Work Text:
-G-
“That’s it?” Adalind Schade asks as the last beat of the music fades and silence fills the room. They’d just finished listening to the final arrangement of the music they were hoping to use for their shot at Olympic Gold. Nick Burkhardt catches her eye as he sees their coaches and friends Monroe and Hank Griffin, as well as advisor Rosalee Calvert, nod while Bud Wurstner fiddles with the switches in front of him that controlled the volume and pitch of what they’d just heard, the composition he’d made for them.
“Yep, that’s it,” the older man states with his own nod. “Kept the throughout tempo whilst retaining the building theme and recognisability of the original piece. It wasn’t easy, this was 17 minutes when I started, I mean, an amazing 17 minutes, though not without its challenges, the music has quite extreme repetitions, which was both helpful and somewhat hindering but I got it cut down, I think quite well, and the timing is almost perfect, 4 minutes 28 seconds, so, quite good, I think.”
“Wait, what?” Nick asks, the smile that had been forming on his face dropping. He’d loved this music from the moment he’d heard it, had fought with Adalind and the others to use it. It felt perfect to him; had everything they wanted to say in it but it had to be done right.
“It can’t be longer than 4 minutes!” Adalind cries out, her face aghast. “That’s the length we’re given for our free skate, any longer and we’ll be automatically disqualified!”
“She’s right,” Monroe states and they all look to Bud who begins to wring his hands nervously.
“I can’t cut it down anymore,” he starts, voice high with fret. “It would change the piece completely; you’d lose the continuous rhythm you wanted and it wouldn’t feel like Bolero anymore! I’ve done everything I can, if I take anything else out then it won’t be the piece that you want!”
“It’s not that piece right now anyway because we can’t use it!” Adalind fires back and Nick puts a hand to her shoulder to help calm her as he looks around the small room. They’d all gathered together to hear the musical arrangement Bud had made, after listening to their wants in regards to the piece, so they could then start the next step in preparation; the actual components of the routine.
“Ok, let’s all just take a breath,” he says and Bud does so, noisily, inhaling in and then out. “We can figure this out.” That sentence gets several replies, Adalind and Bud talking at the same time as Rosalee also adds to the discussion and Nick shoots a look at Monroe.
“Why don’t we concentrate on something else for a moment?” Monroe suggests loudly, as he looks pointedly around the people gathered, and then sweeps a hand in his wife’s direction. “Rosalee, how are the ideas for costumes coming along?”
“We’ve got the style and colouring mood boards sorted and Adalind has been doing mobility testing with the length and style of the skirt, so we’re in a really good position,” she says, giving a warm smile at the still stressing blonde. “Nick just needs to decide on his shirt and sleeve length then we can get some full costume-prototypes made and start some practises skating in them.”
“I think traditional is best,” Nick states and Adalind swings her head around to look at him.
“But I thought we talked about the half sleeve?” She asks and then gives him a pretty pout. “You look so good with sleeves at your elbows, and I love how it looks when you lift me, all the strength in your arms.” Nick ducks his head a little at that but doesn’t miss Rosalee’s murmured agreement and then Monroe is off, discussing their strengths as a pair, as Hank also chips in with his opinion.
Nick remembers meeting all these people and not knowing how important and influential they would become. He had not come into ice skating the traditional way, had in fact come very close to not going forward with this career at all and had been in the process of joining the police academy when Monroe had pulled him aside and told him how he saw him, as a skater. How he saw something special and different in Nick and that, if applied correctly, Nick could go far. He’d then introduced Nick to his then girlfriend Rosalee and the young, fresh skater she had just begun to work with, Adalind.
Being a pairs skater hadn’t ever been a consideration but once Monroe talked it through with him, it made sense to Nick. He’d always liked being in a partnership and working alongside others and the idea of being able to focus on the more intricate and detailed movements, with another person, was appealing.
