Chapter Text
Starting anew was always a scary ground. Especially after you've been gliding steadily for what seems years and years, taking in every moment to the fullest. Javier Fernandez got to know the feeling after taking a proud stand on the World Championships podium, albeit it being not the once familiar gold hanging around his neck. He knew it was coming, the dreadful moment of stepping off the endlessly fiery ice in forever crowded avenues, filled with waving flags of his home country and cheers chanting his name whenever he closed his eyes and took one last breath before stepping into the rink. The decision was unavoidable, yet the prickling feeling in Javier‘s chest when he skated one last lap around the arena took him by storm.
Leaving was never easy, even if you seemed prepared in every possible sense. Yuzuru‘s turn came a year after Javier left. Having a steady season without any serious injuries was a push forward, yet he could feel the ever-growing pressure of the quad evolution putting a steady weight on his shoulders, with more and more youngsters entering the senior division, fearlessly throwing themselves into the fine air to fly, fly higher and higher every time.
Yuzuru could keep going, he heard Brian reassure him a couple of months ago. He still had one of the best presentation scores out there, Tracy would repeat, a small smile appearing on her lips. Yuzuru didn't have to do it just yet, Javier would place a comforting hand between his cold shoulder blades. He could wait, just like he‘d done before. Yuzuru would smile at them, reassuring that this was what he wanted and turning away quickly, a hint of pain well hidden behind the brown eyes. And yet, he doubted he was ever so sure about taking a turn this abrupt in his life.
Stepping off the podium, bearing an earnest smile, gold medal heaving on his chest, Yuzuru Hanyu declared his retirement. The crowds roared in shock, Japanese media filled the boards, thousands of questions ready in moments, fellow skaters furrowing their brows in confusion. It was a well-guarded decision, never leaving the closed walls of Cricket Club and mouths of the trusted few.
The next morning came after a tiring night of never ending interviews and press conferences, and Yuzuru‘s blades landed on the competition ice once again for the Gala. Taking a grateful bow after carving his heart and soul into the the cold surface of the rink, he silenced the audience with a swift gesture. A well-known pair of skates appeared by his side, setting the crowds on fire. Javier pulled the shorter boy closer, arms wrapping around his waist, Yuzuru‘s hands finding themselves on the back of Javier‘s neck. Ears numb from the echoing audience, the Japanese skater pulled away far enough to meet Javier‘s soft gaze and lips bearing a peaceful smile. Their foreheads met for a brief moment before Yuzuru leaned in, sealing their lips together and setting the entire figure skating world ablaze for the upcoming year.
Yuzuru Hanyu was happy stepping off the competitive ice if it meant giving his life to the man he truly loved, the one who had waited for him, and shared every moment of happiness and pain without a single doubt. Holding Javier‘s hand in his, fingers intertwined together in front of thousands, Yuzuru felt like flying.
***
The last two cardboard boxes stacked on top of one another in hands, Javier kicked the door close after entering the small living space. He navigated himself to the supposed living room, which was currently taking the function of both dining room and bedroom, and flopped them onto an already tall stack in the corner. A cluster of cutlery being unpacked echoed from the kitchen.
It had been more than two years since Javier and Yuzuru started dating when they decided to come out as a couple for the whole world to see. As easy as it was discovering the ‚more-than-friendly‘ feelings the two had for one another, taking a step further was more complicated. It didn't take long for fellow trainees of Cricket Club to notice the ever so slight touches present more than ever before, lingering a few seconds too long. It only took Brian two months to invite Yuzuru to his office for a „short talk“, ending up in the Japanese skater blushing his way through explaining how after the GPF banquet the two spent the whole night wandering around the cold streets of Marseilles, sharing all they had inside their hearts, and Yuzuru might have accidentally let a certain confession slip from his lips. It didn't shock Tracy to hear these news a few days after, as she offered the kindest smile to Javier and added that he looked so much more lovely when he was this happy.
There were days of nagging need to be closer to one another that messed with their heads, resulting in endless falls and frustrated feet leaving the rink side. There were ones of endless giggles echoing off the ice, hands on each other‘s waists and fingers running through messy hair. There were late nights of lingering hugs and soft kisses when the rink was empty of people. There were early mornings filled with Javier‘s complains about the unfairness of this world, and Yuzuru surprising him with a cup of coffee, a bag of croissants and a kiss on a temple. There were ones of Brian having to practically pull the two apart, lost in their own world.
No one knew about the thing they had, the trainers, on-ice colleagues and respective family members excluded. It was safer that way, they said. The international figure skating union wouldn't be the happiest to hear that the two of world‘s top male skaters, who were training together, shared a lot more than the cold ice under the blades of their skates every afternoon. They should keep it behind the closed doors, lay low for as long as possible as their careers were still flourishing. Maybe even as long as retiring, if they were ready for it.
