They keep running into each other. Jyn supposes it's because they do basically the same sport on a different apparatus, but they keep running into each other. It's not bad, of course. She'd offered to race him down the mountain the first day, he'd brought her another bucket of ice when she was trying to drown herself in an ice bath, Bodhi thinks so highly of him. Even Lyra complimented his work ethic.
And his good looks.
Jyn ignored her mother.
Her parents are staying outside of the Olympic Village, Bodhi and Jyn both drawing the line at having their parents next door when this was their Olympic experience. Which of course finds Bodhi throwing a party a couple days in, non country or sport specific since the Pakistani cross country skier is pseudo-related to the Danish snowboarder and neither of them give a shit. It's in full swing after a couple hours and Jyn is running through the house with a beer in one hand, Bodhi chasing after her with a can of whipped cream, when she stops short, breathless and giggling at the sight of Cassian at the door.
"Hola, snowbunny!"
(Bodhi, seeing Jyn stop in front of Cassian, easily slips back into the crowd of his party. Smooth af.)
In spite of himself, his face lights up when he sees Jyn. He's late to the party, determined to get one more quick round on the slopes before accidentally napping and waking up to several texts from Bodhi about how he absolutely needed to come.
It is his first Olympics and it's very exciting, and he's even making friends. Like Jyn. Shara is very proud of him, probably more for being social than making it to the fucking Olympics, but that's his sister he supposes.
The party is in full swing by the time he gets there, and one or two others nod and wave at him when he comes inside, but it's Jyn with the smile on her face that holds his attention, even if he doesn't miss the way Bodhi oh-so-casually disappears immediately. He grins at her, faintly but clearly happy.
"Hej, Elsa. Was Bodhi trying to give you your powers?"
"You wear a braid one time..." Serves her right for rocking a side braid at the opening ceremonies. Shoving her beer in Cassian's hand, Jyn reaches out to curl her fingers around his swearer and pulls him further into the room. "Come on, Mexico, you have two hours of beer to catch up on."
And clearly Jyn has already gotten started in those two hours if her easy smile is anything to go by. This is not an expression most people get to see when she's not actively on the slopes.
A few seconds later she realizes-- "Hey! That was Danish!"
"If I drink too quickly now to catch up, I will end up way more drunk than you." She's got a head start, that's not fair. He doesn't fight when she tugs him inside, weirdly content to be yanked around.
But she's still smiling. He takes a few gulps of her beer and finds his own smile deepens. He likes how determined she looks when she's racing down the snow, but he likes this happy bounce to her step too. "It's fairly easy to pick up greetings in other languages around here. Who knew?"
"How's that a problem?" Her smile slides into a ruthless smirk. This would not be a problem for her specifically, it seems. The Danish hello explained, she just moves along without comment, snagging another couple of beers from the tub full of ice and snow from the street, passing one to Cassian. Without asking if he's done with the last of hers.
"Come on, Captain Andor." Yes, someone was paying attention to the list of athletes that were also in the military. Technically she is a captain too but since the Danish national snowboarding team consists of... her, she isn't captain of much and it's irrelevant. "Have some fun, I know you have it in you."
That smirk really shouldn't do it for him? But it kind of does. "I would rather not stumble all over you." Which implies he's going to be hanging out with her all night. "Or anyone." There, nice save.
He blinks, now holding two beers and knowing he's probably going to drink both. But he did come to a house party. That's kind of part of the intention. He takes another sip. "That's funny coming from you. I was not the only one on the slopes at 6am."
It takes a workaholic to know one, clearly. "How did you know I was a Captain?"
"You're the only one not smiling," Jyn counters, poking his chest with her bottle before she twists it open and takes a swig. "Well, you and your coach."
Jyn, at least, appears to be having fun when she's racing down the course or launching herself up in the air on the superpipe. This morning she did zero tricks down the slopestyle course and took her bowl of cereal off the jumps, just getting used to it before she actually started trying out the course for real.
She gives him another tug, taking advantage of his lack of free hands to manhandle him where she wants him, pulling him out on Bodhi's balcony with her. "My mum likes to watch the games, on the telly." She likes being there, Jyn knows, because her mother lives to travel, but she loves the human interest stories. "There's a whole, well episode, I guess. About athletes in the military. And royals in the Olympics, too."
Which was a weird combination, but here we are. "Crown Prince Freddie is here watching if you want to meet his royal highness."
He trains, so much and so hard, but they all do to get here, and it wouldn't be worth it if he wasn't having any fun. Cassian just keeps his more controlled. It makes him feel like he can control everything else that happens in the snow, if he can keep can whatever else he's feeling in check too.
Even though he apparently does not care about giving up control to let her guide him out to the balcony. No complaints, though, he likes being outside. He drains the last of Jyn's beer and sets the empty bottle aside on the table, popping open the second.
