Hockey season. Your least favorite time of year. Not because of the sport itself, or the months from October to June, by any means,

But it meant less time with Genya, & more time sitting in a cold rink, huddled up in his jersey, under luminescent lights & drunk assholes hollering in the stands over their nephews out on the ice.

Genya had been benched more times than you could count. Your boyfriend often being a hot-headed entity of the Shinazugawa bloodline, his anger was usually relatively persistent. The sport was his outlet. You were glad he could get it out in an, albeit somewhat, healthy manner.

"He's goin' out in a minute." A gruff voice from your side huffed. Sanemi. You'd seen a lot of Sanemi over your highschool years. With him being Genya's brother & legal guardian, it was hard to escape him. He was tolerable, & patient with you...most days.

Genya's old jersey, in which you wore over your cotton sweatshirt, smelled of Ivory & bodywash. A berry like scent, maybe? Sanemi said it made him smell like a girl. But you didn't seem to mind the fruity scent as you burrowed your chin & dried, red nose further into the cotton collar. Desperately trying to avoid the cold.

Your two, gloved hands, held up a cardboard sign. One that read 'GO #16!'.

As the sideline gate opened up, you could see Sanemi's head shifting to try & get a better view of his brother. Relatively tall, & burly, he stood out in the swarm of players. Giving his thick helmet a few harsh smacks for good measure.

You sighed, & Sanemi scoffed at the reckless habit.

"He's gonna fuckin' concuss himself one of these days.."

"He says he can barely feel it." You argued with a sigh. Despite how poorly you agreed, you wanted to trust Genya's judgement as best as you could. "GENYA!" you called out a few times. Until you earned an enthusiastic, but somewhat distracted wave from the distant boy.

& You smiled. He was fine.