Gus nodded, placing the helmet on the bench between the two. "Watching the Zamboni," he answered, now eyeing Apollow's hand movements. The way Apollow's hands swooped across the paper was mesmerizing, and it made Gus feel comforted. "When did you start art?" He asked, trying to make conversation while he started removing his gear. It was getting too hot, and he had no need to change in the locker room.

(Sorry for the short post!)

"Ah! Thank you" he began to sketch and draw the rough outlines of groups of flowers. "I've been drawing my whole life, I didn't get good until maybe a year ago though" he started the detail on the helmet, placing the player number underneath it in nice calligraphy. " I like flowers, because they are perfect, but imperfect at the same time. Each flower has different but similar petals." He looked up from his paper to meet Gus's eyes

(All good)

Gus blinked when Apollow met his gaze, then continued to take off his skates and chest pads. His whole body felt so much cooler as soon as he started to remove his gear. It was like standing in the cold snow after running in a warm house. The air felt less heavy and more breathable, so he closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the wall, letting himself cool down. "I'm sure you were better than you thought more than a year ago. Nonetheless, you're really good."

"Thanks, I guess I get a lot of practice since I always need something to do" he watched as Gus took off his gear, "you must love hockey if you've been doing it for so long right?" He finished the detail on the helmet and began the tedious work on each flower. " I can't imagine how tired you must be after the games are over" he chose a light pink and a watery purple, and began to shade the flowers around the helmet

Gus opened an eye and looked over at him for a moment before closing it again. "Hockey's one of my only passions. Its what keeps me motivated to get through school, and it helps me get my anger out. I build up a lot of frustration being around those assholes all day, so something where I can body slam them really helps." Usually, he isn't this open about his feelings or his teammates, but Apollow was the only one close enough to hear.

-

Gus rubbed a hand over his face and groaned when he remembered he needed to call up one of the cheerleaders tonight.

"I get that," he went back to his drawing, finished off half the flowers before closing his book and putting it away. "Exept, I'm pretty good at not letting things get to me, I don't get upset often" apollow hadn't had a conversation like this in a long time. He watched as Gys ran a hand down his face and made an upset sound "what's up?" He asked as he looked inventively at Gus and cooked his head slightly to the side.

Gus sighed, resting his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward. "I have to ask out one of the cheerleaders tonight. It's customary for the hockey players to hook up with someone after a game, and every time I tell them that I do, they find out that I haven't. It's a stupid tradition," he explained, trying not to sound like he was complaining too much. It was just something he had to do, and he would do it because hockey meant the world to him.

He listened and felt a little bad for him. That's was odd, having to go out with someone after everygame. "And you don't like any of the cheerleaders I take it?" He found it silly honestly "so... just because it's customary doesn't mean it's a rule. What do you think will happen if you just don't?" Apollow watched at Gys posture changed, and leaned forward a little in response

Gus looked down at the ground, shaking his head. "Yeah, it's not a rule, but if you knew the captain, you'd know that if I go lying for too much longer, I could be kicked. And I need hockey. Without being able to play, I'm going to lose everything about me. So from now on, I need to go out after every game." He hated the fact that he was telling Apollow all of this. They had just met that day, and he had already said more to him than anyone else.

"No offense, but that's a little silly, don't ya think? I get celebrating, but not" he paused contemplating his next words. "Not like that," he reached out to pat Gus's still damp hair. "I'm sorry, that sucks, and it's a lot of peer pressure that shouldn't be put on you" Apollow enjoyed helping and listening to people who needed it. He hadn't been able to do it in a while though. And even though they just met today, Gus was opening up a lot. He let his hand linger for a moment before putting it back in his lap, "well, how do you plan on going about that tonight then?"