Chapter 4
Present day, 2018
Regulus was almost seventeen and finally on a level he felt confident he could match his soulmate’s abilities. It was now 2018 and it had been eight years since the discovery that gave him the last push to pursue skating. It became a hazard to get their mother to agree to skating lessons, but after being scouted by a coach at a local mall rink and offered the vast economic assets being a successful skater could bring, Walburga was convinced. Since then, Regulus has devoted his life to the sport, managing to rival James Potter, according to the media.
Turns out Regulus possessed a natural talent for skating, and combined with his perseverance, he was not far from becoming unbeatable. While James Potter was still one of the most recognized skaters at merely nineteen years old due to his powerful jumps and unending stamina that granted him the highest technical score each time, Regulus was rumoured to have surpassed him artistically while still competing in Junior’s division. He had inevitably become a being of elegance, gracefulness and fluidity. His bewitching step-sequences were what the teen was known for, capable of captivating entire audiences with a simple flip of his wrist, foot or turn of shoulders. Regulus had a gift for creating music with his slender body, melodies followed him, not the other way around. The poise in which the skater carried himself during every performance allured from the smallest child to eldest veteran, a swan is what they called him. The media was too generous when it came to praising the teenage athlete. “Every time Regulus skates, he does something amazing and incredible and it’s just a huge honour to be able to skate with him, skate after him, especially knowing how he sets the bar,” some junior skater had said in an interview. “The way he can command an audience. He was the only skater that if his program was on and we were in a practice, I had to stand back and I just had to watch”.
Despite both Potter and Black being the most promising athletes modern male skating had to offer, neither had crossed each other during competitions or events, Regulus was just about to debut along with the seniors - where James was inevitably at- and the skating community has been on edge since Regulus’ participation in the events leading up to the Grand Prix Final was announced. The two would finally face each other, much to the media’s relief, that was sure to be a competition and Regulus was looking forward to it.
He was always aware of the effort his soulmate devoted to the ice, the consecutive pain he could feel every time his soulmate involuntarily hit the ice divulged how much work James put into his career, and it was no small amount. The English skater wonders if James is trying to master a new jump, one not done before, he can already master all the ones available so why does he keep falling excessively? Is it too delusional to hope James is attempting to land a quadruple Axel? No one has landed the 4A and its falls surely must hurt even more than what Regulus experiences through their bond. Regulus wonders if his soulmate thinks about him as much as he does. Yes, he does not actually know Regulus but he must wonder why his other half constantly injures himself as well, even though the number of his failed landings have greatly decreased through the years. That was no easy feat, he couldn’t have done it alone, he was grateful for Sirius -much to his mother’s dismay.
Even though it was his coach Yavok and Black’s money, the ones with the most practical influence during his career, Sirius was the substantial moral support Regulus needed to not fall in despair before the daunting Figure Skating world.
“Beautiful form Reggie!”
“What a landing!”
“Come on Reg, no slacking off practice. Remember why you’re doing this.”
“Don't give up Reg, you’re stronger than you believe so, I’ve seen it with my own eyes”
“Remember not to let mother get to your head,
At least twice a week, the older raven haired boy could be seen showing his support through London’s home rink stands. Since Regulus trained under private ice hours, no one bothered both brothers and coach Yakov Feltsman. The Russian coach was a fierce man, hair completely whitened from years of generating the most legendary ice skaters known globally -Viktor Nikiforov and Plisetski among them. Feltsman was just about to retire when he accidentally stumbled upon Regulus Black, he knew natural talent when he saw it and the young boy more than possessed the strenuous poise of a born skater. He resolves to coach one more time.
As time passed Yakov learned many things from both brothers. Regulus was rarely satisfied with his accomplishments and had a greed for improvement that could even match Plisetski’s, Sirius hardly did what he was told but when it came to his brother he was capable of following every detail line by line, it was quite amusing to have learned the latter. Much to Yakov’s resistance, the three formed a close relationship, each with specific dynamics. He reluctantly had developed a deep affection for his student, yet again. With Sirius though, his hair seemed to turn impossibly whiter out of exasperation, but being by his side for long hours for the sake of Regulus' emotional balance, the two grew fond of each other eventually. Yakov knew how strongly Sirius helped the skater after all, considering his detestable home life. Regulus missed his brother in staggering quantities -he kept that to himself though.
Inevitably, at age 18 Sirius was officially disowned. Officially because it had been a subject heavily implied by their parents for a while now. Sirius was habitually too rebellious, outspoken and loud for his own good, his family never appreciated his presence, never truly or genuinely loved him. Being a homosexual on top of it all was their parent’s last straw.
