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The rink is biting cold, but it’s nothing Matthew isn’t already intimately familiar with. Since their first date, hangout, whatever – when Joseph had opened up about his career, opened up about his Olympic dreams and invited Matthew to come watch him practice one day – Matthew’s been a regular attendee. Always there, cheering Joseph on from the sidelines, sharing coffee with Joseph’s coach.
And now they’re actually at the Olympics together, Joseph competing, Matthew watching, closer than ever, even when their relationship isn’t clearly defined, still hovering between friends and something more.
“Why’s it so cold? Like… colder than a rink should be type of cold,” Easton says, pulling Matthew from his heart-studded thoughts of Joseph. He chuckles fondly, looping his arm through Easton’s as they make their way further into the rink.
“Italian weather is finnicky, so they have to compensate, make sure the ice doesn’t melt mid-competition,” Matthew responds. A woman starts hustling past, lightning on her feet, and Matthew has to hastily drag Easton out of the way, shooting him a look when he realises his younger brother had no idea he was seconds away from being trampled. “Once the skating starts, it’ll warm up a bit.”
There’s a disgruntled huff, follow by Easton’s muffled response of, “I hope so.”
As they make their way through the crowds, all Matthew can think of is I hope Joseph wins.
~☆~
Matthew breathes a sigh of relief as they exit the cold rink. Whilst the Italian air isn’t much better, it’s not as biting as the rink is. Easton’s shivering next to him, half cold, half in awe, fully tired. Without thinking much of it, Matthew pulls his phone out, excited to see some texts from Joseph already waiting for him.
Joseph
Hey.
Saw you in the crowd today and I wanted to say thanks.
It really means a lot that you flew out here to support me.
Also team USA is hosting a party tonight and I was wondering if you wanted to come?
Bring Easton along too.
Matthew
Of course I was gonna show up!
And yes, we’ll definitely be there.
I think Easton’s in love with one of your fellow skaters :P
Joseph
Which one…?
Matthew
Bedard?
Joseph
Oh my god, he’ll be here tonight.
We should get them talking together.
Matthew
Yessssss, knew you’d pick up what I was putting down, babe!
Send me the address and we’ll be there ASAP!!
Joseph
On it.
“Come on, Joey’s invited us to the Team USA party, says they’ve got some special guests too,” Matthew says, almost too excited at the prospect of seeing his boyfriend again so soon. Easton shoots him a glare, probably a response to Matthew’s not-so-subtle eyebrow wiggles, but he doesn’t say anything to reject him.
Curling an arm around Easton’s shoulders, Matthew hums happily to himself. He’s in the mood for matchmaking.
~☆~
The party’s well under way by the time Matthew and Easton arrive, and Matthew throws himself into it. He recognises a few of Joseph’s friends, lets them bring him into conversations as he waits for Joseph to return. He’d shoved a fruity yet bitter drink into Matthew’s hand upon arrival before disappearing off with Easton to do whatever it is they are doing.
“Matty,” someone calls, and the accent is so familiar that Matthew doesn’t even have to turn around to know that it’s Joseph. He turns anyway, smiling widely at the man he’s really starting to fall in love with. It’s dizzying how much Joseph affects him with a simple smile.
Or maybe that’s the alcohol in his system.
Either way, Matthew’s in love and he kind of wants to do something stupid about it. “Can I kiss you?” He asks Joseph without hesitation, watching as a crimson hue stains the man’s cheeks. Matthew beams sunshine bright about it, even when he thinks Joseph’s going to reject him.
“Not here,” Joseph says, voice hush and low. A shiver ricochets up Matthew’s spine, thoughts of getting lucky filling his head, but then Joseph’s shaking his head as Matthew tries to lean in. “Not today. Tomorrow, okay?”
“What?” Matthew questions. He feels somewhat bitter now, sick in his head and hopeless in his gut. Does Joseph not want him the same way? Has Matthew been reading this wrong the entire time? Something must show on his face because Joseph frowns.
“I like you, I promise. But… wait, are you okay?” He questions. Matthew doesn’t respond, just wedges his way through the throngs of people and into the hallway. He swallows down the rest of his drink in one lethal gulp and huh… it’s bitter than before. Or are those just his feelings dancing on his tongue?
With a sigh, Matthew slumps against the wall.
~☆~
Matthew can hear Easton’s faint hum of ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ and he smiles to himself, glad one of them is in a good mood. After storming out of the party last night, Matthew hadn’t gone back in until Easton had called him and said he was ready to go home. Only then did he re-enter the room, extracting his brother from the huddle of Americans.
