:-x-:
RECRUITMENT / PRE-SHOW
:-x-:
"Who are they pairing you with?" Beatrice demands, plonking down next to Hero on the bench. "I'm stuck with that awful comedian, Ben Patterson."
"Oh, I like him. He's funny."
"Really? He gives me I hate my wife vibes and he's not even married — thank goodness." Beatrice rolls her eyes. "So go on, who have they put you with?"
Hero chews her lip. "John Aragon from Verona Beach."
"Who?"
Hero shows her a photo of him on her phone. "He plays the villain, Don Morello."
"OOOHHH. He's fit." She meets Hero's eyes with a knowing grin. "I mean… he looks in good shape."
"Uhuh."
"Claudio's not going to be pleased."
"Wh-what does that mean?"
"Nothing," her friend croons with a smirk that has Hero's brow scrunching and her cheeks warming.
"Hmph." Hero pushes her braid behind her shoulder. "Seems he also has a temper."
She shows Beatrice the article about John Aragon in a bar fight.
Beatrice inspects the pictures. "Think I'd take the hothead over the loudmouth. Want to trade?"
Hero laughs, withdrawing her phone. "That's not allowed."
Beatrice taps her lip. "You watch Verona Beach, don't you? Isn't this the guy you're always swooning over."
Now Hero's cheeks are blazing. "I don't swoon. I just find him interesting as a morally grey character."
Beatrice pats her hand. "One day, sweetie, we really need to have a talk about your taste in men."
"Stop." Hero shoves her playfully. "It's not as if I have a crush on the guy."
Her friend raises a brow. "Mhmm."
"Come off it. I have a boyfriend and I am a professional. There is going to be nothing but mutual respect between John and I."
"Hmm, well good luck with that." Beatrice clicks her tongue and straightens. "Ready to skate."
Hero shoves her phone into her bag along with any thoughts about the power in John Aragon's arms and how it would feel to be held by them. "Absolutely."
:-x-:
WEEK 6 - MUSICALS
:-x-:
Hero hugs the tupperware container in her arms, the plastic wrapper of the bouquet on-top rustling as she shifts from foot-to-foot. She hopes she has the right place.
The door opens and John is there, bathed in the hall-light. He leans on the frame, his mouth tugging into that secret smile of his. Hero is not sure why but her pulse rockets.
"Hey."
Her mouth blossoms into a smile. "Hi."
"Are those flowers for me?"
Hero opens her mouth—
"JOHN ARAGON DON'T LEAVE HER STANDING THERE IN THE COLD, INVITE HER IN!" His mum yells from further inside the house.
John steps back from the door, motioning for Hero to come inside with a flourish of the hand that manages to be sarcastic and sincere in one motion. She scurries inside, biting down a smile that presses into her cheeks.
"Let me take those." John takes the items in her arms as she removes her coat, slipping off her shoes.
Titus circles her and she bends to pet him. "There's my favourite pooch. Are you happy to see me?"
Clarissa comes out to greet her, bundling her into a hug. "Hero, it is so lovely to have you here!"
"Thank you for inviting me. These flowers are for you and I made a tiramisu for dessert."
"Oh, you are a treasure." Clarissa touches her cheek, her eyes darting over her shoulder for a second then returning to her with a smile. "Come, make yourself comfortable."
Claudio had not been pleased when he learned Hero was having dinner with John and his mum.
"He's introducing you to his parents!"
"I see his mum every Sunday when she is here for the show. We're friends."
"I can't believe this. It's Valentine's weekend and my girlfriend has plans with another man!"
Hero reared back, body tensing. "You and I can still do something together on Saturday if you have an idea in mind…"
Claudio scoffed. "It falls to me to make a plan I see."
"It's only that you brought it up—"
"No, no. I'll keep doing all the work in this relationship. You enjoy your dinner.
"Claudio—"
He has not spoken to her since. She hates it when he acts like this. It leaves her unsettled in her skin, his disapproval pressing in on her even when he is not around. John has asked more than once if she is alright. She assured him that she is but she can see in his eyes he is not convinced. She needs to do a better job of hiding her emotions, he is troubled enough after last week's fall and he doesn't need to be burdened with her relationship drama.
