🎀 Nov. Fluff Short [Cam] 🎀

So, for those who chose Cam as their first kiss, this was originally going to be the scenario. I changed it a bit back so instead edited this to use for this month's fluff. Word count : 2514 (I'll be honest, I know very little about hockey. So if my terminology is absolute garbage...forgive me!)

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Two things that do not belong in the same sentence are Cameron Clarke and sports. Hockey, to be exact.

Two people who don't belong in the same room are Cameron Clarke and Olivier Depont, an up-and-coming hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Yet here he is, in his golden Adonis glory. Standing bare in front of a snowy backdrop, hockey stick held just so like he's guarding the crease—his stick covering the most important part of his equipment, protecting the puck from any unnecessary interference. Cam laughs, mentally patting himself on the back for that one.

He was surprised when someone even bothered to call to request him to photograph a shoot. Cam knows jack shit about hockey, but he’s heard the name. He was anxious when he walked in. How could he not be when he was meeting a potential Hockey Hall of Famer?

All that anxiety, that nervous energy, was refocused on his work, into each shot. When you’re inches away from a naked person, with only a hockey stick as the barrier, you realize quickly that celebrity is just a label. As the shoot progresses, that initial formality diminishes. Olivier’s charm and Cam’s humor ease them into an unexpectedly friendly rhythm.

“Listen, Clarke, this was great. I mean, out of all the shoots I’ve done recently; this is probably the first one where I feel like you’re listening to what I want. Like actually giving a damn what I have to say and not about how I play.” Olivier smiles at Cam, watching as Cam begins packing up his equipment.

“That’s the goal,” Cam replies with a grin. “You’ve got my number, so just text or call when you want to set something up again.”

“Hey, I’m playing a game tomorrow. Why don’t you come? I’ve got some extra tickets. I mean, it’s the least I can do after getting you to come out here this late.”

Cam rubs the piercings along his right ear, nervously fidgeting. Sports aren’t his scene. Bad movies, a good book, photography – that’s his comfort zone. But something about the offer makes him reconsider.

 It would be a great opportunity to take Red out, it's been awhile since we've been somewhere together. Just a little hangout among friends...almost like a date.

That thought alone was enough for Cam to agree, happily taking the tickets and heading on his way home.

***

The next evening, Cam and you make the way to the arena. Weaving in between the crowd, tickets in hand. You were worried you overdressed, but that feeling was quickly forgotten when you saw that Cam dressed up as well. Even going out of his way to style his hair.

 Neither of you knew much about hockey, but that didn’t matter. The rowdy atmosphere is contagious, pulling you in, even as you exchange amused glances with him at the chaos on the ice.

 It’s another moment that blurs that already unsteady line between your friendship and something more. It felt like everything lately was charged – a brush of a hand that lingers too long, teasing words with an edge, and stolen glances. It’s thrilling and terrifying. Like you’re standing on the edge of a cliff. Causing you to wonder if the fall will hurt, or if it will feel as if you’re flying.

 “Well, we’re here. Officially out of our element,” he says with a grin, glancing at you as you sit next to him. Your heartbeat jumps as your arm brushes against his, and your thighs rest comfortably next to one another.

“Speak for yourself, I know plenty about hockey,” You lie, flicking a stray hair out of his eyesight.

 “Bullshit.”

 “I do!”

 Cam rolls his eyes playfully, pointing a finger at the goalie of the opposite team. “What’s that?”

 Alright, he had you there. There was an easy way out of this though. 

You scoff, shrugging your shoulders as you look at the goalie and then back at Cam. “A person.”

 “Touche.”

 The seats weren’t far from the rink, giving you a close-up view of the game- and Olivier when he finally got on the ice.

“We should at least get points for trying something new.”

 You laugh, nudging him playfully “You never know, this might be our thing. We could be hardcore hockey fans after this.”

 Cam smirks, his cheek pulling giving a glimpse of his dimple as he shrugs. “I knew it, you were a sports fiend this entire time. Never even asked me to be your cheerleader. That hurts, Red.” He jokes bumping his knee against yours.

"Yeah, really missed seeing you in a skirt and pom poms."

"My point exactly, missed opportunity," Cam shoots back, smirking confidently.

