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WHO: Adachi and Viktor
WHERE: Heropa ice rink
WHEN: Christmas
WHAT: Adachi's had one hell of a year because of Viktor.
WARNINGS: Sappy. Just purely sappy.

[ Adachi was nervous. ]

[ No, nervous wasn't quite the word for it. Full blown, nearly panic attack levels of anxiety was a more apt description of what he was feeling. It was so bad he got to the rink two hours early from when he was supposed to, and when the old man finally yelled at him for pacing around in the lobby area, he went down to sit on the benches with Riza... only he ended up pacing back and forth down there too, Riza looking back and forth as he paced. ]

[ He paused once the owner got up to leave, not in the mood to stick around to watch. He tossed Adachi a spare copy of the keys, briefly telling him where to go to turn off the lights, before leaving. That was the moment when he decided it was best he at least start warming up... and he warmed up again... and finally he started pulling his skates on so he could get his nervous energy out a little bit. ]

[ By the time Viktor would arrive, Adachi had been doing circles for at least a half hour, not really focusing on the practice, his mind floating around a million disaster scenarios for what was going to happen next. ]

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[ Viktor's a little confused when he gets to the rink a few minutes before the appointed time and finds the owner not there, but he shrugs it off with a yawn, still waking up from his nap. He'd taken two that day, one in the mid-morning and another in the evening so he wouldn't be so tired for Adachi's midnight skate idea.

He enters the rink area fairly quietly, eyes drawn to Adachi on the ice, watching him critically and fondly as he created his forms against the ice. When Adachi next looks up, he'll find Viktor there, elbow on the rink barrier, chin in his hand as he smiles at his friend. ]

[ He's definitely gotten better -- not professional, certainly, but the work he's put in definitely showed. He was carrying himself more like a skater on the ice as well, and the fact that he's not using rental skates anymore stands out. ]

[ Adachi came to a stop when he saw Viktor, red blades flashing against the ice as he did so. He grinned broadly, drifting toward him. ]

Hey. I'm glad you made it.

[ He smiles more brightly once Adachi sees him, standing up from his hunched over position on the barrier. ]

When did you get new skates? They look almost like they belong to your Persona!

[ Adachi let out a little chuckle, absently tapping the blades against the ice. ]

A couple months ago. I got them special ordered.

[ He folded his hands behind his back. ]

I figured it would be a good idea; start taking it seriously, you know?

[ Viktor gives a dramatic GASP. ]

Tohru, you never told me!

[ Adachi let out a laugh, sticking his tongue out teasingly. ]

You're not around when I practice. Because you actually sleep at night.

[ Sleep was for the weak. And people that didn't like coffee. ]

Besides, it's all part of my surprise.

And you sleep in the mornings. I can't help it that my body is used to decades of strict training.

[ He's about to stick his tongue out right back, but he blinks in surprise instead. ]

Surprise?

[ Adachi let out an amused laugh, a bright smile on his face. He calmed after a moment, though, his face turning a faint shade of pink as he lowered his arms. ]

Ah... I really invited you out here because I've been working on something... t-that I want to show you...

[ He hesitated, worrying his fingers. ]

I um... I-I wanted to do something special for you... to show how important the things you showed me and taught me are to me.

[ Adachi paused again, before tugging absently at his workout clothes. ]

...I-I couldn't get a costume though. I looked up some of the ones people have dressed up in on this world and that was a little too much for me.

[ Viktor's eyes widen as Tohru keeps talking, his jaw slowly dropping open. ]

Tohru ... you've done a program for me?

[ Adachi peered up at him, nodded his head shyly... before he erupted into full out nervous babbling. ]

I-I can understand if you're not interested! I mean, I'm barely an amateur so it's going to be nothing special at all but--

[ Viktor please stop him before he melts himself into the ice and disappears. ]

[ He does, reaching out to press a finger to Tohru's lips, his smile looking fit to burst on his face. ]

[ Adachi let out a surprised noise, before he hunched his shoulders sheepishly. He reached into his pocket then, fishing out the controller for the sound system and handing it off to Viktor. ]

If you could do the honors...

I'd love to.

