Chapter Text
The soft glow of the bedside lamp bathed the room in warm light as Sidney sat up in bed, her arms crossed and her lips pressed into a pout. Geno lay beside her, his broad chest rising and falling as he stared at the ceiling, his usual calm silence stretching out between them.
“You know,” Sidney began, breaking the quiet, “you don’t have to act like you’re in a library during sex.”
Geno blinked, turning his head to look at her, confused. “What?”
“You’re so quiet,” Sidney said, throwing her hands up. “I mean, it’s not bad or anything, but… could you, I don’t know, say something?”
Geno raised an eyebrow, his thick accent adding to his playful tone. “What you want me to say? Like… good job?” He smirked, clearly amused.
Sidney groaned, flopping back onto the pillows. “No, not like I’m a kid at hockey camp. Something sexy, Geno. Like… tell me how much you want me or… I don’t know, anything.”
Geno chuckled, rolling onto his side to face her. “I no know what to say. You perfect. I think it. I feel it. Why need words?”
“Because,” Sidney said, sitting up again, her cheeks flushed, “sometimes I like hearing it. It’s about connection.”
Geno reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Connection no need words, Sid. It’s here.” He tapped his chest, then gently touched hers. “You feel it?”
Sidney sighed, biting her lip. “Okay, that’s sweet, but it’s not the point.”
Geno chuckled, leaning forward slightly. “You very… passionate.”
“Don’t make fun of me,” Sidney muttered, glaring at him.
“I not make fun,” Geno said, his voice softening. “You beautiful. Strong. Sometimes… you scare me.”
Sidney blinked, her frustration melting into confusion. “Scare you? What are you talking about?”
“You so intense,” Geno admitted, running a hand through his hair. “On ice, off ice. You know what you want. I… no want to say wrong thing.”
Sidney stared at him momentarily, her arms falling to her sides. “Geno,” she said softly, “you couldn’t say the wrong thing if you tried. I want you to be… here. With me. Not in your head.”
---
Geno sat up, resting his hand on her thigh. “Fine. Next time, I try talk. But no laugh, okay?”
“I won’t laugh,” Sidney promised, though the glint in her eyes suggested otherwise.
A few days later, they were tangled together in the heat of the moment. Geno leaned close, his breath warm against her ear. “You… so beautiful,” he murmured, his voice deep but uncertain.
Sidney froze, blinking up at him. “Geno… are you trying to sound like a Bond villain?”
Geno groaned, dropping his forehead against her shoulder as she burst into laughter. “See? This why I no talk!”
“I’m sorry!” Sidney said between giggles, cupping his face. “I appreciate the effort. Really. It’s just… maybe don’t sound like you’re plotting world domination next time.”
Geno huffed, shaking his head. “You impossible.”
---
Later that night, as they lay side by side, Geno traced circles on Sidney’s arm, his expression thoughtful. “I try because you ask. But you know, Sid… not easy for me.”
Sidney turned her head to look at him, her laughter fading. “I know. And I appreciate it. I just… I guess I’m used to hearing stuff like that.”
Geno smiled softly, brushing his fingers along her jawline. “I show you, not say. Actions better, no?”
She smiled back, leaning into his touch. “Yeah, they are.”
He kissed her forehead, his voice low and sincere. “But maybe I learn for you. Only for you.”
Sidney laughed softly, curling closer to him. “I guess I can live with that.”
And while Geno might never become the world’s most talkative lover, Sidney found that his actions truly did speak louder than words.