Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Duncan wishes he was there celebrating with his team as he sits in a bar on the outskirts of Winnipeg.  The Hawks are 2024 Stanley Cup Champions, and he should be in Chicago on the ice with his teammates. The raw emotion of his teammates is pouring through the TV screens of the bar as he orders another bottle of beer, tipping it in the direction of Pat and Jonny kissing each other.  Nobody else probably saw it because Seabs slid in front of the cameraman to take the burden of the Cup off the couple.

Brent turns around and raises the Cup above his head looking at the camera giving off a scream that probably blew out every television tuned to that channel, Duncan can’t hear it because of the muted televisions of the bar.  He remembers it clearly, how loud Brent can scream, as he stares blankly at the man on the screen, the memory of the Hawks’ 2010 win enters his conscious mind.

“Come on Duncs, grab it!” Seabs shouts from the blue line.  Duncan looks fondly at his liney knowing that he is so getting a piece of Seabs’ ass tonight.  He slides over to Brent and takes the Cup from the defenseman’s hands, locking eyes with Brent.  He lifts the cup and shouts a guttural yell into Brent’s face.

Brent scrunches his face at Duncan’s after game breath.  A distinct mix of garbage can with a whiff of beer blast his face.

“If you think you are getting that close later, that breath better be full of alcohol and spearmint toothpaste,” Brent chirps as he skates around while Duncan takes his victory lap.  Duncan is too filled with adrenaline and a noisy crowd to hear the man and respond with an equally vinegary chirp.

The team is flat out drunk and loud the entire plane ride back to Chicago that night.  Jonny and Pat are in the back row making out and trading handjobs under a blanket as Duncan walks back to the bathroom.  Brent had banished him there until he brushed his teeth because he found Duncan’s after game breath too gross to kiss.

They drunk march into Brent’s apartment that night.  The door locks shut behind them, and the clothes come off with animalistic lust.

The bartender snaps Duncan’s trance after Duncan tipped his bottle spilling beer everywhere.  He’s jealous that Brent will probably go home and fuck Dayna senseless. If brief lucky he’ll get the feel of his right hand later tonight with the image of Brent naked in one of the beds of a road hotel room.  He felt the thoughts of what it would feel like to have Brent in his bed again, they penetrate his brain and his cock swells to fill his boxers in an uncomfortable position. Deciding Duncan has had enough drink, the bartender calls him a taxi to whisk him off to a hotel to sleep it off until he’s sober enough to collect his truck.

**

Brent stands there on the ice rolling his eyes while facing Kaner and Tazer waiting for them to cough up the Cup to the rest of the team.  Just like Ovi and Backy had done in 2018, they were making out on the ice and looking ridiculous at trying to hide it. After several moments of standing on the ice staring at each other, Brent realizes the one person he wants to share this moment with is likely drowning his sorrows in some Manitoba bar.  The romance Pat and Jonny are exhibiting on the ice makes Brent long for his linemate.

They’d played around on the road.  Nothing major, just some platonic sex on nights they couldn’t hook up at the bar when they were on the road.  Being bisexual wasn’t unheard of amongst athletes; they’re both pretty sure Kaner and Tazer was fucking every moment they could find.

Brent met Dayna at a bar one night, emotions running high after a home win against the Habs.  Duncan had pushed Brent into working up the courage to buy her a drink and get her number. She was quite charming and cute in a short skirt and blouse that drew attention to her chest.  Her intelligence and personality a few days later over dinner and a night of symphony pops in Grant Park just added to her stunning good looks. He walked into his apartment that night lighter on his feet.

He’d married her a few months after they started dating, welcoming a son in 2013, a daughter in 2015, and another son in 2017.  They lived in the suburbs of Chicago with a large house and big yard butted up against a lake. It made Brent’s commute to work each day during the season hell, but he had a family he loved.  Ignorance was bliss, and Brent was completely unaware that his life was a ticking time bomb as his career hit its crescendo at 35 and slowed down until he hit retirement at 39.

He longed to hang out with Duncan that night, Dayna had been cold to his advances when he walked into their house drunk after celebrating the cup win with his team.  For the most part, Duncan was absent in his last year, spending the last half of the season out with various broken bones, a concussion, and to top it all off a ruptured appendix.  His kids are great friends with Duncan’s son Justin and even they missed having their buddy around. When Duncan had decided to retire, Brent decided to do the same after being offered a coaching job in Winnipeg.

**

Brent’s retirement had started to make Dayna feel old, and Brent was acting differently over the course of the season when Duncs went on injured reserve as his maladies mounted.  Brent had really lost it when it was announced that Duncs would never return to Hawks after this season citing the need to look after his health. Brent became distant, depressed and it reflected in his play and at home.

Dayna wished she could go back in time.  Life was bliss when Brent was 25, and she was 23.  They had love and chemistry, they were also working on starting a family that eventually produced 2 sons and a daughter.  As they grew up though, they too made Dayna feel old.

When Brent told the family that they were going to be attending the draft party at the United Center, Dayna felt like she had an opportunity to connect with the young future Hawks.  She knew their top prospect was a hot stud who had a tendency to date older women.

**

Brent leaves his family briefly to sit at the Jets table as part of the coaching staff.  He sent Dayna and the kids to the draft party that was going on somewhere in the bowels of the United Center.  After the Jets make their pick a defenseman from Western Michigan University, Brent excuses himself from the table to join his family at the tunnel entrance while awaiting the Hawks pick.

They call the name of some kid from the OHL, Pat and Jonny stand on the stage for the photo op.  He’s a cute little stud from Brent’s view. Dayna’s eyes were completely fixed on the young buck, she keeps looking over at Brent to make sure that he isn’t noticing that she is checking out the new draftee.  Chicago had been her home for years, and if she were honest to herself Brent isn’t the same guy she married. He’d grown older meaning she’d grown older. Brent took the kids home as he lost Dayna to the party.

**

Jonny and Pat told Brent they would give her a ride home once the party winds down and the crowd thins to make it easier to find her.  When Pat heads to the bathroom to get some of the beer out of his system he finds Dayna in a hidden hallway near the men’s room, her lips pressed into the face of the new young buck whose life just changed now that he’s the Hawks’ top prospect.  Jonny and Pat stood there frozen with their jaws unhinged.

“I’m not telling him as long as you don’t,” Pat said to Jonny with Dayna passed out drunk in the backseat of Jonny’s Volt.

“Deal,” Jonny confirms as they pull into Brent and Dayna’s driveway and attempt to coax Dayna back into consciousness, almost heaving her out of the car.  Brent comes out of the house and lifts her from Jonny’s strong arms as Patrick holds the front door of the house open for him.  His back knots up as they walk up the stairs onto the porch. He lays Dayna on the bed and walks out to thank Pat and Jonny for bringing Dayna home.  Pat and Jonny give strained smiles as they walk out of the house to head home themselves.

**

As the weeks progressed toward the convention, Dayna had disappeared many evenings.  Something about seeing her friends as much as she can before they move to Winnipeg. Brent spent most of those evenings packing up the stuff he rarely uses and gets it ready for the semi the Jets offered to the family as part of his relocation package.  What Brent doesn’t know is that she’s hanging around prospect camp and following the prospects back to their hotel and following her new beau to his room for a quick romp and going home late at night long after Brent has turned in for the night. Dayna’s passions with the young draftee increase between the draft and Brent’s retirement announcement that she begins to feel like she’s living a double life.  She decides that she can’t keep this charade too long, so the following day she meets with a lawyer.

July first arrives too soon for Brent’s liking.  He gets up on the stage in front of the Blackhawks’ press.  Flashbulbs temporarily blind him followed by dots speckled across his line of sight.  He talks about how Chicago fans had welcomed him, made the town his home, grew his family, and found him a lovely bride.  He talks briefly about his immediate future of moving back to Canada and how he looks forward to seeing fans at the upcoming convention.

As he drives home a weight is lifted from his shoulders.  No more training, no more ice baths, no more bone-crushing games to be played.  He hopes to spend the rest of his career wearing a suit rather than a uniform. His phone chimes in the console as his Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram explode with well-wishes from teammates and fans alike.

He absent-mindedly pulls into the driveway where a guy in a suit meets him on the lawn.

“Can I help you?” Brent asks, sounding polite and a bit confused.

“Are you Mr. Brent Seabrook?” The gentleman questions back.

“I am,” Brent replies.

“I am here to serve you with these papers, sign here please.  Have a pleasant day,” the man says as Brent signs his name the man hands over an envelope and walks briskly off the yard and down the street.  Probably one of his neighbors suing him for the Stanley Cup party he held a month ago Brent hypothesizes.

Brent walks in the house, the place feels emptier than he remembered when he left this morning.  He rips open the envelope and whatever he had been expecting it wasn’t this. “Petition for Divorce,” the first page reads.  Brent collapses on the kitchen floor and holds himself into a ball. Thankfully the kids are in Canada with his parents, so they can’t see him fall apart from the inside outwards.  He finishes his freak out session and wanders through the house, it is void of any evidence of his now ex-wife’s existence besides a note on the dining room table.

Brent-

By now you probably have noticed my heart is no longer in our marriage.  I am sorry to spring this on you, but I found someone to make me feel young again on draft night.  I’m not asking for anything other than a quick divorce, you can have full custody of the kids. I wish you and the kids well in Canada, but Chicago is my home and my heart belongs here.

-Dayna

Brent knows that reaching Duncan by phone is unlikely, so he shoots a text off, “My wife just filed for divorce, came home to a letter and a process server.  I need the number for the attorney that handled you and Kelly.”  Then he waits for a reply.  An hour later he paces the floor of his basement.  Another hour later he throws on some shorts, his running shoes, and grabs his phone for some music.  He jogs through the neighborhood hoping it will clear his head. Three hours after he sent his text to Duncan, Brent’s phone finally chimes his reply.

Duncs: Just came into town for groceries and gas.  I’ll get you the number, hang in there. Don’t chuck her letter!

Duncs: After the convention, come back here with the kids.  Plenty of space plus Justin is begging to hang with his Hawk buddies.  

Then Duncs adds a text to close the deal and it makes Brent smile broadly when he sees it.

Duncs: There’s also no connection to civilization unless you want it.

The last text contains the number of a kickass (Duncs’s words, not Brent’s) divorce attorney who promises to have the whole thing settled in 30 days.  Brent taps the phone number and makes an appointment with the lawyer’s secretary for the following afternoon.

An empathetic gentleman, who wished to go by the name Steve, greets Brent and shakes his hand ushering him into his office.  He’s seen the look on Brent’s face hundreds of times in his career and starts with a confident tone, “Brent, I’m sorry to meet under these circumstances.  Let’s go grab some dinner while my paralegal drafts all the necessary documents to answer your estranged wife’s petition. Once we file your answer, it’ll probably take the court about a week to arrange the private mediation.  Once the mediation is complete it takes the court about two weeks to sign off on the divorce and you’ll be free to take the kids back to Canada.”

“Sounds good to me, this was the last upheaval my life needed this week,” Brent sighs.

As they walk out of the office they stop at a cubicle, “Jeanie, would you get this case file opened while I’m gone.  Set up an appearance packet, full custody of 3 children to Mr. Seabrook here, and motion for private mediation. We’ll be back in a couple of hours to sign and file them.”

Brent and his lawyer sit down in a downtown Chicago steakhouse, the upscale kind that respects the privacy of their guests.  Steve orders a bottle of red wine. After the waiter leaves them to fetch it and a couple of glasses, the lawyer turns his focus to his client.

“First off Brent, I’m here to help you through this process.  How are you feeling right now?” He asks.

Brent sighs, “I think the initial shock finally wore off this morning after I woke up at 5 and ran around the lake in my neighborhood.  Right now I just want to get this over with, so I can start life over again in Winnipeg.”

The wine arrives and steak dinner orders are taken with a stuffed mushroom appetizer and the waitstaff leaves the pair alone again.  Steve reaches across the table and places a hand on Brent’s shoulder, “You won’t be the first guy I’ve guided through this, and you won’t be my last.  If you ever need to talk, I’m here for you or if you need, I do have a list of counselors I can recommend.”

Brent cracks a smile, “Thanks, Duncs said you had his back when he was in this position.  I feel pretty confident you have mine.”