He remembers their first meeting, and skate, how they talked through what they would do, all the techniques and moves they’d do and how none of it had worked. They’d clashed, somehow not able to put the words into action, and discomfort had built, then tempers had come out. Nick clearly remembered Adalind’s mother and her verbal dressing down, mainly at her daughter but then turning her ire on them all, during one of the following sessions; how Rosalee had had to pull her away as Adalind had broken down. He’d felt protective of her then and had tried to help but had felt a little helpless, not really knowing what to do. They hadn’t really gotten to know each other just yet, back then; their main focus being on seeing if they could work as a partnership.
So, he’d suggested they just skate. No planning, no prep, just skate. And something magical had happened.
They’d skated; they’d flowed and somehow had created a routine by reading each other’s body movements more than anything else. They’d ended up standing at centre ice, both Nick and Adalind panting and staring at each other as they’d taken in what they’d just done.
That had been several years ago now but they had taken what they’d learnt in that first, essential practise and built on it, created magic again and again by reading each other, creating their own rhythm and by working together, harder and longer than anyone expected them to; they’d created a true partnership.
Winning their first competition had gotten them some attention but when they kept winning, suddenly a lot of eyes were on them. Their pasts were put out there, dissected and commented on, as interest in them grew. Adalind as the ice princess, precise and technical with an elegant streak while Nick was the quiet underdog, disciplined but with the strength and determination to get him through. Yet together, they brought out an artistic and emotional connection rarely seen in their own routines when skating as individuals, or in many other pairs skating.
That connection had many questioning just how close they were, whether they were partners on and off the ice and the romantic aspect that they must engage in, behind closed doors. They’d managed to answer those questions without ever actually stating anything outright. Monroe had advised them early on, having had experience from how his own relationship with Rosalee, both being former figures in the skating world so had their own reputations to be scrutinised, had grown and developed. They were happily married now and Nick took the advice of his coach and mentor seriously. He wanted what they had, could see family and romance in his future, but first, he wanted that gold medal.
“If the sleeve stops here, you would still have range of movement whilst following the rules of being modest, dignified and appropriate for athletic competition,” Hank states as he points on his own arm and bringing Nick back to the present. Both Rosalee and Adalind chip in with their own opinions and Nick listens to them all before shrugging.
“I guess I’ll go with the majority,” Nick sighs and Adalind squeezes his side in happiness at his acquiesce.
“Alright, so costume will go alongside our proposed theme for the skate,” Monroe brings their attention back together again. “Which means we’re back to the music.”
“I really can’t cut it down anymore without changing it into something else,” Bud agonises as he looks between them and his computer, where the technical information for their version of the song lies.
“If we don’t cut it down, we’re over the time limit and changing it into something else will hardly matter,” Adalind replies, voice climbing again.
“The rules are very clear about song usage and timings,” Hank points out.
“Wait,” Nick says quietly as a thought enters his mind. “In the rules … doesn’t it say that time starts when the skate touches the ice?” They all look at him and he glances around as they all seem to digest his words, and the potential they hold. “Doesn’t it?”
“I’m not sure,” Hank replies. “But … I think Nick might be right.”
“Then it’s something we should check, as it could be that there’s more information there that could help us,” he says and Adalind gives a little hum at his side.
“You would pick up on a detail like that,” she utters warmly and Nick gives a little shrug.
“I’ll get the rule book,” Monroe gushes, in budding excitement, and leaves the room to find what they need. Nick shares a look with Adalind as he feels the others look to him but he’s suddenly sure he’s figured out a solution to their problem.
“The stopwatch is started when contestants begin to skate,” Monroe reads aloud as he comes back in, eyes focused on the paperback in his hands.
“And what constitutes as beginning to skate?” Nick questions and watches as Monroe clicks through several pages.
“There … doesn’t seem to be a clear classification of that, no set precedent written down,” he replies and Nick feels a smile begin to form.
“There it is then,” he says. “We don’t start to skate until the 4-minute mark, we do something else for 28 seconds.”
“Something else?” Adalind yelps as Monroe and Hank stare at him. Rosalee, though, looks thoughtful.
“The definition of skating, that most would accept and acknowledge, is when the blades are on the ice,” she says slowly. “So, Nick might have a point here. It’s an interpretation of the rules, sure, but it’s bending them, rather than breaking them.”
