#I LOVE FIGURE SKATER/HOCKEY PLAYER COUPLES

[nasa-parker]

me @ u for literally everything you write (but for this one in particular especially)

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 | 𝐣𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

You and James have found more than friendship on the ice. When you’re afraid to flub a jump and take the leap with him into something more, he finds a way to convince you. [4k]

hockey player!james, figure skater!reader, shy!reader, fem!reader, fluff, friends to lovers, mutual pining, confessions, first kiss, idiots in love, james is tall pretty and extremely in love, sometimes shy!james <3 requested here 

･:*:｡･:*:･ﾟ

You're used to the skin tight costumes of figure skating, and have accepted the fact that they show the entirety of your thighs— that's sort of the point. What you're not used to, however, is having the hockey team see you in said costumes.

James is thrilled. "Look at you, angel! You're in costume!"

He holds the sides of the rink in his hands, leaning his weight toward the ice. You wrap your arms around yourself self-consciously. 

"I was hoping you wouldn't see me," you admit, though you can't help smiling at him anyhow. 

You're usually very happy to bump into him, and your body reacts like it's been conditioned to. James leads to good feelings. 

"I bet you were," he says. 

James reaches out for you, and you skate to the end of the rink despite yourself. He doesn't touch you when you're close, you weren't really expecting him to, only inclines his head inward to tell you something quietly, all secretive like. 

"Your skirt’s tucked in a little bit. On the left," he says. 

"Oh, how," you grumble, twisting your torso to try and see what he means. A leaf of your skirt has managed to fold itself into the fabric that covers your butt. "That's so embarrassing." 

You were likely trying to unstick a slight wedgie when it happened. It's mortifying, but James probably doesn't know how it happened… probably. You yank the skirt out and hope he can't read what you're thinking off of your face. 

"Thanks, James," you say quietly. 

You say his name with altogether too much affection, considering you're friends. Acquaintances, even. You know James within these walls and nowhere else, like work colleagues, and you'd die if he knew how close you felt to him. In fairness, you both spend the majority of your free time within these walls, but still. 

He's probably the best friend that you have. Which is pathetic. But between skating and your nervous disposition, this is as good as it was ever going to get. And you don't mind. 

All of the time. 

"You're welcome. If I knew we were dressing up today, I would've worn something nice." He has his jogging bottoms on and not his big bulky kit. You try not to stare at the more tight-fitting form of his hoodie sleeves, but it's hard. His biceps are ridiculous. "Are you staying?" 

Sometimes, if the boys are practising you'll stay. It's free entertainment — and it is incredibly entertaining to watch. James and his friends are a semi-professional team, which means they're a mixture of good and fun. They play because they love it, and they all have their night jobs to go back to after. It makes it easier for you and James to get along: you're semi-professional too. You're never going to the Olympics, you know that. You skate because you love it. 

There's a clock steadily ticking down on your skills. Every year you get older, heavier, a little more inflexible. The more intense sportsmen and women fight this, revile this, but you've accepted it completely. Skating is for fun. The competitions are to see how far you can go, and it sucks to lose, but the chance that you might win means you keep trying. 

If James and his friends are doing laps, it's a mock punishment from their coach. In half an hour they'll be playing a friendly match against one another like nothing happened. 

"I have to go take this off but… yeah, I'll stay. Is Sirius here today?" 

James leans back and you follow his turned gaze to a lean figure across the way. As soon as you spot him, your ears tune in to his raucous laughter. 

"You won't let him see me, will you?" you ask gently. "He'll never let me hear the end of it."  

James shakes his head. "Of course not. I'll go distract him, alright? You run away." 

You give him a very grateful nod. James turns away. You almost miss it, the double take that he does, like he wants one last look. 

You skate off to the other side of the ice where your skate guards, water bottle and hoodie sit waiting. The guards snap on easily. You throw your hoodie over your arm and make a break for the changing rooms, Sirius’ incredulous voice tailing your retreat at the last second. 

Once you've changed out of your costume and packed it away neatly in your locker, you walk back to the main auditorium, freaking out as gently as you're able to. You keep having conniptions about James, because James keeps looking at you like he has something to say. You've never been the object of a pretty boy's affections. You're worried that it's all in your head, and that you'll make a fool of yourself if you try to flirt back, but his face when he'd seen you in your costume gives you a terrifying new confidence. 

James had been ecstatic. His eyes had roved all over you and he hadn't tried to hide it. His smile was huge and one hundred percent genuine: appreciative. Like he couldn't be happier to see you. 

Is it wrong, then, to assume he likes you? No. You’ve known for a while. 

"Oof," you mutter to yourself, stepping back into the general chill of the rink and its surrounding stands. 

As you predicted, laps are over and the boys are in the thick of it, protection on, sticks shivering across ice with a sound like sharp blades. You stand behind a plexiglass screen and follow James' darting figure from afar. He's recognisable to you from the way he pulls back his arms, and the slight lean of his torso when he's standing still. You've spent too much time watching him. 

Too much time, and yet the rules are still complicated in your mind. James and Sirius are arguing with Frank on the opposite side about icing, passionate enough that James pulls his helmet off and begins throwing threats at his friends. 

"Mate, I'm actually about to drown myself," he warns, laughing through each word. "Are you listening to me? Take the penalty before I scream. Good god, man." 

You laugh. James' head almost snaps clean off his neck with the speed at which he turns to look at you. 

Sirius' head follows. 

"Hey!" Sirius calls immediately, abandoning his skirmish to skate towards you. "What the fuck! I wanted to see the dress, you let James see it! Go put it back on right now." 

"How'd you even know I was in a dress?" 

"How did I know? James lit up like a Christmas tree, that's how I know. He's disgusting all the time and it's your fault." 

"It's not really a dress," you say. Sirius is as nice as James but he's intimidating where James isn't. He's less smiles, more barking laughter. Less compliments, more playful chastisement. It's not his fault in any shape or form that you find his personality hard to respond to, but you do. "It's a bodysuit with a skirt. But sometimes… sometimes the girls do wear dresses."

"Yeah? I think he might pass out," Sirius says. Then, with a neater smile. "He told me to be nicer, I didn't know I was being mean, sorry. I really do wanna see your 'bodysuit with a skirt'. A little to make fun, but I bet you look good." 

James sweeps in and promptly knocks Sirius sliding sideways. "She looked amazing, now stop antagonising her." 

"I wasn't flirting, Jamie, no need to worry–" 

"Be gone, you beast." James' voice is tight with an emotion you can't name, lest you have another ruinous conniption for all to see. "Fuck off." 

Sirius snorts. There's a commotion, their unprofessional coach shouting about idiocy, a lack of commitment, and more laps if there isn't an improvement in team cohesion. James rolls his eyes at you as the coach drones on. You feel guilty for giggling. 

"Sorry for Sirius." James puts his hand on the top of his stick, bottom lip sticking out a touch as he grimaces. "Sorry for me, I'm sorry. I was hoping he'd use, like, a modicum of subtlety, but he's a dickhead and I know that. He's also a sweetheart. I should've guessed he'd rush to apologise." 

"No, don't be. He doesn't need to be sorry for anything, and you don't have to be sorry for looking out for me." 

"I'm not. Definitely not sorry for that." 

James pushes a curl behind his ear. His hair is lusciously shiny under stadium lights, dark dark dark and curled, sweet and thick. 

"You're in trouble." 

James looks over his shoulder toward his coach's booming disbelief. "What, with him? We're in the off-season right now, he needs to relax… I'm sorry, I feel like I'm not talking like a real human being right now." He laughs, awkward and charming at once. "Do I sound weird to you? Don't answer, that'll make it worse," he adds, his voice dipping into a genuine sadness. "Awful. Well, I'm going back over there to finish. Can you stay?" 

Not do you want to. Can you? It feels incredibly intimate, his easy assumption without a lick of expectancy. If you said no, he'd frown and throw his chest back, hand over his heart like he's been shot in one of his dramatics, but he’d understand.

"I'm staying," you say. 

"Brilliant. Okay." 

James Potter visibly flusters, tucking that same rogue curl behind his ear. You want to offer him something, a tight braid or one of your headbands from your bag. He skates off and you don't get the chance. 

You're a vestibule of conflicted emotion. James has been acting so unlike himself lately. He's shy at odd moments and quick to fluster, scratching at his neck or his biceps or his nose in what you've identified as his nervous tic. And you might be shy yourself but you're not stupid, he's practically a mirror.

Knowing James has a crush on you and accepting it are wildly different tasks.

What if you date and he realises it's a mistake? You'll lose your only good friend. No more practices with James on the sidelines shouting stories across the rink for you to hear. No more pep-talks on hard days, a big hand on your shoulder and his lilting superlatives in your ear. You're going to smash it, shortcake. No more half sandwiches when he forgets his lunch. No more laughing until your stomach hurts. No more of his cologne lignering on your shirt from a quick hug, the smell indescribable even now. Sandalwood? Dewberry? Something sweeter, fuller, bourbon vanilla?

James clatter off of the ice after a tremendous loss with high spirits. His helmet under his arm, mouth guard in hand, he walks on his skates to your bench and sits down with a smile. “That sucked.”

"It was a good game," you say. 

"Can't win them all. You going home now?" 

"Work. Gotta work my arms out too," you joke weakly, curling your arm inward. 

"Can I walk you? I can change quickly." 

"You don't have to–" 

"Please?" he asks. 

"Yeah," you say, feeling sick. "Yeah, okay." 

James guards up and leaves for the changing room. You sit on the bench tapping your knees together, wondering why it feels so awful to like him so much. Sirius and some other friends pack up soon afterward, and a few of them are nice enough to say goodbye as they pass. 

"See you tomorrow," Sirius says warmly. 

You grimace at him. You'd been attempting a smile, but that hadn't really panned out, meekness and nerves combined pulling the corners of your lips down. 

He wavers. 

"You know," he says, paused half a foot from you, "James is a big boy, he can handle rejection. He wouldn't be cruel to you, if you weren't interested." 

"That's not it." 

"No?" he asks, slim eyebrows raised. 

"It's the opposite of that. He's my friend." You admit it to yourself as you admit it to him. James is not an acquaintance. "Do you know what I mean? I don't want…" to lose him. 

Sirius nods. "You won't." His teeth flash as he smiles goodbye. 

James looks gorgeous when he emerges, his brown face framed by thick, dark hair, the strands closest to his face damp from a quick face wash. 

"You could put your hair up," you say, standing. "It's getting so long now." 

"Is it awful?" he asks, hand moving to the longest pieces at his neck. It's above his shoulder, but only just. 

"No… no, it's not awful." 

You both start walking towards the exit without another word. You should've said how you really feel about his hair —how it's gorgeous, and you'd like to run your hands through it, feel the softness for yourself and see the look on his face as he's touched with care— but you're worried one thread of honestly will pull at the rest, unspooling your innermost thoughts for him to see. You aren't ready for that. 

James puts a hand behind your shoulder as you pass out of the exterior glass doors and into the street. The rink isn't far from your work, only a ten minute walk, and the first two pass in silence. 

"You really looked lovely, in your costume. When is that, the competition?" 

"A week and two days." 

"Are you travelling?" 

