Skates and Sweets

[write_my_dreams]

TItle: Skates and Sweets
Author: write_my_dreams 
Pairing: None
Genre: Gen
Warning: None
Rating: G
Chapter(s): 1/1
Summary: Tsunehito takes himself out of the running for World Championships when he breaks his ankle in a practice session. Just as he's resigned himself to a difficult few months, his good friend, Mahiro, invites him to come to the rink with him and see his new routine.
Author's Comment: For the August challenge at vkyaoi . I started taking ice skating lessons back in July, and remembered I'd started a fic where Tsunehito and Mahiro were ice skaters. I'd only written a few paragraphs of that story and couldn't find any notes or outlines for it to show what all I'd planned. So I filled it in.

 

Tsunehito sighed as he gazed at the heavy boot encasing his ankle. He’d been so excited to take his new routine to the World Championships in Vienna. He and his coach, Asagi, had come up with a story about a princess who bonded with a dragon. His black and crimson costume had been designed to look like dragon scale armor. The new routine had been going well, Tsunehito loved his music, was inspired… then he broke his ankle in training. It’d been bothering him for a while, but Tsunehito had wanted to be comfortable with Dragon Princess before he took time away from the ice.

 

In hindsight, that was a terrible mistake. A stupid one too. Because he hadn’t listened to his body, Tsunehito was out for the rest of the season. He had to let his ankle heal, go through weeks of physical therapy, and get his body back into prime condition before he could even consider competing again.

 

Tsunehito glanced down when his phone buzzed. He scooped it up off the coffee table. He smiled when he saw Mahiro’s text.

 

Mahiro: I’m practicing today. Want me to pick you up? You’ll be the first skater to see my new routine~

 

Tsunehito: Yes!

 

Mahiro: Be ready in an hour. After, we’re going to Hiyori’s place for a dinner party. You’re welcome to join if you’re up for it

 

Tsunehito: Please. I can only watch so much anime

 

Mahiro replied with a thumbs up emoji in response. It was nice to have a plan. When Tsunehito had to heal up from injuries, he took the time to play his bass guitar, visit friends, catch up on movies, TV, and anime he’d missed while focusing on his training. Tsunehito may not be competing this season, but he’d be there to support Mahiro. The skating world often saw their close friendship as controversial. Both skated for Japan in men’s singles, were praised for their artistic and technical skill, and had been competing against each other since they were twelve and thirteen. Tsunehito was only a year older than Mahiro. They’d become friends after being assigned a room together at a competition when Tsunehito was sixteen and Mahiro fifteen. As roommates, they’d discovered all the things they had in common. They’d left the competition with medals and a budding friendship.

 

Both had lost count of the number of reporters who tried to pit them against each other.

 

“Mahiro-san is your rival. Is it strange to be friends with him?”

 

“Not at all. We bring out the best in each other.”

 

“How did you feel when Mahiro-san took first place after you fell on your triple axel?”

 

“I was disappointed in myself, but proud of him.”

 

The two often laughed over some of the reporters’ more prying questions. Yes, they were rival skaters and fiercely competitive, but that couldn’t take away their friendship. At twenty-three and twenty-four, they’d been close for a while. Even hung out with each other’s friends. If one was injured, the other’s apartment was always open for visits. Tsunehito liked going to Mahiro’s apartment to hang out with his three cats.

 

While he waited for Mahiro and Mitsuki, Tsunehito changed into a rink appropriate outfit, stuffed his coat and a few other things into his backpack, and left it by the door. What would Mahiro’s newest routine be like? They’d kept their programs a secret from each other. The plan had been that they’d see each other in action once they arrived in Vienna. That was a bust, but at least Tsunehito would see Mahiro’s routine before any other skater.

 

Knocking alerted him to his guests. “Coming!” Tsunehito called. He eased himself off the couch, tucked his crutches under his arms, and made his way to the door. He opened it to see a beaming Mahiro standing outside with Mitsuki. Mahiro was dressed in boots, leggings, and a form-fitting black shirt that would have his choreographer, Takemasa, drooling all over himself if he were here. Mahiro had purple highlights now, which suited him. “Hey. Thanks for the invite.”

