Yuri found himself flooded with private messages that night. There were congratulatory ones from his parents and more praise from Minako-Sensei and Mari. Chris messaged him telling him that he had really enjoyed watching him melt the ice with his new superpowered Eros and wondered just what kind of 'coaching' Viktor was doing in order to get such drastic results. He had immediately turned red at the implied accusation and had been extremely thankful that Chris could neither see his flushed face nor hear him sputtering madly at the moment. The Swiss sex bomb had ended his message with "See you at Worlds my friend. I look forward to outsexing you on the ice!"

Yura's message had been the most enthusiastic. The young Russian was absolutely over-the-moon that his Japanese friend had topped JJ's score by such a comfortable margin. He shared a copy of the infamous 'challenge' picture that had been making the rounds and picking up steam in the media. He hadn't seen it yet, and was a bit taken aback by how confident and steely-eyed he appeared as he stared up at JJ. You could practically see the tendrils of tension sparking between them.

Yura: Yuri, OMG…you look FIERCE in this pic! How did JJ not piss his smartypants with you looking at him like that?

Yuri K: Ha! I honestly had no idea that that's what I looked like. It's so weird seeing it for the first time, it doesn't look at me at all!

Yura: It's a good look on you! Keep it up!

Yuri K: I guess all that training alongside a spitfire Russian teenager may have rubbed off on me in more ways than one…

Yura: I can't believe I'm saying this…cuz I sound like that stupid old geezer you love so much…but I'm really proud of you. It's good to see you finally have faith in your skills and talent. I hate to admit it, but you've got me feeling just a teeny bit nervous. You've become an even more worthy rival!

Yuri's eyes misted over as he read his friend's words. He knew how prickly Yura could be and how expressing himself properly didn't come naturally to him at all. He smiled as he stared down at the screen and blinked away the tears. He wanted to think that he had managed to influence the young upstart somehow and had helped him learn how to develop those skills.

Yuri K: Thank you, Yura. Your words…they mean a lot to me.

Yura: Блядь! You're fucking crying right now, aren't you? Here I am telling you how badass you are and then you get all damn weepy on me. HOPELESS.

Yuri had to laugh out loud at that one. He had been thoroughly caught in the act.

Yuri K: Haha…totally busted. . The free skate is in 2 days. Will you be watching?

Yura: You bet your sappy ass I will! I hope to see another defiant look like that again. Seriously Yuri, you look like a tiger about to jump on a meal. Catch you l8r!

Yuri K: Byeeee!

Yuri jumped a bit as he suddenly felt a strong pair of arms wrap around him from behind and looked over his shoulder to see Viktor's face there.

"Yuuuuuuri, what in the world is going on? One moment you're as red as a tomato, then you were crying, and the next one you're laughing!"

Yuri placed a soft kiss on his lover's nose before turning to look back down at the phone in his hand.

"I was just going through my messages and chatting with Yura. He told me that…he was proud of me."

Viktor straightened his legs and let them hang over the edge of the bed as he pulled Yuri back against his chest. The young Japanese skater relaxed into his embrace and released a contented sigh.

"Pfffft. I tell you that I'm proud of you all the time. You never look that happy and moved when I say it."

Without looking, Yuri reached back and took Viktor's nose between his thumb and index finger, giving it a playful twist.

"Stop being so jealous of Yura, Viktor. It's different with you. You're not a feral cactus-child I had to approach like a lion tamer with a rabid lion."

Yuri tossed his phone on the bed and twisted his body until he was facing Viktor and repositioned himself to straddle him.

"I did really well today Coach Viktor. I don't think I've been praised properly by you yet."

Viktor moaned appreciatively as his eyes roamed Yuri's lips and face, before settling on his eyes. Those beautiful cherry-brown eyes he loved so much.

"You're so right, Yuri. I've been slacking off in my duties as a coach. How can I ever make it up to you?"

Yuri brought a finger up to his lips and tapped at them suggestively.

"I suppose you could start here."

Viktor leaned in and placed a series of light kisses on Yuri's lips, pulling away each time the young Japanese man tried to deepen them.

"Viktor, you're teasing me, not praising me."

"Patience, my love. I wish to give you a kiss for each point you scored today, that's all."

Yuri couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're planning on kissing me 107 times? How are you even going to keep track?"

"107.23, actually. Never underestimate Russian determination."

