Fic: The Lonely End of the Rink, Part 7/7 FINAL PART

[aquila_star]

Title: The Lonely End of the Rink 7.1
Pairing: Marcus/Esca
Rating: NC-17
Summary: I looked up and you were there, just sitting there all alone, holding your fist in the air, like, if you need me you're on your own. At the lonely end of the rink, you and me.
I hear your voice ‘cross a frozen lake, a voice from the end of a leaf, saying, ‘you won’t die of a thousand fakes or be beaten by the sweetest of dekes’. At the lonely end of the rink, you and me.
Word Count:100k-ish in 7 parts, COMPLETE This part 12,000-ish
Disclaimer: These beautiful boys belong to Rosemary Sutcliff and Focus Features, dammit. I just like making them do filthy, wonderful things to each other.
Author’s Notes:1) This fic is a modern AU inspired by a prompt at the_eagle_kink, and it totally took my brain over, pouring out of me like a flood. It was truly frightening to watch.
This fic is a modern AU filled with hockey, figure skating, high school, a smattering of original and movie characters, with a heft dose of Canadiana. It is a fic that deals with real life situations and attitudes, not a fluff piece, so keep that in mind.

Master post with extended Author’s Notes, banners and fanmix, as well as links to all the parts here.



Fifty Mission Cap

Bill Barilko disappeared that summer, he was on a fishing trip.
The last goal he ever scored, won the Leafs the Cup.
They didn’t win another, ‘til 1963, the year he was discovered.
I stole this from a hockey card, I keep tucked up under...

My fifty mission cap.
I worked it in, I worked it in to look like that.

It was chilly in the arena despite the lack of ice, even through Marcus’ jacket. The same one that had felt too hot and stifling outside was now far too thin. And yet, Marcus’ palms were sweaty, more likely a by-product of his nerves than the temperature. His leg was bouncing nervously, his patience wearing thin as the men on the platform shuffled around papers and whispered to each other.

A hand grasped his and slender fingers entwined with his own, resting heavily on his leg to quiet it, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Marcus looked beside him, returning Esca’s smile as he waited for what might be the most important day of his life to actually begin. The men looked almost ready now, moving with a purpose; some taking seats but most milling in a group near the stairs leading to the arena floor, awaiting the player of their choosing with handshakes and a custom jersey.

Marcus closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He recognized the General Manager of the Canucks up there; he knew they had traded up for the first pick, and he knew he had a chance, even a small one, at getting picked up by Vancouver.

Marcus shot a glace to his other side, where his Uncle sat. He was looking around with an air of disinterest, but Marcus could tell he was nervous too. Only Esca seemed completely confident, but then he was the best of them at hiding his true feelings. Marcus followed Uncle’s eyes around the arena, still a little stunned by the sheer number of people who had attended. There were the potential draftees, several hundred of them, and their families in the lower deck of the arena, and in the upper deck there were at least as many fans, supporters and other interested parties, some with signs which declared who they hoped would get picked up and by which team. It was fascinating and Marcus would have enjoyed it a lot more if he weren’t in the hot seat, as it were.

After Elliot Williamson had left, Marcus had heard from the Canucks as well as several other teams, each one interested in him but each hesitant and wanting to get a clear statement from him regarding his sexuality. A few teams ended their inquiries abruptly when he stated that he would not be retracting his public outing, that he would not be discreet as to appear to be heterosexual, and he would not keep his relationship with Esca under wraps. Oh, he had no intentions of flaunting anything and had no desire to be in the spotlight more than he would simply because he wanted to play professionally, but he would not hide. Not anymore.

As so here he was, in Montreal for the first time in his life, and a complete nervous wreck. Truthfully, he had more on the line than any of the other hopeful draftees, and more obstacles than they could imagine. Esca squeezed his hand again, bringing his attention back to the platform where the Canucks’ general manager was approaching the pulpit, looking quite pleased. Marcus’ heart began to thump, Esca’s presence having already done all it could to calm him. Suddenly a hand fell on his shoulder and he looked up, grinning at Luke who smiled back, patting him in encouragement while Cottia leaned down and kissed his cheek, whispering, “good luck.”

His attention was drawn back to the front when the Canucks GM began to speak.

“For the first pick of the 2009 NHL entry draft, the Vancouver Canucks select, from the Chilliwack Bruins, Marcus Aquila.”