“So besides the coaching job, what else does the future hold for you?” Steve inquires to distract Brent from the divorce and shovels a forkful of mushroom in his mouth.

“Well, Duncan’s son has been begging for my kids to hang out with them in the Manitoba woods, so when this is all over that’s where we are headed,” Brent responds and his smile widens for the first time since his retirement press conference.

The lawyer smiles back, “Well then let’s get this over as quickly and painlessly as we can.  I’m glad to hear you are getting some space from the divorce.”

“I have to ask,” Steve starts, “would you have married her again knowing what you know now?”

Brent chews on a forkful of steak pondering his answer, “I have a feeling someone else was interested in me then and I dashed their hopes, but then I wouldn’t have my three wonderful kids.  So it’s too complicated to ask.”

Steve shoots off a knowing gaze at Brent’s answer.  Brent can’t help but feel that his lawyer was giving off a hint that he knew.

Dinner is finished off with casual conversation.  They head back to Steve’s office and sign the papers that the paralegal drafted earlier.  With that over, Brent prepares for mediation day scheduled just 48 hours prior to the convention.

**

Brent realizes he doesn’t have a way to explain Dayna’s actions by the time his mother tells him the kids are on their way home.  In a panic, he tries in vain to call Duncs.

“Hey Duncs, how did you explain this shit to Justin when Kelly left?”  Brent’s voice is shaky, the anxiety building by the minute.

“First off you have to improvise, there isn’t a canned script for this.  What were you thinking of telling them?” Duncan asks, throwing the ball back in Brent’s court.  Sounding sarcastic, Brent thanks Duncan for his “help” and hangs up to leave and pick up the kids from the airport.

Carston notices the absence of Dayna first but thinks she’s just out with friends.  Beatrice walks in the house second noticing the lack of pictures of their mom and makes a mental note of asking once she’s settled back in.  Dustin, however, being the observant one, questions the lack of Dayna instantly.

Dustin turns to his father, “Where’s mom?”

“Grab your brother and sister, we need to sit down and have a talk,” Brent sighs still with only a partial idea of what to tell them.

The family sits in the living room and the awkward silence as Brent composes himself is felt by everyone.  Brent doesn’t call many family meetings because he’s heard from his teammates that many of them are the “we’re moving now because I’ve been traded” talk, he’s never wanted to stress his family out but this is huge news.

Brent sucks in a deep breath, “Mom has decided she doesn’t want to come to Winnipeg with us.”

Beatrice starts to cry, Carston looks like he’s barely holding it together, and Dustin walks out of the room and slams his bedroom door.  Brent couldn’t feel more deflated as a father than in that moment.

“Is there anything you two want to talk about?”  Brent inquires softly, feeling weak.

Beatrice stands, “I… I think I’ll be okay, I just need to digest this.”

“I’ve gotta talk to Justin if I can catch him,” Carston announces.  He and his sister rise and leave for their bedrooms. Brent sits alone in the living room thinking that went about as well as it could have.  He gets up to start dinner and coax the kids back to the dinner table in an hour.

Brent makes the ultimate comfort food, baked macaroni and cheese doctored up with bacon.  The smell of the fried bacon alone coaxes the children out of their rooms, except for Dustin.  Brent heads to the room to find the door jammed shut. He sits outside of Dustin’s room while his siblings eat, trying to calm him down through the door.

“Dustin do you want to talk about it?” Brent inquires softly.

“Go away, you made mommy leave,” Dustin spits back angrily to the sound of sobbing.

“She told me that her heart was always in Chicago,” Brent replies.

Dustin doesn’t give him the pleasure, “Well you took that job in Winnipeg and that made mommy leave.” Brent rolls his eyes, this sounds eerily like Tazer logic so he gives up and calls Jonny and Pat to come over to try to get Dustin out of the room.

Jonny and Pat coax him out with an evening at the ice cream store.  They leave quickly, Dustin’s eyes are red and puffy. Beatrice and Carston ask if they can come along, Jonny and Pat oblige.  Brent is alone in a quiet house again and it’s a discomforting feeling. Brent shoots Duncan a text, “I’m a failure as a father.”

He gets a surprisingly instant reply, “You caught me grocery shopping in cell range, you are not a failure.  Remember Dayna is the one that left.” Brent smiles and it gives him a slight boost of confidence.

When the kids finally arrive home, Brent announces that they are headed to Uncle Duncs’ house after the divorce is over to recover from this family upheaval.  All the kids smile for the first time since the announcement of the divorce, they are excited to see their friend Justin.

**

Brent struts into the conference room of the Schaumburg suburban court building with his lawyer.  Dayna had already taken her seat with her lawyer, next to them is their court mediator at the head of the table.

The mediator acknowledges the case and confirms that all parties are present.  He looks down at the statements from both attorneys. “This by far is the most abbreviated mediation I’ve seen in my career.  It appears Mrs. Seabrook only seeks her half of the proceeds of the sale of the joint home shared by Mr. and Mrs. Seabrook here.  Mr. Seabrook will receive full custody of the three children, shall not be entitled to pay alimony, nor is he seeking child support.  Since this is already agreed to, we simply need a signature for each party to this divorce.”

Brent autographs the agreement where indicated and passes it to his now ex-wife without so much as a glance in her direction.  She frowns and applies her signature wordlessly. She passes it back to the mediator.

“Thank you, you both will receive a response from the court within ten business days.  Does anyone have questions?” The mediator queries. Silence follows the question with both halves of the estranged couple refusing to look at the other.

“Noting no questions, Mr. and Mrs. Seabrook are requested to list their house on the real estate market to speed proceedings along.  This meeting is now adjourned,” the mediator marks the necessary notes on the filing and shoves the file back into a briefcase.

Brent leaves Dayna in the room without a word and texts Duncan an update on the meeting.  Duncan replies within an hour and tells him to have it appraised, he’ll buy it as an investment property to get Dayna out of Brent’s life faster.

**

When Brent arrives at the convention a couple of days later, he’s done the divorce mediation and tries to avoid Dayna at all costs.  It figures she’s talking to Jonny and Pat with a young hockey stud hanging onto her arm. Jonny and Pat’s adopted daughter, Annalise is next to them hanging out in the arms of Jonny’s mother Andree.  Noticing Brent’s anxiety, Duncan shuffles up behind him and clears his throat.

“Let’s take a walk Seabs, you don’t want to be in this room right now,” Duncan says passing off a smile to encourage Brent to change focus.  Duncan looks practically radiant, and Brent raises an eyebrow at Duncan’s appearance.

“Should also get the number of your plastic surgeon too,” Brent chirps.

Duncan lets out a loud laugh.  “Went to the spa this morning,” Duncs explains still chuckling.  “Gotta look good for the public,” he beams.

Brent rolls his eyes and walks with Duncan to seek out a bottle of something alcoholic.

“So Seabs, where ya stashing the kids?  Justin’s been looking for them,” Duncs mentions.

“Um, yeah. They’re floating around with grandma and grandpa Seabrook,” Seabs finally says.

Duncan leads Brent to the bar and passes him a bottle of beer.  Justin joins them shortly after wanting Duncan to seek out Brent’s parents.

Brent’s parents and his kids were sitting with Sharpy and his daughter in one corner of the large ballroom.  Justin beams as he runs over to hug his friends and catch up on events of the last few months. Brent’s mom hints that the pair should mingle and that Justin is in safe hands.

“I sent my offer to buy your house to your attorney,” Duncan starts.  “How soon until you can come up?”

“Court says a couple of weeks,” Brent says with a hard swallow.

“Good. You’re coming up once it’s final, right?” Duncan asks seeking confirmation.

“Of course, I’m ready to disconnect,” Brent groans.

“Good, because Justin and I could use some... company ,” Duncan says smirking.  Brent caught the hint but keeps his poker face.

Brent sucks down the rest of his beer as he walks around the room with Duncan and lines up to take the stage with the rest of the Blackhawks alumni.  Duncan looks relieved as he takes his seat on the stage, rubbing his aching knee.

**

Brent’s divorce papers are finalized two weeks after the convention.  With his house packed for the movers and the home sale finalized to Duncan, Brent packs the kids and mountains of suitcases in his SUV and starts the journey north.

As the city landscape slips into the countryside and then forest when passing a sign that says “Welcome to Wisconsin,” Brent feels a weight lifting from his shoulders and his mood lighten past the grim tone of the last four weeks.  His kids are lost in the various electronic devices the vehicle offers, and he turns on some country music to keep himself awake while driving through the monotonous Wisconsin pastures.

By the time the family drives into the outskirts of Minneapolis, Brent decides it’s time to stop for dinner and overnight.  He finds a decent hotel, texts Duncs his whereabouts, and orders some pizza.

The following morning is met with a quick drive-through breakfast to get on the road early.  Brent again finds himself turning on some music and sucking down a cup of coffee when he stopped for gas to stay awake.  They finally reach Fargo for lunch and begin the trip toward the Canadian border.

Two hours of silence in the vehicle later and Brent wakes his kids up for customs.

“Good afternoon sir, passports and number of people on board?” The inspector interrogates.

“Four,” Brent replies flashing a bit of a smile when he passes over their travel documents.

“Are all the children your own?” The inspector continues.

“Yes sir,” Brent answers truthfully.

“I’ll need custody documentation, sir,” the crossing agent notes.  Brent hands over his court certified documents which the crossing agent reviews and returns.  “Anything you need to declare such as large sums of money, drugs, weapons, or food items?”

“No sir,” Brent replies.

“Well, Mr. Seabrook everything seems to be in order, enjoy your new job and make sure the Jets make the playoffs.  Have a good day,” the crossing agent concludes handing back the passports and releasing Brent to continue his travel north.  Brent smiles and shakes his head at being recognized by customs then his nerves begin to mount knowing he’ll see Duncan in a few hours.

About twenty miles out of Winnipeg, Brent jumps at the cell phone ringing through the radio speaker system.  Brent looks at the caller ID on the radio display and smiles when he sees Duncs’ number.

“Hey Duncs,” Brent greets beaming, the children wake at Duncan’s voice booming through.

“Hey yourself,” Duncan starts.  “I realize you won’t be able to find the new cabin, so I thought we’d meet for dinner in Gimli and you can follow us home.”

“Sounds good, Seagulls?” Brent offers knowing Duncan’s cabin can’t be far from there.  The last time they went to Lake Winnipeg, Duncan’s former cabin was about 10 minutes from town.

“I like it. Dinner right along the lake sounds good.  You should be there around, what, 7:30?” Duncan confirms.

“Yeah, we’re just outside of Winnipeg now.  See you in a bit.” Brent says in a concluding tone so he can concentrate on driving.

“Yeah, see you soon, gonna get some firewood and meet you there.  Bye!” Duncan finishes and hangs up the phone.

The thought of seeing Duncan in under an hour sustains Brent for the last hour of the long journey from Chicago.  About an hour after leaving the civilization of Winnipeg behind them, Brent finds the main intersection leading into Gimli, and he turns toward the lake where he finds Duncan’s pickup parked outside the restaurant with a pile of wood loaded in the back.

Brent rouses his family for dinner and gets them out of the car.  Duncan beelines over to Brent and pulls his friend into a hug.

“Good to see you again,” Duncan greets into Brent’s shoulder.

“Good to see you too,” Brent responds as he breaks the hug.  “I remember you living this far north, but how far away is the new place?”

“I built a huge log cabin over the last summer on Lake Winnipeg about two hours north of here.   It’s perfect. I can disconnect, no cell phone service, just satellite television, and all the privacy I ever wanted.  All I’m missing is someone there to keep me company,” Duncan hints.

“Well I’m here now,” Brent says with a large grin on his face as the two families walk into the restaurant.

Dinner is followed by an hour and a half ride north.  Mile after mile of farmland eventually turns into forests with little snippets of lakeshore and cottages that dot the landscape on the right.  The dirty road jars Brent from time to time and shakes the oldest, Carston, awake once in a while finally waking for the last 20 minutes of the journey when Brent hits the skids to avoid hitting a moose.  The other two are silently glued to the windows of the vehicle watching the scenery fly by waiting for their new destination.

