epilogue

3rd Person's POV

It may seem that years had already passed because of everything that happened when in reality, it had only been a year.

It had been a year since Luna entered through the cold but warm, welcoming doors of TCC. It had been a year since she asked her uncle, Brian Orser, to help her get back to where she was before she retired from skating. It had been a year since she met people she was able to be friends with and make unforgettable memories with them. 

It had been a year since Yuzuru Hanyu was introduced to Luna Saito. 

Her bucket list, topped with the goal of going back to competitive skating, is also filled with probably the most random of things like eating a bar of Toblerone in front of the Matterhorn, sleeping in an igloo overnight, having a fake college graduation picture taken, and learning at least 3 languages. But of course, she also wrote down stuff she wanted to come true like randomly meeting BTS wherever in the world, meeting her favorite artists, helping different charities anonymously, etc. But she never actually expected to do them within the year because for her, skating over anything else. 

Though there were numerous things on Luna's list, not one talked about her wanting to fall in love, get a boyfriend, get married, have kids, and grow old living happily ever after. Just the thought of it made Luna laugh. She was not that selfish. She was not about to hold and tie someone down to her when she's already dying. To her, it was more unfair than her being sick at such a young age. 

But fate decided to play with her. With both of them. 

When Yuzuru popped the question that night during the 2018 Olympics Figure Skating Gala, everyone was taken aback. The moment itself was legendary. Imagine, the two athletes known as the best figure skaters of all time, engaged and will be married. Not a dry eye was seen in the building that day. But not all of them cried because of the same reason.

Yuzuru said that he did not plan to propose to Luna. It was true. It was not until that day he almost lost her. He remembers that day vividly. It was like his worst nightmare coming true.

"Sky. I... I have to talk to you about something." Yuzuru whispered to the man standing beside him. They were outside the emergency room along with Luna's parents, Brian, Tracy, Zhenya, Javi, Jason, Maia and Alex, Shoma, Nathan, and a few more of their closest friends. Sky looked up, glanced at his parents with worry before nodding and letting Yuzu lead the way.

As soon as they were out of earshot from everyone else, Yuzu spoke. "Sky. I want to marry your sister."

Sky who had been in a trance since they arrived in the hospital snapped out of his thoughts. "W-what?" He whispered.

"I know this is not the best time to tell you but... I'm not trying to be negative. Our worst enemy here is time." 

Sky, although he already knew from the start that Yuzuru is the only man deserving of his sister, did not expect to hear this from him. Before Sky could speak up, Yuzuru continued to talk. "I already talked with your parents and Coach Brian. I wanted to tell you because she's the closest to you. I know you think that this may seem too fast or that we're still young considering we're in our early 20's but..." Yuzuru sighed, "I love your sister, Sky. If not now, when?" 

You would think that out of everyone here, Sky would strongly go against Yuzuru's plan. After all, Luna is still his baby sister. 

"Okay." Sky replied. 

"I know you think this is a bad id- wait what?" Yuzuru stutters, not believing what Sky just said.

"I said okay, Yuzuru" Sky repeated himself, "But will you be okay?"

"What do you mean? Of course, I'll be fine. I'm more than okay now that you agreed." Yuzuru said quickly, trying to brush off what Sky actually means as he looked down at his feet.

Sky just sighs as he could see that Yuzuru understood him. And it pains him. "You're the only one I trust my sister with, Yuzuru. I want her to be happy. But I want you to be happy, too." Sky walked past him, not forgetting to place a comforting tap on Yuzuru's slumped shoulders.

Other than Luna's family, no one knew that Yuzuru would propose to her that night. It was more shocking to the people who knew of Luna's condition. Words could not describe how happy they were for the pair but at the same time, tears escaped their eyes from sadness. Seeing two of their favorite people in the middle of their safe haven was absolutely breathtaking. It was like the climax scene of a movie. That of a tragic love story.

Since that day, the pair had been away from the public's eye. Not a single fan or a figure skating enthusiast knew what they were up to, not even media and news outlets. Not until it was announced that Yuzuru and Luna will not be competing at the 2018 World Figure Skating Championships. According to the statements released by their teams, Yuzuru is resting his injured ankle and Luna is taking it slow since she injured her knee during the team event.

February 25, 2018.

"Where are you? We've been waiting for you all day. You know Brian and the others will be arriving tomorrow, you know?" Zhenya's voice echoed inside TCC. 

"Yes, I know. Just give us a few minutes." Yuzuru replied nonchalantly before dropping the call and placing his phone inside this duffel bag. 

-please play the music-

"Zhenya seems as energetic as she was, doesn't she Luna-chan? But believe me, we've been hurting..." Yuzuru said as he carefully sat down on the grass and placed a bouquet of fresh chrysanthemums.

In loving memory of

Luna Saito

May 4, 1997 - February 28, 2018

"Decide for yourself what it means to be happy"

Feeling the cold breeze brush against his face, he caressed Luna's favorite RJ plushie and hugged it tightly, inhaling the scent she left. The sun is shining brightly with no clouds seen in the sky. Yuzuru raised his hand, their wedding ring on his finger reflecting the sun's rays as he tries to block them from reaching his eyes. 

Yuzuru chuckles as he looks down at her tombstone. "Too bad we weren't able to meet your favorite artist in the world together. You even have their lyrics as your epitaph. Though I thought I saw an article saying they recognize you and thanked you because you were a huge fan."

"Everyone is continuing on with their lives, Luna. I'm sure you've been watching from above. Your brother's been making himself busy with studying, like your parents being busy with work. I actually think the three of them are overworking themselves. Also, some of our friends competed at the World Championships. Shoma, Nathan, Mirai, Kaetlyn, and the others. I think they'll be visiting soon and they're coming here with Brian after the Gala tonight." Yuzuru continued to talk as if Luna would reply to her and flash him a smile.

