#alright so how much did everyone else enjoy the playoffs this year?

[sunnysviolin]

God I love your blog I spent all day just looking at it and I’m like yes more Omori brain worms

Also, what do you think the Omori gang’s jobs would be when they’re adults? I kinda meta’d and thought Sunny would be a little comic book artist with the character Omoriboy but I’m curious on your thoughts

Awww thank you! Also you have given me the perfect excuse to show off my happiest AU aka the ‘everyone stays in town together, and lowkey they all live at Hero’s house’  I have a lot of different ideas for what they could end up being, so if this isn’t your cup of tea it’s not my firm canon haha! I actually do have an artist sunny series which would probably be up your alley if you were interested in hearing about that too! Alsooooo this got long again it’s under a read more. I’m calling it Come Home series and I really like it if you guys are interested in hearing more 0-0 I only talk about Basil Sunny and Kel here haha because it got long long, but there’s defintiely another part coming to this if you guys want it! 

Basil starts going back to school post-canon, and he ends up doing pretty good for his last two years, but it’s still a struggle considering he missed so much school over the last four years. The idea of going to college is particularly stressful to him, so Polly doesn’t push it on him. She didn’t end up finishing college, and she turned out alright. 

Polly does want Basil to be thinking about his future though, and so she encourages him to find something related to what he’s passionate about. Which leads to Basil working part time at Fix-It in the gardening section. 

He quickly branches out of just gardening, although that is still his favorite. There’s something deeply gratifying about seeing what he’s created with his own two hands, and having people ask for his help only with simple things he can fix for them. 

Basil starts up a deep mentoring relationship with the couple who owns  Fix-It. They like to hear his passionate rambles about the flowers, and they like the ideas he has. Basil starts to lead flower arrangement classes, and they end up being a big hit. 

When he’s in the spring of his senior year, they ask him about his plans. When they find out he isn’t really all that interested in college, they ask if he could come on full time, and maybe even apprentice. They have a son of their own, but he is a lawyer and has no interest in the shop. Basil is excited by this, and he almost immediately agrees. 

There’s a lot more to running the shop then he thought, but he loves it. He’s content just to be the manager for now, but the couple has assured him that within the next five years they plan to retire and the shop will be his for good.

Kel does end up getting a scholarship for basketball. It’s to a good school (not quite Hero’s level, but better than his parents expected). It’s a big state school compared to Hero’s tiny private, but his parents are happy and they have a winning basketball team. The problem is that Kel has no idea what he would want to do. 

He had some ideas, but I think that learning the truth really affected him. He had thought he wanted to be a basketball star, or something to do with the sports industry, but that all feels so juvenile now. Now Kel wants to do something real and good. He wants to work with people, but he isn’t sure what that might mean. 

Kel goes to school as an undecided major, and they stick him in a bunch of different types of classes. Most of them are painfully boring, hard, and he just isn’t interested. He briefly considers dropping out, but he knows how disappointed his mom and dad would be. They didn’t get the opportunity to get a college degree, so it kind of feels like slapping them in the face if he gave back all the money he got just because he didn’t have any passion. 

There is one class that Kel really enjoys. The class is called Child’s Play and it’s a psychology course. Specifically a class on the influence of play children’s lives. It’s still hard for him, and he struggles to fully comprehend the material, but it’s something he’s passionate about. 

He talks with his advisor about it, and the man suggests combining all of the things he’s been passionate about so far. He wants to do good for other people, he is interested in sports, and he liked learning about how children work. His advisor puts him in an education couse and a few physical health courses, and Kel enters his sophomore year with a physical education major. 

Kel doesn’t graduate with honors like Hero, but he does graduate with a plan. He does his student teaching at Faraway High, his connections with his coach and the school helping to grease the wheels. (It doesn’t hurt that he’s living with Sunny by this point, and Sunny got a job offer in Faraway that he’s going to accept...but more on that later)

They offer him a tentative position at the end of the year, and he accepts it. He also takes on the basketball team, and they win the playoffs for the first time since he graduated, which cinches his job in tight.

Sunny also doesn’t end up going to college. Not only did he not have the grades, it just wasn’t something he thought he would be very good at. He doesn’t really have a plan, just that he wants to still be by his friends. Hero is far from them now, and Aubrey is planning on going away too, but Basil and Kel are staying close by

He ends up talking to Kel about it late one night, and Kel proposes a great idea. They’ll get an apartment together off campus instead of him living in the dorms, and Sunny can figure his life out while Kel gets a friend and study partner. 

Sunny’s mother is very happy with this idea, and Kel’s parents are satisfied that he won’t be off partying every night if he has Sunny with him, so they agree as well. What Sunny’s mother isn’t excited about is the idea of her baby not getting any degree or anything. So she makes a compromise. She and Sunny will find a good trade school near Kel’s college, and Sunny will take classes in something he enjoys

She assumes he will pick art classes or something that she knows he likes, but Sunny surprisingly picks veterinary certification. It feels out of left field, but if it makes Sunny happy and he’s going to go to his internships and his classes then so be it. 

Sunny is never top of the class, but he is serious about doing well. There are aspects of the job that he does not do well with, but he manages. He gets his vet tech certification and finds a starting position near where he lives with Kel

Living with Kel is a breath of fresh air. It feels good to have a partner in life who doesn’t expect him to talk or to act like everyone else. Kel is a master at reading Sunny, and it’s a bone deep relaxation to not have to try and express himself. Most of the time Sunny can just listen and let Kel talk to him. They work well with chores and food and generally everything. Every day feels like a sleepover honestly, and Sunny starts to smile a bit more and reach just a little father out of his comfort zone. 

Kel loves living with Sunny. Every night they get to just spend time together and enjoy each others presence, and sometimes Basil will come up and they all get to eat dinner together in their little shoebox apartment. One of their windowsills is full of plants that Basil has brought them. 

At the end of their four years Kel knows that he wants to go back to Faraway to work. He has been commuting there for student teaching, and while it’s only an hour, it’s still pretty far. The problem is that he can’t imagine leaving Sunny alone. Not after four years of them being together every single day. Then Sunny reveals that he found a job in the town next to Faraway that he wants to take. He doesn’t want to leave Kel though, and he’s not sure what to do. 

They have a long conversation that night, and they both agree that they want to stay together. It’s been an unspoken thing, but neither of them ended up having any long term partner in the last four years. They don’t have romantic feelings for one another, but they want to continue what they have. It’s safe, it’s lovely, and they feel secure in their bond. Whatever happens they want to decide as a team, as a partnership. 

With Kel and Sunny both coming back to Faraway they assume that they’re going to have to try and find a place to live closer. They’re going to stay with Kel’s parents until they do, but Basil has a better idea. 

Polly loves Basil a lot. She has adored getting to raise him and helping him and guiding him the last six years. But now her quiet sweet boy is a grown man, and his parents stopped paying her for caring for him over a year ago. She knows that the best thing to do would be to detach herself and to let him continue to grow without her constant presence. 

Basil isn’t sure he’s ready to be all by himself, and when he finds out Kel and Sunny are coming back to Faraway, he offers to let them stay at his house. It might be a bit cramped all three of them, and they don’t have to, but it could be nice. They say yes before he can even begin to second guess himself

So as bright and bushy 21/22 year olds, Kel, Basil, and Sunny all have Come Home. 

[carrionxcamille]

Ribs of Friendship | Cam, Adam, Cece, & Winn

Timing: Happy hour, June 1st Location: Dell’s Tavern Parties: Camille, Adam- @https://walker-journal.tumblr.com/, Cece- https://thebickedwitchoftherest.tumblr.com/, Winn- https://packsbeforesnacks.tumblr.com/ Summary: An unlikely group get absolutely blasted! At the Sports Bar and get to know eachother over crude jokes and ribs. Just another Totally Normal day in White Crest.

Camille pretty much had a job, finally. Which meant she’d be able to start saving up for a deposit on a flat and could get out of the shitty motel with the vampire neighbors. A reliable supply of hot water, a proper kitchen, her own bedsheets. It was going to be amazing. First, though, she was going to do something spiteful and petty. Jace was going to rot in a prison cell for the rest of his life. There was a Sox game showing this afternoon at a place called Dell’s Tavern — they were baseball, that was all she knew — Camille was going to drink beer, eat ribs, and watch the game. Even though Jace didn’t even know she was alive and would have no idea she was spending her afternoon doing three of his favorite things, it was going to be very satisfying.

She’d been so excited she had even straightened her hair and put on a little makeup for the occasion. Sitting at a stool on the bar with a cool bottle of their cheapest beer waiting for her ribs, Camille was as happy as she’d been in weeks.

“Hey there.” 

Adam sidled into a chair next to Camille. A Sox baseball cap was perched precariously on a mop of the unruly brown hair. Wearing a sleeveless t-shirt with a suggestively shaped pair of baseballs under the phrase, “I’d Hit That,” and a much loved pair of worn jeans, the young man fit in well with the crowd. A lazily jocular edge to his smile hinted that Adam might’ve been pre-gaming well before the first pitch had actually been thrown.  “Enjoying the game?” Adam asked, despite his brown eyes following the soft lines of Camille’s oval face down past her lithe shoulderline, far more intently then anything having to do with baseball. 

Sports bars had to be one of Cece’s favorite places. Not because she enjoyed sports, but because she enjoyed the environment inside of them. The camaraderie, the excessive drinking, the excited energy of the place. Hell, Cece even enjoyed a good bar fight every now and again. She had convinced Winn to go out with her for the night, ensuring him that it was totally his responsibility to pay for the drinks. 

They met up outside of Dell’s. “Looking good, Runaway. I think ditching town gave you some street cred. You’re really nailing that Ponyboy look.” She patted his shoulder endearingly and opened the door into the bar. “How many drinks do you need to tell me about that whole shitshow?”

The only use Winn had for baseball was for metaphors, and even then, they were all played out. But everyone up north crowded around for Sox games, and Winn felt an obligation to go out and mingle (though, really, Cece didn’t have to convince him to drink). Ponyboy? “Took you more for a cowboy gal, Cec. But we’ll find you a nice ponyboy. Ain’t gonna be me, but don’t you worry.” It occurred to Winn, belatedly, she might not be referring to that kind of ponyboy, but he’d take the L. She might get a laugh out of it.

As they walked into Dell’s — where Winn was half-sure he was gaining regular status despite his relative sobriety compared to the rest of the barflys — Winn caught sight of Adam in his element: flirting with a woman who was older than him. (Though, even queer as a three dollar bill as Winn was, he could admit Adam had taste.) “I can tell you ‘bout part of the shitshow,” he said to Cece, “but I think it’ll be much more fun to push ourselves into that shitshow.” Was he about to badly wingman a straight Hunter for a laugh? Absolutely. If Adam couldn’t stick a landing, he didn’t get to stick it in. “C’mon,” he said, hand pushing on Cece’s back as he guided them to the disaster-waiting-to-happen.

It was a long time since Camille had gotten much male attention. Being married to a guy like Jace didn’t exactly do wonders for your self esteem — she knew she wasn’t ugly, but feeling attractive and wanted was markedly different from just acknowledging that you had a pretty face. This kid who sidled up to her at the bar — and wasted absolutely no time letting his eyes wander from her face to her breasts — was what, mid twenties? Sharp jaw, muscular arms. The crude t-shirt was enough of a shock to her system to get her mouth working — almost. “Uh—” Eloquent. “Me? Yeah. I mean, I don’t— y’know, I don’t really follow baseball but it’s— Yeah. It’s good.”

Christ, thankgod his face was nothing like Jace’s, or she might have some heartbreaking flashback to their younger years. His smile had always taken up practically his whole face back then. Camille sipped her beer, trying to process what was happening — what, was he just overly friendly? There were plenty of hot young girls around to chat up. In fact another one just walked in. What was happening? “What about you?” 

Broad shoulders shrugged at the question as Adam’s face beamed in a faintly flushed sunbeam smile. “Happy, Horny, Healthy, the usual,” he assured Camile, before putting one arm on the bar and leaning forward toward her a little. “Hey… so babe,” the young man’s smile and tone softened into a manner of conspiratorial intimacy. Adam’s bottom lip brushed against his upper teeth speculatively as his dark jasper eyes submerged below Camile’s neckline before eventually raising to meet her gaze again. “Maybe you’d be up for…”

“Yo Winn! Oui disaster nipples! Over here! 

The moment was broken instantly as Adam caught sight of someone he knew from the crowd, the footballer’s free arm waving insistently to catch the newcomers attention across the crowd.

“First off, I don’t think you and I are on the same page about Ponyboy at all.” Cece squinted, not sure she even wanted to know at this point. Not until she had more alcohol in her. “Second, I’m equal opportunity. People are lining the streets to get to me. I’m just disinterested.” With a shrug, she eyed the pair across the bar that she assumed Winn was pointing too. “You’re totally changing the subject. But why is Prom King flirting with that grown-ass woman? I’m guessing you know one of them?” As if on cue, the boy started waving his arms in their direction. Bingo. Of course Winn knew the hot jock. 

Cece pushed through the crowd to get to the two, eyeing the both of them suspiciously as she got up to them. She had no idea who either of them were, but was trying to assess the situation here. Did the woman need an out or was she welcoming of the company sidled up next to her? Cece offered a knowing smile to the woman before turning towards the guy. “Excuse me, sir. Don’t you have a science lab or high school playoffs coming up? Can I see some ID?”

“Yeah, I know him. But ixnay on the eavinglay ‘round him, alright? Promise I’ll tell you later,” Winn said. Given Adam’s attempted distance, Winn was almost surprised to see the other man wave. Delighted, but surprised. He sidled in next the other man, wrapping a loose arm around Adam’s shoulder and giving him a shake. Winn spoke loudly, turning the charm and cheese up to their maximum. “Aw, c’mon, Cece. Can’t you see he knows what he’s doin’? He’s shootin’ his shot! And who knows, maybe this lovely lady across from me digs the,” he snorted, remembering Adam’s own term for him that first night, “fuckable boybander vibe.” 

“Winn Woods,” he said, reaching around and in front of Adam to the woman to offer his hand for a shake. “I’m Adam’s gay best,” werewolf, “friend. I can tell you all sorts of,” fake, “secrets about the guy, before you make your decision. And if you pour your drink in his lap, I’ll be there like a real bro to towel him off.” He smirked, winking from behind Adam’s sight at Cece and the other woman. “And Cece, babe, I know you don’t know sports, but playoffs would’ve been, like, a month ago or more.” 

Oh god, that smile. That was Jace all over. The sight of it had made Camille melt, once upon a time. Admittedly it was not ineffective now, she felt her own lips curling up at the corners in a reciprocal smile. She blinked, surprised by the statement — he was… horny? Did people just admit to that these days? What was she meant to say? Luckily, there wasn’t much time for her to worry about what kind of response to offer because he barrelled forward, and she didn’t lean back when he leaned forward.

Would it be so terrible? To flirt a little with some handsome fool at a bar? Now that would really piss Jace off. She wanted to know what she might be up for. Again, though, her chances were dashed when he noticed a couple of friends. Camille shot the woman a wide eyed but bemused glance, trying and failing to stifle a laugh at her quip. He was young, of course, though to Camille the girl did not look much older, and neither did the other man. “Fuckable boybander vibe,” she repeated as she shook Winn’s hand, amused by how accurate of a descriptor it was. 

Very quickly she had all their names — how useful — and almost entirely forgot to introduce herself, lost in trying to keep up with everything Winn was saying. “Camilla W— uh—” Actually, yeah, she didn’t want to stick with Watkins. “Dugar.” Better. She could say Watkins had been her married name, if pressed. “Nice to meet you. All. Not the worst vibe, for the record.” She shot Adam a quick grin, really having no idea what else to do — very out of practice with the flirting. “I can — sorry, if you guys came to hang out I can go sit somewhere else, I don’t want to be in your way.”

“Sure.” Adam made reaching around behind to his back pocket into an excuse to brush an arm close to Camille. He retrieved his wallet and held it out for Cece’s pursal, the contents indicating that he’d turned twenty two on this past January 14th. “I’m legal,” he said absently while leaning forward with his I.D into a none-too-subtle pretense to give the blonde bombshell a once over...and then a second over...and around the third over seeming to remember that evolved homo-sapiens engaged in conversation sometimes. “But if you still want to drag me outta here, rough me up a bit…” He looked up into Cece’s green eyes with a submissive puppyish expression. “Definitely wouldn’t complain.” 

The hunter let out a long whistle at Winn’s statements, the bird-song lilt hinting at a life spent outdoors. “Towelin’ me off...” Adam replied in a thickly affected Tennessee drawl, “when y’ talk all hot and purty like that Mr. Lee,” he continued with a soft playful punch at the man-hip now blocking his way to the ladies. “... why, it nearly flips me ass-up.” 

However Camile’s protestation snapped Adam out of the banter. “Woah, woah Camilla.” He leaned back with both elbows behind him on the bar, craning his neck past Winn. “You’re the star of this party. You been in White Crest long?” 