Duncan’s truck in front of him eventually turns right onto one of the side streets that houses a group of cottages and heads toward a long driveway.  The cabin that comes into view is a sight almost out of one of those “Extreme Log Cabin” shows Brent’s seen on cable TV in the off-season. The home is easily 5000 square feet with a large great room set up at one end, a patio that surrounds a fire pit, a dock leading out into the lake and a mini beach to complete the setup.

Brent unloads his kids as Justin and Duncan hop out of their pick up.

“So what do you think?” Duncan yells out showing off the cabin like it’s a prize on a game show.

“It’s gorgeous, nice piece of land too,” Brent shouts back, opening the hatch in the back to unload the family’s luggage.

When they all get to the door, Duncan opens it and ushers Brent and his family inside.  Even at almost 10 pm the windows still let in enough light to see, but Duncan flicks on the lights anyway. His cabin houses an impressive living space with a large fireplace whose chimney rises all the way up to the vaulted ceiling. Brent notices that the upstairs has a lofted hallway, allowing the main space to feel airier and more spacious. There's a kitchen just visible at the back of the house with an adjacent dining room that has huge windows looking out onto the lake .  Stairs to the right show half log steps up to 3 loft bedrooms and a bathroom another hallway to the left lead to a master suite and guest suite on the ground floor.

“Brent, you can set your luggage down and I’ll show you and the kiddos where they’re staying,” Duncan says, standing in the foyer.  

Brent drops his two bags down and follows Duncs up the stairs.  Brent climbs the steps with Duncan’s ass firmly in his frame of vision.  He hasn’t lost any tone in it, the globes shake just like they did when they played last.  Brent tries instead to focus on the knotted pine wall at the top of the stairs.

“The room at the top of the stairs is Justin’s and he has his own bathroom,” Duncan says pointing at the door after reaching the top of the stairs.  “This bedroom is for Beatrice. It has a queen-sized bed in it but should fit nicely for her. There is a bathroom that both this room and the next one share right here.  Finally, this room is for Carston and Dustin, it has two full beds and a study desk for them,” Duncan notes. “We’ll let them get settled and ready for bed. I’ll show you to your room,” He completes waving for Brent to follow him.

“This room is for you,” Duncan waves with a smile.  Brent purses his lips, disappointed Duncan didn’t invite him to share a bed after that dinner time hint.  The room is directly underneath Justin’s and has a queen bed and its own bathroom.

“It’s, um, very nice. Thank you Duncs,” Brent says dryly.  Duncan doesn’t pick up on the hint of disappointment.

“I’ll let you settle in, you sound tired from all that driving.  I’ll see you in the morning, good night,” Duncan wishes and leaves, closing the door behind him.

Brent walks in the bathroom and unpacks some toiletries.  He strips out of the clothes he’s had on all day and turns on the shower.  He starts to soap his body, then he closes his eyes and moves his hand to cup his dick.  It’s been two days since it has had any attention. As he strokes images float into his brain.

“Brent, you have your own room now,” Duncan chirps as he tugs Brent into his room and mashes lips with him.

“Couldn’t pick up either?” Brent inquires.  He hopes that Duncs is horny as fuck. Judging by the kiss, Duncan is more than happy to have Brent in his room.  Duncan pulls Brent’s t-shirt off and pushes him onto the bed. Duncan slides up onto Brent’s body and works on his perked nipples using his tongue.  Brent is reduced to moans and pants while Duncan works each of the sensitive spots of his torso.

Duncan removes Brent’s sweats and boxers together, Brent’s hard cock springs free of its cover smacking Duncan in the chin.  Duncan gives it a couple of quick tugs to make sure it’s ready for his mouth. Satisfied that’s Brent’s properly aroused, he takes Brent into his mouth humming onto the flesh.  Brent starts grabbing fistfuls of the comforter and arches his back.

Duncan continues sucking on Brent’s dick shucking his own shoes, pants, and boxer briefs.  He lets off Brent’s dick to remove his shirt and covers Brent’s body with his own and sucks a hickey into Brent’s neck.  “Fuck me,” Brent hisses.

Brent slides two of his fingers into his ass to simulate the feeling of Duncan’s cock and continues stroking as he imagines Duncan fucking him senseless.  The imagery and the stretch are enough sensations that he comes into his fist. Brent allows the water to rinse away his orgasm and he cleans his hands. He sleeps fitfully that night wishing he had Duncan to cuddle with and still unsure that Duncan really wants that too.

**

Brent finally rolls out of bed mid-morning to the smells of coffee and bacon wafting into the room.

“Morning sunshine,” Duncan sing-songs from the kitchen as Brent sleepily finds his way to the coffee machine.  Duncan stops him at the breakfast bar. “Sit there Seabs, I’ll get you some are juice,” Duncan says with a wink and a smile.  The shake of Duncan’s ass makes Brent question Duncan’s motives even more. “Thought we’d take the boat out onto the lake today. There’s lots to see and the scenery is gorgeous.  The boys also hinted that they want to do some fishing.”

The coffee allows Brent’s body to realize that all the children are out playing in the chilly water.  Duncan serves up some orange juice, an omelet, and bacon with toast on a plate to Brent.

“Eat up, I’ll get the kids ready to head out on the lake,” Duncan says close to Brent’s ear.

Brent walks out of his room shirtless wearing only board shorts, flip-flops, and sunglasses, Duncan looks at him with a smirk and a raised eyebrow, “Well that’ll make the scenery more beautiful.  Kids are already loaded up and ready to go, I packed some lunch to eat while we’re out.”

Duncan undoes the ties to the boat as Brent gets it started.  The engine roars to life and Brent guides the boat away from its dock.  Duncan hands Brent a bottle of water with a smile. Brent kicks the boat to full throttle out on the lake until they get near a couple of islands situated at the entrance to one of the coves in Lake Winnipeg.  One shows signs of permanent civilization, the other a wall of trees.

“Park it in that harbor over there, eh?  Justin and Carston want to drop their lines while we eat lunch,” Duncan directs.  Brent follows Duncan’s directions, weighing anchor in Black Bear Harbor. Justin and Carston cast lines with Duncan’s help while Brent readies some poles for Dustin and Beatrice.  He always knew Duncan did great as a single father, and he knows his family would mesh well with Duncan’s. His heart swells watching Duncan interact with the two teenage boys.

Duncan’s stomach grumbles with hunger and he suggests, “Hey Brent, there’s some sandwiches, chips, and Gatorade in that cooler there.  I think it’d be nice to have some lunch.” The kids take a break from casting their hooks to eat their lunch.

Carston ends up catching a pretty good sized bass for an 11-year-old, and Brent helps him guide it into the boat.  Duncan holds Brent’s back gently to keep him from falling backward on the boat and stabilizes him. Justin also catches a decent pickerel, enough fish for dinner this evening.

The fresh fish for dinner is nice, and Duncs makes some mac and cheese hiding some cauliflower in it so the kids get their dose of veggies.  Duncan excuses himself from the table to start a campfire for a s’mores dessert later. After walking back to the table, Duncan catches the hint of longing in Brent’s eyes.  “We’ll talk about it after we get the kids in bed, okay?” Duncan asks with a soft whisper in Brent’s ear. Brent expresses a strained smile, hoping it’s the answer he’s wanted.

**

The s’mores are well received, the sugar causing a burst of energy that results in a game of hide and seek in the trees around the cabin.  A couple of hours later the fire dies, and the kids are in bed after being properly sugared up and then worn out running around the fire and the twilight lit backyard.  Brent and Duncan are finally alone.

Brent lets out a low whistle as the sun slowly drifts westward leaving twilight behind, “This is some piece of land you have here.”

“I’m glad you like it.  I built it so our families could hang here during the summer,” Duncan says.   “I’ve missed you a lot since I got hurt,” he finishes with a tremble to his voice looking at the ground.

Brent turns to look at Duncan and his heart races. “I’ve missed you a lot too,” Brent admits.

Duncan slides his chair a little closer to Brent.  He looks at Brent and brushes his cheek. Brent whispers, “Duncan?”

“I’ve wanted you too,” Duncan says tenderly.  Duncan rests his head on Brent’s shoulder snuggling until he finds the right fit.  “Just like the first time, I’ve really wanted only you,” he says when Brent leans his head to nuzzle into Duncan’s hair.

“What do you say we extinguish this and take this inside?” Duncan requests affectionately kissing small pecks next to Brent’s ear.

“While you do that I’ll take a moment to do a quick check, your room?” Brent murmurs back.

“My room, I’ve wanted you in my bed since our last roadie together,” Duncan requests.

Brent makes sure he’s all cleaned out, his ass has wanted Duncan’s dick in it since he invited him up weeks ago.  The bedroom door to the guest room opens, startling him.

“Come on,” Duncan whispers grabbing Brent’s hand.  He guides Brent to his room across the hall with soft steps and closes the door softly.  They stand in the middle of the room and Duncan cups Brent’s chin and guides Brent’s lips to his own, giving him a chaste but passionate kiss.

“Oh god, I’ve wanted that… this,” Duncan grunts as he strips Brent of his shirt. “I’ve missed you,” Duncan grumbles in a moan.

“Going to make it so good for you,” Brent moans deeply leading into a longer more passionate kiss.  Both men moan into each other’s mouth. Their breathing through their noses heavy and fast. Brent fumbles with Duncan’s board shorts revealing no underwear to pester him.  Duncan’s stiffened cock springs out and finds its fit in the cut of Brent’s clothed hips. Brent slides his own shorts off so he can feel Duncan’s bare cock against his own.

Their cocks slide against each other like a perfect fit.  Duncan walks them toward the bed, Brent’s knees buckle when they find the mattress, he pulls Duncan down with him with their lips still making purchase against each other.  Duncan sucks Brent’s tongue into his mouth and hums against it making Brent shudder beneath him and Brent’s cock twitch.

Duncan starts working down Brent’s body, marking him with a hickey on his neck that caused a guttural growl from Brent.  Duncan makes a motion to Brent to keep quiet to avoid waking the kids above him. Brent apologizes with a smile in the most Canadian way possible.

Duncan continues to trail kisses down to his chest, biting at each of the nipples until they’re red and perky.  Brent writhes beneath Duncan all the sensations feeling familiar, yet new at the same time. Duncan makes it all the way down to Brent’s cock, and it feels just like Brent had imagined in the shower last night.  Duncan’s mouth is warm and moist welcoming Brent’s dick as if it belonged there.

Brent moans and gasps.  Duncan lets off Brent’s cock to prop the small of his back up with a pillow and grab the lube out of the side drawer.  He moistens a couple of fingers teasing Brent’s rim and taking Brent’s cock back into his mouth. Duncan slides a finger in and Brent breathes through the intrusion enjoying the stretch with low moans and hisses.  Brent’s face exudes pure sex while Duncan looks up to watch Brent’s reaction.

Duncan pops off Brent’s cock slithering back up his body to lick at Brent’s sensitive nipples.  He slides in a second finger and scissors open Brent’s entrance making sure his partner will take his dick comfortably.

“Fuck me,” Brent hisses.  Duncan smiles and complies, grabbing a condom from the open side drawer and kissing Brent while he opens the package and rolls it down.  Duncan adds a good amount of lubrication and grabs Brent’s ankles to slide them onto his shoulders.

Brent locks eyes with a reassuring glance as Duncan lines his cock up to Brent’s hole and slides it in against the finger he left at the entrance.  “So tight,” Duncan moans.

“Always tight for you babe,” Brent moans back.  His cock twitches as Duncan brushes Brent’s prostate.  Duncan bottoms out and bends down to kiss Brent while he adjusts to the tight heat of Brent’s ass.

“God I love this.  I’ve wanted your ass for so long,” Duncan says his body adjusting to the long-absent feeling.

Duncan grabs Brent’s cock making his ass spasm.  “God Brent your ass feels great,” Duncan praises.  Brent moans keeping his gaze locked onto his partners face, the look of just oozing sex and welcomes the feeling of Duncan’s dick in his ass.  Brent’s breathing picks up as Duncan jacks on Brent’s cock, his hole spasms as Brent’s orgasm builds. Brent comes splashing all over his abs.

Duncan fucks Brent through his orgasm and picks the pace back up.  Brent has to grab the headboard to keep his head from slamming into it as Duncan pounds Brent’s hole.  Duncan’s cock pulses and he grumbles out a low chesty moan as his juices fill the condom. The motion slows and Duncan bends down to kiss Brent again.

