(no subject)
title: The Beauty of nature
author: Elise
team/genre: Washington Capitals, playoff time - Alexander Semin/Alexander Ovechkin, Olie Kolzig/Sergei Federov
author's note: This is for quinnkeeper. I promised you some Sashas. I promised you adorable fluff. I promised you fic. VOILA!! The quotes are from John Young Wildlife Enterprises and the mating ritual of the Riflebird
Approaching the sound as with any movement through this forest, was a slow process because of the countless tangles of lawyer cane. By the time I finally got to where the sound appeared to be coming from, it stopped. Eons seemed to pass, then it started up again, I was much closer than I thought, for on the edge of a small clearing around fifteen meters up there he was. A male Queen Victoria’s Riflebird in full display on top of a broken off stump, flipping back and forth with his wings held in an arch as he courted a female.
-John young, Wildlife enterprises
He was a veteran. He knew the feeling of a playoff game. He knew excitement, and the deadly silent seriousness of every second on the clock. Off the ice, every moment was filled with the next game, the next move, the next area of improvement. Recycled catch phrases were like flashes running through his mind, quips of determination, the final goal, extreme desire. Sergei licked his lips, looking around the crowded room. He knew playoffs. He knew Stanley Cups, and the feeling never changed. The excitement and the absolute need never changed. What did change, were the people, and Sergei looked across the club at Alexander Ovechkin. It was like watching a younger version of himself. The young russian had claimed to be nervous, but his actions never changed. He played hard, he partied hard. In fact, Ovie had convinced a few of the veterans to celebrate the latest win. Olie and Brash were deep in conversation, leaving Sergei to watch.
Alex was dancing slowly, looking disinterested. His eyes were darting around, seeking out a friend, a lover, a one night stand, but mainly, human interaction. Sergei sipped his drink as he saw recognition flash across the young star’s face. Alex’s smile grew larger, his eyes sparkling. He cupped his mouth and yelled across the floor, wiggling his eyebrows. Sergei followed his gaze to the game winner. Semin was leaning against the back wall, shaking his head. Sergei smiled. Sasha was a sweet man. He was quiet and had a funny dry humor. He was put together, but young. He tried harder than the others, as if he were afraid of being sent away. Sergei respected his work ethic, and in this moment, his resolve to not join Alex on the floor.
Frowning, Alex clapped his hands, impatient. Sasha once again shook his head, looking at his feet. Sergei laughed as Alex moved closer to the reluctant russian. It looked as if the world had stopped for the two of them. Sasha was looking up nervously through his eyelashes, and Alex was standing, stubborn, hands on his hips. Alex’s chest was puffed up, hips positioned in a way that his pants were low riding, showing his muscles. Sasha was blushing a bit. Alex laughed, and slowly began to dance in front of Sasha, furthering the blush on Sasha’s face. Sergei looked at Olie and Brash, wondering if he should let them in on the display, or perhaps, hoping that he was the only one who would witness it.
Sasha shook his head some more, gently pushing Alex away. Alex turned, his hips rocking to the beat, his laughter light and floating over the music. Sergei grinned, if anything, Alex knew how to dance, and make one look at his body. His clothing hugged him, and the light sheen of sweat combined with what Sergei assumed were lust filled eyes made Alex seemed near post-coital.
It was all for naught. Sasha shook his head, shaking his empty glass, and pointing at the bar. Alex’s face fell as Sasha left for the bar, leaving him to dance alone. He sighed then shook it off, returning to the dance floor, easily finding another temporary partner. Sergei saw the look of relief and fear on Sasha’s face, as well as embarassment. He paused, wondering more about Sasha, and his preferences. Sergei grinned, beneath all the uncertainty, was a lust that matched Alex’s.
Frustration set in big time, but faith in persistence was about to pay off, I had just put the camera on the tripod, focused on the stump and he appeared on the stump bringing her with him. The tension was so high that words won’t describe what I was saying under my breath. I had been coming here for more than seventy days on and off with only tantalizing bursts of display on film, but this time the female seemed to be behaving differently.
