Chapter Text
“-And a beautiful turn, now for his jumps, he has a total of three planned, and the first one being a double lutz, and he- ah!”
The phone was snatched out of Heeseung's hands, the audio immediately getting lost in the sounds of the busy train station.
He held his hands out stupidly, as if he was still holding the phone, before turning with an innocent smile up at his thief.
Heedo glared down at him, slipping the phone into Heeseung's suitcase, which he held at his own side.
“What have I told you about rewatching that video?” He hissed, his eyes far softer than his words. “Do you want to have another breakdown right before returning to the rink?”
Heeseung rolled his eyes, folding his arms with a huff. “I won’t have another breakdown, hyung. We’ve been over this! The therapy really did help. I wouldn’t be returning otherwise, right?”
Upon seeing Heedo's unimpressed expression he decided that he was most certainly not getting his phone back, it would probably just be better to leave it.
A shame really, with nothing to listen too, all he had to keep him entertained until his bus arrived was the loud ambience of the station, people chattering in a language he mostly understood, the screech of the trains and his crushing thoughts.
He really couldn’t blame Heedo for his concern, not at all. After he had a fall at a competition two years back, just the thought of skating again had been enough to send him spiraling, but now, he wanted to move to France to learn under one of the best ice skaters of the generation?
Had he been a more responsible parental figure he would have absolutely denied him. Perhaps with training closer to home, and starting out small, not running off to another country to attempt his return to competitive skating.
Heeseung had been so lost in his thoughts that he wasn’t aware the bus had arrived, until he had been pulled to his feet.
He blinked up at Heedo for a second, trying to read his blank face, before being pulled in for a hug.
“Sorry for worrying, Heeseung. I just...You know how hard the past few years have been on both of us.”
Heeseung smiled, letting his eyes flutter closed as his brother gently hugged him.
“Of course! I know you’re only trying to do what’s best for me. But I’m fine! Really! I promise you, I’ll prove it!” He wrapped his arms tighter around the other man. “I swear, you’ll be so proud..!”
Heedo - rather rudely - scoffed at his speech “Maybe one day I’ll be proud, when you learn your limits.”
Now it was Heeseung's turn to scoff.
“I know them better than anyone! You can be so protective, Dad.”
With a soft chuckle at the title, Heedo pulled back, ruffling Heeseung's hair, before immediately trying to neaten it up. “I’m holding you to that.”
He handed Heeseung's suitcase back to him, dipping his head apologetically at the waiting bus driver.
“I've arranged for your car to be delivered to the rink at 5:30, if you want to finish earlier you can call them with the number on the card. And you’ll get the key for your apartment at the front desk, it should be under your name if not-“
Heeseung had started to daze out again before Heedo put his hand on his shoulder, fully aware of his quirks by now.
“And if you need anything, Heeseung, anything, just call me. It doesn’t matter how small, I promise you, I will always pick up.”
Heeseung nodded quickly, eager to get on the bus. "Of course. I will!”
With one more quick hug he pulled his luggage over to the door. “I’ll text you when I get to the apartment. Love you!”
“I love you too.” Heedo waved to him, a slight smile on his lips as Heeseung returned the gesture and dashed out of sight to his seat.
Upon reaching his seat, the first thing Heeseung did was pull out his phone, the video was still on pause. He almost turned it back on, before thinking better of it and instead opting to open Instagram for the long ride.
-
The rinks in Paris were far more spacious than the ones back at home.
He had driven past a few, some even being bigger than the one he stands in front of now. But surely no teacher from any of those bigger places could compare to the lead instructor here.
The Ice Prince, as he had been dubbed for his ferocious performances that left his name atop every scoreboard, was without a doubt, one of the best figure skaters in the world.
Heeseung had no shame in admitting he had idolized him almost his entire life. Ever since he was a toddler, watching that flash of his iconic blue outfits across the tv to the day he decided he was ready to return.
He had been the reason he started, and the main cause behind the guilt that ate away at him whenever he thought of quitting.
The Ice Prince would never quit over a silly fall, surely? No, he would make it an art, a part of the performance. It would tell a story. A talent he could only dream of.
