Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own the rights to Yuri on Ice or any of it's characters. I wish I did tho. This is just for fun, not profit yo! The royalty concept was inspired by a yurionniiice on tumblr. You can find her link in my profile. Please go and check out her work!
Warning: Umm if you are into this fandom you know it's at least Shounen Ai right? BL, male x male. If you don't like that go away =P
The Nymph
(YOI Royalty AU)
The sun started to rise on another beautiful day in the kingdom of Katok. The animals were scurrying about getting ready for the transition from darkness to light. A relative calm fell over the land and all was quiet, however inside the royal castle was another matter entirely.
"Damn it Viktor! How many times must I tell you not to run away from the castle and your obligations?" Came the thunderous roar of King Yakov Nikiforov from the throne room. He was in yet another early morning squabble with his eldest son. "If you want me to pass the throne to you, then you need to take your responsibilities as crown prince more seriously! It's time you settled down!" The king bellowed. Prince Viktor Nikiforov had never taken anything seriously in his life. He was impulsive and prone to making poor choices. At nearly the age of twenty now, his father decided that it was time for his eldest son to grow up. King Yakov felt that the best way to achieve that was to throw a ball and invite all of the eligible young people in his kingdom to attend. Surely one of them would be able to catch the Prince's fancy and tie him down.
"Feel free to make Yurio the crown prince any time!" Viktor shouted back. He wasn't concerned with ruling his kingdom and would rather enjoy himself. The very idea of marrying someone was preposterous. He had no problem collecting lovers over the years, he just had very little luck in keeping them. No one ever held his interest for very long and eventually he would end the tryst and move on.
"You damn well better attend the ball, or there will be hell to pay!" King Yakov seethed. He could feel a blood vessel about to pop and a stroke coming on. 'This kid will be the death of me,' he thought morosely.
"Yeah yeah I hear you, I will be back in time for the ball old man," the flighty Prince grumbled and left the great hall slamming the doors shut behind him.
"That went well pops," Yurio smirked as he slipped out from behind a curtain near the throne. His golden hair caught the light from the new day outside and his green eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Shut up! And don't call me pops!" The King shrieked in surprise at the arrival of his younger son. He could hardly believe that his youngest was already sixteen years old. 'If their mother could see them now, may she rest in peace,' he thought.
"Looks like I'll be the one to take your place some day old man," Prince Yurio grinned wickedly and pointed at his chest with his thumb. He was overjoyed that his elder brother had no interest in the throne. Yurio had always wanted that power for himself and if Viktor was so willing to give it up, then who was he to deny his rightful place?
"Your brother will come around eventually Yurio," the King sighed. "I hope," he added.
"Whatever," Yurio scoffed. 'Keep dreaming geezer,' he thought with a chuckle.
"Otabek!" The King shouted suddenly and startled the Prince.
A tall muscular man with short dark hair strode in at his King's summons. He bowed respectfully to his ruler with his hand over his heart. "You called for me your majesty?" The King's stoic royal advisor asked. He raised his head and met his King's eyes.
"Bring me the royal decorator, I want to hold a ball next week for the crown Prince's twentieth birthday," Yakov said while rubbing his temples.
"You called your majesty?" Came the flamboyant ringing voice of the man in question. Sir Christophe Giacometti glided into the great hall on a cloud of sunshine and rainbows. "I had a feeling that you might require my expertise for the Prince's birthday celebrations, so I rushed to the castle this morning!" He declared with his hands spread wide to announce his glorious presence.
"Good Chris I'm glad that you are here," Yakov said in a monotone voice. He always had hard time dealing with his decorator's exuberant personality. "Next week is Prince Viktor's twentieth birthday and I want every eligible person in my kingdom to attend. I want a lavish ball with entertainment of course, spare no expense."
Sir Christophe's eyes grew in size as the king explained. "Oh your majesty I will make sure that this is the ball to remember! You just leave it all to lil ol' me," he squealed and winked at the morose monarch. He was bouncing up and down while clasping his hands close to his chest, "this will be such fun!"
"Oh joy," the King said sarcastically. While Christophe continued to prance gleefully in the background, the King turned to his son. "Are you planning on inviting someone special to the ball Yurio?"