Ah, the elusive bromance. A tale as old as time and a relationship with weirdly sexual undertones. Cece loved a good bromance. Winn cozied up in the chair next to Adam while Cece still stood between Camille and Adam’s seats. She had to admit, Adam at least had the charming thing going for him. Cece couldn’t decide between rolling her eyes at the dude or flirting with him. “You’re cute.” Cece reached out to pat him on the shoulder. “Make sure to treat me right in your dreams.” 

Apparently, Camille got the wrong idea that the three of them had come to hang out. “I agree with Troy Bolton here. We’re all in this together now. It wouldn’t be any fun without you.” She assured Camille that Adam was right and she should stay with the group. 

Confident that he was alright, Cece found the stool next to Camille and flagged down the bartender. She ordered beer for herself, pointing at the others. “Put in your orders. First round’s on pretty boy over there. Well, the farthest pretty boy,” she said, pointing past Adam at Winn. 

“Mmm, awright, sweetheart,” Winn grumbled, jokingly, into Adam’s ear, letting out an exaggerated groan when the other man ‘punched’ him. He had to admit he was mildly impressed at Adam’s quick turn from joking to… well, about as genuine as Winn was sure the boy could be in public. As Adam tipped his head back, Winn plucked the hat off of his head, throwing it, backwards, onto his own sweep of hair, ruffling Adam’s affectionately. Gotta give the boy a little more tousle if he was hopin’ to impress two women in front of him.

“They’re right,” he said, evenly. “We didn’t come here for this mess,” meaning Adam, “we came here for this mess.” He threw a thumb back at the taps. “And as my darling Cece has pointed out, I’m buyin’. Owe her, taken some of Adam’s for free… and haven’t seen you ‘round these parts, so I figure I’m payin’ it forward.” 

When Cece got the bartender, Winn rolled his eyes. “Beer, Cec? And here I thought you were a classy woman.” Then again, Winn told the bartender to get him ‘whatever,’ so he wasn’t picky or nothin’. Turning his attention to Camille, he smiled, “Picked a wild time to come into town, if you’re new here. I’d promise that the ocean wasn’t always black, but… that would imply that somethin’ wasn’t usually going down. And that,” he said, laughing, “would be the biggest lie I ever told.”

Camille was really having to focus to keep up. Three people was not really a crowd but it felt like it to her, especially with them all chattering away and asking questions. The way they all bounced off each-other made her miss her old friends. By the time she’d died Camille hadn’t really been close with anyone- trying to keep your crumbling marriage a secret could have that effect- but there were a few people from work she’d had this kind of easy back and forth with. She was unsurprised when Adam blatantly checked out the other girl of the group- that was young guys for you, attention span of a goldfish- and she was sure whatever appeal she might’ve held moments ago was now forgotten.

Still if they wanted here to stay… Well, there was no harm right? They were young and loud and here to drink and probably weren’t going to ask anything too invasive. She’d come here to have fun, a group would probably help with that. And more beer definitely would. Camille shuddered at the mention of the black ocean, “um, I’ll just have another one of these.” She told the bartender, lifting up her near empty bottle and draining the last of it. “Got here just over a month ago actually, in the midst of all that mad stuff with the, uh, mimes.” 

God this place was fucking nuts. “Grew up in Bangor though, so I was always hearing crazy stories.” Now she was one of them, she supposed. “Didn’t expect eyeballs out of my damn taps though, I gotta say that one really threw me.” 

“Yeah, fish eyes are used as bait a lot,” Adam said in an amiable baritone that could convey steady normalcy even if a very building they sat in was engulfed in flame. “They do it all the time in Cook’s Bay,” he claimed while making an order of his own. “Fucking crazy that a bunch of bait would get yeeted into the harbor same time as the big oil spill, its friggen Deep Water Horizon all over again. Hope all the fishing crews get compensated once a lawsuit gets through y’know?” 

Like many Hunters, Adam was charged with the preservation of the supernatural world’s secrecy, a delicate balance between making sure that humans were safe from supernatural threats and ensuring that paranormal communities were safe from the witch hunts and hysteria of ages past. A lifetime of assuring people that everything was perfectly normal even as Spawn rampaged through graveyards, churning rips in space-time disgorged eldritch horrors, and children went ‘missing’ in Trow dens had cultivated a warm soothing mien that invited everyone else around him to buy into the banal lie. 

Everything was fine. What a terrible oil spill. Wolves can’t be people. That’s crazy! 

“What made you decide to come to White Crest, Camilla?” 

Either Adam was crazy off his ass or he was purposefully moving away from the conversation of the eyeballs. With Camille’s back turned to her, Cece shot Winn a suspicious glance as if to convery, Who is this dude? He did a pretty good job trying to normalize the whole eyeballs coming out of water pipes though, so if nothing else he was either good at making up falsehoods or way too invested in explaining the supernatural away. 

“How does anyone end up in White Crest?” Cece interjected, accepting her drink from the bartender and taking a gulp of it before continuing, “A bit of bad luck and a dash of poor decision making.” Cece flipped Winn off, “For the record this beer was on special tonight. That’s hella classy.”

“You’d have to be on somethin’ to take that case,” Winn grumbled, and then, because it probably was a smart idea to lie to Camille, “I’m sure the fishers will fight the town for lettin’ off-shore drilling go on like that.” Winn reached around Adam as Camille’s eyes were on the game for a moment and twirled his finger at Cece, an implicit Just go with it. Regardless of the hard-to-explainability of White Crest this week, they couldn’t really lead with “Hi, we’re a witch, a werewolf, and a Hunter, how’re you today?”

“Don’t have to go on the cheap just ‘cause I’m paying, y’all, by all means break the bank.” There was a part of Winn that hated flashing money around, but that part was easily combated by the part of him that hated drinking cheap shit. And the beer on special was cheap shit. He tilted his head at Cece for a moment, considering, and ordered her another drink, something nicer (and, frankly, more alcoholic).

Fish eyes. Right. Camille sighed, aiming an annoyed glance at the sigil on the back of her hand. There was a time when she’d have rationalized it away like that, too. But then she’d come back from the dead and it was hard to ignore that the world was full of strange and terrifying things like re-animated corpses and whatever problem had eyeballs coming out of taps. Maybe their cluelessness was a good thing, she needed some normal in her life. “Right, fish eyes. No wonder it stinks so bad, crazy.”

She nearly choked on the first sip of her new drink when Cece made her comment, grabbing for a napkin to cover her mouth while she cleared her throat and recovered. “I hope not too much poor decision making. I—suddenly needed a new place, but I didn’t want it to be in Bangor because that felt like a step back.” Camille twisted the napkin up in her hands, but despite the tension to her body there was a smile on her face, “I just left my husband.” It was the first time she’d said that out loud, and even if the way they’d take the statement—a divorce—wasn’t totally right, it was close enough. 

A plate of ribs was set down in-front of her and she laughed a little, remembering why she’d come here in the first place. “Ribs, beer, and sports were three of his favorite things. I saw that this place was showing the game and figured I’d come here to spite him.”

“So you're free...niiiice,” was apparently Adam’s sole take away from Camille’s confession. His dark eyes followed the banter between Cece and Winn, letting the resident werewolf dude reach around him to make some random gesture. Winn made a twirling motion at Cece, which Adam didn’t understand the context of. 

Nevertheless, while Winn was doing that, Adam made his own addendum of sticking a finger in his mouth in slow suggestive rhythms for Cece’s edification, before gesturing with his head towards Winn and Camille before making the fingers of one hand frantically hump the other fist. This was concluded with the footballer making a heart to Cece, followed by two thumbs up. 

Confident that this pantomimed proposal of a foursome definitely helped whatever Winn had been trying to say, Adam turned his attention back to Camille as her food arrived. 

“I dunno, poor decisions can be... fun sometimes,” assured Adam with an innocent choirboy smile as he made progress on the drink that’d arrived for him. 

Clearly, Winn wanted Cece to roll with the mundane excuse. She wasn’t going to fight it. She had moved here for a regular life after all. That had all gone to hell in a prada purse about a month into it, but the idea had really been pure. She didn’t plan on ruining that for anyone else. Especially someone as seemingly innocent as Camille. The poor girl had no idea what she had gotten wrapped up in. Winn, Cece, and assumingly Adam weren’t crazy in the supernatural sense, but in a bar? Havoc could ensue. And Camille seemed to not only be caught in the middle of it, but had the spotlight shown down on her. 

Cece stared back at Adam as he… what the hell was he doing? Fingering his mouth? Cece held a confused look on her face before returning the gesture, using her middle finger in its place. He finished off with suggesting a foursome between the group. Admittedly, the company around was pretty attractive. Cece wasn’t denying Adam’s looks, the dude was hella hot. She was even starting to warm up to the guy. Definitely didn’t mean she planned on sleeping with him. “I think I like you Adam, just haven’t decided why yet.”

“Leaving your husband is just about the smartest reason I’ve ever heard someone move to White Crest for and I will drink to that.” The bartender dropped off the second drink that Winn had ordered for her and she winked over at Winn in appreciation, “Thanks babe! In fact, I'll double drink to that.” She raised both glasses and took turns taking a large drink from each. “Well, we need the ribs, then. If we’re going to do this right and really stick it to him.”

Winn listened with a counselor’s patience to Camille’s reasons for moving to White Crest. Something, maybe the way Camille was holding herself, made Winn cock his head. Her heart wasn’t beating faster — at least, not more than could be explained by proximity to Adam’s… everything. And speaking of Adam…

What was he doing? Winn wouldn’t deny mild interest in the way Adam’s mouth wrapped around a finger, and Winn wasn’t… opposed to sleeping outside of his usual range? So long as someone was fucking him with something, he could get off to a blank piece of paper if he tried hard enough. He smirked, rolling his eyes in Cece’s direction as she flipped him off. Good for her. Adam could use the blow to his ego, even if Winn was still half-sure part of his bravado was fake as hell.

But back to the more important company, “I agree with Cece. You’ve got a head start on us, Cam — is it alright if I call you Cam? Before you make any poor decisions, you’ve got to let us help you make a poor decision!” Wait, no. Adam would get the wrong idea. “Buyin’ you a lot of ribs, I mean.”

There was, admittedly, something almost attractive about the crude gestures Adam was making. In a college frat boy sense. He was hot enough to get away with doing stupid stuff. Camille exchanged glances with Winn and Cece. “I know I’ve been out of the loop for a while, but am I supposed to understand what he’s trying to say with all the-” She imitated one ofthe gestures poorly, and that was enough to snap the pieces together in her head. “Oh! Oh- yeah. No, yeah. I get it now. Wow- that’s- hm.”  She shook her head, dispelling the notion entirely. She hadn’t had sex in years, and it’d certainly never been that freaky. “I think I need to warm up a bit before making a decision that poor.”

She slid the plate of ribs a little ways along the bar so the others could grab one if they wanted, “uh- yeah. Cam is fine.” It was closer to her own name, in fairness. She laughed, raising a rib in a mock cheers, “well then, to my ex husband being miserable forever, and making poor decisions.” She gulped down a little beer then took a bite from the rib, grinning.

Adam raised his glass high and let out a loud woop that drew a few glances before the gaming-watching bustle returned to its collective inertia. “To Cam! May her ex get ulcers that make him piss blood in loneliness and may she forget his prick-ass forever!” With that merry invocation of divine justice, Adam added yet more alcohol to his system. 

“So,” Adam pointed to Cece and Winn with his free-hand, purposefully choosing to spare Cam the spotlight for a little bit. “What’ve you crazy hot kids been up to?” 

Cece liked this group, and it totally wasn’t just because of the beer and ribs. Well, it totally wasn’t any more than like half because of the beer and ribs. Camille led the charge, stealing Cece’s heart with an impromptu cheers using her ribs. Damn, Cece loved a good emotional cheers. Adam chimed in with his own addition to the roasting of Camille’s douche of an ex. “Dark, dude. I can drink to that.” Cece grinned, raising one of her glasses and finishing off the beer. She slid the empty glass across the bar and found the drink Winn had ordered for her as a chaser. “Get too into defamation and we may end up hexing the dude.” And if Camille gave Cece anymore reason to, then those hexes may just end up ringing true. 

“Winn here was just taking me out for a night on the town. He owes me.” The two hadn’t really discussed how Winn owed her exactly. The conversation about her tracking his whereabouts hadn’t naturally come up in conversation. “I make him pay a membership fee for my friendship.”

Winn nearly choked on his drink at Adam’s toast, masking his laughter by raising his glass to the rest of the group’s. “Hear, ah, hear?” he tried, voice coming out hoarse from the liquor burning at his throat. He shot Cece a glance that he hoped communicated ‘Don’t hex anybody without Cam’s permission.’ Though, given she was already on her second drink, he figured it would be forgotten by the time it came to actually hex the prick. (If hexes were, like, a real thing?)

“I definitely owe her,” he agreed, rolling his eyes at Adam’s ‘crazy hot kids’ comment. They were both older than him. Like, definitely more emotionally evolved. No matter Winn’s suspicions about Adam’s whole… deal. “I’m truly lucky for her friendship. I need the good karma that pickin’ her drunk ass off the floor nets me.” He gulped down more of his drink, winking across at Cece. “And don’t y’all have, like, a giant television at the house?” he said, nudging Adam. “Your moose brothers not want to watch the Sox? Too busy puttin’ up their socks on doorknobs?” This time, his wink was directed at Cam.

Though it was again a little more crude than the sort of company Camille was used to, she had to say she did not take any issue with Adam’s toast, going as far as to clink her own beer bottle against his before taking a swig. If only she could forget him, wouldn’t that be nice. Her gaze shot to Cece when she mentioned hexing, wondering if she actually meant it, if Cam wasn’t the only one here who knew about the weird supernatural side to White Crest. She even opened her mouth to ask, and then realized they were probably in mixed company and she didn’t want to come off as crazy, so just took another bite out of the rib in her hand.

Perhaps if she got the girl alone some time she could ask about it. In the bathroom or something, girls went to the bathroom in groups right? Yeah. “Oh god, socks on doorknobs?” Camille laughed, shaking her head. “People still really do that? I miss college.” Jace had done the whole frat thing of course, and she’d been in a sorority too, she could remember how damn near impossible it was to get time alone together. “That’s why you came here all on your lonesome, huh?” She teased, nudging Adam’s arm, “got something to prove to your frat pals.” 

“Yes we still do that,” assured the guy who lived in a house where socks and kinds of things were put on various types of knobs. “And I’m with a client actually,” Adam protested at Winn and Camille’s insinuations of being a randy stag goodnaturedly. “I’m here if they needs me,” 

Adam nodded to a figure seated directly across the bar from him on a couch. The ‘client’ was dressed in a full jacket with gloves, hood, hat, and sunglasses despite the heat, no skin showing. Gloved fingers, six on each hand, drummed absently on the client’s knees as their gaze drifted across the crowd in the manner of someone overwhelmed but nevertheless content to observe the jovial chaos in silence. 

“But at sundown I can be with whoever wants me,” Adam noted with a smirk to Camille before purposefully diverting the conversation away from his client. “So, you’re here now. Found work yet?” 

Two drinks in and Cece wasn’t mad about the company she had found herself in tonight. She wanted to argue Winn’s point about her drunk ass, but considering they met when he helped get her drunk ass home one night, she decided against it. Clearly he wasn’t letting her live that one down anytime soon. At least until Cece returned the favor. Problem was, she never turned down a drink. She may not leave the place stumbling off her ass but she was rarely sober enough to be the responsible one in a group. 

Adam had clients, huh? Cece could only assume it was a sex thing. At least until Adam pointed the client out and Cece shot them a strange look, “Hmm. That’s a weird kink.” She muttered. She caught that bartender’s attention and tapped at her empty glass, smiling when he nodded his confirmation that he had received the message. “I dig the whole serial killer vibes they put off. Very Jack the Ripper.” Cece took a drink from her new glass and listened as Cam dished more details about her life.

Client? Winn looked at the figure Adam had nodded to, considering the other man’s word choice. Sundown. In the loud thrum of the bar, it was hard to hear whether or not the client had a heartbeat, if Adam was helping out someone in the way he’d helped Lucas. For all the younger man talked about conflicts of interest, he had… far more supernatural friends than particular enemies, Winn felt. But now wasn’t the time to argue with Adam over his calling in life — especially not in public. Adam hadn’t talked to Cam for any reason other than his babe senses, Winn was sure. Otherwise, why would he have attempted to cover up the town’s… weirdness.

Cece was already on her third drink, so Winn felt he had to up the ante. Neither of them were driving home, right? Unlike the night they’d met, Winn could, you know, call a damn Uber. He motioned the bartender as he came back with Cece’s next drink, mumbling “Strong.” with a wink to the, admittedly pretty, man. Was Winn (probably) hanging out with a bunch of straight folks? Yes. Did that mean he couldn’t distract himself from the whole… Noah situation? Absolutely not.

Okay, Camille had a hell of a lot of questions about that client. Not that she had any right to ask them, or really any desire to know the answers — there was probably nothing good to be said about a guy dressed like that. Who kept their gloves on inside? Well, people who wanted to hide their hands. She tugged at the sleeve of her shirt to tug it down over that ugly sigil, and wondered if she should become a gloves person too. She hadn’t been here long, so it wouldn't be hard to establish them as part of her style. Cam forgot about the guy happily enough when Adam diverted attention back to her. “So the spell is broken at midnight? Would that make you Cinderella or the fairy godmother?” she teased, taking a drink. “Day manager at that theme park. Cryptic— no, Cryptid Corner.” Cam shrugged. “Not exactly the dream, but it pays better than being a shop assistant or something. I mean I just got it and I’m still on, like, a trial period, but I’m sure I’ll be fine. What about you two?” She gestured towards Cece and Winn. “Now that we know Adam works as a full time weirdo watcher.”

