[Winter; Ice Dancing] Requiem for a Dream 1.1
Title: Requiem for a Dream
Author: mara_ciro
Rating: PG (just because of possibly triggering things)
Fandom: EXO/f(x)
Pairing(s)/Focus: Krystal/Lay
Length: 17,031 words
Summary: Yixing and Soojung have an Olympic dream, but a life-changing injury forces them to make a choice
Warnings: [Spoiler (click to open)]post-concussion syndrome
Notes: I’ve only been a fan of figure skating for more than a year. I confess that among the four disciplines under it, ice dance is the one I’m least familiar with. Writing this has been both fun and educational. For more information, I made some notes here (link to notes page).
- Many thanks to Bea, Trisha, Yuki for helping make this possible, meaning making my Google Doc consist of 80% fic, 25% screaming/commentary, and 25% helpful advice.
More information and notes about this fic can be found here.
Yixing pinches himself as he skates into the rink at the Gangneung Ice Arena. As the announcer calls his name, he hears the crowd roar and the applause that comes with it. Coach Im gently pats him on the back before he skates to the center of the rink. He lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding as some members of the audience wave their flags and banners with his name and face on them.
He’s about to skate in what is possibly the biggest competition in his life, in a country he has come to call home. His heartbeat goes into overdrive, but a gentle squeeze of his hand reminds him he’s not alone. That’s why he has come to love ice dance-his partner has his back, and he also has hers.
The music starts to play, and the least they can do is to give the home crowd a show they can be proud of, and possibly never forget. He-no-they have come a long way to get to this point, and there’s no way he’s going to mess this up for both of them.
Yixing is only six years old when his mother drops him off at All Star Ice Rink, Solana Mall in Beijing. Their family has just moved from Changsha to Beijing and there’s no one she can trust to watch over him while she and his father are working. His mother is left with no choice but to leave him at the first place she sees bustling with lots of activity. Whether it’s to give him something to do after school or an attempt to get him to make new friends, Yixing doesn’t know. He clings to his mother’s leg, hoping that someone will save him from whatever it is his mother is up to as she talks to a pretty, skinny lady who looks to be the same age as the actresses in those evening dramas his mother likes watching.
Before he realizes what’s happening, he finds himself wearing a pair of skates and is being led to the ice. “Try it, you might like it,” his mother says as she pushes Yixing into the rink.
Yixing feels the tears in his eyes as his butt hits the cold, hard ice. A shadow looms over him, and he looks up at the lady person his mother was talking to before she pushed him. Instead of laughing, she pulls him from the ice and shows him how to skate without falling. He’s not particularly interested in skating. But then, he might as well try and learn something while he’s here.
“At least you only fell once. Now, try doing it without me,” the lady says as she lets go of his hand. “Just do what I told you and you should be fine.”
It’s not so bad, Yixing admits to his mother when she picks him up an hour later. By then, he can skate without holding on to anything. He’s not particularly excited to go back, but at least it’s more fun than sweating because of trying to shoot or kick a ball.
Despite this, he finds himself returning to the rink almost daily. He has befriended Im Yoona, the nice teacher from his first day. It turns out she’s a former member of the Korean National Skating Team and now works as a coach and choreographer for the younger members of the Chinese National Team. She’s at the rink to look for students who could possibly have potential to join the team.
Yixing doesn’t give it much thought until he catches the telecast of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Although Russia’s Alexei Yagudin wins the competition, it’s China’s representative Li Chengjiang who catches his attention. If someone from his country can skate for the world to see, then so can he. After all, no one’s ever see a figure skater from Changsha before. He can be the first skater from his hometown, and nobody can stop him.
Since then, he finds himself looking forward to his lessons, as each one is one step closer to his dream of being the first skater from Changsha. One year later, Coach Im invites him to try out for the national team, despite her comments on the lack of strength in his jumps. He finds himself training harder than ever, and soon enough, he finds himself moving from his home to the Capital Indoor Stadium where the most of the national athletes train and live. He eventually befriends Song Nan, who has been skating for much longer than Yixing has.
Despite the additional help he got from Nan, his jumps still lack the strength and height that his coaches would want to have, but his coaches always wish his maturity and artistry would rub off on the rest of the team. After years of finishing close to last during Nationals and at the Junior Grand Prix circuit, his coaches encourage him to try ice dance. (“There’s no jumping,” Coach Im tells him. “And you can show off your talent better.”) Yixing doesn’t really have a choice, especially if he wants to keep his Olympic dreams alive.
He is paired with training mate Wang Shiyue. They’re good friends and they think they work will together. However, they end their partnership in less than a year due to the lack of chemistry their coaches want from them. Shiyue ends up with Liu Xinyu, while Yixing loses hope after the fifth partner he’s tried in three months.
One day, Coach Im suggests that he searches for a partner in Korea with her. Yixing isn’t interested in representing any nation other than China, but the bloodbath of at least fourteen ice dance pairs during the 2012 nationals makes him shudder. (“If you represent Korea, you are more likely to represent them in international events,” Coach Im says as they watch Korean Nationals over the Internet. “See? Besides Kim Yuna in ladies, there’s not much competition there.”
Besides, he also can’t say no to Coach Im’s promise of authentic Korean fried chicken.
Once Yixing arrives in Korea, he doesn’t get the fried chicken Coach Im promised him. Instead, Yixing is whisked off to the Taeneung Training Center, where he will be staying. Coach Im tells him to get some sleep, since he’ll be starting his Korean and English lessons the following day and meeting his partner in a week. He also meets his roommate, singles skater Kim Jinseo, who can’t speak a single word of Chinese. In fact, Yixing butchers his name after Coach Im introduces them, while Jinseo accidentally swears at Yixing when he meant to say “nice to meet you.” But they manage to communicate (and laugh) through translation apps and sign language. If this is how things go, maybe coming to Korea isn’t so bad after all.
By the time Yixing and Coach Im arrive at the rink in a week’s time, the first people he sees are a couple and a girl with long black hair tied in a ponytail. Yixing shudders as the girl’s steely gaze lands on him. He takes a step behind Coach Im, who chuckles as she pushes him forward.
“Yixing, meet coaches Aaron Lowe and Megan Wing,” Coach Im says, as the couple stands up and shakes his hand. “And this is your new partner, Jung Soojung.”
Soojung is a former singles skater who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She changed federations from USA to Korea due to her parents’ relocation back to Seoul a few years ago. According to Coach Im, she switched to ice dance earlier this year because of the depth of ladies singles skaters.
Their coaches like whatever chemistry it is they see between them during the tryout, and soon, they also meet their manager Shim Changmin. Yixing has arrived at a good time, Changmin says, because the Korean government is willing to grant foreign athletes dual citizenship so that they may compete at the Olympics in the future. There’s no way they will qualify for Sochi, but they can aim to qualify for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics instead.
As a team, their first assignments are the Junior Grand Prix events in Bosphorus and Germany. They end up missing JGP Bosphorus event as they’re still waiting for the International Skating Union to grant permission for Yixing's change of country. Luckily, he is cleared to represent Korea just in time for JGP Germany. They finish in fifth place at their debut in Germany. They also make their first appearance at the World Junior Championships at the end of the season and finish in twelfth.
The following season, also known as Olympic season, they compete at the Junior Grand Prix events in Slovakia and Austria and finish in fourth place in both competitions. During Korean Nationals, Yixing and Soojung place in second behind Min Yura / Timothy Koleto and ahead of Rebeka Kim / Kirill Minov. Although Kim Yuna, Park Soyoun, and Kim Haejin are the only figure skaters representing Korea at the Olympics, the entire Team Korea ends up having a sleepover at the dorms watching and cheering for their idol and their friends-not to mention, screaming in outrage at the results. Soojung and Yixing also end up being selected to represent Korea at the Four Continents Championships, where they place fifteenth, and the Junior World Championships, where they place sixth.
Yixing and Soojung make their senior debut during the 2014-2015 season. Their first competition is the Nebelhorn Trophy, where they place fifth. At the Finlandia Trophy, they place second in total and become the second Korean ice dancing team, after Rebeka and Kirill, to medal at an ISU event. They receive two Grand Prix assignments, the Skate Canada and Cup of China, where they place seventh and third respectively-winning Korea its first Grand Prix medal in ice dance. At Korean Nationals, they end up in second place behind Rebeka and Kirill. They get selected to compete at the Four Continents Championships in Seoul, but they fall short of a medal on home ice by placing in fifth. Although Rebeka and Kirill are chosen to represent the country at the World Championships in Shanghai, Soojung and Yixing end up going in their place due to Kirill’s unresolved boot problems.
A tenth-place finish at their first senior World Championships is the best a Korean ice dance team has ever achieved. It’s not a medal, but it’s impressive for a rookie team in the senior level. The warmth of Soojung’s hand is the only thing that keeps him steady among the flashing cameras aimed at their direction. Who’d have thought that finishing within the Top 10 at Worlds would end up with invitations to participate in ice shows, TV appearances with the rest of the team, and several magazine interviews?
“It’s still all so surreal. We wanted to do well at the World Championships, but we weren’t expecting to rank that high. We were up against the Grand Prix Final medalists, and a bunch of of our other idols,” Soojung answers writer Son Seungwan of Vogue Girl Korea on the set of their shoot for the magazine. “I don’t know about Yixing, but I was starstruck getting to skate at the same gala with some of the skaters I look up to.”
“Besides being starstruck, seeing and competing against our idols also showed me how much work we have to do in order to catch up with them,” Yixing adds. “We have a long way to go if we want to become medal contenders for the Olympic games.”
“Yes, of course… Let’s talk about next season. Do you already have any plans for at least your short dance? Especially since the new short dance was announced before the World Championships?”
“We’re still working with our choreographers on music choices. It’s the Ravensburger Waltz for the upcoming season, so it will be a bit more difficult than what we’re used to doing,” Soojung admits.
“But it’s going to be exciting. And look at the bright side, at least the season of paso doble is over!” Yixing adds with a laugh.