You nod. "Not far, but." You wrap your arms around your front to stave off the cool chill of the whipping breeze. James' hair gets pushed into his eyes. "I have a bobble if you want it." 

"I can't do anything with it. It's not long enough for a ponytail, and I can't plait to save my life. I wouldn't know where to start." 

You're glad to be looking at the pavement in front of you rather than his face as you say, "I'd do it for you, but…" 

James' shoe hits a pebble. 

"I know," he says. "We're going down a one way street." 

"Right." Your heart soars, your chest lightens, so glad he understands where you're coming from. "If we keep going on like this there isn't a way to move back if it doesn't work, and I just… don't want to lose you. I can't, James. You're my– you're my only real friend. I like you," you confess, heart pounding in your throat, under your tongue, all the worst places it could stand to be. "I do. And I know you'd still be nice to me if I didn't. Um…" 

You flush with heat, realising what you've admitted, and what he hasn't. 

Like he can read it on your face, James' walking slows, and he turns in to face you.

"I like you, too," he says. "I'm a bit mad for you, actually." 

You'd known that. Hearing it is something else. You hadn't realised how strong the pull would feel after he said it aloud. You look up from his broad chest to meet his eyes, and see the magnetism you feel reflected in his gaze. His hand breeches the gap between your two bodies first, his fingertips and then the flat of his nails smooth as they slide across the top of your thigh. Careful, slow. 

James puts his hand on your waist. 

"You're worried we won't be friends, if we try to make whatever this is," —he smiles gently— "work, and we can't."

"Exactly. I… you're…" 

James takes your upper arm into his free hand. "I promise it will work," he murmurs. He looks at you with a steadiness bordering on stern. "Why are you so sure it won't?" 

"I'm worried," you say. 

"You're always worrying. But…” His hand flexes around your bicep. “You told me before, the reason you keep skating in competitions even though you don't win many anymore, do you remember that? You said you keep trying because the thrill of almost winning is nearly as good as the real thing." 

James' smile turns sheepish. "I'm supposed to say that I don't know if this will work. That the thrill of almost making it together will be worth it if we don't, but I already promised you we will." He leans in a little. You don't think he means to. "And won't that feel better than almost?" 

You look up into his handsome face, feeling your heart reach flat out, might as well be running full tilt speeds of beating. Your breath catches. 

"I don't want to end up alone," you confess on an exhale. 

"You won't. I'll make sure you won't." 

Wind curls his hair into his eyes. 

You reach out, your shaking index finger skirting over his brow bone as you tuck the runaway strand behind his ear. 

His grip grows tighter at your waist. Never cruel, but insistent, desperate almost, in the way that his thumb shudders across your hoodie. You can’t feel his skin over the thick layer of cotton and polyester but you can feel the heat, like a star blistered against your hip bone, like a begging wish. You want him to touch you more than you can stand — you’re pleading with him in your head to do what you can’t do. 

It must show in your eyes, the pained pinch of your brow. 

“We’ll take things slowly,” he says. “We won’t do anything we can’t undo. All you have to do is trust me. If… if you want to.”

You lick your lips. Taking things slowly. You can’t kiss him, can’t trick yourself into the gratification of having someone so darlingly gorgeous put his hands on you. If he kisses you now, you’ll forget all the reasons why this is a bad idea. You won’t be able to test the waters. If you kiss him, you can’t take it back. For either of you. 

James’ hand smooths down the length of your hip as he pulls it back. The other falls toward your hand. Your mourn the loss of his touch, but he’s offering you his hand, his long fingers separated, gaps waiting to be filled. 

“Slowly,” you say, putting your hand in his. 

He gives your joined hands an experimental squeeze. “We’ve all the time in the world.”

James starts walking back the way you came, pulling you with him down the road.

“James, where are we?”

“I told you. We went down a one way street by accident. Or, I tried to tell you, but you started talking.” His smile says he knows exactly what’s happened, the nature of your misunderstanding. “You were distracted.”

You’ve confessed on the basis of a misunderstanding. “This is the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me,” you utter.

James swings your hand lightly. 

“And the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he says. “Since you’ll be late now anyhow, maybe we could go get a hot chocolate.”

You gawp at his pleased smile. What have I gotten myself into? you think. And then, louder, Wow, he looks so happy. 

—

James strangles the neck of a bulging bouquet in his hands, green stems wrapped in cellophane choked between two stressed palms, ten rigid fingers. The smell of fresh pollen and something sweeter awakens at his abuse, but James can’t make himself put them down. 

You may not care if you win or lose the competition today, but he does. He hasn’t actually ever been with you during one, and he wasn’t supposed to be here today — he had a game, and as soon as it was over he piled into Sirius’ car with his kit on and had his friend break a couple of road rules (read: not laws, but guidelines) involving trampling a garden and a precarious not u-turn. (Sirius may have broken a law or two, but they were daft laws, and James didn’t get anybody hurt.)

He knows it doesn’t matter. He said you’d take it slow, and you are. He hasn’t even kissed you yet, and he doesn’t mind nearly as much as he worried. It’s enough to know you’re his, exclusively if tenuously, that he can find you at the rink or walk you to work and not need a reason anymore, because he wants to see you, and that’s enough. He’d even taken you out on a date, a proper one after the hot chocolate, with nice clothes and wine and champagne at a weirdly intricate restaurant that served foie gras and played classical music in the background. It was cute, and James adored being able to pull out your seat, take your jacket off of your shoulders, kiss your cheek goodnight just a little further in than a friend might. 

You’ve finished the jumps in your program now, and James is relieved and gutted at once. Relieved, because they hadn’t quite scared him so much on TV, and gutted, because you look beautiful every time. It’s insane to see your body twist and turn, land and leap with that level of precision. All that's left for you to do is dance. He likes the way it looks, eyes focused on the pull and fall of your arms, how you smile, and in that last moment, where you pull your body in as tight as you can and spin until James is sure he’d see stars. 

You skate to the centre of the ice and bow to the judges, and you don’t notice James is standing there waiting for you until you’re off the ice completely. 

“Oh,” he sees you say rather than hears. When you’re just close enough to hear, you say, “Jamie, hi. I thought you had your game,” and throw your arms around his shoulders. James is very tall and very wide, and there’s a bouquet of flowers between you, but it’s a great hug.

He hugs you so hard you start to bend backward under his weight, the soft material of your bodysuit so soft it feels wet under his hands. Your face is hot, and you're still trying to catch your breath after your program, quick breaths like small gusts of wind against his neck. He feels your arms tighten incrementally, impossibly, and he closes his eyes for a lavish second of burying his nose in your hair. 

“I played, we lost, it was good fun. Now I’m here to watch my girl win big.”

You laugh and pull away, your eyes shimmering with joy, post-competition adrenaline. “I flubbed my first jump, did you see? I almost hit the ice.”

“You pulled up amazing,” he says. 

He spies your coach (who isn’t so much your coach as a friend, Mel, from the rink who goes with anyone who can get far enough into competitions to need one) with your jacket standing a little ways away. 

“Hey, Mel, could I have that?” James asks.

Mel gives him a knowing look. She hands it over and he shoves the flowers at you without waiting for a reaction, wanting to get you wrapped up warm again as fast as he can. You slide one arm at a time into the sleeves and don’t say a peep when he zips it closed. 

“James,” you say. Your cheek dips a touch toward your shoulder. Fondness lined each seraphim feature. “Sirius is calling you.”

He frowns. He’s been hoping for a little thank you kiss (cheek or chin, whatever you could reach), and Sirius is neither. He turns to where you’re looking at Sirius standing a ways away with some other spectators. 

“You have absolutely no game!” Sirius shouts. “None!”

“What’s your problem?” James shouts back. 

“You’re supposed to kiss her now? You twit!” he shouts, vehement. 

James turns away from him, “God, I’m sorry, he’s such a fucking idiot, he…” 

You’re looking at him. Quiet, face turned up and eyes squinted, eyelashes kissing in the corners, your glossy lips turned up like you want to be kissed. He feels it like a cheesy movie and he doesn’t care, every moment spent with you condensed as his hands come alive and cradle your face of their own accord. 

He isn’t expecting you to lift up on your skates and kiss him first. 

He does get fireworks, thank you very much. James Potter has been waiting to kiss you since the very first time he saw you, on ice, curling out of a tight spin with a deliriously happy laugh. It feels like an explosion, and the crowd cheers behind you for a jump he can’t see and it doesn’t matter, it fits, it makes perfect sense that a whole room of people would be up on their feet as he presses his lips to yours. 

“You looked so pretty,” he tells you, nose sliding against yours as he holds himself back. 

You kiss his bottom lip, another burst of floral scents erupting between you as you try not to slip back on your skate blades. “Thanks, James.”

He smiles into your mouth, melts into your hold, and takes another heart-thrumming kiss. 

You’re runner up in the competition. You’re the only girl who isn’t on the pedestal that gets a bouquet of flowers, and likely the only one who doesn’t care, not one bit. You smile at James like you’ve won the gold on the way out of the centre, your hand latched firmly around his. 

“Sirius.” You stop in the car park, flowers pressed to your chest. James stops beside you with your skate bag swung over his shoulder. “What happened to your car?” you ask. 

Sirius kicks a new dent. “Friendship,” he says grimly. 

James leans toward you, his lips at your ear. “Bender. Best not to ask about it. He’s sensitive.”

“Oh,” you murmur. “Okay.”

He kisses your temple. “Thanks, angel.”

･:*:｡･:*:･ﾟ

thank you so much for reading! please reblog if you enjoyed, it makes such a difference for me <3<3<3<3<3

[crazy-fangirl2524]

Figure skater! Andrew and hockey player! Neil is something so personal

[avatar-anna]

Whipped

Hockey player! Harry x Figure skater! Y/n

there are references to a previous oneshot. read here for more context!

"You comin' out tonight, Captain?"

Harry shut his locker as he shrugged into his t-shirt, water droplets spraying as he shook out his freshly washed hair. Rubbing some of the stray droplets off his face, he said, "Not tonight, boys. It's date night."

His teammates groaned in protest, a regular occurrence when Harry declined to go out with them. He shook his head at their collective disappointment, amused because when he did go out they typically got too hammered or went off in search of someone to hook up with.

"You'll be fine without me, I promise," Harry assured as they walked out of the locker room together.

"It's the principle of the thing," one of his teammates, Matt, said. He was new to the team this year, a transfer from a different school. "You never come out with us."

"That's not true!"

It wasn't true, was it? Harry had opted out of the last couple parties, preferring to take his girlfriend on a date or have a night in with her. Y/n wasn't overly fond of parties, and rightfully so after what she'd experienced a couple years ago, but even then Harry had begun to prefer their quiet nights together over a rager on Greek Row.

"It is. You're always with your girlfriend," another teammate said, making it sound like an accusation.

"Watch it," Harry said, his voice clipped, not having much tolerance for anyone who spoke badly about Y/n.

"Speaking of," Niall said, nodding to where Y/n waited by her car, her head dipped as she typed something on her phone.

Harry's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, a smile involuntarily finding its way onto his face. "So fucking whipped," Matt muttered as Harry walked over to Y/n, the rest agreeing, making their own jokes at their captain's expense. Harry merely flipped them off as he walked away from them, shaking as his head as he returned his focus back on his girl.