It is easier to forget about Claudio now that Hero has a glass of red wine in her hand and Titus snuggled beside her as she relaxes into the sofa. Clarissa is telling her a story about her past career on the stage that has Hero enthralled.
"So, you are the reason John became an actor?" Hero asks, glancing between mother and son.
"John always loved to perform. He was in every school play," Clarissa muses fondly. "Here, I will get the photo albums out."
John bolts to his feet. "No. You. Will. Not."
Hero giggles. "I would love to see that."
Clarissa winks and goes to grab an album, dodging her son's attempts to block her despite him being significantly taller. "He always wanted to be the villain. I have photos of him as The Sheriff of Nottingham, he put more heart into that than some Oscar winners do."
"Oh my gosh!" Hero squeals as she leans over the photo album. "You're adorable! Look at your drawn-on moustache!"
John slumps back in his seat. "Spare me."
It is very late when Hero gathers her things to go, the hours have vanished with the wine in a haze of stories and warm laughter. "Thank you so much for having me around. I've had a wonderful time."
"You are welcome any time," Clarissa beams. "John rarely brings anyone over and it was a delight to have you. That tiramisu was gorgeous!"
Hero struggles with her coat sleeve. "Thank you, I—oh."
John holds her coat, helping her get her arm into the sleeve. She can feel the warmth of his body behind her, conscious of every inch of their height difference
"John will see you home safe," Clarissa says.
Hero had said she would call a taxi but John dismissed the idea of her paying for a lift when he could drive her — he had avoided drinking over dinner for this reason. She settles into the car with him. Titus is staying with Clarissa over the weekend while John is busy with rehearsals so it is just them. It is quieter in the car than it had been in the house where excited chatter filled the rooms and yet the silence is not awkward. It brings with it a sort of comfort like falling into bed.
"I had a nice time tonight," Hero says, curling into her seat so she can gaze at John. "Your mum is lovely."
"You two certainly amused yourselves at my expense." His voice is deadpan, no malice behind his words.
"It was nice to learn more about you. I didn't realise you'd been so into acting as a kid. You never talk about it."
His fingers drum on the steering wheel. "Yeah… well… kids grow-up."
Hero hums and lets the silence settle on them once more.
After several miles, John speaks, his voice low. "I've been playing the same role for years now… guess I've grown… bored of it."
"Why not try something else?"
"I'm in Verona Beach. Who would take me seriously? At least it's a solid paycheck."
Hero straightens in her seat, not taking her eyes off him. "And if it didn't matter, if you had the chance to do anything, what would you do? I would like to know."
He is quiet, focus on the road, but Hero likes to think she has learned the difference between John's silences when he has no intention of responding and those when he is weighing his next words.
"I'd do Shakespeare. Like my mum."
"You should go for it." John makes a scoffing sound but she persists. "I'm serious. You're already ice skating on live television. What could be scarier than that?"
"Hm."
Hero lets the subject rest. When they at last reach her apartment building, she slips out of the car.
"Thank you for the lift, John. It was really kind of you."
"Hero…" He begins and something in his face makes her heart skip. He looks away, muttering to the steering wheel, "I'll see you tomorrow."
She nods and smiles, not dwelling on the disappointment that swoops through her stomach. "See you tomorrow, get home safe."
He waits for her to enter the building before he starts to drive away. Hero thinks about him all the way up the stairs. She hadn't known what to expect when she had been partnered with John Aragon. He always appeared to be scowling in photos and from the scarce few interviews of him online it seemed the brusque attitude of his Verona Beach counterpart wasn't all an act. Now though she thinks how fortunate she is to be among the few who know the true soft-heart behind the hard exterior; that the terse attitude often mistaken for rudeness (and alright, sometimes is rudeness) comes from the shy awkwardness of an introvert who would prefer to be at home with his dog and a book than mixing in loud crowds.
She smiles as she thinks of their evening together, unlocking the door to her apartment.
