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Gwindolyin “Binx” Choppley didn’t have a partner.
“Come on,” Binx said, not afraid to talk to herself on the ice. It was her own private practice time, anyway.
She willed her newly healed leg to work, as she jumped into the air.
“Thank god,” Binx said, when she landed.
Her leg was, admittedly, still a little rough. But it was better. Better than it had been after-
“Okay,” Binx said, to herself. “The next step in the routine. Come on!”
She spun, and spun, and spun.
“There we go,” Binx said. Even if she had travelled a little. “There we go. Now-“
Now, Binx realised, the next step in her choreo was a lift. Because she was a pairs skater.
“Binx,” Rue said. “You need to pick a new skating partner.”
Binx looked up. “When the hell did you get here?”
“Long enough to see you debate whether or not you could somehow lift yourself,” Rue said. “Which you can’t. You need a partner.”
“Do I?” Binx asked. “Maybe I can just switch to solo.”
“All your best skills are your lifts,” Rue pointed out. “Unless you want to be judged on your travelling sit spin for the next ten years.”
“I don’t travel,” Binx lied. Everyone knew she traveled in her sit spin. “Besides, getting judged on my so called travelling is better than-“
“Than being dropped again?” Rue asked.
Binx pouted. “I was going to say ‘finding a male pairs skating that doesn’t have a partner yet’.”
“But you meant being dropped again,” Rue said, as they stared right into Binx’s soul.
“I hate how well you know me,” Binx said. “It should be illegal.”
“I know, I know,” Rue said. “How dare your best friend know you and support you?”
“See, why can’t you be my partner?” Binx asked. “I know you’d support me on the ice.”
Rue laughed. “Because I sew the costumes, darling. I don’t dance. And even if I did, I am not being misgendered just because I happen to be lifting you.”
“Damn transphobia,” Binx said. “Damn traveling sit spin. Damn Fable for abandoning me. Damn needing a partner for partners skating.”
“If I could clone you so you could skate with yourself, I would,” Rue said. “But I can’t.”
“I know,” Binx said. “I guess I’ll just stay here, wallowing in my own self pity.”
“Or,” Rue said, wriggling their eyebrows. “I could find you a new partner.”
“Rue-“ Binx said, quickly. “No.”
“I know everyone,” Rue said. “They all get their costumes from me! I’m sure I could find some poor schmuck who needs a partner!”
“I don’t want some poor schmuck,” Binx said. She sighed. “I want someone who’s going to catch me, when they throw me. Someone who won’t ditch practices to kiss someone behind the arena. Someone who’ll, you know, support me.”
“So, I’ll find you that,” Rue said. “Come on! Just trust me!”
“And trust me when I say that a pairs skater like that does not exist,” Binx said. “At least, one in this country. That’s a guy.”
“Come on,” Rue exclaimed. “Let me match make you! For skating. Let me skate match make you!”
“Even if you did find someone like that,” Binx said, flatly. “There’s no way in hell he’d not have a partner.”
—
Andhera didn’t have a partner.
“Suntar,” Andhera said, softly. “Are you certain-“
“I’m not skating with you anymore, Andhera,” Suntar said. “I mean, come on. Skating with my little brother was cute, when we were kids. And it was convenient, because we could train together no matter what. But I am not putting up with your off timing just because we’re siblings.”
“My timing is not off!” Andhera cried out. “You always speed up and lose the tempo.”
“You just move too slowly,” Suntar said. “Which is why I’m skating with Apollo, now. He understands speed.”
“He may understand speed,” Andhera said. “But he does not understand clean movements.”
“He beat us, last year,” Suntar said, with a huff. “Beat you.”
“Because he was with Gabby,” Andhera said. “And now Gabby is with Fable.”
“Yes, yes,” Suntar said. “And now Fable’s old partner, what’s her name-“
“Binx,” Andhera supplied, easily. How could he forget her name? “Binx Choppley.”
“Yes,” Suntar said. “Bick. Now Bick is dropped, and Gabby is with Fable, which means that I can be with Apollo. It’s the way of skating, Andhera. Like crabs, and their shells.”
“That’s hermit crabs,” Andhera pointed out.
“I’m not a biologist, Andhera,” Suntar said. “I’m a skater. A skater who is going to do far better, without you.”
Andhera sighed, and let Suntar skate away.
“That was rough,” Hob said. “Did she have to do that- in front of everyone?”
“It would have been nice if it hadn’t been in front of a hoard of hockey players,” Andhera said, with a sigh. “At least if she’d done it in front of other figure skaters, I could have used their pity to find a new partner.”
