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Luna's POV

Silence. Complete and utter silence. It was as if the world stopped spinning and we were the only ones there. 

"Very funny, Yuzu. Hahahaha!" I replied laughing at what he just said. There's no way he could've meant that. But instead of him laughing with me, he just looked down at our intertwined hands as he softly caressed the back of mine. 

"Yuzu? Say something." I asked cautiously waiting for him to reply.

He heaved a deep sigh and said, "I'm serious, Luna."

And once again, silence filled the air, my eyes widening in disbelief at what he just said, at what he wanted me to do. 

"You have to be kidding. You know I can't do that. We are not having this conversation."  I said as I pulled my hand away from his grasp. I can feel my chest tightening ever so slightly, feeling pain just from the thought of having to quit skating AGAIN. 

"But you said you love me, Luna. Please, just liste-" he said as he tried to reach for my hand once again.

"No Yuzuru. I can't believe you even thought about this." Tears started to fall from my eyes one by one. Out of everyone I know, he should be the one to know that I just can't quit. No.

"JUST LISTEN TO ME." Yuzuru shouted, standing up.

I look up to him, staring at his beautiful eyes that are now brimming with tears as well. My lips could only quiver at the sight of him crying. The sight of him crying because of me is the one I hate the most on the world. 

"Luna. You've done enough. You've proven yourself to the whole world. It's okay. You don't have to do anything anymore. Just quit skating and focus on living a long life. With me. Stay with me. Just wait a few more years and I'll be sure to propose to you. Let's spend the rest of our lives together, okay? Just please... just quit skating and stay with me." Yuzuru said as he slowly kneeled beside my bed, looking at me straight in the eyes not breaking eye contact with each and every word he said. After his speech, he clutched my sheets and ducked his head down, suppressing the small sobs resonating throughout the room.

I was supposed to be happy with what I just heard. I should be jumping with joy. Finding someone like Yuzuru who still wants to be with me even though he knows I'm already dying, its probably something that happens one in a million times. And I'm grateful, I really am. But...

"Yuzu... Look at me." I say softly but he refused to look up. I smooth out his black, fluffy hair. "Look at me please?"

Yuzu looks up, eyes red from the crying. I get lost in his eyes that were sparkling, his tears resembling shining diamonds. His lips are visibly quivering, probably trying to stop himself from losing it.

"I do love you... But I just can't quit. I'm happy with what's happening now. I'm happy with my family. I'm happy that you're still with me. I'm happy with our friends. And even though I know its going to be the death of me, I'm happy with skating. You of all people should know how I feel. Right?" I say softly, as if teaching a mere child a life lesson he could use in the future. 

"But-"

"Skating has been and will always be my life Yuzu. You should know because it's yours too. Listen to me, not as your girlfriend but as a fellow athlete. You're the greatest skater of all time but I know you don't really care about winning as much as you enjoy performing. Winning is just a bonus in the sport. Whenever you skate, it feels liberating isn't it? Jumping feels like you're defying gravity and you're flying.  Training for countless of hours for how many years for a single jump, for a performance that only lasts a few minutes, and actually enjoying it is the best feeling in the world. It is the most rewarding thing ever." I cut him off, my voice shaking with every word I said.

I continue while wiping the tears away from Yuzuru's cheeks,

"Its the only thing that makes me feel like I can conquer the world, that I can defy anything. In my life, I have never been confident in myself and I'm struggling with a lot of things. But whenever I'm on the ice, its the only time I can be myself and let it out. When no one else, the ice will always be there for you. Don't you think so?" 

He nods slowly. I feel relieved that he's slowly trying to understand how I feel. After a few seconds of silence, I say,

"Hey, Yuzu. You want to go to the rink?" 

-time skip-

 3rd Person's POV

"Luna-chan. I really don't think this is a good idea. We should head back before your brother notices we left." Yuzuru said as he held onto Luna's skates along with his. 

Luna just looked back and said, "Oh come on. Don't tell me you're scared of Sky, Yuzu-kun. He won't bite. Don't worry too much. I'll take of him." She continued to waddle towards TCC. 

As they were getting near the door, Yuzu noticed how it was closed and no one was inside. What did he expect, its 1 in the morning. Of course no one's here. He thought to himself.

