hey now.
Title: Hey Now. 9/10
Pairing: Ryane Clowe and Joe Pavelski.
Rating: PG-13
Joe's POV
A/N: I've finally decided that I will end this on Chapter 10. It saddens me, but they just might come back and have a few more chapters. I've come to love these two boys more than I've thought I could as they are a part of me now. It's hard to let go. I hope you guys have enjoyed this as much as I have.
Ok this one: absolutely no truth to it. None, what-so-ever. Well, except for the part about the new coach and his knee. That's true.
Chapter 1. ; Chapter 3.
Chapter 4. ; Chapter 5.
Chapter 6. ; Chapter 7.
Chapter 8. ; Chapter 2.
The links don't like me. Oh wait, now they do. xD
The piercing blue took in the sunshine of the day. Colors swimming around the tiny black hole in the center. An ocean.
An ocean of shining blue staring back at me. I dove right in, ignoring my conscience and going deeper. Deeper into those eyes.
Then, he blinked.
It was only then that I realized he was standing above me. His arms pinning me to the ground beneath him.
I could feel the cold surface underneath myself and wondered how I ended up here. The rink lights stared me down and seemed to get brighter the longer I stared back.
I tried tilting my head to left but something pulled me back. Someone else was holding me, holding my neck straight up.
My vision went from blurry to unblurry, but I could see them all around me. All around him. I couldn't tell you who it was as he skated off as soon as I looked at him.
Ryane's lips wavered as a figure in a black jacket came over to where I lay. Ryane stepped back as the man's hands checked over me.
I was so numb, I didn't feel it. Didn't feel anything. Their lips moved and yet I could hear no sound. I didn't notice them take my skate off, didn't see my bloodied sock.
It was only then that I felt the pain. I wasn't even sure what happened. It came from my lower leg and I tried to pull it towards me, but Ryane held me down.
My mind kept telling me something wasn't right and begged me to look down and see. I tried to ask, but I couldn't speak. My tongue rubbed against my swollen lips.
I took in my surroundings, it was easier when you weren't so busy skating around. Christian was holding my neck, I'd notice the German mumble something.
I guessed because his mouth was so close to my ear, I could hear it.
Ryane waved his hand in front of my face, I blinked in reaction. He mouthed something I couldn't hear. I knew one word was 'Pavs.'
The pillow was soft, the sheets rougher. A smooth hand made it's way up my arm and poked me in the face. I smiled and then laughed quietly.
"Hey Pavs!"
"Ha, hey Torrey. What's up man?"
"Just waiting for you to wake up."
I opened my eyes and stared up at the former rookie. His hair was spikey and evidence of a just-shaved 'stache was apparent.
"You know where Clowie is?"
"He's right over there actually." Torrey pointed to the man with his back turned away from us. He didn't look like Ryane.
His hair wasn't messy enough. His body looked worn and his petruding shoulders caught the frame of his blue shirt.
I pulled the sheet on top of me off with my left hand and folded it over. I slid my legs out and looked at my swollen right leg.
It wasn't bad at all really, just a bit bruised up around the cut that was covered in gauze. I must have stared too long and Torrey brought my attention back.
"You're ok?"
"Yeah, I'm alright."
"Your leg kinda got cut up by my skate, sorry about that."
"It's all good." I patted his shoulder as I stood up. I could feel his eyes following me as I made my way over to the only man I'd ever loved.
His hands reached out to touch me. His skin cold, but not rough. As he led it up my arm to my shoulder, I felt it's silky texture. He kept his head down the whole time.
My eyes traced the movements his hand made, how his fingers followed the curves he made. He paused and looked up at me.
His hands were around my neck and his face tucked me into his upper chest. I couldn't get my arms free, his embrace was tight over my shoulders.
He started to warm up after another minute, coloring returning to his body. The worried look I'd seen earlier was gone now. A long blink, and a smile appeared.
It did not extent side-to-side, but rather just to his left side and with his lips pressed together. I reached a finger out to touch them and feel.
The usual smoothness was there, but his forehead creased as my finger outlined his jaw and down his neck.
The contour of his lips had not changed as I got back to them. He looked at me with wondering eyes and they turned into curiosity.
The next day, we were back at the rink, but today did not involve skaing, more or less lessons of etiquette. Did we really even need this? I was perfectly fine.
The coach stepped into the room and looked around at all the faces. One's of young and one's of experience lifted their heads up to see who'd entered.
"Morning coach." We said in unison. I could hear my own voice and I could hear Ryane's,also picking out Big Joe's next to him.
His had a unqiue tone, but I was more attuned to Ryane's. His was softer though, Joe's was louder, and I'd say my level was in between theirs today.
"Good Morning boys. I hope you all slept well." He looked in my direction. Way to make yourself obvious old man. Nice way to make an impression on me.
Ryane turned and shot a look at me, as if he'd heard me say it outloud. He'd probably figured as much that I'd be thinking that once coach looked at me.
Our new coach spoke again. "As you all know, someone was injured yesterday and this is why we're in here, instead of out there.
Would anything like to explain to me how this happened?"
My instinct was to protect Torrey, but he stood up and explained. I'd been on the boards, he'd thought I'd moved but he was too focused on the pass,
he didn't notice I'd stayed in the same spot. I didn't have a problem with that, I'd been zoned out on Ryane. It was my own fault, I didn't want Torrey taking all the blame.
I stood myself up and said "It was my fault. It's not his at all."
"Have a seat Mr. Pavelski."
I sat back down and listened to the meandering talk. I stared at the walls with my arms crossed until the day this guy would finally stop talking.
If he was any slower, I could actually walk outside and be back inside before he even finished a damn sentence. He finally caught my drift and ended abruptly.
"I think that's all for today boys, if you wish to change, the ice is yours for an hour." He motioned at me to follow him. "Do you think it's ok to sulk in your seat while I'm talking?"
"No coach, I don't. I am sorry."
"Ok, because we've gotta have some establishment here, Pavs. Pavs, that's what they call you isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Well, you're not gonna be skating, You go along home then and take the night off easy. I expect you out there tomorrow."
Ryane was listening in, The look on his face priceless.
"That didn't just happen."
"Yeah it did, Clowie, yeah it did." I bumped into his shoulder on my way out the door.
"So you can't skate today Pavs?"
"Not unless i want to mess with Mr. Authority back behind that door. I'll be in the car."
30 minutes later he appeared out the door of Logitech Ice and slipped into the seat next to me.
"Have a good practice?"
"Yeah, Just a little tense."
We were having a silent drive to where ever I was taking us, I didn't even know. I placed my right hand on his shoulder.
"Ryane, I'm really proud of you."
"I'm proud of you too Pavs."
"No really, you've had to deal with so much for your knee. I'm just really proud of you. I know I couldn't have done it."
"Thanks man."
"It's true."
His hand moved to set itself on my right. I bit my bottom lip and pulled over. I turned to look at his face. Shutting my eyes, I inched my face closer to his.
I couldn't describe how it felt. One single little kiss, no tongue, nothing. A simple kiss. My eyes lit back up as I pulled back onto the road, his arm around me.