"What was that all about?" Y/n asked, looking over at Harry's teammates with a raised brow.

"Nothing, they're just giving me a hard time about not going out with them tonight," he explained, tossing his duffle bag in the back of Y/n's car.

"Oh," Y/n said. "Do you want to go out with them? We can take a raincheck for tonight."

That was what he loved about Y/n. What Harry's teammates didn't understand was that his girlfriend wasn't telling him not to go out. Y/n never got mad at him if he wanted to celebrate a win at a party , she knew his team was a close knit group. But Harry found himself preferring spending time with her than with the boys. Did that make him a shitty teammate? He didn't think so. Did it mean he was whipped? Maybe, but he didn't really see a problem with that. Not when being with Y/n made him so happy.

"Don't worry about them," Harry said, pulling Y/n as close as she could possibly get. "They're just jealous they don't get to spend the night with the hottest girl at our school."

Y/n started to laugh, but his mouth was already on hers, effectively ending the conversation.

*.*

Away games meant hours spent on a stuffy bus full of immature hockey players. When Harry was just a freshman, he was delegated to the back , forced to share seats with the other underclassmen while the juniors and seniors all stretched out across seats closer to the front of the bus, far, far away from the bathroom.

Now that Harry was both a senior and team captain, he got his pick of whatever row he wanted on the bus. He usually opted to sit up front, Zayn in the aisle across from him and Niall the one behind. In the hours leading up to arriving at their opponent's rink, Harry spent his time listening to music, getting himself in the zone to lead his team to victory. It was why he chose to sit in the first few rows of the bus closer to the coaches so he could focus.

Around hour two into their trip, Harry reached for the paper bag that had his lunch.

In the past, Harry went with a teammate or two to grab something to eat before getting on the bus, but after Harry had complained a couple times to Y/n that a burrito followed by an hours-long bus ride was a habitual mistake, she began to pack him a lunch. He didn't ask, and she never said anything about it. The first time he found a brown paper bag in their shared apartment, Y/n merely shrugged and said, "I already pack my own for competitions, it's no big deal."

"What'you got over there, Styles?"

But it was. It was her little ways of showing she cared. Harry learned early on in their relationship that Y/n had a hard time expressing herself with words, but she made up for it in gestures, like packing him an away game lunch and leaving little notes in them for him to find.

Harry perked up at the sound of his name to find one of his teammates standing in the aisle of the bus, eyes alight as he observed the brown paper bag in Harry's lap.

"What does it look like, Matt? It's a bag lunch," Zayn chimed in, having pulled one of his headphones off his ears.

"Please tell me Y/n isn't packing you lunch before games," Matt teased. "Is she your girlfriend or your mom?"

A few teammates who had been listening laughed and joined in on ribbing their captain, but Harry merely rolled his eyes. Matt had had a lot to say about his relationship recently. Nothing overly rude or offensive, but it was often enough that it was starting to become a "thing," and that Harry definitely didn't want.

"Y/n made you lunch? Can she make me one next time? What's in it?" Niall asked, who had previously been dozing against the window.

Ignoring Matt, Harry showed Niall the lunch Y/n made—a chicken wrap on a whole wheat tortilla, trail mix, a banana, hummus and pita bread, and a drink with electrolytes. The contents varied each time, but it was always healthy and filling, and Harry honestly felt better as he got off the bus than he used to.

"That a note?" Niall murmured so Matt wouldn't hear, having moved onto another topic toward the middle of the bus.

Harry reached for the folded piece of paper scattered among the food in his lap, trying to be discreet. "Good luck today, bub! xoxoxo" it read, and Harry quickly folded it back up and shoved it into his trouser pocket.

"How things have changed since you first met," Niall said with a chuckle, punching Harry's arm lightly.

"I'm not so sure. I think she likes to embarrass me more than anything else with this stuff. It's definitely working."

"Matt's an idiot, ignore him," Niall said, and Harry was inclined to agree. "You gonna eat that pita bread?"

Later that night, Harry trudged through the apartment, his duffle bag sliding off his arm in a heap by the front door. "Baby?" Harry called, noting the lights on in the apartment but no girlfriend. "You in the shower?"

Harry swatted his friend's hand away before he could snatch his lunch.

*.*

"Over here!" she said, her voice coming from their shared bedroom.

Harry loosened his tie as he walked down the hall toward his room, ready to be rid of his game-day clothes. He never understood why the team had to wear suits before and after games, especially after. The very last thing he wanted to do after playing a hockey game was wear a dress shirt and slacks.

Not paying attention, Harry began undressing, shedding his suit jacket first, carefully hanging it up the way he knew his girlfriend would appreciate. When he turned around, he finally noticed her.

"What's this?" he asked, eyes roaming Y/n's bare legs appreciatively. She laid on the bed in just his home jersey, the hem hiked up high enough that Harry could see a hint of lace from her underwear.

"Just a little something for your big win," Y/n said, a grin that said she could read every ounce of desire on his face.

She started to stand up on her knees, to go to him, Harry assumed, but he stopped her. "Wait. Stay right there."

He could feel Y/n's eye roll as Harry whipped his phone out of his back pocket, fumbling around until he had his camera pulled up. As he focused his phone on her, she didn't look amused, but there was a glint in her eye that told him she thought he was an idiot.

"You do this every time I surprise you in bed," she remarked, flipping Harry off when he started moving around for better angles

"Need a new screensaver," he said by way of explanation, doing just that before he set his phone down.

"Get over here before I decide to put pants on."

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, quick to ditch his own trousers before joining his girlfriend on the bed.

*.*

A couple weeks later, Harry was finally at a party. His teammates were there, along with Y/n and a couple of her friends. Y/n, who still got tense at large house parties, stayed close to Harry's side the whole night, not eager to venture anywhere without him. He didn't mind, of course, in fact quite the opposite. As they sat around a bonfire in the house's backyard, Y/n sat on Harry's lap, his arms circled protectively around her waist. She had been perfectly fine with sitting beside him, but he'd pulled her onto his lap before she could.

"How are you always so warm?" he murmured, nuzzling his nose past her hair and against the skin of her neck. "Hm? You're like a little furnace."

"Stop that! Pay attention to the game," Y/n said, still leaning into his touch.

Her hands rested over his, warming his skin caused by the chilly autumn air. Harry was in a chunky cable knit sweater, but the cold still pierced his skin, making him squeeze his girlfriend tighter. That and the pleased giggle that came out of her mouth when he kissed the back of her neck.

"Hey, lovebirds! Feel like rejoining us anytime soon?"

Harry peeked out from behind Y/n, grinning cheekily at his friends, who were also sitting around the bonfire. Before he could say anything, Niall shouted from his seat over the music, "You guys are so in love it's gross."

The lighting outside was dim, the fire casting an orange glow over everything, but Harry could tell Y/n was blushing as the rest of their friends teased them playfully. It was no secret to Harry how his girlfriend felt, but she was more reserved than he was, and he knew it was a lot for everything to be out in the open, even so far down the line.

"He's fucking whipped, is what he is!"

Harry heard Matt's voice scattered throughout the others, and he could hear the slight edge to his tone. He wasn't quite sure what his teammate's problem was, or why he felt the need to comment on Harry's relationship all of a sudden, but it was starting to get on Harry's nerves.

Not having heard the bite that Harry did, his friends laughed. Y/n didn't, though, merely smiling at him as she squeezed his hand affectionately. "Don't let them get to you, bub," she murmured before standing up from his lap. He felt the loss of her warmth immediately, but didn't pull her back down to him. "I'm gonna head inside to go to the bathroom."

He didn't know if she actually had to, but Harry saw the offer to escape for what it was and took it. "I'll go with you," he said, standing up himself and taking her hand in his. They were almost to the sliding door that would lead them back to the house when Matt spoke, his voice rising above the rest and making them both stop.

"Seriously? You can't be alone for five minutes? For God's sake, let him off his leash, Y/n."

Anger coursed through Harry's veins immediately, but he did his best to push it aside to focus on his girlfriend, whose face was carefully blank.

"Sorry, what was that?" Y/n asked, slowly turning around to face him. Harry instantly read the look on her face. It was the same one she wore when he forgot to switch out his laundry or wash the dishes.

Matt stupidly doubled down instead of backing off. Niall and a couple of Harry's friends tried to stop him, understanding Y/n's anxiety about being left alone at parties, but he didn't listen.

"Never in a million years did I think our team captain would be so whipped for some—some—"

"Stop before you embarrass yourself," Y/n said, her voice not wavering once. "Maybe if your head wasn't so far up your own ass, you'd know I don't make Harry do anything, like you seem to believe. If he doesn't want to hang out with you, then that's his business, but honestly I don't blame him. You kind of suck."

Matt looked at Y/n in disbelief, mouth open but no words came out. Then he looked at Harry, as if his captain would offer some assistance, but Harry didn't do anything of the sort.

"Don't look at him, you're dealing with me now," Y/n said, stepping toward Matt. "And before you make some stupid fucking-ass comment about him being a bitch letting me fight his battles, save your breath. You started this, I'm ending it. Suck a dick and keep my name out of your mouth."

That's when Harry stepped in. He loved that Y/n was defending him on his behalf, but Matt was a good two heads taller than her, and his teammate had had a few. He didn't think Matt would get physical, but Harry was starting to realize Matt wasn't really a stand up guy.

Then, Matt muttered, "Fuck this," before storming back inside the house. The backyard was uncomfortably quiet for a moment, no one quite knowing what to say. That was until Niall said, "Well, that went about how I expected."

Harry let out a relieved chuckle, his free hand running through his hair. When everyone went back to their own conversations, he focused his attention back on his girlfriend, who hadn't said a word since Matt left.

He knew it took a lot for her to do that, that as confident as she was, Y/n still got anxious, especially in a setting like this. Squeezing her hand once, which had begun to tremble just slightly, Harry murmured quietly in her ear, "Let's go home, baby."

With a stiff nod, Y/n agreed, letting him lead her from the group and back into the house. When they were in the car, Y/n finally said, "Sorry if I made things uncomfortable. Matt's a dick but he's still your teammate."

"Don't apologize," Harry replied immediately. "He got what was coming to him."

They let the conversation end there, driving back to their apartment in silence, save the music playing through the car's speakers.

It wasn't until they were both in the comfort of their own bed that Y/n brought it up again. Nestling under the covers and into Harry's side, she said, "You're totally whipped, you know that, right?"

Harry sighed and kissed the top of her head. "I know."

[snowsonlylove]

Dangerous Woman

a/n note: inspo is also from this delicious edit from topxzae on tiktok and this performance by ashley wagner. btw, i've switched my style of writing a bit and i've made it a bit more direct for i hope you don't mind + i was feeling a lil lazy so i did the sex scene in a third person pov.

Pairing: Captain!Hockey Player!Coriolanus Snow x Figure Skater!Reader

Summary: Y/N Y/L/N and Coriolanus Snow have been in an established relationship for about 5 months. Lately, things have been very stressful for Coriolanus in his job as a captain of keeping everyone in line. Today is his day off and all he wants is to spend time with his girlfriend. What started out as a sweet catch up turned a lot spicier after Y/N noticed how her boyfriend looks at her. 

