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Fuck Charles thought, how could someone be so hot while being on the opposite team, maybe its just because every hockey player is fit, but this guy was something else. He didn't even look like the other hockey players, he was lean and thin, he had short brown hair, and this face that he could stare at forever even through the helmet. Number 91, Edwin Payne, the left defenseman of the London Raiders. Charles himself is a right winger thus every time the Raiders have the puck, Charles has to be a defender against Edwin. Even outside of games Charles can’t stop running into this man. Which is the situation Charles is in now, he is at his favourite coffee shop, the black cat which he is in Leyton so of course he would be able to see Edwin, but the coffee is just too good.
“Do I know you? You look strangely familiar.” Edwin spoke, making Charles jump. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Uh no you’re totally cool mate, yeah Charles Rowland number 78 of the Haringey Huskies, right winger,” Charles shocked himself by not stuttering.
Edwin almost looks like his face lit up as he responds, “Oh yeah, you’re right spiffy with a stick.”
Charles laughs a little. “Mate, who says spiffy anymore?”
“Well it seems that I do, does it not Mr. Rowland.” Edwin said with slight sass, the small smile Edwin hid just made Charles melt though.
Charles puts his hands up. “Just call me Charles, Mr. Rowland is my dad” he flashed the Raiders defenseman a smile. “Well as much as i like our conversation, i have practice, and technically you're the enemy.'' Charlie flashes him a smile. “I'll see you on the rink.” he then walked out of the shop, well not before he slipped his number into Edwin’s hand.
Charles hadn’t gotten a text from Edwin until they were in the locker rooms before the game.
‘Hello this is Edwin. I'm correct as in this Charles’ number?.”
‘Yes it is charles mr fancy pants’
‘Oh sorry for making sure I got the right number. Also, it would be Mr. Fancy Pants.’
‘Oh great youll now be an english teacher.’
They go back and forth like this, with Edwin fixing Charles’ grammar often, and each time Charles purposefully makes it worse. Well they do this until they have to hit the ice. The first period Charles and Edwin weren't ever on the ice together, but at the very beginning of the second period they are, and well Edwin currently has the puck, so Charles does the only thing he can do and checks him.
“I would like that puck from you Mr. Fancy Pants.” Charles said with a teasing tone.
Edwin shakes his head after a grunt, and gets a pass between Charles’ legs. “That's not how the games are played, I thought you'd be smarter than that.”
Charles stifles a laugh, especially since he can tell Edwin isn't even trying to be funny, but this man has been plaguing his thoughts all season, so of course whatever he says Charles will find it funny and cute.
“What's funny?” Edwin's head tilts slightly.
“Nothing noth-” Charles gets interrupted.
“Crash Stop flirting and let's play!” One of the other huskies yells.
Charles waves bye flirtingly to Edwin, as he gets back to the game they are in the middle of. It's a pretty close game all in all, they huskies beat the raiders in overtime though, 5 to 4. During the handshake Charles winks at Edwin before moving on.
Charles texts him immediately though, well right after he got changed and stuff. ‘Close game mr fancy pants.’
‘Charles I’m not even that fancy.’
‘Sure youre not sure.’
‘You’re*’
‘Whos point do you think youre proving mate.’
‘Whatever. Also, Crash huh?’
‘Hey, i ran into a lot of things when i was a kid, and he has been my best mate since i was 5.’
‘Can you just capitalise your I’s please.’
‘Fine, but only because you asked so nicely.’
‘Do you want to meet at the Black Cat again?’
‘Ofc I do, why wouldnt I, Ill see you in a few minutes.’
Like Charles said, a few minutes go by and they are both at the Black Cat. They walk in together, and Edwin pays for their drinks, before they sit at a table together.
“So, Edwin, other than hockey, what else do you enjoy?”
“Well I really like reading of all sorts. I'm really into history, poetry and detective books the most. Corrados the blind detective is really good actually, if not a little outdated but it's still great. I also really like learning new languages, or at least parts of them. I'm certainly not fluent in many other languages, I mean I can hold my own in Spain, and I could get around France if absolutely needed.” Edwin rambles on and on.
Charles watches him with a smile, he lets him ramble until Edwin interrupts himself. “Oh my, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ramble.”
“Don't worry mate, I like hearing you talk.” Charles had totally been staring, it's like he can't stop. “You know, you’re cute.”
Edwin's mouth falls agape, looking shocked. “I-uh thanks- yeah thanks-”