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The chill of the ice arena was something Owen could never get used to.
The instant switch to the low temperature was terribly uncomfortable, no matter how many times he had been.
The cold made his joints stiffen, and his face go numb. He would always bury himself in far too many layers of clothing—snow jackets, gloves, scarves—making himself look, quite frankly, ridiculous. Especially during the hotter seasons.
But, alas, he found himself here quite regularly - sitting on the damp benches to the sides, or leaning against the wall of the rink, watching as his partners glided across the ice.
Round, and round, and round.
He watched as Louis did spins and jumps that he didn't think he could even do off of the ice, his auburn hair flowing behind him, making him look even more ethereal than usual.
He watched as Legundo moved at speeds he couldn't run if he tried, sliding around corners with ease, moving like that's what he was born to be doing.
His partners were both so talented, and all he could do was sit and watch while his muscles ached and screamed at him to get out of the cold. To go home and bury himself in blankets, rather than sit and suffer.
He sighed, watching as his breath left a cloud of vapor in front of his face, tightening his grip on his coffee cup and leaning back into his seat. The benches that surrounded the rink were anything but comfortable, and did nothing to soothe his aching body, though the hot liquid did help warm him up.
He had tried skating before.
It was his and Louis's fourth date. Louis had coerced him to rent a pair of skates, guiding him along the ice. He would admit, he enjoyed it.
That was, until, Louis let go of him, and his legs gave out.
He was in a cast for four weeks.
He hasn't gotten on the ice since then.
“Owen!” His name being called guided his gaze upwards, and he couldn't help the small smile that grazed his lips.
“Shelby.” He spoke as the girl came towards him, a pair of skates in her right hand and a water bottle in her left.
They placed themself down next to him. As she began un-buckling her Mary Janes, he decided to bring up some idle chatter.
“No Scott today?” he asked. Typically, the pair of roommates would be at the rink together- practicing their jumps and twists, or just moving around the rink, chatting and laughing.
“Nope. He's on a date, or something.” She slid off her shoes.
He raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”
"Yep. Don't ask me who with. He wouldn't give me any details.” She complained.
He hummed, taking a sip of his coffee.
“I take it you're not getting on the ice?” She asked.
“Ah, no. I'm not.” He moved his gaze back to the rink, trying to spot where his boyfriends had made their way within the sea of people.
“Awh, bummer…” she huffed as she began to tighten her skates, “...I could teach you, if you wanted, y'know? I think you'd be really good at it, if you actually tried!”
A huff of laughter had left his lips before he could process it, “thanks for the offer, Shelbs, but I'll pass.”
“Tsk, alright. Let me know if you change your mind though, okay?”
He smiled again, something he finds himself doing quite often around the girl. She tends to have that effect on people.
“Will do.”
They tapped their feet slightly before standing up, turning back to look down at him, “Watch my stuff for me?”
He nodded, “Of course.”
“Thanks Owen! You're the best.”
As soon as her blades hit the ice she was moving effortlessly, weaving around people with practiced ease. Their skirt swished around them as they hopped slightly, twisting and turning, swaying to the music that the speakers provided, the sound almost drowned out by the idle chatter of people.
Owen watched as she disappeared amongst the other skaters, smiling softly to himself.