I Hope You Dance (Artemi Panarin)

Fan Theory

Gabriella

I stand in my gate with Artemis arms wrapped around me impossibly tight. His fingers wrapped in my hair as he presses my head against his chest. His heart was beating so fast, like a drum beating on my cheek at a steady pace. I squeeze my eyes shut too afraid to open them and not see him there anymore.

"Baby, open your eyes" he insists and I shake my head. "Please. You can't leave and not let me see your eyes" he claims.

I open them and a tear falls immediately. He quickly wipes it away before holding my face in his soft hands. His gentle and kind touch making it that much harder to leave.

"This isn't a goodbye. This is a see you later. I'll figure out a way to come see you. Every time we play in New York I'll be at your door with flowers, I promise. We can have tea and you can tell me all the hot dancing gossip and I'll tell you that they guys are still idiots. I'm going to call you every day, even if you don't answer I'll leave a voicemail reminding you how much I love you. Not second will pass when you're not on my mind. I will never forget what this past year has been for us. I know I came here to chase my dream of playing for the Stanley cup, but I found new dreams in you to chase. And it sucks your dreams are across the country but I know we can do this. Love is stronger than anything life can throw at us. We can do this" he sniffles. I've never seen him cry before and this... this was not helping

"Don't let me go" I beg.

"I'm not. I'm letting you grow" he claims.

"What are you going to do without Hank" I tease.

"Go crazy probably. I would get a dog of my own but lord knows I can't take care of a dog by myself" he laughs.

"And who's gonna take care of you" I wonder.

"The thought of you" he smiles.

They announce that my plane is boarding and I push back the rest of my tears.

"I love you Gabs, make me proud" he says.

"I'll try" I nod. He pulls me into a kiss and for the last time in god know how long his lips were on mine. Just as they should be.

We break apart and I can physically feel my heart break. I quietly pick up my luggage and turn to my gate.

I turn back and see Artemi waving at me. I wave back and let out a breath I was holding onto.

Here's to the start of a new beginning.

After a few hours on a plane full of loud people and babies crying I arrive at my destination. I grab my bags and stand in the middle of the airport looking for someone to help me. I wasn't given much information, just that someone will be here to take care of everything for me.

"Ms. Watson" someone yells and I turn around. "Ms. Watson! Over here" they yell again. I see someone standing there holding a sign with my name on it. I grab my things and make my way over to her.

"Hi! My name is Kassandra and I'll be helping you out around here. Can I just say that I'm a huge fan" she says in one breath. She couldn't be older than 20.

"Fan of what" I ask.

"Of you" she says and my eyes go wide.

"Me? Why me" I ask.

"I love your work. Joffrey has been talking about you coming for weeks he's said nothing but great things" she promises.

"That's sweet. But I'm still not sure how that makes you a fan of me" I admit.