Sirius’ banishment was a rough topic for Regulus, his house felt even emptier now, he was all alone in the giant house but he knew Sirius could’ve never thrived while under the Black roof. He knew that the only reason Sirius stayed was Regulus himself, he had to accept his inevitable absence someday, after all. Realising Sirius was okay helped with his coping, though. Not only okay, his brother was holding up magnificently, taking everything life threw at him in stride. A few days before Sirius was disowned, he received a large inheritance from their uncle Alphard Black, one to surely allow him the lifetime of a prince off duty. Alphard always did like Sirius best, must have been the understanding they found in each other, “homo-to-tomo” was an expression his brother had once used. The inheritance more than helped the older Black, Sirius now rented an airy rooftop apartment in short distance from both the rink and university, where he studied to become a kinesiotherapist. Sirius was completely infatuated with it, who knew his brother would lean towards the medical field? But it turned out to be of little surprise to Regulus though, he was well aware of the intellectual capabilities his brother processes and he covertly admired it.
“Regulus.” His mother called as she entered the parlour, disturbing his train of thought. Regulus was seated on his favourite armchair, green velvet material hugging his slender figure as he petted Leo, the cat was still alive and healthy. He straightened instantly.
“Your father and I conversed. Your position has been decided, you ought to contribute to the Black family business as of now, Sirius couldn’t have succeeded either way and you’ve finished your Junior Skating futile nonsense.
Regulus paled. He knew this was a possibility but failed to see it coming so soon and unplanned, too focused on the technicalities behind his yet to be determined programs for the upcoming season, his upcoming senior debut. He couldn’t quit now, not when he was this close to yet another gold, not when he was on the brink of becoming an unforgettable skater, and not when he was this close to skating on the same ice as James.
“Mother, my career is far from nonsense. I am entering Seniors division the following season.”
“Dancing on Ice is not a career, Regulus.” She retorted sharply. “I will hear no more, Yavok has been dealt with and your place in Oxford already instigated.”
“Yakov?! What do you mean dealt with? What has he been told?” Much to his delight, Regulus and his coach had formed a tight knit close relationship. Feltsman was all bark and a little bit of bite, which Regulus appreciated. Surely enough, he behaved the same way. But he wasn’t ready to let go of the old man, they had still so many goals to achieve and aspects to explore, yet both coach and student knew a situation like this was not far from becoming a reality. It was happening now, and there was nothing they could do, not in London itself or under his mother’s clutches anyways. They had made a plan, you see, and it seemed it was time to execute the dreaded.
“Correspond with my assistant in matters of the major you’ll choose, the choice between an MBA and Law is yours.”
“Fine.” Regulus mustered. It was not fine, nothing about this could ever be fine , but he accepted what his future could look like if this happened. He was not going to quit, not until his body reached its final prime and could no longer hold him up to his standards. He had a plan.
Yavok was tired, enternities of training prime skaters wearing out his ancient resolve. His affection to Regulus and his talent were the only reason Yakov had not retired yet and the old mad needed his rest. They both had come to terms with the current prospect and the coach was possibly arranging the details of Regulus’ course of action just about now, he’s always been a “cut to the chase” kind of man.
As his mother retreated, Regulus dug up his phone from the thin spaces connecting velvet material and began his search for Yakov’s contact, Sirius could be handled with later. Regulus was scared, but he knew his brother would follow him everywhere, they’d tackled the subject before and Sirius suggested his own transfer, Regulus reasoned again his brother was too kind. He found Yavok’s number and opened their flow of conversations instead of ringing, not naive enough to assume his mother was not prying on the skater’s privacy.
[Coach Yavok and Retya]
Retya: Yakov
Retya: What did my mother tell you?
Retya: Are the sponsors agreeing upon the terms?
Coach Yakov: Talked to the sponsors two days ago, plans of action are already being processed, you are lucky your mother called on a Friday.
Coach Yakov: Retya
Coach Yakov: Stop panicking, it is pointless Гавно
Coach Yakov: Sponsors coming to the rink tomorrow, meet you there.
Retya: Thank you Yakov
Retya: See you tomorrow
As Regulus clicked his phone off, he thought of how different his life was about to become. He drew a breath and resolved to an early night, he was not going to do much sleeping tonight so he might as well try his best and hope for his compulsory overthinking not to keep him awake for more than what he was used to during these kinds of nights.
“Пиздец, Retya. ты никогда не опаздываешь.”
