A/N: Hi, everyone! I'm sorry it's taken so long to get back to this story. I'm grateful for everyone who continued to follow, read, and comment, and especially those who reached out to me. I had horrible writer's block, then covid hit and I lost my dad. It's been a challenging couple years. I finished the story before I posted this chapter because I didn't want to lose the thread on you all again. Without further ado...

Raphael sat on the couch alone when Alec and Magnus returned to the apartment.

"Did everyone leave?" Magnus said with skepticism. Surely Curt and Terrence wouldn't have left him alone at a time like this.

"Oh, hey," Curt said as he entered the room from the hallway, which was odd. Apparently realizing this, he quickly added, "I was just showing Terrence where the guest bathroom is."

Ah, ok, thought Alec.

"How are you?" Magnus asked Raph.

"Well, that depends on what the team said after I left," Raph replied.

Alec and Magnus took seats beside him on the couch. A shuffling sound announced Terrence's presence. Otherwise, it seemed everyone was holding his breath, waiting to hear what Magnus had to say.

"They have concerns," Magnus said, and Raph sat up straight, eyes widening. "They are worried about Saturday's game if you play like you practiced today."

The words hung in the air for a moment before they sank in. Then, Raph cracked a smile. "That's it? That's all they had to say?"

Magnus winked at him and nodded. "Yeah. Seems they don't care who you are dating as long as you have your head in the game and help them win the state championship."

Raph collapsed against Curt in relief.

"See!" said Terrence. "I told you no one was going to care!"

Raph chuckled. "If you were so confident, why did you wait for me to come out first?" he challenged.

"Well... I... ummm..." Terrence stumbled.

"Because it's scary," said Alec. "Don't be an ass, Raph." He gave his son a scolding look and Raph had the decency to look ashamed for teasing Terrence.

"I'm just messing with ya," Raph said to Terrence. "I'm just so relieved that I'm not keeping the secret from the guys anymore, and I'm really glad you are here, T."

Terrence beamed at the nickname. Alec got the sense he had some hero-worship for Raphael. If Alec had had another queer cheerleader who was significantly more skilled than he was on his squad back in high school, he would've probably hero-worshipped them, too.

Raph turned back to the point of the conversation. "I'll be ready to play Saturday. I promise."

"I know you will. I know the only reason you were stinking up the court today was the decision to come out and all the emotions involved. The guys didn't know that though. They just knew you had a bad practice and then hurt your ankle. How's it feeling, by the way?" Magnus added.

Raph stuck his leg out and moved his ankle around. There didn't appear to be much swelling and his range of motion looked good to Alec. "Mostly fine. Or I should be by tomorrow anyway." Raph shrugged like it wasn't a big deal, but no one was buying his nonchalance. Everyone knew what basketball meant to him.

Magnus smiled. "Good. Now let's get some dinner before we all starve!"

"Dad!" Raph entered the living room the next day with a normal gait. "Dad!" he said again, urgently.

Alec and Magnus, who were discussing dinner options, looked at Raph in alarm. "What's wrong?" they said in unison.

"I just got a text from Marcus." Alec and Magnus waited in anticipation. "Here, just read it."

I talked to all the guys individually. Wanted to make sure they were all cool with everything. Not gonna lie some are worried about your play last practice. You sure you will be OK?

Magnus handed the phone back to Raph. "It's a fair question."

Raph tapped his foot. "I know."

"So what's the problem."

"The problem is I won't have a chance to ease their minds before the game. I need to show them I can do this."

"And you will. On Saturday."

"No," Raph said hastily, "I need to show them now! They need to see I'm fine."

"You know we are only allowed to practice so many hours a week, Raph. It's league guidelines."

"But we left practice early yesterday!" Raph countered. "Can't we make up that time today? Please, Dad, I need to do this."

If Magnus said no when Raph gave him that look, Alec was going to be picking his chin up off the floor. His own heart melted by the sincere plead in his son's eyes.

Magnus ran his hand through his hair and blew out a breath. "OK. I'll see if I can get the team assembled for a very short impromptu practice." He emphasized the words, make his expectations clear.

"Thank you!" Raph said, giving Magnus a brief hug then darting into his room to change clothes, no doubt texting Marcus on the way.

Magnus met Alec's gaze. "Oh, shut it. You couldn't have denied him that either."

Alec snickered at his husband's accuracy.

Thirty minutes later, the team and coaches were assembled in The Arena for practice. Alec was impressed by the speed in which Magnus and Raph made it happen. Apparently everyone wanted to know that Raph could handle basketball now that his mind wasn't on his coming out.

Before practice began, Raph cleared his throat and all eyes went immediately to him. He gave a thin smile. He was nervous.

"Look, guys, I just wanted to say... to say..." Raph looked at Curt, who gave a nod of encouragement. Then, to his team he chuckled and said, "Shit, I even practiced what I would say..."

"You don't have to give a speech, Raph," said Marcus. "Just talk to us."

