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“Man, I can't believe the Olympic season is here already!” He exclaims. His boba orbs shine in excitement. “I’m so excited!"
It was cold outside. This was the Winter Olympics.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The day he got the call had been very good. Well, when he got it. Before that, he had seen his opposition at luge class. Tyler Robert Joseph. He could not stand the guy. This is because Tyler thought that he was better at luge school than Josh, aka himself, was. When he got this call he knew he had to go gloat to Tyler, only to discover…..
“Hey Josh, guess what….”
“Oh no, don't talk to me. I don't like you. Besides, I just got the call–”
“What call? I got a call too–”
“I’m going to the Olympics! I'm officially better than you!”
Tyler's eyes go cold. “No…”
“Jealous much?”
“It's just… I’m also going to be competing for the American Olympics luge team.”
Josh gasped! “Singles or doubles?”
“Doub...wait…does this mean…are you….”
“I cannot believe this. I hate you and now I have to compete for the gold with you for luge doubles!”
“Our bodies will be touching the whole time! I'm so mad!”
“Well, I see you both got the call,” said Mark markingly, entering the room with a clipboard. “I recommended you both for luge doubles.”
“WHAT! You did this?!” exclaimed Tyler.
“Yes. You both work so well in teams and you're both very good at luge, so I told them to put you two for doubles,” Mark explained.
“But we hate each other!” Josh protested.
“Well if you want to go to the winter olympics then you've got to learn to work together,” Mark stated. “Sign here to verify you wanna participate.” He held out his clipboard.
Josh sighed. “Well, I do really want to go to the winter Olympics…….”
Tyler looked scared and a little mad, yeah, a little mad, maybe even a lot mad, definitely not happy, but he took the clipboard. “I’m not gonna let you hold me back from gold.”
Josh stopped and gave it a good thought. “Fine, I'm in. But this doesn't mean we’re friends.”.
“I just need you both to sign the papers.” Mark points to the clipboard in Josh’s hands.
“I need a pen, Tyler took it” said Josh then Tyler handed him the pen which he had been withholding so Josh could sign the papers to participate in the winter olympics 2026 for mens doubles luge.
“So, you two are agreeing to be the men's team then?” Mark asked, looking at Tyler and Josh. Tyler nodded sadly.
“Eeeyeah…” said Josh. “That’s us…”
“Well aren't you jazzed?” asked Mark while Tyler opened a peach Red Bull in a pink can.
“Just peachy,” He replied bitterly, taking a sip of his peach Red Bull from its pink can.
——————————————————————————-------------------------------------------------
Josh looked at Tyler and felt anger and hate then.
But now? This moment? Now that they're at the Olympic winter games, he looks over at Tyler and feels… love and affection.
They were dressed in clothes with the American flag, and also someone was holding an American flag. It was all really patriotic. Red color, white color, and even blue color. There were many athletes because America is so big. Some other countries only had one or two but Josh and Tyler found themselves in a crowd of athletes. Tyler leaned over and whispered, “there are so many people… I’m kinda nervous.”
“It’s okay,” Josh whispered back. “I’m nervous too.”
He then remembered how nervous he was the first time they went luging together the day after they got the call.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josh had been used to luging out, but not with another person, and definitely not with Tyler Robert Joseph. This was gonna be their test run to see what they needed to work on before the Olympics. Mark was sitting at the end of the course with a stopwatch.
“Let’s get this over with,” Tyler said as he got on the luge sled.
“Let’s,” Josh replied with a lack of enthusiasm as he hopped on the luge sled after Tyler.
Tyler got on first because he didn't want to do all of the steering. This meant, however, that Josh's back would be on Tyler… he didn't want to think about it
“Ready?” Josh asked Tyler while he adjusted his helmet.
“Dont screw this up,” said Tyler. Little did Tyler know… Josh was seconds away from screwing it up.
As they began to push the sled away from the start, it really hit Josh what he was doing: he was olympic training with his worst enemy. They whipped around towards the corner of the track and he could feel Tyler grabbing his arm. He felt sick.
When they reached the corner, the situation had distracted Josh so much that he screwed up the steering! If he'd just turned a little sooner…but he didn't, and the two went flying.
The sled continued on without them and the two men were a tangled mess of limbs pushed up against the wall.
“Ow!” said Josh.
“I can't believe you did that!” yelled Tyler. “Your only job was to steer and you couldn't even do that?! How are we supposed to win gold at the Olympic winter games if you can't even make it through the practice track? God! I can't believe Mark paired us up!”
“Me? You were the one gripping my arm so damn tight! How was I supposed to focus?” Josh yelled.
Tyler’s face went red. “I didn’t wanna fall off!! I was fearing for my life with your janky steering, let alone you crushing my ribs!”
“Well then you steer!” Josh snapped! “I’m SO DUN WITH YOU! We’re never getting gold!”
Mark, at the bottom of the track, saw the empty sled arrive and heard all the shouting. “Anyone hurt?” he yelled to the two, rushing over to where they had crashed.
“Yeah!” Tyler replied “Josh is hurt! Pretty BUTTHURT since he cant steer! HE drove us into the wall!”
“I drove us into the wall because your grip was distracting me!” Josh explained, throwing his hands up in the air like he just didn't care.
Tyler looked to the left… and then the right.
“Cut your damn nails, Tyler Robert Joseph… if that is your real name.” Josh added before walking off the track past Mark as he arrived. As he left, he could hear Tyler and Mark whispering
“What happened out there, man?” Mark asked, tossing his clipboard aside. Josh stayed to eavesdrop.
“He messed up! He's not cut out for this. You should've paired me with someone else or just let me go for singles.”
Mark sighed. “It’s this or nothing, Tyler. This is the only way I could get you both in. I knew you both were–are–ready, and I really want you guys to have this chance, but this is the only way.”
“Then let me do it alone! He’s not cut out!”
“He scored just as high as you in the qualifying runs, Tyler; he's just as cut out as you. I'll tell you what, train with him a little more. Maybe get to know the guy and if you still can't work with him I’ll figure something out, okay?”
“Fine,” Tyler said, and Josh took that as his cue to leave from the spot which he had been eavesdropping from.
It was then, as he was on his way to leave, that Josh remembered the empty sled. “Oh no!” he loudly whispered to himself, running quickly down the side of the icy track to the bottom. The empty sled sat there, as empty as an empty sled would be. It caused him to remember the crash. As he arrived he saw beside the empty sled none other than Tyler staring at the empty sled. As he walked up beside Tyler they were both surprised to see each other.
