Icy Highness | Yuzuru Hanyu

41.

Athena woke up before him on the next morning, not surprising since he was so tired after the competition.

The glorious view of his exposed torso graced her eyes and she couldn't help but wish that she could take a picture for future reference.

Leaving him now would be even harder.

They hadn't spoken exactly about what they were and maybe it was for the best. Athena was already missing him and she hadn't left yet.
Sneakily, she got out of his tight hold and reached for her own backpack where one of her sketchbooks was.

With a few pencils in her hands, she returned to the warm, comfortable bed and opened the small book that was already filled with images of him that she has drawn from photographs or even just by memory.

It wasn't hard to draw him by now, the hard part was focusing on each line instead of touching the tempting view in front of her.

Athena wouldn't dare, not when he desperately needed the rest.

She lost count of time as she focused on her drawing and made sure every detail from the reference was properly represented.

The princess was so focused on a few of the shading details that she didn't notice his eyes opening and the questioning look that settled on his face almost right away.

"What are you doing?"

Athena gasped in reaction when she heard his voice and looked at him, she expected him to stay asleep for a while longer, not catching her drawing him.

"Huh... Nothing."

"Not nothing. You're drawing, I'm just trying to figure out if I'm the subject of inspiration."

How he manages to say those things with a straight face was still a mystery to her, but it was still amusing.

"Doesn't matter."

"Let me see"

"No!" It was almost panicked, reminding Yuzu of that one time she didn't want him to see her latest drawing.

"Baby... I know you're good, just show me. You never let me see your art!"

The pout and puppy eyes that he gave her were pretty much impossible to resist, but she still tried.
In the end, it only lasted a few seconds, he always managed to get what he wanted with that look and she ended up giving him the sketchbook.

Not surprisingly, Yuzuru saw his sleeping form captured with just the sheet on his hips, all of the details of his naked torso carefully displayed as if it was a photograph.

"Wow, you're incredible"

"It's not even finished..."

"Let me see the others then."

He was scrolling through the pages before she could stop him and his eyes widened with how many pages had his face plastered on.

"I know it's creepy."

"It's not creepy, what are you talking about?"

"I keep drawing you, it almost feels like I'm stalking you."

"Princess, you don't have to stalk what's yours."

Athena couldn't help but flush at his words. He always managed to make her smile and forget without much effort.

"Whenever I miss you, drawing helps."

Yuzuru nodded in understanding.

"I love these. Come here"

In no time, she was once again nestled against his torso and enjoying it while she could.

"I wish I didn't have to leave."

"I know, love."

"We have to find ways"

"Yes... Would it be bad if I go there?"

"The palace?"

"Yeah"

"I don't know... It could be dangerous if the wrong people heard about it."

"I'm willing to take a bit of danger."

"Yuzu!"

She patted his chest in protest. Didn't he understand how dangerous this could be? How they could probably ruin his career if they wanted?

"Relax, it would be fine."

Only then did Athena voice out every single concern that had been filling her mind in the past months, the power that they had, and all of the possible consequences for both of them.

"Once again, I just wish we were both different people."

"Let them try to ruin this. I will fight for you."

Athena wanted to laugh at his silliness, but this was indeed a serious topic that they were discussing somewhat casually.

"Don't be silly."

"I mean it. What can they do either way? You're afraid of them ruining my career but I'm already an Olympic Champion."

"They can tarnish your reputation, take away your sponsors"

Yuzuru could notice just how stressed she was with this, her heart beating fast, her movements shaky.

"Baby, breathe. Let's take a step at a time, ok?"

Athena nodded and he kissed the top of her head.

"I worry"

"I know... How about this? I could go there but not stay at the palace. I can book a hotel and we figure it out?"

"Aren't you hyper-busy?"

"I will find the time. We're entering the off-season soon."

"I can't even imagine how many days you will have to sacrifice for this."

"You can repay me by coming to Japan too."

"Japan?"

"Yes, I have summer shows and you could come to a few, maybe stay with me in Sendai for a few days, I could show you around."

"What happened to being too famous to step out on the street?"

"It's ok in Sendai, people know me there."

"They won't post my face all over the internet?"

"No, you're safe, I can assure you that."

"I would love to go to Japan then."

It was true, Athena couldn't wait to experience Japan through his eyes. Obviously, seeing him was worth everything else.

Having him in her country was certainly something that she didn't hope for given how it could complicate things but given that he wanted it as much as she did and was willing to take the risk, she could only accept it and take the leap by his side.

Saying goodbye once again wouldn't be easy, especially not now after knowing each other so intimately.

In just a few hours they would be back to texts and video calls, missing the warmth and love that was such a symbol of what they were.

She just hoped they could survive.