MasukFifteen years passed in a so fast.Sebastian and Julian played ten more seasons together. They won three more Stanley Cups. They broke records and made history.But time did not stop for them. Their knees got creaky, their backs got sore with time and the young players got faster, stronger and hungrier.Sebastian retired first.His last game was in Vancouver, against the Storm. The fans gave him a standing ovation that lasted ten minutes. Julian watched from the bench, crying.Sebastian skated a lap alone, tapping his heart, pointing at Julian.Then he left the ice for the last time.Julian played one more season too.His knee held up better than anyone expected. He was not as fast, not as quick as he used to be, but his hockey sense was still sharp. He scored the game-winning goal in his final home game.The crowd chanted his name. Julian skated to Sebastian, who was sitting in the stands."One more lap?" Sebastian asked."One more."They skated together, hand in hand, around the rin
Training camp was different this year. Sebastian walked into the locker room and saw Julian pulling on his jersey. They now wear the same jersey, they are on the same team... it's just like a dream come true. For the first time in their careers, they were teammates. The trade had happened quietly in the offseason. Sebastian had requested it and the Storm had agreed, Calgary had welcomed him well with open arms. Now Sebastian Cruz wore the red and white of the Snow Wolves. "Looks good on you," Julian said. "The jersey?" "Being on the team." Sebastian kissed his cheek. "It looks better on you too." Louie walked by and shook his head. "You two are disgusting." "You are just jealous... just say it," Julian said teasing him "I am just hungry, when does the practice ends?" Sebastian laughed, the Louie he knew was back...really back. The forgiveness was not complete, but it was growing. Every day, they got a little closer to how things used to be. The first game of the season wa
The offseason began with a phone call. Sebastian was in the kitchen, making breakfast, when his agent called. Julian was on the couch, his leg elevated as usual, a book in his hands. "Sebastian," Mark said. "Dante has been traded." Sebastian set down the spatula. "Where?" "To Edmonton. They needed a defenseman. We made the call, pulled some strings. He is gone." Sebastian leaned against the counter. "Good." "I thought you would be happier." "I am happy but I am also tired of thinking about him." Mark laughed. "Fair enough. Enjoy your offseason. You earned it." Sebastian hung up. Julian looked at him. "Dante is gone?" Julian asked. "Yeh, traded to Edmonton." Julian closed his book. "Good riddance." Sebastian walked over and kissed his forehead. "Now we can focus on what matters." "And what is that?" "Your knee, our house and our dog." Julian grinned. "Our dog. You finally agreed." "I did not agree. I surrendered. You know i can't ever say no to you. Julian laughed. "S
The week after the championship was a mixture of interviews, appearances, and celebrations. Sebastian's face was everywhere. On magazine covers, on sports highlights, on social media. People wanted to know about the game-winning goal, about the team, about the future plan. But no one asked about Louie. Louie had become invisible. He showed up to team events, stood in the back, and left early. He did not complain. He did not push, he just waited. Sebastian noticed. He noticed the way Louie hung back during the parade. The way he slipped out of parties without saying goodbye. The way he looked at Sebastian with eyes full of hope and shame. Julian noticed too. "You need to talk to him," Julian said one night. "I know." "He is not going to push you. He is waiting for you to come to him." Sebastian sighed. "What if I am not ready?" "Then you are not ready. But you will never be ready if you keep avoiding him." Sebastian looked at Julian. "When did you become my therapist?" Jul
The arena emptied slowly. Fans filed out, still cheering, still buzzing. The players drifted toward the locker room, the Cup passed from hand to hand, no one could get enough of it. Sebastian watched them go, but he did not follow. He stood at center ice, alone, looking up at the empty suite where Julian had been. Someone touched his shoulder. "Coming?" Louie asked. "In a jiffy." Louie nodded and left quietly. The lights dimmed slowly in turn, the Zamboni started its slow circle... and Sebastian stayed behind. Shortly after, he heard footsteps on the tunnel stairs and Julian appeared, limping, his crutches under his arms, his face soft in the low light. The crowd was gone, the cameras were off and everywhere was quiet. "You are still here," Julian said. "I was waiting for you, boo." Julian crossed the ice slowly, his crutches sinking into the frozen surface. Sebastian met him halfway, steadying him with an arm around his waist. "The team is celebrating without us," J
The Stanley Cup Finals were against the Montreal. A storied franchise, a team with badasshistory, the kind of opponent that made the whole country interested to watch. Sebastian tried not to think about the pressure, he tried to focus on the ice, on the drills, on the game plan but every night, he came home to Julian on the couch, his leg elevated, his eyes bright with hope. "You are going to win," Julian assured him. "We are going to try." "Trying is not enough Seb, you are going to win." Sebastian sat beside him. "How do you know that husband?" Julian took his hand. "Because I have never seen you want anything more." Sebastian kissed his forehead. "I want you healthy more than anything Juls." "Then win the cup for me, that will help me heal faster." Sebastian laughed. "Is that how medicine now works?" "It is how my own medicine works."They cuddles themselves to sleep and the day went by so fast.♡♡♡♡♡ The Finals were a war so hard to fight. The Montreal was so fast, phy







