Disclaimer: I do not own Yuri! On ice

Sorry in advance if the skating is not justified correctly, I hesitated to even write about skating, so I kept it vague.

Please enjoy

-ArrangedRose

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

The only noise was the scrapping of skates on the ice.

The air was frigid; the rink was dark and empty. The lights dimmed except for the ones pointed at the rink, the light reflected off the rink and left a blue glow. The only figures on the ice were Yuuri Katsuki and Viktor Nikiforov; they always trained later in the evening when the arena was quiet. While practicing was not a strange occurrence, they didn't usually get time to skate together.

There was a comfortable silence on the ice; they were both focused on practicing their respective programs and figuring out the flow of the movements. As they were both practicing different programs, they couldn't listen to music. However, it wasn't a problem though as this was more about practicing the flow than matching it to music. There would have to be various practices in the future to perfect the program.

As was the norm, Viktor was perfectly landing his jumps and was more focused on the flow of the piece to the music that he had in mind. Viktor landed his jump and skated a slow circle, pleased with his program so far. While there were a few kinks to smooth over, he wasn't worried yet. Looking over to his fiancé he noticed the fatigue and frustration, and he slid to a stop and analyzed.

Yuuri was both frustrated and excited to be making his program this year, but the stress was getting to him. How Viktor did this so effortless was beyond him. He was proud of his program but was having difficulties perfecting the landings of his jumps; as his mind was elsewhere.

"Augh!" he sighed in frustration and slowed to a stop. Closing his eyes, he put his hands over his eyes. Why can't I get this? I've practiced multiple times with no mistakes every time before! I've done these jumps multiple times in the past!?

Yuuri sighed heavily, "I can do this!" He stated with confidence before starting once more. However, for a strange reason, his mind wasn't on skating. He could feel his body tiring but kept pushing; his arms felt like lead weights, and his eyes were blurring.

"Yuuri," Viktor grumbled from the sidelines, he crossed his arms and watched as Yuuri made stupid mistakes.

Yuuri fell to the ground with a crash, falling after a single jump but slowly stood to the ice, his legs shaking. Viktor was worried that Yuuri would hurt himself.

From across the ice, Viktor narrowed his eyes and skated over to the stereo that they had brought with them. Maybe music would help him focus; it helped me a few times. He knew that Yuuri would keep pushing himself until he was beyond frustrated, it was an unhealthy habit of his. Yuuri was a natural at overstressing and demanding perfection. While Yuuri had the stamina to do the jumps, he needed to build up his confidence, even more than in the past year.

"Time to take a break." He stated in a loud voice. I need to stop him from stressing and freaking out! The only question was how to do that? They still had lots of time before the competition, and this was not the time to have a crisis.

At Viktor's statement, Yuuri froze and twirled in shock, "I don't need a break!"

Viktor stopped moving and looked back at him and raised an eyebrow, "Even I can see that you're stressing! Add the fact that you've been practicing non-stop I can imagine that your body is freezing up, yes?"

Yuuri hesitated, "Yes." His confirmation seemed to seep the energy and fight from Yuuri's eyes. Viktor eyes analyzed the defeated stance and were determined to pull him out of his melancholy.

"You are doing fine, but I could see you getting frustrated, and as your fiancé and coach I'm concerned about you." Viktor dictated and continued to the stereo.

Yuuri sighed and pressed his hands into his eyes. He felt close to tears, and he didn't know if it was from frustration or stress.

"I pray that this works." Viktor purred over his shoulder and grinned. Yuuri missed the look as he stilled had his eyes closed.

Viktor pressed play on the machine and listened as upbeat instrumental music rushed over him. It was his go to when skating got too stressful or when Yakov became too over-bearing. He hoped that the music would help Yuuri to calm down. He pushed away from the railing and glided over to the silent Yuuri.

Yuuri had started when the stereo started blasting instrumental music but sighed dreamily as the music seemed to pour into his soul. It was incredible how well music could help a person calm down and forget about their worries. Hearing blades on ice, he looked over to see Viktor approaching.

"You need to go easy. We have lots of time to work out our programs. Close your eyes," Viktor raised an eyebrow and waited, Yuuri complied. "Think about what you want to happen, visualize it. Are you visualizing?"

"I'm trying. Visualizing is hard." He huffed. He could slowly see what he wanted to happen, but it was hard to focus with Viktor so near. Viktor seemed to surround him, Yuuri could feel his presence seeping into his. It was intoxicating.