“Thank God for that!” Seungwan exclaims as they laugh. “You have no idea how many times #ceasethepasos trended on social media!”
“As long as #ceasethewaltzes doesn’t become a thing this season,” Soojung jokes back.
“You mentioned that some of your competitors at Worlds were some of your idols,” Seungwan says the minute they all stop laughing. “Who are some ice dancers you look up to?”
“Hmm...definitely the reigning Olympic champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White of USA and Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada,” Soojung replies. “I love how both teams are so passionate when they skate. I’d love to take notes if ever I’d get the chance to watch any of these teams train.”
“I agree with Soojung, but I also have to add Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean of Great Britain,” Yixing adds. “Besides being legends, I love how much creative input they had in their programs and how they always seem to be able to tell a story. That’s our ultimate regret, I guess… not getting to compete against legends like those three.”
“Most of the skaters you mentioned are those who have already retired or taken the season off, but are there any particular skaters you got starstruck by at Shanghai?” Seungwan asks.
“Maia Shibutani, Elena Ilinykh, Madison Chock and Kiira Korpi are definitely more beautiful in person. Photos and videos do not do them justice,” Yixing says as Soojung laughs beside him. “And of course, I’m Chinese, so seeing Pang Qing and Jian Tong will always make me starstruck.”
Yixing doesn’t like that shit-eating grin on Soojung’s face and feels his ears turn red the minute Soojung starts to talk. “You should have seen how much he was stuttering when he was asking to get photos with Kiira and Elena!” she says in between giggles. “He could barely get the words out that I ended up asking them on his behalf!”
Yixing rolls his eyes. “Shut up, Soojung. Please. Who was the one who needed Soyoun and Haejin to go with her to approach Joshua Farris and Guillaume Cizeron?” He smirks as Soojung starts hitting his arm, muttering at him to stop. “Not to mention, trying not to squeal when you finally had photos with Yuzuru Hanyu, Denis Ten, and Javier Fernández? But my favorite part was you muttering ‘Alex Shibutani, why are you so attractive?’ every five minutes.”
“YAH!” Soojung shouts as Yixing laughs, getting out of the headlock she tried trapping him in. “I wasn’t the only one! Soyoun and Haejin were like that too!”
From the corner of his eye, he can see Seungwan smiling at them. “You’re so lucky, Soojung seonsu!” she squeals. “I wouldn’t blame you at all. He IS Alex Shibutani seonsu… If I were in your place, I’d probably be making weird faces and noises after the photo was taken...”
Once their laughter dies down, Seungwan hums. “You two are quite comfortable with each other, almost as if you’ve known each other all your lives. How do you two manage to get along? I mean, Soojung seonsu grew up in America and Yixing seonsu came from China, places with two very different cultures and languages. Did you ever have any incidents wherein you misunderstood each other because of these differences?”
Yixing and Soojung exchange glances before laughing. “We’d be here all day if you asked us to tell you everything!” Soojung says in between giggles.
“How about the one you’ll never let each other live down?”
It’s a month after Yixing and Soojung first team up, and they have just relocated to Vancouver for training. One day, as he’s about to exit the rink, Soojung shouts his name as she runs toward him.
“Yes?” he asks, hoping she’ll just say what she wants and go. He’s tired and hungry, and his whole body aches. All he wants to do is go home and watch re-runs of awful dramas while Skype-ing with friends from home in China. Is having a relaxing evening too much to ask for?
Besides, it’s not like they talk much outside of practice, even when they were still in Korea. Back then, Soojung always hung out with the lady singles skaters, while he would go with Jinseo, Junehyoung, and Minseok. Maybe he’s at fault for not getting to know his new partner better, but she also hasn’t made a move to befriend him, so they’re even. He can’t help but blink at her as she blocks his way to the exit.
“Dinner. You and me,” Soojung says in her best attempt at Mandarin.
Her eyes penetrate deep into his soul, and Yixing shudders before he can stop himself. It’s not his fault Soojung looks like she can kill him. He makes a mental note to ask the lady singles skaters for tips on how to not cower in fear when Soojung looks at him.
“Come to dinner with us,” Soojung says without much preamble, this time in Korean.
Why does Soojung suddenly want him to join them for dinner? They’ve always gone to dinner without him before so why is today any different?
“Ex…. excuse me?” Yixing asks.
“Let’s. Go. Have. Dinner,” Soojung says as she rolls her eyes and acts like she’s eating.
Yixing frowns. His understanding of Korean isn’t the best, but Soojung doesn’t need to treat him like an idiot. “I understood you the first time,” he mutters. “But why?”
Soojung sighs. “Can’t I actually want to get to know my partner?”
Yixing blinks as Soojung takes his hand. This is probably the longest they’ve talked outside of training. But then again, they don’t share a common language yet. And now, they’ll be going around the streets of Canada and the thought of having to speak English out there makes Yixing’s eye grow wide.
“Zhao Kai is paying, don’t worry,” Soojung adds, apparently thinking he’s worried about money. “Madeline says they wanted to welcome their new training mates... and you never go out after training as it is... so… yeah… Let’s go?” Yixing takes his hand away from Soojung’s grip and gulps.
“I… I don’t know,” Yixing mutters, shaking off Soojung’s grip while hoping she will just think he’s weird and leave him alone. “I don’t go out at all…”
“Come on, Yixing, I know that,” Soojung sighs as folds her arms across her chest. “We haven’t seen much of the city yet and there’s no training tomorrow.”
“No thanks, Soojung,” Yixing sighs as he looks around to find a way around her only to find none.
“Just for tonight? Please? If you don’t like it, we’ll leave you alone.”
“But we have to speak ENGLISH!” Yixing hisses, gesturing his arms to illustrate his panic.
“So..?” Soojung asks, tilting her head to the side. “What’s the problem?”
“English is hard, Soojung!” Yixing groans at her as he slumps against the wall. “I don’t get it that much. I’d rather not speak it if I can get away with it!”
Yixing’s ears and neck suddenly got hot as Soojung raises her eyebrows at him and giggles. “That’s it, Yixing? You don’t go out because you don’t like speaking English?”
“Yes, Soojung,” Yixing sighs. “Now will you please let me be?”
Yixing gulps as Soojung’s grin suddenly turns sinister. “Nope. All the more reason you’re coming with us. You need to practice!” she says as she takes his trolley bag with one hand and his hand with the other. “Madeline! Zhao Kai! Wait for us!”
Yixing is too tired to struggle as his stubborn partner pulls him to the door. This is going to be a long, long night.
“Your English and Korean have improved a lot since then,Yixing seonsu. At least you’re not that much of a hermit anymore, are you?” Seungwan remarks as Yixing pulls Soojung closer to him. “Not to mention, Soojung seonsu seems comfortable speaking in Mandarin, as I saw during both the Grand Prix circuit and the World Championships. Also, you two are friendlier with each other now than you say you were in that story. How’d you two eventually get along?”
“Ever since that night with Madeline and Zhao Kai, I realized that I should have understood the mental place Yixing was coming from,” Soojung answers. “I mean, I was once in his shoes, when I first moved from LA to Seoul. If it wasn’t for Soyoun, Haejin, and Hojung reaching out to Rebeka and me when we first came, I don’t know how we’d have lived! I thought that maybe I should do the same for him.”
“Soojung started being nicer to me and helping me with my Korean and English lessons, and she also introduced me to what is now my favorite fried chicken place” Yixing adds with a chuckle. “She’s fun company once she melts her ice princess persona.”
“I just didn’t know how to approach you back then!” Soojung protests as she laughs. “I have to admit Yixing’s brand of weirdness and forgetfulness is endearing once you can actually wrap your head around it.”
Seungwan nods. “That’s good to hear. After all, some teams hardly hang out with each other outside training. Don’t you two ever get sick of each other?”
“Sometimes, we do,” Yixing jokes as Soojung pokes his dimple with her free hand. “We have friends both part of and outside the team to go with when we need space from each other.”
“How often do you need space from each other?” Seungwan asks.
“It’s usually when the stress and fatigue of training get to us,” Soojung replies. “You know how there are some days we just need to see something that well… isn’t the rink? That’s what happens.” Yixing blows at Soojung’s hair as she pauses, smiling and looking the other way as she glares at him.
“But it’s just a day or two at most,” Soojung continues, rolling her eyes at Yixing. “Besides, it’s weird ending the day without saying goodnight to each other. Even when we fight, we usually forgive each other by the end of the day.”
Yixing follows the direction of Seungwan’s eyes on their intertwined hands. Soojung’s long hair tickles his shoulder as she leans on him. Yixing can see the smile on Seungwan’s lips-it’s the same one Soyoun, Haejin, and Hojung have when they’re planning something.
“I know you’d rather not answer any personal questions, but I feel like there’s something I need to know. Some ice dance teams tend to get married in real life. Case and point, your coaches Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe,” Seungwan says, her grin getting wider with each word she says. “So, are you two dating or not?”
“I can keep it off-record if you want?” Seungwan adds, looking at Changmin who just smirks at Yixing and Soojung. He’s trained them long enough for them to know how to answer, but this is the first time a reporter has actually asked about their relationship status. Most of them are content to ask about their training and how they intend to prepare for the next season, and probably try and create some sort of rivalry angle. Some have asked about their ideal types. Then again, there’s nothing to hide. Yixing turns to Soojung who smiles at him before she turns back to Seungwan.
“Yes,” Soojung says, smiling at Yixing, who sees himself reflected in her eyes. “We’re dating.”
Yixing chuckles at the slight surprise on Seungwan’s face before she smiles. “Well, you guys certainly didn’t beat around the bush,” she chuckles. “Since when?”
“Our fellow athletes and our fans have been nothing but supportive. We’re not idols who have to hide our relationship,” Yixing answers as Soojung snorts. “Honestly, I can’t really remember, since the lines between love and friendship just kind of got blurry. It just came almost naturally to us.”
