Icing Those Hurts (NOT MY STORY. READ DISC)

Part 40

Because he doesn't have a coach now, Tommy worries that he won't be able to compete, but he's told that if he is okay with being at a slight disadvantage to his opponents, then he can compete all he wants.

Tommy remembers thinking, it would be more of a disadvantage to actually have him, so- please.

He says yes, and suddenly, after being controlled all his life, he's faced with so, so many options and possibilities. He has to pick so many things and think over everything, and it's overwhelming. He almost thinks he can't do it, but then-

Tubbo bangs open their door. "Tommy. If you pick Moana, consider this friendship over."

Ranboo slinks in after him, sitting down at the foot of Tommy's bed lightly. "What he means is: we're here to help you sort through the music, if you want to."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Tubbo grabs a pillow then sprawls out on the floor, opening Spotify. "I think the other figure skaters wanted to help, but I told them to fuck off."

Tommy's brow furrows. "Wha- why?"

"They could do sabotage, Tommy. I've seen I, Tonya. Lani fell asleep halfway through, but I saw the whole thing." He says. "Her knee! What if they do that to your music?"

Tommy laughs and then carefully lays across the bed, so his head is by Ranboo's side. "I've never seen it."

"We're watching it together." Tubbo demands. Then he falters a bit. "Oh, uh, if you want to, of course."

Tommy smiles, laying his chin on his crossed arms. He doesn't mind being bossed around by Tubbo so much- Tubbo just does that to everyone. "I want to. Sounds fun."

"Watching movies with him actually sucks," Ranboo says. "You think you're having fun until you realize it's awful. And then he tricks you into doing it all over again."

"Stop lying to him," Tubbo demands. "I'm a delight. Aren't I a delight, Tommy?"

Tommy slyly doesn't answer, but he's sure his happy expression tells Tubbo all he needs to know. "What music do you have for me?"

They stay up all night, going from track to track, with Tommy standing up in the middle of the room and trying to imagine the choreography for it. He finally settles on something upbeat and bouncy, and Tubbo cheers, excited to celebrate the first ever music of his choice.

The final week before the events, he's on the ice every afternoon by choice . He goes down for his one slot with Wilbur or Quackity or George by his side- they give input into the dances and tell him what might look cool, but nothing much more than that because Tommy is an expert on the technical stuff already.

George, surprisingly, knows a lot more about figure skating than Tommy thought he did. He's definitely Tommy's favorite to practice with out of all of them- not that he'd ever tell any of them that.

All in all, that week of practice is some of the most fun he's had figure skating on the ice in a long, long time.

After the last practice, Techno carries Tommy off the ice- not because he's so exhausted that he can't walk- just because he asked for it. Tommy, secure on Technoblade's back, grins when the man says, "you're gonna kill it, kid. I just know it. Gold or no gold, you're amazing."

Tommy, this time, doesn't hide his smile against Techno's shoulder. He smiles wide, because he knows it's true.