The Beautiful Game - Closed for DeathsKnight

[DeathsKnight]

He smiled at her,

"How about we both give it to her then? It would be a nice gesture even then if I am not mistaken?"

He ran his fingers over the polished surface, suddenly wondering how it would feel to trace Lisa's curves, he chuckled at his change of thoughts,

"You have no appointments for today?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"How about we both give it to her then? It would be a nice gesture even then if I am not mistaken?"

Lisa nodded, though she was determined not to take any credit for the gift that was entirely Ivan's doing and making. She watched him curiously as he chuckled, sipping her coffee thoughtfully as she learned more and more about the man who stood before her, his fingers touching the wood almost reverently.

"You have no appointments for today?"

She gave an exaggerated groan.

"Sunday is family day..."

She grimaced.

"... I'll send my apologies ... they're used to my 'no-shows'."

She drained the mug and toyed with the handle.

"I love them dearly, but Idon't think I could handle all that today..."

She told him honestly.

 

[DeathsKnight]

"I wonder how they would react if they do say that you're spending the day with a man. I doubt they will not want to know more."

He drank down the last of his coffee and set the plaque aside,

"Come, I want to show you something that my mother made in her spare time."

He picked up his empty cup and carried it all to the kitchen, where he placed it inside and then he led the way to the living room, where he picked up a rather hefty Album, taking a seat on the couch, he motioned for her to sit next to him, he then opened the Album, letting it lay over both their laps, the first photos was the usual baby photos,

"As you can see, she already started when I was very little."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I wonder how they would react if they do say that you're spending the day with a man. I doubt they will not want to know more."

She laughed.

"I think they'd be relieved and be insisting on meeting you ... "

She told him.

"My mother is desperate to see me 'settled'. I'm a grave disappointment as far to take her business success for granted and focus on trying to pair her up and as that is concerned."

Her voice was light, but she could not help but feel hurt that her parents seemed marry her off at the earliest opportunity. Lisa could not help but resent the fact that her brothers were probably less successful in many ways business wise, but they were both married and had produced grandchildren so it was only she who had not lived up to that expectation as yet.

"Come, I want to show you something that my mother made in her spare time."

She allowed herself to be led to the kitchen, her cup placed with is as she followed Ivan to the living room and took a seat beside him on the couch and opened the album he laid on her lap.

"As you can see, she already started when I was very little."

She carefully turned the pages of the heavy tome, smiling as she saw the baby pictures.

"Your mother made these up?"

She questioned as she looked in fascination at the images of baby Ivan who looked up at her.

 

[DeathsKnight]

"She said that she wanted to make sure that the following generations would know about me."

He turned the next page and it started with toddler and first day of school photos, then the next page showed him as he started his sport, most of the pictures was taken by one of his parents, then the newspaper clippings started, starting with victories and losses of the school team in which Ivan played, he pointed at the clippings depicting losses,

"She said that I should remember to keep my feet on the ground as well as my head in it's proper place. My father told me that a sportsman enjoyed the game he played and only remembered his winning and losses at the end, when all is said and done. That is what I want to teach the players."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"She said that she wanted to make sure that the following generations would know about me."

Lisa was fascinated by the photographs and the pictures which showed the growing up of little Ivan, his games and victories and defeats.

"She said that I should remember to keep my feet on the ground as well as my head in it's proper place."

Lisa chuckled and nodded.

"She sounds amazing."

She commented softly.

"My father told me that a sportsman enjoyed the game he played and only remembered his winning and losses at the end, when all is said and done.
That is what I want to teach the players."

The more she got to know Ivan, the more she found to admire and respect about him.

"So true,"

She commented softly.

"Do you miss them?"

She assumed they were both still living, but wasn't sure just what the situation was with his parents at the moment.

"Do you have brothers or sisters Ivan?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

"I miss being able to go home for family dinner, we would arrange it for a Sunday, at least once a week we would eat, drink and share laughter, jokes and stories."

He smiled at her,

"Yes I do miss them. But my mother is adamant that I send her newspaper clippings of the team, she is still building on the "Story of Ivan" and she told me to find a sensible wife who would appreciate it and continue her work when she's gone."