Fic Type: Smut (NSFW) 18+, Established relationship, Love struck Coryo, Reader slaying it on the ice (i’m kinda imagining her as an Alexandra Trusova kinda gal so do what you want with that info)

Warnings: unprotected sex (don’t do this guys, use a condom. reader is on birth control), rough pushing, harsh, cunnilingus (female and male receiving), lmk if i missed anything else

Word Count: 1.9k

Inspo: Heavily inspired by Icebreaker (my newest obsession) and the stereotype in the skating world with hockey players looking at figure skaters when they practise (horny bf and gf edition). 

Disclaimer: Credits and the idea of this are based off Icebreaker so all credits go to Hannah Grace and her team. This is a spinoff of her idea turned into an established relationship version for Coriolanus Snow and Y/N Y/L/N.

Additional Info (ONLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE READ ICEBREAKER): In this universe, there is no rivalry. All collegiate teams share the same rink and there is a bond with the hockey and the skating team prior to this occurrence.

I do not own Coriolanus Snow or Y/N Y/L/N (cuz it’s you, boo). All credits go to Suzanne Collins and her team. Song credits also go to Ariana Grande and her team. 

I do not allow my works to be republished or translated under any circumstances. Any instances of this happening and YOU WILL BE BLOCKEDDD. 

Also, ageless and empty blogs will be BLOCKED as this is a 18+ fic. Report my fics for no good reason and you’re blocked cuz if u don’t like it, LEAVEEEE.

Y/N and Coriolanus have been a strong couple for about 5 months now. With all that time passing, there must be some things they have learned about each other, as well as things they have not learned about each other. Weirdly enough, Coriolanus has never seen Y/N skate because of the divide in their schedule between the hockey team and figure skating team. 

Coriolanus is the captain of the collegiate Academy hockey team, which makes the job more difficult for him because of how hard he has to strangle and wrangle a bunch of frat guys to go on the ice and play. This leads to him trying to find his teammates a lot, which means that he doesn’t have time to see his girlfriend skate because by the time he gets there, Y/N’s already packing up her stuff and giving him a kiss goodbye before leaving. This frustrates him. However, it doesn’t look like it would be much of an issue going forward.

Lately, the team has been going on a losing streak. About 3/4 of the team are either high or drunk off their ass in college parties and it’s driving Coriolanus crazy as it’s making them lose. Their coach has demanded that they stop it, Coriolanus even putting it as a ban but it’s still not making the younger hockey members realise that. As a result, Coach Highbottom and Coriolanus have made a decision to make them sit on the bench and think about their actions, which works great for Coriolanus since it creates a window of space in which he can get more alone time and even show up earlier to watch his girlfriend practice.

Today was the day in which Coriolanus got his free time, so he chose to watch his girlfriend train for her test skates after getting them a small box of cronuts and a coffee for both him and girlfriend as a little date after her practice before she has to go back to her dorm to study.

Coriolanus strolled into the ice rink as if he owned it that day, confident in his strides as he didn’t show his excitement in seeing his girlfriend practice in fear of people seeing how weak he was for his girlfriend. As he walked to the stands by the rink, he saw his girlfriend glide across the rink as she stretched her hands in the most delicate way possible while practising her program with her coach looking at her intensely from the stands.

“More, Y/N! More!” “Straighten the back of the knee!” “Smile!” “Don’t be so sloppy!” Coach Gaul screamed from the side of the ice rink as Y/N glided past her to do her quad before doing her triple axel flawlessly. Coriolanus sat on the edge of the stand, looking at his girlfriend almost as if he was observing her before he suddenly heard a bunch of little giggles and laughs beside him as he turned to look at the bunch of junior girls who stopped their off-ice stretching to look at his girlfriend practising her program.

“She’s so pretty..” “Literally, how does she do that?” “Oh my god, her boyfriend is so hot, someone get me a hockey boyfriend please” “I wonder how big his d-” “Oh my god, Sasha! Don’t say that!” The girls whispered amongst each other as they giggled as if they were girls from middle school. Coriolanus smirked as he pretended to cough, making all the girls look at him horrified that they realised that he heard their conversation. They all walk away with their heads down as Coach Gaul’s assistant calls the girls to start their warm-ups on the ice, making Coriolanus smirk even harder.

Coriolanus walks towards the side of the rink as he puts his hands in the pocket of his sweatpants as he watches his girlfriend converse with her coach, waiting for feedback while he stands there, entranced by her beauty. As she glides back on the ice, Coriolanus feels himself getting hard as he watches her practise her routine with her hands behind her back, making his mind go crazy with the possibility of the things they could do. Mind you, by this point they’ve hooked up quite a few times.

As Y/N comes towards the end of her routine, she finally notices her boyfriend as she gives him a small wave before doing her final moves, her coach clapping on the side of the rink. “Good job, Y/N. There are some technical things we need to work on but you’ve improved. Now, go take your leave.” Y/N nods as she bids her coach goodbye before running towards her boyfriend and tackling him with a bone-crushing hug, her boyfriend hugging her back just as hard as she squeals, “I can't believe you’re here! I thought you were on an off-day with the guys today!” 

Coriolanus chuckles in a distracted way as he chides while stroking her hair, “Yeah, that’s true but the one thing I didn’t tell you was that I actually wanted to watch my darling skate today. How are you, sweetheart? Anything hurting? I brought us some donuts and coffee for breakfast?” Y/N groaned as she looked up at her boyfriend with a grateful smile, “You didn’t need to get me anything, love. I know you’ve been busy lately.. You know I’m all fine, right? I’m not a broken doll” She jokes as she raises her eyebrow, making her boyfriend smirk as he leaned down to give his girlfriend a peck on her lips before saying, “I know that, baby. But I was thinking we can do a little something as a treat for you doing so well in your practice so far.” He said in a dazed tone as he took a glance at her ass before giving it a slap, making Y/N glare at him from her current stance. Coriolanus’s dick got harder after hearing her groan as it reminded him of the several intimate interactions that he had with his girlfriend. Little did he know, Y/N saw his aching dick right as she came up to him, making the situation much more interesting as she noticed how he looked at her. Knowing how hard he’s been working, she wanted to give him a chance to relax after a long week of training. 

The tension between them got a little more heated after that slap as both Y/N’s and Coriolanus’s looked at each other in a much more sensual way, their eyes having a particular sheen over it before a cough from Y/N disrupted the moment. “Okay, then. Let me get my stuff from the locker. I’ll see you later, captain…” Y/N said as she turned around and walked away, her hips swaying just a bit more to tempt her boyfriend into joining her in the locker. Coriolanus immediately took notice of this as he followed her, Y/N stopping at one point to grab his hand and interlock his fingers with hers as they made their way to the locker. 

Thankfully, no one was in the locker by that time as all the skaters were on the rink preparing to start practising their programs. Y/N closed the door behind her as Coriolanus pinned her towards her door as he wrapped his hands in her hair and kissed her while her hands pressed up against his chest as she smiled into the kiss. Wet, squelching sounds echoed around the room as their tongues moulded against each other in perfect sequence as if they were made for each other. As they made out, they peeled off each other’s clothes slowly as they were wrapped up in this bubble where they were the only ones there and no one else existed.

By the time they pulled away from each other, they were both down to their underwear. Coriolanus crouched down as he peeled Y/N’s lacy red panties off her as licked a line up her slit, tasting the sweet nectar hidden under her skate wear as he hummed in satisfaction before sucking on her clit, making Y/N see stars as her moans echoed around the room. Y/N reached down to cradle her boyfriend’s head as he worked her up to a beautiful, soul-capturing orgasm, making her heave big sighs while coming down her high. 

Y/N and Coriolanus gave each other a deep kiss as she tasted herself on his tongue before it was her turn to kneel down and give his aching hardness the love that it deserves. She kissed her way down his abs as she pulled down his boxers, revealing his aching, hard dick leaking with pre-cum in all its glory. The veins were clearly invisible as Y/N hummed in satisfaction before she licked the tip of his dick, savouring the taste of his pre-cum as she moaned. She continued this a few times before she went deeper and deeper until her throat reached the base of his cock, making Coriolanus groan with great pleasure as she gagged occasionally and started to work him into an orgasm by pulling her head in and out of his dick in a once slow motion before building up her speed in a way she knew her boyfriend liked.

“Ugh, so good, baby… Keep doing that, you’re gonna make me cum, sweetheart.” Coriolanus groaned as he wrapped his hand around a bunch of her hair as he guided her in and out of his dick. His groans and her moans echoed around the room as the atmosphere got dirtier before Coriolanus pushed her head closer than it’s ever been before he came with one final groan, making Y/N moan even louder at seeing his satisfaction in her efforts to please him.

As Coriolanus came down from his orgasm, Y/N pulled her mouth off him as she wiped her mouth clean of her saliva before jutting out her tongue, letting him see that she swallowed it all before she laughed a little at her boyfriend’s dark glance at her. Coriolanus’s head turned around to the side as his groan this time was animalistic as he grabbed his girlfriend from her place on her knees before him and smashed his lips with her before he turned her around and pushed her towards the door before shoving his now hard length into her in one thrust. 

Both Y/N and Coriolanus let out a groan as they wrapped their arms around each other as he pushed his dick in and out of her pussy as her ass bounced back towards his dick with her force. The room now echoed with the sound of skin slapping around it, along with her louder moans and his harsher groans as he turned her face to the side before capturing her lips in another searing kiss as they both come with him holding her tits in his hands and bringing her as close to him as possible.

Y/N and Coriolanus breathed heavily as they came down from their euphoric orgasm. Coriolanus cradled Y/N’s face as he leaned in and captured her lips in little kisses as he checked over her to see if she was okay. After making sure she was okay, he grabbed a bunch of tissue paper as he cleaned them up before he helped her pack up her skating luggage before they opened the door and left the rink wrapped up in each other’s love. Little did they know, both Coach Gaul and her assistant were staring at them appalled as they overheard them while going to the bathroom a while ago. 

[fairysluna]

Cregan + modern!au; he’s a hockey player and reader’s a figure skater? 👀

Send me a potential AU and I’ll tell you five fun facts that would happen in a story.

Why am I kinda obsessed with this idea?🤭 (this kinda came out as a drabble, im sorryy)

I'm seeing an 'enemies to lovers' trope here. You met him at the ice rink, you were practicing a new movement that was getting a bit too hard to perform when the whole local team suddenly took over the rink. You approached the guy that seemed to be the captain - angry that they didn't have the decency to talk to you before wordlessly kicking you out. The guy introduced himself as Cregan Stark, and you immediately recognized his face from the posters on every place in Winterfell; it was a small town, and people like him would obviously get praised by his neighbors. You didn't like him at all, especially when he didn't even apologize to you.

Regardless of that situation, you still came back to the rink afterwards, using the only place available for you to train. Occasionally, your coach would be with you - and some days Cregan would arrive early and he would watch you from the bleachers, curious to know why he hasn't been able to stop thinking about you. Of course, you didn't notice him at first, but after a while his intense gaze was easily perceived by you. After a few days and once your training finished, he approached you and apologize for 'the incident of the other day' - you didn't think too much about it, but you accepted the apology. That's when all started.

