He has his doubts when it becomes a nightly occurrence, his mind still telling him that he's making a mistake. During the first week, the hair on his arms and on his nape still raise whenever the ghost appears, his body only calming down once the other male starts dancing. Yuuri has a mini panic attack one time when the ghost doesn't immediately disappear after his performance, looking around the store for a couple of minutes before turning to Yuuri with a smile.
"I think I used to like music," the silver-haired man says, a quiet longing in his voice. It's only then that Yuuri notices how the ghost articulates, not quite like how the locals speak and certainly far from how Yuuri does. He tries to identify the thick accent, wondering if the ghost was a foreigner visiting the country when he had been killed. The thought makes Yuuri clench his hands into fists. The ghost vanishes before Yuuri can even debate the repercussions if he were to open his mouth.
He thinks that he and the ghost have somehow settled into a peculiar routine, one that bothers him less and less as the days go by. If the owner notices how Yuuri plays the exact same song then proceeds to stare off into space every night, he doesn't comment on it. Yuuri thinks the owner just chalks up his behavior to the depression diagnosis.
He comes to expect the ghost's arrival, his skin no longer breaking into goose bumps whenever the silver-haired man materializes in front of him. It's gotten to the point that he feels bad whenever the man finishes dancing and Yuuri is unable to respond, to maybe clap his hand because the performance is definitely worth thunderous applause. If someone had told him that there would come a day when he would feel guilty over not showing appreciation for a ghost, he would have laughed in their face.
He comes to expect the ghost's arrival and so it completely throws him off when closing time comes around and the ghost doesn't make an appearance. He still plays the song, thinking that maybe it would invite the ghost in, but a good half hour passes and no one comes. He waits, pretending to clean and rearrange the display, then he winces when he sees how it's almost 11 PM and he still hasn't left to go home.
He gives up on waiting, feeling confused and incensed with himself for wasting time on a fucking ghost. A part of his mind, the one that had been responsible for this whole fiasco, reminds him of why he's been spending the last minutes of his day with the ghost. So what if he's lonely? he challenges, thoughts thick with anger. I'm fucking lonely and all he does is dance around then disappear into thin fucking air.
He pushes out the door and hastily locks it with the spare key, arguing with himself along the way. He's in the middle of justifying his anger when he turns around and almost jumps into the air, thoroughly taken by surprise. Standing a good meter in front of him is the ghost he had just been cursing out in his mind. He thinks the ghost looks apologetic, blue eyes seemingly unable to hold his gaze for more than a few seconds at a time.
Yuuri looks around at the people still outside despite the time and the harsh weather. He takes his phone out of his pocket and slowly brings it to his ears. To anyone else, he'd look like he's just talking on the phone. He opens his mouth, a dozen of questions ready to spill out but he settles on the one that has been bothering him the longest.
"What's your name?"
The ghost looks taken aback, as if that was the last thing he expected to hear from Yuuri, but he quickly recovers. "Viktor. I'm Viktor."
"Viktor," Yuuri repeats, testing the name out. "Okay, Viktor, what happened? Why didn't you come inside?"
Viktor shrugs, his eyes darting to look at the store. "I didn't feel like dancing today."
Yuuri huffs, kicking at the snow by his feet. "I was waiting for you, you know?"
"I'm sorry," Viktor says, giving Yuuri a small smile. "Do you like it? My dance? You never react to it anymore."
Yuuri remembers how he had cried the first time he saw Viktor dancing, tears spilling out his eyes and down his cheeks. Now that he thinks about it, his mouth had also been hanging open in awe. He blushes at the memory, rushing to explain himself. "I do like your dancing. I like it very much, but I can't react. There are cameras inside the store, if my boss saw me clapping at thin air..." he trails off, waiting for understanding to dawn on Viktor's face. When Viktor's look of slight confusion doesn't change, Yuuri adds, "I've already been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, if my boss sees me talking to you he'd just see me talking to... well, talking to nothing. He'd think I'm crazy and he'd fire me."