“It could still get us disqualified,” Adalind points out, worry in her voice.
“Could,” Nick repeats and pulls on her hand to get her to look at him. “We take a risk every time we put something out there to be judged, when we do something different, use a new piece of music or an unexpected routine. We take a chance that someone in that judging chair won’t like what we’ve done and have that effect the points they give. As long as we put the routine we want, that we believe in, out there, then what do we have to lose?”
“The gold medal,” Adalind mutters but she meets his eyes and Nick can see her internally considering his words.
“Adalind, do you believe in this?” He asks quietly and she sighs.
“I believe in you,” she murmurs and Nick shoots her a soft smile. She blushes and looks away but leans into his side and gives a bashful shrug. “So, how do we do this? What do we do for 28 seconds?”
“You choose your start position, so we have to think of a start that works with the music and theme we’ve already decided on.” Monroe points out.
“The narrative is emotion, the music gives us that beautifully and we know you two can bring that into action, and make it art,” Rosalee says. “How did you describe it before?”
“To us, it has an almost Romeo and Juliet style feel,” Adalind admits quietly. “When Nick first played this for me, when I heard the building of the piece and where the music takes you … to me, to both of us, it has a romantic feeling to it but also a feeling of the unknown, and possible danger. It’s … it’s two people on a journey for their love, one that builds and ends with emotion and drama.”
“Star-crossed lovers that are willing to die for their love,” Monroe mumbles and Nick nods.
“Two people willing to put their love out there, share it with the world, whether they like it or not,” Nick says and catches Adalind’s eye.
“Ooh, that sounds good!” Bud exclaims brightly. “Certainly, fits with the music, what with the hypnotic build-up and the composition. I mean, it’s different, obviously, but I think it’s very on theme and fitting, yes.” He finishes with a grin and Nick laughs. He looks from Bud, around the room, as Monroe and Rosalee share a look and Hank rolls his eyes to Adalind as she tries to hide her slight exasperation and suddenly, Nick can picture how this might work.
“We start on our knees,” Nick states with confidence. “We can weave together, as if coming together for a kiss before moving away, all on our knees. I could even lift Adalind, to create the theme and feeling before we even start to skate.”
“Lift her while still on your knees?” Hank questions and Nick nods, sure he can do it.
“That could work …” Monroe declares and Nick can tell from his inward gaze that he’s picturing it in his head too.
“It’s never been done before,” Adalind agonises and Nick can see the concern on Rosalee’s face too but he feels surety settle inside.
“That’s why it will work,” Nick replies, only allowing confidence in his words. He knows this is taking a chance but something in his gut is telling him it’ll work.
“It’s certainly never been seen before, so you’ll have everyone’s attention on you,” Hank points out. “Which could be a positive but also means there’s potential for a lot more criticism too.”
“It’ll have artistic flair and emotive imagery,” Monroe argues. “Both are sections that score highly.”
“So, if, or rather, how, how we do this is what we need to focus on now,” Adalind states. She looks up at Nick as Monroe begins to list the different lifts in their arsenal, as well as any other that could be used.
“You could lift and flip her, over your shoulder,” Rosalee suggests quietly and they all looks to her. “Almost like an embrace, being close together, but the movement is fluid, and then Adalind’s skate touches the ice at the right time. She could pull you up, like the push and pull of a new relationship, of figuring each other out and of falling in love.” Rosalee words paint a picture, one Nick can clearly see, and then they’re off, all throwing out ideas and ways that they could make this work.
There’s moves, lifts and sequences, they like doing, techniques tried and tested as well as new actions that they want to incorporate. This is just throwing ideas out there, the real bones of the piece will come together when they first start to skate it but Nick feels his confidence grow as everyone joins in and soon it feels like they have too many ideas, for even a plus, slightly, 4-minute program.
“So, the music’s good as is?” Bud checks as they wind down and Nick shares another look with Adalind before turning back to him.
“Yeah. It’s good,” he replies. “It’s our music for our skate and we’re going to make it unforgettable.”