“They’re from outta town,” was the only detail Adam supplied in explanation of his client’s nature to those gathered. He definitely wasn’t inclined to explain just how much of an understatement that was. But thus far the “guest” to this dimension had abided by the deal to not absorb anyone’s biomass, which was mean that Adam could spend his evening flirting and generally get his boorish man-child act on instead of lowering White Crest’s tourist cred by filling a sightseer full of holes. 

“I mean… I can put on slippers and wings if that’s what you’re into,” he assured Camille with an easy smile. “Cryptid Corner… Is that the one with the mothman and all that?” he asked before the questions turned to Cece and Winn.

“I’d actually be quite interested in you in slippers and wings.” Cece shrugged, taking a drink from her ridiculously strong drink. She knew she had Winn to blame for that. But as long as she didn’t have to drive home tonight, she didn’t really care how much she drank. “Yeah, I think so. Supposed to have all those weird attractions. I think I talked to the owner of that place once.” Cece remembered chatting about the amusement park. It seemed like her scene, terrifying and exhilarating. Though she hadn’t had the chance to get out there yet. “Guess I’ll really have to check it out now that I have a friend that works there.”

“I work for the Medical Examiner’s office.” Cece explained, “I’m a toxicologist. Which is just a fancy word to say that I test urine and blood I collect from dead people.” Cece joked. She turned to Winn, suddenly realizing that she didn’t actually know what the hell he did. Aside from modeling in a past life.  

“There’s an amusement park in town?” Winn said, wondering aloud. “Jeez, for Smalltown, USA, this place sure does have everythin’.” Weird attractions? Weird for White Crest? Christ, what kind of horror show was Cam working at?

“Oh, me?” Well, this was awkward. What did he do? Oh Christ, did Winn have hobbies? Friends that weren’t werewolves or… well, Hunters? “Um, it’s the off-season, but I coach the high school team. For hockey.” He scrambled through his brain, searching for something, anything. “I modeled?” Wait, shit, not that. “Um, in Europe mostly.” Worse, somehow. Winn could almost feel the smirks building on Adam and Cece’s faces. “I got kicked out of school today, so I’m, uh, a bit… loose, with the job-slash-life-thing, right now.” He downed his entire drink in one gulp, gesturing to the bartender to get him another drink, now. Please.

“Only if you can actually wave a magic wand and change my life.” Camille muttered in response to Adam’s quip, swivelling a little on her stool to order another beer. She should be careful really, because she didn’t know this guy and her tolerance wasn’t what it had been in college. But screw it. If anyone could go through what she had and not crave being a little bit drunk, then they were probably nuts to begin with. “Yeah.” She perked up again with a new bottle in her hand. “Yeah, mothman and all that shit, terrible uniforms. Don’t get too hyped up about visiting, it’s nothing special.”

Dead people? Ah, shit. “So do you, uh— do you know Regan?” She toyed nervously with a lock of hair, hoping to god this wasn’t some strange set up because the doctor had spilled her secrets. She didn’t seem like the gossip type, but still. “I— met her. While I was out for a walk a few days ago.” That was fine, this was a small town, people were friendly enough to introduce themselves. Kicked out of school? Camille’s concerned teacher instinct kicked in, and she leaned across a little to get a better look at Winn. He didn’t seem lazy or like a troublemaker or anything — true her expertise was in much younger kids, but there might still be something she could do. “What happened? Did they give you a fair chance before kicking you out? Temporary expulsions? Reports, guidance counselor?” 

Resisting the urge to answer Camile’s quip with the insistence that his ‘wand’ was indeed magic and could change lives, Adam continued drinking but briefly frowned in thought at the mentions of a Medical Examiner led on into Regan being brought up. While it was always possible that this was a completely different ME office with a different Regan, Adam had a suspicion that this Dr. Regan Kavanagh, the world’s most confusing hunter-dating Banshee materialist.

Winn dropped the fact that he was a male model in Europe, causing Adam to decide that he wasn’t nearly intoxicated enough and order another drink. Sex-canyon V-line wolfmen coaching high school hockey like it was one of those sappy sports movies wasn’t something he wanted to process sober. 

Cece’s eyes narrowed towards Winn. He hadn’t mentioned anything about the college to her yet. Not enough alcohol yet, clearly. Luckily, Cam seemed to have asked the questions for the group. Not that Cece thought it was her business to get involved in Winn’s personal life. But she was a big fan of a little chaos every now and again. She could storm the campus and make a few heads spin. For funsies. 

“Oh, you met my boss then.” Cece smirked, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. “Bucket of fun isn’t she?” From the looks of it, more people knew about the Doc than Cece thought. Apparently, despite Cece’s assumptions, the woman was pretty popular in town. But if Regan referred to any of these people as a friend before breaking down and accepting Cece’s friendship Cece wears going to dive off a bridge. “I love that girl to death, but she takes life a bit too seriously for my tastes.” Cece followed suit with Winn, downing her new drink in one gulp and raising the empty glass towards him in triumph. “Hell yeah! That’s the kind of energy I’m looking for tonight! Guys, I think we’re going to have some fun.”

“I am not drunk enough to talk about Regan Kavanagh nor my educational drama,” Winn said in his smoothest, most honeyed voice. “And we’ve got all the time in the world for me to come clean. So long as you don’t clean out my wallet.” He winked, slapping Adam on the back again. “I’m sure the golden boy and I can show y’all ladies a nice time. Though not that nice, eh Adam?” He elbowed the other man, trying to direct the conversation off of him — and Regan for that matter.R

After all, he hadn’t spoken to Regan since they’d sent that CVS on 3rd to a hell dimension. The less Winn thought about that, the better. Oh yeah, he was going to get blasted tonight. He deserved it. No one was driving home, they were pissing off an Uber driver with four different locations, loud chatter, and absolutely no filter like God and Stonewall intended. He may be the only queer person here, tonight, but it was Pride Month and he knew how to work a party, even in the straightest possible place. First thing? “Bartender!” he called, loud and long and stupid, “I need, uhhhhh, a drink for every percentage point you want me to tip you.” Hell yeah. Time to get stupid.

[numba99]

The Intern - Part 8

The GIF I've been using for this series so sorry for the changed!!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

Summary: You are an intern at MSG, strictly forbidden to become involved in with any of the Rangers players. However, this becomes difficult when you catch the eye of a certain player. Word count: 1.1k

Warnings: Smut and this is the final part. This is kinda like a where are they now type of thing. Thank you for reading and supporting this series!

In September, you never thought you would be here... Well maybe you did except to be here, but not be here with a special someone. Here being the Rangers end of year party and the special someone being Lias Andersson.

“I can’t believe I have the hottest girl in the room,” Lias whispered in your ear when the two of you found a quiet corner of the restaurant the party was being hosted at. Despite not making the playoffs, everyone was in good spirits. It had been a well fought season, with plenty of lows, but lots of highs too. Everyone was optimistic about the future, so the atmosphere was celebratory. 

“Just like I have the corniest man in the room,” you giggled, pressing a kiss to his lips. It was weird, to kiss him in front of everyone like that. The two of you barely spoke at work because of your situation so this felt foreign and almost wrong. But you survived the year and everyone else was affectionate with their significant others and you thought you both deserved it after everything you put up with.

Beth had not gone easy on you, to say the least. It wasn’t like starting at square one, it was like starting back at negative 500. Lots more rules about how much time you can spend with the players, who you could be alone with, her looking over your shoulder almost all day. Hell, you could barely go to the bathroom without her hovering in the hallway to make sure that's all you did. 

You kept your head down and just worked, that was what you were there for. You knew you were on thin ice and you absolutely could not blow it. After months of proving yourself over and over again, you felt you had at least worked yourself back to zero.

Just like that, Beth appeared. Your stomach churned, thinking she was going to tell you off one final time now that you finished with your internship.

“Y/n, can I speak to you for a moment? In private,” her eyes flicked over to Lias for the last part. Lias looked at you to make sure you were okay. You squeezed his hand and nodded, telling him it was alright to leave you. He wandered off, but not too far. You knew he was keeping an eye on you, which was comforting.

“What did you wanna talk about?” you asked, trying to remain calm.

“I wanted to apologize,” she replied. Wow, that was not what you expected.

“What for?”

“The way I’ve treated you,” Beth began, “I know I was... intense. I just wanted what’s best for you. This industry is really hard for us women, everyone always assumes we are sleeping with someone to get to where we are. I didn’t want anyone to take your accomplishments from you, you really are amazing at what you do.”

“Beth, I- I don’t even know what to say,” you replied, fighting the urge to pinch yourself to make sure this was happening.

“Say you’ll work for me. Full time,” Beth said.

“Are you serious?” you asked. 

“Yes,” she confirmed, “I know I put you through a lot and these last few months have been kinda rocky, but you’re the perfect fit for the position. You’ve proved you can be professional even with everything going on. I understand if you’re not comfortable with me, but I’d love to have you if you want it.”

“Absolutely,” you nodded the second she stopped speaking, “I would love to work with you. Thank you Beth, so much.”

“Of course,” she replied with the first fond smile you’ve seen from her in awhile, “Now enjoy the party. And tell Lias to stand down.” You peered over her shoulder to see staring intently at the two of you and you both laughed.

“What happened?” Lias asked when he returned to your side.

“She hired me full time!” you exclaimed.

“No fucking way,” Lias beamed, enveloping you in a tight hug. You giggled, not minding that you could barely breath. “We have to celebrate.”

“Well, we are at a party,” you teased.

“No, I mean really celebrate,” Lias replied raising his eyebrows at you. Before you could respond, Lias was leading you through the room. At first you weren't sure what he was doing, until you realized he was making a beeline to the coat closet down the hallway.

“Lias I just got hired and you’re gonna get me fired,” you laughed as he kissed your neck the second the door closed behind the two of you.

“Just be quiet, we’ll be done before anyone can miss us,” Lias murmured against your skin. Against your better judgement, you submit to his lips. You’re suddenly kissing each other in a frenzy. You hadn’t realized how badly you wanted him until that very moment. As stupid as it was, the fact that everyone was just down the hall was so hot to you.

There wasn’t time for complete undressing (you weren’t sure you’d be able to get the dress back on in the dark anyway) so you hiked up the hem, allowing Lias to push your underwear aside and rub your core. You bit your lip to stifle your moans as he got you ready for him.

It didn’t take long, and it never did with Lias. Once he was sure you were ready he slid his pants down enough to get his cock out. He slid himself through your wetness before pushing inside you. A moan escaped your lips.

“Shhh angel, can’t get caught,” Lias murmured through a smirk. You nodded, tucking your face into his neck. You busied your mouth with kiss him instead. Lias’s hand gripped your thigh, lifting it up for a better angle. Your orgasm came over you unexpectedly. If your lips hadn’t been against his skin the whole damn restaurant would have known what you were doing.

“Fuck,” Lias groaned quietly as he finished in side you. You didn't want him to be out of you, but you knew you couldn't be gone too long without raising eyebrows. You both adjusted yourselves, trying to make sure you didn’t look freshly fucked. You didn’t think you’d be able to hide your glow, though.

“I’ve got a crazy idea,” Lias said as he zipped up his pants.

“Crazier than fucking at your team’s party?” you asked.

Lias chuckled. “What if we forgot this whole party and just went home? I don’t wanna stop celebrating.”

You grabbed Lias’s face, kissing him. “This is why I love you so much.”

Lias smiled, and you could see the blush in his cheeks even in the dark, “Not as much as I love you.”

[musicprincess655]

Hey Itsuki,

You didn’t respond last time, and I kind of hope it’s just because I didn’t take it that seriously and not because you’ve already blocked me. So I’m trying again, and this time, I’ll do it properly.

I’m sorry. I should’ve said that to you a long time ago. I’m sorry I hid things from you for so long. I wish I could say I don’t know why I did it, but I do. I was scared I was going to lose you. Kind of stupid, right? I lost you anyway.

So, yeah. I’m sorry. I fucked up, and you deserved much better.

Mei

Mei stared at his email in disappointment. He’d sent his message days ago, and there was no response. No indication that Itsuki had read it at all.

So he really had been blocked, then.

Still, Mei had expected this from the start. He’d hoped for better, but this was exactly what he’d thought would happen. It didn’t mean he had to change his plans. He still had things to say to Itsuki, after all, even if Itsuki would never see them.

He opened a new message.

Dear Itsuki,

I guess this is it, huh? You’re not listening. I didn’t really think you would. So I’m just going to say whatever I want. I’d say tell me to stop if you don’t like it, but you won’t, will you?

You never did, now that I think about it. You pushed me back on the field, but I don’t remember you ever telling me no when we were together. Is that just because you were okay with everything? Did you feel like you couldn’t? If that’s true, I guess that’s something else I have to apologize for. I know I have a lot of things to apologize for. Give me time. I’ll get to them. I still have my own pride, though.

You’ve never been to America, have you? You hadn’t when I knew you last, but maybe you went after I left. I’m almost sure you’ve never been to Pittsburgh, though. How do I describe Pittsburgh to you? It rains all the time, for one. Like, seriously, all the time. I don’t know how the rivers don’t flood the city from all the rain (spoiler alert: sometimes they do). It’s louder here than it is in Japan, but I think that’s true of just about any American city. The accent isn’t quite what I expected. I guess the accent here isn’t in movies a lot. They call it the “yinzer” accent. Apparently you can say “yinz” to mean a group of people. I’m determined not to pick that one up.

Americans are friendly. I was warned about that coming in. Some people suck because they hear my accent or see my face and that means I’m not one of them, but most people are really nice. I think I fit in here. I can be as childish as I want in public and no one tells me to stop. People just ignore it and keep going. I’m definitely not the weirdest thing they’ve seen today. So take that! I never did have to grow up.

Write back soon :p

Mei

Mei didn’t have long to dwell on the emails, though. It was time to go back to practice.

He walked onto the field to catcalls of traitor! and betrayal! and felt a grin stretch across his face. Being back on his home field felt a little like holding court, and the insults and jeers were friendly, welcoming. It had taken Mei a while to get used to the idea that Americans loved insulting their friends, and to learn to distinguish when it was friendly and when it was serious.

With all the grins coming at him, with the arm around his shoulders and the hands slapping his back, this couldn’t be anything but friendly.

“You son of a bitch, you stole the medal from us!” Stallings complained with his arm around Mei’s shoulders. “Don’t you have any sense of loyalty?”

“Obviously I just wanted to throw you specifically under the bus,” Mei shot back. Stallings laughed, moving Mei’s whole body with the force of it.

“You’re so hard on your catchers. I hope you gave those Japanese players a hard time,” he said. “They might have won the medal, but they had to put up with your bitch ass for months.”

“I am a delight,” Mei said.

“Come on, be nicer to Narumiya,” Vázquez cut in. “It’s no fun being main pitcher if I didn’t beat him fair and square for it.”

“Speaking of which, I’ll be taking that mound back now, please,” Mei said.

“Careful, you’ll let that gold medal go to your head,” Vázquez warned with a fond smile.

“It’s gone to my head the right amount.”

“Alright, alright.” The pitching coach had come over to break them up. “Everyone quit harassing Narumiya. We still have practice.”

Mei ran himself ragged trying to catch back up to everyone else. He’d been playing at a high level in Japan, but it wasn’t the same as being on this team, and the season was in full swing. No one was waiting for him, and he wouldn’t make them.

He was so exhausted when he got home that he didn’t even check for a reply he knew wouldn’t be there.

Dear Itsuki,

For the record, this feels a lot like a diary. I’m writing to someone who never reads the letters. Maybe I should just invest in a journal and save us both the storage in our inboxes. But I don’t think I’m going to do that.

I’m really trying to enjoy the last of the sun here. Summers aren’t all that different. It’s not until the autumn that the rain starts and then it doesn’t stop until summer comes back. Well, it stops for the snow, but that doesn’t count.

Did you ever learn how to drive? I did. You really can’t live in America without driving. Public transit sucks, and most places are hard to walk to. A lot of neighborhoods don’t even have sidewalks.

I can’t imagine you like driving all that much, if you ever did learn. You were never that good at sitting still. I remember you on the bus to games, all keyed up and restless, and I remember the only way you made it through the ride home was because you were asleep. I love driving, though. I love being able to get in a car and go anywhere, no strings attached. Sometimes just the knowledge that I have the power to get up and go is what makes me stay. Like I have an emergency brake or something.

Sometimes I do just get in the car and start going, though. I’ve found some cool stuff that way. America is a big place, and no one person can ever see all of it, but the only way to try is by driving. I wish I could show you sometime.

Mei

They got knocked out of post season play early. It wasn’t all that surprising. They built their team on the backs of Mei and a few other young players. Remove one, and the entire team shakes. At least they made it to bracket play at all, or so they told themselves.

