Took a wrong turn somewhere (or is it right?)

[yokunaru]

[When Yuuri wakes up, he's greeted with a pounding headache, the likes of which he's never had before. Opening his eyes gets him an eyeful of cheerful sunlight that sends him whimpering back under the covers. He tries again a few minutes later, just managing to swing his legs over the side of the bed, wincing the whole time.

He freezes when he finally gets a good look at the room. This is...not his hotel room.

The shock is enough to temporarily push back the discomfort and make him jump to his feet. What happened? Where am I? he wonders, when he comes up empty handed after a quick search of the room for his belongings. One hand running through his hair as his panic steadily rises, Yuuri finally starts toward the door, intent on finding answers.]

Comments

[wauuu]

Oooh, no, no. I don't think he'd put up with a nickname from me! I owe him at least the respect of "Coach Yakov", for all he's put up with over the years.

[yokunaru]

[He arches a brow at him.] For all he's put up with?

[Surely Victor doesn't mean he's given Yakov trouble...?]

[wauuu]

He's been coaching me my whole career! I was an embarrassing and difficult teenager, can't say I got much easier with age.

[yokunaru]

Really? [Yuuri takes a moment to amend his mental compilation of Victor Facts.] I never would have guessed.

So that means you've been working together for a really long time now. I've only been with Mr. Celestino for a few years.

[wauuu]

Yakov is more family to me than anybody else. I wouldn't be so successful without him, even if I've hardly followed his lead. He said to me once "Victor Nikiforov wants to be shown the path so he knows where not to tread".

I think he meant as a jab, but I thought it was rather poetic.

[yokunaru]

[The more he hears about Yakov and Victor's relationship, the harder he smiles.] It does sound poetic. And fitting, if you're trying to do something different all the time.

Is Yakov this way with all his other skaters?

[wauuu]

He treats everybody different, depending on their personalities. I don't think he'd bring a puppy to cheer up Georgi or Yuri. He's an attentive man, very understanding of our individuality... [Victor really respects Yakov, even if he broke away from the molds the man tried to place him in. He speaks about him more like an admirable father than simply a coach.]

He has a lot of love in him; both for the sport and for his proteges. More so than his gruff appearance would suggest!

[yokunaru]

Maybe I'll get to meet him properly one of these days. Since I'm going to be stuck here for a while.

[Even if he asks for the process to be sped up, Yuuri knows he's not going to get his new passport any time soon. Meeting Yakov seems much more likely than him meeting Viktor's rinkmates in any case.]

Now that I think about it, I've never really talked to most of the other skaters and their coaches before. Except Chris, maybe.

[wauuu]

Chris considers you two friends! You're listed under a silly name in his phone, I can't remember what it is...

[yokunaru]

It's Chris, I can't even be surprised about the naming thing.

We've known each other since competing at the juniors level, but I think you two are probably closer.

[wauuu]

We have a lot of history! I still have a picture of when we first met, it's precious. Of all the skaters I can think of, Chris has grown the most.

[yokunaru]

You do? [Curious, Yuuri leans in hopefully.] Can I see it?

[wauuu]

Don't let him know I still have it! I'm posting it on his wall for his birthday. He'll be so mad, before he notices all the attention he'll get. [Victor laughs, pulling out his phone. He'll hand it over to Yuuri displaying an INCREDIBLY cute photo of Victor, long hair and blue flower crown, posing with a younger boy. Chris hardly looks like himself, all flushed chubby cheeks and tussled blonde hair. His expression is utter awe, like he's meeting his idol and can't believe it, which Yuuri can certainly relate to. In Chris' hands is a still wrapped flower from Victor's bouquet, practically crushed from how tightly he was clutching it.]

I've never had a psl hit 200 before, this is exciting \o/

[yokunaru]

My lips are sealed. [He mimes drawing a zipper across his lips--a move that he'd picked up from Phichit.

When he sees the picture, he "awww"s, grinning.]

I almost forget Chris looked like that before. He acts so differently now.

[wauuu]

He's matured a lot! Innocent charm like that doesn't work for him, anymore, but he's embraced the change. A real Casanova, that man. He's so bothered that I think you won the dance off.

[yokunaru]

[Yuuri hands the phone back, biting his lip.]

If it bothers him that much... m-maybe we could have a rematch someday. [He says shyly, face reddening again, completely at odds with the bold words leaving his mouth.]

[wauuu]

I better be invited to watch!

[yokunaru]

You can be the judge again. [Part of him can't believe the words coming out of his mouth right now.]

I bet Chris wouldn't be bothered if you said he won that next round.

[wauuu]

If you want me to throw a house party after this storm, my studio has a pole. I'm sure Chris would show up.

[yokunaru]

You...have a pole in your studio. [Hold on, give him a second to process this.]

Does that mean you know how to pole dance?

[wauuu]

Unfortunately not! Well, not much... Chris showed me some basic spins. I fell on my head once so I'm a bit shy. [he laughs]

The house came with it installed and I haven't thought to remove it.

[yokunaru]

[His gaze flicks down to the floor, then back up to Victor.]

If you still want to learn, I could...maybe I could show you?

[It's a pretty bold offer to make, considering how he wouldn't have even considered showing off what he knows in front of anyone until he was filled to the brim with alcohol before.]

[wauuu]

[Victor IS surprised, but in the most pleasant way. Yuuri was getting comfortable with him by leaps and bounds it seemed, he's all for it.]

I'd love that! It'll be a good way to stay active while we're stuck in here, too.

[yokunaru]

[The uncertain look he'd adopted as soon as the words had slipped out instantly transforms into a relieved, brighter smile.]

It is a lot harder than it looks. Phichit and I didn't believe it until we took those lessons together. [He looks up at Victor through his lashes, still smiling.]

Maybe you'll be able to surprise Chris when you throw that house warming party.

[wauuu]

I know it is! I got overconfident and dropped myself, last time! [that look, don't give him that look, how is supposed to resist that look? Victor has to let a laugh escape just to release the tension that kind of look causes]

He'll be extra jealous of you, in that case.