Jun had heard their entire conversation. He didn't mean to; but nevertheless he heard them. And one thing he reckoned was the fact that Xian liked men.

Men.

To an outsider, Jun's composure was calm at best, but if one would observe him closely, they would detect slight tremors passing through him. His hands were subtly shaking and the proof was a drop of spilt coffee from his mug.

Never once could he have ever believed that the man he was coaching for past few days liked men. Had anyone gossiped about this issue, he would have instantly dismissed the idea. Not because it was unfathomable to love same gender, but to him such feelings were alien.

Jun had never experienced what it means to love someone else. He had once considered himself asexual. But, it all changed with this young man coming into his life and for the very first time, his cold heart had felt soft emotions.

Jun remembered a poem he once read as a kid. -

In cold winters when a plum blossom, blooms; the waft of scent it carries, makes a numb heart; warm.

Back then he couldn't decipher it's meaning, but at this moment, watching Xian's caring side, his love and sane suggestions, made Jun believe that his chaotic side was all a facade. Behind those charades is a man who is far wiser and matured for his age. Which made Jun question everything related to Xian.

What made Xian so aggressive towards the other player?

A man who is otherwise so composed, what happened to him to be banned for few games?

'What happened to you Xian?' This question Jun knew only Xian can answer.

Which brought them back to the present as Jun observed that his question on kids made Xian flustered. This was new.

'Do... Do you ever want kids of your own, Xian?'

He was quiet.

'Should'nt I have asked you this question? Is it too personal?' Jun's thoughts kept running through his mind. 'Maybe I shouldn't have!'

But then Xian answered with a small nod. "I do want kids. Maybe someday."

His answer pleasantly made Jun happy.

"How many?"

Taking sip of his own coffee he heard Xian's answer, "Five to six maybe." And that made him choke.

Wheezing out he saw Xian grin and Jun couldn't help but ask, "Are you planning on starting your own hockey club?"

At that the young man started laughing boisterously and patted Jun's back. The moment he took his hand away, Jun could feel a small tingle at the surface of his skin.

"Good one; but no. What I meant was to start my own Home Stay where kids like JC and me can have their own family.

"Whatever one might say today, but back then the world out there had repeatedly thought of us as outcasts. Rejects. Every second of our lives we had to prove our worth. There were so many people who questioned our blood and mocked us saying our own parents didn't need us. Maybe they were right but-" hearing those words from Xian's mouth made Jun feel immensely dejected and angry.

"No!"

"Huh?"

"No they're not right. Your blood does not make you who you are. Genes work only to certain degree. They don't make you complete."

Glancing at Xian; Jun caught his gaze and said with conviction, "You nor I know the reason why you were left on the steps of a church as an infant. But I believe that you, being revered by everyone as Grandmaster Wei, that's all on you Xian. No one can take it away. You made a name for yourself.

"Having a family name is secondary. But having your own name is mandatory. You have the power to say you're a self-made man Xian. Your name is your glory."

Time stood still and silence engulfed them. The only things Xian could feel was his own breathing and Azure's eyes on him. Never before had someone shown this much faith in him.

Unable to bear it any further, Xian got up from his own seat and knelt over Azure's lounge chair. With his one knee between Azure's leg, the other supported his own weight on the wooden floor. Bringing his hand, Xian cupped the older man's face and gave him a tender most kiss on his forehead.

Jun closed his eyes.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

He opened his eyes only when he felt a drop of wetness on his cheeks. His eyes met the wet ones of Xian and they were brimmed with sadness. Untold sadness.

"Never before have I been showered with such words. I don't know what to do. Tell me how should I respond?"

'Your response was to kiss me.' But Jun did not say that.

"Go back, win the cup and get listed in NHL. There are many people in our country who have their hopes rested on you Xian. You need to become best."

"What do you want?" Xian had still not left Jun's chin. He was so close.

"I want you..." Jun took a deep breath and smiled, "I want your name to go down in history as the best goaltender. You have such immense potential Xian. Let it not go a waste. I don't know what made them ban you, but rectify those mistakes and go back.

"There is a world out there waiting to meet Grandmaster Wei. Don't bind yourself to small matters. You're destined for something great."

What Jun did not expect was Xian's eyes to become cold and distant. He moved away and took back his vacant seat and smiled.
The smile was unnatural and it did not sit well with Jun. Something was definitely wrong.

"I must say Azure, your words have desired effect. I almost fell for your charms. Do you use them on your girlfriends?"

Xian's questions, though innocent, pained Jun a lot. He knew that Xian was shielding himself and he ought to give the other man his own space. For Xian, Jun played his charades well.

"Beats me. I never had any girlfriends." He took a sip and wondered if the coffee needs to be reheated.

The old Xian was back as his eyes widened and he grinned. "No way! What? You're a virgin?"

At the insinuation Jun spat his coffee for the second time and Xian genuinely laughed at the momentum.

"Language!"

"What language!? Come on tell me! You're not only a hermit but a virgin too? I mean you've never had sex? Wow!"

Jun was sure his ears were red. If only Xian knew.

"Shameless!"

Xian continued to laugh and Jun hid his smile behind the coffee cup. At his expense if it made Xian forget his woes, it was all the more good.

"Azure."

"Hm?"

"Have you ever thought of becoming a coach professionally?"

Jun's hand stalled mid-air and brought the cup down to rest on his lap. Glancing at Xian, he shook his head.

"You should think about it. You have some great potential. And I am not just saying this to please you." Facing Azure; Xian smiled genuinely.

"Ask Coach Chen. I am usually not easy to coach; but past few days you have changed a lot of my postures and other areas that needed attention. You have an eye Azure."

"..."

"I think you'll be great as a 'Paralympic Coach' Azure. There are so many athletes who need hope and people to understand them well; and who better than you!

"Azure; let your disability become your ability to make others shine. Become the ray of hope for people who need you the most. You don't even have to leave your solitude. Built a centre here and you can coach them without ever going out there.

"During your free time you can coach those young kids and they too can learn from the Paralympic athletes. Think about it."

"I will." Jun's voice was just a mere whisper.

"If you make up your mind at any time, now or later, give me a call and wherever I am, I'll help you. Please let me."

"Hm."

"I have few known sources who are looking for a coach like you. When and if you are ready or wish to discuss more on this, let me know, whichever part of the world I am in, I'll fly down to meet you and take this forward. More so, let me also be the first one to help you monetarily too.

"I know you are in no short of money, but then this is a worthy cause. JC and Kiara would also love to help you. Alright?"

"Hm."

"Good." Taking a sip of his own coffee, Xian let out a contented sigh and any dismay from before was long gone.

"Xian."

"Hm?"

"About your Home Stay for children. When are you planning to start them?"

"Probably once I retire. I need to earn a lot of money for those kids. Their future will depend on it."

Both of them were quiet and it was Jun who mooted the idea.

"If I built a centre for Paralympic athletes
here; can I also built a Home Stay for your kids?"

With a gasp Xian turned to look at Azure and asked, "What?"

Gesturing the vast expanse Jun shrugged, "This would be a nice place for them too. We can have both of them here. You don't have to put off having your own family for your retirement."

"Are you serious?"

"Very much so."

"Thank you. How can I pay you back?"

"You could give me a kiss." Both of their eyes widened and Jun realised he didn't mean to say it aloud.

Zebra: Another word for referee.