Past
A/N: We finally get to meet the people who sent the letter and get some backstory.
"You think he'll come?" Static asked, camera shaking for a moment.
Sandy shrugged in response, looking around the half-full café. A few people came up to her earlier for photographs and signatures, but the one person she wanted to show up wasn't here yet. "Maybe he just found it. . .or he threw it away." Sandy said, ordering another mocha.
She hoped he hadn't mostly because Static asked her to contact him and their competition was a week away. Sandy looked up as the bell above the door tinkled, she smiled looking down at her phone. "He's here. I'll text you later." She said, hanging up before Static could reply.
Sandy waved at Shadow, watching him walk towards her. His physique hadn't changed from two years ago. He was still lean with defined arms, shoulders, and legs.
Shadow sighed, folding his arms against his chest as he sat across from her. "Look—."
"I'm Sandy, nice to finally meet you." She interrupted, holding her hand out.
He shook it, deciding to get straight to the point. "I can't help you," he said as the waiter came to the table. "I'm retired, I'm not going back. I've never even done pair skating."
"You used to," Sandy replied. "then you went solo and your performance in 2017 was—."
"Please," Shadow interrupted, grabbing her hand. "don't talk about that."
Sandy blinked and then nodded. "Alright. Well, I wanted you to come here 'cause I need a partner, and you. . .you're the first person I thought of."
Shadow sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm flattered, honest, but I can't."
Sandy swallowed. "I get that yer retired n all, I do. And if you don't want to help me, that's fine, but at least tell Static." She said, clasping her hands together.
Shadow cleared his throat, maybe he should've ignored the letter and stayed home. "The least I can do is pay a visit." He didn't really have anything else to do.
Static looked at his wrapped ankle. He was more upset at himself than anything. He pushed himself too hard. He looked up as the door opened and Sandy stepped into the room.
"How'd it go?" he asked, sitting up on propped pillows.
"Well," she started, sitting in the chair by the bed. "he said he cain't help but—."
"I wanted to visit you first." Shadow interrupted, walking in. Shadow looked at Static's leg then at his smiling face.
Static looked at Sandy then back at Shadow. "It's really him. Pinch me, I have to be dreaming," he said, flinching when Sandy pinched his arm. "I didn't mean it. Anyway, we have a—."
"I know," Shadow said. "Even as a substitute, I'm still retired."
"Our pair skate is for you," Static said, scratching his cheek. "We. . .we were there two years ago and wanted to pay tribute in the same rink."
Shadow blushed, asking, "Is that true?"
Sandy nodded. "He also wants to marry you so there's that," she said, grinning.
"So do you," Static shot back, laughing. "I saw what you said on the news."
He figured everyone had by now, he also didn't see why it was such a big deal. "If I sub for you, then you can pay your tribute or whatever," Shadow said. This might've been the wrong time for his desire to be on the ice again rear its head, but an opportunity was right in front of him. "It's been two years after all."
Static grinned as Sandy stood up and shook Shadow's hand. He went over to Static, put a hand on his arm and said, "Try and take it easy next time. Don't push yourself too hard that you both end up suffering."
"Alright. Thanks a lot for doing this."
Shadow left after getting the music and video of their performance from Sandy. He woke up his laptop, put the DVD and his headphones in and started watching.
He sucked in a breath as Moonlit Night played and they wore an outfit similar to the one he wore during his free skate. He paused the video and the music as it reached its crescendo.
The memory filled him with longing and contempt. If he hadn't gotten injured then he had a shot at the Olympics, and he can't go back and fix it. He dialed Mei's number, waiting for her to pick up.
"Hello?"
"Hey," Shadow started, unsure where to start. "I. . .I agreed to sub for a pair skate. For Static and Sandy."
"When?" Mei asked, he could hear the pride in her voice and it helped.
"Next week." He answered, hearing silence on the other line. "Mei?"
"You haven't skated in two years,"
"I know."
"Their performance is next week. Have you even spoken to their coaches yet?"
"I was planning to, tomorrow, but their skating. . .it's amazing." He said. "I don't think I can. . .can we meet up tomorrow after I speak with their coaches?"
Mei was quiet for a moment again. "Alright. I knew what you said on TV wasn't true. You love being on the ice."
If the ice loved him was a different question, but he didn't want to risk saying that. He didn't want to ruin his chances before they truly began.