Chapter Text
“And there you have it folks! The Crown Prince of the ice! Xianle with the gold medal of the Olympics!”
Loud cheers from the stands, flashing lights of photographers trying to squeeze in photos of the legendary Xianle.
“Under the direction of Coach Jun Wu and Co-Coach of Mei Nianqing, Xie Lian has won the Olympic gold medal!” The announcer yelled out, cheering erupting from the stands even louder. There were flowers, plushies, and ribbons being tossed onto the ice rink to celebrate the winner.
Only merely seventeen and an Olympic gold medalist. The young skater stepped up onto the platform, his milky brown hair swaying with every step, a bright smile plastered on his sweat and makeup filled face. Those bright golden eyes filled with life and happiness, wearing that bright golden medal over his neck as he raised it. Cheering as he looked up to the heavens as if it were a blessing itself he did figure skating.
“I won!! I did it! I finally did it!” The young skater yelled out before a rush of cameras came onto the rink.
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“Just in, famous figure skater ‘Xie Lian’ is still on the rise! Dominating every competition in men’s singles, whether that is in his short program or his free skate. Whatever he leaves on the ice leaves the judges and crowd mesmerized!” The reporter said, standing outside of the Heavenly Ice Rink, the same rink where most famous skaters practice and warm up!
…
“Crown Prince of the ice or also known as Xianle is said to be the youngest gold medalist figure skater, starting his quick rise from his challenger series and kept climbing his way to the top. This kid never stops! It’s said he practices non-stop under the direction of Jun Wu, and Co-Coach Mei Nianqing! Just how fit is this kid?!” The news reporter said, fixing his small stack of papers on the table as they looked towards the camera. A bust shot of Xie Lian appears on the screen, performing his ever so graceful program yet it shows his determination and endless practice within it.
“That’s right! Xianle is taking China under his grasp, leaving everyone in the country in awe as they witnessed history in the making. Could Xianle really live up to the eyes of China?!” The second news reporter said, commenting on the picture of Xianle’s bust shot.
…
“Xianle, Xianle! Look over here!” A camera man yelled out, holding up his camera.
“Xianle! Can you give us any hints on your next programs?! A title, anything!” A woman yelled out.
“Xianle! Turn your head over to the left a little! We need your article photo!” A photographer shouted out from the crowd.
A table, three people, and a whole lot of people. Snapping photos of the man in the middle, his gentle expression as he kept on smiling. Swiftly ignoring the overwhelming amount of questions being asked at him, to his right was a man with tinted dark purple hair. It was his co-coach, Mei Nianqing. To his left, his coach, Jun Wu. They were at an interview, people upon people kept coming up to the young skater as they were eager to know what the man had in store for his next program in the Olympics because come on, someone like him is bound to be in the next season!
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Renmin Ribao: Hottest News
Come on and witness history be made again, young upraising star Xianle breaks out another outstanding performance!
The Crown Prince of the Ice, or also known as Xianle debuts his new short program, involving his signature step sequence and doughnut spin! His performance left the judges speechless!
Only performing his short program, ‘The Pleasing Prince’ he left his audience with a standing ovation! The crowd could only watch on the edge of their seats as they eagerly awaited his free skate program!
Xianle or formally known as Xie Lian, starting his rising figure skating career at the ripe age of seventeen. He quickly rose to the top as he won his first gold Olympic medal, celebrating his first time win with his fans. Xianle grew up in a prosperous family, supported by his parents he persuaded his passion for figure skating. He started to skate at only six years old when his parents took him to a local ice rink, yet by the time he was seven years old he quickly found his love for the ice. The thrill of dancing on the ice, his love for the coldness was stronger than anything. He started his competitive season at just ten years old, clawing his way to the Olympic Games at seventeen! Just how good is this kid?!
…
(Inspired by Yuzuru Hanyu’s “Let’s Go Crazy” Program, ps— the author is too lazy to choose a music type, go wild)
“Up next is our rising star, Xianle or Xie Lian. Coming onto the ice, performing his short program ‘The Pleasing Prince’.” The reporter says, watching the figure skater as he comments on all of his movements.
