Keep Me Close- Chapter XXXI
Team: San Jose Sharks
Pairing: Joe Thornton/Evgeni Nabokov
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Not all in San Jose is sunny as the path to the Stanley Cup proves to be as difficult as ever; falling in love might be the simplest task on this year’s agenda.
Editor: sherlockelly. Who has been just as patient for this as the rest of you, thank you so much as always!
A/N: Please note that the good part of this probably wasn’t written by me, but sherlockelly, who wrote the section a while ago for this to be added into the story, and I needed to use it now, since my writer’s block had been rearing its ugly head.
| Chapter I | Chapter II | Chapter III | Chapter IV | Chapter V | Chapter VI | Chapter VII | Chapter VIII | Chapter IX | Chapter X | Chapter XI | Chapter XII | Chapter XIII | Chapter XIV | Chapter XV | Chapter XVI Part one | Chapter XVI Part two | Chapter XVII part one | Chapter XVII part two | Chapter XVIII | Chapter XVIII | Chapter XIX | Chapter XX | Chapter XXI | Chapter XXII | Chapter XXIII | Chapter XXIV | Chapter XXV | Chapter XXVI | Chapter XXVII | Chapter XXVIII | Chapter XXIX | Chapter XXX |
-Chapter XXXI-
Evgeni was lying on his side for a while, watching as every muscle in Joe’s face began to relax, waiting still until he was sure that the other man was truly asleep.
The shine of the outside world created a strip of washed out light peeking through the space were the curtains didn’t completely meet. It stretched out over the entire room, a sword cutting through the darkness, passing over Evgeni and Joe harmlessly, keeping the shadows at bay while they lied together, tangled in each other’s arms.
He blinked once, and then twice, biting his lip as a burst of foolish confidence rose within him as he stared at the serene face of the man he had become so attached to. Shifting back as to capture the entirety of Joe’s peaceful state in his vision, while his arms remained looped around the sturdy neck, Evgeni’s breath stopped short.
He didn’t know where this sudden rush of power and powerlessness that swept over him had come from. His limbs were cold, but his chest… his chest was burning. It was as if the sun had taken refuge in his heart, beating in time with his pulse as it became a part of him, instead of being the one to swallow Evgeni. He fed of the energy, the surge of warm, tingly bliss that he just wanted to bask in forever. He opened his mouth.
Evgeni didn’t know what he was going to say until he said it, but when it was whispered off his lips, he knew it was the truth. He didn’t know it was the truth until than, never even knew that it was a possibility. But there he was, speaking to himself while at the same time announcing it to the world; he wasn’t going to take it back.
“And I love yhou.”
When it was out, Evgeni hugged the warm body closer to him, not worried that Joe would leave, but simply because Joe was his sun, his everything, and holding that made Evgeni fall in love all over again, even though he wasn’t completely sure when he fell in love with Joe in the first place.
-----
Joe woke up later in daze, slightly confused as to which away city he was in this time. He was fairly acquainted with the different hotels they stayed in by now, but this one was a little too fancy for the usual low-budget NHL travel plans. Plus, upon looking down to inspect the heaviness on his chest, Joe was momentarily startled to find his goaltender curled up there.
At first, he couldn’t help but smile at the peaceful image, Evgeni nestled half on top of him like a cat. But after a second of processing, panic shot through Joe’s body and he tried to wriggle away, hoping that Patrick was still sleeping by the time he got back to their shared room. The shiny threads in the shirt Evgeni was sleeping in caught Joe’s eye, and suddenly everything from the night before crashed into him. He ceased his struggling and slumped right there, a shaky hand coming to rest over his eyes. His other hand, trapped under the Evgeni’s weight, pulled the man tighter to his body.
They were in San Francisco, and Devin had decided to take them to a gay bar when he found out, or confirmed rather, to Joe’s embarrassment, that he and Evgeni were seeing each other.
Then… things happened at the club, which carried over into the ride back to the hotel.
Just passing over the thoughts briefly proved to be dangerous, a flush of heat spreading to Joe’s crotch as he vividly remembered the lips wrapped around his cock, vibrating around him with the help of the moving car… Joe urged his brain to move faster, to stop thinking about that.
Okay. Joe shook the tempting images out of the forefront of his mind. So… when they got back to the room, that’s when he was hit by something, something so strong that it felt as if he’d been checked into the boards by a raging bull, or maybe Douglas. He’d been, in the simplest of terms, a dick recently. The rest of the evening was spent trying to fix everything that he’d messed up, to be the person that he had so wanted to be for Evgeni what seemed like ages ago. The man he almost lost.
After wetting his lips, Joe pressed a kiss to the crown of Evgeni’s head without any hesitation, relief still surging through his body at the fact that they didn’t need to be secret, not that night.
The other man sighed in his sleep, snuggling in closer to Joe’s warmth, his hands pawing aimlessly at the broad chest. Joe smiled wistfully, watching Evgeni in his peaceful state, recalling again what had transpired between them last night, the revelations.
He had wondered why Evgeni didn’t seem to be going through the same sexuality crisis that Joe was experiencing, on top of all the other difficulties in his life. Evgeni must have already accepted that he was gay, previously falling in love with a man before his relationship with Joe. A pang of unjust jealously at the thought of having to go through this inner turmoil on his own swelled in Joe’s throat before he pushed it back down. He really shouldn’t feel as if he got the shorter end of the stick on this one, given what Evgeni has already gone through. He could suck it up; not only for Evgeni, but for himself, too.
Because he wanted this. He really did.
Joe yawned when his exhaustion hit him, and he began to wonder why he woke from his slumber in the first place.
A muted crash and muttered swearing filtered in from the adjacent room, and Joe instantly understood that Devin was the reason. Closing his eyes, he allowed his ears to pick up what the other was saying, since it probably would prove to be entertaining.
“Total bs, man! They jus’ lef’ me there.”
There was a pause as Devin stomped around his room, clearly wasted. At first, Joe was a little uneasy, hoping that Devin wasn’t talking to someone he brought back to his hotel room.
“Hell no, ‘ey di’nt tell me shit!”
Joe sighed in relief, the silence clearly indicating Devin’s complaining on the phone. And probably with Torrey.
“Huh?………………. Naw………………. Hey! Fuck you, Torrey!………………. No! Noooo, no! Fuck you, fuck YOU, man, no!”
There’s a moment of silence and Joe can just imagine Torrey rolling his eyes, asking if Devin was finished yet.
“…Yeah. ’M s’rry………………. Yeah, miss you too.”
There was fwump of a body falling onto a bed, followed by snoring, Devin out cold already.
Joe laughed quietly, the bickering between the two young men proving to be enjoyable, just as he predicted. He glanced down to the top of Evgeni’s head, the man completely still except for the gentle rise and fall of his chest. He sort of wished that he shook the other awake to listen to Devin’s drunken state too, knowing that Evgeni would have enjoyed as much as he did, if not more. But Evgeni looked so serene in his sleep, and Joe was just as glad that he didn’t ruin his moment of peace.
He turned onto his side, facing Evgeni, and wrapped his arms tightly around the man’s waist, pulling the both of them flush together. There’s just a thin layer of clothing separating them, and Joe could feel the other man’s heartbeat against his chest.
He may not be an expert on this being gay thing yet, but god, it feels so right. He tried to swallow, but his throat had dried up. There’s a fluttering in his belly that made Joe feel all of fourteen years old again, trying to talk to his crush. It’s embarrassing, he remembered, but it made him feel accomplished, strong, and oh so mature back then. He’s feeling all that now… except not exactly.
He’s not sure that he has words to describe what he’s feeling, not even in his head. But it’s there, and it’s certainly not a bad feeling. It’s like… the rush and apprehension of heading into overtime, but this? It’s constant. The excitement to continue mixed equally with the chest tightening feeling of not knowing what was going to happen next? Yeah, that’s the closest to what he was feeling now.
Stroking the blond hair with the hand not pressed into the small of Evgeni’s back, Joe let the soft, barely-there snores overtake him, and soon he fell back to sleep.
-----
Late the next morning, the three teammates took a cab back to Devin’s car, parked right outside the abandoned club. Devin drove them back to San Jose, his earlier frustration gone, as if it was never there at all.
He asked if Joe and Evgeni had a good time on the ride home. Joe took Evgeni’s hand in his and smiled down at the man secretively. Evgeni jumped at the initial contact, staring at the hand holding his with wide-eyes, before training them on the face of the person sharing the backseat with him. Joe hoped that Evgeni saw the determination he had to make this, them right.
Blushing slightly under the intense look, Evgeni turned back to Devin and nodded his head. “Yeah, we dhid.”
Devin glanced back into the rear-view mirror, a smile in his eyes. “Great! I can take you-”
“I rheally don’t think that’s ghoing to happen,” Evgeni cut in sharply, the same mysterious smile on his face.
