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HIt or Miss chapter fifteen. FINAL
Elise
Buffalo Sabres/Boston Bruins
Jason Pominville/Zdeno Chara
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Zdeno growled into his coffee cup when Marc walked in. His friend had a huge grin on his face, and a lightness to his step. Raising an eyebrow, Zdeno asked, "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I'm happy." Marc said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Good for you," grumbled the defenseman, "You don't have any bourbon for this, do you?"
Receiving a look from Marc, Zdeno shrugged, "I guess not."
Sitting beside his captain, Marc said, "Are you ready for this early morning meeting, Zee?"
Shaking his head no, Zdeno remained in silence, sipping his coffee slowly. Marc tried again, "How are you doing?"
This time, Zdeno rolled his eyes in response. His friend looked at him, then dropped his voice, "You didn't call him."
"Why would he want to hear from me?" Zdeno hissed, "I ran away. Like a child."
"Probably because you love him, and he loves you..." Marc trailed off, "Perhaps you two can talk after the meeting?"
Zdeno shrugged, staring forward and not wanting to look at his friend's eyes. Marc noticed that Zdeno's shoulders were getting tense. He sighed and said, "Fine, Zee, we don't have to talk about your little sabre anymore."
"He's not a sabre. His career is over, and..." Zdeno sipped his coffee, instead of continuing.
Reaching over, Marc squeezed Zdeno's leg and said, "I think you'll be surprised at what can happen."
Zdeno gave Marc a look that looked to be a combination of annoyance and anger. Clamping his mouth shut, the forward turned towards the front of the room, just as Coach Julien entered. The meeting started quickly, and Zdeno was not in the mood for the topic. "Recently," Claude started, "We've had another career ending injury in the NHL. I know you have all heard about Sabres captain Jason Pominville."
Claude stared right at Zdeno when he spoke. "I want to make sure this doesn't happen to our own team. We need to be aware, and we need to take better precautions to avoid injury. I had video, but someone-" Claude looked at Marc, "seems to have lost the tape."
Zdeno nudged Marc in the leg, a silent thanks. The meeting continued, Zdeno half listening. After looking at his watch, Claude said, "Alright. We're almost done. In terms of health and awareness, we need to have a skills coach, who is there to discuss safety, mental health and nutrition."
Turning to his assistant coach, Claude said, "Could you please ask Mr. Pominville to come in?"
Zdeno's eyes widened, and he froze. Out of the corner of his eye, He saw Marc grinning like an idiot. Zdeno nudged Marc in the leg again, hissing, "You little..."
"Hello," interrupted Jason's voice, "As you're probably aware, I am Jason Pominville. My old coach connected me with Claude here, about a new position. I just wanted everyone to know that I am here to be a supportive background, and a voice in whatever chaos is circling around. My goal is to take care of the team and its players."
Marc whispered to Zdeno, thoroughly enjoying himself, "One on one, if must."
Zdeno's hand tightened around his coffee mug, and he couldn't take his eyes off of Jason. Jason smiled and then looked directly at Zdeno. "I'm here to stay."
Claude grinned, standing up. "Both Lindy Ruff and myself feel that Jason will be a fantastic addition to the Bruins team. Does anyone have any questions?"
The room was silent and Zdeno didn't move. Marc, who was chuckling to himself, raised his hand, but Zdeno quickly dragged it down. With one glance from the taller man, Marc sobered up. Claude nodded, satisfied and said, "Anything else, Jason?"
Jason nodded, writing his cell number on the chalk board behind him. "I am serious about this position, call me for anything. We'll all meet next practice, go over some individual stats and goals. Thank you for this opportunity. Also," Jason grinned, "Mr. Chara, could you stay behind for a moment. I'd like to start with you."
Zdeno inhaled sharply as Marc nearly burst out in laughter.
Claude ended the meeting, and Jason walked over to a set of files that Claude had left. He began to flip through them as people began to file out. Jason caught a glance, seeing Zdeno in the same position as he was almost the entire meeting. Once they were alone, Jason stood up and leaned on the desk. "Mr. Chara?"