Joseph hadn’t followed him outside, hadn’t texted him to check he was okay, nothing. It was like he didn’t care and that was the hardest part for Matthew to stomach. But he’d sworn, multiple times, that he’d be there in person for both of Joseph’s routines, and he wasn’t about to go back on his word now.
Dragging a hand through his hair, Matthew looks at Easton. He’s spaced out, eyes glazed over, tired bags underneath them, but he’s wearing a soft smile. Thinking about Connor, most likely. He hadn’t been at the party to witness any of Easton and Connor’s interactions, but he’d woken up in the night and spotted Easton texting, had seen Connor’s name in his notifications the next morning.
He’s happy for him, truly, even when something in his gut curdles acidic and icy, unsettling like food that’s out of date, or sour milk. He’s jealous of Easton, of the attention Connor ladles him with. Jealous that Joseph wasn’t doing that with him. Isn’t doing that with him.
“Stop daydreaming,” Matthew says. Easton startles before glowering at him, eyes sharp. It’d be intimidating if Matthew didn’t know Easton, but he does, so he smiles at him before rifling through his pockets for his phone. Maybe Joseph’s messaged him since the last time he checked twenty minutes ago.
“Shut up,” Easton says. Matthew laughs softly before finally locating his phone. He pulls it out and unlocks it, heart catching in his throat. There’s a handful of messages from Joseph that greets him, and Matthew feels thunder brew in his chest.
Joseph
I’m really sorry for last night.
That wasn’t fair to you, and I hope you’ll forgive me.
I do really like you, and I want you to be mine.
Just… trust me, okay?
Matthew
Of course I forgive you.
And of course I trust you.
I just think we should probably have this conversation in person.
Joseph
Of course.
After the competition?
I’m kinda stuck backstage now.
Matthew
Works for me.
And Joseph?
Joseph
Yeah?
Matthew
Good luck.
You’re gonna nail it.
Joseph
Thank you.
~☆~
The final notes of ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ ring out through the arena, and Matthew’s on his feet in seconds. Joseph nailed that routine, effortlessly twirling through the air, and gliding across the ice. It was like magic, a fairytale made real.
Matthew’s never been prouder in his entire life, he’s sure of it.
Him and Easton are stuck together in silence, still standing, hands clasped together as they watch Joseph bow to the crowds and then skate off the ice, hugging his coach with the utmost excitement. Matthew is ninety five percent there are tears in both of their eyes, but that doesn’t matter.
Fixing his gaze on the jumbotron, Matthew watches the replays, each and every one highlighting Joseph’s perfect routine. It’s like a wish come true, a golden star shining brighter than anything else, and if Joseph’s doesn’t get gold, well… Easton will just have to forgive him for starting a fight over Connor’s gold.
And then Joseph’s score is announced, numbers flashing along the jumbotron screen and Matthew loses his shit because Joseph is a gold medal winner. He watches as Joseph’s mouth drops open, eyes widening, before he’s sobbing in his coach’s arms. “Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!” Matthew shouts, voice carrying across the rink.
Easton’s clapping next to him, and Matthew looks up at the jumbotron once more, reading the numbers over and over and over until they feel permanently seared into his brain. He can’t believe what just happened.
“Wait…” Easton says, but Matthew’s barely listening. “Is… oh my god, I think he’s coming over here.” That gets his attention, however, and he looks down from the jumbotron, spots the way Joseph is practically sprinting across the ice, American flag cape fanning out behind him. Something in Matthew clicks into place, realisation jolting through his bones.
This is why Joseph said to wait, to trust him. This is why he wouldn’t let Matthew kiss him at the party last night. Because he wanted to do it on the big stage, where everyone could see just how much Matthew means to him.
And oh god, Matthew thinks he might be crying again.
“Matty!” Joseph calls as he clambers over the boards. His bright blue skate guards meet the ground with a dull thud and Matthew’s crossing the space in a few steps without seconds. Their arms lace around each other and Matthew goes to speak when Joseph pulls him in. They fall back against the boards, Matthew remaining steady to keep Joseph upright, and then they’re kissing.
Joseph’s lips are on his and it’s perfect, right, everything he’s been hoping for. It’s the best first kiss in the world, and knowing Joseph’s just won gold makes it better. The wait, and knowing that Joseph planned this, makes it better. Matthew kisses him harder, curls his fingers into both the front of Joseph’s diamond-encrusted shirt and the American flag. He can vaguely register the sounds of camera shutters and fans cheering, but he doesn’t care.
Joseph’s kissing him. What else could he possibly have to care about?