Joe laughed and squeezed Evgeni’s hand tighter. He wondered why he’d never really realized the man’s dry humor before. He couldn’t wait to hear more of it.
-----
They were about to drive back from Devin’s place when the thought hit Joe like another truck. There seemed to be a lot of those moments today.
“So…” Joe sniffed, his eyes landing on Evgeni. Devin had taken them back to his place, where his guests had arrived in Joe’s car. They’d exchanged goodbyes, and Evgeni led Joe back to their ride. Now, sitting in the driver’s seat of his car, Joe glanced over to Evgeni, huddled quietly on the seat next to him, staring out the frosted window and waiting for the car to start.
“I… was wondering,” he continued, thinking back on yesterday’s events, not quite sure how he was going to bring this up. “Ya said you liked Warren?” He phrased it like a question, hesitant to see how the other would react. He didn’t mean to be so abrupt about it, it just kind of tumbled out of Joe’s mouth that way.
Evgeni was quiet for a long minute. Joe could feel the air getting heavier on his skin as he waited, wishing that he never acted upon his curiosity in the first place. The other man sighed and broke the oppressive silence. Looking over, Joe could see Evgeni picking at his nails, inspecting his thumb with unnecessary scrutiny before shrugging. “Iya thought you should know.” His feet tucked up under his behind and his frame curled in on itself; the man seemed smaller than small in his seat, his admission out in the open.
“I’m glad,” Joe smiled hopefully, his shaking hand fisting before resting on Evgeni’s sagging shoulder. “Thatja told me.”
Evgeni unfurled a little bit, the clothes that he arrived to Devin’s in rustling under Joe’s fingers. “It didn’t seem right, keeping it from yhou,” he added, his voice growing stronger as confidence swelled within him. Evgeni looked to Joe, his blue-grey eyes sparkling. “Iya. Iya haven’t told anyone that before,” he licked his lips as nervousness flashed across his face, obviously worried that it was mistake to ever say it at all. “Yhou won’t tell anyone, please?” he whispered softly, hurriedly, his swallow audible in the thick tension in the air.
Leather seat squeaking as he leaned over, Joe moved his hand up from the clothed shoulder to the bare neck, the pulse fluttering under his fingertips. His eyes flickered down for a moment, catching Evgeni’s pink tongue swiping over the bottom lip, a trail of saliva shining in the hazy morning light. He tilted Evgeni’s head forward slowly, the man bending easily to his gentle touch, and he placed a kiss to the brow. He could feel the smooth skin wrinkle under his lips, Evgeni’s eyes probably widening at the action. Joe was a little taken aback, too, surprised at his own assertiveness.
He withdrew before he could even truly process what he had just done. Gulping audibly, the taste of Evgeni lingered at the corners of his mouth. Joe twirled the matted hair at the nape of the man’s neck in his fingers, the dull scratch of his nails brushing over the Evgeni’s scalp and pulling a satisfied purr from his throat.
“Promise,” Joe assured, his voice strong even though he was whispering. He knows he can do this.
Evgeni didn’t say anything at first, but his hand fists in the fabric of Joe’s shirt, keeping him from moving too far away. It’s quiet, and neither man dare to move much, something important being passed between them even in silence.
Joe’s bent awkwardly over the center console, his spine tweaking with a spark of pain, but he remained still, his eyes searching Evgeni’s for any sign that would give away what he was thinking.
Joe’s chest tightened when the moment settled, heavy on his shoulders. He’s growing anxious, unsure why the other man hasn’t said anything yet.
The grip on his shirt tightened, and Joe found himself curling even further over the hard leather, digging almost painfully into his side. But then Evgeni’s lips are on his and the pain melts away, all he can feel is the kiss.
Evgeni’s lips are a little chapped under his own, the rough on rough strangely comforting. Goosepimples rippled down Joe’s arms as he sighed, his hands cupping the back of Evgeni’s head and keeping them together, making whatever this was last longer.
All too soon, his lungs hungered for the relief of air and Joe had to pull back, his forehead resting against Evgeni’s.
“Thank yhou,” Evgeni sighed, the appreciation tangible in his voice as his hand fell away and slipped into his own lap.
Joe knew that Evgeni wasn’t just talking about that single promise. He meant now, thank you now, because Joe was with Evgeni, listening to him, actually listening, and trying to help. That’s what he was thankful for.
-----
The team was settling into their seats on the plane, waiting to get the Canadian trip over and done with already. Of course the atmosphere was amazing, and the sights were fantastic, but it was just such a long trip. That one, as well as the East Coast one. Sometimes it was easier just to stick with the hometown advantage.
“You excited fer the All-Star game?” Joe asked as he shuffled around in his stiff seat to put on his seat belt correctly. In his floundering, Joe kicked the seat in front of him. On accident of course. Ryane turned around with an accusing glare, throwing a balled up napkin at the man behind him who dared to kick the back of his seat. The crumbled paper bounced harmlessly off Joe’s shoulder, falling to the carpeted floor without a sound.
“Thanks Ryane,” Joe rolled his eyes.
“Watch yerself, Thornton,” Ryane growled, his lips twitching to hide his smile. They kept up the serious facial expressions to see who could keep it up the longest. Joe could feel Evgeni’s eyes on him, watching with interest to see what would happen next. Joe thought he was about to crack, the stare almost too much, but the man in front smirked first, and Ryane turned around. Joe and Evgeni shared a quiet laugh when they heard the man groan, before he asked to borrow Pav’s napkin in a hushed voice, since his water spilled into his lap when he tried to settle back into his seat.
Evgeni smiled in spite of his teammate, and cuddled in deeper into the blanket securely wrapped around his shoulders, sniffing and shaking his head before answering Joe’s earlier question. “The All-Star game? Dhon’t think I’m going this year.”
He laughed at the blank stare of disbelief over his Joe’s face.
“Wai-what?” Joe began to shake his head, not sure if he heard the other correctly. “Nuh-uh!” he mumbled dumbly, all sophisticated words and protestations falling short.
Evgeni cocked on eyebrow. “Have yhou seen the votes?”
“Totally. Rigged,” Joe finished without missing a beat, words suddenly coming easily to him. He knew that Giguere was beating Evgeni in the race for the last goaltender position in the West. His thoughts slipped out before he could stop them. “’M sorry, but he is not playin’ as good as you are right now.”
This time it was Evgeni’s turn to be confused. “Ahh… huh?”
Rolling his eyes, Joe made wild gesticulations with his hands, trying to emphasize his furious point as he flushed pink in the face. “A-uh-just, agh! No!” he protested like a spoiled child. He settled on huffing and slouching back in his seat, which earned himself a few curious glances from his teammates at his odd behavior.
Evgeni backed himself into the side of the plane, keen on getting away from the unpredictable trajectory of Joe’s flailing arms. “Iya don’t… understand,” Evgeni chuckled and settled back into his seat, his smile growing as he watched Joe wined himself up even tighter. He let out one of his unrestrained laughs, and Joe found himself calming at the sound. “Sorry I don’t fheel the same… anger yhou do about this.”
“But yer so good,” Joe whispered earnestly, his voice lowering as he leaned in close, his hand resting dangerously close to Evgeni’s covered thigh. He swallows and confesses the secret that had been festering in his stomach. “I wanted it t’be us again, like last year.”
He had been looking forward to spending a relaxing, nonstressful week in Montreal, much unlike the past few days. But what he was most excited about was spending that time with Evgeni. It might be the best alone time they could get during the season, and to have to face the incomprehensible possibility that the man might be there with him was disappointing, to say the least.
“Oh.” The blush dusting Evgeni’s cheeks renewed its heated embarrassed glow at the sudden praise, not expecting it to come about in the current conversation. He never liked being put on the spot, unless he was comfortable enough, which he usually wasn’t, not when he had to talk in one of his nonnative tongues or was in front of anyone other than Joe himself, he had realized.
He felt only a little bad, taking the time to get Evgeni all flustered now. But the moment was perfect, and he didn’t want to waste a chance to make the other man blush. “Yer the best, Yev,” Joe whispered even quieter, Evgeni straining to hear the man himself, even though he was breathing right up against his ear. “’N’ I’m gonna miss you.”
He flushed furiously, just as Joe expected, his eyes snapping to the back of Pavelski’s headrest, afraid that he’d turn even pinker if he saw Joe’s face so close to his own, whispering all those things that he hardly tolerated in the first place. Evgeni could hear his own swallow, the nerves twisting in his gut like an upset snake.
“Well I voted fer ya, at least,” Joe sighed, his smile audible in the way he was laughing his words, the man leaning back into his seat, arms coming to cross over his chest.
“Oh.” Evgeni played with the hands in his lap and sniffed. The plane begins to taxi down the runway, and Evgeni’s face was only getting redder.
Joe smiled and sighed, enjoying the teasing that got the man so uncomfortable. His thoughts paused when he thought about what had just flashed through his head. Boyfriend, his conscience spoke, he enjoyed watching his boyfriend get uncomfortable. But only when he did it.