Son Seungwan is one of the few reporters genuinely interested in figure skating and ice dancing, but no one can say no to a love story. Maybe this is why both Yixing and Soojung only chuckle as she asks her next question.
“Who said ‘I love you’ first?”
“I did.”
Once Yixing and Soojung manage to get over that bridge of being skating partners to friends, life has actually become more fun. Living in Korea has become more bearable, and he doesn’t find himself missing his motherland that much. Although he still has Skype conversations with his family and friends, he doesn’t get as homesick as he used to anymore. He still misses them, but he finds himself talking to them about nothing but Soojung. When they first met, a love life was on the bottom of his priorities. It still is, but somehow, seeing Soojung being friendly with other boys always makes a small part of him irritable and miserable.
Yixing and Soojung are walking at a park during one of Team Korea’s MT sessions in preparation for the 2014-2015 season (also known as the only time the KSU would turn a blind eye to drunk minors), as well as an intimate goodbye party for Yuna. They have just escaped a wild game of Nunchi in favor of getting some fresh air.
“Who’d have thought that Queen Yuna could drink so much?” Yixing laughs, as they hear Yuna’s yells of ‘CHEATER!’ all the way out here.
Yixing blinks as he hears some of of war cry before Minseok crashes into them and breaks into a run. Behind him, Yuna uncharacteristically screams at anyone who’d listen to get out of her way as she chases after him.
“That was… something,” Yixing settles as Yuna’s back disappears from their line of sight. “Hopefully, someone in the hostel got that on camera.”
“I know, right? “I have never seen Yuna unni so drunk and angry!” Soojung nods before she falls on her knees laughing. There’s something contagious about her laughter that Yixing ends up falling to the ground, laughing with her.
“Hey, Yixing,” Soojung says once their laughter dies down. “What was the craziest thing you’ve ever done while you were drunk?”
Yixing chuckles as memories of his last Christmas in China come back to him. “I don’t drink,” he confesses. “My alcohol tolerance is weak, as I discovered one bottle of beer can take me out. That’s why I avoid anything to do with alcohol.”
“I guess it’s improved since then,” Soojung says. “You’ve already had god-knows-how-many shots of soju and we’re still having a coherent conversation.”
“I guess so, but then again, we were all targeting Yuna noona so…”
In the middle of their conversation, Yixing’s hand finds Soojung’s. This isn’t the first time they’ve held hands, but that was during practice and when they’re in crowded places. They’re not in practice and there’s not large crowd that can make them get lost. There’s suddenly butterflies in Yixing’s stomach and he lets out a loud breath. Soojung’s slim fingers fit well with his own. It’s a different feeling than he’s used to, but he likes it.
This feeling is short-lived as Soojung tries to move her hand away. Yixing isn’t sure whether it’s the alcohol giving him extra courage to be selfish just once, but he tightens his grip on her hand and tugs her closer to him. He looks down at Soojung and sees her cheeks are slightly flushed and a tiny small plays on her lips.
Yixing can’t help but smile as Soojung’s hair blows in the wind. The way the moon shines against her clear skin, making her look angelic despite wearing a blouse and shorts instead of a halo and wings.
“很漂亮” You’re beautiful.
He tucks the stray strands of Soojung’s hair behind her ear, like he sees the leading men do in those romantic dramas he and Jinseo would not-so-secretly watch in their dorm room.
“What?” Soojung asks, frowning at him and Yixing curses to himself. He wasn’t supposed to say that out loud. Maybe the alcohol is affecting him more than he thinks as his brain-to-mouth filter is weakening. He can only wish she can’t hear the pounding of his heart as she leans closer.
“Are you more drunk than I thought, or are you just speaking in Chinese?” Soojung frowns. “Maybe we should go inside?”
“J-just speaking Chinese,” Yixing stutters. He’s not in the mood to go inside yet. This is one of the few times he has Soojung to himself outside training, and without anyone else interrupting.
Soojung lets out a soft sigh of relief. “If it wasn’t for your smile, I almost thought you were swearing at me earlier,” she chuckles. “When you speak in Chinese when talking to your mother, sometimes, you sound like you’re angry with someone. But you aren’t fighting with her every time she calls, right?”
“No,” Yixing laughs. “But I have to say that to me, English sounds like you have food in your mouth all the time. So many ‘Shhhh’ sounds.”
“I do not have food in my mouth when I talk!” Soojung shakes her head laughing. “Are we seriously going to have a somewhat-drunken conversation about languages?”
“We’re already here, so we might as well?” Yixing laughs. “You’ve been teaching me Korean and English, so why don’t I try teaching you Chinese this time?”
“Are you sure?” Soojung asks, raising an eyebrow at him. A small part of his heart feels shot at her doubt in his sincerity.
Yixing frowns as he pokes Soojung’s arm with his free hand. “When have I ever let you down?”
“You’ve dropped me from lifts, stolen my food, woken me up in the middle of the night to ask me what a word means,” Soojung mutters, ticking off all his wrongdoings with her fingers. He rolls his eyes and sighs as Soojung says all the bad things she’s convinced he’s done. He barely catches her whisper “... not taking any hint about my feelings” before she looks away.
Not take any hint about her feelings? Yixing blinks as Soojung lets go of his hand and stares at the moon above. Soojung’s never been the type to show how she really feels, preferring to adapt a blank face to almost everything. “What do you mean?”
“What do I mean what?” Soojung asks, with her back to him.
“Nothing,” Yixing says. Pushing Soojung to talk about things she’d rather not deal with is asking for trouble. “Still want to learn Chinese?”
When Soojung doesn’t respond and continues to walk away, Yixing sighs before an idea hits him.
“我为你心跳 我为你祈祷 (My heart beats for you, and I pray for you.)” Yixing sings the first song that comes to mind. He almost cringes at his choice, but at least, it’s in a language Soojung barely understands. “因为爱让我们能遇到 (It is because love let us meet).” Soojung may be an ice princess, and Yixing potentially embarrassing himself is the only way he can get her to speak to him again.
Soojung stops in her tracks, but she still doesn’t face him. At least this is a little progress. Emboldened by this, Yixing continues. “因为你开始燃烧 痛才慢慢治疗 / 我要和你拥抱 牵你的手一起去奔跑 / 你存在的这一秒 会不会是我依靠 (It is because you passion is starting to burn now, the pain is slowly cured / I want to embrace you, hold you hand and run together with you / This second that you exist in, will it be my support?)”
Yixing blinks as Soojung chuckles. “Now you’ve got my attention, what did you just sing to me?” she asks as she turns around to face him.
She is going to judge him for life if he ever tells her what he just sang. Yixing needs to distract her from that and opts for something else.
“Nothing really,” he says, hoping she can’t see his ears turning red. “I… I just felt like singing?”
Soojung raises an eyebrow at him. “Your hands are shaking. Tell me, what was that?”
Yixing mentally curses his tick of shaky hands when he’s caught in a lie. He needs to try another approach. Now isn’t the best time to tell her what he just sang to her.
“It was nothing,” he sighs, wishing she’d just drop the topic. “It’s just some random song that came in my head.”
“Now I’m curious,” Soojung says, as she walks toward him. “Teach me?”
“It’s a drinking song, one my friends would often sing back then in China,” Yixing says, the first excuse entering his head.
“Liar, you just told me that you don’t drink and you stay away from alcohol and anything to do with it,” Soojung hisses as she swats his arm. “It sounded more like some cheesy song to me.”
As she walks away, Yixing hears her muttering all sorts of expletives under her breath, he barely misses her whisper, “...This is why I’m not ready to trust you with my heart.”
Since when did hearts come into play in this conversation? As far as Yixing knows, he’s the only one hiding any feelings that are more than friendship. It’s unfair for him to burden Soojung with the idea of unrequited love. But with her last words, there could be a chance he isn’t the only one who feels this way?
It’s the alcohol or maybe it’s the challenge in Soojung’s eyes as walks away that Yixing throws all inhibitions out the imaginary window. “Here’s one thing I would never lie to you about,” he calls out to Soojung. “我爱你.”
There. He finally said it. The secret is out. Unlike everything else he’s said, he can’t take this one back as a joke. His heart pounds as she turns back to face him. “... what did you just say?”
“我爱你,” he repeats, louder this time as he takes a step toward her. “Even though I haven’t taught you that, I think you know what it means.”
I love you.
Yixing and Soojung exchange glances as Seungwan squeals at them. “I swear, after this story comes out,Yixing seonsu will be everyone’s ideal type,” she teases with a wink. “Soojung seonsu, please tell us, where can we find guys like him?”
“He’s one of a kind, Seungwan. Sorry,” Soojung laughs as she pokes Yixing’s dimples.
“If I find people like me, I will let you know,” Yixing says as he sneaks a peck on Soojung’s cheek.
In between media appearances and ice show rehearsals, it’s a miracle they just finished learning the choreography for both the short dance and the free dance. They have yet to work on their exhibition piece, but there’s plenty of time for that. This season, they’re skating to Swan Lake for the short dance and “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic for the free dance.
Although they are confident with the rest of the routine, there’s a lift, which was a last-minute addition to the routine, that still has the entire coaching team worried. Soojung stands on one leg above Yixing’s calf and her body rests on his shoulders, with her other leg resting on his hip. To make things even worse, they aren’t holding on to each other and they are standing back to back.
“If you’re not confident in it, let’s take it out,” Coach Im, who choreographed the lift, says as Soojung almost wobbles during a run-through.
Soojung shakes her head. “We won’t be doing it at Artistry on Ice, but we need to perfect it by the Grand Prix,” she says. “We’re getting closer to the Olympics. We have to step up our game! Right, Yixing?”
Yixing chews his lips as the eyes of the entire coaching team are on him. There are several other difficult lifts they can attempt, and hopefully not as risky. Then, there is also that idea of no risk, no reward. But Soojung’s well-being is more important than getting their levels. He blinks before he looks at Soojung in the eye. “But if we can’t pull it off, we take it out.”