-G-
Media Coverage (Please read in a commentator voice) -
It has been confirmed, who our Olympians will be for this Winter Olympics. Team USA has many medal opportunities but none seem to be as great as that of ice skater pairs couple, Nicholas Burkhardt and Adalind Schade. The pair haven’t put a foot wrong, are coming off winning the recent World Championships and, frankly, have the whole world’s attention on them with their routines and the romance linked to it all. Whether we finally get confirmation of the pair being in a romantic relationship, off of the ice, I don’t know but I can tell you that these two will give us a performance for the world to see. Bring on the Winter Olympics!
-G-
Being in the rink is like being in his second home and Nick breathes in deep, even with the slight frosty touch to the air. He’s here early, the rest of the ice arena empty, and it means he can get his head into gear and focused. It’s actually the way both Nick and Adalind like it. They don’t need prying eyes or lots of attention, not while they’re figuring out what they’re doing. They just need each other and what they can both bring to their partnership.
Nick strips his jacket off but keeps his fleece on, for now, and sits down to lace and secure his skates. He hears the door and looks up as footsteps tell him he’s got company.
“You had to get here first, huh?” Adalind asks as she joins him.
“You know I like my routines, how I do things,” he replies as he sits up straight and eyes her as she slips her own jacket off.
“Oh, I know,” she grins with a wink and Nick shakes his head. He takes his own guards off and then helps Adalind with hers, them both placing the small parts by their bags and standing up. There’s always been a height difference between them and having skates on doesn’t change that. Adalind looks up and Nick can’t help but feel the small thrill he always gets when she looks at him that way.
“So, what are you complaining about?” He retorts and she steps closer, raising a hand to smooth out some wrinkle or whatever excuse she might use to put her hand on his sweater.
“Not complaining, exactly,” she murmurs. “Just … I was left a little cold this morning, is all.”
“Cold? This morning?” Nick repeats and they both hear the doors clang as they open and close and they both know who’s coming to join them. “I don’t know what that could have to do with me.”
“Oh, you don’t? Well, next time don’t leave me so quickly,” Adalind quips and gives Nick a wink before she turns and steps away to greet Monroe and Rosalee.
“How we both feeling this morning?”
“Ready to get things started and sections in place,” Nick replies and Adalind nods, both of them slipping into their professional partnership.
“Alright then,” Monroe claps his hands together. “So, music and theme sorted, with some ideas for sections already. You guys going to start with your normal thing?”
“Got the music cued up,” Nick states, holding up his iPod. “So, yeah we’ll do our usual thing, but keep in mind the theme and what we’re aiming for.”
“And, I’ve got to say, what a theme it is! If I haven’t already said it, I mean it. Two lovers on a path, destined to be entwined with each other and ready to throw themselves into the possible eternity together that awaits,” Monroe waxes lyrical and Nick ducks his head as Adalind hums a soft laugh.
“While that’s very pretty, and accurate,” Rosalee interrupts him from saying any more with a smile. “I’m not sure that’s suitable for much, other than talk between us. Entirely appropriate for a press release, for example.”
“Well, that’s not what we’re talking about right now!” Monroe exclaims. “But that’s why we have you, to neaten up and make my rambles suitable for the masses.”
“Oh, is that why I’m here?” She arches an eyebrow and Monroe starts to splutter a little and Nick pulls Adalind away from the boards, happy to let the married couple talk it out while they get back to their fledgling routine.
“I like what Monroe said,” Adalind admits as they skate forward. “I think it fits.”
“Me too,” Nick discloses and they lock eyes. “Let’s figure out how to say it in our language and then we can get it ready to show the world.” She smiles at that and they move to the centre of the ice, both popping in one ear bud each of their customary shared pair and Nick presses play after Adalind nods her readiness.
They stand there, looking at each other and listen to the music. They don’t skate for the next four minutes, but let the music talk to them and gesture with their hands and arms; never breaking their gazes from each other. When the music stops, they take a breath, then Nick hits play again and they start to skate.
