icarus: Snape by mysterious artist (Default)
[personal profile] icarus
More from that silly self-indulgent AU.

Darn that Rodney. He had to go and get angsty on me. And darn that John. Don't they know I'm writing a fluffy skating romance here? Sheesh. Get with the program guys. The ultimate goal is sex, now bear that in mind.

Part one is here


Out Of Bounds
by Icarus



Their first session had gone rather well, though it just consisted of a standard warm-up, a few laps around the rink, then some spins. It annoyed Rodney that John seemed to have a natural talent for spins since he had struggled with them -- though that was probably Jeannie's fault for throwing them off-balance. He'd once believed she'd done it on purpose, but after teaching talentless kids for years now, he'd decided that some people were pathologically incapable of finding a center of gravity and doomed to flop around like ragdolls.

John was antsy the entire practice. Finally he admitted that he'd never hit the ice without doing jumps. "I feel like I haven't even skated," he complained, shaking his foot. "They are usually a big part of my warm-up."

"You'll be fine." Rodney snorted.

Naturally, John had brought the boombox but forgotten to bring any of his music.

He set to familiarizing John with some standard holds and positions for pairs, but the morning was more theory than actual work. John cast some embarrassed shifty-eyed glances around the rink as he gingerly held Rodney's hip.

Rodney snapped his fingers in John's face. "Hey! Eyes front and center! I'm not going to explain this twice."

"But people can see us…" John muttered under his breath, gazing after a young skater who passed them, her leg extended angelically.

"She's twelve, and obviously I'm your coach. Don't worry about it." Though Rodney beamed and didn't bother to hide the fact he found John's shyness endearing.

But as John took off for the showers, Rodney rolled his shoulders, skating a slow lap around the deserted rink. He felt tight, like he hadn't really skated either.

They had a good ten minutes before the hockey team showed up… and he almost never got to have fun these days, with all his attention devoted to his "proteges." Speeding up, Rodney glided to his bag. He had the tape -- lucky thing that -- and slammed it into the boombox.

He hurried to the center of the rink, mentally peopling it with the soft roar of an audience. He struck the starting pose.

The trumpets of Stravinsky's "Danse Infernale" began and Rodney started powerful backward stroking, working up speed, circling the rink nearly to the wall, wind whipping his face.

He threw himself into as single toe-loop as the orchestra struck. Then the second one, unexpected, on the next high note. He bobbled the landing a little bit, but recovered, with speed to spare. The music was unforgiving because of the time-signature changes, and the judges knew it.

Slowing a little, he carved light footwork on the clarinet solo, dainty steps on the tips of his skates -- Scott Hamilton was his hero -- then stretched his arms for maximum velocity for the surprising surge in the tempo. He hopped up into a spin, which he cut short to pop into a second spin… losing speed was the big danger here… then he let himself wobble as if off-balance to mimic the barely in-control strings, and then pulled himself upright.

That always got people clapping. A roar of approval from the announcers, over something that wasn't a jump. Very rare. That took strength!

His twizzle steps followed the whirl of the orchestra as it changed time signatures again, forward stroking, playful now.

Then the startling long legato as the wash of music turned into a waltz, where he rested in a long extension… his leg wasn't as high as it should be… he pushed it… there! Changed positions and then…

The soft build to gain speed again. He bounced into the splits, just for style points. Then he turned around and circled with his hands behind his back, rocking back and forth like a sailor on a ship as he prepared for a final jump late into his program. Grimacing, with a grunt he landed a double; that's all he could do right now.

Arms outstretched as the trumpets drove him on, just as he was getting tired and feeling his legs scream, the power of the music increasing. He dove into a tight sit-spin and dragged his arms in, fighting centrifugal force, and increased the speed to a dizzying crescendo.

He nailed the stop. Foot out, arm flung upward dramatically.

Right on the beat.

God, he was good. Rodney grinned.

His chest heaved, he panted, mouth open, and finally felt the sweat trickling down his back. Not bad, not bad for not having done it a while.

Someone clapped. What was the sound of one man clapping? Rodney looked around, dazed, still more in his body than in his mind, only slowly registering John's presence where he was a dark splotch propped up against the wall.

With a happy breath, Rodney skated to the edge of the rink.

"I always think of a ship lost at sea when I skate that," Rodney said, cheerfully grabbing a towel and burying his head in it. He scrubbed the sweat out of his hair. "It's been too long."

"Wow. You're really good!" John said. Rodney pulled the towel over his shoulders to catch John blinking in astonishment. "Really good."

"Well, of course I am."

John ignored him, babbling, "I mean, everyone said told me that you were 'The Artist' and would be able to help me with my program, but jeeze, toss in a few big jumps and you'll have it."

"You didn't think I was any good?" Rodney said in disbelief.

"Well, what I saw was that fif--"

"--fifth place finish," Rodney interrupted wearily, putting his head in hands. He said between his fingers, "That was me 'tossing in a few jumps.'"

"Have I said something wrong?" John scowled. "Because I thought I just said you were good."

