"Wh-what!? You mean you knew that Chris has pictures of it and did not tell him to refrain from posting it!?" Yuuri exclaimed, not very comforted by Viktor's blase attittude about the surfacing pictures and resulting gossip.
"Of course! Why should I?" was Viktor's answer.
On the verge of a breakdown, Yuuri starts checking the numerous posts relating to her and Viktor, practically hyperventilating when she saw the words "Russia's King Skater and Japan's Ice Princess in a Secret Relationship? Photos from this year's Grand Prix Banquet and Ice Royalty's Banquet Kiss-Exclusive!"Almost shoving the phone in Viktor's face, Yuuri shouted, "THIS! This is why! They'll think we are in a relationship, Viktor!!"
Suddenly turning serious, Viktor asks Yuuri, "And what is so bad about that? What if I want a relationship with you, Yuuri?"
Unnerved by the sudden turn of events, Yuuri was caught off-guard by that question.
"The idea of a relationship with me Yuuri, does it repulse you so much? Would it be bad if we were to go out? To date?" Viktor forced out in a hoarse voice, a hint of desperation and fear of rejection leaking into his words despite his attempt to control it.
"I-no, but..." Yuuri tries to reply but the ability to articulate a sentence seems to have escaped her. 'Would it be so bad?'
"I want you to know this, Yuuri. I am dead serious. I want to be with you, have wanted to for a while. To you, our first meeting may not have mattered much but for me it was one of the most special moment in my life."
"O-our first meeting? Viktor, this is the first time I met you..."
"No. It isn't our first. Don't you remember? It was on your first Grand Prix Season, almost 4 years ago...You drank champagne and started a dance battle with Mila and Chris... Don't tell me, you don't remember!?" Viktor exclaimed the last part desperately, like doing so would make it impossible.
"I don't remember anything from that banquet, Viktor." Yuuri replied quietly.
There was a moment of silence until Viktor exhaled a breathy and shaky sigh, clutching at his face, hands trembling.
"I should have known...I knew there was something off with how you looked at me, as if we were strangers..To you I practically am! I-Yuuri, I'm sorry...I took advantage of you.." He sorrowfully intoned, voice carrying the slightest inkling of a quiver.
Wanting to comfort Viktor and unnerved by her idol's show of weakness, Yuuri hesitantly clasped his shaking hands.
"Viktor...I may not remember much about last night, but what I know is this. I am not so weak that anyone can just coerce or force me to have sex with them if I hadn't wanted to. You didn't take advantage of me. If I am anything like my father when I'm drunk, I'm probably the one who practically coerced you to do that with me. I'm sure that I was willing Viktor. Don't blame yourself." Yuuri said firmly and knowing herself, she knew her words to be true. She becomes a completely different person when drunk, something she had discovered when she was younger.
Still unsure, Viktor hesitantly agreed to Yuuri's words, trusting her not to lie about it.
"Okay then, back to the first topic. Viktor, what are we supposed to do? The whole world probably thinks we are together because of the banquet. I-I'm unsure as to how to handle it... Not to mention our family..." Yuuri said worriedly, absent-mindedly nibbling on her lower lip as she imagined the repercussion of the previous night.
"What do you want to do, Yuuri?" Viktor asks seriously.
"You can decide what we'll be. I want you to be comfortable with what we will do."
"I...You are sure about me? I may not be what you want in the long run Viktor. I may appear strong due to my reputation but I have anxiety and confidence problems. Something that should have been impossible to have with the wins I have to my name and that is just the least of it. I...am losing inspiration Viktor. If the reason you like me is for my skating, I would probably never live up to your expectations. Contrary to beliefs, I am not undefeatable. A skater without inspiration may as well be retired. You...may not like what you'll see." As she says this, a self-deprecating smile appears on Yuuri's face. Years of self-doubt marring her face.
Viktor frowns, not liking the unpleasant smile that graced her face. Yuuri should not have to feel that about herself.
"Yuuri...I know very well how it feels to be liked by people because of reputation. I don't want you just because of what I know of you. I want you because I want to KNOW you. I want to see the Yuuri that no one sees aside from your family. Your likes, dislikes, your merits and your faults. All that makes Yuuri, Yuuri. That's what I want. Not the perfect gold medal winning skater but the person behind that. I'm just like you Yuuri. I also have my faults. You'd have parts of me that you will dislike or even hate. Everyone does. But they stay because they love the person not despite of their faults but also because of those. Because as much as you dislike or hate a trait of that person, you accept it as a part of them that makes them the person you love. You don't have to be perfect for me to want you Yuuri."
"I want to try with you, Yuuri. Even if it doesn't last, we'll never know if we never tried." Viktor said after a moment of silence as he lets what he said to Yuuri sink in. He waits, heart pounding in his ears, for Yuuri's answer.
He looked up at Yuuri when he hears her large intake of breath. Yuuri looks at him and their eyes meet. Releasing her breath, Yuuri, with trembling lips replied;
"I want to try with you too, Viktor."