“I’ve loved you a long time Brent, I’m glad you’re here now,” Duncan admits as he winds down from the adrenaline of sex, his body’s endorphins take over and he pulls into a cuddle with Brent.

“I’ve loved you too, you make me feel things that even Dayna couldn’t provide,” Brent says.

“Promise me one thing,” Duncan starts pleading, “never mention her name again.”

Brent smiles, “You got it, I’m over her.  Kiss me, love!”

Duncan smiles and complies.  He breaks the quick kiss, “Should clean you up so we can get some sleep.”

“Am I staying here?” Brent asks as Duncan wipes him down with a washcloth occasionally licking off some.  Duncan nods and slides in next to Brent. Brent curls onto Duncan’s chest and passes out quickly.

**

“I’m so glad you two finally got together,” Justin yells from the door to the room startling the two men awake.

“Carston get over here, I told you our dads were into each other,” Justin bellows out to the living room.

“Come on get up, we made some pancake batter for you to cook,” Justin pleads.

Duncan stirs sleepily, “What time is it, Justin?”  Duncan asks with one eye open, “and why aren’t you four sleeping in?” Duncan continues, his words muddled by the yawn.

“Just was up and ready for the day, having the sun up before 5 messes with me, but you already know that,” the kid says.  Carston has finally joined him at the door catching his breath since he sprinted from the kitchen.

“Good to see this, my dad had total heart eyes all day yesterday at Uncle Duncs,” Carston says with relief.

“Alright you two, go get the table set, we’ll be out in a minute,” Brent commands.  The door closes, and Brent pulls Duncan into a quick, chaste kiss.

“Guess it’s time to get up,” Brent groans.

“So it appears,” Duncan groans while stretching.

Duncan mans the stove and Brent preps the coffee machine.  Brent wanders hazily over to the fridge digging out the milk and orange juice.  Duncan looks over, “looks like it’s a grocery run day.”

“Justin, can you keep your friends company while Brent and I fly down to Gimli for food?” Duncan asks his son.

“Yeah, sounds like a good excuse for a pool tourney,” Justin says with a smile.

“Good, remember nobody in the water while I’m gone,” Duncan warns.  Justin salutes his dad and gives a dorky smile, looking startlingly like his father.

“You fly to town for groceries?” Brent inquires.

“Yeah, I keep a car in Gimli.  I could drive down there but it’s faster to fly.  I have a prop plane in Pine Dock and got my pilot’s license last summer.  You learn to adapt when you’re this remote,” Duncan explains. Duncan resumes making pancakes while Brent pours a cup of coffee for the chef, then one for himself before he sits with the kids while breakfast is prepared.

“So does this mean we’re all finally a family?” Beatrice asks.

“One step at a time my dear,” Brent answers softly.  “Duncan and I have a lot of things to work through.”

“What about mom?” Dustin whines.

“She’s in a happier place in Chicago, don’t you want Duncs to be your dad too?” Brent inquires.

“I always felt like he was my second dad,” Dustin admits.

“I’m glad to hear it!” Duncan exclaims from the kitchen as he plates up the stack of pancakes and grabbing the butter and syrup from the fridge.  He kicks the door closed with his foot and balances the condiments in one arm, bringing them to the table with the platter of pancakes in the other.

“I have the feeling this could be something good,” Brent admits.

**

Brent and Duncan drive up to Pine Dock down the dusty gravel highway 238.

“That’s my baby,” Duncan says pointing at his Cessna pulling inside the airport gates.  The men exit the truck, pulling out a pile of fabric grocery bags.

“So tiny,” Brent comments remembering all the time he’s spent on jets.

“I know, but it’s only about a 30-minute flight down,” Duncan says as he pulls open the passenger door.  “Hop in, I just have to go over and file a flight plan,” he adds pointing at the trailer office.

Brent scoots into his seat, then Duncan motions him to put on his headphones.  “Be right back.”

Duncan heads over to the office walking in and out quickly.  “Phone line is down with last week’s storms it seems, I’ll have to radio in my intent from the end of the runway,” Duncan says in a flat tone.  Duncan sighs and presses the radio button on his control.

“Pine Dock traffic, Cessna charlie-two-three-delta-kilo ready for takeoff runway 04 Pine Dock,” Duncan says steadily into his mic.

“Pine Dock Cessna, Winnipeg Centre, state intentions,” ATC asks.

“Pine Dock Cessna charlie-two-three-delta-kilo flying visual to Gimli unable to file the plan by phone,” Duncan radios.

“Cessna charlie-two-three-delta-kilo clear for takeoff, climb and maintain 5000 along the Lake Winnipeg shore Gimli, no traffic to note at this time,” ATC responds and Duncan repeats.  Brent sits in the passenger seat impressed at Duncan’s flight skills so far and they haven’t even left the ground.

Duncan throttles the plane to move into a takeoff roll, achieves the takeoff speed and pulls the plane into the air.  He yells into the mic at Brent who looks to his left and smiles with crinkles forming at the edges of his eyes. He looks out at the gorgeous landscape below.

“The view on the way back will be much better for you since the lake will be on your side,” Duncan says into Brent’s headphones.

Duncan pushes the radio button, “Winnipeg centre, charlie-two-three-delta-kilo maintaining 5000 heading 190 bound for Gimli.”

Brent attempts to talk to Duncan who can’t hear him.  Duncs catches Brent’s moving lips and points at the “mic” button.  Brent taps the instructed button, “So Duncan, do you do this flight often?”

“About once a week when we need food, generally we get it from the lake, but I just wanted some time only with you today,” Duncan says with rubbing Brent’s knee with his free hand.  Brent cracks a smile, he’s doing something domestic with Duncan. He’s doing something with Duncan that gives him a glimpse at what family life could feel like with him. It feels awesome.

Twenty minutes after taking off, air traffic control snaps both men out of their bliss.

“Cessna charlie-two-three-delta-kilo, Gimli tower, you should have Gimli in sight,” the disembodied voice announces.

“Cessna charlie-two-three-delta-kilo airport in sight turning left heading 147 to line up to the runway,” Duncan calls back.  Then he radios his intent to land with the tower granting its consent. He lands the plane and taxis it to the gas pump. Duncan adds the gas then taxis the plane to a hanger where his car waits for him.

The rest of the morning is disgustingly domestic, grocery shopping, Duncan needed to buy some new shorts, they pick up a few fishing supplies, then head back.

“Ready to have your mind blown?” Duncan asks stepping back into the cockpit.

Duncan dials ATC on his cell phone and files a quick flight plan of visual flight rules at 5000 feet along the shore of Lake Winnipeg back to Pine Dock.  ATC gives him advice that he is clear of traffic until Pine Dock.

Duncan calls on the radio his intent to depart Gimli.  No return responses indicate no other planes in the area.  Duncan takes off and turns the plane north over the lake for Brent’s enjoyment.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Duncan beams rubbing Brent’s knee again.

“It’s gorgeous Duncs,” Brent exudes through the mic.  Forty minutes after takeoff, Duncan passes Pine Dock airport to the left and turns the plane around calling for traffic in order to ensure a safe landing.  Once on the ground the pair head back to Duncan’s cabin.

“Good, lunch is here!” Carston exclaims like he’s been suffering from hunger for a week.

**

Brent feels like there is a time limit to his happiness.  The three weeks since he arrived were the happiest he can recall having, save winning the Stanley Cup with Duncan at his side.  More important to Brent is that his kids are happy. They all seem like they’ve forgotten the mess of the divorce with Dayna. Training camp is impending, and Brent is due in Winnipeg in a few days.

“I probably have to leave in a week to get settled in Winnipeg for pre-season,” Brent laments one night they are in the kitchen preparing dinner.

“To be honest, Justin and I live in Winnipeg during the winter.  We close everything up over the next week and bear-proof the place, then head back down in time for Justin to start school,” Duncan notes.  “The roads up here are not maintained well, so it’s best to spend winter back in civilization,” he concludes.

“I have to be settled in by next Friday,” Brent notes.

Duncan smiles, “Good, plenty of time.”  He pulls Brent into a kiss. “Let’s get started, so the boat comes out first. I keep it stored in the garage here.  I’ll just drive the truck and the trailer around. Carston and Justin can help us heave it onto the trailer.”

“Sounds good,” Brent says happily as he finishes his coffee and helps Duncan close up the cabin for the winter.

“My winterizing contractor will be here Thursday.  I have to fly the plane down to Gimli tomorrow and you have to drive me back, then we can start the trek back to Winnipeg,” Duncan plans out.

**

Duncan brings the kids to the Iceplex during one of the pre-season practices to let the kids watch Brent work.  Practice winds down and Duncan surveys the arena as he packs up the kids to see the team.

Duncan notices a familiar woman in the crowd and quickly ushers the kids to the locker room area, a place she can’t enter without a pass.  He catches the glance of Seabs and gives him a disconcerted look.

Brent returns an uneasy look at Duncan, “What’s wrong Duncs?

“She’s here and she’s looking for you,” Duncan says trembling.  “She looks like she got put out.” Brent smiles at the sentiment, he’s finally going to get the closure he wanted.

“I kinda figured she’d show her head someday,” Brent admits.  “Fortunately, I made a plan during camp,” he adds.

Brent leans into the locker room, “Nik, can I borrow you for a moment?”

“Yeah coach, what is up?” the half-dressed forward asks.

“When you get done in there, can you take the kids back to your house?  I have some personal stuff to take care of,” Brent requests.

Nikolaj gives off a knowing look.  “Sure thing, go tell her off! She deserves it!” Nik says with a smile.

Brent turns to the kids, “Ok guys and lady, be on your best behavior for Uncle Nikolaj okay?”  The kids silently nod their agreement. Brent grabs Duncan by the hand looks at him fondly, “Let’s go get rid of her forever, eh?”

Duncan flashes back a smile, “Got your back, I love you!”  Duncs pulls Brent in and kisses his forehead, Laine coos behind them.

Brent finds Dayna looking forlorn in the atrium of the building.  He has no intent on doing this privately, he’s going to make a spectacle and send her packing with her tail between her legs.  The anger swells in his mind and he can feel his skin flush red.

“Brent,” Dayna says breathlessly.

“Don’t Brent me, you left me!” Brent barks.

“I was a fool.  Larsy only wanted me for sex, broke it off at the start of training camp,” she starts.  Brent cuts her off to start tirade round one.

“I get you had a mid-life crisis, Dayna.  You wanted some young hockey stud hoping he’d be your fountain of youth.  You got what you wanted, a young buck that only wanted you because he was horny at the time and could get you on the regular.  Let me guess, now that he’s out of the picture you want to come groveling back to me?” Brent yells, making sure everyone in the arena atrium can hear him.  His voice echoes off the metal ceiling, shushing the crowd around them.

“Brent,” Dayna repeats hoarsely dipping her head and reaching out to him, “I was foolish.”

“Well, you made your bed, now sleep in it.  You didn’t want the kids or my money, so go live your life in Chicago and leave me out of the rest of it.  I’ve moved on,” he screams again then grabs Duncan by the hand and kisses his cheek. “And he makes me happier than you ever have, plus he’s better in bed,” Brent says with a smirk.  He’s half tempted to take his phone out and snap a picture of Dayna’s astonished look. A couple of press cameras go off in the background instead.

Duncan smiles and looks fondly at Brent.  Then changes his face and focus to Dayna with a more serious look.  “Now get out of here, and don’t ever show your face to Brent or our family again.”  

Dayna’s face cowers, “I’m sorry I hurt you, Brent.”  Brent, not dignifying that with a response, turns on his heels grabbing Duncan by the arm to do the same.  Duncan’s pissed off gaze stays locked on Dayna until they walk back to the team-only area of the Iceplex.

“Fucking bitch, thinks she could come in here and steal my boyfriend back,” Duncan grumbles lowly into Brent’s ear.  Brent smiles as he crosses the threshold into his office and starts to pack away his laptop while Duncan closes the door.  Duncan and Brent swap looks when Duncan asks, “Did you really mean what you said? Am I really better in bed than her?”

“Infinitely, now take me home so I can prove it,” Brent says beaming a giant smile grabbing his bag.  Duncan pulls Brent from his office and starts to march him back to the car.