Slowly, Zdeno stood up and walked to Jason. Zdeno's face was a bit rosy, and Jason could tell that he was nervous. Jason rubbed his hands together, noting that his palms were sweaty. He shifted to his other foot. Zdeno cleared his throat, "Yes, Mr. Pominville?"
Jason smiled sadly and reached up, readjusting Zdeno's tie. "I... I've been wanting to do that the entire meeting."
In a rush, Zdeno blurted out, "I'm sorry."
"It's ok."
Zdeno reached out, placing his hands on Jason's hips. "I was scared."
Jason looked into Zdeno's face, eyes wide and hopeful, a small smile dancing on his lips. "Of little me?"
Looking at the forward in front of him, the man who had been through so much, in so little time, Zdeno smiled back, "You are not so little, Jason."
"Zee..." Jason started, but was cut off as Zdeno leaned down, kissing him.
Jason felt Zdeno's arms wrap around him, and he sighed into the kiss, close to tears. He, still sore, returned the embrace, falling into the taller man, using him as a support. He slowly returned the kiss, remembering the feel of Zdeno's lips. Neither wanted the kiss to end, hands slowly remembering every detail of their bodies. Pulling away, Jason gasped for breath, resting his head on Zdeno's chest. Zdeno dropped kisses onto Jason's head, murmuring apologies. Tilting his head, Jason said, "I love you, Zee, I love you."
"You are not going back to a hotel. Come home, with me." Zdeno said, "Please, Jason..."
Jason laughed, taking Zdeno's hand in his own, rubbing the top with his thumb, "I never even bothered getting one."
Zdeno's eyes sparkled and Jason said, "I want to go home with you, Zdeno. When everything fell apart, all I thought of was being with you."
Zdeno squeezed Jason's hand and kissed his temple. "Let's go home."
It had been a month and Jason was in his office. He kept looking at his computer screen, chuckling over a chatroom between him, Derek and Ryan. He had settled in quite nicely. Zee and him were falling back into their routine, but this time, it seemed more balanced, more like a gift each day. The Bruins were playing decently well, and Jason was happy to see the Sabres were doing the same. He didn't think he'd fit in as quickly as he did. Boston was a beautiful city, and Zee was the best tour guide one could ask for. There was a knock on the door and Jason looked up. Shawn Thornton stood in the doorway, arms crossed. "So. Pominville."
Jason turned his complete attention to Shawn. They had never had a good history, but Jason was a part of the team here. He had to be unbiased. "Mr. Thornton?"
Shawn shifted feet, signalling that he was nervous. "I wanted... you said that you were available... I wanted to say..."
Jason stood up, indicating for Shawn to sit down, hopefully putting the man at ease. Shawn waved his hand, "I'll stand, thanks. Listen. I... just wanted to say..." Shawn cleared his throat and cracked his neck, attempting to look tough, "That... well, My sister sortof... well, she became a les- a... She... likes girls. And that's weird. But it's not so weird. What I'm trying to say is that...uh... if you break Zee's heart, I'm going to have to kill you, but otherwise, welcome to the team."
Jason blinked, jaw opened a bit. "I...uh...thanks..."
"You can call me Shawn, and the boys and I are going for a drink. No funny business."
"You don't have to worry," Jason said, still slightly confused at the sudden ceasefire, "I love Zee."
Shawn scrunched his face and said, "Listen, I know there's like... an olive branch between us and all... but if you could not remind me that my captain is sexual, that would be great."
Jason laughed and stood up, extending his hand, "I'll try, ok? Call me Jason, or Jase."
Shawn nodded and shook his hand, "We're meeting up the street, Zee knows the place."
"Alright, we'll be there." Jason said.
Shawn nodded and sighed, "Alright. I'm not hugging."
Jason raised his hands, "Not necessary... we're good."
Nodding again, Shawn left. A few seconds later, Zdeno popped his head in and said, "Aw... you should've hugged."
Jason gave Zdeno a sour look. "Right. I don't need anymore injuries, thanks. Did you put him up to that?"
Zdeno shook his head and walked over, circling Jason's waist with his arms. "That was all him."
Jason smiled and said, "Well... are we going to meet the guys?"
Grinning, Zdeno nodded, dropping a kiss onto Jason's neck. "Everything fell into place."
the end.
thank you.
