Chapter Text
Over the years, He's never ceased to surprise me. From the first time I saw him skate, till now. It's been one surprise after another.
*
"Sure enough he's crushed the free skate event as well! This marks the fifth consecutive Grand Prix final win for French legend Levi Ackerman! Ackerman is now 27 years old. Some speculate that he might retire this season but his masterful season here may lay such rumors to rest. Now let's talk about Eren Jaeger, who is here completing his first Grand Prix final! I hate to say it but he wasn't performing like his usual self." The man on the intercom boomed as I scrolled through the News.
"Put that down! Looking at the news won't do you any good!" Pyxis yelled while frantically waving his arms. I didn't listen and continued scrolling. "Jaeger tumbles to last place. Will this season be his last? Possibly." I muttered under my breath mindlessly.
My name is Eren Jaeger, at 23, I'm one of the diamond dozen figure skaters certified at JSF. I had hopes, but I came in last at my first Grand Prix final. I'm still having a hard time accepting that! I moved to Detroit to train in one of the top notch faulty and worked hard to qualify but before the match the pressure had gotten to me and I started binge eating. Then, the family dog died. I was a wreck, so my big day became a big failure. Man, talk about self sabotage.
I walked over to the restrooms were I can talk to my mom in private over the phone. From an outsider all you could hear was my side of the conversation. After I hung up I quietly sobbed. Better to do it now than in front of the crowds of people I'll have to walk through that would be embarrassing. Suddenly I heard a loud bang on the stall door I was in. I open the door and immediately started apologizing and opened the door.
The junior Grand Prix gold medalist, Armin Alert. They call him the Russian Punk. Why does he look like he's deciding on whether or not to punch me? " Hey, I'll be competing in the senior division next year. Maybe it's time for you to retire, LOSER!" and with that he walked out of the restroom with sass. Who would care anyway if I retired? There are dozens of skaters who could take my place.
*
"Aye! Jaeger!" I turned around to see a slightly panting Morooka in front of me. "Hey, Morooka" I spoke tiredly." Don't give up yet, Kid! Ya hear me?" He shouted at me. I just stared blankly at him. After a while at staring a each other I sighed and tightened my grip on my bags. "It's a little to early for that, I haven't even made a decision yet."
"What are your plans after college? Are you staying in Detroit?"
"I'll have to talk that over with Coach Pyxis"
"Listen you got some real thinking to do..."
I don't want to think about it. I'm sorry Levi, I wish I could have said goodbye. I thought as I gazed over and saw a small German Shepherd that kind of looked like My old one. It still hurts.
"Armin." I turned around," You did great tonight but I think that your step sequence could use a lot of work." He spoke while walking next to Armin. "Oh well, I won and I didn't die. So who really cares? Quit nagging me already. " Armin spat out while leaning his head back while slowing down his pace. Maybe I'll get a chance to talk to the real Levi someday. Suddenly Levi caught me staring at him.
"Huh, you want to get a photo?" He deadpanned while looking at me. I didn't answer, I just stared blankly. " Sure thing." He spoke while motioning for me to come closer to him. I walked away in horror of what had just happened. "Where are you going don't you want a photo with Levi?" Morooka asked as I walked towards the exit. I'm an idiot. Did I really think that I could play on the same field as him?
Of course, I ended up getting humiliated.
*
I sighed as I stood on the escalator. It's been five years since my last visit to Zugspitze, this old station even has elevated tracks now. As I get of the escalator I notice a whole bunch of posters of me on every wall. I start to panic.Oh God.
"Eren~" A familiar voice called out." Why are you sulking around like that? "
" Hey! What are you doing here?!" I called out while looking at the source of the voice.
"Welcome Home after 5 long years!" She said while twirling around.
"That's really not necessary." I said nervously. People were beginning to stare at me and her.
"Stand straight and smile! Wouldja?" she said while twirling around and smiling.
Why am I surprised? I should have figured that Hanji would know my exact arrival time. I was starting to get anxious as people started whispering and saying things like, Is that the Eren Jaeger? and What is he doing back so soon?
I started panicking more than I already was. I was frantically looking for a way out of this situation.