Tyler and Josh scrambled to pull the empty sled off the track. A beat of silence passed between the two.
“Listen,” Tyler started, “do you want gold?”
“Of course I want gold. I've wanted it ever since I started lugeing.” Josh said it like it was as obvious as the sled was empty.
“No, I mean, are you willing to work for the gold? How much do you want this medal?” Tyler asked seriously.
“More than ANYTHING in my life.”
“Then,” Tyler paused, “we need to work out whatever this is.” He gestured to the two of them.
Josh sighed. “If it makes it so we get gold,” he paused. “Let’s get lunch.”
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As they walked through the athletes in the parade of nations, Josh couldn't help but chuckle remembering. God he loved that Raisin’ Cane’s sauce. Tyler had looked like a child on spaghetti night.
“You ready?” he asked Tyler, and they prepared for the USA’s turn to walk on the big light up spiral. Never in his 21 years did Josh think he would be standing here today.
“I’m ready if you are,” Tyler said with a small smile.
“Go team USA,” Josh said nonchalantly as they heard America announced loudly over the speaker. Everyone was cheering; they felt like rockstars at a big venue, like hershey or something like that, only this was bigger and they had no intention of breaking out into song. Well.. maybe if that song was the national anthem*
*not the one by radiohead
They began walking across the stage type structure with all the other Americans. “We made it, Josh,” Tyler giggled. He was in fact smiling and smiling a lot. If only Mark could be with them, Josh thought. (He’s not dead or anything, just his days of luging are over since the big crash and now he coaches as we’ve established). Other lugers were there also, smiling and holding hands. Should he and Tyler be holding hands? He certainly wouldn’t mind. His knuckle brushed against Tyler’s and Tyler took that as a sign to hold hands.
“We are so gonna win this year.”
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those were the same words Josh had said to Tyler a few months before when they finally managed to get their shit together enough to survive the practice track. You see, after their Raisin’ Canes lunch date things had changed for the two. Turns out they both liked music, and they were both from Ohio; they had more in common then Josh had originally thought. He still didn’t like the guy because during luge class Tyler was mean sometimes, but he thought he could prolly work with him enough to Olympic out and stuff. Go for gold type shit.
They walked back to the luge establishment building thing and encountered another luge student, one of the commons, yknow?
“Where is Mark?” Tyler asked. He wanted to try another practice with Josh now.
“I think he’s lamenting over his gold medal,” said the random luge student. “Check his office.”
So they went to his office and there he was, gold medal in hand. “You know how I got this?” He asked, backlit by the window and not facing them. He looked really fucking cool.
“How?” Tyler asked, admiring how fucking cool Mark looked.
“I worked. I luged like there was no tomorrow. And I won. That feeling when you know you’ve won…. I want that for you too. I believe in both of you; I know that together at the Olympic winter games 2026 the gold is yours, but you need to put forth 100% effort. Can you do that?”
“We won’t let you down, Mark,” Josh said seriously.
“Yeah,” Tyler said, moving a bit closer to Josh. “We’re bringing you back another gold medal.. MARK my words.”
“Then we’ve got a lot of work to do…”
——————————————-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the parade of nations they gathered to watch the ceremonial torch relay.
“You could do that,” Tyler whispered to Josh.
“You think so?” He asked.
“Oh yeah, no questions asked. I can picture you with a torch,” Tyler nodded. “You’d be a great torchbearer.”
“Torchbearer… I like that,” Josh reflected.
“Yeah!” Tyler laughs quietly. “We’d put you in green or something, maybe yellow…”
“You’ve got it all figured out,” Josh looked over.
“I’ve been thinking… maybe after this...” Tyler paused.
“Yeah?”
“Wanna start a band?”
“That would be fun,” Josh smiled.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Their second luge test run had gone much better than the first. They were nowhere near where they needed to be, but they at least made it to the end of the track.
“Proud of you guys,” Mark reMARKed as Josh and Tyler got off the sled.
“Really? That run was buns!” Josh shook his head.
“Yeah, we were way too sharp on the turns,” said Tyler, side eyeing Josh a little bit.
“And the sled felt less secure then normal,” Josh side eyed Tyler back. They could work together… but they didn't have to like each other… yet.
“But you did it! We can work forward from here.” Mark had a large smile on his face. Josh and Tyler felt proud but knew this was just the start. “Let’s start working to get your time down.”
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the ceremony they went back to their hotel room in the lovely city of Cortina where the Olympics were held this year.
“Do you really think we can win?” Tyler asked with hopeful orbs.
“Oh most definitely, we’ve trained so hard bro!” Josh put his (adidas track) jacket in that little closet that comes with hotels.
“But like, do you really think we’re good enough?” Tyler sat down.
“Youre not starting to… doubt us? Right?” Josh looked over at Tyler abruptly.
“I mean.. You saw all those athletes.”
Josh walked over and sat next to Tyler. “Talk to me”
“I mean, it’s not that I think we’re bad or anything, but all those other people looked so ready.” Tyler looked glum. Josh nodded. “I feel bad because I don’t wanna let Mark down.”
“We’re not gonna let him down.” Josh took his hands. “Listen, twin. We’ve worked so hard, we made it here. Mark is already proud. Who cares about that anyway? We’re gonna have fun… luge is fun, so either way, we win.”
“Really?” The city lights outside the window caught Tyler's eyes.
“Really.” Josh paused “Tyler…”
“Yeah?”
“I really believe in this– in us,” Josh blushed.
“I think… I think I believe in us too,” Tyler smiled. “Thanks for sticking around, Josh. I mean it.” He paused for reflection. “I used to be so mean to you.”
Josh chuckled, “I mean… it’s not like I was much nicer.”
“That’s true,” Tyler laughed. “Its hard to believe that was only a few months ago…”
“Yeah,” Josh chuckled. “I mean at first I didn't like you but now… now I really like this friendship.”
“Friendship?” Tyler asked while making eye contact with Josh.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After talking with Mark about strategy, Josh and Tyler were walking out of the luge center.
“Hey man, can I talk to you for a minute?” Tyler asked. The sun was setting because it was about to be nighttime.
“Whats up?” Josh asked while going to his car.
“I.. I’m sorry I freaked out at you so much over the crash.”
“It’s okay. It was lowkey my fault.”