Coach Lowe’s lips are set in a straight line. “One last try, and we call it a day,” he says. “It’s getting late and we can try again tomorrow.”
“Fine,” Soojung agrees. “Let’s go?”
Yixing and Soojung nod as they perform the move right before the lift. Soojung’s supporting leg is shaking and Yixing feels it as they enter into the lift. Much more, her body isn’t leaning on his back like it should have. As Yixing leans forward, probably a little deeper than intended, he hears a scream. The weight of Soojung’s body on his is gone. He turns about and sees Soojung lying on the ice. Yixing’s blood runs cold as Soojung doesn’t respond when he calls her name. He skates over to where she is, and he sees her staring, unblinkingly at the ceiling. Seconds later, Coach Lowe carries her off the ice, as Yixing follows behind them.
Coach Im tells Yixing that Soojung fell while she lost her balance doing the lift and landed on the ice head first. Soojung regains consciousness minutes after an ambulance has arrived to pick them up.
“What... happened?” Soojung asks.
They tell her what happened, as apparently the last thing she remembers is their nearly successful attempt at the lift for their free dance.
This is also what she says to the physician at the hospital once they arrive. It’s a long wait for Yixing as they performed X-rays and a CT scan of her head.
“There’s no indication of serious damage to her brain, as her neurological exam results are normal. However, there are some signs that point to a concussion,” the physician informs them after a few hours. “She needs to stay in the hospital overnight for observation and we have to do neuro checks to make sure that she’s fine.”
“She’s been responding quite well to the neuro checks and it we think can be discharged today,” the physician tells them the next day. “With a few weeks of rest she'll get back and we expect great things from her again. But if it continues, come back to have it checked, since she may experience post-concussion syndrome weeks, months, or a year from now.”
As part of her recovery period, Soojung isn’t allowed to do any strenuous activities, even reading and watching television, or any physical activity. They aren’t certain when Soojung can go back to training, despite her impatient questions of “Can I go back to training yet? What do you think, I'm going to die?!"
“This is my fault,” Yixing croaks one morning as he delivers Soojung’s breakfast to her bed. “I should have been more careful.”
“It’s not your fault. Accidents happen, Yixing, you know that,” Soojung says, smiling at him. “Our coaches don’t blame you, the doctors don’t. I don’t blame you, and I’m the one lying on the hospital bed.”
Yixing smiles and shakes his head. He doesn’t completely believe that it’s not his fault, but he doesn’t want Soojung to see how devastated he is. He will only stop feeling this way once Soojung is back on the rink with him. While Soojung is recuperating, Yixing has been training with the coaches just so he doesn’t get out of shape and forget their programs. In a way, this is also some sort of mental rehabilitation for him, so that when Soojung returns, he doesn’t fear lifting her. It’s been helpful in some way, and it helps remove the guilt buried inside his chest every time he looks at Soojung.
“Soon, I’ll be back, Yixing,” Soojung says when he tells her about it. “And we’ll be better than ever.”
Yixing and Soojung opted out of the Challenger Series, in order to give Soojung enough time to recover for the Grand Prix circuit. The lift that caused the accident was changed into something less risky, but just as difficult. They were supposed to participate in the Nebelhorn Trophy and the Ondrej Nepela Trophy in order to test their programs, but their coaches had opted for them to withdraw at the last minute, to the displeasure of the Korea Skating Union. Debuting their programs at their first Grand Prix assignment Skate Canada isn’t an ideal plan, but it will have to do.
“At least you’re not the ones competing against Patrick Chan and Henry Lau in their home turf,” Jinseo says over dinner the night before the short dance, after they’ve caught up with each other’s stories.
Junehyoung nods from beside Jinseo. “Yeah, and you’re lucky Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir haven’t decided whether they’ll come back.”
“But there’s Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje,” Soojung grumbles. “You know? The ones who we thought were going to sweep the season last year?”
“Oh riiiiiiight,” Jinseo drawls as Soojung groans into her hands. “But at least there’s not too much prettiness to distract the judges?”
They all have a laugh at that. Although they’re happy for reigning World Champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France, it was an inside joke among them that the couple won because the judges were blinded by their beauty more than their skills.
“How’s your head, by the way?” Junehyoung asks, despite Jinseo’s wide eyes and throat-cutting gestures and Yixing’s groans. Junehyoung always has the worst timing with his questions. “Hojung and Kangin told us what happened… and well…”
“I was off the ice for a month, and when I got back on the rink, we had to take it slow,” Soojung sighs while poking her food with her fork. “But I’m alright. I’m actually more worried about the time we lost for training than anything else.”
Yixing chuckles as he puts down his form and puts his hand on Soojung’s free hand. “Let’s not dwell on that. After your safety is what’s important,” he says. “We’ve prepared as much as we could. If we do well, then, yay for us. If not, we have enough time to fix things before NHK.”
“I guess you’re right,” Soojung sighs as Yixing pokes at her cheek.
The short dance goes through without much problems. They perform their routine without much problems, getting a score of 58.50 (a new personal best), putting them in fourth overall. It’s not a bad way to start their season, but it’s either they try to rank higher at the free dance or they maintain their current placing. On the morning of the free dance, Yixing barely registers what’s going on as the makeup artists and hairstylists try to make him look presentable. Before he knows it, they’re in the shuttle that will take them to the rink. Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of USA have their cameras out and are making everyone do silly things to help release tension. Yixing and Alex engage in a lip-sync battle with some of the men, while Soojung and Maia laugh with everyone else at Andrew Poje’s rendition of “Thinking Out Loud” (which Maia is recording on camera).
It’s almost as if there’s a dark cloud suddenly comes hanging above their heads once the bus arrives at the rink. Save for a few whispers of “Good luck,” no one says a word as they disembark. “This is it,” Yixing whispers to himself as he instinctively reaches for Soojung’s clammy hand. Soojung nods at him. Yixing strokes the back of her hand with his thumb. It’s the only form of comfort he can offer her at the moment as his own stomach battles the butterflies.
They’re skating first in the second group-meaning fifth out of the eight skaters competing. This isn’t a bad draw, and at least there’s a chance of higher PCS compared to skating in the first group. This also means that they have to up their games, as they will be competing against World medalists like the Shibutanis and Weaver/Poje. Soon, the last pair of the first group is on the ice; staff instruct skaters from the second group to leave the warm up room and to be on standby outside the rink.
“Skaters in Group 2 may now take the ice for their warm up,” the announcer’s voice says after the last team’s score is announced.
As their group enters the rink, Yixing tries not to let the screams of the crowd ruin his concentration. As they test their twizzles, Yixing mentally counts in his head, as he tends to be the one who messes them up. Just as they finish, Soojung mutters, “Shit.” Yixing blinks as his girlfriend hardly swears when they’re inside the rink. It can’t be his timing with their twizzles she’s swearing at; after all, they got out of them at the same time.
“What’s wrong?” he whispers as their hands join again to do the waltz.
Soojung blinks and leans closer to him. “I got kind of dizzy while doing the twizzles so I accidentally put my foot down early,” she whispers. Before Yixing can say anything else, Soojung adds, “I could barely eat this morning, that’s probably why I’m like this… Hope it doesn’t affect us during the actual competition.”
“If you’re sure…” Yixing whispers, completely unconvinced. Soojung is a fighter, and whatever he intends to say about taking it easy for the warm up will just be ignored. After all, this isn’t practice and there’s no doing it over if they make any mistakes.
“The warmup is over. Skaters, please leave the ice,” the announcer says as they all skate out of the rink. Soojung blinks a little, looking a bit winded from the warm up. Yixing bites the inside of his cheek, since asking Soojung if she’s sure she can skate is just a fight waiting to happen. He shakes his arms and legs to rid himself of the last few nerves in him, as well as to help him focus on the short dance. He watches Soojung blink a few times before stretching her arms. The look in her eyes is different-the fatigue from the warm up is gone and all Yixing sees is the competitive fire Soojung has.
“Next to skate, representing Korea, Soojung Jung and Yixing Zhang!”
“Let’s do this,” he whispers, taking Soojung’s hand as they skate to the middle of the rink.
The moment “My Heart Will Go On” starts to play, Yixing swallows the last of his worries and transforms into Jack Dawson. His mind only has three things in them: his character, the routine, and not to drop Soojung. The twizzles Soojung had problems with earlier are done effortlessly this time, and Yixing likes to think their edges are deeper than they were last season. He also doesn’t drop Soojung in any of the lifts. As he puts Soojung in a final lift, he squeezes her hands before he lets go. The only thing that assures him she hasn’t fallen off is the fact she’s still sitting on his shoulder.
He mentally pumps his fist in the air as he puts her down and they do their final poses just in time when the music stops. The screams and applause of the crowd call Yixing back to earth. He skates over to Soojung who stands up so they can bow to the crowd. They’re not going to win the competition, but this performance just might be the confidence boost they need to start their season.
“We... did it,” Soojung whispers, clearly out of breath, as Yixing takes her in his arms.
“Yes, I still can’t believe it,” Yixing whispers back, having difficulty restoring his breathing back to normal also. His knees are going to give way soon if he doesn’t sit down, and Soojung probably has it worse.
“Are you feeling better though?” he adds as they exit the rink after accepting plushie toys from the rink girls, who picked up everything thrown on the rink.
Soojung lets out a few deep breaths as they put on their skate guards and take in their coaches’ congratulations and comments. “I... guess... so…” she says between breaths. “Just… a bit exhausted. I could use a nap and food. Lots of food.”
Yixing lets out a sigh of relief at those words as they head into the Kiss and Cry. It’s a normal thing Soojung says after every skate. Their jaws drop as they hear their score for the free dance-87.91-which is at least five points higher than their current personal best score.They get a total score of 146.41, into first place.
“This is crazy…” Yixing mutters, staring at the scoreboard. He barely registers anything else, that it takes Coach Lowe and Soojung to pull him out of the Kiss and Cry.
They end up in fourth place overall, as both Ksenia Monko and Kirill Khaliavin of Russia and the Shibutani siblings take their lead before Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje win the competition.
