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It’s said that soulmates are born from the same star, separated by the higher deities simply as a form of amusement for them.
Romantics often proclaim that soulmates meet in every lifetime, no matter how brief or permanent, but the statement has neither been confirmed nor denied by researchers.
Throughout their lives, pairs share dreams known as euneirophrenia. Before physically touching, faces and major features are blurred. Soulmates are able to learn about one another’s gender, age, voice, hometown, personality, opinions, hobbies, etcetera, but never full names—not even of those outside their bond. The moment one is mentioned, both sides will awaken and won’t share another until a few nights have passed.
In simple terms, nicknames are allowed, but full names are a no-no. Unless, of course, they’re avoiding their soulmate.
Once the pair meets, however, the boundaries disappear. Faces and features are no longer censored, and full names can be said without worry.
In modern society, people have mixed feelings on this matter. Few like to wait for their destined, preserving themselves just for their other half; some don’t really care about it, going about their days and dating whoever they like, even after meeting their soulmate; most of the population gallivant around until their dream-person comes by, in which they will then dedicate their entirety to them.
Yuuri is part of the first few, willing to wait for his perfect person to come into his life, but his soulmate evidently is not. He doesn’t blame him, of course, since he understands people have different views on the matter.
“Oh my gosh, he just— He’s so hot that I’d let him do anything to me, y’know?”
Laughing at his soulmate’s lovesick ranting, Yuuri continues to skate idly around the rink. “Me when fictional men.” And Viktor Nikiforov, his mind adds unhelpfully.
Evidenced by the small, barely Olympic-sized rink, they’re hanging out in Yuuri’s dream today, at his home rink of Ice Castle Hasetsu. With the newly painted walls and replaced decorations, it looks a little more renovated than in real life, though the rink itself looks the same. A little more well-kept than usual, but home nonetheless.
As always, there isn’t anyone else around—just him and Sunshower. He’s fourteen currently, making Sunshower eighteen in a month’s time.
Yuuri’s glad that Sunshower has been finding time to have fun recently (even if his version of ‘having fun’ is a little unorthodox). In the past, any time they catch up on Sunshower’s life, it’s always Oh, just skating again or My coach has been nagging me a lot, so I can’t do anything anymore. And as much as he loves skating, only being allowed to do that sounds exhausting.
He doesn’t have many friends, only Yuu-chan and occasionally Takeshi, but they’re enough for him. He enjoys the times they spend together simply hanging out at his home or skating about.
“Gra~yi…” comes the ever familiar whine. Yuuri doesn’t need to see his soulmate’s face to know that he’s pouting miserably. Arms fling across his shoulders, wrapping around him and dragging him close. Sunshower lays his head on the top of his head, whimpering pitifully, “Are you even listening to me?”
Rubbing comforting circles on his arm, Yuuri hums in acknowledgement.
Bending further down, Sunshower nuzzles into the curve of his neck before he stares up at him. “Don't worry, Grayi. I still love you the most.”
Empty words. You won’t be saying that once you actually meet me. Regardless, Yuuri offers a gentle smile. “I’m glad to hear that, Sunshower.”
Yuuri’s always found it interesting how no matter the distance between them, he can never truly see Sunshower.
He can see how his soulmate hesitates, like he wants to say something more, but he can’t stare into those bright eyes of his or observe how his lips turn into an undoubtedly adorable pout.
For him, his soulmate is in monotonous colours—just different shades of white and greys—like he’s waiting for someone to breathe colour into his life (and to think that that someone is Yuuri himself is too much for him to handle).
He knows his soulmate is beautiful, he can see that. The light grey hair is probably soft blonde or something subtler, the slightly darker eyes will match a pretty shade of blue or green, and his skin will be as pale as his light grey complexion… No hint of dark grey or black in sight. He’s practically the picture-perfect guy from a lot of people’s imagination.
A gentle kiss to the underside of his jaw brings him back to euneirophrenia. “Love you lots, Grayi. Can’t wait to finally meet you in real life.”
It takes everything in Yuuri to not flinch at the final phrase. Somehow, his soulmate always manages to hit his negative thoughts with a bullseye. Still, he starts to pull away. “W-Well, we can’t be standing here for the entirety of the dream, can we? Why don’t you let me skate for you?”
Whenever Sunshower skates, it reminds him too much of Viktor Nikiforov… and then Yuuri ends up feeling bad for comparing the two.
Sure, it may seem like a compliment to say that Sunshower has spectacular (like seriously amazing) skills for imitating Viktor’s style, but what if that isn’t what he means to do? What if that’s his style, but Yuuri’s too damn obsessed with his idol that he spots Viktor in everything he looks at? What if Sunshower isn’t even a Viktor fan? That’d be the utmost insult to him.
“Grayi, focus.”
Once again brought out of his internal turmoil, Yuuri realises he’s just about to perform a jump and backs out at the last second, skidding to a stop.
From behind the barrier, he gets the phantom feeling of Sunshower’s frown directed at him, so he just ducks his head as he skates over to him. Upon reaching, Yuuri instantly starts apologising, but is cut off with a hand in his face.
