CHAPTER 20- BUS RIDE WITH MY PUCKING PRINCESS

The apartment was a battlefield of open duffel bags, scattered gear, and half-folded clothes when Liam stood in the middle of his room, staring at his bag like it was an opponent he couldn’t quite figure out how to beat.

The charity showcase game against the Shadow Reapers was only two days away. The team bus was scheduled to leave in less than an hour, and Liam felt like his nerves were stretched too tight. He kept folding the same pair of compression shorts over and over, mind drifting back to the rooftop conversation, the medical room moment, the dream that still haunted him every time he closed his eyes.

A soft knock on his open door pulled him out of it.

Raphael leaned against the frame, already dressed in a simple black hoodie and joggers, his own bag slung over one shoulder. “You almost ready? The bus will be here soon.”

Liam nodded stiffly, not looking at him. “Yeah. Just finishing up.”

Raphael stepped inside anyway, eyes scanning the room before pulling out a plushie from his own duffel. It was a worn, slightly ridiculous little bear with a tiny hockey stick stitched to its paw. It looked old, the kind of lucky charm someone had carried for years through tough seasons.

“Here,” Raphael said, holding it out. “My lucky charm from my first season with the Reapers. You should have it. You need it more as captain.”

Liam stared at the plushie like it might bite him. “I don’t need your lucky charm. I’m fine.”

Raphael ignored him completely, stepping forward and tucking the small wolf neatly into the side pocket of Liam’s open duffel bag. “Too late. It’s already in there. Don’t take it out, that'll just bring bad luck.”

Liam opened his mouth to protest, reaching toward the pocket, but Raphael was already walking out of the room with a casual wave. “Bus leaves soon, Captain. Don’t be late.”

Liam stared at the bag for a long moment. His fingers hovered over the pocket, brushing the soft fabric of the little bear. He almost pulled it out. Almost. But something stopped him. It didn't hurt to just have it there. So, he left it there, zipped the bag, and grabbed his things.

The long chartered bus pulled into the parking lot right on time. Liam shot a quick message to the team group chat: Bus is here. Drag your butts down to the parking lot. Don’t make me come get you.

He tried to board early, hoping to claim a seat next to Marcus and put as much distance as possible between himself and Raphael for the multi-hour ride. But Lee beat him to it, sliding into the seat beside Marcus with a grin and immediately starting a loud conversation about last night’s video game session.

Liam muttered a curse under his breath and headed toward the back of the bus, hoping for an empty row. He dropped into a window seat near the rear, put in his AirPods, and stared out the window, willing the rest of the team to fill the seats beside him.

Of course, that didn’t happen.

Raphael appeared a moment later, duffel bag in hand, and plopped down right beside him without hesitation.

Liam groaned. “There are like twenty other seats. Go sit somewhere else.”

Raphael stretched his long legs out as much as the bus allowed, looking far too comfortable. “Nah. You caused this bruise on my ribs. You get to tend to me on this ride. Doctor’s orders.”

Liam turned his face toward the window, jaw tight. “You’re full of shit.”

Raphael just chuckled.

When Liam thought he could finally tune the man out, Raphael reached over and casually pulled one of the AirPods from his ear.

“Hey!” Liam started.

Raphael slid the single earbud into his own ear, leaning back with a smirk. “What are you listening to?”

Liam sighed, too tired to fight. “Doesn’t matter. Stay on your own side.”

But Raphael didn’t. He listened for a moment, then wrinkled his nose. “Kpop? Seriously? This is your road trip playlist? Boring as hell, Captain.”

Liam rolled his eyes. “Dont you dare! That's Stray kids new album. And I never begged you to listen in the first place.”

Raphael stuck his tongue out at him like a child, but he kept the earbud in, nodding his head slightly to the beat. The small gesture felt strangely domestic, and Liam hated how aware he was of Raphael’s shoulder brushing his every time the bus hit a bump.

As the miles rolled by, Liam found himself staring out the window, mind drifting. He realized, with a quiet jolt, that the sharp venom he used to feel toward Raphael had dulled. It wasn’t gone, not entirely, but it had softened into something warmer. Familiarity, maybe. Or worse. Forbidden attraction?

He’s just a teammate now. We work well together on the ice. That’s all this is.

But another part of him knew it was more. The dreams. The medical room. The rooftop. The way his body reacted when Raphael got too close. The strange twist of jealousy when he saw Raphael with Alex.

He was still trying to untangle those thoughts when he felt a sudden weight on his shoulder.

Liam turned his head slowly.

Raphael had fallen asleep, head tilted sideways, resting comfortably on Liam’s shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. His breathing was steady and deep, dark hair brushing Liam’s neck, one hand loosely resting on the armrest between them.

Liam froze, heart hammering.

Raphael fucking Thorne had fallen asleep like a fucking princess with his head on my fucking shoulder.

He didn’t move. He didn’t push him away. He just sat there, staring at the passing scenery, feeling the warmth of Raphael’s body against his side, the soft rise and fall of his breathing, and the terrifying realization that it didn’t feel as wrong as it should.

The bus continued down the highway, carrying them closer to the game against the Shadow Reapers, while Liam sat very still, Raphael’s head on his shoulder, and tried not to think about how right it felt.