"You have such a pretty house." Watching Wei Ying's eyes sparkle with innocence made Jun wonder for the nth time, 'How could anyone hurt this man?'

"Hey!" It was when he stood with certain apprehension; Jun asked, "What happened?"

"I should be asking you this question. What happened? Is everything alright?"

"Yes. Why wouldn't it be?" Jun knew he had to be careful. Wei Ying was always quick to catch onto people's anxieties.

"You seem distant." Wei Ying still wasn't convinced just as expected. Thus, schooling his features, Jun gave the younger man a broad smile and showed him around.

He did not miss JC's gaze on them. His was brimming with angst. JC was in such disposition, he could neither ask Xian about what had transpired, nor could he show his emotions openly. Jun made a mental note to have a conversation with JC later.

"This house is pretty, but for some reason I love it back home. There is a subtle beauty in being away from everyone."

"This would be your room." Jun smiled as Wei Ying entered, but the other man had a frown on his face which made Jun ask, "What's wrong?"

"This isn't your room." At Wei Ying's comment Jun nodded. " My room is at the other end on this floor." He pointed to a particular direction and Wei Ying was about to move away when Jun caught hold of his hand and enquired, "Where are you going?"

"To your room."

"Why?"

Wei Ying blinked twice at Jun's question. Neither of them reacted nor spoke. It was only after three heartbeats did Wei Ying roll his eyes.

Taking two steps towards Jun and trapping him against the wall; Wei Ying whispered seductively in his ears, "This entire week we slept together on one bed. You've spoilt me Azure. Last night without you next to me, I couldn't sleep. You need to rectify this issue ASAP."

Wei Ying was about to take a step back when Jun's arms instantly binded against his waist and pulled him against his body. Two could play this game.

"You're playing a very dangerous game Ice."

"I am a sportsman, Azure. All my games are dangerous. I thought you would have learnt by now."

Neither of them had moved away.

Jun raised his palm to touch Wei Ying's face. He stopped and sought the other man's eyes to seek his permission. He could feel the tension in Wei Ying's body. It was rock solid and still.

'Let me touch you Wei Ying. Let me show you the world you deserve... please.'

As if Wei Ying could read Jun's thought, he leaned into his touch and closed his eyes. This was all they both needed. Trust.

"Ice."

Wei Ying opened his eyes and gazed at Jun.

"Can you come with me? I have some place to show you."

"Okay." That was his only answer. Simple for many, but for Jun, it showed him that his Wei Ying trusted him implicitly.

Walking to his own bedroom Jun placed Wei Ying's bag on his bed and together they made way to the front room where JC was working on his laptop. Seeing the two of them JC smiled.

"Hey! I am taking Xian out for a while. Will you be alright all alone here?"

"Yeah. Don't worry about me. You kids go have fun!" JC paused with a mischievous smile and then added for good measure, "I would have said don't do anything wild, but I did! So you guys have fun too! If you need condoms they're in my wallet."

"What makes you think I don't have any in mine?" Xian stepped behind JC and whacked his head gently. "Don't teach your master!"

With a grin JC nodded and Jun shook his head.

Once they were in their car Jun couldn't help but ask out of curiosity. Why he asked, he didn't know?

"Do you really have?"

"What?" Wei Ying turned from glancing outside the window towards Jun.

"Condoms..."

Wei Ying on the other hand started laughing loudly. He doubled in half and slapped his thigh.

"The fuck!"

"Language!!!" Jun grinned back at Wei Ying.

"Yeah. Yeah..." Clearing his throat Wei Ying chuckled, "I used to carry them around. Not anymore. The thought of having sex now sends shivers down my spine."

The moment he said this, the atmosphere changed drastically. Jun had to cheer him again.

"I assumed you were a virgin."

That brought back a smile in Wei Ying's face.
"Virgin?" He laughed and commented, "If having fooled behind bleachers with men and women collectively would be calling me a virgin, then yes I am!"

"Wait! Women?"

"Yeah. You don't know, do you? I am a Bisexual; or you could say I am trysexual... I like to try everything."

Jun had to admit, experiencing this Wei Ying and his humour was out of the world.

"Back then I didn't care for a lot. Playing Ice Hockey and sleeping around was my thing. Maybe..." Wei Ying looked away and his voice became distant; "that could be one reason Miron always called me a whore."

'He's a whore Mr. Lan. Don't trust him.' Jun remembered morons words from the night before.

"Hey!" Jun called for Wei Ying's attention. "To have experience is a good thing. Atleast you can say you tried variety of flavours."

"True. By the way best sex are all exotic. The sheer amount of groupies you'd meet... is heavenly."

Jun couldn't believe they were discussing sex. Who would have thought he'd see this day?

As they neared an old mall Jun parked his car and got down to open Wei Ying's door.