"Oh my gosh!" Her eyes bulge at the enormous bouquet of roses set on the table.
"Those came for you while you were out," Beatrice drawls from where she is curled in front of the television.
"They're from Claudio?" Hero moves to check the card.
"Are you expecting roses from anyone else?" Beatrice teases, a touch too knowing.
She looks up. "Is that Ben you're watching?"
Beatrice loses her smile. "I was watching the variety show, I didn't realise he was performing."
Now it is Hero's voice that chimes playfully. "What a coincidence."
The card confirms the bouquet is from Claudio and he has made arrangements for them to eat at Florentino's, his uncle's Italian restaurant, the next night. She should be pleased, this means Claudio is speaking to her again, excited even for them to be going on a date together (it has been a while, what with their packed schedules). Yet she feels nothing, not a single spark.
She must be tired. That's all.
:-x-:
STOMP. STOMP. CLAP.
STOMP. STOMP. CLAP.
The rink shakes as the audience joins in with the percussion. Hero and John exchange grins, repeating the beat.
STOMP. STOMP. CLAP.
STOMP. STOMP. CLAP.
It is Musicals Week and John and Hero are dressed in punk apocalyptic clothing skating to We Will Rock You by Queen. After last week's fall they had agreed tonight's routine would be about having fun.
They hurl themselves into the performance, their skates razing the ice as they speed around the rink. It is one of the most technically challenging skates they have done to date but the movements are fluid. John attacks the routine as hot-blooded as Buddy in the song. His movements are precise, cutting through the air like a knife and Hero is envious of the audience getting to watch this. Yet she wouldn't trade places for the world as John lifts her into his arms, flipping her over his shoulder.
As the guitar solo begins John goes in for the sit spin, whirling in the centre of the ice. He finishes in a knee slide, miming air guitar until the song ends and the auditorium is filled with the audience screaming.
John sags with relief. As Hero helps him to his feet he pulls her into a hug, laughter reverberating through her ear. She forgets about the audience and the cameras watching, about her boyfriend waiting in the wings, and basks in the giddy glow of their success.
It is no surprise to her when John receives the highest score of the night and later when it is confirmed they are through to the next round.
"I can't believe it," he utters backstage.
"You were amazing! I'm so proud of you!" She hugs him hard. He smells like sweat and fire and she has the strangest urge to taste him.
John swears suddenly. "I agreed with Conrade that I would do a morning show interview if I made it through."
Hero laughs. "What channel? I'll watch."
He shakes his head, hair gelled into spikes, and grins like that kid in the old photo album. "We did it."
BUM. BUM. BAH.
Hero's heart bounces on the floor, rolling unnoticed into some shadowy crevice not to be rediscovered for a long-time.
"You did it," she whispers through a tightness in her windpipe.
"No. I'd have quit a thousand times over without you." His fingers press between the fishnet of her sleeves. "Thank you for always supporting me. I know I'm not the easiest partner to work with—"
"I wouldn't have any other," she blurts, eyes misting.
She hides her face in his shoulder. His arms tighten around her as her pulse riots in her ears.
BUM. BUM. BAH.
BUM. BUM. BAH.
:-x-:
WEEK 7 - GUILTY PLEASURE GROUP SKATE
:-x-:
"Despite what last Sunday's leaderboard would have us believe, you've not had an easy time of it. It was only two weeks ago that you had that fall. How did you manage to pick yourself up and carry on?"
"I wanted to finish on my feet," John answers the interviewer. "I felt sure I was a goner." He looks at the camera. "I'm grateful for all the viewers who believed in me and voted to keep me in."
Hero smiles at the TV, hugging the cushion in her lap. For all John's grumbling, he knows how to give a good interview.
"You proved their faith justified with that phenomenal performance the other night. You looked completely at ease."
"I let go of my inhibitions. If it was going to be my last performance, I wanted to enjoy it."
"But it wasn't your last, you're through to another week and not far off from the semi-finals. Do you think you'll make it all the way to the end?"
John is cool as a cucumber as he reclines in the interview chair. "I'm just taking it one week at a time."
