//int. skating rink training center, minnesota - night. @skaterellery
"Are your skates even still competition ready?" Ashton laughed as the two of them hopped into the ice rink after all the kids he was teaching today finished their training, leaving the two athletes to enjoy the entire rink to themselves before he locked up for the day. Life often tries to pull them apart during various busy times of the year, competition seasons, finals, Ruth with pre-med and Ashton with NHL seasons, but they've always made it work, and found time in the summer to stay home as much as possible. And once every four years, everything gets put aside for the experience of a lifetime together in any athlete's career. The last one definitely changed their lives.
Ash held out his hand for her as she stepped into the rink, "or maybe it's time we get you new skates, there's enough time to break them in before the real training starts," he hummed, lacing their fingers together, leading them to warm up for a few laps around. "Can't believe it's been four years already.." Ash turned to skate backwards to face his love, sometimes (all the time) still in awe of her, blues glazing over with a genuine check in, "you feeling okay for the season?"