Keep Me Close- Chapter XXXII
May. 7th, 2010 12:57 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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2minsforslashingTeam: San Jose Sharks
Pairing: Joe Thornton/Evgeni Nabokov
Rating: G, plus some swearing
Summary: Not all in San Jose is sunny as the path to the Stanley Cup proves to be as difficult as ever; falling in love might be the simplest task on this year’s agenda.
Editor: None Today! Because this was a surprise for everyone <3 Be warned though… probably a lot of horrendous mistakes ahead.
Also, this took way too long and I’m sorry for my spottiness of updating :(
| Chapter I | Chapter II | Chapter III | Chapter IV | Chapter V | Chapter VI | Chapter VII | Chapter VIII | Chapter IX | Chapter X | Chapter XI | Chapter XII | Chapter XIII | Chapter XIV | Chapter XV | Chapter XVI Part one | Chapter XVI Part two | Chapter XVII part one | Chapter XVII part two | Chapter XVIII | Chapter XVIII | Chapter XIX | Chapter XX | Chapter XXI | Chapter XXII | Chapter XXIII | Chapter XXIV | Chapter XXV | Chapter XXVI | Chapter XXVII | Chapter XXVIII | Chapter XXIX | Chapter XXX | Chapter XXXI
Chapter XXXII
“Looks like somebody’s in the mile-high club,” a voice sang from behind their row, nearly startling both Evgeni and Joe out of their skins.
Whipping his head around, Joe came face to face with Devin, a shit-eating smile on the young man’s face. He blanched, unsure of what to do, being caught red-handed… well, not necessarily ‘red’ as more white per say, but caught nonetheless.
“Um, ah…” Joe searched for words to say, a blush rising to his cheeks. This was a very, very unwanted event, but in a twisted way, Joe had to thank some higher power that if anyone was to catch them, it was Devin. At the same time, Joe became even more embarrassed that Devin had caught them in the act twice.
Devin crooked a brow at the many different types of emotion flashing across Joe’s face, his puffy lips curling into a smirk. “Hey, woah there, buddy!”
Joe stopped his pathetic grunts looking for the right words to say and scowled. Just because Devin was his teammate, it didn’t mean that they were always “buddies”. Like now. Especially now.
Devin waved off the glare with a shrug, unfazed. “I’ve seen you two do worse, trust me.”
Joe didn’t know what to say to this. It was true. He grunted and thought mean things about the sophomore, turning back around in his seat. Apparently his deed was done, for Devin didn’t bother them again. Joe sighed, running a hand through his hair to calm himself. The surprise had killed his arousal, that’s for sure.
He felt the blanket poking at his hand before he saw it, and when he looked down, the corner of the fabric is engulfing the hand, quickly followed by warm fingers. Evgeni was smiling secretively to Joe when they catch each other’s eyes, and Joe couldn’t help but smile back, despite the disturbance.
Leaning back into his seat, Joe found himself yawning. He fell asleep like that, with Evgeni’s hand in his, warm and reassuring.
-----
It was the first two days back from the road trip to Canada, and the Sharks had practices on both the Sunday and Monday before the game against Tampa on the thirteenth.
Joe stopped by their first night home much to Evgeni’s surprise, and he was relieved that he was freed from entertaining the two of them, the other man bringing over Chinese food and a selection of movies. They hesitated before settling in on the couch, not sure how they were supposed to sit together: on their respective sides like usual or snuggled up, like a real couple. But it was cold, and Evgeni really only owned one good blanket, so they thought it best to share.
He didn’t remember what movie they started watching, shit, he didn’t even really care. Joe’s denim clad thigh was pressed up against his own right from the title sequence and the innocent touch was enough to send goosebumps down his legs. Evgeni caught himself on more than one occasion watching the man next to him with more interest than the television, and it’s not long before that the movie loses all importance—as if there was any to start with when Joe was sitting next to him.
Swallowing nervously, he rubbed his jaw with the tips of his fingers to preoccupy his jittery hands, the barely stubbled skin weatherworn to the touch. He shaved that morning, remembering a long time ago when Joe complimented his clean look. He wondered if other noticed now. He realized how juvenile his vanity was and he buried his hands in his lap again, blushing at his attempt to woo Joe.
The man’s head bobbed as he laughed out loud at something on the TV, and Evgeni laughed too, maybe a little breathlessly, taken aback by how handsome Joe looked in the flashing lights, a whisper of blue shining on his youthful face.
It’s hard to put his finger on it, really, why Evgeni felt this strong pull toward this man. There were just too many reasons why it made it impossible for him to not love Joe.