Beatrice clanks around in the kitchenette, earning a glare from Hero before the interviewer's next question has her whipping back to the television screen.
"You have a strong relationship with your professional partner, Hero."
Hero finds herself leaning forward, awaiting John's answer.
"Hero is a wonder on the ice. I am lucky to have her as a partner and a coach. If I'm a half-decent skater it is because of her."
The interviewer's expression turns sly. "The chemistry between the two of you has been remarked on many times. May I ask if it spans off the ice as well?"
Hero's pulse flips, speeding up.
John's face is neutral as he replies, "She is a friend. I have a lot of respect for her as a person and a skater."
"There has been a lot of speculation of a romance. Any truth behind those rumours?" The interviewer goads.
"Don't believe everything you read on the internet."
The interviewer pushes for more but she may as well be speaking to a brick wall. John gives her nothing and at last she wraps up. As they cut to the adverts, Hero stares at the screen, a warm tingling spreading through her stomach.
God, she hopes Claudio doesn't see the interview. His jealousy is getting worse, griping about John more and more, complaining about how much time she spends with him as if it isn't her job. The last thing she needs is for him to hear any rumours of a romance.
Her and John. Ridiculous.
She almost laughs at the idea. They may need to act like a couple in love for the odd performance but she knows John has no interest in her like that. As he said, they are friends. Purely professional. Why can't Claudio understand that?
She sighs and sends a message to John, congratulating him on the interview. As she is returning from the shower, her phone pings and she sees John has sent her a video of Titus. She giggles, cooing at the Doberman running through the park.
"What are you laughing at?" Beatrice inquires.
"Just this video John sent me of his dog." She remembers her earlier indignation. "Can you believe the Morning Show suggesting John and I were in some sort-of clandestine relationship. I mean, how crazy is that?"
Beatrice blinks slow. "Crazy. Yes."
Hero nods satisfied and returns to her phone, shooting off a row of hearts to John — and Titus, of course.
:-x-:
For Week 7, not only do the contestants have to perform their standard couples routine, they also have to compete in a group skate. Their numbers have been evenly divided into two groups with the highest scorers from the previous week assigned to the role of captain. Portia is one and John the other.
John had sworn into Hero's hair when he was announced as captain.
"I think you'll be a good leader," Hero assured him.
Despite his scepticism, Hero is proven correct for the most part. John is a good leader. While not excessive in his praise, he is respectful of his teammates and his compliments are honest. He lacks confidence but Hero is there to support with the technical detail and John has no reservations about deferring to her expertise. The other competitors listen to him and follow his lead. His biggest issue is — well — his biggest issue is Claudio.
When Beatrice and Ben then Claudio and Lady had been assigned to their team, Hero had been ecstatic. To be on a team with her best friend and her boyfriend seemed a brilliant stroke of luck. However, some of her excitement has since waned. She knows Claudio can be competitive but she expected any aggression would be directed to the other team. Instead, he challenges John on every detail, pushing back against his leadership and insisting they do the opposite.
She can see the control John is exerting to keep his temper in check, the muscle pulsing in his throat as Claudio criticises him yet again. Hero tries to be a buffer between them but that seems to make things worse. She thought being on the same team with Claudio would improve things between them but they are more strained than ever. She catches herself wishing sometimes that Claudio had been placed on the opposing team and then feels rotten for thinking it.
"Alright, now lift," Hero orders as John picks her up. Tingles go through her where he holds her and their bodies connect. God, it is like she weighs nothing to him.
A shout from the other side of the rink unsteadies John and he loses his balance. They go down, John shielding Hero as they fall. They land in a heap, Hero sprawled on top of him; her hair falls into his mouth and he spits it out. Adrenaline effervesces through them, pealing out in laughter.
"Oh my gosh," she giggles as John laughs, rough and beautiful. She feels the reverberations of it through his body beneath hers.
"HEY!"
Hero is unceremoniously hauled off John and onto her feet with the painful lurching of a marionette doll. Claudio frowns at her then turns a blistering glare onto John.
"What the Hell do you think you're playing at!"