He absentmindedly splayed his hand on Evgeni’s warm, dress pants clothed thigh, hidden under the blanket, as a reassurance that it was really real. The muscles under his palm jumped, and Joe could feel the subtle shifting as the other man tried to shake the hand off, paranoid that someone might see. But Joe knew that the blanket covered everything just fine, and that everyone was too preoccupied with their own conversations, uncaring of what was being exchanged between the two of them.
“Yhou know… I rheally don’t care if I don’t go. It’s okay.”
“Huh?”
Joe removed his hand from Evgeni’s leg so he could shift around and look the man in the eye properly. Evgeni moved around too, obviously intrigued by their change of conversation. The blanket rustled and pooled in the smaller man’s lap, but he didn’t move to tuck it back around his shoulders.
“It’s jhust one game. I whould only play one period. The only one game that is important is a game seven.” He must have seen the skeptical look etched on Joe’s face because he just laughed, a grin pulling at the corners of his lips.
“You dhon’t believe me!” It wasn’t a question; Evgeni knew what Joe was thinking. His smile widened. “I’m nhot just saying this to make me fheel better! Joe…” his voice softened as he was the one to place a comforting hand on the other man’s knee this time. “Really, I dhon’t mind.”
Joe furrowed his eyebrows and sunk back into his seat. “Well… I guess I hafta believe you fer now,” he huffed as he played with the blanket that fell off Evgeni’s body earlier.
Evgeni rolled his eyes and swatted the hand away playfully. “Joe,” he snapped almost as if saying ‘what am I going to do with you?’, and it was husky in his thick accent.
The near growl made Joe’s breath quicken, but he forced down the budding arousal, reminding himself there was a time and place for that. Not everything could be answered with sex, Joe reprimanded himself.
Man, this learning process was hard.
He’d never wanted something this badly before, that he’d change his inner workings for the other person. The same, but better. That thought made a tiny smile spread over Joe’s face, and instantly his usually insatiable sex-drive was quelled.
He was like a teenager all over again, re-teaching his body the ways of self-control. How just his name muttered in Evgeni’s Russian accent made Joe’s cock perk to attention was beyond him. But the man had that affect on him, be it good or bad timing.
For that moment, he managed to halt the erotic images of what the two of them could be doing, what they have done, and he settled back into his seat, completely soft instead. He was going to mean something to Evgeni, something more than just a body to turn to when he was lonely. Joe was going to be there all the time, dammit, through everything. He wanted this too.
They ended the heated debate there, as the lights turned off and forced the two to be quiet. But it still left Joe feeling something missing; this conversation wasn’t over.
-----
When they first landed in Calgary, the team’s first plan on the rigorous agenda was to go to the hotel and sleep. It was the night before the game against the Flames and the team was already exhausted.
The loss of the Sharks in a sea of red sweaters was bittersweet, but the two day break, with one day involving no hockey at all, excited Joe to no end. He told Evgeni he wanted to do something special, and he received a look of confusion before the man asked “What the hell has gotten into yhou?”
Joe was flat-out denied a dinner date, but his offer for breakfast was considered. When his first suggestion was shut down, Joe allowed himself to sigh in relief. He didn’t want that either. There were too many people in Canada who’d know they were famous hockey players. But breakfast was casual; Joe could do casual.
Evgeni could too, and he accepted the proposal of going out to breakfast via text message the day of.
Joe had asked if there was anywhere that Evgeni wanted to go, and the man replied without skipping a beat. “Tim Horton’s, lhet’s go.”
As they sat at a table, facing each other, both with a coffee and a doughnut, Joe asked again what Evgeni meant on the plane, about the All-Star game and not being offended that he wasn’t going.
A shy smile had crossed the man’s face when he said it. “In the end, doesn’t winning mhatter the most? No one would care if Iya go to the All-Star game bhut fail in the Playoffs. The other way is what Iya want. The All-Star game is a weekend. Yhour name on the Stanley Cup is fhorever.”
And Joe thinks he might understand.
-----
The back-to-back proved to be more eventful, the Sharks finding a way to win both, 4-1 against Edmonton and 4-2 against Vancouver that night. Evgeni didn’t play the last game, but Joe knows that not playing makes the man just as tired, no adrenaline from playing running through his veins to keep him awake. The team is heading home, and Joe can’t wait to be back in California.
He looked over to his right at Evgeni sleeping next to him, his mop of dirty blond hair splayed against the airplane window, leaving little paintbrush smears in the condensation on the glass.
It was a long flight back to San Jose and Evgeni had been out cold since the takeoff. Joe had played on his PSP with Marcel for about an hour before the German called from the front of the plane that he was going to sleep.
The cabin lights had been turned off not long after and one by one, Joe watched his teammates drift off, each anticipating the at long last and extremely welcome return to their own beds. The roadtrip wasn’t that long, but some trips definitely feel longer than others.
Todd cleared his throat gruffly from the seat in front of Joe. ‘Grunts even in his sleep,’ Joe rolled his eyes and pushed the recline button on his chair. He never did sleep well on planes and it was always frustrating to be the only one awake.
His gaze lands back on Evgeni, who had repositioned somewhat in the stiff seat. The tidy airplane blanket, crisp creases still visible, was draped over the goaltender’s shoulders and tucked behind him. Joe watched as the outline of the blanket rose and fell against the moonlit sky with each deep breath the sleeping man took.
Joe blinked slowly; maybe it wasn’t so bad being awake. Sitting there next to Evgeni, the window flap not entirely shut, Joe was taken back to what seemed like forever ago, when he was in this exact position.
What had he thought then? That the stars reminded him of the man’s eyes? Had he really? Joe thought it was poetic, but he’s not much of a poetic person so he can’t say for sure. Though he can’t deny the absolute clutch the stormy blue-grey eyes have on him, something he can’t control as they pull him in deeper. The growing bond had stopped for a while, when Joe stepped off the progressive track, but now, it seemed stronger than ever, and he was just looking at the slumbering man.
There was something calming about watching Evgeni sleep. He was even youthful in appearance while awake, but when he was sleeping, Joe was convinced that he could see the charming young athlete, just arrived Russia flickering through Evgeni’s pale skin. He was boisterous and proud, chosen to come to the States as one of only a few young men selected out of a generation of hopeful stars. Joe knew that his modesty would keep him from ever saying so aloud, but he knew that Evgeni took pride in his skill and his practice. He teased the man about it, complimenting him when he thought fit. Evgeni might be flustered under the focused attention, but he earned it every single time Joe praised him.
Modesty was one of many other reasons that attracted Joe to Evgeni so much, he assumed. Joe closed his eyes and thought back to the hotel room in San Francisco they’d been in not long ago, after the night with Devin. He recalled the way that he’d come up behind Evgeni as he stood in the mirror, scrubbing his face with a starched and bristly hotel washcloth. His cheeks were already pink from his efforts, but when Joe stepped up behind him, his open palm splayed warmly over the taut abdominal muscles of his teammate, a new hot blush bloomed across the Russian’s face and down his neck.
“I love how you smell,” Joe whispered into the crook of Evgeni’s neck, burying his nose in the warm skin. He was just clean, out of the shower after washing off the remnants of sweat and sex. There was soap on his skin, fresh and sharp, but not nearly enough to mask the scent that clung to Evgeni, like a fog following him. It was warm and heavy, and so much more. It was things smells couldn’t be, but it was, and it was intoxicating.
He knew the focused attention made the man flush pink, even despite the fact that his ears were one of the more sensitive parts on his body, guaranteed to flush his face when they were paid even the least bit of attention. But there was just something about his gracious glow that came with the center’s flattery. Joe never could resist seeing the reaction that his praises had on Evgeni.
Joe recalled how he’d watched the goosebumps raise along Evgeni’s arms as a shiver ran through his bones.
He opened his eyes slowly and sighed as he took in his surroundings. They were still on this plane and would be for a while. Joe readjusted his hips awkwardly in his seat, trying to relieve some of the pressure of his burgeoning erection. Even thinking about Evgeni’s blush was enough to elicit a reaction. Joe knows that this one isn’t going away, not this time.
He settled himself back down, mentally scolding himself for putting those thoughts in his head when he had little opportunity to do anything about them for some time. He glanced back to the man next to him, startled to find the piercing, swirling eyes staring back at him with curiosity.
Joe froze as if he’d been caught red-handed, though doing what he didn’t know. He watched as Evgeni’s eyes, still clouded with sleep, searched his face for some clue to his thoughts. The goaltender’s eyes roamed freely down Joe’s chest and stomach, pausing hungrily on the noticeable tent in the center’s pants.
Joe bit back a moan at the greedy glint in Evgeni’s eye. He knew that the stare was not helping his predicament but he couldn’t tell the man to stop.