You still were a bit reluctant to make acquaintance with him, noticing how he would act so different and tougher around his peers but funny and easygoing with you - almost like a Dany Zuko situation. But regardless of his odd attitude changes, you would still accept going out with him after his practice. You laughed - a lot. Cregan become addicted to the sound of it, getting butterflies each time he would hear it. You had a great time, secretly wanting to repeat the occasion. You hang out a couple times, until he invited you to one of his games; and you accepted.

Throughout the entire game you would see him get beat and push around, holding your breath each time he would fall on the ice; you never knew what was that all about. Things got out of hand when you saw how he would push someone from the opposite team, resulting in a fight that would make everyone gasp; your heart beating faster once you saw blood running down his nose and him being guided towards the dressing rooms. Your body reacted by itself and before you knew you were standing in front of him, holding tissues up his nose and laughing at his antics. That was the day you knew you liked him - that you really, really liked him. It was the day of your first kiss too.

Weeks from that, everytime he was on the ice rink he had you - his number one supporter - on the bleaches, cheering at him and cursing at anyone who dares to put a hand on the man you loved. And whenever you had a presentation, after spinning around and doing your tricks on the ice, you would always have to your number one fan waiting for you with a giant smile and a bouquet of flowers on his hand, ready to take you home to celebrate your victories on the privacy of your room. (iykwim)

If you have something to add, please feel free to send me your ideas✨🤭

[andreisvechnikov]

I am so so grateful and happy that Jeff is getting all the love in the world from the Sabres. He deserves it so so so much. I happened to start watching the Canes right after he was traded. Right before the season that would break the playoff drought, after many years of Jeff being a major face of the franchise, a couple years after he got the A, he was shipped off to Buffalo.

It was a shock for many reasons: the very little the Canes got in return, an insult to what he meant to the team, but it also felt a little inevitable: mismanagement and badly coached, he wasn’t utilized properly. Despite this, he was a highlight of one of the worst stretches of Carolina hockey.

How do I know all this when I just missed him? Because he’s almost like a bruise for the fanbase. For the long time faithful, he will always be The Rookie, the Calder Winner, the youngest All Star, goofy former figure skater, turned beloved alternate captain, a mainstay, a Hurricane.

For eight years he was a bright spot amongst record setting low attendance. Then, with a new owner who had sights on a new image, a new foundation for the team, giving away that trademark smile was almost a certainty but still in the many hearts of Raleigh, a surprise.

It breaks my heart a little, to see no one from Carolina comment on his milestone. Maybe they’re trying not to bring up the sadness of the trade, but I still remember Jeff posting his support for UNC Chapel Hill in the NCAA tournament a year or two ago. He posted a cup from an old dive bar near the university only locals know. This is a college basketball state above all else and he still showed his love for it after all these years.

He helped future stars, the next alternate captain even, adjust to the team in his last years. And now, through no fault of his own, holds the awful record of never going to the playoffs while being the youngest to 1000 games. Many had hoped so much more for him here. Today, I saw so many people saying how much love they still have for him, how much they wished he could’ve had a better time here, wishing we could’ve given him more than he gave us.

Many players come and go every single season, but whenever Buffalo comes into town, I know I’ll see a multitude of 53s in PNC Arena, most of them red and white. Happy 1000th, Jeff. You’re still here, in the people who miss you: the fans, the staff, the players; they remind us of your place in Carolina history.

[hawkwidows]

ohh oh!! I'm seeing hockey player mike and figure skater will back on my dash so I wanna share a couple of my fav thoughts that I've had for this au which areee:

will sitting in the spectator stands of the hockey rink wearing a nice comfy turtleneck and having big heart eyes the whole time even (especially) when mike body slams an opponent into the shielding boards ..and when he takes off his helmet and shakes his hair out

and then mike - who knows will's love for music, and that having the right songs for routines is important to him - just in awe watching will really compliment the music in every move he performs on the ice. he looks really good out there, if not just because will's outfits are really ,,tailored to him too

this au is always fun in fandoms I have many thoughts 🙊

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

hiii, I'm so appreciative of what you do lol! I suck at finding good fics, do you have any ice skater/hockey player sterek? I'm not really very caring on how mature its going to be, I just wondered if there's any out there, thanks again! <3

I sure do!

Don't let go of me by PumpkinkQueen

(1/1 I 845 I Teen)

Christmas should be a merry time to celebrate love and affection. Unless you beloved boyfriend is an asshole. Then you do all the celebration just the same but you may get your ego and your butt bruised along the way.

First Date Skate by 4lw4ys_a_fri3nd_n3v3r_a_l0v3r

(1/1 I 2,440 I General)

“Ijustreallywantedtokissyourightthen,” Stiles muttered under his breath in a rush. Had Derek not been a werewolf, he would never have heard it and he certainly wouldn’t have been able to understand what had just been said.

Derek Hale and the Ice by Argabarg

(1/1 I 2,466 I Mature)

Derek reflects on what it would mean to be the first openly gay NHL player... Is it worth it to finally be with Stiles the way he desperately wants to?

Holding You Up by isthatbloodonhisshirt (wasterella)

(1/1 I 4,539 I General)

“This place isn’t going to last long if it doesn’t take care of its skates,” Derek said before he could help himself.

“What?” Stiles blinked at him, then looked down. He laughed. “Oh, no. These are mine.”

What?

“What?” Derek said, repeating his thought aloud.

“The skates,” Stiles clarified, motioning them, as if Derek didn’t understand.

Oh, he understood perfectly, thank you very much. Why did Stiles own skates? Why did Stiles own skates?!

His day was about to get worse, wasn’t it?

“I used to play ice hockey when I was younger. Scott and I switched to Lacrosse in high school, but I’ve always liked skating, so I got myself some skates when I was fifteen or sixteen. They’re a little tight, but they still fit well enough. Figured there was no point in paying to rent skates when I have my own.”

Derek was right. His day just got worse.

The One with the Kiss Cam by nerdfightingwhovian

(1/1 I 5,224 I Teen)

While at a hockey game, which was totally Stiles's idea, the cameramen behind the Kiss Cam think Erica and Stiles are together. Derek, right next to Stiles, has to intervene on the behalf of his mate.

Also, there might or might not be a homophobic couple who start screaming at our werewolfy hero. He also might or might not give them the cold Hale stare.

Sterek on Ice by viennalemon

(6/? I 17,135 I Explicit)

Stiles Stilinski is one of the stars of his NHL team, the Cyclones, but management isn't happy with how he is conducting himself off the ice. It becomes the Cyclone's PR manager Derek Hale's problem and now Stiles' behavior has to improve or they'll both be out of a job. This is a mashup of a Sterek AU and also fanfiction for Shameless Puckboys (Puckboys book 3) by Saxon James and Eden Finley. This is a work in progress so tags will be added as chapters are added.

Take The Ice by Hopeless ships (The_Danish_Biscuit)

(7/7 I 50,228 I Mature)

To Derek Hale hockey was everything. It was the only reason he even tolerated High School and if given a choice the only thing he would be doing for the rest of his life. Some called him driven others called him fanatic.

Derek called himself determined.

Only one day a random meeting with a strangely fascinating young ice skater turns Derek's life upside down. A odd friendship blooms between them and Derek slowly comes to realise that his life isn't quite as simple as he thought. There might be more to life than ice hockey.

Sink My Teeth Into You by groffiction

(26/? I 77,191 I Explicit)

Derek Hale is one of the sexiest Alpha’s to be in the Werewolf Olympics, held every four years. Unfortunately after this last Olympics, getting only the silver medal, his partner bails on him. In need of a partner, and being a total stubborn Sourwolf about the whole prospect, his coach and uncle, Peter Hale decides to go in search of one by himself. He finds Stiles Stilinski, an Omega who just so happens to work as a Stripper at one of the best gay bars around town and gives the boy an offer he can’t refuse. Peter figures that the mouthy exotic dancer would be good for his nephew. However, what he didn’t intend were for both of the wolves to not only start hating eachother, but to also have enough sexual tension in their ire to melt the whole planet’s ice rinks.

Two Minutes for Holding by captaintinymite (augopher)

(18/18 I 121,498 I Explicit)

There were three things college hockey players Derek Hale and Stiles Stilinski knew for certain. 1) Their lives revolved around hockey, 2) They were madly in love, and 3) Derek was so far in the closet he might never find his way out.

They'd been together for two years now, and for two years they'd been a secret with only a few people knowing about them. Yet Derek's fear kept them from moving forward: fear of his family's rejection, fear of his sexuality tanking his father's career, fear of the rampant homophobia in professional sports. The ruse was growing thin.

Something had to give.

Or: The story of how one epic NCAA Championship run and college, served as the backdrop for some of life's great hardships.

[reinieseason]

we're all hung up over the ending so here's some limoreau au ideas super long post tho

royalty au - there's already one of these on ao3, where marie is a princess and jordan is a heir to a company. absolutely a banger, hope to see more of this au from other people but also from the creator themselves (the more we lie (the more we love) by secretshare is the au)

spiderman au - i'm gonna need someone to hear me out on this one. hear me out. jordan, born male, out of nowhere develops superpowers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. now, they have to figure out and balance their new powers - which aside from invincibility, waves, and like spider shit also includes gender shifting and they have to confront and navigate with their parents the identity that their parents didn't wanna face because it's become increasingly real. and this to me is like mcu ish. anyways, they also have to uh navigate their crush on marie moreau (gwen stacy of the world). hear me out.

rival TAs au - bringing this one back from my last post, jordan as brink's TA, they're a 3rd year ranked number two. but there's a professor that brink works closely with who just chose their new TA, it's the 1st year that jordan's been in hot water with marie moreau who is everything jordan hates. if jordan is a hard worker, who takes their time, marie is a genius who gets what she wants just because she's a genius. there's a rivalry but they're forced to work together when their professors start... look i don't have a justification as to why but they just do.

period piece au - i'm talking bridgerton, little women, pride and prejudice. rivalry, enemies, tension but forced to keep the tension under wraps and present a united and kind front but everyone knows they hate each other. the sexual tension of it all. lingering glances, fleeting touches. it is perfect for a couple like marie and jordan who love having a stupid big brown eyes off every episode every possible second

debate club au - look i was the HS debate captain i'm in college debate you have to hear me out . jordan as the captain of the team, marie as the new student who's a prodigy, rising star- she's a genius who's quickly put herself on par with the best team in the club. and now for nationals, the coaches put her and jordan together. the tension, the proximity, the trust, and the communication. whispers in hallways, cheering when they place first, the tension of finals. cuhrazy stuff.

figure skating au - OKAY ALL OF THIS IS LOWKEY STARTING TO SOUND THE SAME BUT IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS BUT STILL. the tension. jordan just lost their partner after a life changing injury, their coach pulls up with new star marie moreau who was beginning to dominate the solo scene but out of nowhere dropped out and now she's going duo with jordan li how mysterious. the training, the hands, the stunts, THE PROXIMITY. (my favorite word today) the anger and the arguments when they mess it up, but the fear when it seems like something bad happened. imagine both of them on the jumbotron thingy bracing for their score and it like breaks a record i mean. think about it. this is growing to be a fave.

