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will never thought he’d fall in love with a hockey player.
he didn’t even like the cold, and yet here he was, wrapped in one of mack’s old sharks hoodies, curled up on the metal bleachers of a freezing practice rink, watching his boyfriend fly across the ice like he was made for it.
mack had invited him the night before, all soft eyed and casual. “come to practice,” he’d said, brushing his thumb along will’s cheek. “i wanna see you in the stands.”
so will said yes, because how could he ever say no to mack?
now he’s sitting front and center, cup of now lukewarm coffee between his hands, eyes glued to the ice. the moment mack skated out in full gear, helmet tucked under one arm, will felt like his heart flipped over.
mack looked so good out there.
he was focused, sharp, weaving through drills with that easy confidence that will loved so much. he didn’t look up at first, but will didn’t mind he liked watching from afar, taking it all in. the way mack moved. the little furrow in his brow. the effortless way he received a pass and fired a clean shot on net.
then, twenty minutes into practice, mack finally looked toward the stands and spotted him. he grinned, wide and boyish. then, with zero hesitation, he blew will a kiss.
will’s face turned red immediately. he ducked his head, smiling like an idiot, heart pounding. mack skated off like it was nothing, like he hadn’t just made will’s entire day with one small, perfect gesture.
but after that, mack kept looking back. each time their eyes met, he’d do something extra, add a little flair to his skating, wink, toss another kiss. will could barely sit still. he felt like he was buzzing, dizzy with how much he adored him.
an hour passed. drills, shots, laps. mack didn’t slow down once. and will stayed right there, in the front row, watching like it was the most important thing in the world. because it was.
when practice finally wrapped, mack disappeared down the tunnel with his teammates. will went outdide and waited, his fingers thawing slowly in the sleeves of his hoodie. he pulled the strings of the hood tighter around his face and tapped his foot, counting the minutes. he only had to wait ten.
“hey, babe.”
will looked up and instantly broke into a smile. mack stood by his car, hair damp from the shower, dressed in a hoodie and joggers, cheeks still a little flushed from the ice. he looked perfect.
will got up and jogged over, throwing his arms around him. “you were amazing.”
mack grinned and wrapped him up, holding him tight. “you think?”
“uh, yeah,” will said into his chest. “you were flying out there. and you kept looking at me and blowing kisses like a dork.”
“i had to,” mack said, laughing. “you looked so cute in the stands. i couldn’t focus.” will leaned back to look up at him. “well, you still killed it.”
mack reached out and opened the passenger door for him. “get in. we’re getting boba.”
“you’re spoiling me,” will said, slipping into the seat.
“good,” mack said. “you deserve it.”
they pulled out of the lot with soft music playing and mack’s hand resting on will’s knee. the car was warm, and will leaned into him every time they stopped at a red light.
“same drink?” mack asked.
“duh,” will said. “taro with extra boba.”
mack smirked. “you’re so predictable.”
“you love it.”
“i really do.”
they got to the boba shop and ordered. taro for will, mango green tea for mack. the place was quiet, just a few people inside, and they settled into a corner booth by the window.
mack took will’s hand across the table, fingers cold from the ice earlier but still gentle and steady.
“you liked being there?” he asked.
will nodded, eyes soft. “i loved it. i love watching you. you’re like… i don’t know. you light up out there.”
mack’s face turned a little pink. “you’re really gonna make me blush in a boba shop right now?”
“you deserve to blush,” will said, sipping from his drink. “i’m honestly so in love with you it’s insane.”
mack leaned across the table and kissed his cheek. “good. ‘cause i’m so in love with you it’s kind of a problem.”
“guess we’re both screwed,” will said, smiling into his cup.
they stayed there until their drinks were half-melted and the sky outside turned gold. they didn’t talk about anything big, just little things, dumb jokes, favorite songs. but it was perfect. warm, easy, filled with smiles and quiet glances that said more than words ever could.
and when they finally left, walking hand in hand under the soft evening light, will couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky he was.
to be loved like that.
and to love someone like mack.