Hero skitters back at her boyfriend's wrath. "Claudio—"
Despite his hand fastened around her wrist, Claudio vents all his vehemence onto John, who has pushed himself to his feet and is glaring back. "You want to put Hero in the hospital with your fooling around?!"
"Claudio, I'm fine!" Hero exclaims, shocked by his overreaction. "It was an accident!"
"It wouldn't happen if he was paying attention to his skating instead of flirting with you!"
"Claudio!" Hero is appalled. She tries to yank her hand free of Claudio but his grip is iron-tight.
"Let her go," John utters in a chill voice.
Hero's pulse ricochets with the rocketing tension.
"Ha!" Claudio's voice is savage. "You're gonna tell me what to do with my girlfriend!"
"WHOA!" Ben skates between them, arms spread. "Save some of that fighting spirit for the group skate. We're a team here, we need to work together."
"Ben is right. For once." Beatrice materialises at his side. "Get a hold of yourselves."
This does not have a calming effect on Claudio who looks like he is going to spit acid when Lady glides alongside them, speaking in that husk of a voice. "As much as I admire a hot-blooded male, I need a partner with a cool-head. Let's take a break and come back to this later."
Claudio grunts. "Fine."
He throws Hero's hand aside and spins on his skate, heading for the exit. John goes in the opposite direction.
"Are you alright?" Beatrice asks Hero softly.
Hero, who has been unconsciously cradling her wrist to her chest, musters a smile. "Y-Yes."
She doesn't admit what the rapid pounding of her heart reveals. For a moment, she had been frightened of Claudio.
Beatrice links her arm through hers. "Come on, let's see if we can wheedle some treats out of the café staff."
:-x-:
They make it to the weekend without a fight breaking out, but the tension between John and Claudio chokes the air like kerosene, one short fuse from burning everything down. She watches the amicable dynamic between the other team with envy, unable to escape the nagging feeling that this is all her fault.
The private rehearsals between John and her are a welcome reprieve, the only times she can relax. This week's theme is Guilty Pleasure, an irony that Hero refuses to examine. The purpose of the theme is for the contestants to choose a song or musician they consider a guilty pleasure. When John informed her of his choice she had been delighted though insisted there was nothing embarrassing about liking the Goo Goo Dolls.
"It was during my teenage angst phase and trust me that was embarrassing."
"Hmm, I wonder if your mum has any photos."
"Don't even think about it."
The routine she has choreographed is full of lifts and embraces to fit with the song. John is doing an excellent job at the technical execution but the instructors keep calling them out on expression ("This is a love song, you need to channel that emotion. I want to see your yearning!"). With all the drama with Claudio, Hero feels burned out of emotion, but she doesn't want to be the reason John is eliminated so she tries to portray a romance.
They are warming up for the dress rehearsal when disaster strikes. She is not sure what happens; one moment John is on his feet then he is on the ice, letting out a howl that pierces her. As she rushes to his side she has the sickening realisation that his shoulder does not look right. Medical are upon him in an instant and John is taken to be examined. It is confirmed he has dislocated his shoulder.
"Put it back." John demands.
"John… I'm not sure…" He is shirtless but Hero is too distracted by the dark bruising of his shoulder to really notice.
"I can't skate with a dislocated shoulder. It is this or forfeit." He addresses the medics. "Put it back in."
Hero is sent out of the room while the medics tend to John. Ice skating is a dangerous sport and she has witnessed worse injuries than this, but seeing John in pain has her trembling.
The other skaters and competitors express their concern for John, having heard about his accident. Only Claudio is unfathomably callous. "Bet he did it showing off."
"Shut up, Claudio!" Hero screams and stomps away, fed-up with her boyfriend's petty antics.
When John is released he insists he is fine but Hero can see he is wincing. They discuss how to adapt the routine, making last minute adjustments to which side he lifts her on. Hero suggests scrapping some of the lifts altogether but John is adamant he can handle it. They argue but John wins, too stubborn for his own good. Hero chews her nails.
