20 Halak - 01 : Breakdown
Title : Breakdown
Author : Russian Torque
Team/Pairing : Montreal Canadiens - Halak/Price
Words : 653
Overall Rating/Warning : PG-13 - Swearing
01 | breakdown | 07 oct 2009
Carey’s in hysterics when he gets off the ice, a rarity for someone usually so calm and collected. It’s only the fourth game of the season and he’s already making a hot mess of himself on the ice. The other players try to steer clear of him as he tornados through the locker room to his bench, all except for Jaro.
The Slovakian goalie is already sitting in his bench, situated right next to Carey’s, and he looks straight at Carey coolly.
“What the fuck are you staring at?” Carey snaps, already beginning to tear his jersey and padding off. “Weren’t so hot out there yourself, were you? Get what I’m saying Halak? or does the English language escape you?”
Players are starting to stare, but that doesn’t pacify Carey’s fury in the least. He does a slam-bang job of putting his padding away before storming off to the showers, towel slung low on his waist. It isn’t until he’s safely out of earshot that the other players begin to whisper amongst themselves. Jaro hadn’t even noticed the silence until now.
He takes off his own gear almost reverently in stark contrast to Carey, reflecting on the Canadian’s harsh words. It’s true that his English isn’t the greatest, but it isn’t horrible. He can understand nearly everything that’s said in the locker room. It’s just difficult for him to respond sometimes.
So entranced in his own thoughts, Jaro doesn’t notice Plekanec until he is planted in Carey’s spot, brow furrowed.
“You okay?” Tomas asks. “Carey was pretty harsh there.”
Jaro nods, the blow to his language skills still too fresh for him to voice his thoughts. Tomas must catch on to his discomfort because he punches Jaro’s shoulder amiably.
“We can understand you fine, Jaro,” he says reassuringly. “Don’t let Carey make you think otherwise.”
At that, Jaro manages a small smile, “Thank you, Toma.” He slings a towel around his waist and starts off to the showers, but the defenseman’s hand on his arm stops him.
“Maybe you should wait ‘til Carey’s out,” he explains, “Don’t wanna poke the bear.”
They both chuckle. Unfortunately, Carey choses that exact moment to push past them with a growl. He doesn’t say anything- not to Tomas. He knows better than that. But it doesn’t stop him from glaring daggers at Jaro. His replacement.
The entire locker room’s eyes are on him again. This never happens- it’s the first time anyone’s ever seen Carey lose it so completely.
He pulls on his clothes, leaving his dress shirt mostly unbuttoned with his jacket slung over his shoulder.
It hurts to see him leave. Jaro’s been playing with him for two years now and although bitter feelings have on occasion risen their ugly head, it’s never quite elevated to this level.
Jaro tries to ignore the empty feeling building up inside him as he showers, dresses, and finally leaves. No one else makes an attempt to say anything to him. It’s a goalie thing, everyone expects goalies to be loners.
He doesn’t expect Carey to be leaning against the hood of his car, arms crossed and foot tapping impatiently against the pavement. The sight makes him turn on his heel and head straight back to the stairs.
“Jaro, wait!” Carey calls after him. His words are echoed by those stupid cowboy boots he always wears.
Jaro takes a moment to react, turning to face Carey slowly and keeping his gaze to the floor.
“I’m sorry,” Carey breathes, “I was really pissed, okay? I didn’t mean to take it out on you-”
The Slovakian goalie interrupts him with the shake of his head, “Doesn’t matter.”
And it doesn’t. All that really matters is the team- the competition. And they’re not even competing against the opposite team, they’re competing against each other. That’s just the way the system works.
“But- Jaro-”
Jaro lets out an annoyed sigh and Carey shuts up. The taller goalie looks horribly affronted, but that just proves he’s sunk back to his normal self.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Carey.”