It’s movement and flow, measuring responses and rough ideas that they mesh out and try as they move and skate across the ice. Without talking, they settle into agreement on several things and as they end up back at centre ice, Nick kills another replay of the music and he and Adalind launch straight into a discussion of what they just did, likes and dislikes, how it feels and how they want to move forward.
They skate several movements again, discussing how they could put their own spin on them, whilst also keeping within the theme they’ve settled on for their routine. Nick doesn’t know how much time passes, as they move and skate around the rink. All his focus is on Adalind and what they can do, plus this time with her is, almost, peaceful. He’s doing something he loves, with one of his favourite people and, what might be the best part, he gets to hold her close throughout it all.
“Hey, pull it in!” Monroe calls sometime later and they both skate over to the edge where he and Rosalee still stand. “Looking good.”
“Any preferences so far?” Rosalee asks.
“If we start on our knees, Nick can lift me diagonally over his shoulder, maybe with a twist onto his bent back knee and we do an intricate lovers-knot, before we release each other and that’s when I can put my blade to the ice, starting the routine,” Adalind starts. “Then we can incorporate different versions of that lift and twist into later parts of the skate, almost use it as a common thread, with multiple elements within.”
“That sounds good,” Rosalee comments and Adalind gives her a bright smile.
“We also like the idea of staying together as much as possible,” Nick says and Rosalee glances at him as Adalind nods in agreement and Monroe looks thoughtful.
“You two didn’t really let go of each other out there, when you were just practising,” Monroe points out and Nick dips his head.
“Yeah, and I think we want to keep that,” he replies and sees Adalind glance at him. “I like the idea of, within our theme, lovers not wanting to let go of each other. We stay together, keep coming back to each other instantly when we do have to split and use that as part of the routine.”
“I like that,” Adalind comments softly and both Monroe and Rosalee nod.
“In past pairs competitions, there was a rule that couples couldn’t be out of contact from each other for longer than, I think, 6 seconds,” Monroe states. “You could work within an element of that, apart from the jumps and throws.”
“We also know you both have strengths with spins and intricate arm work,” Rosalee adds in. “All of which could be easily added and used in this routine.”
“Ok, so elements we need to work on next,” Monroe starts before going on to list his opinion on what they could use and how. Nick and Adalind listen, adding in their own thoughts, before they push off from the board and move back to more open ice to practise.
This time Monroe follows them out and observes from closer on the ice, calling out suggestions and tweaks as they continue to build their program. They practise on the ice and off the ice, using a small workout room to work out the initial, on their knees lift, and how they can make that idea work before transferring it back out onto the ice.
In the next few days and weeks Nick and Adalind settle into a new version of their normal routine, gearing up even more practise and time at the rink. Monroe and Hank are there to offer their advice, when needed, and Rosalee ensures they look after themselves as they push further on, as well as help them shape on every aspect that is involved.
It's months of practise, building what they want and then perfecting it before then repeating it, over and over, until it’s muscle memory. Monroe and Rosalee stay close, offering their support and understanding, as Hank and others come in to view what they’ve done. It’s surprising to some, unexpected and not entirely understood by others, but everyone that they show it to comments on the feeling and emotion of it. Nick and Adalind smile through it all and accept the comments, not making any back but not hiding their acknowledgement and pleasure, as well as their tightly clasped hands.
The craziness and anticipation builds, not so much between them but with everyone else, those immediately around them and within the press. The noise of speculation and interest grows so much so that Rosalee talks everyone into holding a press conference, even though most of what they’re working towards isn’t guaranteed. As much as they have plans and hopes, they have to do a lot before they get there.
They have to keep repeating that, in various different mediums, as they get ready to do the conference. Nick has never liked doing them, Adalind usually taking the fore and handling it much better. Not that Nick hasn’t improved, he has, and he definitely gets protective over Adalind and their partnership, he’s just better at sounding more diplomatic when doing so. Still, it’s not something he looks forward to and standing in the ‘green room’ as Rosalee makes sure everything is set up, he can’t help but fiddle nervously with his cuffs.
“Hey,” Adalind murmurs and he meets her knowing gaze. “You ok?”