As he began his display of rocking back and forth with ever increasing speed, she began crouching down and quivering her wings, the excitement was electrifying.
- John young, Wildlife enterprises.
Not that Sergei would tell anyone, but he had always had trouble shaking a loss. His job was to bring a calm to the locker room, to remind everyone that the past is past, and it’s gone. In two days, they would play again. Sergei’s hand tightened on his beer and he glared slightly. In two days, they would win. Olie turned to him and whispered, “Let it go.”
“I have. Haven’t you?” Sergei said, his voice more cutting than he wanted.
Olie chuckled and said, “Let it go.”
Sergei scrunched his face, ignoring the goalie, and his recent lover. He shrugged. Olie brought a hand to Sergei’s lower back, brushing it lightly, but intentionally. Sergei got the hint, relaxing his hold on his beer and moving a step closer to Olie. Their shoulders touched and Sergei smiled as he saw Olie relax. “As long as you let it go as well.”
Olie looked up at Sergei, smirking, “Sleep with me once and you think you’ve got me all figured out.”
Laughing, Sergei responded, “I’m good at what I do.”
“Can’t argue with that.” Olie responded.
The two fell into a comfortable silence. Sergei’s gaze, once again, found Alex. Alex was surrounded by Green, Boyd and Brooks. They all tipped their heads back, taking shots. Sasha stood off to the side, laughing. Alex picked up a fifth shot glass and handed it to the introverted russian. Sasha nodded, taking a sip of it. Sergei found himself laughing along with Alex at the Sasha’s unwillingness to down it.
Olie looked up inquiring silently, when Sergei pointed to the ‘two Sashas’ as he began to call them in his mind. Olie smirked, watching as Alex slowly dragged a hand down Sasha’s arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Sasha seemed upset, and one could only assume it was over the game. Sasha’s unfortunate penalty had caused a power play goal for the other team.
Alex, tonight, had dressed for the part. It seemed that the more upset the young forward was, the more energy he put into partying. It was as if Alex fueled his frustrations by dancing and letting loose. “I’ve been watching them...” Sergei said, so that only Olie could hear.
“Oh? Anything good?” Olie said, eyes still on the two Sashas.
“Not yet, but interesting, most definitely interesting.” Sergei said, “We shall see.”
“Is Sasha buying it?” Olie said, “From here it looks like it’s a long shot.”
“Alex’s favorite.” Sergei responded again, grinning, “I say that it will happen, and soon.”
Shrugging, Olie responded, “Fifty bucks.”
A grin burst onto Sergei’s face. He knew Olie and himself were a good match. “Fifty bucks they are together by the end of this series.”
Olie snorted, “You don’t know Sasha. He’s just as stubborn as Alex, if not more. He’s a strong kid.”
“Do we have a deal?” Sergei asked, his eyes leaving the Sashas to look into Olie’s face.
Olie grinned and nodded, leaning over to brush his lips across Sergei’s cheeks. It was quick, and almost innocent, and made Sergei’s grin widen. Turning back, Sergei found himself leaning into Olie again, enjoying the feeling and intimacy. They weren’t showy, just comfortable. Looking at Alex, Sergei knew that he would be fifty dollars richer.
Alex’s hands were on Sasha’s hips. Sasha looked terrified, one hand gripping the empty shot glass, the other onto Alex’s arm. Alex leaned in, whispering into Sasha’s ear, before beginning to move his hips again, the music leading him. Sasha was grinning, biting his lip. Alex took the shot glass, placing it on a near by counter and grabbed Sasha’s hand. He slowly began to pull Sasha onto the dance floor, lacing their fingers together. Olie grunted, shifting and Sergei laughed. “I think I will win this bet, Olaf.”
