Chapter Text
Todd remembers when he first held a curling stone. He can vividly recall its weight and how it felt in his hands. Now, at 18, Todd is in his dorm, unpacking a suitcase containing his Team USA uniform for the Opening Ceremony. Today, he feels a different weight, the weight of expectations.
His family, especially his dad, expects him to come home with a shiny medal around his neck, just like Jeff in his Olympic debut, but he's scared. Sure, he's been to tons of curling competitions, but this is different—he's competing against the best in the world. Todd's teammate, Charlie, has been very reassuring, being a returning Olympian and all, but he isn't under the same sort of pressure as Todd. Todd's biggest concern is what happens when the media learns of the legacy he shoulders. How much pressure will they add to his load?
"Hey, Todd," Charlie calls to him, breaking Todd out of deep thought, "have you seen my lucky bandana?"
"The red one?" Todd asks. Charlie nods in response. "Nope, not since this morning."
"Damnit! I'm trying to set out some clothes for tomorrow, and it would look amazing with our sport jackets. Plus, I have to be ready for my close up." Todd chuckles as Charlie strikes a pose. "What? I'm serious! You never know when that camera will point at you."
Todd shrugs, "I guess so, but I'm trying to focus on tonight. For the Opening Ceremony, we're gonna be standing in the cold for hours, and I don't want my fingers to not freeze off." Charlie glances at his phone, checking the time.
"Speaking of hours, since we're gonna be there for a while, you might as well get acquainted with some of the other athletes. You cool if I introduce you to some friends? Good company makes time fly."
"Uh, sure. I'm gonna eat, though, so I'll be back in about an hour. I'll get ready for the Opening Ceremony, then you can take me to meet your friends." Charlie nods.
"Sounds good! Oh, and can you bring me back some spaghetti?"
"Okay," Todd says as he puts his phone, key card, and wallet in his pocket.
After eating his meal, Todd goes back to his dorm, with a bag in hand. "Charlie, I got your food." Charlie pokes his head out of their shared bathroom.
"Thanks, can you put it on the table?"
Todd nods, "Okay." He sets the bag down on their dinner table.
Todd moves towards his bed, where his Team USA uniform is laid out, and starts to get ready for the Opening Ceremony. He pulls on the knit, navy blue sweater with "USA" stitched on the front in white yarn and the white pants with a Team USA patch on its side. He stops to look at himself in Team USA attire, beginning to process the moment. He finishes the uniform by pulling on the white anorak jacket with blue and red detailing on the shoulders and arms. He tucks the matching navy blue gloves and beanie in his pocket, and goes to put on the matching red, white, and blue boots.
"Woah, Anderson, looking like a real Olympian now!" Charlie calls from his side of the room as he shrugs on his anorak. Todd smiles.
"Thanks, Charlie." Charlie, wearing a similar uniform, spins to get a feel for the boots.
"They really went all out this year!" he squeals in glee. "You ready, Todd?" He nods in response. "Cool, let's go meet the gang."
Charlie and Todd sit at a table, waiting by the dining hall for Charlie's friends. A loud voice carries above all the usual dining hall noise.
"Pitts that's unfair!" Charlie smirks and turns to Todd.
"They're here," he says with a smile. Charlie gets up from his chair, Todd quickly following. A dark-haired man runs up to Charlie.
"Charlie!" he exclaims as he tackles Charlie in a bear hug.
"Neil!" Charlie quickly squeezes him and lets go. "Hey, is that Knoxious I see?" Charlie playfully yells.
Knox does a little curtsy, "The one and only." The two do a secret handshake, and Charlie moves on to greet the rest of his friends. Todd takes it all in, laughing at Charlie's goofy antics.
Afterwards, Charlie stands on a chair. "Everyone, I want you to meet my new teammate. His name's Todd Anderson, and he's making his debut!" he yells. The group cheers. Cameron looks at Todd.
"Anderson? Like the curling Andersons?" he asks. Todd sheepishly nods his head. "Woah! Did your family come to see you compete? That would be so cool to meet- " Neil interrupts Cameron by playfully hitting his arm.
"Hey, it's his first Olympics! We should hype him up!" Cameron rolls his eyes and leaves to get water. Neil turns to Todd. "Don't mind Cameron. He's an ass-kisser." Todd giggles.
"I kinda figured." Neil smiles and holds his hand out to Todd.
"How rude of me, I didn't introduce myself. Neil Perry, figure skating." Todd took his hand and shook it.
"Todd Anderson, curling," he pauses, "But you already knew that," he adds awkwardly. Neil laughs. Todd, with flushed cheeks, looks at him in awe. How can someone have such a beautiful laugh? Neil composes himself and flashes a grin at Todd.
"Have you met the rest of the gang?" Todd shakes his head no. "You already met Cameron. He plays hockey. Those two over there are Meeks and Pitts," Neil says as he points to the two trying to chug hot chocolates. "They're downhill skiers, and they're always trying to come up with new techniques to cut down their run times." Neil points to Knox, "You might've seen Knox earlier. He's a snowboarder, and the reason why he's into it is because of Charlie," Todd laughs. "Seriously, snowboarding is one of Charlie's hidden talents. He dragged Knox into it when they were 14, and Knox has loved it ever since."
"Wow," Todd says, "I'll have to ask Charlie about his snowboarding days then."
"Don't tell Charlie I told you. He likes to keep those days on the down low." The two share a hearty laugh.
"Hey guys!" Meeks yells. "We should start heading to the stadium if we want to take pics before the ceremony!"
Neil smiles, "It's showtime, Anderson."