After the fiasco in San Francisco with Devin, the club, the dancing, and—dear lord—the, well, giving a blow job in a taxi, Evgeni had told Joe what he thought to be his deepest, darkest secret. That he’d been enamored with his late-goaltending coach.
When that was finally out in the open, it finally became so… tangible. Like Evgeni could reach out his hand and grab onto it. He had liked Warren. And he did something about it. Something that wasn’t all too smart. Maybe it was because the older man believed in the goaltender’s youthful skills when no one else did, or the fact he committed to being Evgeni’s friend even when they could barely understand each others’ strange languages. Whatever it was, it had a lasting impact.
And that one mistake he did make? When he attempted to pull out some returned emotion from the older man? Well, it didn’t really end up as disappointing as a puck getting past him. He made the first move and kissed Warren, like one pokecheck in the shootout too eager, the game losing goal imminent. But somehow, the flashing red light didn’t go off and Evgeni was safe; because Warren did love him. Just not like that.
The absence of rejection, of disgust, is what made him know that it was okay. Not anything like Patrick’s reaction on Christmas Eve.
He’d find his somebody, just not then, not with Warren. That reassurance was enough to accept who he was a long time ago.
Evgeni told Joe everything that he could, and when that was done, he had one last secret to tell, one that he didn’t even know about. Now he couldn’t stop thinking, despite how childish and naïve it may seem, that Joe might be his somebody. Or maybe he’s just a sucker for being rescued. There’s a brief flash behind his eyelids of a dimly lit alleyway in Dallas and a leering face hovering above his own before Evgeni pushed the disturbing thought away. Joe was with him now—he rolls his eyes—his “knight in shining armor”.
Smiling wistfully, Evgeni thought about saying something, but no words came to him. None that Joe would be able to comprehend, anyway. This would be easier if Evgeni didn’t have to think that much harder to string English fragmented words together when he was worried about saying the wrong thing.
“Thanks fhor coming over,” Evgeni blurted out before he even realized he had something to say.
“Hmm?” Joe grunted in question, muting the volume instantly and giving his undivided attention to the man nestled beside him.
“Oh.” Evgeni flushed under the close gaze. “I, ah, thank yhou, really.” He’s happy about the surprise visit.
When Joe smiled brightly for him, Evgeni couldn’t look away. And everything felt right.
-----
Evgeni could feel Joe’s eyes on him when he stretched before and after a practice, and sometimes before a game, even though they’re both neck deep into their pregame ritual and it wasn’t wise to disrupt it. But the staring? It wasn’t as if Joe was subtle about it, he didn’t even bother to look away when Evgeni turned around to confirm his suspicions.
Joe looked lost in his own thoughts every time: blinking slowly as he analyzed the goaltender, a pensive expression settling on his face.
Not going to lie, Evgeni was a little unnerved under the gaze, the tiniest bit worried that someone might see the two of them shooting lusty glances across the room to one another. He couldn’t keep the blush from creeping up over his face. It made him feel like a teenager all over again. Today was no different and Evgeni could feel his face heat up with a fierce intensity as he tried to focus on stretching his hamstrings.
“Joe. ‘Ey! Jumbo!”
It’s not until he heard Ryane’s nasally baritone calling Joe’s nickname that Evgeni attempted to look back of his shoulder, hopefully casually. Joe wasn’t looking at him anymore and he would be lying if he said he didn’t mind it. Evgeni wasn’t all for attention, his teammates and the fans could probably vouch for this, but Joe’s attention? He may not act like it, but it was certainly a nice thing to have.
‘Thanks, Ryane.’ Evgeni tried to look nonchalant as he listened in on the conversation. A wisp of guilt curled around his insides and what he’s doing felt so much like eavesdropping, even though Ryane talked loud enough for Todd to hear from his office with the door closed, and the others around the room didn’t bother to hide their mild interest either.
“Um…” Joe finished up the last button of his striped white and light blue shirt, his hands pressing into his stomach for a moment, probably to flatten out the wrinkles, but Evgeni couldn’t help but bite the inside of his cheek at the endearing action. Joe looked up and his hazel eyes sparkled with question. “Huh?” he grunted, taking his time to answer Ryane’s call.
His gaze flickered over to where Evgeni was stretching on the ground in his stale underclothes, sticking to his sweaty body. Joe offered a twitch of the lips, barely noticeable even when Evgeni was searching for it. The simple gesture calmed the boiling anxiousness in his chest, a strange feeling that he didn’t even know was bothering him until it was swept away immediately, like the refreshing burst of water in the showers, ridding him of the game’s dirt and grime.
Ryane looked ruffled at the disinterested acknowledgment, but if he really was perturbed, the man shook the emotion off quickly with a smirking half-smile. “Ah man, Joe, y’don’t have to be like that. I’s just gonna say you haven’t been out with us in a while, y’know?”