“No, I made a big fuss. You're not nearly as horrible at luge as I thought you were.” Tyler was looking at the ground.
“It's okay. Thanks for going to lunch at Rasing Canes with me. I had fun,” Josh smiled, remembering how much he loved the sauce.
Tyler also smiled. He was happy. “Let’s do it again sometime.”
“Yeah… let’s.” Josh then got in his car and drove home. But the whole time he was at home and also in the car he couldn't help but think about Tyler. Maybe, just maybe, he thought, Tyler isn't all that bad. What? No! Tyler was his enemy! Tyler was ready to throw him out! Earlier that very day Tyler was ready to boot Josh from the team and go for solos! How could Josh forgive him so easily after one lunch date and a decent run? But then again… Tyler had kind orbs, and he was undeniably funny; Josh could barely eat his chicken tenders, he was laughing so much at Tyler's jokes. Maybe he actually liked the guy?
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“You don’t consider me a friend?” Josh asked, letting go of Tyler’s hands
“No it’s just….” he paused. “Nevermind.”
“No, Tyler, if you have something to say, say it! We can’t be a functional luge Olympic men's doubles team if we’re keeping secrets!” Josh looked serious.
“Well…” Tyler paused to think. “Well I guess… look, Josh, you're, like, the best luge partner I could ask for, and…”
“Yeah?”
“I was wondering if maybe you wanted to be… more… than luge partners…”
Josh was stunned. He took Tyler's hand and nodded his head. “Yeah.. Yeah, I think I'd like to be more than luge men’s doubles partners with you.”
And then they kissed.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few weeks passed and quickly Josh and Tyler began working better and better together. They got off the practice track, took their helmets off, and high fived.
“New personal best,” said Mark while marking something down on his classic mark clipboard. “Not bad! You two are starting to train like Olympians. It's nice to see you could get over your bickering,”
“It wasn't bickering!” Josh and Tyler said in unison, then looked at each other in surprise.
“Well whatever it was, good thing you moved past it,” Mark said while checking hsi stop watch again. “It’s almost like you like each other now,” he snickered.
Josh and Tyler looked at each other. “It’s not like we like each other, we’re just doing what we have to to get gold,” Tyler said.
“Yeah, exactly,” Josh added, crossing his arms and standing beside Tyler.
“Just because we go to Raising Canes together and train all the time together and sometimes hang out outside of luge practice doesn't make us friends…” Tyler said.
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Josh agreed. Mark gave them a look. “What’s that for?”
“Nothing.” Mark held back a laugh. “Keep up the good work, I believe in you guys.” And then he walked away.
——————————————————-------------------------------------------------------------------------
“So…. Are we…. Boyfriends??” Tyler asked with all the hope of a man who might get to date Josh Dun, orbs sparkling.
“Yeah,” Josh chuckled. “Yeah, I guess we are…”
“So what now?” Tyler questioned with a smile.
“Now…” Josh put his hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “Now…. We win.”
————————------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Tyler first got the call he jumped for joy! He had been playing the piano, working on some music. But then he got called, so he got up from the piano to jump… for joy. Immediately he knew he had to go to the luge center. Hopefully that Josh guy wouldn't be there, that guy was way too confident. Everyone acted like he was a great luger but Tyler thought he was sloppy, not nearly as luge pilled as him.
He pranced into the luge center to speak with the main man Mark, when he saw the op. There was Josh Dun, with his boba hamster orbs, dressed in his luge fit. That guy was so annoying, what with his soft brown hair and kind smile. DUMB SMILE HIS DUMB SMILE that showed those tiger growl teeth… Whatever.
“Hey Josh, guess what?” He was so pumped. At least if Josh was here he could brag to him–after all, with the way Josh luges, there's NO WAY he got the call.
He then found out that Josh did in fact get the call. What rage he felt. He was so mad. Josh was his enemy, they always fought in luge school so much that John Luge himself had to break them up once or twice. Now? Now he was expected to grip onto Josh Dun’s arms while they go 90 miles an hour down an ice track on a tiny sled. He NEEDS to confront Mark about this.
As he got into his car to go home he sighed. Maybe he's wrong, maybe Josh is actually competent enough to steer a luge sled. He'd have to see at tomorrow's practice run.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“So... This is the famed Olympic muffin bar,” Joshua gazed upon the array of muffins.
“I’m gonna go try a muffin,” Tyler decided. “Which one should I try?”
“Hmm… maybe that one?” Josh pointed at the muffin labeled ‘Kitchen Sink’.
“Heh, yeah… maybe…” Tyler took the muffin. “Y’know… I could write about this.”
“About the muffin?”
“No… about the sink.”
They paused to look at each other in silence.
“So are you gonna have a muffin?”
“I think I'll try the chocolate muffin… it’s the only one I know about.”
“Loser!”
“I thought we were done being mean to each other!” Josh laughed.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Tyler got fitted up for luging out on practice run he knew in his heart something very bad was brewing on the horizon. As Josh arrived Tyler was peeved, he wanted to be anywhere else. How could he think that? This was his dream! He was in Olympic training! For the Olympics! Winter games Milan Cortina 2026 in Italy from February 6th to February 22nd! Whatever! Some things are worth sacrifices.
“Let's get this over with.” He rolled his eyes. But Josh couldn't see that because if you’re ever seen a luging helmet you know that it lowkey blocks yo face. “Don’t screw it up.” He had a little bit of hope.
He no longer had hope. The very SECOND they got on the sled and pushed off Tyler knew they were gonna crash. He gripped onto Josh’s arms for dear life just waiting for the crash.
Then they crashed… he was SO MAD. He KNEW Josh was a bum! Josh Dun? More like Josh BUM. He couldn't even steer! He yelled all this at Josh Bum. What a lame-o. Mark rushed over and had a whispered conversation with Tyler after Josh stomped away. As he listened to Mark he knew in his heart what the other man was saying was true; if they wanted gold, they really did need to lock in on not hating each other's guts… but at the same time this was Josh freaking Dun! How could he work with him? Mark's words had an impact, and Tyler decided he was right… he would make peace with Josh.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“You guys ready for the interview?” Mark ran over with a dazzling smile.
“Interview?” Tyler asked, Kitchen Sink muffin still in his mouth.
“Yeah, the interview! Everyone wants to hear about the duo from Ohio/Michigan about to kick ass in luge doubles at the Olympic winter games 2026!”
“Then tell them to interview someone else,” Josh joked. Tyler loved it when he joked around like that.
