Dancing In the Shadows

-Original Fiction-

Tennis

by Pookie

A few plain words of congratulation on a game well played were the only words exchanged on the way back to the van. The two players were too tired and hot to engage in conversation, especially after the long game they had just played. This had been their fourth encounter on the courts. They were both evenly matched, even if their styles of play were completely different.

The first player had an aura of innocence about him. His soft and gentle features corresponded perfectly to his calm and fluid game. His light gray eyes, unusually stunning in his face, contradicted his almost child like appearance. He had never backed away from a challenge, always meeting it head on, a smile on his lips, his eyes focused. Undoubtedly, Sean was one of the top players in his club, but also one of the nicest and most loved players. His fan club was fiercely protective of their ‘baby’, never letting anyone approach him. Their hearts melted every time he smiled at them, brushing away a stray strand of his golden hair, telling them not to worry about him.

The slightly taller player by his side was absently tossing his tennis ball. He seemed to hesitate each time the ball left his hand, controlling himself not to hit it [with his racquet]. He had a look of tamed wildness, an appearance that revealed his explosive and utterly unpredictable style of playing. His lean and muscular body was shaped to his game, allowing him to be everywhere and nowhere on the court at once. His dark eyes, always scanning his surroundings, seemed to see right through you, leaving your soul completely naked and helpless before him. Kyle quickly gained the top spots in the club, but also the reputation of being unsocial and unpredictable. (His large fan club argued this mysterious air created all his charm.) Their eyes always drinking his presence, his wildly arranged short black hair dancing in the air, they all agree he is never actually looking for trouble: it just seems to finds him.

Upon reaching the van, Kyle quickly sought refuge in the deep and cool shadows inside. He then set to the task of taking off his soaked shirt, tossing the now useless cloth aside unceremoniously. In front of him, Sean followed his lead, the only noticeable difference his somewhat folded shirt. Kyle sighed, his arms resting on his knees, letting the fresh air cool his burning bare back. He broke his long gaze from the van’s floor when he heard Sean avidly gulping down some cold water. He looked up in time to see Sean collapse against the cold wall of the van with a sigh. Unaware of the fixed gaze on him, Sean squeezed his sport bottle, letting the flow of cold water bathe his face and hair.

In a swift movement, driven by a force unknown, Kyle reached across the van, as a leopard to its prey. Sean barely had the time to shake the water off himself before he was pinned back against the wall. His eyes strangely focused, Kyle kissed Sean’s silky lips, not giving the youth time to react. Sean’s eyes flew wide, but his defenses rapidly melted under the ardent touch. Seconds stretched into eternity before Sean regained his senses. With more strength the youth appeared to have, Sean pushed Kyle back.

His eyes blazed with confusion and anger, Sean raises his shaky hand to his lips and then glared at Kyle.

“You…You KISSED me!?!” His voice was low yet firm.

“You were enjoying it.” Kyle’s eyes were scanning the conflict of emotions dancing before him, his own face not revealing any.

“Why?!”

“It seemed the right thing to do. You just looked too gorgeous not to be kissed.”

In the faint light, Sean’s blushing face went unnoticed as he considered those words. He looked up at the young man before him, trying to read his mind. His lips slowly curled into a smile as he brushed aside his wet hair. Tentatively he reached for Kyle’s face and kissed him back…for no good reason...