Brent realizes he’s looked over a detail walking by the PR department offices.  “Wait! I gotta quick warn PR that I just came out of the closet in the atrium,” Brent says.

“Fucking hockey,” Duncan mumbles through gritted teeth.  “Damn sport’s the ultimate cockblock.”

They walk into Janelle’s office.  She looks up as Brent clears his throat.  “Um, just wanted you to know that I had an altercation with my ex-wife in the atrium.  I may have mentioned my relationship with Duncan in the process. Just wanted you to know.”

“Brent it’s 2024, besides the press wasn’t even shocked when they caught your former teammates making out after they won the cup last season,” she beams.

“I know, just wanted you to be aware is all, see you at the game tonight,” Brent says dismissing himself and Duncan from her office.

By the time Brent and Duncan get back to Brent’s condo, the headline has already hit TSN.  “Jets Assistant Coach Seabrook Tells Ex-Wife He’s Gay For Former Teammate,” it reads.

Duncan smiles reading it.  “Guess it’s only a headline now if it’s a shock,” Duncan cackles out while Brent scrubs his face, blushing.

Duncan stands from the table offering a hand and a smile, “Come on, Nik has the kids until game time.  Let’s take our minds off the drama today, besides someone told me that I’m good in bed.” Duncan flashes that coy grin that makes Brent’s heart melt.

Brent smiles and grabs Duncan by the hand and leading him toward the bedroom.  He strips Duncan’s shirt and plants quick, uncoordinated kisses with each slow stride to the bedroom.  Duncan smiles into each kiss and starts stripping Brent with each step in the march.

Brent sits on the bed and slides Duncan’s sweats which are already clearly showing the tent of Duncan’s hard dick through them when he finds a surprise Duncan had left for him.  A custom pair of Blackhawks boxers with the number 7 interlaced among logos.

“Hey!” Brent says in a playful scorn.  “You stole my underwear!”

“Well I worked hard getting my condo in selling shape, and I had no clean ones after my shower before taking the kids to practice.  So, the next best option was to borrow a pair of yours,” Duncan cheeses with a wink.

“But they don’t fit your ass, your big ass is straining the fabric,” Brent winks.  He admires the look of Duncs’ ass form fit in his boxers. Duncan comes properly equipped with enough cushion for the pushin’.  “I guess that means since you stole my underwear, I get to fuck you,” Brent murmurs inflecting his voice seductively.

“Fair,” Duncan shrugs.

“Let’s get these off before you stain them,” Brent says with a smile like he’s opening a Christmas present as he slides his own boxers off his partner.  Duncan’s hard leaking cock springs free. Brent wipes the excess natural lubrication and licks it seductively off his thumb while staring at Duncan.

“Fuck, you look so hot teasing me,” Duncan mewls.

“And that cock looks too delicious to be ignored,” Brent insinuates.  He takes a couple of tugs on Duncan’s dick and pulls it toward his waiting lips.

“Jesus fuck! I’ve wanted that feeling all day,” Duncan growls in a chesty moan.

Brent works on Duncan’s cock bobbing back and forth.  Duncan reaches down and tugs on Brent’s nipples causing Brent to hum on his dick.  Duncan shudders and bends down to lay Brent down.

Duncan contorts his body so he can suck on Brent’s cock,  his bare ass staring Brent in the face. Brent changes his position and starts licking at Duncan’s exposed hole.

“Damn this feels good,” Duncan screams, popping off Brent’s dick.

Brent licks some more at Duncan’s entrance using it to lubricate the hole to slide his middle finger past the rim.

“God, I could so get off on this,” Duncan moans.

“Not yet,” Brent says as he inserts a second finger.

“Just fuck me now,” Duncan whines.  Brent complies, lubricating his cock and positioning Duncan to fuck him doggy style.  Brent pushes in and moans into the tightness, Duncan’s ass revealing it’s sensory overload capabilities.

“God so tight!” Brent moans.  “I could fuck this ass for days.”

“If only we had days to fuck,” Duncan purrs.

Brent pounds Duncan’s ass leaving Duncs a moaning, groaning mess.  For the first time ever, they’re fucking bare. Brent can feel the true insides of Duncan’s ass, and Duncan can feel the warm pulsing feel of Brent’s bare cock sliding in and out of his chute.  Duncan closes his eyes and breathes through the stretch.

Brent enjoys Duncan’s tight heat.  He slows his pace for a few minutes to let the feeling simmer and extend the festivities.  Brent bends over and blankets Duncan’s back biting at his neck and back leaving marks down his spine.  The clock to Brent’s orgasm resets and he resumes fucking Duncan and jacking on Duncan’s cock. Duncan’s breath turns to huffs and hisses as Brent makes sure Duncan gets full sensory overload.

“Turn me over.  I want to see your face when you come in my ass,” Duncan moans.  Brent slips out of Duncan’s ass, causing Duncan to whimper at the feeling of emptiness.  He turns Duncan over.

“I won’t be coming in your ass though.  I want you to come in mine,” Brent says kissing Duncan and lubricating his cock.  Brent sits on the thick, pulsing cock with no prep. He closes his eyes and relaxes his hole allowing Duncan to slide inside easily.

“Mmmm, so easy for me Seabsy,” Duncan moans heavily.

“Always easy for you,” Brent says as he bends down to let his lips meet Duncan’s and his tongue to press into Duncan’s mouth.  Duncan lets a deep breath in through his nose as he lifts his shoulders up and guiding Brent to the mattress. Duncan’s cock slides past Brent’s prostate in the process, causing a heavy growl to escape Brent’s lips.

“God this ass is so fucking sweet,” Duncan praises as he pounds the tight hole greedily.

“Pound me,” Brent coaches.

Duncan pummels Brent and jacks feverishly on his cock until Brent’s load explodes all over his abs and chest.  “That’s it, Brent,” Duncan smiles and kisses his partner.

Duncan picks up at speed past the point of no return, coming into Brent until the juices ooze around his cock back out of the hole.  Duncan slides out quickly and replaces his dick with his mouth, sucking the load out of Brent.

Brent shifts, moans, huffs, and hisses as Duncan over stimulates Brent’s red, raw, and swollen hole.  “Jesus,” Brent pants, “that… was… fucking… awesome.”

“Gets better,” Duncan slurs with a mouth full of his load.  He leans over Brent and kisses the contents of the load into Brent.

“Interesting slurry of flavors love,” Brent says after he swallows the gift.

“I love you, Brent,” Duncan says with a deep gaze into Brent’s eyes.

“I love you too sap,” Brent coos with a smile.

Duncan leads Brent to the shower, taking care to choose the correct temperature.  He guides Brent inside the rain shower and scrubs the water all over Brent’s body.  Duncan then grabs a washcloth coating it in the musky body wash that Brent loves and causes Duncan’s cock to stiffen at its scent, lathering the fabric and scrubbing Brent’s backside from shoulders to ankles then turning Brent and scrubbing the same body paying close attention to Brent’s dick while kissing him to see if he can get a second load out of Brent.  Brent shudders as his cock is still sensitive from the previous orgasm.

“No second shot, babe.  I’m a one-shot wonder nowadays,” Brent whimpers.

“Damn,” Duncan pouts.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t scrub you down too,” Brent suggests.

Brent grabs the washcloth from Duncan and gives him a passionate kiss allowing Duncan’s tongue to invade his mouth as he rubs the cloth across Duncan’s broad shoulders and arms.  He takes Duncan’s hands and checks him into the wall.

Brent kneels to be eye level with Duncan’s cock, scrubbing at it and causing it to stiffen.  He jacks furiously using his free hand to finger Duncan’s hole. The hole spasms with the sensations, and his second orgasm paints Brent’s face.

Brent finishes scrubbing off Duncan, and they dry off heading back to the bed to nap for an hour before Brent has to get ready to leave for the game that evening at MTS.

“Good luck tonight,” Duncan wishes with a kiss as he collects their kids from the player’s entrance from Nikolaj.

“Thanks again Nik, we appreciate your help,” Brent says appreciatively.

“You’re welcome, and that rant on Dayna… Damn!” Nik says drawing out the last word with a wink.

Brent smiles and gets hit with a pre-game media scrum.

“Coach Seabrook, when did your relationship with your former teammate start?” A reporter asks, one that Brent is sure he’s seen while watching human interest stories on the nightly news.

“All questions regarding my non-team activities should be addressed to my agent and will be handled during my time off.  Let’s just focus on the game tonight, and the Canucks are going to give us a run for our money,” Brent comments changing the subject.

“Speaking of the Canucks, Nikolaj Ehlers and Antoine Roussel have had quite a chemistry in off-season training.  Are the Jets hoping to capitalize on that chemistry?” Brent doesn’t see who asked the question, but then a TSN mic is shoved in his face.

“Management and the coaching staff will pursue any opportunity to make the team better,” Brent responds in a non-answer.  “Thank you, everyone,” Brent grumbles as the lifestyle reporter raises her hand, but Brent walks out to the tunnel to watch warm-ups and get his lines set for the night before she can meddle in his personal life again.

The PR director slides up to him while Brent is lost in his thoughts gazing blankly at the ice and getting into his game frame of mind.  “Thanks for the heads up, shocked it made the news. Anyhow, meet me tomorrow after practice and we’ll craft a statement with Duncan and your agent that makes everyone look good,” Janelle says before wandering back to corral the press outside the locker room.  Brent just nods, making a quick note to change his 2nd and 3rd d-pairings and talk to the head coach as the team heads in for the pre-game festivities.

The Jets lose to the Canucks in a 14-round shootout.  Brent is disappointed, he knows he has some pairings to flesh out.  At least Hellebuyck showed his mettle, and since this was a pre-season game the points don’t matter.

Brent has practice on a warm Saturday morning so Duncan takes the kids to the open rink on the other end of the building and lets them skate around to cool off before heading to a meeting with Janelle.  Brent discussed a PR opportunity to make them out to be great dads and family men. They all walk into the conference room and settle in for a quick meeting.

“Since your outing, there has been quite a bit of support and very little criticism about your relationship, so I expect all will be forgotten soon.  I was hoping to show how dedicated you all are to your families. Can we have someone film you guys at the zoo?” Janelle leads.

“Did someone say zoo?” Dustin exclaims, checking into the conversation.

“God, we’re old,” Justin says dryly, rolling his eyes, “going to the zoo was so six years ago.  Can’t we just do that Prairie Dog train thing?”

“I second the motion,” Carston chimes in.  Then Beatrice goes on about the lack of something for a girl to do.  Brent gets up out of his chair to stand in between all the children.

Duncan rolls his eyes and groans, “Teenagers,” through the hand scrubbing his mouth.  Brent starts rubbing his temples in hopes of making his headache go away. Janelle chuckles at the family interaction.

After a few minutes of the kids bickering about their preferred activity, Duncan perks up, “I’ve got it, family cooking class and maybe some time at The Forks.  Justin has improv classes there this fall on Monday evenings.”

Janelle looks up with a smile writing, “So a day off with Coach Seabrook?”  Brent delights at the thoughts of creating a short video of something domestic.

**

The following Monday, the kids are all excused from school.  Duncan and Brent are walking hand-in-hand as Dustin, Carston, Beatrice and Justin all follow behind holding their skateboards with a camera crew walking alongside.  They get to the skate park area of The Forks. Brent and Duncan take a seat on a bench, helping Dustin into his safety gear. A couple of strides on their boards later and the camera crew focuses on the kids making tricks.  Duncan and Brent sit on the bench keeping an eye out for one of them to tumble.

Carston stumbles first, taking a knee pad ride down the wall.  Brent runs into the bowl and checks Carston out. He’s learned how to take a fall, letting the knee pads take the brunt of the fall.  Duncan flies in behind with the first aid kit from his backpack, relieved to find it isn’t needed.

An hour later of that footage and the family heads back to the car to stash the boards.  The team arranged for some paddle boats to be placed in the river fork marina. Justin and Carston end up in a boat with Duncs, Beatrice and Dustin ride with Brent.  Janelle follows with the camera crew.

“Carston wants to race you, bridge over there is the finish line.  He said he and Justin will make you take their wake!” Duncan chirps.

“So he’s betting a week of doing dishes on that, eh?” Brent chirps back.

