Author's Note: Please take note that characters' ages are changed to fit this AU.

Disclaimer: I own none of these characters.

THIS STORY CONTAINS MALExMALE RELATIONSHIPS. You have been warned.

Yuuri's POV

Clattering of phones, shuffling of papers constantly bombard my ears.

My office, noisy and busy as always.

I blearily look at my computer screen, opened to an incomplete document. On reflex, frustration and anxiety weigh on me. Sensing an oncoming migraine, I close my eyes and tilt my head, causing the headrest of my seat to creak.

I really want work to end. I want it to end fast. I want to go home, soak in a warm bath and eat some katsudon although I should consider reducing its intake. Never will I want to be subjected to another one of Minako-sensei's ranting.

Never again.

She never stops at only verbal abuse but even resorts to mental and physical abuse, shooting me a look of disgust that screams 'you filthy pig' while forcefully pinching my tummy fat.

Thinking about it, puts a damper on my spirit. What's so wrong with being a little overweight? Sure, I get where she's coming from, talking about how I won't be attractive enough to get a girlfriend. But I've been without a girlfriend for 23 years, waiting a few more years won't hurt. Besides I can't imagine romance in my life right n-

"Yuuri?"

A low gruff voice jolted me awake. I fumbled in my seat before pushing my dropping glasses up my nose.

"M-mr Celestino. Good morning." I glance at the head of my department, giving an embarrassed smile.

Celestino quirks an eyebrow.

"Morning Yuuri, guess you didn't sleep enough last night?" The brunet bemused.

"Yes sir, I had a proposal to complete." I uttered, stifling a yawn.

"I see. Good luck with that but you need to take care. Don't want you falling sick." He gives an encouraging pat on my shoulder.

Flushed face, I thank him, giving a small nod.

Ahh, I can't believe it! That was so embarrassing! How can I let my mind wander during work? Get it together, me!

With that, a tad bit reluctant, I decide to get back to work. Pens and documents are scattered all over my desk. I don't even remember its colour anymore; it is always messy. Sighing for the umpteenth time, I regarded my work with disdain; it serves as a constant reminder of how I'm not sleeping tonight as well.

Oh god, I cannot take it. My eyes feel so dry and eyelids so heavy. It has only been about an hour since my short nap and I already feel defeated over my proposal.

Feeling exasperation crawl up my skin, I slapped myself on both sides of my face.

Focus, Yuuri. Focus. The deadline is tomorrow morning. I have to get this done by tonight. A late submission will greatly hinder the execution of our project and I don't want that. I don't want to hold back the company. I don't want to be a disappointment.

"Yuuri, are you alright?"

I was once again brought back to reality.

I turn to face my junior, Minami. Concern displayed explicitly on his face. Judging from the slight jerk of the redhead, I figure that I probably look like a wreck.

How incompetent can I get? Making even a junior worry.
"I'm fine. Thanks." I forced a smile, despite feeling like trash.

It was then, Celestino came striding swiftly into the office. His face scrunched up in a frown, lips pursed, eyes downcast on the floor. He finally took a stand in the middle of the office, regarding us with a taut expression. All of us looking from one side to another, trying to understand the situation.

Our supervisor cleared his throat, frown still etched on his face, before announcing: "There's a sudden notice from the CEO that his son will be visiting this office. Today. He's currently on his way, reaching in around five minutes." He stops and we stare at him dumbfounded. Soon after, everyone in our department, except me, has become restless; they are a mix of excitement and anxiousness. Questions on said visitor are thrown from left and right.

"Why out of the blue?"

"Why is he visiting?"

"Are we going to be evaluated?"

The buzz is particularly lively amongst the women in our department.

"The CEO's son? Victor Nikiforov?"

Victor Nikiforov? Didn't expect I will ever find someone else with that name.

"Hey, hey I've heard he sealed a deal with that renowned Leox Corporation."

"Isn't he only 27 years old?"

"Do you think he has a girlfr-"

"May I have your attention please?"

Peace resumed.

"All that I've heard is that Mr Nikiforov will be managing our company's operations and taking charge of this department alongside with me. Please tidy up your workplace and you should all be doing your typical tasks. Now get a move on! He will be arriving very soon."

On cue, everyone busied themselves. Some are on the phone, some are furiously typing away on the computer while others are organising their desks. I fall in the last category; my desk is, and has always been, a catastrophe. In panic, I open a drawer and sweep a whole bunch of papers inside. There's no way I can continue my proposal in such a stressful environment. What's more is that a well-esteemed figure is showing up at any moment!

Today is simply not my day. It also doesn't seem like it's going my way anytime soon.

A handful of my colleagues who are too excited to stay put, have their faces plastered to the long glass window of our office, eyes staring down at the entrance to the building, eager to witness the arrival of the President's son who receives such high praise in the business industry.