“Starting with a graceful entry of deep and smooth backwards-inside edges, shifting into a wonderful Ina Baur. Xianle is in a wonderful gold, red, and white uniform as they dance within his movements on the ice, it’s a nice ring to the white surface!” The commenter explains, “Coming up to the first climax of the song…Yes! Wonderful and perfect execution of a triple axel for the first climax of the song, landing onto his heel as he goes immediately into his signature step sequence! His graceful footing and his emotions perfectly captured the title of the work, the judges always loved his step sequences!
“Going into a lung as the next climax of the song is starting once more, yes! A double axel to a camel to sit spin combination, holding his form perfectly! Xianle makes it look easy to place in the top five already!”
…
“And he wins again! Becoming a two-time Olympic champion!” The announcer yells out. Xie Lian standing in all his glory, receiving flowers and ribbons as he is crowded with reporters, photographers, and even his own fans!
“Thank you! Thank you all, this means so much to me! Ever since I was a kid, ever since I stepped foot into an ice rink, I immediately fell in love with it. I love this career with all of my—“
“Hey! Beat it kid!” A man from the back of the crowd said, pushing against the young boy's head as he fell down onto the ground. The boy winced, being surrounded by the foot of people, he tried to get up and push his way through to see his idol…To see his one and only! The yells and threats only grew harsher for the young boy, he desperately cried out but ultimately got pushed down onto the ground once more before being “accidentally” kicked in the back. He couldn’t help but cry out, clutching onto a white flower so desperately close to preserve it.
All he could do was hold his head and wait for the crowd and his idol to go away, he’d be alone again and sneaking in was worth for nothing! Until the crowd suddenly began to quiet down, the boy didn’t know what was going on but he heard footsteps come closer and closer to him. It’s probably the security of the place, he’ll be kicked out and wouldn’t be able to see his idol ever again. Stuck being a rusty radio that could only describe his dances, seeing his dance in person was just a blessing from the heavens itself! The boy softly sobbed, trembling in fear before he felt a soft hand pet his dirty hair.
“Little one, why weep? I know a crowd this big for your age can be scary.” A soft voice came from above, it was only one voice the little boy knew! He sniffled softly before he slowly turned his head up, seeing Xianle stand before him. Seeing him on one knee to reach his height, his soft smile could never fail to make anyone’s heart melt. “Don’t worry, the people who hurt you shall never hurt you once more.” He explained further. The little boy could only slowly stand up to his two little feet, clutching the white flower to his chest tightly.
“Do you have something for me?” The skater said softly, keeping his gentle hand on the boy's head. His soft look towards the ragged boy, he was probably in a terrible state. Standing before the embodiment of beauty, and the beauty standing before some monster. The boy had a white ragged eyepatch over his right eye, his clothes were probably the lowest quality, and his hair was probably a mess. Yet the boy slowly nodded at the skater's question, his lips trembling as he looked up at those beautiful golden eyes with his one wide obsidian eye. It took a moment before he slowly extended his hand out, showing a fresh pure white flower before the young man himself. The skater could only huff out a chuckle before accepting the small gift, bringing it to his lip and nose as he smelled it. A small and gentle smile plastered on his face as he looked back at the child, “Who shall I thank for this beautiful gift if I don’t know the gifter’s name.” He asked again.
The boy could only fidget on his sleeves before glancing down to his feet, “…Hon…Hong-Hong’er…” The boy quietly answered.
“Well…Thank you little Hong-Hong’er, I shall cherish this gift with my heart.” The man said, smiling as he softly placed a kiss on the flower before standing to his feet once more. Giving Hong-Hong’er one last pet on his head before walking past him and back into the bustling crowd, holding the flower close to his chest. The boy could only stare at the leaving back of his idol…His beloved who said he’d cherish something from a monster like him, cherish something from him. The boy was star struck, his eye felt stingy once more.
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“Again! You have to perfect these jumps, Xie Lian!” His coach yelled out from the edges of the rink, Xie Lian was already sweating and exhausted as he felt his legs and arms start to tire out but he couldn’t afford that! His jumps were getting sloppy and inconsistent!
“Xie Lian, you have to perfect these jumps or you’ll never truly learn your free skate program. Again!” He shouted out.