From the little Russian he had picked up from his coach, he could tell that was a swear. Yavok caught sight of Regulus ready to sprint down the short path from the entrance to the rink’s pristine tables. Two sponsor representatives and a lawyer stood next to Yavok, each in formal wear similar to his own. Regulus was late. Not so long ago, his mother had come across him in wake of exiting the Black house and questioned his fixed clothing. Regulus lied. He told his mother he would be visiting his future University's premises and she let him leave with an egocentric expression decorating her unkind face, her high cheekbones looked even sharper. Yet, here he was, about to meet with his sponsors for the final details of his next steps.
“I apologise for my delay, thank you for the help in such short notice.” Regulus said as he morphed face to the charismatic yet elegant figure the public expected, a facade he was used to portraying, after years of dealing with the press and all sorts of fans. The sponsors, already charmed by the handsome boy’s mannerisms, offered their greetings and they all proceeded to the table where all processings would take place. The lawyer opened his briefcase and presented contract papers, straight to business. They had no time to lose. All men present repeated the terms, for formalities, and proceeded to sign their agreement. It was no big deal, it was all to help Regulus’ career after all. Regulus was to compete in the following seasons while the sponsors provided financial aid. It’s not that Regulus didn’t have money of his own, he possessed quite the large sum in fact, due to his skating. But wasting it all on living costs and rentals would not be essential for the future Regulus had planned for his schooling and after retirement. Regulus was no fool, he would study Business Administration, not for the Black business but for the prospects his own professional career would bring in consequence.
He was to move out when he turned eighteen, in less than a month, and would continue his online education until graduation while applying for a student visa in Detroit, where he would train away from the influential power his mother had. The visa was no trouble, the British Athletic Federation had many contacts, after all. Yakov would finally move back to St. Petersburg in the wake of his retirement, and Viktor Nikiforov along with Yuuri Katsuki will take upon the responsibility of coaching Regulus. They coached together in their own rink, Nikiforov focused on jump technicalities and power while Yuuri overviewed step sequences, foot work and artistry.
“Yakov,” Regulus started as the three formal figures retreated. He looked down to his coach, now taller and almost a man of his own.
“Regulus” Yakov Feltsman responded, he breathed deeply as is preparing himself for one of his long remarks, he didn’t use Retya this time, so he knew the man was serious. Retya was a diminutive Yavok had started calling him ever since the scare of 2015. Regulus had suffered a minor injury and being on the business for so long Yakov didn’t bat an eye, it was a common occurrence of the sport after all. That was until the true force of his mother’s wrath was present, not to Yavok but Regulus himself. All members of the Black family belonged to pristine appearance and she wouldn’t deal with ugly scars. The mother didn’t beat the child in front of his coach but when the next day Regulus stepped on the rink with fading bruises not familiar to the one’s of the ice, Yavok’s heart broke. The coach was still rough and demanding, but careful not to puncture the boy more than his mother already had. Regulus was always obedient nonetheless.
“I trust that you will continue to succeed, you have a lot to learn and I’m sure Viktor will do you good,” Yakov went on, his Russian accent heavy on his tongue, Regulus was used to it by now. “Be obedient, don’t slack off, if Viktor get dramatic go and get Yuuri, if anything happens go and get Yuuri, Yuuri is the only voice of reason in that rink.”
Regulus let out a laugh at that. It was known to every skating enthusiast that in Viktor and Yuuri’s relationship, Yuuri was the calm and sensible one while Viktor reeked of brash impulsiveness. Them combined worked miraculously.
“They are good and Viktor has come a long way as a coach but you have to allow him to know you. Both of them. If they know your essence they will help you go far, their drive is emotions and passion, learning that will take your programs to a next level, one you’ve never been on before.”
Regulus was at a loss of words. His coach never spoke this emotively other than when his anger got better of him -which was most of the time. How could he respond to that? He knew the day he’d have to leave his coach would come, he accepted it even, but moving on from the only elder person who believed in him was resulting to be complicated. “I will, I’ll try my best,” was the only response Regulus could come up with, he was never one of too many words, always on the quiet and reserved side. But Yakov understood, he’d always known what Regulus was feeling somehow and at this moment he knew his student needed comfort, as well as him -much to his annoyance. Both coach and student ran at the sight of sentimentality, but now it was needed. Yakov pulled Regulus onto the first and only hug they would ever share and silent tears gathered up in both of their eyes, Reg’s was the first to break down. Eight years and this is how it would end.
“Please come to the Rostelecom Prix Event” Regulus sobbed out as he felt Feltsman’s nod.
The coach and his student separated, went for a coffee near the rink to spend as much as they could together. They separated after a heartfelt goodbye that had many onlookers shooting worried glances at the pair. Regulus had never believed he would ever see the Yavok Feltsman cry.
