(it may not have been directly cause by him, but apollo can tell he did something wrong enough to cause that discomfort and nervousness on klavier's face. he can't gauge how the conversation is going at this point, too many ups and downs to be truly sure if they're getting along or not. just because klavier agreed to the date doesn't mean he won't lose interest.

and apollo is worried that if he keeps speaking, he will. that he'll lose the one shining star he's managed to find after weeks of mistreatment by those trying to get the story, by other skaters and coaches. thinking about the root cause of it all, who got him here in the first place, that's not something apollo wants to dwell on.

klavier's words ring through loud and clear, snapping apollo out of what was sure to have been him backtracking, erasing everything he just said, and no doubt running out of the rink and hope he never has to deal with the aftermath of possibly hurting klavier.

but instead, he's still welcomed. with more than open arms, klavier welcomes apollo's company, and if apollo had a little more confidence in himself, he'd assume klavier was reaching for it. a blush explodes on his face once more, unable to make eye contact as he struggles for words, any words, to say in the face of that.) You've done the same for me. You're the first person to say that about me.

(he shifts from where he stands, taking those few brave steps to lean against the rail next to klavier, but he keeps a distance of a few feet. can't risk getting too close and losing it all. his head is hung as he stares down at the ice, wondering just when it started that he couldn't smile at the sight of a rink anymore.) Are those seriously our standards? To be treated like people?