"Hey! You could have atleast booked us two rooms?" Xian was exasperated as Kiara gave him a knowing smile and nodded.

"Stop cribbing like a child Ah Xian! If it were in my hand, I would have booked two presidential suites for you both, but alas! It's game season and that was the last room we just booked."

"I could have taken Jun home-" cutting him off; Kiara shook her head. "Nope. With the game tomorrow and you not playing, media is already swarming outside your gate. Your appartment securities are as it is having hard time fending off unwanted attentions."

Even though Xian knew Kiara was right, it did not stop him from groaning. To be fair it wasn't an issue with sharing the room with Azure; but his frustration stemmed from having that bear with him.

"I can go to my brother's house if-" having heard this from Azure, Xian was quick to take both their bags in hand; "Nope. Media is outside Coach and Uncle Lan's house too. Best we be here."

Glancing at JC; Xian grinned, "I'll stop by the arena later. Don't tell anyone about my visit. I wish to surprise them."

Kissing Kiara on her forehead; Xian bid the couple farewell and trudged towards the elevator.

Jun and he both sported a black baseball cap to cover their faces. Xian could feel Jun's anxiousness and without much thought, he clasped the other man's hands in his.

If it surprised Jun, Xian wasn't aware as the elevator dinged its arrival and they got into it. Sahara was right beside them and he was glad there was no other person inside that elevator. Had there been, they might have screamed for help.

On arriving at their floor Xian was quick to unlock their room and it was then they both finally heaved a sigh of relief.

Watching the bear trot around, Xian eyed Azure and pointed at Sahara; "I... can you make sure... she stays away from me?"

Azure contemplated the situation and Xian was sure he might have seen fear in his eyes, because a moment later the older man nodded and Xian plopped on his bed with a loud groan and covered his eyes with an arm.

"Ice."

"Yeah?"

"We're friends, aren't we?"

Raising his arms from his face Xian eyed Azure with a frown. "Of course we are! What made you doubt my sincerity?"

"If you're going to continue being my friend, you should get used to Sahara. She is always going to be by my side and if this has to work out between the two of us, you need to eventually get comfortable with her."

Xian knew Azure was right but that did not make it any less painful. With another groan he propped himself on his elbow and affirmed, "Yes. Yes. I know. Don't worry. One day I'll bear to be near that bear."

The smile that grew exponentially on Azure's face made Xian grin in response. 'He does have a beautiful smile.'

Before Xian could speak his phone dinged and he knew it was JC's message alerting him.

"Need to leave. Their practice has started. I need to be there with them."

"Good. Let's go together. Knowing my uncle and brother; both would be at the arena too. You go meet your team, I'll meet my family."

Taking Sahara's leash Azure was ready and so was Xian. He was going to meet his family after weeks of being away. He was nervous at the same time excited.

Who was more nervous between the two when they reached the arena, it would be difficult to point out; but to them it was nerve wrecking at best.

With each step Jun took, he could hear the yells, cheers, comradeship and above all his brother's voice giving out instructions. This was once his life too. A life filled with glory and accolades. All of which he left behind; and now because of Xian; he was being slowly reintroduced to this world.

He remembered Xian's words from before asking him to be coach of Paralympic athletes. Could he do it?

"Hey!" Xian's warm palm rested at the middle of his back. "I'll go down first and let Coach know he has a guest. I won't tell who. Let it be a surprise for him."

If Jun was nervous, Ice didn't point it out. Probably Jun could sense that Ice himself was anxious to meet everyone.

As Xian traversed through the aisle, he could feel an excitement coursing through his blood. Watching his team from afar, he itched to be with them.

"Kai! Watch where you're shooting the puck!"

"Dexter! Block the puck!"

"Where are the defenders!?"

"Jin! Good save!"

Just when Liam made the shot and everyone assumed it would be a goal, the puck hit the post and glided back for Victor to score. He hit the puck again, and expecting this, Zen was all ready to defend his goalpost. He left the net unattended and skated forward, but what he did not expect was in nick of second, the puck passed between his legs and this time it would surely be a goal.

But, the buzzer did not ring and just like gust of wind, everyone saw a ball of blue skate pass through them, only to grab Jin's hockey stick and save the puck from scoring a goal.

Shocked, the arena was quiet and when the man himself turned giving them all a board smile, did everyone react. The first was Zen who jumped into Xian's arms and bumped his helmet on Xian's forehead.

The rest joined the duo with Xian getting few slaps on his back, hair being ruffled and his butt getting kicked.

"We missed you!"

"How are you?"

"Where are you?"

"You fucker! Don't mess with us again!"

It was Coach's whistle that dispersed his boys and he himself welcomed Xian warmly.

"We all missed you. How have you been?"

Xian had to hold back his emotions. He knew they are his family, but even after all these years he couldn't believe it. Yet, seeing them all love him made it all the more special.

"Good. I came to support my team. I might be banned, but I am not banned from being a part of you all."

Pulling Xian for a hug Coach Chen smiled, "You're always welcome and wanted kid."

