It took just a few minutes of watching the Olympic figure skating teams showcase to get the idea for an Edward and Jasper skating romance. I have a one track mind, I swear. So here's the first chapter. More to come.

Thanks for betaing this and everything for me, sweet harritwifan! Again, and again, and again, and again, and again…

Song inspiration - Love Somebody by Maroon 5

Disclaimer – I don't own anything twilight. This is Slash.

Chapter 1 – Skate with Me?

Epov

The chilly air rushing past my face is freeing; the swoosh of each stride sounding off the ice is music to my ears. My body glides and turns, enabling my soul to align perfectly, momentarily making everything right in my world.

I love the competition of figure skating, but the casual nature of this program is a refreshing change. With Nationals behind us, tonight we showcase the Olympic teams.

I'm lucky to do what I love. My hopes and dreams are finally coming true. After years of stress and working my ass off to get here, knowing I've finally arrived at my life's ambition feels better than I ever imagined it could. I've been dreaming of only this for as long as I can remember, since receiving my first pair of ice skates at the age of three and skating with Granny on the pond behind hers and Grandfather's house.

I close with a sit-spin as the music comes to an end, then stand perfectly still other than the slight trembling from within. The seconds I wait for the applause to begin are precious to me. Taking deep breaths, I rejoice beneath the roaring in my ears. Onlookers notice only my physical appearance, a skater's physique topped off with my unique color of auburn tousled hair.

The seconds seem like minutes, until finally I hear the beginnings of applause, starting as a distant murmur, quickly swelling– like a wave gaining strength and capacity, eventually crashing around me. I revel in the crowd's warmth and appreciation, and I know... I know they get it… they get me. They understand the changing tempo in my choice of music warrants the dramatic style of my choreography.

I exit the ice, wiping away tears I didn't realize I was shedding. Just as I step off, Jasper passes me, making his way to the center of the ice for his routine. Our gazes lock, and all the feelings I try so hard to subdue bubble to the surface, materializing in the form of an audible gasp.

My sexy-as-hell teammate reacts to my obvious attraction for him by winking. He fucking winks at me! I'm left with an instant boner, in my fits-me-like-a-glove grey lycra pants, no less.

Somehow, I make it to the bench without anyone noticing my problem, as far as I can tell. My coach knows to leave me alone while Jasper is on the ice. I watch his routine, mesmerized by his graceful style, by the fluid way he glides across the ice. He makes it look effortless, as if he was born knowing how to skate. He's beautiful, wearing simple blue jean-styled tights and a form fitting black t-shirt, so sexy in his casual look. His honey-blond waves flow around his strikingly handsome face, lit up by his trademark one hundred watt smile.

We've grown up competitors at the national level. From different sides of the country, we never trained together or attended the same regional competitions. I've hated him with a passion, for all that he stands for... or at least, I thought I did. His laid-back attitude has always infuriated me. Where I am rigid schedules and constant concentration, he approaches skating the exact opposite; fun and free. The most naturally gifted skater possibly ever born, he hasn't had to maintain the level of discipline I have.

But things change. For instance, my body changed as I grew from a boy into a man. My disinterest in girls did not. It took some time, but eventually, I've come to terms with the fact that I'm gay. I'm gay and affected by one boy in particular… Jasper Whitlock. Now that we're on the same team and will be spending the next few months together, I don't know how I'll hide my feelings for him. From him.

At the age of nineteen, I'm a virgin in every sense of the word. I haven't even been kissed. Partly because of my rigorous training schedule, but mostly due to the fact that the only boy I've ever wanted to kiss… is Jasper. There's no way in hell he's interested in me, even if he is gay. When I'm not on the ice, I'm awkward and gangly, a true nerd through and through. Jasper is just as perfect everywhere, in everything he does. Whether he's owning the ice, or simply walking across the room – he embodies confidence and charm, always. Besides, if his constant flirting with the opposite gender is any indication, I strongly doubt he is gay to begin with.

Jasper's music comes to an end with his trademark Y-spin. Oh, the things I'd like to do to him in that position. I swallow bile rising in my throat when I realize his entire routine has passed with me daydreaming about him, but now he's currently skating toward me, staring right at me. He exits the ice and sits on the bench beside me, unlacing his skates. I do the same, though I hope to put mine back on, so that I might sneak back on the ice when the arena empties. It's this thing I do when I can pull it off - I've only been nearly arrested for trespassing twice.

The air is charged between Jasper and I while we sit next to one another watching one performance after another. I swear he keeps glancing my way, but when I can't refrain from looking over any longer, I find him intently watching each routine as if it's the best he's ever seen.

When it's time to leave, to go get ready for the party that follows at the hotel, I hear his sultry voice. I can't believe my ears. What I think he says can't be real.

"Ex-ex-excuse me?" I stutter, hoping I heard correctly.

"I said… you looked beautiful out there, Edward. You always do."

My heart stops in my chest, or at least it feels as if it does. I guess it doesn't actually stop beating or I'd be sitting here dead, but it definitely feels as if everything including my heart and time comes to a screeching halt.

And then he's gone. Just like that, he stands and makes his way out of the arena while I sit with my mouth still hanging open. For long moments I'm frozen in place, watching the exit he went through, wishing I could rewind the last few minutes to ensure that really happened.

When everyone has left besides the janitorial staff, I step on the ice, slowly skating around the rink. No music actually plays, but I hear it in my head, imagining each beat to which I time my strides. I am free, going with my instincts, when to glide, when to jump. My body takes over as I free skate - my favorite kind. This is my time on the ice, when the fans have left and I'm alone with the cool air and the slick surface below me. Hell, I've spent more of my life above frozen water than on earth and pavement combined. I would live here, within its cool atmosphere, if possible.

Eventually, I'm spent, and I skate into a lunge, allowing my body to naturally slow to a stop.

The high I experience every time I skate settles into a warm and fuzzy feeling in my bones. Just as I'm coming back to my senses, I sense someone near. I realize I'm not alone, that I never was. He's behind me. I don't know how I know, but I know without a doubt Jasper is right behind me. I feel him there, his body heat warming my back. I hear each breath he takes, feel them on the nape of my neck.

My name whispered in his husky voice confirms what I knew all along.

"Edward?"

I turn my head and his face is right there. My body follows. Face to face, and I see all of my feelings for him mirrored back in his endless pools of blue. He smiles, and it's just for me.

He extends his hand, palm up, open and asking for mine. His voice is but a whisper, sending shivers down my spine.

"Skate with me?"

I made a banner for this fic with the picture that inspired its title. It's on my fb profile (Jen Soulmateficwriter) and my tmblr (luckytomarriedmyedward).