“You look pitiable enough regardless,” Hob said. “I’m sure you can find a new partner.”
“Before the next competition?” Andhera asked. “With enough time to come up with choreography, and get outfits, and sort out ice time because I’m sure Suntar wants ours?”
“My- my friend Rue can sew you an outfit faster than you can blink,” Hob said. “You can focus on finding a new choreography.”
“And what about finding a partner?” Andhera asked. “I can hardly just walk to anyone and ask. Believe it or not, you are the person I am most comfortable talking to here.”
“You don’t exactly look comfortable,” Hob pointed out.
Andhera laughed dryly. “Exactly.”
“Well then,” Hob said, slamming his hockey stick on the ice. “How about I find you a partner?”
“No,” Andhera said, immediately. “You are equally as bad at talking to people as I am. And you’re a hockey player.”
“So?” Hob asked.
“So figure skaters will not talk to you,” Andhera said. “Which it’s important for finding me a new partner.”
“You talk to me,” Hob pointed out.
“According to my sister, I hardly count as a figure skater,” Andhera said. He sighed. “Maybe I should just quit.”
“No,” Hob said. “You just keep on- spinning, or whatever it is you do. And I will find you a partner.”
“Hob,” Andhera warned.
“Trust me,” Hob said. “I may be a hockey player, and I may be awful at talking to people-“
“Is this supposed to make me feel better about this?” Andhera asked.
“But,” Hob stressed. “I am your best friend. And I know, without understanding, how much you enjoy pairs skating. So I will find you a partner.”
“Hob,” Andhera said.
“Trust me,” Hob said. “Let me support you with this. You focus on all the ice time, choreo, coach, whatever stuff you need to figure out.”
—
Binx did not have a partner. No matter what Rue said.
“I found you someone,” Rue said. “Someone perfect!”
“Yesterday you told me a ten year old was perfect,” Binx said, dryly.
“He’s fifteen,” Rue said. “And pales in comparison to who I found for you.”
“You found no one,” Binx said. “I don’t need a partner. I’m done with pairs. I’ll go solo. Or become a forest witch. Or something.”
“Or,” Rue said. “You can just accept that I’ve found the perfect partner for you.”
“You haven’t told me who it is yet,” Binx pointed out.
“Do you remember Suntar?” Rue asked.
Binx nodded. “Obviously. She got my silver medal that I should have had, after my fall. What does she have to do with any of this?”
“Gabby left Apollo, to skate with Fable,” Rue explained. “And Suntar left her partner to skate with Apollo.”
“Someone willingly chose to skate with Apollo?” Binx asked.
Rue made a face. “I know! But she did, and so now her partner-“
“Wasn’t that her brother?” Binx asked.
“Cold blooded, I know,” Rue said. “But now her brother, her hot brother-“
“That has nothing to do with it,” Binx said flatly.
“Her brother has no partner,” Rue finished. “And he’s looking for one!”
“How do you know that?” Binx asked.
“I have eyes everywhere,” Rue said.
Binx stared at her best friend.
“Okay, fine,” Rue said. “Hob told me!”
“Your boyfriend Hob?” Binx asked, laughing.
“My friend,” Rue stressed. “He told me that Andhera needed a new partner, and a whole mess of other things- his parents are only supporting Suntar’s skating career, I think, and-“
“I’m not getting a partner just to help your hockey boy,” Binx said.
“I’m not asking you to,” Rue said. “I’m just asking you to try skating with him, for one day.”
Binx sighed. “When?”
“Right now!” Rue said, with an impish grin, as their phone buzzed. “They just got here.”
“Rue-“ Binx started.
“Too late!” Rue cried out. “You already agreed!”
—
Andhera did not have a partner. But he might, if Hob was to be believed.
“Are you sure?” Andhera asked, as he laced his skates. “Binx wants to be my partner?”
“Rue says she needs one,” Hob said.
“But me?” Andhera asked.
“She agreed to meet, didn’t she?” Hob asked.
Andhera sighed. “I supposed.”
“Then go skate with her!” Hob said. “Hockey isn’t nearly as complicated.”
“You nearly wore a hole in my floor, trying to decide if you should ask Rue to come to your hockey game,” Andhera pointed out.
“Hockey isn’t complicated,” Hob said. “I am. But not hockey. Now go skate with her!”
“Yes, yes,” Andhera said.
He walked on to the ice, and was met with Binx. He had admired her, for a long, long time. And now- now he got to skate with her. At least once.
“Hi,” Andhera said, awkwardly.