The entire team crammed into a bar to drink more than is reasonable, and Mei couldn’t help feeling a weird kind of parallel. He’d drunk himself silly after winning a gold medal at the Olympics, but here he was after a loss, nursing a beer. He was disappointed by the loss, but he was already planning for next year, for how they could come back. This was fixable.

A woman came up to flirt with him, and Mei just couldn’t feel any interest in taking her home. Now that he knew exactly what kind of wound he’d been patching with the band aid of one night stands, he couldn’t go back to using them to get out of this. It just didn’t seem worth the effort.

He still left the bar more drunk than he’d been in weeks, and instead of drunk calling his ex, he drunk emailed an ex that wouldn’t be listening anyway.

Dear Itsuki,

Since you’re not listening anyway, I’m allowed to say this: I still care about you. A lot. And maybe that’s not fair, because I’m the one that ruined everything, but it’s still the truth. I have to love a memory, though, because I don’t actually know who you are anymore. That might be my biggest regret. I don’t get to know the adult you grew into. I just have to love the teenager you used to be. Maybe you’re a really cool adult. Maybe you suck. I don’t get to know, though, and I have no one to blame but myself.

We lost in the playoffs. I bet you can see that without me telling you. Maybe you don’t follow American baseball at all, though. So. We lost.

Mei

Mei sighed as his phone gave him another low storage warning. He knew he should delete some of his sent emails, but instead, he’d been making sure none of them got deleted. It had been months without a word from Itsuki, and it was stupid to hold onto them, but they weren’t just for Itsuki. They were for him too, and he wanted them.

Knowing that Itsuki wasn’t reading them had been a freeing experience, in a way. Mei didn’t have to perform for anyone, and he wasn’t. Slowly, he’d let his walls of pride come down until he was spilling his guts into an email server, and it helped. A little. He was more honest with himself now, and even if it didn’t hurt less, maybe it would over time. Maybe this was a necessary pain.

Dear Itsuki,

I think what I miss most is your friendship. I miss sitting around doing homework together. I miss playing that idol game you used to like so much. I miss being on the same team as you, and being in a battery with you. I miss all the stuff we had before I was ever interested in kissing you.

Is that stupid? I’m all heartbroken over you, and what I want back the most isn’t a relationship. Although, to be fair, apparently everyone’s into recognizing platonic friendships are as important as romantic relationships now, so maybe it’s not all that stupid.

You were one of my best friends. Maybe my best friend. Even if I never get your love back, I wish I could have that back. It meant the most to me. You were important to me. I never told you that outright, and I wish I had. Even if you’d never wanted to kiss me or anything else, you still would’ve been important to me. I regret breaking that the most.

I miss you.

Mei

That was the hardest thing to admit, because he had to admit it to himself. He missed Itsuki. He missed him like a limb. He missed the effortless battery they’d had, the way Itsuki couldn’t keep his hands still on the bus, the way he’d argue with a senpai even while he respected authority to a ridiculous degree. Mei had loved him, and maybe still did, but the most important part of Itsuki, to Mei, had always been their friendship.

Mei strategically deleted other emails in his inbox to make room for his archive. He wasn’t giving up all these letters to Itsuki, not now, and maybe not ever. Maybe someday this wound he’d torn back open would be healed for real, and then he could delete these and finally let Itsuki go. But for now, he was still trying to stitch himself back together, and he was trying to do it the right way this time. All he could do was hope that it would be worth it, in the end, that knowing and healing would be better than the willful ignorance he’d forced himself into for eight years.

Time was supposed to heal all wounds. Mei hoped it would heal this one.

[seriouslyhooked]

Scoring Your Love (Part 17/18)

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six,Part Seven,Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten, Part Eleven, Part Twelve, Part Thirteen, Part Fourteen, Part Fifteen, Part Sixteen. Story also onFF here and AO3 here. Banner by the wonderful@timetravelandfairytales

Modern AU where Killian is a world famous soccer star who has hit rock bottom and been sentenced to the place where ‘football’ legends go to die – America. While here he crosses paths with Emma, an up and coming musician and film scorer who challenges everything he thought he knew and makes him want more than the game he’s always loved. Will be filled with fluff for days. Rated M.

A/N: So at last I find myself at a chapter I have long been anticipating, and it has certainly taken long enough to get here. Between school and other fics, this has been a slower updating process than I expected, but I am hoping the next two chapters will be worth it. They are the last two chapters this fic will get for the time being (though I am planning an eventual epilogue, that I will hopefully write when I’m on winter break). That being said, you should all strap in for my usual dose of CS cuteness with this one! Thanks so much for reading, and hope you enjoy!

“All right, all right! I know you’re pleased with yourselves but I need you all to settle down, or I can’t say what needs to be said!”

Robin’s voice was raised as he addressed the team at the halfway point of their playoff game against New England, but the good humor of the moment shone through all the same. This was supposed to be a very competitive match. Their opponent was highly ranked, and they were in the semi-finals. The winner of this game would move on to the final round, and the victor of that game would win the MLS cup. But instead of it being a close call, this was turning into a blow out, much to the enjoyment of Killian’s teammates. The score was 3-0, and since Killian had played a part in each of those goals, he was rather pleased with himself, just as Robin knew he would be.

“So it turns out the first half has been a bit of a walk,” Robin said when the room had settled some. “But I don’t want any one of you pulling off the gas. We need to go out there and play just as hard as we did this half. For lack of a better phrase, we can’t go taking our eyes off the ball.”

The groan that emanated through the room at Robin’s cliché words would have been laughable in any other moment, but for Killian, his high production on the field today wasn’t the product of determination, but of anticipation. Right now, Emma was out there, watching in the stands as they played for a chance at the league’s title game, and he wanted to do her proud to be sure, but this wasn’t where the evening would end. After this game commenced, Killian had a night he hoped they would always remember planned out, and this waiting to get there was slowly eating away at him. To reassure himself he moved back to his allotted locker area, pulling from his jacket the little black box that held a token of his future.

The ring inside was one that meant more than money could buy. It was his grandmother’s ring, and it was one of the few mementos Killian had not only of her but of his mother as well. It had been her wish before she was sick that Killian should have it someday, and after keeping it safe for years, Liam had returned it a few weeks back when they’d made up again.

“I know now that doubting you was fruitless, brother,” Liam had said after meeting with Emma and apologizing for his part in their falling out. “You did as Mum always wanted. You let your heart lead you, and you found a good woman very worthy of your love.”

Killian could not possibly agree more, and with the Gold mess now behind them (the bastard had actually been denied bail, meaning he was sitting pretty in a jail cell) things with Emma had been at another level. The happiness he had known before seemed to eclipse itself, and though it was still soon – too soon by certain standards – Killian’s certainty in his love for Emma had only grown. This was an attachment and a bond that would not be going anywhere, and he felt a need to tell her this and to beg her to let them start their life together once and for all.

“Bet it feels like this game is taking forever,” David commented from beside Killian, pulling Killian from the reverie.

Killian noticed the team meeting was finished as his friend said the words. Robin had concluded whatever motivational speech he had in store while Killian was busy thinking of other things and his teammates were all preparing to return to the pitch. David, though, seemed just as unfazed by the game before them as Killian, instead turning his attention towards Killian’s plans, which he was already apprised of.

“Aye. I just want the blasted match to be done with.”

“I get that,” David said with a genuine tone before feigning a whisper. “But maybe don’t go yelling that in front of these guys. We haven’t all won world titles before.”

“Sorry, mate, I -,”

“No need to explain,” David said with a shake of his head. “You love her. I understand that more than you know.”

“So you and Mary Margaret then… it’s evolved to that so quickly?”

“Yup, and you better get on with proposing unless you want me to go first. I don’t know how much longer I can wait.”

Killian laughed at David’s bombastic statement as they headed out of the team room and back down the hall towards the field once more. His friend’s tone was so decided, so absolute, and to many other men it would seem crazy, but Killian could totally relate. He himself had been in love with Emma for what felt like forever, and that was obvious in everything he did. Even now, as he walked back out into the arena, his eyes immediately searched for her in the spot he knew she was sitting in. Only when he found her did he find any sort of real comfort, and when he saw that she was looking at him too he was lost. Damn if that woman wasn’t the most remarkable thing the world over. She was a treasure, and he had every intention of squaring this game away so he could remind of her that fact.

Luckily for Killian and his team, the second half proved just as fortuitous as the first. It was a runaway in the end, not so unlike a few other games they’d had this season, but as they arrived back in the team room the celebration was immediate and rowdy. Everyone was in the best spirits, but Killian’s impatience remained. He wanted to get going. He knew he had to stay for Robin’s speech and eventual toasting, but he tried to calculate in his head how soon he could depart and at what time he could sneak out.

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” The question came from Graham and Killian turned to look at his friend who had the same knowing grin on his face that David had had before him. Killian was going to respond that he did, but that it had to wait, but then their coach stepped in with a surprising announcement.

“Indeed he does. He’s off to get the girl, though a word to the wise, I’d suggest you hit the showers first. I don’t know how romantic a night it’ll be if you show up pitch-fresh.”

Killian stopped himself before he could ask if Robin was sure. Truth be told, Killian didn’t want to risk anyone changing their mind. If they were saying he could run off and clean up quickly before heading out without consequence, then he was damn well going to do that. Grabbing his things as quickly as he could Killian thanked them both and wished them a good celebration before heading on his own merry way.

Within ten more minutes Killian was showered and ready to find his Swan, and much to his delight she was waiting for him too. Tiny, it seemed, had found her again during this game and she was waiting for him in the same place she had been at the first game she came to. It made Killian think of just how far they’d come to see her here again, but when she saw him watching her, Emma didn’t hold back this go around. Instead she walked right up to him and pulled him in for a kiss that stole his breath away.

“You were something else tonight,” Emma murmured when they pulled back. Her eyes were darker than they had been a minute ago, giving away the heat and desire she was feeling. It made Killian crave more, and his hands held her close despite their being out here in the open. Hell if he cared who saw them. His hope was that the whole bloody world would know they belonged together in just a matter of time.

“So I did you proud then, love?” he teased and Emma bit her lip, drawing his attention to her mouth once more.

“You could say that. Mostly you just made me want you though, and honestly I’m a little sad you didn’t come out in your uniform. I spent a good chunk of the game thinking about how you look in it…”

“Fuck,” Killian groaned, his head totally spinning out of control as he faced his Swan in full effect. She was deliberately trying to get a rise out of him, but he knew she meant the words too and he made a mental note to create a space for her to live out those dirtier fantasies of hers soon. “We’ve got to go, love, or we’ll never get out of here.”

“Go? I didn’t realize we had plans.”

“Oh we have plans alright,” Killian stated with finality before bringing her hands up to kiss one by one. “You trust me, don’t you Emma?”

“Always,” Emma agreed and Killian beamed back down at her before leading her out into the LA evening and towards a key step in their story that he couldn’t wait to get to.

…………….

Staring out the window of Killian’s car as they cruised down the 101, Emma felt a sense that she was exactly where she most needed to be.

So far her day had been wonderful. She’d woken up with Killian and got to spend the morning with him before he had to head to the stadium to prep for the game, and then she had the chance to go and see him in action. Her friends were all there, including Mary Margaret and Ruby (who were cheering along for their own guys, having both committed to David and Graham respectively) and Belle and Elsa. Since Elsa was there, Liam had also made an appearance. He was prone to showing up wherever Elsa was these days, and Emma loved to see the two of them at the start of what she knew would be a long-term romance. They were both so smitten and cute as could be, but Emma tonight had been totally focused on Killian.

In the time she and Killian had known each other, Emma had learned so much about this sport. She knew that certain things took so much skill and finesse, and though she’d loved seeing him play that first game, she had so much more appreciation this go around. Seeing Killian out there playing his heart out was riveting and amazing, and it was like everyone in the stadium knew they were witnessing greatness. Four goals for the night and three assists was a crazy number, and the footwork and the rhythm that he had, and that he inspired for his team was breathtaking. For Emma though, greatness didn’t end with the game. In fact, it seemed it was only beginning.

“You realize that before I started dating you I was actually well known for hating surprises, right?”

Killian’s chuckle filled the space around them as his hand came to take hers. The feeling when they touched was still dazzling, and though time had made it a familiar thing, Emma still marveled at the buzz it sent humming through her.

“I do realize that, Swan. But I am also fully aware that you happen to like my surprises, and I’m hoping this one will prove my best yet.”

Emma jokingly mumbled something about him being over the top, but the sentiment faded away when she saw where they pulled up. They’d been driving up the coast to Malibu for some time, but Killian just pulled up in front of a gated home that was truly remarkable. It sent a shiver of recollection through her, since the gates and the grand façade made Emma think of their first date, but this home was more modern and in turn just a little more vibrant. In truth, it was probably the most beautiful house Emma had ever seen, and as Killian drove up the driveway, Emma could already tell it would have the most breathtaking views of the water and the coastline.

Without more than a few words shared between them, Killian parked and opened her door, taking her hand and leading her into the house. On the inside Emma felt that despite it’s extravagant size, this house still felt like a home. It was warm in here, inviting and open and the space filled with promise. The sound of the waves that could be heard ever so slightly in the background soothed Emma almost as much as the feel of Killian’s hand in hers, and she found herself sighing a little, loving the calm that came so quickly when they were alone. She ended up following Killian through the whole place, thinking to herself that the owner of this house had exceptional taste, and that it was crazy how perfect the ambiance was. It was a beautiful blend of what her place looked like and what Killian’s had going for it (though clearly done at a much more expensive rate), and though Emma knew it was likely just another friend of Killian’s making a beautiful date possible for them, Emma couldn’t help thinking that a house like this might be truly ideal.

“I was hoping I could tempt you into dinner with me here, love,” Killian said after they’d walked around the first floor, seeing all the home had to offer on this level while heading towards their real destination. “But then I reasoned dinner wouldn’t be enough. So perhaps we could start with a walk on the beach. I think we’re only a few minutes away from sunset.”

“That sounds perfect.”

The look of happiness that Killian shared with her at her words touched Emma’s heart. He was so invested in her enjoyment and he always looked for her approval and what she wanted. That thoughtfulness was indescribably wonderful in her mind, and it was a fundamental part of this man who she loved so dearly. He was romantic and sweet, even if he had a charming and sometimes roughish way about him, and as Emma looked out at the open sea and the vibrant sunset that set against it, she leaned into Killian, cherishing his warmth and strength and presence.

“How do you keep doing this?” Emma asked. “How do you keep giving me so much and making me feel…” Her words trailed off. There was so much she always felt with him, it was almost impossible to describe.

“How do I make you feel, Emma?” Killian asked, bringing her face back up to look at him as he held her close. She studied his handsome features, made all the more gorgeous in the dwindling light, and then she confessed everything that she held in her heart.

“You make me feel like love will always be here and like it’s more than enough. I feel braver with you, surer in myself and in my future. I feel like anything’s possible, and like the happiness we’ve found isn’t going anywhere. At least not any time soon.”

Killian’s brilliant blue eyes shone bright with his own joy at hearing her words, and it made him even more irresistible. To have someone be so open and candid in their adoration of her was intoxicating, and Emma didn’t think she’d ever get enough of the sensations that came with knowing Killian loved her so deeply and so truly.

“If I had my way that happiness would never leave, Emma,” he claimed as his hand ran up her side, gently sending tingles through her whole entire being. “Tell me, Swan. What do you think of this place?”

“I think its paradise,” Emma admitted as she looked back around at the ocean and the house and this private strip of beach that came with it. “It’s like a little slice of heaven. I can’t believe how close it is to home.”

“About that… what if it was home?” It took a second but realization dawned on Emma.

“Oh my god, did you buy this? Are you moving here?”

“Only if you’ll move with me,” he said. Emma’s jaw dropped from the shock, though in the back of her mind a little voice told her that she’d known this was coming. It was only a matter of time before Killian made this move, but she nearly fell over as he made another one, dropping down to one knee right there in the sand.

“Killian, what are you doing?” She asked, even though she knew. She watched him pull a small black box from his pocket and Emma was certain that a ring was inside of it, but still her breath caught when she saw the band (and diamonds) in person.

“Call me old fashioned, or perhaps just terribly impatient, but I can’t help it dreaming of us being here together while my ring is on your finger.”

Emma felt tears welling up in her eyes. The emotion of the moment was overtaking her, but it was all good, so very very good. There was no fear or anxiety in her heart at all. She wasn’t scared of this future, in fact she’d been hoping for it for so long she wondered if she hadn’t wished this into happening. Still it felt too good to be true – how could this really be her life? How could any one person be so lucky?

“Emma Swan, from the moment we met, I knew I was in trouble. I was at risk of falling completely and irrevocably in love with you, and low and behold I did. This wasn’t what I thought I would happen. I never imagined that I could feel this way or know with this much certainty that you are the key to damn near everything, but here I am, love. I look at you and I see forever. I see a life worth living, a love that will not end, and a hope unlike any I have ever known. You bring everything to life, Emma. You make anything possible, but the only wish I have – the only one I’ll ever have – is to spend the rest of my days loving you and showing you just how much you mean to me. So with that being said. Emma Swan, will you -,”

“Wait,” Emma said, closing her eyes for a moment and gathering her courage to ask one last question. When she opened her eyes again Killian looked concerned, and he’d risen to his feet, coming to hold her again. He looked so worried, and she hadn’t meant to do that – but she had to just hash this one thing out before she said yes, which she was absolutely going to do.