"They tried to get me to speak on it for that. I didn't really want to." Talking about himself?? On WORLDWIDE TELEVISION? No thanks. Cassian knows he's put out a charming if reserved image of himself for all the usual interviews, but he tries to avoid anything super personal. "I'm good. Why, do you want to meet him?"
"I've met him." So dismissive, it's almost comical, but she's clearly distracted thinking about the rest of their conversation. She's probably had a little too much to drink already because her head tilts as she studies him.
"Mum said you were very handsome. With your hair like..." She reaches up, brushing his hair to the side so it makes that little wave her mother had consider so handsome she'd paused the program and made Bodhi and Jyn hurry inside the house to see. "Like that. Hmm."
Meeting a prince is completely pushed aside in his favor. Is she calling him handsome? She might be. She also brushed at his hair. He doesn't quite smile, because it's caught him off guard, but his frown disappears and he looks a lot more at ease. Normally he doesn't like people in his space.
He's only had about half a beer, but he did wash it down in the span of about five minutes. It's probably not enough to throw off his judgment, but maybe he uses it as an excuse to be bolder than he might normally. "And do you agree with her?"
"I do, yeah." She brushes at his hair again when it attempts to free itself from the wave she'd pushed it into, trying to nudge it into place again. She is on a number of beers she lost track of so she definitely has the excuse of alcohol fueled bravery, offering a thoughtful smile.
"You're very handsome and the best thing about skiers is that you don't wear your pants around your ankles so I don't have to look at your long johns every time I get on the bloody mountain." Jyn will never understand the excessively baggy clothes trend amongst snowboarders, even if she knows it comes from the skateboard culture. It's stupid. Your pants sit at your hips, not under your ass!
He finds he kind of likes the way she fiddles with his hair, if the way he ducks a little towards her is any indication. He offers her a smile back, somehow managing to be flattered and awkward at the same time. It's the alcohol in her, he thinks, and it makes him drink more of his own.
Any awkwardness is interrupted when he laughs at her quip at snowboarders. "I would trip over my pants if I wore them too loose."
He reaches out like he's fueled by her bravery and tucks some of her hair behind her ear. "You don't seem to have that problem, and you're not a skier."
"I'm a fucking lady," Jyn decides. That is her answer, that is what she is sticking with. It just so happens that the Danish uniforms are fairly form fitting comparatively. Her chin tips up toward him, smug that she's a woman.
Yes, smug due to a biological fact. Alcohol is a magical thing.
He laughs again. Yeah, okay, that's fair. He's only hung out with her a few times, but it seems like the most Jyn-like thing she could say, with or without alcohol.
It doesn't stop him from smiling again at her, with an almost appreciative glint. "I noticed." And he downs a third of his beer after that remark! Maybe it really is magic, he just needs more of it to be more like her.
"I think I need a shot or something to catch up with you."
"Probably," she agrees, not making a move to go get said shots or show him where said shots would be or help him in anyway achieve this endeavor because she finds that she likes him this close. He smells like... something good smelling. Her brain isn't working well enough to decide on the scent, maybe it's vanilla, maybe it's orange, she doesn't know.
"Just drink your drink and then drink my drink and you'll have caught up." That seems accurate. Sure, that seems like it'll work.
She doesn't move, so he doesn't. It's fine by him, really, because he doesn't want to step away from her yet either. The party is in full swing, and there's definitely other parties happening down in the village, but it feels like they're cut off on the balcony in a way he likes. He still kind of wants a shot, but it can wait.
"I'm not sure that is how it works," he says, but at least he sounds fond. He leans against the railing, and it slouches him over a little more into her space. "And I don't really like to chug my beer. But I did finish the first one you gave me."
"That's definitely how it works, my parents are scientists." As if that means she knows everything about science. Spoilers, while she is a nerd, she not Bill Nye and 98% of what she says is bullshit.
Especially considering she's now realised she's eye level with his chest. And it's... a nice chest, what she can tell through his tee shirt. Maybe it's her drunken imagination. She definitely needs to drink less, but she's enjoying this heady, fuzzy feeling. She feels relaxed, chill, she's enjoying herself.
"Scientists on alcohol content and how it affects the human body?"
They're close enough that he doesn't miss the way she sort of stares at his chest, and he can't believe the little shiver of heat that rolls over him for it.
His arm is stretched in just the right spot over the railing for his thumb to brush against her arm. With his free hand, he takes another large sip. Despite protests, he does seem to be trying to drink fast to get on her level. "Or are you just trying to get me involved in an experiment?"
Of course not. Except of course yes she is trying to get him involved. So she doesn't specify in either direction, looking up at him with a smile, no longer staring at his chest.
