After seeing the Phantom Thief AU art that somachos made on tumblr, I was inspired to write this! Go check out the art! I hope that you all like it! Please let me know ^.~ Obviously I don't own YOI or make any profit!

To see fan art based on my fic & my collages for certain chapters, please go to kawaiiusagi2 at tumblr and use the hashtag #utcoe

THERE IS NEW ART ^^

Under the Cover of Eros

YOI Phantom Thief AU

Chapter 26 - Final Notice

When Viktor strolled into the station on Sunday morning, there was an extra spring in his step. Last night when Yuuri came over for dinner, Viktor had cleared out a drawer in his dresser just for his solnyshko to have. The idea that his boyfriend had a few spare clothes in his bedroom made Viktor's heart light. And this morning when he went to shave his face, while Yuuri was still snoring away happily in bed, Viktor smiled at Yuuri's blue toothbrush on the counter in the bathroom next to his.

"Wipe that sappy smile off your face Vitya!" Yakov bellowed. "This is a police station, there is nothing to be that damn happy about so early in the morning," he grumbled as he filed his coffee mug.

"Good morning Captain," Viktor ignored Yakov's typical morning surliness and waved cheerfully as he passed by.

"Good morning Guang-Hong," Viktor greeted warmly as he took a seat behind his desk.

"Good morning detective," Guang-Hong shyly replied. He knew what Viktor was about to read, so he excused himself. Guang-Hong didn't want to be there when the detective opened his email.

Viktor sat down his Starbucks and logged into his work computer. Being a Sunday, he was hoping that things would be relatively calm and maybe he could even go home early. He took a sip of his morning mocha and hummed to himself, as he opened his work email. Because he had yesterday off, he was expecting to spend the better half of the morning responding to all his new mail. He nearly choked on his mocha when he read the subject line of the first one:

From: EROS Subject: Good Morning Detective 9:01 AM

He gulped and looked around the office to make sure that no one was nearby before he hesitantly pushed his mouse forward and clicked on the message:

Eros eros

to:

Dear Detective,

I will procure proof from the pompous perpetrator JJ tonight at 11 pm

Come alone to the Leroy Estate and I just might let you catch me on my final heist

~Phantom Thief Eros~

After he read it twice, Viktor quickly closed the window and slumped back into his chair. His mind was racing as he attempted to digest the new information. Eros was going to JJ's again, but this time to uncover 'proof' of his claims against the man. Viktor also noted that Eros had asked him to come alone and that this was to be the thief's final heist.

"So I guess it's not gonna be a calm day after all," Viktor said under his breath while he began to formulate a plan.

….

Yesterday Afternoon:

"Ok Yuuri, we're all here except the kid, so what's all this about?" Leo asked with an annoyed huff. He and Guang-Hong had been happily cuddling in bed and Leo didn't like his cuddle time interrupted. He held onto Guang-Hong's hand as they sat down on the sofa at Yuuri and Phichit's apartment.

"Yeah Yuu, I had to close the café for this," Phichit whined from his chair.

"I'm sorry guys," Yuuri bowed his head. He knew he was being selfish and rude and he hated to do that to his friends. "Tomorrow will be my last heist, I'm done, I'm sorry!" He kept his perfect ninety degree bow as stunned silence followed his declaration.

"Yuu-chan," Phichit's tender voice broke the tension and Yuuri slowly raised his head to meet his best friend's gaze. "It's alright, you don't have to apologize," Phichit offered a comforting smile.

"Yeah Yuuri, no need to say sorry, we should probably stop while we're ahead," Leo shrugged.

"And not behind bars," Guang-Hong added softly.

"Or dead honestly, I've been wondering if that dickhead JJ hired someone to hunt down Eros with that big chuck of money that went missing from his offshore account. This is getting a bit too dangerous!" Phichit sighed, got to his feet, and crossed the room to wrap Yuuri in his arms. The last thing that he wanted was for Yuuri to be sad or in serious danger. He rubbed calming circles on Yuuri's back as his best friend began to break down.

"I'm just so sorry guys," Yuuri wailed as tears began to fall onto Phichit's shoulder.

