Chapter Text
Chapter 1: And So Guang Hong Met Him
Guang-Hong really wants to make it to the podium for his last year he’ll be competing in the Junior Grand Prix event. He already knows that he won’t make it to the finals due to his score in Canada but he feels that he owes it to himself to place here in skate America.
For some reason, even though he knows he has nothing to lose here, he’s still a nervous wreck. His coach has been speaking to him all morning trying to calm him down but even as nods when he needs to he hasn’t heard a single word. He’s sitting outside the rink before warm ups and his hands shake so bad that the bottle he is attempting to open slips through his fingers.
“Hey!” Guang Hong looks up into the angry face of a blonde boy standing just on the edge of the resulting puddle of water. He starts screaming in English and Russian until an older man who seems to be his coach drags him away. Guang Hong recognizes him, Yuri Plisetsky the “Russian Punk”. Guang Hong has never met him officially but he’s skated the same competitions as him sometimes. Seeing him doesn’t help Guang Hongs nerves one bit. Yuri, aside from being a terrifying human, can also brutally out skate anyone in their division. Seeing that Guang Hong’s nerves get even worse after his encounter with his angry Russian competitor, his coach decides to give him some space. Just as Guang Hong sighs shoulders slumping someone holds out an open water bottle to him. When Guang Hong looks up he sees a boy smiling at him so warmly that his heart speeds up at the mere sight. He’s taller than Guang Hong, with light brown hair and eyes to compliment his smooth tan complexion. He was wearing a USA jacket and has a blue teddy bear tucked under one arm, but as familiar as that sight is, the boy doesn’t seem to be a competitor.
“T-thank you.” He stutters still not completely confident in his English.
“No problem, that guy is just being a jerk.”
“He’s a good skater though.”
“Well, so are you. I mean you guys made it to the same competition right?” He smiles easily at Guang Hong again.
“You look familiar.” Guang Hong says.
“I’m a skater too! I mean, I’m not skating here, last year was my final year skating in the junior division, but my coach and I came to watch and scope out some of the competition for next year. My name is Leo de la Iglesia.”
“I’m Guang Hong Ji. This will be my last year skating in the junior division too.”
Both of them look up when they hear the warm up being announced. A woman with closely shaved hair comes to scold Leo about being where he’s not supposed to be and Guang Hong’s coach reappears with more futile pep talks. Leo turns around before they can be separated again though.
“Best of luck out there.” Leo says with one last parting smile. Guang Hong surprises himself with the smile that breaks out across his face in response.
His short program is good. It’s not the best, it’s not even his best, but it’s something Guang Hong can say that he’s proud of. The free skate goes even better. He has the crowd on the edge of their seat and the applause when he strikes his final pose on the ice is the loudest it’s ever been for him in a competition. As he’s skating around the rink towards the kiss and cry, he spies a blue teddy among the other stuffed animals on the ice. He veers to the side to pick it up before finally joining his coach to wait for the scores.
Guang Hong does break a personal best with his score and jumps him up to third place earning him the bronze metal but after his standing in Canada it’s not enough to advance him to the finals.
After the competition Guang Hong is nodding along to the lecture that his coach is giving him he hears someone call his name. Turning around he finds that Leo is calling him, Leo hurries up to him and Guang Hong blushes for some reason when he remembers that the bear Leo had thrown onto the ice was still nestled in his arms.
“Hey you were really good today, it’s a shame that you won’t make it to the finals.”
“Thank you.” Guang Hong says squeezing the bear tighter as his blush deepens.
“Since you’re gonna be in the senior division next year, do you think you might want to be friends?”
Guang Hong stares at the other boy for a long moment, lips parted but not knowing what to say. None of his other competitors really ever talked to him, let alone asked him to be friends. But as he remembers the gentle words and the smile that Leo offered him earlier he immediately knows it would be a mistake to let him go. Leo smiles his radiant smile again when Guang Hong shyly nods and they exchanged information. Leo is already talking about some site that Guang Hong should join so they can keep in touch and Guang Hong is over taken by a feeling of contentment looking at how excited his new friend is.
