Yes! First one! Anyway, hasn't anyone realized how damn similar Harry and Yuri are? Of course, there are some glaring differences, but they are remarkably similar if you look. And yes, I am chained to the YOI bandwagon, shamelessly.

This is more along the lines of "Harry replacing Yuri/reincarnation". Victor is still Victor, and his name will not be spelt as Viktor because I associate that with Krum.

In terms of time, I will only be pushing back YOI as it's clear it takes place within the 21st century, more than likely close to 2020. Instead it will match with the following information I'm giving:
AIDs: leading cause of death for figure skaters in beginning of epidemic from 1981~1994 before ARVs (anti-retrovirals) and the ART (anti-retrovial therapy) treatment became available
*1995: first drug to reduce AIDs is made

This story was inspired by the one episode in YOI where Victor dodged Yuri before he could come into contact with his nosebleed. I already had various theories on YOI from that scene, and the statements/actions from Yakov and Yurio and others of "if you leave, you won't be coming back/you're still here?/lowering of stamina". I have also read Dance of the Red Death, but I truly did have theories of YOI before I even added the first fanfic of it to my list.

So, enjoy. Btw, check out Strange and Intoxicating -rsa's Dance of the Red Death. It's an truly amazing story that brings up harsh, real life facts of thoughts to light.

In Regards to Love

1. Awake & Drowning

The first time Harry was forced out of Privet Drive, he was four. It was winter and snowing heavily. Such a time was brutal for a child who wore only a baggy dark blue hoodie and too large gray sweats that had to be both rolled and pinned at the waist. At this age, Harry didn't have glasses, nor could he walk well in particular.

Young Harry, as he normally would when kicked out for the past two previous times, made way for London with the spare change tuck in his pocket, given by Mrs. Figg. And as the past two times, the boy jumped on a bus and paid Mr. Holmes. The two had become friends after Harry once asked a tentative question about a literature book. It was then that a friendship between book lovers was born.

"To the library again, Four?" Holmes asked. Since Harry didn't technically know his name, and found it strange anyway, the man made it a point to call him by his age since the boy often forgot for one reason or another. 'Four' shook his head slowly.

"N-No, uh... I was wondering if you could bring be to a different place this time. I love the library, but it gets a bit boring if you've read most off the books." From all the reading he did, he was quite an eloquent speaker when he wished to be. The black haired man nodded, brown eyes glinting.

"Ah, I think I know a place. We're almost there, in fact." It wasn't even fifteen minutes later when Homes pulled up in front of the Lee Valley Ice Centre.

"An... ice rink? I didn't even know London had one." Holmes nodded with a grin. "Yeah, and this isn't the only one. Kinds like you should have something fun to do aside from some reading, so I'll go in and talk to the manager."

They each stepped off the bus and went through the doors. Four could see that to his left was an archway leading to observation spots. To the right of the counter was another doorway, likely leading to the rink itself. The other side of the counter had multiple racks filled to the brim with skates of various sizes and conditions. On top of the counter was a sign reading the times. According to it, the place was closed for another hour.

Holmes approached the counter and rapped his fist to the wood in an irritating beat. "Oi! Amelia, or Johnny, somebody get out here!" A crash followed by a muffled curse, a tall man with wavy hair pulled back into a low bun hopped out, holding his foot. He was lightly tanned with hazel eyes.

"Ugh, Rob, you know I hate it when you do that," His name tag read Johnson S.. The woman's who followed him out, read Amelia S.. She was only slightly shorted than the male, with long blonde hair and blue eyes.

Holmes snorted. "Yeah yeah. Anyway, this kid here," He placed a hand on Four's head. "Often shows up on my bus for some reason or another. Instead of going to the library, he wanted something new. I offered here. I still have to make some rounds, but I can come back to pick him up. S'alright if he uses your rink?"

The couple, no doubt married, leaned over to take a look. Four only blinked at them, though it was clear he was apprehensive by his sudden stiffness. Johnny hummed, lying on the wood while his wife cooed at the child.

"Sure, I don't mind, and Meli clearly loves him already. So kid, can you skate?" Green eyes blinked once more. "Um... I never had, no..." Johnny slammed his forehead against the wood, earning a jump from the boy.