Yurio blushed at his father's direct question and looked over the King's shoulder at Otabek. He had been in love with Lord Otabek for years. Even though the stoic advisor was only two years older than he was, their maturity levels were worlds apart. By the time that Otabek was Yurio's age he had gained the coveted position of royal advisor and King's personal bodyguard. Yurio had never made his desires known, and he wasn't about to start now. "Like hell I would, who would want to dance at a stupid party full of losers anyways?" He huffed indignantly.
Otabek stifled his laughter behind his hand. Little did the Prince know, Otabek had fallen for Yurio as well. The first day that he met the young Prince, a year ago, he knew it was love at first sight. There was just something about the Prince's strong eyes that drew him in. Otabek felt like those deep emerald orbs were the eyes of a soldier, of a warrior, of a strong soul. From that moment on he was hooked. "Your majesty, if you have no further need of me," he bowed his head.
Before the king could yell at his son, he turned to his advisor. "Yes, thank you, you are dismissed Otabek," he said.
"Then I will take my leave your majesty," he bowed again. Otabek swiveled slightly and bowed his head, "your highness." When he raised his head there was a soft smile on his face directed at Yurio. As he spun on his heels to exit the room he grinned to himself for being able to make the young Prince blush deep red. 'Maybe you would allow this loser a dance my prince,' he thought hopefully as he left to resume his duties.
Viktor liked to be alone. He enjoyed the solitude. He would often sneak out of the castle with only his beloved dog Makkachin. The giant poodle had been his faithful companion for many years. Makkachin was an excellent judge of character. When someone new would come into the castle, Makkachin would rush out to analyze them. He didn't get along with very many people besides Viktor and his family. The King's royal advisor and Makkachin seemed to have a special bond though. Viktor had never seen his dog warm up to anyone immediately, so when Makkachin took off at high speed into the woods, he was concerned that the dog might attack someone.
"Makkachin! Come back!" Viktor yelled desperately and chased after the wayward poodle. He followed the big ball of fluff through the woods, dodging prickly bushes and huge rocks. He finally caught up to the beast on the outskirts of a small clearing. He reached down and grabbed Makkachin by the collar and placed his leash back on. "What the hell was that for you crazy mutt?" Viktor asked slumped over with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
The Prince looked down at his dog and noticed that Makkachin's attention was fixed on something ahead. Viktor brushed his silver hair from his face and cast his blue eyes towards the clearing. What he saw took his breath away. Never in his life had he seen something so beautiful, so ethereal. A gorgeous dark haired nymph was dancing to silent music near a small pond in front of him. The wondrous creature had his eyes closed and was not aware that he was being watched. He sashayed his hips and stretched his limbs to an unheard, heavenly beat. Each movement was so fluid in its execution, each twirl a masterpiece. In that moment Viktor believed that angels could exist, that there must be a heaven. The Prince could feel Cupid's arrow strike his heart with deadly accuracy. 'Dear god is this real?' He wondered. He let Makkachin's leash fall from his hands as his mouth hung open in a daze.
The giddy poodle noticed his new found freedom and leapt from Viktor towards the dancing nymph. With a happy bark, Makkachin jumped up and tackled him to the ground. Viktor blinked and shook his head. "Ahh!" He yelled as he raced forwards and pulled the slobbering mutt off of the fallen angel. "I'm sorry! Are you ok?" Viktor stuttered.
A ringing laughter filled the air around them and the angel rubbed his face clean. "I'm fine, is this cutie yours?" The dark haired man asked as he tried to stand back up. He caught sight of the silver haired man and blushed.
Viktor pulled the angel back up to his feet gently. "Yes, this is Makkachin, and I have never seen him do that before. I am so sorry," he mumbled. He was greeted with a warm and affectionate smile. Viktor locked his crystal clear blue eyes onto sweetly seductive chocolate colored orbs. The man before him leaned down and started to pet Makkachin behind the ears. Viktor's mouth went dry and he gulped. "Are you an angel?"
The man was startled by that and stood up to look at him. "An angel?" He giggled nervously. "No way!" He laughed and it sounded like bells to Viktor. "My name's Yuuri," he smiled.
