You're working the front desk of your family's ice rink. It's a small place but it's been your family business for generations. Not a lot of people come through, except for one man. A mysterious and quiet young man. He comes in every day and almost every night to skate.

The front doors slide open. A man steps in. A masculine man. So strong and brooding that you would expect him to be scary, but he's not at all. His face is calm and expressionless but at the same time so very beautiful, with his chiseled jaw and his deep, brown eyes.

Your heart beats faster as he walks by you calmly.

"H-Hello." You greet timidly.

"Hello." He responds in the same deep, monotonous voice he does every day.

Your eyes follow him as he makes his way through the doors into the ice rink.

"You want to watch him, don't you?" Says a voice.

You turn around to see your younger sister standing behind you.

"Yes I do," You answer. "Very much."

"Go on then, I'll cover for you." She says.

You want to say thank you, but your too grateful even for words. You flash a broad smile before hurrying off into the ice rink.

Your mystery man is sitting on a nearby bench putting on his ice skating shoes. He looks so perfect, as if carved from stone. It would make sense seeing as he has the emotional range of a rock. At least that's what everyone thinks. He never talks unless spoken to. He hardly gives you a second glance when he walks in the door. You're not even sure of his name. But you know that he is so much deeper than he appears.

To come here every single day to skate in an old, empty rink-- he must be so determined and zealous. You watch in ardor as the man gracefully glides across the ice. He may be silent, but some things go far beyond words. He skates with so much emotion. So much passion! His rugged body is practically dripping with zest.He moves in such an enthralling way. It entrances you. You could watch him for hours, as you usually do. You fell in love with the way this man moves from the first time you saw him skate. You only wish you could get to know him better. You want to learn about the thoughts, feelings and experiences that inspire such beautiful skating. You want to understand the man behind the movement. To solve the mystery.

But he always seems so withdrawn and reserved. After all, why would such a wonderful man be interested in you?

Usually you hide away and spy on him subtly, but this time you dared to admire him up close. You're leaning on the edge of the rink. It's amazing. From here you can see every expression he pulls, every muscle he tenses, every drop of sweat the flies from his body and every flake of ice erupting from the skid of his skates. Sometimes you like to make up stories to go with his routines, just simple ones based on the emotions you can read. But his movements today seem slower and almost frustrated. He seems sad and...lonely. It pains you to see him skate this way.

The man twirls elegantly, slowly edging closer to where you are standing. Suddenly, he catches your eye and immediately stumbles to a stop.

You shoot upright from your dazed position. "I-I'm sorry! Was I disturbing you?"

The man stares at you silently, almost in disbelief.

"Please, continue. I'll get on my way." You say, turning to leave.

You hear the hurried scraping of ice behind you and all of a sudden something is grabbing the back of your jacket, stopping you in your tracks and pulling you back slightly.

"No!" The grip on your jacket slowly releases and the strong voice from behind you softens. "You weren't disturbing me..."

You turn around to see the mysterious man towering over the edge of the rink. You never realized how tall he is until now. You've never been this close to him. You can see every detail of his beautiful being. Every curl in his mass of ebony locks. The subtle red blush across his nose and cheeks. His broad chest heaves in and out with every puffed breath. His soft lips, slightly parted for the air to escape.

You've never been this close to him. You've never had the guts. But here he is, standing right in front of you, looking you straight in the eye and talking to you beyond his usual polite greeting. You feel flustered under his intense gaze, but you beg yourself to be brave.

"What's your name?" You ask.

"Otabek." The man answers simply. "Otabek Altin."

You feel content as a small piece of the puzzle falls into place. And yet with every small bit of himself that Otabek reveals to you, you find yourself craving more.

Silence falls between the two of you, but Otabek continues to gaze into your eyes without losing focus even once.He leans over the ice rink barrier slightly so that the two of you could be closer, even if it's only a little.

 "May I ask what you think about when you skate?"  You inquire further. ""You always seem so emotionally invested in your movements."

 Otabek answers in a voice so soft it is almost a whisper. "I think about what makes me happy..." He looks deeply into your eyes. "And sometimes...what makes makes me sad." 

 "Well, I don't want you to be sad. I mean...your skating might be beautiful, but it's heart-wrenching to watch you move so sorrowfully." You say. 

"You think my skating is beautiful?" Otabek replies.

You swear that you see a glint of happiness in his eyes, but perhaps you are just imagining it.

"Of course! It's like you pour your emotions into every move. It's so passionate. So enchantingly exquisite!" You know you are rambling, but you just can't seem to stop yourself. "I was captivated by you since the moment I first saw you skate. You skate with every ounce of who you are, and I would give anything to know who it is that inspires such beautiful skating. But...the more I watched you, the more enthralled and besotted I became. I just didn't have any idea how to approach you..."

Otabek's breathing slows. He looks at you in what you think is shock His silence unsettles you. Why did you have to go spilling all of your feelings like that? He probably thinks you're a weirdo. He'll shut you out and avoid you. He'll never step foot in this ice rink ever again. You'll never again get to experience the beauty of his skating, and you'll never get to know the man behind it.

"You...Do you...like me..?" Otabek asks slowly.

You are absolutely baffled. You just poured out your heart to his man and he remains completely oblivious.

"Yes, I thought that was obvious!" You answer boldly.

And then Otabek does something that you have never seen before in your life, but it is truly more beautiful than even his skating. He blushes and his mouth stretches into a smile. A broad, charming smile displaying his perfect teeth. Cute little dimples crease his rosy cheeks.

"I had no idea." Otabek giggles.

Your heart flutters. His expression is so much livelier. His voice is so much warmer. His gaze is so much more loving.

You laugh lightheartedly. "How could you not have noticed? I watch you skate every single day."

"And why do you think I come in here every single day in the first place?" Otabek responds. He runs a hand through his hair as he speaks. "I wanted for so long to talk to you, but--but you're just so beautiful and bubbly. And I'm so introverted and, and no one ever likes me!" Otabek's smile stretches even wider as he grips the sides of your face gently. "It makes me so happy just seeing you. You make me feel so light on my feet that I could fly! You've completely consumed my thoughts. When I'm skating, it's my love for you that sparks my movements." Otabek slowly drops his arms back down to his side and steps away from you sadly. "But lately I've been so frustrated with myself because I didn't even have the guts to talk to you. It's so lonely...skating by myself. I want you by my side so desperately. I want to hear your laugh and feel your touch..."

You can't take any more of this. Before you even know what you are doing, you are leaping up over the edge of the ice rink-- the barrier between you and Otabek.

"I'm here now you idiot!" You say.

You throw yourself at Otabek, slinging your arms around his neck and smashing your lips into his. The momentum sends the two of you toppling down onto the ice, but you don't care. Otabek wraps his arms around your hips tightly and kisses you back. You can feel his energy surging through your lips. He kisses you with every passionate emotion that he skates with-- all of his love for you. Otabek breaks a part, only slightly to whisper sweet words to you. His hot breath on your lips sends shivers down your spine.

"Never leave my side."