Olie turned to him, amused at the full name. Focusing back on the dance floor, Sergei and Olie watched as Sasha, face red, shook his head again and pulled away, slipping through the crowd. Alex stood, still as a statue, his face sad. “You can back out of the bet, Feds,” Olie said, “But, the penalty is high. Involves you being locked in my home for an entire weekend.”
Sergei looked at Olie and huffed.
To my surprise within twenty minutes of sitting quietly within the hide, with lots of mosquitoes, the male returned and promptly began calling. All of a sudden he crouched low over his display bow and froze with his gape wide open. Maybe thirty seconds had passed when a female appeared on a vine within five meters of his perch. He immediately began bouncing horizontally from side to side until she finally flew to within touching distance of him, and to my amazement, he raised his wings and began displaying, but so did she, face to face......
......This display lasted for about ten minutes, and after filming the whole thing it was just awesome. During the display the blue on the throat was just incredible as he rocked from side to side in unison with her, however it ceased as quick as it began and she flew off with him following her.
-John young, wildlife enterprises
Sergei knew that Sasha would be furious. He followed the young russian into the locker room. Alex had switched his game a bit, moving it to practice. He deliberately stuck by Sasha, making comments, and finding any excuse to touch him. Sasha, at first, laughed it off, but soon got annoyed. Sergei once again saw the lust beneath his annoyance. Alex, after a particularly hard drill on the both of them, had returned to the bench, Sasha in tow. Sergei, at that time, was going to talk to them about improvements, when Alex leaned over, kissing Sasha. Sasha froze and his breathing quickened, before returning the kiss. The whole kiss was brief. Shaking, Sasha pushed Alex away, leaving for the locker room. Sergei followed, giving a stern look to Alex.
Now, Sasha was angrily putting his things away and Sergei stopped him. “Sasha...,” He said, speaking russian, “Calm down.”
“I cannot believe he did that!” Sasha hissed, also in russian.
“It’s Alex. What’s not to believe?” Sergei pointed out, “It’s ok, you know.”
“It is not ok.” Sasha said, “In front of everyone. He is making a fool out of me.”
Sergei laughed, “I’d say more himself, but, it is ok.”
Sasha rolled his eyes and said, “What would you know...”
“I know that you like him.” Sergei said, “A lot. You should let it happen.”
“I do not-” Sasha started, running a hand through his hair and avoiding eye contact, but Sergei interrupted him.
“You do. I can see it. I know these things.” Sergei said.
Sasha looked into Sergei’s face and sighed, “It’s... I don’t know.”
Suddenly, Sasha froze, back going straight as he heard his name being called. Sergei watched as Alex entered, out of breath. Alex looked at Sergei and then at Sasha. He froze for only a second before continuing over. He said, russian fast and out of breath, “Sasha... don’t run away.”
Sasha moved back, taking off his skates and undressing. He remained silent. Alex growled and said, “Sasha... remember what I said?”
Sasha turned, slipping his shirt off. Alex paused, eyes darting down, face blushing a bit. Sergei felt out of place, but remained planted. Sasha smirked, turning and putting his shirt on, grabbing his bag. “I remember.” He responded, “Does not mean that I want to kiss you during practice.”
“Sasha, you like me, yes?” Alex tried again, “Well I like you. What is the problem?”
Sasha shook his head and left the locker room, falling back into himself, his stoic face back in place. Alex looked on helplessly. He turned to Sergei and let out a frustrated growl, “What must I do? A mating dance?”
Sergei laughed, shaking his head, “Perhaps, since your dance isn’t the best.”
Alex gave Sergei a sour look, and sat down on the bench. “I don’t understand.”
Sergei sat down next to him and said, “Perhaps... that is the problem. You should try what he likes, not what you think he likes. Your body and advances usually get you what you want, but have you thought of what Sasha wants?”
Alex looked up at Sergei and sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Get dressed, little one, and go after him.” Sergei stood up and moved to return to the ice, “I’ll let Bruce know that you’re not coming back.”
Alex smiled gratefully and quickly began to change.