Yuuri had never mentioned the seeing-ghosts thing to any of the doctors that he talked to. He knows that no amount of proof or explaining would prove to anyone that he's not just hallucinating and he would probably end up with a schizophrenia diagnosis for his effort and honesty.
After seemingly processing Yuuri's explanation, Viktor nods. "I see. I'm not used to being invisible." The forlorn look is back, much to Yuuri's dismay. "You're the first person who has ever talked to me ever since I..." the silver-haired man shrugs, gesturing to his head.
Ever since you were murdered, Yuuri supplies. He looks at the blood staining the man's hair and he feels something akin to anger at that thought, his grip on the phone tightening. He wants to ask Viktor if he remembers how he died but thinks better of it, realizing that a question like that could potentially offend the other male. Yuuri might be beyond stupid but he knows that it does no one any good to offend spirits.
"I don't remember how it happened," Viktor tells him, as if he had read Yuuri's mind. It makes Yuuri wince, almost cutting off the ghost to tell him that they don't need to talk about it. Before he can do just that, Viktor continues, "I remember feeling cold, but I didn't hate it."
Yuuri opens his mouth to speak but notices a couple looking at him, probably thinking he's stupid for standing in the middle of the street and letting snow collect on top of his head. They wouldn't be wrong about the stupid part and he can most definitely feel the bite of the cold starting to make his teeth chatter. Yuuri wonders if it would be better to have this conversation tomorrow, wonders if Viktor would even show up after this. Before he can have another argument with himself, Yuuri motions for Viktor to walk with him.
"Where are we going?" Viktor asks, walking with Yuuri but keeping a respectable distance between them.
Yuuri hesitates, his brain replaying scenes of countless appointments with shrinks, nights spent crying himself numb, and the look his mother had given him when he had told her it would be in the best interest of everyone involved if he were to move away. He looks at Viktor, at the hopeful look in his eyes.
He almost groans when he hears his conscience reminding him how they're both lonely, how he's going to do this because it's apparent that Viktor needs someone.
Because it's apparent, although he would never admit it, that Yuuri needs someone, too.
From this distance, Yuuri realizes that Viktor's eyes are actually an uncanny mix between blue and green. From this angle, Yuuri can almost pretend that there isn't blood clinging to Viktor's silvery hair.
In that moment, Yuuri sees Viktor as the human he once was, the human he still deserves to be.
"We're going home."
When Yuuri had first seen the apartment complex, he had not cared much about anything other than it being so cheap. He had taken one good look at the contract (specifically the rent that he would have to pay on a monthly basis) and one fleeting look at the unit itself before telling the landlord that he'd be taking it. Having moved during the summer, almost everything had gone well for him at the unit. He had taken notice of the occasional creaks of the floorboard, had gotten used to the yellow walls of the bathroom. None of those things had bothered him as they had been a small price to pay for such cheap rent.
A week into his first winter there had him almost banging at the landlord's office, ready to complain about his unit's frigid temperature. He had gone from quiet bliss (as much bliss as one can have when you can see ghosts) to fearing he'd die from hypothermia. He had been a few steps away from the door when he'd remembered the elderly woman warning him that it could get unforgivingly cold during winters as the place lacked a central heating system. Turning back the way he had come, he'd told himself he would get a heater somehow.
It's been over a year and Yuuri still has to grit his teeth through the cold nights.
He leads Viktor into his room and almost motions for him to sit down, blinking when he realizes that the man might no longer be used to doing human things. "I, uh, would you like to take a seat?"
Viktor nods, looking around for a spot. Yuuri's face burns when they both come to realize that there aren't any chairs in the room. "We can sit on the bed," he suggests, ignoring the voice in his head telling him that he's an idiot for letting a ghost into his house and an ever bigger idiot for letting him into his bed.
They both sit on the edge of the bed and a moment passes without them talking. "Why didn't you want to dance today?" Yuuri blurts out, finding the silence just a tad bit uncomfortable.