You can't stop yourself as you lean closer against him, eyebrow raised as you say, "You know, you can still chant my name. I'm all ears if you want to test it out." You follow it up with a suggestive wink.

Cam freezes before sputtering"D-Don’t do that."

You bat your lashes, feigning ignorance. "Do what?"

"The wink," He mutters, his face turning red as he avoids their gaze. "Don’t do that."

A slow grin spread across your face as Cam begins to rub the patch of skin visible on the side of his neck. "Go ahead Cam, say my name."

"N-No!" He crosses his arms as he scowls, trying to pull your attention away from the blush that's flushing his body.

You bite back a grin, deciding to let him off easy. Shifting your attention to the arena. It’s packed and there are hardly any empty seats. Your thoughts are interrupted as someone slides into the seat next to you, causing you to scoot closer to Cam. Your shoulders brush, and though he doesn't say a word, you can't miss the way he exhales. A stuttering, uneven sigh that you quickly chalk up to the growing crowd.

“I do know one thing,” He whispers, his breath light against the shell of your ear. “we’re in for a loud night.”

 The game begins shortly, Cam earning himself a head nod from Olivier which many of those surrounding you pick up on.

“Look at that, popular already.”

 “It’s the hair, they always love the hair.” He jokes, his hand instinctively going to push his hair back but stopping in fear of messing it up.

The two of you sit back at first, taking it all in, and observing as the players slam into one another.

 The crowd around you roars, their voices thundering each time the hockey sticks connect with the pucks, the cheers grow deafening when two of the players begin to scuffle.

 As you glance at Cam, you notice his eyes are wide much like your own. He leans over, voice barely audible. “Is uh, is this normal? Or do they just get bored, and you know,” Cam begins to move his arms, doing his best to mimic the moves of the players fighting.

 You laugh as you watch him, his nose scrunching as he tries to mimic the expression on the player's face, “No idea, maybe it’s just their idea of small talk?”

 That earns you a grin from Cam, as he sits back in his seat. He doesn’t know much about what’s happening, but even with all the chaos, there’s something undeniably fun about it. Soon enough, he’s cheering right along with the crowd, jumping to his feet when Olivier scores. He pumps his fist in the air, letting out an enthusiastic “YES!”

 You turn to him, taking in the crinkle between his brow. The way his eyes flicker between the players, looking more relaxed more…handsome than he should. You couldn’t help but wonder why he dressed up. Part of you wondered if it was to impress Olivier, especially with how much he gushed about him when he got home. You notice the glint of mischief in his eye, that boyish grin he shoots your way when Olivier shoots him a thumbs up.

“Do you even know what just happened?” You ask, gesturing to the rink.

Cam shakes his head, the piercings of his ear glinting under the bright lights of the arena as he does so. “Not a fucking clue, but did you see that shot? That was awesome.” He grins, collapsing back into his seat beside you.

 His energy easily becomes a highlight of the night, it’s hard not to laugh at him when he gets swept up in the crowd’s fervor. Eventually, Cam’s growling stomach is a quick reminder that neither of you has eaten yet.

 Luckily for the two of you, the arena had more than enough to put in your belly. The two of you settle for popcorn and a soda. You take turns sipping the drink. Not even finding it odd that your lips are sharing the same straw. You never really thought about it before, but now you can’t help but notice the slight wetness once it leaves Cam’s lips.

 Your fingers brush occasionally, it’s hard not to when you’re this close together. Before, you wouldn’t pay it any attention, contact between you was normal. Just another reminder that something is changing. Now, those little touches would linger and be more frequent.

There’s a lull in the action about halfway through, it’s easily noticed by the shift in the atmosphere. The people began to settle in, and fewer and fewer jumped up with excitement as the puck passed between the players and nearly landed inside the net.

The lights dim, just enough that it’s noticeable. Causing the crowd to cheer once more. Cam can’t help but look around, both of you expecting someone to come out onto the rink. Instead, the giant screen lights up with the familiar words: Kiss Cam.

If that isn’t enough of an invitation, I don’t know what is.

You turn to him, giving him an amused look as the camera begins to scan around the crowd. It bounces from couple to couple, eliciting cheers, laughter, and an occasional refusal. You both chuckle as one man tries to get the attention of his wife, only to end up kissing his cup of beer, causing the crowd to cheer so loudly that it finally catches the attention of his wife who hides her face in embarrassment.