He turned to the album and quickly scanned it, keeping the last place with his fingers, he stopped at a photo, there he was along with two older people and two younger ones, they were standing behind a gold cup, all dressed in formal evening wear,

"This was when I was named VIP for Svedstad, that is my mother and father, brother Misha and sister Alexia, they are twins. They are both working, my brother is a truck driver and my sister is a teacher."

He allowed her to inspect the picture at her own leisure and then he flipped the album back to the last place they had looked, he turned a page and a clipping slid down out of it's sheath, he slid it back into position and secured the sheath once more, the clipping was is Russian,

"It is about the accident which killed thrity six children, mother could not find the English story. I lost many friends that day."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I miss being able to go home for family dinner, we would arrange it for a Sunday, at least once a week we would eat, drink and share laughter, jokes and stories."

She felt for him, but his words made her feel a bit guilty. Her family loved her and were proud of her she knew that. It was just sometimes they seemed more fixated on her 'getting a man' and settling down than actually focusing upon what she saw as her successes, after all she had put a lot into the family business and of course she enjoyed it, but she had gone in that direction initially primarily to please them, especially as neither brother had an interest in that area.

"Yes I do miss them. But my mother is adamant that I send her newspaper clippings of the team, she is still building on the "Story of Ivan" and she told me to find a sensible wife who would appreciate it and continue her work when she's gone."

She laughed. That counted her one then! She doubted Ivan's mother would approve of a woman who got smashed on vodka, weak vodka at that! It was obvious his mother adored Ivan and was so proud of everything he did. Lisa loved looking through his 'story' and watching him growing up as if before her eyes.

"This was when I was named VIP for Svedstad, that is my mother and father, brother Misha and sister Alexia, they are twins. They are both working, my brother is a truck driver and my sister is a teacher."

Somehow Lisa had expected him to be an only child, but she clearly saw the resemblance between him and his siblings. The family unit was solid as the 5 stood together. It could almost have been her with her parents and brothers. Despite their differences, it seemed the family values were the same.

"It's a lovely picture, Ivan and a brilliant album."

She enthused, not really paying much attention to the paper that fell from within it's leaves. It was something about the way he retrieved it and secured it back into place that made her raise questioning eyes to his.

"It is about the accident which killed thirty six children, mother could not find the English story. I lost many friends that day."

She gasped at his words.

" ... thirty six... ?"

She echoed shocked at what he had said. Just what 'accident' could cause that she had no idea, nor was it clear what Ivan's connection with the event could be.

"That's ... so awful."

Her hand went to his arm, the gesture instinctive.

"... losing so many people ... I ... can't imagine what that might be like... "

She told him not wanting to pry, but willing to hear if he wanted to talk about it.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He nodded,

"It was quite bad, it also impacted the town very badly, so many children torn away from families. The cairn was enormous, there was forty two children on the bus, I was one of them. The on-coming truck hit a slick spot on the road, the driver lost control and we had mere seconds to react...nothing could have saved us apart from a miracle."

He turned the page over, there was the funeral, he was on the photo, arm and leg in cast,

"I only broke my femur and ulna bone, the child next to me...Kris, he broke his jaw, left collar bone and his whole leg was smashed...it was really a terrible thing to have happened, that year was really one of the worst I ever went through."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"It was quite bad, it also impacted the town very badly, so many children torn away from families. The cairn was enormous, there was forty two children on the bus, I was one of them. The on-coming truck hit a slick spot on the road, the driver lost control and we had mere seconds to react...nothing could have saved us apart from a miracle."

She was shocked by what he told her, she looked at the photograph of him with the casts on his broken limbs.

"I only broke my femur and ulna bone, the child next to me...Kris, he broke his jaw, left collar bone and his whole leg was smashed...it was really a terrible thing to have happened, that year was really one of the worst I ever went through."

She shook her head wordlessly. How did you get over a trauma like that?

"... puts life into perspective ... "

She murmured finally.