Xie Lian huffed out a tired breath before forcing his legs to push himself against the ice, skating near the edge to gain his speed. His heart was racing and overworking, his limbs felt like they were going to fall off any second, yet his mind steadied with determination and motivation. He sucked in a heavy breath, clicking his heels as he jumped up into the air.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
He landed harshly back onto the ice, scrapping some chips off of it as he lost his footing on the landing. Falling onto his hands and knees as sweat trickled down the side of his face and his neck, breathing heavily as if the air around him was slowly disappearing. He cursed to himself internally, clenching his fist up before looking up over to his disappointed coach glaring at him before his attention was abruptly turned away from him and onto his personal health and fitness coach. His childhood friend, Feng Xin, was probably yelling at Jun Wu. Xie Lian’s mind blurred, his ears ringing as he glanced back down onto the ice before forcing himself to get back up onto his aching feet. They were probably all red and splintered, he didn’t care. He needs to maintain his routine if he wants to learn all of his free skate program. Although his coach has been a little harsher on him ever since his co-coach, Mei Nianqing, had quit abruptly. There was no letter, email, or text about why he left so suddenly. It kind of threw Xie Lian off guard, he trusted his co-coach a little bit more than his actual coach and he abruptly leaves? Especially a few weeks after his second Olympic victory?
Xie Lian sighed heavily, his chest still heaving with heavy breaths before he saw his coach give him a signal to have his five minute break. He gave a curt nod before skating off to the other end of the ice rink, away from Feng Xin’s yelling and Jun Wu’s calm argument against him. He stepped off the ice as he sat down next to his other childhood friend, Mu Qing, who was also his private pilates and flexibility instructor yet he also started to dabble into figure skating as well.
“Jeez, not one break with him huh?” Mu Qing said, handing over a small cloth to Xie Lian. He could only nod before he started to wipe his face and neck off, catching his breath before grabbing his water bottle and gulping down a few large but good gulps.
“He’s always been ruthless, yet…After Mei Nianqing’s leave, he’s been so much harsher.” Xie Lian explained, staring intently at the ground as he fidgeted with the water bottle in hand.
“Yeah I can tell, Xie Lian, you need to talk to him so you don’t overwork yourself. I know you like to push hard and perform at the top but how can you do that when you can barely lift your body from the fatigue. What happens if you pass out on the ice? What am I supposed to do then?” Mu Qing explained, glaring over to his coach before softening his stare just a little so he could look back at Xie Lian.
“I’ll be fine, I have a lot of endurance.”
“Xie Lian! Back on the ice, take your short program from the top and then we’ll continue working on your free skate program!” His coach yelled, grabbing the skaters attention.
“Look, I have to keep pushing. I can’t fail.” Xie Lian said, putting down aside his cloth and water bottle before slowly standing back up onto his feet. He walked over to the edge of the ice before taking a step in it, pushing himself off as he slowly slid to the middle of the rink. He can’t fail.
…
Xie Lian fell once more, crouching on the ground as his chest breathed heavy breaths. The air around him isn’t enough, the cold and icy feeling stabbing his lungs, his feet ache and throbbing.
It’s just him in the ice rink, just him alone and his failures. It’s probably already dark out, Xie Lian slowly looked up before he forced himself to get back onto his feet. Looking up to the bright roof, the lights shining down upon him. The sweat trickled down his face, white breaths of air puffing out of Xie Lian’s body. He fluttered his eyes closed, soaking in all of the silence of just him and his heavy breathing. His milky brown hair spilling from his ponytail to the middle of his back, slightly damp.
“I’ll show them…I can perfect this.” He muttered to himself.
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“So you’ve done it again Mr. Xie, how does it feel to be a three-time gold medalist in the Olympic Games? Breaking the world record for back to back wins.” An interviewer said into the microphone, looking over at Xie Lian across from them.
“I obviously couldn’t have done it without the support of my parents, ever since they saw my passion and love for the ice rink…They have been nothing but supportive and loving to it, I wouldn’t be here without them.” Xie Lian explained, “Not to mention my two childhood friends! They supported me and stuck by my side until present day, they helped me achieve this dream that I could finally have.”
“What about your coach? Wasn’t he a two-time gold medalist back in his day?”
