Tonight would be a tough game, but he was confident that the Pens would beat the Caps. The Caps looked as psyched as his own team did, but the home ice advantage would be important. He continued to skate, increasing his pace to get his legs warmed up completely. He noticed that Duo Maxwell would be starting on defense for the Caps, and most likely, be paired against him. He could handle Maxwell. He sized him up. 6'1", around 223 lbs. compared to Heero's own 5'11" and 211 lbs. Heero smiled to himself. He loved when other defensemen underestimated him because of his size. It gave him the advantage of surprise as well when he skated up, crouching down to make himself even smaller, and used his hips and behind as a near lethal weapon when he stood up, checking the taller players over his back onto the ice.

He'd seen pre-game interviews with Maxwell, and he was confident that the taller man would be taken by surprise. Duo Maxwell skated in his own team's end of the ice. He had stretched, and was now also shooting pucks to warm up. He glanced down the ice at the Pens. Heero Yuy was their star defenseman, and though Maxwell couldn't see why, he wasn't about to underestimate him. He was confident though that he would come out the winner in this particular pairing. The Caps outweighed the Pens, and had the better season record.

Both skated to their respective benches, casting sidelong glances at each other as the national anthem was sung. Restless, they moved their feet constantly, eager to begin. Finally, they were ready to face off. Standing just outside of the face off circle, the two defensemen bumped each other with hips, elbows and sticks, already beginning to jockey for superiority. The puck was dropped, and the game began. Each team started with short shifts, wanting their players to stay rested and focused. The Yuy-Maxwell matchup was intense. Both were fast and tough, and both wanted to annihilate the other's team. They weren't considered 'goons' -- players whose only job was to instigate penalties and fights, but talented defensemen who could each hold his own if fighting were required.

With the hometown crowd cheering him on, Heero had the initial upper hand. He was everywhere, backchecking, getting surreptitious pokes and elbows into the Caps forwards. He managed to not get called for a penalty once during the first period. Duo had come back strong, recovering from his initial shock at how good Heero actually was. He watched him closely, and saw how powerful a skater he was, and how well he followed the play. They battled every time they were on the ice together, sparring with for superiority. Heero got the end of his stick into Duo's ribs at one point, and Duo retaliated with an elbow to the gut on the very next shift. Both knew that the other would not give an inch.

It happened during the third period. The game was tied, and there were only 10 minutes left. Both teams were fighting with everything they had. Duo flew down the ice, keeping a close eye on the puck. He knew that in these games, lesser known players often scored game winning goals, and he was determined to not let a chance to save the day pass him by. As he sped towards the Pens net, he let his attention drift from Heero for a split second. He saw his teammate looking to pass the puck. Duo tapped his stick on the ice as he turned to skate closer to the net. His teammate saw the signal, and nodded imperceptibly. As Duo moved to take the pass, he felt himself go flying into the air over someone's back. He came crashing down to the ice, twisting mid-fall to bring his assailant down with him. They slid into the boards, a tangle of arms, legs, and sticks. Finally coming to a halt, he looked up to see the cobalt blue eyes of Heero staring down at him. "Bastard," Duo hissed, trying to extricate himself.

"Fuck you," was the response as Heero did the same. One of the officials had blown the whistle so they were able to take time to hurl more curses at each other as they stood up, checked their equipment, and picked up their sticks. Duo's eyes narrowed, and he shoved Heero. The linesman came over to break it up, and play resumed. Duo was called for roughing later in the period when he came up behind Heero to cuff him in the back of the head. Heero was called for tripping when Duo attempted to skate by him to take another pass. By the end of the game, they were both glaring at each other constantly.

Both teams retreated to their locker rooms for post-game showers and, in the Pens' case, celebrations. Heero cut the celebrating short. His entire body was aching from the pounding Duo and the rest of the Caps team had given him throughout the game. He wrapped a towel around his waist after his shower, and walked the few feet down the hallway to the whirlpool in the trainers' room. He stopped just inside the door, noticing that the whirlpool was already occupied. The bowed head of the other player rose up at the sound of the door, and Heero's breath hissed out at the sight of familiar violet eyes. "You. What are you doing here?"

Snatching up a towel, and putting it on under the water, Duo stood up. "I'm using the damned whirlpool, fucker, what does it look like I'm doing? Since you guys are so fond of checking the hell out of me, I'm a bit sore. Now fuck off."

"I will not. This is my locker room, and our whirlpool, and if I want to goddamn well use it, I'm going to. No two bit, third round draft pick, farm club reject is going to stop me." Heero stood with his legs braced defiantly and his arms folded against his chest.