"Tragedy on such grand scale .. so many lives ... "

He understood loss. Perhaps that was why he understood her involvement at the hospice? He had only been a child then, but he had grown into a compassionate adult.

" ... thank God your family did not lose you. I can't imagine anything worse than losing a child ... "

 

[DeathsKnight]

He smiled slightly,

"I saw big, grown men break down and cry like babies, I saw women tear at themselves, trying to throw themselves into graves to join their children...I hope to never have to feel that kind of loss."

He looked at her,

"I kind of have an idea of why you do the hospice work, I have felt loss as well. Just not in the same way, but I can understand it and I support your efforts because it means a lot to you and the people you help through it."

He turned the page and tapped the first clipping,

"Captain when we did manage to put a team together. We switched to jerseys which held a permanent black band on the left arm with the date of the accident stitched on to it."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I saw big, grown men break down and cry like babies, I saw women tear at themselves, trying to throw themselves into graves to join their children...I hope to never have to feel that kind of loss."

She flinched at his words. She wasn't pushing the topic, but it seemed that he wanted to tell her about it.

"I kind of have an idea of why you do the hospice work, I have felt loss as well. Just not in the same way, but I can understand it and I support your efforts because it means a lot to you and the people you help through it."

She nodded. He understood and respected her. Just what he had told her she should expect in a man and all she wanted. She turned her attention back to the next page as he continued to show her the album.

"Captain when we did manage to put a team together. We switched to jerseys which held a permanent black band on the left arm with the date of the accident stitched on to it."

She nodded; a touching mark of respect.

"Something you'll never forget,"

She murmured moving closer to him, her body leaning against his an unconscious action to offer comfort rather than provoke any 'situation' between them.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He raised his arm and rested it around her, he was glad for her support in these bad memories, they were bittersweet really, the headings said it all. After the tragedy the team won more than 85% of their matches and all of these matches was with the young Ivan directing the traffic from the middle. He kept turning the pages, giving her insight to his school days, his younger years, the clippings wasn't of just his sport achievements, but of his academic achievements as well.

A few pages later they hit the semi-professional stages of his life and he laughed as he pointed at the first six clippings, all of them with his name on the sub bench, then his name was in the reports, coming on as substitute, creating chances for the winning goals,

"As you can see, back then I looked like a whiplash, no wonder I got drunk so easily."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

His arm moved around her, a comfortable closeness between them as their heads moved as one as he showed her his life unfolding on the pages between them. Successes, sporting and academic were numerous. She could just imagine how proud his mother must be of him. She smiles as he laughed at the images of himself on the sub bench and read as his name was finally linked with goal scoring and success.

"As you can see, back then I looked like a whiplash, no wonder I got drunk so easily."

His physique was very different in those days, but the eyes, the determined set of his jaw, they were just the same and a clear indication of the maturer man Ivan would become.

" ... so is that my excuse? That I'm a 'whiplash'?"

She bantered with him. She was by no means 'full figured' but likewise she wasn't sure that was an accurate description of her either.

" ... or maybe just a lightweight ... especially compared to you...?"

She queried, her eyes drawn to him, moving assessingly down the 'great bear' of a man who she and little Lisa both saw as a 'teddy bear'. Perhaps it was that combination of strength and gentleness that attracted her? She certainly had not felt so comfortable with any man for a long time ... if ever?

"Maybe you need to put me into training ... in more ways than football?"

She suggested dragging her gaze back to the album and hoping that he hadn't caught her staring.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He chuckled,

"You have no excuse, you are perfect as you are."

He did look at her and with his free hand playfully poked her tummy,

"We could work on that though, when you want a washboard at least give it ridges, you know like the good washboards had,"

He laughed softly and gave her a hug with the arm that was around her,

"I do thin a bit of cross-training might work. We should speak of your schedule and when we can fit in."

How badly he wanted to kiss her right then and pull off the jersey to kiss that flat stomach and various other bits and parts, was only rivaled by his mind, which cautioned him against too hasty or rash a move too soon might not just lead to a penalty, but also lose him a very valuable friend, ally and person.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"You have no excuse, you are perfect as you are."