Yuri was incredulous. "How do you even execute twenty-three hundredths of a kiss?"

"That's for me to worry about. Now shush, be quiet."

Viktor wrapped his arms around Yuri and pushed his feet off the ground, flipping them over so that Yuri was now on his back.

"I need you to close your eyes, love. I brought something special to 'praise' you with. Now keep them closed until tell you to, got it? No cheating or you don't get your reward."

Yuri was instantly curious and nodded slowly as he wet his lips in anticipation. He closed his eyes and waited. He felt it as Viktor left the bed and heard the sounds of him rummaging through his luggage. He tried in vain to listen for any sound that would give him any idea as to what Viktor's surprise was going to be, but didn't hear anything that gave him any clues. He simply could not figure out what his lover was looking for. Finally, he felt Viktor's weight back on the bed and had to fight every single urge he had to just open his eyes right there and then. He forced himself to be patient and wait it out. It was only fair, for Viktor had been so good for him earlier.

"Ok Yuri, you can open your eyes now."

Yuri opened his eyes, and once they had readjusted to the level of light in the room, he looked up to see Viktor sitting to his left and holding something wrapped in a towel.

"I'm going to show you just how proud I am of you, Yuuuuuuri."

Yuri's eyes went wide as Viktor removed the towel, revealing the clear crystal clear case he knew so well. He gasped and could already feel himself getting shamelessly aroused by just the sight of it.

"Viktor, you brought the Fleshlight?"

Viktor smiled, feeling quite smug and pleased with himself.

"Yup! I know how much you love it, so I decided to bring it. Well, I love it too…but I also really love the look in your eyes whenever you see it. I also really love the sounds you make when we have orgasms together using this."

Yuri's breath caught in his throat as his imagination took off and started flooding his mind with filthy imagery.

Viktor held out a hand and winked suggestively at him.

"Come, Yuri. Shall we go take a shower?"

Yuri placed his hand in Viktor's and allowed himself to be led into the bathroom.

The following day started off with breakfast at their hotel with Minako-Sensei and Mari. The two women had planned a full day of sightseeing and shopping and were eager to get started. So they wanted to get their meal in and not linger any longer than necessary. While Yuri and Mari were off refilling their plates, Minako-Sensei pulled up next to Viktor and sat down.

"How is Yuri doing? Really doing?"

Viktor discreetly looked around to make sure that the subject of their conversation was still a safe distance away before addressing the Japanese ballerina.

"He's doing quite well. As you can see, he's got this newfound confidence in himself that he didn't have before."

Minako hummed thoughtfully before she spoke.

"I guess it's easier for him to be that way since he doesn't remember how he's 'supposed' to be around you."

She put her utensils down on the plate before she turned her body to look directly into his eyes.

"He still hasn't regained all his memories, has he?"

Viktor shook his head sadly.

"No, he hasn't. He's remembered a few things, and they affected him...rather deeply. I've tried to expose him to things that might jog memory, but I have been very careful not to overwhelm him. It would be disastrous for him to remember anything major before a big competition."

Minako suddenly looked a bit worried.

"What do you mean he was affected deeply? What happened?"

Viktor's shoulders sagged and he took a big breath and let it out slowly before he spoke.

"He's had some pretty intense nightmares and has even been…sleepwalking a few times."

Minako looked shocked.

"That's not like Yuri at all. Even when he was his most anxious…he'd go without sleep and endure insomnia rather than sleep and suffer from sleeping disorders. This is a very potentially dangerous development, Viktor. What have you done about it?"

Viktor blushed a bit before admitting to Minako that they slept together and had been sharing a bed for quite some time. Makkachin had also taken to watching over Yuri at night. Minako gave Viktor a knowing smirk as she saw the blush.

"Well, that certainly explains the sudden drastic improvement in his Eros skate."

Viktor blushed harder and Minako laughed as she threw up her hands and waved them dismissively in front of her.

"I'm not judging, really! As long as Yuri is happy, that's all I care about."

Viktor nodded as he gave the lounge another quick glance. He saw the Japanese siblings at the omelet bar and knew they still had a few minutes to spare.

"That is also what I care about the most, Minako-Sensei. And truthfully, Yuri does seem much happier this time around than the first time. Like you said, not having me on an impossibly high pedestal above him has led him to be much more open and communicative with me than before. Everything is on such a different level than before."

