A/N: I don't own the video so please don't sue.  If you can't tell, I really like oldies. :) Also, enjoy the random meme. It's fun. It's just Race being random. I feel like that's every Newsies meme though. Not gonna lie. Updating in honor of the Olympics (even though this book takes place with the Winter Olympics) and to indulge my Mush kick. :) Kerri belongs to DaydreamShimmer and EJ/Evelyn belongs to E_J_Hawthorne.  Once again, anything that I mention that I don't own, I don't own, so please don't sue. Enjoy!!

I'm in a comfy pair of leggings and a long T-shirt, reading a book when my phone vibrates.

The funny thing is my book is going on and on about how some individual being adventurous. My phone buzzing probably means that Mush is reaching out to me which to me is the best kind of an adventure a girl could embark on.

Hanging out with him in a platonic way I mean, not romantically. No of course not, I don't know why anyone would think that I have feelings for him. We just met.

I guess I'm in denial that I have feelings for someone that I just met but he is very sweet and very cute and I want to spend more time with him. I'm not gonna say no. I reach over and pick my phone.

And see a text message from one Mush Myers.

My heart jumps for joy and my stomach begins to do flips at the sight of his name.

I don't have it this bad, do I? I mean we really did just meet so I guess I shouldn't but he's such a great guy. I open the text on my phone and smile at the message.

Hi! You want to go on an adventure?

My first thought is to reply....

Is that a question?  ;)

But, that feels a little bold and like maybe I'm pushing things a little too soon. Maybe I'll answer his question with a milder question.

What do you have in mind?

I go back to reading my book, wiggling my toes in excitement but I can't focus! Thoughts of Mush enter my mind, preventing me from being able to concentrate on the plot of my book. I sigh and plop it in my lap in defeat while waiting for Mush to text me back. Thankfully, I don't have to wait long for his response.

Wanna go skating? I know someone who has access to an indoor rink. There's probably not anyone there right now.

I start to smile and am really hoping that none of my roommates peek in here and see my manic grin. They'll think I've gone crazy...which they may already have. Oh well. I'm not that concerned about them.

Are you sure that's okay?? I don't want to get you into trouble or anything.

I don't have to wait long for a reply.

Yes. I'm sure. I'll meet you outside wherever it is you're staying. Could you text me the address?

I text him the address and he tells me how long he thinks it should take. I go back to reading my book while I wait for him to come pick me up but I really just can't focus. I get to go skating, night skating with one of my friends who I just met.

I'm just so excited!!!

I waste no time in getting ready. I decide to keep my T-Shirt on but I put on some other layers and find a slightly warmer pair of leggings to wear. I brush out my hair so it looks a little bit less like the wreck that it is from laying down and reading a book. I put a light dusting of makeup on and am just getting the essential contents of my purse down into a wallet when my phone vibrates.

I'm here and ready whenever you are.

A smile spreads across my face as I pull a hoodie over my head. I throw my wallet in my pocket and run out of the apartment to go see Mush. The cold bites my skin making me feel more alive than ever. Mush stands at the bottom, leaning against the building and watching for me. I walk down and he pushes off the wall to walk with me.

"Hello, stranger," he says, a playful smirk on his face. I smile back at him and take in his outfit. A dark blue athletic hoodie is what he wears for his top and a pair of joggers for his pants with a pair of sneakers to boot.

"Hi," I say, "So, skating, huh?"

"Yeah, I know someone who runs a rink. He'll be there to help us find skates," Mush answers. The two of us walk closer together, our shoulders occasionally bumping as we walk. I blush at the contact and look away.

"That's nice," I say as we walk. Mush and I get on a subway and after quite a bit of deliberation over which train we're supposed to get on, we get on a train and ride until our stop. We get off and exit the station.

"So...I've never been skating before," I admit, "I'm not really sure how this is going to."

"Don't worry. I have lots of experience," Mush says, "I'll make sure you don't hurt yourself." He smiles at me as we walk. Our gazes hold on just for a little bit longer than necessary.

"Well good," I say, trying to break the moment. I'm not sure I'm ready to be a part of anything serious but I really like him. "I don't know how well I'll do. Sports have never really been my thing but as long as we both have fun, I'll be happy."