Viktor was oblivious to the internal struggle of Yuuri's. He was easily gliding over the ice, pulling the obedient Yuuri with him. His fiancé's eyes were closed, completely trusting. It was surprising how quickly Yuuri affected his heart, all he had to do was smile at Viktor, and his heart would beat harder.

Viktor laughed. "True. I had much difficulty learning this."

"Really?" Yuuri eyes flashed open, and he stared in wonder and pulled them to a stop. He couldn't believe that his idol had troubles with anything.

Viktor nodded sagely and answered, "I would get frustrated when my choreography wouldn't fit with the music or when the flow was off." He let go of Yuuri with a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. He twirled lightly and just enjoyed the feel of the cold and the ice under his feet.

"I was feeling overwhelmed…" Yuuri's voice was hesitant and quiet. His voice echoed in the silence. He felt horrible about admitting his weakness.

Viktor was silent for a moment, looking at the fatigue and stress evident on Yuuri, and Viktor was desperate to help him. Viktor had learned from the past year that Yuuri was his worst enemy. He knew that his fiance was stressed and overwhelmed about making his program. Viktor wanted to help him so badly!

Several moment past when Viktor answered,"I figured. You were doing brilliant with the footwork, but your flow to the jumps was a little stiff. Can I help?" The music had died down, but it had worked its magic. The ice was once again light and peaceful, the stress from before gone. Yuuri looked more relaxed than before, and that made Viktor very pleased.

"But aren't you working on your program? I can't ask that of you. We are competitors—" Yuuri's voice was loud, and his expressive brown eyes filled with stress.

"Yuuri! I will always help you. No matter what, I will stop whatever I'm doing," He smiled sweetly and kissed his nose. He pushed away from the shocked Yuuri with a grin, "So can I help?"

Knowing that Viktor would help no matter what, "I couldn't stop you even if I tried."

Viktor nodded, and his smile faded."So from what I saw;, you seem to be overthinking the composition of your program. It's like with the Eros program; you need to calm down, stop thinking and feel. Does that make sense?"

Slightly confused at the vague tips, "I get the not thinking but calm down! You know I break under pressure, right?"

"Not true. You were fabulous in your Grand Prix skate. And the pair skate after? Brilliant! Hmmm…how can I make this make more sense to you?" he tipped his head back and put his hand on his skull.

Yuuri focused on the ice at his feet, and his mind wandered. What was making him so nervous? It wasn't like this was his first time skating! He pondered the program he set up for himself and ran through the choreography in his mind. Viktor had been right, but he had always been a little lacking in the performance section of skating; his jumps either flawed or weak. He had only begun to get jumps after Yurio and Viktor had taught him.

"Yuuri. Are you listening to me?"

Yuuri, not realizing he had closed his eyes opened them and screamed. Viktor's face was right in front of him! I could almost reach out and kiss...Stop! Yuuri shakes his head blushing before looking away.

"I called your name repeatedly. You asked for my help then ignore me! Where did you go?" Viktor was slightly insulted and demanded an answer.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about my difficulties with my program."

"Ah! Don't apologize, that's a handy thing to do when you are stumped," He waved away Yuuri's apology, "As I was saying before, you need to focus on an idea to show the crowd—something you want to tell the people. You always skate best when you are trying to prove something to the crowd." He finished his statement by pulled Yuuri closer with a finger under his chin. Calm blue locked with solid brown, and Viktor leaned in closer and pecked him on the lips.

"Now try again!" he demanded suddenly.

Yuuri looked at his coach in shock, "Huh?" His mind fried from the kiss. Well, I did want to kiss him earlier! He grinned.

Viktor seeing the smile, smiled back, "Show me how you skate!"

"Yes."

Surprisingly enough, the stress seemed smaller this time. As Yuuri readied himself in the center of the ice, Yuuri thought about what was the message of his skate. What do I want to tell the people? Last time, I just wanted to prove to the crowds that Viktor didn't leave the ice for anything! But now?

While Yuuri had his eyes closed and thought about what he was skating for this time, Viktor leaned against the railing and watched. Viktor was worried about the stress that Yuuri was putting himself through but he also knew that Yuuri could take more pressure than he initially thought. He would be amazing once he let go of the pressure that he assigned himself. Viktor felt the atmosphere shift on the rink as Yuuri began to move.

"I love this man!" Viktor exclaimed. He was mesmerized by the power and soul that Yuuri put into all his skating. His fiance's authority to claim the attention of the crowd was overwhelming!

