Yuuri could see the change in Viktor the moment it happened. The song had just started, and one moment, Viktor was looking at him without a hint of recognition, the next moment, something snapped. Viktor jerked forward, and it took all of Yuuri's energy to not run to his aid. He figured Viktor wouldn't appreciate it. He didn't know him, after all.
Then Viktor looked at him, smiling. He mouthed something to Yuuri that he didn't catch, but Viktor grinned brightly, recognition lighting up his eyes.
And he started to sing to him.
Yuuri knew that he should go, but for some reason, he couldn't. He hadn't had trouble last time this happened, the year before, but something was holding him in place. He stared into Viktor's eyes, his love overwhelming his desire to leave. He watched as Viktor sang his heart out to him.
"Oh, my, feels just like I don't try, looks so good I might die, all I know is everybody loves me! Head down, swaying to my own sound, flashes in my face now, all I know is everybody loves me! Everybody loves meeeeeeeeee!" Viktor sang, looking straight at Yuuri the entire time. If Yuuri hadn't known better, he would have assumed that maybe Viktor remembered.
But that was impossible.
Wasn't it?
Viktor looked begging, like he wanted Yuuri to know something. He reached out to him, motioning for him to come up on stage. Yuuri stepped back, surprised, telling himself he wouldn't go. Viktor hit the last note, tears leaking from his eyes.
"I remember, Yuuri," he said into the mic. Yuuri looked up, shocked.
"Everything. The bar that night. The Pier, when I fell. The times I went to your house. Last week. I remember it all." Yuuri stared up at the stage, the full meaning of Viktor's words hitting him like a cannonball. Not only did Viktor remember what had happened last week, he could remember before that. Before the first incident. There was no way he could be lying about it because Yuuri and Viktor hadn't told anyone, and no-one else knew about the Pier. The day that Viktor had passed out. They had seen him at the emergency room after, but none of them were told that Yuuri had been there.
He was telling the truth. He remembered.
Yuuri couldn't control himself. He ran, shoving through the crowd as they stared, but this time he didn't care. Viktor stared at his face, surprised and confused, but he didn't move. Yuuri ran to him, the tears streaming from his face. He flew up the stairs onto the stage, his feet slipping on the top stair, but that didn't so much as slow him down. He just rushed into Viktor's arms, throwing him to the ground as he kissed him.
Viktor laughed, wrapping his arms around Yuuri's shoulders. He closed his eyes, his heart beating fast against Yuuri's chest. Yuuri pulled back, saying,
"You-you remember!" He climbed off Viktor, helping him up. The entire audience had gone silent, but they did care. Yuuri just held his hand and dragged him off the stage after him, pulling him outside of the bar.
Yuuri stood facing Viktor, holding both his hands. It was cold outside; it snowed the week before, but Yuuri and Viktor didn't care, they were too focused on each other.
"Yuuri, I know why you did it. I know why you walked away. And I know why it affected me so much. Some part of me still loved you, and to see you walk away from me like that; it broke my heart. I know that wasn't your intention, but I get it now! I get everything now." Viktor shivered, his fingers shaking against Yuuri's hands. Yuuri tugged him back inside, smiling at him.
"Viktor, I'm so sorry for the way I've acted this past week. I wasn't thinking about how it would have affected you. I just…" He paused.
"You wanted to give me the opportunity to figure things out on my own and not be clingy. I get it, but I still wish that you didn't." Yuuri nodded, looking up at Viktor, a confused look on his face.
"What do you think made you remember this time and not last time?" Viktor smiled wanly.
"You." Yuuri's brow furrowed.
"I mean, you being here this time. Last time, I didn't see you. You didn't give me the chance to remember; you just walked away. I think that me being around you helped." Viktor smiled brightly, inspiration striking him.
"Let's surprise them!" He said, smiling.
"What?" Viktor told Yuuri his idea, grinning. It was completely off subject, but leave it to Viktor to be random. They brainstormed ideas. They only had an hour to decide what to do, but then Yuuri brought up an idea that not only correlated with their situations, but that also had a lot to do with Yuuri's band.
"Okay, let's do it!" said Viktor enthusiastically. He leaned forward and kissed Yuuri, muttering,
"You should go get ready though. I'm gonna tell the others. See you later, love!" Viktor rushed away, smiling brightly. Yuuri stood there, looking at his hands.
Viktor remembered.
He'd never been happier in his life.
Yuuri laughed, smiling brighter than he had in years.