It was hard at first, trying to control the wandering hands and a need a place kisses all over each other‘s faces, which had become a habit by now. But they waited, realizing not only that it would mean a start of something beautiful but also the end of something they've dedicated themselves to for so long. Javier decided to quit competitive skating at 27, after a successful Olympic season, silver World‘s medal heaving on his chest. Making the decision took time, yet for him it was much easier. Yuzuru still had so much potential, so much strength, so many abilities, and so many uncharted territories to conquer. He took the weight of competitive skating for another year, spreading his wings and flying as high as ever, claiming his title again and again with a sad smile lingering on his face as he heard the media talk about the soaring of his star, the never ending path for generations to come. The Worlds came in a blur, drowning the two in cheers and curious eyes, interviews and millions of questions. It was a mutual decision to retire, Yuzuru said. He had no hard feelings leaving the competitive ice, and had discussed this with his trainers over a few times. He was ready to take up the new life as a professional figure skater, but even more than that as a boyfriend of a man he had loved for long time.
Soaking in the sunlight streaming in thought the window, Javier stretched his muscles, sighing in relief. Moving houses was a pain in the ass, one thing for sure. He was barely capable of keeping all of his stuff in one place at his old flat, and packing all of that into dozens of boxes with a nagging voice by his ear was even worse. Thank god the worst part was over with, for now that is.
Javier really deserved some rest at the moment, considering all the work he‘s done, and the giant mattress flopped in the middle of the room was a perfect refuge. Face still bathing in the sun rays, he closed his eyes and gave in to the gravity, mindlessly crashing down onto the unmade mess of soft sheets, hands spread open as if he was a bird setting to soar through an open sky. The clanking of kitchenware being arranged stopped abruptly, just as Javier‘s body landed on the mattress with a loud thud.
„Javi, what-„ a pair of bare feet appeared in front of Javier, his head hanging from the edge of the mattress. His tired eyes followed the inverted body up, meeting two dark pupils staring down at him in disappointment. „I not washing sheets after three days.“
Javier rolled his eyes, lazily flopping on his stomach. He looked up at Yuzuru, dressed in his own baggy T-shirt and a pair of boxers only, leaning at the door frame with his arms crossed, hair messy and eyebrows slightly furrowed, and Javier couldn't hold back a fond smile.
„You really make a perfect housewife,“ he teased, receiving a light nudge on his shoulder with a bare foot.
„Don‘t be lazy. I work all morning tidying the kitchen,“ the Japanese man scoffed, turning around to leave and continue his work of unpacking silly mugs and arranging dishes by size and color. „And I no housewife.“
„Nope, you just proved it,“ Javier snorted, already prepared for another hit, sheer competitiveness be damned.
As the said move was approaching, the Spaniard didn't hesitate, wrapping his fingers around Yuzuru‘s ankle and pulling him down with just enough force. Taken back by surprise, he ended up half on Javier‘s lap within seconds, squirming around for a while until light giggles started escaping his lips and the two ended up lying on the tangled mess of white sheets.
„Unfair,“ Yuzuru cackled, hands holding tightly to Javier‘s wrists, legs tangled together. „Javi stronger. Can‘t compete.“
„Where‘s that inhumane stubbornness gone now, uh?“ Javier teased, jabbing his ribs and eliciting a hearty laugh from the boy‘s mouth.
„Not forgiven. Still mess up the sheets,“ Yuzuru elbowed his stomach, trying to catch his own breath. Javier sighed, burying his face in the silky black hair and the familiar smell of strawberry shampoo.
„Please, Yuzu,“ he groaned against the boy‘s hair, holding him tighter. „Can we just enjoy this for a while? It‘s nice. Feels like home.“
Yuzuru sighed at Javier‘s antics, and yet his eyes fluttered shut, a small smile appearing on pink lips. His body slouched, sunlight caressing the pale skin and Javier‘s soft touch warming his heart.
„It does.“
The two had mutually decided to stay in Toronto after retiring. One year ago when Javier left competitive skating, he managed to get himself a small training gig at the Cricket Club, mainly focusing on novice skaters who had just touched down on the rink. He spent half of his time switching between work in Canada and smaller gigs back in Madrid, trying to keep a low profile. Yuzuru had set to join him after a month of fuss trying to renounce the flowing suggestions of returning to Japan and basing his activities there.
The first month after the Worlds was the biggest mess both of them and the Cricket Club have ever experienced. Yuzuru had already been prepared for the tsunami-like waves of reporters knocking at his door daily when he was staying in Japan, but the media had managed to follow him back to Toronto, flooding the club in cameras and voice recorders. Everybody wanted to get a taste of a two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu‘s new life as a coach, and even more so as the boyfriend of a certain Javier Fernandez.
The first month of summer flew by in the blink of an eye, overflowing their newly found lives with ice shows, TV appearances, interviews, and endless plane flights all across the globe. It was gruesome and tiring, but neither of them turned their backs to it, bracing themselves for all the good that was yet to come.
House hunting was a thing that came naturally. Javier‘s flat was too small for both of them, especially considering the amount of Yuzuru‘s stuff (god forbids, that boy traveled with five suitcases and Javier barely had place for his own junk). Brian had advised them to save the glorious moving process for after most of the uproar died down, adding that he‘s only sparing their health in all sorts of ways.