"That's the best kinda attitude to have," Mush says, beaming at me. He slips an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side as we approach the rink. Mush guides me around to a back door and he opens it for me. I step through it and he follows behind before leading the way over to a desk where a guy about our age sits. He looks up as we enters and grins at us.

"Hello!" he calls out, "You're here for skating, right?"

"Yep," Mush answers and the guy smirks at the two of us.

"Night skating leads to all kinds of things that don't normally happen," he says, the same smirk still on his face, "I hope you two enjoy it." We give him our skate sizes and he hands over the skates. Mush and I walk into a rink and I marvel at the sight before us. The lights above make the ice glisten, providing somewhat of a placid yet thrilling appeal. I sit down next to Mush and take off my shoes to put on my skates. I carefully lace them up and tie them tightly. Mush has his done in seconds and is waiting for me.

"It looks so...calm and yet, there's some kind of wild thrill about getting to go out there," I say as I sit on the bleachers gazing out at the ice. I start to stand up and begin to teeter. Mush rushes to my side and takes my hand, steadying me.

"That's the wild thrill part of it," he confirms, a small smirk on his face as he says this.

I'm not sure if it's from the fact that I'm almost fell or the fact that Mush is holding my hand but, a rush of excitement runs through me. Mush holds tightly to my hand, his gaze unwavering from mine.

"You alright?" he asks, breaking the moment. I nod but he doesn't let go of my hand.

"I think I'll be alright," I say kindly, trying to reason with him but he still doesn't let go. Can't say that I'm complaining.

"I don't want you to hurt yourself before we even get out there," he replies as he guides the two of us out towards the ice.

Still holding my hand, I might add.

Sliding off my skate guards is another hurdle but with a little help from Mush and another almost meeting with the ground, we make it.

The moment we're out on the ice, I grab for the wall with a hand but Mush just takes it in his.

Now he's holding both of my hands and all I can do is stare at our joined hands.

"I was just gonna steady myself against the...." I start to protest, trying to find words and make my brain work properly again, still avoiding his gaze.

"You don't need the wall," Mush says, "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. Promise?" I finally look up and see him smiling at me. "Remember, I've done back flips on the..."

"Yeah...don't remind me," I say with a chuckle as I let him slowly pull me around on the ice. He smiles back causing me to smile a bigger smile. His smile is contagious. I feel so relaxed and calm with him. "How am I ever actually going to learn how to skate if I don't try it on my own?" I ask as he pulls me around the rink, not wanting to break the moment, "I'm not gonna cause a problem if I don't skate on my own, right?"

"Of course not," he says with a big smile on his face as we keep skating, "I don't think you could cause a problem if you tried." 

"I cause problems because I'm indecisive and not trying to cause problems," I answer, eliciting laughs from both of us. Mush keeps pulling us around and I feel him start to intertwine our fingers.

Wait....intertwine our fingers????

Don't boys only do that when they like a girl? I've never really known. I'm just used to hiding behind books and pretending that everything that could cause a problem in my life doesn't exist. 

I steal a glance at our hands just to see if I'm right. And I'm certainly not wrong.

Our fingers are most definitely intertwined. He pulls a little bit farther away and starts to move faster. I gasp as he gets a mischievous smile on his face.

"Come on. It'll be fun," he says. That smile is making my stomach flutter in ways I never thought it could. I don't like this, but he's so cute and having so much fun. I don't want to ruin it for him.

I promptly fall on my rear and sit there on the ice, playfully glaring at him.

"'It'll be fun', he said," I say and Mush laughs as he skates back over to me.

"You okay?" he asks, before holding out his hands, "If you hug yourself, you wouldn't fall." 

Little hard to do when you're holding my hands.

But of course I'm not gonna say that out loud. I don't want him to think that I don't like it or that I'm making a big deal out of it. Because I like it and I don't want him to stop.

"Duly noted," I replay as Mush helps me to my feet, "Could we maybe do just a little bit of teaching me how to skate so I know how to handle it when you decide to do things like that?"

