As far as we know, Victor returned to Russia. In my mind, Yuuri had to stay in Japan for some weeks to prepare for his new life, together with Victor. How would Yuuri and Victor's first meeting be after being separated from each other for some time after the Grand Prix final?

"Good luck, love. Send a text once you get there, okay?"

"I will, mom. I'll text you when I change flights, too."

"Hey, Yuuri? I'm glad that you're not retiring. Good luck."

"Thanks, sis. I'm... glad too. This... this will work out, I think."

"Yuuri, good luck!"

"Thanks, dad. I will visit more often than when I was in Detroit."

Yuuri took a step down from his family to put on his shoes. His chest hurt a little. He was bad with goodbyes. Taking a deep breath, trying to choke back the tears, he turned to his family.

"Well, I'm off!"

"Take care," they responded in chorus.

The flight from Fukuoka to Tokyo was totally uneventful. Yuuri walked through the airport to get to the International section, something he's done many times before. This time, however, it felt different. More tingly inside.

He stopped and looked at the screen that showed departures. Helsinki... Helsinki... Ah, there! He noted the floor and gate, and started to walk. Two hours to spare.

Once he passed through security, he went straight for the gate. He found an empty seat next to an elderly couple and reached in his coat pocket for his phone. No texts. He opened his sms-app.

To: Mom

I'm in Tokyo now, waiting for the flight to Finland. Tell everyone I said hi. /Yuuri

He pressed send.

To: Victor

I'm in Tokyo now. 17 more hours. Cant wait to see

He erased the last sentence.

I want to see you. Now. /Y

He pressed send.

Yuuri put his phone back in his coat pocket. It was around five in the morning in St Petersburg, there was no way he was getting a response.

Yuuri started to think about his past ten months. His past ten months with Victor. The ups and downs. The heartbreak and tribulations. How he had found something he never wanted to be without, ever again. How they decided, there on the floor next to the kiss and cry at the Grand Prix final, that Yuuri had to move. Move in with Victor. In St Petersburg. In Russia.

Yuuri felt that tingling sensation again. It made him weak at the knees, made his heart skip a beat, made him involuntarily gasp for air. He felt his cheeks heat up a little, so he buried his face in his hands. He felt a little embarrassed, reacting like he did. The coolness of the ring he was wearing on his right hand felt like a blessing on his burning cheek.

He peered through his fingers and noticed that it would be time to board within the next 20 minutes. When the call for the flight echoed in the speakers, he felt relieved. He hurried to stand in line, feeling his heart beat slighty harder and faster.

After he got his boarding pass in return, he walked towards the aircraft through the seemingly never ending corridor. He pulled up his phone, opened the camera app and took a photo. One last Instagram-post before entering a new phase in life.

Bye, Japan.

As he quickly scrolled through his feed after he took his seat, something caught his eye. A photo of an empty closet.

v-nikiforov

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v-nikiforov Making room for something new!

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Yuuri double tapped the image with a smile. As he did, his phone vibrated. A text.

From: Victor

Soon! Don't be late!

Yuuri felt pathetic as his eyes became blurry with tears.

An eleven hour flight. To Yuuri, it felt like an eternity. After watching all the downloaded clips of numerous figure skating finals he had on his laptop, two in-flight movies and flipping through the complimentary magazines, he felt restless. Anxious, even. Five more hours to go until landing, give or take.

He reached for his phone and opened the gallery. The last photo he had on his phone that portrayed Victor was taken on the 27th of December. It was when they separated after close to nine months together, shortly after the Grand Prix-final came to an end. Two days after Victor's birthday. A little more than a month ago.

They had both left for the airport, taking the train from Hasetsu to Fukuoka. The train ride had been quite somber. Victor's mood had been somewhat low-key, and Yuuri couldn't think of anything to lighten it. He himself wasn't happy. As they came closer to Fukuoka International Airport, Yuuri had noticed a shift in Victor. It was apparent, but not at the time though, that Victor was trying hard to spare Yuuri of a tormented good-bye.

"So, when you come in February, it won't be too cold. Although, it would be smart to bring something warm, just in case."

Viktor had sounded somewhat cheery, something Yuuri had a hard time to accept.

"Yuuri," Victor continued, "I think it will be best if you take it slow once you get to St Petersburg. Time difference and all, you know? Maybe for two or three days anyway. I'll start training in a couple of days, I can't be slacking now that I'm returning to the ice. I'll try to get a lot done once I get home, though, so you won't be too alone once you arrive. I'll probably have some rough drafts done to both of my programs, so we can focus on you and your season."

"Mhm. That's okay, Victor." I'm going to burst.