Next
Author: mara_ciro
Rating: PG (just because of possibly triggering things)
Fandom: EXO/f(x)
Pairing(s)/Focus: Krystal/Lay
Length: 17,031 words
Summary: Yixing and Soojung have an Olympic dream, but a life-changing injury forces them to make a choice
Warnings: [Spoiler (click to open)]post-concussion syndrome
Notes: I’ve only been a fan of figure skating for more than a year. I confess that among the four disciplines under it, ice dance is the one I’m least familiar with. Writing this has been both fun and educational. For more information, I made some notes here (link to notes page).
- Many thanks to Bea, Trisha, Yuki for helping make this possible, meaning making my Google Doc consist of 80% fic, 25% screaming/commentary, and 25% helpful advice.
More information and notes about this fic can be found here.
Yixing pinches himself as he skates into the rink at the Gangneung Ice Arena. As the announcer calls his name, he hears the crowd roar and the applause that comes with it. Coach Im gently pats him on the back before he skates to the center of the rink. He lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding as some members of the audience wave their flags and banners with his name and face on them.
He’s about to skate in what is possibly the biggest competition in his life, in a country he has come to call home. His heartbeat goes into overdrive, but a gentle squeeze of his hand reminds him he’s not alone. That’s why he has come to love ice dance-his partner has his back, and he also has hers.
The music starts to play, and the least they can do is to give the home crowd a show they can be proud of, and possibly never forget. He-no-they have come a long way to get to this point, and there’s no way he’s going to mess this up for both of them.
Yixing is only six years old when his mother drops him off at All Star Ice Rink, Solana Mall in Beijing. Their family has just moved from Changsha to Beijing and there’s no one she can trust to watch over him while she and his father are working. His mother is left with no choice but to leave him at the first place she sees bustling with lots of activity. Whether it’s to give him something to do after school or an attempt to get him to make new friends, Yixing doesn’t know. He clings to his mother’s leg, hoping that someone will save him from whatever it is his mother is up to as she talks to a pretty, skinny lady who looks to be the same age as the actresses in those evening dramas his mother likes watching.
Before he realizes what’s happening, he finds himself wearing a pair of skates and is being led to the ice. “Try it, you might like it,” his mother says as she pushes Yixing into the rink.
Yixing feels the tears in his eyes as his butt hits the cold, hard ice. A shadow looms over him, and he looks up at the lady person his mother was talking to before she pushed him. Instead of laughing, she pulls him from the ice and shows him how to skate without falling. He’s not particularly interested in skating. But then, he might as well try and learn something while he’s here.
“At least you only fell once. Now, try doing it without me,” the lady says as she lets go of his hand. “Just do what I told you and you should be fine.”
It’s not so bad, Yixing admits to his mother when she picks him up an hour later. By then, he can skate without holding on to anything. He’s not particularly excited to go back, but at least it’s more fun than sweating because of trying to shoot or kick a ball.
Despite this, he finds himself returning to the rink almost daily. He has befriended Im Yoona, the nice teacher from his first day. It turns out she’s a former member of the Korean National Skating Team and now works as a coach and choreographer for the younger members of the Chinese National Team. She’s at the rink to look for students who could possibly have potential to join the team.
Yixing doesn’t give it much thought until he catches the telecast of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Although Russia’s Alexei Yagudin wins the competition, it’s China’s representative Li Chengjiang who catches his attention. If someone from his country can skate for the world to see, then so can he. After all, no one’s ever see a figure skater from Changsha before. He can be the first skater from his hometown, and nobody can stop him.
Since then, he finds himself looking forward to his lessons, as each one is one step closer to his dream of being the first skater from Changsha. One year later, Coach Im invites him to try out for the national team, despite her comments on the lack of strength in his jumps. He finds himself training harder than ever, and soon enough, he finds himself moving from his home to the Capital Indoor Stadium where the most of the national athletes train and live. He eventually befriends Song Nan, who has been skating for much longer than Yixing has.
Despite the additional help he got from Nan, his jumps still lack the strength and height that his coaches would want to have, but his coaches always wish his maturity and artistry would rub off on the rest of the team. After years of finishing close to last during Nationals and at the Junior Grand Prix circuit, his coaches encourage him to try ice dance. (“There’s no jumping,” Coach Im tells him. “And you can show off your talent better.”) Yixing doesn’t really have a choice, especially if he wants to keep his Olympic dreams alive.
He is paired with training mate Wang Shiyue. They’re good friends and they think they work will together. However, they end their partnership in less than a year due to the lack of chemistry their coaches want from them. Shiyue ends up with Liu Xinyu, while Yixing loses hope after the fifth partner he’s tried in three months.
One day, Coach Im suggests that he searches for a partner in Korea with her. Yixing isn’t interested in representing any nation other than China, but the bloodbath of at least fourteen ice dance pairs during the 2012 nationals makes him shudder. (“If you represent Korea, you are more likely to represent them in international events,” Coach Im says as they watch Korean Nationals over the Internet. “See? Besides Kim Yuna in ladies, there’s not much competition there.”
Besides, he also can’t say no to Coach Im’s promise of authentic Korean fried chicken.
Once Yixing arrives in Korea, he doesn’t get the fried chicken Coach Im promised him. Instead, Yixing is whisked off to the Taeneung Training Center, where he will be staying. Coach Im tells him to get some sleep, since he’ll be starting his Korean and English lessons the following day and meeting his partner in a week. He also meets his roommate, singles skater Kim Jinseo, who can’t speak a single word of Chinese. In fact, Yixing butchers his name after Coach Im introduces them, while Jinseo accidentally swears at Yixing when he meant to say “nice to meet you.” But they manage to communicate (and laugh) through translation apps and sign language. If this is how things go, maybe coming to Korea isn’t so bad after all.
By the time Yixing and Coach Im arrive at the rink in a week’s time, the first people he sees are a couple and a girl with long black hair tied in a ponytail. Yixing shudders as the girl’s steely gaze lands on him. He takes a step behind Coach Im, who chuckles as she pushes him forward.
“Yixing, meet coaches Aaron Lowe and Megan Wing,” Coach Im says, as the couple stands up and shakes his hand. “And this is your new partner, Jung Soojung.”
Soojung is a former singles skater who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She changed federations from USA to Korea due to her parents’ relocation back to Seoul a few years ago. According to Coach Im, she switched to ice dance earlier this year because of the depth of ladies singles skaters.
Their coaches like whatever chemistry it is they see between them during the tryout, and soon, they also meet their manager Shim Changmin. Yixing has arrived at a good time, Changmin says, because the Korean government is willing to grant foreign athletes dual citizenship so that they may compete at the Olympics in the future. There’s no way they will qualify for Sochi, but they can aim to qualify for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics instead.
As a team, their first assignments are the Junior Grand Prix events in Bosphorus and Germany. They end up missing JGP Bosphorus event as they’re still waiting for the International Skating Union to grant permission for Yixing's change of country. Luckily, he is cleared to represent Korea just in time for JGP Germany. They finish in fifth place at their debut in Germany. They also make their first appearance at the World Junior Championships at the end of the season and finish in twelfth.
The following season, also known as Olympic season, they compete at the Junior Grand Prix events in Slovakia and Austria and finish in fourth place in both competitions. During Korean Nationals, Yixing and Soojung place in second behind Min Yura / Timothy Koleto and ahead of Rebeka Kim / Kirill Minov. Although Kim Yuna, Park Soyoun, and Kim Haejin are the only figure skaters representing Korea at the Olympics, the entire Team Korea ends up having a sleepover at the dorms watching and cheering for their idol and their friends-not to mention, screaming in outrage at the results. Soojung and Yixing also end up being selected to represent Korea at the Four Continents Championships, where they place fifteenth, and the Junior World Championships, where they place sixth.
Yixing and Soojung make their senior debut during the 2014-2015 season. Their first competition is the Nebelhorn Trophy, where they place fifth. At the Finlandia Trophy, they place second in total and become the second Korean ice dancing team, after Rebeka and Kirill, to medal at an ISU event. They receive two Grand Prix assignments, the Skate Canada and Cup of China, where they place seventh and third respectively-winning Korea its first Grand Prix medal in ice dance. At Korean Nationals, they end up in second place behind Rebeka and Kirill. They get selected to compete at the Four Continents Championships in Seoul, but they fall short of a medal on home ice by placing in fifth. Although Rebeka and Kirill are chosen to represent the country at the World Championships in Shanghai, Soojung and Yixing end up going in their place due to Kirill’s unresolved boot problems.
A tenth-place finish at their first senior World Championships is the best a Korean ice dance team has ever achieved. It’s not a medal, but it’s impressive for a rookie team in the senior level. The warmth of Soojung’s hand is the only thing that keeps him steady among the flashing cameras aimed at their direction. Who’d have thought that finishing within the Top 10 at Worlds would end up with invitations to participate in ice shows, TV appearances with the rest of the team, and several magazine interviews?
“It’s still all so surreal. We wanted to do well at the World Championships, but we weren’t expecting to rank that high. We were up against the Grand Prix Final medalists, and a bunch of of our other idols,” Soojung answers writer Son Seungwan of Vogue Girl Korea on the set of their shoot for the magazine. “I don’t know about Yixing, but I was starstruck getting to skate at the same gala with some of the skaters I look up to.”
“Besides being starstruck, seeing and competing against our idols also showed me how much work we have to do in order to catch up with them,” Yixing adds. “We have a long way to go if we want to become medal contenders for the Olympic games.”
“Yes, of course… Let’s talk about next season. Do you already have any plans for at least your short dance? Especially since the new short dance was announced before the World Championships?”
“We’re still working with our choreographers on music choices. It’s the Ravensburger Waltz for the upcoming season, so it will be a bit more difficult than what we’re used to doing,” Soojung admits.
“But it’s going to be exciting. And look at the bright side, at least the season of paso doble is over!” Yixing adds with a laugh.
