bibcmarvel

The problem was the silence afterward.

Because Alysa didn't address the rumors at all.

No denial.

No clarification.

Nothing.

And logically?

You understood why.

Engaging with gossip usually made things worse.

Alysa had dealt with media attention practically her entire life. She knew ignoring rumors was usually the smartest option.

But emotionally?

It still hurt.

Especially because your relationship had always been private.

Not secret.

Just protected.

Alysa posted you sometimes in casual ways-your hand in photos, blurry date-night pictures, your shoes beside hers-but never enough for the public to fully know who you were.

Which usually felt safe.

Until now.

Now every comment section made your stomach twist.

"They'd actually be cute together."

"Wait I thought Alysa was single?"

"They're definitely dating."

You never told Alysa how badly it got to you.

Mostly because you felt guilty for even feeling insecure.

She hadn't done anything wrong.

Still-

Every time she dodged another interviewer question or ignored another viral rumor online, a tiny voice in your head whispered:

If she wanted to claim you publicly, she would.

And honestly?

That thought wrecked you more than the rumors themselves.

Alysa noticed the change slowly.

The quieter phone calls.

The way you stopped sending teasing texts during rehearsals.

How your smile looked smaller every time the rumors resurfaced online.

But Alysa misunderstood the reason completely.

She thought maybe the distance from tour was just hard on you both.

So she tried compensating in other ways.

Extra FaceTimes.

Late-night calls from hotel rooms.

Pictures from rehearsals.

"Miss you :("

"Wish you were here."

And every single message made you feel worse somehow.

Because she loved you.

You knew she did.

Yet part of you still felt invisible.

By the final week of Stars on Ice, you were emotionally exhausted.

You hated feeling jealous.

Hated feeling insecure.

Hated that some stupid internet rumors affected you this much.

So instead of talking about it-

You swallowed it down.

Like always.

Then came the final show.

You decided to attend mostly because Alysa begged.

"Please?" she'd whined dramatically over FaceTime. "It's the last show."

So now you sat quietly near the front row while the arena buzzed around you.

The show itself was incredible.

Of course it was.

Alysa looked completely alive on the ice-playful, fearless, effortlessly expressive in the way that made audiences adore her.

And watching her skate still made your chest ache with love despite everything.

Unfortunately, the media section afterward ruined your mood again almost immediately.

Because during post-show interviews, one reporter smiled a little too knowingly before asking:

"So Alysa, fans online are very curious about you and another skater on tour-"

Your stomach dropped instantly.

Alysa's expression changed immediately.

Not angry.

Just tired.

The interviewer continued anyway.

"There's been a lot of dating speculation recently. Any comments?"

The arena hallway suddenly felt painfully quiet.

You looked away instinctively, already preparing yourself for another vague laugh-off answer.

But then-

Alysa spoke.

"Yeah actually."

You blinked in surprise.

Alysa crossed her arms casually.

"I'm not dating any skaters on this tour."

The interviewer looked startled.

"But the rumors-"

"Are rumors," Alysa interrupted simply.

Then her expression softened suddenly.

"And honestly? My girlfriend deserves better than constantly seeing people make up stories about me."

Your breath caught instantly.

The reporter looked surprised.

"You have a girlfriend?"

Alysa looked almost offended.

"Yeah? For a while now actually."

Your entire chest tightened painfully.

Because Alysa almost never talked publicly about your relationship.

Not because she hid you.

Just because she protected her private life fiercely after growing up so publicly.

But now?

Now she kept going anyway.

"She's not famous," Alysa explained calmly. "And she likes her privacy, so I'm not putting her life online."

Something in your eyes immediately burned.

"But she's literally the best person I know," Alysa continued easily. "And if she's seeing all this rumor stuff, I hope she knows I'm ridiculously in love with her."

The entire world stopped.

You genuinely forgot how to breathe.

Meanwhile Alysa just shrugged casually like she hadn't detonated your emotions completely.

"I don't really care about internet gossip," she added. "But I care about her."

Silence hung for a second before another reporter awkwardly moved onto skating questions.

But you barely heard any of it.

Because suddenly every insecurity that spent months eating you alive cracked apart all at once.

Not because Alysa gave some huge dramatic declaration.

But because she chose you publicly without hesitation.

Calmly.

Confidently.

Like loving you wasn't something she needed to hide from anymore.

By the time Alysa escaped interviews backstage, she found you standing near the hallway looking seconds away from crying.

Her face immediately softened.

"Hey."

You stared at her for a second.

Then suddenly grabbed the front of her jacket and kissed her hard enough to surprise her completely.

Alysa made a startled noise into the kiss before immediately melting into it.

When you finally pulled away, she looked adorably confused.

"...Not complaining," she breathed. "But what was that for?"

Your eyes filled with tears embarrassingly fast.

"You idiot."

Alysa blinked.

"That narrowed it down zero percent."

You laughed shakily despite yourself.

"You had NO idea how much those rumors were messing with me?"

Her entire expression dropped instantly.

"Oh."

Immediately.

Immediately Alysa understood.

"Baby," she whispered softly.

You looked away embarrassed.

"I know it was stupid-"

"No," Alysa interrupted quickly. "No, c'mere."

She pulled you gently against her chest right there in the hallway despite staff and skaters still moving around nearby.

And honestly?

You didn't care.

"I should've realized," Alysa admitted quietly into your hair. "I thought ignoring it was better."

"I know."

"But I never want you thinking I'm unsure about you."

That sentence hit straight through your chest.

Because Alysa Liu had spent so much of her life avoiding unnecessary media attention.

Yet the second she realized your feelings were involved?

She chose you anyway.

Publicly.

Without fear.

You looked up at her carefully.

"You really meant all that?"

Alysa snorted softly.

"Baby, I could've kept going."

You laughed through tears.

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

Then Alysa gently grabbed your face.

"I don't care what rumors people make up," she whispered. "You're my person. Okay?"

And somehow-