Joe watched as Evgeni pulled one of his hands from underneath the blanket and ran his fingers through is hair. Clumps stood up in strange places, damp still from the condensation on the window, and Joe resisted the urge to reach out and smooth them back into place.
He settled instead on leaning in toward the window, pretending to look at the city lights flickering miles below, and whispered hotly into the few inches of space separating their faces.
He couldn’t wait, not this time. Not when Evgeni wanted it to. “I want you, Yev.” The words inhabited the air around them like an impenetrable bubble, wrapping in and around Joe’s body like a warm bath. He knew that once he said them, there was no readjusting and going back to sleep. He wanted this with the same ferocity that he wanted to win every game he played in, and when Joe Thornton wanted, did not wait.
As he leaned back to occupy his own seat, he flipped up the armrest between two and let his hand sprawl across Evgeni’s thigh. Like the plane ride to Canada, but so different. No playing games, no teasing; he was serious.
Evgeni looked intrigued, but undeniably nervous. “Joe, we can’t. There are people here.”
“They’re all asleep,” Joe looked around quickly to confirm that indeed, all of the individual reading lights were off, no blue glowing PSP screen illuminated faces, and the only sign of life from the plane was the deep humming from the engines, vibrating the cabin in a frantic rhythm, which, in his current state, Joe noted, felt amazing riding up and down the length of his dick.
“Bhut coach is right there,” Evgeni’s voice dropped to something below a whisper as he indicated the tufts of salt-and-pepper hair sticking up above the top of the leather seat.
Joe snaked his hand under the navy blue blanket covering Evgeni’s lap and began working on the button of his jeans.
“You can be quiet, Yev, I know you can,” Joe pulled the zipper down slowly, the sound barely audible over the ambience of the plane. “Just help me with your pants.”
Evgeni bit his lip but did as he was told, melting when he heard the shortened version of his name. He shifted only slightly as he expertly tugged his jeans and boxers-briefs down to his knees. Joe watched hungrily as the movement under the blanket stilled, the fabric now tented from Evgeni’s erection.
Joe nodded appreciatively as Evgeni’s eyes closed tightly when he finally wrapped his fingers around his boyfriend’s cock and pulled slightly.
He wanted to aim for a bit more build up, however, the excitement of the plane, the prospect of being caught by anyone at any time, and the knowledge that Evgeni wanted Joe as much as he wanted Evgeni were not conducive to patience and foreplay.
Joe alternated his attention from Evgeni’s face, contorted in extreme efforts to remain silent, and the movement of his hand beneath the blanket, obvious to anyone if they were awake and looked over what was happening.
He watched as Evgeni sucked his lower lip between his teeth and bit down to quiet himself.
“‘Ere ya go,” Joe purred softly into Evgeni’s ear, “shh.” He tightened his fist around the length of Evgeni’s cock and squeezed gently, keeping with the slow strokes. He could feel Evgeni thrusting his hips up helplessly, searching for more speed.
Evgeni’s hand found its way to Joe’s thigh and Joe felt his fingers digging into the denim-clad skin. He kneaded the flesh languidly as his eyes stayed screwed shut.
“Gotta stay still,” Joe leaned in until his lips were brushing against the shell of Evgeni’s ear. He felt the smaller man nod his consent and the movement of his hips stilled. The man tilts his head away, giving Joe’s lips more room, and the entire flushed column of skin is almost too much for Joe to take in.
Pressing his lips to the underside of the jaw, Joe can feel the man twitch beneath him and hold back a gasp for more. “If ya want me to go faster you gotta just tell me,” he smirked into Evgeni’s blushing skin, knowing full well he was baiting the man to keep quiet and yet demanding that he speak.
He felt Evgeni’s fingers dig harder and deeper into his leg, a silent plea for release.
Joe moved his hand only a bit faster, ghosting his thumb across the sensitive tip of Evgeni’s swollen penis. He felt the goaltender jerk his hips once in a moment of lost control but quickly regain his self-possession.
“’At’s it,” Joe grazed the tip once more and smiled as Evgeni stayed still and quiet, but he could feel the man’s death grip on his thigh grow ever stronger.
Each pass of his palm over the smooth, hot shaft made Joe’s insides curl. This man, the one who night in and night out stood with so much composure and smugness in front of the net, unafraid of ninety mile-an-hour pucks being launched at his face, with nothing more than this simple movement of his hand, Joe could watch Evgeni’s poise crumble, his carefully constructed barrier fall. Joe was the one that he trusted to see him like this, Joe was the only one allowed to enter into his private world where he could be vulnerable and afraid.
“Open yer eyes,” Joe nudged Evgeni’s temple with his nose, encouraging him to look.
Evgeni’s eyes opened to tiny slits as he turned to face Joe. His lips were slightly parted and his breath was ragged and warm. Joe took in his features: pink cheeks, damp brow, lidded eyes and swollen lips. He wished they weren’t on the plane. Danger and excitement be damned, Joe wanted to hear Evgeni’s pleasure as his hand stroked him harder, rougher.
He dropped his eyes down to the goaltender’s lap where the quick movements of his fingers and wrist were outlined through the blanket. With a quick nod, he encouraged Evgeni to watch as well. Joe heard him swallow hard at the sight, the whine is his throat music to Joe’s ears.
“See that? God,” Joe’s voice caught in his throat as he increased his movements and watched the shadows of Evgeni’s pleasure seeping through the thin blankets, “You see how perfect we are?”
Joe buried his nose in the space behind Evgeni’s ear, sucking the earlobe into his mouth as he encouraged the goaltender to keep watching his hand. Joe could feel that he was close, his dick getting harder and slicker as pre-come clung to his fingers and eased his motions even more.
Once more, Joe ran the pad of this thumb across the head and his fingers along the sensitive underside. Evgeni’s fingers loosened their grip on his leg suddenly, replaced the pressure of his palm, pushing down hard as his body jerked with an all-over tightness.
“Shhh,” the vibration of his voice twitched in Evgeni’s ear. Joe felt the strong pulse of Evgeni’s orgasm in his palm, the sticky hot liquid trailing down over his fist. He continued to pump with his hand as each ribbon of come was finally released.
Evgeni lifted his hand from Joe’s thigh and placed on top the blanket, stilling all further movements. Joe pressed a kiss to the flushed skin along Evgeni’s hairline, behind his ear. He smelled like sweat and soap and spices that Joe didn’t have a name for. He loved that smell.
“I think you’re gonna need to get a new blanket,” Joe nipped once again at ear and smiled when he heard the low, guttural laugh rise from within the goaltender’s chest.
Joe allowed Evgeni to pull his pants back up before he removed their covering, wiping his hand on the stiff fabric and crumpling it into a ball, to be shoved under the seat in front of him, Todd’s seat.
He pulled out the blanket he’d been given, still inside its plastic bag, from the seatback pocket and handed it to the man on his right. Evgeni’s still-shaking hands reached gratefully for the offering.
Before the two could even consider a moment’s rest, there’s rustling from behind them.
“Looks like somebody’s in the mile-high club,” a voice sang from behind their row, nearly startling both Evgeni and Joe out of their skins.
Whipping his head around, Joe came face to face with Devin, a shit-eating smile on the young man’s face. He blanched, unsure of what to do, being caught red-handed… well, not necessarily ‘red’ as more white per say, but caught nonetheless.
“Um, ah…” Joe searched for words to say, a blush rising to his cheeks. This was a very, very unwanted event, but in a twisted way, Joe had to thank some higher power that if anyone was to catch them, it was Devin. At the same time, Joe became even more embarrassed that Devin had caught them in the act twice.
Devin crooked a brow at the many different types of emotion flashing across Joe’s face, his puffy lips curling into a smirk. “Hey, woah there, buddy!”
Joe stopped his pathetic grunts looking for the right words to say and scowled. Just because Devin was his teammate, it didn’t mean that they were always “buddies”. Like now. Especially now.
Devin waved off the glare with a shrug, unfazed. “I’ve seen you to do worse, trust me.”
Joe didn’t know what to say to this. It was true. He grunted and thought mean things about the sophomore, turning back around in his seat. Apparently his deed was done, for Devin didn’t bother them again. Joe sighed, running a hand through his hair to calm himself. The surprise had killed his arousal, that’s for sure.
He felt the blanket poking at his hand before he saw it, and when he looked down, the corner of the fabric is engulfing the hand, quickly followed by warm fingers. Evgeni was smiling secretively to Joe when they catch each other’s eyes, and Joe couldn’t help but smile back, despite the disturbance.
Leaning back into his seat, Joe found himself yawning. He fell asleep like that, with Evgeni’s hand in his, warm and reassuring.
-----
To be continued
-----
So… hey there guys, does anyone remember me? Sorry his took so long, but… yeah I’ve just been writing other things so I don’t really have a good excuse :( But I do have a new chapter, just in time for the holiday season.
Also, Kelly wrote the handjob on the plane part, no gonna take credit for that work of art. Though I did tweak it so it could fit smoothly.
