[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]it's been a long time since she's been on ice. god, years even.

somehow, it always reminds her of better times. the cold biting at her cheeks, the warm mittens, and the mind-numbing sensation of just losing yourself in ice skating. is that why he does it?

she hums back to attention, hands stilling over the laces of her skates. they're tight, perhaps too tight, but she keeps fiddling with them anyway.

"i think so," she murmurs before rising to her feet. the skates feel heavier than usual, almost out of place on her feet. "just don't laugh at me if i fall on my ass, okay?"

it'll more than likely happen, anyway.

Felix Gallagher

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]the soft pink flush of her cheeks is inevitable. it bursts onto her skin like a blooming flower, nourished by a promise and left to flourish.

she follows him quietly, her eyes dropping to observe her feet. the movement isn't as fluid as when she was younger. no, it feels slightly clunky, as if it's not quite right.

and when her feet hit ice, it takes a moment to acclimate to the feeling of ice beneath feet once more.

she flails slightly. and when her arms begin to reach for the nearest surface, she finds his arm instead of the railing. nails quickly dig into fabric and she squeaks softly, half out of anxiety and mostly out of embarrassment.

the anxiety surrounding falling eventually fades into mild comfort and when it does, her grip on him loosens enough to be content.

Felix Gallagher

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]he acts as an anchor, firm and steady against her bambi movements. she wobbles, fingers tightening around his arm, and eventually steadies enough to flash a smile when she catches his eye.

of course, they're not really... moving, yet. gliding around might prove to be another story entirely.

he's patient with her, something she's growing eternally grateful for. the safety net of his body is not exercised quite yet, however. she takes a mini step forward and the blades on her feet shift into a more fluid motion.

"ready, i think," she murmurs finally.

he moves forward first, gracefully sliding his feet. and when she goes to follow, she's tightening her grip on his arm even after her feet settle into the movement of gliding. she's less wobbly, tension slowly easing from her body. somehow, she doesn't let go of him.

instead... her hand drifts down his arm to intertwine their fingers. and for the first time in a little while, she feels bliss creeping into her bones.

Felix Gallagher

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]her eyes dart down to her feet for a moment, snapping back up when the whisper rises. and in the small lull between words, she finds the hint of a smile. it makes hers widen, perhaps more than his reassurance.

she believes him when he says he has her. she trusts him, even. and with warm encouragement, it thaws the remaining trepidation from her feet.

a tentative glide forward brings her a little closer to him, joined hands settling in between. there's little wobbles here and there but tension eases with each movement until eventually, she's comfortable to keep her eyes away from observing her feet.

the soft squeeze does, however, cause a mild misstep and she flushes pink when her arm twists further into his from the jostling.

"i'm mostly just following your lead," she murmurs, returning the little squeeze. her smile is bright when her head turns toward him. "it's easier when you're not afraid to fall."

Felix Gallagher

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]silence creeps in between them.

somehow, it's not uncomfortable. it's a soft blanket, soothing and peaceful in the same way snow falls. there's no cold here, however. it's warm in a way she can't place despite feeling it most in the fingers resting against his.

she finds a rhythm that doesn't feel awkward. his legs are longer, sure, but there's no rush to keep up. it's a slow and steady pace across the ice.

and as they make more ground across the rink, she steals glances at him every now and then. there's an urge to commit this to memory, to etch him into her mind. she does so with a fondness, the smile holding firm.

eventually, she breaks the silence with a soft yet probing question. "do you usually skate alone?"

Felix Gallagher

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]"easier?"

her head tilts at the concept.

perhaps he means not weighed down by having to tend to another? her fingers loosen around his at the thought, insecurity threatening to flood her nervous system.

she swallows it back, holding on to her smile.

"i guess it's more peaceful that way, maybe?" or, in a way, more lonely.

Felix Gallagher

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]tightening fingers ease worry, doubt, insecurity. warmth gradually spreads to overwrite the running thoughts of an overactive mind.

in a way, she understands the concept of it all. too many people and there's little time for yourself. too little people, however, and loneliness creeps in. she wonders, faintly, if he ever gets lonely when he's here by himself. and almost instantly, she hopes he never feels such a thing again.

a softened look spurs a flush. it creeps into her cheeks, blooming and spreading until she's beaming.

"do you?" she can't help the question, the urge to find confirmation of something unsaid. it lingers for a moment before she's squeezing soft affection into his fingers. "are you gonna still think it's peaceful if i end up falling and drag you down with me?"

knowing her luck, it will inevitably happen.

Felix Gallagher