Hearts on Ice

Ignore it.

Lukas never talked about it and Viktor never brought it up. He didn't mention it even when there was the chance, at lunch, in class…not even in passing or even when their eyes met suddenly, because they did meet a few times. Lukas still held his gaze but Viktor started looking away. It wasn't the same. Viktor's eyes didn't tease him, didn't linger…didn't welcome him or smile. It was just a glance and gone.

Lukas had noticed it and ignored it. Every attitude Viktor put up was pointless since Lukas just ignored everything. He just never said anything.

There was training and Viktor wanted to be anywhere but there. Lukas's presence felt somewhat choking and he didn't want that.

The training felt off right from the start, not wrong…just not right and Viktor was there, present, listening and following instructions but that was the end. No side comments, small jokes under his breath or even teasing when Lukas got too serious. He didn't do any of that, he just trained and played like he was asked to.

“Your stance is off” Lukas spat and Viktor didn't even look back or glance at him when he said it. Viktor adjusted immediately.

“Better,” Lukas responded.

That was all they were now. Trainer and trainee…it stayed strictly professional and clean and they moved through drills like that. No back and forth, just a call, response…correction and adjustment. They maintained this energy like two people who hadn't stood too close a few days ago, like two people who didn't sleep on the same bed for days, like two people who didn't share a kiss at the slightest chance they got.

Lukas tightened his grip around his stick slightly, “Again.”

And Viktor nodded. No complaints or eye contact…just obedience that felt wrong and it irritated Lukas to the bone, more than it should have.

“Focus!” Lukas snapped at a point in between, and Viktor spoke for the first time in that training.

“I am.”

It came fast, short and flat and that made Lukas pause for a split second before he continued.

From the sidelines, others noticed. They noticed Lukas' tension and Viktor's short, stiff responses. Sam leaned into another teammate and whispered something and a quiet sigh escaped his lips,

“They're very weird today.”

But neither of them responded to it…maybe because neither of them was listening to anything but each other…or the lack of it.

At some point, Viktor moved too fast, cutting past Lukas with a sharp clean turn and that should have earned a reaction. Maybe a comment or anything but Lukas said nothing and Viktor didn't bother to look back.

By the time training started to wind down, the air suddenly got heavier…like something had stayed in-between without having anywhere to go. The others started leaving first, voices fading behind along with their laughter. Slowly it emptied even more until it was just the two of them, like always.

Viktor moved towards the bench and grabbed his water bottle without looking at Lukas. Nothing escaped his mouth…no “good job”, no “see you”... nothing and Lukas stared. He watched him for a second…then longer…

“Say something!” Viktor thought but Lukas said nothing. Viktor didn't wait, he slung his bag over his shoulder and started to walk towards the exit…still nothing and that was wrong.

Lukas pushed himself off the barrier and spoke.

“Viktor…”

It wasn't loud…it didn't have to be but Viktor heard it and paused just slightly but didn't turn back. He didn't say anything or acknowledge the call, then he kept walking like he didn't just hear his name. The door opened and closed shut…and just like that, he was gone.

Lukas stood there trying to process what had just happened. The rink was dead quiet and he stood there alone, bag on his shoulder and his hands on the bridge of his nose. His other hand’s grip tightened slightly around the edge of the barrier,

“What the hell?” Lukas whispered under his breath, confused and tired. Because this wasn't how Viktor acted…not with him or with anyone else…and for the first time since all of this had started, Lukas felt it. The distance that had been firmedu…not forced, not random…but welcomed. And now he had no idea what to do with it.

Lukas walks out of the rink, hand still in his hair and he sees Viktor…smiling at another guy. The smile he gave to only him, the smile that only existed between them was given to another. He stood there, eyes wide.

“Thank you, Jake” Viktor stretched his hand for a handshake, and Jake responded with a hug.

“Oh!” Viktor was startled, and let out a laugh. “That was random” he kept laughing until his eyes met Lukas who just stood there, watching. His smile faded as he told Jake goodbye and walked off. Lukas didn't follow, he didn't say anything…he just stood there and watched him leave like he was still in the moment and Viktor didn't look back. No explanation like he always did…nothing and that upset Lukas more than anything else had.