December 19th, 2014 - Skate With Me
19th of December, 2014 - Skate With Me
"I still can't believe you can't ice skate!"
"I never said I can't skate, I said I don't skate! There is a big difference!"
But America wasn't listening, far too busy pulling England down the street to the nearest ice rink to listen to anything he had to say. "This is so hella weird! Like, you've had tons of awesome figure skaters, and your hockey team– uh, they won a gold once in the 30's I think..." He crinkled his nose. "Well, you raised Canada and me at least. That's gotta mean something."
"Now you wait just a moment!" England exclaimed, fuming. "Just because you've done a bit better than me at the Olympics doesn't mean anything!"
"Dude, I cream you at the Olympics," America chuckled. "Let's be honest here. Ah! Here we are!"
England paused his glaring long enough to take in the sight of the beautiful Rockerfeller Center ice rink before him. Despite being here many times before, the sight of it in the winter was always enough to take his breath away, as extravagant and showy and American as it was.
The big tree was lit brilliantly above the golden statue standing out against the cold night sky, as the smaller trees around it surrounded the whole rink with a warm glow. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted his own flag among the others up above, and suppressed a blush to see it was actually next to one of America's own.
The sight was so beautiful, he almost didn't notice the most peculiar thing about it all. "Where is everyone?" he asked, finally noticing the rink was totally and completely empty.
America shrugged easily, and if England didn't know any better, blushed lightly across his nose. "I rented the place out for the night," he explained. "You know, so I could teach you to skate. C'mon, let's get some skates!"
"I bloody know how to skate, you twit!" England grumbled, but followed him to the rental area anyway.
America smiled that stupid smirk over his shoulder as England slowly inched forward on shaky legs. "Hm? What was that? I couldn't hear you!" he sang.
England shot America his dirtiest look, and America chuckled and gave in, turning around so he could skate backwards.
"Hardly," England huffed and bit his lip. "It's just... been quite a while, is all."
"Well, ya look good." His eyes got wide. "I-I mean your skating looks good! You know, for someone who hasn't skated in a while!"
England narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Right."
They skated for a while, America going backwards so he could continue conversation, as well as be an insufferable show off. At one point, England hit a groove in the ice and almost tumbled, but America managed to grab him.
"Whoa there!" he laughed, catching him into his chest. England blushed, pushing himself off America's chest with his hand and clearing his throat. America smiled fondly and grabbed his hand.
England's eyes widened. "Wha-?"
"We'll skate like this for a while," America said with a grin. "Makes it easier to help you."
"I don't need your help," England growled, but didn't argue. As much as he hated to admit it, skating this was did make it a bit easier. Even if his heart was beating about five times faster every moment America held his hand.
After a while, a jazzy, swingy rendition of Jingle Bells started wafting through the speakers, prompting America to begin wiggling along to the song, in what England could only assume was supposed to be dancing. "What on earth are you doing?" he asked, smiling a little in amusement.
America just grinned, "Oh what fun it is to ride, In a one horse open sleigh!"
"You really are a horrible singer, lad," he chuckled. "Why, I think– Ah!" England blanched as America started including him in on his little dancing.
"Now the ground is white," he sang, making twisting motions with England's arms. "Go it while you're young! Take the girls out tonight..." He grabbed England and pulled him closer before dipping him. "And sing this sleighing song!"
"America!" England cried, his knuckles white as he held tightly onto America's sleeves and his face a fluorescent red. "Stop that this instant!"
America laughed heartily, setting England back upright once again. "Sorry Eng, I had too! You're just too cute!" England blinked a few times, waiting for the snide comment, or America to correct himself, but it never came. He just grinned down at England excitedly. "Let's race over to the tree!"
Huh. England thought, as America took off across the empty rink. Apparently he didn't realize what he said.
England allowed himself an indulgent little smile, before taking off after America, still a little wobbly, but much more confident than before.
