Xian was all alone for his usual morning run and he was glad for it.

Last evening after their little chat, Xian had no strength in him to put on a fake smile and walk around the house. After dinner, he had bid Ms. Lee and Azure a warm evening and retired for the night.

This morning, even Sahara knew to keep a bit of distance. When Xian was all ready to head out for a run, except for a small whine which could have meant she wanted a pat or scratch from him, she didn't do much.

Xian smiled at the thought that animals are indeed very perceptive of human emotions.

He loved this part the most. Running.

When one runs; there isn't much to think about. The world is blurred and all one can feel is the adrenaline pumping within you.

It was almost time to head back and just like yesterday, he could see the porch light from a distant. As his feet halted to take some deep breaths, Xian heard a light mew.

'What?'

He turned around but except for the vast expanse around him, he couldn't see much. It was sudden moment amongst the bushes that drew his attention to a small ball of fur.

'What the fuck is this?' he questioned cautiously.

Upon closer inspection; Xian was absolutely stunt to see it was not a ball but some kind of... 'What kind of an animal is this?'

It was tiny.

Xian remembered what Azure had informed about his other part of the land being some kind of sanctuary.

'Is this some kind of a wild animal? If it was; it could be that it's mama is nearby... right?'

'Should I pick it up?'

'No! I shouldn't disturb their habitats.'

'But... Azure might be able to help this tiny one.'

'Not that I am an expert but it does look like a baby.'

Xian kept waging a monologue war inside his head and in the end decided it was best to leave the animal undisturbed.

With a deep breath he started running towards home; but his mind was back with that tiny creatures.

'It's a good thing I left it behind. What if that bear like creature, which Azure calls it a dog, ate that tiny one?'

At that thought, Xian's feet halted on its own accord and was about to fall; when another supposition hit him.

'What if an actual bear eats him? Not a dog but an actual wildlife?! He is so tiny!!!'

Pulling his hair; Xian let out a deep yell of frustration; and with vigilante in mind; he sprinted back to the tiny creature who was still there. Sleeping and mewling.

'Who are you calling for?'

'Please let it not be your mama! I am single, don't have kids, one day would want one... or many-' Xian stopped his monologue mid-sentence and chided himself. 'Stop it! Let's not get carried away! Let me take this fur ball to Azure and then he can decide what has to be done.'

Proud of his own action, Xian unzipped his jacket and draped it around the little furball and proceeded home.

"Master Lan, would you like to have your breakfast now?"

Jun was waiting for Xian by the window. He could sense winter just around the corner and sense of calm engulfing him.

"No. Will wait for Xian."

"Very well."

After last night's revelation, Jun wanted to seek more answers but did not have the courage. When he himself was so scarred, was it right to dig deep into someone else's life?

Subconsciously rubbing his own scarred wrist, Jun doubted his own heart. He knew Xian deserved all the happiness. He was a fantastic player. A player, whom Jun would have personally challenged on and off rink.

Had he still been a professional athlete, he would have had a decade more to play at the most. Playing either by Xian's side as his teammate and senior; or as opponent would have been highlights of each game.

A professional forward and a goaltender at loggerheads. It would have been epic play.

But sadly, that would never be possible. The only way for them to play with eachother, would be these few practice sessions they have.

It was Sahara's bark that pulled Jun back to reality. Following the sound Jun came face to face with cowering Xian clutching his jacket bundled close to his chest.

"Sahara!"

She instantly stopped barking but was on guard and kept growling and looking at the jacket intently.

"What do you have in your hand Xian?"

"I... I... I..." Xian tried speaking but Sahara's growl made him sweat more.

"Ms. Lee!" Seeing her at his peripheral, Jun asked, "Could you take Sahara inside? Calm her down and then at my request bring her out again."

"Sure Master Lan."

Once they were gone, Jun cautiously walked closer to Xian and asked softly, "What did you bring with you?"

Peeking around and confirming that Sahara was nowhere to be seen, Xian showed Jun the ball of fur in his arms.

"I found her out there. Think she was abandoned by her mama. Couldn't leave her alone. Thought, let me bring her back here and you could decide on what has to be done."

Jun sighed.

"How did she get here?" It was more of a rhetorical question by Jun. "They aren't native to our land."

"What is this creature?" Xian gently rubbed the chin of the furball.

"It's a mink."

Mink

"A what?" Xian looked up and blinked at Jun.

Smiling at an adorable Xian, Jun used his fingers to caress the mink's forehead.

"Also referred as ferrets in some parts of the world. We call it Mink. Usually mink coats are very famous for high-end fashion brands."

Xian found it bizzare. 'People are weird. Why would they want this adorable furballs skin to make coats?'

"Precisely for that very same reason. Their furs are precious."

It was only after Azure answered his question; did Xian realise he had asked them aloud.

"So what are we going to do about this?"

"I need to call Dr. Kim first. She is our local vet. Once I get in touch with her, we will have to inform the government officials about it."

"Oh? I assumed you would take her to your sanctuary."

"Well she is just a baby. We need to monitor her every hour by providing milk. I presume her parents would have escaped a poacher and found their way into our sanctuary. Her mama would have delivered this kid in our land thinking it was safe as there are no animals roaming around."

"So what happened to her mama then?"

"No clues. I'll ask some of my helpers to try and navigate her family."

Jun was surprised to see Xian bringing the bundle close to his nose and kiss the mink's forehead. Had he not paid attention, Jun would have missed Xian whispering, "Seems you're abandoned too. I promise to take care of you until we find your family or safe home."

Wow! Thump. Thump. Thump.

Jun had to clear his throat and Xian glanced at him. "I'll make a call first. Take her to your room and keep her there. Later we'll introduce her to Sahara as she is very protective of me and her territory."

Watching Xian walk up the stairs and hearing him cooing, Jun smiled affectionately.

🏒Few Hours Later⛸️

"Jump up!"

"Bend down!"

"Play properly!"

"Concentrate!"

Xian had enough of Azure's sneer for one day. Placing his sticks down, Xian skated to where the other man was.

It was a standoff.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? Why are you being such a pain in the ass?" Xian yelled and his voice echoed aloud.

"Watch your language! It's you who is unable to concentrate!"

"What do you mean?"

Jun could feel Xian's anger bubbling around him, but he was not a person to back down when right.

"Think for yourself! Where is that player who is unbeatable? You haven't been unable to even save one of my shots today! What is wrong with you? Maybe they need to change your name to 'Unbearable Ass'."

Maybe his jibe had gone far too wrong, for next second Xian collided with Jun. It was a tad bit too late for Xian to realise that they were falling, so even though he couldn't save them, he turned at the last moment to break their fall and use his body to shield Azure from getting hurt.

"Oof." Jun breathed out.

"Fuck!" Xian cursed aloud.

"Laa...anguage!" Jun groaned and Xian had to laugh at that.

"Even now all you can think about is language."

"Always."

It was then they both glanced at eachother; did they realised how close their faces were. Body entwined, during the stand-off Xian had long removed his headgear. Without his protection, he could count the number of freckles on Azure's cheeks as his fringes overlapping and caressing his eyelashes.

All Xian could think was one word. Ethereal.

Jun was motionless. If he moved, things would get way out of control. His eyes swayed between the younger man's irises.

Divine; is the word he wanted to bestow on Xian.

Wagon:

A washed up, typically post 20's player. Past their prime but haven't hung up the skates yet.