3 years ago

"Yes mom, I'm just getting in the cab now" Yuuri laughed as he held his phone to his ear while listening to his mother's excited squeals.

"Oh my son, this is amazing! You've always had a love for figure skating and now you are wanted to help train one of the rising stars with ballet, your first love!"

He chuckled as he slipped into the back of his cab and quickly told the driver his destination before responding to his mother. "I know, I am really happy but I'm still kind of nervous, what if I mess up?" He frowned at this thought and a new wave of nerves hit him. If he did mess up he would not have failed himself but the young skater and his ballet coach.

"Katsuki Yuuri, you will not fail, look at all you have achieved so far! We are all so proud of you and always will be no matter what. I believe in you my little Katsudon."

Yuuri smiled at his mother's unwavering faith and encouragement as well as the slightly embarrassing but affectionate nickname. "Thank you mama, I love you."

"I love you too my boy, Sayōnara."

"Sayōnara." He hung up the phone and places it on his lap and looks out of the window at the beauty that is Saint Petersburg. Every inch of what he could see was covered in a beautiful pure white sheet of snow that glistened like little diamonds were embedded into the snow itself. As the cab drove past the busy streets he saw many people out rushing to get to work, while around them stood such fine architecture.

The driver rolled down his window to throw out his cigarette causing a sudden draft of bitter cold to hit Yuuri's face. Unlike others, Yuuri did not mind the cold, in fact he loved it. The feeling of it made him smile as it felt like he had a connection to it, that it was a part of him. In a way, it is and it has been since he was only 10 years old. He remembered that day so clearly, the day his powers came. No one really knows how, his sister and father thought he was given the powers by another hero or he had been exposed to some sort of rock that held special ice powers. He smiled at that, Mari always used to love reading superhero comics with dad, that's where they got their theory from he guessed.

He and his mother however, believe it's always been a part of him since birth but hadn't emerged fully until then. His mother said he has always been special, and Yuuri thinks it was innate because it just feels right and it is just such a big part of him. This is not to say it was easy from the get go. Yuuri was and is a very anxious person and there were times when he was all hormones and discovering himself that he doubted it was a gift and more he was a monster, that's why he never told anyone but his family of his powers. Eventually one of the things that helped him accept every part of himself was ballet. His mother's friend, Minako, was a professional world known ballet dancer and offered to train Yuuri when he was 11 in the art as she saw potential in him. It was because of Minako that Yuuri found that even a monster could be something beautiful through the art of ballet. Every move is controlled but not stopped, there is a freeness but with responsibility and dedication and he used this mentality towards his powers as well.

His love for ballet was paramount and Minako often said that his passion was like no other she had seen in a long time. He started winning local competitions which snowballed into nationals and then placing in the worlds. It was when he reached the age of 15 and came 4th at the World Ballet Competition that the renowned Lilia Baranovskaya approached him and stated she wanted Yuuri as her student at her international school in Detroit and she would push him further than he has been before. He knew that he couldn't pass up this opportunity and neither did Minako and his family. 2 months later he was living in Detroit in the school dorms of Baranovskaya Ballet International. It was difficult for him, being away from his family, not knowing anyone and no one knowing him or his secret and the level that was expected of his ballet to improve from Lilia was a lot but he pushed himself, this was his dream. The next Worlds he placed silver and it filled him with joy that he has improved much over a year, even the stern Ms Baranovskaya gave him a warm smile at the results corner, but he knew next year he needed the gold and the following years for however long he could, he wanted to make history.

It was during that first year in Detroit he started using his powers against criminals. The amount of crime in the city was a bit of a shock compared to Hasetsu and he couldn't just sit there when he could actually do something about it. So he did. He stopped petty criminals and low level drug dealers to begin with. It was in his second year in the city, age 17 that he started to get more confident with his powers and to an extent his invincibility or so he thought. It was also that year he got a new roommate. A young 14 year old boy named Phichit Chulanont who he quickly became best friends with and could trust more than anyone. This was when he went in over his head and took on some drug lords who were prepared for him and took quite a hit. He barely got out of the situation and stumbled back to his dorm where Phichit was waiting. He saw the costume and has heard the stories of a mysterious hero taking down criminals that had been circulating and he looked at Yuuri with such shook and awe. "Oh my god, you're the Black Ice!" He remembered Phichit had squealed. Yuuri had no choice to admit it, he needed Phichit's help and he proved to be so reliable through everything else like Yuuri's panic attacks or his moments of doubts about everything, he could trust Phichit with this.