A roar filled Marcus’ ears, he didn’t know if it was from the crowd or from the shock of what was happening. He felt his uncle’s hand on his shoulder, and the cheers of the people around him, he even heard Cottia’s squeal, but he couldn’t seem to shake out of his daze until a cool hand slid up his jaw, and Esca’s voice brought him back.

“Marcus, I knew it!” Esca said, his hand on Marcus’ jaw and his fierce eyes anchoring Marcus to reality. He pulled Marcus into a hug, which Marcus returned by reflex, but at last a smile bloomed over his face as he realized that yes, this was real. He pulled back from the hug and laughed, turning at Uncle’s clasp of his shoulder to hug him as well, whispering, “thank you,”, tears prickling his eyes. He blinked them away quickly, turning to return hugs from Luke and Cottia, and handshakes from everyone around them before turning back to where Esca was watching him, a proud look on his face, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Marcus took Esca’s face in his hands, bringing him close and kissing him, letting their lips play together for a moment before pulling back and meeting his eyes.

“Go,” Esca said, and Marcus did, letting go and moving past him to the steps leading down onto the arena floor. Before he got too far, Esca grabbed his hand and stopped him, making Marcus turn back. “Give me your jacket,” he said, reaching for it, so Marcus shrugged it off and handed it over, returning Esca’s smile before turning and heading down the steps.

From there it was all a bit of a blur, shaking hands on the way down, then pulling on the crisp new jersey with the Canuck’s logo on the front and his name on the back, his father’s number underneath. Marcus felt a surge of sorrow that his father would never see him wearing it, would never know that Marcus had followed his footsteps into hockey, into the NHL, and onto the Canucks.

But then, as he stood on the platform with the Canucks management for a picture, after more handshakes and shoulder-pats were done, he looked up and saw Uncle withEsca standing beside him, both clapping and cheering. The look of pride and happiness on Uncle’s face was enough to fill that space inside him.

After the initial round of greetings and congratulations, Marcus was led away from the front, to where they were conducting television interviews. He was stopped halfway by a hand on his shoulder, turning to meet another smiling face.

“Marcus,” Elliot said, reaching out to shake his hand. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” Marcus said, his smile widening to match Elliot’s. “I owe you my gratitude, I think,” he said, clasping Elliot’s hand with both of his.

“No, it was all you,” Elliot said. “I only told the truth, no embellishment needed.”

“I still appreciate it,” Marcus said, letting go of Elliot’s hand at the urging of another’s hand at his shoulder. “I’ll see you soon, I hope.”

“You will,” Elliot said with a nod, turning back to where the Islanders were making their first pick. Marcus grinned, allowing himself to be led down the first steps on the road to the rest of his life.

**

“Marcus, congratulations on your selection. How does it feel getting picked first, especially by a team with such connections to your family?”

“Well, it’s an honour. I’ve been working hard for years to get to this point, and knowing it’s paid off is fabulous,” Marcus said. “Now I have new work to do and I’m really looking forward to doing it for Vancouver. As you said, my family has a history with the Canucks, I only hope I can bring back some respect and honour to my father’s name, I know his death is a sore spot with a lot of people, but I’m hoping to help change that.”

“Plenty of controversy surrounded the death of your father, and it seems you’ve stirred up some controversy of your own, before you were even drafted.”

“Yeah, I know, but...well, there comes a point when you have to say enough,” Marcus said, nodding his head. “As much as I love hockey, it’s what I want to do, all I’ve ever wanted, you know, but that said, if it meant having to pretend to be something I’m not, to be miserable in my personal life, then I wouldn’t make a very effective player, nor would I be an honest one, and that’s something I don’t think I could live with.”

“It must have been a difficult decision for you.”

“Oh, it definitely was. It was torturous and a long time coming. But in the end all I could think about was the millions of things that could prevent me from having a career in hockey, but what was guaranteed was that I’d be miserable unless I could follow my heart and be the man I’m meant to be, so in the end, the decision was an easy one.” Marcus couldn’t help but smile, thinking about how much he’d agonized over it, but how quickly he’d come to a decision when faced with the prospect of a life without Esca.

“It’s still amazing to me, you know, it’s unprecedented. To my knowledge there has never been a gay player in the NHL until now.”

