Hello, hope that you and your family are doing well. If you're in a drabble mood. How about when Alexei asked Riku for permission to coach Yuuri or a skating family drabble please?
Alexei twisted and worked his way through the surprisingly cramped hallway of the arena. Now that the Men’s Free Skate had finished, people were flooding the hallways. Every skater had a retinue, some more than others. On top of that there were things that needed to be taken care of by the ISU and JSF staff before the Women’s Free Skate tomorrow night.
Alexei knew more about how the behind the scenes worked now then he ever did as a skater. He missed being ignorant, life was more enjoyable that way.
“Turov-san!” Alexei swung around. The person who had been talking wasn’t facing him. Probably wasn’t even aware that Alexei was standing just being him. No, the person was trying to get the attention of the same person that Alexei had been looking for.
His wife turned, brushing a strand of hair that had escaped from her bun back into place. She had a clipboard in one hand and Alexei could just make out the earpiece tucked around one ear. He smiled and waved. She sighed.
Blinking, she looked at him. “You know that I am. I need to go and find the medalists and make sure that they go to the blood draw as soon as possible.”
“I know where Viktor is. In fact, I’ll take you to him.”
“I was going to find Lambiel first. He’s much more cooperative. And polite and–”
“Ah, but Viktor adores me. Besides, I’ve discovered something amazing by spending time with Yakov while I let you work.”
Riku reached up and stroked her fingers through Alexei’s hair. “Yes, you’ve been an exceptional husband not hovering this time.”
Such praise practically made Alexei beam. He knew he was easy like that, but he didn’t care. “I know where Katsuki disappeared to.”
Riku blinked. “I didn’t know that you wanted to know. It’s on record who’s coaching him. Somewhere.”
“Ah, well, I was curious, but it wasn’t a necessity that I find out. Besides, his coach is here.” Alexei smiled. “I was just talking to him.”
Alexei knew that Riku had a sixth sense for his foolishness, but he didn’t care. He knew that she’d play along. “You were just talking with your former coach, Mr Feltsman.”
Riku grabbed his arm. “Wait. Katsuki Yuuri is training with Yakov Feltsman?”
“Katsuki Yuuri is not only training with Yakov Feltsman. Katsuki Yuuri has started to fascinate Viktor Nikiforov.” Alexei paused. “And Yakov wants me to go to St Petersburg to evaluate him.”
Alexei gripped the handles of his duffle bag a little tighter and weaved through the crowd in the international terminal. He didn’t need to look for Riku, he just knew where she was, and if he could just get the crowd to part then he’d be able to see her and everything would be perfect. Or on the way to perfect.
He managed to round the corner and just like he knew, there she was, looking at the watch she wore on her wrist instead of looking for him in the crowd. Though really, he knew he probably stood out from the majority, but still. “Riku!”
She glanced up and smiled. He watched as her gaze lingered on his face. Then she took a large breath. It wasn’t the welcome he’d expected.
Ah. She knew. Of course she’d know. She was Riku. He nodded.
He nodded again. “It’d mean living in Russia until his contract with Yakov expires.”
Another deep breath. “He’s not like the other students you’ve worked with.”
Alexei shook his head. Yuuri was better. So much better. There was a well of untapped potential and fire to succeed that Alexei was sure not many saw. It reminded him of someone.
Riku stood up on her toes and pressed her lips lightly against his cheek. He’d missed her. So of course he wrapped his arms around her waist and spun them around. Her laugh was both delighted and exasperated. When he set her down, she just looked up at him and shook her head. “If you want me to make you work harder for a yes…”
Alexei shook his head. “No. That’s all right. Let’s not.”
“Let’s go home. I’ll make dinner and we can talk logistics.”