“What? I haven’t?” Joe blinked, appearing truly surprised. Evgeni felt his face grow warmer when Joe’s eyes darted towards him. Well. Most of the time had been spent with himself he supposed.
“Naw man! I—Can you believe this guy?” he turned toward Pavs and they both shared a chuckle, missing the confused exchange between Joe and Evgeni. “Haven’t seen you all year, and it’s what? Jesus, yer goin’ to Montreal next week! Halfway through the season, Joe!”
“Oh. Yeah. It is, huh?” Joe sniffed and didn’t seem to think much of it.
Evgeni’s eyes widened. Fuck, really? Already? Where the hell had the first half of the season gone?
Ryane made an exasperated noise, kind of blowing out of his noise but growling in his throat at the same time, his hands running through his hair and rubbing his face and Evgeni by this point was completely confused. Ryane started speaking fast in his mumbled speech and Evgeni didn’t have a clue what was going on, only catching every other word the man was saying; it was just too much of a hassle to keep up. Sure, he’d understand when Joe said something, but he’d just offer the ever-helpful “uh-huh” and “yeah”, and Evgeni had no problem understanding that.
Huffing, he went back to his stretching his legs, nice and limber already from him unintentionally sitting in his near split for so long. He gave up trying to understand what Ryane was saying all together when it just got too frustrating. He’d just ask Joe what they were talking about later anyway. It shouldn’t really be his business, and he shouldn’t really pry Joe for more information, but Joe’s eyes were on him the whole time and Evgeni felt like he kind of had a right to be curious.
-----
“So. I’m going with Ryane and a few of the guys for some drinks on Friday…” Joe informed Evgeni before he even had the chance to ask. They stood in the empty hall, most of the guys in the showers or already gone.
“Oh!” Evgeni blinked in surprise. “That’s nice.” He smiled and was intrigued to learn just that was what all the whispering and commotion was about. But Joe just gives him a blank look, as if trying to tell him something through his eyes. It sort of creeped Evgeni out; they weren’t to that point of a relationship yet. “What?”
Joe shrugged and scuffed the heel of his shoe on the carpet. “I dunno,” he sighed, sticking his hands deep in his pockets. Evgeni made sure the man felt his ‘don’t you lie to me’ glare. “It feels like ‘m abandoning you, all right?” he elaborated, his hands flying out of his pockets and jittering nervously, scratching the bridge of his nose, running through his wavy hair. Evgeni reached out and touched the man’s arm gently. Joe stopped his fidgeting.
“Joe.”
He sighed. “Yes?”
“Iya can be alone fhor a night. Rheally. I’ve dhone it before.” He chuckled at his teasing and gave a reassuring smile, hoping that Joe wouldn’t become a hermit because of him. He hadn’t realized half the season was almost over. He’s had his fair share of the man; Joe could go see their friends for a night.
-----
Okay, maybe he wasn't completely fine.
Evgeni stared longingly at his phone, taking a break from aimlessly flipping through television channels. But no matter how intently he glared at it, the vibrate wouldn’t go off to indicate a new message. Groaning dejectedly, Evgeni dropped the remote onto the couch beside him, the device rolling against his thigh before he pulled himself up, wiping his hands off on his behind. He headed into the kitchen to fetch himself a beer, and of course right when he entered the other room, he heard the tell-tale hum of his phone, buzzing alertly with a new text message awaiting him. He snatched a beer carelessly from the fridge, not so much caring about the taste so much as the aftereffect.
The chilled glass bottle was frosty in his hand as he fell back onto his couch, the screen of his phone glowing with Joe’s reply.
couple more hours I think
Evgeni’s brow furrowed, a frown on his lips. He was in the middle of responding before his phone started vibrating again in his hand.
are you ok? I can leave early
Evgeni stared long and hard at the offer, the little words innocent and kind and exactly what Evgeni had been wishing to hear. His thumb hovered over the “Y” button for a moment, but he bit his lip. Joe shouldn’t be rotting away to nothing with him, watching endless hours of movies when he should be going out, seeing their friends again. Sighing for what felt like the hundredth time that night, Evgeni texted back a short reply.
Don’t do that, I’m fine. Really. I’ll see you tomorrow, ok?
He hit send and felt his stomach drop the second after he did. Evgeni didn’t bother to read what Joe would send next (and he knew the other man would, he always needed to be the last person to say something), and chucked his phone to the other side of the couch. He sprawled out lazily, his joints popping loudly, his knees most of all.