Too soon it is Sunday and showtime. Hero has never been more anxious about a performance. She smooths down the glittering fabric of her dress; wardrobe have costumed them in a lilac nebulae, sewn with sequined stars.
John's usual stoicism does a good job of masking his pain from the cameras but she can see his jaw is clenched tighter than normal, teeth outlined in his cheek.
"Are you alright?" She asks for the umpteenth time as they ready for their performance.
"I'm fine." There is an edge of exasperation in his tone but it softens as he looks at her. "Trust me."
Hero trusts John with her life but she worries for his own wellbeing. His obsidian eyes envelop her like dark matter and she inhales, feeling as if a hand were pressed to her ribs. She breathes out, attempting to calm the trepidation in pulse. She trusts him.
They skate onto the ice, taking their positions. The opening notes begin. John and Hero move towards each other, reaching out their hands.
And I'd give up forever to touch you
She turns her back to him, his palms sliding up her bare arms as they skate in unison.
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
His arms fold around her, holding her to him in a moment of tenderness before bringing her into the first lift.
You're the closest to Heaven that I'll ever be
She searches his face for discomfort, but his features are set in determination and something else — a rawness that punches the air out of her.
And I don't wanna go home right now
It is the same choreography they have been rehearsing all week yet John is bringing new life to it, channelling new emotion. She does not falter in her steps but finds herself hypnotised by him.
And all I can taste is this moment
With each slice of his arm, swing of his leg he embodies the singer's passion and anguish, bleeding out over the ice in indigo and violet.
And all I can breathe is your life
He touches her with a reverence that dyes her ultramarine. The song infuses with her blood until she forgets where she is, forgets the eyes and cameras upon them, forgets everything but him.
And sooner or later, it's over
It is only her and John skating across a backdrop of stars, two celestial bodies meeting in a cosmic collision.
I just don't wanna miss you tonight
There has always been a connection between them when they skate, stronger than what she has experienced with any other partner, but now it is as if their souls have harmonised, their skating achieving the sort of synchronicity it takes professional pairs years to perfect.
And I don't want the world to see me
Their bodies move together with the music, flowing through one another.
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
She feels as if she could leap for the moon and John would catch her.
When everything's made to be broken
John does catch her as they move into their final lift of the routine.
I just want you to know who I am
They cling to one another, hearts beating against each other, their foreheads pressed together. His breath ghosts over her lips.
I just want you to know who I am
The audience erupts in applause, screaming their approval, and Hero, who had been leaning into John, remembers where she is. She darts backwards, eyes bulging. John's gaze is hooded, following her before he cleaves his attention to the audience, lifting his hand in gratitude.
Hero is aware of her heart going at a million miles per second as she gathers the molecules of herself that are still entangled with John's. In a dream, she sleep-skates with him over to the judging panel, gasping awake as they receive the first 10 of the series.
"That was some of the most beautiful skating I have ever seen. You share such a powerful connection, we can feel it even over here."
"John, to come out after an injury and do that, you should be very proud of yourself."
"I love this chemistry the two of you share. When you are on the ice together you create something magical!"
Hero floats on a cloud backstage with John. She still feels as if parts of her remain intertwined with him, like glitter you can never wash-out.
"Hero…"
Her name is a hook through her heart and she turns to him, a sensation warm and luminescent cresting inside her. He is staring at her with the same intensity as he had on the ice, eyes blazing with determination. Before he can speak, however, the crew is shuffling them onto the viewing balcony. They are greeted with overwhelming applause and even a wolf-whistle from Ben.
"The yearning!" Their instructor exclaims. "You did it with yearning!"
Hero is grateful Claudio's skate with Lady is next. She doesn't want to know his reaction.
Hero and John remain wedged between the other competitors as the programme continues. Her gaze keeps gravitating to him, an electric current running through her each time their eyes connect, skin hot as a supernova where their hands touch.
As they take their positions for the group skate, goosebumps rise to his touch like a magnet. Their skating is as synchronised as it had been in the couples skate but it is more than them on the team and the tension that dogged rehearsals pervades through their performance. Hero is not surprised when Portia's team is announced the winners, theirs being a much smoother skate, however their loss lands both Lady and Ben in the skate-off.
