Work Text:
He sees the note on the counter when he comes home. Chicken scrawl written on a ripped off corner of a legal pad reads:
“3380 Mercer St. 8:00pm. Be there ;)”
Jack wasn’t sure if the smiley face was supposed to be winking, or if it was just a byproduct of Eric’s atrocious handwriting. He could picture him writing it though. Probably bored of taking notes for one of his classes, chewing on his pen in the moments when he wasn’t writing. When he got the idea for whatever it was he was planning, he probably leaned over his desk, scribbling down his message frantically and ripping off the corner of the page. Then he shoved it in his pocket, carrying it around all day, only setting it down on the counter once he got home.
It made Jack feel things to think about Eric thinking of him.
He smiled slightly to himself, looking around to see if his roommate (partner? Which title took precedence in these cases?) might be around. Still holding the note between his index and middle fingers, he raised his hand a little absentmindedly. When the sunlight hit the yellow paper Jack noticed there was writing on the other side. Curiously furrowing his eyebrows he turned it over.
“Bring skates.”
***
Jack didn’t know which skates to bring- roller or ice. Having no way to check in with Eric though, he had no choice but to pack both. They clinked against each other in his backpack as he walked up the street.
October in Philadelphia meant cool and breezy. And though Jack liked to think of himself as a real tough guy, the 6% body fat didn’t do much good in keeping him warm. He felt a little silly bundled up in Eric’s scarf and sweater and pompom hat (they were just warmer, okay?) while everybody else around wore casual trench coats and light knits. When he buried his nose further in his scarf (also Eric’s, but who cares?), it was purely to warm his nose, and not to inhale any scents or anything weird like that.
Jack wondered though- walking along Mercer and counting the numbers on the buildings- why did he still stop himself from feeling? Recent developments in his and Eric’s relationship had led them to a position most would call decidedly romantic. But whatever name you might give it- there was no longer any reason for him to do this old dance- to downplay what he felt or force it down, because it was all okay to feel.
And yet he still couldn’t help it. By force of habit he found he had to stop himself, that he couldn’t stop himself from fighting his own thoughts. Maybe he’d explode if he let himself feel it all to completion. Maybe the suppression had ingrained itself into the emotion itself.
The numbers increased: 3375, 3376, 3377, 3378… until finally he arrived at 3380- the old ice skating rink. Jack checked his watch- usually the rink closed at 5:00, so if he was correct it should have been closed for 3 hours now. He approached the door, and peering through the small window he could see a couple of lights on inside, bathing the interior in a pleasant blue light. His heart quickened, wondering what Eric had planned. With a deep breath, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.
***
The familiar scent of rental skates and cold ice greeted him as he entered the empty lobby. The rink was silent. Jack’s footsteps and the closing door echoed in the quiet building.
Rounding the corner, he saw the entrance to the ice, and a figure sitting cross-legged right in the middle of it. He’d recognize that mop of blonde hair anywhere- it was Eric.
Jack smiled, ducking behind some bleachers to lace up his skates and take off his scarf before heading out onto the ice. Eric’s face lit up when he saw Jack, waving to him.
"Hey Eric," Jack said. "What are you doing out here?"
Eric sighed, but his eyes twinkled in a way that betrayed his excitement to see Jack.
"I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you."
Jack rolled his eyes.
"Gotcha… so then I guess I’ll just have to find a way to live knowing you’re keeping secrets from me, huh?"
"You aren’t gonna beg me to tell you?" Eric asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Do you want me to?" Jack smirked.
"You know I love it when you beg," Eric replied, looking up at him from below, batting his eyelashes suggestively.
Jack blushed, despite himself, as he took a seat next to Eric on the ice. "You know that would’ve been like, 10% less disturbing if you were standing up." He grumbled “But okay, fine- I’ll beg.” He wrapped an arm around Eric’s shoulders, shaking him a little, and begged in an obnoxious pleading voice: "Tell me please, oh Eric, why are we sitting in the middle of an empty ice rink?"
Eric looked down at his knees, but Jack could see the grin on his face.
"Jack, when’d you learn how to skate?" he asked.
Jack thought about it for a minute, letting go of Eric and scratching his chin "I don’t actually remember. It’s been a long time. It’s one of those things that you love so much it feels like you’ve known it forever, you know?"
"Oh trust me, I do." Eric said, a mischievous look in his eyes.
"Oh? Like what?" Jack asked.
"Like you" Eric said, making a kissy face at Jack.
"You’re gross, man." Jack shook his head, wincing but still feeling his face heat up.
"Awww are you blushing? Did I make you blush?" Eric teased.
"When did you learn?" Jack countered, redirecting the conversation.
"When did I learn what?"
"Skating"
"Oh." Eric said in a tone indicating he wasn’t expecting that question. "Well, you see Jackie-boy, that's the reason we’re sitting in the middle of this-here ice rink."
He held Jack’s gaze, but Jack wasn’t understanding whatever unspoken thing Eric was trying to imply. "I never did." he mumbled.
"You’re kidding." Jack said, voice dripping in amusement.
"Nope- dead serious.”
"So why’d you invite me here?"
