Chapter Text
Will knew who he was, who didn’t. Even if they didn’t go head-to-head in college, he knows he would still hate him. He watched the sway in his walk as he smoothed down his suit and hugged his mother, smiling. Will rolled his eyes, there was something in that smile, something evil. Or maybe Will was insanely dramatic, but the first option seemed more believable, of course. As Will watched him travel down the line of what seemed like his never-ending family, The boy finally joined the organization on the stage. It was safe to say that the 2024 draft year was one of a kind, not to say his venue wasn’t nice, but it wasn’t the sphere either.
“Welcome to the NHL” followed by “Thank you, Sir” Will didn’t need to be up on stage to know that’s what they said, because it was a carbon copy of his exchange from the year before. He honestly doesn’t remember much from last year, except the drilling feeling of ‘you’re not good enough’ after he wasn’t picked second, and again when Fantilli went third. He felt the squeeze on his thigh from the right side of him, a touch of reassurance from his father who was always good at reading his mind.
“The San Jose Sharks are proud to select, Will Smith” was the last thing he clearly remembers, hugging his family, walking back to find Leno and Moore there ready to dap them up, meeting Gabe halfway down the stairs tucking his arms around his waist. The walk down was a complete blackout; he was more focused on trying not to trip over his own feet and the faint sound of his ‘theme song’
So it’s safe to say he knew what was going on In this kids heads right now, but then again, he wasn’t first overall so maybe he doesn’t. As he sits on the couch, squished between Leno and Vote, a beer slumped in his left hand, his phone buzzes in his pocket. He switches his beer to his right and pulls his phone out of his pocket, accidentally elbowing Leno in the process followed by a dramatic arm grab. Will rolled his eyes and tapped on the message
Unknown Number: Hey Will, was asked to pass Macklin’s number on to you. Give him a call. Thanks, Maria
Will: Sure thing!
He didn’t call, or text or even copy the number into his contacts list. Why would he? He had every intention to avoid this guy for his entire career, which just became slightly more impossible. Will’s snapped out of his trance when a door slams behind him, the whole couch’s heads snap toward the hallway and there appears a soaked Gabe Perreault, he slips off his air forces, leaving them wet the carpet beneath and he walks over to the couch
“They pick him then?” He groans, taking off his dripping jacket. Will started to think the storm they were in right now was a warning sign to him about the next few years of his career
Ryan scoffs, “Can’t you tell by his face?” He nudges Wills arm, but his gaze stays on the massive box in front of them, watching Sennecke now throw on his orange tarp “Smitty got the little Celebrini” He laughs, dapping up Gabe from behind
Gabe laughs and slaps Wills’ shoulders, his hands were freezing, making him flinch a little as his grip tightened “Unlucky Smit, but God at least it wasn’t me. Kids a fucking nightmare” He adds, slouching himself against Lenos side, dripping rain all over the couch
"Fuck sake, Gabo” Ryan yelled, shaking off his wet arm. Will rolled his eyes and departed from the couch, wandering off to the kitchen of Vote’s insanely sized house, carrying his beer along with him. Each swig making him feel worse. He slams the glass onto the counter and climbs on top, his legs swinging over the edge.
Although he hated to admit it and never would out loud. Celebrini was legit. Always had been, even before college. He pushed Will, to levels he hadn’t been pushed to before, the challenge was good but there was just something about that kid. Something off, something that made him feel uneasy. Hockey players a lot of the time were asshole, especially when they knew they were good, and Jesus he was good, so that’s just what Will always assumed it was down to. Celebrini was a conceded asshole.
The next few weeks were awful, Dm’s and interview requests were worse then ever. He couldn’t log onto Instagram without seeing that smug smile, those stupid green eyes with hair that always seemed to be too long. He had spent his whole college career being compared to this guy, and now that he’s joining him in the show. It’ll just be ten times worse.
