𝓕𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮
ˢᵒ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᴮᵒᵐᵇᵃʸ

❆₊˚｡౨ৎ₊˚｡❆

The Ducks stood together at the bus station, the summer sun beating down on their faces. The big greyhound-style bus rumbled, its engine humming as it prepared to pull away.

Gordon Bombay, dressed casually in jeans and a jacket, stepped off for one last round of goodbyes.

Juliet and Noah stood in the middle of the group, side by side, both feeling a little bittersweet about the moment. They had spent so much time with Bombay, and now, just like that, he was off to chase his dream.

Peter smirked as he crossed his arms. "Look, don't take any bad dives, okay?"

Bombay chuckled. "You sound like my lawyer."

Jesse stepped up next, clapping Bombay on the shoulder. "Just remember, keep your head up, man."

Bombay gave him a firm nod. "Always."

Adam held out his hand, his signature smirk in place. "Cake-eater."

Bombay rolled his eyes but took the handshake. "You're never letting that go, huh?"

"Not a chance," Adam replied.

Fulton stepped up, serious as always. "Remember, strength, not concentration."

Bombay nodded. "Right."

Averman, ever the goofball, waved his hands dramatically. "And for God's sakes, soft hands!"

Bombay laughed. "Soft hands. Got it. Anything else?"

Juliet stepped forward, arms crossed, smirking. "Yeah. Don't go breaking a hip out there, old man."

Bombay raised an eyebrow. "Old man? I'll have you know, I can still skate circles around you, kid."

Juliet grinned. "We'll see about that when you come back."

Noah, standing next to her, added, "Just don't get cocky, Coach. We still need you next season."

Bombay looked between the twins and smiled. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Charlie stepped forward, his usual confident energy a little subdued. He looked up at Bombay, the man who had changed all their lives, and smiled. "Yeah. Have fun out there, Coach."

Bombay hesitated for only a second before pulling Charlie into a hug. Charlie hugged him back tightly, like he didn't want to let go.

"You got it, Captain," Bombay murmured.

As Bombay pulled away, his eyes landed on Cassie Conway, standing a little apart from the group, watching him with a knowing look.

"I must be crazy," he admitted as he walked over to her. "A tryout with the minors? I'm gonna be going up against kids half my age."

Cassie smiled, resting a gentle hand on his arm. "Just take it one step at a time, Gordon. You've got this."

Juliet and Noah watched with amusement as Bombay and Cassie shared a hug. When Bombay leaned in and kissed her, Juliet elbowed Charlie playfully.

"Oooooh," she teased. "Looks like your mom has a thing for hockey players, huh?"

Charlie turned red. "Shut up, Jules."

"I'm just saying," she sing-songed, before Noah nudged her.

"You literally just hugged Charlie for a solid ten seconds after we won the game," Noah said, smirking.

Juliet narrowed her eyes. "No one asked you, Noah."

Peter groaned dramatically. "Okay, but for real, does every hockey player have to end up with someone? Is that, like, a rule?"

"Seems like it," Averman quipped.

Bombay shook his head at the kids, amused. As he turned back to the bus, Charlie grinned, calling out, "Banks is first in line next!"

The team laughed, and as Bombay climbed the steps, he turned back one last time, looking at his team—the group of kids who had become his family.

"Hey, Ducks!" His voice carried over the station, drawing everyone's attention. "No matter what happens, we'll see you next season. We got a title to defend!"

The Ducks erupted into cheers, fists raised in the air.

"Quack! Quack! Quack!"

As the bus pulled away, Juliet, Noah, and Charlie stood side by side, watching as their coach disappeared down the road toward his next adventure.