Sure enough, the phone buzzed with a new message, but Evgeni wasn’t going to bother. It would be something unsubstantial, anyway. Something like “oh, ok” or “if you say so”. And Evgeni wasn’t saying it was bad or anything, it was just a quirk he had learned about the man after spending half the fucking season together, the two of them nearly inseparable. Blinking at his last thought when it actually caught up to him, Evgeni had to wrinkle his nose in distaste. Is this really what it’s like to fall for someone? Picking apart their little habits, like noticing how Joe ran his fingers through his hair when he was stressed or nervous, or how he managed to say so much by saying really nothing at all. Evgeni stopped himself mid-thought blinked again. “…Dammit!” He was going to pretend he didn’t know these useless things about Joe. “Iya need to get out of the house,” he huffed aggressively to no one in particular, standing up swiftly and grabbing his phone.
Devin’s. He was going to go to Devin’s. Despite how nosy and obnoxious the sophomore really was. It was impulsive and it really didn’t make a whole lot of sense, but it was better than staying at home, in the dark no less, moping about how lonely he felt. If he got out of the house more often he wouldn’t even be so damn lonely without Joe. But, he thinks, he wasn’t always like this; this reclusive and solitary lifestyle.
‘Fucking Avery,’ Evgeni glared as he shouldered on his coat. Screw that guy for making him so damn paranoid and touchy with everything. He would punch him right in his smirking mouth if the coward was standing in front of him. In the back of his mind, Evgeni knew he should have been overjoyed that he managed to think about his incident and not cringe away from it. Accepting that it happened would be the first step to recovery. Or some shit like that; something philosophical Joe had told him once when they treaded lightly around the subject.
But Evgeni didn’t care that he was thinking about it, he was just pissed. Pissed at Joe for leaving (nevermind the fact Evgeni gave the man permission to go), pissed at himself for being a sorry excuse of an emotionally stable person, and pissed at Avery for making him this scared of going out of the house to interact with other human beings to begin with.
He was on his way out the door when he remembered that Joe had texted him back not that long ago. Curious to see if one of his predictions were right, he pulled the slim device out of his pocket, his other hand fumbling with his keys. He looked down at the screen after he locked the door.
yeah I guess so. I’ll still miss you though. Night yev
His chest swelled from reading the words, and suddenly Evgeni wasn’t so pissed at Joe Thornton any more.
-----
Short chapter because more would just take longer. Also, unedited! Yikes D: I wouldn’t have read this if I were you.
Oh, and um. Sorry for the really really really long wait. And a wait for a pretty crappy chapter, no less. Review anyway? Because you don’t know when your next chance to do it will be?
Pairing: Joe Thornton/Evgeni Nabokov
Rating: G, plus some swearing
Summary: Not all in San Jose is sunny as the path to the Stanley Cup proves to be as difficult as ever; falling in love might be the simplest task on this year’s agenda.
Editor: None Today! Because this was a surprise for everyone <3 Be warned though… probably a lot of horrendous mistakes ahead.
Also, this took way too long and I’m sorry for my spottiness of updating :(
| Chapter I | Chapter II | Chapter III | Chapter IV | Chapter V | Chapter VI | Chapter VII | Chapter VIII | Chapter IX | Chapter X | Chapter XI | Chapter XII | Chapter XIII | Chapter XIV | Chapter XV | Chapter XVI Part one | Chapter XVI Part two | Chapter XVII part one | Chapter XVII part two | Chapter XVIII | Chapter XVIII | Chapter XIX | Chapter XX | Chapter XXI | Chapter XXII | Chapter XXIII | Chapter XXIV | Chapter XXV | Chapter XXVI | Chapter XXVII | Chapter XXVIII | Chapter XXIX | Chapter XXX | Chapter XXXI
Chapter XXXII
“Looks like somebody’s in the mile-high club,” a voice sang from behind their row, nearly startling both Evgeni and Joe out of their skins.
Whipping his head around, Joe came face to face with Devin, a shit-eating smile on the young man’s face. He blanched, unsure of what to do, being caught red-handed… well, not necessarily ‘red’ as more white per say, but caught nonetheless.
“Um, ah…” Joe searched for words to say, a blush rising to his cheeks. This was a very, very unwanted event, but in a twisted way, Joe had to thank some higher power that if anyone was to catch them, it was Devin. At the same time, Joe became even more embarrassed that Devin had caught them in the act twice.
Devin crooked a brow at the many different types of emotion flashing across Joe’s face, his puffy lips curling into a smirk. “Hey, woah there, buddy!”
Joe stopped his pathetic grunts looking for the right words to say and scowled. Just because Devin was his teammate, it didn’t mean that they were always “buddies”. Like now. Especially now.
Devin waved off the glare with a shrug, unfazed. “I’ve seen you two do worse, trust me.”
