The Ice Prince // Yuzuvier Fan Fic

Chapter Fifty Two

Javier:

It was over. It was finally over. The relief, the pride, the exhaustion all hit me at once and it was an overwhelming feeling. I watched Yuzu wobble over to the winners circle, cheeks and nose still pink from the cold and I wanted to hold him in my arms and love him forever.

"I'm exhausted." He told Shoma and then his eyes met mine over his shoulder.

"Yuzu." Shoma shuffled to the side so Yuzu could walk over to my side of the couch. "Congratulations. You are now a two time Olympic gold medalist. How does it feel?"

"It feels great." His face lit up in a radiant smile and I gave up resisting the urge to touch him. He was just as tall as I was in his skates.

"Yuzu."

"Hmm?"

"I want to tell you something." I lowered my voice in case there were any microphones nearby.

"What do you want to tell me?"

"It has been the biggest honour and privilege to skate with you. Actually this is my last competition with you..." I took a deep breath and said the words I'd been scared to say for weeks now. "I'm retiring."

"What?" He gasped in my ear and took a step back to look at me with his big wet eyes. "Are you being serious right now?" I nodded my head because if I tried to speak I was sure I would start crying.

"You are so bad." He said loudly and the wetness in his eyes overflowed. "Oh God." He tried to wipe the tears streaming down his face but gave up after a few moments and pulled me in for a hug again. "How could you do this to me?" He whispered fiercely. "I need you. I can't do this without you..." His hands curled into fists, wringing my jacket.

"I'm sorry."

"I love you." He said with a wobbling voice.

"I love you too." I said back, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist. "I'll always be here for you. And you'll always be number one in my heart. I just can't skate anymore." I don't know if Yuzu forgot that we were standing here talking in front of hundreds of people and the millions who were watching at home or he just stopped caring, but when his lips touched mine I stopped caring too. Yuzu's kiss was soft and oh so sweet. He tasted of tears and spring and I was so happy that this shy little dumpling had let me become a part of his life. He sighed happily when the kiss ended and rested his forehead on mine.

"I'm upset that you did this right now but... if this is what you want, I'm happy for you. Congratulations on your retirement."

"Thank you."

"You're getting old." He teased me.

"Careful. I'll make you regret that later." He giggled softly and then there was a cough next to us.

"Boys, we need to get going. There's still the medal ceremony." Coach Brian said and Yuzu and I gave each other a look before both reaching out to hug him.

"Thanks Coach."

"Arigatou gozaimasu ...Coach."

"Oh." Coach Brian went still briefly. "I don't know what's happening but we should get moving before the journalists descend." The lights around us were already flashing like crazy. It hurt to look anywhere but at Yuzu right now.

"Ready?" I asked him holding out my hand. He didn't even hesitate as he took it.

"Let's go."

"You got balls, Fernandez." Came a loud voice from the back of the dressing room while we were waiting for them to get the podium ready for the medal ceremony.