"But you're still worried about him. That much is clear. It's written all over your face."

"I worry what will happen when he remembers everything. Don't get me wrong, this version of Yuri is great, and I'll always love him no matter what. But…"

Minako finished the thought for him.

"But you worry that he'll revert to the old version of himself when he remembers and it'll be like losing everything all over again."

Viktor gasped as Minako's words hit upon his biggest source of inner turmoil regarding Yuri's predicament.

"I may be single and unmarried, but I'm certainly not inexperienced or blind. Without Yuri around, you dropped the mask you've been using to hide all those fears. The moment you did that, everything became instantly clear."

"Ah…sorry Minako…I didn't mean for you to think those things. I was just surprised by how ridiculously accurate your assessment was."

"I know, it's fine. Listen, they're on their way back to the table now…so we've got to cut this short. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. I want Yuri to be happy, and this is the happiest I've seen him…ever. So I will help you in any way possible and do everything I can so that things can stay that way."

Viktor nodded and mouthed the words 'thank you' to her as she retook her seat.

Mari was the first to speak as they returned to the table.

"My, my…aren't you two all chummy all of a sudden?"

Viktor held his hands up defensively and waved them in front of him.

"Ah…Minako sensei was just grilling me on Yuri's recovery and his miraculous season-end turnaround. She wanted to know what my secret was."

Mari raised an eyebrow at him as she sat down.

"Oh? And what would that be?"

Viktor smiled a devastatingly bright smile at Mari and he tilted his head to the side.

"It wouldn't be a secret anymore if I told you, now would it?"

She rolled her eyes at him before turning to her little brother and wagging her eyebrows suggestively at him."

"I don't need to guess, it's practically written all over your goofy faces. Especially yours, Yuri."

Yuri's face immediately turned a tell-tale shade of red that gave himself away wordlessly.

Mari laughed as she elbowed him playfully.

"Your poker face needs a lot of work, little brother. You're an open book."

Yuri's shoulders hunched over and he sank further into his chair, wishing that the ground would open up and swallow him right there. Then he felt a hand reach under the table and cover his. He startled a bit as it made contact and looked over at Viktor, but saw no reaction from him. The Russian man continued eating his food as if nothing had happened. He's trying to support me without making me feel more embarrassed! Yuri looked down at his plate and smiled. That's right. As long as Viktor is with me…there's nothing I can't overcome.

Minako and Mari both looked at each other and shared a knowing smile. A short while later, everyone finished eating and said their goodbyes as they parted ways. Viktor gave them some tips and recommendations for places to visit and they made plans to join each other for shopping and dinner again that night. As soon as they were out of sight, Yuri turned to Viktor and threw his arms around him.

"Thank you, you know…for earlier. It helped me a lot."

Viktor stroked Yuri's hair with one hand as he pulled him closer with his free arm.

"Geez, you two! I'd say get a room, but you already have one."

Yuri looked over his shoulder and saw JJ standing there with that same mocking smile he always had plastered on his face. He turned to Viktor once more and groaned.

"Kami give me patience,' he whispered into Viktor's shoulder. Viktor laughed and patted his back soothingly before releasing him to face the Canadian skater.

"Good morning JJ, always a pleasure to see you," he said as he gave the tall Canadian a playful wink. "Congratulations on your short program. You're in a very good position, going into the free skate in second place."

The corner of JJ's mouth twitched and his smile faltered for a split second. Yuri didn't miss it and neither did Viktor.

"Ah yes, a very good position indeed. Just close enough to swoop in and take gold if someone in the top three were to…crash and burn during their performance or something."

Viktor shot JJ a sharp look. "I suppose anything could happen. This competition has been full of surprises already, hasn't it?"

JJ's eyes drifted over to look at Yuri before he sighed dramatically and shrugged nonchalantly.

"Surprises...flukes…who can really say?"

Viktor took a step forward and was about to speak when he found Yuri suddenly blocking his path. Viktor skidded to a halt and looked over Yuri's shoulder to see the surprise also in JJ's eyes.

Yuri stood firm in front of the taller Canadian and looked defiantly up at him for the second time in as many days.

"I assure you Mr. Leroy, my performance yesterday was no fluke. I can also guarantee that my performance tomorrow won't be one either. Have yourself a wonderful day."