“Bet on,” Carston bellows as they line their boats up.

“On your marks,” Duncan yells, then taps Justin and Carston.  Then on what sounded like one word Duncan shouts, “Setgo!” The kids take off before the start message processes through Brent’s brain.  He watches their sons take off like a rocket. Brent starts paddling the boat as if he’s on a sprint with Beatrice shocked she could keep up.  Dustin sits in the back of Brent’s boat cackling.

Justin and Carston tucker out quickly as Brent passes them by waving with a huge grin.  Justin frowns and finds his second wind. Brent’s boat crosses under the bridge a hair before the kids’ boat containing Duncan.  Brent smiles as Justin and Dustin realize, with a frown, that they now have a week of doing the dishes in the house

A little market shopping with breakfast for lunch follows their little boat outing.  They run their wares back to Brent’s condo a couple of blocks away. The camera crew and Janelle are lapping up every little bit of domesticity.

After cooking class dinner is a trip to The Forks’ theatre for Justin’s acting class.  This fall he’s taking improvisation classes which means he has to create scenes on the fly without lines.   

“Alright since we have an audience today,” Jenny the instructor starts, “we’re going to talk a little bit about incorporating your audience into the performance.

“When you bring in your audience, you have to make sure the scene you are going to act is going to be an experience that most people would have knowledge of.  So let us start with a shared experience among most people. So I want you all to take a piece of paper and write down a shared experience and put them in this hat.”  The class takes to the task put to them.

“Alright Justin,” Jenny commands, “go get an audience member and then we’ll play our game.”

Justin runs out and grabs Brent then walks up and pulls a card out of the hat that simply reads, “airport security.”

Jenny looks at the card and laughs, “oh this will be good!”  She looks down at her notes selecting a game. “So you are going to play two sports commentators that are going to do play-by-play of airport security.”

The Jet’s camera guy starts filming.

“Well Don, you’ve had a busy week going through airport security,” Justin cheeses trying to make Brent imitate Don Cherry.

“Well yes Ronboy, I have and I want to share some highlight footage of that.  Here we see Connor McDavid making a rookie mistake leaving his phone in his pocket as he goes through the body scanner.  And now he gets the full body pat down.” Justin tries to imitate the Ron McLean ‘shut up look’ as Brent continues his monologue, “His buddy Leon goes through next and it’s very clear by the metal detector that he wearing more jewelry than is allowed.  Off comes the watch, some earrings, and oh look at him taking off his shirt to expose the other jewelry he’s wearing.” Justin can’t help but laugh.

“Alright well, that is all the time…” Justin starts to say, but in true Don Cherry form, Brent starts in on another classic Grapes tirade about the force the security staff use to get every ounce of liquid out of another guy.

The small audience and class clap at the performance.  Jenny comes back, “That’ll be a hard performance to follow.  Duncan why don’t you come join us and grab a partner.”

Duncan comes up on the stage tapping one of the girls on the shoulder and Jenny looks at the girl, “Alright Libby, grab a card please.”

Libby grabs a card that reads, “Jets Game.”  Duncan beams and Libby looks almost puzzled.

Jenny chimes in with the game, “Alright Duncan and Libby you are going to need two friends from the class to make some sound effects for you.  You will be reenacting a Jets game in 30 seconds responding to the sound effect cues. Jamie, you are doing Libby’s sound effects and Milo you are doing Duncan’s sound effects.”

The entire game is hilarious, Libby’s sound effects girl screws up the sound of a puck being shot making it sound like she shot a raw egg instead, “Well these are apparently very fragile pucks,” she says cheesing at Duncan.  Duncan’s guy makes the sound of a check in which case Duncan bumps shoulders with Libby and her girl responds with the sounds of a dropping stick and gloves with Libby play fighting with Duncs. Duncan’s guy sounds the horn and the game ends with a hearty applause.  Duncan shakes Libby’s hand and walks off the stage with a smile.

A couple of hours later and several games involving even the Jets’ camera crew and the night ends with Jenny, “Very great effort all of you.  You came up with very plausible scenes and acted them out beautifully. We’ll see you next week.” Justin jumps off the stage and joins his family.

Janelle taps Brent’s shoulder, “The guys will edit this while we’re on the road next week and give you a copy for your approval the following Monday.”

“Thanks, Janelle,” Brent says shaking her hand and giving it a gentle pat.

“That was nerve-wracking,” Dustin comments, “please never make us do that again.”  Brent pats his son’s head and pulls him into a tight hug.

**

Brent arrives home from the long roadie that had him inching down the west coast playing Vancouver, Seattle, LA, and Anaheim.  Brent enters the condo looking like he’d been beaten by Zdeno Chara. Duncan had already sent the kids to bed, he hands Brent a mixed drink along with a hot meal and plops on the chaise portion of the large sectional inviting Brent to join him.  The lights of downtown Winnipeg twinkle through the glass wall in the background.

Brent finishes his dinner and drink, melting into Duncan’s chest.  Duncan rubs the stress of the road from Brent’s shoulders, causing Brent to close his eyes and fall asleep on Duncan.  Duncan wished he could carry him to bed, but Brent is thick and heavy when he’s dead weight. Duncan decides to close his eyes and fall asleep with Brent cuddled into him.

Dustin jumps on them first as the sun begins to rise over the horizon and bathes the living room in sunlight.  The other two boys saunter out of the room where all three boys are staying.

“Dustin I can’t believe you got us out of bed this early on a Saturday morning,” Carston says, still wiping the sleep from his eyes.  Justin wanders to the coffee machine to start it but “forgets” to put the filter basket into the machine instead inserts the filter, adding the coffee, and water and starting the machine.

“I miss the days when we got to sleep in on off days,” Brent groans as he stirs to life.

“I’ve been thinking, the boys are packed in one room like sardines, Beatrice is getting older and needs a little more space.  Let’s face it, we’ve outgrown a downtown condo,” Duncan comments as he pads to the refrigerator to get the eggs out to make omelets walking them to Brent who whips out a pan and bowl.

“I agree, with Justin and Carston in their teens too, they will want their privacy,” Brent adds.

“I’ll see what’s in our project list at the office or I can send our project manager out to find something for us,” Duncan says starting an email.

“Not normally how I look for a house,” Brent notes.

“No,” Duncan starts, “but neither one of us has a ton of time to deal with a realtor and going through the renovation process.  My office does this all day long, so I can tell a project manager what we need and he’ll make it happen.”

Brent lets out a sigh and a yawn, “Okay, I trust you.”

Brent takes a sip out of the mug he was handed by Justin.  It was bitter, and grounds were floating in the cup.

“Justin!” Brent exclaims slamming down his cup.  “Think you forgot a part of the coffeemaker,” he says sternly.

Justin is on the couch with Carston laughing their butts off as Brent washes out the coffeemaker and remakes the pot.  “That joke never gets old,” Justin cackles out.

“Oh, it’s on!” Brent laughs and runs over to Justin tickling him until Justin peed his pants on the living room floor.  Duncan films the whole incident on his phone for chirping material later.

**

Duncan decides the week between the start of the regular season and the end of the pre-season is the time to begin house shopping.

“Brent my love, I had my project manager put together a few listings.  Each of these houses will have at least 7 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. They may require some work, but my crew can be done before December,” Duncan notes driving down a residential street to one of the listings.

“This is it!” Duncan exclaims.

“Oh lord,” Brent groans, “this looks like where they filmed the Brady Bunch.”

“Kinda where we’re headed anyway isn’t it?  This is a 1970’s style split level bungalow with a sunken living room.  It has the necessary bedrooms and bathrooms. Let’s just go look inside eh?” Duncan says.

They walk indoors and the musty smell of fixer-upper carpet invades the couple’s senses.  Brent holds his nose.

“So this has been on the market a few months,” Duncan offers.

“Smells like a water problem is brewing,” Brent comments.

The pair walks through the rest of the house, several of the bedrooms are of decent size.  The living room, while sunken, has a great room airy feel with open concept access to the kitchen and dining room.

“There’s also a partially finished basement that would make some awesome finished recreation space,” Duncan says leading them to the stairs.

“And here’s the water,” Brent mumbles as he looks around at all the dampness.

“Ah, yeah.  My guy said that this was the big issue with the place.  We’ll use that as a negotiating tool to help get the price down to do the work we need to make this home livable,” Duncan’s exudes confidence trying to close the deal.

“Alright let’s check out the next one on the list before this place makes me vomit,” Brent says sounding queasy.

“Okay,” Duncan deadpans and ushers Brent back to the vehicle.  They drive just to the outskirts of Winnipeg near the Iceplex.

“This charming and spacious farmhouse has 8 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.  It was built in 1890 and has some good bones. Says here it used to serve as the farmer’s exchange and social hall and the wood floors upstairs are original to the house and were a dance floor,” Duncan reads from the listing.

Brent walks inside, “Definitely needs some updating, I feel like I walked into an episode of ‘Green Acres’.”

Duncan looks around, “Yeah electrical will need upgrades noting a large amount of two-pronged plugs.  And probably some asbestos abatement, but we can get that checked out on inspection. The place has good bones to work with though, and check out the 3 acres of the backyard!”  Duncan shows off the lawn like a game show hostess.

“You do know how to find space, I think this is a definite maybe, at least it doesn’t smell like a river ran through it,” Brent notes as he observes the remainder of the interior.

“Alright, I have one other and it isn’t far.   This one I liked the best!” Duncan beams.

A long drive around the northern suburbs of Winnipeg, then Duncan turns the truck down a forested driveway where a large log structure appears through the thick forest, it looks like an older version of the Lake Winnipeg cabin.

“Another log cabin Duncs!” Brent groans.  Duncan shrugs and pulls out the real estate listing.

“This is a modern cabin built in 2015.  The outside structure is good and the great room exhibits significant space.  A guest cabin built in 2018 contains two additional bedrooms, a full bathroom, and kitchenette.  The prior owners used it as an AirBnB to generate income from the property,” Duncan verbalizes the written page from his business partner.

They get to the front door where Brent discovers a detail that Duncan didn’t mention, “Is that…”  The rest of Brent’s thought is finished through Duncan’s voice.

“Fire damage,” Duncan notes.  He flips the page on the listing, “the building suffered a fire last summer and the owner was not insured to make or afford repairs.  Hence the spectacular price.”

“Thought that price was too good to be true,” Brent mumbles paging through the rest of the listing.  “It is safe to enter?” Brent asks touching the doorknob gingerly like the building will fall down on them.

“My project manager has already been here and tells me we can walk around inside, but his recommendation is to gut the place and lay it out the way we like it,” Duncan weighs in.  Brent removes his hand from the doorway.

“This sounds expensive and extensive, and I don’t think we can have this done before the holidays,” Brent sighs.

“Farmhouse?” Duncan concedes.

“Yeah,” Brent says with a smile.

“We’ll get the paperwork started in my office and get some plans drawn out once the offer is accepted,” Duncan says driving back to the office to fill in the paperwork

The couple signs the offer and makes out while the fax machine transmits the document over to the listing agent.

Duncan’s phone rings an hour later as they walk into Brent’s condo.  “That was quick,” Duncan comments in shock. Duncan takes the call in the kitchen reaching for a good bottle of cabernet and getting the steaks out of the fridge.  He hangs up and yells for the kids.

“Offer accepted, family.  We move in about 6-8 weeks,” Duncan exclaims happily.  The kids all look like Christmas came early.

A week later, Duncan closes the deal and hands the project over to his project manager so he can focus his attention on getting Brent’s condo ready to list and pack for the move.  At least Brent made his half of moving easy, he barely had a chance to unpack.

The video team has finally released their day at The Forks.  Brent and Duncan review the video mashup that was created with their family.  After deciding the Jets did the video justice to their family life. Brent provides his approval to use it at the next home game.

**

In all of the craziness since the convention, Duncan finds he neglected one little detail, he forgot to tell his own family what had transpired.  So when his mother called to invite him and Justin to Thanksgiving dinner, he had to up the RSVP count.

“Uh honey, that is a lot more than I expected,” his mother Jean notes.

“Well mom, I met somebody and they came with kids of their own,” Duncan said hoping they hadn’t read the sports headlines.