“Well, that’s a misconception really. Just because you don’t know about them doesn’t mean they aren’t there,” Marcus pointed out. “But in a sport like hockey, it’s easier just to go with the status quo, and I’m sure I would have done the same, if I hadn’t met someone who made me realize the stark reality of my situation. I’m sure those guys who are already NHL players and are also gay, I’m sure they’re not thrilled that they have to live the way they do, only to play the game they love. Even if they never come out publicly, I want them to know I support them fully, whatever their decision making process was like. I hope they’ve found some peace in how they’ve had to live their lives.”

“Some very good points. Mike, I have to ask, as general manager, what led you to choose Marcus despite the inevitably controversy his selection will bring, and how do you plan to deal with the difficulty in transitioning?”

“Well, with regards to Marcus, it wasn’t a terribly difficult decision. He is such a dynamic, energetic player. He’s a real professional and his talent is undeniable, so the question was, do we want to give him up to another team that is more willing to deal with the repercussions of his sexuality, or do we want to take a step forward in this modern world and simultaneously reach out to many players who may be dealing with turmoil in their lives because of the attitudes of the majority in this sport, and pick up such an asset for the team in the bargain? So we decided to face it head on, much the way Marcus has, and to be honest about it from the get go. The whole Canucks organization supports Marcus fully and we can’t wait to get him out on the ice.”

“Do you forsee issues with the other players?”

“Some issues are inevitable and this pick may have come as a surprise to many, since it became common knowledge that Marcus is gay, but we have plans in place to help mitigate those growing pains and bring all the guys together as a team. Because at the end of the day, it comes down to the team unity on and off the ice, and we’re hoping it won’t be as difficult as some think it will be.”

“There is already talk in the league of banning Marcus from playing, something I honestly can’t see happening, but the talk is there. How would both of you react to that assertion? Mike?”

“Well, I think it’s a ridiculous idea, and completely barbaric, to be honest. Besides, as Marcus said, there are quite a few gay players already in the league, although you may never hear about them while they play, that’s a choice each of them needs to make for himself. The idea that you can ban a player for being gay, it’s just not feasible. If they did keep Marcus from the NHL, what would be next? Would the witch hunt start for any active gay players, or would they be forced to go further underground in an attempt to maintain their careers?”

“A good answer, Marcus, what about you?”

“Well, to be honest, it’s a little insulting that they would even try,” Marcus said. “First off, I can’t help but wonder what they are afraid of, if they think that my very presence in the league is somehow a threat to what, their masculinity? The talent of their players? I don’t understand that mentality, it’s so ridiculous. Secondly, do they truly believe the stereotype that gay men are automatically weak, or that sexuality is a sole determining factor that decides what a person can and cannot do? The idea that I should be banned from playing the sport that I love, that I have lived and breathed since I was born, based only on erroneous beliefs and prejudices, not to mention the fears of people who won’t ever have to deal with me at all, it’s a bit of an over-reaction. I hope they’ll come to realise that I’m just like every other player, in the sense that I just want to go out there every night and give my all, to play the game that I love.”

“You’ve both brought up some valid, thought provoking points, and I hope they set many people to thinking honestly about where their priorities lie. Regardless, we wish you luck with Vancouver, and congratulations on your selection.” Marcus shook the outstretched hand, grinning as Mike gave him a pat on the back and the announcer closed up, saying, “Marcus Aquila, folks, you’ll be seeing plenty of him in the coming year, so get used to the idea.” The three shared a laugh, and Marcus felt his heart swell just a bit, and he knew that he’d have more support than he could have imagined before all this began.

**

The door of the hotel room crashed against the wall as Marcus and Esca stumbled through he doorway. The draftees and families had been invited to a ‘meet and greet’ with the Canucks organisation, and although it had been interesting, it had also been interminable. There had been no time between the draft and the party to get away, so Marcus was feeling desperate for some one on one time with Esca. Now that the party was over, he intended to get it.

“Watch the door, you big oaf,” Esca said, although his smile belied the harshness of his words. “We don’t own the place.”

“Such a shame too, with all this lovely decor,” Marcus said, kicking the door shut behind them and trying to latch on to Esca’s neck again as he had been when they’d crashed through it.

“Oh, don’t give me that,” Esca said, tugging off the jersey that Marcus had been wearing all day and tossing it on the floor. Marcus immediately took the opportunity to wrap his arms around Esca, to get his lips and tongue back on the strong neck he’d been ogling for the last few hours as Esca laughed at one joke or another. “You don’t even see the decor.”

“It all looks the same,” Marcus murmured into Esca’s collarbone. “Besides, I’d rather look at you.”

