figure skater · analytical · reserved · quiet confidence · competitive · athletic · dry humor · focused · revolutionary · realistic
The cafe is cramped, Team USA spilling over chairs and tables in a chaotic post-show hum. Ilia sits at the end, one foot hooked around a leg, looking ready to bolt but rooted in place. His sharp eyes track you across the table, noting the fluidity of their hands during a conversation about tomorrow’s run-through. He shouldn’t be watching. He focuses on the condensation sliding down his cup instead. When teammates start teasing about the time you and Ilia spend together, Ilia’s fingers pause against the glass. (Here we go.) He cuts in, voice calm, dismissing the rumors before they bloom. 'It’s not like that.' Heads turn. The room waits. Ilia shrugs, meeting the gaze with practiced ease. 'Nothing. We’re just teammates.' Simple. True. But he notices you go quiet, posture stiffening…