I heard the loud russel of the males wings as he alighted on the perch with the female landing right beside him. I knew from passed experiences that they would not handle movement but I had nothing to loose.
They were already going through the motions of getting into full display as I slowly eased the lens back through the mesh and began filming shaking with anticipation. They continued without even a glance and I can only put this down to their total involvement in the moment.
This display was just incredible, from when both birds began face on in full courtship, the action just kept on coming. Both male and female began flipping their wings from side to side slowly building up momentum, until the male seemed to over power her and force her into a submissive pose. As the male began to lean over her, she instantly crouched over the perch and went into a submissive pose and copulation took place immediately.
-John Young, Wildlife Enterprises
Olie hooked his arm with Sergei’s as they walked slowly through the streets of DC. It was a warm night, and quiet, the two men opting to take a long walk, speaking to each other quietly, or not speaking at all and merely holding hands. Turning the corner, Sergei froze, causing Olie to stop mid sentence. “What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
Sergei turned, eyes sparkling. “Our little MVP is smarter than I thought. He listened.”
Olie’s forehead scrunched and he followed Sergei’s line of sight. He grinned, melting. “Oh... oh that’s just adorable.”
“Why don’t you take me out to dinners like that?” Sergei said, jokingly.
Olie laughed, “I’m no Ovechkin.”
Alex, in a nice suit, hair combed, face shaved, was sitting in the outdoor terrace, having dinner with Sasha. Olie knew that reservations were hard to get. Alex was going above an beyond, from pouring Sasha’s wine, to having a napkin in his lap. There was a rose in Sasha’s hand, and Sasha was beaming, overjoyed. Sergei wrapped his arm around Olie’s lower back, pulling the goalie to his own body, resting his head on Olie’s shoulder. “It’s sweet.”
“I’ve never seen Sasha so happy.” Olie whispered, “And Alex so... giving.”
Sergei nodded, smiling. Sasha, to his credit, reached over the table and squeezed Alex’s hand. Alex, in turn, beamed just as brightly as Sasha, and bent down, kissing Sasha’s knuckles. The restaurant had a band that night, the music soft and slow. Alex whispered something and Sasha nodded, standing up. They were alone on the terrace, but again, Sergei noted that it seemed as if they were the only ones in the entire world, wrapped in each other. Alex extended his hand, Sasha taking it and moving to stand in front of Alex, his hand at Alex’s hip. Alex dipped his head, whispering into Sasha’s ear. Sasha laughed easily, and they began to sway to the music, slowly dancing. Alex’s hands found Sasha’s hips and Sasha more than obliged, draping his arms around Alex’s neck. It was simple, and it was genuine. They spoke softly and easily, laughing at parts, eyes never leaving each other’s.
Sergei sighed contentedly, eyes wistful. Olie noticed and began to stroke small circles in Sergei’s lower back, reminding the forward that he too could have what Sasha and Alex had on that terrace. Sergei grinned thankfully, “Let’s go home, Olaf.” Sergei whispered.
Olie nodded, “Perhaps, tomorrow, you and I... we can have dinner and a dance.”
Sergei nodded, “I’d like that.”
“I warn you, i’m a terrible dancer.” Olie whispered, leaning closer to Sergei, their faces close.
Sergei grinned and said, “Somehow I don’t believe that. I think you’ll be just right.”
Olie closed the distance between them, kissing Sergei, his lips soft and slow, like the two dancers on the terrace.
As they left I turned the camera off and just sat there in the dim light in total disbelief. The experience was just numbing, I could not believe what I just saw, and the good thing was I had not stopped the camera through the whole thing.
Its always in the back of your mind that some thing will go wrong, running out of film, batteries going flat or much worse in humid conditions like this, the lens fogging up, then its all over.
Filming and working with wild things is always exciting and some thing that I would find hard to live without.....
.......its some thing that has embedded in my being, and will do so for the rest of my life.