Yuri reached out behind him and grabbed Viktor's hand. He pulled on it, practically dragging the Russian man behind him. Yuri only came to a halt when they had reached and empty stairwell. He pulled Viktor into the corner with him and threw his arms around his waist, burying his nose into the man's shoulder. He trembled and shook like a leaf in a storm.

"Yuri, shhh...it's OK, I'm here. Don't worry about JJ...he's just being an ass."

Yuri didn't look up from Viktor's shoulder as he spoke.

"It's not that I'm anxious about him...I'm...pissed off. He suggested that my short program score was a fluke and not the result of all the hard work I've...WE'VE put into it."

Viktor took a step back and gently pushed Yuri away from him.

"Well, in that case...we can put all that energy into making sure his ass gets handed to him tomorrow."

Yuri took a deep breath and released it slowly. Once he had calmed down enough, he looked up at Viktor and smiled.

"Thank you, you always seem to know just what to say."

Viktor winced inwardly and tried not to let his reaction show on his face.

"Ah, thank you Yuri."

Viktor was suddenly struck with an idea.

"Listen, I know we had some mild practice scheduled for much later, but what if we do it now instead? I think it could help you let off some steam. What do you think?"

Yuri smiled and nodded enthusiastically.
"That's a great idea! Let's go back to the room and get our gear, then."

...

During his practice, Yuri noticed that there were a lot of hushed whispers wherever her went. He didn't think too much of it and just continued working out his aggressions on the ice while Viktor supervised him. His sudden intense rivalry with JJ was getting played up by the media quite a bit, so he just chalked it up to that. Back in their hotel room, Yuri was about to discover that the situation had reached fever pitch. A message from Yura was the only warning he had before everything descended into bedlam.

Yura: loved the video, Yuri! You look ready to eat JJ's face off! I'm SO mad that I'm missing this! Skate that дурак into the ground! You are definitely NOT a fluke.

When Yuri groaned rather loudly, Viktor was there by his side in an instant.

"Yuri, what's wrong?"

Yuri removed his glasses, closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.

"Someone filmed the confrontation at breakfast this morning and posted it online. It's gone absolutely viral and everyone is completely blowing it out of proportion! Everything was going so well and now I'm all stressed out. My inbox is brimming with requests for interviews."

Yuri opened his eyes and looked up pleadingly at Viktor.

"I can't...deal with this right now."

Viktor quickly checked his phone and saw that he seemed to be receiving a steady stream of interview requests as well.

He sighed heavily before sitting down next to Yuri on the bed.

"Then don't. Let's just stay in for the rest of the day. We can order room service and just watch movies."

"But Viktor, you said you wanted to go shopping today with Mari and Minako-Sensei! I don't want you to miss out on something you like for my sake."

Viktor leaned in and kissed the younger Japanese skater's forehead.

"Thank you for thinking of me, love. It's really not that much of a big deal, though. Your well-being is much more important. Besides, it's probably best that we don't go out there. We'll probably be harassed by the media everywhere we go. I'll message your sister and Minako-Sensei and tell them what's going on. I'm sure they'll understand."

Yuri hunched over dejectedly and covered his face with his hands. After sending out the messages, he turned his phone off and then took Yuri's phone and did the same.

"Go draw yourself a bath Yuri. As hot as you can stand it. Try to imagine yourself at the baths of Yu-Topia. I'll order some food for us. After dinner, we can go over all the contingency plans for tomorrow's skate and then just watch movies until bed time. As your coach, this is the training schedule I have set for tonight."

Yuri looked up at him and laughed.

"Well, if they're my coach's orders, I should definitely follow them."

Viktor's eyes twinkled with laughter as he watched his lover turn around and head into the bathroom.

Later that night, when Viktor was sure that Yuri had fallen asleep, he pulled up the video. His heart filled with pride as he watched the scene unfold from a third person's perspective. Yuri looked so strong and determined when he stepped in between him and JJ.

He was about to put his phone down when an instant message popped up.

Sorry, I stepped over the line yesterday. I've been trying to stay in character around him, but it's been really hard. I may have overcompensated. I didn't think things would get so insane in such a short time. I promise to keep my distance tomorrow.

Viktor sighed and then put his phone down. As he he lay down, he pulled Yuri in close to his body and nuzzled his neck from behind. You're going to be just fine, my love. I know it.

_terminology_

Блядь (blyad) - Russian: fuck

дурак (durak) - Russian: fool