Hi everyone who just cheered me on because I'm from Zugspitze, I can't bring myself to say this aloud but here's how's the last's years gone for me. The figure skating competition usually starts in the fall but I lost big in the comprehensive Grand Prix Final early on. I couldn't shake off the failure and lost again in the nationals. I didn't make it in the four continents or the world championship, so the season is over for me. I managed to graduate from college but I ended things with my old coach and my future's unclear. I came home so I could figure things out and there you have it.
"Let me shake your hand young man." An older man said as he walked up to me. " Oh I'm sorry I would but I'm in a hurry." I said while gently shaking my hand back in front as to say no. "Hey it doesn't cost you anything to shake hands does it? If Levi Ackerman is nice to his fans then you will be too, Understand me?!" she said while glaring at me and pointing a finger accusing at me.
"Uh, I appreciate your support." I said stiffly while shaking the older mans hand and the little boy that was with him. "Aright, now give them a smile." She said while looking at me sweetly. I give them a stiff smile. Soon Hanji was dragging me around by the arm.
"Alright! Your going to greet everyone in town!"
"Isn't there a ballet class you need to be teaching or something?!"
"Nope, we're closed today. Anyways, It's not like I have very many students left. Zugspitze, is losing more and more people. Hardly any kids are skating these days. Having you back should cheer thing's up though." I gulped in an attempt to swallow the lump in my throat. I finally grab her coat and that finally made her stop dragging me all over the place. I can't do this right now.
" I'm sorry, I just need to rest." I said while letting go of her coat sleeve. "What now? But everyone's dying to see you."
*
"After the men's short program, The French's Levi Ackerman is in first place." Levi looked towards the camera and winks hen continues on walking to with his coach.
"They didn't say anything about Eren, isn't he competing too?" One of the guests asked.
"No, He didn't qualify but good for us he can come home now."
"I'm home." Eren deadpanned as he came through the door.
"Carla! You'll never guess who I have with me today!" Hanji yelled while standing on her tippy toes. I'll never understand how she does that all day.
"There you are Hanji! Thank you for going to the station get him for me!" My mom shouted as she ran down the hall to see us "Eren welcome home!" she continued. "Thanks Mom. It's been a long time I should've come to visit sooner. Sorry." I said while looking down at my feet.
"Oh none of that now! I only wish that I could have made it to your graduation! Wanna bowl of käsespätzle?" She offered with a smile.
"You know, you look like you lost weight." Hanji said while pushing up her glasses
"Oh, you flatter an old woman! What about you! No matter how much you drink you never seem to gain any weight!"
"As for you Eren, What kind of gut are you hiding under that bulky coat of yours?" Hanji stated suddenly scary. I turned away to escape but she grabbed my hood to stop me.
"Alright off with the clothes!" She screamed as she ripped of my coat, hat and scarf.
She screamed out of terror when she was done. My belly popped out of under my shirt and I just stood there extremely embarrassed at how much my stomach had grown."Haha, You look just like your Mom, Yuri!" Dad said while pointing at my gut. "Dad..." I started out of announce.
"This is no laughing matter Grisha! A figure skater has to maintain a certain physique and that isn't it!" She roared I started to feel very self pitiful that I had let myself get fat like this. "You've gain weight easily every since you were a boy. But what can you do?" Grisha asked out loud.
"Now, how many bowls kasespatzle should we put you down for?" My father asked while looking me in the eyes. "Well before I eat..."
"Sure son, go pay your respects."
*
"I'm sorry boy, I wish I could have seen you on last time." I said and then the door opened to the memoir room they made. "So you finally, decided to come home."My sister stated as she walked into the room.
"You guys seem busy," I said softly as I turned to face her." I hope I'm not getting in the way."
"Nah, don't worry. How long you staying anyway?" Mikasa said as she took out a cigarette.
"Well, I dunno." Mikasa placed the cigarette between her lips and mumbled, " Are you going to help out with the hot spring? You got your degree anyways, so what are you going to do with it?" She lit the cigarette and breathed in and blew out.
"I mean, if you you want to keep skating, I'll support you but-"
"I guess, I kinda need more time to think it over."
"Sure, okay. Well, go soak in the hot spring. You kinda look like you could use it." She walked off leaving a trail of smoke behind her.