“Do you think that that was a skate worthy of me?” Ignoring his obvious flinch in response, Sunshower continues relentlessly, “If it was, then you must really think lowly of me. I’m telling you right here, right now: the only scores you’d receive for that performance are pity points. Do you know how sad that is?”
There have been times before when something like this happened. At most, he’ll get a little frustrated when Yuuri continues to flub his jumps after he’s shown and guided him the correct way multiple times. And whenever Yuuri isn’t in the mood to skate, Sunshower either lets him sit out while he uses the rink or sits out with him to catch up on just about everything. His soulmate only ever gets like this when Yuuri doesn’t put his heart into performing even after saying he would.
Although he understands, he still feels the beginning of waterworks welling in the back of his eyes and snot already threatening to drip from his nose. Yeah, his crying face isn’t the prettiest, so sue him.
“Where was your heart? Your feelings did not match the song at all. Are you already mourning the loss of your gold, or are you going to fight for it? Maybe you should’ve chosen a song better suited for loss if that’s how you plan to skate.”
Yuuri sniffles. “I—”
“And what’s with that choreography? Who even watched that and allowed it? Backloading all your jumps like that, especially when you don’t have the stamina for it, is—”
“Yuuko.”
With a single word, the euneirophrenia ends, and he’s brought back to the waking world. He won’t see Sunshower for the next few days. And hopefully, he’ll get his shit together by then. For now though…
Instantly, he curls up into a ball and begins sobbing into his knees. Yes, his soulmate has been brutally honest before, but he’s never been so… blunt about it. To the point where it borders rudeness.
He’s not sure if that’s how he really feels, though. Maybe he’s just hensitive (his own word mixing hungry and sensitive which he uses much more than he uses hangry) or being a crybaby like usual.
His attempt at keeping quiet fails him as his mother is knocking gently on his door a few minutes later. “Yuuri, can I come in?” she croons from behind the door. Sniffling, he wipes away the tears and croaks out an agreement.
Slowly, his door slides open to reveal his worried mum. She takes one look at him and slides the door closed behind her. “Oh, Yuuri, my baby…” After settling down beside him, she pulls him to rest on her, soothingly patting his shoulder down his arm repetitively. “What’s the matter?”
“I-It’s nothing, mum,” he tries to assure her. “Just me being a crybaby. Again.”
She hums. “Well, why do you feel that way? The need to cry, I mean.”
“W-Well… Sunshower, he… No, it’s not even his fault. He was just giving me some critiques on my skating, a-and then I… I dunno. It’s stupid… I’m stupid.” He curls into himself again, wiping away the new onslaught of tears. “What’s wrong with me? Wh-Why am I like this? Cry, cry, cry… That’s the only thing I can do, and I can’t even do that right! I’m the ugliest crier anyone h-has the misfortune of witnessing!” Just like that, he ends up bawling uncontrollably even though he doesn’t mean to.
“It’s not your fault that you’re more emotional than others, Yuuri,” his mum cooes, patting his head. “And! Being emotional isn’t a bad thing. In fact, a lot of girls find guys displaying emotions attractive.”
It’s probably said to make him feel better—and in a way, it does—but it doesn’t work for this round. In fact, he starts sobbing even harder. Seriously, does he have a reserve of tears or something? Not only that, he also decides to go with his usual childish, “I don’t want a girl! I… I want Sunshower!!!”
Wow. Real mature, Yuuri. Real mature, he chides internally. Can’t wait for him to meet your immature ass and reject you after seeing what a mess you are. A~nd cue the waterworks once again!
The approaching sound of pitter pattering footsteps race up the stairs and to his bedroom. Without questioning, his sister slams open the door. “Yuuri, your favourite is coming on!”
Sweetly, almost threateningly, his mother smiles at his sister. “Okay, Mari. You go on ahead.” With a shudder, Mari salutes and walks off. His mum then turns back to Yuuri with a loving expression. “Let’s head down before Vicchan goes on the ice, hm?”
Nodding, Yuuri sniffles and gets on his feet. He’s not exactly comfortable with going out when he’s so… raw and ugly, but he’ll manage. For Viktor. It’ll be fine as long as he lays low. Probably. Maybe. Hopefully.
Downstairs is surprisingly quite empty, save for one or two patrons and Minako-sensei, who lifts her beer bottle in welcome. “Yu~uri! So you’ve finally decided to join me!”
The laugh that escapes Yuuri is raspy but genuine. “Yes, Minako-sensei, I’m here to join you.” He kisses his mum on the cheek as a thank you before taking a seat next to his sensei, distantly registering his mum’s receding footsteps.
“So!” she chirps, elbowing him. “Problem with Loverboy, eh?”
Waving his hand dismissively, Yuuri giggles lightly at his drunk sensei’s shenanigans. “No, no, it’s fine. Nothing too big.” I hope.
She eyes him considerably. “Hm… Whatever you say, Yuuri!” Winking conspiringly, she whispers, “Also… Just saying, Viktor doesn’t seem like the type of guy who would do that.”