Raph nodded and said more confidently, "I just wanted to say that I'm the same guy I've always been, you just know me a little better now. I'm still your point guard, and I'm going to do everything I can to get us that state championship." There were a few whoops and yells at that.

Raph smile, encouraged. "You all are my brothers. I wish I hadn't kept my secret from you, but I was afraid of what you would think. I didn't give you enough credit. Thanks for having my back. It means everything to me."

With that, he stuck out his right hand. The rest of the team piled their hands on top of his. "Team, on three."

"No," Omar interrupted. "Brothers."

There was a noise of assent around the huddle. Raph smile and nodded again. "Brothers. One...two...three," he counted.

"Brothers!" the team said in unison. It was a heartwarming moment for the Banes, maybe for everyone.

Raph spent the next thirty minutes backing up his promise. He played out of his mind, not missing a single shot, no turnovers, perfectly placed passes. The smiles on the guys' faces said Raph had been right to call this practice. Everyone was ready for the game tomorrow.

"Are you nervous?"

Raph eyed Alec. "Stop asking me that," he said exasperated as he hurried away toward the locker room.

Magnus dropped a big hand on Alec's shoulder. "He'll be fine."

"Did I ask him that more than once?" he said. He didn't remember asking repeatedly.

Magnus nodded. "You did. You are nervous and you're kind of projecting that to Raph. Relax, he's going to be fine." With that, he kissed Alec's cheek and followed their son into the locker room.

They were right about one thing: Alec was nervous. He wasn't even sure why. It was just a game. This game didn't even decide anything as far as their season or post-season play went. It was just a game.

He was worried about his son. What parent wouldn't be? So much had happened in the last week, a roller-coaster of emotions for a seventeen year old to manage. Hell, it was a lot for Alec to manage!

He need not have worried. Raphael proved himself in the first few minutes of the game, and set the course for how the rest of the game would go. Judging by the way he played, Raph just needed to get his secret off his chest, and now his mind was clear to focus on basketball. Alec was so relieved.

Raphael was all smiles when the game was over, chattering away about how much lighter he felt. Alec remembered what it felt like, how much better he felt when the people who mattered most to him knew about his secret and accepted him. As that circle of people expanded, he felt more and more like himself. It was such a liberating feeling, and he was happy for Raph that he'd been able to take that next step.

Alec felt a celebratory pizza was in order.

The final two regular season games went better than expected. Raph's "lightness" apparently translated into the best basketball he had ever played. All his stats were improved. He scored personal best in points each game, recorded career highs in assists, and had zero turnovers in each game. He played nearly perfect games. Amazing accomplishment, especially for someone so young.

The team fed off his energy. It is often said that a team goes as it's point guard goes, and Alec watched the embodiment of that saying in the final weeks of the regular season. The Destroyers played some great basketball, literally destroying their opponents on the court.

In the team meeting after the final game, Magnus said, "We have to delay our end of season banquet this year... because our season isn't over! We have two weeks to prepare for the New York State Basketball Tournament!"

Cheers and applause echoed through the room as both players and parents joined the celebration. The Destroyers were going to the state tournament just two years after starting the club. After the disastrous year they had last year, the turnaround for this year was nothing short of miraculous. Well, it wasn't actually a miracle, it was years of hard work, giving every ounce of effort every practice and game, building trust, and listening to the coaches, but on the outside it looked like a miracle.

Alec glanced around at the faces of the foster parents. Most didn't attend every game, but there were a few that did. Parents weren't usually allowed in the post-game meeting, but they had made an exception for this one because Magnus wanted to give them all the information about the state tournament, so there were many foster parents in the room, and, Alec noted, several biological parents as well. That warmed his heart. He knew it meant a lot to the kids, too.

Magnus was passing out paperwork to the kids. "The tournament is at Madison Square Garden," he said. "Permission slips and itineraries are in those papers. I need the permission slips returned next week. One of those papers tells me how you will get to MSG. I can arrange transportation if needed. I just need a head count as soon as possible."

A noise of assent spread through the room. Alec studied Magnus as he spoke to the team and parents, getting them excited and prepared for the tournament. He was business-like yet bubbling with energy, but something was...off. Alec wasn't sure what.

After putting The Arena back in order, Alec made a quick dinner and listened to Magnus and Raph replay every moment of the game. Curt interjected his observations from time to time as well. Raph and Curt asked Magnus questions about the upcoming tournament while they all ate dinner.

Alec continued observing his husband. Something was definitely not right.

Later, once Raph and Curt had gone to bed, Alec led Magnus to their bedroom. He closed the door softly behind them and gently pushed Magnus into the bed.

"Talk to me," he said, watching Magnus's facial features.

"About what?" he said as he propped himself up on some pillows.

Alec gave him a pointed look. "About whatever is bothering you. Your team just finished their regular season dominating their opponents and are now going to play in the state tournament. You should be bouncing of the walls, but instead you are... reserved. What's up?"

Magnus sighed. "Of course you would pick up on it," he said with a half smile.

"I know you better than anyone, love."