“Thank God for that!” Seungwan exclaims as they laugh. “You have no idea how many times #ceasethepasos trended on social media!”
“As long as #ceasethewaltzes doesn’t become a thing this season,” Soojung jokes back.
“You mentioned that some of your competitors at Worlds were some of your idols,” Seungwan says the minute they all stop laughing. “Who are some ice dancers you look up to?”
“Hmm...definitely the reigning Olympic champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White of USA and Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada,” Soojung replies. “I love how both teams are so passionate when they skate. I’d love to take notes if ever I’d get the chance to watch any of these teams train.”
“I agree with Soojung, but I also have to add Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean of Great Britain,” Yixing adds. “Besides being legends, I love how much creative input they had in their programs and how they always seem to be able to tell a story. That’s our ultimate regret, I guess… not getting to compete against legends like those three.”
“Most of the skaters you mentioned are those who have already retired or taken the season off, but are there any particular skaters you got starstruck by at Shanghai?” Seungwan asks.
“Maia Shibutani, Elena Ilinykh, Madison Chock and Kiira Korpi are definitely more beautiful in person. Photos and videos do not do them justice,” Yixing says as Soojung laughs beside him. “And of course, I’m Chinese, so seeing Pang Qing and Jian Tong will always make me starstruck.”
Yixing doesn’t like that shit-eating grin on Soojung’s face and feels his ears turn red the minute Soojung starts to talk. “You should have seen how much he was stuttering when he was asking to get photos with Kiira and Elena!” she says in between giggles. “He could barely get the words out that I ended up asking them on his behalf!”
Yixing rolls his eyes. “Shut up, Soojung. Please. Who was the one who needed Soyoun and Haejin to go with her to approach Joshua Farris and Guillaume Cizeron?” He smirks as Soojung starts hitting his arm, muttering at him to stop. “Not to mention, trying not to squeal when you finally had photos with Yuzuru Hanyu, Denis Ten, and Javier Fernández? But my favorite part was you muttering ‘Alex Shibutani, why are you so attractive?’ every five minutes.”
“YAH!” Soojung shouts as Yixing laughs, getting out of the headlock she tried trapping him in. “I wasn’t the only one! Soyoun and Haejin were like that too!”
From the corner of his eye, he can see Seungwan smiling at them. “You’re so lucky, Soojung seonsu!” she squeals. “I wouldn’t blame you at all. He IS Alex Shibutani seonsu… If I were in your place, I’d probably be making weird faces and noises after the photo was taken...”
Once their laughter dies down, Seungwan hums. “You two are quite comfortable with each other, almost as if you’ve known each other all your lives. How do you two manage to get along? I mean, Soojung seonsu grew up in America and Yixing seonsu came from China, places with two very different cultures and languages. Did you ever have any incidents wherein you misunderstood each other because of these differences?”
Yixing and Soojung exchange glances before laughing. “We’d be here all day if you asked us to tell you everything!” Soojung says in between giggles.
“How about the one you’ll never let each other live down?”
It’s a month after Yixing and Soojung first team up, and they have just relocated to Vancouver for training. One day, as he’s about to exit the rink, Soojung shouts his name as she runs toward him.
“Yes?” he asks, hoping she’ll just say what she wants and go. He’s tired and hungry, and his whole body aches. All he wants to do is go home and watch re-runs of awful dramas while Skype-ing with friends from home in China. Is having a relaxing evening too much to ask for?
Besides, it’s not like they talk much outside of practice, even when they were still in Korea. Back then, Soojung always hung out with the lady singles skaters, while he would go with Jinseo, Junehyoung, and Minseok. Maybe he’s at fault for not getting to know his new partner better, but she also hasn’t made a move to befriend him, so they’re even. He can’t help but blink at her as she blocks his way to the exit.
“Dinner. You and me,” Soojung says in her best attempt at Mandarin.
Her eyes penetrate deep into his soul, and Yixing shudders before he can stop himself. It’s not his fault Soojung looks like she can kill him. He makes a mental note to ask the lady singles skaters for tips on how to not cower in fear when Soojung looks at him.
“Come to dinner with us,” Soojung says without much preamble, this time in Korean.
Why does Soojung suddenly want him to join them for dinner? They’ve always gone to dinner without him before so why is today any different?
“Ex…. excuse me?” Yixing asks.
“Let’s. Go. Have. Dinner,” Soojung says as she rolls her eyes and acts like she’s eating.
Yixing frowns. His understanding of Korean isn’t the best, but Soojung doesn’t need to treat him like an idiot. “I understood you the first time,” he mutters. “But why?”
Soojung sighs. “Can’t I actually want to get to know my partner?”
Yixing blinks as Soojung takes his hand. This is probably the longest they’ve talked outside of training. But then again, they don’t share a common language yet. And now, they’ll be going around the streets of Canada and the thought of having to speak English out there makes Yixing’s eye grow wide.
“Zhao Kai is paying, don’t worry,” Soojung adds, apparently thinking he’s worried about money. “Madeline says they wanted to welcome their new training mates... and you never go out after training as it is... so… yeah… Let’s go?” Yixing takes his hand away from Soojung’s grip and gulps.
“I… I don’t know,” Yixing mutters, shaking off Soojung’s grip while hoping she will just think he’s weird and leave him alone. “I don’t go out at all…”
“Come on, Yixing, I know that,” Soojung sighs as folds her arms across her chest. “We haven’t seen much of the city yet and there’s no training tomorrow.”
“No thanks, Soojung,” Yixing sighs as he looks around to find a way around her only to find none.
“Just for tonight? Please? If you don’t like it, we’ll leave you alone.”
“But we have to speak ENGLISH!” Yixing hisses, gesturing his arms to illustrate his panic.
“So..?” Soojung asks, tilting her head to the side. “What’s the problem?”
“English is hard, Soojung!” Yixing groans at her as he slumps against the wall. “I don’t get it that much. I’d rather not speak it if I can get away with it!”
Yixing’s ears and neck suddenly got hot as Soojung raises her eyebrows at him and giggles. “That’s it, Yixing? You don’t go out because you don’t like speaking English?”
“Yes, Soojung,” Yixing sighs. “Now will you please let me be?”
Yixing gulps as Soojung’s grin suddenly turns sinister. “Nope. All the more reason you’re coming with us. You need to practice!” she says as she takes his trolley bag with one hand and his hand with the other. “Madeline! Zhao Kai! Wait for us!”
Yixing is too tired to struggle as his stubborn partner pulls him to the door. This is going to be a long, long night.
“Your English and Korean have improved a lot since then,Yixing seonsu. At least you’re not that much of a hermit anymore, are you?” Seungwan remarks as Yixing pulls Soojung closer to him. “Not to mention, Soojung seonsu seems comfortable speaking in Mandarin, as I saw during both the Grand Prix circuit and the World Championships. Also, you two are friendlier with each other now than you say you were in that story. How’d you two eventually get along?”
“Ever since that night with Madeline and Zhao Kai, I realized that I should have understood the mental place Yixing was coming from,” Soojung answers. “I mean, I was once in his shoes, when I first moved from LA to Seoul. If it wasn’t for Soyoun, Haejin, and Hojung reaching out to Rebeka and me when we first came, I don’t know how we’d have lived! I thought that maybe I should do the same for him.”
“Soojung started being nicer to me and helping me with my Korean and English lessons, and she also introduced me to what is now my favorite fried chicken place” Yixing adds with a chuckle. “She’s fun company once she melts her ice princess persona.”
“I just didn’t know how to approach you back then!” Soojung protests as she laughs. “I have to admit Yixing’s brand of weirdness and forgetfulness is endearing once you can actually wrap your head around it.”
Seungwan nods. “That’s good to hear. After all, some teams hardly hang out with each other outside training. Don’t you two ever get sick of each other?”
“Sometimes, we do,” Yixing jokes as Soojung pokes his dimple with her free hand. “We have friends both part of and outside the team to go with when we need space from each other.”
“How often do you need space from each other?” Seungwan asks.
“It’s usually when the stress and fatigue of training get to us,” Soojung replies. “You know how there are some days we just need to see something that well… isn’t the rink? That’s what happens.” Yixing blows at Soojung’s hair as she pauses, smiling and looking the other way as she glares at him.
“But it’s just a day or two at most,” Soojung continues, rolling her eyes at Yixing. “Besides, it’s weird ending the day without saying goodnight to each other. Even when we fight, we usually forgive each other by the end of the day.”
Yixing follows the direction of Seungwan’s eyes on their intertwined hands. Soojung’s long hair tickles his shoulder as she leans on him. Yixing can see the smile on Seungwan’s lips-it’s the same one Soyoun, Haejin, and Hojung have when they’re planning something.
“I know you’d rather not answer any personal questions, but I feel like there’s something I need to know. Some ice dance teams tend to get married in real life. Case and point, your coaches Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe,” Seungwan says, her grin getting wider with each word she says. “So, are you two dating or not?”
“I can keep it off-record if you want?” Seungwan adds, looking at Changmin who just smirks at Yixing and Soojung. He’s trained them long enough for them to know how to answer, but this is the first time a reporter has actually asked about their relationship status. Most of them are content to ask about their training and how they intend to prepare for the next season, and probably try and create some sort of rivalry angle. Some have asked about their ideal types. Then again, there’s nothing to hide. Yixing turns to Soojung who smiles at him before she turns back to Seungwan.
“Yes,” Soojung says, smiling at Yixing, who sees himself reflected in her eyes. “We’re dating.”
Yixing chuckles at the slight surprise on Seungwan’s face before she smiles. “Well, you guys certainly didn’t beat around the bush,” she chuckles. “Since when?”
“Our fellow athletes and our fans have been nothing but supportive. We’re not idols who have to hide our relationship,” Yixing answers as Soojung snorts. “Honestly, I can’t really remember, since the lines between love and friendship just kind of got blurry. It just came almost naturally to us.”
Son Seungwan is one of the few reporters genuinely interested in figure skating and ice dancing, but no one can say no to a love story. Maybe this is why both Yixing and Soojung only chuckle as she asks her next question.
