Steve Yzerman: 
Brendan Shanahan: 
by me
Rating: R
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 2.5
Summary/Notes: Here's my contribution to the AngstyWings fund. I wrote it last
night while my throat hurt a lot (which it still does) and on while on
Sudafed, so it could be...incoherent. Similarities to Chrissy's story are
purely coincidental (actually, I think it's only the Cheli taking Fishy
home thing, since she wrote BC universe and I wrote Stevie/Shanny). Also,
you may know that Sami Kapanen had been in an 0-the playoffs slump until
Game 4. In Game 3, he had an assist and hit the post. Shanny hit the post,
so he'll score Wednesday. ::nods::
Disclaimer: This is fake, fiction, not real. I'm not implying anything about
the values or orientations of those involved. It all originates in my
overactive imagination (comes from not having television as a child).
It was the quietest the locker room had been all season. Quieter than after
the second loss to Vancouver. Quieter than during the end of the season
slump. Everyone knew this was practically a must-win game. And they lost.
Steve sat down to put his shoes on, but ended up just closing his eyes
instead, absolutely drained. He'd given everything he could. He'd scored,
he'd blocked shots, he'd been hit countless times, he'd backchecked and
forechecked furiously. And it hadn't been enough. They still came away
with a loss and a trip to the verge of elimination.
But there wasn't anyone to blame. Sergei had played a great game and a great
series. Dom had done almost everything right, had made some outstanding
saves. Everyone had played well. The defense had been great. He hadn't
missed Fishy's look of utter misery and defeat, thinking the goal was his
fault, but he too had played a great game. And Shanny. Steve sighed.
Shanny.
He'd take it the hardest, harder than Steve himself would. He wouldn't sleep
at all, just seeing that shot over and over, hearing the clang off the
post. If they lost in Denver, he'd blame himself for costing them a chance
at the Cup. "But we won't lose," Steve muttered to himself. "We won't."
He opened his eyes. The locker room was nearly empty. Brendan was watching
him, and Steve managed a weak smile. "Good game."
"You, too," Steve replied and held up a hand when Shanny tried to
protest. "Shut up. It was." He sighed. "Fishy get home ok? I was afraid
he'd go and do something stupid."
"Cheli took him," Bren said softly.
Steve nodded. "Good," he murmured. "Why are you still here?"
"I...I need a ride home."
"And I'm the only one eligible to take you?"
"You're the only one who...who can make me forget. You know?"
He did know. The winger could be obsessive. If he wasn't forced to sleep
somehow, he wouldn't at all. And drugging him didn't work nearly as well
as comforting him. "Yeah. Let's get out of here." Steve stood up, slowly,
and Brendan's arm went around his waist immediately. "Unnecessary, Bren."
Shanny sighed and released him, and they slowly made their way out of the
locker room. There were a few fans left, all of whom cheered them.
Managing a smile, Steve signed some autographs before limping to his car.
Brendan shut the door and sighed. "They love you a lot, Stevie."
"They're just used to seeing me."
Bren rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's it. Nothing else."
Steve drove to Brendan's house, going inside without a thought. Brendan's arms
went around him as soon as the door closed, kissing him, seeking
comfort. "It's ok, Bren...next game, you'll score."
"Yeah. Yeah, I will." He released his captain, and the two of them went deeper
into the house. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For...for missing. I should've...I shouldn't have missed. I'm sorry."
"Shanny, you don't-"
"And for asking this of you. For being so damn useless I can't even sleep
unless you're with me."
Shaking his head, Steve pushed him onto the bed and crawled next to him,
kissing his neck. "No. No, you're not useless. I love you, Bren, it isn't
as if it's any trouble."
Brendan smiled and put his arms around the other man. "I love you too, Stevie.
We'll win, won't we?"
"Yes," Yzerman said, all the conviction and confidence he had in himself and
his team in that one word. "Yes we will."