“You spent all night looking at me,” Esca said, slipping Marcus’ tie off and undoing his shirt buttons while Marcus’ hands were busy with Esca’s ass. “It’s a good thing you’re out, because you could not have been more obvious unless you’d stuck your tongue down my throat.”

“Mmm,” Marcus hummed, letting go long enough for Esca to push his shirt off. “Tonsil hockey. My second favorite kind.”

“You are utterly ridiculous,” Esca laughed, tugging on Marcus’ belt.

“Am not,” Marcus said. “Let’s practice.” He gave up on Esca’s collarbone and captured his lips, tongue sweeping in immediately, thrusting and exploring as if it was all new territory. To Marcus it was, every kiss with Esca was like a gift, he’d been so convinced he’d never have it. Now that he did, it was almost unbelievable to him.

Esca didn’t hold back either, returning Marcus’ kisses fervently and letting himself be manhandled toward the bed, dropping Marcus’ belt and then his own as they went. When his legs hit the bed he fell backwards, pulling Marcus down on top of him gasping as their heated erections came into contact, the barrier of clothing only adding to the sensation. Marcus let go of Esca’s mouth long enough to suck in a few panted breaths, noticing finally that he was half naked and Esca wasn’t.

“You’re still dressed,” he commented, gaining a snort from Esca.

“You’ve been too busy tonguing my neck to undress me,” Esca replied, crossing his hands behind his head and thrusting his groin up into Marcus’. “Better get to it,” he said, grinning.

Marcus growled, grasping the collar of Esca’s shirt and pulling the sides apart, too impatient to unbutton it one by one. Unfortunately, nothing happened. Esca’s shirt remained securely fastened.

“Hey!” Esca shouted, pushing Marcus’ hands away. “This is a good shirt!”

“Huh,” Marcus said, tugging at the buttons in confusion. “It didn’t work.”

“This isn’t the movies,” Esca said, shaking his head. “And this is an expensive shirt with good workmanship.”

“Wear cheap shirts from now on,” Marcus said, undoing the buttons the hard way.

“So you can rip them to shreds? I don’t think so.”

“Spoilsport,” Marcus said, unfastening Esca’s trousers and eagerly tugging his shirt out of the waistband, straddling Esca’s lap on the edge of the bed.

“Suck it up, princess,” Esca said with a laugh, sliding his arms out of the shirt and lifting his hips for Marcus to tug his trousers and briefs off.

“I’d rather suck you,” Marcus replied, standing up and sliding his tongue up Esca’s exposed erection, sucking at the tip for a moment before shucking his own trousers and underwear.

“Blowjobs, then?” Esca asked, completely naked now, his hands behind his head again, his formerly neat hair a riot of strands and his deceptively long legs dangling off the edge of the bed. Marcus thought the only thing that could make him sexier in that moment would be the eyeliner he had worn to prom. Marcus shivered at the thought of it. Esca was so going to wear it again.

“Actually,” Marcus said as he pulled off his socks, leaving the clothes in a heap on the floor. “I had something else in mind.”

“Oh yeah?” Esca said, leaning up on his elbows and watching Marcus with interest. “What’s up?”

“I, uh...I want you to fuck me,” Marcus said, blushing a little, even after all that time.

“Really?” Esca looked surprised. “You don’t want to shag me into the mattress in a display of rugged masculinity?”

“No,” Marcus said, climbing back on top of Esca, rubbing Esca’s cock slowly but not meeting his eyes. “My masculinity is very secure, and I...I kind of want you to take care of me tonight. If that’s okay,” he added.

Esca smiled, sitting up and running his hands up Marcus’ thighs. “It’s more than okay,” he said, scooting back a bit. “Lay down, I’ll dig up the lube.”

Marcus rolled over onto the bed, shuffling back until he was able to tug the comforter down, pushing it to the bottom of the bed for the time being, so it wouldn’t be soiled when they eventually fell asleep. He watched as Esca dug around in his suitcase, coming out with a tube and padding back to the bed, his cock bobbing in front of him. Marcus thought that it was a silly sight, but also hot.

It was even hotter when Esca tossed the lube onto the bed beside Marcus and crawled onto him, his eyes keeping contact with Marcus’ the whole time, until he reached Marcus’ groin and leaned down, licking his way from the base of Marcus’ cock to the head. Marcus groaned and clenched the sheets, his cock twitching with eagerness as Esca licked the head again. He pulled away too soon and sat up, gripping Marcus’ legs by the knees and pushing them upwards, bending over so that he could kiss Marcus, his cock sliding between Marcus’ cheeks, rubbing across his dry hole, the friction making Marcus squirm as they kissed, open mouthed and wet.