"Yuuri," Viktor whispered, as he savored the feel of this angel's name on his tongue. "It's a pleasure to meet you Yuuri, my name is Viktor. I'm -" Viktor paused. He was dressed in commoners clothing because he didn't want to be disturbed. He contemplated whether he wanted to reveal his identity to this angel or not. Viktor decided that for now he would just be Viktor, not the crown Prince. "I'm really sorry about my dog tackling you like that," he recovered. He wanted this angel to get to know him, not the crown that loomed over his head.
"It's fine, no harm done," Yuuri grinned. "You are just too adorable Makkachin," he knelt down and fluffed the dogs ears. The poodle licked Yuuri and barked happily.
Viktor couldn't believe that his dog could warm up to someone so quickly. "Your dancing is so beautiful," Viktor blurted out before he could stop himself.
Yuuri immediately turned bright red and rubbed the back of his head embarrassed. "Oh you saw that huh? Umm thanks." Though Yuuri loved to dance, he didn't like people to see him while he was practicing. He would prepare his routines in the privacy of the forest with only the animals and nature available to critique him. "It's not finished yet," he admitted.
"Are you an entertainer? Do you dance for a living?" Viktor couldn't help but ask. Surely this angel would make a fine career out of his performances. That thought made Viktor jealous, he wanted to be the only one to gaze upon this beauty.
"Umm I am trying to do this for a living, I just met someone who said that he might be able to hire me for a huge ball soon," Yuuri shrugged. "Who knows, it could be my lucky break" he smiled. Yuuri had been trying to make a name for himself for years. His problem was that he had no confidence in himself or his dancing. "He saw me dancing a few days ago in a small pub and had me travel with him to this kingdom. He said that he actually works for the King here and that there might be a big ball next week," Yuuri said with hopeful eyes. "His name is Chris and he left me here to practice while he seeks an audience with this kingdom's King," Yuuri said with a shrug.
Viktor's heart raced, that crazy Chris had met this angel and delivered him here? He would have to remember to reward Chris handsomely later. Yuuri was going to dance at his birthday ball? Viktor internally squealed with delight. "Yeah, I hear the King will hold a ball for the crown prince next week and every eligible person is supposed to attend," he said smugly.
"Really?" Yuuri screamed and grabbed Viktor's hands. "That's wonderful!" He smiled with his warm chocolaty orbs twinkling. Viktor blushed to his ears at the sudden contact. "Maybe I will be able to dance for the Prince!" Yuuri shrieked, completely unaware of the effect he was having on said Prince at the moment.
"I . . I go to court sometimes and I know how to do some dancing, maybe I could be your . . . I don't know coach or something?" Viktor mumbled hopefully. He would happily grab onto any excuse to spend time getting to know this ethereal beauty.
Yuuri's eye's grew even larger and began to fill with tears of joy. "Do you really mean it? You would do that for me? How can I ever repay you?" He wrapped his arms around the stuttering silver haired Prince. "You are my first friend in this foreign land Viktor, thank you!" He tightened his embrace and cried on the Prince's shoulder.
"You're welcome Yuuri," Viktor sigh contentedly and returned the embrace. 'I'm sure I can think of some way for you to repay me my little minx,' he thought wickedly. Viktor lost himself in the wonderful closeness they shared until Makkachin barked.
Yuuri broke the hug and knelled down. "Of course you are my friend too Makkachin!" He hugged the poodle and kissed his head. "You'll help me too right?" Makkachin barked his approval and Yuuri began to sway to and unknown beat. "This is just the best day ever!" He declared with a twirl and smiled back at Viktor.
'It should be illegal to be that adorable!' Viktor mentally declared. Yuuri began to dance around the pond once more. He watched Yuuri sway and weave about with Makkachin galloping along beside him happily. 'Dear sweet God, what have I gotten myself into?' Viktor silently pondered.
Author's Notes: Ahh I am writing an AU, I can't believe it! This is my first YOI story too! I had originally thought of making this a one shot, but I don't have time to finish it today and I will be out of town this weekend. I was so inspired by Gwen's art that the story kind of wrote itself. Check my profile for a link to her tumblr
I live for feedback! I crave it! It helps me become a better writer, so please let me know if you like this fic so far ^.~
I am such a weirdo, I looked up an ice rink in St Petersburg Russia and found one called Katok, so I named the kingdom after that. ^.^;;; corny I know. The trekkie in me can't help but think that it sounds like Klingon.