Chapter Text
It's been six months since Zero retired and Jude is still wrapping his head around it. Zero was a mainstay for the Los Angeles Devils' team for eight years, playing near enough every game. He embodied the black and red jersey along with other legends like Derek Roman and Terrence Wall.
It's over now. The old guard is gone and fresh blood is in. Zero's retirement wasn't fully his choice yet there was no major debate. They all knew it was coming, it was just a matter of when. Jude was able to use his influence to broker an agreement on both sides, and Zero got a sendoff fit for champion and the board received the free publicity they'd desperately needed.
Now, it's back to business for Jude, except there is no Zero holding him down at the Devil's Arena anymore. No clandestine meetings, or sneaking away to get late lunches. It's strange not seeing Zero face around the arena, or in his office after practice. It's even weirder now that all the posters have come down, replaced with fresh blood. Not that he considers Zero old blood.
In many ways, the separation has done them good. They treasure their time together more, and make the time to check in. While Jude's days are fully booked, Zero tends to have a lighter schedule.
Like today. He spent the morning playing golf with Marcus Douglas. Jude hasn't heard back yet, and it's not until he heads home to get changed for his lunch date with Zero that he spots the bright green Post-It note stuck on the hallway mirror.
Written in Zero's messy scrawl is 'wifey came through AGAIN!'. Laughing to himself, Jude grabs his cell and calls Zero.
"Are you calling to congratulate me?" Zero says when he picks up. "I think I just bought you an extra twenty million dollars?"
"Twenty?" Jude runs a hand through his hair and straightens his shirt collar. "I only needed ten."
It's a running gag at this point. When Jude needs an injection of cash, he sends Zero to bat his lashes at Marcus Douglas. The man loves nothing more than to be flattered and Zero excels in that area.
"What can I say? I'm just that good. Marcus loves me."
"What did you promise him this time?" Jude asks. "More tennis matches?"
"Don't even joke about that," Zero says. "He still beats me at golf but he was annihilating me when we were playing tennis. A man's ego can only take so much."
Laughing to himself, Jude drops his keys and makes his way through the hallway, pausing before he reaches the staircase. "Please tell me no sexual favours are in play then."
"Not this time."
"Zero."
"Relax. I didn't promise him anything. I just did what you should have. I told him your reputation speaks for itself. You've never let him down. The least he can do is trust you."
Warmth blossoms in Jude's chest. Hearing that Zero has his back will never get old.
"Thank you, Gideon," Jude says, using Zero's real name to show him that he genuinely appreciates him schmoozing Marcus.
"I'm just glad you don't have to worry about it anymore. I know I don't show it sometimes, but I don't like seeing you stressed out. It imbalances my inner chi."
Laughter bubbles in Jude's chest. "You're an asshole, you know that?"
"I know." Zero chuckles. "And you love me for it."
"Of course I do." Jude glances at his watch. "Speaking of, I should finish getting changed for lunch."
"I have a better idea? How about we order in and you take the rest of the day off?"
"I have a board meeting at three." Jude would love to skip it but they're in crisis mode as usual.
"Reschedule. Isn't that what being the boss entails? Everyone waits for you, not the other way around?"
"Have you been reading How To Be A CEO for Dummies again?" Jude asks.
"You wound me, Kinkade." Zero laughs. "I tell you what? How about we switch lunch for a night in? Marcus sort of booked me for a job interview."
"I didn't know you were looking for a job." Jude cleared his throat, suddenly apprehensive. "Who is it with?"
"Inside Sports. Apparently they're looking for guests on their weekly NBA podcast. It would be one day a week and a way to stay connected to the things."
"Is that what you want?" Jude asks.
They'd talked about it briefly but last he heard Zero was enjoying his downtime. Just last week he'd flown to Maui and sent Jude a ridiculous amount of pictures. Zero has had media training, and he's something of an Instagram darling but providing commentary is a different level.
"Yeah…it is. I don't want to be one of those players who sits around fiddling their thumbs post-retirement. And no offence but playing wifey twenty four seven is a waste of my talents."
Grateful that Zero is being honest, Jude decides not to push too much. One day a week hosting a podcast isn't exactly a major commitment. And with Zero's understanding and read of the game, Inside Sports would be lucky to have him.
"Who's wounding who now?" Jude chuckles. "And if you want to go for the gig, you have my full support."
"Thank you, Jude. So, what do you say, dinner?" Zero's voice becomes muffled, like he's talking to someone in the background and Jude waits patiently. "Sorry, that was Marcus's assistant confirming the meeting. Should we have dinner at our usual place?"
"I'll be there," Jude says.
"Okay. I'll see you then. Love you."
Smiling, Jude says, "I love you, too."
Once the call is done, Jude heads upstairs and makes a beeline for the master bedroom. He might as well get changed for dinner now so he can go straight to the restaurant after work.
He's about to reach the closet when he catches the gold, embossed frame on the bedroom wall. Inside is their wedding day photograph. Zero is looking off to the side, laughing at something in the background and Jude looks the happiest he's ever seen himself. They're in matching white tuxedos and black bowties, something Zero insisted on. Jude was only ever preoccupied with the 'I do' part.
They've had their ups and downs since then, and Jude can't help wondering about their new chapter. He always thought Zero would play forever. That they'd be in their prime forever. Naturally, reality happened and Zero called it quits and now they're in this weird space where nothing is certain.
Sometimes, Jude wonders if he's enough. If they are enough to withstand the changes they are about to go through.
Other times, he tells himself he's being an idiot because he's only ever felt invincible with Zero by his side.
Together, they can weather any storm.