"You have a proposition for me?" Xian was surprised by Azure's statement.

"Yeah!"

"Um... You're not going to pull out Christian Gray to my Anastasia Steele right?"

Azure blinked cluelessly and asked, "Who Christian Gray?"

What the fuck!

"Um... Christian Gray? Anastasia Steele? 50 shades of grey? Ring any bell?" Xian wasn't sure if he could laugh at this moment. Azure being clueless was adorable.

"50 what?"

Unable to control his laughter, Xian let out a chuckle and grinned, "So innocent Mr. Lan. So untainted. Makes me want to corrupt you so bad."

'Is that a blush I see on Azure's cheeks?'

"Your proposition Mr. Lan?"

Scratching his cheeks Azure let out a sigh, "Why do I get the feeling of being mocked by you?"

"I assure you I am not mocking." There was more Xian wanted to say and this Jun was aware off; but in the end he didn't and Jun kept the feeling to himself.

"About my proposition; please don't retire at this moment. Let me train you to achieve the cup; a dream that you had once seen for yourself; and once you win; then retire with an awe."

"Azure-"

"Xian; don't make the same mistake as me. I left everything without an ounce of explanation. I didn't even have the guts to seek my team or fans and left them to fend for themselves. One regret which will forever remain with me was to leave without any closure.

"Be the glory you were born to be. Don't play for brother, uncle, JC or anyone else. Play for yourself one last time and let your name be etched as an exemplary player in hearts of many. Let your name be chanted when people talk about goaltenders.

"Just once love the dream you were born to live. A lot of us have associated our hopes with you. Just once, play in the finals and let your name be synonymous with goaltending. You're born to save, so save yourself. That; will be the punishment you teach to your assaulters."

Xian did not even realise he had tears in his eyes until Azure carefully wiped them away.

"They took something precious from you, but teach them they can't take away your dreams too. You standing with your head held high holding the cup will be their mammoth defeat. So Xian; will you let me help you?"

Xian held his breath as he gazed into Azure's eyes. They were calm and alluring in a way that made him feel safe.

'When was the last time I felt this safe?' Xian had an answer; 'Never.'

"Do I seem abhorrent to you Azure?"

Jun frowned at this question. Why would he feel that way?

"Xian?"

"Whatever happened all those months ago; I felt dirty. I felt tainted and extremely hurt and disgusted. Do I seem dirty to you?"

Jun was aghast and instantly took the man into an embrace without much thought.

Caressing Xian's hair Jun whispered softly, "Each of us has a story Xian. Some are happy and some are sad. It is upon us how we wish to write our own lives. I don't see you that way. Your words are your own descriptions of yourself. I see a man who had the courage to come here and seek my help even though he's angry at his circumstances. I see a man who inspite of being broken; wanted one ray of hope to save himself from drowning. I see you Xian. Only you."

Those words were what Xian wanted to hear.

Clutching Azure tightly, Xian let out the pain he had stored within his soul. He wanted someone to believe he was innocent. He was clean and pious. He was chaste. He was in wrong place at the wrong time. He loved a wrong man. He wasn't wrong. He was simply wronged.

"Ice."

Xian glanced up at Azure and enquired, "What?"

Giving Xian a warm smile Jun cupped his face, "Few days ago you asked me to give you a nickname and I just thought of one. I want to call you Ice."

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Xian's heart pattered hard.

"Why Ice?"

"You said I remind you of the colour blue; thus you named me Azure. And you remind me of a soul who is transparent, holding no grudge nor malice. Pure and chaste. Your colour is of the rink I so revere. Also, Ice means Diamond. You're cherished and precious Xian. Never doubt yourself."

At that moment Xian held back. Held back from kissing the man in front. He wasn't sure why; but knew this was not the time nor moment; but for years to come he would always remember this conversation.

Ice.

He liked it. No! He loved it.

"Wei Wuxian!!!"

The moment Xian and Azure stepped into the house; Kiara sprinted towards Xian, causing a mild panic attack for JC.

"Ki-" JC tried to intervene but his fiance was in no mood to listen. Instead she flailed her phone at Xian's face and seethed; "When a person calls, you're supposed to answer them. Not make them sweat with worry and cause unnecessary anxiety."

"Ki-"

Ignoring JC; Kiara continued: "The way you drove from here to find Jun; I assumed you two would be back soon! But no! What the fuck is wrong with you?! Five damn hours! I wouldn't have cared if you would have picked up your damn phone and given me a call. What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

Jun took a step back. Never before he had seen such rage and to be honest, the lady in front of him was scary.

Phishing his phone out, Xian's eyes widened and showed the display to Kiara. "Sorry Ki. Guess my battery ran out of juice."

Huffing; she continued to glare when JC tried to speak again. "Ki-"

"I am not done yet." Pulling Xian towards her, Kiara pulled his cheeks, chin, including his shirt collar as if to inspect any sort of markings.

"What are you doing Ki?" Xian was shocked and embarrassed while Kiara continued with her assessment. While she was doing whatever she was doing, he sought JC's eyes and the other man could only shrug.

"Miss Wang; I apologise on Xian's behalf for having worried you." Jun thought it was time to placate the matter. "You could have contacted my subordinates through Ms. Lee. You would have gotten the news of Xian being perfectly fine."

