The Storm.
1099 Words
The coach didn't say anything about what had happened, or how they were touching…he focused on the team like it was none of his business.
“You're affecting Lukas performance!” The coach spat and Viktor nodded…no arguments, corrections…nothing. Lukas frowned slightly, turning toward him, confusion sitting plainly on his face. He expected something…anything but Viktor didn’t look at him and didn’t explain. He didn’t even try.
“Enough training!” The coach continued, “Go home!” And they both left. The walk home was quiet but packed with tension.
“The sky's–” Viktor started but Lukas interrupted.
“Not now, Volkov”
Viktor paused “Volkov?” As though he was offended. Something grew in his throat, “What the f**k?” He kept his eyes locked on Lukas. Lukas slowed down, exhaling quietly as he ran a hand through his hair.
“I didn’t mean—”.
“Yeah, you did.” And silence followed once more.
Viktor looked at him for a second longer than necessary then turned and kept walking. Lukas stood there just for a slight moment then followed. Neither of them said a word until they arrived at his place.
The door shut behind them and for a second they just stood there staring at each other but Viktor broke it first. He moved away, dropping his bag and running a hand through his hair. He exhaled.
“…you’re very annoying,” he muttered under his breath.
Lukas almost scoffed, his finger pointed to himself.
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
There was no real heat behind it…just leftover tension.
Lukas leaned against the wall, arms folded across his chest.
“You didn’t have to agree with him.”
Viktor shrugged.
“He wasn’t wrong.”
That made Lukas push off the wall immediately with speed.
“Right. So now I’m the problem?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“That's exactly what you said.”
Viktor let out a small breath, stepping closer now.
“You’ve been off all day.”
“And you haven’t?”
A pause followed, “…I didn’t say I wasn’t.”
That took the edge off…just slightly. Just enough for the tension to collapse…not disappear. Viktor moved past him, dropping onto the bed like he always did but this time, he didn’t blackout. He stayed awake staring at the ceiling.
“…you call everyone by their last name?” he asked after a while.
Lukas glanced at him.
“No.”
“Just me?”
“…only when you’re being annoying.”
Viktor huffed softly.
“I wasn’t being annoying.”
“You were.”
“I literally just tried to talk about the sky.”
“That’s annoying.”
“…you’re unbelievable.”
And just like that…it softened. Not fully but perfect enough.
Lukas sat down at the edge of the bed, quieter now, less defensive…his eyes on Viktor.
“You know you didn’t have to agree with him,” he said again, this time lower.
Viktor turned his head slightly, looking at him.
“I didn’t agree with him,” he said. “I just didn’t fight it.”
“Why?”
A pause.
“…because you were already tense,” Viktor admitted. “And if I said anything, it would’ve gotten worse.”
That landed and Lukas looked away.
“…so you just let him say that?”
“It’s not like it’s completely wrong.”
Lukas didn’t respond because he didn’t like how true that sounded and the silence settled again but this time, it wasn’t heavy…just… quiet.
Viktor shifted slightly, propping himself up on his elbow now, studying him.
“You’re not like this with anyone else.”
Lukas frowned slightly. His eyebrows twisted and he spoke.
“Like what?”
“Like this,” Viktor repeated simply.
Lukas still didn’t answer immediately but didn’t brush it off either.
“…I don’t know what you mean.”
“You do.”
Their eyes met and held… for once, Lukas didn’t look away first.
“Maybe I just don’t like people,” he said eventually.
Viktor smiled faintly.
“Yeah… that’s definitely it.”
That almost made Lukas smile…almost.
They stayed like that for a while talking about anything but the incident that had happened today. They spoke about random things, classes, music, random complaints and just dumb observations.
It felt normal…like nothing had happened, like nothing was wrong, like they weren’t standing on something that could break at any moment.
Viktor laughed at something Lukas said, shaking his head slightly.
“You’re a very weird boy.”
“You’re worse.”
“Nuh uh! That's very debatable.”
A small pause.
Then, “…Lukas…should we—”
He stopped but Lukas looked at him…waiting.
“…nothing,” Viktor muttered, shaking his head. “Forget it.”
But Lukas didn’t forget but he just didn’t ask and somehow,
that felt heavier than the question itself. He kept staring at Viktor.
“You always did this.” Lukas said, still maintaining eye contact, “You'd start and not finish.”
“It's not that…” Viktor sat up, his hair in a messy state and his eyes heavy.
“Ever since we were kids…you'd…” he paused. “Never mind.”
Viktor frowned, his eyes shot at Lukas, “You'd better talk.”
Lukas laughed, his frown lines gone in an instant. “You're getting worked up when you do the same thing.”
Viktor pouted, his arms now folded on his chest, “I wanted to ask if we should kiss.”
Lukas froze, his heart raced and his pulse quickened. Viktor had never directly asked, he just did but now that he asked…it makes everything different. Lukas pulled him in, his hands slowly locating his waist as the other stroked his cheek. The kiss deepened and Viktor melted into it and just like that, their evening came to life.
Lukas pulled away first…then smiled, memorizing every inch of his face. “You don't have to ask to kiss me…” he paused. Viktor had frozen…his hand stilled and his eyes glowed red like he was battling tears. Lukas lifted him on his legs so they face each other eye to eye.
“What's up with you?” Lukas giggled, resting his head on Viktor's chest.
“You're being so sweet…” Viktor paused, tears running down his face, “You remind me of our good days…” he cried. Loud and messy.
“Yeah…our good days” Lukas repeated…like he was trying to convince himself.
- Writer