"That was rude, me ogling you." Not that she apologizes, but she does point it out.
He opens his mouth, closes it. "I do not mind," is what he settles on, giving her a very warm look with a very soft smile.
It surprises him that he really does not mind, not when she does it. She's a little drunk, she's being honest, he can do the same! He did sort of angle himself that way on purpose to be honest, to catch her attention. Apparently he is feeling flirty tonight.
He takes another sip of his beer to feel bold. "I like looking at you too. You are very pretty, both on the snow and off it."
"Bet you say that to all the Danish snowboarders," Jyn counters flippantly. It's not much of a counter considering that, again, the Danish snowboarding team consists solely of one Jyn Erso.
So yes, he does in fact say that to all the Danish snowboarders.
She reaches up again to push his hair back, deciding again that her mother and brother were right, he looks very dashing like that. "Can I ask a silly question? Is there even snow in Mexico? I thought it was all... warm, 'cause of it being close to the equator and all."
"Just my favorites." There is only one and it is her, she is suddenly his favorite Danish snowboarder.
It's almost like he folds down towards her, making it easier for her to adjust his hair. Her fingers brush against his skin, and it feels so warm. She can play with his hair all she wants. He puffs a little laugh. "We do have mountains. Snow is, admittedly, not very common, but it snows more in the northern states. Outside of Arteaga, I do a lot of my practice in the United States - some of my family lives there, and we would visit quite a lot."
She's Danish and trains in England where she was mostly raised, he's Mexican and trains in the States. They're probably never going to see each other after this Olympics -- Jyn knows her shoulder will give out before the next games, this is the last hurrah for Danish snowboarding until someone takes her crown.
Which means she has nothing to lose.
"Do you wanna come by mine and make out?" It's such a veer from the discussion they were having, but she is intoxicated and he is handsome, she can't be blamed.
He should be surprised by the sudden conversation shift, but he isn't, not at all. It feels more like a natural follow up. She's cute, they've been flirting for days on the snow and off. They've been crowding each other's space since he walked in and found her.
He really wants to kiss her right now! He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yes." Why does he sound nearly breathless?? "I would like that very much."
She nods, decisive, pleased there is a plan and the plan involves making out on the surprisingly comfortably couch in her room. She knew the Olympic village was posh and the benefit of being a solo athlete meant getting a solo room -- as opposed to Bodhi's shared room with his national teammate -- but while Bodhi's is bigger and had a sitting room large enough for a party, Jyn's room was still very, very posh. It's got a couch! A tiny kitchenette!
Despite her decision, it takes her a bit to actually move, caught up in just looking at him. Whoops.
They're in agreement, a verbal contract to make out in her room. It's very decisive and solid and Cassian is excited - but he is also feeling impatient and really wants to kiss her now. She's looking at him in much the same way.
He brushes his fingers against her arm, much more purposely and openly than before. It's almost like he's inviting her in. He's very curious about her room and ready to bail on this party five seconds after he arrived, but -
But first -
"Would you mind terribly if I kissed you once now first?"
Jyn shakes her head, not looking away from him, expression softening to something expectant, almost hopeful.
"No, I don't mind. Terribly or otherwise."
Please kiss her. She won't say please, stubborn, but she certainly is receptive to the idea, shifting a little to push up on her tiptoes, slightly unsteady. She has to reach out and grab his bicep to assure her balance -- even though the balcony is right there. Clearly his very well defined bicep is the better option.
Cassian gets a soft smile on his face when she agrees. He doesn't even have to wait, Jyn's already up on her toes before he gets the chance to duck down. But far be it from him to keep her waiting, not when he's impatient too.
He rests a hand at her waist, to help her keep her balance obviously, and leans in to press his lips to hers. It's both tentative and eager at once, and he stumbles a little bit, accidentally pushing her back into the balcony.
Jyn groans against his lips, fingers tightening around his bicep as her other arm loops around his waist to keep them both secure. They're not in any danger of falling off the balcony, oh no, she wants him to be secure against him and all the lean muscle she is suddenly discovering beneath his shirt as she presses against him.
Maybe they can just make out here? The thought has some merit! She thinks about it for one second before kissing him distracts her.
you've got ice in your veins, but you're smart enough to keep it from freezing your heart.
Cassian still isn't sure if it's embarrassing or not that his injuries were sustained off the ice. Broken leg, broken ribs, a nasty fall while climbing. They were clean cuts and he's since healed very well - but it did put a damper on his ability to compete like he wanted to. The spins and jumps got more difficult when landing on his leg became literally painful after a long day.
So, now it's ice dancing. Maybe with Jyn Erso.
They've skated together a couple of times, raced around the rink and did a couple idle spins. It's a little weird how easy it already feels with her, but he supposes that bodes well for when they actually try to start coordinating.