“So I heard, tell Brent he and his kids are welcome,” Jean says with a delightful tone.  “I’m sure he can’t spend it with his own family and get back in time for the start of the season,” Jean mentions.  Duncan groans as he turns back to eat his lunch in the office with Brent sitting smugly with a grin on the other side of the desk eating a power bowl and hoisting his feet next to Duncan’s nameplate.

“Thought your parents didn’t read the papers did ya,” Brent chirps.

“Damn your ex-wife, I wanted to tell them in person at Thanksgiving dinner,” Duncan confesses.

Duncan turns into the drive, and parks at the suburban house of his parents.  Duncan turns the knob of the front door and sucks in a deep breath squeezing Brent’s hand until it loses all sensation.  Brent looks at him and reassures him, “It’s going to be fine babe.”

The door is yanked out of his hand and Duncan’s instantly attacked by his mom. Justin laughs.  David shakes Brent’s hand, the couple welcomes the four children to their home.

After hugging her son and Brent, Jean looks at Duncan, “You remembered the wine right?”

Duncan winks as Brent holds up a bag, “Of course mom!”

“Well let’s pop a cork and feast,” David offers ushering both families into the dining room.

Brent, familiar with the Keith family traditions, knows what to expect next.  David stands offering his wine glass in a toast. “Let’s give thanks to this beautiful day and our beautiful family.  For Duncan finding the love of his life… at last! For Brent being there to support Duncan. For a joyful season for the Winnipeg Jets.  To being healthy and alive we give thanks, hear hear!” The families clink glasses.

“Alright, let us see what we are thankful for this year, shall we?” David offers.  “Guests first, of course, Brent?”

“I am thankful for Duncan who was there for me when I needed him the most, and for loving me unconditionally,” Brent replies honestly.  “Carston?”

“I’m thankful for having a new brother who is my best friend,” Carston says looking at Justin.  “Beatrice?”

“I am thankful for having a loving family,” She answers.  “Dustin?”

“I am thankful for our dads sticking up for us,” Dustin huffs still pissed at his mom.

“Well, that’s all of our guests, Jean?” David asks holding his hand palm up at his wife.

“I’m thankful that Duncan has finally found the love of his life,” she says lovingly.  “Duncan?”

“I’m thankful that Brent finally admitted what he’s really wanted all these years,” Duncan responds gazing lovingly into Brent’s eyes.  “Justin?”

“I’m thankful to have more brothers and a sister to love,” Justin says with a smile.

“Well let us thank a nice summer for the bounty that graces our table, let’s eat,” David announces as the family starts passing around dishes of turkey slices, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a blend of vegetables.  A flurry of conversation between the family members makes a stream of noise that reverberates off the walls. Duncan eats one handed with the other squeezing Brent’s thighs.

“Keep that up and we’ll have to excuse ourselves from the table,” Brent whispers in Duncan’s ear and kisses a peck on his neck.  The kids express their disgust with “Ewww” shouted in unison.

Dessert is handed out in the form of apple pie and ice cream creating a sugar buzz among the children.  Duncan sends them to the backyard to run the extra calories off as the adults hover around the television to watch the Bears play the Lions on television.

“Horseshit call,” Duncan shouts as the Bears get called for holding.

“Duncan, what if your kids heard you say that!” Jean scolds.

“Justin’s heard me say that watching me in practice,” Duncan comments.  Jean rolls her eyes.

“Well, dear, he did play hockey,” David tells his wife shrugging his shoulders.

The game ends with the Bears winning 21-12, Duncan piles the kids in the back seat of the SUV.  They head to the farmhouse to check the renovation progress. The kids look around claiming their rooms.  The family moves in a month.

**

“Hey Brent, I saw you had an off day today,” Duncan starts, the kids finally letting them sleep in on a Sunday morning.  “The house is done, you wanna go see it, maybe christen it?” He finishes with his sexy voice.

“Mmm, sounds lovely,” Brent returns with a passionate kiss.

The pair takes the kids out to breakfast that morning at The Forks, then drop them off with grandma Keith.  Duncan blindfolds Brent and drives out to the remodeled farmhouse.

They walk up the porch of the old farmhouse with Duncan guiding Brent toward the house then removing the blindfold.

“Tada,” Duncan says giving Brent a look of the renovated house from the outside.  The house has a rock sided exterior up to the walls, giving it a stone house look.

“It’s gorgeous from the outside,” Brent comments.

“Welcome home,” Duncan says opening the front door on the full wood wrap-around porch that extends to a deck out back.

“This is so much better than I expected,” Brent says breathlessly walking into the open concept living, dining, and kitchen area.  A breakfast bar separates the kitchen from the other two rooms. Off to the left down a hallway behind the fireplace is a hallway leading to two guest rooms with a shared bathroom, the stairs to the basement fill in the area under the stairs that go up.

“Let’s head upstairs, eh?” Duncan guides them toward the stairs that lead to a hallway.  The master suite is off to the left, two bedrooms and shared bathroom at the top are for Carston and Justin.  Off to the right are two bedrooms with their own bathrooms for Dustin and Beatrice and a linen closet.

Duncan ushers Brent to each of the rooms with Brent expressing his approval at the amount of space each kid gets as a result of the renovation.  Duncan had already swiped all the wall ornamentation from the downtown Condo so the kids already got an idea of the layout of their rooms.

Duncan leads Brent to the master suite with the biggest surprise he could provide in a bathroom.  “So in here we have a jacuzzi tub, stand up shower, soaker tub, and a dual vanity so we can get ready for work together.  I think we should christen that while we are here,” Duncan says pointing at the jacuzzi tub and setting down his duffle.

“Let’s see the rest of the house first, eh?” Brent asks.

“Alright, basement then,” Duncan mentions.

They walk down to the basement using the stairs behind the fireplace.  “There are two ways down here, the stairs we just used or there is a set of stairs that lead up to the kitchen.  The utility room is behind us through that door with the central air, furnace, etc. Then as you see this space is our rec room.  A place to play some cards, watch a theater-style movie, game of pool, ping pong table, and a couple of old arcade style games.  We can also heat this space with a wood stove at the other end of the basement,” Duncan comments pointing at each of the features the basement offers while walking through it.

Duncan guides Brent back up to the kitchen and shows him the large backyard.  There are trampolines, a firepit, and a shed behind the house and attached garage.

“So what do you think?” Duncan asks.

“Your company does good work, can’t wait to make this home,” Brent beams.

“So should we christen it properly?” Duncan pleads.

“Sounds like fun.  I’ll get the jacuzzi ready if you want to get cleaned up for a nice long fuck in there,” Brent says with a wink.

Duncan uses the guest bathroom downstairs to prep for Brent’s invasion.

Brent draws the hot bath and turns on the jets, then strips his clothing and slides his naked body into the hot water stroking himself hard.

“Got started without me, didn’t you?” Duncan notes Brent’s hard cock as he strips off the tight jeans.

“Yeah, I did.  Now get in here so I can fuck you until you can’t stand up,” Brent motions.

Duncan slides in the hot water and cuddles against Brent’s hard cock and chest.  Brent slides him up kissing and sucking hickeys into Duncan’s neck. Brent then starts stroking Duncan’s cock until it pulses to full hardness in his hand.

“Turn around and give my mouth your dick,” Brent whispers into Duncan’s ear.  He doesn’t need to be told twice to get a blowjob from Brent’s sweet luscious lips.  Brent takes his cock in his mouth and then he slips a finger into Duncan’s hole.

“Fucked myself with a dildo while you were away yesterday,” Duncan pants.

Brent pops off smiling, “Nice, wondered why you let me in so easy.  Going to make fucking that much sweeter.”

Brent goes back to sucking on Duncan’s cock while he strokes his own dick.  The jets of the tub are causing extra stimulation as the bubbles tickle the sensitive head.

After a few minutes of moaning against Duncan’s dick.  Duncan slides out and lowers himself onto Brent.

“Fuck Seabs, I love this cock in me so much,” Duncan whines as the intrusion envelopes his senses.  “Making me feel so full,” Duncan moans.

“I love filling your tight ass up, kiss me,” Brent instructs.

Brent pulls Duncan into a deep passionate kiss pressing his tongue against Duncan’s lips asking to invade his mouth along with his ass.  Duncan moans into Brent’s mouth while sucking quick breaths through his nose to avoid having to break the kiss.

Brent continues to pummel Duncan’s ass and face.  Duncan’s ass with his dick causing Duncan to issue a moan each time Brent pushes his cock in deeper and his mouth with Brent’s tongue.  Duncan’s moans causing vibrations to reverberate down Brent’s spine and stimulating Brent’s cock.

Brent picks up the pace and starts jacking on Duncan’s cock forcing Duncan to break the long kiss to pant harder and harder until he blows his load in the water.  Brent slides out of Duncan causing Duncs to whimper at the empty feeling. Brent sits on the side of the tub and guides Duncan’s lips to his hard, throbbing manhood.

“That’s it, take my cock.  Swallow my load,” Brent coaches.

Duncan wraps his hand around Brent jacking on his cock while sucking around the head.  Brent gasps and moans as Duncan brings him to climax, unleashing his load Duncan swallowing the juice greedily.  Duncan leaves a little on his tongue and slides up to kiss a little of Brent’s flavor into his partner. Brent moans into the kiss and welcomes the salty flavor of his load in his mouth.

The pair dries off and drains the tub.  “I declare this house properly christened, let’s go get the truck and our kids to get some furniture in this place,” Duncan directs.

“Sounds delightful,” Brent says with a grin still pulling their naked bodies in tight and pressing a kiss onto Duncan’s lips.

Moving with four kids turns out to be a breeze when you bribe them with all the pizza they can eat.  Justin and Carston turn superhuman, heaving pieces of the sectional onto the truck like it hardly weigh anything.  Duncan and Brent got the unfortunate duty of moving mattresses and beds.

“Next time we move, we’re getting new bedding,” Brent complains as the king size mattress of their bed flops everywhere.

“Works for me,” Duncan says straining his muscles to get the mattress into the hallway.

As the condo empties, the truck they rented fills.  A few hours after starting, the last box is packed onto the truck.  Brent hops in the cab with Duncan behind in Brent’s SUV carrying the kids.  They get to the new house and the driveway is lined with a sea of blue jerseys.

“Welcome home coach,” Laine says, shaking Brent’s hand then pulling him into a hug.  Brent opens the hatch of the truck and teammates start a box train tossing boxes from one teammate to another.  The kids stood at the end of the line to run the boxes to their marked destinations on the outside.

Once all the boxes containing, clothes, books, and other various knick-knacks, the heavy lifting became a team effort.  Brent and Duncan avoided mattress duty this time. Brent had given that task to the team rookies this year, after all, they could really use the workout!

Brent places a gigantic order of pizza and runs to a convenience store to buy the place out of half its inventory.  The Jets essentially threw a housewarming party that evening. By the time the evening wrapped up around 10 pm, the house had the basic look and feel of a home.  Brent and Duncan would run back to the condo in the morning to surrender the keys, give the place one last look over for missed items, and pick up Duncan’s truck.  The family finally had all the space they needed.

**

Brent’s family arrives at the new house, and Duncan greets them all with a smile.  He serves up eggnog on a swanky tray while they all wait for the Jets’ plane to land in about an hour from Chicago.

After suggesting that they host the holiday party instead of Duncan’s family to showcase their new home, Duncan and the kids had to stay home to clean the house and prepare the guest rooms for the extended family to stay over.  Keith had flown in from Seattle and Brent’s parents from Vancouver.

It is easy for Duncan to entertain the Seabrooks since he knows them for years.  They spend time catching up on trades, entry drafts, and the prospects of Quebec City finally getting a hockey team back.  In the last CBA, it was decided that if one conference gained a team the other conference did as well setting up the prospect of an NHL team in Houston.

Duncan shows off pictures of his Lake Winnipeg cabin and invites Brent’s parents to join them sometime this summer.  Secretly this is a ploy to get them up there for something he’s been wanting for years.

Brent finally arrives home and gives Duncan a kiss and a couple of holly branches for the table centerpiece and opens his luggage to add some wrapped packages underneath the tree.