“Hi,” Binx said. She stared right into Andhera’s soul. “Why’d Suntar dump you?”
“Dump me?” Andhera asked. “She’s my- she’s my sister, not-“
“Dump you from skating,” Binx corrected. “Why’s she with Apollo now?”
“She thinks I have no rhythm, I practice for too long, Apollo has better hair, take your pick,” Andhera said. “Either way, she’s gone, and I have no partner.”
“That’s my fault, huh?” Binx asked. “I got hurt, Fable left me for Gabby, Gabby left Apollo for Fable, and then Suntar left you for Apollo.”
“I think it’s Fable’s fault,” Andhera said. “And Suntar’s.”
Binx shrugged. “I got hurt. I’m off my game.”
“Fable hurt his back, last season,” Andhera pointed out. “And yet you-“
“It doesn’t matter,” Binx said. “Let’s just skate.”
“Sure,” Andhera said, warming up on the ice. “Let’s skate.”
They did a few jumps together. Kept in sync. A few spins, too. And then-
“Should we try a lift?” Andhera asked.
“Probably,” Binx said. She looked down at the ice. “Pairs tend to need lifts. Right. Yeah.”
“We don’t need to,” Andhera said. “Try lifts today, or even- skate again, after today. But if this is because my arms look like cooked spinach, well, they do, but I promise I am stronger than they- I- look.”
“It’s not that,” Binx said.
“Then what is it?” Andhera asked. “I promise, my arms will support you. And even if they don’t I’ll- I’ll at least help you up.”
“Nevermind,” Binx said, with a dry laugh. “Let’s just lift.”
It was deceptively easy, to lift Binx. She held her entire body so tightly, as she was in the air. Perfectly controlled. Suntar tended to have less finesse, really, but- it was different, with Binx. It all was different with Binx. He lifted her above his head, easily, supporting her. They hadn’t needed to work on the timing, Binx just jumped, and Andhera just lifted her, as though they had done this a million times before. And it felt like that, with everyone lift they did. Or, nearly every lift they did, at least.
“Are you okay?” Andhera asked, holding out a hand to help Binx stand up. “I’m sorry, my grip-“
“It was me,” Binx said. “My knee spasmed. I’m sorry.”
“Do you need a break?” Andhera asked.
“No, no,” Binx said. “I promise that wouldn’t happen, if we competed. I-“
“What matters is that your knee is healthy,” Andhera said. “Do you need my arm, to support you on the-“
“No,” Binx said. “I’m steady now, promise.”
“Do you want to jumps, again?” Andhera asked.
“No,” Binx said. She smiled. “Another lift. They’re fun, with you.”
“They’re not fun, other times?” Andhera asked.
“Not when I’m-“ Binx started, and then stopped. “They’re more fun with you, at least.”
“Well then,” Andhera said. “Let’s do another lift.”
They did another lift. And then another one. And then another one. And then-
“Love birds!” Rue yelled.
Andhera and Binx looked at each other.
“Are you talking to yourself and Hob?” Binx asked.
“What?” Hob asked.
“Shut up,” Rue said. “It’s nearly 8.”
“Shit,” Binx said. She turned to Andhera. “My ice time is almost up.”
“Oh,” Andhera said. He looked up at Binx. “Does- do you- will I-“
“Will you- When- Should we-“ Binx said, at the same time, equally stumbling.
“Be partners!” Rue yelled. “You’re perfect for each other!”
“And the other option is a fourteen year old with no experience,” Hob added.
Rue elbowed him. Andhera laughed.
“Partners?” Andhera asked.
“Partners,” Binx replied, easily.
—
Binx had a partner now.
“You want to do our short program dressed as a bat?” Binx asked.
Andhera blinked, shyly. “I know, it’s an awful idea-“
“I never said that,” Binx said. “I just want you to explain it.”
“I’ve always liked bats,” Andhera said, slowly. “And Suntar always wanted to wear- abstracts costumes. Would never even accept wings, on the back of her dress, or flowers, beaded in the design. Just plain fabric and beaded swirls.”
“And what about what you wanted?” Binx asked.
Andhera laughed. “I only skated because Suntar needed a partner. She, and our expensive coaches, picked it all.”
“Okay,” Binx said.
“Okay?” Andhera asked.
“Let’s get you bat wings,” Binx said.
“Really?” Andhera asked.
Binx nodded softly. “Really.”
“And for you, I was thinking-“ Andhera said, as he flipped a page in his sketchbook. “You don’t need to say yes, but-“
“A moth?” Binx asked. Her eyes widened. “How did you know I love moths?”
