August also would have preferred that, but alas.
“You guys were seriously made to be platonic besties,” said Jin, setting his hands on his hips. “Misery loves company.”
Chuckling, August gripped the pink-haired fiend by the shoulders and led him into the living room. “Sit down and shut your damn mouth. We’re going to order our pre-game meal; do you want anything?”
He expected Jin to go for the chair so he could have his own space, but he surprised August by taking the couch, choosing the spot beside him. For a guy as abrasive and ill-tempered as Jin, he seemed to crave physical closeness and touch.
August wasn’t one to judge, and he didn’t care if Jin leaned against him or how obnoxious he was when he tried to crawl into his lap to see hisphone screen. Theywerebecoming friends, and Jin could be funny when he wanted to be, and sometimes nice, too.
“I know most guys like pasta before a game, but I prefer ramen and like, tonkatsu and shit,” Jin plucked August’s phone out of his hand so he could look through the restaurants on the delivery app. “I don’t mind Korean food either, but if my nutritionist finds out that I loaded up on a bunch of junk, he’s going to have words with me.”
Niko scoffed and picked up his controller, handing August his before unpausing the game. “Doesn’t all that spicy food upset your stomach? I’ll fucking laugh if you shit yourself on the ice.”
Jin scoffed right back. “Fuck off, it’s not spicy to me. I don’t get how people find kimchi and Jeyuk Bokkeum too hot. It’s delicious.”
August hadn’t tried much Asian cuisine, but he had always wanted to test more of it out. Not today, because that would be stupid to do before a game, but maybe during a break.
“Oh! I forgot the main reason I came here.” Jin pushed off August and went for the backpack sitting by his feet. He removed a Switch, books, and finally—
“Niko said you were looking for a specific tape colour, and I saw this at one of the shops last week.” Jin picked up August’s hand and dropped a roll of green tape into his palm.
August stared at the object, marvelling at the bright green colour that perfectly matched Quinn’s eyes. The one he’d been using was close, but hehadbeen looking for something lighter. Niko must have heard him muttering about it, and like the genius he was, put two and two together once he looked at Quinn.
It was on the taboo side to bring something relationship-related into the game, but August was making an effort this year to change things up, and the results had been great so far.
Besides, he and Quinn weren’t in a relationship yet. He could easily lie to himself and say that the specific, green apple shade was his favourite colour, and only Niko would know.
“I bought their entire stock in case you liked it, but the rest of it is with my gear,” said Jin, returning to his food order. “Meet me after the game tonight, and I’ll dump it in your car.”
Niko gave August a side-eyed glance, trying to act like he wasn’t paying attention while he flicked through the settings of their paused game.
August decided that if the Bigfoot GM ever tried to trade Niko or him, he would follow his friend or quit hockey altogether.
“Thanks, this is perfect,” said August, making sure to show Jin appreciation for bringing it. “What games do you play if you’re not playing hockey? Fucking Mario Kart?”
August bumped his fist to Niko’s arm, silently thanking him for being the best friend ever.
“No, I play games that have a fucking purpose beyond inducing testosterone rage,” Jin snapped, grabbing his Switch and wiggling it to show it off. “You ever build a farm from scratch or try to complete the Pokedex? That shit is hard.”
August shrugged. “When I was five, sure.”
Jin looked up from the phone, frowning like he was truly hurt. “I hope your guy isn’t as boring as you, Gusty.”
“He’s not my guy,” August insisted. “And he’s an art major.”
He expected Jin to say something snarky, but August was surprised when he kicked his feet and laughed. “Really? Do you think he would draw me naked if I asked him?”
August took his phone back from Jin and smacked him on the head with it. “I will kick your ass.”
Just like Christmas break, Jin was calmer after he had food and was happily playing his pastel-coloured themed games. They spent a reasonable couple of hours together before heading to the rink for warm-up, where things took a swift turn from friendship to hatred on the ice.
The first period had been gruelling, even without the migraine sticking around to ruin his life. Jin was a small motherfucker, but he liked to play dirty, and he had no problems going up against August at every opportunity.
When Jin ripped his stick out of his hand after the whistle blew and tossed it behind the Bigfoot’s net to be an asshole, it took every ounce of composure in August’s body to keep his gloves on and not start a fucking fight.
They left the ice for intermission two points behind the Ottawa Conclaves, and August cursed as he was flagged down for an interview before he had a chance to avoid his duties.
“August, Su-jin Park seemed to be outpacing you in the first period. Is there any tactic you use to deal with a fast and agile player like him?”