“Well, first of all, I am super grateful to have a coach like him. He’s pushed me into what I can do today, he’s motivated me through my doubts when practicing as well. Secondly, I am so lucky to have a coach like him! Just imagine being coached by a past two-time gold medalist, he’s been nothing but the push I need to get myself here today.”
“Your career as a figure skater can only go up from here! What are you planning for the next step in your career?”
Xie Lian smiled softly, a small warmth in his heart as he felt the room with those shining lights and cameras suddenly disappear…He had another dream. “Maybe…During my free time, I could start an ice skating program for more little kids. I want to encourage them just like my family and coach did as well, I want to be…a tutor for them, guiding them into the success I hope one day to see.” Xie Lian explained, placing a soft hand over his chest as he smiled.
“What a wonderful idea to have! I’m sure kids love you already and would adore you to even skate on the same ice as you!”
“Yes, yes! I want to help them achieve their dreams, I want to help as much as I can…”
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Xie Lian grabbed an already dirty cloth out of his apron, leaning over a wide circular table as he started to wipe it down. Pulling a dish cart over with his right foot as he pushed the crumbs into the trash bin on the cart, sighing heavily before he started to collect the dishes left on the table. Scrapping whatever crap people left on the place into the bin, putting the plates into a larger bin before throwing the utensils into a smaller one. He flicked his dirty cloth once more before doing a final sweep over the table. Once finished, he wiped his forehead with his forearm before he grabbed the cart handles and started to swiftly make his way to the kitchen, avoiding all possible human contact with anyone.
He didn’t wanna be talked to or talk to anyone.
He pushed open those kitchen doors to chaos erupting, the chef yelling at everyone, the cooks overworking the stoves, some waiters yelling out orders for each table before pinning up a small note on one of the kitchen hooks and swiftly leaving. He shook his head as he sighed softly, closing his eyes for only a mere second before his cart was run into and a pot of old soup was spilled onto him. He winced a little before his ankle gave out and he collapsed with the cart, dishes and soup surrounding him. Xie Lian could only sigh internally before he wiped his face off with the back of his head to remove any soup residue, his hair probably is gonna smell like chicken now.
“O- Oh! I’m…So sorry! Here lemme help you, sir!” A girl's voice came over him, she sounded fairly young to be working in a place like this. She quickly grabbed a hold of Xie Lian’s forearms as she quickly brought him up, he felt a slight sting in his left ankle but he couldn’t let that feeling show. It still hurts. “Are- Are you…Okay, Sir…?” The young girl asked, grabbing a clean white rag out of her apron as she started to wipe down whatever soup she could off of Xie Lian.
“No, no, it’s okay little one. I wasn’t looking where I was going, I’ll be fine.” Xie Lian with a kind smile, thankfully he had his hair into a high bun so most of his hair wouldn’t stick to him as much. He blinked a few times before seeing a young girl stand before her, it was true that she was a few inches shorter than him but she looked way too young to be working a job. She only looked around barely fifteen…
“You’re…One of the newer employees, aren’t you?” Xie Lian asked with a breathy chuckle, crouching down to collect the dishes and pull the cart back up.
“A…Ah..Yes, I got…Hired recently…” The girl said, quickly coming down next to Xie Lian to help clean up the dishes as well.
“I’m Xie Lian, just your regular bust and dish boy…Haha…” Why did he say that? Can the ground swallow him whole already?
“Ban…Banyue…” Banyue answered, her face expressing her shyness. To be fair, she had beautiful purple eyes and her hair was a nice dark lavender color to compliment her eyes. A soft face frame and a gentle look, not to mention she was kind.
“Nice to meet you, Banyue. I hope we'll become good restaurant buddies!” He shot a kind smile at her, putting back the last of the dishes before he wiped his hands on his apron.
“I…I hope so too..” Banyue said before she said sorry once more and swiftly ran out of the kitchen, poor girl.
There was a time where whenever he said his name, crowds would come circling him. There was once a time where cameras and photographers would always be on him, how did things end up like this anyways? What happened? He was glorious…Now he’s just a nobody working three jobs, barely having enough to feed himself and his cat, Ruoye.
