Ghost

Chapter 7

"Yuuri," Viktor burst through the bedroom door, light from the hallway streaming in. Yuuri shielded his eyes from the light, only Viktor's outline visible. "Yuuri, we need to do something today." 

"Wha?" 

"Come on, hurry up! We're going on a trip."

"Viktor, what time is it?" Yuuri looked over at the clock and saw the blinking numbers. 

4:13

"Viktor, what are you doing?" 

"I'm getting you out of bed." Viktor went over to the sleepy man and pulled back his blankets. Yuuri shivered and curled up into a small ball. He groaned as Viktor kept shaking him. Eventually, he threw his legs over the side of the bed and stood. Viktor smiled at him. He brushed the tangled black hair from his eyes and kissed his forhead. 

"I don't understand you," Yuuri mumbled. He headed to the bathroom they shared and Viktor could hear the sound of his toothbrush. 

It wasn't long before they were on the road. Viktor was driving, and Yuuri was slumped against the window, exhausted. Viktor could feel the exitement racing through his bones. He knew that Yuuri needed this...they needed this.

----

As Viktor parked the car, Yuuri lifted his head. He blinked against the sunlight. 

"Where are we?" He croaked. Viktor just smiled and got out of the parked vehicle. Yuuri sighed and followed. "Viktor, where - " He stopped before he could finish. He stared out at the crystal water. He could hear the waterfall in the distance. "Viktor..." His voice was so soft and it threatened to break. "Viktor, what?" He looked over at his husband. "Is this - " Viktor nodded. He reached over cautiously and grabbed Yuuri's cold hand. 

Three years ago, the two had come here, just the two of them. There was a hotel in the distance with a perfect view of the water. That's where they had stayed...Three years ago...six hours after their wedding. This is where the couple came to get away from the world...from the troubles. Viktor stared out at the silent, still waters and saw two younger men sitting on the edge of the water, one with silver hair, and one with black. The sat hand-in-hand, staring out at the lake. 

"Viktor, why did we come here?"

"Because..." Viktor swallowed. Talking to Yuuri was different than practicing in a mirror. "Because Yuuri, I still love you. I never stopped loving you, Yuuri. I think..." He took another deep breath. Yuuri was staring at him, his eyes shining. "I think I started to give up." His voice broke. "I think I started to give up on us, and on you. And, Yuuri, I don't ever want to give up. When I said I loved you, I didn't mean I would love you on ice. I used to think that Yuuri on ice was different than the Yuuri I got at home. I used to think that when Yuuri skated, he was fearless. He was indestructable...he was perfect.... But now I realise that you're the same people. You're not indestructable. You're not perfect. Even when you're skating, you're terrified. You're afraid that it's going to end...but you don't have to be afraid. Everything around us is ending, Yuuri. I'm done skating. My career on the ice is finished. But Yuuri, if there's one thing that can stay the same, it's us. Please don't give up on me Yuuri..." Tears were beginning to fall down Yuuri's face. "I can't live without you...I can't give up on you."