Icy Highness | Yuzuru Hanyu

33.

It felt like it took forever to reach the anticipated week of the World Championships.

They had both been so on edge about it that the days just seemed to be longer and slower.

Athena couldn't attend the short program because of a Royal event but sneakily watched him with her phone and a hidden trip to the washroom.

Maybe it was ridiculous, the way she waited minute by minute to watch less than 3 minutes of skating, but it was just how much he meant to her.

A glimpse of Yuzu was all she needed to have a great morning, even if his program didn't go according to plan.

Yuzuru took a few more seconds in the preparation to get the Pooh on the boards and they penalized him for it. Not only that, he had trouble with his combination which made only one of the jumps count.

Let's just say that ending in 5th after the short was not normal for Yuzuru and it was just silly how much Athena was smiling at the screen given the result.

His reaction to the penalty was hilarious.

And god, that man was gorgeous. His slicked-back hair in the purple costume looked so good that Athena couldn't focus on anything else, even if the score was far from what he certainly wanted.

Later that day, he didn't call her and it didn't surprise her, he was probably busy mopping the results of the morning.

It didn't worry her that much. If Athena learned anything was not to underestimate that man.
There was no doubt in her that the gold medal was still within his reach. This was her man after all.

Well, not officially, but deep down she liked to think like that.

Not speaking to him at that time didn't bother her too much, mostly because she knew they were going to see each other the next day.

She woke up on the day after feeling all giddy. The past months hadn't been easy for either of them and this just felt like the culmination of it all.

The flight to Helsinki was quite short. It was one of the perks of being in Europe where everything was quite close.
Athena had dodged her bodyguards and maids, getting on the flight without anyone else.

The questions could probably be answered later.

It didn't take too long for her phone to start ringing.

"Where are you?" Her father questioned as soon as she took the call.

"Doesn't matter."

"Athena..."

"It's just 2 days dad, I'll be fine."

"You could have warned me. I wouldn't stop you from going."

"I wanted to do this without bodyguards this time."

Athena knew that her dad had lied to her when she went to Toronto. She expected to have the bodyguards there, but there was no reason for her father to keep that away from her and try to fool her. It's exactly why she was doing things like this now.

"If for some kind of reason you end up hurt..."

"I'll be fine. Let me live a bit recklessly once in a while. It's part of growing up."

The king didn't like this one bit, but he had a soft spot for his youngest child and allowed her to do things that her siblings probably couldn't. Not under his watch.

That and he probably could guess where she was given what competition was happening at the moment.

Athena just shrugged it all off and focused on the task at hand. Finding her favorite skater.

Yuzuru had practice in the morning and should be finishing up. The princess hoped for lunch together if he didn't have plans.

She hadn't told him anything, not at what time she was coming and certainly not that she planned on surprising him at the practice rink.

For once in her life, having a title could be useful. She had a useful backstage pass for the whole competition without much trouble and it now allowed her to step into the side of rink and see the last minutes of the session.

Athena had to admit that seeing him in the practice clothes live had a bigger effect than she expected. After all, she had seen him half naked before, but this was for everyone, not just for her eyes.

She patiently waited in the corridor that led to backstage. As much as she wanted to surprise him, it was better if no one caught the interaction on camera.

Yuzuru didn't notice her at first, too concerned about discussing something with his three coaches, completely and utterly oblivious to her silly smile.

It didn't take too long, a mere glimpse was all he needed to make out her face in the midst of the crowded area.

His eyes widened and a smile reached his face as soon as he saw her.

Maybe they should have both been more careful. Maybe he shouldn't have instinctually ran to her and bring her body close.

But none of them cared for anything like that at that moment.

Athena felt his warm arms in seconds. The hug was tight as if trying to place a million thoughts and all of those months apart in a few seconds.

A cough from behind made them part.

"Want to introduce us to your friend, Yuzu?"

The girl noted it was one of the coaches asking.

"Huh...This is Athena."

"Hi"

"Princess, these are my coaches Brian, Ghislain, and Tracy."

Athena couldn't quite figure out why her cheeks were blushing. He wasn't using 'Princess' as a term of endearment, but it certainly looked like it for anyone who didn't know who she was.

"It's nice to meet you all...well, I already know Tracy" she muttered with a nervous smile and watched the coach nod.

"I have to go shower" he told her right after, his arm still wrapped around her. "You will wait a little more for me?"

"What're a few minutes in comparison to months?" She whispered so only he could listen and a grin spread across his face in reaction.

"I won't take too long."

"Don't worry Yuzu, we will make her company." Tracy said with a bigger smile than he liked "I want to hear all about this friendship of yours."

"Tracy! Be nice!"

"I'm always nice!"

"No teasing."

"Ok, Yuzu."

"I meant it."

"I got it, no teasing your girlfriend."