"Aww Yuuri," Guang-Hong cooed and ran over to hug Phichit and Yuuri too. "It's ok, don't be sad," he sighed.

"Yeah man, it's alright," Leo nodded and he too joined the hugging men in the center of the living room.

"I love you guys, I don't deserve such amazing friends," Yuuri cried from the center of the hugging huddle. He was relieved that his friends didn't seem to be mad at him. Now all he had to do was talk with Yura, he shivered at the thought.

"Ok you idiots, break it up, I can't breathe and my ass is sore Leo, back off!" Phichit yelled out and the men instantly broke apart.

"Sorry man," Leo snickered, "that's what happens when you don't use it for a while!" He roared in laughter.

Phichit glared at Leo and then punched him hard in the arm. "Fuck you Leo!" Phichit growled and then began to laugh himself, unable to hold his angry face for very long.

"Nope, sorry buddy, I only fuck my sweet lil Guang-Hong," Leo taunted and hid behind the much smaller Guang-Hong for protection from the frustrated Thai.

"You're a moron, you know that?" Guang-Hong rolled his eyes and leaned his head back to look up at his boyfriend.

"Sí," Leo smiled proudly, "but you still love me cariño!" He squeezed the slighter Guang-Hong from behind.

"Yeah yeah, you're alright I guess," Guang-Hong shrugged nonchalantly.

"Harsh man, harsh!" Phichit giggled.

As Yuuri watched his friends fight and laugh, he knew that he needed to protect these precious souls no matter what. Even if that meant that he alone would be held accountable for everything, then so be it.

….

JJ stood in his foyer, dressed to the nines, with a cheeky grin on his smug face. When he turned around and saw that his butler was no where to be found he began to get upset. "Hurry up Georgi! I don't want to miss a second of this!" He shrieked with impatience.

"I'll be only a moment sir," Georgi instantly replied from the parlor. He turned back to face Seung Gil. "As I was saying, Mr. Leroy received a pair of complimentary tickets to tonight's production of 'King JJ,' based off of his autobiography." Georgi took a deep, fortifying breath. "And he graciously insisted that I join him," he attempted a smile but was sure that it came off as more of a grimace.

Seung just shook his head. "Lucky you," he rolled his eyes. Thankfully he wasn't asked to attend!

"Yes well," Georgi reached into his pocket and took out a small piece of paper. "Here is the address of the venue and my contact information, should you require it," he said while handing Seung Gil the paper.

"Thanks," Seung Gil took the paper and pocketed instantly.

"GEEOOORGIIIIIIII!" Came JJ's squealing, demanding voice from the foyer.

"Your master is calling, run along lil doggy," Seung Gil scoffed and spun on his heels to leave the parlor and head back to his room. He could hear Georgi's footsteps clacking against the marble floors and joining his master. Seung Gil grinned to himself when the sound of the front door being opened and then slammed shut again reverberated through the mansion. "Alone at last," he sighed.

Seung Gil had a very good idea why JJ had suddenly and mysteriously been gifted those tickets. When he opened the door to his quarters Boskil bounded off of his bed towards him, wagging his fluffy, curled tail happily. Seung Gil spent no less than five minutes lavishing the dog in affection and praise, then he sat down behind his desk.

"Clever, getting that idiot out of the house, too bad I'm here Eros," Seung Gil snickered as he pulled up a copy of Detective Nikiforov's email. He had hacked into the NYPD email servers a week ago and now it had paid off. "Hmm 11pm huh?" Seung Gil hummed to himself while swiveling in his leather computer chair.

….

Viktor pulled up to the Leroy Estate and parked his car cautiously outside of the front gate. Earlier in the day he had struggled with the ethical dilemma of coming tonight. On one hand he needed to come, he had to capture the thief once and for all. On the other hand, he didn't have a warrant and he didn't tell his superior about his invitation to this little party. Logically, Viktor knew that he was walking into a trap, he knew that he should have told someone. He should have at least told Yuuri, but he didn't. He couldn't. What would he say? 'Hey Yuuri I'm really sorry, but I need to go meet up with Eros who is super sexy and has kissed me a few times, but I still haven't caught him yet. Ok baby I'll see you later!' Yeah that would work for sure. No problem. So there he was, parked outside the Leroy estate like a total idiot, no backup and no real plan. Just like Eros asked him to. Moron!