He's already warming up on the ice when their predetermined meet time rolls around, because Cassian is incapable of being chill. He's always early. Resisting the urge to leap in the air is always difficult, so apparently that means it's just time to spin around.
Jyn can't keep a partner. She's not good enough to compete in singles, but she doesn't trust any of the partners her coach had trotted out for her and it's been so long and her injured shoulder had had more of an effect on her jumps that she'd initially anticipated -- it was just her shoulder, it wasn't a big deal! -- so eventually she was coaxed into the idea of ice dancing with its far less jumps, but partnering her had still proved difficult.
Cassian was the one that could have made it as a singles skater had his own injuries not taken that off the table and Jyn honestly doesn't think it's fair that her coach is trying to saddle them with each other.
Her guards are tossed aside before she pushes onto the ice. Most people think of figure skates and imagine short, sparkly dresses and so much glitter, but Jyn is wearing leggings and the world's slouchiest sweater, purple knit scarf looped around her neck and her dark hair messily braided over one shoulder, half covering the blue purple bruises that leave splotches on her pale skin.
"Have you ever been on time to something in your entire life?" she calls out, circling the rink starting from the opposite side he is on. They can meet in the middle. She assumes he is always early. Which doesn't count.
Ice dancing comes with its own set of challenges, namely being the whole 'working with another person' thing, which was the biggest reason he wanted to do singles. No one else to rely on! There's plenty of twists and turns and difficulties, but it's an adjustment no matter how good he can tell Jyn is. Kay had floated her for a reason, albeit very begrudgingly.
He's wearing training pants, but his shirt looks old and worn. Comfortable. He likes that she prioritizes that same comfort in training, because not everyone does.
When she hops on the ice, he starts to mimic her a little bit, just in the way she starts to circle around. That's the whole point to being here. He skates towards the middle, picking up on that intent. "I am here, that counts as on time. Hello, Jyn."
Calling him out on his excessive earliness and they've barely started, what kind of monster. The kind of monster used to running off her partners, honestly. She idly shifts to skate backwards as they get closer, watching him over her shoulder until they pass each other in their little loop, turning to face him again.
He probably doesn't want to be here. There are loads of other skaters that have more discipline, who consider early to be on time and on time to be late. Jyn bleeds passion and determination, but she's reckless and undisciplined and her coach never seemed to try to work out Jyn's willful spirit. Probably because she appreciated that in her daughter.
He's never had to worry about other people being on time, because usually his coach is the only other person there. As far as he's concerned, Jyn being on time is fine. It's good. "It's better than being late."
Honestly he's still working on how he feels about being here. He knows Jyn has had trouble finding a good partner, which also makes him wonder what it is that he doesn't seem to have any glaring issues with her on the upfront. He can deal with blunt, rude, or aloof. That's Kay. If she pushes him, he'll just push back.
He skates towards her, but forwards. She doesn't seem the type to care about small talk, so he just gets right into it. "You have been doing this longer than I have. How do you usually like to start?"
"I usually start with a visual survey." She slows as he approaches, only skating backwards again when he gets close enough to reach. Which she does, reaching out to squeeze his bicep even though the movement brings her very close to him, easily matching his pace so they won't bump into each other.
"Then I say something about how men in pairs have the easy job because they don't have to be afraid they'll be dropped and dislocate their shoulder, again, or get a concussion, again, because their partner can't keep it together for five seconds and then you leave because you're insulted and I'm too difficult and that's the end, we can tell them we tried and move on." Jyn always marvels that her need for trust is apparently a deal breaker considering how many times she has been dropped over the years, as recently as the week before.
It hurts, falling seven feet from a lift onto solid ice.
He doesn't seem bothered when she gets in close. It's new, but he has to get used to it if they're going to do this. Which... she doesn't seem all that interested in, given her immediate brush off. "I fell about twenty feet and I wasn't even on the ice. People who get frustrated by your concern for being dropped probably should not be skating with anyone."
The whole point is being a team. That involves listening to the other half. He's heard Jyn was a prickly person to match with, but it doesn't sound like many people tried very hard. Falling is a very valid worry?? The lifts are easily one of the most difficult parts of this.
"Are you actually willing to give this a try like I am, or am I wasting my time? I am not going to try anything without clearing it with you first."
He fell, he wasn't dropped. There is a small difference.
"I always try," she counters, pushing back and skating away in a broad circle. This was a stupid idea. She shouldn't have let her mother talk her into it, she should have let her father talk her into retirement. She rubs her shoulder absently as she takes out her feelings by looping around the rink, long, powerful strides instead of the careful, delicate ones she has perfected for actual performances.
"You don't seem to be giving me any real chance since you have apparently already mapped out what I'm going to do."