-John Young, Wildlife Enterprises
author: Elise
team/genre: Washington Capitals, playoff time - Alexander Semin/Alexander Ovechkin, Olie Kolzig/Sergei Federov
author's note: This is for quinnkeeper. I promised you some Sashas. I promised you adorable fluff. I promised you fic. VOILA!! The quotes are from John Young Wildlife Enterprises and the mating ritual of the Riflebird
Approaching the sound as with any movement through this forest, was a slow process because of the countless tangles of lawyer cane. By the time I finally got to where the sound appeared to be coming from, it stopped. Eons seemed to pass, then it started up again, I was much closer than I thought, for on the edge of a small clearing around fifteen meters up there he was. A male Queen Victoria’s Riflebird in full display on top of a broken off stump, flipping back and forth with his wings held in an arch as he courted a female.
-John young, Wildlife enterprises
He was a veteran. He knew the feeling of a playoff game. He knew excitement, and the deadly silent seriousness of every second on the clock. Off the ice, every moment was filled with the next game, the next move, the next area of improvement. Recycled catch phrases were like flashes running through his mind, quips of determination, the final goal, extreme desire. Sergei licked his lips, looking around the crowded room. He knew playoffs. He knew Stanley Cups, and the feeling never changed. The excitement and the absolute need never changed. What did change, were the people, and Sergei looked across the club at Alexander Ovechkin. It was like watching a younger version of himself. The young russian had claimed to be nervous, but his actions never changed. He played hard, he partied hard. In fact, Ovie had convinced a few of the veterans to celebrate the latest win. Olie and Brash were deep in conversation, leaving Sergei to watch.
Alex was dancing slowly, looking disinterested. His eyes were darting around, seeking out a friend, a lover, a one night stand, but mainly, human interaction. Sergei sipped his drink as he saw recognition flash across the young star’s face. Alex’s smile grew larger, his eyes sparkling. He cupped his mouth and yelled across the floor, wiggling his eyebrows. Sergei followed his gaze to the game winner. Semin was leaning against the back wall, shaking his head. Sergei smiled. Sasha was a sweet man. He was quiet and had a funny dry humor. He was put together, but young. He tried harder than the others, as if he were afraid of being sent away. Sergei respected his work ethic, and in this moment, his resolve to not join Alex on the floor.
Frowning, Alex clapped his hands, impatient. Sasha once again shook his head, looking at his feet. Sergei laughed as Alex moved closer to the reluctant russian. It looked as if the world had stopped for the two of them. Sasha was looking up nervously through his eyelashes, and Alex was standing, stubborn, hands on his hips. Alex’s chest was puffed up, hips positioned in a way that his pants were low riding, showing his muscles. Sasha was blushing a bit. Alex laughed, and slowly began to dance in front of Sasha, furthering the blush on Sasha’s face. Sergei looked at Olie and Brash, wondering if he should let them in on the display, or perhaps, hoping that he was the only one who would witness it.
Sasha shook his head some more, gently pushing Alex away. Alex turned, his hips rocking to the beat, his laughter light and floating over the music. Sergei grinned, if anything, Alex knew how to dance, and make one look at his body. His clothing hugged him, and the light sheen of sweat combined with what Sergei assumed were lust filled eyes made Alex seemed near post-coital.
It was all for naught. Sasha shook his head, shaking his empty glass, and pointing at the bar. Alex’s face fell as Sasha left for the bar, leaving him to dance alone. He sighed then shook it off, returning to the dance floor, easily finding another temporary partner. Sergei saw the look of relief and fear on Sasha’s face, as well as embarassment. He paused, wondering more about Sasha, and his preferences. Sergei grinned, beneath all the uncertainty, was a lust that matched Alex’s.
Frustration set in big time, but faith in persistence was about to pay off, I had just put the camera on the tripod, focused on the stump and he appeared on the stump bringing her with him. The tension was so high that words won’t describe what I was saying under my breath. I had been coming here for more than seventy days on and off with only tantalizing bursts of display on film, but this time the female seemed to be behaving differently.
