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"Tavir! We're going to be late again!" Shurik always did worry too much. But Tavir wasn't worried today; the morning had promised bright, and today was going to be perfect.

Tavir, please hurry!" He waited until Shurik's pace had slowed enough to match his, and then a burst of speed took him far ahead of the younger boy.

"Too slow, Shurik!" He called, laughing, and turned forward to distance the gap still more. But sudden movement caused him to skid to a halt, and he barely missed a collision as an older person crossed his path, not even noticing him.

<Today is my lucky day...> burbled across his mind as he took in the face before him. The loose, jumbled hair, inky black streaked with highlights of purple. The straight, haughty nose, the pert, bruised berry lips. And the eyes -- wide, unblinking eyes of flashing green flecked with yellow, that passed over him without even a flicker of notice.

"Tavir?" Shurik had caught up, panting. "What's wrong?" Tavir glanced down at the boy, who's own eyes were also wide and unblinking as they gazed up at him.

"Wrong? Nothing." A quick glance told him that the gorgeous woman was headed the same way they were. "Let's go, we're late!" He set a pace again, and Shurik, laughing, ran to catch up. No point explaining why he'd stopped; Shurik had had a crush on him for what seemed like forever, and he hated to do anything that might upset the kid, even if he wasn't interested. Shurik was like a best friend and a little brother all in one, and there was no need to flaunt his affections for others in front of him.

The joy of running put thoughts of lust out of his mind for a few minutes; the sheer pleasure of pumping his muscles, of feeling the blood rushing through his veins.. and that extra speed meant he was only a few minutes late, Shurik trailing moments behind him.

"Tavir, Shurik, how nice of you to attempt an early lateness." Greeted their coach, Jerran, and a ripple of laughter echoed from the team. "Perhaps you can join our new team member in lacing up while the rest of us begin practice?" Tavir's gaze followed Jerran's gesture, and his eyes widened in surprise. That gorgeous creature.. she was their new player? But.. he pushed back his thoughts, offering a hand in greeting.

"I'm Tavir."

Fingers pulled inky hair back into a loose ponytail, finally leaving the face in clear view, and a voice that was decidedly unfemale answered his pleasantly.

"Reyn."

Tavir blinked, automatically shaking hands. Male? That beautiful face was male? He hid his surprise as best he could.

"This is Shurik. Welcome to the team." He left them greeting and sat down to lace up his rollerblades. How could someone so.. amazing, so attractive, be male? And those yellow flecked eyes.. he shook his head with a sigh. <Skates, Tavir, concentrate on lacing them.>

Warmups were not the best for any of the team; all eyes were on Reyn and his long, lithe body, his quick catlike movements that outgraced the lot of them.

"He's amazing." Shurik said quietly. Tavir was teamed with him for warmups, as always; they prided themselves on being the best in the team, and it was for that reason that Jerran put up with their constant tardiness.

"I know. We'll be well matched against him." Tavir was pleased with the idea. Finally, here was someone as good as he and Shurik. Someone else to hone their skills against. And with!

"Tavir! He could be just what we need to win the tournament this year!" Shurik had obviously hit on the very same idea. They'd been so close to winning last year.. so close. If Reyn was as good as he looked, maybe they could finally win and prove how good they were.

Jerran split them into two teams for a match, and Tavir found himself facing off Reyn, who held his hockey stick as if it were an extension of himself. <He's good,> Tavir noted with a smile, as he watched Reyn deftly catch the puck and skate it smoothly to one of his team.

The match was long and hard. Reyn pushed both him and Shurik to the limit. But at the last moment, Reyn's stick whacked the puck forcefully, heading it straight for the edge of the goal.. and Tavir's lunging stick caught it at the last minute. He lay panting on the ground as Jerran's whistle blew.

"You're impressive." That pleasant voice again, deep and melodic, was touched with a hint of amusement. Tavir looked up. Reyn was standing over him, hands on hips and a smile on his face. Sweat beaded his brow, and a lock of hair had pulled free from his ponytail, framing one side of his face.

"Thanks. You're pretty damn good yourself." Tavir admitted. Reyn offered him a hand, and Tavir took it, pulling himself to his feet again. It was just the adrenaline that was making his heart pound like that, right?

"Oh, I'm pretty good." Reyn conceded with a grin. "But I like your style. I think I'll have fun being on your team, rather than the opposition's." He winked, and then turned and skated towards the benches, leaving Tavir wondering. <Damn, but he's strange. And how does a guy get away with looking that good?>