"You wanted to bring me here to a mall? Did you want to shop for something specific?" Wei Ying looked around and smirked, "If you needed collars and canes, I could have suggested some exquisite place!"

The sheer audacity of this man made Jun raise his eyebrows. "I; for one don't even want to know what you meant by collars and what not...; But no, we aren't here to shop. Come!" Threading their fingers Jun strode leisurely towards a small and old rink behind the mall.

There were few teenagers skating happily.

Jun purchased two tickets and got skates for them wear. "This was the place that inspired me to become a player." It was a bit difficult for Jun to strap the skate on this prosthetic feet, but what surprised him was Wei Ying getting on his knees and strapping it. He made it seem so effortless. If it was hallmark movie, this scene would be on its coverpage.

"There. You were saying?" The moment Wei Ying gazed at Jun, for some reason his own heart beat erratically. He had an itch. He wanted to... "Azure?"

Threading their fingers again, Jun pulled Wei Ying onto the rink. This was the first time they weren't playing but rather just skating together.

"I was probably three when my parents got me here. Have you heard of Angelica Wang?"

"Yes. She was two time Olympic Figure Skating gold medal winner. I know her. She was really beautiful."

"Yes. She was. Angelica Wang's my mother." Glancing back at Wei Ying; Jun smiled, "I got the grace and love for skating from her. My father was her coach. Brother took after my father's techniques whilst I took after our mother's."

"Wow!"

"Yeah. After their demise, I wanted to continue her legacy. It wasn't easy though. Uncle didn't want me to be treated under the mark of nepotism. He sent me to the US where I learnt Ice Hockey from scratch. No one knew who I was. Many are still unaware. I trained hard and was scouted to play for few clubs. From there I was given a chance to play for nationals."

Pulling them for a stop Wei Ying smiled, "It's incredible. You are incredible Azure."

"You are more than me, Ice."

Hearing this Wei Ying casted his eyes down, "I doubt it."

"But I don't." This Jun was absolutely sure about. "If there is someone who can achieve their dream, it's you Ice."

The rest of their evening was spent skating and laughing. It was only when Jun received a text from Christian, he knew it was time to head back to reality.

They drove back home and all the while he was unsure on how to divulge the fact from last evening. But he needn't have worried. Wei Ying was extremely perceptive.

Having parked the car Jun was still on the driver's seat when Wei Ying enquired softly, "What happened Azure? As much as I had an amazing day; I know you. Something is troubling you and my heart is telling me, I am the centre of it."

"Ice..."

"Whatever it is... let it all out."

Jun could no longer hold it in. He revealed what had transpired the day before and his meeting with Miron. The varied colours on Wei Ying's face were true to his emotions. His pain so evident even Jun was scared to touch him.

"So... there is a video?"

"Wei... Xian... Ice... please..."

"He had the audacity to blackmail you?"

"Ice, I have a plan. Please hear me out."

Jun was terrified. Wei Ying was quiet. Really quiet. The only thing which could be heard were their collective breathing.

It was almost ten minutes later when Wei Ying finally spoke, "What's your plan?"

"I have invited Jeff to our place here."

"Jeff?"

"Yes. He can help us, but for that I need to tell him what happened to you. I need your permission. Without your consent I couldn't tell him."

Wei Ying was quiet again.

"Ice-"

"I trust you." It was time for Jun to be silent when he heard Wei Ying's words. "I believe you. But, I need some time. You go ahead. I'll join you in half an hour."

"Ice-"

"Please Azure. Just half an hour."

Without another word Jun got out of his car and walked home. JC was already by the door and welcomed Jun in. On the couch was Jeff and Christian.

"Thank you two for coming. I called you on such short notice, but we'll talk about that in a while. How about dinner?"

Jeff and Christian knew the atmosphere was tense. They didn't know the reason but to make it comfortable they each placed smiles on their faces.

All the while Jun hoped Wei Ying would join them soon. For what he had in mind, he needed Wei Ying's consent.

Xian could not digest the fact that Miron would ever threaten Azure. 'How steep can you fall Miron?'

Covering his eyes with his palm Xian cried out. There was no one to witness his pain. He was all alone. No, not alone. Azure's with him. But at this moment he wanted to disappear.

Feeling a buzz in his pocket Xian glanced at the screen. It was a message from Azure. 'I am ordering food. What would you like to eat? Don't say me, please.'

The text brought a smile on Xian's face. He knew it was time to face his fears. He just had to build up a lot of courage for the battle that laid ahead.

Trudging towards Azure's house he rang the bell and it was JC who opened it. There he was greeted by Jeff.

"Hey Xian!"

"Jeff." Xian smiled warmly.

"Oh and this is -" as Jeff moved aside, Xian's eyes widened and so did the other man's.

"Christian?" Xian was surprised to see him. Such a small world!

Cage:

Metal grid that attaches to the front of a helmet to protect the face; occasionally also refers to the goal.