Leno had dragged him to some dumb party in Boston. A bunch of drunk frat boys and horny sorority girls who would fuck a tree If it could breathe. He didn’t usually mind parties, and he definitely didn’t usually mind those girls either. But tonight he would rather be at home waterboarding himself or something. To make matters worse, the second him and the boys stepped through the door a familiar face appeared.
“Yooo, Smitty. You and Celly is gonna be pretty fucking crazy dude, I mean how insane is that bro. BC vs BU in the big leagues. Fucking hilarious Dawg” This guy was slurring his words so much Will thought he was mid stroke or something. He used to play for BU, about five years ago but graduated and still hangs around these parties. Will always thought he was pretty pathetic and thanked God that he was talented enough that that would never be him.
“Jesus Christ, get me a drink now” He whispered to Leno, blanking the guy completely and pushing his way through the crowd.
Will thought he would currently be having more fun reciting bible verses with his mother than being slouched against the kitchen island with his third or forth beer in hand, fuzzy vision and his ears ringing from that stupid name. Celebrini this, Celebrini that was all he’d been hearing all night.
“He’s not that fucking good bro” Leno yelled, which he always did when he was drunk. He seemed to think everyone was further away when he was plastered. It was annoying, but it was even more excruciating tonight than ever.
The guy on the other end laughed out loud, flicking his hair back “Please, hes a fucking rocket” He said, tapping his buddies
“He’s average” Leno replied. The group around them howled and that was Wills cue to get out of there because he knew this was going to end up with another rundown of Celebrini’s career.
“Gotta piss” He shouted to Leno, who probably wouldn’t have heard him if he screamed it into his ear. He knew the layout of this house like the back of his hand; he was here every other weekend. The parties were usually better than whatever the fuck was going on tonight. Or maybe they were the same, and Will was the one who had changed up. He slipped behind the stairs, having to physically move a couple out of his way who were practically inside of each other. He wiggled the door to the right a little and pushed before pulling, it was the only way to open it. Which most people didn’t know, hence it was always empty because everyone thought it was broken.
The loud thump of the speaker and the shrieks of girls laughing extra hard at the hockey players’ jokes were drowned out by the now small room he had jammed himself in to. He didn’t even bother flicking on the light before his ass hit the floor, knees up to his chest. He sighed and rubbed his face.
His rookie year was supposed to be one of the most exciting of his career. He was good enough that he didn’t have to worry about being sent down either, he knew that. It was supposed to be his moment, his chance to be the best. Not overshadowed by someone else. But now he was here, having to share the spotlight with the guy who had stolen it from him for years. No one would be talking about the 4th overall when there will be a 1st right beside him. He didn’t really know what he expected to be honest, once the lottery was in the Celebrini shaped shadow had already begun forming over him. The only time he was really mentioned was when people would talk about the rival school aspect of it all. He was already sick of it, sick of him. He sat in his own self-pity for a second before his phone buzzed in his jeans. He groaned and reached down into his pocket, fishing it out and flipping it around. The Instagram icon sat before him as he swiped up, the privacy block of the lock screen being removed by his face ID.
mackcelebrini posted a new photo
Will didn’t even follow him, never checked his profile… okay maybe not never, but rarely. It’s like the world was tormenting him. He hesitated before clicking on it. His eyes were straining as the new light hit him.
‘An absolute honor to join the @sanjosesharks! To everyone who helped me get here, thank you!’
Will rolled his eyes, scrolling through the pictures. The first a familiar photo of him draped in teal. He scrolled to the last one, a family picture. Celebrini was in the middle of five carbon copies of himself. I mean, shit, people would say he and Grace looked alike, but this shit was just uncanny. He studied each person for a moment. He almost forgets that this guy is a real person and not some robot sent from space to destroy his career.
BANG BANG!