Please review! I love them :)
Pairing: Joe Thornton/Evgeni Nabokov
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Not all in San Jose is sunny as the path to the Stanley Cup proves to be as difficult as ever; falling in love might be the simplest task on this year’s agenda.
Editor: sherlockelly. Who has been just as patient for this as the rest of you, thank you so much as always!
A/N: Please note that the good part of this probably wasn’t written by me, but sherlockelly, who wrote the section a while ago for this to be added into the story, and I needed to use it now, since my writer’s block had been rearing its ugly head.
| Chapter I | Chapter II | Chapter III | Chapter IV | Chapter V | Chapter VI | Chapter VII | Chapter VIII | Chapter IX | Chapter X | Chapter XI | Chapter XII | Chapter XIII | Chapter XIV | Chapter XV | Chapter XVI Part one | Chapter XVI Part two | Chapter XVII part one | Chapter XVII part two | Chapter XVIII | Chapter XVIII | Chapter XIX | Chapter XX | Chapter XXI | Chapter XXII | Chapter XXIII | Chapter XXIV | Chapter XXV | Chapter XXVI | Chapter XXVII | Chapter XXVIII | Chapter XXIX | Chapter XXX |
-Chapter XXXI-
Evgeni was lying on his side for a while, watching as every muscle in Joe’s face began to relax, waiting still until he was sure that the other man was truly asleep.
The shine of the outside world created a strip of washed out light peeking through the space were the curtains didn’t completely meet. It stretched out over the entire room, a sword cutting through the darkness, passing over Evgeni and Joe harmlessly, keeping the shadows at bay while they lied together, tangled in each other’s arms.
He blinked once, and then twice, biting his lip as a burst of foolish confidence rose within him as he stared at the serene face of the man he had become so attached to. Shifting back as to capture the entirety of Joe’s peaceful state in his vision, while his arms remained looped around the sturdy neck, Evgeni’s breath stopped short.
He didn’t know where this sudden rush of power and powerlessness that swept over him had come from. His limbs were cold, but his chest… his chest was burning. It was as if the sun had taken refuge in his heart, beating in time with his pulse as it became a part of him, instead of being the one to swallow Evgeni. He fed of the energy, the surge of warm, tingly bliss that he just wanted to bask in forever. He opened his mouth.
Evgeni didn’t know what he was going to say until he said it, but when it was whispered off his lips, he knew it was the truth. He didn’t know it was the truth until than, never even knew that it was a possibility. But there he was, speaking to himself while at the same time announcing it to the world; he wasn’t going to take it back.
“And I love yhou.”
When it was out, Evgeni hugged the warm body closer to him, not worried that Joe would leave, but simply because Joe was his sun, his everything, and holding that made Evgeni fall in love all over again, even though he wasn’t completely sure when he fell in love with Joe in the first place.
-----
Joe woke up later in daze, slightly confused as to which away city he was in this time. He was fairly acquainted with the different hotels they stayed in by now, but this one was a little too fancy for the usual low-budget NHL travel plans. Plus, upon looking down to inspect the heaviness on his chest, Joe was momentarily startled to find his goaltender curled up there.
At first, he couldn’t help but smile at the peaceful image, Evgeni nestled half on top of him like a cat. But after a second of processing, panic shot through Joe’s body and he tried to wriggle away, hoping that Patrick was still sleeping by the time he got back to their shared room. The shiny threads in the shirt Evgeni was sleeping in caught Joe’s eye, and suddenly everything from the night before crashed into him. He ceased his struggling and slumped right there, a shaky hand coming to rest over his eyes. His other hand, trapped under the Evgeni’s weight, pulled the man tighter to his body.
They were in San Francisco, and Devin had decided to take them to a gay bar when he found out, or confirmed rather, to Joe’s embarrassment, that he and Evgeni were seeing each other.
Then… things happened at the club, which carried over into the ride back to the hotel.
Just passing over the thoughts briefly proved to be dangerous, a flush of heat spreading to Joe’s crotch as he vividly remembered the lips wrapped around his cock, vibrating around him with the help of the moving car… Joe urged his brain to move faster, to stop thinking about that.
Okay. Joe shook the tempting images out of the forefront of his mind. So… when they got back to the room, that’s when he was hit by something, something so strong that it felt as if he’d been checked into the boards by a raging bull, or maybe Douglas. He’d been, in the simplest of terms, a dick recently. The rest of the evening was spent trying to fix everything that he’d messed up, to be the person that he had so wanted to be for Evgeni what seemed like ages ago. The man he almost lost.
After wetting his lips, Joe pressed a kiss to the crown of Evgeni’s head without any hesitation, relief still surging through his body at the fact that they didn’t need to be secret, not that night.
The other man sighed in his sleep, snuggling in closer to Joe’s warmth, his hands pawing aimlessly at the broad chest. Joe smiled wistfully, watching Evgeni in his peaceful state, recalling again what had transpired between them last night, the revelations.
He had wondered why Evgeni didn’t seem to be going through the same sexuality crisis that Joe was experiencing, on top of all the other difficulties in his life. Evgeni must have already accepted that he was gay, previously falling in love with a man before his relationship with Joe. A pang of unjust jealously at the thought of having to go through this inner turmoil on his own swelled in Joe’s throat before he pushed it back down. He really shouldn’t feel as if he got the shorter end of the stick on this one, given what Evgeni has already gone through. He could suck it up; not only for Evgeni, but for himself, too.
Because he wanted this. He really did.
Joe yawned when his exhaustion hit him, and he began to wonder why he woke from his slumber in the first place.
A muted crash and muttered swearing filtered in from the adjacent room, and Joe instantly understood that Devin was the reason. Closing his eyes, he allowed his ears to pick up what the other was saying, since it probably would prove to be entertaining.
“Total bs, man! They jus’ lef’ me there.”
There was a pause as Devin stomped around his room, clearly wasted. At first, Joe was a little uneasy, hoping that Devin wasn’t talking to someone he brought back to his hotel room.
“Hell no, ‘ey di’nt tell me shit!”
Joe sighed in relief, the silence clearly indicating Devin’s complaining on the phone. And probably with Torrey.
“Huh?………………. Naw………………. Hey! Fuck you, Torrey!………………. No! Noooo, no! Fuck you, fuck YOU, man, no!”
There’s a moment of silence and Joe can just imagine Torrey rolling his eyes, asking if Devin was finished yet.
“…Yeah. ’M s’rry………………. Yeah, miss you too.”
There was fwump of a body falling onto a bed, followed by snoring, Devin out cold already.
Joe laughed quietly, the bickering between the two young men proving to be enjoyable, just as he predicted. He glanced down to the top of Evgeni’s head, the man completely still except for the gentle rise and fall of his chest. He sort of wished that he shook the other awake to listen to Devin’s drunken state too, knowing that Evgeni would have enjoyed as much as he did, if not more. But Evgeni looked so serene in his sleep, and Joe was just as glad that he didn’t ruin his moment of peace.
He turned onto his side, facing Evgeni, and wrapped his arms tightly around the man’s waist, pulling the both of them flush together. There’s just a thin layer of clothing separating them, and Joe could feel the other man’s heartbeat against his chest.
He may not be an expert on this being gay thing yet, but god, it feels so right. He tried to swallow, but his throat had dried up. There’s a fluttering in his belly that made Joe feel all of fourteen years old again, trying to talk to his crush. It’s embarrassing, he remembered, but it made him feel accomplished, strong, and oh so mature back then. He’s feeling all that now… except not exactly.
He’s not sure that he has words to describe what he’s feeling, not even in his head. But it’s there, and it’s certainly not a bad feeling. It’s like… the rush and apprehension of heading into overtime, but this? It’s constant. The excitement to continue mixed equally with the chest tightening feeling of not knowing what was going to happen next? Yeah, that’s the closest to what he was feeling now.
Stroking the blond hair with the hand not pressed into the small of Evgeni’s back, Joe let the soft, barely-there snores overtake him, and soon he fell back to sleep.
-----
Late the next morning, the three teammates took a cab back to Devin’s car, parked right outside the abandoned club. Devin drove them back to San Jose, his earlier frustration gone, as if it was never there at all.
He asked if Joe and Evgeni had a good time on the ride home. Joe took Evgeni’s hand in his and smiled down at the man secretively. Evgeni jumped at the initial contact, staring at the hand holding his with wide-eyes, before training them on the face of the person sharing the backseat with him. Joe hoped that Evgeni saw the determination he had to make this, them right.
Blushing slightly under the intense look, Evgeni turned back to Devin and nodded his head. “Yeah, we dhid.”
Devin glanced back into the rear-view mirror, a smile in his eyes. “Great! I can take you-”
“I rheally don’t think that’s ghoing to happen,” Evgeni cut in sharply, the same mysterious smile on his face.
Joe laughed and squeezed Evgeni’s hand tighter. He wondered why he’d never really realized the man’s dry humor before. He couldn’t wait to hear more of it.