X x X x X
Other Parts :
[ 02 | Storm | 04 April 2008 ]
[ Archive ]
X x X x X
Author : Russian Torque
Team/Pairing : Montreal Canadiens - Halak/Price
Words : 653
Overall Rating/Warning : PG-13 - Swearing
01 | breakdown | 07 oct 2009
Carey’s in hysterics when he gets off the ice, a rarity for someone usually so calm and collected. It’s only the fourth game of the season and he’s already making a hot mess of himself on the ice. The other players try to steer clear of him as he tornados through the locker room to his bench, all except for Jaro.
The Slovakian goalie is already sitting in his bench, situated right next to Carey’s, and he looks straight at Carey coolly.
“What the fuck are you staring at?” Carey snaps, already beginning to tear his jersey and padding off. “Weren’t so hot out there yourself, were you? Get what I’m saying Halak? or does the English language escape you?”
Players are starting to stare, but that doesn’t pacify Carey’s fury in the least. He does a slam-bang job of putting his padding away before storming off to the showers, towel slung low on his waist. It isn’t until he’s safely out of earshot that the other players begin to whisper amongst themselves. Jaro hadn’t even noticed the silence until now.
He takes off his own gear almost reverently in stark contrast to Carey, reflecting on the Canadian’s harsh words. It’s true that his English isn’t the greatest, but it isn’t horrible. He can understand nearly everything that’s said in the locker room. It’s just difficult for him to respond sometimes.
So entranced in his own thoughts, Jaro doesn’t notice Plekanec until he is planted in Carey’s spot, brow furrowed.
“You okay?” Tomas asks. “Carey was pretty harsh there.”
Jaro nods, the blow to his language skills still too fresh for him to voice his thoughts. Tomas must catch on to his discomfort because he punches Jaro’s shoulder amiably.
“We can understand you fine, Jaro,” he says reassuringly. “Don’t let Carey make you think otherwise.”
At that, Jaro manages a small smile, “Thank you, Toma.” He slings a towel around his waist and starts off to the showers, but the defenseman’s hand on his arm stops him.
“Maybe you should wait ‘til Carey’s out,” he explains, “Don’t wanna poke the bear.”
They both chuckle. Unfortunately, Carey choses that exact moment to push past them with a growl. He doesn’t say anything- not to Tomas. He knows better than that. But it doesn’t stop him from glaring daggers at Jaro. His replacement.
The entire locker room’s eyes are on him again. This never happens- it’s the first time anyone’s ever seen Carey lose it so completely.
He pulls on his clothes, leaving his dress shirt mostly unbuttoned with his jacket slung over his shoulder.
It hurts to see him leave. Jaro’s been playing with him for two years now and although bitter feelings have on occasion risen their ugly head, it’s never quite elevated to this level.
Jaro tries to ignore the empty feeling building up inside him as he showers, dresses, and finally leaves. No one else makes an attempt to say anything to him. It’s a goalie thing, everyone expects goalies to be loners.
He doesn’t expect Carey to be leaning against the hood of his car, arms crossed and foot tapping impatiently against the pavement. The sight makes him turn on his heel and head straight back to the stairs.
“Jaro, wait!” Carey calls after him. His words are echoed by those stupid cowboy boots he always wears.
Jaro takes a moment to react, turning to face Carey slowly and keeping his gaze to the floor.
“I’m sorry,” Carey breathes, “I was really pissed, okay? I didn’t mean to take it out on you-”
The Slovakian goalie interrupts him with the shake of his head, “Doesn’t matter.”
And it doesn’t. All that really matters is the team- the competition. And they’re not even competing against the opposite team, they’re competing against each other. That’s just the way the system works.
“But- Jaro-”
Jaro lets out an annoyed sigh and Carey shuts up. The taller goalie looks horribly affronted, but that just proves he’s sunk back to his normal self.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Carey.”
X x X x X
Other Parts :
[ 02 | Storm | 04 April 2008 ]
[ Archive ]
X x X x X