“Who said ‘I love you’ first?”
“I did.”
Once Yixing and Soojung manage to get over that bridge of being skating partners to friends, life has actually become more fun. Living in Korea has become more bearable, and he doesn’t find himself missing his motherland that much. Although he still has Skype conversations with his family and friends, he doesn’t get as homesick as he used to anymore. He still misses them, but he finds himself talking to them about nothing but Soojung. When they first met, a love life was on the bottom of his priorities. It still is, but somehow, seeing Soojung being friendly with other boys always makes a small part of him irritable and miserable.
Yixing and Soojung are walking at a park during one of Team Korea’s MT sessions in preparation for the 2014-2015 season (also known as the only time the KSU would turn a blind eye to drunk minors), as well as an intimate goodbye party for Yuna. They have just escaped a wild game of Nunchi in favor of getting some fresh air.
“Who’d have thought that Queen Yuna could drink so much?” Yixing laughs, as they hear Yuna’s yells of ‘CHEATER!’ all the way out here.
Yixing blinks as he hears some of of war cry before Minseok crashes into them and breaks into a run. Behind him, Yuna uncharacteristically screams at anyone who’d listen to get out of her way as she chases after him.
“That was… something,” Yixing settles as Yuna’s back disappears from their line of sight. “Hopefully, someone in the hostel got that on camera.”
“I know, right? “I have never seen Yuna unni so drunk and angry!” Soojung nods before she falls on her knees laughing. There’s something contagious about her laughter that Yixing ends up falling to the ground, laughing with her.
“Hey, Yixing,” Soojung says once their laughter dies down. “What was the craziest thing you’ve ever done while you were drunk?”
Yixing chuckles as memories of his last Christmas in China come back to him. “I don’t drink,” he confesses. “My alcohol tolerance is weak, as I discovered one bottle of beer can take me out. That’s why I avoid anything to do with alcohol.”
“I guess it’s improved since then,” Soojung says. “You’ve already had god-knows-how-many shots of soju and we’re still having a coherent conversation.”
“I guess so, but then again, we were all targeting Yuna noona so…”
In the middle of their conversation, Yixing’s hand finds Soojung’s. This isn’t the first time they’ve held hands, but that was during practice and when they’re in crowded places. They’re not in practice and there’s not large crowd that can make them get lost. There’s suddenly butterflies in Yixing’s stomach and he lets out a loud breath. Soojung’s slim fingers fit well with his own. It’s a different feeling than he’s used to, but he likes it.
This feeling is short-lived as Soojung tries to move her hand away. Yixing isn’t sure whether it’s the alcohol giving him extra courage to be selfish just once, but he tightens his grip on her hand and tugs her closer to him. He looks down at Soojung and sees her cheeks are slightly flushed and a tiny small plays on her lips.
Yixing can’t help but smile as Soojung’s hair blows in the wind. The way the moon shines against her clear skin, making her look angelic despite wearing a blouse and shorts instead of a halo and wings.
“很漂亮” You’re beautiful.
He tucks the stray strands of Soojung’s hair behind her ear, like he sees the leading men do in those romantic dramas he and Jinseo would not-so-secretly watch in their dorm room.
“What?” Soojung asks, frowning at him and Yixing curses to himself. He wasn’t supposed to say that out loud. Maybe the alcohol is affecting him more than he thinks as his brain-to-mouth filter is weakening. He can only wish she can’t hear the pounding of his heart as she leans closer.
“Are you more drunk than I thought, or are you just speaking in Chinese?” Soojung frowns. “Maybe we should go inside?”
“J-just speaking Chinese,” Yixing stutters. He’s not in the mood to go inside yet. This is one of the few times he has Soojung to himself outside training, and without anyone else interrupting.
Soojung lets out a soft sigh of relief. “If it wasn’t for your smile, I almost thought you were swearing at me earlier,” she chuckles. “When you speak in Chinese when talking to your mother, sometimes, you sound like you’re angry with someone. But you aren’t fighting with her every time she calls, right?”
“No,” Yixing laughs. “But I have to say that to me, English sounds like you have food in your mouth all the time. So many ‘Shhhh’ sounds.”
“I do not have food in my mouth when I talk!” Soojung shakes her head laughing. “Are we seriously going to have a somewhat-drunken conversation about languages?”
“We’re already here, so we might as well?” Yixing laughs. “You’ve been teaching me Korean and English, so why don’t I try teaching you Chinese this time?”
“Are you sure?” Soojung asks, raising an eyebrow at him. A small part of his heart feels shot at her doubt in his sincerity.
Yixing frowns as he pokes Soojung’s arm with his free hand. “When have I ever let you down?”
“You’ve dropped me from lifts, stolen my food, woken me up in the middle of the night to ask me what a word means,” Soojung mutters, ticking off all his wrongdoings with her fingers. He rolls his eyes and sighs as Soojung says all the bad things she’s convinced he’s done. He barely catches her whisper “... not taking any hint about my feelings” before she looks away.
Not take any hint about her feelings? Yixing blinks as Soojung lets go of his hand and stares at the moon above. Soojung’s never been the type to show how she really feels, preferring to adapt a blank face to almost everything. “What do you mean?”
“What do I mean what?” Soojung asks, with her back to him.
“Nothing,” Yixing says. Pushing Soojung to talk about things she’d rather not deal with is asking for trouble. “Still want to learn Chinese?”
When Soojung doesn’t respond and continues to walk away, Yixing sighs before an idea hits him.
“我为你心跳 我为你祈祷 (My heart beats for you, and I pray for you.)” Yixing sings the first song that comes to mind. He almost cringes at his choice, but at least, it’s in a language Soojung barely understands. “因为爱让我们能遇到 (It is because love let us meet).” Soojung may be an ice princess, and Yixing potentially embarrassing himself is the only way he can get her to speak to him again.
Soojung stops in her tracks, but she still doesn’t face him. At least this is a little progress. Emboldened by this, Yixing continues. “因为你开始燃烧 痛才慢慢治疗 / 我要和你拥抱 牵你的手一起去奔跑 / 你存在的这一秒 会不会是我依靠 (It is because you passion is starting to burn now, the pain is slowly cured / I want to embrace you, hold you hand and run together with you / This second that you exist in, will it be my support?)”
Yixing blinks as Soojung chuckles. “Now you’ve got my attention, what did you just sing to me?” she asks as she turns around to face him.
She is going to judge him for life if he ever tells her what he just sang. Yixing needs to distract her from that and opts for something else.
“Nothing really,” he says, hoping she can’t see his ears turning red. “I… I just felt like singing?”
Soojung raises an eyebrow at him. “Your hands are shaking. Tell me, what was that?”
Yixing mentally curses his tick of shaky hands when he’s caught in a lie. He needs to try another approach. Now isn’t the best time to tell her what he just sang to her.
“It was nothing,” he sighs, wishing she’d just drop the topic. “It’s just some random song that came in my head.”
“Now I’m curious,” Soojung says, as she walks toward him. “Teach me?”
“It’s a drinking song, one my friends would often sing back then in China,” Yixing says, the first excuse entering his head.
“Liar, you just told me that you don’t drink and you stay away from alcohol and anything to do with it,” Soojung hisses as she swats his arm. “It sounded more like some cheesy song to me.”
As she walks away, Yixing hears her muttering all sorts of expletives under her breath, he barely misses her whisper, “...This is why I’m not ready to trust you with my heart.”
Since when did hearts come into play in this conversation? As far as Yixing knows, he’s the only one hiding any feelings that are more than friendship. It’s unfair for him to burden Soojung with the idea of unrequited love. But with her last words, there could be a chance he isn’t the only one who feels this way?
It’s the alcohol or maybe it’s the challenge in Soojung’s eyes as walks away that Yixing throws all inhibitions out the imaginary window. “Here’s one thing I would never lie to you about,” he calls out to Soojung. “我爱你.”
There. He finally said it. The secret is out. Unlike everything else he’s said, he can’t take this one back as a joke. His heart pounds as she turns back to face him. “... what did you just say?”
“我爱你,” he repeats, louder this time as he takes a step toward her. “Even though I haven’t taught you that, I think you know what it means.”
I love you.
Yixing and Soojung exchange glances as Seungwan squeals at them. “I swear, after this story comes out,Yixing seonsu will be everyone’s ideal type,” she teases with a wink. “Soojung seonsu, please tell us, where can we find guys like him?”
“He’s one of a kind, Seungwan. Sorry,” Soojung laughs as she pokes Yixing’s dimples.
“If I find people like me, I will let you know,” Yixing says as he sneaks a peck on Soojung’s cheek.
In between media appearances and ice show rehearsals, it’s a miracle they just finished learning the choreography for both the short dance and the free dance. They have yet to work on their exhibition piece, but there’s plenty of time for that. This season, they’re skating to Swan Lake for the short dance and “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic for the free dance.
Although they are confident with the rest of the routine, there’s a lift, which was a last-minute addition to the routine, that still has the entire coaching team worried. Soojung stands on one leg above Yixing’s calf and her body rests on his shoulders, with her other leg resting on his hip. To make things even worse, they aren’t holding on to each other and they are standing back to back.
“If you’re not confident in it, let’s take it out,” Coach Im, who choreographed the lift, says as Soojung almost wobbles during a run-through.
Soojung shakes her head. “We won’t be doing it at Artistry on Ice, but we need to perfect it by the Grand Prix,” she says. “We’re getting closer to the Olympics. We have to step up our game! Right, Yixing?”
Yixing chews his lips as the eyes of the entire coaching team are on him. There are several other difficult lifts they can attempt, and hopefully not as risky. Then, there is also that idea of no risk, no reward. But Soojung’s well-being is more important than getting their levels. He blinks before he looks at Soojung in the eye. “But if we can’t pull it off, we take it out.”
Coach Lowe’s lips are set in a straight line. “One last try, and we call it a day,” he says. “It’s getting late and we can try again tomorrow.”