They both entered the airport in silence. Victor was quick to spot the number of his gate as Yuuri trailed behind, pushing the luggage trolley with just a few of Victor's bags. The rest of Victor's belongings were scheduled for pickup from Hasetsu during the upcoming week.

Yuuri's eyes were glued to Victor's back as he went away from the monitor towards the hallway that would lead him to check-in. Wonder if it's as hard for him as it is for me?

They both stood in line at the check-in, waiting for the first tentative door to close between them. As it was Victor's turn to approach the counter, Yuuri excused himself hurriedly. He couldn't take it right now. He headed for the bathroom.

Yuuri locked himself in one of the stalls. Flashes of when he last cried in a similar setting appeared before his inner eye, making him feel mortified. He tried to steady his breathing, he was feeling more and more anxious. He felt his throat tense up, that familiar feeling of a looming emotional outburst.

His phone beeped and vibrated in his pocket.

From: Victor

Yuuri, where did you go? Come, we don't have much time! Standing outside the baggage drop, left my bags already.

To: Victor

I'll be there, give me a second. /Y

Yuuri wasn't as composed as he'd liked when he exited the bathroom. He still felt that tense feeling in his throat, tears teasing his eyes and making him blink. His lower lip was trembling. I really don't want him to leave.

Yuuri passed the baggage drop without noticing. He was busy trying to stay composed. He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder, which made him stop dead in his tracks. He recognised that grip on his shoulder all too well, but was saddened when he realised that it wasn't calming him like it had done countless of times before.

"Yuuri?" Victor's voice sounded low behind him. Emotional, even. "Come, turn around."

Yuuri did as he was told, keeping his head low. If I look at him, I'll... cry.

"Yuuri, we don't have to make it harder than it has to." Victor's voice was almost a whisper. "I must go back, you know? I have a lot of catching up to do."

Yuuri stood with his eyes fixed on Victor's shoes. I know. It's what we both want, but I'm not ready. I'll never be ready to let you go, now that I know where we stand.

Yuuri inhaled sharply as he felt Victor's arms around him.

"This is what we decided, Yuuri," Victor whispered in his ear. "We want this in order to continue. If I'm to stand by you as your coach, we have to do this. It's only for a short time, considering what I want for you. And what you want for me. That's what you said, right? "

Yuuri felt Victor's grip ease up a little. Victor's hand quickly went down Yuuri's coat pocket.

"You don't have to be in it if you don't want to," Victor said as he pulled up Yuuri's phone. Yuuri heard the shutter go off, but didn't move. Still remaining in Victor's slightly loosened embrace.

"You look at this on your way home," Victor said as he gently let his arms leave Yuuri's shoulders, putting the phone back in the same pocket.

Yuuri sighed. Or sobbed, he wasn't sure. Still with his eyes glued to the floor. He felt Victor's hands on his face, his fingers lightly coercing him to tip his jaw. To lock eyes with him. He lightly grabbed Victor's wrists, maybe to ground him a little before they had to part ways.

As Yuuri finally had the courage meet Victor's gaze, he noticed that Victor indeed was affected too. He knew that look, it reminded him of the night before the free skate of the Grand Prix-final. Was that cheery attitude he'd put on before just a charade? Strangely, the thought made him feel better.

"Yuuri... I must go now."

"I know." The steadiness of his own voice surprised him.

"When you get to St Petersburg, you better be ready. I won't go easy on you."

Yuuri smiled a little. It made Victor's eyes soften a bit.

"So, no emotional eating. No katsudon! Remember, you haven't won anything yet!"

As he felt the spontaneous reaction bubble up inside him, Victor hugged him tight once more. Yuuri couldn't help but laugh, and was relieved that Victor was laughing too.

Yuuri sighed as he shifted in his seat. He'd looked at that photo countless of times during the month that had passed. Victor, with one arm around his back, still in an embrace, the other one slightly extended, holding the phone. Victor's hair blending together with his, making a wonderful contrast. Victor was flashing a super nova smile. A genuine smile. A smile that spoke more than words ever could.

"You always meet me where I am," Yuuri said quietly to himself as he put away his phone, suddenly feeling tired.

Yuuri woke up with a jolt when the flight attendants asked the passengers to raise their seatbacks and put the tray tables in an upright position. Five hours had indeed passed by quickly, as soon as he'd fallen asleep. Thank god for that. He felt that tingle inside him again. So close. Four more hours.

The landing went smoothly. Yuuri was quick to turn off flight mode on his phone, even before the plane had stopped completely. As he exited the aircraft, he felt the phone vibrate in his pocket, the sensation made him giddy. He decided to keep the phone in his pocket until he knew where to go.