“Emma?”

“I want to marry you – I will be marrying you,” she said, prompting Killian to exhale a breath and pull her closer, but she kept talking, not wanting him to get ahead of himself. “But I want to be sure that this is what you want. We don’t have to stay here, Killian. If your heart is back in England, we can make it work. This house is gorgeous –honestly it’s beyond perfect – but we can find happiness wherever life takes us, whether it’s here or not.”

“My heart is wherever you are, Emma,” Killian promised her as his hand came to cup her cheek and his smile returned to full brightness again. “And I signed the final contracts today. I’ll be staying on with Galaxy. I’ll be staying right here. Nay, we’ll be staying right here.”

“We will?”

“Aye, love.”

Their excitement propelled them towards a kiss Emma was dying for. It felt so good and so happy and so right, but before she could totally get swept away into her husband, and whatever his other plans were this evening, she felt she had one last thing to say.

“I think I kind of messed this up.”

“Not possible, Emma. You are by definition perfect.” Emma rolled her eyes, causing her fiancé (her fiancé!) to laugh again.

“Could you maybe… ask me again?”

“As you wish, love.” Killian dropped down on bended knee once more, looking up at her with nothing short of elation as he took this final step. “Emma. You know everything now. You know my heart and my wants and all I wish for you and I together. Will you please make me the happiest of men and agree to be my wife?”

Emma laughed at the way he said it, but her answer was still the same. Yes. A million times yes.

Her answer was more than satisfactory this time, and as soon as Killian slipped the diamond ring on her finger, he surprised her by sweeping her up into his arms and marching her right back onside into the house. He moved past everything they’d seen before, and the dinner was, for the moment, forgotten. Instead, Emma’s soon to be husband was on a mission, and it entailed him climbing up the stairs with her and getting her into a bed – their bed – to have his wicked way with her.

“I had all these ideas in my head, Emma,” Killian said gruffly as he stripped clothes she was wearing from her body, causing her pulse to pick up and her breathing to hitch.

“You did?” She asked, dazedly as he started removing his own clothes, distracting her with his toned physique and lust-filled gaze.

“Aye. I was going to take my time with you, drive you wild, spend hours pleasing you and only you. But I think that will have to wait. I don’t think I can keep my self control.”

“I don’t want you to,” Emma said as her hands ran across his chest and down his abdomen, coming to unbutton his jeans only to shove them down and reveal all of him to her. “I just want to feel you. All of you. Right now.”

Emma heard him say something that sounded an awful lot like ‘bloody minx’ but she was too distracted from his ministrations to her body. He was everywhere all at once, his mouth, his hands, everything over took her senses. She’d give into a kiss, only to feel the rough but smooth texture of his fingers tracing down her body to where she wanted them most of all. He teased her ever so lightly, bringing her closer to the edge that she had already been wandering towards, but before she could fall he changed tactics, scattering her thoughts and sending shivers down her spine. She was wrapped up in Killian on all fronts, but it wasn’t enough. It was a tease of what she wanted, only a taste of what was coming, but then he thrust inside her, filling her up and making her see stars and feel totally complete.

She couldn’t say how long they lasted, but his pace was perfect and the rhythm was designed for bliss. She fell over the edge, but he held on, wringing her out a second time and then a third before finally giving over. But even after they were both spent and panting for breath, Killian never let up. He held her close, protecting and worshipping her at the same time, and making Emma feel like she was the most important thing in the whole wide world.

“God I love you, Emma. I love you more than words can ever say.”

“I love you too,” Emma whispered. “Thus the whole marrying you thing.”

“You should know I’ve used up pretty much all of my patience, love. I don’t think I can wait much longer to make you mine.”

“So we won’t wait,” Emma said easily, both surprising and delighting Killian with her agreement. “Well we have to wait a little bit. You have to win the cup first, and then we can talk about getting married. I think we can figure something out before next season starts.”

“If I win the cup, can we get married sooner?” Killian asked, sounding almost like an eager boy instead of a slow and measured man in that moment. His excitement was infectious and Emma pretended to consider before yielding.

“How soon are you talking?”

“One month?” Killian asked hopefully. “I’ll take care of everything, love. I know you’re busy with work and your friends and the like. But I’ll move mountains for this. You’ll see.”

“Okay. If you win the cup, you can pick the day. As long as my friends are all there, I’m good.”

“Oh, you’ll be better than good, love. I can guarantee you that.”

And for the rest of the night Killian showed Emma just how much better than good things would be from now on. Because now that they had each other, there was no stopping the happiness that would come. It was a given, just as their love would be for the next, oh, sixty years or so.

Post-Note: Ooh girl I gotta say it had been too long since I wrote a proposal for an AU and it was so fun to do that for this one! It’s also an interesting proposition because the chapter lengths are so short for this story, but I have to say I think it was the right dose of fluff (though I will let you guys be the judges of that). As I said before there is one more chapter left and it will be the wedding. I also imagine I will get around to a flash-forward epilogue, but as I said that’s going to take a long time to get to. Anyway, thanks so much to all of you for reading, commenting, reviewing, and sending me messages. You’re all awesome and I appreciate you more than I can say! Hope you have a great rest of your weekend!

[hockeyandstuff91]

Three of a Kind - Part 1

Word count: 2,539

Players: Tyler Seguin, Andre Burakovsky, Jamie Benn, the rest of the Stars (mentioned)

Other people: Katie

Warnings: Cussing, mean comments on social media

Authors Note: YUP HERE I AM starting a new fucking series like a crazy person lmao xD This one is going to be a lot different from my other one. We shall see how this goes lol I hope you all enjoy it!!!

PS Sorry the first part is so short but there should be a follow up soon ANDDDD I promise you part 18 is on the way! I PROMISE It is almost done I just have a few more scenes to write and then that will be up too <3

Also thank you to @psychospeak-blog​ for helping me with the title, and encouraging me to write this story. I was unsure how people would react to where this is going to go but she helped me get over that and just write whatever I want. Love you bby! Thanks for all the support <3 (Also GO READ HER SERIES WONT GO SLOWLY ITS SO DAMN GOOD)

Part 2

November 15th 2018

(Brooke’s POV)

"Well, you are gonna be happy," Tyler said as he walked into the living room, handing me his phone.

"Wait what?" I asked looking up at him and he just nodded at his phone.

I looked down and read a twitter post that said "Washington Capitals trade Andre Burakovsky to Dallas Stars for Remi Elie."

"Whoa what?!"

"Your little Swedish boyfriend will be in town," Tyler said, grabbing his phone. I could tell he wasn't actually mad he was just trying to give me a hard time.

Tyler had known that from the start of me watching hockey that he, himself, had always been my favorite. We had met when I moved to Dallas to be roommates with my best friend. I ended up working at a local coffee shop that he went to a lot, and our relationship had gone from there. I was moved into his house in 5 months of us being together and we had been that way ever since, a year later. He knew that Dallas was my team, I went to every home game, and of course supported my baby. However I did have other teams I liked as well as other players. He had made jokes about it at first, fake being mad, but he made sure that I knew he didn't actually mind.

Burky happened to be one of them. I had a jersey of his, which Tyler had given me a lot of shit for when I first got it. I was so shocked to see that Washington had traded him at all, he had been doing so great this past season, and they had just won the cup! What I was even more surprised about was that Dallas had gotten him.

Tyler sat down on the couch next to me and wrapped his arm around me, kissing my temple. I cuddled into the side of him and smiled, closing my eyes. I was glad that Tyler wasn't the type of boyfriend to actually be bothered by little things like that. If this had been my last relationship it would of caused so many fights.

"You know I'm just messing with you right?" He whispered in my ear and I smiled, nodding.

"Of course I do," I turned to look up at him and leaned forward to give him a kiss.

It had been about 2 months since Andre had gotten into town and started playing with the boys. I had talked to him at a few events that Tyler would bring me along to, and he was very sweet. It was a long weekend with no games and Tyler decided that he wanted to have a BBQ with everyone since the weather was going to be nice, even being in the middle of January. People had slowly started showing up as the day went on, Jamie and Katie were the first to arrive, Katie being sweet and wanting to help me finish getting everything ready while Tyler and Jamie started to cook on the grill.

I had just finished making the last side dish and put it into the fridge until everything else was ready to go when Andre walked into the house. I gave him a quick hug, welcoming him to his first Stars BBQ and showed him the way to the backyard. The dogs were running around with some of the guys who were playing keep away with a frisbee, Tyler and Jamie were hanging out by the grill and some of the WAGs were sitting out around the pool.

I went back inside where Katie was still in the kitchen, making herself a drink. She smiled at me as I walked back in and laughed softly.

"What?" I asked looking at her as I leaned against the island counter.

"Nothing.." she said, still smiling. "Alright alright," she said, already knowing I wasn't going to let her not tell me. "Don't you dare tell Jamie I said this. You know I love him to the moon and back but Andre.."

"Yeah I know," I laughed. "I mean I have the most handsome boyfriend in the entire world, but that boy.." I sighed. "Anyways," I laughed and stood up, grabbing the drinks and helped Katie to carry them outside.

(Tyler's POV)

The night had gone great, everyone was having a blast, and the food was amazing as usual. Brooke was hanging out with Katie and some of the other girls playing corn hole.

"You're really lucky man," Andre said to me as I sat back down in my chair at the fire pit.

"Whys that?" I asked, taking a sip of my drink.

"Brooke is really great. She listens and actually cares how you feel. Never found anything like that back in D.C."

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah I got lucky with that one," I said looking over to where she was standing.

(Brooke's POV) 2 months later

It was the first home game for the boys since they had been on their two week road trip. They had just won, Tyler getting the winning goal. I had headed downstairs towards the locker room with Katie to meet our boys after they finished with media and such. We were standing against the wall when I saw Tyler walk out of the locker room and smiled at me.

"So.." he started.

I looked at him, my eyebrows furrowing. "So what?" I asked, knowing he had something going on in that brain of his.

"Um.. How do you feel about a roommate?"

"No more dogs Tyler," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "I love the boys but Gerry is still a puppy and acts crazy-"

"No not another dog," he laughed.

"Oh.. Um who?"

"Well.." Tyler paused and looked over his shoulder. I could see Andre lurking in the background, looking down at his feet, holding his duffel bag. I uncrossed my arms from in front of me and looked back up to Ty.

"Andre?"

He nodded. "He doesn't have anywhere to stay right now. The apartment that he got to start out with is uh.. well its not really a safe livable environment. So I offered him to stay with us until he finds a place. We have the guest room downstairs so I figured it would-"

"Tyler," I laughed. "Its your house babe."

"Its your house too."

"I know, you keep telling me that," I smiled and leaned up to give him a kiss. "Yes of course he can stay with us," I said after pulling away.

Tyler looked back over his shoulder and motioned for Andre to come over. "The boss lady said its okay," Tyler said, laughing when I smacked his arm.

"I'm not the boss lady," I rolled my eyes and smiled.

"Thank you Brooke, I appreciate this a lot," Andre said, shyly.

"Of course!" I smiled and we all made our way outside to head home.

The end of the season was fast approaching and I could tell that the boys were a little stressed out. They had yet to clinch a spot in the playoffs but there was still a chance for sure. They had just gotten back home from a few away games last night, having tonight off. Tyler had decided he wanted to head to the gym this morning, waking me up with a kiss goodbye.

I rolled over in bed and grabbed my phone off of my bedside table to see if I had any notifications. I unlocked my phone and opened Instagram, seeing that I had a few on there. As soon as I opened the app I smiled, seeing that Tyler had posted a picture of me when I was sleeping. I didn't look too bad, and the caption he had put was super cute. However I should of stopped there and not continued to scroll down because seeing the comments that were posted was too much this early in the morning.

I had been used to people being mean to me on social media since I started dating Tyler, and for the most part I could handle it and just ignored them. I knew that Tyler loved me and how he felt about me so I didn't feel the need to prove myself to any of these hockey fans, however there were some moments when certain comments affected me more than other.

Today was, sadly, one of those days. It had already been a hard enough month with dealing with my grandfather going through dementia and being in and out of the hospital because he had become aggressive with my grandmother on a few occasions. Being so far away I felt helpless, not that there was anything I could really do in the first place anyways. My emotions had kind of been all over the place because of that, and reading comments on a picture of me like "I can't believe you are still with that cow" or "Is Tyler blind or what? I don't get how she ended up with someone like him." and my favorite, from the same girl who always posted some bull shit about me "He only likes her for her tits. its so obvious. There is no way that they will last. I have a better chance at being with him than she ever did, he just didn't meet me yet."

I sighed and shut my phone off and got out of bed. I pulled on one of Tyler's shirts and a pair of PJ shorts. All three dogs lifted their heads off the bed as they watched me walk across the room, jumping off the bed to follow me out of the room and down the stairs. There was no way I was going to go back to sleep after that so might as well make some breakfast. However I was no longer hungry so maybe I should just have an apple or something..

I grabbed a water out of the fridge and an apple off the counter and walked into the living room, sitting down and turning the TV on. I was trying really hard to focus on whatever it was that was on the TV but I couldn't. I was still thinking about those comments and I had a bad feeling that wouldn't change for a while. I looked over, seeing my reflection in the glass door that lead out to the backyard and closed my eyes. Great now I was seeing what the dumb asses on the internet did.

I had gained a little weight over the last 6 months. Tyler said he didn't believe me at all that I looked the same as I had the whole time we had been together, and that was how he liked me. I loved that was how he was with me, it always made me feel better, but I still always had that little voice in the back of my head that fought with every good thing that was said to me.

I curled up on the couch, resting my head on the pillow. I didn't even realize that I was crying until Andre had come in with a plate of food for himself and sat on the other couch next to me. He looked over, doing a double take when he noticed I was crying.

"Brooke?" He asked softly. "Are you okay?"

Andre was very sweet, I loved having him as a roommate. He and I had bonded over a few things, and became really great friends in the time that we had spent together. However when I had my weaker moments he was always there to listen to me and give me a hug which always helped. Tyler of course did those things as well but it was different from Andre. I knew that Andre had dealt with being hard on himself as well, and while I know Tyler did from time to time too it was just.. different somehow. I felt like Andre kind of understood more than Ty did.

I nodded and wiped my cheeks. "Yeah Andre I'm okay," I said softly and turned my attention back to the TV.

Andre set his plate down on the coffee table and shook his head. "No you aren't. Whats the matter?"

I sighed and sat up. "I just.. Tyler posted a picture of me this morning on his Instagram and.."

"People were mean."

I looked up at him and nodded. "Yeah how did you know?"

"I saw them," he said softly and stood up, walking over to sit next to me. "I'm sorry people are like that. It's not true though," he said and wiped my cheek.

I looked down at my lap and nodded. "Thanks."

"No seriously Brooke. You are beautiful and sweet and kind. You deserve everything that you have, they are all just jealous."

"Jealous of what Andre?" I asked and looked up at him. "I'm not exactly model esque. I don't look like any of the other WAGs. They are all very sweet girls though, so they don't see it like everyone else does, but I do. I'm sick of feeling like I don't fit in. I'm sick of feeling like no matter what I do no one will like me. And I'm sick of caring about any of that. As much as I try, or as many times as Tyler tells me to stop worrying about the fans I can't," I explained, more tears running down my face.

Andre sighed and grabbed my right hand with his left and rubbed circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. "I understand-"

"No Andre I don't think you do! You are perfect. You are a good looking guy, you are fit, you play in the NHL, you won a Stanley cup. You-" my voice cut off, not able to continue as I cried harder. I know that all these emotions were not just from the comments on the picture today, but everything building up over the last few months.

Andre wrapped his arms around me, pressing my face against his chest and rubbing my back. "Please don't cry," he said softly.

After a few minutes I finally had calmed down enough and pulled back from his embrace. I sighed and wiped my cheeks off, not wanting to look at him. "I'm sorry. Its just with everything going on with my grandpa lately and then toda-" I started to apologize but my words got cut off, Andre's lips meeting mine.

I tensed, not sure what to do because I was in shock, my brain still not caught up to what was going on just yet. I had thought about kissing him before, way before Tyler and I were ever together, but I never thought that it would happen. Granted I didn’t think I would also be dating Tyler ever in my life, let alone at the same time that Andre decided to kiss me. What the fuck?! He pulled away before I even got the chance to, his eyes wide.

"Oh my god," he mumbled. "I-I'm so.. I'm so sorry Brooke," He said and stood up. "I.. fuck," he swore under his breath and walked out of the living room.

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

More Than You Bargained For (Part 6)

Summary: An incident leaves the reader and Jensen to finally act on their feelings...

Masterlist

Pairing: Bodyguard!Jensen x reader

Word Count: 4,100ish

Warnings: language, stalking, smut

A/N: ;)

Jensen was five minutes into his Dallas Cowboys game that Sunday afternoon when you walked down the hall to his room. It was his one little break of the week where you were Jared’s total responsibility and not to go anywhere apart from the house.

