Hearts on Ice

Act Normal.

By the time Lukas gets to school, he sees Viktor at the gate waiting. He doesn't notice Lukas immediately, his eyes staring at nothing like he's lost in thought. Lukas doesn't interrupt him, he simply watches him…wondering what he'll say to him but before he can speak–

“Reiner!” A teammate yells, and both Viktor and Lukas look up quickly. “Training is cancelled today.” And he walks off. Lukas keeps his eyes on the teammate a little too long but as he looks back at Viktor, he's already staring.

“How long have you been here?” Viktor asked as he walked over to him, hands in his pockets.

“I just got here.”

“...but you could have called my atten–” Lukas cut him off before he could finish.

“I didn't ask you to wait.” As he moved in first but this time.

Viktor didn't run after him. He just moved slowly behind as though recollecting his thoughts. Lukas turns around only to find Viktor far back, eyes fixed on nothing. Something about the sun made him stand out…maybe it was his hair against it, or his outfit…but something about him looked different.

“Volkov! Pick up your pace!” Lukas yelled, his hands signalling him to walk faster but Viktor didn't talk back, he just walked faster until they walked side by side.

They get to the hallway and they say their goodbyes but they both walk into the same class.

“I have lectures here” Lukas mumbled and Viktor replied,

“Same.”

They both walk in together, hand in pocket, to an empty seat and the lecturer wasted no time as he walked in almost immediately and started the lecture, they both started along with him but Lukas paused to stare at Viktor, eyes piercing into his skull.

“Do you have something to ask?” Viktor speaks up first.

Lukas takes a deep breath, as though calming himself down before he speaks. “I'm sure you've seen me at least once in this lecture hall, why didn't you approach me?”

Viktor pauses and looks at him, unable to read his expression. “Lukas, I'm a transfer student…if I was here long enough…I'd come meet you.”

But Lukas didn't believe. He kept writing but believed not even a word and as he wanted to speak, Viktor placed a hand on his idle hand.

“If I had known you, I'd have talked to you…okay?” He told him and somehow, Lukas was put at ease. Their hands remained interlocked as they kept writing. Neither of them moved back or complained, they both kept writing without speaking a single word and that was how the lecture came to an end. Viktor released his hands first,

“I don't have any more classes…you?”

“I don't either.”

“Let's go get lunch…like a date” Viktor blushed as he increased his pace, a smile plastered on his face.

Lukas walked slowly behind Viktor and a memory flashed in his head. It was Viktor, younger but still stumping like this. He had been in the bushes and Viktor went into his house.

“Wh…where are you going?” younger Lukas asked, voice trembling as he barely escaped from home.

“I'll be right back. Wait for me.” Younger Viktor stood up swiftly and sprinted. His eyes were glowing with excitement and happiness…emotions that Lukas's eyes hadn't understood yet. Moments later, Viktor ran back faster than he had left…his hands stretched before Lukas as sweat dripped down his face.

“Let's go in!” He said, a little louder than he expected, “My mom said yes…c'mon! C'mon!” He jumped on the spot, trying to get Lukas up.

“Are you sure I can?” Younger Lukas stood, arms still on his knees.

“Yes…now get up!” He stretched his arms even further and held Lukas. He ran from the garden straight for the door, the cool air blowing against his hair and the flowers giving a faint sweet smell. Younger Lukas’s mind drifted…this was the first time he was going to be in someone else's house, his pace slowed, stumbling slightly.

Younger Viktor noticed and turned around, his feet moving faster than they should and a never-faltering smile glued to his face.

“You'd better move faster…” Viktor’s voice rang out lighter and breathless “...or I'll leave you behind”

Younger Lukas pushed himself as a smile slid across his face and just like that,

“Hey, keep up”

Lukas blinked. The hallway snapped back into place. Viktor had stopped a few steps ahead, turning halfway to look at him, the same impatient smile painting his face.

“...or I'll leave you behind.”

The words hit Lukas in a spot he had managed to hide for years and for a second…he didn't move. He stood there, his eyes piercing into Viktor's as memories flooded his mind. He stood in the hallway, hands by his side, sweat dripping down his head and for a moment…Viktor saw it…the helpless Lukas. He walked back to him slowly.

“I won't leave you behind…” he held his hand tightly then let go. “Let's go…” and Lukas nodded, not saying a word. For a moment they seemed like children moving from the garden to the house for lunch and Lukas smiled.

“Yeah, Vik…” he increased his pace, “let's go.” That same smile. Young and gummy, stuck to his face. Viktor smiled, his eyes watering.

“You look very beautiful when you smile.” Viktor walked directly beside him, hands slightly brushing. None of them pulled away and it continued.

By the time they got to the cafeteria, it was packed. They walked right into the chaos, pushing and being pushed, separating and coming back. It was something Lukas wouldn't do on a regular day, but he caught himself enjoying it…stealing glances at Viktor who was struggling to get to the front. Lukas stretched and held his hand, making Viktor's head snap back almost as quickly. When he saw it was Lukas, he let out a small laugh and tightened their grip before continuing to fight for food.

When they get food, they walk back to their lecture room. As Lukas opens the door, it's empty. They both sit at the back and begin eating. Lukas doesn't say a word, like all that had happened in the cafeteria meant nothing to him and Viktor kept staring until he moved, trying to close the gap. Lukas looked at him from the corner of his eye and ignored him. Viktor moves even closer and places a hand on Lukas face,

“Are we really pretending again?” Soft and genuine and something in Lukas snaps, but he doesn't respond; he pulls him in and kisses him…it wasn't small. It lingered with so many things unsaid, so many emotions and feelings. Viktor kisses him back like a man meeting his other half. When they stop, Viktor holds his hands.

“Thank goodness the class was empty”, huh?” He smiled.

“Yeah…thank goodness."