The scraping of metal on ice gets grading after a while.
Your name is Karkat Vantas, a 22 year old competitive figure skater from good ol' Tennessee, USA. You've been skating since you could walk, and you're the best in the state. Hell, maybe even the best in the country! At least, that would be true if one douchebag in particular didn't exist. The 20 time gold medalist himself,
"Dave Strider!"
You jump at the sound of the announcer's voice booming over the intercom. The crowd goes fucking nuts as Dave receives his 21st gold medal. Prick. They call your name and as you step back out, the fanfare dies down a bit. You receive a silver medal. Tch, Dave's 21 golds are fucking nothing compared to your 17 silvers, 3 bronzes and 2 participation badges! You can wear that shit like a coat. Ugh, who are you kidding, you've got jealousy bad. They call up the bronze winner, one Nepeta Leijon. She's a small French girl with loopy brown curls and ambitious olive eyes. She reminds you of when you went to your first tournament when you were 5. It was just a small one at your ice skating rink, but it was fun nonetheless. After shuffling through a bunch of fans and reporters who were trying to get to Dave, you head back to the locker room to get that scratchy-ass outfit off. You strip after rendering the coast clear and throw on a black shirt and sweats after adjusting your chest binder. You know it's not good to do sport like that with it on, but you really don't care. You'd actually quite prefer suffocation. You put normal shoes on, gather your things, and start for the hotel. As you pass through the lobby, somebody taps your shoulder. "Will you make this quick?" you mutter, "I'd really like to get some sleep before I le-AHH!" You jump as Dave Fucking Strider towers over you. You catch your breath as he smirks and takes your hand. He takes your hand and brings it to his lips, kissing it gently. You jerk your hand back, face burning red. He chuckles heartily and bows. "You did quite nice out there today, Karkat." He croons deeply. You roll your eyes. "You too." You retort, a sarcastic tenor laced throughout the two words. He smirks at you. "Wanna snag a drink or two with me before you leave?" As if. You begin to turn and leave. He grabs your shoulder and you gasp, startled. "Why are you in such a hurry?" You sneer at him. "I have a flight to catch at the asscrack of dawn, so I should get to sleep." He cocks a brow. "Oh! I'm sorry, let me repeat it in idiot for ya. Duuuuuhhhh, I has a fliight tho catch sooo uhhhh duhh i neeeed sleeeep. You understand now?" He laughs. "Chill, Hurricane Karkatrina. I can buy you another ticket. Just for tonight? Please?" You groan. He wasn't gonna let go was he? Guess it wouldn't hurt to be away from your dysfunctional friend group for a little while longer. "Look, Strider. I'll make you a deal. I'll stay for longer only if you never call me what you just called me again. Got it?" He smiled and practically engulfed your hand in his. "Got it!" He led you out, a proud grin on his face. You roll your eyes again and stumble out with him.
This was gonna be one hell of a night.