Viktor frowns, crossing his legs and bringing both his hands to rest on his knee. Like this, he looks so normal, so human. Yuuri finds himself staring at the man a moment too long, slightly startling when Viktor says, "There's something missing. The ground, it doesn't feel right."
Yuuri's brows draw together in confusion. "The ground? The ground... in the store? What's wrong with it?"
Viktor smiles, the same damn smile that makes Yuuri's chest constrict in pain. "The first time I danced in your little store, it felt good but something was missing. I thought it was because I could feel that there were parts of the dance missing, the performance lacking in movement. I've forgotten a lot of things from my life," Viktor explains, meeting Yuuri's eyes. "Sometimes I would, out of nowhere, remember random bits here and there, sometimes something would remind me of what I've lost."
"The music in the store, it reminded you of dancing." Yuuri had initially meant for it to come out as question but he ends up stating it instead. "You've slowly been remembering the dance and that's why I kept feeling like you got better and better each day." He doesn't even let himself feel embarrassed upon realizing that he had just inadvertently complimented the ghost, thinking that Viktor deserves to know how good he is.
"The dance is complete; I've remembered every step, every turn, every leap, but yesterday it still didn't feel right. I realized today that the ground... I used to dance on ice."
Yuuri takes a moment to think about it, trying to remember what sport it's called. "Do you mean figure skating?"
Viktor nods, bringing a hand up to run through silvery hair. "Today I tried to remember things about skating but I couldn't. I thought that maybe it would be easier since my body seems to remember it."
"I'm sorry," Yuuri automatically says. He catches his lower lip between his teeth, wondering what exactly he's apologizing for. Is he sorry that Viktor died, that someone murdered him? Is he sorry that Viktor is stuck here, stagnant, unable to move on, trying to piece together memories? Is he sorry that Viktor had to see him try to kill himself?
"It's okay," Viktor says, the look on his eyes alluding that it isn't exactly okay. "I did remember something, though. My dog, Makkachin. I remember telling him I'd be back soon."
The influx of questions that suddenly pops into Yuuri's mind almost overwhelms him. He wants to ask if Viktor remembers if he had lived here, if he remembers how long it's been since he died. As if reading his thoughts once again, Viktor tells him, "It's probably impossible for me to say goodbye to him. I'm Russian, I don't think I lived here."
So why did you have to die here? Yuuri clamps his mouth shut, knowing that voicing thoughts like that wouldn't help.
"I remember wanting to spend more time with Makkachin," the silver-haired man says, looking at Yuuri and smiling. "He was getting really old, my Makkachin."
Yuuri doesn't know what evil spirit possesses him, his hand seemingly moving on its own accord to reach out and touch Viktor's hand. He doesn't flinch as his fingers make contact with icy skin, holding on to Viktor and hoping he could make the other man feel how much Yuuri wishes he could help.
Viktor takes Yuuri's hand and brings it up to his lips. Yuuri's brain scrambles to make sense of what's happening, why a ghost is kissing his knuckles and why his heart feels like it's going to beat right out his chest. Viktor looks at him, his blue-green eyes soft and am I going crazy or are those tears? With his lips still pressed to the skin of Yuuri's hand, Viktor whispers, "Thank you."
"For what?" Yuuri asks, wanting to slap himself for stuttering. He's painfully aware of how Viktor moves their hands away from his mouth. He waits for Viktor to let go, not understanding the patterns the man is drawing on his hand. Yuuri's chest hurts and he feels his face become impossibly warmer when he realizes that they're holding hands.
"For making me feel like I'm not alone."
Yuuri can only manage a nod, his eyes focused on the floor in order to avoid looking at their entwined hands. He tries to understand how he feels about the whole thing, unable to come up with a logical reason as to why he's blushing and why he doesn't want Viktor to let go. They stay like that for a while before Yuuri feels the cold become unbearable and he has to extract himself from Viktor's hold.
"I need to get some sleep, I have work tomorrow," he says. "Would you... would you like to stay?"