In seconds Duo was across the room, and before Heero knew what hit him, Duo had punched him square in the jaw. Heero stumbled backwards, holding his jaw. He recovered quickly, and lashed out at Duo, catching him with a right hook to the stomach. Duo doubled over. Gasping for breath, he raised his head, glared at Heero, and charged at him. They tumbled to the floor together. Rolling around, battling for dominance, they grappled with each other, getting in a few well placed punches as they went. Heero rolled on top of Duo, pinning his shoulders to the floor. "That's for the cross checking in the second period," he spat out, hitting Duo in the mouth. He watched with satisfaction as a small trickle of blood seeped out from the corner. Duo's eyes widened with anger. He managed to lift his legs, wrap them around Heero's, and flip the smaller man to the ground. With Heero now pinned beneath him, he took advantage of his situation to punch him in the stomach. "And that's for the slashing in the third, you bastard."

Heero managed to flip Duo off of his chest, and stood up. Somehow their towels had both stayed in place, albeit a bit lower on their hips. Duo stood up as well, and the two men faced off, chests heaving with fury. They stood there for a few brief moments, staring at each other, neither breaking eye contact. Slowly Heero took a step forward. He stopped, continuing to stare. They both moved at the same time. Lunging forward, they locked lips in a fierce, hungry kiss. Their tongues battled for dominance as their hands roamed each others' bodies. Skin heated as the towels were stripped away, and they pressed closer together, as if trying to crawl inside of each other. They fell to the floor together again, still gasping for breath. Heero nipped at Duo's neck, sucking and kissing so hard that a bruise immediately rose to the surface. "I fucking hate you," he growled in Duo's ear as he pressed closer, letting his teeth graze over his clavicle.

"I fucking hate you, too," Duo responded, rolling over to be on top, and moving his hand between them to grasp Heero's erection. He kept his other hand buried in Heero's hair, not allowing him to move away. He kept stroking Heero's erection firmly as he let his mouth wander over the smaller man's chest. He stopped to suck on Heero's nipples, moaning in unison with his rival at the feel of it. Heero grabbed Duo's head, and brought it back to his for another deep kiss. They rolled over, with Heero winding up on top again. Duo's hand moved to grab Heero's firm ass, grinding their erections together. He began running his hands as far down Heero's legs as they could go, and back up again to cup his ass and grind more. They were moving together in an intense rhythm. Heero pulled away, eyes dark with emotion. "Need...," his voice trailed off as he struggled to breathe.

"Yes," Duo replied, knowing instantly what he was trying to convey.

Heero reached up to the counter, sweeping everything off in one motion. He rummaged around, searching for what he wanted while keeping one hand on Duo's chest. Duo took advantage of his distraction to pick up Heero's hand in his, and begin sucking on his index finger. Heero whimpered as he felt his finger enveloped in the wet warmth of Duo's mouth. Finding what he was looking for, Heero ripped opened the tube of lotion with his teeth. Duo continued to suck, alternating a long slow rhythm with a fast one, swirling his tongue around Heero's finger. Heero growled again, pulling his finger away before savaging Duo's mouth once more. His other hand dipped into the bottle, and he trailed the cool lotion down Duo's hip. Duo responded by moving his legs apart a bit more, allowing Heero to slip a finger slowly into his opening. Heero moved it around, taking care, but not wasting too much time. Gradually a second and third finger were added, and Heero nearly came watching Duo's face as his fingers found the pleasure spot inside of him. Duo reached up to grab Heero by the back of the hair. "Fuck me NOW!" He ordered, writhing beneath Heero. One last fast kiss, and Heero plunged deep within the other man. He forced himself to focus, and not go over the edge immediately at the incredible feeling of being within the tight warmth of Duo. They set a rapid rhythm, each trying to hold out as long as they could. Heero had Duo's hardness in his hand, and was matching the pace of their bodies. Slamming against each other harder and faster, they battled until they could stand it no more.

Unable to hold back any longer, Heero lost himself in the waves of ecstasy that crashed over him, screaming out Duo's name as he spent himself. Feeling Heero's climax, and having lost himself in the rhythm, Duo yelled out Heero's name as he exploded with pleasure. Slumped over, completely satiated and exhausted, Heero rested his head on Duo's chest. Slowly he rolled over to lie on the floor next to Duo.

"I still hate you." Heero smirked.

Duo chuckled. "Me too. When's the next game again?"

"Two days. We're going to take the series with a win."

"Oh yeah? You have to get through me to do it." He arched an eyebrow.

"That can be arranged."

"Fuck you." Duo struggled to his feet, picked up Heero, and tossed him into the whirlpool. Grinning from ear to ear, he jumped in after him.