Rating: Probably G
Original Date of Completion: February 2003
Pairing: Sergei Fedorov/Marian Gaborik
Disclaimer: I don't own them. This is all fake and conjured in the confines of my demented little mind. Please don't sue me.
****************
"The kids were making you look old out there,"
Sergei Fedorov turned toward the joking voice that came from beside him. He grinned as his eyes met those of Al Macinnis, and Al pushed him playfully in the shoulder. He laughed as he pushed Al in return, then continued his walk to his locker. As he sat down and began to peel off his gear, his eyes caught glimpse of one of his linemates of the evening. Almost instantly he was thrust into a trance, much as he had been the previous night watching him fly to victory in the fastest skater competition.
He'd made it look easy out there, blazing around the rink with an ease Sergei himself once had. He'd watched transfixed as the beautiful creature strode around the rink, clocking in under 14 seconds. The bench erupted in praise for him as he stepped back onto the bench, and he shrugged it off with a humble smile. Sergei himself had been in that position before, captivating the crowd with blinding speed, earning the much deserved respect from his peers. Though he had never shrugged off the praise, or done anything remotely humble. He yearned for the spotlight, for a stage to showcase his talents. The All-Star game had always provided that stage. In years past, he'd stolen the show. And when he received the praise from his peers, he just grinned and agreed with whatever they said. But things had changed as the years passed, and now he was much more likely to dish out the praise than strive to receive it himself. Especially when the praise would be going to someone as deserving as Marian Gaborik.
Smiling, Sergei walked the short distance to where Marian stood. The younger man smiled as he approached, and Sergei felt his heart flutter at the sight. 'He's truly beautiful.' Sergei thought to himself as his eyes took Marian in. His hair was a tangled mass of curls, unruly and wild from their confinement beneath the green helmet he held in his hands. Dark eyes burned with a vibrant fire, a small twinkle gleaming in each. But his lips, bright pink from the nervous biting they currently endured, were what held Sergei's attention.
Marian held his bottom lip prisoner, biting at it nervously beneath Sergei's gaze. As Sergei watched the punishment being inflicted upon those lips, he found himself wanting to kiss them, to soothe the bitten flesh. A slight tingle resonated through his body with the thought, and he grinned despite himself. Marian raised an eyebrow, and his lip slipped free. That snapped Sergei from his trance, and he shook his head, smiling warmly at the man before him.
"You were great out there," He spoke, clapping Marian on the shoulder. "I could use a linemate like you in Detroit,"
Marian's cheeks flushed a light pink, and he smiled nervously. "Thank you. It means a lot coming from you,"
Nervously, Marian recaptured his bottom lip between his teeth and dropped his eyes from Sergei's. Sergei smiled at the sight, stepping forward and tucking his finger beneath Marian's chin. With a gentle nudge he lifted Marian's eyes back to his. Nervousness clouded his features, but it made him no less beautiful. As Sergei stared at him, watching him chew nervously at his lip, seconds away from scuffing his foot on the ground, the tingle returned to his body. And with the tingle returned the urge to feel those lips on his own. Glancing around the room, Sergei grinned as he saw attention focused anywhere but on them. His mind objected briefly, but as he leaned in, all objections were silenced.
His lips touched hesitantly against Marian's, ready to pull away at the first sight of resistance. But resistance would never come as Marian slowly kissed back. Excitement coursed through both of their bodies, but their kiss never showed it. It remained just a light, gentle caressing of lips, the feelings it pumped through their bodies like no others they had ever felt. It seemed to last for eternity, but it was really no more than a minute. Their kiss slowed as they ran short of breath, but neither wanted it to end. For a moment, both refused to break contact. But as more teammates began to emerge from the showers, both realized that they weren't engaging in the smartest of acts, kissing in a locker room full of almost complete strangers. So reluctantly they pulled apart, and stared at each other with sheepish grins.
Neither could explain the events that had transpired, but neither wanted to. It was a perfect ending to a perfect weekend, and needed no more justification than that. With a smile, Sergei grazed his hand softly down Marian's cheek, brushing the pad of his thumb against the small patch of fur growing on his chin. Marian giggled at the feeling, and with a playful grin he pushed Sergei's hand away. Sergei laughed in return, shaking his head and staring at Marian with a bright smile.
"On second thought, maybe you should stay in Minnesota. Kissing in the locker room is reserved for defensemen on my team,"
Marian giggled as he sat down, leaning back against his locker. "Better than the goalies like on mine,"
Sergei snorted a laugh and clapped Marian on the shoulder. Their eyes met briefly, and a silent thank you was spoken between them. It wasn't the last All-Star game for either of them, but this would be one they would never forget. Anything they could've asked for out of this weekend paled in comparison to that kiss. Smiling as their silent conversation ended, Sergei turned back toward his locker. But before he had taken even one step, Marian's voice stopped his progress.
"Sergei..."
Sergei turned back with a raised eyebrow.
"I'll see you in March."
END GAME