"YOU POOR SOUL!" he cried out. Amelia laughed, gaining Four's attention. "He's a drama queen, child, ignore him. It's alright if you haven't, we can teach you-"

"Actually, we can't," Three pairs of eyes landed on Johnny in question. "Amelia's got to run the counter and I've got to go for an appointment soon." He straightened in thought, rubbing his chin. He then snapped his fingers, grinning.

"Victor!" Amelia blinked this time. "Victor? Our little helper? He's only visiting you know, he wouldn't want to..." Johnny waved her off.

"The kid's been wanting someone to skate with, somebody near his age. He even said it himself that he'd teach somebody so long as he has someone to play with." Then he turned back to Four. "Up for a bit o' learning?"

Four smiled shyly and nodded. Johnny clapped his hands. "Great! Rob, just come back when your rounds are over, Victor and Amelia will take care of the tyke while you're gone."

The bus driver nodded, gave Four an encouraging look, and took his leave. Five minutes later Johnny "call me John!" left, and Amelia went to get this 'Victor' character. Seconds later, she emerged from the back room with a tall child. He had eyes that gleamed, resembling glaciers with startling blonde-gray hair to match his winter appearance.

"Victor, this is the boy I was telling you about. He's four, half your age." She paused. "I'm sorry, child, but your name was never said."

Four cast a look at the eight year old, who stared back in thinly veiled wonder and excitement. Green eyes landed on the building's logo attached to the sign. "C... Call me... Lee, please." Amelia raised a brow at how the answer was worded, but didn't dwell on it, instead smiling.

"Nice to meet you, Lee. Victor here is eight, and his English is a bit hard to understand, but I'm sure you'll be great friends." She checked the clock above the door and frowned. "I have to get things ready for opening. Victor dear, why don't you take Lee here out on the ice? I'm sure he'll fit into your old skates." At his silent nod, she dove back into the back room.

The two children stood in silence for a short while before Victor gently took Lee's wrist, thumb running over the indents on the skin. He guided the younger child to the locker room, of which in the locker farthest to the door on the bottom held a dark blue bag. He opened it and took out two pairs of skates. One pair was smaller than the other, black with silver blades and white guards. The other bigger pair was also black, though had golden blades with red guards.

"If you put s'em on, I'll tie s'em up for you," As Amelia said, his English is hard to understand due to his accent. He also had a lisp, which made it harder, but Lee got the gist. They each sat down on one of the two benches in the room and slipped off their shoes, putting on their skates. Victor strung his with ease and quickness, though Lee didn't even bother to try. His shoes were tied into a knot that he had gotten only twice before, so now he only slipped them on and off.

Victor knelt in front of him and swiftly tied the laces, glancing up with a silent question. "No, they aren't too tight." The older child nodded, standing and balancing easily. He held a gloved hand out, of which Lee took, and easily pulled him to his feet. Black gloved hands shot to Lee's shoulders as he began to teeter, stilling him once more.

"Stand straight 'n look at me," Lee followed his instructions, green eyes meeting a blue-silver. "Feel s'e ground beneath s'e skates. It is flat. Align your feet with the ground." His lisp was quite inconsistent, something Lee took silent notice off.

Lee closed his eyes for only a moment, forcing himself to relax his stance as best he could, knowing that Victor wouldn't let him teeter over onto concrete. He shuffled his feet awkwardly, and soon Victor released him. Lee shifted a bit, but quickly regained balance. He grinned up at Victor, who smiled back.

"Good," he appraised, walking a bit away in the direction of the entrance. "Try to walk this way. Skid with a heel-toe motion." This was a bit harder to describe, Victor knew, but kids usually understood such things in such ways. From how Lee started to do just as he said, he know that his words were received.

Lee smoothly made his way to Victor, though was a bit slow. Victor didn't appear to mind. He smiled at Lee and turned, gesturing to be followed. Lee was led through the doorway to the right of the counter and went down a slope that took a sharp left, just under the observation "floor". There were a few benches here and there, both close to the rink and against the red wall. Victor took off his guards and set them on a bench, gesturing for Lee to do the same before stepping onto the ice.

Victor skillfully hid his laughter when Lee fell with a cough, though Lee glared. he knew what he heard. He slid over and eased the other up. "Keep your feet parallel wi's the ice. Imagine you are walking on a curb or a beam. You have to keep your posture."

A hand gently pressed against Lee's back with enough force to cause him to straighten. Lee placed a hand on the wall's ledge, his other on Victor's shoulder. Victor himself had an arm around Lee's waist, the free hand sometimes gesturing or brushing Lee's shoulder in turn.

