Page 4 of Speak in Fever
Rath manages to get a shot off—a quick wrist shot that Harley just manages to glove—but Percy has disrupted the play enough to prevent a clean scoring chance. They crash into the boards behind the goal, and for a moment they are tangled together, Rath pinned between Percy and the glass.
"Good battle," Percy says, trying to ignore the way his heart is racing from more than just exertion.
Rath looks up at him and licks his lips. "Thanks, Captain."
The words are said without sarcasm for once, and Percy feels something shift in his chest. This close, he can count the faint freckles across his nose, can notice the way his lips part slightly as he catches his breath.
"Alright, nice work," Coach calls out, breaking the moment. "Next group up."
They separate and skate away, but Percy can feel the lingering warmth where their bodies have been pressed together, can still smell the faint scent of Rath's soap.
He tries to shake off the distraction and focus on the rest of practice, but finds his attention drifting back to Rath again and again.
Watching Rath work with the other players, seeing the way he elevates their games and brings out the best in his linemates, Percy has to admit that maybe there is more than one way to approach the game. Maybe his own rigid adherence to system and structure isn't the only path to success.
The thought is uncomfortable, challenging assumptions Percy has built his entire career on. He has always prided himself on being a student of the game, on understanding hockey from every angle. But maybe he has gotten too comfortable with his own approach, too inflexible in his thinking.
"Good practice, everyone," Coach calls as they gather at center ice for the post-practice talk. "Looking sharp out there. Conditioning looks good, systems are coming back to you. Platts, nice work on those line rushes. Keep that up."
Percy watches as Rath's entire posture straightens at the praise, and feels something protective and possessive twist in his chest. Rath works harder than anyone on the team, stays later than anyone else, and takes more punishment than players twice his size without complaint.
The fact that he is finally getting recognition for it shouldn't make Percy feel so satisfied, but it does.
"Same time tomorrow," Coach continues. "And gentlemen? Season starts in two weeks. I want to see that same energy and focus every single day until then. We've got the talent to make some noise this year, but talent without commitment means nothing. Show me you want it."
The team begins dispersing toward the locker room, but Percy finds himself skating slowly, his mind still churning over the practice.
When he looks up, Rath is waiting for him at the gate, helmet off and hair sticking up at odd angles from sweat. Without the helmet, he looks younger, more approachable, and Percy feels that familiar tug of attraction mixed with frustration.
"So," Rath says, falling into step beside him as they make their way off the ice. "How'd I do, Captain? Meet your exacting standards?"
The sarcasm in his voice is barely concealed, but there is something underneath it that sounds almost like genuine curiosity, like he actually cares what Percy thinks despite his best efforts to pretend otherwise.
Percy feels his shoulders tense. "You've got talent. But talent means nothing if you can't play within a system."
"Right. The system." Rath's tone is flat, and Percy catches the flash of something that might be disappointment before it is covered by that familiar defensive edge. "The same system that got you guys knocked out in the first round last year?"
Percy stops walking, turning to face Rath directly.
The kid is smaller than him, but he doesn't back down an inch, meeting Percy's stare with those defiant green eyes that seem to see right through him.
This close, Percy can see the flush still high on Rath's cheekbones.
The proximity makes something unfamiliar twist in Percy's stomach, watching the way Rath's lips part slightly when he is challenging someone.
"That system has kept this team competitive for four years," Percy says, his voice dangerously quiet. "It's built on trust and communication, not individual heroics."
"And how's that working out for your Cup chances?
" Rath's chin tilts up slightly as he speaks, and Percy finds himself staring at the sharp line of his jaw, at the way the locker room lights catch the gold flecks in his eyes, at the stubborn set of his mouth that Percy has spent far too much time thinking about.
The words hit like a slap, mostly because they aren't entirely wrong. Percy has been captain for four years, and they have exactly zero championship banners to show for it. The fact that this infuriating, attractive kid is the one pointing it out makes it worse.
But there is something else in Rath's expression, something that looks almost like hurt underneath the challenge. Like maybe he has been hoping for a different response, like maybe he is tired of fighting the same battles over and over again.
"Ice time is earned through consistency and team play," Percy says, falling back on the safe response even as part of him wants to acknowledge that Rath might have a point. "Show me you can follow the game plan, and we'll talk about your role."
Rath nods slowly, but his smile is sharp and challenging, and Percy hates how it makes his pulse jump. "Got it. Follow orders, don't think for myself, and maybe I'll get a pat on the head."
Percy watches him push through the door and disappear into the chaos of the locker room, leaving Percy standing alone in the tunnel with the uncomfortable realization that Rath Platts is going to be his problem.
Four years as captain, and Percy thinks he has learned how to handle every type of player the league has to offer.
But Rath is something different—talented enough that Percy can't ignore him, stubborn enough that he won't be controlled, and somehow able to get under Percy's skin in a way that feels both irritating and strangely electric.
As Percy sits at his stall and begins the methodical process of removing his gear, he catches glimpses of Rath across the room.
The kid is animated, telling some story to JP that involves elaborate hand gestures and multiple voices.
His face is bright with laughter, completely relaxed in a way that Percy rarely gets to see.
This is going to be a very long season.