[identity profile] dragonblk17.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] 2minsforslashing
Title: Without A Fight
Pairing: Thomas Vanek/Derek Roy (Buffalo Sabres)
Rating: PG, for language.
Summary: Written for the challenge 'Fighting' at [livejournal.com profile] hockeychallenge. Thomas wants to take up a new role over his old one - but Derek doesn't exactly approve.
Disclaimer: Don't own any of the boys. I just love them way more than is healthy.


“You’d never do it, Van. I know exactly how you tick, and no way in hell would you drop the gloves unless you absolutely had to.”

Andrew Peters had been chirping into my ear for the past ten minutes because of me mumbling out that ‘I’d like to see what it’s like to drop the gloves, once.’ He was one of the many guys in the room that thought I’d never do it, considering the amount of money I was making, and the fact that my job wasn’t to fight. I was meant to score, but hell, it wasn’t like that was working out for me at the moment.

“Maybe you’re wrong, Petey. Do you really know how I work?” I had paused while adjusting my padding, and looked up to stare at him. He was a couple of inches taller than I was, but it didn’t intimidate me for one second. “Sure, I haven’t fought once in my career, or when I was younger, but it doesn’t mean that I can’t drop someone.” My hands found the padding again, and I went back to work.

“Whatever, Thomas. I’m sure Roysie would agree with me on this one, wouldn’t you Derek?”
The older, yet smaller man came striding towards him own locker and plopped down onto the bench. “To be honest Petey, if Thomas feels the need to fight? Then he should be able to do it. He just needs to do it at the right place and the right time, not randomly. That’s your job.” He looked from Petey to me, and I could see a smile creep onto his face. “I’d prefer that you didn’t think about fighting, Thomas.”

I sighed, and began to tie the laces on my right skate. “I know you don’t like the thought, Der. I just feel like…” I paused. What did I actually feel like? I wasn’t happy with the way I was currently playing, because of our losing streak. I wasn’t happy that I was letting down the city and the fans because of the expectations they had for me. I just was not happy. Derek and the other guys were keeping me sane from all the stress I was enduring, but I didn’t let any of them know that. The team was more important than the individual player.

“Feel like what?” His voice was soft, and it sent chills down my spine. I always loved when his voice was tranquil like that because it usually made me feel a bit better.
I sat up, and leaned against the side of my locker. “I feel like I’m not putting forth enough effort into the game, Derek. Look at us now – a nine game losing streak. I think I’ve only scored once in those nine? I haven’t been getting any points, and I can’t get the puck to anyone. I’ve just been…floating.” My eyes glanced down at the carpeted floor. I was so used to staring at the tan colored floor back at the arena in Buffalo that this dark blue color was foreign to me. I turned my head back up to look towards the door to the hallway.

“Thomas, I’ve told you a hundred times – you haven’t been floating.” Derek suddenly sat down in the stall next to me (Staff was talking to Pommers at the moment at his locker), and placed a hand on my left shoulder. One of my hands absentmindedly came up to caress it, and I intertwined my fingers with his. “We’ve all been trying our hardest out there. None of us can get the puck in the back of the net for some odd reason. It’s like there’s a curse placed upon us.” A laugh escaped his lips, and I couldn’t help but crack a smile. His laugh was one of the cutest things I had ever heard. “In all seriousness, though? Stop beating yourself up. If it’s because of the contract, and what people expect of you…don’t let those things get to your head, Thomas.” His thumb caressed my knuckles, and he got up again to plop on the bench right next to me. I moved over a bit to make room for him in my stall.

I sighed as I felt his head nuzzle against my shoulder. “They love what you’re doing, Derek.” My voice fell to a whisper, and I just stared down at the blue carpet again. “Even if you’re injured right now…” Derek tensed against my shoulder, and my right hand slid gently onto his bruised shoulder. Brushing it lightly with my thumb, and small smile peaked onto my face. “You’re doing great. All the little things I wish I could be doing.”

He looked up from my shoulder, and kissed me softly on the cheek. “Thomas, you’re trying. That’s what counts the most – and you know that. You don’t need me to tell you what you should and shouldn’t do.” A small index finger traced patterns along my cheek. Derek’s hands were warm, as opposed to mine which felt like icicles at the moment. As I would sit on the bench in Madison Square Garden, he’d be up in the press box watching us play and keeping himself warm without me being there. I’d be freezing – and my Roysie wouldn’t be with me to attempt and keep me comfortable. There was emptiness on the bench I had felt the past few days without him, and I had become much colder than I usually am during games. Derek was my guidance; the guy who always cheered me up if I read a play wrong, or shot the puck way wide of the net. It wasn’t the same when any of the other guys did it.

