Work Text:
Every summer one of the gloomy unavoidable topic was retirement. As Season 10 ended, it bears the departure of friends, however it also brings the preparation for upcoming new season.
Though, this year is special. It's only been a week but the rave of GLORY had reached another height. After the miraculous championship of Team Happy, a few days and it was announced to the whole world.
The first ever, Glory Worlds Invitational.
Everyone in the community in different countries had been talking about it fervently. Glory World Cup, an International E-Sports Tournament of 16 teams from 16 countries scheduled in the end of July until the latter half of August.
Currently, a few chosen members where in the reception area, waiting for the others to come while discussing about the said topic.
Much more than the fans, the Pro players felt exhilarated for this chance as winning will definitely be the greatest glory.
Zhou Zekai remain on one end of the sofa, sulking while using his phone. He was releasing this 'don't bother aura' that made the others left him in his own world.
In his defence, although he was excited with the event but it's been months since he was able to spend time with his boyfriend! Months!
The last time they were able to go on a quality weekend date was what? March? He cannot even count the dinner with Ye Xiu on the older's birthday as, they did not even spend the whole day as the man keep on insisting they were enemies until the end of the Season.
The older man even prohibited contact before Quarter Finals.
And then, he was too excited of the ten days that his boyfriend promised. They were already in Japan! Visiting different places and enjoying their quality time, then on the fourth day he got a call from the team saying he needs to be there as soon as possible.
He hasn't even brought Ye Xiu to that hot spring he so wanted and dreamt of. Everything he reserved was seriously destroyed by this World Glory. The only thing that went with his plan was the festival they visited and wearing yukatas
As the members completed, Zhou Zekai kind of heard Yu Wenzhou talking about how he was assigned to be the Captain, but he didn't really had the energy to voice anything at all.
And everyone noticed it as even Sun Xiang, his own teammate and duo didn't even try to talk with him as he was even more reserved than normal.
He just followed the team going to the conference hall they were assigned with, he was still fiddling with his phone, looking at the pictures of his beloved he took on their very very short vacation.
His attention was not really on the team but he was still listening to them,
"Hmm, since you will be the Captain, are you going to start discussing and leading this meeting?" Xiao Shiqin asked,
"No, according to organizers, there is actually an appointed team leader that will be given full authority over the team with that."
"Leader?"
"If they're just going to send some puppet from management, better they not."
"Some amateur who didn't really know the things inside GLORY won't be bossing us right?"
"I heard he's an expert."
"Expert?---"
Before everyone even start complaining and thinking about the sentence, the door opened and a lazy man said, "Hello, everyone"
"...." Everyone was speechless seeing the man they thought will completely disappear after retiring but there he was, listlessly controlling the multimedia projector in the most deadbeat way like he didn't want to be there at the first place.
Chaos ensued and everyone looked at Su Mucheng and also at Zhou Zekai. Su Mucheng was smiling but the man, the boyfriend was too shocked even the first one standing amongst them and shouting, "Xiu."
"Mucheng, you should have told us!"
"But serously, what are you doing here!"
"Old Ye aren't you retired!"
"Make up your mind!"
"Shut up all of you!" Before anyone interrupt him more, Ye Xiu continued, "Did you think I wanted to come? I was spending my vacation with my adorable boyfriend over there somewhere we can enjoy ourselves and then suddenly his team called telling him to come back! Leaving me with no choice but to come home, only to be forced with this!"
"We don't need to know how you're screwing with Zhou Zekai!" Huang Shaotian said followed by, "Wait- Forced? Old Ye? You? Who can force you?"
"Head of my family." Ye Xiu answered coldly.
"So, you retired from GLORY, went to vacation with Captain Zhou but then you guys' vacation was interrupted making the face of the Alliance cranky, then you went home, only to be kicked away by your father to lead this team"
"Yes yes, winning honor for the country seems to struck my father's vital point." Ye Xiu said then looked at the handsome young man that hasn't removed his eyes ever since he came in.
"But Xiao Zhou, you were cranky?" said in teasing tone, Zhou Zekai only now noticed that his the only one standing so he sat down, acting professional but his light pink ears are giving him away.
"brugggh" Some of the team members started acting with vomiting's, the other said then,
"Stop your dog food!"
"Put it somewhere else."
"Keep it coming" Yunxiu said smiling with Su Mucheng in the side making everyone looked at her. Ye Xiu sighs and said,
"These are some videos I've gathered myself. You Gods get the copy and analyze yourself. Don't lose face. You'll lose it twice if I ever substitute for any of you."
"You can still play?"
"Wai-t you're allowed to play?"
"According to Tournament rules, the Team Leader can act as a substitute if the need arises." Yu Wenzhou explained
"What do you mean if need arise?"
"If a player is injured, or went sick. The final decision is up to tournament organizers though."
"Yeah! Make sure you do your best or else I won't have any choice but to play your own avatar and you'll lose face when people see I'm better at it than you are.." Ye Xiu smirked in the most annoying way everyone in the Pro Alliance have known.
"Of course!"
"Don't even think about it!" Everyone shouted and they started clamoring in front, taking their own copies.