"Gunnar, what happened?"
He was still looking very pissed off as he stalked up and down the locker room. His team was still playing and it was only the first period. Everything was going perfectly; within the first 10 minutes he netted a goal and an assist to start things off in Iceland's favor. After watching the events unfold on the ice ending with the team captain of the Vikings getting tossed from the game (and rightfully so) Julie made her way down to the locker room. But seeing him she wondered if maybe it was best to give him some more time to cool off.
She jumped when he angrily broke his stick against once of the tables, "I think I'll just go."
"No, wait," he suddenly turned and quickly moved to hug her, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"You didn't."
He just held her tighter and she could feel he was still tense with unreleased anger. Gunnar's body was slick with sweat thanks to his hard work on the ice and of course the fight he instigated. His jersey was already pulled off along with his shoulder and wrist pads.
"I love you," he whispered hotly into her ear, needing her to understand just how much she honestly meant to him.
"I love you too," she told him and kissed him deep and hard. Julie pulled back and looked into his eyes, "Talk to me Gunnar. Tell me what happened."
Again he tightened his hold on her as another wave of anger filled his steel gaze, "I got into a fight."
She knew she shouldn't have but could stop it from happening, she giggled, "Yeah, I know."
Gunnar sighed but allowed her soothing presence to calm him down, "They said something I didn't like. Now they know they won't get away with it." He could see in her eyes that she wanted to ask him what was said but there was no way he would tell her. Never. Gunnar could put up with the usual trash talking, hell he could serve it up just as well as anyone else. But they went too far when they called his girl a whore. No one blatantly disrespected her to his face, no one. And he could care less what Stanssen or his teammates had to say about it, there was no way he would allow someone to say something so derogatory about his Julie and go unpunished.
Julie kept her gaze locked on Gunnar's and could see the revulsion in his eyes. Not for her but for whatever was said on the ice. It had to be something bad for him to take on two Russian enforcers at once. And the fact that he'd taken both down spoke volumes of just how angry he was. It was clear that he didn't want to talk about it so she stood there and let him continue to hold her as close as possible. Right now it was what he needed.
Not even five minutes later cursing was heard in the hallway and soon Olaf threw his gloves against one of the player's stalls. He paused when he saw his team captain standing in the center of the room with his girlfriend. Olaf's usually gentle blue eyes were filled with rage. Apparently he'd been kicked out of the game too. Now what happened!?
Olaf eyed his best friend; the captain of his team, and understanding passed between them. Gunnar immediately understood that more was said regarding Julie and probably Connie as well. Coach was going to be so pissed at them. Stahl sighed and looked back down into the lovely gaze of his Julie and the trouble he was sure to be in simply didn't matter.
"Not you to," Julie shook her head at Olaf.
"I'm surprised it's just me," the tall Icelander explained with a shrug, still feeling the fury raging through his body, his gaze met Gunnar's again as he announced, "you missed out, both benches were empty before it was over. They kicked me and another Russian out of the game."
Gunnar sighed and more silence ensued between the three. Julie eyed the television in the room and saw there were just a few minutes left in the third and that Iceland was still up 2-0. She looked to the two star players for the Vikings and saw there was still a lot of tension. "I should go; it will probably not be good if I'm here when your coach and other teammates come in for the intermission."
Olaf nodded in agreement, "It's not going to be pretty, even though it didn't stop coach from screaming at Russia's bench."
Gunnar kissed her forehead and walked with her to the door entrance, watching her walk away quickly after another hug. He turned and faced Olaf after closing the door, expecting a more thorough explanation for the bench-clearing brawl. He had been so focused on trying to calm down and wrapped up in Julie that he missed what was happening on the little television in the locker room.
Olaf's anger seemed to instantly renew itself as he slipped quickly into their native tongue, "You were the only one to get tossed and those two goons went after Larsson. Then they dared to skate by our bench still yapping about Julie and they brought Connie into it," Olaf had to take a few seconds to calm down enough again before continuing, "I wasn't the only one to go after them. It was chaos."
"It's my fault," Gunnar sat down on a bench and pulled his undershirt over his head, "I shouldn't let those comments get to me like that. They wanted to get under my skin and they did. But when it comes to Julie…"
"Yah, I know. Some things you just can't let go."
They shared a long look. And both knew they would do the same thing if given the choice. It was wrong, Gunnar had been right they shouldn't have given in to the taunts, but it was a mistake neither regretted.
The buzzer sounded for the end to the first period and it wasn't long at all before their teammates started pouring in. There was still some chirping going on between the two teams and it was loud as the Vikings congregated in their locker room. Stanssen entered the room and it was obvious he was pissed. He didn't say a word for nearly 5 minutes, and when he did his voice was low, not to mention he refused to look at his two best players.
He told them that they got their licks in and now it was time to widen their lead and focus on the win. They as a team needed to calm down and concentrate on what was important.
When the time came for them to hit the ice for the second, Stanssen remained behind after everyone cleared out and finally eyed Gunnar and Olaf. "I get it. And I don't care about you guys running around with your little American girlfriends," his gaze dropped to the floor before he looked at them again, "but this is for the title. You have to let some things go. As the leaders on this team it is up to you to lead by example. I am disappointed, but I get it. Make sure it is out of your system, because this can't happen again."