A small bell rung as he entered, startling him for a moment.
“You're right on time! Most of my students are usually terribly late.”
Heeseung jumped, startled again, at the voice before recognizing the man on the counter. “Mr. Park, sir!”
He dipped into an unnecessary bow, to which he chuckled.
“Sir? Just call me Sunghoon. I assume you are our Mr. Lee?”
“Yes si- uh, Sunghoon.” He nodded so fast he could almost feel a headache coming on.
“Perfect! My office is the first door on the left, I’m almost done with these papers. I will be with you in just a second!”
Heeseung dipped into a bow again (a habit that was growing increasingly more and more embarrassing, but couldn’t be helped. It was almost as if even off the rink he served as a prince) and scurried off to the door.
Setting his skate bag on the carpet felt wrong, despite the carpets plain appearance, so he set it on his lap as he stared around the room.
The desk and walls were absolutely covered in photos, most of which being moments from Sunghoon's skating career. He could pretty much pick out any outfit and place a name and a date to it.
The beautiful silk blouse he wore for a performance to Swan Lake, embellished with blue sapphires and long black feathers that made him look like a sorcerer of sorts. And his navy velvet suit from his performance in Gone With the Wind, a suit that made him look like an ocean god under the blue lights of the rink, oh he could go on forever.
Most photos were of his solo achievements, but there was the occasional photo with others, most being people he didn’t recognize, including a large frame on the desk depicting him and another man, both wearing traditional Korean wedding attire.
There were some people he did recognise from the skating world, such as Jang Wonyoung, famous for her show with Sunghoon, the Inferno Sonata. In which she dressed as a flaming damsel, lava pouring out of her neck and eyes, plays the part of the lead singer.
And Kang Taehyun, quite well known for his performance as Burning Sand, in which Sunghoon had also dressed in western attire for his part.
And another man he feels as if he should recognize, but his name escapes him at the moment. But he could never forget the beautiful costumes they wore, with their silver matching rhinestone embroidery and-
He jumped as the door opened and present Sunghoon himself stepped in. “I'm sorry for taking so long. Now, before we begin our session may I ask you about something...?” He questioned as he settled into his chair.
Heeseung cringed internally. This could only be about his fall, something he would rather not think about right before getting back into his skates.
“I hear you’re planning on competing this upcoming season. Have you ever considered doing something... different for your return?”
Sunghoon shifted his eyes away from Heeseung's for a moment before continuing, “Like... having a partner, for example?”
Ah. So not about the accident. Good to know.
“I... I’m not entirely sure. After my...”
Don’t think about it don’t think about it don’t-
“Last... competition. I think- I think all I need is just something simple, something familiar, to ease me back into it.” Heeseung settled on.
Sunghoon seemed to flinch at the answer, something he decided must have been a trick of the light. “I see. Does this have anything to do with your fall?”
Fuck.
“I...uh...no, no.” He responded with all the confidence he could muster. “Absolutely not! It wasn’t even that bad. I mean, the injures I had only kept me down for a few months.”
Technically true. Although it wasn’t the physical injuries that kept him off the rink.
Sunghoon smiled. "Thats great to hear! Gosh, it was quite the fall. I would completely understand if you never returned after that.”
Luckily for Heeseung, he started rummaging through his desk before he could properly get his mind stuck on the past again.
“Now, all you need to do is sign these forms and then we’re good to go." Sunghoon presents the forms by sliding them across the desk with one hand.
Heeseung could hardly pick up the pencil with what could only be excitement.
-
Heeseung flopped down on the unforgiving metal bench with a groan. That damn skate bag was going to be the death of him.
Sunghoon was back at the main desk, promising to return when he had gotten his skates on, leaving him with a small moment of peace.
He recognised the music playing faintly on the speakers. It was a classical piece, used for Sunghoon's act in Canyland . It was a rather dramatic piece, the violins screeching as he spun and jumped around the rink to tremendous applause. It was one of his favourite performances of his. He played the part of the Roaster, who attempted to end the hero’s journey before-
The slam of a door startled him out of his thoughts, for what could have only been the third time this afternoon.
Right. Right. He was meant to be preparing.