Joe didn’t know what to say to this. It was true. He grunted and thought mean things about the sophomore, turning back around in his seat. Apparently his deed was done, for Devin didn’t bother them again. Joe sighed, running a hand through his hair to calm himself. The surprise had killed his arousal, that’s for sure.
He felt the blanket poking at his hand before he saw it, and when he looked down, the corner of the fabric is engulfing the hand, quickly followed by warm fingers. Evgeni was smiling secretively to Joe when they catch each other’s eyes, and Joe couldn’t help but smile back, despite the disturbance.
Leaning back into his seat, Joe found himself yawning. He fell asleep like that, with Evgeni’s hand in his, warm and reassuring.
-----
It was the first two days back from the road trip to Canada, and the Sharks had practices on both the Sunday and Monday before the game against Tampa on the thirteenth.
Joe stopped by their first night home much to Evgeni’s surprise, and he was relieved that he was freed from entertaining the two of them, the other man bringing over Chinese food and a selection of movies. They hesitated before settling in on the couch, not sure how they were supposed to sit together: on their respective sides like usual or snuggled up, like a real couple. But it was cold, and Evgeni really only owned one good blanket, so they thought it best to share.
He didn’t remember what movie they started watching, shit, he didn’t even really care. Joe’s denim clad thigh was pressed up against his own right from the title sequence and the innocent touch was enough to send goosebumps down his legs. Evgeni caught himself on more than one occasion watching the man next to him with more interest than the television, and it’s not long before that the movie loses all importance—as if there was any to start with when Joe was sitting next to him.
Swallowing nervously, he rubbed his jaw with the tips of his fingers to preoccupy his jittery hands, the barely stubbled skin weatherworn to the touch. He shaved that morning, remembering a long time ago when Joe complimented his clean look. He wondered if other noticed now. He realized how juvenile his vanity was and he buried his hands in his lap again, blushing at his attempt to woo Joe.
The man’s head bobbed as he laughed out loud at something on the TV, and Evgeni laughed too, maybe a little breathlessly, taken aback by how handsome Joe looked in the flashing lights, a whisper of blue shining on his youthful face.
It’s hard to put his finger on it, really, why Evgeni felt this strong pull toward this man. There were just too many reasons why it made it impossible for him to not love Joe.
After the fiasco in San Francisco with Devin, the club, the dancing, and—dear lord—the, well, giving a blow job in a taxi, Evgeni had told Joe what he thought to be his deepest, darkest secret. That he’d been enamored with his late-goaltending coach.
When that was finally out in the open, it finally became so… tangible. Like Evgeni could reach out his hand and grab onto it. He had liked Warren. And he did something about it. Something that wasn’t all too smart. Maybe it was because the older man believed in the goaltender’s youthful skills when no one else did, or the fact he committed to being Evgeni’s friend even when they could barely understand each others’ strange languages. Whatever it was, it had a lasting impact.
And that one mistake he did make? When he attempted to pull out some returned emotion from the older man? Well, it didn’t really end up as disappointing as a puck getting past him. He made the first move and kissed Warren, like one pokecheck in the shootout too eager, the game losing goal imminent. But somehow, the flashing red light didn’t go off and Evgeni was safe; because Warren did love him. Just not like that.
The absence of rejection, of disgust, is what made him know that it was okay. Not anything like Patrick’s reaction on Christmas Eve.
He’d find his somebody, just not then, not with Warren. That reassurance was enough to accept who he was a long time ago.
Evgeni told Joe everything that he could, and when that was done, he had one last secret to tell, one that he didn’t even know about. Now he couldn’t stop thinking, despite how childish and naïve it may seem, that Joe might be his somebody. Or maybe he’s just a sucker for being rescued. There’s a brief flash behind his eyelids of a dimly lit alleyway in Dallas and a leering face hovering above his own before Evgeni pushed the disturbing thought away. Joe was with him now—he rolls his eyes—his “knight in shining armor”.
Smiling wistfully, Evgeni thought about saying something, but no words came to him. None that Joe would be able to comprehend, anyway. This would be easier if Evgeni didn’t have to think that much harder to string English fragmented words together when he was worried about saying the wrong thing.
“Thanks fhor coming over,” Evgeni blurted out before he even realized he had something to say.
“Hmm?” Joe grunted in question, muting the volume instantly and giving his undivided attention to the man nestled beside him.
“Oh.” Evgeni flushed under the close gaze. “I, ah, thank yhou, really.” He’s happy about the surprise visit.
When Joe smiled brightly for him, Evgeni couldn’t look away. And everything felt right.
-----
Evgeni could feel Joe’s eyes on him when he stretched before and after a practice, and sometimes before a game, even though they’re both neck deep into their pregame ritual and it wasn’t wise to disrupt it. But the staring? It wasn’t as if Joe was subtle about it, he didn’t even bother to look away when Evgeni turned around to confirm his suspicions.
