xxxiv

Luna was right. For about three days, aside from the winners of the different sports during the Olympics, their adorable interaction after the Men's Free Skate has been one of the most viewed headlines yet. After all, who wouldn't be invested in the love story between the two most prominent athletes in the sport of figure skating, right? However, the love story the people are witnessing is just the tip of the iceberg; an iceberg on the verge of completely melting and vanishing. 

"Hey! You okay there? You've been spacing out a lot lately." Coach Brian said to the woman in front of him. Luna was taken out of her trance and wipes the corner of her lips after she gulped down her water. 

"Yeah yeah I'm fine. Just a bit nervous, I guess?" Luna replied, not faltering so as not to alarm her already worried uncle. She put down her bottle and reaches for a piece of tissue. 

"You sure? How about your knee? Is it hurting?" Brian questions. Luna just sighs deeply.

"Uncle honestly, you've been asking that since we started practice. Look," Luna said as she skated away from him and did a few simple jumps before going back, "I'm good. It's not hurting or anything. It feels good as new, really." Luna assured her uncle who just shot her a suspicious look. After a few seconds of an intense staring competition, Brian blinked first and groaned. 

"Fine. I trust you, okay? You know your body the most and I'm just here to guide you. Now go and let's have a final run-through of your short program for tomorrow."

Luna smiled at her uncle before leaning in for a quick hug which surprised Brian. "Thank you, Uncle. For everything." She whispered before skating away to get ready for her last run. It took a few seconds for Brian to register what his niece just did before looking down at the floor, smiling to himself. 

"She loves you the most, you know that?" A voice said, making Brian raise his head. 

"Oh, Sky. There you are. Where have you been?" 

Sky raised his hand which was holding a tray of 4 cups of coffee. "You know how our queen cannot live without her favorite drink, right? We'll get our heads cut off." Sky chuckled, making his Uncle laugh lightly as well. As their waves of laughter die down, they pay attention to Luna who was warming up a few of her jumps and spins. 

"She'll be okay, Uncle. You don't have to worry so much. I can see your eyes tremble, you know." Sky asked with a low voice. 

"I know... but it's just that... I can't help but think it's partly my fault. I should've known. Next to Yuzuru, I spent the most time training with her. Hell, I'm her coach. Her uncle. And yet... It's like I haven't paid attention to her health. I was selfish." Brian whispered with his voice shaking as looked down at his feet again, trying to stop the tears from falling. 

Sky heaved a sigh. "When I first knew, I had the same thoughts. I started to blame myself. After all, the reason I wanted to become a doctor is because of her. To take care of her so that she never has to go through what happened years ago. But look where we are right now, Uncle."

Sky placed a hand on his Uncle's shoulder and continued. "You know before we left for Pyeongchang, we had a serious conversation. She was worried about everyone." Upon hearing this, Brian's head shot up, and looked at his nephew, his eyes widened as if saying to continue. "She never once mentioned about herself. Luna... she doesn't want anyone to think it's their fault that she's in this situation. She told me that once she's... once she leaves, she doesn't want anyone to blame themselves for not knowing. So Uncle, as her brother, I'm telling you this right now. Don't blame yourself for anything. If she knew you were thinking about it, she'd just be terribly sad. Do you want her to... to leave with a heavy heart?" 

Brian and Sky turned their gaze towards Luna who was skating around with a breathtaking smile, laughing lightly at a joke made by Yuzuru who was outside the rink.

"You're right... It's the least we can do for her now." Brian couldn't help but smile fondly at the sight. 

"Thank you, Uncle Brian. For taking care of Luna when I wasn't around." Sky said as he handed a cup of steaming hot coffee to his uncle. Brian held the cup in his hands savoring the warmth emanating from it. He shook his head slightly and cleared his throat. 

"HEY! Are we doing a last run or not?! Do you want me to trash this coffee of yours?!" Brian shouted at Luna which stopped her and Yuzu from giggling.

"Excuse me?! You're the one who's gossiping with Sky! I was only waiting for you to tell me to start!" Luna shouted back, her arms crossed over her chest in the middle of the rink.

"Well, we're done now, aren't we?! What're you waiting for? Christmas? Go!" Brian replied before taking a sip of his coffee. Luna just rolled her eyes in response as she posed and got ready for practice. 

-timeskip-

*knock knock*

"Coming!" Luna said as she stood up from the bed. She looked through the peephole and smiled widely after seeing who was on the other side of her door. Without hesitation, she opens the door widely. 

"Well hello there." Yuzuru said as he took in the appearance of his girlfriend. There stood Luna in all her glory, wearing a fluffy oversized hoodie, socks, and some shorts which seemed invisible because of how long her hoodie is. 

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the two-time Olympic champion, Yuzuru Hanyu. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Luna teased, putting a hand on her waist. 

"Oh shut up. You know I was coming over, we were together the whole day." Yuzuru rolled his eyes.

"Yeah I know," Luna said as both of them burst into a fit of laughter. Noticing how their voices seemed loud echoing through the hallways, Yuzuru said "Let's go inside. We might wake up the other athletes." Luna nodded and moved to the side to let Yuzuru in. 