"I had you," Mush says, "I wasn't gonna let you fall." His smile is still playful and full of mischief. He pulls me close to him, closer than I thought he was going to because I start when he does. "Relax," he reassures me, "I've got you." He helps me over to the wall and lets go of one of my hands so I can grab onto it.

I hurriedly do and he chuckles lightly at that, while still holding my other hand.

"Now, just step forward with each foot one at a time, and push with the second to glide," Mush instructs. He lets go of my hand for a minute to show me and I quickly grab onto the wall with my other hand, watching him as he does.

That looks easy enough.

And yet, I really don't want to let go of this wall.

"It's easier if you hold onto the wall with one hand or just let go all together," Mush recommends as he glides around next to me but slowly so as not to freak me out or intimidate me.

Which is really sweet of him. 

I finally manage to let go of the wall with one hand, my outstretched palm shaking as I try to step forward and glide without totally falling over.

About fifteen minutes later, I make it one full circle around the rink and Mush is cheering for me.

"Now try letting go of the wall!" he calls out. Without any hesitation, I let go. I step and glide successfully for a few steps until one of my glides goes longer than I thought it would. I panic and start to fall. Remembering what Mush told me to do when I was falling, I hug myself tightly and adjust my weight so that it's evenly distributed again.

"I got it!" I exclaim excitedly, letting go and raising my arms up in the air.

Only to fall only my butt.

"Well....I tried," I say as Mush skates over and offers me his hands.

"You did," he says encouragingly as I take his hands and he pulls me to my feet. The fact that he does and hardly puts any effort in astounds me. "I'm glad. If you never try anything, you never see how far you can go," he says. He slowly starts to let go of me once I have my balance.

I teeter a bit and he stays close in case he has to catch me again.

"Very true," I reply as he moves closer. I step and glide as he does it with the practice and grace of a seasoned skater. "How long did it take for you to get that good?" I ask.

"It took a little while. Gymnastics and figure skating are two pretty different things," he says, his eyes on me and my skating just to make sure that I don't fall. "I was kinda used to the idea of having to distribute my balance in a weird way. It was just a matter of learning how to do it on ice skates," he explains. I slowly step and glide and a glide goes too long again.

"Ahhhh! Mush!" I cry out as my arms windmill in circles. I hug myself just in time to stop a fall. I redistribute my weight and steady myself.

"There you go," Mush says as he moves back to where I am again, "Now just keep going like you were."

"So, what made you pick hockey instead of gymnastics? You seem....like you could be a very capable gymnast," I say, trying to word it so that it wouldn't sound like I was gushing over his muscles, which are clearly outlined by that fitted athletic hoodie he's wearing. Or that I had been staring at his muscles either.

"I don't know. Hockey's more of a team sport and a bunch of my friends were doing it. Gymnastics can be a team sport but you have to be really good to get a spot on the team. I liked gymnastics more as a hobby and hockey's fun because I got to do it with my buddies. Besides, I can still put up a good fight on the rink," he says, "My gymnastics skills help me be more coordinated and give me the strength I need to keep possession of the puck."

"That's cool," I say, my voice rising in pitch as my foot slips. Mush stops and waits for me just in case. "I'm glad that you're able to use skills from both sports. Do you ever still just go to the gym to do gymnastics?"

"Yeah. Just to keep up my gymnastics skills and I honestly enjoy a good routine when I can do one," he says with a smile, "What made you decide to become a librarian and what made you pick Beijing?"

"I'm not actually a librarian yet," I say, "I'm just an intern."

"Oh nice," Mush answers as we keep skating before allowing me to continue explaining.

"I'm studying to be one though. I've always loved books and helping people find books that they like or need. I'm also someone who likes to keep track of information for other people and this is a way I can do that," I explain, "Beijing is just where the internship was and I like to travel so my prof thought it would be fun if I could explore a bit of the world while I was figuring out if this was the career for me or not."

"Oh fun," Mush says as he skates close enough to me so that our hands brush. I don't pull away but just sort of let him linger near me.

"Libraries are all about helping people and that's what I really want to do," I say as I try not to think too hard about close we are to each other.

"That's cool," Mush says, smiling at me, "You wanna see that backflip on ice skates?"

"I can hardly skate so I can't take you to a hospital and I'm not entirely sure I would be able to get you the help that you need if you broke your neck," I advise, "I don't really know my way around the hospitals here."