There was a time where he could never be separated from the ice…
…
Thankfully for Xie Lian, his second shift was near ending and he could go home after those piles of dishes. He could finally take a shower and head off to his last shift, it was probably the quietest and longest but he didn’t mind. He loved that job more than anything, but first he needed to wash off all the dried up chicken soup on his hair and body. It started to become uncomfortable.
After two bus rides and one long walk back to his nearly breaking down apartment…
Xie Lian put his keys through the lock as he opened the door with one loud creak and one very impatient cat waiting in front of the door, “Hello little Ruoye.” He said softly, he quickly kicked off his sneakers before throwing his bag to his couch which obviously didn’t make it. Just his luck, then he quickly sped into the bathroom. Ruoye only tilted her head as she watched her owner run around the apartment, her tail flicking behind her. A few minutes go by and she saw her owner run from the bathroom to his bedroom half naked, then a loud bang and then the rushed opening of a door. She could only blink at the scene before her, watching her owner scramble to fix his hair into a messy ponytail, watch him nearly trip trying to put on some fresh socks that are probably on the edge of ripping a hole, then scramble to grab his bag once more.
“I’m sorry Rouye, I have to go!”
“Merow!” Rouye chimed out, walking over to her food bowel as she sat down next to it with an angry expression.
“Aha…Right!” Xie Lian said, grabbing a fresh can of cat food and opening it with his teeth. He grabbed a spoon before scooping all of it into the cat bowel, tossing the spoon into the sink and the empty can into the trash. “Okay, now I really need to go! I’ll see you tonight, Rouye!” He said, sliding on his sneakers before running out the door with a loud slam.
“Meow…?” Rouye said, tilting her head at the door.
.
..
…
Xie Lian sped down the sidewalk and into the bustling city, why is it so busy when he’s always late?! He bit down onto his lip before he ran through the crowd, yelling out short apologies when bumping into someone. He's so late! He’s so late! He’s so late!! He huffed out a breath before nearly crashing into a stop light pole, glancing at the cars running before he turned to the cross walk button and hit it a few good times. Cmon, cmon, cmon! He waited for that red hand to turn into a white walking man on the screen, catching his breath as he leaned against the pole and waited. He felt one of the straps over his strong slump down his arm, he sighed before he quickly fixed it up and onto a new and more stable position. He looked back up to see the red hand finally turned into that white walking man but now it was a twenty second timer! Xie Lian yelped as he started to quickly make his way through the cross walk, going against the crowd before he successfully reached the other side. He checked his watch before starting to run even faster, he nearly tripped over some traffic cone too! Just who the hell places a traffic cone in the middle of the sidewalk?!
He saw the antique store, running over as he opened the door in a fast haste. “Apologies that I’m late!” He yelled out, his chest quickly rising and falling from running all the way here. The owner greeted him with a small scolding but let him off the hook, Xie Lian thanked him before heading over to the back of the store. He had his own little desk, it was quite the messy scene but he couldn't help it. He was a repairman for antiques! Usually he specialized in fixing pots, plates, vases, but on rarer occasions he tries to fix up paintings and furniture. Xie Lian loved this little store, all the little trinkets on the shelves always fascinate him. He cracked his knuckles before sitting down on his seat, placing his tote bag under his desk. Last night he was working on a very broken vase and the customer wanted the Kintsugi technique to fix their vase. Xie Lian will not lie that it is a much harder way to fix things like this but as long as he can feed Ruoye, he will not mind.
He took out his phone and a very tangled wired earbud, Xie Lian could only sigh internally before he started to quickly untangle his earbuds. Once he was finished he plugged them into his phone and put on the first radio he saw, it was a hockey game commentary. Oh, it was hockey season! Xie Lian paused his work as he looked towards the calendar, it was already November and hockey season. He started to get to work on the vase, listening to the commentary of the game.
“Number eight, He Xuan, passing through the team and he passes the puck to the goalie! Their signature move to win! Number one, Yin Yu catches the puck and swings it all the way up towards the front! What an incredible aim!” The commenter said, cheering for the standing team.
“Number eight coming up for the puck, he takes it as he shoves aside number sixteen! Shooting the puck…And he scores! Team Calamities win once again! Number eight, your Crimson Rain! Hua Cheng scores for the team again!” The commenter cheers on, faint cheers from the crowd coming through the radio.
