Date: October 22nd, 2020
Word Count: 1153
A/N: Gotta start out with a basic ass cute one just to get warmed up lol

Victor sighed heavily as he tossed and turned in his bed. His decision to come to Hasetsu wasn't one he regretted, but he wished that Yuuri had shown more excitement towards having him as a coach and companion. All his attempts to get closer to the anxious skater had been failing so far.

He stared at the ceiling of his new room. Makkachin, who was curled against him, whined as he shifted yet again; he couldn't seem to get comfortable. Yuuri had once again shot down his offer for a sleepover. Victor knew it was a juvenile request but he hadn't gotten to get to know someone as a friend since childhood. Even as a kid, he didn't have many friends; it was difficult to make them when he had so many training sessions taking up his free time. Maybe he wanted to make up a little lost time with Yuuri...

However, he'd been rejected again and he was starting to get the feeling he shouldn't ask anymore. A sigh escaped his lips as he turned to bury his face into his pillow. 

He eventually began to drift off but he was pulled abruptly from his sleep by the sound of a door being opened. He was usually a deep sleeper, but having not really fallen unconscious yet, the slight sound made his eyes snap back open as if he'd been blinking too long. 

Victor turned his head over his shoulder, his mouth falling open slightly as he saw Yuuri standing in his doorway. He took in his appearance. His pajama pants hung around his ankles and his shirt was ridden up slightly by a pillow he clutched to his chest. His typically bright eyes were dull with exhaustion and a bit of... sadness?

His brain woke up immediately. He turned his whole body over and sat up a bit. He wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure what. The man before him look vulnerable and so fragile that he'd shatter if he breathed the wrong way. 

"Did I wake you up?" Yuuri asked softly. 

"No, I wasn't really asleep," he hurried to reply. He sat up and crossed his legs, offering a smile. "Do you need something? If something's bothering you, I'm completely willing to listen."

The Japanese man looked down at his feet. He shuffled them a little and buried his face into the pillow he held. Victor silently felt butterflies fluttering in his stomach at the adorable sight, but he pushed the thoughts away. He needed to focus on helping Yuuri right now.

After a moment of silence, Yuuri finally spoke. "Could I... Could I lay with you?"

His eyes widened to the size of saucers at the request. He'd literally refused to do that very thing every time Victor had asked him since he arrived. Now he was the one asking. The Russian blinked and then allowed a bright smile to spread across his lips. "Of course, Yuuri," he said, patting the space beside him. 

Yuuri moved with caution and hesitation. He almost seemed scared that Victor would pounce on him as he sat down on the bed. He placed his pillow beside Victor's and slowly laid down. The Russian did the same, his heart beginning to race at the warmth radiating from the man beside him. They didn't say anything for a bit. They just laid on their backs and stared up at the ceiling. Victor glanced over at his pupil, still seeing the sad look in his eyes. 

"Yuuri... is something wrong?" he asked tentatively.

He sucked in a breath and squeezed his eyes shut. Victor frowned and rolled onto his side to face him. Yuuri swallowed harshly and blinked his eyes a few times as if he was trying not to cry. "I'm just... scared I'll... I'll disappoint you... It's a lot to have you here with me."

"Why would you disappoint me Yuuri?" Victor questioned. 

His heart twisted as Yuuri turned onto his side to face him. They were far too close for two men who barely knew each other, but Victor didn't care at all. He could feel the warmth coming from the black haired man and it took all his strength to stop himself from hugging him close to let it envelope him. 

"You're Victor Nikiforov, five time consecutive world champion of Men's Figure Skating," Yuuri said, staring into his eyes. "And I'm Katsuki Yuuri, the guy who flubbed all my jumps at the Grand Prix Final and landed sixth place. You didn't even recognize me as a skater at the event."

"I- I don't..." he tried to reply. Guilt settled in his stomach as he remembered the encounter where he'd asked if Yuuri wanted a commemorative photo as if he was a fan. "I'm sorry, about that... That was really stupid of me... I don't really know how I didn't recognize you, but you're not going to disappoint me, Yuuri. I'm here because I see so much potential in you. Your skating is absolutely beautiful. Yes, you need to get more confident with your jumps, but you're not going to disappoint me."

The man before him looked down, not seeming convinced. He looked so shy. Victor wondered how this could be the same man who'd stripped down and performed on a pole at the banquet. The man who grabbed him and began dancing with him. 

He sighed and decided to take a chance. He reached out and wrapped his arms around Yuuri. He pulled him toward his chest, vaguely remembering that he was shirtless as his breath hit his skin. He ignored the thought as he hugged him tightly. Victor's chin rested in his hair. He took a deep breath, breathing in the scent of it. He exhaled and rubbed Yuuri's back gently. "You're not going to disappoint me."

"But what if I don't win the Grand Prix Final? What if I don't get gold?" he asked shakily.

"The reason I'm so adamant about getting you to the Final isn't because I want you to get glory or medals. It's because I want people to see you how I do. I want your talent to shine," he told him. 

Yuuri felt tears welling up in his eyes again. He was still in disbelief that Victor Nikiforov was here and telling him he was talented. The Japanese man curled his hands around him to hug him back. He buried his nose in Victor's chest and ignore the furious blush that rose into his cheeks at the touch of his bare skin. He breathed him in and reminded himself that he was real. This was real. 

"Thank you, Victor," he murmured.

The Russian smiled into his hair and placed a gentle kiss there before he could stop himself. "You're welcome, дорогой (darling)."