"Yes, I would like that." The smile on Viktor's lips as he says this looks almost playful, making Yuuri blush and mumble something about changing his clothes.
Yuuri half-walks half-runs to get a change of clothes and make his way into the bathroom, locking the door behind him and slumping against it. He reaches out a hand to feel his forehead, borderline amazed at how warm his face feels.
"Okay, calm the fuck down," he whispers, following it up with a mantra of calm down, calm down, calm down. He pointedly ignores his reflection, stripping out of his work clothes and into his pajamas. With the dirty clothes haphazardly thrown into the hamper, he stomps out of the bathroom before he can convince himself to stay in there for the night. He stops in his tracks when he sees Viktor lying on the bed, on top of the covers and with his back facing Yuuri.
This is ridiculous, Yuuri thinks. I don't even know this guy, he could strangle me while I sleep. He contemplates making a run for it, hating himself for even allowing the ghost in, when he hears Viktor speak up.
"You know, I never got to ask you for your name."
When Yuuri turns to look at the man, he sees that he's gotten up into a sitting position, shy smile back in place. The part of him that wants to bolt screams at him as he says, "Yuuri."
"Yuuri," Viktor tests out, unknowingly causing a shiver to run down said man's spine. "Thank you for everything, Yuuri."
Again, Yuuri just nods. He announces to no one in particular that he's going to sleep, earning a chuckle from the man sitting on his bed. Yuuri makes his way towards the man and lies down on the other side of the bed, keeping as much distance between as the ratty queen size would allow. He draws the cover over his chin and keeps his eyes closed, willing himself to sleep.
"Good night, Yuuri," Viktor whispers, his voice barely reaching Yuuri through the erratic beating of his heart.
Few words can be used to describe Viktor, Yuuri only begrudgingly admitting that handsome is one of them. He's also quite obviously talented, and from what Yuuri knows of him (virtually nothings), he also seems to be kind. Peculiar, yes, seeing as it's pretty hard to find a ghost that isn't somehow weird. More than anything, though, Viktor is definitely a shocker.
Yuuri wakes up to blue-green eyes mere inches away from his face, causing him to yelp and grab the covers to pull it closer to his body. He watches as Viktor moves away, a small smile playing on the silver-haired man's lips, his eyes never leaving Yuuri's face. "Uh, yes? What is it?"
"You have very long eyelashes," Viktor announces, still staring and smiling at Yuuri.
Yuuri can't decide if he's more unnerved or flustered. "I, um, thanks?"
"Do you want me to make you breakfast?" Viktor asks him, causing Yuuri's jaw to drop. "I think I could still make poached eggs if I try."
Yuuri shakes his head, climbing out of the bed and stretching his arms out. "No, it's okay. I'll take care of it. I actually don't have any eggs right now." Matter of fact, he's pretty sure he's going to have to eat stale bread for breakfast. He makes a mental note to go grocery shopping on his day off.
Yuuri pads over to the kitchen and makes himself some toast and a cup of tea, feeling Viktor's eyes on him. Yuuri knows for a fact that ghosts don't eat or, at the very least, they don't eat human food. When Viktor declines Yuuri's offer of breakfast (to no one's surprise), he instead requests for something else.
"Can I come with you?"
Yuuri chokes on his tea. "What?"
The ghost is sitting on the table, pouting (to Yuuri's surprise) and waiting for Yuuri's response.
"I don't know..." Yuuri brings a hand up to scratch at the back of his neck, feeling nervous and a bit worried that this could be Viktor becoming clingy. The last time a ghost had gotten too attached to Yuuri, he had ended up here. "What would you even do there?"
"I just like listening to the music," Viktor tells him. "I promise I won't cause any harm, you won't even know I'm there."
"I would know," Yuuri tells him. He looks at the silver-haired man, still perched on his table, briefly contemplating if he could just play music for Viktor here while he's at work. He sees something in Viktor's expression (or he tells himself that he sees something) that makes him give in. "Okay, but no messing with the displays, no scaring people, and no distracting me from work."