He skates idly around, not following her but needing to move especially if she is. If he wanted to keep skating, his options were limited. Jyn Erso's name came up, and it was better than retiring. "You are good. You have experience with ice dancing. You did not have a partner. He thought it might be worth a shot."
With the utmost reluctance, of course, given what they'd heard of Jyn's grumpiness. But at least he knows Kay usually is looking out for him. She could help him make up for what he didn't know about this style in particular.
"You're better than me. You could have your pick of skaters." He could probably snipe women from already established pairs. Jyn's watched him skate for years, they've messed around on the ice for years, she knows that all his coach would have to do was ask and a team would dissolve for him.
She skates directly for him, stopping short before she either plows into him or skates right past him.
"We're not doing any lifts on ice until you prove you can't drop me on a heavily padded mat." Other than that, fine. It's on. She agrees.
He hums a noncommittal noise. Cassian knows he's good, but he's not interested in breaking up other teams. Starting off a partnership born from a broken one just seems like a bad idea. "I am not used to skating with other people. I would like to figure out what works from my own sense of it and not preconceived notions. My coach has watched you skate. I trust his judgement."
Kay might not have sounded very fond of Jyn as a person, but he did seem to approve of all her techniques.
"That is fair." It's quick, easy agreement. Lifting someone on ice is different kinds of pressure from lifting someone on solid ground, but how is anyone supposed to do the former if they can't do the latter? "Do you want to try that now, or should we just keep warming up on the ice first? What kind of music do you like to dance to usually?"
She skates a circle around him, humming a thoughtful noise. "Mum likes opera music, she was thinking that short, bright bit from Carmen." Now she hums the song, but she doesn't sound very enthused. Why can't they just dance to Kesha, Lyra! Why not! Kesha would be loads better.
"I suggested Africa by Toto but she laughed at me."
He thinks for a little bit. "What about instrumental Kesha?"
It has to exist! There's virtually instrumental everything, even Africa he's sure. Praying might be a good smooth song, if Lyra is really set on something more traditional. "There is no reason we cannot warm up to something more upbeat. I imagine finding a good song that works for both of us is very important." He pauses. "Opera can be tedious, if you do not pick the right music."
"Instrumental Kesha?" Huh. That could work, maybe. "Mum will be more likely to say yes if you suggest it, so maybe we can watch some youtube covers later."
She's suddenly much less prickly, Cassian's willingness to adjust other people to her slightly contrary nature is a surprise, but a nice one that give Jyn a lot more faith in their ability to work together. No one else had been willing to even think about something other than traditional music.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but have you have much practice with pairs?" Ice dancing is different from traditional pairs but there is still a lot of handholding and touching they're going to have to do and that is probably the first thing they should try.
It's part of the challenge for him - anyone can skate to the more traditional, fallback choices, but Cassian found he liked to try new songs all the time. Admittedly he never tried much pop music, but he liked a good samba now and then. "It never makes sense to me to pick music you hate, when you are going to be listening to it repeatedly for months."
Her question is valid, and she hadn't even asked in the rudest way she could have. "Not in formal competition. I have practiced with others for the fun of it on occasion, but you are the expert in this area."
"Alright, come and get me." Jyn skates away but leaves her hand behind her. Time to get started and the first thing about pairs is learning how to hold hands at speed, and to catch hands at speed.
It almost - almost - pulls a laugh out of him, and his expression definitely hints at that amusement, which is probably a good sign.
About two seconds later Cassian kicks off, skating after her and using his longer stride to catch up to her fairly quickly. He simply skates just behind her for a few moments, watching the sway of her hand, trying to match her pace, before he glides in a little closer and brushes his fingertips over her palm; seconds later, he curls his fingers around her hand. His own is much bigger, he realizes, but it does fit neatly with hers anyway.
Luckily for him, it doesn't throw him off his game, and he just keeps skating beside her, even with their hands now clasped.
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ohnofeelstho2018-02-09 10:16 pm
the most important thing in the olympic games is not winning but taking part
And his good looks.
Jyn ignored her mother.
Her parents are staying outside of the Olympic Village, Bodhi and Jyn both drawing the line at having their parents next door when this was their Olympic experience. Which of course finds Bodhi throwing a party a couple days in, non country or sport specific since the Pakistani cross country skier is pseudo-related to the Danish snowboarder and neither of them give a shit. It's in full swing after a couple hours and Jyn is running through the house with a beer in one hand, Bodhi chasing after her with a can of whipped cream, when she stops short, breathless and giggling at the sight of Cassian at the door.
"Hola, snowbunny!"
(Bodhi, seeing Jyn stop in front of Cassian, easily slips back into the crowd of his party. Smooth af.)