"Yah coach," Gunnar agreed with a firm nod.
"Yah," Olaf crossed his arms still feeling the anger coursing through his body.
Eying them carefully Wolf nodded as well and finally made his exit back out to the ice. Olaf joined Gunnar on the bench. They two stars for the Iceland Vikings took their time getting their gear off and dressed back in their casual clothes.
They talked a bit more before focusing on the game. Watching their teammates struggle without their best players on the ice was difficult, they should be out there helping to secure the win, not cooped up in the locker room staring at a small television screen.
Half-way through the second period and Russia scored to make it 2-1. Gunnar closed his eyes as Olaf punched his fist against the bench hard. You couldn't just take out the two best players on a team and expect others to step in and do the same things. Sure, the Vikings were filled with big bodies, but it wasn't the same. Stahl and Sanderson sacrificed it all on the ice at all times. Throwing their weight around, using their speed and creativity to make things happen.
The second ended and Gunnar made sure to talk to some of his teammates in the locker room, giving them some tips and feedback on a few of their plays. If he couldn't participate in the game then he would at least do what he could. Larson wasn't feeling too good after being crushed by the two Russian enforcers in the first period, but refused to let the pain get in the way.
Olaf and Gunnar watched as their team seemed fresh and renewed as the third period started. Things were going well until a bad bounce tied up the game with only a few minutes left on the clock. Amsalik was then given a golden opportunity with a breakaway but he ended up hitting the goal post, they could hear the 'ding' sound from the locker room it was so loud.
With the last minute ticking quickly by Russia skated into Iceland's zone hard, they ran over Larson again and was given a wide open net to take the lead and win the game. To say the Vikings were disheartened was a massive understatement. They all had their heads down as they entered the locker room and took their spots on the bench. Gunnar put a hand on Amsalik's shoulder, knowing he was feeling the worst for missing that shot.
Larson was quickly sent to the medical staff and Coach Wolf Stanssen let the silence stretch for a long moment before finally addressing his players, "We played well tonight gentlemen. There were some mistakes and unfortunate circumstances, but you played with heart and grit. We'll pay them back in the next game. Go back to the hotel and unwind, practice is at 8am tomorrow morning."
As a team the boys from Iceland walked through the arena towards the hotel. Gunnar remained behind as he made his way to check on Larson. The goalie was already showing some bruising on his ribs and would be questionable for starting the next game. He helped him walk back to the hotel and escorted him to his room along with Coach Stanssen. Once Larson was settled down with more ice on his side, Gunnar left to catch up with Julie.
He knocked on her room door and was happy to see she was there alone. Apparently Olaf had already escorted his own girlfriend out for an early dinner. Julie pulled him into the room and they sat side by side on her bed for a long moment in silence.
Eventually she put her hand on his knee and he looked over at her, finding that beautiful smile lifting the corner of her very kissable lips, "Come on Gunnar, walk with me."
He nodded and let her drag him by the hand. He was calm now but was still bothered by what was said regarding her earlier and he knew she could sense his tension. Together they went to the lobby and headed outside. It was still bright out and was a little humid today, but overall it was nice.
They stopped in front of the gym teams used for training and Gunnar felt his adoration for her grow. She sent him a knowing smile as they stepped inside and she led him to a punching bag.
Julie tossed him some gloves, "Let it out Gunnar, it's the only way you'll feel better."
"I love you Julie," he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her deeply, "how do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Know exactly what I need even when I don't."
She simply smirked at him and shook her head. He kissed her again and tapped his fists together. Julie leaned against a wall and watched as he started flexing his arms as he hit the heavy bag over and over again. It didn't take him long to really get into it, putting his all into laying into the innocent sack.
He was already working up quite a sweat and ended up pulling his shirt off so it wouldn't get soaked through. Julie continued to watch on as he maneuvered around in circles, attacking at different angles. Gunnar had an amazing body, he was all lean with compact muscles, and Julie was taking in every small movement he made. It was hypnotizing to watch him work over the punching bag. His strikes were powerful and precise; she was getting worked up just watching him. With damp hair and body slick with sweat, Julie's eyes took in everything about him, there was no denying just how sexy he was right now.
His lungs were burning as oxygen rushed in and out of his chest. Gunnar let his gaze wander to Julie and stopped all movement at seeing the look on her face. She was flushed with darkened eyes and her chest was slightly heaving. Their gazes locked and he saw her desire for him, matching his own sudden need. All the adrenaline pumping through him shifted to need for her.
Throwing off the gloves he walked to her, pressed his slick chest against her and firmly pressed his mouth to her own. Her lips opened for him and soon she felt his hot tongue dancing in her mouth and moaned out. Gunnar's hand roughly moved down the side of her stomach and over her hip. She playfully pushed at his chest and switched them to where she was holding him against the wall. He adored her show of power and let her take over the pace of their searing kiss.
Slowly, very painfully slowly, she brought them down from their sudden high. He kept his grip firm on her hips and let his head rest against her shoulder, the things she did to him made it difficult to keep things innocent. Finally though his breathing calmed down enough and his rapidly beating heart began to slow down.
Julie seemed to always know just what he needed. Sometimes though, what he really needed was just her.
A/N **Blu: Sorry everyone, was out for surgery - back now and ready to get this story finished!