"So. What movie are we watching?" Luna asked as she plopped down her bed and reached for the remote. Yuzuru followed suit and made himself comfortable.

"A movie? You know it's 1 in the morning and you have a competition tomorrow right?" Yuzuru looked at Luna with confusion plastered on his face. Instead of replying, Luna breezed through the channels on the television as she mindlessly continued to press on the remote. Without even thinking, Yuzuru already knows what Luna is thinking. 

He moved closer and grabbed the remote from Luna's hand. He stood up, turned the TV off, and walked towards the side of the bed where Luna is. Yuzuru laid down, his upper body leaning on the headboard. With his arms wide open, he gestured for Luna to lie down in his arms. 

"Go ahead. Don't hold back." Yuzuru whispered silently to Luna as he held the frail girl tightly, caressing her hair. And with those words, Luna did not hold back. What started as silent tears turned into sobs that cut through the silence of the night. 

"I'm sorry... I'm really sorry Yuzuru. I'm so sorry." Those were the only words that came out of her mouth as Luna cried. She tightly clutched the fabric of Yuzuru's jacket as if holding on to it for dear life. Yuzuru felt this. He looked down at the trembling figure of the woman leaning on his chest. Just the sight of Luna breaking down so hard makes Yuzuru want to cry as well. But he knows better not to. If he were to do it in front of Luna again, it'll just be harder for her. He does not want her to worry about him anymore. This time, Yuzuru wants Luna to worry about herself. So he's the one who's been holding back. For her sake. 

"What are you sorry for, hime?" Yuzuru asked, his hand patting her back as a sign of comfort. 

Luna sniffled before replying, "Fo-for being selfish. If we hadn't met-"

"Woah there. Are you saying you regret meeting me?" Yuzuru jokingly cut her off, placing a hand on his chest acting hurt. 

"Well no, bu-" 

"Then there's nothing else to be sorry for. We met because that's what was planned for us." Yuzuru said smiling fondly at Luna who was looking up at him. "You said you believe in fate, right?" He continued. Luna nodded slightly, her gaze not leaving Yuzuru's face. 

"Then why are you sorry? All of this is happening because it is our fate. Like how you were saying that your leaving is inevitable, means both of us meeting was also inevitable. It wasn't our choice. So you have nothing to be sorry for, Luna. Remember that. If we had chosen differently from all the decisions we made since meeting each other, we wouldn't be here in each others' arms, would we? Do you want that?"

"NO! Of course not... I wanna stay here with you." Luna replied as her voice got softer. 

"Then stay. Don't leave me." This time, it was Yuzuru who was visibly holding back. Luna's tears continued to fall as she chuckled lightly. "Hey. You just mentioned how I told you that death is inevitable and now you want me to stay? You're funny mister." 

"I know... it's just... I don't know." Yuzuru looked down and tried to hold his tears back as hard as he can.

"Hey," Luna held Yuzuru's face gently making him look at her, "Thank you. For taking care of me, for always being there, for being my rock. The times I spent with you have been the happiest I have ever been in my life. I'll never ever forget you, you know."

"Why are you saying this now? It's like you're saying goodbye. Stop. Please" Yuzuru said, leaning his forehead against Luna's as he closed his eyes. His lips visibly tremble to try to stop himself from crying. 

"Well... I don't know when I'll leave but I don't want to go without saying goodbye. I'd be dying with regret if I did."Luna whispered softly with her eyes closed as well. 

"I love you... I love you Luna." Yuzuru replied, slowly leaning in before pressing a tender kiss on Luna's lips. The two have shared countless kisses but sparks flew every time. If they were given the chance to be together for a long time, would sparks still fly over the years? That is one of the numerous questions inside Yuzuru's head. And every single time it pops into his mind, his answer is always yes. A million times yes That's how sure he is that he wants to spend his lifetime with Luna.

But alas. The world is too cruel, isn't it?

As they kissed, they could feel each other's tears fall on their faces. Luna and Yuzuru don't know how to comfort each other with words anymore. They can only do so through a simple squeeze of a hand, a fond smile, a big hug, a kiss. This time, they let their bodies take over instead of their minds to think of comforting words. 

That night, the two slept peacefully in each other's arms, warmth enveloping them despite the freezing weather. Nothing else mattered. Just the two of them. In the morning, Luna's battle starts. 

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CUUUT!

Don't attack me I know I'm late oh my gosh. I'm sorry I've been gone for so long :((( I think I've said this before but yeah, sadly our story's coming to an end. Let's cherish the last few chapters that are coming so send them some love and vote!

This chapter is kind of like a warm-up chapter as I just started writing again after how many weeks? Been writing scientific stuff so I think my artistic writing is rusty but yeah I hope you guys understand :(

To everyone whose been patiently waiting, thank you so so sooo much and I appreciate all of you to the end of the world. If you guys don't mind, I hope you read my other story entitled Abyss too. Been feeling a bit down that that book is not getting as much love like this one :((( 

Anyways, comment, vote, and please do follow me! I want to make Wattpad friends! <3

Stay safe and stay golden, lovelies!✨