“I guess,” Nick replies and she gives him a soft smile. “This is the part I’ll never get used to.”
“I understand, but I don’t think you see yourself clearly because you are so good at this.” She states, voice strong with her conviction. “You know what points need to be said, you remember details others don’t and you always have my back; are always there for me.”
“Well, I wouldn’t be a very good partner if I sucked at that last one,” Nick replies and Adalind steps closer to him, raising a hand to his chest.
“You know what I mean,” she utters and he raises his own hand to keep hers in place, allowing the warmth from her palm to sink into his chest. Right near his heart, where it beats strongly.
“Yeah,” he says simply and she smiles again. They stand and stare at each other, content in their bubble, in the calm and quiet before the storm.
A knock on the door breaks the spell and they both turn to see Hank and Rosalee, letting them know it’s time. They file out and onto the stage, with the table and chairs ready, and Nick makes sure to keep his hand supportively on Adalind’s back until they’re seated.
Hank makes quick introductions, though there’s no one that’s present who wouldn’t already know all about them, before opening the floor for questions and the next thirty minutes of their life begins. Most of them are simple, and so require little thought for answering whilst others mean editing slightly, so information they don’t want out isn’t accidentally revealed. Nick and Adalind both take turns fielding the queries and he can’t help but stare, as most of the men in the room do, as Adalind lights up as she talks about the complex spin moves she’s known for, and how she’s worked on furthering the technique.
His gaze is noted and it brings about the question they knew couldn’t be avoided, but also that they know won’t be fully answered either. The reporter’s eyes are bright and Nick feels Adalind nudge his leg under the table.
“The two of you seem to have formed, and maintained, a very steady relationship. You seem, whilst incredibly emotive, also so calm and collected on the ice but surely that translates to being hot and steamy off it?” Both Nick and Adalind laugh as they look at each other before turning back to the reporter, who hasn’t missed their shared look.
“We try to put our best, our focus into everything we do on the ice,” Nick replies. “So, if that comes across as calm and collected, then I’ll take that, as it backs up how much we put into this.”
“And that shows in your partnership, but what people really want to know, is are you a couple, off the ice, too?”
“We’re here to talk about our program and our hopes for reaching the Olympics,” Adalind states with a sweet smile. “We have World Open coming up, which will be the first proper preview of our free skate and then, we’ll be moving onto the Olympics and representing our country.”
“Which is a little unbelievable, that we get to do that,” Nick comments, aware that the reporter who had asked that question was trying to push for a more concise answer from them. “I know we’re both incredibly honoured to be part of Team USA and also, at having the opportunity to show the world what we can do, together.”
“And, that’s a wrap folks,” Rosalee calls, even as several more questions are called out. “Please, we will send out press releases with further information.” She stays as Nick and Adalind escape the voices and cameras, moving past the others around and escaping back into their shared dressing room.
“Phew,” Adalind breathes out and Nick huffs an understanding laugh. “If only they knew, huh?”
“Well, they will, one day,” he says and they both still.
“Yeah,” Adalind softly replies and readily threads her fingers through his when Nick reaches for her hand. “What will that be like? What will happen?”
“Well, first, we’re going to tell a story,” Nick murmurs. “It’s going to build, with feeling and anticipation, with passion. We’re going to bring people along and let them experience it too. They’ll see the romance, the Romeo-and-Juliet style sense and theme.” He raises his free hand and pushes a lock of her blonde hair back behind her ear. “Throughout the whole routine we look at each other, we don’t drop our gazes. It’ll be intense, but it’ll read so much more for those watching and we’ll understand what it really means. We’ll know. It’ll feel like the audience is watching something intimate, something not for them but also a sight that they can’t turn away from, even though, all along, it’ll be just for us.”
“That does sound intense. The world might not leave us alone,” Adalind mumbles and Nick shrugs.
“That’s on them, not us,” he says. “We’ll know and we’ll figure it out. As long as we know what matters, the rest can just be background noise.”
“We’ll just skate to our own music,” Adalind utters with a grin and Nick laughs. He squeezes her hand and nods.
“Yeah,” he agrees. “And our skate will be one for the story books.”