“Smitty, you in there?” He jumps to his feet in shock, gripping his phone extra tight
“Uh… Yeah” Will mumbles, he knew what Lenos voice sounded like, How could he not, that guy never stops fucking talking “Taking a shit bro, gimme a sec”
Leno snorts on the other side of the door “Well we’re heading out, too many Celly glazers here. Making me feel nauseous. Meet us outside?” His feet shift under the door, letting a streak of light back into the tiny room
“Sure, I’ll just be a minute dude” He shouts back, but he’s sure Leno’s already walked away. His heart beats into his throat, he feels like he’s thirteen and almost got caught watching porn in his room, Except he’s nineteen shoved into a tiny bathroom behind the stairs of a dirty frat house stalking his college rivals Instagram page. He sighs and just stares at the door for a minute before pulling his phone back up from his side. His eyes widen in horror “No..no, shit!”
Comment sent 3 minutes ago: gfhdhjsjshdbfnbhnhjf
He’s never felt closer to cardiac arrest in his life, his hands are shaking as he deletes the comment, he mutters profanity under his breath. He sits against the toilet, reassuring himself “It was only 3 minutes” and “This guy must be getting hundreds of comments right now, no way he saw that” His heart rate slows down a little, to what he thinks is normal before he pulls himself off the toilet, and smooths his clothes out. He repeats the same routine of the door to get out and slip back from behind the stairs. Practically speed walking towards the door. Leno and a few of the guys are outside slouching against the porch. Vote and Fowler have each other in a headlock screaming something about a spilled drink. Vote had no chance against him, Will thought. Lenos eyes lit up and rolled slightly
“Fucking hell, Smit. Did you build the toilet too?” He asked, his eyes narrowing on Will as he stumbled out of the door, walking straight for the stairs “You good, you look a little- flustered”
Leno walked up beside him, tapping his shoulder and following his footsteps down the steps that looked like they were about two more people from falling through “Think I drank a few too many, who’s the dessy?” Will asks, knowing they assigned one of the guys a night of sobriety.
Leno laughs, looking back up to the porch, Vote was now on the floor, defeated by Fowler who was attempting some WWE celly right now “Voter, he’s been bitching about it all night”
Will felt fully sober at this rate, and insanely embarrassed about the whole comment situation. So now he was just fidgety and overstimulated “Well tell him to get a move on then, I wanna go home” He slipped from Lenos grip and darted to the car that was tucked to the side of the house, with the worst parking job he’d ever seen in his life. How the fuck did Vote get his license.
He leant against the car for a while before it clicked beneath him indicating Vote had unlocked the vehicle. He climbed in the back seat and slammed the door, met with a second of complete silence before everyone else piled in too.
“No fucking way, it’s a hundred percent Smitty. Look at him he can’t even speak” Fowler protested as he sat to the left right of him. Will just looked out of the window, ignoring whatever bullshit they were banging on about this time
“Nah, it’s you Fowls, for sure” Vote added, slamming down into the driver’s seat, joined by Leno beside him. He shoved the key in and twisted as the car started to rumble. He didn’t put on his belt, he never did and it made Will uneasy every time
“You’re only saying that cause’ I just flattened you up there” Fowler laughed, slapping Wills chest like he was in on the joke. He wasn’t. The only thing on his mind right now was that stupid post. It really wasn’t a big deal at all, even if he did mean to comment on it, something normal like “Congrats, Dude” or “Welcome to the Sharks” but he didn’t mean to and he didn’t want to either, especially whatever string of letters he accidentally typed out. Theres no way Celebrini had even seen it, like a 1% chance at best. But that 1% was eating him alive.
“Yeah, only cause your hammered dude, and that’s the rule might I remind you, most slammed is the next designated driver, idiot” Vote poked, fully spun around in his seat
“Oh my fucking God, just drive” Will yells, even startling himself a little, He didn’t mean to be so pissy, but he was so over this night. The whole car was dead silent, all passing each other weird looks, like they were silently talking about him through eye contact. Vote spun around and begun to pull out of their parking spot, in silence.
The car was awkward for less than two minutes before Leno started shrieking in the passenger seat “Yo, you’ll never guess who tried to get on me tonight” The car erupted with answers and Will pulled out his airpods, blasting Morgan Wallen who he’d recently gotten into. Nobody bothered him for the rest of the car ride, they all knew better.