That’s when it happens – it lands on the two of you.

You freeze, your hand still reaching for a piece of popcorn from the bag in Cam’s hand. He blinks, his mind trying to catch up. Taking the time to process what’s happening before his cheeks begin to tint a pinkish hue. He grins sheepishly, only causing the cheers around you to grow louder as the camera lingers.

There’s a whooping yell of support from the rink, coming from none other than Olivier who only makes the crowd yell louder. “You can do it, Cam!” He yells, earning himself a middle finger from the embarrassed redhead. The image of the two of you is clear on the large screen above. A heart template surrounding you.

“Shit,” You mutter, your face flushing from the attention. “They can’t be ser-“

Before you can finish, Cam reacts without thinking. His hand shoots out and grabs the cup, raising it to cover your face. It’s a playful but somewhat shy move – trying to shield you from the audience. The crowd groans, but he leans closer behind his makeshift shield. His face barely inches away.

“That better?” He asks, his breath warming your cheeks.

That’s when you notice the look in his eyes. You’ve seen it a few times before when you were cuddled together on the couch and both of you were half asleep. Your heart races in your chest, your pulse quickening as the moment stretches. Both of you are flustered, that’s evident in your faces, but neither of you dare look away. You instinctively glance at the screen as the camera stays on you at Olivier’s request. Cam leans in. Just a little closer.

His hand holds yours tightly, his thumb brushing against your cooled palm, grounding you in this intimate bubble he’s created.

The crowd continues to egg you on, but here, inside this little bubble, there’s only the sound of your breathing and his. You’re not sure what comes over him, maybe it’s the energy around you, the cheering of the people, the pressure. Or maybe, it’s the idea that this might be his only chance.

This is one of the few times Cam is bolder than even he can believe. He doesn’t hesitate for long, letting go of the cup as he leans in slowly. His hand lifts to rest against the side of your neck, before he leans in even further, his eyes closing as your lips meet.

Soft, that’s the first thing you notice as his lips press against yours. Slotting against yours perfectly. As if they were made to. The muffled sound in his throat causes you to shiver.  You don’t even dare pretend that it’s because of the coolness of the arena. The electricity between you is undeniable. And from the sound of the crowd as Cam tilts your head, pressing you back into your seat and deepening the kiss, they must agree.

It's so cliché to say it but it’s as if time stops for a second. It’s tender, almost shy. The force behind it is enough to let you know that it’s not just for the camera or the many, many people watching.

Cam pulls back, and honestly, it’s far too soon. His cheeks are flushed with color, and he hangs his head, unable to look up at you or the people around you. His grip on your hand tightens as he leans his head down to rest in the crook of your neck.

You’re not sure how you manage to find your voice, not when your mind is reeling. “Did you – did you just -?”

His voice comes out low, shaky against your neck. “Yeah. I guess I did.”

He slowly pulls away, and the pressure in his chest, that rush of vulnerability mixed with adrenaline. It’s not an unwelcome one.

Cam tugs at the hair that rests against the back of his neck, a soft almost shy smile on his lips. There’s no turning back now. That much is obvious.

So, he does what he does best, “I think I get why people like hockey now.”

A laugh bubbles out of you, as well as out of the people near you that were listening in. The awkwardness fades into something more comfortable, and he gives your hand a gentle squeeze.

The game continues around you, but neither of you pays attention anymore. You steal glances when you think he isn’t looking, but of course he is. Each time your cheeks flush, and you can’t help but wonder if they look as good as Cam’s.

It’s hard not to notice his lips are still faintly swollen, only drawing your attention even more.

He leans closer, nudging your shoulder. “You okay there, Red?”

As you finally look at him, no longer looking away once he catches you staring you notice his expression, a mix of nerves and amusement. “You’re such a pain in the ass, you know that?”

He winks at you, his fingers intertwining with your own. “Yeah, but you love that about me.”

You shake your head, biting back a smile as you look back to the rink. The rest of the game feels like background noise, the kiss replaying in your head. The line between you may have been blurred before, but now? It’s shattered, and you can’t help but wonder if Cam felt it too.