#maplepasta

“Feli you can do it,” Feliciano raises his head from his feet to look at Matthew. For the past few months they have been hanging out more and more. No one seemed to take Feli seriously, but Matthew entertained his ideas and even helped him act a few out. Even when people seemed to walk right through Matthew, Feli always linked their arms together to take them on a strange adventure. Feli’s heart pounds and he’s sure the blush on his face is not from the cold.

“One foot, then the other,” Somehow Matthew skates backwards, pulling Feli with him though the Italian does make a squeak in protest to moving. He fumbles, his legs shaking beneath him. Matthew giggles again and stops them.

“Mattie,” Feli whines once more. Matthew squeezes his hands, a soft look in his eyes.

“You got this,” Matthew says. Feliciano doesn’t know if he believes him, but it’s one of the few times someone has had such confidence in him. He lifts one foot up to take a step, but his other foot slides back. He braces himself for the ice but Matthew catches him. Embarrassed he hides his face in Matthew’s arms.

“Come on,” Matthew laughs and stands him back up. Feli doesn’t really want to try again. He’s doesn’t want to look like a fool again. His breathing catches as Matthew holds his hands.

“One more time, I know it,” Feli peeks up. Matthew has this look of determination, and Feli suddenly wants to be able to do this. He takes a deep breath, gaining his balance somehow.

“Don’t lift your foot up too much,” Matthew whispers to him. Feli nods and slides a foot forward, barely off the frozen pond. He tilts forward, but Matthew holds him up and pulls him along. It’s difficult. His mind is on too many different things. How he should put his foot, how strong the ice is, how much is it going to hurt if he falls, how warm Matthew’s hands feel in his.

He takes another slow step, pushing off just a little in a strange moment of bravery. He moves, shakily, but he does. He smiles for a moment then twists his face back into concentration. One foot, then the other. His feet swivel out as he moves, making his once stumbley steps not a more graceful glide. A bright smile. He looks up to Matthew, his chest thumping with the look of adoration on his face.

“You’re doing it!” Matthew cheers, moving them about faster. Feli wobbles and looks back to his feet, making sure they are moving the right way. Slowly does Matthew let go of his hands. He flails for a second, trying to gain a new balance without his stable spot.

“Come to me Feli,” Matthew says. Feli blinks up at him. The Canadian is a few feet away, his arms spread wide and a smile on his face. Feliciano nods his head. He can do this. One foot after the other, he wiggles and slides his way over. At the last moment he waves his arms a little too hard.

“Ah!” He lets out a noise, stumbling straight into Matthew’s arms once again. He wants to hide, but Matthew’s gentle laughter is echoing in his ears. He lifts his head, smiling now too. He wraps his arms around Matthew to hold on tighter and to not fall down.

“I did it!” He cheers now. Matthew laughs louder, swirling them in circles on the ice. Feliciano’s own laugh mixes in with his. He stops laughing when Matthew makes him do it again.

“One more time, then we can get hot chocolate,” Matthew winks at him and Feliciano smiles. He focuses quickly, wanting to get warm just as much as Matthew does. His first step is better than the others, pushing him forward nicely. His second step not so much, making him wobble. He balances and tries again. He wants to see that proud look on Matthew’s face again.