He rose from his seat, flexing his legs to prepare for his stretches. He placed his palms on the wall, lifting a knee to his chest.
He had almost done ten steps before pausing.
The smell of roses instantly flooded his senses, almost making him gag. He wasn’t aware Sunghoon had such a... bold taste in perfume.
No, surely he would have smelt it sooner? He had been in his office, after all, and didn’t notice a thing.
He turned back out of curiosity, just as a newcomer slams their skate bag down on the bench a few rows up.
Ah, he should have guessed they wouldn’t be completely alone. It was a big rink after all, hardly unusual for regulars to ask to come in and practice out of hours.
He watched curiously over his shoulder. This new figure seemed a little shorter than him, and wearing gym shorts and a hoodie, which exposed the lower half of their back when they bent down. They had already managed to get their skates on, which Heeseung personally found extremely impressive. He had always struggled with his.
They stood up suddenly, startling him once again, and ducked down to tie their dark hair back in a small ponytail. They then took a quick sip of water, checked their phone for a split second, and skated out onto the rink before Heeseung could even get a look at this strangers face.
Interesting.
Well. Back to his stretches then.
He continued on, occasionally sneaking a glance back onto the rink. They hadn’t moved from their spot in the middle of the rink. How odd.
In fact, they didn’t even move until Heeseung had pulled his skates on and stepped onto the rink.
They whipped around to face him, their brows furrowed and plush lips in a pout. They seemed to stare him up and down, but before they could open their mouth Sunghoon stepped out onto the floor.
He wasn’t wearing skates, so Heeseung stood tall over him as he approached, the stranger...not so much. The second he stopped the stranger immediately hissed. “I was having a lesson today, no?” They sneered, Heeseung noting an Australian accent thick on their tongue.
Heeseung's eyes widened at their attitude. Towards Park Sunghoon of all people!
But Sunghoon only smiled. “Well. I honestly wasn’t actually expecting you to come, Jake.”
Heeseung's eyes went back and forth between the two of them, surprised at this new development, and to have learnt this fiery (and admittedly rather beautiful) strangers name so quickly.
He decided to hold his tongue and see how this plays out.
“Of course I was going to come! You made it sound like my entire career was at stake!”
Sunghoon bounced on his heels excitedly. “That’s because it is! You can’t keep doing the same old thing, over and over, you need to push your boundaries! You don’t want to get burnt out, do you now?”
Jake's eyes narrowed dangerously as he tilted his head to the side ever so slightly. And if it wasn't for his pissy tone, Heeseung would've thought it was cute.
“You didn’t get me a partner now, did you?”
Heeseung shivered. Out of all the things he was hoping for from his lessons, skating with a partner was not one of them. He needed to feel confident in his own skating first, and trying to impress a partner was absolutely not going to help. Especially one as...vocal as Jake.
“Um, Sunghoon? I-I don’t think either of us are all that keen on this arrangement. Maybe we could talk this over a little more...?” Heeseung tried, his voice finally finding him.
A smirk graced Sunghoon's lips as he paced back and forth. “My, my. How different you two are.” He paused, resting his chin on his fist. “I cannot think of a more interesting pair!”
Jake mumbled out something, that he could hardly make out before Sunghoon lifted his hand.
“None of that. I am quite curious to see how this partnership goes.” He reached out to hold both their hands. “And don’t worry. If it doesn’t work out, I won’t try to pair either of you with anyone in the near future. This is just for your next competition, okay?”
“I’m going to be competing with him? Is this just some sick experiment for you?” Jake spat, his face scrunched up as he yanked his hand back to his side.
“You could call it that if it makes you feel better. Big bad Sunghoon has forced you into something you don’t want to do again! Perhaps this is the first time he will be wrong, hmm?”
...
Well. Not the development Heeseung was hoping for.
He turned his gaze back to his new partner. Only to meet his gaze and instantly make things more awkward for himself. Brilliant. He wouldn’t have expected anything less.
Sunghoon stretched his arms high above his head, seemingly unaware of the attempted murder in his students gaze. “Now before we begin, did either of you do your warm ups?”