"Well, I remember how you and Shawn were talking about how much you liked it, and then a guy I know knows the guy who owns the place…" he added sheepishly: "And I wanted to do something nice for you, where we’d be alone and we wouldn't have to worry about, y’know…other people."
Jack’s heart swelled at the gesture, clenching simultaneously at the fact that they had to think about what others might say or think about them being together. That it confined them to the after hours- when everybody ‘normal’ went away and it was just them. That he couldn’t hold his hand in public lest somebody clutch their pearls and faint.
More so though, he felt an intense adoration from the fact that Eric remembered that he liked skating, that Eric had wanted to do something nice for him- not because he felt like he had to or like he was forced to- but just because he wanted to. It made him want to kiss him immensely.
He couldn’t say anything more than:
"Alright." grinning ear to ear. "It’d be a lot more fun if we got up though."
Eric scoffed: "Yeah, right, so you can see me fall on my ass on our date? Nuh-uh, I don’t think so, buddy."
Jack’s heart swelled at the word ‘date’, like he was 15 years old or something.
"Come on," he beckoned Eric, leaning into his neck and whispering enticingly in his ear: "I’ll teach ya." he could feel Eric twitch.
"Besides-" he added, leaning back "my ass is getting wet sitting on the ice."
They both stood up slowly, Eric gripping Jack's biceps tightly to steady himself from falling.
"Jackie- have you been hitting the gym?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Jack snorted.
"You’re a dumbass. And unless you want to learn how to ice skate backwards, you should probably turn around."
"Oooh I love it when you boss me around." Eric shot Jack a playful smirk before intertwining their fingers.
"Okay, are you good now?" Jack asked, ignoring Eric's comment.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." Eric responded, sticking his arms out for support.
"Alright then, one foot in front of the other- just like this." He took a few slow steps, Eric struggling to mimic his movements.
"Wait, I think I got it, man!" But, just as Eric said that, he lost his balance and clung onto Jack's arm for support. Even after regaining his balance, he continued to hold on.
"Are you gonna let go of me, dude?" Jack asked with a teasing smile.
"Oh...you want me to?" Eric replied sadly, letting go and distancing himself entirely.
"I uh-" Jack stammered, wincing internally at the loss of heat at his side. "No. No, I guess you can keep holding on."
"Okay.” Eric said, timidly weaving their hands together. “Hey Jack, do you ever get scared of me?"
Jack looked confused.
"Why would you say that?"
He tried meeting Eric’s eyes, but Eric just looked down.
"I don't know, sometimes it feels like you push me away. Like, sometimes, when I try to do or say anything to you, you like… ignore me or dismiss me and stuff. I just don’t know where I stand with you when you do that."
Jack sighed- so there it was. Even Eric could pick up on his emotional constipation. Not that he should have been surprised- Eric had this uncanny ability to read people, so really, Jack should’ve known it was useless to hide anything from him.
"Yeah, I've been kind of a jerk, haven’t I? You know I wish I had an excuse, Eric, but I don’t, which maybe makes things worse." He paused for a little, looking down at their skates slowly gliding across the ice "But don't you ever feel weird about those things? Like, if you’re too open about the way you feel then it isn’t as special?"
Eric paused for a moment before responding.
"Yeah, I got you, but Jack, I wanna know what’s on your mind. I don’t wanna have to guess. That’s why I wanna be with you- because I like knowing you."
"Alright.” Jack nodded. “Okay- I can be better.” Then he leaned in and pecked Eric's cheek quickly. Eric almost lost his balance, leaning even more into Jack, who just chuckled, asking:
"So what's this about us being on a date? I don't remember you asking me."
Eric shrugged nonchalantly.
"You want me to ask you?"
Jack shrugged too.
"Doesn't matter, I would’ve said yes. How could I say no to my boyfriend?" Now Jack was the one teasing and Eric was the one whose cheeks were going red.
"Ew, now you’re being gross, dude. Maybe you were right, maybe we should reel it in."
Jack laughed, pulling Eric along as they glided faster across the ice. The rink was silent except for the soft scrape of their skates and the occasional giggle or curse when one of them stumbled. As they made lazy circles around the perimeter, Jack found himself noticing little details he'd never appreciated before- the way the overhead lights reflected off the glossy surface, making the ice look like it was glowing. The crisp chill in the air that made his cheeks flush. The warmth of Eric's hand in his own.
They skated for what felt like hours, talking about stupid shit that didn’t matter to anyone but themselves and to each other. Jack told Eric how he wanted to play for Rangers, and Eric told him how he believed in another universe he was an Olympic figure skater. As the night wore on, Eric grew more confident on his skates. Soon they were racing each other from one end to the other, their laughter echoing off the empty bleachers.
During a water break, they sat on the bench, shoulders touching. Jack turned to look at Eric, taking in his flushed cheeks and bright eyes. Without even thinking about it, he leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. When he pulled back, Eric was grinning.
"What was that for?" he asked.
Jack shrugged, suddenly feeling shy. "Just ‘cause."
Eric bumped his shoulder playfully. They might not have had it all figured out then, and they might not ever have it all figured out. But, even though they didn’t know what to call each other, they each knew what they felt, and they knew that the other felt the same way, and for now, it was enough for the both of them.