Glaring at Jun, and he yet again took a step back, Kiara huffed; "The way you two fought and went in seperate directions, I wasn't sure if your people would have given me the correct information."

"Ouch! Ki. Have some faith." Xian wasn't sure if he could laugh at such matter. But thinking that a petite young pregnant lady would have rained wrath on Azure if he had touched him; made Xian laugh and this time he did not bother controlling it.

He laughed. And it felt good.

The mood around him instantly changed and he could feel it. Each one of them had a smile on their face and he pulled Kiara into a soft embrace.

"Your kid is lucky to have you as their mom Kiara. I am fine." Glancing at Azure from above Kiara's head; Xian grinned. "Don't worry. Jun did not touch your brother. If anything, he was a perfect gentleman and only gave me a kiss."

Balking at the sudden mischievousness, Jun shook his head vehemently but stopped when he found Kiara and JC laughing.

"Sorry Jun." Giving him a timid smile; Kiara blushed, "I really love this boy. He's my family. I know you won't harm him; but I can never fathom Xian in pain. The fight that you two had before made me worry."

Jun did not miss Xian's sudden stiffness. It was then he understood what Xian meant by never wanting to reveal his pain. He had two people who loved him a lot. If they knew the ordeal, they would never be able to forgive themselves. For Kiara and JC, Xian would always choose to remain quiet.

"Ki, now that you know Xian is fine, can you please let him go?"

Xian grinned at JC's demeanor. Even though JC knew Kiara dotted on Xian as a sister, and they would never be anything more, yet his possessive streak was always visible. It did not just stop at Kiara, he was also quite possessive for his brother. One reason he came all the way to the outskirts to judge the Lan man.

Yet not leaving Xian's side, she glanced at to two men and asked, "Shall we go out for dinner?"

Jun was the first to answer, "Sure. Do you have any specifications?"

"Craving for Italian food."

"Done. I'll make necessary reservations."

As Jun walked away from them, Kiara got up on her toes and kissed Xian's cheeks. Her eyes welled up as she whispered softly, "Don't you ever make me worry. I was so scared. What would I do without you in my life?"

Xian's eyes instantly softened and smiled, "I am sorry. I sincerely didn't want you to worry. Jun and I were talking and guess we didn't even realise the time."

"You're forgiven because you're more handsome than my man." With a wink she giggled as JC banded his arms around her waist and pulled her to him.

"I can still spank you; you know."

Taking a step back Xian covered his ears, "Too much information! Walking on you guys doing it once was enough, I don't want to hear about your shenanigans!"

"Xian! We didn't do it once. We never do it once. We do it multiple times." JC smirked as Jun joined them and asked, "What multiple times?"

Pulling him away from the naughty couple, Xian warned, "If you want to protect your innocence; never go near them. They will corrupt you."

Jun adorably looked oblivious and that made Xian smile inwardly.

"Ahhhhh!" Kiara moaned; "This chocolate mudpie cake is orgasmic!"

Looking around flustered, JC covered Kiara's mouth. "Please don't make such sound in a family restaurant. This is a small town and there are kids around us."

"Is she always like this?" Jun whispered only for Xian's ears and the latter nodded. "Yes."

Not giving two fuck to what was just said, Kiara turned her attention to Xian, "By the way; we're heading back tomorrow. Why don't you join us?"

"Why are you heading out so soon?"

JC and Kiara both gazed at Xian and it was then he realised the day after was their game. Though he was debarred, he should still go and cheer his team. They would want and like that.

"The game against Thailand." Xian looked down at his empty plate. If he was playing, he would have competed against Rayan, their Captain.

"I would like to join you two. I want to be there and cheer the team. That way, even though I am not on ice, I can still be there with you all."

Ice.

Turning to face Azure; Xian probed, "How about you join us too?"

As expected Azure was shocked. "What?"

"You can cover your identity. But I think it's time for you to stop having regrets too. Join us. Remember your words from today Azure that we all need closure. So?"

Kiara was quick to chip in, "Don't worry about the seats. I shall book it under my name in the private pavillion. Only extreme VVIPs can view the match. You'll be safe."

"I'll think about it." Jun's eyes were casted on the table. He had no courage to even think of going back to the life he once lived. 'Is it possible for me to go back?'

"Ready?" Kiara was next to Xian's Aston Martin as she observed him placing a small duffel bag inside.

"Yeah. You guys?"

"Everything is ready. Jun?"

Before Xian could reply, Jun was dragging a small case behind him with one hand and the other had ... Oh no! The bear?!

"Whaaa.... Whaaat is... Is she coming with us?"

With a smirk Jun nodded and opened the door. Placing a blanket on the pristine seat, he let Sahara jump in.

"You didn't think I would let her be all alone here, did you?"

'It did not even cross my mind to have Sahara with us.' Xian wanted to say but refrained from saying.

With a pat on his back, Kiara joined JC and together they drove away.

With a sigh Xian started the engine and giving Azure a side way glance; only to see a soft smile playing on his lips, he hoped with his heart that this journey be worthwhile for them all.

Neutral Zone:

Area between offensive and defensive zones.