The black car pulled up smoothly to Nikolai's apartment, gliding into a parking space. Nikolai managed to keep himself form directing a surprised look at his driver. He hadn't thought that Yuri would want to come in. He said nothing, however, simply climbing the stairs with the other blond. When he cracked the door to the apartment open, Makkachin came bounding over for a greeting as usual. Even Yuri reached out and gave him a slight pat on the head.

As the door shut, Yuuri's voice came floating out from the kitchen, "Nika, is that you?"

Yuri answered before he could, though. "Yeah, and I'm here too, Katsudon."

This time, Yuuri's whole head came from the kitchen as he poked it around the corner. "Ah, Yuri! Welcome! Just you today?"

Yuri grunted. "I brought your brat home. Drove past him on his way here."

Yuuri smiled gently. "That was awfully kind of you. I'm sure it was nice to have a ride after our jog this morning and hockey practice."

Nikolai smiled. If Otousan only knew. "Yeah, it was really nice of Yuri."

Yuri had turned an interesting shade of red by now. "Whatever. It wasn't a big deal."

Yuuri replied, "If you say so, but we do appreciate it. Would you like to stay for dinner by any chance, Yuri?"

He shook his head in reply. "I've gotta get back home to Beka and Aliya. Thanks anyway, though. When Victor gets his old ass out here, tell him I said hi to him, too." Yuri raised his hand casually as he opened the door. "See ya." The door closed softly yet authoritatively behind him.

Yuuri turned his attention to his son instead. "Nika, you thanked Yuri, right?"

Nikolai sighed. "No, Otousan, I kicked him in the shins. Yes, of course I thanked him!"

"You don't need to be snarky about it."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm going to take a shower."

"Don't take too long. Dinner's almost ready. Hey, when you're done with your shower, can you get your papa and bring him with you?"

Nikolai, already walking down the hallway and peeling off his shirt, called back, "Sure, Tousan."

After his emotionally and physically taxing day, the shower and meal did wonders for Nikolai. Luckily for him, his papa had apparently decided to ignore the scene he had made that morning, and neither of them mentioned it as the family chatted idly around the table.

As he sat with his parents watching TV after clean up, he sighed in the contentment of the moment. But as he pulled out his phone to check his social media, the feeling vanished. It was 19:55. He had completely forgotten to keep an eye on the time. He bolted off of the couch, startling his parents.

Victor gasped out, "Nika, you startled us! Where are you going?"

He dashed over to the closet to grab his black bag. "I almost forgot, I'm supposed to go meet Aliya in 5 minutes. I've got to hurry or I'll be late." In his rush, he completely forgot that the acknowledgement of the black bag was supposed to be kept a secret. He shouldered it hurriedly, and blurted out, "So if it's ok, I'll be going now, not going far, I'll be back in a little bit, ok?"

His parents exchanged a look, and his papa looked up at him and nodded. "Go ahead, Nika. Have fun. Just don't be out too late, ok?"

Nikolai replied, "Yes, Papa. I'll be back in a while. See you, thank you!" This last bit was practically shouted through the closing door.

A frantic ten minutes later, Nikolai was bursting into the rink, looking around frantically for Aliya. She was seated on a bench, lacing up her skates. Nikolai breathed a sigh of relief, and attempted to calm his breathing a bit. She didn't need to know how unsettled he was today, especially about the prospect of this being a potential date. After he had reasonably smoothed himself over, he ambled over to the bench Aliya was sitting on, and arranged himself next to her. "Hey, Aliya," he said in what he hoped was a casual voice.

She smiled at him, and he felt his heart lighten. "Hi, Kolya. You're a bit late, aren't you?"

He hmphed. "Nah, I meant get here now."

Aliya giggled. "Ok, whatever you say. Just get your skates laced up, ok?"

He pulled his skates out of his bag to comply, and a small gasp came from his friend. He looked at her quizzically.

She stuttered, "It's just, well, I didn't think that after last night, you'd want to figure skate. I thought you'd bring your hockey skates, and we'd just lap around the rink or something and talk."