-----
They were about to drive back from Devin’s place when the thought hit Joe like another truck. There seemed to be a lot of those moments today.
“So…” Joe sniffed, his eyes landing on Evgeni. Devin had taken them back to his place, where his guests had arrived in Joe’s car. They’d exchanged goodbyes, and Evgeni led Joe back to their ride. Now, sitting in the driver’s seat of his car, Joe glanced over to Evgeni, huddled quietly on the seat next to him, staring out the frosted window and waiting for the car to start.
“I… was wondering,” he continued, thinking back on yesterday’s events, not quite sure how he was going to bring this up. “Ya said you liked Warren?” He phrased it like a question, hesitant to see how the other would react. He didn’t mean to be so abrupt about it, it just kind of tumbled out of Joe’s mouth that way.
Evgeni was quiet for a long minute. Joe could feel the air getting heavier on his skin as he waited, wishing that he never acted upon his curiosity in the first place. The other man sighed and broke the oppressive silence. Looking over, Joe could see Evgeni picking at his nails, inspecting his thumb with unnecessary scrutiny before shrugging. “Iya thought you should know.” His feet tucked up under his behind and his frame curled in on itself; the man seemed smaller than small in his seat, his admission out in the open.
“I’m glad,” Joe smiled hopefully, his shaking hand fisting before resting on Evgeni’s sagging shoulder. “Thatja told me.”
Evgeni unfurled a little bit, the clothes that he arrived to Devin’s in rustling under Joe’s fingers. “It didn’t seem right, keeping it from yhou,” he added, his voice growing stronger as confidence swelled within him. Evgeni looked to Joe, his blue-grey eyes sparkling. “Iya. Iya haven’t told anyone that before,” he licked his lips as nervousness flashed across his face, obviously worried that it was mistake to ever say it at all. “Yhou won’t tell anyone, please?” he whispered softly, hurriedly, his swallow audible in the thick tension in the air.
Leather seat squeaking as he leaned over, Joe moved his hand up from the clothed shoulder to the bare neck, the pulse fluttering under his fingertips. His eyes flickered down for a moment, catching Evgeni’s pink tongue swiping over the bottom lip, a trail of saliva shining in the hazy morning light. He tilted Evgeni’s head forward slowly, the man bending easily to his gentle touch, and he placed a kiss to the brow. He could feel the smooth skin wrinkle under his lips, Evgeni’s eyes probably widening at the action. Joe was a little taken aback, too, surprised at his own assertiveness.
He withdrew before he could even truly process what he had just done. Gulping audibly, the taste of Evgeni lingered at the corners of his mouth. Joe twirled the matted hair at the nape of the man’s neck in his fingers, the dull scratch of his nails brushing over the Evgeni’s scalp and pulling a satisfied purr from his throat.
“Promise,” Joe assured, his voice strong even though he was whispering. He knows he can do this.
Evgeni didn’t say anything at first, but his hand fists in the fabric of Joe’s shirt, keeping him from moving too far away. It’s quiet, and neither man dare to move much, something important being passed between them even in silence.
Joe’s bent awkwardly over the center console, his spine tweaking with a spark of pain, but he remained still, his eyes searching Evgeni’s for any sign that would give away what he was thinking.
Joe’s chest tightened when the moment settled, heavy on his shoulders. He’s growing anxious, unsure why the other man hasn’t said anything yet.
The grip on his shirt tightened, and Joe found himself curling even further over the hard leather, digging almost painfully into his side. But then Evgeni’s lips are on his and the pain melts away, all he can feel is the kiss.
Evgeni’s lips are a little chapped under his own, the rough on rough strangely comforting. Goosepimples rippled down Joe’s arms as he sighed, his hands cupping the back of Evgeni’s head and keeping them together, making whatever this was last longer.
All too soon, his lungs hungered for the relief of air and Joe had to pull back, his forehead resting against Evgeni’s.
“Thank yhou,” Evgeni sighed, the appreciation tangible in his voice as his hand fell away and slipped into his own lap.
Joe knew that Evgeni wasn’t just talking about that single promise. He meant now, thank you now, because Joe was with Evgeni, listening to him, actually listening, and trying to help. That’s what he was thankful for.
-----
The team was settling into their seats on the plane, waiting to get the Canadian trip over and done with already. Of course the atmosphere was amazing, and the sights were fantastic, but it was just such a long trip. That one, as well as the East Coast one. Sometimes it was easier just to stick with the hometown advantage.
“You excited fer the All-Star game?” Joe asked as he shuffled around in his stiff seat to put on his seat belt correctly. In his floundering, Joe kicked the seat in front of him. On accident of course. Ryane turned around with an accusing glare, throwing a balled up napkin at the man behind him who dared to kick the back of his seat. The crumbled paper bounced harmlessly off Joe’s shoulder, falling to the carpeted floor without a sound.
“Thanks Ryane,” Joe rolled his eyes.
“Watch yerself, Thornton,” Ryane growled, his lips twitching to hide his smile. They kept up the serious facial expressions to see who could keep it up the longest. Joe could feel Evgeni’s eyes on him, watching with interest to see what would happen next. Joe thought he was about to crack, the stare almost too much, but the man in front smirked first, and Ryane turned around. Joe and Evgeni shared a quiet laugh when they heard the man groan, before he asked to borrow Pav’s napkin in a hushed voice, since his water spilled into his lap when he tried to settle back into his seat.
Evgeni smiled in spite of his teammate, and cuddled in deeper into the blanket securely wrapped around his shoulders, sniffing and shaking his head before answering Joe’s earlier question. “The All-Star game? Dhon’t think I’m going this year.”
He laughed at the blank stare of disbelief over his Joe’s face.
“Wai-what?” Joe began to shake his head, not sure if he heard the other correctly. “Nuh-uh!” he mumbled dumbly, all sophisticated words and protestations falling short.
Evgeni cocked on eyebrow. “Have yhou seen the votes?”
“Totally. Rigged,” Joe finished without missing a beat, words suddenly coming easily to him. He knew that Giguere was beating Evgeni in the race for the last goaltender position in the West. His thoughts slipped out before he could stop them. “’M sorry, but he is not playin’ as good as you are right now.”
This time it was Evgeni’s turn to be confused. “Ahh… huh?”
Rolling his eyes, Joe made wild gesticulations with his hands, trying to emphasize his furious point as he flushed pink in the face. “A-uh-just, agh! No!” he protested like a spoiled child. He settled on huffing and slouching back in his seat, which earned himself a few curious glances from his teammates at his odd behavior.
Evgeni backed himself into the side of the plane, keen on getting away from the unpredictable trajectory of Joe’s flailing arms. “Iya don’t… understand,” Evgeni chuckled and settled back into his seat, his smile growing as he watched Joe wined himself up even tighter. He let out one of his unrestrained laughs, and Joe found himself calming at the sound. “Sorry I don’t fheel the same… anger yhou do about this.”
“But yer so good,” Joe whispered earnestly, his voice lowering as he leaned in close, his hand resting dangerously close to Evgeni’s covered thigh. He swallows and confesses the secret that had been festering in his stomach. “I wanted it t’be us again, like last year.”
He had been looking forward to spending a relaxing, nonstressful week in Montreal, much unlike the past few days. But what he was most excited about was spending that time with Evgeni. It might be the best alone time they could get during the season, and to have to face the incomprehensible possibility that the man might be there with him was disappointing, to say the least.
“Oh.” The blush dusting Evgeni’s cheeks renewed its heated embarrassed glow at the sudden praise, not expecting it to come about in the current conversation. He never liked being put on the spot, unless he was comfortable enough, which he usually wasn’t, not when he had to talk in one of his nonnative tongues or was in front of anyone other than Joe himself, he had realized.
He felt only a little bad, taking the time to get Evgeni all flustered now. But the moment was perfect, and he didn’t want to waste a chance to make the other man blush. “Yer the best, Yev,” Joe whispered even quieter, Evgeni straining to hear the man himself, even though he was breathing right up against his ear. “’N’ I’m gonna miss you.”
He flushed furiously, just as Joe expected, his eyes snapping to the back of Pavelski’s headrest, afraid that he’d turn even pinker if he saw Joe’s face so close to his own, whispering all those things that he hardly tolerated in the first place. Evgeni could hear his own swallow, the nerves twisting in his gut like an upset snake.
“Well I voted fer ya, at least,” Joe sighed, his smile audible in the way he was laughing his words, the man leaning back into his seat, arms coming to cross over his chest.
“Oh.” Evgeni played with the hands in his lap and sniffed. The plane begins to taxi down the runway, and Evgeni’s face was only getting redder.
Joe smiled and sighed, enjoying the teasing that got the man so uncomfortable. His thoughts paused when he thought about what had just flashed through his head. Boyfriend, his conscience spoke, he enjoyed watching his boyfriend get uncomfortable. But only when he did it.
