𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨 • 𝗔. 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦

𝑇𝐻𝐼𝑅𝑇𝑌

[n a r r a t o r]

It was now the end of the second period. Of course they had their fair share of fights and curses to share with Iceland but regardless those words and actions hadn't earned them any goals.

Yet that wasn't the main thing that kept Alexis Stansson's mind occupied, it was more the fact that Gordon had refused to let the girl play. She knew that even in mere moments she could make a game like this into victory, and that even the few seconds with her on the rink she'd be smashed to the boards and beaten to the pulp til her face shone black and blue.

And he refused to let that happen to her. He knew the plays her farther had been handing out and what goes to say he'd hold out on his own daughter?

"Alexis, please talk to me. I just want to know what up?" Adam rubs her leg gently. His voice calm and collected as he presses a subtle kiss on her cheek, running it down her neck, brushing the hair from her eyes out of his way. Continuing the trail as he leaves the linger of his taste down the thin layer of her tanned skin.

"Coach won't even put me on. Not even once. And he and I both know I can help." She replies. Her voice wavers. Each kiss radiates a different aroma down her spine, each feeling vibrates in a different form as a whirlpool of emotions cascade her. His touch was her medicine and her addiction. And he knew full well what he was doing, and the effects it holds over the girl.

"Keep talking," he mumbles.

"Get your dirty ass lips off our friend before we beat your ass Banks." Averman and Julie stood chin high. The duo looked down upon him as if he was a lost puppy getting a talking down too.

"I'll see you later Alexis." He presses one last kiss onto her lips, ruffling the loose strands of her hair before leaving, catching into a conversation with Luis.

"I'm sorry if I'm making you bored." Alexis kisses her teeth. Looking down in her lap sincerely. To ashamed to meet with her best friends eyes. "With you, I'm never bored."

—"did you all enjoy that?" Gordon walks through the locker room. The stench immensely overwhelming, scrunching his nose as the minimalist protection.

"Yeah!" The team nodded in agreement. Quite proud of their accomplishments. "So did they, because they're still three points up and we're one period away from defeat." Their smiles fading away into a disappointed frown. Expectant of coaches behaviour.

"If we can't beat them, we might as well keep our pride." Jesse speaks up with a confident tone. Shrugging his shoulders in a matter-of-factly motion.

Team U.S.A. Nodded in agreement. Backing up his sentence with a background of "yeahs".

"Jesse, that's not pride. Sure, when Dwayne roped that big oaf, part of me cheered. But guys, I've been there. I know how you feel. I wanted to cream that jerk that busted my knee when I played in the minors. And I really, really wanted to go after Stansson for that cheap shot. But you know what? My knee will heal. And if I become someone I'm not, if I sink to their level, well, then, I lost more than just my knee. You understand?"

Coach Bombay walked in circles around them. His steps slow, making sure to add contact with each and every one of the players as he went along the cycle.

"We're not goons. We're not bullies. No matter what people say or do. We have to be ourselves." He folds his arms behind his back, pointing towards Dean. "You, who are you?"

"Dean Portman." The teen says blankly. "From where?"

"Chicago, Illinois."
"Guy Germaine."
"From where?"
"St. Paul, Minnesota."
"You."
"Jesse Hall from Minneapolis, Minnesota."
"Who are you?"
"Julie Gaffney from Bangor, Maine."
"You."
"Alexis Stansson from Bangor, Maine."

Each and every one of them stood with pride. Colours flashing in their eyes. They had come together not to win individually. Or to win to prove something or prove to someone or anyone that they deserved to be here. It wasn't for any of that. It was to come together, to blend and shape into one. Showing that skills in a pack value more then a skill as one.

They didn't need a goal nor a score to prove they were good or worthy. They knew it already. Because they worked as a team. They worked as a flock. Regardless of where they came from or where they once lived they came together as equals, mutuals.

—"and I'm Gordon Bombay Minneapolis, Minnesota."

Everyone started to cheer. Clapping together with blazing smiles on their lips. "We're team U.S.A. Gathered from all across America. And we're gonna stick together. You know why?"

Jan walked into the room. A mellow smile creasing his cheeks. "Because ducks fly together."

"That's right, Jan. and just when you think they're about to break apart—"

"Ducks fly together!" They cheered triumphantly. "And when the wind blows hard and the sky is black—" Ms Mackay quirks.

"Ducks fly together!"

"And when the roosters are crowing and the cows are spinning circles in the pasture—"

"Ducks fly to—" Averman and Alexis pause for a moment. Looking at each other with confused looks before flashing a smile and Dwayne. Who still awaits for an answer. "Ducks fly together." They finish.

"And when everyone says it can't be done— ducks fly together." Bombay finishes with a tenderly tone.

"Now, new ducks... and old ducks must unite under a new banner. And I thought perhaps something like this."

The team waltzed into the stadium with their fresh and newly displayed jerseys. Their shoulders rolled back and their posture heightened with prideful grins.

Adam runs up to Alexis, nudging the girl on the left of her shoulder. "You look cute in a ducks jersey." The Banks boy whispers. "I wish I could say the same for you." The brunette giggles childishly, as he places two firm hands on her waist. Tugging her to his side as he pushes her head into the crook of his arm.

"Fine, fine! You look good." Alexis throws her hands in the air in defence. "But seriously, you look cute." The Stansson girl pecks his lips teasingly. Drawing her hand away from his cheek. Chasing after Julie and Connie who laugh at the dumbstruck Adam Banks.

"W-wait!" He calls out hurriedly.

—"here to start the third period what team is this? It's not team U.S.A.? Yes, it is. They've got on new uniforms. They're wearing the logo of the duck. I've never seen this before."

The ducks start to skate in laps around the rink. Picking up their pace slowly as they'd like their fingers along the ice.

"Hey, Mendoza?" Luis looks up at Julie. His eyes widening at her with a brightened smirk. "Race ya!" She shouts, punching him in the stomach. Skating faster and faster away from him.

"I've just gotten word that there is no rule against changing uniforms."

"Come on. This is ridiculous." Wolf shouts from the sidelines. Shaking his head at the refs who just shrug off his protests.

"Hey! Stansson, over here!" Bombay shouts. Holding his clip board under his arm.

"Your mums here."