Joe looked lost in his own thoughts every time: blinking slowly as he analyzed the goaltender, a pensive expression settling on his face.
Not going to lie, Evgeni was a little unnerved under the gaze, the tiniest bit worried that someone might see the two of them shooting lusty glances across the room to one another. He couldn’t keep the blush from creeping up over his face. It made him feel like a teenager all over again. Today was no different and Evgeni could feel his face heat up with a fierce intensity as he tried to focus on stretching his hamstrings.
“Joe. ‘Ey! Jumbo!”
It’s not until he heard Ryane’s nasally baritone calling Joe’s nickname that Evgeni attempted to look back of his shoulder, hopefully casually. Joe wasn’t looking at him anymore and he would be lying if he said he didn’t mind it. Evgeni wasn’t all for attention, his teammates and the fans could probably vouch for this, but Joe’s attention? He may not act like it, but it was certainly a nice thing to have.
‘Thanks, Ryane.’ Evgeni tried to look nonchalant as he listened in on the conversation. A wisp of guilt curled around his insides and what he’s doing felt so much like eavesdropping, even though Ryane talked loud enough for Todd to hear from his office with the door closed, and the others around the room didn’t bother to hide their mild interest either.
“Um…” Joe finished up the last button of his striped white and light blue shirt, his hands pressing into his stomach for a moment, probably to flatten out the wrinkles, but Evgeni couldn’t help but bite the inside of his cheek at the endearing action. Joe looked up and his hazel eyes sparkled with question. “Huh?” he grunted, taking his time to answer Ryane’s call.
His gaze flickered over to where Evgeni was stretching on the ground in his stale underclothes, sticking to his sweaty body. Joe offered a twitch of the lips, barely noticeable even when Evgeni was searching for it. The simple gesture calmed the boiling anxiousness in his chest, a strange feeling that he didn’t even know was bothering him until it was swept away immediately, like the refreshing burst of water in the showers, ridding him of the game’s dirt and grime.
Ryane looked ruffled at the disinterested acknowledgment, but if he really was perturbed, the man shook the emotion off quickly with a smirking half-smile. “Ah man, Joe, y’don’t have to be like that. I’s just gonna say you haven’t been out with us in a while, y’know?”
“What? I haven’t?” Joe blinked, appearing truly surprised. Evgeni felt his face grow warmer when Joe’s eyes darted towards him. Well. Most of the time had been spent with himself he supposed.
“Naw man! I—Can you believe this guy?” he turned toward Pavs and they both shared a chuckle, missing the confused exchange between Joe and Evgeni. “Haven’t seen you all year, and it’s what? Jesus, yer goin’ to Montreal next week! Halfway through the season, Joe!”
“Oh. Yeah. It is, huh?” Joe sniffed and didn’t seem to think much of it.
Evgeni’s eyes widened. Fuck, really? Already? Where the hell had the first half of the season gone?
Ryane made an exasperated noise, kind of blowing out of his noise but growling in his throat at the same time, his hands running through his hair and rubbing his face and Evgeni by this point was completely confused. Ryane started speaking fast in his mumbled speech and Evgeni didn’t have a clue what was going on, only catching every other word the man was saying; it was just too much of a hassle to keep up. Sure, he’d understand when Joe said something, but he’d just offer the ever-helpful “uh-huh” and “yeah”, and Evgeni had no problem understanding that.
Huffing, he went back to his stretching his legs, nice and limber already from him unintentionally sitting in his near split for so long. He gave up trying to understand what Ryane was saying all together when it just got too frustrating. He’d just ask Joe what they were talking about later anyway. It shouldn’t really be his business, and he shouldn’t really pry Joe for more information, but Joe’s eyes were on him the whole time and Evgeni felt like he kind of had a right to be curious.
-----
“So. I’m going with Ryane and a few of the guys for some drinks on Friday…” Joe informed Evgeni before he even had the chance to ask. They stood in the empty hall, most of the guys in the showers or already gone.
“Oh!” Evgeni blinked in surprise. “That’s nice.” He smiled and was intrigued to learn just that was what all the whispering and commotion was about. But Joe just gives him a blank look, as if trying to tell him something through his eyes. It sort of creeped Evgeni out; they weren’t to that point of a relationship yet. “What?”
Joe shrugged and scuffed the heel of his shoe on the carpet. “I dunno,” he sighed, sticking his hands deep in his pockets. Evgeni made sure the man felt his ‘don’t you lie to me’ glare. “It feels like ‘m abandoning you, all right?” he elaborated, his hands flying out of his pockets and jittering nervously, scratching the bridge of his nose, running through his wavy hair. Evgeni reached out and touched the man’s arm gently. Joe stopped his fidgeting.