"Oh boo-hoo Luna-chan looks like its closed. Let's head ba-" 

Luna faced him smirking, holding up a set of keys while shaking them as if teasing him. 

"How did you get those?" Yuzuru asked curiously.

"I go here during these times often the past weeks." She whispered softly as she unlocks the door.

"But didn't Coach Brian reduce your training in the morning already so that you don't push yourself too much? Luna what have you been doing?" Yuzuru said sternly. 

Luna unlocks the front door and opens it saying, "Exactly." 

This girl... What do I do with her. Yuzuru just sighed and smiled softly to himself, staring at the back of her girlfriend who was skipping excitedly as she went deeper inside the building.

Finally, with all the lights on and their skates tied neatly, they start skating in circles in comfortable silence. 

*Play the music!*

Luna went towards her phone and played a soft background music. 

She went to the center of the rink, breathing in deep before skating along with the music, her body moving softly with elegance.

This side of Luna as a skater is entirely different from her competitive side, with this one overflowing with emotions. If there was an audience watching her, they would feel the passion emanating from her body throughout the stadium.

With her eyes closed, her body gliding through the rink with speed but ever so lightly, all Yuzuru could do is just stare in awe, his eyes following Luna's every move. She truly is an amazing skater and watching her now makes Yuzuru admire her more, not only as his girlfriend but more especially as a fellow athlete. 

As the music builds up, Luna started doing triples which looked effortless and flowy. After a spin, Luna stood still before turning back to Yuzuru, smiling fondly at him. She reached out her hand to him, gesturing him to skate with her; an offer he immediately accepted.

Hand in hand, Luna and Yuzuru started skating together as in pairs ice dance. No difficult jumps, no fancy spins. Just the music and the two of the lost in each others' eyes, hands holding each other tight never wanting to let each other go. 

Yuzuru never thought he could skate softly and elegantly like this which is completely different from his other programs. And it was all because of the woman in front of her. He loves it. He loves the feeling of skating without minding other people and just being with the one he wants to spend his lifetime with. 

Their trust grows along with the music, they started to do simple lifts, eyes not leaving each others' gazes while smiling softly at each other. The two moved as if they trained for Ice Dance for years, skating in perfect synchronization. 

Despite Luna trying to hold back, one by one, tears started flowing from her eyes from all the overwhelming emotions. 

She doesn't want to leave. Its too early for her to leave. 

But she can't just say that, can she? Everyone knows she's a strong woman. If she breaks down in front of them,  everything would fall apart. The last thing she wants is for the people she loves lose themselves because of her. No. 

And because she wanted to keep those thoughts to herself, all she could do is to skate her heart out to express her unspoken feelings; a method she has proven to be effective over the past months. 

As the music dies down, the two just spun together slowly hugging each other. Luna looks up to Yuzuru looking down at her while smiling fondly and caressing her cheeks.

Luna returned the smile.

She only thought that these things happen in movies, or at least she never would've expected that it would happen in her lifetime because of her condition but her she is, experiencing her first, and probably her last slow-mo moment in life. 

Yuzuru started to lean down with his hands softly holding the sides of her face, Luna also moving slowly as they close the gap between their lips. And on that moment, sparks started flying. 

It was a soft, gentle kiss that lasted for a few seconds. 

As they pull away, Luna's eyes fluttered open feeling Yuzuru's forehead against hers. Luna's hand move toward Yuzuru's hand holding her face and rubs circles around the back of it before looking at him.

"Remember Yuzuru. The ice will always be our safe haven."

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AND CUUUUT!

First of all, I want to apologize once again for not updating so soon. It's just that online classes have been brutal and today is Chinese New Year which is a national holiday so I got to update!!!! So much for that, but here's the most important thing.

THANK YOU FOR 2.7K READS! Oh my gosh our rank in yuzuruhanyu category is,I think 7? But it actually peaked at 4 and I'm soooo grateful to everyone who's reading this! I really appreciate it. All the comments make me feel at ease whenever I feel anxious during study sessions so thank you so much! Please keep supporting this story!

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!!!

Stay safe and stay golden, my lovelies! ✨