"Maybe you could come visit me when we go back home," Mush suggests with a laugh, "I could do it with the assurance that we would be able to get me the help that I need."

I freeze at that. The thought's never really crossed my mind but, I'm from Canada. I never told Mush that, not that it would really make that much of a difference. It's just....a little bit harder to visit him I guess.

"I'm actually from Canada," I say, "That's where I grew up and that's where my school actually happens. I want to come see you though."

"You should," Mush says, "It would be fun to get to see you some more. You know...you should take an internship in New York! Then you could come see me however much you wanted."

I chuckle at the thought. I would honestly love to go back to New York and spend all of this time with Mush and his friends but I just don't know if it's possible at the moment. I'm not one to give up on my hopes and dreams though, even if they seem really far away.

"I would like that but I don't know how feasible it is," I reason, "Library jobs are pretty hard to come by." I slip and Mush is by my side in an instance. His arms wrap around my waist and he pulls me into him, slowing down the momentum my fall had.

Suddenly, a song starts to play. A song that I recognize as being an older song but a good one.

Put your head on my shoulder.

The lyrics and the soft song fills the rink. I pull back enough from Mush to gauge his reaction and nearly slip again. He tightens his grasp on my waist and pulls me into his chest.

The song continues on, the lyrics going on and on about something Mush and I probably won't do because we're both too shy and have just met but it's still a sweet idea none the less.

"Did you plan this?" I ask softly. 

"No...not exactly," Mush says, "I sometimes wish Blink didn't have the sense of humor that he does."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask and Mush chuckles. I can feel the vibrations in his chest against my cheek. I try to stand all the way up but Mush stops me,

"You can if you want," he offers. I raise an eyebrow.

Put your head on my shoulder.

I take a deep breath, now fully understanding what he means. He wants me to lay my head against his shoulder for real. I look into his eyes for any trace of teasing or anything else that might indicate he's not serious about it.

I see none of that and I don't know what to do.

We've only known each other for a few days and this seems like a more intimate thing to do but at the same time, something just feels right about it.

The way he's looking at me makes me want to.

I give in and lean into his touch, leaning my head against his shoulder and closing my eyes. He sways gently to the beat of the song. His hands tighten around my waist and I just let him hold me. I feel so safe with him. My chin rests against his shoulder at first and then I lean my cheek against him. His hand lovingly rubs my back.

I hug him back as we skate. He slowly spins us in circles and I smile at how calm and relaxing it is.

We're in one of the most densely populated cities in the world and yet somehow, we're able to find peace and quiet in the middle of all of it, in this one moment. I relish in that.

That's the one thing I don't like about the city. It never stops to take in what's around it, it just keeps going or just uses what's around it to keep going. I love all the different people and opportunities here but, it all moves so fast here.

Except for now. Mush and I are holding each other and really nothing could be better. I hug him tightly as the song plays on. I never thought I would get to be this close with anyone like him but here we are.

His shoulder feels so strong. I smile at the thought.

The song continues, nearing the end of the third verse when someone shouts,

"AWWWWW!" 

"Blink!" Mush calls out, "You weren't supposed to come down here!"

And then this fool will rush in

I chuckle at the line and Mush looks down at me,

"What's so funny?"

"The lyric in the song. It was talking about a fool rushing in."

Mush and I chuckle in our embrace.

"See ain't ya glad ya brought me along?" Blink calls out from the sidelines, "You get to have a sweet moment with her."

"And you're gonna ruin it if ya don't quit!" Mush calls back. His hand keeps on rubbing my back ever so slightly. "Sorry about him, I really shouldn't have asked him to come along," he apologizes. I laugh lightly in response.

"Mush, he's fine. He makes things more interesting," I say.

"Besides, I'm gonna need some popcorn if this is the kinda show I'm gonna be watching for the rest of the night," Blink remarks as he goes down somewhere. I turn my head so I can see the side of Mush's head and I smile as he rolls his eyes at the statement. I chuckle again and he looks down towards me.

"Don't encourage him," Mush admonishes, "I already have to put up with him and his root beer habits.