Alec sat on the bed next to him. "I know. It's just... What if we lose the first game?" he said, fear etched in his features. "We don't really play teams outside our league. We know those teams so well, we play them over and over again. I know how to coach against them. I know how to beat them. I don't know anything about the teams we'll face in the tournament."

"So, what, you're having an identity crisis?"

Magnus's eyes widened. "I... guess? Maybe that's what this is. I just feel like... like, if we lose our first game in the tournament, maybe I'm not a good coach. Maybe the team isn't as good as I thought it was. Maybe I'm wrong about everything."

"Whoa, Magnus. Stop right there." Magnus turned dejected eyes to Alec, looking hopeful his husband could help. "First of all, losing the first game in a single elimination tournament does not in any way take away from the amazing season this team had. They went from losing nearly every game to winning nearly every game in one season! That is almost unheard of."

Magnus gave a brief smile. "That's true."

"Second of all," Alec continued, "you aren't looking at the big picture. You have led this team to do great things, and it wasn't by accident. These kids trust you. They believe in you. They have bought into your program, your vision, your goals. They will play their hearts out for you, and for Raph. That's what matters. Sure, winning is the goal, but are you really going to be disappointed if these kids give you their best effort but lose to a team that outperforms them?"

Magnus's eyes widened. "No! Of course not! I'm so damn proud of my team and the effort they give me every day. I love this team. I... I just don't want to let them down."

"And you won't," Alec insisted.

"What if the plays I've taught them don't work against these other teams? What if I'm setting them up for failure because I haven't taught them enough?"

"Then, you'll try again next year. Look, Magnus, your team is a success this year, no matter what happens in the tournament. You've been patient. You've taught them well. You've built a good program in a short amount of time. If you don't do well in the post-season, you will do exactly what you would've done anyway. You'll continue teaching your team and building their skills."

"I've never won anything," Magnus said softly, no longer meeting Alec's eyes.

Ah, Alec thought, now we're getting to the real issue. He thoroughly did not agree with the statement, but chose not to say anything.

"I didn't win as a player. I want to win as a coach. I want to prove myself. I want this so bad, for me and for Raph. For the whole team!"

"I know," Alec said sympathetically. "But that's a lot of pressure to put on someone."

"Oh, I'm not pressuring the guys!" Magnus said emphatically.

"I'm talking about you," Alec replied. "You are putting too much pressure on yourself. The odds of winning this tournament after the season you had last year have to be extremely low. Making the tournament is a huge accomplishment! Just go out there and have fun. Learn from the other teams and coaches. If you win in the process, that's just bonus."

"Yeah, you're right. I know you are. It's just hard to not be anxious about expectations."

"It takes time to build a program the right way. That's not a process you can rush. Your talent pool is not as big as the other teams' because you are only accepting foster kids, many of which had never played basketball before they started playing for you. Please understand what an accomplishment making this tournament is and just go have fun."

Alec watched as his words finally sunk in. Magnus smiled at him, a true smile. He knew all of that, of course, but he had lost sight of it in the glow of potential glory. What he had accomplished was outstanding. He was an amazing coach, and he was just getting started.

"Thank you," Magnus said. "You always know what to say. I love you so much."

"Like I said, I know you better than anyone. And I love you, too. I'm so proud of you. You've come so far and I can't wait to see what your future holds. I believe in you." Magnus smiled again.

"Now," Alec said, "I think we need a little stress relief..."

"You do, huh?" Magnus teased.

"Mmhmm," Alec said, leaning in to kiss his husband, palming his cock through his basketball shorts. Magnus's cock immediately responded.

Magnus placed a hand over Alec's and initiated stroking him to full hardness. He slid his shorts off to make that easier. Alec descended on him, taking his length into his mouth. Magnus handed him the lube from the bedside stand.

"Do you want me to reciprocate or...?"

Alec shook his head, stripping off his clothes, then slathering his own cock and Magnus's hole with lube. He kissed Magnus deeply as he entered him. He loved how connected to Magnus he always felt during sex, like they were two halves of one whole.

Unbidden, a thought crept into his mind. What would happen at the end of next season when Magnus became coach of Idris University? They were bound to see each other less, with Alec remaining at the warehouse and Magnus spending so much time on campus and traveling. He knew he would miss him terribly, but he was happy and excited for this opportunity for Magnus.

He shook the thought away. That was something to worry about at another time, not when he was making love to the man of his dreams. He buried himself deep inside Magnus, and Magnus let out a wanton moan that reminded him nothing else mattered in that moment.

Alec took his time, kissing Magnus thoroughly as he slowly moved within him, building their passion and need for each other. When that passion reached it's climax, he finally broke the kiss, needing leverage to finish them off. He held Magnus's legs and he thrust into him. Magnus tugged on his dick, bringing himself off while Alec watched, the sight pushing Alec over the edge as well.

Alec wrapped his arms around Magnus, panting and holding him tight, still buried deep inside. "I love you," he whispered. "I'll always love you."

Magnus brushed hair out of Alec's face. "I love you, too," he said, kissing his forehead, cheek, then lips once more.