 

“We figured you’d be ready to climb the walls.” Mitsuki indicated Tsunehito’s backpack. “Can I get that for you?”

 

“If you don’t mind.”

 

Mitsuki picked it up. “Let’s go. How’s your ankle?”

 

“Sore,” Tsunehito sighed. “It’s my own fault for being stupid though. I ignored all the signs I needed to give it a rest until I fell and broke it.”

 

Mitsuki smiled wryly. “At least you admit it.” He reached for Mahiro, pulling him up against his side and ruffling his hair. Mahiro squawked in protest. “Unlike someone when their last injury kept them out of competition two years ago.”

 

“I admitted it later!” Mahiro complained. He pouted up at his coach as he smoothed down his hair.

 

Tsunehito chuckled as he watched them. Like himself and Asagi, Mahiro and Mitsuki were friends as well as being coach and skater. Those were the best kinds. Friends got away with calling you out on your shit in ways that a coach couldn’t. “Be careful, Mahi-chan. You need to win since I can’t.”

 

Mahiro grinned. “Oh, I plan to.”

 

 

At the rink, Tsunehito settled onto a bench with Mitsuki. They looked like siblings with their red hair and coats. One only had to look at them to know what their favorite color was. Tsunehito stretched out his bad leg. He felt a pang of envy as he watched Mahiro glide across the ice in a series of warmups.

 

Mitsuki patted his arm. “That’ll be you next year.”

 

“I hope,” Tsunehito sighed. “I’ve definitely learned to listen to my body now. And be more careful. I’ve been competing since I was eleven. You’d think I’d have learned by now.” He made a face. If only he hadn’t pushed himself so hard.

 

“Why did you ignore it?” Mitsuki asked.

 

Tsunehito frowned. “I just didn’t want to take a couple weeks off until I felt completely comfortable with my routine.”

 

“Mahiro was the same two years ago.”

 

“We’re both idiots then,” Tsunehito muttered.

 

Chuckling, Mitsuki nodded. “You can be. You’ve both learned though.”

 

“Yeah. Until it can be me out there, I’m going to be Mahiro’s biggest fan.” Tsunehito smirked as he fingered a lock of his hair. “Think I should get purple highlights to support him? Or just dye my hair purple.”

 

Mitsuki raised an eyebrow. “You sporting his trademark color would really get the media talking.”

 

“Exactly.” Tsunehito grinned.

 

Mahiro skated up to them. His face shone with excitement to show off his new program. “I’m ready!”

 

Mitsuki pointed the remote towards the speaker and hit play. “This is Kyubi. Skating is so often about beauty that Mahiro wanted to try something darker. This is about possession and kitsune.”

 

Tsunehito nodded. He could see the story unfold in the music, Mahiro’s movements, and his skating. The routine ended with him bent so far backwards his head almost touched the ice. Then he slowly straightened, did a little spin, and bowed. “Mahi, that was amazing!” Tsunehito applauded him. “I honestly think that’s your best performance yet.” Ah, if only Dragon Princess and Kyubi could perform at World Championships.

 

A smiling Mahiro skated over to them. “Thanks. I’m really proud of it.”

 

“You should be,” Mitsuki said. He handed Mahiro his water bottle. “Drink up.”

 

Mahiro took a long drink then capped it and set it back down. He met Tsunehito’s gaze. “Take care of yourself so we can skate again together next year, okay?”

 

“You can only imagine how badly I want to be on the ice with you now,” Tsunehito said wistfully. “I’m going to be your biggest cheerleader though. This is your time to shine.” And shine Mahiro did.

 

Mitsuki patted his shoulder. “Next year.”

 

Later, at Hiyori’s Apartment

 

Tsunehito carefully lowered himself onto Hiyori’s couch. “Is it okay if I prop my leg up?” He asked, indicating the little table in front of the couch.