The rest of the night was pretty boring, just like he wanted. They had to practically carry Fowler into Votes basement. Safe to say he was 100% the next designated driver. Will didn’t help, like at all. He slipped away upstairs into the guest room where he and Leno had been sleeping, stripped off all his clothes and jumped straight into the shower.
He let the water cover his body, drenching his face without pulling back for air. He just let it drown him, something he did a lot when he got overwhelmed or stressed or felt shitty about a play he’d made. The water started to fill up his nose as he stood there, face up to the ceiling like he deserved to be punished. What for? He didn’t know this time, but it felt necessary. His breath hitched as he started to struggle, only letting more water into his mouth, you couldn’t drown yourself in a shower, Will was pretty sure anyway, which is why he always pushed a little more. He steadied both of his palms on the tile in front of him. His head started to feel fuzzy and his legs numbed. Through the water covering his ears he heard the bedroom door slam and he pulled back abruptly, sucking in a loud breath before clutching his chest and coughing. He took little breaths for the next few minutes. He didn’t feel satisfied which he usually did afterwards, he still felt wrong.
“Smit, you better not be jerking off in there dude, I’m not stepping in your jizz water” Leno yelled from behind the closed door
Will tried to answer, tell Leno to fuck off, but he couldn’t. Nothing came out, except water that had apparently been lodged in his throat. He ended up speed running the rest of his shower, not double shampooing like he usually did, or using about three different body washes. He just washed and left.
Towel slung across his waist, and an aching feeling in his lungs still, he stepped out of the bathroom, dragging wet foot marks on to the carpet. He must have looked like death because Lenos gaze was concerning. He walked over to his bag and yanked out whatever sweatpants he could find.
Leno cleared his throat “Fowlers completely out dude, spewed all over the fucking couch downstairs and then just fell asleep in it, its fucking gross” Leno laughed, but there was an awkward breath in there, like he was begging for conversation.
Will just hummed, unwrapping himself and slinging his sweats over his waist. Leno watched and shuffled through his bag a few more times
“He’s not better, you know” He spoke, voice a little softer. Will’s eyes shot up for a second
“What?” He asked, freezing in his spot over the bed they were sharing
“Celebrini, he’s not better than you” Leno was always good at reading him, it was freaky actually, that he always just knew what Will was thinking. I guess that’s why they always played so good together. Will cleared his throat and climbed up the left side of the bed. That was one of his things, another thing Leno just knew without asking. He had to have the left of everything, the left side of the bed, the left seat on the bus, the left side of the room on roadies. He didn’t understand why, but if he couldn’t have it his body would just shut down.
“I know that” Will mumbled, plugging in his phone. Ignoring the way his body was burning.
“No” Leno answered, slinging a shirt and pants over his shoulder and slipping his socks off, discarding them to the side of the bed “You don’t. Which is why you’re being like this. Smitty, we fucking ran their show, even with that kid on the team. He’s good, sure, but that doesn’t mean he’s better”
Will sat in it for a second, not making eye contact “it actually does though, 1st is higher than 4th if you can remember how to count”
Leno scoffs “Fuck the draft dude, you should have gone higher and we all know it. The position you got drafted isn’t gonna matter in- 10 years or so. It’s not gonna matter when you Captain the States one day, or when you’re lifting a Stanley cup down the line. The way you play matters, the way you show your skill matters. Fuck the numbers and fuck that cocky bastard, Smitty. You know what you’re capable of, so stop moping around like a little bitch and show them”
Will felt like he was a part of the avengers or something right now with that speech. That’s why he loved Leno, he always knew how to ground him, remind him of who he is.
