After wishing his sister a good night sleep, Michele went to his bedroom. He was exhausted, physicly as well as mentally. If he himself hadn't participated in the Grand Prix Final, Sara had finished 3th, and it was a victory you couldn't neglect. And the party had left him with no energy to spare.

But it was a fun night. Even if he had to dance in front of everyone, and accomplish embarrassing dares. This kind of stupid things had taken his mind out of his daily intense training, so that he could spend a night with friends like a normal person. It was refreshing.

Sara too had fun. And Emil. And everyone. Michele hadn't drunk enough to forgot the dance-off, the hectic discussions, and of course their stupid game of truth or dare. A smile appeared on his face as he took off his shoes.

"You will kiss someone too one day!"

His sister remarks came to his mind. Ah ah. Thanks Sara for reminding me of the desert that is my love life, he thought. And what difference would it make if he never kiss anybody? He didn't need this to love. He loved his sister, his parents, his friends…

Michele had never fall in love. He never had a girlfriend or boyfriend. He was too busy defending Sara, and too busy training. But even his sister had crushes, and some boyfriends. No, if Michele never had any significant other, it was because he had never been interested.

He took off his trousers, and changed into comfortable pyjamas.

He did not really thought about it those days. Younger, this question had made him think for hours. Would he fall in love too? Has he normal? His sister talked about boys she found cute, but he didn't have anything to say in return.

Growing up, he realised that he couldn't do anything about it, and that it was useless to force himself. If he didn't found anybody attractive, then he would never have a romantic relationship. He could live without it, and love without that. There was no shame in admitting this.

But to say to everyone that he was a virgin, that was another story. An embarrassing and private story. Luckily, nobody would know the truth behind his sister words.

Actually, and Michele was sure of it, if Sara had bring out this comment, it was because she had guess that there was someone he would like to kiss. She knew him too well, even if the Italian man hadn't say anything. And she was delighted by his embarrassment. What could he do if at 22 he had no experience!

He had no idea where to begin. Should he even begin? After all, he had been happy until now, without any romantic relationship. But Michelle wanted to give himself a chance.

He had seen Victor and Yuuri, ridiculously in love, and could stop himself from smiling confronted with so much tenderness. It was a different kind of tenderness than the one he shared with Sara or his parents, and he wanted to experience it too.

He had no idea as to why he suddenly found someone attractive. Why he had a crush on this person only and nobody else. Surely it was linked to the individual themself. They were unique after all. And Michele had fallen in love.

And he really wanted to be kissed by this person. But he didn't know what to do. And he was still too embarrassed to ask for advice. And to put them in motion.

So, for the moment, he went to bed. And maybe tomorrow, with a good breakfast, he will found the courage to talk to his sister, who will laugh quietly before helping him. And then maybe…

Michele had slipped into bed, and had quickly fall asleep.

He was still wearing Emil's shirt.

/

« Chris. »

The swiss man was coming out of the bathroom, wrapped in a comfortable bathrobe. This shower had done him the greatest good, even if the alcohol in his blood had left him a little groggy. Weariness was also coming to him, and he wanted only one thing: sleep.

His boyfriend was lying down on the bed, an open book in front of him. He had put it down when he heard the bathroom door open. Now he got up and grabbed a glass of water on the table before handing it to Chris. The latter accepted it, and drank.

There was only silence for a moment, before his partner spoke again.

"Are you alright ? »

« You know it's not the first time I drink. And I'm still standing up and coherent."

The look he received was clear: I'm not talking about the alcohol in your system but about you.

Chris put down the glass of water he had just finished. He knew he didn't have to hide anything. How long have they been together already? 6 years? 7 years. He knew Chris, had sawn him vulnerable as well as triumphant, and had always known how to help him.

"I'm disappointed of course… but there will always be next year. The competition was tight, and the medals are deserved. I skated as I wanted. They were just better than me this time."

Chris's smile for his boyfriend was real, and his willingness to always improve himself too. It was one of the thing he liked about him. He grabbed the skater's hand and pressed it into his. The affection he felt for Chris must have been easy to read in his eyes, because he smiled even more.

"it's cute when you are worried about me."

"Excuse me, I'm an attentive boyfriend that care about your wellbeing."

Chris chastely kissed him.

"I know. I love it."

They remained entwined for a while, before his boyfriend tilted them onto the bed. They landed on the soft mattress. Chris pulled up the covers, and they turned off the lights. Still intertwined, the two lovers wished each other good night.

"I love you. »

« I love you too. »

/

« Thanks again for today. »

JJ and Isabella had slipped under the covers, back in their hotel room. Before the banquet, they had already meet, Isabella to congratulate the skater for his medal and reassure him, and JJ to get a few minutes to rest and release some tension. Never had he participate in a similar competition, and he didn't know what to think about it.

Fortunately, the banquet had allowed him to change his mind. He had been anxious to see the other competitors again: will they make fun of him? Of his performance? Isabella had reassured him that everything would be fine, and it was the case. Some mockery from Yuri, but they were well deserved. He had sing, dance, and have fun. Even their game of truth or dare had made him laugh.

And if he had been less vocal than usual throughout the evening, no one had comment on it. After seeing him this helpless on the ice, everyone had realized that there was more to JJ than his confident King image. Phichit had come to see him to discuss, and Chris congratulated him. Nothing had really changed in their behaviour, but JJ could see a new understanding in their eyes.

It was a little frightening, but also liberating, to see that these crises had not rendered him incapable in the eyes of his colleagues. That they understood the pressure of competing in sport at a high level, and the difficulty of always wanting to do their best.

Surprisingly, it was Yuuri who understood him best. The shy Japanese man who had royally messed his competition last year. And who had grown out of it. He had come to him to assure him that it could happen to everybody, and that he should talk to someone. JJ had followed his advice, and had discussed with Isabella shortly afterwards.

And it was with a lighter heart that they had joined the others for a game of truth or dare.

Then the party had come to an end, its participants left exhausted.

Before returning to their room, the couple had cross path with JJ's parents, who had reassured him again, reminding him again and again that the shouldn't hesitate to talk to them, that they loved him, and that they were proud of him. JJ had embraced them, and had cry. It was good to fell loved and accepted.

The young couple was now ready to sleep and get their energy back for tomorrow. Like many other skaters, they were going to stay a few days in Barcelona to enjoy a well-deserved holiday, before resuming training.

Isabella smiled as she heard her fiancé's murmured thanks, even if he couldn't see her in the dark. She came closer to him as a way to answer, and closed her eyes.