"Oh! That reminds me! I have a six pack of root beer up there too!!" Blink exclaims, "I've already had two cans!"

"Oh boy...." Mush says sarcastically. I just hug him tightly.

"I'm sure you'll be alright. Besides, the longer we skate, the more energy he burns," I reason. The song comes to a close and Mush comes to a stop.

"Selah...." Mush starts.

"Yeah?" I ask, my curiosity piqued by what he could want.

"You wanna...maybe do this again some time? Maybe even before the Olympics are over?" he asks.

"I would love to," I respond without a second thought. We stay close together for another moment and Mush starts pulling me around the rink. I lean into his touch as we skate.

"You wanna try again?" he asks.

"With the stepping and gliding?" I ask, "Yeah sure. Just as long as you don't let go."

"What if we add something else to that?" Mush asks me, "What if I push you and let you slide some of the way?" His hands move to my hips and he pulls me up against him. "Step with me," he says.

"Are you two trying to be like pair figure skaters?" Blink calls out from the sidelines, "If so, I have my popcorn and my root beer."

"Aw, Blink. I'd like to see you try," Mush yells back as we start to step our way around the rink. His hands on my hips guide me around the rink. I smile at his touch and stay close to him so I don't fall. "Get ready to glide," he says. He pushes me and I instantly start hugging myself as I glide across the rink and try not to fall over. I nearly hit the wall because of how far I'm gliding and I start to gasp as I slide closer and closer to it.

I put my arms out to try and stop myself and I kinda do but almost fall over in the process.

Blink starts applauding madly from the bleachers.

"You should do that again!" he calls out and I look up at him with a teasing look.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" I ask, "It was fun but I'm not sure that we're really fit for that."

"Awww sure ya are," Blink says reassuringly before tossing a piece of popcorn into his mouth. I roll my eyes and look back at Mush, who is slowly skating his way over to me, skating little patterns in the ice. He looks up from one of his patterns and nearly falls.

"Careful!" I warn him and he skates over to me, gesturing for my hands. I place mine in his and he intertwines our fingers before pulling us around the rink again.

"What if I just hold onto you and we go a little faster?" he asks.

"I don't know how I feel about that," I say honestly, "But I guess we could try it. You are a professional skater in some senses." Mush smiles at that and holds my hands tightly as we skate around the rink. He picks up speed and I try my best to step and glide at his pace to help things go a little bit faster. Soon, the rink is just a whirl of colors and ice.

And Mush stops and I run straight into his chest, his arms wrap around me and the two of us laugh.

"You handled yourself pretty well there," he says, gently hugging me.

"Thank you. I have a lot of great help," I say in response.

"Oh I know. I'm just so helpful," Blink says from the sidelines.

"I wasn't talking to you, Blink," I call out playfully, rolling my eyes. Mush laughs and takes my hands again. The two of us take off around the rink to continue our fun midnight skate.

A/N: This is just so fluffy and adorable and I feel like I'm finally starting to get some of their dynamic worked out and it's absolutely adorable. I'm so happy to be writing Mush content again. I've missed writing for him so much and forgot how much I really like him. I don't know how realistic the whole thing was but it was fun regardless.

Also....the song. It just seemed so fitting for the two of them, like kinda slow and kinda innocent but there's so much love in it.

I just love this whole chapter. It's so fluffy and yet they're both so loving to each other and supportive and just....ahhhhhhh. I just absolutely love it. It's just such a cute dynamic to work with.

I feel like I'm struggling a bit with Mush's personality since I know we're more so going with the one from Livesies in this series so that's a baby bit of a struggle but we're getting there. I feel like I nail it down a little bit better with each and every chapter but that's just me. I hope I'm writing him okay.

I also felt like I got to flesh out a little bit more of Selah's personality and I think this is my favorite chapter so far. Probably because of how fluffy it is.

I hope you enjoyed this one!! It was very fun to write and just so cute. :). Apparently all I can write is fluffy Mush things these days but hey, who's complaining? Not me. Thanks for reading, commenting, voting or doing whatever it is you do (and yes fangirling/fangirl screaming is acceptable). I appreciate you and I wouldn't be writing this without you guys, so thank you so much!!

See you around,

- Aisling