Esca pulled back suddenly, reaching for the lube before squirting some onto his finger and sliding one into Marcus’ hole, spreading the lube around before quickly adding another, stretching Marcus enough to accept the third before pulling back. Marcus shifted his hips impatiently while Esca lubed his cock, desperately wanting it inside him and grateful that, in the past several months, his body had become more accustomed to bottoming, relaxing and opening up with more ease.

And then Esca was positioning himself, rubbing the lube from the tip of his cock into Marcus’ crack before pushing in with a moan, holding Marcus’ legs wide with a hand on each thigh.

“Esca, oh my god,” Marcus said, gasping for breath as he was pinned down to the bed, unable to do anything but take it, whatever Esca wanted him to.

“Oh yeah, you do like that, don’t you,” Esca said, pulling back slowly and thrusting in, keeping a slow, steady pace as he shifted, trying to find the spot inside that would make Marcus see stars.

“Yeah,” Marcus panted, hands clenched in the sheets once more as Esca held him down and moved inside of him. Suddenly he moaned involuntarily as Esca found it, his cock rubbing against Marcus’ prostate and bringing it to life, the sensations expanding with each stroke. He began to thrust harder now, faster, each time burying himself to the hilt in Marcus’ eager body, bring forth feelings that Marcus hadn’t even know how to imagine before Esca had shown him how good it felt.

“If only they could see you now,” Esca said in a hushed voice, his eyes intent on Marcus’ face. “All those people who were sucking up to you, trying to get a piece of you before you become some kind of hockey legend. Did you notice them? Trying to get your attention, trying so hard to impress you?”

Marcus just gasped for breath, his body shaking from the intensity, but Esca insisted he answer.

“Tell me,” he said roughly, thrusting harder, his hands sliding up Marcus’ legs to his ankles, holding them wider now, filling Marcus at a new angle, but still nudging his prostate more often than not.

“No, I...only saw you,” Marcus said, his voice strained from lack of oxygen and from his impending orgasm.

“I know you did,” Esca said. “I saw you following me around the room, no matter who tried to gain your attention, it was all on me, wasn’t it? Wasn’t it?” he repeated, pausing his thrusting and rotating his hips, rubbing on Marcus’ prostate from a different angle.

“Always,” Marcus cried, trying to move, wanting Esca to move, anything to release the building pressure tingling at the base of his spine. “Please, Esca,” he begged, one hand letting go of the sheet to clutch at Esca's arm desperately.

“That's right,” Esca soothed, pulling back to begin thrusting again, making Marcus whine with relief. “I'm the only one who can make you beg like this, just me.”

“Just you,” Marcus repeated in a whisper, his whole body focused on the sensations rushing through him as Esca quickened the pace, his balls slapping on Marcus' ass with every stroke. The renewed pace set Marcus’ blood aflame and within moments he was clenching up, his hole tightening around Esca’s cock as his orgasm reverberated through his body, wave after wave flowing through him as he came all over his belly, his cock untouched.

“You are the hottest thing I've ever seen,” Esca panted, his thrusts losing rhythm as his climax approached, his body tensing. “Coming all...over yourself like...like...” he never finished the sentence, his breath stolen at last as he emptied himself into Marcus' twitching hole.

Marcus watched, awed by the blissful look on Esca’s face as he came, the way his muscles tightened and then relaxed, slack in the aftermath. Esca let go of Marcus’ legs, letting them drop boneslessly to the bed, and collapsed on top of him, breathless.

“Like what?” Marcus asked, curious about what Esca would have said.

“What?” Esca said, panting, looking up at Marcus in confusion.

“Never mind,” Marcus replied, smiling to himself, curling his fingers into Esca’s hair, goosebumps erupting over his chest from Esca’s heavy breaths.

“Hmm,” Esca said, making no attempt to move, not that Marcus wanted him to.

Time passed, Marcus didn’t know how much, but he did know that he was going to fall asleep soon, and he didn’t want to wake up crusty.

“Esca, up,” he said, giving Esca a shove.

“Don’t wanna move,” Esca said, but he rolled over anyway, grinning sleepily at Marcus, who got off the bed and went to the bathroom, wetting a cloth to wipe them off with.