Despite his teasing, the compliment seemed sincere. She giggled as he poked her stomach and feigned dismay at his words.

"We could work on that though, when you want a washboard at least give it ridges, you know like the good washboards had,"

She pouted in mock indignation, yet could not resist laughing as he hugged her closer to him.

"I do thin a bit of cross-training might work. We should speak of your schedule and when we can fit in."

The sigh she gave was mock dramatic.

"I see ... I'm just not masculine enough for you Ivan?"

She retorted her eyes raising to lock with his.

"So ... the only way you're going to fit in time for me is if I submit to your training regime ... ?"

She teased him shaking her head sadly.

"The trials I have to endure just to get your attention ... "

She teased provocatively...

 

[DeathsKnight]

He chuckled at her words,

"You are woman enough for me, if I wanted manly I'd go check out the female weightlifters."

He tilted his head at her last remark,

"Or you could have one drink too many and fall asleep in my car. That gives you a lot of attention as well."

He grinned at the look on her face,

"Also, my work-out for you will not all consist of work..."

He paused to give her a sly smile,

"There are numerous areas to gain fitness, not just one."

He grinned again and turned the page, there was two left and on this page was his inclusion in to the national team.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"You are woman enough for me, if I wanted manly I'd go check out the female weightlifters."

Lisa laughed with him. That Ivan was anything less than man enough for her never entered her mind. In fact the more she saw of him and got to know him, the more Lisa realised that it was unlikely that she would ever find a man to measure up to Ivan not only in regards of physique, but also personality.

"Or you could have one drink too many and fall asleep in my car. That gives you a lot of attention as well."

Lisa's eyes widened at his words. It had not been a deliberate ploy, but she could not deny that it had 'accelerated' things between them to some extent at least!

"Also, my work-out for you will not all consist of work... There are numerous areas to gain fitness, not just one."

His double meaning was clear ... or was it ...?
She could not help but let her mind wander in the direction of the 'work out' Ivan alluded to, but as ever, he did not cross the line ...
With effort, Lisa turned her attention back to the album, though her pulses were racing somewhat as she looked at the photographs of Ivan proudly smiling up from the national team poses.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He saw the flush that crept up over her neck, even if she tried to hide, he could see that she had caught the double meaning, of course he could not really go beyond what they had at the moment. Not only did he tread carefully around her for fear of losing her support of the club, but she was really a woman he got along with very well and that was also a reason he had no wish to lose her company.

The next pages held the first eight matches, Ivan came on in the second half as a kind of "super-sub", creating chances, drawing defenders, robbing attacks of their possession, already the fuller frame was starting to show, the solid muscle he used to intimidate the faster, slighter framed players. That was the year of the World Cup qualifiers, the year that they really worked their way in the Euro-division.

Then he turned the page, it showed the Russian world cup campaign, their first two wins over Ghana and Finland, their expected loss to Italy and their shocking loss to Sweden. The final clipping is their draw with the mighty Brazil which led to penalties, the penalty which placed Russia out of the World Cup the final kick...the one that Ivan missed...Ivan allowed her to read the clipping and then closed the album,

"The second album is somewhere, I will have to look for it."

It was in the second album that happened to have the story which had the whole drama in it that led to Ivan's dismissal from International soccer

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

The moment passed. That there was an attraction between them, Lisa was certain, but she was equally certain that Ivan had no intention of acting upon it as he sought out a second album. She was touched that he wanted to share so much of himself with her. If his reputation were anything to go by he was a very private person and very much minded his own business and expected others to do the same. Part of her was bemused that even though she was sat, only half dressed if that and pressed up against him as the pages of that second album began to be turned, his interest was purely on conversation, banter and at no more than harmless flirting. It was refreshing ... and frustrating ... and made him even more of an enigma ... a fact that attracted her to him all the more she acknowledged silently as she commented now and then on the progress of his career in the Russian team as it opened out before her.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He stopped two pages short of what was his personal disaster,

"I don't know about you, but I could do with more coffee."