With Phichit's support and help with his secret identity, becoming smarter with the enemies and becoming the 3 time world winning gold medallist he honestly felt on top of the world. It was only 2 weeks ago he found out he was going to Saint Petersburg. Lilia had said an old 'friend' of hers, no other than Yakov Feltsmen, wanted her to help him with one of his newest skaters who had the potential but needed help via ballet. Lilia thought Yuuri would be the best help for this skater and as he had some free time as the ballet season was over and Yuuri already has choreographed his next season's routine, he was the only one who could help as Lilia needed to stay in Detroit to train Phichit and the others. So here he was on his way to the home skating rink of the Russian figure skating team and he was so excited. He loved figure skating; he started following it when he was only young with his friend Yuko as well as being trained in it a bit during his time in Detroit as Lilia insisted it helps with his ballet and vice versa. He followed the sport to and was always so captivated, especially by the best skater in the world that was Viktor Nikiforov. Viktor, Yuuri thought with a smile, he truly was amazing. The way he moved on the ice was mesmerising and you can truly see the passion and dedication he puts into his routines not to mention he is quite beautiful too. Oh god, he hoped he wouldn't be there watching him train the younger skater, he would mess up for sure if Viktor's eyes were on him but a part of him also really wanted to meet the living legend.

Yuuri shakes his head as the driver pulls into the parking lot near the entrance of the rink. He pays the fare and throws his backpack over his shoulder and adjusts his scarf before walking through the front door. He heads to the woman behind the desk and before he can say anything she cuts in "Mr Katsuki, welcome! You can go on ahead Mr Feltsman is waiting in the arena, just to your left there." She smiles and points to the direction mentioned. He smiles and thanks her and walks through into the arena.

There are around a dozen people in the arena, the majority on the ice, skating bits of routines, performing jumps or chatting to another skater near the edges. Before he could really look anymore a strong gruff voice called out to him.

"Ah Mr Katsuki there you are, come come." Yakov Feltsman, he guesses. He was quite a short man with grey hair at the sides but mostly bald on top and looked very stern. Yuuri held out his hand to Yakov who took it and gave it a shake.

"Mr Feltsman, please call me Yuuri and I'm glad to be here. So who is it that needs help?" Yuuri askes as Yakov guides him closer to the edge of the rink. He then shouts; extremely loud that Yuuri nearly jumps.

"MILA COME HERE NOW, YOUR INSTRUCTOR IS HERE! AND GEORGI STOP TALKING YOU NEED TO BE WORKING ON YOUR TRIPLE AXELS OR YOU CAN KISS ANY HOPE OF A GOLD MEDAL GOODBYE!" He then turns to Yuuri who is trying to hide a laugh because he can see that the rumours of Yakov being a very intense coach are true. A young girl with bright blue eyes and flaming red hair skates her way over to Yuuri and Yakov and smiles at Yuuri and gives a small wave.
"Hi I'm Mila! And you're Yuuri Katsuki! I know who you are, I watch the ballet championships all the time you're amazing!" Mila blushes and Yuuri smiles back and bowed his head slightly in gratitude and also trying not to laugh at how fast that all came out of her mouth. Yakov shoots a disapproving glare at her hyper activeness and turned to Yuuri.

"Mila Babicheva, she's 14, nearly 15 and next season will be her final junior division competition, I thought a head start into preparing for the senior division is a wise move and the thing that needs working on is her flow of movement. No better way to do that than ballet." Yuuri nods in agreement. He's about to ask about schedules when a voice interrupts.

"Sounds like a perfect idea, In fact, Mila had really good flow when I caught her doing some interesting moves in front of the TV when the ballet championships were on."

Yuuri turns to the source of the voice and almost stops breathing because there in front of him is-

"Viktor oh my god shut up!" Mila squeals in embarrassment and punches Viktor's arm as he just laughs at her.

"Vitya stop playing around" Yakov grunted which Viktor smirked at in a way that said that was never going to really happen. Yakov shakes his head slightly and sighs before indicating to Viktor.

"Yuuri Katsuki this is Viktor Nikiforov" Yakov introduced him to Yuuri and it took him a second to respond as dazzling blue eyes turned on him. He was even more beautiful in person, how that was even possible Yuuri didn't know. He was well built in a lean way and with a tight black t-shirt on, Yuuri could almost see all the lines of a toned body. Then there was his famous hair, platinum silver, so unique and beautiful that Yuuri just wanted to run his fingers through it. Viktor stared for a second seemingly regarding him and then gave a bright smile before offering his hand out and Yuuri took it.
"Hi! It's a pleasure to meet you! Yakov told us all you were coming so we had to be nice, polite and professional so we don't embarrass him, I don't normally listen but I thought I would try now, is it working?" Yuuri let out a small chuckle while Yakov gave Viktor a glare sharp enough to cut the ice in the rink. Okay Yuuri thinks, just act normal, respond to his joke don't embarrass yourself.

"You too. Are you saying you're not always nice and polite to people then even if your coach tells you?" Yuuri responded while also registering that they were still in quite a firm handshake. Viktor smiles even wider, his mouth resembling the shape of a heart, before it turns almost sly and he leans in closer to Yuuri.

"Nope, although, I am to the ones who are cute." Yuuri feels his cheeks burning and they get hotter when Viktor gives a wink while finally letting go of his hand. He sees Mila roll her eyes, seemingly use to this type of behaviour from her fellow skater and Yakov is still giving Viktor a death glare. Viktor begins to skate slowly backwards while still smiling at Yuuri.

