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

[yokunaru]

Oh.. that answers a lot. [Yuuri says under his breath. He'd wondered how the pole dancing had even come up.

He glances at Victor, smiling sheepishly.]

If it helps, I don't think you're stuffy now.

[wauuu]

You and Chris left me in the dust, when it came to sex appeal! I really need to redeem myself.

Maybe those pole dancing lessons you promised will help me loosen up.

[yokunaru]

[Yuuri grins, this time a bit ruefully.] I'm not sure it counts if I can only pull it off when I'm drunk.

I'm sure you'll be able to keep up with Chris after these lessons, though. [Bias, what bias?]

[wauuu]

I'd be happy just to keep up with you, Yuuri. [Victor chuckles at Makkachin, who has decided he is DONE with this throwing game and is running down stairs to chew on his ball because it's all his, no more take]

[yokunaru]

[Watching Makkachin with a grin, Yuuri gets back onto his feet.]

I can definitely help you with that. [He says softly before offering Victor a hand up.] Think you'd be hungry soon? We could start prep now or find something else to do.

[wauuu]

[Victor will take the hand up and grin to Yuuri, leaning in to give him a quick, playful kiss on the cheek.]

I want to show you the studio, first! It's the whole reason I bought this place. [he'll gesture Yuuri down the hall, to a pair of french doors, which open into a stunning dance studio. The floor was soft, bright hard wood with a smooth varnish, the walls were tall, one side all mirrors. There was a ballet bar along windows out to a lovely view of the mountains. Off to one side, as Victor had said, a pole from floor to ceiling, though it was neatly tucked to a corner to not invade the space]

Isn't it lovely?

[yokunaru]

[After touching his cheek with disbelief, Yuuri shakes his head and follows after Victor.]

Wow. It's amazing. [His eyes widen once he gets a good look at the studio.] Do you practice in here a lot?

[wauuu]

[Victor will have gone into the room ahead of Yuuri, but he'll spin on a toe to face him, smiling proudly]

Whenever I'm in town! It's just like Yakov's studios, but in my very own home. [he'll glance at the pole before chuckling]

Well, maybe not just like, but close.

[yokunaru]

Must be convenient, being able to practice right here like this.

[He gives the ballet barre a fond pat before moving toward the pole, ignoring the brief flutter of nerves.]

Hmm. We'll definitely need to pad the floor, just to be safe.

[wauuu]

It's great for dance parties! I've had Chris arrange a few, they're a blast. [there's actually a stereo system neatly fit into the walls, so the sound is very clean through the room, nice acoustics]

I have some fall mats, let me drag them out. [one wall had a closet, full of dance wear. As he's rummaging around, a suitcase actually falls beside him. He jolts out of the way, but a jumble of his past costumes scatter onto the floor. All of which Yuuri is sure to recognize]

[yokunaru]

Here, let me help. [Yuuri quickly joins him, relieved that the suitcase had missed Victor, even if it was just full of clothes.

As he's reaching for the costumes, though, he pauses with a soft gasp. Yuuri shakes out the black mesh one with crystals studded across several spots.] Oh, I recognize these! They're from your Juniors programs.

[wauuu]

Oh, yes! That is an older one. I had been looking at it recently, though I can't remember why. [he's forgetful about things and impulsive. He'll grab the mats and set them aside, helping Yuuri with the clothes after. His whole garage was full of old costumes, only a few made it up to his studio.]

Maybe I wanted to see if it still fit or something... I was shorter back then, my shoulders weren't so wide, either.

[yokunaru]

And you had your hair longer then. [Yuuri smiles at him before carefully folding and setting the costume back into the suitcase. The costumes that he handles after that are treated with the same care.]

That was the first time I saw you skate. [He says as he puts the last costume back in and reaches for the suitcase's zipper.] At the Junior world championships.

[wauuu]

A long time fan, too! How old were you?

[yokunaru]

Around 11. [He laughs softly. Well, Victor already knows he's a fan, so it doesn't hurt to tell him more, Yuuri decides.]

I'd already been skating with a couple friends for a while by that time [Though his and Nishigori's relationship had beem rocky back then.] but I only thought about competing after Yuuko showed me that video of you. I... [A quick, nervous glance at Victor] I wanted to skate on the same ice as you.

[wauuu]

[Victor listens attentively, curiously, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm]

That's so cute!

[yokunaru]

[Though Yuuri fiddles with the suitcase's zipper a little self-consciously from spilling something so personal, he's smiling when he looks over at Victor.]

You have a ton of fans, though. You probably hear things like this all the time.

[wauuu]

It's different when you have a mutual crush! Much, much cuter!

[yokunaru]

[Mutual crush. Even if Victor's said it a few times already, Yuuri knows this will take a while to sink in. He feels a surge of determination then and, hands braced on the top of the suitcase, he leans forward to peck Victor on the cheek.]

You didn't give me a chance to return it when you did that earlier. [He manages to get out before he can get too tongue-tied. Blushing furiously, Yuuri quickly shuffles past Victor and tugs at the mats.] I-I'll start setting these up.

[wauuu]

I'll help! [Victor is right along, a cute tinge of blush to his own cheeks. Yuuri taking any initiative swells his heart up three sizes. Slow, though, an easy pace... He keeps busy setting some mats down around the pole, even if the shape is a bit awkward]

[yokunaru]

[His gaze flits up to watch Victor briefly before he gets to work. It's a struggle not to keep sneaking looks at Victor, when he's very much aware of him now. Once they've laid down all the mats, Yuuri steps back and studies their handiwork.]

That should do it. It's a little messy, but it wouldn't stay nice and neat if we're using these to break our fall anyway.

[wauuu]

Let's try not to need them! [falling shouldn't really be happening, if they're careful and going easy]

[yokunaru]

I'll be here to keep you from falling if you start slipping, too.

[Right at that point, Yuuri realizes how much close-contact this is most likely going to result in, and bites his lip. He can do this! It's only Victor, who he's been crushing on for years and years.....]

[wauuu]

[Victor is in cozy clothes for this, so he'll reach for the pole, grasping it a few different ways he remembered, just to recall the feeling.]

What's the most basic stance, again?

[yokunaru]

[Yuuri reaches over to put a hand on Victor's before he can try climbing up or anything similar, trying not to look too hesitant as he does so.]

First lesson... wear shorts if you can when you're doing this. You won't slip as much that way.