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The news was all over the internet in less than half an hour. Courtesy of a stranger in Spain who posted a video of Phichit shouting that Yuuri just got married and Viktor correcting him; saying that he and Yuuri were engaged. Leo stared at his screen as he replayed the video. He couldn’t really say he was shocked, everyone and their mother could tell those two would end up married; but he did feel envious of them. The same could be said for another skater across the world. Guang-Hong frowned as he watched the rings glimmer on the couple’s hands. As far as he was aware, Viktor and Yuuri had only been dating for a few months and now they were already at the next step. Meanwhile, he had yet to make any progress with Leo. Not since the American left China and shared a pro-longed hug with the him after the night they almost kissed.
Neither of them ever brought up that last bit. Instead they went back to their individual lives, training for the competitions next year or catching up with what they missed in school. Though some things had definitely changed. Despite the 16-hour time gap, Leo and Guang-Hong both shaped and ruined their schedules for each other.
When it was around 2:00 pm in California, Leo would be walking to his next class before sending a good morning message to Guang-Hong who was no doubt rushing to get ready for school. In return, Guang-Hong would ask how his day was going while struggling to dress himself in his uniform. From the time the Chinese skater would have between eating breakfast then walking to school; they would message back and forth with sloppy spelling. It was the best they could do when Leo was hiding his phone during class and Guang-Hong would be forced to turn off his phone once in the building. The last thing he wanted was for it to be taken up again.
The next six hours would tick much too slowly for the pair. Guang-Hong would do his best to pay attention to his professors but would find himself thinking of what Leo was up to. During that time; Leo would be finishing his last class of the day, procrastinating on assignments, then finally deciding to head to the rink instead. It served as a better distraction to him than sitting at a desk where he would more than likely check his phone every two minutes. His rink mates would worry at the faraway look in his eyes, shocked that he made perfect jumps. The moment the clocks struck, 12 in the afternoon and 8 at night, was a sigh of relief.
Guang-Hong was more than aware that he should be using his hour break to study while he ate. He was slightly behind enough as it is and his parents warned him about letting his grades slip. This was his last year of high school after all. He needed to focus on grades and his skating career. But how could he do so when he could also talk to Leo? While it was Guang-Hong’s idea to go into high school when he didn’t have to, though that was before he met Leo.
As soon as he was out of class, Guang-Hong turned on his phone. He went to the FaceTime app on his phone and called Leo. He waited patiently before seeing his friend’s face pop up on screen. Both of their expressions would light up when they spoke. While their day was just as uneventful as the last, they somehow found a way to talk for the two hours they had. Two hours that went by faster than they should have. A reluctant goodbye would be said as they hung up, both staring at the now empty screens. Guang-Hong turned off his phone and went back to class while Leo packed his things to head home for the night.
The American used his time at home to finish his homework. He would have La Parfum de Fleurs playing on his laptop on repeat as he read through books or solved equations. Should he finish any assignments earlier than predicted, he would watch videos online until it was around 1 in the morning for him. His phone would light up with a message from Guang-Hong who bid him a goodnight. Leo replied, wishing the teen luck at practice. Only then would the older skater be able to rest.
Guang-Hong could find himself blushing for no reason at Leo’s message. It made him determined to advance his skills. He would make it home in time for dinner before being driven to his local rink. His goal to become a better skater was closing in as he nailed axles, Salchows, and loops with utmost precision. All while Still Alive blasted in his headphones. His coach congratulated him for the sudden burst of talent from him. At 8 at night, he would be taken back to school for evening sessions. Guang-Hong would cram as best as he could with a tutor assisting him. By 11 at night, he would be both physically and mentally tired. The only thing keeping him up was knowing that his phone would vibrate as he received a goodnight from Leo. He smiled before telling him good morning.
The cycle would be the same for a majority of the week besides weekends. On days when they were both lucky to have free from both school and practice, they spent them together. Most of the time they would watch movies together on rabb.it, commentating among themselves. The duo would also work on assignments at the same time, complaining about the subject or the professor. Leo often gave words of admiration to Guang-Hong for being able to do such rigorous work. Guang-Hong praised Leo for working towards a degree. Often times their family members would walk in during the chats. Both boys were teased by their family to no end right in front of the camera. Luckily, they would speak in their native languages so neither understood what was being said about them. Though it was hard to miss the way Guang-Hong’s cheeks lit up or how Leo seemed to forget how to form a proper sentence. The two of them would chat late into the nights or early dawns. More than once had they fallen asleep during the calls.
Despite all that happening, they remained as friends. Just friends. There was nothing wrong with that! They loved being friends but was it wrong that they both wanted something more? As far as both of them were concerned, friends didn’t grind on each other or kiss. Not that they had kissed but god did they want to.
Leo rested his head against his textbook. This wasn’t going to lead up to anything if he never talked to Guang-Hong about it. But wouldn’t it be creepy if he suddenly brought it up after so long? Not to mention Guang-Hong was 17. Leo was already an adult. ‘Adult’ being a loose term because he still had no idea what he was doing. He’d be dating someone who classified as a child in America. Though they were only two years apart, people could say something about it was wrong. People always found something wrong with anything. Not only that, but would Guang-Hong want to be with him? There was never any big indication that the teen was interested in men. Yes, the younger skater became hard when they danced together but that could have just been hormones. Then again, Guang-Hong didn’t pull back when he almost kissed him. Maybe that was because he was in shock? The American groaned in annoyance before looking up at his phone.
Guang-Hong tapped his fingers on the table. He wrote down notes from the textbook without really paying any attention to what was being said. He felt anxious that his relationship with Leo hadn’t moved from what it was. It was partly his fault. That day in the restaurant, he should have told the Hispanic how he felt. He pulled him aside for that specific reason. In the end, he rambled on about wanting to talk to him more. When Leo leaned in to kiss him, he should have pulled him down instead of freezing up like he had. Guang-Hong pouted, knowing things would be different if he had done so. He had to admit though, it would be a little weird admitting he had a boyfriend. A long-distance one at that. But with the positive feedback that Viktor and Yuuri received, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Just as he thought back, he saw a message from Leo.
Leo ♫ : Did you see the video?
Leo mentally slapped himself for that being his opening line.
Guang-Hong ❤︎: I did.
‘Way to be curt,’ Guang-Hong thought to himself.
Leo ♫ : It’s crazy, right?
Guang-Hong ❤ ︎: I wouldn’t say it was that crazy
Leo ♫ : Lol true
There was a long five-minute pause on both ends. They stared at their screens silently. Was there really anything more to say? Leo took in a deep breath as he sent the next message.
Leo ♫ : Listen, about what happened after the Cup of China
Guang-Hong ❤ ︎: Go out with me
Guang-Hong screamed and threw his phone across the room. He hadn’t expected Leo to send a message at the same time. His heart pounded as he imagined Leo’s reaction. The Chinese skater buried his face in his hands. He was simply tired of the strange on-between relationship they had. If Viktor and Yuuri had the courage to get engaged, he should have the courage to ask out the boy he likes. Now he couldn’t find the strength to go pick up his phone just yet.
Leo sat in shock as he re-read the message multiple times. He didn’t think Guang-Hong would be the one to ask. Or maybe demand would be the best way to word it. He felt relived, knowing he wasn’t pining after someone who wasn’t interested in him. Butterflies filled his stomach as he took the fact in. With slightly shaking hands, he answered him.
Leo ♫: I’d be happy to
The small notification sound rang through Guang-Hong’s head. He trembled as he walked to his cellphone. He picked it up and read the message. His face flushed instantly. Leo said yes? Leo said yes! He felt excited as well as sick.
And it was only just beginning.