Viktor nods, the smile he gives Yuuri enough for the latter not to immediately regret his decision. As Yuuri prepares for the day, he makes Viktor sit and wait inside the kitchen. Inside the confines of the bathroom, Yuuri strains his ears to try and hear if anything happens outside. He survives the quick shower he takes without incident and pulls on his clothes, keeping an eye on the door as if Viktor would just barge in to look at his naked body.
When he pads his way towards the makeshift genkan, Viktor follows after him. He's in the process of lacing up his shoes when he hears Viktor speak.
"Do you always walk to work?"
"Yes," Yuuri finds himself lying. The store is within walking distance of his apartment but he always takes the bus, the cold almost unbearable this time of the year. Last night had him almost freezing his thumbs off but he had kept his mouth shut. He doesn't know why but ghosts are generally unable to ride any form of transportation, walking their only way of travelling. With Viktor coming along today, Yuuri had thrown on an extra layer of clothing.
"Even in this weather? I can't feel it but I know it's cold," Viktor presses, the urgency in his voice startling Yuuri.
"Yeah, I like the exercise." He stands up and turns to face Viktor, reaching a hand out to awkwardly pat the other male in hopes of reassuring him. "It's good for the lungs."
"Thank you, Yuuri." It's said with such sincerity that Yuuri struggles not to look like away, his body wanting to shy away from the words spoken with such adoration and gratitude.
Instead, he catches Viktor's hand in his. "You don't have to keep saying that, you know. It's okay."
Viktor squeezes his hand then Yuuri's letting go, pulling open the door and stepping outside of his unit. He doesn't encounter any neighbors on the way and makes it safely outside the complex. There, Viktor moves away from Yuuri, keeping a safe distance between them. Yuuri only comes to understand what Viktor is doing when he spots a ghost briefly eyeing them, most probably wondering if Viktor is following Yuuri. The latter exhales a breath of relief when he sees the store come into view.
Inside, he finds the owner opening the cash register. He nods when he sees Yuuri arrive, sets up the laptop and stars playing music through the sound system before promptly leaving Yuuri alone to do his job. It doesn't take long for a customer to come in, Yuuri shooting a glance at Viktor to make sure that the silver-haired man wouldn't do anything.
He only gets a smile before he has to watch Viktor walk further into the store. From the sound of things, Viktor seems to hold up his end of the promise, not bothering anyone including Yuuri. The hours pass with Yuuri only seeing glimpses of Viktor in the store, sitting on top of shelves or looking at displays.
An hour before his lunch break Kristoff arrives, greeting customers and smiling at Yuuri. "Hey, you miss me?"
Yuuri only manages to laugh, completely ignoring the male's question. Truth be told, he had forgotten that it's Friday and that Kristoff would be here today. He briefly wonders if he should have taken Viktor with him some other day but his thoughts get interrupted by a pair of hands grabbing his cheeks, forcing his eyes to meet Kristoff's.
"Did you just laugh?" Kristoff asks, sounding incredulous. "Like a real laugh?"
"I am capable of laughing," Yuuri says, only slightly annoyed by the man's antics.
Kristoff's eyes widen even further. "And you're talking! Holy shit, what's up with that?"
Yuuri just shakes his head at the male, his retort dying on his lips when he sees Viktor standing in front of them. When Kristoff finally lets go of Yuuri's face, the latter drops his eyes and pretends to dust off imaginary lint from his clothes. He almost jumps when he feels a cold hand caressing his cheek, the touch gentler despite the temperature. Yuuri finds that he doesn't hate it.
"Wow," he vaguely hears Kristoff say. "You're smiling. You should keep doing that, Yuuri, it suits you."
When he looks up, it's blue-green eyes that meet his. Viktor smiles at him and says, "He's right. Happiness does suit you."
A/N: This was originally going to be a two-shot but while I was writing the second chapter it got to around 8k words, so now this fic will have 3 chapters. I hope you guys like it and I would really appreciate reviews!