"By the way, there is someone up there asking for you."

"For me?"

"Yeah. Why don't you go meet them and in the meanwhile I'll be here coaching these assholes to play better."

An empty water bottle hit the back of his head squarely and it was Jin their captain who yelled, "Who are you calling asshole?! Remember you're still a kid in front of me."

Rest of them laughed as Coach shook his head and left them to their own.

Xian skated to where Zen was and clapped his shoulders. "I am so glad it's you who will be tending tommorow. If you don't mind can I share few pointers?"

Zen who was a year junior to Xian was part excited and lot scared. It would be his first national game and without Xian to play, the entire tending of the goal post would lie on his shoulders.

With an enthusiastic nod he heard every bit of detail that Xian had to share. With the match tomorrow, every intel would be worth it.

"Wangji? Is that you?"

Seeing his brother's astonished face, Jun smiled and nodded. Opening his arms, Chen was quick to move in for a hug and patted his younger brother's back.

"What a pleasent surprise! I least expected it could be you when Xian said there was a guest wanting to meet me."

"Yeah! It was his idea to surprise you and uncle. Where is he?"

"Should be in his office. He earlier had a meeting with the sponsors for tomorrow's game."

Just then they heard a loud cheer and found Xian had saved the goal against Jin.

Watching Wangji smile at the picture below, Chen was sure they were hidden from prying eyes, but still from their spot they could see all the players well. And the smile his brother sported was special. His eyes followed only one specific player.

"He's good, isn't he?" Chen smiled softly at Wangji's apt attention.

"He is..."

Chen's back stiffened when he enquired, "But what?"

'But he's emotional.' Is what Jun wanted to reply. Instead he said, "But his playing style is agressive. He needs to change his style. If he keeps playing the way he does, it's going to exhaust Xian and the other team can instigate him into a penalty."

Jun believed in Ice's capabilities. He's a fantastic player, but he had drawbacks and if it isn't corrected his progress will be shunted.

"Valentina Giovanni met me few days ago."

Jun had to hide his surprise as he glanced at his brother and asked softly, "Co-manager of NHL?"

"Yes. The very same. They heard all about Xian's incident and he personally flew down to confirm the same."

Jun's heart started to beat erratically. If the man himself had to fly down, this meant they are absolutely serious about Ice.

"What is going to happen now?"

Chen rubbed his temples, "They're serious on drafting Xian. He will be one of the very few Asians to reach the top there. Valentina stated that since Xian's scores are unbeatable; they can let this slide; but after the ban is lifted there can be no other scandal."

'Fuck! This is bad' Jun thought to himself. 'If ever the issue of Ice's ordeal comes out, it would be the end of his career. No! It can never happen!'

"Wangji?"

"Yeah. Sorry. I am listening."

"Did Xian ever share with you the reason for his sudden change in behaviour?"

Jun's blood turned cold. "What;" he had to compose himself, "do you mean?"

Chen was quiet as he observed Wangji. He knew his brother was aware of some details which none of them were privy to, but in the end he still shared.

"A little more than two months ago, for a week Xian had disappeared, and when I say that, it means MIA! None of us were aware of his whereabouts. Even JC was clueless as to where Xian was; and mind you that boy always knew where Xian is. But when JC was unaware, it scared all of us. Kiara tried finding him, uncle was about to call cops, we were to file a missing complaint, when finally a day before our game Xian returned.

"And from then on he has never been the same. Xian was the life of our rink. Always one to be cheerful. But after that week, that Xian was gone. He became agressive. Never with his team, but his game. That placed everyone on edge because they weren't used to his new playing style.

"Even before when one or two times Xian was loaned to other teams, our team always took a hit. They are all so attuned to his play because everyone knew, when Xian is on ice then all you need to worry is about scoring and not defending the goal. For that Xian is enough."

Jun's eyes never wavered from the man who was grinning from ear to ear. Ice is the life of this team. Everyone could see it.

'How would everyone react if Ice announced his retirement?'

"Wangji?"

'Brother would be beside himself if they find out what Ice has been through.'

"Wangji?"

'Would NHL accept Ice?'

"Wangji!"

Shaking from his stupor Jun saw concern in his brother's eyes. "You are aware, aren't you?"

'Should I lie?' Jun was bound by his oath of friendship towards Ice and in the end shook his head. "Sorry. I don't know." This was Ice's story to share. "Even if I knew the details, you very well know I won't share."

With a sigh Chen nodded. He of course knew his brother. In the end he could only be patient and hope eventually Xian would share his problems.

"Come on! Let's go and meet uncle. He'll be happy to see you."

'Hey! Our practice is done. Should I wait for you or head back to the hotel?'

Just as Xian sent the message to Azure, a voice stopped him cold on tracks and his eyes landed upon that one person he never wanted to meet.

"Well... Well... Well. Who do we have here? So what I heard was right? Came out of your hiding 'Fuckboy'?"

Miron!

Handcuffed:

When every scoring chance has been denied by the goalie or defender.