Chapter Text
Sometimes Alec can’t help but be in awe of the fact that he gets to do this for a living.
The air in the stadium is cold but Alec can feel sweat dripping down his back. It’s only a practice game played among the team itself, but everyone is putting their all to it, treating it like it’s the Stanley Cup final itself. They all have the advantage of knowing their team members - their strengths and weaknesses and their subliminal habits - but it serves as much as a disadvantage since your team also knows yours. It is a challenge, but one that fills them with a fire to exceed themselves, to learn to change your style and adapt.
Alec’s been in many teams during the years he’s played hockey, but from the moment he first put on his skates at the age of four, none of the teams have felt like a family as much as this one does. It’s more than matching jerseys and the same end goal. It’s about the team, and everyone bringing something to the table.
Alec knows that it’s not unheard of for the team to work so well together, for them all to actually be friends outside of the ice. Hockey is a team sport, and a team can’t work if the players don’t get that. But he also knows that it’s not something to take for granted. Having a roster of twenty men is a mixed group of people, and more than once he’s witnessed a clashing of two big egos in the same team.
They all know they’re good, they’ve made it to an NHL team and worked their asses off to get there. Alec isn’t under an illusion he got here because of luck. No, he’s in the team - and the captain of it - because he’s one of the top defencemen in the league. He’s good at his job. He knows that but he doesn’t boast with it, knowing that a more humble approach is much more reasonable. The game is gaining popularity year after year, and you never know when a new, younger generation will come and outdo them on the ice.
Then there are players who know they’re good and like to remind others of it too. Alec can name two from his own line, his childhood best friend the first player that comes to mind. He loves Jace, and over the years they’ve known each other he’s come to be more like a brother than a friend to Alec. Alec remembers the late night conversations in the treehouse in between their families’ houses, the conversations about how they would both make it big in the hockey world and how they would one day hold the Stanley Cup in their hands.
It is a goal that they have yet to reach, but at the same time one Alec knows that they will, perhaps even this year. Last year they came so close, losing the game that would have led them to the final. There are still plenty of games to play until they reach that point this season, and Alec tries to approach their situation one game at a time.
That’s why the practice they’re at is so important. It's their last one before the game tomorrow, game where they are playing against a team that's considered one of their hardest opponents.
The Las Vegas Demons is a team they play against almost every season, and for some reason the games feel almost personal. Maybe it has something to do with the comment their coach gave on an interview a couple of years ago, stating that The Shadows doesn’t really belong in the league.
An odd comment to give, considering they had won the Demons that same night.
Odd or not, it had riled up both the players and the fans, and Alec knows that the game will be intense, knows that the audience will be as stoked as they are and show it loudly. It’s a hometown game as well, and those always have a special vibe.
He can’t wait.
Alec shoots the puck to Andrew Underhill - the other defence player in their line - who’s waiting on the blue line on the other side of the ice. It’s a perfect distraction, since Andrew is able to pass it to Magnus Bane who’s waiting near the goal and sends the puck in as soon as it hits his stick.
Raphael Santiago is definitely one of the top goalies in NHL at the moment- not the tallest man but definitely one of the fastest - but even his glove hand isn’t fast enough to catch the puck that flies in from the top corner.
Magnus is the other person in Alec’s line who has a habit of being a showoff every once in a while. His style on the ice is unusual, a perfect reflection of how he is outside of the rink as well. He’s earned the nickname “Warlock” given to him by press and fans for all the tricks he likes to do on ice.
Magnus celebrates his goal by skating to the third forward in their line, Jonathan Morgenstern, and wrapping the man into a hug. Alec laughs as it seems like the hug takes Jonathan by surprise, and they sway in their place before Jonathan gains his footing back.
“Okay, I think that’s enough for tonight!”
The sound of their coach’s shout breaks the team from their laughter, and they skate closer to the bench where Michael Wayland is standing along with the players that hadn’t been on the ice.
Wayland is Jace’s father and Alec has known him for the majority of his life, and there have been times when Alec hasn’t been able to stand the man. He’s strict, both as a parent and as a coach, but he knows hockey, and is great at his job. Alec assumes that a part of Jace’s love for the sport stems from wanting to impress his father, but Alec would never say that to his brother.