“They already interviewed someone else.” Mark rolled his eyes. “It’s your turn.”
They stood up, and, with the determination of Sims from The Sims 4 who were told to do something, walked out with Mark to get interviewed.
“So, Mr. Joseph and Mr. Dun, we hear you two were always so friendly! Can you tell us a little about that?" John Interview asked.
"Uhhhhh, I wasn't opposed to the Olympics with Tyler, but it was a bit of a vibe change, and uhhh…” Josh began.
“Liar,” Tyler cut him off. “We totally hated each other.”
“And what changed?” john interview
“Well… really, it all started with a fateful Raising Canes lunch date.”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------”I’ll have one order of the 3 finger combo,” Tyler said to the person who worked at Rasing Canes. “Extra sauce, please.”
“And I’ll get the Caniac Combo with a gallon of lemonade please. Oh, and extra sauce also,” Josh ordered. When they got their food, Josh passed Tyler his extra sauce. “¿Quieres?” he asked.
“OH BOY! OH JOY!” Tyler took it. “Thanks, Josh. I really like this sauce.”
“Eeeyeah… me too… But you like it more.” They sat down at a seat to eat their Raising Canes meals.
“So…” Tyler started, “where are you from?”
“Ohio,” Josh stated.
“No way, bro! Me too.” Tyler couldn't believe he had something in common with Josh Dun. “I moved here for the luge scene.”
“Yeah, me too. Can’t beat Michigan for luge.”
Tyler took a bite of his chicken finger. “You do anything outside of luge?”
“Yeah, actually.” He sipped his gallon of lemonade. “I play drums.”
“Really?’
“Why would I lie about that?”
“I play piano, and baritone uke.” So they were both musicians, Tyler thought for a minute. They could probably become friends on that alone. Mark was right: they could work together. Tyler remembered himself only a few hours earlier: he was ready to slime Josh out, and now he's wondering what kind of drum beat Josh likes best. Holy character development.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“And it was that lunch date that made you both friends?”
“Yeah, plus lots of time in practice together,” Tyler nodded.
“What a touching story.”
“Yeah, there was a lot of that. It is men's doubles luge.” Tyler rolled his eyes.
“You’ll catch men's doubles luge aired on this station tomorrow at noon.” And just like that the interview was over.
“Do you think that went well?” Josh asked Tyler questioningly.
“As well as it could’ve.” Tyler paused. “I wonder how they knew we used to hate each other.”
“I bet you're wondering how the interviewer knew you guys used to hate each other,” said Mark
“Mark?” They say in unison.
“Yeah, actually, we were,” Tyler said.
“I told them lmao,” Mark laughed her ass off.
“Why?” Josh questioned.
“Thought it would make you guys more interesting, maybe make the judges like you more,” Mark answered and then nodded.. By the way, they're standing in the food court because they went back after the interview.
“Mark!” They say in unison.
“yeah.” Mark smiled. “Anyway, did the interview go well?”
“We think so.” Tyler looked at Josh.
“Well that's good. We have more training to do before the big day tomorrow.”
“Yeah we know, out time is still a little buns” Josh sighed.
“Y’know, guys… you make me so proud.” He got misty. “Just seeing you out there, luging out… it makes me so proud to be your coach. You’re not buns”
“Aw, thanks Mark.” Josh smiled. And then they group hugged. “I want to run one more practice with you guys. Also, I need to tell you something.”
“What’s up?’” Tyler asked.
“For money reasons, we moved your hotel room, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Here's the key.” Mark passed them the key. “Okay, let’s go luge around.”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After lunch, they went back to the luge center. Josh was a funny guy, also generally cool. Tyler was still a little mad for him nearly getting them hurt by being an absolute chud at steering but like… it is what it is. Of course, he was still a little nervous getting on the sled again, but this time he was a little more comfortable. Mark was waiting again at the bottom of the track with his classic clipboard and stop watch. Josh passed Tyler his helmet.
“I'll try to be more focused this time,” Josh said, putting the helmet on.
“I'll try not to hold on to you so tight.” Tyler paused. “Hold on to you… is that tuff or what?”
“I gotta admit, that's pretty tuff,” Josh agreed, putting the sled on the ice.
“Well, either way, I’ll be holding on to you.” Tyler got on the sled. “Just not so much this time,” he giggled.
“Say that again.” Josh paused.
“I’ll be holding on to you.”
“It’s perfect.”
“Holy peak, Josh! I think we’re on to something.”
“We really are,” Josh chuckled. “Well, anyway…here goes nothing.” Josh got on and then pushed the sled forward onto the track. This time they successfully reached the bottom. Mark was ecstatic.
“Yippee yippee!!” Mark cheered. “A new personal best.” Of course, Mark’s own olympic score still mopped the floor with them, but it was still an achievement. “Proud of you guys.”
Tyler had to admit he was also proud, and though he'd never say it out loud, Josh had started to really change in his eyes.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At luge practice final practice for Olympic training at the Olympics, Mark was marking up his clipboard in his classic mark style. “Okay, I’ll be timing you.”
“Sounds like a plan, Mark my man,” Tyler said.
“OOOOOOOHHHHH!” Josh yelled. “Holy tuff, Tyler.”
“What can I say, what can I say.” Tyler smiled.
“You’d be a crazy lyricist."
“More like a weary one. I’m nervous for this practice run.”
“Say that again,” called out a voice from behind them.
“Who’s that?” Josh questioned.
“My nemesis, Liz,” Tyler stated as if it was obvious.
“Oh, cool.” Josh nodded, “let's do this practice.”
“Good idea.”
Then they went to the top of the track and put on their helmets. “Hey, Tyler?"
“Yeah?” Tyler got on the luge sled.
“Don’t be weary, babe. We got this in the bag.”
“Thanks, Josh.” And then Josh got on the sled and they luged down the track at lighting speeds.
When they reached the bottom, Mark was staring at his stopwatch in shock. “Bro…”
“That bad?” Tyler asked.
“No brochacho… you guys left NO crumbs.” He showed them the stop watch.
“This is exciting to me,” Josh commented.
“Go get some rest. You're ready as you'll ever be.” Mark clicked his heels. “Don’t forget… new hotel room.”