“Fine,” Soojung agrees. “Let’s go?”
Yixing and Soojung nod as they perform the move right before the lift. Soojung’s supporting leg is shaking and Yixing feels it as they enter into the lift. Much more, her body isn’t leaning on his back like it should have. As Yixing leans forward, probably a little deeper than intended, he hears a scream. The weight of Soojung’s body on his is gone. He turns about and sees Soojung lying on the ice. Yixing’s blood runs cold as Soojung doesn’t respond when he calls her name. He skates over to where she is, and he sees her staring, unblinkingly at the ceiling. Seconds later, Coach Lowe carries her off the ice, as Yixing follows behind them.
Coach Im tells Yixing that Soojung fell while she lost her balance doing the lift and landed on the ice head first. Soojung regains consciousness minutes after an ambulance has arrived to pick them up.
“What... happened?” Soojung asks.
They tell her what happened, as apparently the last thing she remembers is their nearly successful attempt at the lift for their free dance.
This is also what she says to the physician at the hospital once they arrive. It’s a long wait for Yixing as they performed X-rays and a CT scan of her head.
“There’s no indication of serious damage to her brain, as her neurological exam results are normal. However, there are some signs that point to a concussion,” the physician informs them after a few hours. “She needs to stay in the hospital overnight for observation and we have to do neuro checks to make sure that she’s fine.”
“She’s been responding quite well to the neuro checks and it we think can be discharged today,” the physician tells them the next day. “With a few weeks of rest she'll get back and we expect great things from her again. But if it continues, come back to have it checked, since she may experience post-concussion syndrome weeks, months, or a year from now.”
As part of her recovery period, Soojung isn’t allowed to do any strenuous activities, even reading and watching television, or any physical activity. They aren’t certain when Soojung can go back to training, despite her impatient questions of “Can I go back to training yet? What do you think, I'm going to die?!"
“This is my fault,” Yixing croaks one morning as he delivers Soojung’s breakfast to her bed. “I should have been more careful.”
“It’s not your fault. Accidents happen, Yixing, you know that,” Soojung says, smiling at him. “Our coaches don’t blame you, the doctors don’t. I don’t blame you, and I’m the one lying on the hospital bed.”
Yixing smiles and shakes his head. He doesn’t completely believe that it’s not his fault, but he doesn’t want Soojung to see how devastated he is. He will only stop feeling this way once Soojung is back on the rink with him. While Soojung is recuperating, Yixing has been training with the coaches just so he doesn’t get out of shape and forget their programs. In a way, this is also some sort of mental rehabilitation for him, so that when Soojung returns, he doesn’t fear lifting her. It’s been helpful in some way, and it helps remove the guilt buried inside his chest every time he looks at Soojung.
“Soon, I’ll be back, Yixing,” Soojung says when he tells her about it. “And we’ll be better than ever.”
Yixing and Soojung opted out of the Challenger Series, in order to give Soojung enough time to recover for the Grand Prix circuit. The lift that caused the accident was changed into something less risky, but just as difficult. They were supposed to participate in the Nebelhorn Trophy and the Ondrej Nepela Trophy in order to test their programs, but their coaches had opted for them to withdraw at the last minute, to the displeasure of the Korea Skating Union. Debuting their programs at their first Grand Prix assignment Skate Canada isn’t an ideal plan, but it will have to do.
“At least you’re not the ones competing against Patrick Chan and Henry Lau in their home turf,” Jinseo says over dinner the night before the short dance, after they’ve caught up with each other’s stories.
Junehyoung nods from beside Jinseo. “Yeah, and you’re lucky Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir haven’t decided whether they’ll come back.”
“But there’s Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje,” Soojung grumbles. “You know? The ones who we thought were going to sweep the season last year?”
“Oh riiiiiiight,” Jinseo drawls as Soojung groans into her hands. “But at least there’s not too much prettiness to distract the judges?”
They all have a laugh at that. Although they’re happy for reigning World Champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France, it was an inside joke among them that the couple won because the judges were blinded by their beauty more than their skills.
“How’s your head, by the way?” Junehyoung asks, despite Jinseo’s wide eyes and throat-cutting gestures and Yixing’s groans. Junehyoung always has the worst timing with his questions. “Hojung and Kangin told us what happened… and well…”
“I was off the ice for a month, and when I got back on the rink, we had to take it slow,” Soojung sighs while poking her food with her fork. “But I’m alright. I’m actually more worried about the time we lost for training than anything else.”
Yixing chuckles as he puts down his form and puts his hand on Soojung’s free hand. “Let’s not dwell on that. After your safety is what’s important,” he says. “We’ve prepared as much as we could. If we do well, then, yay for us. If not, we have enough time to fix things before NHK.”
“I guess you’re right,” Soojung sighs as Yixing pokes at her cheek.
The short dance goes through without much problems. They perform their routine without much problems, getting a score of 58.50 (a new personal best), putting them in fourth overall. It’s not a bad way to start their season, but it’s either they try to rank higher at the free dance or they maintain their current placing. On the morning of the free dance, Yixing barely registers what’s going on as the makeup artists and hairstylists try to make him look presentable. Before he knows it, they’re in the shuttle that will take them to the rink. Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of USA have their cameras out and are making everyone do silly things to help release tension. Yixing and Alex engage in a lip-sync battle with some of the men, while Soojung and Maia laugh with everyone else at Andrew Poje’s rendition of “Thinking Out Loud” (which Maia is recording on camera).
It’s almost as if there’s a dark cloud suddenly comes hanging above their heads once the bus arrives at the rink. Save for a few whispers of “Good luck,” no one says a word as they disembark. “This is it,” Yixing whispers to himself as he instinctively reaches for Soojung’s clammy hand. Soojung nods at him. Yixing strokes the back of her hand with his thumb. It’s the only form of comfort he can offer her at the moment as his own stomach battles the butterflies.
They’re skating first in the second group-meaning fifth out of the eight skaters competing. This isn’t a bad draw, and at least there’s a chance of higher PCS compared to skating in the first group. This also means that they have to up their games, as they will be competing against World medalists like the Shibutanis and Weaver/Poje. Soon, the last pair of the first group is on the ice; staff instruct skaters from the second group to leave the warm up room and to be on standby outside the rink.
“Skaters in Group 2 may now take the ice for their warm up,” the announcer’s voice says after the last team’s score is announced.
As their group enters the rink, Yixing tries not to let the screams of the crowd ruin his concentration. As they test their twizzles, Yixing mentally counts in his head, as he tends to be the one who messes them up. Just as they finish, Soojung mutters, “Shit.” Yixing blinks as his girlfriend hardly swears when they’re inside the rink. It can’t be his timing with their twizzles she’s swearing at; after all, they got out of them at the same time.
“What’s wrong?” he whispers as their hands join again to do the waltz.
Soojung blinks and leans closer to him. “I got kind of dizzy while doing the twizzles so I accidentally put my foot down early,” she whispers. Before Yixing can say anything else, Soojung adds, “I could barely eat this morning, that’s probably why I’m like this… Hope it doesn’t affect us during the actual competition.”
“If you’re sure…” Yixing whispers, completely unconvinced. Soojung is a fighter, and whatever he intends to say about taking it easy for the warm up will just be ignored. After all, this isn’t practice and there’s no doing it over if they make any mistakes.
“The warmup is over. Skaters, please leave the ice,” the announcer says as they all skate out of the rink. Soojung blinks a little, looking a bit winded from the warm up. Yixing bites the inside of his cheek, since asking Soojung if she’s sure she can skate is just a fight waiting to happen. He shakes his arms and legs to rid himself of the last few nerves in him, as well as to help him focus on the short dance. He watches Soojung blink a few times before stretching her arms. The look in her eyes is different-the fatigue from the warm up is gone and all Yixing sees is the competitive fire Soojung has.
“Next to skate, representing Korea, Soojung Jung and Yixing Zhang!”
“Let’s do this,” he whispers, taking Soojung’s hand as they skate to the middle of the rink.
The moment “My Heart Will Go On” starts to play, Yixing swallows the last of his worries and transforms into Jack Dawson. His mind only has three things in them: his character, the routine, and not to drop Soojung. The twizzles Soojung had problems with earlier are done effortlessly this time, and Yixing likes to think their edges are deeper than they were last season. He also doesn’t drop Soojung in any of the lifts. As he puts Soojung in a final lift, he squeezes her hands before he lets go. The only thing that assures him she hasn’t fallen off is the fact she’s still sitting on his shoulder.
He mentally pumps his fist in the air as he puts her down and they do their final poses just in time when the music stops. The screams and applause of the crowd call Yixing back to earth. He skates over to Soojung who stands up so they can bow to the crowd. They’re not going to win the competition, but this performance just might be the confidence boost they need to start their season.
“We... did it,” Soojung whispers, clearly out of breath, as Yixing takes her in his arms.
“Yes, I still can’t believe it,” Yixing whispers back, having difficulty restoring his breathing back to normal also. His knees are going to give way soon if he doesn’t sit down, and Soojung probably has it worse.
“Are you feeling better though?” he adds as they exit the rink after accepting plushie toys from the rink girls, who picked up everything thrown on the rink.
Soojung lets out a few deep breaths as they put on their skate guards and take in their coaches’ congratulations and comments. “I... guess... so…” she says between breaths. “Just… a bit exhausted. I could use a nap and food. Lots of food.”
Yixing lets out a sigh of relief at those words as they head into the Kiss and Cry. It’s a normal thing Soojung says after every skate. Their jaws drop as they hear their score for the free dance-87.91-which is at least five points higher than their current personal best score.They get a total score of 146.41, into first place.
“This is crazy…” Yixing mutters, staring at the scoreboard. He barely registers anything else, that it takes Coach Lowe and Soojung to pull him out of the Kiss and Cry.
They end up in fourth place overall, as both Ksenia Monko and Kirill Khaliavin of Russia and the Shibutani siblings take their lead before Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje win the competition.
Next