100 Ways To Fall In Love

Sabito

ECHOES: "Anyways, I'm Falling In Love With You."

---

My Dearest,

I don't do well in cold temperatures and I get sick easily. But I love autumn, even if this marks the end of another year of you being gone. Another autumn without you.

Yours Truly

---

Sabito was surprised when he heard the familiar sound of steel on ice when he entered the rink.

Of course, it was obvious that you would hear the sound of skates in an ice rink but this late at night? It wasn't usual. Especially because the season for skaters had just started. Most skaters (hockey, figure and speed alike) only made it to the rink during the necessary practice times and gradually ramped it up as the season progressed. So to hear the sound of someone upon the ice this late at night was a pleasant surprise.

Sabito himself had been forced to head back to the rink after forgetting his bag. He usually would have left it but he'd forgotten his phone charger in the bag and wasn't in the mood to play chicken with his phone's battery.

So, after grabbing his bag, Sabito slowly made his way to the rink curious to see who was eager enough to find themselves on the ice this early into the season. While he did want to head home and soak in a nice long bath his curiosity won over. Besides, it wasn't like he'd miss out on much soaking if he was to peek his head into the rink and see who was there.

It could have been a hockey player for all he knew, trying to get some shots up after a shabby practice. Or maybe one of the speed skaters trying to break in a new pair of skates for the season.

It wasn't.

Sabito wasn't sure if he was surprised or not to see you on the ice.

You were one of the newer skaters to the scene, seemingly taking the world by storm two years ago. From what Sabito had heard, you'd originally only come in as a replacement skater partner for one of the skaters that had gotten injured and surprised everyone by stealing the gold with your youthful charm and ultimately the starter position. Every tournament after that was an exciting opportunity to see how you'd one up yourself.

It was a shame that your partner would have to retire after only skating with you for a year and a half.

Well, it was a shame for you.

You kind of remind Sabito of a young child as he watches you skate. Filled with so much innocence and passion as you take to the ice.

Sabito, up to this point, hasn't actually watched you skate. Of course he's seen you skate through brief glances and highlights that they occasionally play on the television but he's never actually stopped and waited to watch you skate before like he's doing right now. Your movements are more fluid than he thought they were and the way you build up to your jumps is a little unorthodox but it seems to work as you soar through the air and spin.

A figure skater through and through.

"Oh, Sabito!" You jump slightly when you spot him leaning against the wall near the edge of the ice, watching you, "I didn't notice. How long have you been there?"

Sabito feels a smile tug at the corner of his lips as he watches you skate towards him with a polite smile, "not long."

Your cheeks flush, though from Sabito's gaze or the cool air of the rink Sabito isn't all too sure, "oh, do you want to skate?"

"Oh, no." Sabito briefly looks down to the skates in his bag, "I just came back because I forgot my bag when I left earlier. I wasn't expecting for anyone other than the janitor and security to be here."