LOGINThe smile disappeared from Lukas' face when he heard the captain's response.."Yes. That's how we're playing."He didn't even raise his voice. He didn't even look angry. He simply nodded once to the defenseman beside him before skating away from Lukas like the conversation had already ended.Lukas didn't think much of it, he probably should have.The referee skated back toward center ice, waiting for both teams to settle into position again.While around them, the crowd refused to sit down.Thousands of voices echoed through the arena, the Frost Wolves' opening goal still replaying across the giant screens hanging above the rink while commentators spoke over one another so quickly Lukas couldn't understand a single sentence anymore.He didn't need to anyway. The scoreboard spoke clearly enough.DRAGONS — 0FROST WOLVES — 1Nikola kept glancing up at it every few seconds just to make sure it hadn't disappeared."It's still there." Joshua sighed."Yes.""We actually scored.""Yes.""Aga
The cheering didn't stop. If anything, it became louder.The Dragons hadn't even touched the puck yet and the entire arena already belonged to them. Every player they introduced was welcomed by another wave of screams while cameras followed them across the ice like celebrities walking a red carpet instead of athletes preparing for war.Lukas stood quietly behind the tunnel entrance, watching them complete one slow lap around the rink.Nobody smiled, nobody waved, nobody acknowledged the crowd.They simply skated and somehow, that was even more terrifying."They're enjoying this." Nikola whispered and Joshua shook his head."That's the problem." He paused. "They're not."The Dragons eventually gathered around their captain before slowly separating into formation. One by one they tested the ice beneath their skates, passing the puck without looking, never missing a single reception.It looked effortless, like they weren't warming up, like they were reminding everyone else who owned the
Nobody talked on the walk back. Not because they had nothing to say, but because everybody had already imagined losing in completely different ways. Everyone went up to their rooms to get well rested.For the first time, Nikola didn't come to interrupt. It was the slowest, heaviest five hours of their life.Lukas turned to Viktor,“Do you think we can win?” Viktor smiled weakly.“No… I don't.” The moment he said it, Lukas pulled him in for a hug. Viktor was shaking underneath him and Lukas didn't understand.“What happened?” Viktor cleaned his eyes and looked up at Lukas.“They hurt people… what if I'm next?” Lukas's eyes saddened, he didn't realize that was what was on his mind. His shoulder, he hadn't asked about it in a while.He simply smiled and squeezed tighter around Viktor's waist.“You won't get hurt, okay?” Viktor nodded but deep down, he knew he'd be an easy target since everyone playing practically knew he had a bad shoulder.Somewhere down the hall, Nikola sat on Elias' l
"Why are they staring?" Adrian asked it quietly but unfortunately, the room was far too quiet for any quiet questions. Almost every head turned toward him.And not because he'd spoken loudly but because everybody else had been silently looking at the Frost Wolves ever since they walked through the doors.The conference hall was enormous.Long rows of tables stretched from one end of the room to the other, each one carrying a different country's flag while giant television screens hung from the ceiling displaying today's schedule.Players filled almost every seat already. Some wore full tracksuits with their country's emblem stitched proudly across the chest while others had already changed into training gear and some just wore casual shirts and trousers.Everybody looked... oddly professional. Except one table—The Frost Wolves.Nikola had somehow arrived wearing two different socks and his shirt was stained with whatever he ate, nobody could tell anymore. Joshua was still carrying hal
The next morning should have been peaceful. If it didn't start with a disaster. The first knock wasn't actually a knock. It sounded more like the owner of the hotel had made it a mission to kick them out today. If they didn't know their teammates, they'd panic.BANG.Then another round of knocks.BANG."Captain!" The voice sounded familiar, oddly familiar but Lukas did not answer. "LUKAS!" The voice grew even angrier but he still said nothing."If you don't open this door I'm assuming both of you died."Inside the room, Lukas didn't even move. He had one arm lazily wrapped around Viktor while Viktor remained face-down against the pillow, completely refusing to acknowledge the outside world, or Nikola."Don't.""Hm?""Don't breathe." Lukas laughed into the pillow."That's not how hiding works.""It can." Another bang rattled the door and this one genuinely scared them."LUKAS!""Go away.""I brought breakfast.""Leave it outside.""I already ate half.""Then definitely go away." He pa
The referee barely lowered his arm before Nikola threw both gloves into the air."I'M ALIVE!" One glove landed somewhere near center ice and the other hit a referee."Sorry!"The referee didn't even look offended anymore. He simply picked it up, handed it back and continued skating away like he'd already accepted this was just the kind of team they were. Joshua reached Lukas first."No way." He grabbed both sides of Lukas' helmet. "NO FUCKIN WAY." Before Lukas could answer, Adrian crashed into both of them from the side."We won!""I noticed!""No…you don't understand!""I literally played the game!""I DON'T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND!" Then everybody arrived at once. Helmets bumped together, somebody screamed, somebody else almost fell over.Nikola somehow ended up hugging Elias despite spending the entire morning annoying him."I NEVER DOUBTED US!".Joshua looked at him."I remember you tried to fake food poisoning.""I GREW.""When?" Nikola paused and scratched the back of his hair."Dur
“Fuck!” Lukas shot up, sweat dripping down his face. He had gone back to his routine for the day…nightmares, classes and training…nothing more and Viktor disappeared as quickly as he walked in.The distance didn't fix it, it stayed as it had always been there and if anything, it settled. Viktor did
The morning sun swept in softer than expected…slow and calm…just warm light slipping through the curtains and settling across the room as it had always belonged there and Lukas woke up first.He still wasn't used to waking up without his nightmare. Dreams that tormented him for years…vanished like
The coach didn't say anything about what had happened, or how they were touching…he focused on the team like it was none of his business.“You're affecting Lukas performance!” The coach spat and Viktor nodded…no arguments, corrections…nothing. Lukas frowned slightly, turning toward him, confusion s
The walk back was quiet…like they couldn't quite understand what had happened. They weren't sure if the coach had seen them or not but they kept hoping he didn't. Lukas coughed, to break the tension.“My place or yours…?”Viktor giggled, “you just know how to put me at ease.” He exhaled loudly, “yo