“Uh, hi,” you said, knocking on the door to his room. He was laying on his bed in a pair of dark jeans and gray short sleeve tee, out of his dark suit he’d had on earlier in the day. He grabbed the remote and paused the TV, instantly getting to his feet and walking over. “Sorry, I know this is your break time and everything.”

“Doesn’t matter. What’s wrong?” he asked, glancing over to his dresser, his gun in it’s holster sitting on top.

“You’re gonna get pissed at me,” you said, Jensen squinting until you only saw dark pupils.

“Out with it,” he said.

“So...I sort of have to film some night scenes this week,” you said. He shrugged, shaking his head.

“Not my favorite but we’ll manage,” he said. “We’ll post extra security.”

“It’s in the woods again,” you said.

“Okay…” he said. “I’m waiting for the shoe to drop.”

“I...they had to flip a script around and a bunch of stuff you don’t care about and I sort of need to get kidnapped in the scene but it’s fake so it’s fine and wow those Cowboys huh? Gonna make the playoffs this year you think?” you said, scratching your head.

“Y/N,” said Jensen with a smile. “Hell fucking no.”

“It’ll be with a stunt guy and I’m just going in a car and-”

“And I can’t protect you if you’re doing something like that,” he said. “No.”

“It’s a little zip tie and it’s on me for two seconds. They cut it off as soon as the scene is done and-”

“The person that kidnaps you, are they wearing a mask?” he asked, crossing his arms.

“It’s just one of big bad’s nameless guys so probably,” you said. “What are you thinking?”

“You need to do this scene. I need to stay near you at all times. The only solution I can think of is I need to be the one to kidnap you,” he said. “If they’re wearing a mask, I can’t be positive that the person can be allowed near you.”

“Really? You want to do the scene?” you asked. “It’s not as easy as it looks.”

“I’ll be fine. I got to talk to Alex about how to set this up.”

Two days later, Jensen sort of pissed you off with how easily he understand framing and hitting your marks. By the third take, you might have even thought he was enjoying playing pretend and tossing you around.

“If the bodyguard thing doesn’t work out, you could be a stunt guy,” you said, Jensen chuckling.

“If the bodyguard thing doesn’t work out, it’s probably because someone killed me,” he said.

“That’s fucking morbid,” you said, Jensen shrugging.

“You sort of pay me to take a bullet for you. Just sayin’,” he said, going back to his mark, the two of you running through the scene again.

It was a simple enough stunt. You were supposed to get grabbed when you didn’t realize it, tied up, shoved in the back of the trunk and then have it slam shut. Originally the car was supposed to drive away but Jensen refused. You could cut around it in post though so no one said a word about it. Jensen was opening the trunk to help you out again after your fifth take when you felt the car shift. You cocked your head as he reached inside, the car suddenly pulling away.

You thought who could have gotten into the driver’s seat with Jensen being so careful, checking it constantly to make sure no one was sneaking up on you. But it wasn’t like the car was being driven...more like the parking brake wasn’t on and you were heading down the incline. Before you knew it, you were well down the embankment out of view of everyone, Jensen shouting at you.

“Oh, this is gonna hurt,” you said, getting up to your knees and jumping out, hitting the ground hard on your side, arms still pinned behind you. You rolled for a short while, thankfully the ground leveling out. A pair of hands tugged you up to sit, patting you on the head before moving away. “Thanks Jens.”

You heard the feet shuffle around and go quiet, your brain suddenly realizing that Jensen was shouting at the top of his lungs at you, running down the incline, nearly plowing into you.

Somebody else had been right fucking there.

“Shit, I’m so sorry, Y/N! I must have hit it out of park when I checked last time and...Y/N,” said Jensen when he got to you, your eyes wide, looking back behind you into the dark woods. “Y/N. Talk.”

“Someone helped me up and I thought it was you,” you said, barely above a whisper. Jensen had both hands out at once. One held a knife that slid through the zip tie, the other his gun that he aimed out. He shoved the knife away and shoved you behind his back all in one motion, pressing the palm of his hand against the flat of your back, flushed tight against him. “Jens-”

“We need to move,” he said, backing up with you. If your hands had been fisted in his jacket any tighter, it would have been ripped to shreds. He was quick, never letting his eyes or gun fall away from the direction you pointed out. Not until you were back near set with lights again did he lower his weapon and shout out to the nearest security guard. “Call the cops. Now.”

You were too shook up to argue with the show runner, director and studio exec that came down to set. The show was on hiatus until further notice. They’d show reruns if they had to they said. You also knew just how much money you brought in for them and if you were dead, they could say bye bye to the network’s top cash train.

Home was the one safe place you had left.

“Y/N,” said Alex, answering the front door in his pajamas, Jensen calling him on the way back. Alex gave you a big hug, Jared nodding from where he was stationed nearby.

“I’m fine, Alex. I just really would like to go to sleep,” you said, nodding your head.

“Come on,” he said, throwing his arm over your shoulders, walking with you towards the stairs.

“Thanks for hiring him,” you said, nodding back at Jensen. “I...fuck, the guy touched me, Ale.”

“Alright. Alright. Come on. It’s a bad night. We’ll fix you up. We always do,” he said, moving the two of you upstairs. Jensen cocked an eyebrow at Jared.

“You know what that’s about?” asked Jensen. Jared scrunched up his face, cocking his head.

“Comforting your messed up little sister?” asked Jared.

“No you giant dumbass,” he said.

“No need to be nasty, short shit head,” said Jared with a grin.

“I was a Marine you know,” said Jensen.

“I could still kick your ass, shortie,” he said, crossing his arms, letting his larger frame be on full display.

“That is why I like you Padalecki,” said Jensen.

“You like me because I’m the nice version of you,” said Jared.

“Pft, I’m nice,” said Jensen, crossing his arms back.

“And I’m the Queen of fucking England,” said Jared. “You’re a dick. Apparently with a nought-y soft center but I knew there couldn’t be just ice in those veins of yours.”

“I’m soft? Have you met me?” asked Jensen, Jared shrugging.

“Do you hang out in all your clients rooms at night?” asked Jared.

“I am not...we are not...I am watching her like I’m supposed to,” said Jensen.

“Surprised you two haven’t banged yet. I see the way you look at her. You really can’t stand the fact that you’re attracted to her, can you?” asked Jared.

“No, I’m not. She’s fucked up deep down,” said Jensen, Jared wincing and waving his hand too late.

“Well fuck you too, Ackles,” you said, stomping over to the couch to grab your blanket where you’d left it.

“Y/N, I didn’t…” said Jensen, sighing as you went back upstairs, slamming your door shut. “Jared, you couldn’t have given me any warning, like at all?”

“I was hoping you’d admit it finally. My bad,” said Jared.

“I did admit it. The fact I’m attracted doesn’t bother me. The fact that she has certain trust issues does not bother me. The fact that I can’t effectively do my job if I’m attracted to her bothers me,” said Jensen.

“Then quit and ask her on a date,” said Jared.

“I’m much more useful as the asshole bodyguard than something else,” said Jensen.

“So you don’t think she’s fucked up?” asked Jared.

“I think something fucked her up and she handles it pretty well, probably extraordinarily well on a normal day. But dealing with some dangerous stalker doesn’t help that,” said Jensen. Jared hummed before he smiled.

“You like her, don’t you, Jensen,” said Jared, Jensen growling, taking a step closer. “You think she’s cute.”

“Of course she’s cute. She’s fucking hot. You got eyes in that head of yours because it’s pretty damn obvious,” said Jensen.

“Remember that thing I said about the banging…” said Jared with a smirk. “Should probably get on that.”

“She is my client and I will remain professional as long as she remains as such,” said Jensen.

“And the non-robot answer?” asked Jared, raising an eyebrow.

“You’re killing me dude,” said Jensen, rolling his eyes. “She doesn’t need sex.”

“You want to give her what she needs though,” said Jared.

“Is this a fucking middle school sleepover? Yeah, I like her and I can’t and won’t do jack shit about it. I barely have her trust and in order to keep her safe so I don’t fuck up like I did tonight, I need to keep what little I do have with her. What’s with the third degree?” asked Jensen.

“Oh, we have an eavesdropper. I think she was going to tear you out a new one but now she just looks embarrassed, running back up to her room and...goodnight Y/N!” shouted Jared.

“As soon as this job is over, I will kill you Padalecki,” said Jensen, squinting into Jared’s face.

“Aw, I’d love to see you try you big pushover,” said Jared, ruffling Jensen’s hair as he went back to his station. “You didn’t fuck up. No way you could have covered that many angles yourself. The woods was too big to even attempt to protect.”

“Why are you saying this?” asked Jensen, taking one step up the stairs.

“Because you’ll let it eat you up that you didn’t have control over the uncontrollable,” said Jared. “G’Night, jerk. Wake me up if she decides to kick your ass after all. I wouldn’t miss that for the world.”

“Night, bitch,” said Jensen, walking over and playfully shoving Jared back towards the front of the house, earning a small smile in return.

Jensen was barely changed into pajamas before a quiet knock came at his door.

“Y/N, can I help you with something?” said Jensen, one hand on the door as he pulled it open.

“Listen, I’m-“

“Don’t apologize. I was rude,” he said, giving you a smile. “I deserve it.”

“I’m still sorry,” you said, pulling your hand from behind your back, shoving the thick binder out in front of you. “Here.”

“That can wait,” he said, taking it but placing it on his dresser nearby.

“It’s-“

“I know what it is. At the moment, I don’t particularly care what it says,” he said. “I don’t particularly care at all to be honest.”

“Maybe there’s something in there that I’m missing and-“

“Tomorrow,” he said. “Go be with your brother Y/N.”

“I don’t want to be with my brother,” you said. Jensen raised an eyebrow, opening his door a sliver more. You walked inside, Jensen quietly shutting the door behind you. “I love him to death but he doesn’t understand. He’s never going to. But you…”

“Understand,” he said. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

You watched him leave and head down the hall towards your room where you’d left a pissed off Alex. Jensen returned a minute later, the front door opening and closing.

“You didn’t have to kick him out,” you said, catching the taillights out the front window.

“I assured your brother you are well looked after here and that his girlfriend would probably enjoy it if he returned home,” said Jensen.

“How do you know he has a girlfriend?” you asked.

“I got full work ups on your family. Nine times out of ten you know your stalker in some sort of way,” he said. “You appear to have a very upstanding family by the way. Not too many dirty secrets.”

“Dad nearly beat a guy up when some dude was hitting on our mom. At a restaurant. With us there,” you said, smiling at the memory.

“I said upstanding, not uptight,” said Jensen. “I should really get on that dictionary for you, huh?”

“You’re such an ass,” you said, rolling your eyes, your lips curling up just so.

“I told him to go because he was upsetting you by being here. You can’t process what happened this evening if you have to pretend to act a certain way,” said Jensen.

“How do you know I was pretending,” you said.

“You pretend for a living. Surprisingly shitty at hiding it,” he said.

“You don’t talk to me like other people do you know,” you said.

“The population would take a significant hit if everyone talked to you the way I do,” he said. You sat down on top of his bed with a small giggle, running your hand over the cold covers.

“You don’t want anything from me. Except to listen to you but ya know, that ship has sailed,” you said, Jensen sitting beside you. “You aren’t afraid to speak your mind.”

“You’re half my size. Why the fuck would I be scared of your whimpy ass?” he said with a smile.

“I’ll kick you in the nuts again,” you warned.

“Okay, I have one thing to fear from you but I’m not here to say yes mam. I’ll say okay, thats great and all but stop being a dumbass and let me save your life,” he said.

“Such a way with words. I bet you’re a real charmer,” you said as he took a seat beside you.

For the first time ever, you felt the strength in him fall away, Jensen taking great interest in the curtains. His face was hard but there was a light flush under the freckled cheeks.

“You know every boyfriend I ever had told me I was fucked up,” you said. “Why couldn't I be like other girls. You really almost earned a black eye earlier.”

“I apologize for-“

“Jensen. I heard what you said after I left too,” you said. “I shouldn’t have listened in like that.”

“I imagine eavesdropping became a required skill for part of your life,” said Jensen. “It’s ingrained in you at this point.”

“Now who’s deflecting,” you said.

“I apologize for being unprofessional,” he said, turning to face you.

“I’d rather you didn’t. Liking someone is not a crime, Jens,” you said.

“It’s inappropriate,” he said, eyes looking into yours like maintaining professionalism was the last thing on his mind.

“For fucks sake, Jensen. Drop the shit and just-“

It felt like getting hit by a train with the way he pounced, cupping your cheek and planting one on you. Short stubble, warm breath, and those fuckin’ lips. God those lips were softer, more supple, more everything than you ever imagined.

“You are the worst client I’ve ever had,” he breathed out, resting his forehead on yours. “You are compromising the shit out of me and I can’t fucking stand it.”

“How’d I manage to do that,” you said, resting a hand against his chest.

“You walking around in your little shorts the second I saw you. Then you had to go and be a thoughtful fucking person under all the stubbornness and who the fuck are you to get me to break every God damn rule there is about not getting attached and-���

“Ryan must have pissed you off the other night then,” you said, flashing him a smile.

“Enraged more like it,” said Jensen, pressing his hand against your cheek harder.

“Why didn’t you say anything,” you said.

“Wasn’t the right time. Still not the right time,” he said. “Inappropriate. Risky. You could land anyone you want with a bat of an eye. A million reasons really.”

“Does that mean you want me to leave,” you asked, Jensen resting a hand on the back of your neck.

“Fuck no,” he said, pulling you in, kissing you rougher, no easy touch in it. His lips moved against yours with a bruising force, your mouth opening a sliver, Jensen taking the opportunity to slide on in and map out the warm cavern of your mouth.

You were climbing into his lap before you knew it, his hands resting on your hips, sliding up and down your sides. He hooked his thumbs under your shirt, pushing the material up slowly while he nipped at your jaw. You moved your arms overhead, helping him remove it as you broke apart.

“Damn you’re gorgeous,” he mumbled as he ripped off his shirt, tossing it aside before he was wrapping his arms around your back. “So fuckin’ hot.”

“Speak for yourself,” you said, your hands wandering over the expanse of muscle under your fingertips, shuddering when Jensen dipped a finger down your spine.

“Sensitive. I wonder how sensitive we can get you,” he said, brushing his lips over your ear. For the fact that you half naked, you were amazed with his focus on going back to your face, letting a hand find it’s way to your hair, the other on your cheek. You moved your hands to his chest, running your nails gently down over the skin, Jensen shivering under the touch.

“Was wondering the same thing, Jens,” you mumbled, going for his neck, finding yourself on your back staring up a second later.

“You were going to do this. Bad girl,” he said, placing a kiss to your neck, sucking against the soft skin, your tiny whimper only urging him on. You felt heat rush over your face and through your veins, shivering downwards until your hips were squirming, Jensen planting a hand over your lower stomach and pressing hard, holding you in place.

“Fuck,” you groaned when one of those long fingers started to play with the hem of your shorts, snapping the band of your underwear against your skin. “Don’t fuckin’ tease.”

“Make me,” he breathed out with a smile, winking as he left your neck, a dangerous smirk on his swollen lips. You could feel the corners of his mouth tugged up as he let his lips ghost over your collarbone, nipping and sucking softly as he went, carefully marking you up. He pressed a soft kiss to a bruise on your shoulder you’d gotten after jumping from the trunk, murmuring something to himself as he did.

The thought to ask him what it was disappeared the second his tongue swiped over your nipple, his mouth latching on, swirling around the peak until it was firm. He blew over the spot, a hit of sharp cool followed by his hot mouth earning him a hand tugging in his hair. You tried to move him down towards the throbbing between your legs but he only smiled, giving your other breast the same, slow buildup until you were panting.

“Take off your clothes,” he ordered, your hips raising up not fast enough, his hands ripping the fabric away and down your legs, long fingers grazing over your skin. “You like following orders now, don’t you, honey?”

“Fuck me,” you said, Jensen smirking as he sat up and rolled off the bed. You perched up on your elbows, getting the perfect view of him as he dropped his pants and boxers. “You have got the hottest ass I have ever seen.”

“Flattery gets you nothing, Y/N,” said Jensen, looking back over his shoulder, walking into his bathroom and back a second later, a pout on his face.

“I’m on something,” you said as you glanced down and took in his length and boy was he lengthy. “You wanted to go in bare anyways, big boy.”

“Could you be any sexier?” he said, walking back over, climbing over top of you.

“Probably,” you teased, reaching your hand between your bodies to give him a few strokes, finding him as hard as rock already. “Am I turning you on, big bad bodyguard?”

“An attitude like that is likely to get you in trouble, Y/N,” said Jensen, shifting his knees to sit between your legs, lining up with your entrance. “You want it?”

“Yes,” you said, Jensen smirking.

“Yes what?” he asked, hands on your hips holding your still.

“Yes sir,” you said. Jensen hummed and leaned down to kiss you, sliding his cock inside your wet heat an inch at a time, feeling every clench of your walls around him. About halfway on his cock he paused, pushing home until his hips clashed against yours, your moan drowned out by his grunt.

“Shit, Y/N. Tight little pussy,” he groaned, pulling out halfway, thrusting in deep. “God, such a good little pussy squeezing my cock.”