Yuuri found that Helsinki Airport was quite small, finding his way around it was simple. Not at all like Kyushu and Narita. As soon as he knew which gate to go to, he reached for his phone. Three new messages.

From: Mom

I will, dear. Where are you now? I hope everything is going well. Love, Mom

To: Mom

I'm in Finland now. The plane is leaving in roughly two hours. I'll text you when I get there. /Yuuri

After he pressed send, he found an empty seat close to his departure gate. He continued to check his phone.

From: Viktor

I'm the one who left a voicemail. You don't have to listen to it, tell me when you've landed instead, OK?

Yuuri smiled. The last text was indeed from his provider, telling him that there was a missed call and that the caller left a message.

To: Viktor

I've landed. Sitting and waiting now. It's on time so... Three more hours. THREE! See you soon, Victor. /Y

Yuuri's thumb hovered over the send button. He decided to press it.

His heart skipped a beat. Three more hours. The flight from Helsinki to St Petersburg would take a little more than an hour, then he would be with him. In Russia. Starting something entirely new, something he never hesitated to decide upon. I'm going to be with you and together, we'll...

The phone vibrated. Continuously. A call? Yuuri looked at the display, he saw that photo where he smiled that smile. Victor.

As soon as Yuuri had swiped to answer, he heard Victor's voice.

"Yuuri! Hi!"

"Victor..."

"How are you doing, Yuuri?"

"I'm... fine. I'm doing fine, Victor. Starting to get a little tired, though."

"You've had a long day. I'm coming to pick you up so it's on time, you said?"

"Yes, it is." Yuuri's heart started to beat a little faster.

They shared a little pause.

"Yuuri, listen," Victor continued. His voice sounded different. More emotional. "I... I've missed you and it feels amazing that you're almost here. It's the best thing that can possibly happen, you know? I can't think of anything else that would make me feel the same way."

"I know, Victor. I... can't wait to be with you. You know, I saw your Instagram-post and... well, it made me happy."

Yuuri heard Victor chuckle.

"New beginnings. Right, Yuuri?"

"New beginnings. Thank you for everything. For letting me be a part of your life, for teaching me and..."

"Now, Yuuri," Victor interrupted him. "We're not planning another good-bye speech tonight. We're planning a hello. A nice to see you. Right?"

Yuuri nodded, and felt silly once he realised it. It's not like Victor could see him affirming his words.

"Right!"

"Great. So... Next time we speak, I'll see you!"

"I can't wait. See you, Victor."

"See you, Yuuri. Bye."

"Bye."

Victor looked at his phone. It was time to go. He collected his keys and put them in his coat pocket. He crouched down, letting his hands stroke the fur of the poodle that wisped around his legs.

"Be back soon, Makkachin. We're having a guest, so I guess you'll have to share the bed from now on."

Victor stood up, and turned off the light in the hallway.

"See you, Makkachin."

He closed the door behind him, and walked towards the lift. Absentmindedly, he pressed the button for the bottom floor. His thoughts were definitely elsewhere, on the meeting that was going to take place.

"It's coming back to me. Life. And love," he said quitely to himself.

He walked through the lobby-like bottom floor as he exited the lift. The taxi was already standing in front of the building, which he appreciated. Being on time was important for Victor, and especially today. He buttoned his coat and tucked in the loose ends of his muffler before exiting, walking the five strides or so to the edge of the pavement. He opened the back door of the taxi and placed himself in the seat.

"Good evening. Pulkovo, please."

The driver nodded as he turned on the meter.

Victor felt excited. He really couldn't help himself.

Yuuri was breathing faster. Please land, please land, please land... The anticipation was killing him, making him enter some kind of tunnel vision. Making him light-headed. He wanted to get off, now.

As the propeller plane touched ground, he unbuckled his seatbelt. He was intent on leaving as soon as the seatbelt sign got switched off. Everything was already neatly stored in his backpack. He felt like a racehorse, anxious and full of adrenaline. Ready to burst out on the given signal.

Why is everything going so slow? I can't stand this, let me off.

Victor had been recognised by quite a few people while waiting in the arrivals area, it turned out to be a nice diversion. Taking some photos, signing some glossy magazines... The twenty minutes he waited passed by quite quickly. When he saw people coming out from the passport control, he excused himself as gracefully as he could. Finally.

He felt himself focusing. Searching. Searching for a brown coat, black hair and glasses.

Yuuri felt an array of emotions. He felt lost, happy, sad, excited and scared at the same time. His eyes desperately longed to see something familiar as he came out from the passport control. Victor, where are you?!

"Dobro pozhalovat' v Rossiyu." A whisper from behind. A warm breath caressing his cheek. Suddenly he felt scared to turn around. But he did.