hockey/figure skater au - jordan is a hockey player, jordan needs to be more precise, more agile. their coach talks to the figure skating rink coach and gets a tutor for jordan, marie moreau figure skater. i will not elaborate, i do not need to- mostly because it's the same shit i mentioned before but slightly different but Still.

volleyball au - if you have amazon prime, you have access to cinemalaya's rookie which is a Filipino indie film about a junior basketball player who moves to a new catholic all girls school and starts playing volleyball (because there's no girls basketball team), she falls in love with the team captain, who hates her sm. it's so fucking good, now imagine it as limoreau. imagine jordan li as the team captain who has to take care of this new member, marie who yeah she's tall and she has like whatever basics but she sucks at volleyball and for some reason is so out of it. plus plus plus volleyball tension, the other couple that gives a constant big brown eyes off is ace and jana.

gossip girl au - another hear me out, marie who's always lives her life in lowerclass new york as an orphan is adopted by victoria newman and now has to navigate life in a new school with upperclass new yorkers. she's thrown into the midst of it all and has to deal with being a fish out of water plus jordan being like wary of her. andre brings her into the group after she saves him from a tough situation with a teacher or a quiz, cate and emma are so down to welcome another girl, luke has a nice heart to heart with her and welcomes her in, and if luke and emma let her in, sam is down, but jordan- jordan is the only one who doesn't want her there and she doesn't know why. look i just watched only 1 season of gossip girl i do not know shit but still

okay yeah those are all the aus off the top of my head <3 add some more if you'd like, brain dump with me over shit I'll never write

[pigletxpoohbear]

Hockey player! Tenya Iida x Figure skater! reader

I got this idea from @angelashido back in January of 2022 when I read her Tenya the Tank fic (it's very good you should read it sometime). Also there are a few things that are real in this story! The average age for hockey players to retire is between 28-30 yo, Tsurui is a real village in Japan with a last recorded population of ~2,500 people (2016) and is near the Asia League Ice Hockey stadium that hosts the East Hokkaido Cranes! The team is named the Cranes because Hokkaido the primary habitat for Red-Crowned Cranes!

You decided to take your niece and two nephews out to go skating with you. During the summer, while they were on break you got to teach them how to ice skate at the skating rink you co-owned. It was closed during the summer usually, but if anyone contacted you about wanted to use it you always were willing to open it. It was also good training for you and they liked to train for their hockey games before school started in the fall. Today was different though. Your niece and nephews that they all wanted to wear their hockey jerseys. Your oldest nephew, Mamoru wore his Bakugou “The Menace” Katsuki jersey, your youngest nephew, Minori wore his Shoto “The Shadow” Todoroki jersey, and you and your niece, Ai had on Tenya “The Reckoning” Iida jerseys. 

You opened up the skating rink doors and your nephews zoomed to get their skates on stretch and get on the rink and start practicing for hockey next school year. You and your niece did stretches and then started doing some basic skating routines and after a little bit she decided to sit down and watch your routine and see if she could mimic it. You went ahead and started your routine showing her how you did your famous 720 air spin, the spin that got you the first place title last year at the Figure Skating World Championship. You told her start with a 180, then a couple 360s. You watched her as she gained momentum and did a perfect 180. You watched her then do a 360, but her second one she fell before she could gain enough momentum. “You did such a good job, Ai. Do you want some cocoa to warm up and try again afterwards?” Ai immediately shook her head yes, especially with how much she loved chocolate.  You asked your nephews if they wanted cocoa too which they decided sounded good to them and you got some. “So, Minori, Mamoru, what are you two working on for hockey?” “I’m trying to perfect being silent on the ice rink like Shoto,” Minori said. “And I’m trying to get my tackles and side swipes right like Katsuki,” Mamoru said excitedly. Behind your nephews you saw a familiar tuft of pink poofy hair. “Mina,” you yelled to your long time friend you didn’t notice the the group of men behind her. 

You and Mina were talking about the routine that you were working on when you felt a tug on your jersey. You looked down to see Ai. “Yes sweetie?” “Can I have your jersey please.” “Why do you want my jersey, Ai?” She looked somewhere behind you, “it’s a surprise.” “Okay, here,” you said as you took off your jersey and handed it to her and she ran over to the side. You continued your conversation with Mina for a little bit before someone tapped your shoulder. “Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but I believe this is yours.” When you turned around you were face to face with Tenya Iida with your jersey in hand. “Wait, you’re Shoko Shinagawa.” “You know me?” “Of course, me and my mother love watching competitive figure skating. Your 720 air spin was amazing and your performance was beautiful. I just didn’t think that someone as gorgeous and graceful would be interested in someone like me.” “Well personally I think you’re one of the best hockey players even though you don’t have the most goals in a season you’re coming up on having the most assists in recorded hockey history, but when it comes to goal amounts you’re also up there especially since those games in October where you racked up 2 goals in 2 seconds and the other where you scored within the first 5 seconds.” “Oh, so you’re not just someone who feign interest, you have genuine interest. It’s not often I find anyone that has any actual interest in me of all people. Most are angry at me,” Tenya chuckled. “Oh, you mean like how you got Bakugou benched in a game? I wasn’t angry with you, I thought it showed your true character and you ended up winning the game and then won the championship at the end of the season. If you guys lost the season because of that I could understand people being upset, but there’s really no reason to dislike you or to be upset with you.” Tenya chuckled and looked down at his feet with a blush appearing on his face. “Looks like Tenya’s gonna have a cute little girlfriend soon,” someone who you recognized as Bakugou. Tenya looked at him annoyed. “If he plays his cards right,” you laughed. Tenya was about to say something to Bakugou before it seems like what you said just registered to both men and he turned around to look at you. “Oh, um, then do you want to like get breakfast or dinner with me sometime,” Tenya asked nervously. “Sure, it’s not often I find someone that actually knows me especially when they’re as handsome as you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few days later you and Tenya met up for coffee in a local diner for breakfast together. “So, what brings “The Reckoning” to the small town of Tsurui, hm?” Tenya chuckled at the use of the nickname. “Well, I’m retiring from hockey either this season or next season.” “Really! You’re only 25 though players usually retire at about 28, why so early?” “Well there’s a conflict of interest when your plan is to purchase the team that you play for.” “You’re purchasing the East Hokkaido Cranes,” you whisper yelled at him. Tenya sat and thought for a moment. “Not only that, but I’m going to be CEO of Iida Corp and I wanted to find a place to settle down comfortably and quietly,” he looked at you for a second and then looked at his plate infront of him. “I might have decided to do so sooner if I knew I’d meet you here,” he said with a blush and a faint smile. “Having the kids around must be fun too especially with all the space out here.” “I mean when my siblings are out of town I love watching them and they in turn like watching you guys.” “I’m glad that Ai was at least able to see you play before you retired. I hope you’ll still come by the ice rink though.” “I’m hoping that if this continues to go well I get see more than just the ice rink that you own.”

[mlmshipbracket]

So propaganda for Zimbits! So they are from a web comic that got so popular it became a graphic novel! Which I thoroughly believe everyone should read is they like LGBT representation! So the main character Eric Bittle used to be a figure skater but his dad was a hockey coach I believe? (Is been a while since I read it) and either way, he goes to college he's on the hockey team! And I really love that he's in such an aggressive and masculine sport because many people think that there's no place for gay men in sports at all but just think of the sport it is! It's like one if the most masculine sports there is. So take that toxic masculinity! Jack is the son of like a hall of fame level hockey player, so yknow there's this expectation of greatness and all this pressure and Bitty is just like this totally adorable southern boy who just loves to bake and he loves his boyfriend and Jack loves him right back! They're such a great couple, attune to each other and their needs even when they have to be long distance! I just love how the series itself challenges some stereotypes and the idea of toxic masculinity while being super romantic and adorable. It has me in tears several times too! Hopefully I did the whole propaganda thing right? Basically I just think they're cute and very in love with each other! Such positive relationship models!

Thank you for your propaganda submission! Feel free to add these beneath the current Zimbits poll. I'll add the tags for locating this propaganda on this post.

[slightlystupidhun]

Skating Around Us

Summary: An Asher x Baabe Fic. Asher is a hockey player and Baabe is a figure skater. @itsdaifuku is the reason for this fic!!!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

They walked downstairs spotting Asher in the mess of hockey jocks. They found their way through the crowd, making their way over to him. It was rather crowded for that time of day, but nothing they haven’t dealt with before. When they finally found and opening they quickly moved for it. The change in pressure caused them to stumble forward into something solid.

“Hey! Falling for me already?” He said with a wink and a bright smile. They immediately looked up and met Asher’s gaze. They flushed a bright shade of red before standing up properly and fixing his shirt that they wrinkled.

“Uhm Sorry, I was just trying to find you for…ya know our date.” They gave him a soft smile.

“Woah Watch out guys! Asher’s got a date!! Clear the way!” A thick accent yelled out.

“Shut up Milo!!” Asher yelled turning pink. He reached out for Skates hand and when they finally accepted it, he led them out. Once they got to their car he walked around to the driver side and opened their door for them.

“Well aren’t you a gentleman?” They smiled at him.

“I always strive to be the best.” He chuckled shutting their door and getting in his side before they started the car. On the way he glanced over at them, the white wrap around their wrist catching his eye. “Hey what happened? You didn’t have that this morning?”

They glanced at him following his his gaze to their injured wrist. “I’m fine. Just a little bruised, and maybe tore a muscle. But Dr.Collins said it’ll be fine. Him and uh, I think I heard you call them Tank, well anyways their cute together.”

“Ok one thing at a time.” He laughed. “Do you need ice or anything? I know you said you’re fine but still.”

“Nah it’s ok, it doesn’t even hurt that bad anymore.” They answered.

“Ok, let me know if you need anything. And SECOND Tank and Collins aren’t dating, according to Tank. They said they are ‘just friends’ but no one on the team believes it. Like do you see the way he looks at them. What’s more, how they look at him?” He said eyes lighting up at the gossip.

“Yeah, they were having a couple ‘argument’ when I walked in about bedside manners and common sense. There was like a romantic kind of feel to it you know?” They smiled at him pulling into the parking lot.

“I know!! Ok ok! What is your typical order here?” He asked. They lit up quickly telling him their exact order, their absolute favorite drink, and what they get to eat along with it.

“How about you?” They asked as they got in the queue.

“Well typically I’m more of a pizza and wings kind of guy, but I love a good brown sugar late and a good sandwich.” He said as they got to the front of the line. He motioned for them to go first and whispered in their ear, “Can u order for me? Please?” They looked at him incredulously and laughed before telling the cashier their orders. He reached around from behind them and slipped his card in the reader before they could even reach for their wallet. When they looked back at him he just smiled.

“Alright, that’ll be up in just one moment.” The cashier said.

“Thanks!” They said in tandem. They then found themself a table next to the big window at the back of the shop. Outside you could see a small garden and then the sidewalk and main road. It was a cute view.

“So… You like Star Trek?” He asked then leaning forward on his elbows.

“Yeah… It’s one of my favorite movies!!” They smile at him.

