love spirals

1

The screeching of skates on the ice filled the big arena. Bright lights flooded the rink and were reflected by the blending surface.

James enjoyed the feeling of his feet gliding over the ice so soft, but still being met with resistance.

But ice skating was more than just gliding across an icy rink on skates.

To James, it was like his heart beating and his lungs breathing. Every step he took made the blood in his veins rush and only the cold air held his bones, flesh and skin together. The pain of a fall was irrelevant, he would always get back on his blades, never afraid of trying a jump again and again until it felt like flying.

The ice was his favourite part. It cooled his warm cheeks. It held him upright. It grounded him before he could fly away.

He would always come back to the ice.

Ginger curls swirled by. Despite being still in thoughts he caught his partner's wrist at the perfect moment and swirled her around himself as he had done multiple times. Their synchronised movement gave him enough momentum to lean back, while she squatted down on one skate and stretched out the other leg, hovering low over the ice only secured by James' hand and the force of the spiralling edge. They finished a whole turn before James started pulling her back upwards and towards himself, wrapping her in his arms for a closing spin.

They slowed down and for another second it was just them.

Lily smiled at him. A real smile. Green eyes glimmering softly, cheeks flushed, little curls sticking out of her pulled-back hair.

These were James' favourite moments: the heavy breathing, the rosy cheeks and cold hands, the closeness, the silent "thank you for not letting me fall".

The music stopped and slow clapping brought them back out of their little bubble.

A young man leaned on the railing, his dark hair in a bun with some strands escaping it, but perfectly enhancing his high cheekbones and pale complexion.

"Good enough! Come catch a break!" He grinned at them, obviously satisfied with their work.

The two ice skaters followed that request happily and slowly skated back to the rink's side.

James caught the two water bottles that were thrown towards him and gave one to Lily.

"Thanks, sweetie!" she smiled at him and took a sip of her water. James didn't answer, just broke out into a huge smile behind her back. He couldn't help but notice that she looked quite beautiful in her plain black leggings and shirt, still flushed and now opening her hair which sprung out in tight curls.

Sirius rolled his eyes at him.

"Are you in a hurry?" Lily asked their friend, not noticing James staring.

Sirius was in his second semester of Sports Management at Westminster and assisted their official coach Alice whenever possible. Or whenever Alice didn't want to get up at four in the morning.

Sirius shook his head and offered a helping hand to Lily who stepped out of the rink elegantly. "We are going home together now, yes?" she asked - mostly rhetorically. The Lee Valley ice centre was seated in Upper Clapton, allowing the three of them to take the same tube.

Even though Sirius had a flat in Hoxton, he spent most of his time at James' house - or more accurately - the Potters' house. Lily lived not too far off in her own apartment that was provided by the ISU.

She picked up her sweater and staggered towards the women's locker room with a wave.

Sirius yawned and lazily stretched his hands behind his back: "How are you not absolutely knackered?"