He closed the album and placed it aside, he looked down at her and gave her a small smile,

"You know much more about me now I think? In fact you now know my whole life, even the women I had been seen with."

He nudged her playfully with his elbow,

"Of course when I started to talk football they all ran away. Makes you one of a kind, I am very glad that you came along and of course that you fell asleep in my car. Would not have had this time together otherwise."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Lisa focused on the album, seeing the progress of his footballing career.

"I don't know about you, but I could do with more coffee."

He told her as they neared the end.

"I'm not surprised. You did sink some vodka yourself last night."

She accused lightly.

"Yet it doesn't seem to affect you at all ... then again ... there is more of you to soak it up I suppose...?"

She couldn't help but run an admiring glance over his physique. His bear-like body might not appeal to all women, but Lisa was definitely attracted to Ivan, both his character and, she could not deny it, his body ...

And so she hardly noticed the way he 'hid' the contents of the last two album pages.

"You know much more about me now I think?
In fact you now know my whole life, even the women I had been seen with."

She giggled as he nudged her, loving at how playful he was and how comfortable they seemed together.

"Of course when I started to talk football they all ran away. Makes you one of a kind, I am very glad that you came along and of course that you fell asleep in my car. Would not have had this time together otherwise."

She had the grace to look shamefaced.

" .. the falling asleep wasn't intentional ..."

She defended herself hastily.

" ... though ... having this time with you Ivan ... "

Her pulses quickened and she unconsciously bit her lip resolved to keep the tone between them light; after all if he had wanted to make a move on her he would have done by now .. and ... if he didn't then she would respect that.

"I always enjoy your company ... and spending having time with you, in your home ... "

She could not resist a mischievous grin.

" ... in your bed ... "

She giggled at her playful words.

" ... it's been amazing getting to know you better,"

She concluded with sincerity.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He laughed and got to his feet,

"Keep mentioning it and I might just take you up on the whole spending time in my bed idea."

He stowed the album away, ran a hand over his short hair and gave her a grin. Then he picked up their cups and headed to the kitchen, after drinking some water he fixed them another cup of coffee, this time he made certain that it was proper Russian coffee, strong but sweet for her benefit. He returned to the living room and took his seat right next to her, he made certain that he sat flush against her, before he handed her the cup.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Keep mentioning it and I might just take you up on the whole spending time in my bed idea."

God ... she had no objection to that whatsoever, but he was laughing and Lisa made no comment, only chuckling with him as she watched him head off into the kitchen. Once he was out of sight she groaned and lay back on the sofa. When they were out, when they were talking business, she had other things to focus on, but this ... this was a challenge ...

She closed her eyes and gave a sigh. Her hangover head was clearing at least and she felt much better than she had any right to feel given her behaviour the previous evening. From what Ivan had said the others had already been taken home before he had been lumbered with her sleeping form and brought her back here so at least there was no potential 'scandal' circulating, at least at the moment anyhow ... And she could just imagine the depth of Mike's disapproval if he had any idea of her growing relationship with Ivan ...

Startled out of her reverie, she looked up to find Ivan returning with a coffee held out for her. She smiled up at him as he balanced the mugs carefully as he came to sit beside her. The sofa was more than spacious enough, but Lisa was more than aware of his body pressed up against her semi-clad form. She accepted the mug he held out to her and expected him to ease away, but he seemed content to remain in such close proximity.

"... just what I need... "

She told him unable to prevent her body from sliding against his as his bulk made the sofa dip slightly in his direction. Focusing upon the coffee in a vain attempt at finding a distraction, she found it to be strong and sweet, not how she usually took it, but that morning it really hit the spot.

"Is there no end to your talents, Ivan?"

She queried softly, both hands clasped around the hot mug as her eyes sought his.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He smiled and saluted her with his mug,

"When it comes to recovering after a bender, to kick a ball and drive players to the brink of collapse and then making them collapse? My talents are endless...of course there's some other talents that I'm sure you would like to find out about."

He smiled,

"Like they say: "Stick with me and you're sure to find more"...or something like that."

He chuckled