Brent leans into Duncan and whispers, “The Hawks gave me some stuff to give the kids.  Plus there are some gifts from Uncle Sharpy, Uncle Pat, and Uncle Jonny. They had to head to Buffalo this year for Christmas,  Bryan and Andree are headed down there to join them.” Brent adds a sly smile leaving Duncan to wonder what secret hides behind the grin and evil eyes.

Brent’s look sours as he remembers something else.  “I’ll be right back, I have one other thing to bring up,” Brent murmurs grimly.

“Is it what I think it is?” Duncan asks back with a knowing look.  Brent nods.

“She didn’t!” Duncan exclaims censoring his curses from the children in the room.  Brent looks up at Duncan with puppy dog eyes.

“You want me to just take care of it?”  Duncan asks.

“I have a better idea, let’s just unwrap them and donate them to charity,” Dustin proposes wisely while eavesdropping on the two adults having a conversation concerning him and his siblings.

“Any objections Beatrice or Carston?” Brent asks.

“Nope,” the brother and sister reply in unison.

“I can’t believe she’d stoop that low, didn’t you two tell her to butt out?” Keith grumbles.

“We did, apparently it wasn’t a Texas-sized 10-4,” Duncan responds.

Brent’s parents roll their eyes and pad out to the kitchen for the spiked eggnog, handing a glass of it to Brent.  Brent slams it down and serves himself a second glass.

“Look, Brent, I’ll take care of it,” Duncan says softly.  Duncan goes into the bedroom, leaves, taking his Santa costume with him, and returns two hours later.

“Added some other goodies to the package and took them to one of the homeless shelters in town.  Gave the kids a visit from Santa,” Duncan says with a smile.

“You got lucky Dustin, I saved you from Captain America PJs,” Duncan says.

Dustin smiles back at Duncan, “Thanks!  I grew out of Captain America crap two years ago.”

“Glad to hear it, off to bed with you or Santa won’t stop here.  I heard he was close by,” Brent coos.

“Yeah he just got home,” Dustin chirps pointing at Duncan.  Duncan blushes and smiles.

“Still little man, off to bed with ya,” Duncan says tickling Dustin the entire distance to his bedroom up the stairs and down the hall.

With all the kids in bed, Duncan returns, strutting into the master bedroom and grabbing the first of three boxes of presents that Duncan had procured during the last roadie for the Jets.  He stacks each under the tree with care. Brent grabs his boxes of presents he got when Duncan headed down to Chicago to Sharpy’s Christmas party that Brent had to miss because of his job.

Brent’s family barely makes it to midnight before heading to their guest rooms.  Brent downs the last of his spiked eggnog feeling delightfully buzzed.

“Hey I brought you a special present,” Brent hints with a wink.  “It can only be opened in there,” Brent finishes pointing up at the master suite.  Duncan smiles and practically drags Brent to the room for his special gift.

Brent sits Duncan on the edge of the bed, grabs the box on the bed stand, and joins Duncan, straddling him and pressing his chest against his lover’s.  Brent plants his lips against Duncan’s, poking his tongue to prompt Duncan to let his tongue in.

Brent breaks the passionate kiss for air and breathes out, “Merry Christmas, my love.”  He holds up the tiny box barely big enough to hold a pen or a necklace.

Duncan opens the box and smiles.  “It’s beautiful,” he responds with a wink holding up a jockstrap with the numbers “2 & 7” emblazoned where Duncan’s cock and balls will be accentuated.

“You looked so good in my boxers, I just wanted you to wear something that makes your ass so much more fuckable,” Brent says grinding against Duncan.  “Go slip them on, so we can fuck under the mistletoe!”

“The mistletoe?” Duncan inquires raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, look up,” Brent says.  Duncan looks up and sure enough, there is a bundle of mistletoe above the bed.

“Good thing we already kissed, I didn’t see it there,” Duncan comments.

“I’ve left other little surprises around the room too.  All designed to get you in the holiday spirit,” Brent says as he goes over to the gas fireplace, lighting it and the red and green candles on the mantle scented cinnamon and pine.

“You do go all out don’t you?  I can’t believe you set this all up unnoticed!” Duncan says as he stands to change his underwear.

Brent shrugs, “I had two hours and what can I say, I’m a romantic sap.”

Duncan slides up in his new jockstrap, “No! You’re my romantic sap.”  Duncan plants a chaste kiss on Brent, biting the lower lip as he releases it.  Duncan unbuttons Brent’s shirt slowly as he nips at Brent’s lower lip until it’s red and swollen.

Duncan bares Brent’s scantily furred chest and perked nipples.  He runs kisses down Brent’s neck sucking in hickeys until he gets to Brent’s nipples.  Duncan inhales one and bites down on the nub. Brent closes his eyes and hisses in a breath and exhales a moan.

Duncan leads Brent to the bed and slides off Brent’s pants and boxers now a Jet’s print in honor of the team he’s now coaching.

“Grab the lube,” Brent hisses.  Duncan grabs the bottle on the counter and looks at it in confusion.

“Pumpkin spice lube?” Duncan questions.

“Yeah, holiday touches my lovely little fucker,” Brent chirps.  Duncan grabs Brent’s cock and tugs on it to shut him up.

Duncan applies some of the flavored lube to Brent’s cock.  His mouth waters with the scent of the pumpkin spiced goodness even if the only real flavors are cinnamon and nutmeg.  The lube makes Brent’s cock smell like a Christmas feast for the senses. He takes Brent into his watering mouth and slides up and down to remove the edible goodness.

“You… didn’t… had.. canned… pumpkin,” Brent pants as Duncan’s lips slide up and down the shaft.  Duncan grabs the bottle containing the flavored juice and lubes a couple of fingers to prepare his hole for Brent’s lips.

Duncan pops off Brent’s cock.  “Oh well, this works too,” Duncan says with a wink as he shuffles on the bed to place his ass firmly in Brent’s face and also so he can continue to suck on Brent’s dick.

Brent takes the hint tonguing the flavored lube off Duncan’s hole then stiffens his tongue muscles to enter the spasming pucker.  Duncan’s cock starts to leak onto Brent’s neck. Little drops of pre-come turn into larger and larger streams as Duncan’s cock reacts to the stimulation Brent’s cock is providing.

Brent takes some warming lube off the other bed stand and coats his fingers as it warmth tingles the sensitive pads of his fingerprint.  He slides the middle finger into Duncan and begins to maneuver it to find his partner’s hole. Duncan gasps as the heat sends alarm bells off to his brain.

“Fuck… ugh… me… Brent,” Duncan pants as the warming lube makes Duncan sweat profusely.

Brent slides out from under Duncan and applies the warming lube to his own cock, it twitches with the warmth the heat provides.  Brent slides into Duncan easily since the lube also has a relaxing effect on Duncan’s sphincter. The rim gives easily to Brent’s intrusion.

“So easy babe,” Brent murmurs into Duncan’s ear sucking it in and nibbling it.

“Wanted you, had to dildo fuck myself last night after you won,” Duncan whines.

“No wonder you’re so loose,” Brent chirps as he bottoms out and starts his pounding thrusts, running his engorged cock along Duncan’s prostate.  Duncan’s cock has released enough precome for a strip of it to extend from his cock to the comforter below. Duncan has to grab the headboard to stabilize himself against Brent’s thorough fucking.

Brent grabs Duncan’s hips and holds Duncan until his cock fully invades Duncan’s ass.  Brent leans back to lay down, forcing Duncan to follow Brent’s lead. Duncan turns around once he’s in the riding position and gazes into Brent’s eyes.  The gaze says that he’s sex drunk and properly pleasured by the cock in his ass.

Brent reaches out and tugs on Duncan’s cock, jacking it hard forcing Duncan to unleash a large load onto Brent’s abs and chest.  Brent fucks him through the orgasm then he holds Duncan into a single position and pounds in several quick deep thrusts. Brent grunts and groans as his orgasm hit its peak, dumping copious amounts of come into Duncan’s ass filling him up so completely that streaks of his own load appear on his cock.

Duncan stays on Brent until Brent’s cock goes limp.  He moves to the ensuite to clean up returning with a cloth to clean off Brent’s abdomen.  Duncan undoes the sheets while Brent extinguishes the candles before falling fast asleep to snow falling outside the sliding glass door leading out to the master patio overlooking the backyard.

Seven the following morning four children invade the master bedroom jumping onto the king size bed, “Come on dads, it’s Christmas,” Carston shouts from the door.

“Santa was here!” Dustin exclaims.

“Even Uncle Pat and Uncle Jonny brought their sled,” Beatrice announces.

“Uncle Pat and Uncle Jonny are here?” Duncan asks in confusion.

“Yeah Jonny’s been down there since 5 am making cinnamon rolls,” Justin mentions.

“Get down here fuckers!  Can’t sleep all morning!” Pat yells from the bottom of the stairs.

Brent covers his eyes with his hands.  Beatrice flicks on the lights as Brent sits up.  The sheet slides down revealing that he’s not clothed.

“Ohh Uncle Pat swore!” Dustin says with a warning tone.  “Oh crap! Dads are nekked! Let’s get out of here!”

The four kids don’t need to be told twice, they bolt out of the room slamming the door behind them.

Duncan pulls Brent into a passionate kiss, “Merry Christmas Seabs.  I love you,” he murmurs.

“I love you too,” Brent mumbles in Duncan’s ear then nibbling at the lobe.

“Can’t start that now that the kids are up.  I’m so wrecking you in the jacuzzi tonight after everyone’s in bed,” Duncan proposes as he pulls on his boxers that were on the floor next to the bed.  He adds sweats and pulls one of Seabs’ Team Canada shirts.

“God how do I love you when you wear that!” Brent chirps.

“Cause I look so hot in your clothes, Mr. Fashion Icon,” Duncan coos back kissing Brent afterward.

Brent pulls on the jeans his ass almost explodes out of and a t-shirt and sweater.  He grabs Duncan’s hand walking out the door and down the stairs. He almost checks Keith at the bottom because he was staring at Duncan’s package.

“Did I just hear Kaner?” Keith says sleepily.

“Yeah, I hope they made coffee!” Brent grumbles rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

Several cups of coffee line the table as Jonny pulls the rolls out of the oven.

“When did you... thought you were headed to Buffalo?” Duncan asks confused.

“You should know my maman, Kaner, and Brent are the masters of all gags.  We took a charter last night, got in at 4:30 am,” Jonny notes with more excitement than should be allowed at this hour.

“Maman, papa, and David will be over this afternoon for dinner.  Hope you bought lots of food!” Jonny beams.

“What about Pat’s family?” Duncan asks.

“They send their regards, but last-minute flights from Buffalo to Winnipeg are in surprisingly short supply at the last minute.  They’re going to do FaceTime when we open presents in a bit,” Pat mentions. “I FedEx’d my gifts yesterday.” Pat’s phone chimes, he looks, and smiles.  “Which they just got,” he laughs as he holds up his phone for all to see.

Brent’s parents join the table a few minutes after Duncan and Brent got there.  The coffee helps the adults wake up. Duncan rises from the table to start another pot as the family and guests crowd the huge leather sectional, the kids occupying the floor.  Brent lights a fire in the fireplace and starts passing out presents.

“Good haul this year!” Justin says after accumulating a pile of presents.

“No kidding should have gotten our dads together last year!” Carston adds.

The family tears into their gifts which included not only Hawks jerseys courtesy of Uncle Pat and Uncle Jonny.  Jets jerseys were earned from Brent for Duncan, Brent’s parents, and the four children. Various toys, games, and technology were given to every child bringing a gleam to their eyes.

Brent makes a large batch of homemade hot cocoa that his mom had taught him how to make, giving it a peppermint flavor.  He served the beverage up and then with Duncan, Justin, and Carston’s help began to make a holiday dinner when Duncan’s parents showed up along with several of the single and foreign team members.  By the time dinner was ready the house had been invaded by over 20 additional guests.

The holiday was festive and the giving spirit was evident when teammates were exchanging donations to their favorite charities in the name of the person receiving the gift.

Justin challenged every single Jet that came to Christmas dinner to a game of pool.  The unknowing team member completely unaware that Justin is no joke with a pool stick.  Justin ends up being the last man standing.

Several hours later, Christmas Day turns into Boxing Day, the kids wander sleepily to bed and the last guests leave.  Brent collapses on the bed next to Duncan with no energy left to even make it to his pillow.