The thought had crossed his mind that Eros would need to get JJ out of the mansion for this to all work out. So how was Eros going to do that exactly? When Viktor had checked JJ's Instagram earlier in the day, his question had been answered. He took out his phone now and sure enough there was a ridiculous selfie of JJ at a play about himself, nice. So now the mansion was vacant and Viktor was here, just like Eros wanted.

With a final sigh of resignation, Viktor got out of the car and slowly crept towards the front gate. He took out his gun and released the safety, he needed to at least be armed and ready for whatever was about to happen. As he approached the gate another issue arose.

"How the hell am I gonna get in?" He asked the silent, snow covered night. As if the chilly evening had heard the desperation in his voice, the front gate swung open and allowed him admittance. Sudden understand washed across his face and he looked up to the security camera positioned above the gate. "I guess I should say thanks huh Agape?" Viktor asked the camera sarcastically and slunk forwards. He wasn't even surprised that once he had crossed the threshold the gate began to gently close behind him. Yup, definitely a trap! Viktor shook his head and made his way up to the estate while the frosty wind wiped his tan trench coat violently and stung at his face.

….

Phichit was sitting cross legged under the kotatsu at his apartment and was laughing his ass off. "Get this guys, Nikiforov just thanked Agape for opening the front gate," he giggled and thrashed about. The sounds of Leo's hearty laughter started to ring through the earpieces as well.

"Focus!" Eros hissed, not as amused. He was sitting on top of JJ's desk in his study, waiting. "Where is he now Agape?" He asked while looking around the room cautiously.

"Sorry Eros," Phichit whined at the scolding and typed away at his keyboard to pull up the security camera feeds. "Looks like he just entered the mansion and is in the foyer below you," he replied. Phichit was having a difficult time accessing all the feeds in the mansion and he couldn't understand why. But thankfully, the cameras that he really needed for the mission were available to him at least. He would have to figure out why he couldn't access the other camera's later, right now Eros needed his head in the game.

"Ok, here we go then," Eros grinned. He could hear soft foot falls on the stairs and knew that Viktor was coming up to the study. Good boy! When Viktor's designer shoes hit the marble floor at the top of the stairs, Eros took in a deep breath. "Good evening detective," he purred out in a deep, seductive voice. It was the voice he always used when in 'Eros Mode,' much lower in pitch than his own.

"Eros!" Viktor gasped and stilled in the hall. He could feel his heartbeat in his ears and the sound was deafening. Viktor gulped and inched towards the study where the voice had come from.

"That's me," Eros smirked as Viktor entered the doorway. "Miss me sweetheart?" He asked as he slowly swung his foot back and forth.

Even in the scant light coming in through the balcony window, Viktor could make out Eros's lithe perched on the desk. He was sitting with his legs crossed and leaning back on one hand. His long, pale neck was on full display with his head back and cocked to one side. "You're under arrest Eros, don't move!" Viktor found his voice at last and advanced on the thief with his gun held out in front of him.

"Oh not that again," Eros chuckled. The study lights came on without warning and bathed the room in a soft glow. "Besides you're not the only one armed dear," Eros smirked.

With the lights on Viktor could see that in Eros's other hand was a gun, aimed right at the detective. Fuck! "Damn you Eros," Viktor growled and narrowed his eyes. He was determined not to be tempted by that tight bodysuit that hugged all of the thief's curves perfectly or the ruby stained lips that matched the actual ruby necklace around that slender neck.

"Oh darlin' I love it when you're feisty!" Eros shivered and squirmed on the desk. He grinned when he saw Viktor gulp. "I tell you what, let's put down our guns and just have a nice little chat, what do you say?"

Viktor could agree to that, after all they were at a stalemate with both of them pointing guns at each other. That, and Viktor was morbidly curious as to what was in the file folder sitting next to Eros's ass on the desk. "Alright Eros, on the count of three?" When he saw the bandit nod, he nodded in return. "One . . two . . three," he announced and they both allowed their guns to lower. Eros placed his on the desk on his other side with his hand still over top of it, while Viktor held his down by his hip.