Looking at Derek, I realize how…great he looked in his suit. It was dark blue in color, with a matching tie, and it contrasted against his eyes well. His hair was done up nicely; which surprised me, considering his hair wasn’t messed up when he began to nuzzle it against my shoulder. I noticed the necklace dangling out of his dress shirt – the one connected with the ring I had gave him for New Year’s Eve. He had told me he loved it, and I smiled seeing it glint against the locker room light as it twisted back and forth slowly.

“Okay guys!” Both Derek and I had turned our heads to look at our coach, Lindy Ruff, standing at the front of the locker room. My eyes glanced over to the time – almost 6:15. We were going to go out and warm up in a bit. “I know that we’re riding a streak right now; a bad one. We’re going out there to face a team that hasn’t been doing so hot, either. We’ve practiced a ton on shoot-ins and taking pucks to the net, so I think if we work at that consistently and play within our system, we’ll be fine.” Lindy took a brief look through the entire room, and nodded his head slowly. “Don’t go out there with doom and gloom placed upon your faces. We’ve got to believe in ourselves and the talent we have in this room. I believe in you, and so does the city. Never forget that.” He paused for a moment, and began to turn around and head out the door. “I’ll see you all out there in ten minutes.”

“I guess I should get going…” Derek got up from his spot on my bench after Lindy left, and brushed off the small creases that appeared in his suit. “I was supposed to be up there awhile ago, with Max and Timmy. There’re probably wondering where the hell I am.” He laughed, and I stood up along with him to give him a tight hug. “I’m going to miss you out there…” I murmured the words into his ear, and kissed it lightly. I felt him tense up again, and my eyes widened when I realized I had been crushing his shoulder.
“Ahhh, Derek – are you okay?” I backed off a bit, and rubbed his bruise shoulder. “I completely forgot about the shoulder, I’m sorry sunshine…”
“No, it’s okay, Thomas.” Derek grimaced slightly, and placed a hand on top of mine. His was a little bit smaller than mine was, but I preferred it that way. When we held hands, it was the perfect fit. “I hope my shoulder is healed up by Friday night, because…I want to be out there with the rest of you guys. I hate just sitting around; not being able to help the team when they need me.”
“You’re still here in spirit, at least, with me.” I placed my other hand on my chest, right above my heart, and grinned.
“Thanks…” His voice lightened up a bit, and he looked into my eyes. “I love you.” He leaned up, and pressed his lips softly against mine. I was careful not to wrap my arms around him tightly this time, and returned the kiss. A few seconds later, Derek was the first to let go and he smiled up at me. “Good luck out there tonight, okay?”
“Yeah, okay.” I rubbed my nose against his, and kissed the tip of it. “Don’t talk about anything perverted up there in the box. I might get jealous.”
“Ha, I think the only thing I’ll say perverted is the fact that both Max and Timmy need to stop having sex so that their groins get better.” Derek stuck out his tongue, and chuckled. I couldn’t help but laugh, either.

“I’ll see you between periods.” He said after a few moments, and turned his back towards me as he headed to the door. I sighed a bit, and looked down towards my hands. They weren’t made for fighting – but a part of me still felt as if it wouldn’t hurt to try it out.

------

“Derek – look at Thomas. What he doing?”

I had been sighing and picking at my fingernails after the buzzer for the first period sounded, but Maxim Afinogenov’s voice had pulled me out of my trance. My eyes looked up from my phalanges, and I stared out at the ice in Madison Square Garden. The place was so huge from up in the press box that it was absolutely breathtaking.

“Where is h-“
Tim Connolly pointed to the television set that was located near us. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat because of his injury, and looked over at me. “Check it out.”
My eyes blinked as I watched the screen. I saw a ‘26’ going after…I couldn’t tell at first. A 19? Thomas was going after Scott Gomez of all people?!

“What the hell is he thinking…” It was more of a statement than a question, and neither Max nor Tim replied. Their eyes were transfixed on the screen, and the sudden zebra stripes showing on the television said that they were being broken up from their ‘small talk’.

After a few silent moments passed by, Max and Tim turned their heads to look at me. “So…Are you going to go ask him what that was about?” Tim placed a hand under his chin, and continued to look at me. The look on his face was bothering me. He wasn’t asking me a question – I think he was demanding that I went to go ask what was up.
“…Yes.” I stood up from my seat, and rubbed my shoulder a bit. It was suddenly stinging.
“Us come with you?” Max asked; looking concerned about my injury. I just smiled at the both of them, and shook my head as a reply.
“I’ll be fine, thanks guys. I’ll meet back up with you before the second starts.”

With that, I quickly made my way for the visitor’s locker room stationed on the complete opposite side of the arena. I had a bad feeling about what exactly those two had been talking about.

------

I didn’t want to talk about it. It was bad enough the other guys were pushing me around about it, but my own boyfriend didn’t have to come down too and bark in my ear for all of two minutes.