“Good deal,” Josh answered, and then he took Tyler's hand and they skipped away together.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While they were talking with Mark about strategy, Tyler couldn't help but feel a little bad. He really freaked out at Josh after they crashed. He figured he should probably say something after their mark meeting. There was this feeling gnawing at him, though, that he gave up on his rivalry with Josh way too quickly. Like, the rivalry was pretty heated, but he just dropped it so quickly, and for what? Because Josh gave him Raising Canes sauce? Nah… he knew the real reason. Back when he was a wee boy in Ohio, he dreamed of luge.
“You’ll never be a luger!” His brother would say, “just a loser!” Tyler would pretend it didn't bother him, but really, it did. Any wanna-be luger would feel the sting of such words.
“Why not get a real job?” His father would say, “like selling bracelets?” Tyler would laugh it off, but really with every comment his determination for luge would grow… he'd get gold and show them all. By any–ANY–means necessary. And those means start with making nice with Josh, no matter how much he previously hated the guy. He needed to apologize.
So he did, while they were headed to their cars… Josh was cooler about it then he expected. It was becoming more and more apparent that Josh was pretty cool about everything; had his boastful and proud nature been a wicked and hateful conjuring in Tyler's head? Or had Josh realized something, changed his malicious ways upon truly talking with Tyler? His head hurt too much to figure it out now. He got in his car and drove home.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Where did Mark say the new hotel room was?” Josh asked, looking at the key.
“He didn't," Tyler said, deadpan.
“Well… guess and check I guess.” So they tried the key on every door they could find until they found the one that led to their new hotel room. Which was decorated with all the inspiration and care as a dentist office waiting room. They walked in and put their Olympic style Adidas track jackets in the closet and their bags down on the floor. “Wait,” Josh said as he stepped into the room.
“Oh no,” Tyler said, also noticing the problem.
“There’s only one bed…”
“I’ll sleep on the floor, don't worry.” Tyler shrugged.
“No, wait,” Josh stopped him. “We can share.”
“Really? I mean, I don't mind sleeping on the floor.”
“C’mon, Tyler, you know I don't mind.”
So then they both got ready for bed with the weight of an Olympic game tomorrow on their minds.
“Tyler…”
“Josh?”
“Thanks for everything...”
“Josh, of course!”
“No, I mean… I have to admit something.”
Tyler's heart dropped. “What?”
“I eavesdropped… on you and Mark… after the crash at the start of training.”
“Really?” Tyler remembered the exchange well.
“Yeah… I know he offered to ‘figure something out’, and I know that means kick me from the team, but… but you chose to get to know me… to learn to work with me… to go to Raising Canes with me… thanks, Tyler." Josh shed a single tear.
“Oh, Josh, we were never gonna kick you from the team!”
“Either way,” he sniffled, “thank you so much for everything.” He gave him a big hug.
“Thanks for sticking around with me too, Josh,” Tyler said while hugging him. “I was an asshole towards you.”
“I wasn't any better.”
“Shut up,” he sniffled, “yes you were… I called you Josh Bum behind your back.”
“That's legitimately funny, Tyler,” Josh said through his tears.
“Yeah, but mean-spirited.”
“Whatever… we love each other now, that’s what matters.”
“You… love me?
“Yeah, heh… I think I do.”
And then they kissed again.
“Do you really think we’ll win tomorrow?” Tyler asked.
“I think we’ve worked hard… I think we've put in the hours… I think if anyone had a decent shot…”
“It’d be us?”
“I guess so.” and then they both laughed.
“Can you believe we’re a coupe now?” Tyler asked with an amused tone.
“Lowkey yes, bro… it's hard to do doubles luge without catching feelings.” Josh shrugged.
“Type shit, bro,” Tyler agreed.
“I'm so happy Mark paired us up,” Josh smiled.
“I wonder if this was his plan all along… I mean, he always did seem annoyed with our fighting in luge class.”
“Probably lmao…actually that lowkey would make sense… he’s some kind of mastermind.”
“Taylor Swift reference.”
“You listen to Taylor?” Tyler tilted his head.
“Of course I do,” Josh said obviously.
“Me too, actually. That's peak." Tyler nodded. “So… should we tell Mark that we’re…yknow…a thing?”
“Uhhhhhhhh… I don't know?” Josh scratched his head. “I mean, what do you wanna do?”
“I don’t know! That's why I asked you, moron.”
“Man… you just called me a moron!”
“Force of habit, sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I called you worse back in the day.”
“Nothing as clever as Josh Bum, I hope.”
“Nowhere near as clever as Josh Bum.” And they both chuckled.
“It's getting late, and we have a big day tomorrow…” Tyler sighed. “We should probably go to bed.”
“Aww man, I was having fun talking to you.”
“Me too, man, but think of the game.”
“Fair enough… though I do think this should become some kind of a routine in the night… talking like this, I mean.”
“What was that?”
“A routine in the night?”
“Yes… I like that… routines in the night,” Tyler mused.
“Well, goodnight”
“Night! Love you!”
“Love you too.”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the weeks progressed, he began to like Josh more and more. Consequently, their luging steadily improved as well. In those joyful weeks, Tyler learned a secret to luging no coach or book could teach: to luge is to love, and to love… is to luge. It takes love and patience to luge. You gotta love the game and you've gotta love your partner. Afterall, it takes an amount of appreciation for another person to let them lay on top of you while sliding down an icy track at 90 miles an hour. And that appreciation was growing.
“Wanna come to my place after luge practice?” Tyler asked out of the blue one day. “I mean… not, like, as a friend, but, like, to talk about luge and stuff.”
“Uh, yeah, I’m not opposed to going to your house after luge practice,” Josh said while writing down the time of their most recent run.
“Cool.” Tyler played it off, but he was actually really excited. Maybe he could show off his uke skills, would Josh find that cool? Wait… why did he care so much if Josh found him cool? This was just for luge… they were hanging out for luge. He was a little sick of convincing himself he still only cared about Josh in a luge way, but he was too stubborn to abandon his hateful ways just yet.
“Where do you live?” Josh asked, looking up.
“1234 Mulberry Street.” Tyler counted on his fingers.
“That’s a cool name.”
“Yeah it is– wait– yeah… yeah it is…” Tyler thought. “Mulberry Street… I could do something with that.”
Then, after luge practice, they went to Tyler's house and chillaxed. The whole way there Tyler was hype. When they got there he opened the door with a key to let Josh and him into the house. The house itself was lowkey cute, a big piano was there along with other instruments. They decided to sit down on the sofa and they watched old videos of lugers luging out and excitedly talked about what they would do differently and such.