Snickering, Yuuri counters just as quietly, “Well, it’s not like you know what happened, so I guess you can’t be the judge of that.” He smiles assuringly. “Not to worry, I’ve been told I’m a rather fair and factual judge.”
Snorting, she takes a swig of the bottle. “Oh, yeah? By who?” Before he can answer, the television calls out the next group to take the ice, and Minako-sensei presses her manicured index finger to his lips. “No, wait! Shh, shh!”
When Viktor joins the ice, looking sullen and dejected, Minako-sensei hums thoughtfully. “Is it just me, or does Viktor seem kind of depressed today?”
They watch as he mindlessly runs through his practices, the step sequences having no emotion whatsoever. Yuuri winces. Not looking good. “Nope, not just you.”
Minako-sensei snickers, nudging him again. “Hey, maybe he fought with his soulmate earlier as well.”
Nearly choking on his saliva, Yuuri lets out a few goodwilled chuckles. “Maybe. Imagine that, though. The coincidence of the century!”
While spectating Viktor’s practice, they share a few laughs and comments. Unfortunately, his skating doesn’t get much more emotional after the six minutes, and to make matters worse, it seems his jumps aren’t looking too sharp either. It doesn’t seem to be a good day for Viktor at all.
Sighing, Minako-sensei takes another swing of her beer as the other skaters head off the ice, leaving Viktor on it. He’s chatting with Yakov— No, more like Yakov is reprimanding him, and he’s just agreeing absentmindedly. Which is odd, and it’s evident Yakov agrees because he falls silent for once and simply chooses to glare at Viktor. “Maybe his performance will be better?”
Once the announcer calls out his introduction, Yuuri observes Viktor plaster on a fake smile before turning around to face the audience, arms opened wide in greeting and even waving in a few directions. The audience cheers as he skates to the centre, then falls silent when he gets into his starting position.
It’s obvious from the first note which rings out that although Viktor’s body starts moving with the music, his soul does not. Why? is the question. His theme for this year is a tribute to his soulmate, something that he should find easy to resonate with from how much of a romantic Viktor appears to be in interviews.
Maybe he really did have a fight with his soulmate, Yuuri muses internally. Viktor’s on his final spin combination. He isn’t displaying a lot of emotion, and the ones that seep through his mask don’t match the music. Well, at least his technicality is perfect.
As Viktor strikes his ending pose, Minako-sensei clicks her tongue in disappointment. “Nevermind. What even was that?”
Just as confused, Yuuri shrugs. “I bet he’ll still score pretty high, but definitely not the best this season.”
Minako-sensei raises her bottle. “Hear, hear!”
Like predicted by the Gods themselves, Viktor gains most of his points from his technicality, and combined with his excellent short program the day earlier, remains right at the cream of the crop where he’ll rest for the remaining event.
Internally, Yuuri’s rather smug that he won his one-sided challenge with his other half. See, Sunshower? Even the best has his moments sometimes.
Later, during the interview, it appears Viktor has miraculously picked himself back together and is acting as his usual self again, sitting prim and proper on his rightful throne in the middle with his glittering gold 1st medal proudly dangling from his neck, blinding everyone who bears witness to the occasion.
Reporters clamour over one another for a chance to get their questions answered, and a particularly lucky one cries out, “Viktor, a question please!”
The Russian beams brightly, gesturing to the desperate reporter. “Go right ahead.”
“What is the reason for your subpar skating today?”
“Oh? Subpar, is it? Hm… Well, I suppose that’s all right if you think so.” Viktor winks, lowering his voice seductively, “I’ll just have to… satisfy you during the Exhibition.”
The following flashing lights cause the gold to glint much more brilliantly.
#
When he ‘comes to’ after the fourth day of not having euneirophrenia, Yuuri finds himself in Sunshower’s living room. He’s always found the house rather cold in the sense that it’s not lived in. Sure, it’s furnished, but there’s nothing that really screams I’m home!!! here. And right there, on the living room couch, sits his soulmate, distressed, hunched over on himself, and oh-so alone.
Abruptly, Yuuri gets a notion: I’ll need to change this once we meet. He isn’t sure if he means transforming the empty house into a well-loved home, or helping his soulmate get over his innate loneliness, but… Does it really matter? In any case, he’ll just do both.
First thing’s first, business. “Sunshower.”
At the call of his nickname, his soulmate practically leaps in joy, scrambling to get over to him. “Grayi!” When Yuuri takes a step back, he tones down his excitement. “What’s wrong?”
“We need to talk about last time.”
He pouts. “Do we? Can’t I talk about how absolutely torturous the past few days without you has been for me instead?”
Normally, Yuuri would give in, but this time, he steels his nerves and crosses his arms stubbornly. “If you don’t want to talk about it, then I guess we won’t talk at all. Yuu—”
“No, wait!” Sunshower yells. At Yuuri’s pause, he closes his eyes and bites his lower lip, inhaling and releasing a calming breath. “We… We’ll talk.”