“Now, seriously you weren’t jerking off in there right, cause I really can’t be fucked to have to bleach the shower right now” Leno added, like what he just was nothing
“No dude” Will muttered out, tucking himself under the duvet “Freak, I wouldn’t do that in someone else’s house”
“Really?” Leno laughed, walking towards the room that was erupting with steam “I’m about to” He poked out his tongue and shut the door
Will scrunched his face “Fuck sake” he whispered before sliding down into the bed, digging his ear into the pillow. He turned off the lamp and huffs out a breath. He thinks about what Leno said over and over. He knew he was good, of course he was, he’d known his whole life. He was always three steps ahead of every kid in his age group, even now he’d never say it but he was better than a lot of the guys at BC.
Just as he was getting lost in his own thoughts, the noise of the shower playing as ASMR. His phone lit up beside him, that Instagram icon once again invading his screen. He cringes because he knows there must have been some God-awful pictures of him taken tonight, and now Gabe’s probably posted them to his story like he always does, His phone buzzes again and he picks it up, he going to kill Gabe. He swipes up unlocking it and his body goes still for the second time tonight
mackcelebrini: idk what that meant, I tried googling it thinking it was morse code or something lol. but thanks
mackcelebrini: i think
Will swallowed, his hand shook around the device. He swiped out of the app and put his phone back on the nightstand, turning over to face Lenos’ empty bed. He saw it. Somehow out of the thousands of likes and comments, he saw Wills. Just his fucking luck. And the audacity to try and be all mature and DM him, pretending like he hasn’t ruined Wills college experience with his stupid talent and big green eyes. Well, I mean, his eyes didn’t exactly do anything, but they were apart of Celebrini, and Will hated everything about Celebrini.
He didn’t think about the message for the next few weeks… that much. He never replied either, obviously, but despite it all he couldn’t escape him. He hadn’t completely decided yet whether he was going to sign or not. He loved Boston, it was home. It was close to his mom when he needed comfort, close to his dad when he needed reassurance and close to his sister when he needed to feel like a carefree child again. And then of course there was Gabe and Ryan who made it 100% certain they were staying another year. Will thinks in a way they knew that he wasn’t as locked in the idea as they were. When they talked about the games, the classes, the parties, it didn’t excite him the way it did this time last year, it made him feel sick.
Will felt a pull on his leg as he laid on the sofa, a presence sliding underneath them and placing them across their lap. He looked up.
“What are you thinking about, bud?” Vote spoke. He loved him more than a lot of his friends, he was a constant, someone who was just always around no matter what. He could be an asshole for sure, insufferable at times even. But it never mattered how annoying he got; he was always there when it counted. He was family.
Will cleared his throat and let his head drop back down to the pillow, feeling the strong grip of Votes fingers across his calves “Not much”
Vote laughed “No change there then”
Will’s lips curl into a small smile before dropping again. Silence filled the empty room for a moment, the faint screams of the rest of the guys outside shooting hoops.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Vote finally spoke. Wills stomach turned, it’s the first time someone’s actually said it out loud and it just felt… right
“Yeah” Will whispered. Guilt rising throughout his body, he felt like he was letting everyone down. This was the first time he’d admitted it to himself too
“You sign anything yet?” Vote spoke like it was the most normal conversation ever, not a life changing thing
Will sighed “Not yet, they’ve been on my ass for weeks to decide. Cutting it a bit fine I think”
“We all kinda knew already… that you wanted to go. We knew before the season even ended, Smit. Before you even did I think” Vote spoke, the warmth of hand on Will’s leg was the only thing keeping him grounded.
“They’re gonna be so pissed” Will’s voice cracked. They both they he didn’t mean the team. He meant Gabe and Leno.
“They’ll get over it, Smit. I mean, if I’m honest next season will probably be their last here. They’ll be in the show soon too, it’s the next step, it’s what you’ve worked for your whole life. Fuck, you went fourth overall for a reason, because your good enough- more than good enough to be up there with those guys. Noones gonna blame you for wanting it, dude” Vote spoke. Wills cheeks were burning.
Will coughed away the tingling at the tip of this nose and Vote stood, softly laying Wills legs back down
“Sign the papers, Smitty”
And so, he did.