"Oh my god, a limousine just pulled up the curb!"

Talk about a grand entrance.

The rest of my colleagues got out of their seats to join those at the window.

"Yuuri, you're not going to look?" Minami asked, brows furrowed.

"Nah, I'm fine sitting here," I mumbled, burying my head in my arms.

Without further questions, he went to join the others.

"Did you see his face?"

"Look at all the directors and executives lined up to greet him! Such royalty!"

"I wonder if he's really as impressive as he seems."

"He just entered the building."

"Guys, listen up," says Celestino, striding into our office. "He's on the ground floor. He will be making his way to our department first so get ready."

Everyone scurried back to their desks. Some are checking their appearance, some are on the phone, some are discussing about marketing. And then there's me, too tired to do anything other than to stare holes in my computer, brain dead.

In my lifeless state, I catch someone hissing "he's coming this way! He's coming!"

"Our head of Marketing and Planning, Celestino." I recognise Honda, our chief executive, saying.

"Nice to meet you, Celestino," comes a smooth russian accent.

He's Russian. With the name Victor Nikiforov.

Something clicked in my head.

Silence engulf the office as men clad in immaculate dark suits stride in. Tension in the air is infectious, urging me to stop work to observe the event.

And that's when I caught a glimpse of silver.

Alarm bells sounded off in my head. The sight of silver hair hits too close to home. Bittersweet memories locked away in the depths of my heart starts to resurface. I find myself sweating, heart beating faster, eyes glued back to the computer; I'm too afraid to look, too afraid to confirm my fears. Aren't there too many coincidences? But it can't possibly be him.

People dye their hair silver. It's not that uncommon...right?

I attempt to stay calm however a certain someone keeps flashing through my mind.

"Everyone. I'm honoured to introduce the president's son, a new face to our business industry but yet has already achieved so much...Victor Nikiforov!" Celestino boomed before applause exploded in our department.

Ok Yuuri. You can do this. Just a peek and you will realise that you've only been overthinki-

As I direct my gaze towards the center of the office, I saw him.

Silver hair swayed and his eyes came into view.
He's like how I remembered him; breathtaking as always.

"Please, don't mind me."

That smile I've replayed countless times in my mind.

"Just do what you would usually do."

Then, our eyes met. The next moment, I was paralysed but my mind was still able to register that he is starting to walk around the office.

Giving myself some time to process what's happening, I resign myself to simply stun in my seat. Am I dreaming? Trapped in some sort of alternate reality? Everything feels so surreal. And here I thought that today will be another mundane work day.

My idol from high school days. Victor Nikiforov.

Victor is here. In front of me. Right before my very eyes. Again. Victor Nikiforov.

A few minutes have passed till I thought to myself that my brain must have lost it; I'm starting to see blue. Ocean blue to be exact. The very colour of Victor's eyes...

"Wo-ah!" I jerk when realization hits me. Victor is so close to my face! Only a few inches away. Instantly, I pull back only to hit my chair, lurching myself forward. Our foreheads connected with a forceful impact. A pained groan escaped from both our mouths.
Shit. I need to apologise.

"I'm so sorry!" I bow a few times out of habit. My face could not be any redder.

"No, it's quite alright." He chuckled after a look to my face.

Gesturing to me, he asked Celestino "and who might this be?"

"This is Katsuki Yuuri. One of our junior assistants in charge of planning."

I struggle to reply with my brain hazy from shock. Humiliation still hot on my face as I choked out a "nice to meet you, Mr Nikiforov."

"Nice to meet you too, Yuuri."

Yuuri. He said my name.

This is not good for my heart. There's too many things going awry today. First work, now Victor.

"I'd just like to say that I'm delighted to meet you all today," says Victor while gazing around the quiet office. "I'm here to oversee Japan headquarters' operations as well as to gain experience in guiding a group of co-workers. My stay will last for a few months hence I will be in your care." He humbly bowed. "I look forward to working with you guys and hopefully get to know some of you better." He finished with a charming smile which got the women swooning.

"To welcome Mr Nikiforov into our department, we are organising a drinking party! Of course, all employees are expected to attend." Celestino unexpectedly announced with a cheshire grin.

Oh no.

"Tonight 7pm at Akaoni."

Oh, hell no.

"Let's drink till we are all wasted!" I hear someone yell.
The rest responded with laughter and cheers whereas I want to yell back "But I've got tons of work to do!"

Today is already too overwhelming. I can't take it. Another interaction with Victor will probably put the nail in my coffin. I really don't want to go. I don't want to go to the party.

The difference between the joyous mood of my colleagues and the throbbing dull ache in my head makes me want to cry.

I've come to a conclusion that the gods probably despise me.