As he began his display of rocking back and forth with ever increasing speed, she began crouching down and quivering her wings, the excitement was electrifying.
- John young, Wildlife enterprises.
Not that Sergei would tell anyone, but he had always had trouble shaking a loss. His job was to bring a calm to the locker room, to remind everyone that the past is past, and it’s gone. In two days, they would play again. Sergei’s hand tightened on his beer and he glared slightly. In two days, they would win. Olie turned to him and whispered, “Let it go.”
“I have. Haven’t you?” Sergei said, his voice more cutting than he wanted.
Olie chuckled and said, “Let it go.”
Sergei scrunched his face, ignoring the goalie, and his recent lover. He shrugged. Olie brought a hand to Sergei’s lower back, brushing it lightly, but intentionally. Sergei got the hint, relaxing his hold on his beer and moving a step closer to Olie. Their shoulders touched and Sergei smiled as he saw Olie relax. “As long as you let it go as well.”
Olie looked up at Sergei, smirking, “Sleep with me once and you think you’ve got me all figured out.”
Laughing, Sergei responded, “I’m good at what I do.”
“Can’t argue with that.” Olie responded.
The two fell into a comfortable silence. Sergei’s gaze, once again, found Alex. Alex was surrounded by Green, Boyd and Brooks. They all tipped their heads back, taking shots. Sasha stood off to the side, laughing. Alex picked up a fifth shot glass and handed it to the introverted russian. Sasha nodded, taking a sip of it. Sergei found himself laughing along with Alex at the Sasha’s unwillingness to down it.
Olie looked up inquiring silently, when Sergei pointed to the ‘two Sashas’ as he began to call them in his mind. Olie smirked, watching as Alex slowly dragged a hand down Sasha’s arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Sasha seemed upset, and one could only assume it was over the game. Sasha’s unfortunate penalty had caused a power play goal for the other team.
Alex, tonight, had dressed for the part. It seemed that the more upset the young forward was, the more energy he put into partying. It was as if Alex fueled his frustrations by dancing and letting loose. “I’ve been watching them...” Sergei said, so that only Olie could hear.
“Oh? Anything good?” Olie said, eyes still on the two Sashas.
“Not yet, but interesting, most definitely interesting.” Sergei said, “We shall see.”
“Is Sasha buying it?” Olie said, “From here it looks like it’s a long shot.”
“Alex’s favorite.” Sergei responded again, grinning, “I say that it will happen, and soon.”
Shrugging, Olie responded, “Fifty bucks.”
A grin burst onto Sergei’s face. He knew Olie and himself were a good match. “Fifty bucks they are together by the end of this series.”
Olie snorted, “You don’t know Sasha. He’s just as stubborn as Alex, if not more. He’s a strong kid.”
“Do we have a deal?” Sergei asked, his eyes leaving the Sashas to look into Olie’s face.
Olie grinned and nodded, leaning over to brush his lips across Sergei’s cheeks. It was quick, and almost innocent, and made Sergei’s grin widen. Turning back, Sergei found himself leaning into Olie again, enjoying the feeling and intimacy. They weren’t showy, just comfortable. Looking at Alex, Sergei knew that he would be fifty dollars richer.
Alex’s hands were on Sasha’s hips. Sasha looked terrified, one hand gripping the empty shot glass, the other onto Alex’s arm. Alex leaned in, whispering into Sasha’s ear, before beginning to move his hips again, the music leading him. Sasha was grinning, biting his lip. Alex took the shot glass, placing it on a near by counter and grabbed Sasha’s hand. He slowly began to pull Sasha onto the dance floor, lacing their fingers together. Olie grunted, shifting and Sergei laughed. “I think I will win this bet, Olaf.”