-G-
Media Coverage (Please read in a commentator voice) -
We can confirm that Nicholas Burkhardt and Adalind Schade have arrived at the athlete’s village and are ready to start their campaign to win Olympic gold. These two have won Nationals and the World Championship in the run up to these Olympics and are expected to medal, with many predicting for them to be at the top of that podium. Little has been said about the routine the pair will be skating to, with those that have seen it talking about the start of the piece as well as the theme used, the age-old story of star-crossed lovers. Many have speculated that this is the pair playing up on the intense scrutiny on their own private relationship, with neither confirming or denying that they are romantically linked. What we do know is they create magic on the ice and many are counting down to see what their free skate will bring.
-G-
This was it. Standing at the edge of the ice, Nick zones out the noise and the people and the atmosphere to concentrate purely on the woman at his side. Their hands are entwined, the warmth familiar and comforting. Together, they can do this. The signal comes, the ice is theirs, and they skate forward to their starting position, going in a small circle before coming to a stop facing each other. Adalind looks up at him and Nick squeezes her hand, that familiar thrill rushing through him, before they both go to their knees and lean to their respective sides, heads just centimetres apart.
A memory flashes through his mind, of the times they’ve done this, the times they’ve been together and how they move, just with each other. It doesn’t need active thought, he knows they know this routine, inside and out. Their bodies know, muscles primed and ready with every movement and they can skate this, with all the emotion they’ve put into it. They just need to do it together, disappear into their bubble, and let everything they feel and know be out there, on the ice.
The last thing he truly takes in is Adalind’s eyes, the blue of them seemingly glowing and the emotion and feeling in them familiar and comforting. They’re doing this together and that’s all he really needs to know before he sinks into his place and the now familiar strains of music begin, to sweep him and everyone else away as they skate to tell their tale.
-G-
Media Coverage (Please read in a commentator voice) -
Oh, what have we just witnessed? That was … I almost don’t have the words! It was magic and uniqueness and just, wow - there is not a person in this stadium that is not on their feet! Burkhardt and Schade have just skated to Ravel’s Bolero, a choice that some condemned when first announced but this pair find the magic and emotion in anything, share it with us all, and that’s exactly what they’ve just done. The noise here is deafening as they take their bows and it’s hard to believe what we’ve just been witness to. That wasn’t just skating, that wasn’t just sport, that was art! What this couple have managed to do is truly outstanding and, I don’t think anyone will disagree, has never been seen before. What a masterpiece.
-G-
Lying on the ice, breath see-sawing through his lungs, exhaustion hits Nick as he thinks, they’ve done it. That was the performance they wanted to give, that was it. He looks down to see Adalind’s head on his chest, from where she safely landed and feels the movement of her head shifting, looking up at him. Meeting her eyes Nick suddenly feels like he could just lay there, with her in this moment, never mind the cold from the ice or the audience or what comes next. He’s got her and, really, that’s all that matters.
But they can’t just lay there, other’s still have to skate and so, after a minute hesitation, he straightens and then helps Adalind to her feet and they turn to the crowd to do the customary bows.
The noise is suddenly deafening, as if a mute button had been released, and Nick can take in just how loud the crowd around them is, how many of them are moving and waving, and just the animation of it all. Skating towards their exit. Monroe and Rosalee are there and Nick feels a lift at seeing their faces before he truly takes in their expressions.
He knew they’d skated well, knew they’d put every emotion into that piece but seeing his mentor’s face, eyes shining with tears, Nick starts to think, maybe, they’ve done something more.
When the scores come through, they confirm it. No one before them has ever received a perfect score. No one has gotten a unanimous agreement. They’ve got gold.
-G-
“We did it,” Adalind whispers and Nick smiles as he feels in his pocket, the small item Monroe had stashed in his jacket for him.
“We did,” he confirms and they just look at each other for a moment before both moving forward at the same time to embrace in a tight hug. Nick buries his head in her hair as he feels her arms cling tight to him.
