Page 14 of Speak in Fever
The team clusters at center ice while Coach points at Percy and Rath with obvious approval. Percy feels heat rise in his cheeks at the public attention, but there's also a surge of pride at what they've accomplished.
"That progression we just saw—that's how chemistry develops," Coach explains, gesturing between Percy and Rath.
"First attempt, you're figuring each other out.
Second attempt, you're making adjustments based on what you learned.
Third attempt, you're executing with confidence because you trust your partner to be where they need to be. "
Percy feels the truth of that observation settle in his chest. The confidence he'd felt on that last play wasn't arrogance—it was trust. Trust that Rath would read the play correctly, trust that his positioning would create the opportunity they needed, trust that when Percy made his pass, Rath would be there to receive it.
"Chemistry isn't magic," Coach continues. "It's communication, repetition, and trust. What Killinger and Platts just showed us is what happens when two players commit to understanding each other's game."
The rest of the team nods approvingly, and Percy catches several teammates exchanging glances that suggest they're impressed with the improvement. JP gives him a subtle thumbs up from across the group, and Torres grins widely.
What follows is one of the better practices Percy's had in weeks. Every drill that pairs him with Rath produces incremental improvements—passes that are a little more accurate, positioning that creates better opportunities, timing that gets sharper with each repetition.
During a neutral zone regroup drill, Percy watches Rath's movement patterns and starts to recognize his preferences.
Rath likes to attack the weak side, creating space by drawing defenders before cutting back against the grain.
When Percy adjusts his passes to hit Rath in the spots where he's most dangerous, the plays flow more smoothly.
In a cycle drill down low, they work on maintaining possession under pressure.
Percy learns that Rath has excellent vision along the boards and can find passing lanes that might not be obvious to other players.
When Rath makes a pass, Percy starts positioning himself not just where the puck is going, but where Rath's next pass will likely go based on how the defense reacts.
During a 4-on-4 scrimmage, Percy wins a face-off and immediately scans for options.
The play is developing quickly, defenders converging, but Percy spots Rath breaking up the left wing and makes the pass to space, trusting that Rath will be there to receive it.
The timing isn't perfect—Rath has to stretch to reach the puck—but he manages to corral it and create a scoring chance.
The shot doesn't go in, but the play itself feels significant. Percy made a decision based on trust rather than just hope, and Rath rewarded that trust by making the difficult play look routine. Not a highlight-reel moment, but solid hockey built on good decision-making and execution.
"Nice read," JP calls from the bench. "You're starting to find each other out there."
They continue their development as practice progresses, Coach deliberately pairing them for various drills to see how their partnership might evolve.
Percy finds himself playing with growing confidence, making decisions based on his developing read of Rath's tendencies rather than just hoping for the best.
In a breakout drill, Percy starts to recognize the subtle cues that indicate where Rath wants the puck.
The way Rath angles his body, the timing of his acceleration, the quick look over his shoulder that suggests he's spotted an opportunity—all of these become part of Percy's decision-making process.
During a 2-on-1 drill, they work on quick decision-making under pressure.
Percy learns that Rath has excellent hands in tight spaces and can handle passes that might be difficult for other players.
This knowledge allows Percy to make passes that might seem risky but are actually calculated based on Rath's abilities.
By the time Coach calls the final drill, they've established a rhythm that feels sustainable rather than tenuous.
Percy knows roughly where Rath likes to position himself in different situations.
Rath has figured out Percy's passing preferences and timing.
Neither is perfect, but both are building the foundation for something more effective.
"One more power play," Coach announces, setting up the cones for a final 5-on-3 simulation. "Killinger, Platts, show me what you've learned today."
Percy takes his position with quiet confidence, aware of Rath's presence and generally certain about the play they want to run.
The familiarity feels good—not the kind of taken-for-granted familiarity that leads to complacency, but the comfortable awareness that comes from understanding your teammate's game.
When the puck comes to him, Percy can see multiple passing options, but one looks clearly better than the others based on what he's learned about Rath's positioning preferences.
Rath has found space in the high slot, but more importantly, he's positioned himself where Percy feels most confident making the pass.
The pass he makes is solid—not threading through impossible spaces, but finding Rath in the spot where he's most dangerous.
Rath's reception is clean, his shot well-placed, beating Harley with good technique rather than pure luck.
The goal feels inevitable rather than fortunate, the natural result of two players who understand how to work together.
"What the fuck," Torres says from the bench, his voice carrying across the ice. "It's like watching a complete turnaround from last season."
They make their way off the ice and Percy finds himself reflecting on how much has changed from one practice session.
The improvement isn't just individual—it's relational, built on the growing understanding between him and Rath.
When they're not overthinking their chemistry, when they're just playing hockey and trusting each other to make good decisions, they actually work well together.
"That felt good," Rath says as they reach the tunnel, bumping his shoulder into Percy's arm.
"Yeah," Percy agrees, leaning in to the touch. "I guess the extra time together paid off."
"Think we're figuring it out?"
Percy considers the question as they head toward the locker room.
They're not there yet—not the kind of seamless partnership that makes highlight reels—but they're building something real and sustainable.
More than that, they're building something that feels significant, something worth investing in.
"Getting there," he says. "Good foundation today."
Rath's smile is warm and genuine, and Percy feels that familiar tightness in his chest at the sight of it. "I can work with a good foundation."
They join their teammates in the locker room, the familiar chaos of post-practice routine surrounding them. Gear comes off in stages—helmets first, then gloves, followed by the careful process of unlacing skates and peeling off jerseys soaked with sweat.
"So," Terrible says with obvious glee, pulling his jersey over his head, "you two stop fighting for four minutes and suddenly you're the dream team?"
"We weren't fighting," Percy protests, though even he knows that's not entirely true. They hadn't been fighting exactly, but they certainly hadn't been working together effectively either.
"Could have fooled me," JP chimes in, sitting down heavily on the bench beside his locker. "Last week you two looked like strangers who'd never played hockey before."
"It could have been like this all along," Raul laments, shaking his head as he unlaces his skates. "Coach has been trying to get you two to connect for a year."
"It takes time," Percy says, aware of how defensive he sounds but unable to stop himself. "You can't force these things."
"Apparently you just needed the right motivation," Torres says with a knowing grin that makes Percy's stomach flip with anxiety. "Whatever you figured out, keep doing it."
As Percy finishes changing, he finds himself stealing glances at Rath, replaying their on-ice connection and trying to process what it means.
The chemistry they'd discovered goes beyond professional partnership—there's something personal about the level of trust and understanding they'd achieved, something that makes Percy's chest tight with possibility.
Rath catches him looking and offers a small smile that Percy feels in his chest like warmth spreading outward. It's a simple gesture, probably meaningless, but Percy finds himself analyzing every micro-expression, searching for clues about what Rath might be thinking.
"Alright, boys," Torres announces loudly as he pulls on his street clothes, "that practice deserves celebrating. O'Malley's, one hour. Cap and Platts are buying the first round."
"Why are we buying?" Percy asks, though he's already mentally agreeing to the plan. Post-practice drinks with the team are part of the social fabric that holds them together, and after today's success, it feels like the natural next step.
"Because you two just put on the greatest chemistry display in team history," JP replies with a grin. "That last power play goal was pure poetry. That's worth at least a round of beers."
"I'm in," Rath says immediately, then turns to Percy with that bright smile that's been appearing more frequently. "As long as Cap promises not to get all modest about those passes."
"He was showing off," Terrible chimes in with obvious delight. "Our captain was showing off for his new favorite winger."
Percy's face burns with heat, but before he can protest, Rath is already responding with theatrical indignation.