Yuuri couldn't help the gasp that slipped from his throat as soon as he heard this proclamation. He looked at the rest of his band questioningly, but they seemed just as lost as he was. Viktor tensed beside him when he heard the reference to fourteen hundred dollars, but when Yuuri looked up at his face, he saw that Viktor's brows were scrunched together and his lips were puckered in a slight frown. He was confused as well.

What?

The audience cheered, and Yuuri realized he'd missed the verdict. Viktor seemed to catch it, though, because he jerked.

"Viktor?" Yuuri asked, glancing into his face. He looked down, pride filling his features. Yuuri was feeling awkward, unsure what to say.

"Congratulations!" Viktor yelled, kissing Yuuri hard on the lips. Yuuri stepped back startled.

"Well, shouldn't I be the one telling you that?" He asked, confused.

"Yuuri... did you not hear?" Viktor looked confused, but then it dawned on him. He hugged Yuuri, whispering in his ear,

"You won." Yuuri gasped, finally noticing his cheering bandmates and the murderous looks on Stay Close to Me's faces. He felt his heart swell, and he hugged Viktor tightly.

"I'm sorry you didn't win. I thought you would!"

"Yuuri, I always knew you'd win." Yuuri and Viktor stood there a moment, laughing lightly. Then Yuuri pulled back, confusion etching his features.

"Did you know about the money?" Viktor looked at him, suddenly overcome with wonder.

"No. I thought the whole thing was just for bragging rights." He winked at Yuuri, giving him a big smile. Yuuri rolled his eyes, smirking, but then he returned to being confused.

"I'm going to ask them what this is about." Yuuri slipped away from Viktor, who pecked him on the cheek as he walked away. He walked over to the front of the room by the stage and inquired about the money; the announcer commented that it was a last minute donation from one of their patrons. The man, Celestino, was a vocal coach at the nearby school of arts. He heard their voices and donated a large sum of money to the winners to keep them going.

Viktor had slipped up to Yuuri at the front without him realizing, and Yuuri jumped when he heard Viktor whisper in his ear.

"Congratulations Yuuri. You deserve it." He wrapped his arms around Yuuri and perched his head on Yuuri's shoulder, closing his eyes to the canned music blaring through the speakers.

"Viktor, we have to get ready!" He shouted in Viktor's ear, the poor man jerking upwards and covering his ear.

"Yuuri, you are going to be the death of me. But you're right." He grabbed Yuuri's hand.

"Let's go!" They both rushed backstage, Yuuri slipping on his outfit for the last song while Viktor just removed his coat.

"You were wearing it this WHOLE TIME?" Yuuri asked, perplexed.

"Umm... yes?" He posed it as a question, slipping on his gloves. Yuuri just rolled his eyes, smiling lightly.

"And now, we have a special performance by Stand By Me... with a guest!" Yuuri and Viktor scrambled, rushing for the stage. They both gripped their stands as they climbed the stairs.

The music started floating around Yuuri and Viktor as they started the song. The crowd was pin-drop silent. The song they heard soaring through the air was like nothing they'd never heard before.

Not to mention it had been written in less than an hour, written to show Viktor and Yuuri's love for each other.

Yuuri opened his mouth, singing at Viktor. He wore a version of the outfit Viktor had worn to his performance the year before; a blue to match the pink. Yuuri's voice was perfect for the song; his slight accent only added to its beauty and complexity.

"Can you hear, my heartbeat? Tired of feeling, never enough. I, close my eyes and, tell myself that my dreams will come true." Viktor smiled at Yuuri, taking over.

"There'll be no more darkness when you believe in, yourself you are unstoppable. Where your destiny lies, dancing on the stage you set my heart on fire!" Yuuri and Viktor continued, singing together like two pieces of a puzzle. The song lasted about three minutes, and the cheers from the crowd were making them smile.

The song ended, the music tapering off. Yuuri stood pressed against Viktor, his hand on Viktor's cheek and Viktor's hand around his waist. The way they stood was enough proof of their love, but it was nothing close to their eyes.

The looks in their eyes proved they only existed for each other, and nothing else.

End.