Ashes, Blue Skies And Snowflakes

Chapter One

It was another great season for Victor, him winning gold at the Russian Nationals, the European Championship, the Worlds and most importantly, the Grand Prix Final.

Yet, there was an unknown something that was tugging at his heartstrings. Maybe, after too many winnings, too many gold medals, too many surprises, it wasn't fun anymore. The high of winning and surprising the audience is gone. Maybe what the tabloids said are true. Maybe he should retire.

He was ice skating since he was a little kid. And it was his life for over twenty years. As he matured, it became more of a burden than his life. He couldn't just leave though. The ice was one with him as he was one with the ice. It was the ice that became his life, that made him neglect true life and love for more than two decades.

The tabloids didn't call him the Ice Prince for no reason.

He sighed as he looked at his mark in the full length mirror. The white patch that resembled a snowflake on his right breast was reflected into his retinas.

"I'm turning 28 in a few months and I still haven't found my soul mate," he said as he touched his mark.

"Where are you?" Victor asked as he unconsciously touched the snowflake in the reflection.

*****

Yūri sighed as he looked out of his bedroom window. What was supposed to be a great day for viewing cherry blossoms was replaced with snow and melancholic skies. It rarely snows in April, especially if you're in The Southern part of Japan.

What Yūri wouldn't give to just skate one last time at the Ice Castle. Heck, he even yearned to be able to help his parents shovel the snow outside, a duty he once despised.

But as he glanced back to his room, dimly lit by the small amount of sunshine from outside, the machine that helped him live stood out like a sore thumb.

His bedroom door opened and Yūri's mother entered, carrying a tray of a bowl of porridge and a glass of water. Next to the glass was his medication.

"Hey, Yūri," she greeted with a smile, "you know what to do, right?"

"Yeah, mom. Eat the porridge then take my pills. I get it."

Yūri wanted to sound as enthusiastic as his mother, but the tinge of annoyance seeped out, staining his words.

Yūri didn't want to do that. He didn't want to see his mom's expression falter. He didn't want to see her leave the room looking older than her age. He didn't want to be a disappointment. He was the their only son, he was supposed to pass down their surname. He was supposed to be the family pride. He was, but not anymore. Not when he had to rely on his family to just live.

His name is Katsuki Yūri. He was supposed to live his name. To be courageous.

Yūri sighed again, and his father's words rang in his ears. You shouldn't sigh, Yūri. It's not good for you, he would say. But does it matter? Everyone deserves to feel sad once in a while. It's not healthy to bottle up your feelings and paste a megawatt smile on your face 24/7.

Yūri unbuttoned his shirt until he can see the white patch of skin, a snowflake on his right breast. He grabbed the hand mirror on his bedside table and used it to view his mark in all its glory.

What was that legend again? If one touches their mark in a reflection the same time their soul mate does, they will feel a warm sensation spread throughout their body.

Yūri used to believe this when he first got his mark and used to do it all the time every time he faced his mirror. It happened once when he was twelve. He tried it many times after that, hoping to feel the warmth again.

He gave up after a while.

Now, Yūri decided to do it once more. He was about to die anyway, so he tried his luck.

He gingerly touched the snowflake in the mirror and immediately felt warmth spreading throughout his body. It spread like wildfire, from his heart, to his arms and legs, to the tips of his toes and fingers. The powerful feeling overwhelmed Yūri. It rendered him speechless.

Big hot tears rolled down his cheek, but Yūri didn't notice.

No, he chose to ignore it.

The feeling that he craved for so long. Why did it return now? Why now? When death is about to claim him?

Why?

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Artxque this chapter is for you <3