Safe Haven | Yuzuru Hanyu

77.

On the day of the first show, Yuzuru and Emma went very early to the venue.

He had told her multiple times to just stay at the hotel but she was having none of it, arguing that only the staff would be at the venue and that the risks were low.

Sometimes Yuzuru hated how smart she was. Emma always found some argument to whatever thing he was trying to reason her with.

Eventually, she was able to convince him.

There was no denying that everyone looked at her when Yuzuru entered the venue with her by his side. The small whispers were nothing but discrete and to be fair, Emma actually cared less than she expected.

Maybe she was starting to grow immune to what people thought.

She settled comfortably in his dressing room. The couch was very comfortable and he hand quickly shoven some blankets in her direction to make sure she was warm as well.

Emma had to admit that his concern was endearing, even if a bit too much at times.

His girlfriend watched as members of the staff entered the room and ran over the necessary details of the show. She also had to admit they did a good job pretending they didn't see her.

They had to all be wondering who she was.

Well, she was also having fun with the situation but the only one to blame was Yuzuru for not allowing her to do anything else.

Emma had to keep herself occupied and entertained after all.

To be fair, she kept everything pretty quiet with just a few smiles whenever someone stared at her for a little longer.

The only time she spoke was when one of the venue staff members got a bit too close to her man, giving him flirty eyes.

She was right there!

"Honey...." she called out, staring directly at the woman who had her hands on Yuzuru's chest.

"Yes, my love? Are you okay? Do you need anything?"

"Is there someplace I can get some tea here? I feel like drinking something warm."

The truth was that she knew very well that there was a catering section but it was just her way of making that staff member understand that the man she was touching had a woman.

She didn't miss the sly smile on his face as he heard her question. Yuzuru was smart and knew exactly what she was doing.

"I will get it for you, can it wait just a few minutes?"

"Of course... thank you."

Well, it worked in getting the lady to step some distance from her man. Better this way than having her turn on her military glare. That one was maybe a bit too much for these Kawaii Japanese girls.

The lady in question disappeared as soon as it was allowed and Emma had to admit she was very satisfied.

"Should I still get your tea or do you already have what you wanted?" he asked right away.

"I have tea in my thermo." she answered, pointing at the backpack by her side.

"That's what I thought... You do know there is no reason to be jealous?"

"It's not jealousy, I just don't like that these girls feel entitled and allowed to touch you so obviously."

"It was friendly..."

"Superstar, she had that flirty look on her face."

"Flirty? What?"

"Don't tell me you're that blind."

"I mean it, Em. I don't think she was flirting with me."

Emma shook her head disapprovingly at how clueless Yuzuru was. She truly had no idea how they ended up together if he was this unaware of people's flirting.

"Remind me how we started dating?"

"You really want me to remind you of that time at the rink? Because as hot and sexy as it was... I'm not sure that's the kind of conversation I want to have hours before I have to perform."

There was no denying or hiding the deep red on her face when he mentioned that little interaction that they had at the rink. Just to think of how intense things were with them at that time... The sexual tension was for sure released on that day.

"Shut up" she begged him while hiding her face. Yuzuru could only laugh.

"I knew I had to make you mine right there."

"I'm almost afraid of asking why."

"It's probably better if you don't...Huh... Are you sure you don't want anything from the catering? I'm going to do my soundcheck."

"Nah, I'm ok. Can I go and watch?"

Yuzuru sighed but knew there was no way he was able to make her stay in the tiny changing room for the whole day.

"Sure. But bring your mask and the blankets. It's cold out there."

"I know. I have skated before."

He rolled his eyes at her but still gave her an endearing smile. He loved this girl with all of his heart.

Emma ended up settling at the sound table where the MC was already ready to rehearse with Yuzuru. The woman gave them a smile as he pulled a chair for her and made sure she was as comfortable as humanly possible.

"Are you sure this is ok?"

"Yeah, superstar. I couldn't be more comfortable."

"You could be in bed... But I know you want to see."

Everyone around them listened to the interaction but no one said a thing. Between all of the NDAs they had signed and the respect for Yuzuru, he wasn't worried that anyone would speak to the press about this.

Minutes after a bit more fussing, he was finally headed to the ice and skating to a few of the programs he would be performing later on.

Sometimes, in the middle of the performance, he would stop and ask for some tiny adjustments that probably only he could understand. The poor sound team had to somehow figure things out.

Emma spent most of the rehearsal giggling and sending jokes his way that he gladly retributed. Having his girl here was more than her presence, the mood was just different and he felt happier.

"And to think I was expecting a quad axel today..." she joked as he got ready to leave the ice.

"I'm saving it for when you jump a triple by my side."

To everyone around them, the conversation seemed stupid but when he said that, Emma understood what he meant.

When you're all better, we will jump them on the same ice, side by side.