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It is his first Olympics and it's very exciting, and he's even making friends. Like Jyn. Shara is very proud of him, probably more for being social than making it to the fucking Olympics, but that's his sister he supposes.
The party is in full swing by the time he gets there, and one or two others nod and wave at him when he comes inside, but it's Jyn with the smile on her face that holds his attention, even if he doesn't miss the way Bodhi oh-so-casually disappears immediately. He grins at her, faintly but clearly happy.
"Hej, Elsa. Was Bodhi trying to give you your powers?"
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And clearly Jyn has already gotten started in those two hours if her easy smile is anything to go by. This is not an expression most people get to see when she's not actively on the slopes.
A few seconds later she realizes-- "Hey! That was Danish!"
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But she's still smiling. He takes a few gulps of her beer and finds his own smile deepens. He likes how determined she looks when she's racing down the snow, but he likes this happy bounce to her step too. "It's fairly easy to pick up greetings in other languages around here. Who knew?"
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"Come on, Captain Andor." Yes, someone was paying attention to the list of athletes that were also in the military. Technically she is a captain too but since the Danish national snowboarding team consists of... her, she isn't captain of much and it's irrelevant. "Have some fun, I know you have it in you."
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He blinks, now holding two beers and knowing he's probably going to drink both. But he did come to a house party. That's kind of part of the intention. He takes another sip. "That's funny coming from you. I was not the only one on the slopes at 6am."
It takes a workaholic to know one, clearly. "How did you know I was a Captain?"
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Jyn, at least, appears to be having fun when she's racing down the course or launching herself up in the air on the superpipe. This morning she did zero tricks down the slopestyle course and took her bowl of cereal off the jumps, just getting used to it before she actually started trying out the course for real.
She gives him another tug, taking advantage of his lack of free hands to manhandle him where she wants him, pulling him out on Bodhi's balcony with her. "My mum likes to watch the games, on the telly." She likes being there, Jyn knows, because her mother lives to travel, but she loves the human interest stories. "There's a whole, well episode, I guess. About athletes in the military. And royals in the Olympics, too."
Which was a weird combination, but here we are. "Crown Prince Freddie is here watching if you want to meet his royal highness."
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He trains, so much and so hard, but they all do to get here, and it wouldn't be worth it if he wasn't having any fun. Cassian just keeps his more controlled. It makes him feel like he can control everything else that happens in the snow, if he can keep can whatever else he's feeling in check too.
Even though he apparently does not care about giving up control to let her guide him out to the balcony. No complaints, though, he likes being outside. He drains the last of Jyn's beer and sets the empty bottle aside on the table, popping open the second.
"They tried to get me to speak on it for that. I didn't really want to." Talking about himself?? On WORLDWIDE TELEVISION? No thanks. Cassian knows he's put out a charming if reserved image of himself for all the usual interviews, but he tries to avoid anything super personal. "I'm good. Why, do you want to meet him?"
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"Mum said you were very handsome. With your hair like..." She reaches up, brushing his hair to the side so it makes that little wave her mother had consider so handsome she'd paused the program and made Bodhi and Jyn hurry inside the house to see. "Like that. Hmm."
Hmm. Lyra was right.
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He's only had about half a beer, but he did wash it down in the span of about five minutes. It's probably not enough to throw off his judgment, but maybe he uses it as an excuse to be bolder than he might normally. "And do you agree with her?"
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"You're very handsome and the best thing about skiers is that you don't wear your pants around your ankles so I don't have to look at your long johns every time I get on the bloody mountain." Jyn will never understand the excessively baggy clothes trend amongst snowboarders, even if she knows it comes from the skateboard culture. It's stupid. Your pants sit at your hips, not under your ass!
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Any awkwardness is interrupted when he laughs at her quip at snowboarders. "I would trip over my pants if I wore them too loose."
He reaches out like he's fueled by her bravery and tucks some of her hair behind her ear. "You don't seem to have that problem, and you're not a skier."
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Yes, smug due to a biological fact. Alcohol is a magical thing.
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It doesn't stop him from smiling again at her, with an almost appreciative glint. "I noticed." And he downs a third of his beer after that remark! Maybe it really is magic, he just needs more of it to be more like her.
"I think I need a shot or something to catch up with you."
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"Just drink your drink and then drink my drink and you'll have caught up." That seems accurate. Sure, that seems like it'll work.
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"I'm not sure that is how it works," he says, but at least he sounds fond. He leans against the railing, and it slouches him over a little more into her space. "And I don't really like to chug my beer. But I did finish the first one you gave me."
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Especially considering she's now realised she's eye level with his chest. And it's... a nice chest, what she can tell through his tee shirt. Maybe it's her drunken imagination. She definitely needs to drink less, but she's enjoying this heady, fuzzy feeling. She feels relaxed, chill, she's enjoying herself.
Weird.
