AN: I absolutely loved the finale, so I decided to celebrate with a little story. Please let me know what you think!
They'd done it. Against all odds, overcoming all obstacles, they'd done it. They'd won gold at Worlds by coming together as a team, by becoming a family. Every point had been fought for, each routine hard and grueling. But, in the end, they'd done it. And now they stood at the top of the podium, tears of joy running down their faces as the Star Spangled Banner played, their families crying and cheering for them harder than anyone else. They'd finally done it.
"This is officially the most amazing night of my life." Kaylie's voice was soft as she leaned into Austin's chest. They were slow-dancing on the balcony of Austin's hotel room... in the middle of the night, with no music, the moon the only light. Kaylie smiled to herself at that. How much closer to perfect could you get?
"I'm glad." Austin said, gently kissing the top of her head and feeling her smile grow. His voice was a quiet laugh, sending shivers down her spine as his breath whispered through her hair. "It is the most amazing night of my life, too, and all because of you."
Kaylie lifted her head from his chest to look into his face. "Why me?" she asked, her dark eyes reflecting the moonlight in a way that made Austin feel like she could see into his soul. He sighed and pulled her closer, resting his forehead on hers.
"Because you have this power, Kaylie," he said, tracing her jaw with his thumb. "Power over everything that you do. Gymnastics, life, everything." He laughed quietly, and she gasped as his breath washed over her face and into her mouth.
"But I am not powerful." she said, running a hand through his hair. Austin really laughed at that, throwing back his head and practically howling at the moon. Kaylie just looked at him, confused.
"If you asked any one of those millions of people around the world who watched you perform tonight if you were powerful, the answer would be a unanimous yes." Austin paused, holding her face with his hands. "You see, power has many definitions. Strength, beauty, control, knowledge, the list goes on and on." He dipped his head to better see her expressions and smiled; she was so unsure, but still so open and accepting that it almost broke his heart. "Every one of those definitions would describe you, Kaylie Cruz, and yet they still would not even come close to telling the world how truly amazing you are."
"Austin," she whispered, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Do you really think that?" Her eyes glowed with moonlight now, shimmering with tears of happiness.
"I do." he replied, the same moonlight framing him against the stars like a guardian angel. Her guardian angel, the one who had always stood by her and protected her. "I love you, Kaylie." he said slowly and softly, his entire soul poured into four little words.
"I love you, too, Austin." Her voice was strong through her tears, a smile as bright as the moon on her face. She stood on her toes, stretching as high as she could to place her lips on his. He smiled into their kiss, and lifted her up, his strong arms easily encircling her. The kiss was gentle and sweet, as deep as the night sky, their hearts united. When they finally separated, Austin just held her, still swaying gently, dancing. She laughed softly, her cheek pressed to his, their tears mingling together. "My feet aren't touching the ground, Austin."
Austin laughed, too, and lowered her to the ground, his arms still around her.
Kaylie sighed and closed her eyes, burying her face in his chest as he leaned his head on hers. She smiled and tightened her arms around him, placing a soft kiss directly above his heart.