snowflake ☆ k.dy ☆ ayakashi series | ✔

doyoung [thirty]

It was the last full day you were spending in Erethulia. The next day was Sunday, and you'd have to leave fairly early in the morning to make sure you were back home at a reasonable time. Breakfast that morning was buzzing with excitement—well, by Erethulian standards, which meant there was a mild uptick in their pitch—over what was going to be happening after lunch. A hockey game.

Of course the snow kingdom full of snow spirits would have their primary form of entertainment be hockey. From what you could tell, a hockey game hadn't happened in a rather long time, the populace too weak and too hopeless to want to play. But the return of Doyoung changed that. You could see it, even in your short week there, how the city itself seemed to be growing stronger, they all seemed to be brighter. Well, as bright as Erethulians could get. Children had more energy to play, their parents often times joining in as well. It warmed your heart to see, and you could only imagine how lovely the kingdom would be as it continued healing.

Except the chatter suddenly soured as Younghoon, a staff member in the kitchen, bemoaned, "Daesung was out past his curfew last night and now his mom won't let him play."

"Shit, and you don't have seconds, do you?" Minhee breathed out.

"No, practically every young adult and teenager in Erethulia is already on one of the two teams. Except you, Minhee."

"No."

Younghoon's sharp eyes suddenly focused on Doyoung, "How old are you, Prince Doyoung?"

"Twenty-six."

The younger boy's eyes lit up just the slightest, "Still young enough!"

"What—"

"You'll be playing, correct, Prince?" Chaewon asked, and your head was spinning from how quickly the conversation had changed.

You looked to your boyfriend for his answer, as he had never previously expressed any interest in hockey. Unless him taking you to the skating rink for your first date counted.

Doyoung nibbled on his food for a moment, thinking it over.

"It'll be a big morale booster, Prince Doyoung," Chanshik added hopefully.

The Prince looked to you for a moment, and you understood that he was silently asking for your opinion as well.

"It sounds like if you don't play, there won't be a game," you pointed out. "You don't want to spoil the kids' day, do you?"

"Of course, yes, I'll play too."

Younghoon broke out into a small smile, "Thank you, Prince!"

☆

The game was to be taking place down in the valley, where a large patch of ice had suddenly appeared. You imagined any one of the numerous snow spirit inhabitants had set it up preemptively. Complete with bleachers of ice. Thankfully you'd been forward thinking enough to bring the blanket you sat on at the dining table.

You'd sent Doyoung off to get ready with his team with a good luck kiss on the cheek, and you were now settled in beside Minhee front and center. It seemed that every Erethulian was either in the stands or on one of the two teams. Despite their usual monotonous affect, you could still feel their excitement electrifying the air around you.

When the teams finally began walking onto the rink, your eyes widened. In their hands were glimmering hockey sticks presumably made out of ice, which wasn't surprising, but it was the lack of another key piece of equipment that concerned you.

"Uh, where's their padding? And helmets?"

"Their what?" Minhee questioned, eyes focused on the athletes.