His favorite smile in the world.

"Don't you think you were too mean, leaving me alone just after we got married?" Yuzuru said jokingly. "But I don't regret anything. I do not regret a single moment of my life with you in it, even during that time we fought. I mean, yes I feel bad blaming you for something you didn't do but do you think that everything would've turned out the same if that didn't happen?" He continues.

Yuzuru stares off at the distance, the day when Luna slipped away from his grasp still fresh and vividly replaying in his mind.

Luna smiled as she weakly raised her hand, staring at the wedding ring shining on her finger. She was snapped out of her thoughts. "What is going on inside that pretty little head of yours, hime?" Yuzuru's gentle voice resonated with Luna leaning against his chest.

"Oh nothing. I still can't believe that you married me the day after you proposed. It's ridiculous." Luna giggles bringing her hand down. 

"Why? Are you regretting that you did?" Yuzuru said looking down at Luna.

"Hmmmm... maybe I do- just kidding!" Luna joked around before reaching for Yuzuru's hand. "Saying 'I do' to you was the best decision I made in my entire life." She continued as rubbed circles on the back of Yuzuru's hand comfortingly.

It was quiet. Too quiet for Yuzuru's liking. Out of nowhere, he felt his stomach churn. He got nervous. Before he could speak, Luna was the first one to break the silence.

"Ne, Yuzuru. Thank you. For being selfish, just this once. Thank you for always telling me to put my happiness first. If it weren't for you, I don't think I'd come as far as this. Since you're the one who taught me, would you allow me to be selfish one more time?" Luna whispers as she sat up carefully and looks at Yuzuru as she spoke. 

Yuzuru didn't talk but he felt his lower lip quiver. He's trying so hard not to cry. Not in front of Luna. Luna saw this and immediately her hands cupped Yuzu's face in comfort. 

"Even though we're married, I don't want you to hold back for me. Again. You have a long life ahead of you, love. I don't want you to think that just because you're married to me, you're not going to go out there and meet new people." 

Yuzuru held Luna's hand which was on his cheek before shaking his head, tears already slowly falling from his eyes. This made Luna giggle before placing a gentle kiss on Yuzu's nose and his lips.

"Love. My book has reached the epilogue and I'm telling you, this is my happy ending. You are my happy ending, Yuzuru. But just because my book has ended, doesn't mean yours has to end, too. I'm happy I got to be a part of your story. I want you to explore the world for me. No matter what you want to do, even when everyone in the world turns their backs on you, I'm here. You won't be able to hold me I'm holding you right now but I'll be here," Luna says pointing to Yuzuru's head, "and most especially here." Luna then smiles and places a hand on Yuzuru's heart as she leans against his chest once again. 

"Oh and Yuzu..." Luna's voice started to shake. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I have to leave you alone so early. I wanted to stay with you. You made me want to stay awhile longer but..." Luna couldn't hold herself anymore. Yuzuru could feel Luna tremble as she sobs quietly. For a little while, Yuzuru let Luna cry while he gently caresses her soft, curly hair. 

As her sobs died down, Yuzuru made Luna look at him before smiling. "I love you, Luna. I love you the most in the world."

"And I love you the most in the world, Yuzuru." Luna replies immediately, streaks of her tears still visible on her cheeks. Yuzuru leans in, kissing Luna as gently as he could afraid that the girl in his arms would break anytime. Though it was gentle, Luna felt all of Yuzuru's emotions making her heart ache so bad. 

Pulling away, both of them smile contented in each other's arms. Luna breathes out heavily. "Y-yuzu? Could you sing for me? I'm a bit tired." 

Yuzuru's eyes widened. This was it. But he still tries to deny the reality. "Eh? Hime, you know I can't sing." He chuckled nervously. 

"T-that's not true. Your voice is my favorite sound in the world. W-whenever I hear y-you, I always feel relaxed and at peace. So... please? F-for me?" 

It was painful. It was like his heart was breaking into millions of little pieces. "O-okay then. From now on, I'll sing to you a-as much as you'd like. Whenever and w-wherever we are. Okay?"

Luna just hums in reply, as she squeezed Yuzuru's hand, signaling him to go on. 

"Without you, I feel broke like I'm half of a whole. Without you, I've got no hand to hold. Without you, I feel torn like a sail in a storm. Without you, I'm just a sad song." Yuzuru sang slowly in a whisper. As he continued singing, he could feel Luna's breathing slow down. His voice is already trembling. 

"You're my favorite part of me, with you standing next to me I got nothing to fear..." Just then, he stopped as he felt Luna's body go limp. Quickly, he raised Luna's hand he was holding and as he lets it fall, he realizes that she left. 

It was an agonizing day for everyone who heard Yuzuru's heart-wrenching screams resonating from the hospital room.

"Hime. Slowly but surely, I'll pick myself up. Just... give me time. Give us time. Even though you left us with a smile on your face, I'm still dying on the inside. I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that you're no longer here with me." Yuzuru whispers to the air, no longer bothering to stop himself from crying. After all, Luna always said that it's okay to cry whenever you feel down. 

"I know you can hear me, Luna. This lifetime may not be for us, but I promise you. I'll find you in our next lives. If not in the next one, then the one after that. I won't be stopping until we get the forever we deserve." Yuzuru bravely says and then he stands up.

"We are each other's serendipity... so wait for me."

Once again, the breeze hits his face making him smile. It's Luna saying yes.

-end-

a/n on the next chapter