 

“Of course,” Hiyori encouraged. He fetched a cushion and put it on the table, watching Tsunehito lift his bad leg onto it. “How long do you have to wear the boot?”

 

“My doctor said I needed to wear it for at least four weeks. It’s been one so far, so I’d love to get it off in another three. I’ll probably have to wear it a full six weeks though.”

 

Hiyori gave him a sympathetic smile. “I know that’s a huge pain.”

 

“Tsune!” A grinning Takemasa practically pounced. He sidled up to Tsunehito until he was all but sitting in his lap. “How’s the Dragon Princess doing?” He patted Tsunehito’s thigh.

 

“Wishing I hadn’t made that last jump,” Tsunehito sighed. “I’m happy I can support Mahiro and cheer him on. It’s just… going to be hard to keep myself occupied.” He recalled too late who he was talking to and the mistake he’d just made.

 

Takemasa’s leer was truly impressive. “If you need someone to entertain you or help you burn off extra energy, let me know.” He rubbed Tsunehito’s thigh, pouting when Tsunehito rolled his eyes and shoved him away. “I can even dress as a sexy nurse and help you shower!”

 

“Wow, Takemasa,” Mahiro deadpanned as he joined them. “That’s so generous of you. I don’t know how Tsunehito could possibly turn down such chivalry.”

 

“I do pride myself on being a gentleman.”

 

This time Mahiro, Tsunehito, and Hiyori all rolled their eyes. “Not to encourage Takemasa, but do you need help in the shower at all?” Mahiro asked. “I know I did with my last injury.”

 

“And he wouldn’t let me join,” Takemasa whined.

 

“You’re such a pervert,” Mahiro muttered.

 

Tsunehito laughed softly. “Ah, sometimes, but I’ve got Asagi for that. Ruiza too since he comes over with enough food for an army. I’m trying to stick to my skating diet and doing some exercises. I’m going to gain weight with all the sweets Ruiza brings by.”

 

“My offer stands to help you work it off,” Takemasa said cheerfully.

 

Tsunehito snorted. “I’m sure it does.”

 

Hiyori picked up another cushion and hit Takemasa with it. “Go help Junji and Mitsuki with drinks.”

 

“Aw, and I didn’t even bring my Kiss the Cook apron.”

 

“You’ll make do without it.”

 

Takemasa kissed Tsunehito on the cheek then left the couch. Mahiro and Hiyori joined Tsunehito. He felt fortunate to have such good friends. Takemasa’s perving aside, Tsunehito knew that his friends would make sure he wouldn’t get too lonely or bored while he healed.

 

Notes
1) I started writing this back in 2017, so it was fun to come back to and finish this.
2) D member roles: Asagi - coach, Hide-Zou and Ruiza - choreographers, Hiroki - costume designer
3) Kiryu member roles: Mitsuki - coach, Takemasa and Hiyori - choreographers, Junji - costume designer
4) My title back in 2017 was "Skates and Sweets" but the 'sweets' part of the title never made it into the fic. Curious.

Comments

[thehamhamheaven]

This is so cute! Mahiro would make an excellent figure skater, and I'm sure Tsune would too. I really like when friendly rivalries are friendly and not excuses to sabotage one another, and you can really tell how genuine their friendship is.

I'm glad you decided to finish this one. \o/

[write_my_dreams]

Thank you! Wouldn't they be gorgeous on ice? Yes, me too. I imagine being friends with a rival is a great way to motivate yourself/each other.

Me too. I've been having so much fun coming back to my unfinished VK works. Jumping back into the fandom came at a perfect time, because being into comics is making me want to drink. It's maddening trying to keep up with things...

[thehamhamheaven]

Honestly, the reason I stopped reading DC comics is how long it takes to get new installments. I just don't have a good enough memory to read something that comes out only once a month and has a 2 year story arch. Half-way through I've forgotten 2/3 of what happened and stopped caring about the other 1/3 because it's taking so frickin long!! I'll still pick up trade paperbacks if someone recommends a particular run, but otherwise I can't do monthly books.