“Wait, pause that!” Josh said, pointing at the TV and jumping out of his seat. “Look at that! He's not even holding on to the other guy! No wonder they crashed!”
“Yeah!” Tyler agreed, looking at the TV. “And look at his feet! His steering is all over the place!”
“Oh, thank goodness you've got it together,” Josh laughed, and Tyler's heart fluttered.
“Hehe you too…” Tyler giggled and pushed a piece of imaginary hair behind his ear.
“Nah, man, I feel like I can trust you on the sled y’know? You notice little things like that.” Josh pointed at the TV.
“Thanks man, you too,” Tyler smiled.
“This is gonna work, isn't it?” Josh asked after a moment of thinking.
“Yeah, I think so,” Tyler thought. “We figured this out.”
“I’m glad,” Josh smiled. “So… I hear you play uke… care to share?”
“I thought you'd never ask.”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They woke up to Mark knocking at the door. “Guys! C’mon! It’s luge time!! The women’s luge teams are getting ready for their first runs!” Mark was practically jumping for joy, he was so excited.
“We’re up!”Josh yelled back, smiling at Tyler, who was still asleep beside him. “Tyjo, king, wake up… we at da lympics…”
Tyler woke up. “Man, I was so sleepy.”
“Well… today’s the day, man.”
“Not today…” he laid back down on the hotel room’s one bed . “Wait.” He sat up like Nosferatu rising from his tomb. “Not today…”
“Holy tuff, Tyler!” Josh’s orbs widened. “Okay, wait, we should probably get moving.”
“Yeah, probably.” Tyler got out of bed. “luge starts in, what, like an hour?”
“Yeah.”
“Okey dokey artichokey!”
“Shut the fuck up, bro.”
“:(“
“I didn't mean that,” Tyler sighed.
“You’re good. Let’s go watch the lesbians win for America. God bless the USA! God bless lesbians!”
“You’re so fucking real, Joshua William Dun.”
“Actually, it’s pronounced Josh-u-a Wi-liam Dun.”
“Ohhh, okay.”
Then they went to go watch the other lugers luge out with Mark. They had special seats by the track since they too were athletes. Of course this was so exciting the seats were being used. Everyone was standing and talking excitedly. Tyler was as hyped as a college student who got their hands on a buzz ball because he knew they were gonna kick serious Olympic ass and he hoped they would because he wanted to win and he wanted to succeed. Him and Josh stood next to Mark with Josh standing in the middle of them, and they were also holding hands.
“You two are holding hands,” Mark remarked as they watched the luge track get prepared.
“Yes, this is true, Mark,” said Josh.
“I'm so happy you guys like each other now.” Mark smiled and looked at the other teams .“Guys, I believe in you so much,”
“Aww, thanks!” Josh said appreciatively.
Mark was on the edge of his seat except he wasn't because as I established they were standing.. The truth was… if team USA didn't win… Well, Mark might have to shut down the luge center, because clearly it was a waste of money if the only Olympic winner is retired and coaching people who can't manage a place at all. Tyler knew how important this was to him, and he also knew that Mark had pretty much bet the ranch on a Joshler victory. Olympic winners–would be great for business, and really make it possible to keep the luge center around. This importance weighed heavily on Tyler's mind as he watched the other lugers whiz past. Mark loved luging and he loved sharing the joy of luge with others. The luge center was his world, his baby, his life's work. The threat of losing it was the threat of murder to Mark. Of course that does raise the question of why he picked Tyler and Josh, who famously hated each other, for the Olympics. But really more so that choice proved that Mark truly trusted his lugers. Tyler knew he couldn't let Mark down.
At first, when he got the call and began training for luge with Josh it became grotesquely clear that luge was their bitch. After a few weeks of luge Josh and Tyler had lowkey been cooking on god no cap, impressing even themselves. Tyler could only hope for a shred of that same success they had in practice to happen on he and Josh's runs… however, he had a feeling in the back of his mind that was killing him. This feeling that… somehow, someway… he had upset the god of this humble world and would soon pay the price. Tyler pondered what he could have possibly done to anger such a power. It felt like a tightness in his chest, a deep worry. Was safety only a mirage? Was he going to fail? Was Mark going to have to shut down his beloved luge track? Would it all be Tyler’s fault?
Tyler shrugged. He had no time to worry about such a thing. He and Josh had only a few minutes till it was time. The two walked up to the top of the luge track slowly taking their time.
“We’ve got this, Tyler,” said Josh, taking Tyler's hand.
“I know. I know we do.” Tyler did his best to fight the horrible feeling in his stomach. “Josh, I think I’m gonna throw up,” he whispered to Josh. “I would hate to be the cause of this feeling in other people… by like, I don't know, announcing some kind of a dreaded music video with only a day’s notice.”
“Tyler, are you okay:? You don't make any sense.”
“Sure, just call me crazy like everyone else,” Tyler sighed. Josh then pulled him away from the track for a minute.
“Look at me.”
“What?”
“You’re nervous, I get it, but this isn't you, Tyler. We’re about to go luge like our lives depend on it. Get it together.”
“You had a hand in this. You are not immune to the curse, Josh.”
“What?”
“Sorry, let’s go.” And then they went and got on the luge sled.
Their first run was horribly average. They came in a few half seconds behind the Japanese team. It was all really disappointing. Could’ve gone worse but not by much. They were terrifyingly mundane. Tyler felt like maybe he really should’ve just gone into music or something… never too late. Whatever. They still had 3 runs left. Things would improve… right?
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tyler was at his house packing up. He put his sunglasses in the bag and then suddenly the phone rang.
“Ring ring!” The phone said, just BEGGING to be answered. Tyler looked at the phone and saw the contact “Josh 😍😝🛷”; he smiled and giggled and went to twirl his hair but he shaved it all off to be more aerodynamic or something.
“Salutations,” said Josh when Tyler picked up the phone.
“What the hell is that?”
“Salutations? It's, like, a greeting.”
“It’s weird.”
“Well, do you wanna say hello instead?”
“Yeah,” Tyler paused. “Salutations.”
“Wow,” said Josh. “Well, you all packed for the big plane ride to Italy?"
“Almost… there's still a little bit of useless shit I need to put in my bag.”
“That's real. I'm about done packing… I'll meet you at the airport in like half of an hour?” Josh asked.
“Yeah, that sounds good. I can't wait to see you.”
“Lmao, me too,” said Josh, and then he hung up.
“Wow. He didn't even say goodbye.” Tyler said out loud to his empty house.