Xie Lian could only softly hum as his work took him away, grabbing these priceless broken pieces of the vase and putting them together. Bouncing his leg on the stool he was sitting on, biting down onto his lip as he stuck together another piece to the partially fixed vase. Grabbing one of the brushes as he covered the brush with some gold before painting on the gold, his fingers getting slightly dirty. Not to mention a few bandages on his fingers but that was from last night when he tried to clean up a broken glass cup he knocked over, Xie Lian sighed softly before working on another part of the vase.
“As hockey season is now in play, so are the ice rinks! The upcoming future figure skaters who will be competing soon are in an exclusive meet up at Heavenly Ice Rink! Come on down and see your performers!” A reporter said on the radio, Xie Lian paused his movements as he looked towards his phone. Staring at it as he felt that dread and heavy feeling swirl in his chest, even if Xie Lian would wanna go observe the new skaters…He’s such an antique until eleven pm, yet he couldn’t help but feel sad at the thought of returning to that ice rink.
It’s always open for the public and figure skaters, sometimes he’d go to a more private ice rink to just keep his limbs stretched and worked out. Yet those memories in there just want to draw him back, maybe…Maybe it’ll be empty once he gets out of his shift, maybe he could take a few laps to just feel nostalgic. Although, how much pain would he have to endure to just relive the past one more time? Or what if—
Xie Lian flinched his hand back as he winced, looking at his hand to see a red cut on his finger again. He sighed softly, pushing his stool out before walking near the front of the store to grab a bandaid. Rummaging through the drawers before he pulled one out and put it over his cut, his hands already covered in bandaids and it wasn’t a nice view. He couldn’t care less, as long he’s breathing then nothing more than a bandaid and some ointment couldn’t help.
“Xie Lian!” A voice yelled out, pulling his attention over to the voice.
“Oh! Hey Pei Xiu, how are you? How’s martial arts treating you?” Xie Lian said with a gentle smile, waving over to him.
“I’m fine…Uh, but better question; are you okay? It’s like your cuts multiplied by five…” Pei Xiu commented, walking over as he leaned over the counter.
“Oh I’m fine, just my clumsy hands treating me unwell.” He explained, putting up a more awkward smile.
“Are you sure? Maybe you shouldn’t work with the vases and stuff if you keep getting cut.”
“No, really I’m fine! Like I said I’m really clumsy, but I need to get back to work and so do you!”
“Alright alright.”
Xie Lian walked back to the back of the store again, sitting at his little office corner. Grabbing the glue and getting back to work.
…
After a long day of repairing and gaining a few more cuts, Xie Lian was finally released from his work.
He packed up his tote bag, wrapping his scarf around his neck before throwing his bag over his shoulder. He waved goodbye to the owner before exiting the store, pulling out his phone to put his earbuds in. Clicking and typing before he finally put on his music but he stopped in his steps. Looking off at the road, thinking which way he should go…
He turns right and he just goes home, or…He turns left and lets himself indulge in the nostalgia he so desperately wants to relive.
After five minutes of thinking what to do…
He turns left with quick steps.
——————————
Xie Lian stood outside of the ice rink, looking up at its glowing logo before he walked up the steps and into the building.
Immediately he was slapped with the coldness of the rink, greeting the cashier as he approached them. Renting out a pair of skates and heading into the changing room. Thankfully the ice rink is empty, so there will be no one to interrupt him.
He put his bag into one of the cubbies and sat down onto the bench, pulling off his jeans to reveal black legging clinging to his legs. Thankfully he wore legging whenever it started to get colder, it was a habit he picked up from skating. He fixed up his sweater over him before taking off his scarf and slipped his foot into the skates, tying them tightly as he worked on the other foot. After that, he pulled his hair out of his messy ponytail before redoing it into a high and more secure ponytail. He took in a deep breath as he folded his scarf and pants before placing them into the cubbie as well with his bag, plugging his earbuds in as he pushed down his phone into his pocket. He stepped out of the changing room and made his way to the rink, his heart pounding in his chest as he opened the door to see that bright and empty ice rink. Only for a little bit, let him be selfish for just a moment.
