Work Text:
Bitty was stressed. He had papers due, books to read, a blog to keep up, Jack had an away game in Cali, he was painfully homesick, and to top it all off? His lovely Betty was having heating issues. He couldn't even stress-bake. He only had one coping mechanism left.
Faber Rink, a pair of white skates, and his hometown playlist.
Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Jo Dee Messina, Kenny Chesney, Walker Hayes, Dolly Parton, everyone he grew up listening to in Georgia. His shitty wireless earbuds at full blast, he laces his figure skates to Reba and steps on the ice to Dierks Bentley. He starts with some simple stretches, on beat to his music, skating in slow loopy circles. He skates a few sprints up and down the length of the ice, stopping just to watch the snow splatter the boards.
Baby, what do you say we just get lost?
Bits closes his eyes, mouthing the words. He steadies himself for a jump, stabbing his skate blade into the ice and launching into the air. His landing is shaky and he only got in one full rotation, but hey, it's been awhile, he’s just glad he didn't bust his ass. Mentally, he's back on his home ice, jamming out with his skate class, doing random spins and jumps, seeing who could get the highest, the most rotations.
He said, “I’ve been where you've been before, Down every hallway's a slammin' door", No way out, no one to come and save me, Wastin' the life that the good Lord gave you.”
He drops into a low spin, and he’s at a charity event for his church. A storm ripped down the steeple, no one was hurt, but it wasn’t in the budget to fix it. They threw together baked goods from every family, found some secondhand carnival games, and the Johnson’s brought in some horses, 5$ for a lap around the block. The Brady’s son set up his bands’ speakers, and in no time the parking lot became a dance floor. The younger kids begged him to show them how to do a triple axel. Who was he to deny them?
Our love is unconditional, we knew it from the start.
He arches his back till hes nearly touching the ice behind him, and he’s at his cousin’s wedding.
When I get where I'm going, On the far side of the sky, The first thing that I'm gonna do, Is spread my wings and fly.
He’s on the football field, at a memorial for a classmate killed in a wreck over holiday weekend.
Strawberry wine on your lips got me amazed, how ‘bout you let this cowboy take you away? He’s back in the moment, skating backwards figure 8’s with his eyes closed. He feels the sunset through the window on his face. Gimme that wink, I’ma give it right back, you know you like it, he pops his hip to the right You love it he pops his hip to the left You want some more of that. he wiggles his shoulders on beat.
“You make me smile like I did, when we were radio kids, catchin the countdown on sunday, all the way to one day, when it was-uff!” he runs into a wall of warmth, and spins around to the face of his boyfriend. “Jack!! I thought you had a game?”
“That was last night, Bits.” Jack takes one of Bitty’s earbuds and puts it in his own ear. “Chowder said the Haus oven was busted so you’re here.” He rests his hands on Bits’ hips, leaning down enough for him to loop his arms around his neck. “What’s on your mind, cherie?” Bitty just sighs and leans his head on Jack’s chest.
“Just finals and stuff. Missed you. Missed Georgia. Poor Betty can't cook anything evenly.” He lets Jack skate him around. “Needed some old school.”
“Walker Hayes isn’t old school, bud.” Jack grins, and Bitty rolls his eyes.
“Yeah yeah whatever. It’s a good song though.” they just skate loops for the rest of the song, Bitty humming along.
Used to spend my nights out in the barroom… Bitty hums and lifts his head, looking up at Jack. Liquor was the only love I've known, but you rescued me from reachin' for the bottle, and brought me back from being too far gone.
“You’re as smooth, as Tennessee Whiskey. You’re as sweet, as Strawberry Wine.” Jack grins down at him, and Bits rests one hand on Jack’s jaw. “ You’re as waaaarm, as a glass a brandy, and Honey i stay stoned, on your love, all the time~”
“Mmm, cute.” Jack kisses Bitty’s forehead. “Do you have Strawberry WIne on this playlist?” he asks. Bits nods. “Good.”
“If you want to play something, my phone is over there, you know the password.”
“Good.” Jack starts to skate off, but loops back to plant a kiss on Bitty’s lips. Bitty makes a noise of surprise and just like that Jack is skating back to his phone. The music pauses for a moment before it starts again.
Turn it up some.
Bitty Laughs loud. Alright boys, this is her favorite song, You know that, right? So, if we play it good and loud, She might get up and dance again. Jack grins and slowly starts skating back to Bits, Ohh, she put her beer down, here she comes, here she comes, Bitty raises his arms over his head, twisting them and dancing, and pops his hips in time with the song. Left, left, left right left, woo.
“You challenging my country?” Bitty states, skating backwards away from Jack, who shrugs, grinning. Bits starts to sing along, hips swaying and popping. He turns around, facing away from Jack now. Poor ole boy it ain’t fault, it's so hard not to stare, Bits bends over slightly, sticking his ass out and slowly rotating his hips on beat. The song is right, Jack can’t take his eyes off of Bitty’s ass. He’s focused as he skates over. Lord have mercy, how'd she even get them britches on, that Honky Tonk Badonkadonk. Bitty is unaware that Jack is closing the distance, just dancing and singing along as if he isn’t damn near being hunted. “Now Honey, you can't blame her, For what her mama gave her, It ain't right to hate her, for working that,” Bits stops, puts his hands on the back of his head, and pops his hip out on beat, “Money Maker-” Jack is on him in an instant, holding his hips again and pressing his nose into Bitty’s neck. “Jesus lord Jack! Don't sneak up on me like that!” Jack hums.
“I might have made a mistake putting this song on.” he states, pressing little kisses to Bitty’s neck.
“And why is that, Mr. Zimmermann?”
“I thought it would be funny.” he starts, looping his arms around his boyfriend's waist. “But now i just want to fuck you.” he feels him shiver.
“Natural consequences, sugar.” Bits turns, looping his arms back around Jack’s neck. “And where do you intend to do that? You know we can’t here, and we ain’t gonna get any privacy at the Haus.”
“I’ll get a hotel room, don't test me.” Jack states, and Bitty laughs loud.
“Calm down tiger,” Bitty brushes Jack’s hair out of his eyes. “Wherever you take me, I’ll be happy with it.”
“Then why are we still standing here?”
“So impatient!” Bits takes hold of Jack’s hand and drags him off the ice. “Will we even make it to the locker room?”
“I haven’t decided yet, the more you chirp me the less likely it is.”