“MINE TOO!” He cheered. “Ok Ok! Who said this line? ‘Insufficient facts always invite danger’” He paused pointing at them.

“Easy Spock!!” They replied crossing their arms over their chest.

“Order for Asher!” The server said.

“Be right back.” He ran off to get the order before returning moments later.

“So how long have you been playing hockey?” Skates asked their date.

“Hmm, as long as I can remember, I started when I was about six, David, our captain, his dad used to coach before he passed away. But he was the reason I got into it, actually he’s the reason most of our team got into it.” He explained.

“Ah I see, So, you’re planning on making this your profession?” They smiled at him, taking a sip from their drink.

“Well yea!! These muscles are made for hockey, what else would I do? A security gig?” He joked with them. “And how about you? How long have you been figure skating?”

“Since I was four. My parents always loved it and they wanted me to love it. I used to want to be a designer but, I ended up coming around to it.” They answered taking a bite of their food.

“Makes sense,” Asher said taking a large bite of food and a chug of his drink. “So are you skating for state championships?” He asked smiling at them.

“Yeah, ‘qualifiers’ are this weekend.” They stabbed at their food.

“You nervous?” He asked leaving them with the option to not answer.

“No, I mean yeah, I’m really nervous, like horrified I’ll blow it, but I believe in myself, so I guess it’s just a little bit.” They smiled up at him bashfully.

“Don’t worry I get it! I get nervous too! Sunday we have a match to determine whether we make it to the state finals, I really don’t want to blow it.” He smiles. “But I know that nerves are a part of it you know?” He then looks at them with a grin that sends shivers of excitement down their spine. “Besides if what I saw yesterday was anything, you’ll do great! I was really blown away.” He said it so sincerely they began to believe it themself.

“Thanks. I appreciate that. And,” they added on quickly, “If what I’ve seen from you is any representation, you are a rock star. Your destined for greatness.” They said making sparkle effects with their fingers. He smiled at them just staring into their eyes. They were so astonishing and their presence was so demanding to him. He couldn’t take his eyes away.

“So,” he cleared this throat changing the conversation. “Who’s your smash main?”

——

When they got back to the rink they were greeted by Angel talking to David in front of the big glass lobby doors. They had their hand on his shoulder and a wicked grin on their face. He looked like he was over it but the way he leaned into their touch gave away something more. They ran their fingers through his hair as Asher and Skates walked back over.

“Woah sorry for interrupting.” Asher said, most definitely interrupting them. He had one hand around Skates waist and the other in his pocket. Needless to say, the date went very well. David groaned in response.

“No. You’re not interrupting anything.” He turned his head to Ash, rolling his eyes.

“Oh you ARE most definitely interrupting something, but David and I can catch up… later.” They smiled stepping away from him. The captain rolled his eyes at them. “Hey are you guys coming to watch qualifiers on Saturday?” Angel asked.

“What time? Because we’ve got practice on Saturday from 8-10 am.” Asher looked over at Angel.

“Oh My Skate is at 12:30, and theirs is at 1:30 I believe. Just the short skate for those two time slots.” Angel answered wrapping their arm around David’s. He looked at them and glared at the use of PDA in front of his teammate.

“Ok, well we’ll go to your competition, if you go to our game tomorrow.” Asher compromised looking over at Skates, hand still placed firmly around their waist.

“What time is your game?” Skates asked turning to face him.

“It’s at 9:30am right here.” He gestured to the rink behind them.

“Then it’s a deal!!” Angel piped up kissing David on the cheek before trying to steal Skates from Asher. Asher however had a strong grip on them.

“Can I kiss you goodbye?” He asked looking into their eyes. They smiled at him and nodded.

“Yeah…” with that he kissed them lightly on the cheek. It felt so domestic, normal, and perfect. Plus his lips were so soft, they would pay money to feel that again.

Then Angel whisked them away to the car, separating ways with David and Asher.

That night when the pair got home, they marked in their calendar. 9:30am Dhalia Wolves VS KPD (Keaton Pack of Dhalia).

[fiapartridge]

will + daisy’s relationship dynamics !

“i love you” gf + “i love you more” bf

brunette + blonde

chef bf + taste tester gf

daisy overthinks everything, but will is super patient with her

daisy’s scared of seeming annoying, but will loves hearing her talk

daisy needs constant reassurance + will is always reassuring her

chef bf + baker gf

daisy’s always cold + will always gives her his hoodies

will has the prettiest eyes + daisy loves making eye contact with him so she can stare in them all day long

ballerina + hockey player

younger gf + older bf

whenever daisy gets drunk, will is always her dd (he doesn’t trust anyone else other than gabe to take care of her)

“i hate my voice” gf + “i could listen to it for hours” bf

dumb + dumber (that’s what gabe calls them, but they’re both equally dumb)

daisy has the cutest laugh + will is constantly cracking jokes just to hear it

short gf + tall bf

tutor gf + tutoree bf

daisy’s allergic to everything + will’s always making fun of her for it

hockey player bf + their #1 supporter gf

ballerina gf + their #1 supporter bf

enemies (sorta one sided since will never hated daisy lol) to lovers

golden retriever bf + poodle gf

will is absolutely hilarious + daisy laughs at everything

will loves milk, but daisy’s lactose intolerant

anxious gf + her safe person <3 #welovewill

lalalala gf + okokokok bf

daisy loves the daytime + will loves the night

hockey player + figure skater (daisy did a couple figure skating lessons bc she was like ballet on ice! & she’s definitely not as good of a figure skater as she is a ballerina but it’s something fun to do while will is on the ice with her!)

short bossy gf + tall bf who follows her around

daisy loves the beach + will loves the mountains

gf who loves the sky + “you’re my best view” bf

daisy hates olives + will loves them (#shoutoutolivetheory)

will has a tiny dimple on his left cheek + daisy loves to poke it

daisy can’t stop making puns + will secretly loves them

gf who loves to cuddle + her teddy bear bf

pretty gf + bf who’s wrapped around her finger

daisy’s a control freak + will just goes with the flow

omg daisy loves astrology + will doesn’t understand anything but he tries for her

daisy loves to travel + will is her travel buddy (they want to go to italy in the summer)

girl with high standards + the perfect boy

bookworm gf + keeps them company while they read bf

swiftie gf + bf who was transformed into a swiftie by his gf (it’s one of daisy’s greatest achievements)

will’s a night owl + daisy stays up late just to talk to him (it’s the other way around if daisy is too anxious or stressed to go to sleep + will will stay up to talk to her)

OKAY LAST ONE BC I FEEL LIKE I PUT SO MANY ITS GETTING A LITTLE OVERBOARD

daisy’s favorite flowers are baby’s breath flowers + will gets her new ones for her desk 2 times a month on the same days of every month (the 1st day of the month & the 15th) - he won’t even tell her either or like present them all grandly to her, he’ll just be coming over to hang out, put it on her desk, and continue on with his sentence -> there’s always a little note in their telling her that he loves her or that her ballet performance last night was amazing or that he’s proud of her, it’s just small romantic gestures that makes them them

[checkoutmybookshelf]

Maple Hills Review Round Up

So I went to college at UAF, where all the hockey players were Canadian and if you referred to anyone in the state as "American" they would correct you to "Alaskan." UCMH is a far cry from my college experience, but wow were they a ton of fun to read! So for those of you who want to get a sense of all three books from one post, I have collected my reviews and put them together here. Teeeeeeeeeeechnically they're all hockey romances insofar as the male leads are all literally on the same hockey team, but if I'm being honest, Icebreaker is really the only true hockey romance of the bunch. Wildfire is a summer camp romance and Daydream is best described as a college romance. So let's talk the Maple Hills books!

This is your SPOILER WARNING and your CONTENT WARNING. I'm going to spoil all three of these books. And I'm also going to talk about sex, sexual intercourse, consent, disordered eating, brief discussions of non-consensual kissing, and probably a couple of other things I've forgotten about, so please take care, and skip this one if you need to.

Icebreaker

Ok, for a lot of reasons, I was never a competetive athlete. That said...I am Canadian and I was probably 3 or 4 years old when my grandparents bought me my first pair of skates and my parents took me to the (manmade) kiddie rink in the park to teach me to skate. My middle sister and I had skating lessons for a few years, our parents took us skating pretty often growing up, and when we moved into the big house in Alaska, we had a pond out back that we skated (and burned christmas trees--yes, it was always awesome) on every winter until I left the state. And even when I moved back to Canada, I brought my skates with me and still use the arenas and outdoor town square rink in the winter. All this to say that while I'm never going to be an Olympian, I deeply love skating, so when there was a cozy college skating romance between a figure skater and a hockey team captain...it was not a hard sell. And then I was absolutely delighted by this cozy, fluffy, very skate-y book. Let's talk Icebreaker.

The very last thing Anastasia Allen wants to do right before sectionals is be forced to share her rink with a hockey team. Then she gets adopted by a bunch of overgrown man-children with hearts of gold who enjoy body-slamming other overgrown man-children into the boards over a puck. It is possibly the most adorable thing I have ever seen, and it is the best possible embodiment of the healthy, non-toxic version of "boys will be boys" insofar as the team just genuinely love and support each other and make space for Anastasia and Lola in that world with care, respect, and joy. I love it so, so much.

Of course, Anastasia is not here just to be adopted by a hockey team. She's also very much in danger of falling deeply in love with Nate Hawkins, captain of said hockey team. Nate and Anastasia are a genuinely darling, adorable couple, and watching them together was just FUN.

Particularly in contrast to Anastasia's relationship with her skating partner, Aaron. Who is--to put it mildly--the biggest most manipulative toxic douchebag I have ever seen. There's something about his and Anastasia's relationship that managed to embody everything that can go horribly toxic with athletic partnerships and how difficult it can be when your dream relies on someone who is actively trying to drag you down.

The super nice thing though, is that Aaron is absolutely the bad guy in this book. Neither Nate nor Ryan (the adorable himbo basketball player she begins the book in a friends-with-benefits arrangement with) descend to Aaron's level. They are there to support Anaastasia. That doesn't mean they don't get angry or jealous--they're human men in their late teens/early 20s, of COURSE they get angry and jealous--but they deal with those emotions pretty freaking healthily, and they don't descend into petty ego-based bullshit. Add that to Anastasia's therapy-honed communication skills, and the relationships in this book are just so well done. Sometimes relationships in romances can get weirdly toxic for drama, but that's not the case here, which made this cozy romance GENUINELY delightful to read.

The side characters are also super well-developed and full of personality, so everyone in this book feels well-rounded, real, and delightful. From Lola to Henry, Robbie, Russ, and JJ, you get to know an ensemble of strong secondary characters in the context of the main romantic relationship, and Anastasia and Henry's platonic love for each other might be the best platonic relationship I've seen in FOREVER. I would 100% read a spinoff novel about those two buddy-ing around.

Author Hannah Grace is a self-proclaimed "fluffy comfort book writer," and if Icebreaker is any example, then ACCURATE. And I cannot recommend this book enough, it was a delight to read from start to finish.

Wildfire

This book takes place in a summer camp in California, one of our love interests is terrified of thunderstorms, and the title is Wildfire.

You Guys.