Ben is voted through. Lady is eliminated.
Conscious that Claudio is bound to be in a foul mood after the loss and her head still spinning from her skate with John, Hero slips home as soon as she has the chance. She tells herself she needs to sleep. Everything will make sense after a decent night's rest.
Her dreams are painted in lavender, perfumed with iris flowers. Strong arms hold her tight as hands caress her trembling body, wine-drunk kisses stain her lips in amethyst and pearl and she gazes into a familiar pair of obsidian eyes...
Oh.
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
:-x-:
WEEK 8 - FLYING SOLO SKATE
(SEMI-FINALS)
:-x-:
"No one told me when I agreed to this competition that I would be strapped into a harness and hoisted into the air!"
Hero offers a teasing smile. "Afraid of heights?"
John throws her a murderous look that really shouldn't stir the things inside her that it does. "Do I look like Peter Pan?"
Hero has spent enough time pressed against the lean muscle of his body to know he is most definitely a man not a boy but such thoughts belong in the steel box she has labelled DO NOT OPEN. It is where she is storing all her tangled thoughts and feelings about her partner until the competition is over. Now, amidst rehearsals for the Semi-Final, is not the time for distractions.
With one week to go before the Finals and five contestants remaining, Week 8 has upped the ante. Each couples skate will be choreographed with the celebrity contestant half skating, half flying through the routine. In addition to this the remaining celebrities will participate in a group performance at the start of the show, with each of them completing their own solo skate during the performance.
"Why not have us jump through a ring on fire while they're at it," Ben had squawked when the flying was announced.
"Don't give them ideas," John hissed back.
His shoulder is still not perfect but he takes to the aerial skate fairly well. Watching John be flown around in a harness is somehow easier for Hero than having to sit on the sidelines as he and the other competitors coordinate their group skate. It is weird watching John skate without her, seeing him do lifts with the other female celebrities. Her fingers flex and curl as she restrains from interfering.
She is caught between pride and panic; John has come so far with his skating, this is his first routine without her. The strings of her chest tighten. Even if they make it through the Semi-Final, they will only have another week left before it is the Final and then the competition is over. Will she even see John after that? Talk to him? Will they fall out of contact the way she has with other contestants.
Her teeth tear at her nails.
He has been such a big part of her life these last months. She can't imagine a day going by where she doesn't talk to him.
She slams those worries into her mental vault and locks it tight. She needs to focus on getting John through this week. Whatever her feelings, they are irrelevant.
:-x-:
Lady's elimination means Claudio is not around as much. He is still part of the programme, but without a contestant his role is reduced and Hero doesn't see him for most of the week. It is not until the dress rehearsal that he corners her. She can tell immediately from his face that this isn't a conversation she is going to enjoy.
"You haven't been answering my calls."
"I-I've been busy."
She backs-up as he crowds her against the wall. "You've been with him."
Her fists tighten, heart bolting like a spooked rabbit. "John is my partner. We work together."
"You're not working at night. Unless there is something else going on between you, huh?" The accusation is written all over his face.
Hero flinches from the sheer vitriol. "There's nothing — we're not — why do you keep suggesting there is?"
"I see how he looks at you. How you look at him, practically dropping your knickers for him right there on the ice in front of all the cameras!"
Hot tears prick Hero's eyes, her face in flames. "I am not. Stop it."
Claudio is merciless. "He's only here because the menopausal women watching have the hots for him! He should have been out in Week 5 when he fell but the audience felt sorry for him! He buggered last week's group skate and got Lady eliminated when it should have been him. He has all the talent and skating skill of a wooden plank!"
Hero's blood is no longer hot with mortification but simmering with outrage. "You've always been jealous of him! Ever since I was partnered with him you have acted like a child. You weren't like this with my previous partners!"
"Yeah because the first one was gay and the last was old and married," Claudio spits like this is obvious.
Hero rears back. "So the only reason you didn't accuse me of cheating then was because the men themselves were unavailable?"
Claudio folds his arms and raises his eyebrows, utterly shameless.
