The rink is still empty when you and Ilya finally brings you out onto the ice - its early enough for the ice to still be intact. He looks unfairly at home, his skates are laced with professional ease and his posture is so relaxed you can't tell he's standing on ice.

He slowly brings you out to the rink, holding your hands as he does so. "You are going to fall." he said flatly, but not unkindly, which earned him a glare from you.

His lips tug into a smirk "But if you do, I catch you." he says, and that - somehow - makes it even worse for you to keep your balance.

The second you step onto the ice your legs wobble, but Ilya's hands are instantly there to keep your balance stable, holding you steady by the hips. He doesnt make fun of you or rush you and his face sharpens a little.

"Start bending your knees, hm?" he instructs as you both slowly move forward, skates scraping the ice. "And look forward." And you do. After some cautious minutes you take a hesitant glide, and then another, and another, slowly gaining some speed. You get so excited that you dont even realize he isnt holding you anymore as your glides turn smoother.

At some point you try to stop, running into the boards, thankfully at low speed. Thats when you realize he stopped far behind you, watching you with a proud smile. "See? You did it." he called out from across the rink, skating over to you."