Chapter 4 A bad habit

Lukas wouldn't even call this a thing. The first time had been confusing enough, then there was a second time and a third. It should have meant something, but neither of them said a word about it.

They just... continued.

At first, it stayed simple. Training would end, Viktor would linger just a second too long, he'd tiptoe and lean in... quick and quiet, like he was stealing things he wasn't supposed to take. Lukas never responded, never leaned in, never acknowledged it after. He would just grab his bag and walk out like nothing happened.

And Viktor would follow or sometimes he wouldn't and it didn't matter... because the next day, it would happen again.

******

"You're late, Volkov."

Lukas kept adjusting his gloves as he spoke to him. He got prepared before stepping onto the ice.

"I'm two minutes earlier than last time," Viktor replied, already skating past him.

"You're still late."

"That doesn't even make sense."

"It doesn't have to."

Viktor let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head slightly. "You know... you're unbelievable."

"And yet you're still here," Lukas shot back, finally glancing at him.

There was something brief in that look... like if Viktor had said the right things, they'd be fine but he didn't. He just caught it like he always did.

Training went the same way it always did. Very strict and precise.

"Your shoulders are too stiff again!"

"They're not." Viktor would reply quietly.

"They are!"

"Maybe you're just picky."

"Oh? I am picky. Fix it!"

Viktor adjusted anyway, even though he clearly didn't agree. Lukas stepped closer and held his shoulders, correcting the angle himself this time, his hand firm against Viktor's body.

"Relax," he muttered.

"You're the one making me tensed," Viktor replied.

Lukas paused for a second, his hand still holding him tightly. Then he clicked his tongue softly and pulled away. "Focus."

"I am trying."

"Try harder."

Viktor didn't respond this time, but he let out a little laugh. Like all of this was amusing and nothing more... like he was enjoying this more than he should and that was how it always went.

Back and forth. Sharp words and low whispers, tension sitting right beneath everything they said.

And after that was nothing. No conversation or explanation, just the daily kisses they both got like a form of congratulations...

Weeks passed before Lukas realized the situation had changed totally. Slowly, without permission... it had deepened. Now, it wasn't just after training anymore. It slipped into breaks, into cleanups, discussions, into those moments when no one was looking, when the rink felt too quiet, when the distance between was unneeded.

Viktor would step closer without warning, with an expression Lukas only saw when he wanted a kiss like it had always been like this.

"Move," Lukas muttered once, when Viktor stood too close while he was reaching for his bottle.

"Make me," Viktor replied, not even moving an inch.

Lukas turned slightly, ready to snap at him and Viktor kissed him. Quick and clean and just turned around before Lukas could even react.

"...what is wrong with you?!" Lukas asked, his voice lower now. He felt more confusion than hate... his hands played in his hair as he let out a breath.

"You didn't stop me," Viktor said simply.

"But that doesn't mean-"

"What does it mean then?"

Lukas didn't answer him because even he didn't know. It kept happening and every time it got harder for both of them to pretend like it didn't matter.

Lukas still hadn't forgiven him for abandoning him. That part stayed exactly where it was... buried with all the other things he hated the most. There were still nights when it rained and that's all he could think about. About the rain, about the empty space where Viktor used to live and where he used to be in his heart and how long he waited.

And those feelings didn't go away but somehow... neither did this.

One evening, the rink was emptier than usual but not completely empty but still close enough. Everything made a sound and the skates matched their breathing.

Lukas stepped off the ice first just like always, pulling off his gloves and tossing them into his bag. His movements had become a routine because he'd done it a million times before and behind him, Viktor slowed to a stop.

"Done already?" he asked.

"You're tired?" Lukas replied without turning.

"I didn't say that."

"Then stop talking."

Viktor let out a soft laugh, skating even closer anyway. "You're in a mood today."

"I'm always in a mood."

"Yeah," Viktor said, stepping off the ice as well, "but this one's nasty."

Lukas zipped up his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. "Why don't you leave? ...like you did before."

Viktor moved even closer "Why don't you make me?"

And there it was again. That damn tone... like he was challenging him. Lukas turned this time, eyes memorizing every bit of him. "You really don't know when to stop, do you?"

"No," Viktor said easily. "Do you?"

Before Lukas could respond, Viktor leaned in and the kiss was quick like it was nothing. Like a waste of sin. Just a press of lips and nothing more and that pissed Lukas off. His hand shot out immediately, grabbing Viktor's wrist before he could pull away.

"Don't-" he started, but the words didn't come out right.

Viktor raised a brow slightly confused. "Don't what?"

Lukas didn't answer. He just pulled him back and this time, there was no hesitation.

The second kiss wasn't careful or quick. It was messy, with feeling that had been hidden for far too long finally slipping out. Lukas's grip shifted, one hand moving to Viktor's waist as he lifted him without thinking

"Hey-" Viktor let out a quiet laugh, legs wrapped around Lukas and his hands on Lukas's shoulders, trying to steady himself. "Since when-"

"Stop talking," Lukas muttered against him and that only made Viktor laugh more but he didn't pull away... not even a little.

Instead, he leaned into him more, letting himself get devoured by their lust and he trusted Lukas with more than himself. When they finally pulled back, both of them were breathing heavier than before, eyes locked in and Lukas' hand had slipped under Viktor's shirt.

Viktor rested his forehead briefly against Lukas's, still smiling slightly.

"You know I'm older than you, right?" He asked, voice softer now, but still teasing.

Lukas didn't push him away and didn't drop him either. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing just a bit.

"Then correct me," he replied.

For a second, Viktor just stared at him in shock... then he laughed properly this time.

"Wow," he managed to say, shaking his head. "You can talk."

"Don't get used to it."

"Too late."

Lukas huffed quietly, but there was no real anger in it this time and that was new. They looked in each other's eyes a little longer and the next kiss came easier, like neither of them needed an excuse not to anymore... Like whatever this was, they had fully accepted it.

Viktor pulled back just enough to look at him, his expression a little more serious now, though the hint of amusement hadn't completely disappeared.

"Have you done this before...?" He paused. "...with a man?"

Lukas' face relaxed a bit. "No... you?"

Viktor shook his head to show he hadn't.

"My place," he said after a second... Then, like he reconsidered, he added, "Or yours?"