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They're close enough that he doesn't miss the way she sort of stares at his chest, and he can't believe the little shiver of heat that rolls over him for it.
His arm is stretched in just the right spot over the railing for his thumb to brush against her arm. With his free hand, he takes another large sip. Despite protests, he does seem to be trying to drink fast to get on her level. "Or are you just trying to get me involved in an experiment?"
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Of course not. Except of course yes she is trying to get him involved. So she doesn't specify in either direction, looking up at him with a smile, no longer staring at his chest.
"That was rude, me ogling you." Not that she apologizes, but she does point it out.
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It surprises him that he really does not mind, not when she does it. She's a little drunk, she's being honest, he can do the same! He did sort of angle himself that way on purpose to be honest, to catch her attention. Apparently he is feeling flirty tonight.
He takes another sip of his beer to feel bold. "I like looking at you too. You are very pretty, both on the snow and off it."
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So yes, he does in fact say that to all the Danish snowboarders.
She reaches up again to push his hair back, deciding again that her mother and brother were right, he looks very dashing like that. "Can I ask a silly question? Is there even snow in Mexico? I thought it was all... warm, 'cause of it being close to the equator and all."
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It's almost like he folds down towards her, making it easier for her to adjust his hair. Her fingers brush against his skin, and it feels so warm. She can play with his hair all she wants. He puffs a little laugh. "We do have mountains. Snow is, admittedly, not very common, but it snows more in the northern states. Outside of Arteaga, I do a lot of my practice in the United States - some of my family lives there, and we would visit quite a lot."
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Which means she has nothing to lose.
"Do you wanna come by mine and make out?" It's such a veer from the discussion they were having, but she is intoxicated and he is handsome, she can't be blamed.
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He really wants to kiss her right now! He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yes." Why does he sound nearly breathless?? "I would like that very much."
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She nods, decisive, pleased there is a plan and the plan involves making out on the surprisingly comfortably couch in her room. She knew the Olympic village was posh and the benefit of being a solo athlete meant getting a solo room -- as opposed to Bodhi's shared room with his national teammate -- but while Bodhi's is bigger and had a sitting room large enough for a party, Jyn's room was still very, very posh. It's got a couch! A tiny kitchenette!
Despite her decision, it takes her a bit to actually move, caught up in just looking at him. Whoops.
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He brushes his fingers against her arm, much more purposely and openly than before. It's almost like he's inviting her in. He's very curious about her room and ready to bail on this party five seconds after he arrived, but -
But first -
"Would you mind terribly if I kissed you once now first?"
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"No, I don't mind. Terribly or otherwise."
Please kiss her. She won't say please, stubborn, but she certainly is receptive to the idea, shifting a little to push up on her tiptoes, slightly unsteady. She has to reach out and grab his bicep to assure her balance -- even though the balcony is right there. Clearly his very well defined bicep is the better option.
(It sure is.)
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He rests a hand at her waist, to help her keep her balance obviously, and leans in to press his lips to hers. It's both tentative and eager at once, and he stumbles a little bit, accidentally pushing her back into the balcony.
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Maybe they can just make out here? The thought has some merit! She thinks about it for one second before kissing him distracts her.
you've got ice in your veins, but you're smart enough to keep it from freezing your heart.
So, now it's ice dancing. Maybe with Jyn Erso.
They've skated together a couple of times, raced around the rink and did a couple idle spins. It's a little weird how easy it already feels with her, but he supposes that bodes well for when they actually try to start coordinating.
He's already warming up on the ice when their predetermined meet time rolls around, because Cassian is incapable of being chill. He's always early. Resisting the urge to leap in the air is always difficult, so apparently that means it's just time to spin around.
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Cassian was the one that could have made it as a singles skater had his own injuries not taken that off the table and Jyn honestly doesn't think it's fair that her coach is trying to saddle them with each other.
Her guards are tossed aside before she pushes onto the ice. Most people think of figure skates and imagine short, sparkly dresses and so much glitter, but Jyn is wearing leggings and the world's slouchiest sweater, purple knit scarf looped around her neck and her dark hair messily braided over one shoulder, half covering the blue purple bruises that leave splotches on her pale skin.
"Have you ever been on time to something in your entire life?" she calls out, circling the rink starting from the opposite side he is on. They can meet in the middle. She assumes he is always early. Which doesn't count.
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He's wearing training pants, but his shirt looks old and worn. Comfortable. He likes that she prioritizes that same comfort in training, because not everyone does.
When she hops on the ice, he starts to mimic her a little bit, just in the way she starts to circle around. That's the whole point to being here. He skates towards the middle, picking up on that intent. "I am here, that counts as on time. Hello, Jyn."
