thing.

The rest of the banquet goes by quietly and without more than polite pleasantries and expected conversation passing between the Russian skater and those he encounters. When he thinks he's been there quite long enough and the crowd starts to thin out, Viktor takes himself out as well, especially since he doesn't see Yakov and assumes the man probably drank too much champagne. How his coach can drink quite a bit of Vodka and not be fine, but Champagne ruins him is often a source of amusement and something Viktor thinks is mostly mental for his coach.

Being a little fuzzy from the champagne himself, it takes Viktor a few tries before his key card works in the lock and he sighs as he gets inside, stripping and dropping his clothes with no care to their price or the condition they might be in when he wakes up. He'll just have them dry cleaned and pressed, it's not like he has to wear any of it another day. Deciding that packing up tonight is not going to happen, the silver-haired man flops down on his bed, opening his phone to the pictures of Yuri and flipping between them. There may only be two, but they're both so different. "Goodnight, Yuri. Sleep well." He mutters in Russian to his phone before hooking it up to charge and closing his eyes, asleep a few moments later.

Here we go, schedules apparently don't work for me. Sorry! I hope you all enjoy this chapter, thanks for reading! And thanks for your reviews, as always.

Reviews/Comments welcome!