Riley and Val oneshots

Skating on faith

Riley had always found joy in the simplicity of skating across the ice. The feeling of cold air rushing past her face, the sound of blades cutting through the frozen surface—it was a kind of meditation for her. But more than that, it was where she felt most herself, where her goofy and honest nature could shine without inhibition.

Val, on the other hand, was the epitome of calm and confidence. She was popular at the hockey camp, not just because of her skill on the ice but because of her easygoing nature. Val's maturity often made her a natural leader, but she never flaunted it. She preferred to stay nonchalant, letting her actions speak louder than words. Early morning practices were her sanctuary, a place where she could hone her skills in solitude before the world awoke.

The camp was in a small town, far removed from the influences of organized religion. The world had changed, and so had the way people found meaning in their lives. In this post-Christian society, traditional religious practices were rare, replaced by a more spiritual, personal approach to life. People sought their own paths, finding faith in nature, in themselves, or in the bonds they formed with others.

For Riley, this shift meant freedom. She didn't feel the weight of societal expectations as heavily as previous generations might have. Instead, she was free to explore her own beliefs, her own sense of right and wrong. Yet, she often felt a sense of longing, a desire to connect with something greater, even if she didn't know what that was.

Val had never been one to think much about faith. She was practical, focused on the here and now, on perfecting her slapshot, and making her teammates laugh. But even she couldn't ignore the changes in the world around her, the way people seemed to be searching for something more, something beyond the tangible.

Their friendship began on the ice, where they bonded over their shared love of hockey. Riley admired Val's confidence, the way she seemed to have it all together. Val, in turn, was drawn to Riley's honesty, her ability to find joy in the little things. Together, they balanced each other out—Riley's goofy nature complemented Val's more serious demeanor, and Val's maturity helped Riley stay grounded.

As they grew closer, Riley found herself opening up to Val in ways she hadn't with anyone else. She talked about her feelings of uncertainty, her desire to find something to believe in, even if she wasn't sure what that was. Val listened, offering her support without judgment.

"Maybe faith isn't about believing in something you can't see," Val said one day after practice. "Maybe it's about believing in yourself, in the people you care about."

Riley considered this. "But what if that's not enough? What if I need something more?"

Val shrugged. "Then you keep searching. But don't discount what you already have. Sometimes, the things we're looking for are right in front of us."

Their conversations continued like this, often late at night after everyone else had gone to bed. They talked about life, about their hopes and fears, about the future. Slowly, Riley began to realize that faith didn't have to come from a book or a sermon—it could come from within, from the connections she made with others.

Their relationship deepened as they spent more time together, and soon, Riley realized that her feelings for Val were more than just friendship. It terrified her at first—the idea of loving another girl, of stepping outside the norms even further in a world that was still adjusting to its new moral landscape. But in Val's presence, she found the courage to be honest with herself, to embrace who she was without shame.

One evening, as they sat on the bleachers after practice, watching the sun set over the rink, Riley took a deep breath and confessed her feelings to Val. There was a moment of silence, the air heavy with anticipation.

Val looked at her, a small smile playing on her lips. "You know, I've been thinking about that too," she said quietly. "And I think...I think I feel the same way."

Relief washed over Riley, followed by a wave of joy. In that moment, she realized that the connection she had been searching for, the faith she had longed for, was right there beside her, in the form of the girl who had become her best friend and now, something more.

Together, they faced the world, skating on the thin ice of a new kind of faith—a faith in themselves, in each other, and in the future they would build together. And as they did, they discovered that love, in all its forms, was the most powerful belief of all.