"I'm immortalized for the worst performance of my career," Rodney said bleakly, throwing the towel into the stands.

Rodney felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He looked up to find John had leaned closer. John pressed his hand for emphasis on each point. "I said you're good."

And he got it. "Yeah. Yeah, I am." He took a deep breath. "Glad you finally noticed."



Part four is here.


I'll find a copy of Danse Infernale if anyone wants it, just for effect. ;)

Here's the link to the music:
http://rapidshare.de/files/15690528/stravinsky_-_the_firebird_suite.mp3.html

Date: 2006-02-26 04:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] millefiori.livejournal.com
Poor Rodney--how he would hate to be remembered for one of his worst performances! I'd love the music; I don't think I've heard it before, and I'd love to read the story with the music in mind.

Date: 2006-02-26 04:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
I'm stealing downloading it now. Hmm. Except it seems to be the entire Firebird Suite rather than just the 20th movement, "Danse Infernale." It's exciting stuff. Started a riot in Paris when it was first performed.

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-26 05:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Found it! I'm uploading the file to Yousendit now!

Icarus

Stravinsky's Danse Infernale

Date: 2006-02-26 05:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Here it is!

http://s9.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2DB2H9HL4WQIX3JNDZIHQKSAJH

Icarus

Re: Stravinsky's Danse Infernale

Date: 2006-02-26 06:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] millefiori.livejournal.com
Cool! I could so see Rodney's routine in my mind as I listened. That would be good music, but a skater would have to be GOOD to get the timing right, and if the timing was even the slightest bit off, it would be awful. But Rodney *is* The Artist. ;)

Thanks for going to the trouble to put this up!

Re: Stravinsky's Danse Infernale

Date: 2006-02-26 06:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Thank you! Yes, it's a bold piece to use -- it would demand perfection, not to mention a high level of energy all the way through. But Rodney's such a power-skater, it's ideal for him.

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-26 05:24 am (UTC)
amalthia: (Default)
From: [personal profile] amalthia
I'd love to hear this song. :)

Date: 2006-02-26 05:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
I'll post a Yousendit link to it. It's uploading now.

Icarus

Stravinsky's Danse Infernale

Date: 2006-02-26 05:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
http://s9.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2DB2H9HL4WQIX3JNDZIHQKSAJH

*waves*

Icarus

Re: Stravinsky's Danse Infernale

Date: 2006-02-26 05:52 am (UTC)
amalthia: (Default)
From: [personal profile] amalthia
thanks. :) downloading now.

Date: 2006-02-26 12:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] penknife.livejournal.com
I'm enjoying this tremendously, despite this not being my fandom at all. Who knew that what I really wanted to read was stories with a lot of figure skating in them?

Date: 2006-02-26 01:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Really? That's great! I have no idea what I'm doing with this story, I'm just enjoying writing skaters. :D

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-26 02:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] devildoll.livejournal.com
"I'm immortalized for the worst performance of my career," Rodney said bleakly, throwing the towel into the stands.

Poor Rodney!

Date: 2006-02-27 01:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Thank you, yeah poor Rodney. I guess I've been inspired by the vicious digs at Bode Miller.

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-26 08:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurrier.livejournal.com
Oh, lovely! I loved the description of the routine - the way you lead us through it, complete with explanation for non-skaters, and keep it Rodney all the way.

Date: 2006-02-26 08:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Thank you. I wasn't sure people liked this part -- writing fanfic can be a lot like sex. You wait to hear the response: "Yes, oh yes...mmmm" and if it's not there you think whoops, that maneuver didn't work. Of course, I did tease people and let them think they were going to get some hands-on Rodney/John pairs skating.

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-26 11:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] duffy-99.livejournal.com
Just last week I said to my friend "What I'd really love to see in the Olympics is same-sex pairs figure skating". If I can't see it in real life, at least I have this! Looking forward to more...

Date: 2006-02-26 11:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
I'm working on another part as we speak, play, play, play.

Check [livejournal.com profile] lizardspots journal. She not only has same-sex pairs skating, she has gay cowboys same-sex pairs skating -- with grinding and straddling!

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-27 05:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] duffy-99.livejournal.com
I've died and gone to heaven! Actually I remember seeing that years ago, whenever it was, but it certainly makes more of an impact now!

Date: 2006-02-28 04:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
I was sure it was inspired by Brokeback Mountain, but nope. Gay skating cowboys have been around for years.

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-27 01:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lillian78.livejournal.com
Poor Rodney. His inner competitor has never gotten over his loss has it? But then, he's got John to pet him so that does make up for a *lot* of the bumpier parts of the road in life, eh?

Date: 2006-02-27 03:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
It was a bitter defeat, all the more humiliating because he was the "superior skater," he just couldn't make those quads.

Rodney's since ranted about how the entire artistry of skating is being lost. Teaching one of those skaters who just jump is satisfying to him on many levels.