He absentmindedly splayed his hand on Evgeni’s warm, dress pants clothed thigh, hidden under the blanket, as a reassurance that it was really real. The muscles under his palm jumped, and Joe could feel the subtle shifting as the other man tried to shake the hand off, paranoid that someone might see. But Joe knew that the blanket covered everything just fine, and that everyone was too preoccupied with their own conversations, uncaring of what was being exchanged between the two of them.
“Yhou know… I rheally don’t care if I don’t go. It’s okay.”
“Huh?”
Joe removed his hand from Evgeni’s leg so he could shift around and look the man in the eye properly. Evgeni moved around too, obviously intrigued by their change of conversation. The blanket rustled and pooled in the smaller man’s lap, but he didn’t move to tuck it back around his shoulders.
“It’s jhust one game. I whould only play one period. The only one game that is important is a game seven.” He must have seen the skeptical look etched on Joe’s face because he just laughed, a grin pulling at the corners of his lips.
“You dhon’t believe me!” It wasn’t a question; Evgeni knew what Joe was thinking. His smile widened. “I’m nhot just saying this to make me fheel better! Joe…” his voice softened as he was the one to place a comforting hand on the other man’s knee this time. “Really, I dhon’t mind.”
Joe furrowed his eyebrows and sunk back into his seat. “Well… I guess I hafta believe you fer now,” he huffed as he played with the blanket that fell off Evgeni’s body earlier.
Evgeni rolled his eyes and swatted the hand away playfully. “Joe,” he snapped almost as if saying ‘what am I going to do with you?’, and it was husky in his thick accent.
The near growl made Joe’s breath quicken, but he forced down the budding arousal, reminding himself there was a time and place for that. Not everything could be answered with sex, Joe reprimanded himself.
Man, this learning process was hard.
He’d never wanted something this badly before, that he’d change his inner workings for the other person. The same, but better. That thought made a tiny smile spread over Joe’s face, and instantly his usually insatiable sex-drive was quelled.
He was like a teenager all over again, re-teaching his body the ways of self-control. How just his name muttered in Evgeni’s Russian accent made Joe’s cock perk to attention was beyond him. But the man had that affect on him, be it good or bad timing.
For that moment, he managed to halt the erotic images of what the two of them could be doing, what they have done, and he settled back into his seat, completely soft instead. He was going to mean something to Evgeni, something more than just a body to turn to when he was lonely. Joe was going to be there all the time, dammit, through everything. He wanted this too.
They ended the heated debate there, as the lights turned off and forced the two to be quiet. But it still left Joe feeling something missing; this conversation wasn’t over.
-----
When they first landed in Calgary, the team’s first plan on the rigorous agenda was to go to the hotel and sleep. It was the night before the game against the Flames and the team was already exhausted.
The loss of the Sharks in a sea of red sweaters was bittersweet, but the two day break, with one day involving no hockey at all, excited Joe to no end. He told Evgeni he wanted to do something special, and he received a look of confusion before the man asked “What the hell has gotten into yhou?”
Joe was flat-out denied a dinner date, but his offer for breakfast was considered. When his first suggestion was shut down, Joe allowed himself to sigh in relief. He didn’t want that either. There were too many people in Canada who’d know they were famous hockey players. But breakfast was casual; Joe could do casual.
Evgeni could too, and he accepted the proposal of going out to breakfast via text message the day of.
Joe had asked if there was anywhere that Evgeni wanted to go, and the man replied without skipping a beat. “Tim Horton’s, lhet’s go.”
As they sat at a table, facing each other, both with a coffee and a doughnut, Joe asked again what Evgeni meant on the plane, about the All-Star game and not being offended that he wasn’t going.
A shy smile had crossed the man’s face when he said it. “In the end, doesn’t winning mhatter the most? No one would care if Iya go to the All-Star game bhut fail in the Playoffs. The other way is what Iya want. The All-Star game is a weekend. Yhour name on the Stanley Cup is fhorever.”
And Joe thinks he might understand.
-----
The back-to-back proved to be more eventful, the Sharks finding a way to win both, 4-1 against Edmonton and 4-2 against Vancouver that night. Evgeni didn’t play the last game, but Joe knows that not playing makes the man just as tired, no adrenaline from playing running through his veins to keep him awake. The team is heading home, and Joe can’t wait to be back in California.
He looked over to his right at Evgeni sleeping next to him, his mop of dirty blond hair splayed against the airplane window, leaving little paintbrush smears in the condensation on the glass.
It was a long flight back to San Jose and Evgeni had been out cold since the takeoff. Joe had played on his PSP with Marcel for about an hour before the German called from the front of the plane that he was going to sleep.
The cabin lights had been turned off not long after and one by one, Joe watched his teammates drift off, each anticipating the at long last and extremely welcome return to their own beds. The roadtrip wasn’t that long, but some trips definitely feel longer than others.
Todd cleared his throat gruffly from the seat in front of Joe. ‘Grunts even in his sleep,’ Joe rolled his eyes and pushed the recline button on his chair. He never did sleep well on planes and it was always frustrating to be the only one awake.
His gaze lands back on Evgeni, who had repositioned somewhat in the stiff seat. The tidy airplane blanket, crisp creases still visible, was draped over the goaltender’s shoulders and tucked behind him. Joe watched as the outline of the blanket rose and fell against the moonlit sky with each deep breath the sleeping man took.
Joe blinked slowly; maybe it wasn’t so bad being awake. Sitting there next to Evgeni, the window flap not entirely shut, Joe was taken back to what seemed like forever ago, when he was in this exact position.
What had he thought then? That the stars reminded him of the man’s eyes? Had he really? Joe thought it was poetic, but he’s not much of a poetic person so he can’t say for sure. Though he can’t deny the absolute clutch the stormy blue-grey eyes have on him, something he can’t control as they pull him in deeper. The growing bond had stopped for a while, when Joe stepped off the progressive track, but now, it seemed stronger than ever, and he was just looking at the slumbering man.
There was something calming about watching Evgeni sleep. He was even youthful in appearance while awake, but when he was sleeping, Joe was convinced that he could see the charming young athlete, just arrived Russia flickering through Evgeni’s pale skin. He was boisterous and proud, chosen to come to the States as one of only a few young men selected out of a generation of hopeful stars. Joe knew that his modesty would keep him from ever saying so aloud, but he knew that Evgeni took pride in his skill and his practice. He teased the man about it, complimenting him when he thought fit. Evgeni might be flustered under the focused attention, but he earned it every single time Joe praised him.
Modesty was one of many other reasons that attracted Joe to Evgeni so much, he assumed. Joe closed his eyes and thought back to the hotel room in San Francisco they’d been in not long ago, after the night with Devin. He recalled the way that he’d come up behind Evgeni as he stood in the mirror, scrubbing his face with a starched and bristly hotel washcloth. His cheeks were already pink from his efforts, but when Joe stepped up behind him, his open palm splayed warmly over the taut abdominal muscles of his teammate, a new hot blush bloomed across the Russian’s face and down his neck.
“I love how you smell,” Joe whispered into the crook of Evgeni’s neck, burying his nose in the warm skin. He was just clean, out of the shower after washing off the remnants of sweat and sex. There was soap on his skin, fresh and sharp, but not nearly enough to mask the scent that clung to Evgeni, like a fog following him. It was warm and heavy, and so much more. It was things smells couldn’t be, but it was, and it was intoxicating.
He knew the focused attention made the man flush pink, even despite the fact that his ears were one of the more sensitive parts on his body, guaranteed to flush his face when they were paid even the least bit of attention. But there was just something about his gracious glow that came with the center’s flattery. Joe never could resist seeing the reaction that his praises had on Evgeni.
Joe recalled how he’d watched the goosebumps raise along Evgeni’s arms as a shiver ran through his bones.
He opened his eyes slowly and sighed as he took in his surroundings. They were still on this plane and would be for a while. Joe readjusted his hips awkwardly in his seat, trying to relieve some of the pressure of his burgeoning erection. Even thinking about Evgeni’s blush was enough to elicit a reaction. Joe knows that this one isn’t going away, not this time.
He settled himself back down, mentally scolding himself for putting those thoughts in his head when he had little opportunity to do anything about them for some time. He glanced back to the man next to him, startled to find the piercing, swirling eyes staring back at him with curiosity.
Joe froze as if he’d been caught red-handed, though doing what he didn’t know. He watched as Evgeni’s eyes, still clouded with sleep, searched his face for some clue to his thoughts. The goaltender’s eyes roamed freely down Joe’s chest and stomach, pausing hungrily on the noticeable tent in the center’s pants.
Joe bit back a moan at the greedy glint in Evgeni’s eye. He knew that the stare was not helping his predicament but he couldn’t tell the man to stop.
Joe watched as Evgeni pulled one of his hands from underneath the blanket and ran his fingers through is hair. Clumps stood up in strange places, damp still from the condensation on the window, and Joe resisted the urge to reach out and smooth them back into place.