Olie turned to him, amused at the full name. Focusing back on the dance floor, Sergei and Olie watched as Sasha, face red, shook his head again and pulled away, slipping through the crowd. Alex stood, still as a statue, his face sad. “You can back out of the bet, Feds,” Olie said, “But, the penalty is high. Involves you being locked in my home for an entire weekend.”
Sergei looked at Olie and huffed.
To my surprise within twenty minutes of sitting quietly within the hide, with lots of mosquitoes, the male returned and promptly began calling. All of a sudden he crouched low over his display bow and froze with his gape wide open. Maybe thirty seconds had passed when a female appeared on a vine within five meters of his perch. He immediately began bouncing horizontally from side to side until she finally flew to within touching distance of him, and to my amazement, he raised his wings and began displaying, but so did she, face to face......
......This display lasted for about ten minutes, and after filming the whole thing it was just awesome. During the display the blue on the throat was just incredible as he rocked from side to side in unison with her, however it ceased as quick as it began and she flew off with him following her.
-John young, wildlife enterprises
Sergei knew that Sasha would be furious. He followed the young russian into the locker room. Alex had switched his game a bit, moving it to practice. He deliberately stuck by Sasha, making comments, and finding any excuse to touch him. Sasha, at first, laughed it off, but soon got annoyed. Sergei once again saw the lust beneath his annoyance. Alex, after a particularly hard drill on the both of them, had returned to the bench, Sasha in tow. Sergei, at that time, was going to talk to them about improvements, when Alex leaned over, kissing Sasha. Sasha froze and his breathing quickened, before returning the kiss. The whole kiss was brief. Shaking, Sasha pushed Alex away, leaving for the locker room. Sergei followed, giving a stern look to Alex.
Now, Sasha was angrily putting his things away and Sergei stopped him. “Sasha...,” He said, speaking russian, “Calm down.”
“I cannot believe he did that!” Sasha hissed, also in russian.
“It’s Alex. What’s not to believe?” Sergei pointed out, “It’s ok, you know.”
“It is not ok.” Sasha said, “In front of everyone. He is making a fool out of me.”
Sergei laughed, “I’d say more himself, but, it is ok.”
Sasha rolled his eyes and said, “What would you know...”
“I know that you like him.” Sergei said, “A lot. You should let it happen.”
“I do not-” Sasha started, running a hand through his hair and avoiding eye contact, but Sergei interrupted him.
“You do. I can see it. I know these things.” Sergei said.
Sasha looked into Sergei’s face and sighed, “It’s... I don’t know.”
Suddenly, Sasha froze, back going straight as he heard his name being called. Sergei watched as Alex entered, out of breath. Alex looked at Sergei and then at Sasha. He froze for only a second before continuing over. He said, russian fast and out of breath, “Sasha... don’t run away.”
Sasha moved back, taking off his skates and undressing. He remained silent. Alex growled and said, “Sasha... remember what I said?”
Sasha turned, slipping his shirt off. Alex paused, eyes darting down, face blushing a bit. Sergei felt out of place, but remained planted. Sasha smirked, turning and putting his shirt on, grabbing his bag. “I remember.” He responded, “Does not mean that I want to kiss you during practice.”
“Sasha, you like me, yes?” Alex tried again, “Well I like you. What is the problem?”
Sasha shook his head and left the locker room, falling back into himself, his stoic face back in place. Alex looked on helplessly. He turned to Sergei and let out a frustrated growl, “What must I do? A mating dance?”
Sergei laughed, shaking his head, “Perhaps, since your dance isn’t the best.”
Alex gave Sergei a sour look, and sat down on the bench. “I don’t understand.”
Sergei sat down next to him and said, “Perhaps... that is the problem. You should try what he likes, not what you think he likes. Your body and advances usually get you what you want, but have you thought of what Sasha wants?”
Alex looked up at Sergei and sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Get dressed, little one, and go after him.” Sergei stood up and moved to return to the ice, “I’ll let Bruce know that you’re not coming back.”
Alex smiled gratefully and quickly began to change.
