Endless night {yuri! On ice}

Skating

Snow had started to fall as I walked towards the ice rink. I had googled where the nearest rinks were, surprised to learn that Hasetsu had its own.

I pushed the strap of my bag up my shoulder, picking up the pace a bit more to avoid the flurries. The ice rink came into view shortly after crossing a bridge, average looking and in need of a new coat of paint. I stepped in quickly, glad to get out of the cold. I called out into the lobby, "Hello?"
The reception desk was empty. I checked the hours posted on the door.

Monday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

I waited for a bit, rocking on the balls of my feet. I poked my head into the changing rooms. Nothing. Nada.

I pulled off my coat, hat, scarf, and shoes. I sat on one of the benches available near the changing rooms, placing my clothes in my sports bag. I pulled out my MP3 and earphones, pressing shuffle for the heck of it. I continued waiting, kicking my legs now that I was sitting.
My phone rang. "Hello?"

"Big Bro, Samantha says I'm fat-!"
"But she said that I'm crap at skating!"
"I'm not fat! You're mean, Sam!"
"Girls, you shouldn't be bothering your brother! You should've come to m-" The call cut off just as Cathy was heard.
I smiled to myself and texted them back.

From: Sam
To: Cathy
Girls, stop fighting! Sadie, you're not fat and, Samantha, you're a wonderful skater! Now, behave for Cathy, or I will fly back to the UK and personally see to it that you will!
Much love,
Big Bro

I sent the message and placed my phone inside one of the inner pockets of my bag. Fifteen minutes later, poking around a bit more seemed like a better idea.

The rink itself was empty. There were sounds of activity coming from a supply room and it was only after sneaking closer that is became obvious that someone was moving boxes. I knocked on the open door, waiting for the person to turn around before speaking. "Is the rink open?"

The person startles slightly. "Yeah. Sorry about that. I'm Yuuko, part of the staff here at the Ice Castle. I can allow you freestyle skate time if you'll follow me to the front, please."
"Sounds wonderful. Thank you."

I stepped out on the ice, glad that no one else was there. I put in my headphones again, turning up the volume slightly. I had already warmed up, stretching carefully to avoid injury.
I skated laps at first, slow and languid.

Then, without any conscious thought, I began to drift. There were steps that were executed like they were second nature, easier than breathing. Others were more difficult, lack of practice throwing what used to be easy grace off quite a bit.

I followed steps in my head, falling into motions that I missed so much. I felt like I was exposing my soul again. I fell out of a sit spin, skidding slightly. The ice was smooth enough to prevent scrapes, but the bruise already set to bloom on my hip was unavoidable.

I smiled, continuing to push my blades against the cold, unforgiving surface after shaking off the sting. My lack of practice was obvious in how things didn't flow together as well. it was still smooth, but it wasn't anything near how effortless it had used to be with Alfie.

My mind drifted to home. Alfie had choreographed the whole thing originally, planning for the Grand Prix. We decided to do Czardas instead; it had two parts, graceful and fast.

I spun and twisted, head swirling with emotions waiting to burst from my fingertips. There were step sequences, jump combinations, things that left the audience breathless and skater winded, but it was still unbearably lonely.

I came to a stop, hands held above my head, breath coming in gasps. My throat burned, dry and scratchy. I removed my earbuds, grabbing my water bottle. I'm tired.

"Woah." Startled, I turned, suddenly very aware of the extra company. Two adults, one the woman from before, and three children.

"We need to upload that! That was amazing," the three children exclaimed, somehow at the same time, running off.

"Lutz, Axel, and Loop! You will not!" The woman shrieked, following after the three.
"They won't really upload it, will they?" I asked the man.

"They probably will," he replied, shrugging before going to calm down Yuuko. I groaned and put my water away. Great. Unwanted publicity.

Meanwhile...

Yuuri lay on his stomach, glasses slowly sliding down his nose as Viktor coddled Makkachin. A notification pinged on his phone. Oh. Yuuko is usually busy by now.

From: Yuko
To: Yuuri
Hey, Yuuri! It's Axle (the coolest triplet)! We saw someone you might recognize at the ice rink today. Take a look!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=sTv3aReu6Cn

The link was to YouTube, the triplets' channel specifically. They had posted a new video les than an hour before: "British skater revival: routine by Samuel Smith to the theme from Schindler's list."

Yuuri's breath hitched as he recognized the skater. He was a part of the same-sex duo at the Grand Prix last year. Apparently, he had disappeared from the skating world after his brother's death.

He tapped Viktor on the shoulder. "The twins sent something I think you might want to see."
He grinned, motioning for the phone, "Show me, Yuuri!"

The video started, focusing on the skater more than the rink. The music started and he moved gracefully along with it. Grief came flooding through the whole routine, present in everything Sam did even when not trying to emote much. Viktor suddenly burst into tears halfway through, burying his face into the cushion.

"Viktor!? Are you okay?!"
The man straightened his back from where he had been hunched over, eyes fixed on the screen, "He's so sad, Yuuri!"

"For the love of all things holy, shut the ever loving fuck up. It's two a.m. and the both of you are pissing me off!"
"Sorry, Yurio!"

"Don't call me Yurio!"

Uh oh! If victors on the scene it's going to get very yaoi up in here.

Bello^^

How are you? good? Ok so it's now into the maybe episode 3/4 stage. I'm talking a long time to get this story going but, I do want to make it as detailed and correct as it can be so that you guys will enjoy it (and I won't have to do much editing later). See you next chapter! Thanks again to NekoAisu for editing and the really cool new cover! ^^

Ja ne

~Charlie-chan