*
I was born and raised here in Zugspitze , a small city by the mountains. There is a castle but well, the castle isn't so much of a castle as it is a façade with the "ninja" house inside. The town used to have a number of hot spring inns, but more have gone under. My family's U-topia is the last one.
I moaned softly as the hot water made my muscles relax. "Ha this is exactly what I needed!"
*
"I really wanted to go to the championships, I mean you could have at least qualified Eren. I mean, now I'll never know the skaters room numbers." Hanji mumbled to herself.
"So that's it. You support me in hopes that I'll make it easier for you to stalk hot skaters."
"Hey! That's only one of the reasons I support!" She said clearly drunk.
*
"Hey you just got here and you're leaving already?" Carla said as she grabbed something out of her car.
"Sorry I just want to get some practice in." Eren said as he ran toward the skating ring.
"Alright dear, take care!" She shouted after me.
*
"Excuse me." Eren shouted once he enter to rink.
"Sorry we're closed, you can come back tomorrow." the girl said as she put up the last of the skates. She turned to look at Eren.
"Hey Sasha, long time no see huh?" Eren said as he played innocent.
"Is that you Eren?" She said softly. Eren just nodded his head.
"Well quit standing there like a stranger and tell me how you've been!" She shouted as she leaned against the counter.
"Alright, I guess"
"Well I bet you came to skate huh? Go right ahead!"
"Really, you don't mind?"
"Nah! I'm guessing you don't want an audience. I'll make sure your not interrupted." She said ending it with a wink.
"Thanks a lot."
Sasha is two years older than me. She was my rink mate. She was a really great skater when we were younger. I grew up idolizing her. The Madonna of Ice Castle Zugspitze. She's still as pretty as ever.
*flashback, years earlier
"Haha, great job!" Sasha said with a warm smile.
"Move it out my way fatzo!"
"Stop, Connie! Picking on little kids doesn't make you look tough! Ya know!"
"Fatzo! Fatzo! Haha!" Connie chanted .
*a couple years later
"France's, Levi Ackerman. He won the gold in the junior worlds with the highest score in history! He's amazing!"
Connie groaned and Eren looked at the tv with pure amazement in his eyes. And blinked to make sure that something of that beauty was real.
*days later
"According to this Levi has a German Shepherd! Isn't it adorable!"
Eren and Sasha continued to fangirl over it as Connie read a comic and ignored them.
*flashback, couple days after that day
Eren held a baby German Shepherd in his hands.
"Aww, is this sweet little ball of love yours?"
"Yeah and I named him Levi." Sasha giggled and said, " You really are a big fan of Levi aren't you!"
Connie looked at the dog and then back to Eren and thought 'boy does he have it bad'
" I hope that you get to compete against him someday. I'd really like to see it!"
A light pink dusted against Eren's fair skin as his eyes widened.
*end of flashback
Eren Handed of his black pair of glasses to Sasha on his way out of the changing room and into the skating rink.
"Um, there's something I really want you to see. I've been practicing this ever since the competitions ended. Will you watch?" Eren's face was solemn as he look at Sasha.
Eren skated unto the ice with grace and got into position.
"Wait that opening..." Sasha mumbled under her breath.
The music began to play and Eren moved with sadness and silence. He felt the pain and misery but also joy and happiness in his bones that the music had brought upon him.
He laid his quadruple lutz and began moving again letting out all the sadness he held in from the season. He did another quadruple flip and landed with grace.
Eren moved like a feather soft and gently and with so much grace. It was like Eren truly understood the pain, the happiness and love that came along with the program. And he really did. In more ways than one.
Eren's heart thumped in his chest and he began to moved and glide through the ice. He did his flying sit spin perfectly and continued to glide on the ice.
He did a flawless quadsept. Eren moved and gilded and it could make someone feel it and no only feel it but want it.
He landed his triple lutz and continued again and did a triple flip. Sasha looked at him in pure aw of what he was doing. She also had a bag of chips with was eating at the same time.
She gasped as he did a quadruple toe loop followed by a triple toe loop and actually landed it!
He did all his quads! Now all that was left was a combination spin! Which he perfected!
