Fanfics

xxxviii

17:28, 9 July 2021

3rd Person's POV

"The last skater from Canada, please welcome, Luna Saito."

With a smile and a nod from his uncle and coach, Brian Orser, Luna skated towards the center without forgetting to smile and wave to everyone. Though the arena erupted with deafening cheers, it was no doubt that they also held their breaths for the young lady. As of now, Alina Zagitova is in the lead in terms of the total score as her free skate score and Zhenya's are tied at 156.65.

Even though Luna's in the lead after the short, she still needs to top that 156.65 free skate score from Alina to have a chance of snatching the gold medal. That's what the commentators are probably saying as Luna thought to herself. More exactly, she needs at least 156.33 to win the gold. But she has decided. She is NOT going to win a gold medal with such a narrow gap.

She needs to surpass her season's best which is 151.67, the score she got back during the Canadian Nationals. How is she going to do that? Well, that would mean an absolutely flawless skate, GOEs of no less than 4, and her choreographic, step sequences, and spins not leveled down to 3. 

Everyone inside the arena knows that. Tracy and Brian know that. Javi, Zhenya, Jason, and all of her friends know that. Yuzuru knows that. But he doesn't really care about her score now, does he? Her coming back to him is the most important thing right now. Yuzuru wants Luna to win, he believes he can, but he also wants her back in his arms safe and sound. 

Yuzuru's eyes tremble while biting his lip as Luna poses in the middle of it all, getting ready to start her program. 

*play the music*

As soon as she started, everyone was immediately entranced by her graceful and elegant movements. Just like the music, she looks magical on the ice. If it weren't for all of her jumps placed on the second half of the program, people would mistake it as an ice show performance. 

From her toepicks up to her fingertips, her perfect posture and face full of emotions, no one would think that she's dying. One could only imagine the pain she had to go through when she had to quit the thing she's most passionate about in the world. Although she came back, she still faced countless challenges both physical and emotional just to get to where she is now. 

But all of that pain immediately washed away thinking about the memories she made when she got back to skating. Luna made friends she never thought she would; friends that would go to the moon and back just for her. Of course, not to mention her family who was nothing less than supportive. Luna can never thank them enough, especially his older brother Sky, for being there all the time whenever she needs him. Though they bicker and argue a lot, Sky is the most reliable person Luna has. Coach Tracy and of course, Uncle Brian who has been patient with her since day 1 as everyone knows Luna's probably the most hard-headed skater they have. Luna thinks she's actually memorized all the pep talk her Uncle gave her throughout the season. 

With those thoughts running through her head, she passes through her step and choreo sequence without a problem. It was probably the most perfect one she was able to execute even before when she was a junior while she was physically healthy.

Unconsciously, she smiles to herself thinking of nothing else but the people who have made her life worthwhile. After executing her combination spin, she now transitions to the second half of her program. Once again, despite the deafening cheers, the ooh's and ahh's, the crowd is still holding their breaths. 

The first combination, quad toe-triple toe both done with a Rippon. The crowd goes wild as Luna finished the jumps with fluidity and elegance. Immediately, she enters her next jump, a triple axel. Of course, she lands it without strain as well. 

If she were to skate and think like she has been doing the past few days, even during yesterday's program, Luna would be minding the abnormally loud and quick pounding of her heart right now. However, she doesn't. And as she is Luna, she's pushing herself to pull off the skate of her life; one that everyone would enjoy. 

After landing her third and fourth jumping passes which are a triple lutz-triple loop followed by a quad salchow without a hitch, she comes to a realization. Wide-eyed, Luna realizes she forgot the real reason why she came back to the sport. For the past weeks and months, she became filled with greed and ambition of winning every single competition.

Triple flip, followed by a triple axel-triple toe landing them as cleanly as she can, she remembers. Luna remembers. She came back to live her life to the fullest and enjoy it while she can. She is fully aware that she is dying and she was not about to just stay secluded in her room waiting for it to happen. 

However, falling in love was never a part of her plan. Luna knew that it would be unfair to whoever it will be to have a relationship with her. She even promised herself that she would only make friends. But look where she is now. The girlfriend of the one and only, Yuzuru Hanyu. She couldn't help it. Yuzuru couldn't help it. Nobody could have. It was like fate doing its own thing and everything fell into their right places. 

Does she regret going back? Of course not. 

Does she regret meeting everyone? Hell no. 

Does she regret not getting treated? Hmmm. Maybe not.

One thing Luna wishes to have been different is the outcome. Even though she accepts her fate, she wishes she could stay a bit longer. Why didn't she and Yuzuru meet earlier? Did fate think this was the perfect timing?

Despite all these questions, the doubts, Luna is still thankful. What are the chances of being able to meet, train, be friends, and eventually fall in love with someone as strong-willed, humble, and caring as THE Yuzuru Hanyu. Luna could go on and on about the things she loves about Yuzuru but even if she wanted to, she knows she's running out of time to do so. 

Her legs feel like jelly but the adrenaline is not making her feel it. On the other hand, Coach Brian and Tracy have been holding back their tears. The same goes with Zhenya, Javi, and Jason who were watching their friend from afar. Yuzuru wanted to take his eyes off of Luna. He wanted to look away. He doesn't watch to watch. But how could he do that? More than everyone else watching her, he was enchanted by Luna's every move. He knows Luna is in pain but she's doing so well hiding it. Or maybe she's not even feeling it right now. So he's done being selfish. If this is what Luna wants, he'll be with her no matter what. 

Though she feels her steps staggering coming into her final jump, Luna just shook it off and powers through. Taking the leap of faith, she goes into her quad loop.

And the crowd goes wild! Just a little bit more. She pushes herself to her final combination spin and before you know it, the cheers inside the arena became louder than before if that was even possible. Luna stood in the middle of it all, tears starting to flood her eyes. It rained RJ plushies and chrysanthemums. Her favorites. Everyone gave her a standing ovation, even those who were rooting for other skaters. How could they not? They have not seen such a flawless skate since Yuna Kim. 

Yuzuru wanted to cheer too. So did Sky, Brian, Tracy, Zhenya, Javi, Jason, and those who knew of her condition. But they couldn't. They were anticipating the worst. Well, except Yuzu. He and Sky were leaning against the barrier of the rink, worried looks etched on their faces. The crowd was cluless.

The adrenaline rush was wearing off. It normally wasn't supposed to yet. She expected it to all go away after her scores are announced. But no. Luna felt her heartbeat out of her chest uncontrollably. The pain is unbearable. She can't hear anything except for a high-pitched flat line. It's getting harder to breathe. Before she knew it, it was like the world fell on her shoulders and her eyes widen at the feeling. Luna quickly turns around and sees Yuzuru. And like she always does, Luna gives Yuzuru a warm, reassuring smile. 

And just like that, it feels like the world fell on Luna's shoulders before she could even bow.

In the middle of the rink where everyone sees her as the strongest, she collapsed.

In the middle of the rink where everyone sees her as the strongest, they've seen her weakest. 

"LUNAAAAA!"

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You guys, I apologize. I am absolutely horrible at cliffhangers so yeah. I hope I tugged at some heartstrings while you read this. 

We're almost at 10k reads and I still CANNOT believe it. THANK YOU ALL SOOO MUCH! 

Don't forget to comment and vote as we finish this book with a few more chapters to go!

Stay safe and stay golden, my lovelies!!! ✨

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