Fic: "Play To Win" for the 2009 Lotrips Slashababy fic exchange

[slashababy-mod.livejournal.com]

Title: Play To Win
Recipient: Slashababy dropout
Author: shegollum
Pairing: Karl and Viggo
Rating: NC17
Summary: Karl is a football player and Viggo is the team's doctor. With the help of Sean, they face a common enemy.
Pre-reveal Notes: Men in clingy pants...um, yeah.. Any and all mistakes are my own.

Disclaimer: This is a non-profit, non-commercial work of fiction using the names and likenesses of real individuals. This fictional story is not intended to imply that the events herein actually occurred, or that the attitudes or behaviors described are engaged in or condoned by the real persons whose names are used without permission.


Viggo watched as Karl hobbled to the kitchen, hand against his ribs.

"Let me get whatever you need, Karl."

"No. I'm okay,"

"You're not okay. You're hurt. You took a hell of a beating yesterday and you need to go sit down."

Karl stopped and gingerly turned toward Viggo.

"You scared me out there, Karl. This time could have been bad."

"It wasn't," the other man said softly.

"You're quarterback, not running back. Why the hell did you run the ball like that?"

"They flushed me out of the goddamn pocket. What the hell else was I going to do, Vig?"

"Ever hear of falling on the ball? Or throwing it away?"

Karl turned away, hissing at the twist in his motion.

Viggo was at his side in an instant. "What is it?"

"Just the ribs. I'm okay."

"Look...for me, please...go sit down, Karl. Let me get the pills."

Karl dropped his head to his chest. "Okay," he sighed. "Okay."

"Come 'ere."

"No hugging me."

"Are you pouting?"

"No."

"You are! You're pouting!" Viggo laughed gently and Karl threw him a dirty look.

"If you hug me, I may implode. I'll crumble like something hit with a wrecking ball."

Viggo laughed louder and reached out to ever-so-gently rub Karl's shoulder.

"Get over here." He led Karl to the couch. "Now sit."

Karl looked at him petulantly and Viggo continued with a sly grin. "Now what do you want first...pills or blowjob?"

All irritability gone from his face, Karl grinned and reached down to slowly rub himself through his well-worn jeans. "Guess," he said softly.

"Pills?" Viggo teased, kneeling and gently unzipping his lover's jeans, already licking his lips.

___

Another long day at practice and Viggo found himself with an overworked staff and a room full of injured players. He and Karl had met just like this. Karl had twisted an ankle in a scrimmage and had limped in, pathetic and covered in grass stains and dirt. Propping himself up on his elbows, Karl had watched as Viggo'd worked on his ankle.

"I've told Greene to take it easy in practice," Viggo had complained, applying ice to the swelling. "Did that bastard take you out?"

Karl had shaken his head. "No."

"Truett?"

"Nuh-uh."

"Pizzarro?"

"Nah."

Viggo had looked up at him then. "Well, who was it?"

"Me," replied Karl, blushing. "I tripped over my own feet. No one was within ten yards of me."

Shaking his head and grinning, Viggo'd muttered, "Rookies" and then barked at Karl to keep the ice on his leg while he went to check on someone who had been flattened by Greene.

---

"So gentlemen, when is your little ceremony? And who do I get to be best man for because I damn sure am going to be it for one of you. Let some other bloody blokes battle it out for the other." Sean took a long pull on his beer and leaned back in his chair. "If I have to watch them sweep up the pitch with you again, Karl...might be that Viggo and I are pall bearers instead."

Karl slapped the back of Sean's head as he walked to the kitchen for a new beer. "Hush, old man. You took plenty of hits in your day."

"Bloody well right I did and I have the knees to show for it." Sean stretched his legs out in front of himself, wincing as he straightened the right one.

"Do you miss it, Sean?" Viggo asked quietly.

"Not so much," started Sean. "Well not most days anyway. I miss it when I come out and watch you running drills. And I miss it like hell when I see Bud Greene playing on your team now. "

"I hate it, Sean." Viggo's voice was gentle and his tone resigned. "He gets away with nailing you back in his Giants days and then - what the fuck! - Arnie signs him here as soon as he takes ownership."

"Arnie has some good points, too, Sean." Karl said with a teasing smile. "He signed me."

"Oh shut up, Karl," Viggo said, flinging popcorn at him.

"Yeah, shut up, you tosser."

Suddenly serious, Karl reached out and clasped Bean by the shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Sean, for what that bastard did to you. I'd give it back to him in spades if I could."

"Aye," said Sean. "My time on the field was about up anyway. I just want you to watch out for him."

"Sean, we're on the same team."

