The next day, Adam got dressed before heading down to the court to meet everyone else. He was kind of bummed Jesse couldn't make it because he had so much to do around the apartment, but he understood. He'd see him later, anyway.
As everyone played, he thought back to the day before. How something so heartbreaking and something so amazing could happen on the same day.
After making plans with Guy, Jesse and Adam decided to walk home, taking the long way just so they could have some extra time alone together. It was crazy to think such simple words had so much power. After they had both said those three words, it was like a weight had been lifted off both of them. They knew where they stood; they didn't have to hide it from one another. Maybe they were crazy...falling in love so young...but at least they were crazy together.
They talked about Hans on the way home. They spoke a bit about his death and missing him, but mostly they tried to focus on the positives, bringing up memories they each had of the wise man.
They eventually got back to the apartment and crashed on the couch, Jesse stretching out on it while Adam laid against his chest.
Once the show they were watching ended, Adam turned his head to look up at his boyfriend.
Whatever he had done in his life to deserve him and his love, he had no idea.
He slowly tilted his head and caught the other boy's lips. The kiss started out slow and gentle, but quickly became heated. Adam sat up and pulled Jesse closer. Suddenly he felt the tickle of the tip of a tongue brushing against his lips. Surprised but willing, he gave the tongue access to his mouth and met it with his own. He let out a low moan that was completely involuntary before he felt Jesse pull away, both of them out of breath.
"Wow..." was all Jesse could say, still panting. Adam nodded dumbly; his brain was having a hard time forming words at the moment. That was the most amazing thing he had ever experienced.
He was disappointed when Jesse pulled away and pulled him to his chest, meaning that their impromptu makeout session was over, but he knew not to argue. Ever the protector, he knew Jesse would never allow himself to go too far until both of them were ready.
As Adam curled himself into the other boy's chest, he let his mind focus solely on this moment.
They were in the middle of the game when he heard Dwayne's distinctive voice call out.
"Hey! It's Coach Bombay!"
And just like that, it seemed like everything was coming together.
They played and actually had fun, Charlie seemingly returning to his old self. Still, Adam couldn't help being a bit cautious around him...that was until after the game was over and Charlie pulled him aside.
"Listen, Adam, I..." Adam watched silently as Charlie struggled to find words.
"I'm really sorry for how I've been treating you. There's no excuse for it. I was horrible to you when you did nothing wrong. I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry...really, I am. I just hope I can gain your trust again."
Looking at the other boy, Adam could tell Charlie was being sincere. Whatever it was that had had him so bitter and angry before was gone and now all that was left was Charlie...the real Charlie...the one who had first attempted to offer a welcome when he had been moved from the Hawks to the Ducks.
"It's okay, man. It's okay." They quickly hugged before pulling back, Charlie letting out a relieved sigh.
"Thanks. Now I just have to hope that your boyfriend doesn't slaughter me."
Adam couldn't help but laugh at that. "Charlie, Jesse's your best friend. I highly doubt he's gonna slaughter you."
Charlie gave him a doubtful look. "We'll see..."
Everything continued on as normal until a few days later.
Adam and the rest of the Varsity team were practicing when the coach called him over.
Everything was happening so fast it was hard for him to process what was being said. Finally, he got through all the jargon and understood.
He and the rest of the Ducks would lose their scholarships.
Even though he was no longer on the same team as them, he was part of the same deal, so he would be included.
He wasn't quite sure what to think.
On one hand, he hated the snobbiness of the school...and of course the harassment he received from the other Varsity players...but once he had started being on his own more, he had come to really like his classes and his teachers.
He knew he needed to talk to Jesse.
"You're gonna fight it, right?"
Those were the first words out of Jesse's mouth once Adam had explained the situation.
Adam was a bit surprised. He figured Jesse would want him to leave Eden Hall so they could go to the same school again. "You want me to stay? You...you don't want me to go to school with you?"
Jesse chuckled. "Cake-eater, I would love it if we went to the same school again, but this is about you. Do you really want to leave? You've been so excited about your classes lately, and your hockey has only improved. Something tells me you would like to stay..."
Adam had to laugh. "Will you stop reading my mind?! It's creepy!" he teased.