“Gold will look good on you,” he states as he pulls back and hears her huff a laugh. She beams at him and Nick grins back as he slips his hand into his pocket. “I think if you wore another gold piece, on a more permanent basis, that would be even better.” She blinks at him in confusion before he brings the small golden band, tipped with a shiny ice-like oval diamond, into her eyeline and then drops to one knee in front of Adalind.
“Nick,” she murmurs, eyes wide, and he smiles up at her.
“We’ve formed one hell of a partnership professionally and become the best in our field but now I want a whole new challenge with you, one we’ve talked about and envisioned. One where we’re together and we build the family we both want. I love you and I want to be your partner in every way that matters going forward. Adalind, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she states, voice quiet but strong. “Yes, to everything with you, Nick.” Her hands go to his hair as he stands, pulling him into a kiss full of passion and elation. One of his hands curls around the base of her neck while the other bands around her waist, fingers tight around the ring he still holds. He loses himself in the embrace, trying to tell her with his lips and tongue how he feels and everything that he wants to do. How he wants to celebrate. Hold her close with everything in him and sear the knowledge in her mind that he’s never letting go.
She pulls back breathless and flushed and Nick can admit that he loves seeing her that way. Loosening his hands, and taking a moment to make sure she’s steady on her feet, he brings the ring back to the forefront again and then slides it delicately on her finger when Adalind holds up her left hand. They both just stand and stare at the perfect fit before he raises her hand up to press a kiss there.
“How do we do this?” she asks and then ducks her head, eyes on her new ring. “I don’t want to hide anymore.”
“Then we don’t,” Nick replies and she meets his eyes. “We’ll give them what they want and we’ll deal with the noise and then we’ll move on to live our lives.”
“What they want?” she repeats and Nick smiles as he brushes a strand away from her face and cups her cheek. He can picture it, what’s going to happen, and is almost glad that there’ll be cameras to catch it happening, and save it for him, for them, to have on tape for prosperity.
“We’re going to go get our medals,” he says softly. “We’re going to stand on that podium and do all those cheesy photo ops they like and after I’ve kissed my medal, I’m going to kiss you.” He leans forward and seals his lips over hers, using his hand in her cheek to tip her face gently up. “Just like that.”
“That’s going to be quite a visual statement,” Adalind replies and he nods. “And confirmation.”
“It’s going to say we’re a couple and this,” he brings her hand up, with glistening new accessory on her third finger clearly visible. “This is going to say we’re in this together for the long haul.”
And that’s what they do, after the drug testing and getting their USA track tops and bottoms on, they file back out onto the ice, standing in position behind the newly erected podium and wait as everyone is introduced. Bronze is given, then silver and then, it’s their turn.
“And the gold medal goes to the United States of America.” The stadium around them erupts as they step up, holding their free hands high to wave as they continue to hold their other hands tightly in each other’s grasp. The medals add weight around their necks and the national anthem plays out and then Nick can’t wait anymore, turning to Adalind as the last notes ring out and grinning at her before ducking down to kiss her. He hears the roar of the crowd as he feels her hand free itself from his to cup his face as their lips caress and press before they break apart to grin madly at each other. Turning to face the crowd, still pressed so closely together, Nick can do nothing but smile.
It's that picture, taken by one of the many media outlets, of them with his arms around her and Adalind’s hand high on his chest, ring clearly displayed, and smiles as bright as the gold medals hanging around their necks, that sits displayed in pride of place in their home. That display gets added to, with their wedding photo and then of increasing family portraits as their children are born and other family moments that happen in the years gone by, but that special moment, captured as Nick hoped it would be, is always presented clearly and brightly.
The gold of their achievement. The band of their commitment. And the smiles on their faces, showing just what it all meant to them. Their lover’s tale, brought to life in the form of ice skating, and then made real by their actions and promise to each other.
-G-
AN - I did have an idea of doing a gold medal winning/engagement celebration night with a higher rating add on, which I may do, but for now I’m happy with this. I hope you liked it, I do so like these characters and the setting, I even managed to get a few more Grimm things/quotes in there then I thought! Your feedback would be greatly appreciated on this and, as always, thanks for reading!