"Not in scrimmages, you're not, and he plays dirty no matter where he is. He's just a mean bastard. Watch your back." Sean grimaced and ran his hand through his hair. "And I'm enjoying my second career just fine. Now can we please quit talking about my old injury and focus instead on when and where you two are getting hitched?"

---

God, the day had been hot, Karl thought to himself. It was his first day back off of the injured reserve list. I've gotten lazy. Tired and battered, he leaned back under the shower spray and let the water wash over him. Maybe he could talk Viggo into a private massage... He smiled to himself, knowing that would be no problem.

Suddenly the door to the locker room banged open and Bud Greene barged in. He turned to fuss with the door knob and then continued through. He wore street clothes, Karl noted, so thank God he'd already showered and he'd be on his way soon enough. Karl closed his eyes and focused on the hot water and thoughts of Viggo's hands on him when he got home. After a moment he realized that Greene had never made another sound, no crash of a locker door being opened and no slamming of the heavy outer door. He opened his eyes, shocked to see Greene leaning on the low, tile wall and staring at him, eyes heavy with some emotions Karl didn't recognize.

"You're a fucking pussy," Greene sneered, acting as though he were spitting venom. Eyebrows drawn over his deep-set eyes, he spoke again. "Fucking lightweight quarterback on the field, fucking queer off it."

"Piss off, Greene." Karl stared at him defiantly before turning his back to him and letting the warm water take away the last of the soap. "Get the fuck out of here."

Greene made a low sound from deep in his chest.

Angry, Karl grabbed a towel and whipped it around his waist, shoving past the much larger man. Greene followed. Karl dressed, ignoring him.

"What kind of man, are you anyway, Urban? On IR for a week because you can't play the game or because your boyfriend recommended it to Coach? Didn't want his pretty boy to get all banged up?"

Karl spun around. "What the fuck's your problem?"

At that Greene leapt forward and shoved Karl back against the lockers. With his huge hand, he squeezed Karl through his trousers and at the same time, pulled Karl's head back with his other, attacking him with a horrid, grinding kiss.

"Bastard," he said, his breath harsh and fast. "Fuckin' pretty bastard." Kissing Karl again, he spun him to face the lockers and pressed his sweaty body against him. Fingers still twisted in Karl's hair, he ran his other hand down to cup his ass. Suddenly Karl rocketed his elbow back into Greene's abdomen, catching him off guard. With a hard exhalation, Greene took a step back and Karl turned, kneeing him in the groin. Greene fell with a cry, hands cupped around his genitals. Karl glared down at him and drew the back of his arm across his bruised mouth. "You filthy bastard. You ever touch me again when we're not on the field and I'll have you in jail before you know what's hit you." His only answer was Greene's long groan. Karl kicked him once more for good measure and stormed out into the bright sunlight.

---

"But it didn't, Vig. It didn't happen. He was just being a prick. It was just a mind fuck."

"I don't give a goddamn what it was, Karl! He had no right to touch you!"

"I know, Viggo. Of course I know that. Don't treat me like a child."

"I'm just saying that we need to do something. Call the police or--"

"No way. I'm not opening this up to the public."

"Talk to Arnie! Or Coach or something!"

"Viggo, I'm not doing it. I'm not doing anything to tear the team apart now. Not three games out from the playoffs."

"You've got your priorities wrong."

"And you think I need a protector!"

Viggo slammed his fist on the table and leapt out of his seat. He paced in silence.

"Come on, Vig," Karl murmured.

"I've got to be around him, Karl. I've got to see him and know what he's done."

"Let it go, baby, huh? It won't happen again. Believe me. He wasn't feeling much like kissing or groping me when his balls were up in the back of his throat."

Viggo's bright blue eyes locked on Karl. "I'll kill him if it happens again, Karl."

Karl moved around the table and put his arms around Viggo. "Promise me you'll let it go," he whispered in his ear.

Viggo, resigned, rested his head on Karl's shoulder. Slowly he nodded. "I'll do my best, Karl. I'll try."

Running his fingers through Viggo's soft hair, Karl lifted his head until he was looking directly into his eyes. "I love you, Viggo, but I don't need a nursemaid. Okay?" His voice was gentle.

"Okay."

"Now how about I return that favor from the other day?" Karl leaned into Viggo and gently pushed him back to sit on the couch.

"Distracting me, Karl?"

"I don't know. You tell me."

Sliding down his body, Karl made quick work of Viggo's jeans. He nuzzled him, playing at touching him with his tongue, teasing until Viggo groaned a curse. With a quiet laugh, Karl took him in in one long, slow swallow, eyes fluttering closed.

"Oh God, Karl," Viggo whispered. "That's so good."