He settled into a fast and hard rythmn, snapping his hips with every thrust, growling when you dug your fingers into the meat of his back. You tried to hold it off but you came quickly. Jensen only went harder and reached his hand between the two of you, rubbing over your clit.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” you shouted, feeling yourself head towards a second orgasm as heat flooded you, Jensen biting down on your shoulder, burying his face in the crook of your neck as he came. Jensen didn’t let up and had you gripping him like a vice, clamping down on his cock as you came again, Jensen half-moaning, half-whimpering at the feeling.

He pulled out slowly, falling down to his side, breathing hot against your neck. You panted and turned your head to face him, Jensen already halfway to a kiss. He was much gentler now, soft and relaxed. You wondered how many people ever saw him with his guard down like this.

“What’d you say earlier?” you asked. Jensen laughed, tucking you up against his chest, your body feeling so incredibly small and safe beside him.

“Fuck? Or was it some sort of ‘unh’ sound?” he teased.

“When you kissed my shoulder. You were different for a second there,” you said, risking a glance up, worried green eyes staring back.

“I’m sorry,” he said, ghosting a finger over a bruise on your leg, your side, your back. “You got hurt because of me.”

“You bumped a car out of park. I’ve had a lot worse doing stunts, Jensen,” you said.

“You almost got taken tonight, Y/N. On my watch. I let you down,” he said, staring up at the ceiling.

“But the guy didn’t,” you said.

“Doesn’t matter. He could have and I wouldn’t have been able to stop it,” he said, fingers dancing lightly over your arms.

“I forgive you,” you said. “You’re only human after all. I don’t trust very many people Jensen. But you and I...you I trust my life with. So if you can’t control everything, that’s okay. I understand.”

“So much for pillow talk, huh,” he said, leaning his head against yours, taking a deep breath.

“Are we gonna go back to fighting all the time?” you asked.

“No. But you do what I say, aboslutely no fucking question about it. You’re staying home until Jared and I can come up with a game plan to get this guy for good,” said Jensen.

“I’ll stay,” you said, snuggling into him, closing your eyes.

“Good girl,” said Jensen, kissing your forehead. “Get some rest. You had a long day.”

A/N: Read Part 7 here!

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[biggamebrass]

Hey it's me again! Finally got the time to give you a breakdown of Brass' interview at the Crossing Broad / Snow The Goalie podcast from this week!! I'll be sharing the important takeaways. Rewatched it more than 3x since it first dropped because OMG SO MUCH FEELS. This was also the first time we saw his personality truly shine in a pod!! Full video here: youtu*be/0rCgmndtgJM Anyways here it goes: * Derick loves Philly and the Flyers as a team. He opened up about free agency, why he turned down two non playoff teams who offered him more 💰. He advised FAs not to sign because of a sick downtown; rather the first thing to look for is fit. He also looked at every roster in the league in addition to talking to AV before signing with the Flyers * The hosts bring up that stat of him being the 11th player in history to score a goal for nine or more teams. They mention notable well-traveled players (including Jagr) and when they ask Brass what he has in common with them he just breaks into a shy smile. * Now for the emotional part. After that stat, Brass gets real about the trade to Ottawa, then to Pittsburgh and his three teams in 2018/19 season. He admitted that he is still confused why Dorion traded DJ for him only to "blow it up" just a season later. In his own words, "I was sitting there and I was like, why am I here? Why did you trade a 23-year old center — a first round pick for me?" He was also given the option to either be traded to Winnipeg or Pittsburgh, he picked the latter because it won multiple Cups recently. We all know what happened from there 😟 * About the 2018-19 season. He clearly stated (again) that he didn't work out with the Penguins because of poor fit. So Brass got flipped to Florida, and as soon as he got there he was told that he'd be traded again. Then he admitted he was already "checked out" 💔 and felt like he only went away for Florida those three weeks. Then came the Avs playoff push where ofc they get dusted in R2. Brass later admitted he regrets not talking to the GM about his feelings of getting tossed from team to team in one year. Between those lines he said it could've been avoided if he only spoke up, and all he wanted was to have some stability and reset everything in the summer. * He and TK won a mini golf competition with the Flyers recently XD * Derick was then asked about Danny Briere, saying "Danny is from my hometown. Oh wait, let me rephrase this. I am from Danny's hometown." LMAOOO I love it when he jokes around 😂 He is quite nervous being around Briere when they see around in the summer but Der calls him one of good guys of hockey and is very down-to-earth. * Brass is very complimentary of Giroux, who he enjoys playing with him, thinks is always fired up and wishes he'll hoist the Cup soon. * My favorite part — he is asked about what shows are he streaming. Then he goes to share that out of all the recos his teammates have, he's watched Squid Game. Can't stop smiling when he said that he watched Squid Game with his girl 🥰💕❤️ * COVID was a difficult situation for him and everyone else. Brass also said that at 34, instead of going out he just finds time to recover to stay in shape for the whole season. * He voted for "This Girl" as the Flyers goal song, and he proposed to have a song for a PP goal, OT winner, etc. He opposes the idea of individual goal songs. Come on Brass, SPILL!!! 😜 * Brass is tired of Chelsea Dagger because in Columbus he heard it plenty of times when his team played CHI. He hums the chorus...twice 😭 * He picks Slapshot and Mighty Ducks as the best hockey films. The host shared he liked Goon, but Brass says it's "just alright" although the guys were into the film. Fr tho, it's great to see that lately he's been more open and personable and welcoming when it comes to podcasts. See what happens when you give him the mic outside of the rink? Brass shows how witty and funny and rational he can be! I'm still not over the fact that he also talked about watching TV with his girl, and like I said it was sweet his first public mention of their relationship was

when they were discussing what shows to stream. I just enjoyed it so much, would love to hear your take too!! 🥺😍

[syncogon]

[QZGS Prequel TL] Ch 7: The Time for Witnessing Miracles (WJX Origin)

Quick note before we begin: This is a translation of part 7 of the QZGS prequel, The Summit of Glory (巅峰荣耀). However, I did skip some parts, mainly an expositional bit in the beginning and the battle at the end (since I can’t write or translate or even understand the battles); I apologize, but I hope you all can enjoy this regardless! 

((read the translated skipped fight here, thanks @yourfreaky!))

UPDATE: (3.18.19) The fight is no longer skipped; I have since translated it and included it in this post!

UPDATE: (3.19.19) I just realized that I never translated the first section about EE of this chapter. So... here it is now! Sorry about that.

original text for the full prequel here

If you like this, please reblog it! Knowing my luck, it’s not going to show up in the tags...

Translated by: Syncogon

******

Glory Professional Alliance Season 2 Champions: Team Excellent Era!

After the playoffs ended, an overwhelming number of reports came out. Excellent Era, continuing from last year, once again won the championship.

This was the highest achievement. But in the eyes of the pro players, there was something else remarkable about this result.

Because that finals match.

That finals match with a team round that ended in five minutes.

How willful! This was the most honest opinion of this match from a professional perspective. Because of the willfulness of those two teams, the finals stage, the highest stage in all of Glory, lost some of its grand light. What was displayed was a grassroots, dirt-level fight that could be found anywhere in the in-game Arena. 

Because both teams were grassroots teams, they used this method to bid a complete and perfect farewell to their past. They finally stepped fully onto this professional stage, using a professional attitude, maintaining a professional spirit.

And all of this, some people could sense, some people couldn’t, and some were somewhere in between. This was a change of generation in Glory, and everyone, coming from different stages, all carried different feelings. But in the years to come, everyone who stepped onto this stage would have only one goal, the same goal: victory, championship! And every summer was the start line for the sprint to this goal.

Team Tiny Herb.

In one hour, they would be holding a press conference for the upcoming season 3, describing the adjustments made during the summer as well as their plans and goals for the new season. But all of the members of Tiny Herb knew that the most important aspect of this press conference in particular was the announcement of a new member, someone highly anticipated within the team.

Wang Jiexi sat in the lounge, waiting for the press conference to begin. Although he was the star of today’s “show,” he was neither nervous nor particularly excited.

When the captain praised him as a natural talent for “the big stage,” he only smiled politely. He didn’t know how he would perform once he was actually on the big stage of a competition, but he didn’t feel that this press conference was any big stage, even though he was to be the star. 

“Little Wang, how are things going?” Tiny Herb’s news spokesman arrived in the lounge, and, seeing Wang Jiexi already waiting there, asked him this question.

“No problems here,” Wang Jiexi replied. Of course, as the star of today’s conference, he would have to give some sort of speech. Worried that a new player like him wouldn’t be able to handle it, the team had already arranged what he was to say, and he just needed to follow the script. Wang Jiexi wasn’t particularly interested in events like these, but the team required it of him, and so he complied.

“There’s no need to be nervous. I have some things to get to, so I’ll see you in a bit,” the spokesman said with a smile.

“Alright,” Wang Jiexi said as he stood up, prepared to see the spokesman to the door.

The spokesman paused at the door, glancing at the cup of water Wang Jiexi held in his hand. “Don’t drink too much water,” he advised. 

Wang Jiexi nodded with a smile. The team really tended to fuss over him…

Once again, he was alone in the lounge. Wang Jiexi sat there quietly for some amount of time, doing nothing in particular, until the door was pushed open again.

Fang Shiqian.

A member of Team Tiny Herb that debuted just this past season, he had immediately become the chief healer of the team. If it hadn’t been for the dazzling performance of the dual-core of Team Hundred Blossoms, Sun Zheping and Zhang Jiale, there was no doubt that Fang Shiqian would’ve been the most distinctive player of this season.

Now that season 3 had arrived, Fang Shiqian was no longer a new player. To someone like Wang Jiexi who had just entered the pro sphere, he was considered a senior. When he saw Fang Shiqian enter, Wang Jiexi quickly rose to his feet and greeted him politely. Fang Shiqian only nodded in reply and sat to the side without saying anything to him.  

Wang Jiexi didn’t break the silence either, and instead just studied the other player.

He wasn’t sure when it had started exactly, but recently, Fang Shiqian always seemed to be in a bad mood. Perhaps it started… sometime around when Excellent Era had knocked Tiny Herb out of the playoffs? If Wang Jiexi remembered correctly, that seemed to be about right.

Naturally, no one in the team had been happy about being eliminated. But it was now almost two months since the playoffs ended! Everyone was preparing for the start of the new season. Fang Shiqian, however, continued to be in a depressed state, and Wang Jiexi felt that this was strange. He didn’t know the other player well, so it’d be awkward to ask. He could only passively observe Fang Shiqian’s unhappiness – and what seemed to be faint needles of hostility directed at Wang Jiexi himself. 

What was the reason? Wang Jiexi didn’t know.

The most common reason for conflict in a team was competitiveness, but that didn’t apply here. Fang Shiqian played Cleric, and so wouldn’t have to compete with most other players in that sense.

But Wang Jiexi, as he sat there waiting, suddenly thought of another possibility. Fang Shiqian would also be attending the imminent press conference, because of his stellar performance the previous season – he was now one of Team Tiny Herb’s best-known players. And Wang Jiexi was supposed to become the new driving force of Tiny Herb. Fang Shiqian wouldn’t be holding a grudge against him because of this, would he? Wang Jiexi frowned, but he still couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

The two of them continued to sit in the lounge in silence, until the door was pushed open yet again.

“Captain!” Upon seeing the new arrival, Fang Shiqian was on his feet in an instant. Wang Jiexi stood up as well, marveling at the other’s immediate reaction.

“You two are both here already!” Tiny Herb’s team captain Lin Jie smiled warmly at the two of them. This press conference would showcase three players: Captain Lin Jie, star rookie Fang Shiqian, as well as the new talent Wang Jiexi.

“We are,” affirmed Fang Shiqian, after a brief glance at Wang Jiexi. Wang Jiexi suddenly realized – in front of Lin Jie, Fang Shiqian’s depression was completely hidden.

Was this guy really specifically treating Wang Jiexi poorly? When this thought crossed Wang Jiexi’s mind, he couldn’t help but feel a little unhappy himself.

“Here, you two sit down for now,” Lin Jie said, unaware of the turmoil Wang Jiexi was experiencing.

“Captain, you sit first,” said Fang Shiqian, standing aside to allow Lin Jie to take the spot he had just been sitting in.

Was he trying to flatter the captain? Wang Jiexi sat back down in his original seat, finding himself disliking Fang Shiqian’s actions more and more. 

“Sit sit sit!” Lin Jie insisted that Fang Shiqian keep his seat, and dragged over a chair to sit before the two of them.

Wang Jiexi held Tiny Herb’s captain in extremely high regard. He wasn’t the best at playing Glory – his skill could hardly compare to gods like Ye Qiu and Han Wenqing – but this didn’t affect the respect that Tiny Herb had for him. He drew people together not by his skill but by his kindness and charisma. 

As for the person sitting next to Wang Jiexi right now? Fang Shiqian was a very skilled player, but Wang Jiexi could already feel a headache from having this person as a future teammate.

“Next season we’re counting on you guys!” Lin Jie told them with a small smile. 

“Yes,” Fang Shiqian replied in an instant, while Wang Jiexi simply nodded. If Fang Shiqian was so eager to perform in front of the captain, let him perform!

“Wang Jiexi.” But as it turned out, after briefly acknowledging Fang Shiqian, Lin Jie turned to the younger player.

“Captain.”

“I’ve already spoken with the club, and we all think that you are ready for greater responsibility,” said Lin Jie.

“Huh?” Wang Jiexi was at a loss. What was the captain trying to say? 

Meanwhile on the side, Fang Shiqian’s sour expression resurfaced. He knew what was coming. He truly did not want to see this, and fantasized that the captain would change his mind about this decision – he’d even directly gone up to the captain to ask him to reconsider. But in the end, nothing changed; Lin Jie maintained his decision.

Fang Shiqian, at this moment, had an impulse to just physically charge forward! Stop Lin Jie from continuing what he was about to say! But he wasn’t so naïve to think that that would do anything, and so he only sat to the side and scowled. And Wang Jiexi, too preoccupied with what Lin Jie’s words, didn’t notice what the other player was thinking.

“What do you think? Do you think you’re ready for greater responsibility?”

“I still don’t understand,” Wang Jiexi said slowly. “Greater responsibility… what do you mean by that?”

“Vaccaria,” said Lin Jie.

Wang Jiexi froze. With that one name, his heart began to race.

Vaccaria, the character currently wielded by Lin Jie, class Witch, the core of Team Tiny Herb. 

Furthermore, Vaccaria currently held a powerful silver weapon. The number of characters with silver weapons from the equipment editor, silver weapons that were stronger than orange weapons, could be counted on one hand. 

Excellent Era’s One Autumn Leaf – Evil Annihilation.

Blue Rain’s Swoksaar – Curse of Destruction.

Tyranny’s Desert Dust – Flame Fists.

Royal Style’s Peaceful Hermit – Death Savvy.

And finally, Tiny Herb’s Vaccaria – Stardust Extermination.

That was it. 

The various teams were all focusing more on research into powerful silver weapons, so in the upcoming seasons, there would likely be more silver weapons and silver equipment made. But for the past two seasons, these were the only five true silver weapons.

Vaccaria and Stardust Extermination were the most overlooked of these five, because Team Tiny Herb, and the character Vaccaria, hadn’t been performing particularly well. 

This wasn’t because Vaccaria was weak, nor was it because Stardust Extermination was poor quality. It was because Vaccaria’s user, Tiny Herb’s captain Lin Jie, wasn’t skilled enough. Compared to the users of the other four god-level accounts, he could only compare to Blue Rain’s Wei Chen, whose condition last season had been in decline.

And Wei Chen, after his poor performance last season, had already abandoned his team in embarrassment – or at least that’s what the outside world had heard.

Lin Jie’s skill level wasn’t exceptional, and this was no secret. Lin Jie himself didn’t bother hiding it, and would often deprecate himself and apologize for dragging the team down.

And now, he brought up the topic of Vaccaria.

Time stood still. Wang Jiexi could hear the blood pounding in his ears as the moment seemed to drag on, forever, until the silence was finally broken by Lin Jie continuing, “The club and I both believe that giving Vaccaria to you is the best choice. But what do you think?”

“I…” Wang Jiexi would be lying if he said this opportunity wasn’t exciting. Every professional player dreamed of someday controlling a god-level account, and he was no exception.

But before he could get too carried away, he calmed down and the rational side of his brain took over. The look of disgust that had flitted across Fang Shiqian’s face was so obvious that even in his distracted state, Wang Jiexi had noticed. Now, his mind jumped to the unspoken implications of this proposal. 

“Then what about you, Captain?” he asked. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Fang Shiqian’s hostility lessen somewhat at this question.

“Me?” Lin Jie let out a small laugh. “Don’t worry about me for now, we’re talking about you, and if you believe that you can control Vaccaria.”

Wang Jiexi fell silent.

The earlier excitement had lasted only for those brief initial moments. This was the professional sphere, after all. In-game, getting a good drop was as simple as getting candy. But here, in Tiny Herb, getting Vaccaria meant more than just getting a powerful character. This was Tiny Herb’s star character, and so the one to control Vaccaria would be Tiny Herb’s core player.