He approached the door as he opened it and took off his blade guards, and stepped one foot and then the other. Tossing the guards to the bench nearby as he closed the door, gripping onto the edge of the rink as he looked out to see the ice in front of him. He took in a deep breath, letting the icy air seep into his lungs. His hands lightly trembled before he let go, pushing his foot against the ice as he slid around the rink. Breathing in the cold air as he started to lap around the rink, picking up speed as he closed his eyes and losing himself in the moment.
He fluttered his eyes open once more, putting his earbuds in as he started to play a more calming music he used to dance to whenever he had free time back then. He made his way over to the middle of the rink as he set up his position. Lifting one heel up into the air, lifting his head up towards the heavens as he reached out to the sky with his other hand slowly sliding down his arm. The music flowing in his head, his arms flowing with the tempo before he pushed himself across the ice. Stuck in a trance of his own mind, trying out his step sequence. Right, right, left, right, and now a double axel. Landed! Picking up speed and into a triple toe, his hair dancing along with him behind him. Xie Lian’s focus was on the ice and the ice alone, anything else disappeared as he got lost within his choreo. His chest heaving with anxiety and relief, he can be free for once. He can be free from his jobs, he can be free from stressing about money, he can relive his passion. Going into a butterfly jump, landing wobbly but he can manage! After that he bent his knees, spinning gracefully on the ice on his knees as he wrapped his arms around his head. Rolling his head as he moves back onto his feet, going around the rink in a Kerrigan spiral. Breathing out before he closed his arms in, picking up speed as he spun into a needle spin. His hair whips with his moves before he breaks down and pushes himself backwards, skating backwards as he picks up speed once more. Trying to even out his breathing and calm his beating before jumping up off his toe, going into a quad toe. Pressing his lips together as he prepares to land, his foot throbbing ever since he stepped foot onto the ice once more. Feeling himself fall, he prepares.
Closer.
Closer.
Closer…
He breaks his left leg out, landing on his left foot before hitting the icy ground hard. Grunting as he slowly slid into the middle of the rink, his chest heaving with gasps and heavy breaths. His heart pounding against his head and chest, his adrenaline pumping through his body. His vision was blurry, nearly filled to the brim with tears and grief. He shook his head as he ripped off his earbuds, as he stared down at the ice below him. Crouching on all fours, the pain in his ankle ripping through his body like a gunshot. Sweat dripping down his sideburns and forehead and onto the ice, he stared at the ground. He clenched his teeth together before punching the ice and letting out a frustrated yell, clenching his fists together as he bent down so his forehead could touch the ice. Why did things have to turn out like this?
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
And a whistle.
Xie Lian shot his head up to see a few people standing near the edge of the ice rink, a tall and charming man. On his right behind him were two people, one in an ocean blue shirt and another man who looked like the ocean blue shirt man but in a teal compression shirt. On the left of the charming man…Xie Lian sucked in his breath. Just his luck, huh?
“That was quite the performance sir, at the counter they said you were only a beginner. Heh, I don’t think those are beginner moves.” The charming one said.
“Oh my gods! I know you! I loved your programs!! You’re the legendary Xian—“ The man in teal yelled out only to be cut off.
“I-…I’m sorry, I didn’t realize such figures would be here tonight. I’ll leave.” Xie Lian said, grabbing his earbuds as he slowly rose up to his feet with one aching foot. Swiftly going to the opposite exit point and grabbing his skate guards, why did he come? He's already pushing himself by skating, and he still does it! He put on his guards in a hurry before hearing the slamming open of a door, ice scratching against the skates, and then his arm being pulled back to face…Feng Xin.
“Xie Lian! Wait- Just— Just wait…” He said softly.
Xie Lian stared up blankly at the man before he yanked his arm back and ran towards the changing rooms, slamming the door shut tightly. He quickly slipped off his ice skates, changing back into his outside clothing, grabbing his tote and darting out of the building.
His ankle aching with every heavy step he took, this was a mistake! Why did he go back to that hellish ice rink?! He ran and ran, gasping before he stumbled against the wall and tried to catch his breath. He shook his head, his eyes blurry before he looked up to see a bar next to him…Oh what the hell, why not.
He gulped down some saliva before slowly limping into the bar, probably not expecting to see or talk to anyone.
Probably.