Karl tightened his lips around Viggo's hardness and slid up and down his length , burying his nose in Viggo's curls on each downward stroke. Viggo jerked upward and Karl let him share the lead, sliding a hand down to caress between the curves of his lover's ass and being rewarded as Viggo moaned his approval. He rocked back and forth between Karl's hand and mouth, his breath quickening. With a long moan, Viggo came and Karl swallowed and chased the drops that escaped with his tongue, bite-kissing at every silvery spot.

---
"All right, Jonesy." Viggo slapped the padded player on the ass as he slid off the table. "Tell me if you have any pain and then I'll want you out of the game.

"No pain, Vig. I'm good as new."

There was a clatter at the door to the locker room as Jones finished arranging his torn jersey over his pads.

"Then back out there with you and try to guard the quarterback a little better, right?" Viggo winked at the player who laughed in return.

"I'll keep him all pretty for you, Vig."

"All right then. Outta here."

"Vig? Bringing in another one." The field tech called from just inside the door and Viggo turned to see him supporting Bud Greene as he limped in, head down.

Viggo felt his heart constrict in his chest as he thought of touching this man. He'd promised Karl that he'd do his best to show no reaction to him but the thought of caring for him now was almost too much.

"Get up on the table, Greene," he said tersely.

The field tech helped, Greene complaining as he went.

"I've got him from here, Pat," Viggo said after a cursory exam. "Go on back to the sidelines."

"So you've got me, huh, Doc?" Greene gasped. "Well you better take good care of me. I'm out there with your boy." Every aspect of Greene's presence made Viggo ill. Doing his best to ignore him, he focused on evaluating his bruised and bloody knee. "You need to stay off this, Greene. I think it's just a severe twist but I want an MRI. I'll check you in overnight for the tests and pain management. "

Greene grimaced as Viggo probed as his kneecap, finally injecting cortisone and wrapping it in a brace. "What the fuck you doin' then, Mortensen? Leave me be. Don't try to feel me up like you do your boy."

Surprised, Viggo took a deep breath and stepped back to the sink and washed his hands. He took a cell phone out of his pocket and dialed the hospital to relay his orders.

"Don't like me talking about your boy, do you? Did he tell you that he tried to get me to fuck him? It was right here in this locker room not a week ago. He was preening all around and trying to--"

"Shut up, Greene." Viggo's voice was a growl.

The football player laughed. "Stupid, no talent faggot--"

Viggo rushed him and Greene was on the floor before he knew what hit him. Nailing him with a solid right, Viggo knew pure satisfaction when he felt warm blood spatter against his hand as cartilage and bone gave way. But that was his last sure strike as the two hundred and fifty pound player rolled on top of him, pinning him as he began pummeling his face and abdomen.

The next thing Viggo remembered was waking up in the emergency room, Karl leaning over him and calling his name.

---

"Viggo? Vig?"

Viggo tried to murmur a reply but his swollen bottom lip made talking difficult. He ached from head to toe and couldn't see out of one eye. He managed something like "Nurl".

Karl smiled and gently brushed Viggo's hair back off his forehead. "You'll be okay, Viggo. They're letting you go in the morning but want to keep you overnight. See if you broke that thick skull of yours."

"I behaved," Viggo rasped.

Karl raised an eyebrow and Viggo looked as though caught in imaginary headlights. He squirmed a little, wincing as he did so. "Did. Until he started--."

"Shhh," Karl soothed. "It's okay. " He leaned close and whispered in Viggo's ear. "I'll still wear those tight, stretchy football pants for you even if you don't deserve it." The worried look on his face lessened when Viggo gave him the slow smile he'd hoped for.

"Can...we leave?"

"Not yet, baby. You've got a mild concussion and they want to watch you for a little longer."

Viggo rolled his eyes and was instantly sorry that he had. Karl's face swam in front of him.

"Unnngh," he whispered.

The doctor came over to check on his patient and Karl stepped back, anxious.

"He's okay, son," the older man said as finished his exam. He patted Karl's shoulder. "He'll be sore as all Hell for a few days but he's got a hard head and he's going to be fine. I promise to give him back to you in the morning."

"Okay then...if it's a promise..."

"Well, as long as your friend here plays by the rules and listens to what I have to say."

"Oh," said Karl, feigning new concern.

"I'm right here," Viggo complained from the bed. "I can...hear you."

"We'll want to run him downstairs for one or two more tests, Karl. Why don't you go call whoever you need to and then come on back. He'll be back here in a half-hour or so."

That's about all the time I need, Karl thought as he kissed Viggo on the forehead and stepped outside.

---

Sean, in full blue uniform, gun at hip and hat under his arm, was reaching for the doorknob just as Karl came through the door. Karl grabbed his friend by the arm and steered him down the hall, explaining as he went.


---

"There's fistfights and then there' s beating someone unconscious, you bastard."