Yuuri's mind was blank. All he could think about was the message he wanted to portray: I'm not ready to be done yet! He had spent a few minutes thinking when he remembered what Chris had said last time Yuuri had seen him; Chris had been complaining about being too old for the ice; that younger, more flexible skaters were taking over the ice! That statement had stuck with him. I'm getting older! I'm not ready to retire, but it is coming.

Yuuri finished with a flourish and panted as he came back to reality. He could barely remember doing the program, but he knew just from the look on Viktor's beaming face that he had executed it perfectly. He also knew that it was time to call it a night!

"That was brilliant! I couldn't look away" Viktor's voice was piercing and happy as he skated over to him and latched onto Yuuri. Viktor was pleased to see that his student and fiance was just stressed and once he calmed down his performance skyrocketed.

"Thank you" Yuuri blushed and hugged Viktor back. He was ecstatic when he could make Viktor smile, "But I think it's time to call it a night! My body is killing me." Yuuri panted.

"I agree, and I will give you my recommendation later!" Viktor was trying to be a coach-like as possible, but the grin on his face ruined the effect.

"can you tell me tomorrow? I'm hungry and achy."

"Ah! Yes, time for supper. Now, all we have to do know is figure out how to negate your stress during competitions." Viktor pushed away from Yuuri and skated to the exit.

"But! How are you planning to do that? Viktor?" Yuuri jumped to the conclusion that Viktor thought it was simple to get 'rid of' stress. It wasn't as simple as wishing it away!

"Oh Don't worry Yuuri! I won't hurt you!" Viktor laughed as he exited the ice, stepping off the ice. Viktor's mind was apparently preoccupied with the new issue and puzzle. He was so excited to jump on this new challenge and help Yuuri.

"You do realize that it won't be easy to fix this, right?" Yuuri's voice was agitated and wary. He was worried what Viktor's mind could be planning.

Viktor stopped before the door to the change rooms and looked at him. "I don't want to fix you! You are perfect the way you are! I'm simply thinking of new ways to help you deal with the stress."

Yuuri was speechless at the amount of love in Viktor's gaze, "Viktor."

"Yes?"

"I love you; you know that right?" Yuuri smiled and skated towards the exit. It was time to call it a day. It had been late when they got here two hours ago, and he knew it must be at least past ten.

"Yuuri, I never worry about that. I love you too" Viktor smiled and blew him a kiss before entering the changing rooms. Yuuri was quick to follow after him.

Soon the men were leaving the rink, and Viktor had to lock the door after them. Viktor swung an arm around Yuuri's shoulder and started to pull them along. Yuuri simply lets himself follow; he was dead tired from practice. It was way too late to cook anything ( meaning that Yuuri was too tired, and Viktor wasn't allowed to cook!), So the two men headed into the night air of St. Petersburg; supper tonight would be a quick meal out.

"Nothing that takes forever to cook, all right?" Yuuri pleaded. The adrenaline from practice wearing off, so much that he could barely hold his eyes open. Viktor laughed and pulled him along.

"I'll have you fed and home in no time!"

In the end, it had taken them no time to get home. After a quick meal at a small family-run restaurant down the street, the two skaters stumbled back home. Anyone who saw them walking must have thought they were drunk! Yuuri was wrapped around the taller man and was fighting off sleep. Viktor wasn't any better!

As they reached the apartment, Viktor sighed in relief. Unlocking the door while carrying a person was difficult, but he eventually opened the door. Makkachin was waiting and was quick to welcome them home. Viktor pats him on the head as he locked the door and carried the sleeping Yuuri to the bedroom.

"Yuuri, wake up. We're home." Viktor mumbled, hoping to wake the man in his arms. All he got from Yuuri was a grumble. Sighing, Viktor juggled the sleeping man and pulled the blankets down.

As he got undressed, he heard Makkachin's claws clicking on the wooden floor and looked over to see their dog curled around Yuuri. The raven-haired man was smiling and looked cozy; his arms were around Makkachin, and the blanket pulled to his chin. Viktor smiled down at his family and pulled the covers over himself.

As he turned to Yuuri he was surprised to see his eyes open; he had thought Yuuri was sleeping, "Love you!" Yuuri's voice was quiet and tired.

Viktor grinned and pulled him into his chest, "I love you too! Go to bed; I'm right here."

"Okay," Yuuri replied and buried his face into Viktor's chest.

The three were soon fast asleep. It had been a successful day of training, but Viktor and Yuuri knew that the next day they would both be moaning about the muscle pain and ice packs would be a constant thing. But it was also worth it.