Then he piled all his stuff into the car and drove to the airport. Boy was he excited to sit next to Josh Dun for several hours on a cramped airplane!!
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Run two. Eye on the prize. He and Josh had about 10 minutes to recuperate after the disappointment that was run one. Mark gave them both pats on the back and said he believed they would crush round two. Now more than ever the pressure was on him and Josh to go for gold.
Tyler got on the sled first, which was logical seeing as how he’s the mattress. He took a deep breath in before they started. Surely everything would be okay.
Everything was not okay. Immediately, the run was cursed. Cursed as hell. Josh had missed an early turn, and they quickly picked up speeds they were in no way ready for. This caused Tyler to start gripping Josh’s arms tighter–more distraction, more fucked up turns, and before they knew it, the two were hydroplanning in circles. The world was spinning and Tyler was waiting for the inevitable stop when they crashed into the wall. Is this how Mark felt when he had his big crash? This was the end of them.
Eventually, the crash happened, and it happened hard. The sled rammed into the wall and both he and Josh went flying in either direction. Josh stopped there, only hitting against the wall, then falling back, but Tyler kept going, sliding down the ice track lightning fast and hitting every wall with force on his way down like a damn pinball machine.
When Tyler came to, he was surrounded by people at the end of the luge track. He couldn't feel anything. Everyone was screaming and yelling and he couldn't hear a thing. “Is Josh okay?” he mustered his strength to say. He saw Mark nod, which he assumed met Josh was fine, but with no hearing and the room spinning it was hard to tell. They tried to get him to sit up, and so he did. They dragged him off of the path. Then the world went black.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the airport, Tyler stood there with his bag of knick-knacks he called luggage. He was looking around for Josh. After around 5 minutes of waiting he decided to get them both coffee. Hopefully when Josh got there he'd like that… y'know, if he ever showed up. Just then, sitting in the area where you wait (idk I've never been to an airport) he saw on Josh’s Instagram story that he was at some drum factory taking pictures with drumsticks. “What the flip,” said Tyler aloud.
“Drum factory? Really?”
“What’s up, my luging boy and girls?” Josh walked over right on cue like two lightning strikes strike on cue.
“Josh! Holy zoinks! You're here! I had believed due to your Instagram story that you were at the drum factory LOL,” Tyler said with much emotion.
“Yeah, I had to make a quick stop.” He took the coffee from Tyler's hand because Tyler offered it to him. “Thank you, my goat.”
“Are you guys ready to plane it up?” Mark said, walking over jollily.
“Hello, Mark!” They all said in unison.
“Hey, guys!” Mark smiled wide because he was so excited to go back to the Olympics. “So… everyone ready?”
“Type shit.” Josh nodded, and Mark passed them their tickets.
When they were boarding the plane, Tyler was lowkey excited as hell. You see, at this point he’d pretty much abandoned his hater lifestyle, he was now down bad for his luging partner. He loved talking to Josh, loved the way he saw the world. He’d ask Josh’s opinion on a paper clip if it meant getting to hear him talk. Along with that, Josh was just a solid luge partner. Sure, at first he was clunky and ill-managed, but now, after practice and training, they’re at a point where Tyler is seeing Josh listen, respond to suggestions, learn from mistakes–the whole thing was very admirable, and on top of that all? Boy, was he a good drummer.
He had a feeling it was gonna be a fun plane ride.
—————————————————————————————-
When Tyler woke up, he was surrounded by people, Josh being one of them. So Josh wasn’t hurt. That was very good news.
“Oh my god, thank GOODNESS you’re okay,” said Mark with puffy eyes. “I thought we lost you!”
“Bro, no you didn’t, I told you he was gonna be fine,” said a doctor. “He just fainted, he's not actually that hurt.
“I saw…” Tyler began. “I saw a giant hand come out of the sky. It said… ‘that music video was cute. You’re safe this time, Tyler Robert Joseph’.” Tyler sighed.
“What?” Josh asked.
“Honestly, I have no idea… but I think I need to do music after this.”
“Yeah, I’ll be the drummer. Don’t worry, Tyler, we’ll start a great band.”
Tyler turned to the doctor. “Can I compete? Can I compete tomorrow?”
“Uh, yeah, shouldn’t be a problem,” said the doctor. “Buh byeeeee.” And then John Medicine left.
“Tyler, you don’t have to do this,” Mark began. “You got hurt, it’s okay if you don’t wanna luge tomorrow. I can part with the luge center.” Mark wiped a tear.
“No. No, I will finish what we started.” Tyler sat up .“I’m coming for gold… no chances.”
“WRITE THAT DOWN!” Josh yelled. “I’m sorry.”
“You are out of my mind.” Tyler shook his head “You’re not seeing my side, Mark.”
“Oh my god.” Josh was shaking. “Holy. Flipping. Peak.”
“Okay then…. Let's get ready… luge tomorrow.” Mark said.
“Go team USA,” said Tyler nonchalantly in a spectacular and planned call back to the beginning of the fic.
Then Tyler got up. Game time.
——————————————————————————————
The plane ride was fun. Josh even let Tyler have the window seat–albeit because Tyler told him if they were in a band he’d be the lead singer.
“Want a Spotify jam?” Josh asked Tyler when they got on the plane. “I’m listening to ‘Chop Suey!’ by hit band System of a Down.”
“That would be relative to my interests.”
“Coolio.”
“I thought you said you were listening to System of a Down?” said Tyler, thinking he was funny. Josh did not respond, just passed Tyler the QR code. So they Spotify jammed.
The plane ride was about 9 hours and 43 minutes according to Travel Math and you can only listen to Chop Suey! by hit band System Of A Down so many times so eventually they just started talking.
“I can't believe we’re really going to the Olympics,” Josh said. Tyler was looking out the window, then turned to him.
“I can. I mean, we have to be the most dedicated lugers in America.”
“Man, I hope we win. It would suck if Mark had to shut down the luge center.”
“Yeah, me too,” Tyler frowned. “He really kinda put his eggs in one basket with that luge center.”
“Sigh. Yeah… I could see him being good at, like, marketing or film or something though.”