Greene, broken nose taped, smiled smugly at Karl. With a heavy, dull sound, the door closed behind Karl as he moved closer to the bed.

"Your old man is a lightweight, Urban. There wasn't any fight. I hit him and he ended up here. He rolled over and took it."

"Looks to me like he got in a few good knocks himself. I would have bet on him to knock you on your ass but since it is your nose that got broken, you must have ended up on your other end." Karl's voice was all restrained fury.

"He's no--"

Just then the door swung open and Sean stepped through, ID drawn, grim expression on his face.

Greene took one look at him and snickered. "A cop? Sean Bean -- a cop? Times must be tough if you had to take another job to pay the rent aft--"

Sean took his time with a long, silent grin.

"Never had to take this job, Greene. Took it because I liked the thought of arresting bastards like you." He paused again. "You're being charged with assault and battery. You have the right to remain silent..."

Karl slipped out the door and back to Viggo's side.

---

"Feeling better, are you?"

"Yeah." Viggo set his book and glasses aside as he heard Karl coming up the stairs. He shifted against the headboard.

"This much better?" Karl stepped into the room in nothing but his tight white uniform pants. He leaned on the door jamb, arms crossed. His full sensuous lips curved in a sultry smile.

Viggo swallowed deeply, affected as always by the sight before him. His eyes stroked over Karl's muscled arms, his well defined chest and abdomen and down to the unmistakable bulge in the tight pants. "C'mere," he said huskily. "Let me show you just how much better I feel."

Comments

[feelforfaith.livejournal.com]

"Me," replied Karl, blushing. "I tripped over my own feet. No one was within ten yards of me."

:D

"I'll still wear those tight, stretchy football pants for you"

Yes, pretty please, with pictures. The idea of Karl in a football uniform <-- THIS. This rocks my world. Thank you for putting such nice images into my head *g*.

[shegollum.livejournal.com]

Karl in football pants...rowr! Saw a game last weekend and they were playing in white pants - in the wet, muddy grass - and those damn pants started to look mighty see-through. I was thinking about Karl a lot THEN! So glad you like this!

[http://users.livejournal.com/tweedle_/]

Weeee! That was great. :D You know, if I could watch this on tv I'd be a very happy bunny. *dreams* Your characters are so good and worked so well in this AU. Funny clever sexy men. And SB in uniform! I really enjoyed the lovely mix of tension and the humour in this story.

[shegollum.livejournal.com]

You're very sweet. Thank you so much for letting me know what aspects worked. I like Karl in uniform A LOT but I like Sean in a cop uniform, too. *fans self* Thank you!!

[ingrid44.livejournal.com]

Good to see the doctor retaliate. That SOB deserved everything he got - interesting that our Sean became a copper. Just the person to bust Greene. Wonder how the physician behaved as a patient.

[shegollum.livejournal.com]

Probably not very well. Somehow I picture Viggo being a terribly impatient patient. And Sean in a cop uniform is spawning bunnies... :-) Thank you so much for your feedback.

[stormatdusk.livejournal.com]

i love American football so I squee’ed when I saw this fic! combine that with three of our manly men and I’m one very happy reader.

"Guess," he said softly
Karl took him in in one long, slow swallow, eyes fluttering closed
I love the gentle between viggo and karl, despite their testosterone-ridden field, and a soft-hearted karl melts me every time.

for some reason i imagined a snarly, larger version of bill fichtner as your villain, which was its own bit of yummy as well. ;) and I did wonder what sean’s new profession was, as I was reading, but I didn’t see the end coming. and oh holy moly, karl in football pants has got to be the absolute best christmas present ever. super fic; thank you for sharing!

[shegollum.livejournal.com]

i'm so glad you liked this! whew!

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

With a nurse in nothing but tight football pants I think Viggo was well taken care of. :-) Thanks for sharing this.

[shegollum.livejournal.com]

:-) heh...fooled ya...

(i love football pants...*sigh* LOL)

[shegollum.livejournal.com]

*g*. me, too.

[lhazzie.livejournal.com]

Very nice insight into their lives. I particulalry liked the way you highlighted some parts with just a couple of sentences, but wihtout losing any understanding by doing so.

And I wouldn't mind doctor Viggo looking after my sports injuries, that's for sure!

[shegollum.livejournal.com]

thank you so much for your generous feedback. i'm glad you liked it.

[itstonedme.livejournal.com]

I very much enjoyed the drama and tension of this story (in and around the hot and tender moments). Bully boys who get their just desserts resonates with just about everyone, and knowing that our lads prevailed made this a very satisfying read. Nicely done!

[shegollum.livejournal.com]

thank you! i struggled so i'm so happy to know that this worked for you.