Mila seems completely unconcerned.
Phil:
Which tells me she knows exactly what’s happening. [pause] This isn’t an exhibition number for three skaters.
Jonathon:
No, this is Dean and Luka.
Phil:
They’re skating in complete unison. But this isn’t pairs skating.
Jonathon:
No, it isn’t.
The crowd quieted as everyone focused on the two men.
Jonathon:
There are Pride flags appearing all over the arena. And people in the crowd are standing.
Phil:
This is not a Pairs exhibition.
Jonathon:
No, it’s something else entirely. I don’t think we’re watching a performance.
Phil:
It feels more like a statement. They’re skating together, but not within any competitive framework we recognize.
The atmosphere inside the building had changed.
And then the lift arrived.
It wasn’t the most difficult ever performed, and it hadn’t been designed to impress a technical panel.
The crowd’s reaction shook the building. The applause rolled across the arena.
Then the chanting began, scattered at first, a handful of voices, then dozens.
Then hundreds.
“LU-KA!”
“DEAN!”
The names bounced back and forth across the space, accompanied by shouts and cheers.
On the ice, the music slowed, and Luka and Dean skated toward the center. The noise from the crowd faded as they stopped in the center of the rink, their hands joined.
Then Luka dropped to one knee, and the arena fell silent. A moment later, Dean knelt too, holding Luka. And when Luka placed his hand on Dean’s neck and gazed into his eyes, the noise eruptedonce more, a roar that echoed around the space. People stood, whistling, shouting, waving flags over their heads.
Production team