The relationship between Jace and Mister Wayland has gotten better since Alec and Jace were kids, and Alec is sure that if the ten-year-old Jace would have been given the opportunity to play in the team coached by his father, not even the promise of a Stanley Cup win would have been able to make him agree.
“If you play as well tomorrow as you did tonight on the ice, we have nothing to worry about,” the man says as the whole team is gathered close, listening intently. “Go home and rest, and remember to be here bright and early tomorrow for one last morning skate before the game.”
Like that the team is dismissed and everyone starts making their way to the locker room.
The locker room is full of chatter about the practice and the game tomorrow. Everyone seems to be confident that they can win the Demons, half of their confidence stemming from spite. Alec laughs along the others and offers a few comments of his own as he’s peeling of his gear. He heads to the shower and the cool water feels heavenly on his overheated skin, and Alec can feel all the sweat wash off of his body.
He gets dressed slowly, noticing that a few of his team members are already leaving the locker room and heading home, or to grab some dinner before going to their own ways. Alec checks his phone once he’s dressed, swiping away pointless notifications and deleting a few emails. He startles when he feels a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey man, do you want to come get dinner with us?” Jace asks, and Alec turns to him with a smile.
“No thank you,” he declines. “I think I’ll head home, I want to have a good rest before the game tomorrow.”
“Alright,” Jace agrees, patting Alec’s shoulder one more time before stepping away. “How about you Magnus?”
“I have a frozen pizza in my freezer that’s calling my name,” he says from where he’s standing near the mirror, drying his hair with a hair dryer. Alec notices that it’s only the three of them in the locker room, and that the rest have already left.
“Okay, suit yourself,” Jace replies. “In that case I will see you two tomorrow.”
“Bye Jace,” Alec says as his brother leaves the room.
“Bye!” Magnus echoes, still focused on his hair.
Alec puts away the rest of his stuff and pulls his coat on, getting ready to leave. He leaves his heavy bag on the bench for a moment as he turns and heads toward Magnus who’s leaning over his own bag, zipping it closed.
Alec stops behind him as Magnus stand up, and his arms find their way around Magnus’ waist, his chest coming to contact with Magnus’ back. Alec sets his chin down on Magnus’ shoulder before he speaks.
“So we’re going to yours tonight?” He asks, his voice low. “I heard you said that you have pizza.”
“That's the reason you’re coming over?” Magnus asks as he turns over in Alec’s arms and looks at Alec with one of his eyebrows raised.
“One of the many,” Alec agrees with a smile and leans down to kiss Magnus softly - god, he’s wanted to do that since the practice began. Magnus’ hands find their way to Alec’s hair that’s still a bit damp, for Alec couldn’t have bothered to dry it after his shower.
“Let’s go then,” Magnus says, pulling away from the kiss. They pick up their bags and leave the locker room, their clasped hands separating as soon as they open the door.
Because this - them - is still after two and a half years a secret. It’s one of the most long lasting secrets Alec’s ever had, if he doesn't count that he only came out to his family two years ago, at the age of twenty-five.
By now the team and the public also know that, and they know that Magnus is bi. Unlike Alec, Magnus has never kept it as a secret.
Keeping their relationship a secret was a decision they made mutually. At the beginning they agreed that it would be easier, that it would be less complicated to give a relationship a go without an audience keeping an eye on them. Neither were ready for their teams’ teasing - no matter how good hearted it would have been - nor the ever present eye of the public.
Alec had immediately found himself interested about Magnus when he joined their team. First it was the physical appearance - the bold makeup and unique style and colorful streaks that sometimes adorned his hair. Then when Alec learned to know him it was his kindness and humor and bravery. It was the first time Alec had met a hockey player that was out and proud.
It shouldn’t be surprising that Magnus ended up being the first person Alec came out to.
After that night that was full of nerves and even a couple of tears but that ended with immense relief and understanding, the two of them started getting closer. They hang out outside of team activities and texted almost nonstop. It did take a while before either of them could find the courage to take it to the next level, to do more than just hint about wanting to be more than friends.
As time went on and their relationship turned more and more serious, as it became apparent that they could work as a couple and that they had hope that the relationship would last, as they said their ‘I love you’s and as more and more of their stuff migrated to the other’s apartment, they remained a secret.
It was never discussed whether or not they should make their relationship public, because things were perfect for them now - why would they want to do anything to change it?