Chapter 9: Back in the Game

It was 2-1 in favor of the Black Bulls, as the finals of the Clover Kingdom Hockey League were underway. Since losing out last season because of his broken arm, Zora wanted this championship for this season so badly. The Black Bulls climbed their way out of the last place to get to the finals of CKHL to play against their League rivals, the Golden Dawn.

They were on a time-out with two minutes left on the clock. The Zamboni team had to clean up the rink after Luck punched two of Alecdora's teeth out and things got a little messy so they had to fix the ice rink before the hockey match could continue.

"Alright, you idiots," said Yami, glaring at everyone. "We just have to keep the lead. And then we win. Don't screw it up."

"Yes, Captain," said Asta, Luck, Henry, Gauche and Zora.

The referee whistled, indicating that the teams were able to return to the rink. Zora and his teammates flooded back on the field and went to the center. Yami and William went back to the goals to defend.

Zora scowled at the Golden Dawn team. They swapped out Alecdora for Siren, which meant that the Golden Dawn tightened their defense up. Siren wasn't as aggressive at defense but he was reliable and consistent.

The referee threw the puck on the ground and Asta lunged for it before Yuno could move. And the match resumed. Asta hit the puck over to Luck, who moved like lightning towards the goal where a scarily calm William waited with great precision to block any goals. Luck was their best scorer. Zora distracted Langris and Siren, while Asta distracted Yuno and Klaus. David, the Golden Dawns' other Forward was no match for Luck.

Unfortunately, William blocked Luck and sent the puck towards David, who was free.

There was a mad scramble.

Zora loved hockey and its chaos.

The timer was down to 30 seconds.

No tie-break overtime, please.

Asta broke through Yuno and Klaus to steal the puck back from David. Asta feinted the hit over to Luck but instead sent it to Zora. It didn't matter if Zora got the goal or not, the Black Bulls were still in the lead. He just had to keep it away from the Golden Dawn.

The timer counted down.

10.

9.

Langris elbowed Zora in the stomach but didn't manage to steal the puck.

8.

7.

6.

5.

Zora decided to do a last-ditch effort and slammed the puck as hard as he could towards William at the goal.

4.

3.

2.

1.

"AND THE BLACK BULLS WIN THEIR FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP. IT'S 3-1!" The Announcers roared over the crowd of hockey fans (BB fans cheering and GD fans booing).

Zora smirked, as his teammates came to dogpile him.

"We did it!" Asta yelled in his ear.

Luck squeezed Zora tightly, and Zora prepared himself as he heard the rest of the Black Bulls incoming from off the rink, including a crying Magna.

"Finally!" Yami said. "I won this time, William!"

William Vangeance just laughed. "Well played, Yami!"

Zora yawned as he approached his apartment. He went out for a celebratory drink or four with the team but called it an early night as he had his boyfriend waiting for him. Kirsch had to go to some Vermillion Family function tonight (something about his grandfather) and he had been forced to miss the Championship game. Kirsch had attended every single one of the Black Bulls' matches since they started dating, especially after Zora had begun to play again, so Kirsch had been upset to miss the Championship.

He grinned to himself. Zora hoped that Kirsch saw the news and Zora's texts. He reached his door and knew it was unlocked as Kirsch had a key.

"I'm home," said Zora, entering the apartment, and throwing his sports bag off to the side. He spotted vermillion hair on his couch.

Kirsch was sound asleep. Dressed in nothing but one of Zora's old jerseys.

Why is he so fucking beautiful? But, how long did he wait? Zora felt nothing warm affection for his boyfriend. "Silly man." Zora went over to the couch and ruffled Kirsch's hair.

This woke up a very sleepy Kirsch. He mumbled, "Hi, baby. Congratulations."

"As much as I would like to see what you had planned, I think we're both exhausted and it can wait until tomorrow," said Zora, amused. "Let's go to bed."

Kirsch lifted his arms. "Carry me."

"Brat," said Zora, but he obliged Kirsch anyway. He lifted Kirsch, who wasn't as light as he thought he was and carried him to his room. Tomorrow, they'd celebrate the Black Bulls' win and Zora would get all the Vermillion family drama rundown. Zora laid Kirsch down, and Zora climbed on his bed. He pulled Kirsch close to him and nuzzled his hair.

"Night."

Kirsch cuddled closer and whispered, "Hmm, night."

~to be continued