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Calling him out on his excessive earliness and they've barely started, what kind of monster. The kind of monster used to running off her partners, honestly. She idly shifts to skate backwards as they get closer, watching him over her shoulder until they pass each other in their little loop, turning to face him again.
He probably doesn't want to be here. There are loads of other skaters that have more discipline, who consider early to be on time and on time to be late. Jyn bleeds passion and determination, but she's reckless and undisciplined and her coach never seemed to try to work out Jyn's willful spirit. Probably because she appreciated that in her daughter.
Still. "Hello Cassian."
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Honestly he's still working on how he feels about being here. He knows Jyn has had trouble finding a good partner, which also makes him wonder what it is that he doesn't seem to have any glaring issues with her on the upfront. He can deal with blunt, rude, or aloof. That's Kay. If she pushes him, he'll just push back.
He skates towards her, but forwards. She doesn't seem the type to care about small talk, so he just gets right into it. "You have been doing this longer than I have. How do you usually like to start?"
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"Then I say something about how men in pairs have the easy job because they don't have to be afraid they'll be dropped and dislocate their shoulder, again, or get a concussion, again, because their partner can't keep it together for five seconds and then you leave because you're insulted and I'm too difficult and that's the end, we can tell them we tried and move on." Jyn always marvels that her need for trust is apparently a deal breaker considering how many times she has been dropped over the years, as recently as the week before.
It hurts, falling seven feet from a lift onto solid ice.
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The whole point is being a team. That involves listening to the other half. He's heard Jyn was a prickly person to match with, but it doesn't sound like many people tried very hard. Falling is a very valid worry?? The lifts are easily one of the most difficult parts of this.
"Are you actually willing to give this a try like I am, or am I wasting my time? I am not going to try anything without clearing it with you first."
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"I always try," she counters, pushing back and skating away in a broad circle. This was a stupid idea. She shouldn't have let her mother talk her into it, she should have let her father talk her into retirement. She rubs her shoulder absently as she takes out her feelings by looping around the rink, long, powerful strides instead of the careful, delicate ones she has perfected for actual performances.
"Why me? Why did your coach pick me?"
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He skates idly around, not following her but needing to move especially if she is. If he wanted to keep skating, his options were limited. Jyn Erso's name came up, and it was better than retiring. "You are good. You have experience with ice dancing. You did not have a partner. He thought it might be worth a shot."
With the utmost reluctance, of course, given what they'd heard of Jyn's grumpiness. But at least he knows Kay usually is looking out for him. She could help him make up for what he didn't know about this style in particular.
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She skates directly for him, stopping short before she either plows into him or skates right past him.
"We're not doing any lifts on ice until you prove you can't drop me on a heavily padded mat." Other than that, fine. It's on. She agrees.
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Kay might not have sounded very fond of Jyn as a person, but he did seem to approve of all her techniques.
"That is fair." It's quick, easy agreement. Lifting someone on ice is different kinds of pressure from lifting someone on solid ground, but how is anyone supposed to do the former if they can't do the latter? "Do you want to try that now, or should we just keep warming up on the ice first? What kind of music do you like to dance to usually?"
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She skates a circle around him, humming a thoughtful noise. "Mum likes opera music, she was thinking that short, bright bit from Carmen." Now she hums the song, but she doesn't sound very enthused. Why can't they just dance to Kesha, Lyra! Why not! Kesha would be loads better.
"I suggested Africa by Toto but she laughed at me."
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It has to exist! There's virtually instrumental everything, even Africa he's sure. Praying might be a good smooth song, if Lyra is really set on something more traditional. "There is no reason we cannot warm up to something more upbeat. I imagine finding a good song that works for both of us is very important." He pauses. "Opera can be tedious, if you do not pick the right music."
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She's suddenly much less prickly, Cassian's willingness to adjust other people to her slightly contrary nature is a surprise, but a nice one that give Jyn a lot more faith in their ability to work together. No one else had been willing to even think about something other than traditional music.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but have you have much practice with pairs?" Ice dancing is different from traditional pairs but there is still a lot of handholding and touching they're going to have to do and that is probably the first thing they should try.
What if he has clammy hands? Terrible.
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Her question is valid, and she hadn't even asked in the rudest way she could have. "Not in formal competition. I have practiced with others for the fun of it on occasion, but you are the expert in this area."
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Go on, Cassian. Catch her.
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About two seconds later Cassian kicks off, skating after her and using his longer stride to catch up to her fairly quickly. He simply skates just behind her for a few moments, watching the sway of her hand, trying to match her pace, before he glides in a little closer and brushes his fingertips over her palm; seconds later, he curls his fingers around her hand. His own is much bigger, he realizes, but it does fit neatly with hers anyway.
Luckily for him, it doesn't throw him off his game, and he just keeps skating beside her, even with their hands now clasped.