“Yeah ts true.” And then they went back to listening to Chop Suey! By hit band System Of A Down.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning, nobody freaking predicted the men's USA luge team to return. Everyone had heard about the embarrassing crash and they’d heard Tyler wasn't in great shape. Of course, this news story was overshadowed by how awesome the USA women's team was. Now it was day two, the press was crazed at the men's team's big return. At least, they were; the second the women stepped out for their 3rd and 4th runs, their attention shifted. Of course, as everyone saw coming, they ATE THAT SHIT UP. Their third run was beautiful, and their fourth was damn near perfect. What they didnt see coming was usa mens doubles luge making that hella comeback, and boy do I mean comeback. Now, it was Joshler time because now it was time for the mens luge.
They got up to the top of the track. Tyler stopped. “I have ssUCH a headache,” he said. “A migraine one might say.” tyler made a mental note to remember that… migraine… yes
“Twin… you really don't have to do this,” said Mark.
“No, I got this, dw,” said Tyler, and he got his helmet. “WE got this.” He turned to Josh affectionately.
“We got this,” Josh parroted.
Tyler and Josh were lowkey both fearful because they had such a nasty accident yesterday, but it was okay. When they got on the sled, they both took a deep breath in, then luged. Round 3 was epic. Very good. Like stupendous type shit. speedy and well managed. They hopped off the sled and jumped for joy, now pumped for round 4. Mark was proud as a Mark would be, even gloating to the Korean team whose coach was also named Mark in an epic reference to Mark from hit kpop group NCT (this Mark had a career change for fun). “Mark me in your heart,” Mark from the USA yelled, "because we are winner winner chicken dinner!”
“Josh OMG!” Tyler was still jumping for joy.
“Tyler OMG!” Josh took his hands and jumped with him. “Ready for round four?”
“CHES!” Tyler stopped jumping and high fived Josh, then Mark. “Lets go luge!”
So they got to the top of the luge track again, ready to rumble.
“Tyler… listen, there's something I need to tell you.”
“Is this the time?” Tyler looked to the left and then the right. “Is this the place?”
“No better time or place,” Josh began. “When we first met… I hated you, lowkey. You see, I thought you thought you were better than me at luge–which, in all fairness, you did, and took every opportunity to tell me. So when I had first got the call, and you had also got the call too, I was mad… like, really mad. I mean, I'd been working up to the Olympic winter games my whole life, and by my whole life I mean, like, a few years, but you get the message. I wanted to Olympic it up, but with you? Then… then I met you. Tyler, when I hated you, I didn't really truly know you. I didn't realize how funny and talented you were. I mean, how many people can both luge and uke? And piano and writing–man, you’ve got crazy skills. I can’t believe it took me so long to realize how I truly felt for you. I mean all those classic moments when we ate rasing canes together, when we hung out at your house and you played me that really really cool song on the ukulele, Tyler, we have something special. You met me at a very strange time in my life, and I'm pretty weird, but… I think it was perfect. You're perfect. Perfect for me, and perfect for the podium here at the Olympics. I'm happy to be here with you, Tyler, and, well… I love you.” The camera crew was getting all of this for streaming purposes on Peacock.
“Somebody mute him!”Tyler was misty with tears, “but I love you too, Josh.” They then tried to kiss, but the helmets kinda ruined it they just kinda clunked their helmets together. “Let’s go luge.” he smiled at Josh and then got on the sled for their fourth and final run at the winter olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy 2026.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting off the plane was easy enough. I mean, you just walk off the plane. But it was cold as FREAK, and there were a lot of people, too.
“There's a lot of people here,” Tyler said to Josh.
“Yes, that is true.” Josh nodded. “So, we're at the Olympics in Italy. What now?”
“Good question,” Tyler pondered. “What now?” he repeated.
“Wanna like.. Idk, go for a walk?” Josh offered.
“Yeah, sure. I mean, it's cold, but like, we’re lugers, we’re used to that.” Tyler and Josh were walking out of the airport. “What do people normally do when they get to the Olympics?”
Josh shrugged.
“Yeah.” And then they went to the hotel room (the first one with two beds) and dropped off their stuff. Then they went for a walk because the author (if it can even be called that, it's more like a spiritual vessel (vessel ref)) is kinda running out of things for them to do.
They began their walk on the beautiful streets of Milan. There were plants everywhere which was weird because it was winter but we won’t dive into that right now. The energy in the city was delightful. Everyone was pumped for the Olympics and rightfully so, you see the Olympics hadn't been held in Italy since 2006, which actually wasn't really that long ago so the dramatic effect is kinda lost but I digress. It was fun. Tyler had some stuff on his mind, he wanted to talk to Josh, but Josh seemed mesmerized by the scene around them. He might as well anyway.
“Wow, flora AND fauna,” said Josh, looking at the plants that grow in Italy despite the winter coldness but like I said we are NOT getting into that. Tyler sighed.
“Do you ever wish we could turn back time? Like, to the good old days?”
“What, like when our mommas sang us to sleep?” Josh tilted his head to the side.
“Yeah, because… because… now… now… we’re stressed out.” He stopped in his tracks. “Wait.”
Josh stopped, too. “Are you thinking what I'm thinking..?”
“I think so, that was holy tuff.” Tyler said, looking moved by his own words. “Anyway, what I was saying is that I'm kind of stressed seeing as how we’re at the Olympics and we’ve been working toward this for so long.”
“That's understandable, but… Tyler, I think everything is gonna be okay.” Of course, Tyler had no way of knowing Josh, too, was stressed out. One could say… stressed out.
But the walk was calming and fun and all that business. It really helped them chillax and calm down and stuff.
“Why are you stressed?” Josh asked abruptly. “Like, more specifically.”
Tyler sighed. “To be honest, I never thought I could make it in luge.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding! You're one of the best lugers I know!” Josh exclaimed.
“No, like, on god, bro, I remember when I first posed the idea of luge–my brother said ‘you don't need to luge, you need to work out and pray’, and like, I don’t know, I guess I thought I was wasting my time, like I wasn't all that good.”
“Well, you made it this far, kid. Listen, you're here. That proves you didn't waste your time. C’mon, let's get ready for the parade of nations.”
“Wait, bro… that was tuff.”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They were standing atop the podium with their shiny new medals: silver, won in their fourth and final run for men's doubles luge. Throughout the journey of luge Josh and Tyler had not just won silver and brought pride to the USA… they also won a whole different kinda pride in finding each other. Though there were ups and downs, now, here, was the moment that made it all worth it.
“So, ready to start that band now?” Josh leaned over and asked.
“Yeah. I have the perfect name in mind, actually,” Tyler smiled.
“What is it?”
“Twenty one lugers.”