Icarus

Date: 2006-03-03 08:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lady-death.livejournal.com
Hi, I followed [livejournal.com profile] cesperanza instructions and came to read your Figure Skating AU. I'm happy I did because I'm really enjoying the story. SGA, just seems to lend itself to AU's and now that the Olympics are over this is exactly what I needed.

Rodney's skating background reminds me of Todd Eldridge, with the inability to land a quad. *agrees with Rodney about artistry being lost in skating, especially with the new system*

Date: 2006-03-03 09:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Oh, Eldridge. He was so elegant and sophisticated, and had such class.

I have to admit, I think I'm nuts for writing this story. *guilty grin*

Icarus

Date: 2006-03-03 09:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lady-death.livejournal.com
Crazy or not, we love you for it.

He was so elegant and sophisticated He was. *sighs* I miss my skaters.

Date: 2006-02-27 02:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] paradise-city.livejournal.com
Oh! This is so fun! I'm usually not one for SGA AUs but I can totally get behind this one. Awesome work so far--can't wait to see more. :)

Date: 2006-02-27 03:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Thank you, I'm having a blast.

Your timing's perfect. I just posted the next part a second ago. *g*

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-27 02:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] allhoneyboo.livejournal.com
OMG. I'm really enjoying this fic. Yes, I am surprised. ;-)

It also makes me want to watch The Cutting Edge.

Date: 2006-02-27 03:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Pulling Rodney off as a skater is a bit of a trick. But he has an "artistic temprament" don't you think?

This fandom's so great for the wacky AUs. I feel like I can get away with anything. I promise: there is porn in your future.

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-28 03:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] allhoneyboo.livejournal.com
Most of the fun for me is getting to the porn. No rush on that. :-)

Date: 2006-02-28 04:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
I'm ready to write it, but I have to wait for the rest of the story to catch up. *Icarus taps foot*

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-27 03:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tardis80.livejournal.com
words can not convey how much i love you. just the other day i was speaking of my longing for rodney the figure skater. *sigh* *awaits more*

Date: 2006-02-27 03:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tardis80.livejournal.com
ack. okay, i'll try again. *ahem* thanks for the wonderful mental images. i imagine young rodney at "Champions on ice" skating to Tom Jones's Sex Bomb a la Yevgeny Plushenko (don't know what i'm talking about?) (http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/5072363/detail.html?ib_oll=Headline)

Date: 2006-02-27 04:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Oh, I've got to check that out tomorrow at school. It's a little image heavy for my out-of-date system at home.

Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying this as much as I am.

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-27 03:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
just the other day i was speaking of my longing for rodney the figure skater.

You're kidding, really?

More has already arrived. I just posted part four a minute ago.

Icarus

Date: 2006-02-27 03:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] altorogue.livejournal.com
wow- that's really neat. I can really see John and Rodney in these roles.

And I must share my Stravinsky love- I marched the Firebird Suite in HS-LOVE that piece.

Date: 2006-02-27 04:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
I am a Stravinsky fan. I had a chance to hear this performed live recently and I blew it! I thought it was on a Thursday when it was really a Tuesday night. *sighs*

I can't believe how much I'm enjoying skater!John and Rodney.

Icarus

Date: 2006-03-01 12:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nataliadarimini.livejournal.com
I think you should be made aware, in case you didn't know, that I love you.

I feel so for poor, poor Rodney. Also? Following him through his routine made me squee *out* *loud.*

And apparently I've been away from LJ way too long, because the last I'd heard you didn't care for AUs at all. And now you are making me melt into a small, sticky puddle on my aunt's computer chair. For which I am very thankful, merci beaucoup.

Date: 2006-03-01 05:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
And apparently I've been away from LJ way too long, because the last I'd heard you didn't care for AUs at all.

For SGA I seem to make an exception to my AU policy. I think it's because I don't like the Wraith, but adore Rodney and am slowly falling in love with the other characters as well. I can't seem to buy in to the universe so AUs? Sure, with the space vampires it's already pretty wacky.

Though my favorite stories to read are still pretty canon-centric (largely to do with cool technology found on Atlantis rather than, yealch, Wraith).

Icarus

Date: 2006-03-16 07:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ladydarkangel-1.livejournal.com
Dearheart, love the story but the link's up and died. Post it again, please? And while you're at it, type up some more yummy goodness, 'k?

Date: 2006-03-16 11:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Sure! I was just working on the next tidbit, actually.

I'll post the link on Rapidshare. It seems to last longer.

Icarus

Date: 2006-03-17 12:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
There you are, luv:

http://rapidshare.de/files/15690528/stravinsky_-_the_firebird_suite.mp3.html

Date: 2007-05-16 12:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crownglass39.livejournal.com
I just started reading this series and I love it!

(Scott Hamilton is my hero too).

I don't suppose you still have a link for that music?

Date: 2007-05-16 02:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
I'll have to reupload it later tonight. You know, it might be easier for you to read the story in one file here (http://www.icarus.slashcity.net/stories/outofbounds.html). Except it just occurred to me that it doesn't have the music links (which are probably all dead by now, fair warning).

Icarus

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