Elise
Buffalo Sabres/Boston Bruins
Jason Pominville/Zdeno Chara
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Zdeno growled into his coffee cup when Marc walked in. His friend had a huge grin on his face, and a lightness to his step. Raising an eyebrow, Zdeno asked, "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I'm happy." Marc said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Good for you," grumbled the defenseman, "You don't have any bourbon for this, do you?"
Receiving a look from Marc, Zdeno shrugged, "I guess not."
Sitting beside his captain, Marc said, "Are you ready for this early morning meeting, Zee?"
Shaking his head no, Zdeno remained in silence, sipping his coffee slowly. Marc tried again, "How are you doing?"
This time, Zdeno rolled his eyes in response. His friend looked at him, then dropped his voice, "You didn't call him."
"Why would he want to hear from me?" Zdeno hissed, "I ran away. Like a child."
"Probably because you love him, and he loves you..." Marc trailed off, "Perhaps you two can talk after the meeting?"
Zdeno shrugged, staring forward and not wanting to look at his friend's eyes. Marc noticed that Zdeno's shoulders were getting tense. He sighed and said, "Fine, Zee, we don't have to talk about your little sabre anymore."
"He's not a sabre. His career is over, and..." Zdeno sipped his coffee, instead of continuing.
Reaching over, Marc squeezed Zdeno's leg and said, "I think you'll be surprised at what can happen."
Zdeno gave Marc a look that looked to be a combination of annoyance and anger. Clamping his mouth shut, the forward turned towards the front of the room, just as Coach Julien entered. The meeting started quickly, and Zdeno was not in the mood for the topic. "Recently," Claude started, "We've had another career ending injury in the NHL. I know you have all heard about Sabres captain Jason Pominville."
Claude stared right at Zdeno when he spoke. "I want to make sure this doesn't happen to our own team. We need to be aware, and we need to take better precautions to avoid injury. I had video, but someone-" Claude looked at Marc, "seems to have lost the tape."
Zdeno nudged Marc in the leg, a silent thanks. The meeting continued, Zdeno half listening. After looking at his watch, Claude said, "Alright. We're almost done. In terms of health and awareness, we need to have a skills coach, who is there to discuss safety, mental health and nutrition."
Turning to his assistant coach, Claude said, "Could you please ask Mr. Pominville to come in?"
Zdeno's eyes widened, and he froze. Out of the corner of his eye, He saw Marc grinning like an idiot. Zdeno nudged Marc in the leg again, hissing, "You little..."
"Hello," interrupted Jason's voice, "As you're probably aware, I am Jason Pominville. My old coach connected me with Claude here, about a new position. I just wanted everyone to know that I am here to be a supportive background, and a voice in whatever chaos is circling around. My goal is to take care of the team and its players."
Marc whispered to Zdeno, thoroughly enjoying himself, "One on one, if must."
Zdeno's hand tightened around his coffee mug, and he couldn't take his eyes off of Jason. Jason smiled and then looked directly at Zdeno. "I'm here to stay."
Claude grinned, standing up. "Both Lindy Ruff and myself feel that Jason will be a fantastic addition to the Bruins team. Does anyone have any questions?"
The room was silent and Zdeno didn't move. Marc, who was chuckling to himself, raised his hand, but Zdeno quickly dragged it down. With one glance from the taller man, Marc sobered up. Claude nodded, satisfied and said, "Anything else, Jason?"
Jason nodded, writing his cell number on the chalk board behind him. "I am serious about this position, call me for anything. We'll all meet next practice, go over some individual stats and goals. Thank you for this opportunity. Also," Jason grinned, "Mr. Chara, could you stay behind for a moment. I'd like to start with you."
Zdeno inhaled sharply as Marc nearly burst out in laughter.
Claude ended the meeting, and Jason walked over to a set of files that Claude had left. He began to flip through them as people began to file out. Jason caught a glance, seeing Zdeno in the same position as he was almost the entire meeting. Once they were alone, Jason stood up and leaned on the desk. "Mr. Chara?"
