Unconditional Love

Flight

17th March 2014 (Sofia, Bulgaria)

Yuri was excited.

Yes, packing all his stuff took a long time. But every time he thought that—after all of his efforts to pack, and the flight, obviously—Yuuri would stay in Russia with him, even if not for long, which gave him enough energy to not complain every 5 seconds—much to Yakov's relief.

(Thankfully, Yuri didn't need to somehow smuggle his cousin to Russia.)

Of course, he still needed Yuuri's help to pack, but the older didn't protest and quietly helped the young Russian put all of his belongings into his suitcase, listening to the boy's rants about how annoying Yakov had been during the Kiss and Cry, after his free skate, pointing out every single flaw in his performance.

Yuuri had seen it, a scowling little blonde, looking to the side, eyes scanning for something or someone—him, probably—while the older Russian kept rambling on and on, almost shouting at the poor annoyed blonde.

Both Russians had been completely exhausted after the competition, though Yuri was more annoyed rather than tired. He often complained about how the other teens weren't much of a competition to him, and Yuuri couldn't help but agree.

"Did you see that guy's spins?" Yuri started with a scowl and the Japanese nodded. "Yes, I did." He answered as he put another one of Yuri's cheetah print shirts into the suitcase.

"Also his jumps were so wobbly! He couldn't even land them properly!—" As the little Russian continued with his complaints while packing his toothbrush. Yuuri simply listened and added a few comments of his own every once in a while.

Yuuri wasn't an expert in coaching—seeing as his own coach did not point out his mistakes—but he was picky when it came to spins and step sequences. Yuri liked to call it his 'coach mode.' though Yuuri didn't agree. He really wouldn't be a good coach.

***

3rd October 2006 (Hasetsu, Japan)

As usual, the two cousins visited Ice Castle to train together, however that time they weren't alone. Nikolai Plisetsky had decided to watch them skate, much to the little blonde's delight.

The younger was excited to show his grandpa what he had learned, but before that, he needed to get advice from Yuuri on a few things he still got wrong.

"Yuuri!" The blonde called out to the Japanese, who had just finished putting on his skates, skating to the barrier. "What is it Yurochka?" He tilted his head to the side as he stood up and stepped closer, resting his elbows on the barrier.

Yuri was looking up at him with sparkling eyes. "Can you give me advice on my step sequences?" Was his little cousin's question.

In no way was Yuuri an expert, however... The look on Yuri's face made it impossible for the older one to refuse. He might not give great advice but he could still try.

"You see, you have no control over your edges and—" Yuuri's rant continued for at least 15 minutes, without him even realizing. The Japanese had only been focused on telling the younger what he had seen during Yuri's practice.

That was the start of Yuuri's so-called 'coach mode'. Which wasn't a rare occurrence, not at all, the Russian often asked Yuuri's opinion on his free skate or short program, claiming that his comments were accurate and easier to understand than the coaches out there.

***

"Yura!" Yakov called from the other room, making the two cousins almost jump in surprise. "Are you done?" Asked the grumpy voice.