"I'll be seeing you soon, Yuuri." He said before turning around and heading over the other skaters on the ice. The way Yuuri's name rolled of his tongue in his accent caused a flash of heat in the pit of his stomach and he just stood there for a few moments before he coughed and turned to Mila and Yakov.

"Right, so I'm going to need to see you skate Mila tomorrow morning to see what can be improved on exactly and then we need to set a schedule, hopefully having sessions at least 4 times a week ". Yuuri spoke and Mila nodded enthusiastically as Yakov nods approvingly at Yuuri's plan. Yuuri made sure not to look over at the rink and focus, unaware that a pair of blue eyes was focused on him. Yuuri sighed; this was going to be an interesting few months to say the least.

Present

The first thing Yuuri did once he stepped through the front door to his apartment was tear off his mask, throwing it the other side of the room and headed straight for the kitchen cupboard that held a fine bottle of whiskey that called to him. Yuuri wasn't much of a drinker, and when he did it always ended up with blackouts and his best friend and roommate, Phichit Chulanont, gladly retelling all the embarrassing things that had conspired. Though, after what happened merely an hour ago… well, he needed something to push down the emotions he was feeling right now.

He grabbed a glass and began pouring the drink into it with shaky hands, causing a fair amount of the golden liquor to spill on the table. He sighed before knocking the whiskey down in one, feeling a brief moment of relief as a rich burning sensation hit his taste buds and continued down his throat. He closed his eyes and let the feeling take over him so it was the only thing he felt. He pictured the golden liquid with the image of a fire burning so strong fill his mind and his senses, just to stop anything else even just for a moment. Sadly that was all it lasted, just a moment, for then the images he imagined of gold and fire turned into beautiful silver and sparkling blue eyes that were so sad. He slammed his first against the table in anger. It was a combination of anger at him, anger at the whole situation but mostly anger at himself, at his stupid brain for reminding him of what he wanted, of what he had lost, what he could never have.

Just as he was about to pour himself another glass he heard footsteps and a few seconds later Phichit rounded the corner from the living room to the kitchen. He came to a stop a few feet away and took in Yuuri still in his Black Ice costume minus the mask, the used glass, the bottle of whiskey and the hands that were holding it so unsteady. Yuuri saw Phichit take all this in and when he met Yuuri's eyes, he saw confusion and worry on his best friend's face.

"Yuuri?" Phichit spoke as he began to move closer to him "Are you okay?"

Yuuri could have lied; he could have told him he was fine. He could have said he had a rougher than usual fight with criminals, anything really but Phichit was his best friend, the one he trusted with his secret identity and with his problems. So he decided to tell him the truth.

"I saw him, I saw Viktor." Yuuri spoke quickly after letting out a shaky breath he didn't realise he had been holding. Understanding crossed over Phichit's face. He was silent for a moment before taking the bottle of whiskey out of Yuuri's grasp and putting it down on the table. He grabbed hold of Yuuri's arm and guided him to the sofa in the living room and pushed him to sit as he took his place next to him. He turned to Yuuri and opened his mouth before closing it again. He let out a sigh.

"Yuuri, what happened?" He finally asked with some trepidation. It was one of the most sensitive topics for Yuuri and Phichit knew how badly Yuuri can react to these things. Yuuri runs a hand through his jet black hair, messing up his gelled back style and causing strands to fall onto his forehead. He starts to shake his leg, trying to release the pent up anxious energy through it so he can actually tell Phichit without having a break down. He miraculously manages to retell the events that unfolded an hour ago in that alley.

"I got a trail on some low end drug dealers in the area who had been selling tampered stuff to teenagers so I went to capture them and drop them in the custody of the police. I'd just caught them when he comes out of nowhere; it was like seeing a ghost." He swallowed before continuing, dropping his gaze to his shoes. "When I saw him, when he was talking to me, it was like nothing had happened, and I forgot for a minute. He was right there Phichit , he was so close, he was touching my arm an-" He stopped himself briefly and let out a humourless, bitter laugh and shook his head and continued " and I was foolish enough to believe, to have hope, that maybe after all I had done for this world maybe it would give me this. I was wrong. It happened when I touched his cheek." Tears began to fall down his face and he couldn't hold it in any longer and he barely managed to finish "I shouted at him, I took the crooks and I ran."

Phichit moved closer and pulled him into a hug and held Yuuri while he cried, not saying a word, just being a literal shoulder to cry on. Phichit had been there through so much of Yuuri's heartbreak and issues throughout the years of knowing each other and had always been the one who knew exactly what Yuuri needed better than almost anyone. He honestly didn't deserve Phichit.

After a while his breathing had returned to normal and his tears had stopped. He pulled away from his best friends and wiped his face with his hand.

"I'm so sorry Yuuri."

Yuuri looked up and saw the sadness on his friend's face. He shook his head and frowned, looking at Phichit before asking "Why does it still hurt? Why won't it go away?" He sounded so desperate to his own ears, and as he waits for Phichit's response, he sees his friend look away and sigh, eyebrows furrowed before turning back to him.

"Honestly Yuuri, I don't think a love like that will ever really go away." He speaks softly with a hint of pity and Yuuri hates his answer because he knows that his friend is right.