1. Chapter 1 (1/2)

love letters

viktor picked up the box wine bottles with a grunt. mari smirked at him and picked up hers with ease. viktor wondered why everyone in the katsuki family was so strong.

"so, viktor, you are taking my little

other away."

"yes."

"be sure take care of him and keep him safe."

"i promise to keep him happy."

mari smirked as she said nothing about happiness, but it showed how viktor truly felt. at the bottom of the stairs she said:

"you really love him."

with a solemn look on his face, he nodded. "i do."

mari led the way up the stairs.

"i've been thinking about you and my naive

other."

"you have?" huffed viktor. he marveled at her stamina, it must be a family trait.

"yeah, i fear my

other is scared to show you his true feelings and getting dumped. he's kind of stupid that way." mari slid the box onto the top step and climbed up the last two steps. viktor was only halfway. viktor stopped and rested the box on the next step.

"his feelings?"

"he's in love with you. haven't you noticed?"

"i thought maybe...but..."

"he holds you at arm's length?" viktor nods. "i thought so." mari thought for a bit with her hand on her hip. "you need help with that?" mari pointed at the wine box.

"er, no."

viktor lugged the box up the rest of the way. he huffed and puffed but he was fine as he set the box down. mari smirked. it was going to be a long skating season if he was this out of shape. luckily, (or unluckily depending on how you saw things) yuuri didn't need much coaching now. he will miss seeing him most of the day, but he really needed to get back into shape.

"what do you suggest i do to get past this wall yuuri built up?" asked viktor.

"i did think a slow build up to your love confession would be best. if you come right out with it, yuuri would think you were joking or something. i think a slow increase of affection is needed, but he's used to your touches and flirtatious ways."

"so, what should i do?"

"love letters."

"ah."

"you get it. yuuri is the old-fashioned type. he'll love it."

"yeah...but how slow should i go?"

"start with notes with compliments on his progress, then move on to things you like about him as a friend, finally get romantic, sweet at first and then love."

viktor thought it over. mari could see he got it. she picked up her box and walked to the bar. viktor followed her and made plans.

ceo

on the first day at coach feltsman's rink, yuuri was nervous. he was welcomed by the man himself. coach feltsman tried to not be loud this time as the boy tends to clam up around him. a sure sign he was afraid of him.

"you are viktor's responsibility but if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. i yell but your reputation precedes you."

"it does?" yuuri was startled.

"viktor of course would be biased in your case, but i've known coach cialdini for countless years. he always referred to you as a tireless worker, respectful, always on time. qualities i respect but is so lacking in my students."

coach glared at viktor.

"yuuri has been a good influence on me. i don't party any more. i don't drag myself in late and hungover. i've changed!" announced viktor as much to the eavesdroppers as his coach. coach feltsman looked at him in wonder.

"if this is so, then i like you even more katsuki."

yuuri was surprised by viktor's words and blushed. he was even more surprised by the coach. if he really was the reason for viktor giving up his playboy lifestyle then there was hope for them yet.

"viktor, you will have time to coach your student first thing in the morning and after lunch. the rest of the time you will be training. first, you must get into shape. you've gotten soft! you will have to work hard if you have any chance to reach the finals in any completion!"

"yes, sir."

coach was pleased by the respectful response. yuuri really was a good influence.

"you two have one hour to get settled and for yuuri to learn his first routine. then viktor, come to see me before you go running."

"yes sir."

coach smirked and walked away pleased.

viktor quickly showed him around. the rink was set up like most rinks you would find anywhere. they had lockers next to each other and were soon changed and on the ice. they went through yuuri's short program together and viktor made up a menu of what to practice that morning. then they went their separate ways. as soon as they parted, they missed the other man.

ceo

it was lunch

eak and yuuri

ought out the bento. one thing nice about living together is that they could cook for each other. they both knew it would be bad to eat anything heavy when they will be working out soon after but going without would cause them to faint. yuuri made rice balls and egg omelets. he opened the bento with the rice balls and a note fell out. he picked it up off the floor and saw viktor's neat characters. viktor could write at the 6th grade level which impressed yuuri a lot. but everything viktor did was impressive. he read the note:

"dear yuuri, i'm happy to be your coach. i'm proud of your progress."

it was simple sentences but yuuri was flushed with happiness. he folded up the note and placed it in his pocket.

that first morning, coach feltsman was kinder than expected. yuuri was even able to talk to him a little. he was acquainted with a number of people and everyone was friendly. and now this note. it was a much nicer day than he expected.

"thank you, viktor." smiled yuuri and viktor twinkled back.

ceo

for two weeks yuuri got notes of praise in his bento. it helped to ease him into the routine. then the notes changed a bit:

"i enjoyed your company last night." made yuuri blushed but they are good friends.

"i like watching action films with you." it was one of the many things they had in common.