I would be LYING if I said I wasn't fully expecting this camp to burn to the ground before the end of the book. It did not do that, but I still thoroughly enjoyed watching Russ and Aurora absolutely flout the staff "no fraternization" rule. Let's talk Wildfire.

Possibly the two things I love most about Aurora are her ability to see when she and Russ are being a trope she does not like and how absolutely unhinged she is. Girl has zero filter and is more than happy to have the uncomfortable and hard conversations, and she is also MORE than happy to whip out some just bananas lines, like the following ones:

Aurora is wildly unhinged and frankly, I enjoy it just as much as Russ does. I also appreciate that Aurora is self-aware and a halfway decent communicator, because if she wasn't, the rich girl daddy issues angle would have come off as abrasive and tired rather than genuine.

I also really love that Russ--a hockey player who might typically be expected to be brash and loud and confident--is allowed to be quiet and soft and tidy and lacking in confidence. His journey to confidence and self-worth is really sweet, and honestly can we please have more Russes in romance. He is very much soft boy vibes in the best possible way.

The other really lovely thing about Aurora and Russ's relationship is that they find all the places they fit together--and I don't just mean the squishy fun time bits either. Finding that your trauma and your partner's empathy fit together like puzzle pieces and that the outcome is peace and acceptance and being valued is an incredible thing. Aurora and Russ have that, and they work through the difficult bits of it in really sweet, healthy ways.

While Aurora and Russ are the main reason to read this book, author Hannah Grace is damn good at also writing funny, compelling secondary characters that make the world of the novel come alive. Jenna, Xander, and Emilia--plus cameos of the rest of the hockey team from Icebreaker--all help the world feel bigger than just Russ and Aurora, and they add dimension, depth, and humor.

Overall, I highly recommend this book, because it manages to be soft and funny and cozy and real while also dealing with some really weighty issues.

Daydream

I have been waiting for this book for literal months, and I am SO HAPPY that it is finally here. I'd have read it in one day, except that I got 1 hour of sleep in two days, so I did actually crash before getting to finish Halle and Henry's story. It was worth it though, because watching the dynamics between a neurodivergent-coded love interest and a demi-coded love interest was absolutely fascinating. I had so much fun with Halle and Henry, and it was nice to have Nate, Stassi, Russ, and Aurora around a little too. Like, the "adopted by a gang of hockey-playing golden retrievers" vibe that I loved from Icebreaker was still here, but we also get how Henry and Halle navigate a deeply gregarious group that loves them. Let's talk Daydream.

Soooooooo...the fact that Henry DIDN'T take a swing at Will because he was so worried about how Halle would feel about a) what her dickhead ex-boyfriend said and b) about Henry's response just makes Henry the bigger man in so many ways, and that was just deeply satisfying to me as a reader. That and Halle letting her mom HAVE it because her mom has been using Halle as a third parent in the household since Halle was a kid. Hannah Grace has a knack for making character arc climaxes immensely satisfying and avoiding cliches, and I really appreciate that. I also loved how Halle and Henry both get climaxes that work WITH their character arcs. Halle learns to say no and prioritize herself, and Henry gets to BE himself and be loved and supported in his needs.

So I'm not neurodivergent, and I'm not always good at seeing it in books and book characters where it's not explicitly stated in the narrative, so I was grateful for the letter that my copy had about how there was explicitly NOT going to be a diagnosis. I will say I'd probably have caught it in Henry's case from the text and the context, but I appreciate the clarity and I also appreciate the opportunity taken to highlight that nobody needs a diagnosis to be valid or to explain their experiences and needs. Just the matter-of-fact acceptance Henry gets and the patience people in his life have to let Henry explain what he needs and then GIVING THAT TO HIM with no questions asked was lovely. I also love that it wasn't always perfect. People made mistakes in good faith when they were trying to help, and there cannot be enough good said about modeling communication, accepting new information, and doing better the next time.

Listening to and believing people when they tell you about their needs and experiences should not be groundbreaking, but holy crap do people still struggle with this, so I love that Henry never had to. He is surrounded by people who listen, hear, and support.

Which is extra nice narratively because Halle is not. Her dickhead ex-boyfriend is ten kinds of jerk, her family basically uses her as a stage manager/extra parent, and she was honestly super isolated and lonely before she got pulled into the house full of hockey playing golden retrievers (seriously, that wonderful lost keychain in a frat house tumblr post about how wonderful "boys will be boys" can be as a vibe when it isn't toxic absolutely applies here). I was never a Halle, but I have KNOWN Halles, and I cannot tell you how lovely it was to watch her learn how not to people please and to find herself in a girl squad that genuinely loved and valued her in addition to having Henry around. It was lovely and happy.

I also (and please feel free to correct me on this) read Halle as demisexual coded, and that's a dynamic that I'm not used to seeing in romance novels, but it was also one that I really enjoyed. It's never bad to reiterate that pressuring someone to do something they're not ready for or don't want to in bed is SUPER BAD, ACTUALLY, and that that behavior includes bullshit like trying to enforce arbitrary timelines or calling someone cold for not wanting sex. Also, asexual spectrum identities are entirely valid, and deserve more representation in romance.

Overall though, the thing that made this book for me was Halle and Henry's communication. They're really good at the communication thing and they're really good at BEING together, which does not mean sex, it means that they are good at existing in the same space while being aware and accommodating of each other's preferences, needs, and boundaries. AND THEY HAVE FRIEND SQUADS FOR SUPPORT. Because it is normal and healthy (and often hilarious) to have multiple sources of support in addition to your partner. I adore that Henry and Halle have that, and the side characters (both new ones and ones we know from other books) are still wonderful.

Other things I adored in this book in no particular order:

Henry being a fine arts major. That was such a fun alternative side to an MMC after Nate and Russ were SO sports-focused. Henry having that extra dimension was great.

Halle being a writer. This is very much a "ooh, it me!" moment, so your mileage may vary, but I do love me a writer character. (Yes, this is why I still have a deeply soft spot in my heart for Rick Castle. No, nobody asked. You just know this now.)

Henry being so worried about Halle being sick that he takes her home to his mother who is a literal doctor. Henry was correct, Halle needed to take care of herself, and honestly, this was the sweetest thing.

Halle getting to have her girl squad preparatory periods. As someone who also used to adore getting ready for stuff with her girl squad, there is something really wonderful about this dynamic, and it was a treat to see Halle get to experience it.

The sex painting. I was not expecting to do anything but roll my eyes at this scene, but actually? It was well handled, it was cute, it made sense in the context of their characters, and y'know what? Sure. The book not self-cringing at this also helped, and I was willing to let these two adorable college kids have their fun and make some art together.

Henry's gift giving. I am a Halle, I am SO BAD at gifting, but I appreciate the skill in others. And Henry NAILED it. A+, no notes.

Halle admitting to Gianna that she wasn't sorry she and Will broke up. That was big for Halle personally, and hot damn did it model something important to her little sister. Just excellent.

I had a delightful time with this book overall, and I'll be sad to leave Maple Hills. If we are lucky, there will be more Hannah Grace books in the future though!

[sharonisthebettercarter]

Idk nor care who tf shitlander nor bitcher is, but I do know and care for spiderdads/spiderparents (pbmj X Miguel). I'd rather read a fanfic where Peter B. is a figure skater and Miguel a hockey player. Peter is an ice skater who despises the hockey players whom practice right after him. Particularly given the one that makes an effort to dominate him both on and off the ice (Miguel).

OOH~!

valid, valid, valid, SO fucking VALID~<3<3<3! i LOVE this idea<3<3<3!

can i expand ooh i hope you don't mind<3

okay... okay. gah i'm excited OKAY

i wanna add a layered element here in which miguel is actually just trying to help peter get better because there's a grace element to figure skating that i wouldn't quite picture peter to... well? let's just say if he's a gem, he's in need of some polishing~<3 and maybe miguel is *actually* like honest to gawd familiar with said polishing/techniques~<3/etc.

i could see it tho<3 i still want them kinda maybe sorta to be spooderpeoples on the side, and i LOVE that miguel is a vampire and i can't live without that so of course i'ma make the boi struggle with that too<3 don't mind my dumbass throwing in mpreg (because OF COURSE i fucking always do)

BUTT~<3

what if~<3 peter is a fantastic skater with a TON of potential, but a little rough in the art of his craft~<3

miguel~<3 maybe a bit of grumpy dick forever on the surface LIKES peter and really SEES a ton of potential he actually wants to see flourish and bloom~<3 but he's totally inept when it comes to emotionally expressing this in a healthy way and comes off.

as horribly constipated as he fricken' is. OOH~! so OF COURSE it comes off that way~<3 maybe with a little bit of the buzzy little feeling because peter boo's just so CUTE to him<3

what if it's worse when they're busy being spooderpeoples~<3

so what happens~<3? well i could picture a very ROUGH start with miguel correcting peter's form at every turn, but who knows, maybe the boi has a bit of a background with figure skating himself ~<3 or even speed skating, and moved on to hockey post vampirism (or some other reason lol). either way, he means well, probably likes~<3 peter, but pisses him the fuck off<3<3<3 and then there's certainly carnal and pheromone attraction~<3<3<3

OOH~<3 i can see LOTSA things happening<3 ;))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

but mostly and certainly a love story~<3 maybe where miguel actually *helps* peter win his competition~! and who knows, maybe peter even knows a thing or two about hockey~<3 and he ends up helping miguel win a game or two~<3<3<3 because i LOVE when couples help bring the best out in each other and i could DEF see that here<3<3<3

as far as mpreg goes maybe peter boo hits a little sitch that makes him want to take a lil break from his career~<3 miguel could possibly be an absolute butt about it or encourage him to finish out the competition at least or peter finds out just after the competition~<3<3<3

;)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[nanneramma]

Hello!

From the fic ask game, if you're ok with me asking,

15: how do you come up with fic/chapter titles?

And/or

18: what's your favorite line from a fic you've written.

Thank you for your time!

Of course I am okay with you asking! Good picks 😊

15: How do you come up with fic/chapter titles?

By the seat of my pants. I’ll often pull from a poem. If I'm writing for a song prompt, almost always a lyric from the song. And if not the above then maybe a couple satisfying words from the fic, something vaguely indicating a theme, OR (and best of all) a joke or a pun.

18: What's your favourite line from a fic you've written?

Oh jeeze. Well let's do something from my most recently published fic to keep it simple: ⛸️🏒 Ice Ice Baby (see above note about joke and/or pun titles)

A Hockey Player!Tonks / Figure Skater!Fleur short. My fav part of writing this fic was the dialogue, so have a snippet of that:

“Step into my office.” Charlie gestured to the supply closet behind her, breaking the silence of the corridor with a loud slurp of blue raspberry slushie. With a groan, Tonks pushed past Charlie into the closet. “I don’t have anything new to say. She hates me, I love her, she’s gorgeous, I’m cute in the right light when I’ve washed my hair, which doesn’t happen as much as it should, let’s be real.” Tonks slumped down onto a box of glass cleaner, rucking her hood up over her head and pulling the strings until she was nothing but nose. “She’s outta my league.”

Thanks for the ask, Hollow! Original list is here for anyone who wants to play 💕