[ Viktor takes it before he moves along the barrier, towards where he would normally stand as a coach so he has the best vantage to see the program. ]

[ Welp. It was finally time to do this for real. No pressure or anything. None at all. ]

[ He managed a weak smile, before skating toward the center of the rink, taking up his starting position. ]

[ Once Viktor clicked the remote, something familiar started playing over the speakers. Like Adachi said, the program itself wasn't anything special -- he was an amateur, and he just knew one jump for sure -- but there was so much more than just the technical part of his performance. What he lacked in skills with jumps he made up for in making sure every movement was polished and perfect, training himself night after night to ensure that. ]

[ But it was more than even that. Adachi had a story to tell with what he was doing, and it showed in every little twist and turn he made. He was showing that his wings were broken, but with Viktor's help, he managed to find the will to put them back together, enough so that he could fly again. It meant so much to him, because there was no way he would have been able to come this far without Viktor's help, personally or professionally. ]

[ When he finally made it to the end, he held his end pose, breathing hard. His lungs felt like they were on fire, but he was almost afraid to look back. This was so weak compared to anything that Viktor could do, he was probably bored out of skull watching it. ]

[ Adachi might be surprised to hear the sound of skates on ice rapidly approaching in his direction over the sound of his heavy breathing. If he turns quick enough, he'll be able to at least catch a glimpse of Viktor's face before Viktor collides into Adachi, wrapping his arms around him in a fierce hug. ]

[ Viktor would be treated to a surprised squeak at that, Adachi trying desperately to keep his footing. But considering that he was being collided into by a big human puppy, that was pretty much a useless endeavor. They both ended up flopping over onto the ice, Adachi just barely having the peace of mind to cling back to him. ]

Uh... h-heh... was it okay?

Edited 2018-01-14 15:33 (UTC)

Tohru! That was more than okay!

[ The response was muffled, Viktor still hugging Adachi and had yet to let go despite falling on the ice. ]

[ Adachi let out a sheepish laugh. ]

S-sorry there weren't more jumps. I just... I wanted to try and make up for my lack of know-how with what I felt and...

[ There he go, rambling again. ]

[ Viktor released Adachi then, one hand on the ice so he could put enough distance between their faces to look at him. ]

Tohru, it's not about the jumps or how many there were.

[ Adachi took a deep breath, like he was going to try and say something more, but he ended up letting it out slow, sinking into a sort of sheepish hunch. ]

I know, I know; it's about the message you're trying to send, right?

[ A smile crept up onto his face. ]

I take it mine got across?

[ He smiles back down at him with an almost goofy smile. ]

Couldn't you tell it did?

[ Adachi slid up a little so he could prop himself up on his elbows. ]

I was a little worried. I know I'm not the best at communicating, and... well.

[ This was all new, from what he was doing to what he was trying to say; that he understood what family meant now because of Viktor, that he understood what Dojima and Nanako and his brat nephew had been trying to show him for over a year now, and he was going to hold onto that feeling no matter what. ]

[ Viktor pulled back until he was sitting upright on his knees, letting Adachi sit up as well. ]

Mmm, you're really not! And yet you found a way to tell me in the language I knew best.

[ Adachi ducked his head a moment, a sheepish smile on his face as his face pinked faintly. He finally looked back up at him, that smile a lot more at ease and bright and just happy. ]

...thank you, Viktor.

You've already thanked me, Tohru. Even before this program for me.

[ Adachi laughed softly, before reaching up, wrapping his arms around him in a tight hug. ]

Heh... there's only one thing after finally doing this.

Edited (Curse you, HTML!) 2018-01-18 05:40 (UTC)

[ He hugs back fiercely. ]

Only one?

Yeah.

[ He pulled away a little, flashing him an amused smile. ]

I dedicated so much time working on this, I'm not sure what to do now that I don't need to.

You keep skating, of course. You do it for yourself.

[ That grin got impossibly brighter at that. ]

Yeah... that sounds good.

[ He pulled away, just enough to nudge him playfully. ]

Maybe I'll try amateur stuff.

You could! They do have a league or two in florida. But you'd really need to tighten up on a few things. Like that toe loop entrance!

[ Adachi stared for a long moment, before letting out a groan, flopping dramatically back on the ice. ]

Uuuggggh...! The only jump I know, and I still haven't gotten it down!

You're still learning so it was fine for a beginner! You just need to refine it now.

Mm... yeah.

[ He pushed himself back up, grinning. ]

I think I'll poke around and see if I can find a coach. So I can actually learn more and get better.

We can still skate together too, right?

Of course!

[ Adachi flashed him a big smile. ]

It's all your fault I'm into this in the first place. There's no way I could pass up chances to skate with you.

I'll gladly accept that blame!

[ Adachi let out a laugh, pulling himself up to his feet, before offering Viktor his hand. ]

C'mon; may as well skate a little, right?

Mmm! It wouldn't be my birthday without some skating.

[ Viktor takes it, going slower than he normally would since he ran out on the ice in his regular shoes first, oops. ]

[ Adachi looked down at his shoes, before he let out a snort, keeping by him so he could make sure he didn't fall over as they made it over to the barrier. ]

You dork.

[ He's spent enough years on the ice to know how to walk across it okay, it's just slower than normal walking. ]

What!

You are!

[ Adachi laughed, gliding along with him to make sure he made it back okay, before going to skate around a bit. His limbs felt exhausted after everything, but it was the good kind of exhausted. ]

I never disagreed.

[ They make it back to the edge, and Viktor moves to put his skates on. ]

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