A/N: How come I always end so lazy at the weekend and do nothing? This is another late chapter (and I thought I'm stopping them). I hope you like it!
Rogue's skates touched the ice. He breathed heavily, his back slightly bowed. Not perfect. Not even close. Light, reflected from the snow everywhere, blinded him as he stood up. After a moment of rest - enough to get used to the brightness again - he skated for another jump. This time, it would be…
"You are great!" Someone clapped from the banks.
No! Rogue turned to look at Sting - he would guess that voice anywhere - with eyes wide-shot. The ice came too close, too fast. Dive in the shadows, quick! Except there were no shadows over the perfect mirror, the light having destroyed them all. No way to lessen the impact of the cold ice.
"Sorry!" Sting was quick to say and ran to Rogue on the ice. Before Rogue could say anything, Sting had already slipped and fallen in front of him. "Ouch! That thing's hard!" He stood up and rubbed his nose to lessen the pain. "But I guess we're even now, aren't we?" Only he could smile after falling face-first.
"I… guess." Rogue had turned away from Sting, looking at the trees in the distance. He had skates; he could run and Sting would have no chance to chase. It would take some time to take off the skates - but maybe he could run with them on if the snow was deep enough. How had Sting found him out? Lector had sworn to not tell a word; the Exceed had too much pride to lie.
Sting had already stood up on his legs and - with lots of effort - waddled towards Rogue. No time to run now. Wait for an opening, any opening.
"Hey, that stuff you did was pretty amazing!" Sting smiled and extended a hand to Rogue to help him stand. "I didn't know you can do so something so cool!"
"Except I fell." Rogue wished even more that he could have disappeared in the shadows; Sting's praise hit worse than an insult. Who would believe such a wrong move to be cool? He took Sting's hand and stood up, without looking him at the eyes even once.
"But you still did that awesome jump with three spins before that." - Rogue's eyes widened; how long had Sting been there? - "And the fall doesn't make it any less awesome. So, Dragon Slayers don't get sick one these, huh?" Sting glanced at Rogue's black skates. "I thought I'd vomit my guts if I tried wearing them." He laughed. "Will you show me how to move on those blades? It seems like it takes lots of skill."
He truly liked it. He did not laugh at Rogue. Rogue had no reason to fear - he knew it - yet habits from the old Sabertooth still remained. But things were changing - so he should change too.
"I can, of course. Will we start tomorrow?"
