Chapter Text
The puck hit the ice with a deafening thud. Hongjoong reacted instantly, snatching it away and flicking it behind him to Wooyoung. Wooyoung took off like a rocket towards the goal. The team moved in perfect harmony, desperately blocking any opposing defense, determined to score the final point that would secure their victory in the finals.
Wooyoung, with no time to waste, passed the puck back to Hongjoong. Just seconds remained, and this was his last chance to shatter his rival's winning streak. Hongjoong crashed into another player as he unleashed his shot. The world seemed to freeze. He watched the puck glide across the ice, barely slipping past the goalie’s outstretched foot. He scored. After three agonizing years of narrowly losing to Team Z, they had finally won, just as the last second ticked away on the clock.
A wave of emotions surged through him. But before he could turn to celebrate with his team, a forceful hand clamped down on his shoulder, spinning him around. It was Park Seonghwa, the captain of the opposing team and his sworn rival, screaming in his face.
“Do you realize you knocked out Yeosang with that shit you pulled? That’s foul play and you know it!”
“Come on! It’s just part of the game. It’s not like I tried to hurt him.” Hongjoong replied.
“Oh please! We all know that you would do anything to finally beat me. But injuring someone is a new low, even for you.”
“You say this as if you’ve never done the same before. You literally had to be dragged off the ice a few weeks ago because you apparently couldn’t control your ego!”
“I can’t control MY ego? At least I don’t have to make everyone feel smaller than me to make up for my lack of height.”
“At least I don’t have to rely on my dad being the coach to win, pretty boy.”
“Kim! Park! Separate!” the referee yelled from where Yeosang was, his voice echoing through the now silent arena. A medic was already at his side, checking his vitals.
“Enjoy your victory while you can; it won’t last long,” Seonghwa called after him, as he rushed to help his fallen teammate.
“Don’t worry, I will. And I hope Yeosang can still make it next season,” Hongjoong replied mockingly.
Hongjoong skated over to his team’s bench, not caring about the commotion happening behind him, finally ready to celebrate their big win. As he turned around, he noticed Seonghwa still staring at him disapprovingly. He was, however, determined to not let anything his rival said stop him from enjoying his evening.