Slowly, Zdeno stood up and walked to Jason. Zdeno's face was a bit rosy, and Jason could tell that he was nervous. Jason rubbed his hands together, noting that his palms were sweaty. He shifted to his other foot. Zdeno cleared his throat, "Yes, Mr. Pominville?"
Jason smiled sadly and reached up, readjusting Zdeno's tie. "I... I've been wanting to do that the entire meeting."
In a rush, Zdeno blurted out, "I'm sorry."
"It's ok."
Zdeno reached out, placing his hands on Jason's hips. "I was scared."
Jason looked into Zdeno's face, eyes wide and hopeful, a small smile dancing on his lips. "Of little me?"
Looking at the forward in front of him, the man who had been through so much, in so little time, Zdeno smiled back, "You are not so little, Jason."
"Zee..." Jason started, but was cut off as Zdeno leaned down, kissing him.
Jason felt Zdeno's arms wrap around him, and he sighed into the kiss, close to tears. He, still sore, returned the embrace, falling into the taller man, using him as a support. He slowly returned the kiss, remembering the feel of Zdeno's lips. Neither wanted the kiss to end, hands slowly remembering every detail of their bodies. Pulling away, Jason gasped for breath, resting his head on Zdeno's chest. Zdeno dropped kisses onto Jason's head, murmuring apologies. Tilting his head, Jason said, "I love you, Zee, I love you."
"You are not going back to a hotel. Come home, with me." Zdeno said, "Please, Jason..."
Jason laughed, taking Zdeno's hand in his own, rubbing the top with his thumb, "I never even bothered getting one."
Zdeno's eyes sparkled and Jason said, "I want to go home with you, Zdeno. When everything fell apart, all I thought of was being with you."
Zdeno squeezed Jason's hand and kissed his temple. "Let's go home."
It had been a month and Jason was in his office. He kept looking at his computer screen, chuckling over a chatroom between him, Derek and Ryan. He had settled in quite nicely. Zee and him were falling back into their routine, but this time, it seemed more balanced, more like a gift each day. The Bruins were playing decently well, and Jason was happy to see the Sabres were doing the same. He didn't think he'd fit in as quickly as he did. Boston was a beautiful city, and Zee was the best tour guide one could ask for. There was a knock on the door and Jason looked up. Shawn Thornton stood in the doorway, arms crossed. "So. Pominville."
Jason turned his complete attention to Shawn. They had never had a good history, but Jason was a part of the team here. He had to be unbiased. "Mr. Thornton?"
Shawn shifted feet, signalling that he was nervous. "I wanted... you said that you were available... I wanted to say..."
Jason stood up, indicating for Shawn to sit down, hopefully putting the man at ease. Shawn waved his hand, "I'll stand, thanks. Listen. I... just wanted to say..." Shawn cleared his throat and cracked his neck, attempting to look tough, "That... well, My sister sortof... well, she became a les- a... She... likes girls. And that's weird. But it's not so weird. What I'm trying to say is that...uh... if you break Zee's heart, I'm going to have to kill you, but otherwise, welcome to the team."
Jason blinked, jaw opened a bit. "I...uh...thanks..."
"You can call me Shawn, and the boys and I are going for a drink. No funny business."
"You don't have to worry," Jason said, still slightly confused at the sudden ceasefire, "I love Zee."
Shawn scrunched his face and said, "Listen, I know there's like... an olive branch between us and all... but if you could not remind me that my captain is sexual, that would be great."
Jason laughed and stood up, extending his hand, "I'll try, ok? Call me Jason, or Jase."
Shawn nodded and shook his hand, "We're meeting up the street, Zee knows the place."
"Alright, we'll be there." Jason said.
Shawn nodded and sighed, "Alright. I'm not hugging."
Jason raised his hands, "Not necessary... we're good."
Nodding again, Shawn left. A few seconds later, Zdeno popped his head in and said, "Aw... you should've hugged."
Jason gave Zdeno a sour look. "Right. I don't need anymore injuries, thanks. Did you put him up to that?"
Zdeno shook his head and walked over, circling Jason's waist with his arms. "That was all him."
Jason smiled and said, "Well... are we going to meet the guys?"
Grinning, Zdeno nodded, dropping a kiss onto Jason's neck. "Everything fell into place."
the end.
thank you.