Regulus tumbled with the keychain containing his brother’s apartment keys before he found the correct one and opened the door to the large apartment. Sirius was chatting with a stranger he met on the internet through text. They had met a while back on a Figure Skating Reddit forum and continued to talk as time went on. If Regulus remembered correctly, Sirius had rapidly befriended ‘Skating_werewolf’ when the older Black was fifteen, the stranger was one of his brother’s only friends and Regulus worried about the lack of information they had in this so-called “friend”. Sirius respected the guy’s privacy so that was enough, it’s not like they would ever meet in the flesh.
“Don’t you have anything more productive to do on a Monday afternoon than texting that guy in your phone”
“Nope,” Sirius said, popping his lips in the “p” consonant while turning to give Regulus his full attention.
“What are you doing here anyways, shouldn’t you be on the ice?” His brother looked down to check the time, it was 4:30.
“Reggie you’re so late!! Yakov will cut your head off!”
That comment spurred an array of emotions inside Regulus, but he kept his face as stoic as always. “We’re moving to Detroit, mother has done it.”
Regulus had expected many reactions from Sirius when delivering the piece of news that would change the course of the brothers’ life, but not this. Sirius' lips formed one of the most genuine smiles Regulus had yet to one across from his brother, and it only kept growing. Sirius could blind entire audiences with his facade one, his true smile was a sight to behold from his handsome, sharp features.
“Finally that old hag! What did she say? Did she force you to quit? Did she kick you out of the house? Wait no let me guess-“
“…Sirius”
“She finally pissed Yakov enough that he has decided to kidnap us and fl-“
“She bribed Oxford Uni for a guaranteed place for me.”
Sirius burst out laughing so manically that he managed to fall off the couch and hit the floor. His breaths came in quick succession and it seemed like he was struggling for air. Regulus had to admit, it was funny and predictable coming from their mother, also it was really nice to see Sirius uncontrollably laughing yet again.
“The family business!! Should’ve guessed. Those bastards were about to force me to study business before I left”
“They disowned you , you disgrace,” Regulus added playfully “Not just outright left.”
“Well I would’ve but you know how I like to be a nuisance to your life as much as I can” Sirius added a wink to his statement before standing up to make themselves a cup of tea.
“Want a cuppa? When are we leaving?”
“Yes, and a week after my 18th. August 11”
Done with the kettle, Sirius turned to his brother and sat on the marble counter as he waited for the water to boil. “I’ve been waiting for the old hag to make a move for so long. Not that I want to leave dedushka, of course, but the man needs his rest and we need to get as far as possible from Walburga.”
Sirius had taken to calling Yakov “Dedushka” after the coach yelled at the elder boy for calling him “ol’ grandpa”. His brother rushed to google translator and his face lit upon discovering the word for “grandpa” in Russian.
“She’s made our life miserable enough, right?” Sirius continued.
“I guess, if I stayed at that house for a little over a year I would've bust,”
“That’s the spirit, Reggie!”
The kettle ticked and Sirius made his way to make his beloved cuppa. “Have you started the apartment hunt yet?”
“I haven't, we both have to like it. We’re sharing, right?” Regulus had yearned for living beneath the same roof as his brother and he was not going to miss out on this opportunity. He could still move out if he disliked the arrangement either way.
“Wouldn't have it any other way”
“But look at the balcony in this one Reg!”
“Frankly, I’m fine with either. You choose, it's not that hard.”
Sirius and Regulus had begun apartment hunting a while ago and had rapidly chosen between two living spaces. Their requirements were that the apartment had to include three chambers -an extra was needed for Regulus' small home gym- with at least two bathrooms, a laundry room, an open connection between the living room and kitchen as well as policies in favour of pet residents. Distance was also a crucial factor, the latter was to be near Sirius’ transferring university and Regulus’ new homerink.
“No it’s not easy ! They both have the same amount of pros! Barely any cons!” Sirius whined loudly as he put the paper to his face and crashed back down on the couch, Regulus remained seated upright.
“Right, like you could call what you wrote cons .” The skater rolled his eyes as he recalled his brother hastily jolting down ‘No doughnut shop near’ and ‘the building garden looks atrocious’ .
“I swear if you don’t choose now I’ll let a coin flip decide. They have practically the same things, the only downside to all this is living near Americans .” Regulus continued drily.
The two boys looked into each other's eyes and grew smirks of their own before they burst into uncontrollable laughs. Their culture could not be that bad, right? Detroit was a river away from Canada after all.
“At least there’s Viktor and Yuuri, they’re international too and probably like it there, judging by the fact that they stayed.”
“Yeah yeah yeah, well I'm just thankful to finally leave that atrocious house. Pick a damned place Sirius. Now ”