“Joe.”
He sighed. “Yes?”
“Iya can be alone fhor a night. Rheally. I’ve dhone it before.” He chuckled at his teasing and gave a reassuring smile, hoping that Joe wouldn’t become a hermit because of him. He hadn’t realized half the season was almost over. He’s had his fair share of the man; Joe could go see their friends for a night.
-----
Okay, maybe he wasn't completely fine.
Evgeni stared longingly at his phone, taking a break from aimlessly flipping through television channels. But no matter how intently he glared at it, the vibrate wouldn’t go off to indicate a new message. Groaning dejectedly, Evgeni dropped the remote onto the couch beside him, the device rolling against his thigh before he pulled himself up, wiping his hands off on his behind. He headed into the kitchen to fetch himself a beer, and of course right when he entered the other room, he heard the tell-tale hum of his phone, buzzing alertly with a new text message awaiting him. He snatched a beer carelessly from the fridge, not so much caring about the taste so much as the aftereffect.
The chilled glass bottle was frosty in his hand as he fell back onto his couch, the screen of his phone glowing with Joe’s reply.
couple more hours I think
Evgeni’s brow furrowed, a frown on his lips. He was in the middle of responding before his phone started vibrating again in his hand.
are you ok? I can leave early
Evgeni stared long and hard at the offer, the little words innocent and kind and exactly what Evgeni had been wishing to hear. His thumb hovered over the “Y” button for a moment, but he bit his lip. Joe shouldn’t be rotting away to nothing with him, watching endless hours of movies when he should be going out, seeing their friends again. Sighing for what felt like the hundredth time that night, Evgeni texted back a short reply.
Don’t do that, I’m fine. Really. I’ll see you tomorrow, ok?
He hit send and felt his stomach drop the second after he did. Evgeni didn’t bother to read what Joe would send next (and he knew the other man would, he always needed to be the last person to say something), and chucked his phone to the other side of the couch. He sprawled out lazily, his joints popping loudly, his knees most of all.
Sure enough, the phone buzzed with a new message, but Evgeni wasn’t going to bother. It would be something unsubstantial, anyway. Something like “oh, ok” or “if you say so”. And Evgeni wasn’t saying it was bad or anything, it was just a quirk he had learned about the man after spending half the fucking season together, the two of them nearly inseparable. Blinking at his last thought when it actually caught up to him, Evgeni had to wrinkle his nose in distaste. Is this really what it’s like to fall for someone? Picking apart their little habits, like noticing how Joe ran his fingers through his hair when he was stressed or nervous, or how he managed to say so much by saying really nothing at all. Evgeni stopped himself mid-thought blinked again. “…Dammit!” He was going to pretend he didn’t know these useless things about Joe. “Iya need to get out of the house,” he huffed aggressively to no one in particular, standing up swiftly and grabbing his phone.
Devin’s. He was going to go to Devin’s. Despite how nosy and obnoxious the sophomore really was. It was impulsive and it really didn’t make a whole lot of sense, but it was better than staying at home, in the dark no less, moping about how lonely he felt. If he got out of the house more often he wouldn’t even be so damn lonely without Joe. But, he thinks, he wasn’t always like this; this reclusive and solitary lifestyle.
‘Fucking Avery,’ Evgeni glared as he shouldered on his coat. Screw that guy for making him so damn paranoid and touchy with everything. He would punch him right in his smirking mouth if the coward was standing in front of him. In the back of his mind, Evgeni knew he should have been overjoyed that he managed to think about his incident and not cringe away from it. Accepting that it happened would be the first step to recovery. Or some shit like that; something philosophical Joe had told him once when they treaded lightly around the subject.
But Evgeni didn’t care that he was thinking about it, he was just pissed. Pissed at Joe for leaving (nevermind the fact Evgeni gave the man permission to go), pissed at himself for being a sorry excuse of an emotionally stable person, and pissed at Avery for making him this scared of going out of the house to interact with other human beings to begin with.
He was on his way out the door when he remembered that Joe had texted him back not that long ago. Curious to see if one of his predictions were right, he pulled the slim device out of his pocket, his other hand fumbling with his keys. He looked down at the screen after he locked the door.
yeah I guess so. I’ll still miss you though. Night yev
His chest swelled from reading the words, and suddenly Evgeni wasn’t so pissed at Joe Thornton any more.
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Short chapter because more would just take longer. Also, unedited! Yikes D: I wouldn’t have read this if I were you.
Oh, and um. Sorry for the really really really long wait. And a wait for a pretty crappy chapter, no less. Review anyway? Because you don’t know when your next chance to do it will be?