Nikolai stiffened a bit. "I don't usually bring my hockey skates here," he replied evenly. He sighed, and let the tension trickle out of his shoulders. "To tell you the truth, when I come here, it's so I can figure skate. It just…helps me think. Helps me get the stress out. It's more complicated than the skating for hockey, and I kinda like that. So…yeah, I'll figure skate with you. Just for tonight. As long as you don't make fun of me." He cringed as soon as that last sentence left his mouth. Could he sound any more like a kindergartener? Great way to get a girl to like him.

Luckily for him, she didn't seem to notice. She just nodded and replied, "Sounds like a deal, Kolya." She stood up and walked over to the gate. As she opened it, she turned around and said, "Better hurry up. I'm gonna hold you to that promise." And then she was off.

For a moment, Nikolai forgot all about his laces as he watched his friend glide around the rink. Even just skating, she was so full of elegance that it was soothing to watch. He managed to snap himself out of his ogling long enough to lace his own skates up and join her on one of her laps past him.

They skated for a few laps in silence, keeping a steady, comfortable pace between them. After a few laps, Nikolai sighed. "Aliya, I thought we were going to figure skate?"

She looked up at him cautiously. "Is that ok now?"

He offered an ironic smile. "Well, that's why we're here, right? So let's just go. I'll follow you again."

Aliya searched his eyes for another second, then nodded and grabbed his hand.

For the next half hour, she led him on a waltz over the ice. They spun, twirled, glided, and danced. About halfway through, Aliya seemed to get bolder, and threw in a double axel. Without hesitation, Nikolai followed her lead, completing the jump as gracefully as she had. After that, she peppered in a few other jumps along with the spins, steps, and periods of simply gliding along together.

Finally, Aliya grabbed hold of his hand again and led him into the center of the ice, striking a pose, and guiding his body into place beside hers. They stood there for a few seconds, breathing hard, until Aliya relaxed her hold on him and stood up normally, panting and grinning. Nikolai couldn't help but smile back into her bright face.

"That was fun, wasn't it?" she asked breathlessly.

Nikolai, still grinning, nodded.

"It was great for me to have some practice with a partner, too. I really need to stay in shape until I can find someone to skate with me."

The grin flickered and died on Nikolai's lips. He tried to keep the anger out of his eyes for Aliya's sake. It wouldn't do to yell at her two nights in a row.

But that had hurt.

So what was he supposed to be, then? Just some cheap replacement until she found the guy she actually wanted to be with? Had she suggested that they meet tonight just so she could have someone to put her through a practice routine? Was that all that he was to her?

At least his questions about this being a possible date were answered now.

Aliya had looked away from him, so luckily she didn't notice his change of expression. She turned towards the gate and tugged on the hand that was still linked to hers. "Come on, Kolya. That's enough for one night. We should both head back home."

Even the skin where their hands were touching felt cold to Nikolai as he followed behind her. He had thought they'd connected out there on the ice, coming together and splitting apart, fleeting moments of skin touching skin, heat on heat. Apparently he was the only one who had thought that, though. She'd just been using him as a temporary stand-in.

He had a hard time concentrating as he began to undo his laces, using the last of his mental power to keep his anger and emotions from spilling out on his friend. He vaguely noted that Aliya was chattering about something, but had no idea what it was.

As he was putting his skates into his bag, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Startled, he looked around and into Aliya's worried sapphire eyes. "Kolya, is something wrong? Did I do something to make you upset?"

Crap. Of course she would notice. He'd never been able to hide his emotions from her, not since they had been kids.

Still, he gave a forced smile and replied, "Nope, I'm fine. Well, Aliya, thanks for coming to meet me, and not being upset about last night. I'll see you." And, without waiting for her answer, he turned around.

Aliya called after him, though. "Hey, Kolya. For the record, I never planned to make fun of you for figure skating at all. I just love watching the way you skate."

He paused, the door to the arena partially open. Without turning around, he said softly, "Thanks." Then he walked out of the rink without looking back.

And tormented himself every step of the way home.