That seemed to ease the seriousness of the situation. Jesse pulled Adam into a quick kiss before they shared a strong hug, Adam burying his head in the other's shoulder.
"I do wish we could go to the same school, though," he whispered. "I know we get to see each other most nights, but it's not the same. I miss you."
"I know. I miss you too. But don't worry. We'll make it work. Right now we just gotta focus on you getting your scholarship back."
Neither of the two noticed Terry listening just outside of the doorway.
Adam had to give Charlie credit. Bringing in Coach Bombay as their lawyer was pure genius.
After everything was said and done, they were all staying in school. He knew Jesse would be ecstatic.
Of course, the Varsity team had to confront them as soon as the meeting was over, but, as Adam had been doing, he didn't care one way or another what they said. None of it mattered.
It felt great to hear Charlie call him "one of us" again though. He knew he was back where he belonged.
They worked hard. The entire team worked their asses off preparing for the JV-Varsity game. Though Adam was excited to be back with his friends and to see them all doing so well in practice, he was still nervous as hell.
He was surprised a couple hours before the game, while debating with himself about whether or not he should go see Jesse, when his boyfriend beat him to it.
There was a knock on the door to his dorm room, which he was once again sharing with Guy. The other boy answered the door, a smile instantly coming to Adam's face as he overheard the exchange.
"Jesse! Hey, what's up, man?! You coming to the game?"
"Of course! Wouldn't miss it! Hey, Terry's right outside if you wanna go hang out with him for a bit before the game starts."
Always excited to see his best friend, especially now that they didn't go to the same school anymore, Guy quickly left the room, Jesse closing the door behind him.
"So...how are you feeling?" He could tell his boyfriend was nervous and he wanted to do what he could to ease his mind.
"I'm nervous...and I'm scared...and I'm excited...God, it's exhausting!"
Jesse laughed as he sat on the bed, pulling Adam against his side.
"Don't stress yourself out. And don't overthink it. Just go out there and do you. Play hard and give 'em hell. I'll be there watching the whole time."
That seemed to ease Adam's nerves a bit, as he let out a long breath. He had to be fearless. He had to make Jesse proud of him.
They all made their way out onto the ice. It felt so right to officially be a "Duck" again. As they each brought a hand to the ice, Adam for that brief moment felt peace. He hadn't been able to say goodbye to Hans but he felt like he was doing it now. In the best way he could.
Then the hell began. Adam knew the game would be brutal and that's exactly what it was. Still, they were holding their own. By the time they went back to the locker room, they were all exhausted.
Portman's arrival was just what they needed.
Everyone was completely revitalized and ready to go back into battle.
By the end of the game, they had pulled out a victory. It was incredible. Adam felt like he was on top of the world. When he heard Charlie call their attention, he turned to see not only Coach Bombay in the audience, but also a banner for the school's new mascot.
It was just perfect.
Naturally, Adam's vision was drawn to someone just a few rows behind Coach Bombay. He saw Jesse standing, along with not only his dad and Terry, but the rest of the original Ducks too. He wanted to run up into the stands but knew he couldn't...or at least shouldn't.
Everyone celebrated...He saw Luis making out with one of the Varsity cheerleaders. 'When did that happen?' he thought with a chuckle.
He saw Charlie kissing that Linda girl; that made him smile. Adam really liked her and he had a feeling she would be good for Charlie.
Still, with all the love going around, he felt he deserved some of his own.
As the team were all making their way back to the locker room, he felt a hand grab his and pull him away from the group.
He instantly knew who it was.
The hand pulled him close and he was met with a deep kiss as he was pressed against a wall.
They eventually pulled back, breathless.
"I'm so proud of you. So, so proud."
Adam beamed. That made him feel like he had won a prize. Jesse's opinion wasn't just the most important one to him these days, but one of the few that mattered at all.
As everyone went out to celebrate that night, Adam couldn't help but think that after everything he had been through, life was good.
TBC
Author's Note: This one was a bit longer and I hope it's worth the wait. We're now officially out of the films but the story is going to continue on. I hope you guys like where it goes. Thank you so much for reading and sticking with me!