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Date: 2010-05-07 06:21 pm (UTC)I've missed them so much! <3
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Date: 2010-05-08 12:33 am (UTC)Me too! Hopefully they won't have to be missed too much longer. Thank you so much :)
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Date: 2010-05-07 08:25 pm (UTC)Yes, it was short, but I was still stoked to see it. This story always gets updated when I need a pick me up, so you won't hear me complaining! I am stoked and happy that Joe is sweet and Nabby is cute and just awwww! inducing!
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Date: 2010-05-08 12:36 am (UTC)I'm sorry you always need pick me ups, but I'm glad to help at least? These two have that sort of effect on people :) They're finally starting to get the hang of things!
Thank you <3
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Date: 2010-05-09 05:29 pm (UTC)It's cool, that's just the way that life is. Nothing to it and yes, you help, cuz everytime it really sucks, voila! new part, so yeah.
Yes! They are so sweet in their cluelessness and when they do something proper I always break out the pompoms and cheer. This story has that effect on me! :P!
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Date: 2010-05-07 08:53 pm (UTC)i am VERY happy to see this though. thought it was great. poor boys. dunno what to do without the other. i love it. :)
plz more soon? :'(
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Date: 2010-05-08 12:32 am (UTC)Yay! I'm glad you liked it though :) They'd be pretty pathetic alone (Evgeni is and he even knows it).
Side note: your iconnnn <3
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Date: 2010-05-09 06:40 am (UTC)What are you talking about "crappy chapter" this was perfect, as usual. I love how seamlessly you did a recap of everything at the beginning there to catch us all back up! and Joe and Evgeni being all adorable just makes my heart melt.
I realized, too, that this story is the story that got me into the sharks, so you get credit for making me love them XD
(on a side note: yay! i get to use my Joe and Evgeni icon again that I especially keep in my whole whopping 15 icons just for this story! XD you see how much I love you?)
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Date: 2010-05-09 09:23 am (UTC)Aww you give too much credit to me! I mean, lol, I'll take it, and it will certainly boost my moral ;) Good old fashion fluff is good, especially with these two, I have to say *is wearing biased glasses*
And this is probably the best thing I have ever heard (read?). I can't thank you enough for giving this a chance even if you didn't know them in the first place! That is very flattering :) and also my goal in life, convert everyone into realizing how wonderful this team is. I'm just spreading the joy, lol!
I love finding times to use my different icons, hopefully that one will be put to use more often pretty soon!! Thank you <3
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Date: 2010-05-11 03:26 am (UTC)I don't give you too much credit! You deserve all of it!! And I think I own that same pair of biased glasses lol
You definitely need to update more so i can keep using this icon!!
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Date: 2010-05-09 07:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-09 09:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-09 08:15 am (UTC)Moving on, this wasn't crappy! I love the beginning with Devin. I also love Nabby chilling at home not knowing what to do with himself. It's precious because haven't we all sat at home wishing our someone would be there even if we told them to go out?
Anyway, it's late so this might not make much sense so I'm just going to say I really liked this chapter, it wasn't crappy, and I can't wait until a new chapter appears.
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Date: 2010-05-09 09:16 am (UTC)lol I have been in that ituation plenty of times, and lucky nabby here hasn't had to experience it until now! Good thing he has good friends like Devin... wait.
It's late and were all pretty much high right now, I understand. Thank you, thank you, and I hope it won't be so long <3
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Date: 2010-08-21 12:33 am (UTC)I am not angry at your chapter. It was pretty damn excellent, as usual. I'm mad I have no more TO READ.
I miss Evgeni too much to not read about him.
Please make me feel better.
I love you forever!!!
LSP
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Date: 2011-05-15 12:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-23 04:28 am (UTC)I really just need the issue with Patrick and his seemed homophobia to be resolved. It just bugs me.
PLEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
(This is my first comment on LJ, just for this story.)
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Date: 2011-05-26 12:12 am (UTC)And grr, Patrick. He bugs me in this story, too. If there's anything I can't stand, it's ignorant people, and well, sorry Patrick, but you're the lovable guy who turns out to be homophobic.
There were such great plans for this story, but the ideas came too quickly and then I just had a mess that I started before I came to a conclusion even in my head. Though no matter how much time passes, Keep Me Close will forever be my baby. And for this summer, my reborn, rewritten baby ;) The lack of Shark fics is dreadful and truthfully, I think about this story all the time, lol. Once I swallow my pride, reread what I wrote on a whim, and tear this thing apart, the revamped version will be posted along with new chapters. Because dammit, this thing is going to be finished.
and aww! Thank you :) I'm honored to have your first LJ comment :')