Chapter 2
On practice days, most of the team arrives early to stretch and warm up so they can spend the bulk of their ice time actually running drills.
It warms Dimitri's heart to know he helped build something solid, something Jasper would come to love just as much when he joined.
Jasper's always liked to be the first one on the ice, however.
Dimitri watches him skate lazy loops around the rink, settling into his stride alone in the vast white.
Dimitri joins him, striding over.
"If the teasing is too much," Dimitri says quietly, "tell me.
I'll stop doing it in public.
I do not want to... embarrass you."
"It's fine," Jasper says, squeezing Dimitri's arm reassuringly.
"Everyone teases."
"Sometimes they go too far," Dimitri replies.
"Say the word, and I'll stop.
They'll follow."
Jasper smiles at that, lips pressed together, eyes soft in a way meant only for Dimitri.
His heart flutters stupidly at the look—one that used to be reserved for private moments.
Even here, with teammates filtering onto the ice, it feels like they're alone.
It means more than Dimitri can say that Jasper can look at him like this in public now, unafraid of judgment.
Jasper leans in just enough to steal a brief kiss.
"Thank you," he whispers, fingers lacing with Dimitri's.
"It's not needed, though.
The guys don't mean anything by it.
If that changes, you'll be the first to know."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Jasper gives his hand one last squeeze before letting go, straightening with a smug tilt to his mouth.
"Besides, they can tease all they want.
I'm still the one cashing the paycheck."
"Mr.
Business Man," Dimitri purrs, eyes dragging shamelessly over him.
Jasper scoffs, blushing, and shoves Dimitri lightly before skating off.
By the time the rest of the team joins them, the underwear campaign is
still
the hot topic.
"How many sponsorships do you even have?" Corrigan asks.
"Seven hundred players in the league, and somehow
Jasper Langford's
the only one every brand wants."
"What, jealous?" Jasper shoots back.
"I remember seeing his ads when I was a kid," Enzo says, laughing.
"I begged my mom for StrideOnes because Jasper Langford wore them."
"Hey, don't you still wear StrideOnes to this day?" Preston asks, narrowing his eyes at Jasper.
"Langy only wears clothes he's sponsored by," Cole adds.
Everyone turns to stare at him.
Cole raises his hands defensively.
"What?
I only know because Murray keeps complaining about having to blur out Jasper's logos in videos!"
"You're telling me you're a
fucking millionaire
and you still only wear free stuff?" Riggs asks, eyes wide.
"That's insane!"
"It's efficient," Jasper protests.
"It's boring," Dimitri cuts in cheerfully.
"He wears the same outfits like he's a sitcom character."
"It's called having a brand."
Enzo pauses.
"Wait—does that mean you're wearing the underwear right now?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Jasper responds with a smirk before skating away.
Dimitri has always liked social media.
Even back in his rookie season, when it wasn't nearly as prevalent as it is now, he enjoyed being able to see the public's opinions on just about anything.
There are always niches and communities within the hockey sphere, and Dimitri keeps track of most of them—usually discussions about different teams, playoff chances, and league drama.
He and Jasper have always been popular subjects: the two best players, the rivalry-turned-romance, the husbands playing on the same team.
Dimitri knows he's popular.
He knows Jasper is popular.
He just didn't realize Jasper was
this
popular.
Since Jasper's Donovan Voss campaign dropped, it somehow escaped the hockey bubble entirely and spilled into the general public.
There are countless ClipLoops now—not even from hockey fans, just regular people—posting about his husband in tight white briefs that leave very little to the imagination.
Every sports show seems obligated to mention Jasper Langford's Donovan Voss campaign.
It's inescapable in a way neither of them had expected.
At first, Dimitri thought it was fun.
He was glad the world finally saw his husband as the sexy, talented man he'd always known him to be.
He liked interacting with fan posts and edits, even sending them to Jasper just to watch the way his face would immediately redden.
But now, the public reaction is a little... much.
Other players—both Stingrays and opponents—haven't let either of them hear the end of it.
Jasper takes it better; whenever someone makes a quip or fires off a joke, he just shakes his head and ignores it.
Dimitri, on the other hand, usually strong-headed and unwavering, can feel his blood boil every time a rival chirps about "keeping his husband on a leash."
Why does it matter that people thirst over Jasper?
He's Dimitri's husband.
He
was the one who told Jasper to take the ad.
And with the sheer volume of tweets pining after Jasper, there are even a few asking if Dimitri could fight.
He hadn't understood it at first and had to ask Murray what it meant, but the idea of strangers asking him to fight over his
own
husband is ridiculous.
(Which he can.
He's a hockey player, and he's Ostrovian.
And when it comes to his husband, Dimitri is confident he could beat
anyone
in a fight.)
Dimitri is pretty sure Jasper has noticed how his mood surrounding the campaign has soured.
He no longer sends Jasper funny posts and grumbles every time someone in the locker room brings it up.