"There, that's better," Eros smiled and his wine colored eyes sparkled with mischief. "Now detective, I have something that I'm sure you're dying to see," he picked up the folder and waved it enticingly in the air near his head.

Viktor suddenly noticed that behind Eros's right shoulder a large and gaudy portrait of JJ had been flung out of the way to reveal a hidden safe with it's door ajar. Clearly the thief had liberated the file folder from the safe before Viktor had arrived. Oh great! "What's that?" Viktor asked, feigning indifference.

"Oh my sweet detective, you know very well what this is," Eros's lip curled and he slid smoothly off the edge of the desk and onto his high heeled boots. "This is a record of almost all of JJ's misdeeds through the years," he explained as he sauntered towards Viktor. "Most of the skeletons in his closet," he added and shoved the folder into Viktor's chest.

Viktor had been mesmerized by the sway of Eros's hips as he made his way to Viktor's side of the study. He was shocked back to reality when he felt the folder hit his chest and he scrambled to grab it before it fell. "Most?" He asked in an embarrassing squeak. "Why? What's missing from this?"

"Well honey I took the liberty of removing the files that pertained to little ol' me," Eros cooed as he placed a hand to his chest, innocently batting his long eyelashes. "Wouldn't want those to get out," he winked and relished the light blush that was forming on Viktor's high cheekbones.

Viktor cleared his throat, it had suddenly gone quite dry. Eros lived up to his name, the damn thief just oozed sex appeal. "Well these won't be admissible in a court of law because they were unlawfully obtained," he explained and attempted to keep the regret out of his tone.

"Oh? But you can just say that these fell into your lap anonymously, then they will be completely feasible as evidence against that detestable man," Eros's silky voice took a dangerous edge near the end. "After all," Eros snapped back to a playful mood, "you didn't tell anyone that you were meeting me here tonight, not even your boy-toy," he smirked.

Ok low blow! He wanted to tell Yuuri, but he didn't know how. But, what Eros said was true about the files, he could use them as evidence if he claimed ignorance as to how they were obtained. "But I-"

"Shh," Eros stopped his protest with his index finger against the detective's lips. "Just do this for me handsome, please?" He asked coyly.

Viktor pulled back away from Eros's gloved finger and shook his head. He had to stay calm and maintain control! You can do this Nikiforov! "And what will you give me in return Eros?" He gave a sly smirk so Eros could have a taste of his own damn medicine.

"Oh detective," Eros fanned his face. "You naughty boy," he taunted and wagged his finger. "What do you want sugar?" He dropped his voice even low and leaned in close until all that separated them was mere inches of air. "Do you want me detective?" Eros purred while the voice of Yuuri in the back of his mind screamed in protest.

The old Viktor would have panted out a breathy 'yes,' at that question. The Viktor before he knew how wonderful it was to be with Yuuri would have claimed Eros's lips and bent the damn thief over the desk right then and there! But this Viktor, the one that stood in the study now, just wanted to end all this. He wanted to capture the thief and arrest JJ if the evidence supported it. But most of all, he wanted to be with his solnyshko. "Eros, all I want is to do my job and place you under arrest and JJ too if this is enough evidence to convict him," he said solemnly.

….

"Eros! Get out of there! All my feeds to the mansion just cut out and I can't get back in! DO YOU HEAR ME!?" Phichit screamed into the earpiece but heard nothing on the other end. Nothing, not even Eros and Viktor talking. "Storge? Can you hear me?" He shrieked. Nothing. Just silence followed. He feverishly hit the keys on his keyboard in an attempt to regain control of the situation.

"I beat you! Your Storge is unconscious. I am in control now! The detective will die tonight and soon Yuuri Katsuki will follow him in death. And who knows, maybe I'll find out who you are and deal with you as well for all the trouble you caused me," came a chilly voice across Phichit's earpiece and he froze. "My employer JJ sends his warm regards Agape," the voice cackled and cut off.

Phichit's blood ran cold and he began to shake. "No," his voice came out as a mere whisper. "No it . . . it can't be . . . this isn't happening," he began to laugh humorlessly. Phichit scrambled to regain access to the comms at least, but everything he tried failed. Soon he wasn't able to see the screen as tears began to cloud his vision. "Yuuri," he cried out as his body convulsed. Phichit pulled his hair as he let out a mournful howl, "YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

….