“How the fuck am I supposed to do my warmups with half a rink?” Jake hissed, which - in Heeseung's opinion - was rather petty, considering his rink back home was half the size of this one.
“Aw, You’ll get used to it.” Sunghoon giggled, seemingly thinking the same thing as Heeseung. “My poor, poor, little fleur... forced to use half a rink...”
Jake said something under his breath again before skating off with a little skip on his heel. He immediately fell into some sort of routine, circling around the wall, his movements smooth and elegant.
He paired it in with several moves definitely not suited for a warm up, a spread eagle, from the inner edge to the outside, to a waltz jump, and followed by a spiral, which he held high above his head as he circled around.
Even while showing off, he held an air of elegance as he moved, his hands relaxed and his body held tense where needed, but loose and gentle wherever looked right.
He looked like a prince. You would have never guessed he was a, well...brat.
Regardless, Heeseung almost felt privileged to be allowed to watch such a performance. Perhaps he had been a dancer, he must of been, with movements like-
“You have warmsups too, if I’m not wrong?” Heeseung almost slipped over, completely forgetting his coach was in the room. Sunghoon grinned at him, watching Jake from over his shoulder.
Sunghoon must've noticed Heeseung's daze, causing him to weakly smile at him. "You don’t have to show off like him. Just focus on your own warmups.”
Heeseung nodded rapidly, feeling horrendously embarrassed for being caught watching. No, he shouldn’t be embarrassed. He was just watching. His heart was only racing with anticipation of his warmups. Warmups are terrifically exciting after all. Yeah. Warmups. Cool.
He took off into a circle around his half of the rink, starting with a slight stumble as his gaze caught the skater on the other side of the room again.
Jake was spinning in the middle of the circle he had made, feet almost touching and his arms crossed over his chest. Fucking show off - Absolutely gorgeous performance though.
Heeseung simply settled for some crossovers for his warmups, and maybe a coffin or two to stretch his legs out more? He must have been lost in his thoughts, as Sunghoon seemed to call them in within no time.
“What’s with that face?” He cooed, lifting Jake's chin, tilting his head back and forth in a playful inspection. “You manage to become even more scowl-y every day."
Jake only folded his arms, giving him a look that could probably burn a small village.
“So miserable, both of you.” He hummed, shaking his head slightly. “You shouldn't worry about your duo performance so early. You won’t be properly skating together until I have a choreography picked out for the two of you anyway.” He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Maybe today you should just do your own thing. Brainstorm some ideas? The performance won’t feel like your own if I’m doing all the work!”
Jake was back on his side of the rink before he'd even finished his sentence. He’d fished his phone out of the pocket on his shorts before spinning around to the tune of something on his headphones.
Left with some free time, Heeseung decided to practice his jumps, before thinking better of it and instead opting for some spins. The more time he spends on the ground the better.
This time he found himself working on his presentation more than he ever had before, trying to keep his hands loose and elegant, his head high and steps bouncy. He wasn’t stupid, he knew where this sudden interest had come from. He wanted to show off to the other skater in the room. Obviously.
But it didn’t seem to come as easy to him, perhaps he was focusing too hard to the technical aspect, or... perhaps....
He found himself staring at the other, now focusing on a jump combo, that made Heeseung flinch on a particular familiar jump. Maybe... Jake was just born for this role. No matter. Presentation isn’t everything.
He realised he had stopped without noticing, silently watching Jake again. His movements had slowed slightly, likely a result of his stunts during his warmups. So, it seemed he did have flaws, after all. He wasn’t just some invincible god here to awe the world with pretty spins.
He wasn’t aware his staring was so noticeable, until he was startled out of his thoughts by Jake staring back at him. He quickly hopped into another step sequence before the embarrassment could fully sink in.
Maybe they would be a good match after all, he caught himself wondering. With technical skill of his own, paired with the presentation and skill of his partner...
Maybe Sunghoon was right.
They just needed to work on the attitude.
-
Heeseung:
Got to the apartment safe! Hope the train ride back wasn’t too traumatic. Tell the cats I miss them already!
Heedo:
Good to hear. Good luck Heeseung, you're gonna do great.