“Shower in the morning, yeah?” Marcus said as he cleaned up, handing Esca the cloth when he was done.

“Sounds good. What are the plans for tomorrow?” Esca asked as Marcus turned off the lights.

“Meetings with the management, some media stuff, interviews and what not,” Marcus said, climbing into bed, snuggling close to Esca. “It’ll probably be a bit nuts, everyone will want a piece of me.” Marcus blushed a little at the phrase, thinking of the way Esca had said it to him not long before.

“I’m sure they will,” Esca said, wrapping himself around Marcus, twining their legs. “As long as they all know you are mine, and to be returned to me in the same condition you left.”

“I never return to you in the same condition I leave,” Marcus pointed out. “I’m always much more horny when I come back.”

Esca laughed softly, his hot breath puffing against Marcus’ neck.

“As it should be,” he said, slipping into quiet and shortly after, sleep.

**

The rest of July was spent in a bit of a whirlwind. Marcus needed to pack everything he owned and find a place to live in Vancouver. Fortunately for him, money wasn’t a problem, because Vancouver real estate didn’t come cheap. Also fortunate was that he had Uncle’s help in finding a place that was good value for his money. In fact, Uncle did most of the work, all Marcus had to do was view the townhouse that Uncle preferred. He had loved it immediately, not needing to consider any of the others which Uncle had prepared as back up.

His conversation with Esca had been much more nerve wracking than the buying of the house. Marcus had been utterly unsure of what Esca wanted to do, all he knew was that he wanted Esca with him, he wanted Esca there when he came home, every morning, he wanted Esca beside him every night.

He finally broached the subject the day before he and Uncle were planning to view the house that would become his home. The peace of lying in Esca’s arms after yet another bout of vigorous love-making made him confident, so he spoke up, braving the question, at last.

“Esca,” he said quietly, soaking up the feeling of Esca’s fingers dragging through his hair, scratching his scalp softly as they passed.

“Hmm,” Esca hummed as he always did in response to Marcus’ post coital queries. He seemed to enjoy lying like this as much as Marcus did.

“Move in with me,” Marcus said simply, holding his breath when Esca’s fingers stilled. Then they gripped the strands and tugged, forcing Marcus’ face upward to face him. Marcus breathed a sigh of relief at the soft, loving smile on Esca’s face.

“I’ve been waiting for you to ask,” Esca said, tugging Marcus up further for a slow kiss, just lips and the barest meeting of tongues.

“Have you?” Marcus teased, knowing his smile likely made him look like an idiot. “You were that certain I’d ask you?”

Esca laughed, shaking his head at Marcus’ attempt at humour. “Silly boy,” he said softly. “You’d be lost without me.”

The smile slipped off Marcus’ face as the weight of Esca’s words settled over him. “I would,” he replied, sliding up so that they were level. “It doesn’t bear thinking about.”

“Good,” Esca whispered, running his fingertips across Marcus’ face, forehead, cheek and jaw, before sliding over his lips. “Because I’d be lost without you, as well. I love you, hockey boy.”

Marcus smiled again, his chest feeling tight and painful but in a good way, a way that made him want this moment to last forever. “I love you too.”

“What are you going to do about Andrew?” Marcus asked, just realizing that 90 minutes each way was too far a commute for either of them to make. He didn’t think Esca wanted to give Andrew up either, they’d come so far together.

“Oh, we’ve already worked it out,” Esca replied with a smirk.

“You have?” Marcus asked, surprised.

“Yep. The thing is, you were taking forever to ask, so we just couldn’t wait for you,” Esca said, and Marcus laughed.

“So he’s moving too?” he asked.

“Of course,” Esca said. “It’s not often he’ll get to coach an Olympic qualifying skater, and apparently his wife has wanted to move to Vancouver anyway, since their girls grew up and moved out. Turns out, you getting drafted by the Canucks was a good thing all around.”

“Awesome,” Marcus said, kissing Esca again, taking his time. “Come with me tomorrow, yeah?” Marcus asked, realizing that Esca would want to see the place too, if they were going to live together.

“Wait,” he said before Esca could reply. “You don’t want your own place, do you?” Marcus asked nervously. “Because if you do, I guess...I mean, I’d understand. And Uncle could help you out.”

“Marcus,” Esca interjected. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Okay,” Marcus said, agreeing immediately, then kissing Esca again, this time letting his hands roam, already ready for another round and, judging by Esca’s reaction, he wasn’t the only one.

Part 7.2