Instead of hearing the clicking of a keyboard or the whistling of the wind outside in his earpiece, all Eros could hear was silence. He thought that Agape must be having trouble with the comms, but he shrugged that thought off. He had something else to deal with at the moment. "Oh?" He cocked his head to Viktor's uncharacteristically cold response.

"Yes Eros, you are a criminal and belong behind bars. Lets end this, let me take you in and I promise to do everything in my power to help you get a lighter sentencing," Viktor stated calmly.

"Well detective I -" Eros stopped mid sentence as he noticed a bright red dot light up Viktor's forehead. Without thinking he lunged up at Viktor and knocked him backwards as glass shattered behind them.

Viktor was pushed backwards so suddenly that he barely had time to react. He and Eros toppled to the floor. The folder and Viktor's gun fell out of his hands as he tried to catch the thief and lessen their inevitable impact. When Viktor opened his eyes he saw that he was on his back and Eros was laying facedown across his lap with his head near Viktor's abdomen. "What the hell Eros?" Viktor shrieked and then noticed the broken glass strewn across the wooden floor. "Eros?" He asked again, a bit quieter. He gently turned Eros around and saw a blotch of crimson rapidly spreading and staining Eros's chest. Viktor's eyes went wide and his voice failed him.

Yuuri panted as a searing pain shot through his body and he winced audibly. So JJ did hire someone! He groaned and slowly opened his eyes. A slightly fuzzy Viktor came into view with concern written across his handsome face. "I'm sorry," Yuuri coughed, "I never wanted you to get hurt." He could feel hot tears beginning to form in his eyes. "JJ must have hired a hit man," he struggled to explain as he felt a velvety darkness creeping in.

Viktor couldn't believe that Eros would protect him like that, take a bullet for him. What was more, Eros had dropped the act, his face had softened, and his voice sounded almost like . . . "Don't talk, I'll call for backup and an ambulance," Viktor murmured as he reached for his phone.

"I'm sorry Vitya," Yuuri cried and writhed in pain.

And that hit him like a punch to the stomach. It couldn't be! It was impossible, but that soft and caring tone along with his nickname could only be one person. "Yu . . .Yuuuri?" Viktor gasped in disbelief.

"I'm sorry Vitya, Phichit will explain everything, I," Yuuri grunted as he reached a shaky hand up to cup Viktor's cheek, "I love you Vitya." Yuuri smiled and then his hand fell limp as unconsciousness finally took him under.

"Yuuri?" Viktor mumbled. "Yuuri!" He panicked and cradled Yuuri in his arms. There he sat on the floor and rocked back and forth. "No!" Viktor screamed in anguish as he kissed Yuuri's gelled hair. "Don't leave me Yuuri," he begged and squeezed the smaller man's crumpled body. Viktor threw his head back and sobbed as his body tensed, "YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

Author's Notes:

Because so many people commented as to why Seung Gil didn't notice that Phichit's apartment was the same one he tracked Yuuri down to I thought that I would explain. It wasn't the same apartment. Phichit took Seung Gil back to their place, whereas when Seung Gil followed Eros, it was back to Viktor's place. So, he got the pics of Yuuri and Viktor at Viktor's house. He didn't dig any further ^^ I guess that wasn't super clear. My bad! Additionally Phichit had left Yurio before Yuuri got back, so Seung Gil didn't see him either.

Proof:

[ "You're late Sensei!" Yurio bellowed before Yuuri even managed to get in the door.

"Gomen Yura, I just had Leo drop me off , where's Phichit?" Yuuri asked as he took off his shoes and placed is coat in the hallway closet. He had changed out of his Eros costume in the backseat of Leo's car on the way to Viktor's apartment. Now he was dressed in a pair of jeans and a light green sweater.

"As soon as he knew Stor, I mean Mr. Church had picked you up, he headed back to your place, Yurio explained while standing up from the sofa. ]

^^;; please don't hate me! Just remember that I promised a happy ending!

*posts this and runs away*