Hero is trembling, she hasn't been this upset since she told her dad she didn't want to ice skate anymore. White hot fury simmers through her. "Let me be clear, I have NEVER cheated on you and I never will. Because. I'm breaking up with you."
Claudio actually looks agog as if he hadn't considered this an outcome. Hero too is shocked, her own words ringing in her ears.
There is a cough and they turn to find an assistant squirming behind a clipboard. "Y-Y-You're needed on the ice. N-n-now."
"Right," Hero gulps down a breath. She doesn't dare glance at Claudio as she hightails it out of the hall as fast as possible.
John is already strapped into his harness when she arrives. As soon as he sees her his features narrow, "What's wrong?"
"N-n-nothing." She swallows a hysterical hiccup.
His forehead does not unfurrow, still searching her face. "Hero—"
She is spared from explaining herself as their cue is called and John is hoisted into the air. Years of training enables Hero to perform even when her head is a hurricane. Did she truly break-up with Claudio, her long-term boyfriend? How could he have said those horrible things to her? Is that muscle cramp or heartache?
As the routine reaches its midpoint John flies down to her like a guardian angel here to whisk her from her hurt. She is lifted into the air with him, his arms secure around her, holding her as if it were his sole purpose in life. The look he gives her smoulders through her with a sulfuric blaze that leaves no doubt as to what kind of angel he is.
Beautiful, she thinks gazing into his face and clutching him tight.
As they swing over the ice she forgets Claudio, forgets her pain, all that is left on the ground. Here in the air she is a freebird, soaring in John's arms. She has never felt so weightless.
It is with heavy longing that her feet return to the ice. Her fingers fumble with the laces of her skates and she hurries to the ladies dressing room to change. As she bunches the shimmering lycra over her head and grabs her next costume she feels a tingling run through her shaking fingers, warming the tips of her ears and curling in her toes. She remembers the strength of John's embrace, how it felt to fly with him — he may not have been Peter Pan but she felt like Wendy. She hugs her stomach, her heart quivering as fireworks explode in a technicolour, each one of them whispering oh, oh, oh.
Distracted as she is, she is the last of the pro-skaters to return to the rink and rushes to take her place. The celebrity contestants sit in the stands, glad to have their parts over with for the morning as they watch the professionals rehearse their own routine.
John catches Hero's eye and winks. It hits her like an arrow. She forces her attention on the rehearsal, attempting to clear her head. Distraction is a good way to get herself injured.
The professional skates are choreographed and practiced during the months when the celebrities are learning to skate so that, aside from a couple of rehearsals, most of their time can be dedicated to their partners. Hero is circling through the steps, arms spread like wings, part of herself still wheeling high above when hands close around her and she stares into Claudio's cold visage.
With a sickening lurch she remembers that he is her partner for this routine. His face is a frozen wasteland and Hero's ears creak with the splintering of ice. Outwardly she carries on skating, her body continuing the sequence even as her heart batters like a quailing bird in the cage of her ribs. Claudio's grip is bruising as he steers her through the dance.
Since she has known him, Hero has trusted Claudio to be her skating partner, to sway her, spin her, to be her counterbalance over the ice and to lift her to dangerous heights. She needed to trust him otherwise she never would have been able to do those stunts. However, for the first time since they started skating together, she feels a needle of fear.
He lifts her above his head and her thoughts scream — she should have told someone about their fight — Claudio would never drop her — he looked apoplectic in the hall — oh God, please — Claudio would never hurt her —
He lowers her back to the ice and Hero sucks in a breath but her reprieve is short-lived. They cycle through a series of stunts, increasing in skill and risk. Being professionals their routines are more complex to keep the audience entertained. Hero fights to retain control of herself, body trembling as he drags her around the rink like a ragdoll.
Then he is seizing her for the lift and throw.
She knows as he launches her through the air that he has angled it wrong, has used too much force. Still, she extends her leg, part instinctual, part hoping she will catch herself—
Her boot lands wrong. Pain lances through her as her leg buckles and the ice hurtles to meet her—