“Was this because of earlier?! Why are you going after him, of all people?! Are you nuts?!” Derek was taking short strides in front of where I was sitting, and I was trying my hardest to ignore him. I didn’t want to hear this.

“I’m irritated, Derek. I’m sick of us losing. I’m sick of not being able to do anything to help out the team.” I ran one of my hands through my blonde hair, and scratched my head. “Why did I pick Gomez? I don’t know – maybe I wasn’t thinking straight?”

“Damn right you weren’t thinking straight.” He scowled, and stopped pacing. Thank God, I thought. “I don’t want you to fight because you feel like it. It’s not your job.”
“I know Derek, but you’re not me. You can’t decide how I work during a game.”
“That doesn’t mean I can’t worry about the fact that you might get hurt out there if you fought.” He fell silent soon after he said that.

That was what this was about?

“Der…” My voice softened from what it had been previous, and I stood up to get a better look at him. His eyes were glazed over, and they were looking somewhere other than at me. “You don’t have to be worried about me.”
“Like hell I won’t be.” His head turned upwards, and I could see his eyes watering. “I know you’ve never fought in your life – I’m just afraid something might happen if and when you drop the gloves.”
“But Derek…” I wrapped my arms around him, and brought him closer to me. “I’m not just going to stand around if one of my teammates gets hurt. I’m going to fight for them.”
“I know you want to, Thomas.” His head buried into my chest. God, he was so adorable. “I don’t want you to fight for no reason, though. That’s ridiculous, and isn’t like you at all. It doesn’t fit your character.”

“Then I’m sorry, Derek.” I murmured into his hair, and my hand ran up and down his back in slow motions. Derek was right; I definitely wasn’t the sort of guy looking for a fight. I was no Sean Avery (and didn’t want to start becoming one), and my job was scoring goals. I had to focus on that first and foremost, so that I could help out the team.

“It’s okay.” He said after a few moments of silence. “…Just no more ‘small talk’, all right?” His eyes looked up at me, and I could see a smile form on his lips. I flashed him one back. “I promise on my life.” I said, and kissed the top of his head.
“Good. Now, get out there and score two goals or something so we can win this game.” Derek laughed, and I let go of him. “I know you can do it.”
“Thanks, sunshine.” I began putting on my jersey again. “I’ll see you after the second.”
“See you, sweetheart,” he said, and he walked out the door once more.

As I watched my Roysie leave, my mind really began to churn. Teammates like him were the reason why I wasn’t giving up now. I promised myself no matter how bad it got, I would still be here and be determined to help the team; no matter what it took.

No matter what.

Date: 2008-01-28 05:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] holdeverysong.livejournal.com
Okay, that was so cute. XD I loved it all.

Date: 2008-01-28 02:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fic-of-elise.livejournal.com
I really liked this! For a few different reasons. Ultimately, because of the general plot and the way you put Vanek's frustration in it. I really like that aspect. The little details as well. I like that the injured players are off somewhere in a box watching the game. I love Derek flipping out too. there are just too many little parts that really made me smile.

great job!

Date: 2008-01-28 10:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] xunfathomablex.livejournal.com
DEREK NEEDS TO STOP BEING ME. It's creepy that your Derek completely matches what I would do in his situation. Dx

Very cute Almost said it in German xP and I look forward to more. Thomas should bash Sean Avery's face in.

Date: 2008-01-29 01:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] slasher48.livejournal.com
I'm wondering as I"m reading this because I saw you put Max in it...:)

...who would you put him with since you have Derek and Tommy together?

And who would you put Timmy with, since you have Staff and Pommer together?

O.O. Just wondering.

As always, your fics are phenomenal. I swear you're spyin on Tom and Derek. (Yes, I know, that's stepping away from my pairing, but...) You make me almost believe they're together with how realistic this is. :)

If not for my major Max and Tommy love, you know I would.

;)

♥ Love you!

Date: 2008-01-29 10:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] slasher48.livejournal.com
*gape* St-straight? What? NO WAI. He's not straight. Pfft. Nuh uh, never.

You have a girlfriend? That rules. Wish I had one. >,<.

Timmy with Jochen, hmm? Not a bad idea.

But of course, due to Kezzie, I can only see Timmy/Jay now. Hehe.

You're so welcome!

Wish you were. I'd like to know what they're thinking too. ;)

It does! It absolutely does.

YOU SCORE! Goal achieved. ;)

SQUEE!

Date: 2008-01-29 10:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] slasher48.livejournal.com
*wiggles eyebrows* That's better. :P

I can see that. That's adorable, lucky you :)

Aw. Thanks. I'm sorry too. :\

It is! And Kezzie writes it to perfection. :D

YES! YAY! Do it more often.

Same as the Sabres should.

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Into the penalty box!

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