"Relax your legs," he told, hand tapping Lee's thigh. The boy made a noise but nodded, breathing deeply for a moment to stay calm. Victor slowly released his hold on Lee and skated back, only a few inches out of reach. "Have you ever skated with roller blades?"

Lee had, just once. Dudley was invited to a birthday party and Lee was forced to go because Mrs. Figg was out. The children had started to think that Dudley's cousin was strange because he only sat in a chair, so Petunia had him skate as well.

The four year old moved his feet as if they were roller blades, keeping a hand on the wall. He moved forward, and once he went across the width of the rink, Victor turned Lee towards him, away from the wall.

"You're a quick learner. Skate towards me now. Same s'ing, just move your body as you shift the weight in your legs." Lee took a deep breath and nodded, releasing the wall. Victor skated backwards a few feet with an expected look on his face. Lee moved his legs and suddenly found himself almost chest to chest with his instructor.

He looked up, both boys grinning. "Very good! Come on, if you can do s'at, you can do more." And so Victor continued to skate backwards, making it Lee's goal to reach him as the first time. It was a hard game, as Victor rarely stopped, and Lee often got tired. But he was stubborn, and he wanted Victor to skate with him and not be a goal line of sorts.

"Ack!" Lee tripped, as his legs were now shaky. Victor moved forward in a blink of an eye, catching the smaller boy in his arms while kneeling. He gazed down at Lee with concern. "Are you alright? I'm sorry, I forgot you were just learning."

Lee, half of his face pressed in the eight year old's neck, shook his head, a rushed feeling leaving him, causing him to be tired. "I-It isn't your fault. I should have asked to take a break-"

"No, I am your instructor as of today, and I'm supposed to know your limits. I clearly knew you were tired and s'at your legs were growing weak, but you seemed too much of a natural... I couldn't see past s'at, and you could have gotten hurt. No Lee, I am the one who is sorry."

The younger boy turned a light pink, easily confused with his red cheeks. Victor stood and easily held Lee in his arms, going towards the rink's opening. "I-I can walk!" Lee exclaimed as Victor stepped off the ice. Victor stared at Lee blankly, but ceased and let him down.

His hands were grasping Lee's shoulder's loosely, and just as his full weight was put on his legs, Victor held Lee to his chest so he wouldn't collapse. He pushed the boy onto a bench, scoffing and sitting himself.

"Can walk, right," Lee put on his guards and pouted, letting out a huff of air. But then his expression turned thoughtful. "Victor?" The boy hummed. "How long have you been skating, and what's that accent you have?"

He shrugged. "About five years. Maybe six. I am Russian, it's a lot colder there than here in Britaniya. I'm just here for the summer. Amelia is my aunt, so I'm staying with her and John. I've only met them this year, so I don't know them very well yet." Lee also silently noted that Victor's lisp was nearly nonexistent if he wasn't worry about anything.

Lee nodded and the two simply sat in a comfortable silence. Just as Victor stood up, possibly to skate, Amelia's voice rang out. "Come get lunch you two! It won't stay hot for long!" The boys smiled and Victor slapped on his guards. When Lee stood, he took only a few steps before he nearly fell. Victor once again caught him before he could land, giving him a wry sort of smile.

"My being the stead it is," he said, shifting Lee so an arm was under his legs, the other behind the boy's back. Lee could only stammer, and when Victor laughed, pout and cross his arms.

When Amelia saw them she gasped and rushed over, throwing a towel on the table. "What happened?! Lee, are you hurt?" Both boys shook their heads, the woman calming down considerably.

"His legs are weak," the Russian answered, placing the British boy in a chair. Amelia giggled at the cute scene, this time even Victor blushing.

"In that case, stay warm!" She gave them each a cup of hot chocolate, and they both made it a point to get a straw, earning another laugh. "You two are so in sync it's amazing!"

They shared a smile. "I suppose so," Victor allowed, sipping at his cup.

The only thing Lee could think of as his body grew warmer was that he now felt empty. He knew something in him awakened while he was on the ice, whatever it was. He loved the feeling, yet it like too much. He wants it again. Green eyes slid over to Victor.

"Vkusno~" Lee grinned wildly and hid it with his cup. Yes, perhaps he only felt that way because of Victor... He'll skate with the Russian forever if it means he can have that feeling once more. Though for that to happen, he needs to actually be able to skate to Victor's level, first.