The song was over and Eren was out of breath and Sasha was tearing up at the sight.
"You did amazing!!! That was a perfect copy of Levi!! Honestly I thought you'd be depressed..." Sasha said finally.
"I was. Turns out being depressed gets old after awhile. I'd lost my love for skating and I wanted it back. I thought if I copied Levi like I did in the olden days it would help. Sasha, I've been thinking.. the thing is..."
"My girls Axel, Lutz and Loop there are a lot bigger than the last time you saw them aren't they?!"
"Uh yeah!" So there goes what I wanted to say.
"Wow you really are fat!" Axel said as she jumped up and down.
"So your retiring?!" Lutz said as she too jumped up and down.
"So you've never had a girlfriend??" Loop said while following her sisters lead and jumping up and down.
"Ahh! Ok ignore them, the girls are sorry!!!"
Sasha screaming over them.
"Hey. I'm telling you, those girls are some of your biggest fans! Hey!"
"Connie!"I said with shock and joy.
"Your fatter than me!" Connie said as the little girls screamed "daddy!!" And took various videos and picture of the two.
"Aw, this isn't funny!" Eren whined.
"Come by to practice anytime, the Springer family always got your back , you know that."
"You can do it Eren!" Axel screamed.
"Work hard!" Lutz screamed.
"Lose weight!" Loop screamed also.
*
A lot happened while I was away. For the most part I ignored it. I focused on skating and nothing else.
Eren took a deep breath and looked at the view and stopped working out.
I wish I'd knew what to do now. I want to keep skating but can I do it on my own?
*
"Woah, did you see that jump!? No, make that two jumps!" Eren shouted and motioned toward the tv were an Armin Alert was skating.
"The 15 year old is a prodigy of Levi Ackerman and is one of the world preeminent male figure skaters!" The tv said as Eren looked at it intensely.
"Maybe it's time for you to retire."
I'm going to do it. I'm not sure how but I'm going to skate on the same ice as Levi someday.
Eren's phone lit up and the screen showed:
Monday, April 10
Message from Connie Springer
Slide for view
Huh, Connie?
WHAT!
[Eren Jaeger] Tried to skate Levi's FS Program [Stay Close to Me]
Showed on he screamed the first thing that Eren thought was 'tried?' Bitch I practically owned that motherfucking dance' after that the rest of his thoughts were filled to the brim with full of what if's and how's.
Eren called Connie and over the phone you could hear Connie talking. He must have called him in the mess of the panic.
"Look, Eren. I'm really sorry. The girls uploaded it and it's gone viral!" He whispered into the phone. In the background you could hear Sasha yelling at them about it in the background lutz and loop were crying but Axel look quite please with herself.
Hanji bursted into his room and yelled, "You thought you could become an internet star without me!"
Eren crawled into a ball as he thought of everyone's reaction to the video.
*
"You can't just hold up in your room forever! Come out and help shovel the snow!"
Uh snow? Eren thought as he opened his curtains. Woah! She wasn't kidding! This late in the year! What about the weather alert?!
"Right, I turned it off so I wouldn't get any calls.." Eren mumble under his breath.
*
Huh? Levi? The dog jumped on him and knocked him down.
"Your to big! You can't be Levi!" Eren giggle as the dog licked his face.
"Hold on...this dog looks exactly like...no there's no way."
"Morning! Looks just like our Levi, eh? His owners a new guest. Some good looking young fellow with an accent! He's in the spring right now." Grisha said as Eren's eyes got wider as he realized who was here.
Eren got up with a stumble and ran to the spring as his father called out for him to come back and where was he going. Eren didn't bother to answer. He was to busy trying to get to the spring as fast as humanly possible.
Sure enough there sat a butt naked Levi with a towel on his head as he sat in the spring outside.
"Levi... why are you here?!" Eren said bare audible for anyone to hear. Levi just stood up. Eren was fighting to not look down.
"Hello Eren! Starting today, I'm going to be your new coach, your going to get to the grand pre final. And you're going to win." He said ended his speech with a classic wink.
Eren just stood there staring his eyes wide with shock. He screamed what very loudly. I'm sure the neighbors were not pleased.
Not once over the years has he ever ceased to surprise me.