I heard the loud russel of the males wings as he alighted on the perch with the female landing right beside him. I knew from passed experiences that they would not handle movement but I had nothing to loose.
They were already going through the motions of getting into full display as I slowly eased the lens back through the mesh and began filming shaking with anticipation. They continued without even a glance and I can only put this down to their total involvement in the moment.
This display was just incredible, from when both birds began face on in full courtship, the action just kept on coming. Both male and female began flipping their wings from side to side slowly building up momentum, until the male seemed to over power her and force her into a submissive pose. As the male began to lean over her, she instantly crouched over the perch and went into a submissive pose and copulation took place immediately.
-John Young, Wildlife Enterprises
Olie hooked his arm with Sergei’s as they walked slowly through the streets of DC. It was a warm night, and quiet, the two men opting to take a long walk, speaking to each other quietly, or not speaking at all and merely holding hands. Turning the corner, Sergei froze, causing Olie to stop mid sentence. “What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
Sergei turned, eyes sparkling. “Our little MVP is smarter than I thought. He listened.”
Olie’s forehead scrunched and he followed Sergei’s line of sight. He grinned, melting. “Oh... oh that’s just adorable.”
“Why don’t you take me out to dinners like that?” Sergei said, jokingly.
Olie laughed, “I’m no Ovechkin.”
Alex, in a nice suit, hair combed, face shaved, was sitting in the outdoor terrace, having dinner with Sasha. Olie knew that reservations were hard to get. Alex was going above an beyond, from pouring Sasha’s wine, to having a napkin in his lap. There was a rose in Sasha’s hand, and Sasha was beaming, overjoyed. Sergei wrapped his arm around Olie’s lower back, pulling the goalie to his own body, resting his head on Olie’s shoulder. “It’s sweet.”
“I’ve never seen Sasha so happy.” Olie whispered, “And Alex so... giving.”
Sergei nodded, smiling. Sasha, to his credit, reached over the table and squeezed Alex’s hand. Alex, in turn, beamed just as brightly as Sasha, and bent down, kissing Sasha’s knuckles. The restaurant had a band that night, the music soft and slow. Alex whispered something and Sasha nodded, standing up. They were alone on the terrace, but again, Sergei noted that it seemed as if they were the only ones in the entire world, wrapped in each other. Alex extended his hand, Sasha taking it and moving to stand in front of Alex, his hand at Alex’s hip. Alex dipped his head, whispering into Sasha’s ear. Sasha laughed easily, and they began to sway to the music, slowly dancing. Alex’s hands found Sasha’s hips and Sasha more than obliged, draping his arms around Alex’s neck. It was simple, and it was genuine. They spoke softly and easily, laughing at parts, eyes never leaving each other’s.
Sergei sighed contentedly, eyes wistful. Olie noticed and began to stroke small circles in Sergei’s lower back, reminding the forward that he too could have what Sasha and Alex had on that terrace. Sergei grinned thankfully, “Let’s go home, Olaf.” Sergei whispered.
Olie nodded, “Perhaps, tomorrow, you and I... we can have dinner and a dance.”
Sergei nodded, “I’d like that.”
“I warn you, i’m a terrible dancer.” Olie whispered, leaning closer to Sergei, their faces close.
Sergei grinned and said, “Somehow I don’t believe that. I think you’ll be just right.”
Olie closed the distance between them, kissing Sergei, his lips soft and slow, like the two dancers on the terrace.
As they left I turned the camera off and just sat there in the dim light in total disbelief. The experience was just numbing, I could not believe what I just saw, and the good thing was I had not stopped the camera through the whole thing.
Its always in the back of your mind that some thing will go wrong, running out of film, batteries going flat or much worse in humid conditions like this, the lens fogging up, then its all over.
Filming and working with wild things is always exciting and some thing that I would find hard to live without.....
.......its some thing that has embedded in my being, and will do so for the rest of my life.
-John Young, Wildlife Enterprises