Yuzuru in particular found the task of finding the perfect dwelling place so very intricate and spent over three months in total checking out every existing real estate website. At one moment Javier reached the point of agreeing to whatever there was just because all he could hear for the last weeks was complaining about lack of windows or a neighborhood too noisy to concentrate in.
The perfect place came as a surprise, as Javier was greeted with a usual cup of Americano, a peck and a smile unusually wide even for Yuzuru this early in the morning. It was a two-story house in the suburbs of Toronto, close enough to catch a metro to Cricket Club after a 15 minute walk. It had a tiny backyard backed with lush greenery, windows big enough for sun to fill the living space on summer evenings, and a tiny post box on the right side on the entrance. Javier’s lips curled into a soft smile, observing Yuzuru’s animated hand movements and glistening eyes. He knew he’d found the one.
Yuzuru was woken up by a cold wetness suddenly present on the tip of his nose. Face scrunched up, he peeled one eye open to see Effie bearing a curious gaze at the cluster of tangled limbs in front of her. Yawning lazily, Yuzuru flopped on his back, a hand previously resting on his hip ending up on his stomach. He smiled at the sigh by his side.
The two had fallen asleep after their clumsy tickle fight, both worn out after a full week of moving dozens of boxes varying in size and weight, trying to arrange all the clutter in that one perfect way, and making endless calls because god forbids there just had to be some plumbing problem from the very first day you had bought a new house. Yuzuru couldn't lie; his perfectionist self enjoyed the process of setting up a place from complete scraps way more than he had though he would. He was trying his best to make their house into a proper home, even though half of it still had plain concrete walls and most of the furniture wasn't present yet.
Yuzuru loved having their tiny escape with a tower of boxes instead of a table, he loved the mattress they we nuzzled on top of, and he loved the man breathing peacefully beside him.
It didn't take long before Javier‘s peaceful slumber was disturbed by a set of paws hopping on his side, carefully making their way to his face and lapping at the stubbly cheek. Yuzuru giggled at the sight and jammed his pointer finger into Effie‘s side, pushing her off the man with an unsatisfied ‚meow.‘
„What the-“ Javier‘s eyes jolted open, right arm holding onto Yuzuru‘s waist tighter. „Did you just lick my face?“
Yuzuru snorted at the statement, propping his head on his hand and leaning closer to Javier‘s sleepy face.
„No, stupid. Just cat,“ he smirked, bopping the other‘s nose. „But if Javi likes, maybe will try.“
Eyes closed again, Javier pulled Yuzuru into a bear hug, almost flopping on top of him.
„How about you do now?“ the Spaniard muttered against his ear, sending the boy into a laughing fit.
„Get off, you heavy,“ Yuzuru flapped his hands around, trying his best to roll out of the tight grip.
Been it the soft pleading smile on Yuzuru‘s lips or the grogginess he felt after the unplanned nap, he obeyed, setting the smaller boy free. Yuzuru sat up, leaving Javier lying on his back and staring into his dark eyes.
„Still have unpacking to do,“ the two round orbs glistened in the evening light, looking as alive as they did when he bowed down to the audience and the ice after a clean skate. Javier would never stop being amused by the boy beside him, basking in happiness just by spending this moment with him.
Yuzuru stood up as swiftly as ever, stretching his arms up and yawning. His bare legs looked like they were made of ivory bathing in the golden rays of sunlight. Javier watched him walk up to the pile on boxes, and carefully remove a few, revealing one with Japanese scribbled on the side.
He grabbed the pair of scissors previously thrown on the edge of the mattress, and carefully sliced though the layers on sellotape. Long fingers took their time opening the cardboard, eyes resting on what was inside, lips twisting into a small smile.
Yuzuru ran his fingers over the soft ribbon, tips stopping at the familiar metal and tracing the letters carved into it with ease. A pair of arms came wrapping around his waist from behind, Javier‘s head resting on his shoulder.
„Been a year,“ Yuzuru whispered, lifting the medal up and letting it glisten in the evening light.
„Seems like forever,“ Javier muttered into his neck, planting a soft kiss on the crook.
Yuzuru sighed, pulling the cold piece of metal closer to his chest. Eyes closed, he untangled Javier‘s hands from his waist and turned around to face him.
When he opened his eyes again, Yuzuru was met by a smile so warm he couldn't help but laugh. He raised his arms up, fingers tracing the ribbon, lips smiling wide. Javier lowered his head just as he did those years ago, a complete habit by now.
A piece of memories hanging from his neck, the man lifted his eyes up, meeting ones filled with impossible amounts of love.
„You are always my champion,“ Yuzuru‘s fingers grazed his cheek as he leaned in closer so their foreheads would touch.
Javier didn't have to reply; Yuzuru knew the words echoing in his head as well as he did. Bodies warm in each other‘s embrace, they knew this was the start of something beautiful.