Twenty-Eight | Nathan

Nathan wakes hungover to messages and memes of his drunken attempt to drag Anastasia upstairs. Anastasia, unbothered, offers “pity pancakes,” and their easy affection softens his anxiety. In group chats and over breakfast, teammates tease, and Henry bluntly suggests Anastasia might be in love, leaving her flustered but smiling.

Nathan reflects on Anastasia calling their situation a relationship, her plan to move back after sorting things with Aaron, and his looming move to Canada. A brief exchange with his sister about a family Christmas trip underscores his reluctance to see his father.

Acting on Brady’s instruction to fix “trust issues,” Nathan drives Anastasia to the university pool instead of the rink. With the swim team away, he sets up a safe environment to practice lifts, assuring her he won’t drop her. Despite initial nerves—and a revealing bikini—Anastasia agrees.

They start with simpler lifts in shallow water, repeating until Anastasia’s confidence grows. Nathan follows her technical cues, reinforces safety, and steadily increases difficulty. When they attempt the lift tied to her recent fall, he has her deliberately destabilize to prove his control, keeping her secure throughout.

As Anastasia feels fear ebb, she acknowledges Nathan’s strength and reliability. The session ends with renewed trust and quiet intimacy, signaling progress both for their skating partnership and their deepening relationship.