“It felt right,” Andhera said. “Do you- do you like the design?”
“It’s perfect,” Binx said. “And the wings, the wings will go perfectly, with the-“
“The spins, exactly,” Andhera said. “And the lifts.”
“And the music?” Binx asked.
“I have no ear for music,” Andhera admitted. “I just danced to whatever Suntar picked.”
“Doesn’t she just use the same song, over and over again?” Binx asked.
Andhera laughed. “Yes, yes she does.”
“The poor judges ears,” Binx said. She shook her head. “Our poor ears.”
“My poor eyes,” Suntar said, sharply, from behind them. “Are those your competition outfits, or your Halloween costumes? They’re certainly scary enough.”
Binx immediately reached out and squeezed Andhera’s hand, supportive. “If I wanted to look scary, I’d dress as you.”
“Feisty,” Suntar drawled. She sighed. “I really thought you’d get a better partner than Broken Binx, Andhera.”
“And I thought you wouldn’t leave me without a partner,” Andhera bit back. “And yet, here we are.”
“Here we are,” Suntar said. “I’ll be getting my first medal without you, and you’ll be ready to go to a children’s birthday party.”
“In your dreams, Suntar,” Binx said.
“I don’t need dreams,” Suntar replied. “I already have everything I want.”
“Except for a medal,” Andhera pointed out.
Suntar huffed, and stormed off. Binx couldn’t hold in her laughter anymore.
“Is she always like that?” Binx asked.
“Not always,” Andhera said. “She can be good, even. Never warm, but- good.”
“Now she’s frigid,” Binx said. Her hand ghosted over Andhera’s sketchbook. “With no taste.”
“I think she thought I’d quit,” Andhera said. “Not that I’d be competition.”
“We’re not just competition,” Binx said. “We’re who’s going to stop them from getting gold.”
“You sound certain,” Andhera said, softly, voice tinged with anxiety. “Are you- are you certain?”
“With you there to support me,” Binx said, voice equally as soft. “I am more certain than anything else. We will kick their asses.”
—
Andhera had a partner now.
“One more time,” Andhera said. “My arms weren’t clean enough, that time.”
“Because they’re tired,” Binx pointed out. “Because we’ve run this fifty times.”
“And what if my arms are tired, during a competition?” Andhera asked. “We have to train for everything. Through everything.”
“You arms were still cleaner than Apollo’s, that time,” Binx said. “I think we can take break.”
Andhera sighed. “But-“
“The ice will be waiting for us, in ten minutes,” Binx said. “Just a small break.”
“But-“ Andhera tried, again.
Binx looked at him. Stared right through him.
“My knee,” Binx said, slowly. “Can we at least take a break for my knee?”
“Your knee?” Andhera asked. He held out his hand to support her, as they skated to the edge of the rink. “Of course we can break for your knee.”
“Good,” Binx said. She stepped off the ice easily. “Come, sit.”
“Aren’t I supposed to be telling you to sit?” Andhera asked.
Binx shrugged. “I think we both need the break.”
“Your knee doesn’t hurt, does it?” Andhera asked.
“It does,” Binx said. “Just- a normal sort of hurt. Not as much as it hurts to see you there, stuck in a cycle of perfectionism.”
“I was not stuck in a cycle of perfectionism,” Andhera huffed. “I was willingly in a cycle of perfectionism.”
“Willingly?” Binx asked, with a raised eyebrow.
“I could have exited, whenever I wanted!” Andhera protested.
Binx laughed. “Isn’t that what addicts say?”
“I’m not addicted to perfectionism,” Andhera said. “That- that isn’t even a thing that can happen, is it?”
“You’re the first case of it ever recorded,” Binx said, dryly. “It’s deadly.”
“First it’s an addiction, now it’s a disease?” Andhera asked.
Binx shrugged. “It’s part of you, like my knee is part of me. You support me, it’s my turn to support you.”
“You mean that?” Andhera asked.
“I do,” Binx said. “Now, come on. How about we take a lap, get some hot chocolate, and then try that spin again?”
“Hot chocolate is not on our diets,” Andhera pointed out.
“But it’s good for the heart,” Binx said.
“Yeah,” Andhera said, softly, as he looked at Binx. “It’s good for the heart, indeed.”
“Come on,” Binx said, helping Andhera up. Andhera let himself be led. “Let’s get you hot chocolate.”
—
Binx and Andhera were partners. Binx and Andhera were world gold medalists, now. Binx and Andhera were headed to the Olympics.