He settled instead on leaning in toward the window, pretending to look at the city lights flickering miles below, and whispered hotly into the few inches of space separating their faces.
He couldn’t wait, not this time. Not when Evgeni wanted it to. “I want you, Yev.” The words inhabited the air around them like an impenetrable bubble, wrapping in and around Joe’s body like a warm bath. He knew that once he said them, there was no readjusting and going back to sleep. He wanted this with the same ferocity that he wanted to win every game he played in, and when Joe Thornton wanted, did not wait.
As he leaned back to occupy his own seat, he flipped up the armrest between two and let his hand sprawl across Evgeni’s thigh. Like the plane ride to Canada, but so different. No playing games, no teasing; he was serious.
Evgeni looked intrigued, but undeniably nervous. “Joe, we can’t. There are people here.”
“They’re all asleep,” Joe looked around quickly to confirm that indeed, all of the individual reading lights were off, no blue glowing PSP screen illuminated faces, and the only sign of life from the plane was the deep humming from the engines, vibrating the cabin in a frantic rhythm, which, in his current state, Joe noted, felt amazing riding up and down the length of his dick.
“Bhut coach is right there,” Evgeni’s voice dropped to something below a whisper as he indicated the tufts of salt-and-pepper hair sticking up above the top of the leather seat.
Joe snaked his hand under the navy blue blanket covering Evgeni’s lap and began working on the button of his jeans.
“You can be quiet, Yev, I know you can,” Joe pulled the zipper down slowly, the sound barely audible over the ambience of the plane. “Just help me with your pants.”
Evgeni bit his lip but did as he was told, melting when he heard the shortened version of his name. He shifted only slightly as he expertly tugged his jeans and boxers-briefs down to his knees. Joe watched hungrily as the movement under the blanket stilled, the fabric now tented from Evgeni’s erection.
Joe nodded appreciatively as Evgeni’s eyes closed tightly when he finally wrapped his fingers around his boyfriend’s cock and pulled slightly.
He wanted to aim for a bit more build up, however, the excitement of the plane, the prospect of being caught by anyone at any time, and the knowledge that Evgeni wanted Joe as much as he wanted Evgeni were not conducive to patience and foreplay.
Joe alternated his attention from Evgeni’s face, contorted in extreme efforts to remain silent, and the movement of his hand beneath the blanket, obvious to anyone if they were awake and looked over what was happening.
He watched as Evgeni sucked his lower lip between his teeth and bit down to quiet himself.
“‘Ere ya go,” Joe purred softly into Evgeni’s ear, “shh.” He tightened his fist around the length of Evgeni’s cock and squeezed gently, keeping with the slow strokes. He could feel Evgeni thrusting his hips up helplessly, searching for more speed.
Evgeni’s hand found its way to Joe’s thigh and Joe felt his fingers digging into the denim-clad skin. He kneaded the flesh languidly as his eyes stayed screwed shut.
“Gotta stay still,” Joe leaned in until his lips were brushing against the shell of Evgeni’s ear. He felt the smaller man nod his consent and the movement of his hips stilled. The man tilts his head away, giving Joe’s lips more room, and the entire flushed column of skin is almost too much for Joe to take in.
Pressing his lips to the underside of the jaw, Joe can feel the man twitch beneath him and hold back a gasp for more. “If ya want me to go faster you gotta just tell me,” he smirked into Evgeni’s blushing skin, knowing full well he was baiting the man to keep quiet and yet demanding that he speak.
He felt Evgeni’s fingers dig harder and deeper into his leg, a silent plea for release.
Joe moved his hand only a bit faster, ghosting his thumb across the sensitive tip of Evgeni’s swollen penis. He felt the goaltender jerk his hips once in a moment of lost control but quickly regain his self-possession.
“’At’s it,” Joe grazed the tip once more and smiled as Evgeni stayed still and quiet, but he could feel the man’s death grip on his thigh grow ever stronger.
Each pass of his palm over the smooth, hot shaft made Joe’s insides curl. This man, the one who night in and night out stood with so much composure and smugness in front of the net, unafraid of ninety mile-an-hour pucks being launched at his face, with nothing more than this simple movement of his hand, Joe could watch Evgeni’s poise crumble, his carefully constructed barrier fall. Joe was the one that he trusted to see him like this, Joe was the only one allowed to enter into his private world where he could be vulnerable and afraid.
“Open yer eyes,” Joe nudged Evgeni’s temple with his nose, encouraging him to look.
Evgeni’s eyes opened to tiny slits as he turned to face Joe. His lips were slightly parted and his breath was ragged and warm. Joe took in his features: pink cheeks, damp brow, lidded eyes and swollen lips. He wished they weren’t on the plane. Danger and excitement be damned, Joe wanted to hear Evgeni’s pleasure as his hand stroked him harder, rougher.
He dropped his eyes down to the goaltender’s lap where the quick movements of his fingers and wrist were outlined through the blanket. With a quick nod, he encouraged Evgeni to watch as well. Joe heard him swallow hard at the sight, the whine is his throat music to Joe’s ears.
“See that? God,” Joe’s voice caught in his throat as he increased his movements and watched the shadows of Evgeni’s pleasure seeping through the thin blankets, “You see how perfect we are?”
Joe buried his nose in the space behind Evgeni’s ear, sucking the earlobe into his mouth as he encouraged the goaltender to keep watching his hand. Joe could feel that he was close, his dick getting harder and slicker as pre-come clung to his fingers and eased his motions even more.
Once more, Joe ran the pad of this thumb across the head and his fingers along the sensitive underside. Evgeni’s fingers loosened their grip on his leg suddenly, replaced the pressure of his palm, pushing down hard as his body jerked with an all-over tightness.
“Shhh,” the vibration of his voice twitched in Evgeni’s ear. Joe felt the strong pulse of Evgeni’s orgasm in his palm, the sticky hot liquid trailing down over his fist. He continued to pump with his hand as each ribbon of come was finally released.
Evgeni lifted his hand from Joe’s thigh and placed on top the blanket, stilling all further movements. Joe pressed a kiss to the flushed skin along Evgeni’s hairline, behind his ear. He smelled like sweat and soap and spices that Joe didn’t have a name for. He loved that smell.
“I think you’re gonna need to get a new blanket,” Joe nipped once again at ear and smiled when he heard the low, guttural laugh rise from within the goaltender’s chest.
Joe allowed Evgeni to pull his pants back up before he removed their covering, wiping his hand on the stiff fabric and crumpling it into a ball, to be shoved under the seat in front of him, Todd’s seat.
He pulled out the blanket he’d been given, still inside its plastic bag, from the seatback pocket and handed it to the man on his right. Evgeni’s still-shaking hands reached gratefully for the offering.
Before the two could even consider a moment’s rest, there’s rustling from behind them.
“Looks like somebody’s in the mile-high club,” a voice sang from behind their row, nearly startling both Evgeni and Joe out of their skins.
Whipping his head around, Joe came face to face with Devin, a shit-eating smile on the young man’s face. He blanched, unsure of what to do, being caught red-handed… well, not necessarily ‘red’ as more white per say, but caught nonetheless.
“Um, ah…” Joe searched for words to say, a blush rising to his cheeks. This was a very, very unwanted event, but in a twisted way, Joe had to thank some higher power that if anyone was to catch them, it was Devin. At the same time, Joe became even more embarrassed that Devin had caught them in the act twice.
Devin crooked a brow at the many different types of emotion flashing across Joe’s face, his puffy lips curling into a smirk. “Hey, woah there, buddy!”
Joe stopped his pathetic grunts looking for the right words to say and scowled. Just because Devin was his teammate, it didn’t mean that they were always “buddies”. Like now. Especially now.
Devin waved off the glare with a shrug, unfazed. “I’ve seen you to do worse, trust me.”
Joe didn’t know what to say to this. It was true. He grunted and thought mean things about the sophomore, turning back around in his seat. Apparently his deed was done, for Devin didn’t bother them again. Joe sighed, running a hand through his hair to calm himself. The surprise had killed his arousal, that’s for sure.
He felt the blanket poking at his hand before he saw it, and when he looked down, the corner of the fabric is engulfing the hand, quickly followed by warm fingers. Evgeni was smiling secretively to Joe when they catch each other’s eyes, and Joe couldn’t help but smile back, despite the disturbance.
Leaning back into his seat, Joe found himself yawning. He fell asleep like that, with Evgeni’s hand in his, warm and reassuring.
-----
To be continued
-----
So… hey there guys, does anyone remember me? Sorry his took so long, but… yeah I’ve just been writing other things so I don’t really have a good excuse :( But I do have a new chapter, just in time for the holiday season.
Also, Kelly wrote the handjob on the plane part, no gonna take credit for that work of art. Though I did tweak it so it could fit smoothly.
Please review! I love them :)