Guang-Hong doesn’t make it to the finals his last year skating in the Junior Grand Prix, but he does get to meet Leo.
Leo is very easy to talk to. He quickly establishes himself as a constant in Guang Hong’s life. They message each other all the time and Skype whenever they both have free time. Leo quickly becomes his best friend. It’s startling how in such a short time Leo has become so important to him that he can’t even remember what his life was like without him. Their friendship certainly blooms better than his skating career.
The first two years of Guang Hong’s senior division he only does as good as he always has: a bronze medal in one country, not placing in another, and never making it to the Grand Prix finals. Leo makes it the Finals his second year but comes in fifth. Guang Hong watches the ceremony online. Yuuri Katsuki wins the gold medal and surprisingly Yuri Plisetsky comes in a close second bumping Viktor down to bronze for his great return. Viktor doesn’t seem to mind though as he skates up to Yuuri and pulls him into a fierce kiss. Guang Hong wonders how long it will take for Viktor to keep his promise and get married to Yuuri. He’s happy for his friends of course, but seeing them sets something on fire within Guang Hong. He wants to be the one with that gold medal around his neck. He wants it like he never has before and it’s frightening. He’s going to put everything he has into his skating routines this year. Despite the fact that he’ll be up against Yuuri, and Yuri, Viktor, and everyone else too, he has to win.
When Leo Skype’s Guang Hong after returning to his hotel room he’s still upset with how he performed but as soon as he sees his friend’s face he knows something is off. He tries to distract him telling him about the new music he found and how it might work for a program, and then tells him stories about the other competitors’ coaches getting drunk again and speculating about how Yuuri was gonna act this year at the banquet. Guang Hong gives him small smile where Leo is used to his bright giggles and Leo grows concerned. He is about to ask his friend what’s wrong but then Guang Hong speaks.
“Leo…” His voice is soft but tenacious in a way that Leo has never heard before. He’s looking somewhere off screen, but Leo has a feeling that even if they were side by side, Guang Hong is looking somewhere Leo can’t see.
“What’s up?”
“I’m going to win that gold medal next year.” Guang Hong focuses on Leo’s face on his screen. Leo’s never heard him talk like this before. Guang Hong is very humble and usually only wants to skate to do his best, not to win. But seeing him now, his round face set with determination, he doesn’t have a doubt that Guang Hong can do it. “I’m going to win it, no matter what, and I want you next to me when I do.”
Leo’s breath hitches at that. He thinks of Yuuri and Viktor next to each other and the awards ceremony of the Grand Prix Final. He suddenly understands why Viktor was so happy despite not taking gold. For a moment he pictures Guang Hong and him like that and he feels the heat rush to his face. He hoped the lighting in his room and he complexion mask how red he is. He clears his throat and smiles at his friend.
“I might have to fight you for that top spot, but I believe in you. If that’s what you want this time, I know you can do it.” Guang Hong smiles letting his shoulders sag in relief and suddenly he looks more like the boy Leo knows and loves. “I’m gonna have to bring my A game this year if you’re finally bringing yours.” Leo says with a smirk. Guang Hong’s nose crinkles the way it does when he doesn’t quite understand something Leo says in English or anytime he speaks Spanish. “I’m gonna work my hardest to be there with you.” Leo clarifies and Guang Hong smiles.
“I’m sorry I made the conversation so serious.” Guang Hong says.
“You didn’t, I’m kind of grateful for the distraction.” Leo says wincing as he remembers his place in the Grand Prix Finals. Guang Hong picks up on Leo’s mood right away.
“I thought you skated a beautiful program.”
“Thank you, I know it just wasn’t good enough to compete with the Victuuri.”
“Is that what people call them?”
“Yeah. Do you think that we’ll get invited to the wedding?” From there the conversation feels more like it normally does: easy, carefree, and comfortable. Leo falls asleep without ending the call and Guang Hong laughs softly to himself before hanging up.