What Tiny Herb wanted to give him wasn’t just an interesting toy. Like Lin Jie had said from the beginning, he was being offered a greater responsibility. The responsibility of being Tiny Herb’s core.

Right now, this position was held by Lin Jie, someone well suited for the role despite lacking Glory skill. This just went to show that to be the core player of a team, Glory skill wasn’t enough – you had to be able to earn everyone’s trust and respect, and bring the team together.

Could Wang Jiexi accomplish this? He didn’t respond immediately, thinking this over for several minutes in silence as the other two waited. In the end, he lifted his head and looked Lin Jie in the eyes. “I believe I can do this.”

“Great!” said Lin Jie with a broad smile. While the young player had been mulling things over, Lin Jie had started to feel nervous that Wang Jiexi would refuse, that he didn’t have enough confidence in himself. Confidence could be built, of course, but it was better that he had it from the start. Lin Jie had high expectations for this player.

It was clear now that Wang Jiexi’s silence had been consideration, not hesitation. He was not only confident but thoughtful – even better than Lin Jie had anticipated.

“Excellent,” the captain couldn’t help but reiterate. With that, he felt much more secure about his next decision. “Since that’s the case, I’ll offer you some more responsibility.”

“Huh?” The young player stared at him uncomprehendingly.

“My position as captain.”

Dead silence, then – 

“Captain?!” Wang Jiexi yelled. To his side, Fang Shiqian had leapt to his feet. 

Lin Jie had indeed changed his decision, but not in the direction that Fang Shiqian had hoped – instead, he’d gone the more drastic direction. He was giving up his captaincy to Wang Jiexi. Then what was he himself planning to do? Leave the team like Blue Rain’s Wei Chen? Absolutely no one in Tiny Herb wished to see that happen.

“You can’t do this!” Fang Shiqian said, disregarding any sort of decorum.

Wang Jiexi glanced at him, and saw the shock in his eyes, the refusal, the dismay, the… panic. He was ignoring Wang Jiexi – none of these emotions were from dissatisfaction with Wang Jiexi’s earlier answer. Now, he was focused completely on Captain Lin Jie, and nothing else.

In a flash, Wang Jiexi understood.

Fang Shiqian had been depressed these past few days because he knew beforehand that Lin Jie was planning to give up Vaccaria. It wasn’t that he was jealous of Wang Jiexi, it was just that his unhappiness with the situation as a whole manifested as a bad mood when he was around Wang Jiexi. It was a kind of “if you weren’t here, this wouldn’t be happening” attitude – admittedly childish, but he couldn’t help how he felt.

And now, Lin Jie wanted to give up his captaincy to Wang Jiexi! Fang Shiqian had no idea of this beforehand. And this decision pointed at an end result that Fang Shiqian was wholly unwilling to accept. Lin Jie was giving up his account, his status as the team’s core, his captaincy… was there any reason for him to remain in Team Tiny Herb?

There wasn’t.

This decision was Lin Jie’s way of retiring. He was planning to entrust the entirety of Tiny Herb to Wang Jiexi. 

“You can’t do this…” Fang Shiqian said once again, weakly. He knew, of course, that he had no authority in this matter, no status to say words like that. But that was just how he was. If Lin Jie wanted to give up Vaccaria and being the core, then fine. But now, he was planning to leave? Their beloved captain, the one who had taken care of all of them over these years, leading them to work hard toward the future, was planning to leave just like that?

He couldn’t accept this! He wouldn’t accept this!

Fang Shiqian shook his head, silently pleading Lin Jie to change his mind about this. But Lin Jie only smiled at him, a gentle and warm smile. Whenever Fang Shiqian performed excellently on the field, and even when he messed up, Lin Jie was always giving him that kind smile, comforting him, encouraging him. This smile made him feel at home, helped him adjust to the proplayer life, calmed him when he was upset…

“I have also already spoken about this with the club,” Lin Jie said, looking back toward Wang Jiexi. “Of course, we will respect your wishes on this matter as well.

“Even so… I do hope you will accept, because I think this is the best decision for Tiny Herb. My apologies for being somewhat selfish here, pushing all these responsibilities onto your shoulders.”

“I…” This time, Wang Jiexi was truly hesitating. He had prepared for becoming a proplayer, and he was willing to accept a powerful account and status as the team’s core. But to lead a team as its captain? And what’s more, he was still a new player – all of his teammates would be his seniors…

To be the captain, you needed much more than just skill at Glory. Not only did you have to bring people together, you had to be able to lead them in the right direction. Could Wang Jiexi really handle it?

Wishing he could stall for time, Wang Jiexi glanced to the side and saw that Fang Shiqian was nervously watching him.

Fang Shiqian knew that Lin Jie wasn’t going to change his mind. Now, there was only one chance to prevent this from happening – Wang Jiexi himself had to refuse. Lin Jie would never force him to do anything he didn’t want to do – that was just the kind of person he was.

Wang Jiexi noticed Fang Shiqian’s anticipation.

To be honest, refusing all this was a very attractive option. Wang Jiexi didn’t want to see Lin Jie leave like this either. As long as Lin Jie was still the captain of the team, then even if he was no longer the core player, he would still be that reliable compass needle guiding them in the right direction, a comforting presence to the team.

Wasn’t that the best option? 

Wang Jiexi opened his mouth to give his answer, but when he looked into Lin Jie’s eyes, he faltered. 

In Fang Shiqian’s eyes, there had been anticipation. But Lin Jie’s eyes revealed his own anticipation as well.

He hid it well – he really was trying his best not to guilt Wang Jiexi into doing anything. But it was clear what he was anticipating. Wang Jiexi wanted to decline, following both Fang Shiqian’s and his own desires. But could he really just dash Lin Jie’s hopes like that?

Lin Jie continued to smile gently and patiently, without giving any pressure. Wang Jiexi knew that if he declined, Lin Jie would swallow his disappointment and cheerfully accept Wang Jiexi’s decision, acting as though Wang Jiexi made a happy decision for everyone involved.

But that wouldn’t be the reality. Everyone would be happy, but what about Lin Jie himself?

Wang Jiexi steeled himself and opened his mouth once again.

“I accept.”

“Are you insane?!” Fang Shiqian lost his composure once more, spinning to face Wang Jiexi fully. Just then, he had been so sure that the younger player was about to refuse, but then he ended up accepting!

But Lin Jie let out a long and quiet sigh of relief, and it was as though a great weight was lifted from his shoulders. He would miss Tiny Herb dearly, of course, but that alone wasn’t a good enough reason to stay. He was a captain that could unify a team, but he wasn’t a captain that could lead a team to victory. This was the professional sphere, after all, not a game of house, and what they needed was victory. More importantly, they needed a leader that could help Tiny Herb achieve this.

Wang Jiexi was that kind of person! Lin Jie believed this wholeheartedly. 

“Then, in a bit, we’ll announce this decision in the press conference,” Lin Jie said cheerfully.

“Alright,” replied Wang Jiexi with a nod.

To the side, Fang Shiqian was stonefaced. His hands and feet felt like ice, and he was glaring at Wang Jiexi, purposely avoiding looking at the captain.

Lin Jie saw this, but could only smile helplessly. 

“There’ll be someone coming to get you in a bit,” he said. He stood up and headed toward the exit, but paused after pulling open the door.

“I was Tiny Herb’s captain for two years.” He didn’t turn back around when he spoke, only stood there facing the open doorway. Wang Jiexi and Fang Shiqian stared at his back.

“I believe that in all that time, this is my wisest and most correct decision. You all will make me proud.” With that, he departed without looking back. The door closed behind him with a quiet click.

After a long moment of staring at the door in silence, Fang Shiqian turned to see Wang Jiexi standing directly behind him.

“He never was the type of person to force others into doing something,” Wang Jiexi said, breaking the silence unexpectedly.

“What do you mean by that? Was he forcing you into this?” Fang Shiqian snapped. Accepting Vaccaria, becoming the core player, taking on the captaincy – was Wang Jiexi now saying that he hadn’t wanted any of this, that Lin Jie had shoved this onto him? Disgusting! Shameless!

But Wang Jiexi shook his head. “No, that’s not what I meant. He doesn’t burden other people, but he does burden himself.”

This caused Fang Shiqian to pause. Burdening himself?

The more he thought, the more he realized Wang Jiexi had a point. Lin Jie wasn’t skilled at Glory, but he was Tiny Herb’s captain and core player. Other people only saw the prestige of this position, but had no idea of the pressure he suffered as a result. To survive in the pro sphere, you needed skill. And Lin Jie endured this pressure even though he lacked skill – wasn’t this burdening himself?

But what was Wang Jiexi trying to say by bringing this up? Was he saying that Lin Jie wasn’t good enough to bear this burden, so giving it up was the obvious option?

Before Fang Shiqian could try to decipher the other’s meaning further, Wang Jiexi was already speaking again.

“So this time, let’s take some of the burden ourselves, and follow his wishes for once?”

Follow… his wishes?

Right. This was the captain’s wish – otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought it up in the first place.

And Fang Shiqian himself? Had he been spoiled by the captain? His hope that the captain would stay was entirely selfish; he hadn’t even considered what Lin Jie himself wanted.

But Wang Jiexi had.

Fang Shiqian remembered Wang Jiexi’s expression – he had wanted to refuse the offer. But in the very end, he had accepted. Because he saw the captain’s anticipation, he changed his mind; in becoming captain, he shouldered some of the burden himself, just like Lin Jie always did for them.

Fang Shiqian looked at Wang Jiexi, and although he couldn’t bring himself to say anything, he felt that Lin Jie’s figure was overlapping with Wang Jiexi’s.

The door opened.

“You two, get ready, we’re starting soon.” Tiny Herb’s spokesman had come to call them.

“Okay, we’re coming,” Wang Jiexi replied, then, to Fang Shiqian, “Let’s go.” He started toward the door.

“Hey,” Fang Shiqian called out suddenly. The other player halted, turning to face him.

“You’d better succeed. Otherwise I’ll never forgive you,” Fang Shiqian said.

“Then you have to put in the effort as well,” Wang Jiexi replied calmly.

“Acting all captain-like already?”

“The sooner the better.”

“Then you’d better not forget, I’m still your senior,” said Fang Shiqian.

“Of course. I’ll still rely on your guidance.”

“Let’s go!”

“Let’s go.”

The two of them walked out of the lounge together. They were both very clear on what was about to happen in this press conference, and Fang Shiqian still felt some sorrow. But he had made a decision of his own. He would no longer let the captain take all the burden, he would do as the captain quietly hoped.

Farewell, Captain.

Hello, Captain. 

During the press conference, as he watched the two sitting next to him, Fang Shiqian maintained a genuine smile.

***

Tiny Herb’s Rookie Wang Jiexi Directly Becomes Team Captain, Controls Tiny Herb’s Core Account Vaccaria!

With the start of the new season, this was the hottest topic in the Glory sphere. An unknown rookie obtaining such status – what kind of mythic origin did he have? Everyone was looking forward to seeing his performance onstage.

“Eh, isn’t this that guy?!”

As it turns out, there was indeed someone who directly recognized Wang Jiexi in the televised press conference.

When he saw the news, Huang Shaotian’s jaw dropped. He had already forgotten about this guy who had claimed to be from Tiny Herb, but with the press conference he immediately remembered meeting him during last season’s finals, Excellent Era vs. Hundred Blossoms. After all, Wang Jiexi’s mismatched eyes were quite distinctive.

“Captain? Controlling the core character? This guy is that impressive?” Huang Shaotian’s outburst continued. After spending so much time in Blue Rain, he knew what these two positions truly meant. The fact that this guy managed to rise to the top just like that…

“If I recall correctly, when we met him, you told him that you’d meet him on the stage this season.” Yu Wenzhou’s voice came from behind, and Huang Shaotian jumped, startled.

“It sucks, but I guess I have to break that arrangement.” After seeing Blue Rain’s terrible defeat in the playoffs, Huang Shaotian had realized that he still wasn’t good enough, and decided to devote himself to intense training for another year before making his debut. Season 3 would see neither Huang Shaotian nor Yu Wenzhou onstage, though the latter had recognized early on that he wasn’t yet ready.

“In that case, he’ll already have a year’s head start on you. Shouldn’t you be training now?” Yu Wenzhou said, smiling. 

“I’m coming, I’m coming. Man, Captain’s training regimen is so complicated,” he said, pouting as he walked to Yu Wenzhou’s side. The captain in question was no longer Wei Chen, but Fang Shijing, who had taken control of Swoksaar and would be leading Blue Rain this season. But everyone knew that Fang Shijing was only a placeholder for these two youths – this summer, hardly a day had gone by without the club asking how they were doing.

At the door, Huang Shaotian paused and looked back at the television, which was still replaying scenes from Tiny Herb’s press conference. He raised a finger and pointed at the face of Tiny Herb’s new captain.

“Season 4. We’ll meet on the stage.”

***

“Rookie, Captain, core player? Is he really all that amazing, or is Tiny Herb just getting desperate?” In their first match of the season, Tiny Herb would be facing off against Team Royal Style, a powerhouse team and the runner-ups of season 1. In the waiting room for the match, Royal Style’s captain Lu Liang was skimming an article analyzing this match-up.

Someone in the team chuckled. “With their previous captain’s skill level, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were feeling pretty desperate!”

Everyone laughed. The joke was mean, but true – it was no secret that Lin Jie was probably the weakest among the captains.

“Lin Jie is truly a good person, but his skill…” Lu Liang didn’t need to continue. “Anyway, we’ll see what this match holds in store!”

“It’s just a rookie, aren’t you being a little dramatic?” someone asked, smirking.

“Don’t make the opponent cry!”

Another round of laughter, and Lu Liang didn’t stop them. After all, no matter how skilled this person was, he was still a rookie. It wasn’t proper – wasn’t “cool” – to take this too seriously.

At the same time, the atmosphere in the Tiny Herb waiting room was much colder.

This was their first match of the season, one that was attracting much attention. The team members all knew that Lin Jie held Wang Jiexi in high regard, and they did want to trust in the decision Lin Jie made. But now, about to take on this high-profile match, even the veterans of the team who had already played for two seasons couldn’t relax. The amount of pressure on Wang Jiexi was unfathomable. And since he was a captain, he had the responsibility to stay strong under pressure and direct the team members. In a situation like this, were the team members supposed to comfort or encourage the captain? Everyone felt that this wasn’t proper, but they didn’t know what they could do in this situation.

“Hey, this is our first match, are you ready?” In the end, it was Fang Shiqian spoke up, with no comfort, with no encouragement, in fact with something like belligerence in his tone.

“Is everyone ready?” Instead of answering, Wang Jiexi directed this question at the assembled team.

This threw some people off. We’re worried about you, new captain!

“Let’s work hard together,” said Wang Jiexi.

“Yes!” Everyone nodded.

“You better work even harder,’” Fang Shiqian added. “You have to prove that Captain’s decision was correct!” The “Captain” in question referred, of course, to Lin Jie – as of now, Fang Shiqian had yet to address Wang Jiexi as “Captain.” Lin Jie had left Tiny Herb shortly after the press conference, carefree and content, lightly deflecting all questions of his future plans. He’d said farewell without much fanfare.

And now, hearing Fang Shiqian act like this, the other Tiny Herb players felt like they wanted to cry. Refusing to offer comfort or encouragement was one thing, but you’re actually adding to the pressure on Wang Jiexi? Are you even his teammate?

Wang Jiexi only nodded and made a noise of acknowledgement. There was no point in saying more. Everything would be revealed onstage.

“It’s about time, let’s go!”

The two teams in the waiting rooms received this heads-up at around the same time, and they filed into the passageway leading to the stage. It was here that the two teams met.

“You are Wang Jiexi?” Lu Liang spoke to the player next to him, the new player who was leading Team Tiny Herb.

“I am,” Wang Jiexi confirmed. He was keenly aware of the curiosity everyone held regarding him, and noticed how the members of Royal Style were craning their necks to get a look at him, some even on their tiptoes.

“Are you nervous?” Lu Liang asked. This was a question that a senior would ask a rookie, and definitely wasn’t something commonly said between team captains. With this question, there was faint snickering from the Royal Style crowd.

“I’m alright,” Wang Jiexi replied neutrally. 

“Looking forward to seeing your performance on the field,” Lu Liang said, in a similarly detached tone.

“Likewise.”

“We won’t disappoint,” said Lu Liang, smiling. He disliked this new player already.

***

The audience was abuzz with speculation about Tiny Herb’s new captain. They waited eagerly for his appearance – normally, the core character of a team would anchor the group competition of the match, so if this Wang Jiexi followed the pattern, it’d be a while before they got to see him. 

Royal Style’s Lu Liang was a god-level player, and so of course he would be anchoring for his team. He hoped that he could face Wang Jiexi in a 1v1 match, but first, Wang Jiexi would have to be in the group competition, and second, Tiny Herb would have to defeat Royal Style’s first two members.

The match began, but it seemed like everyone was simply waiting for Wang Jiexi to appear. Hardly anyone was really paying attention to the individual battles except to note that Wang Jiexi wasn’t in any of them.

Soon enough, the group competition began. First up – not Wang Jiexi. A few minutes later, that player fell in defeat. Number two entered, but still no sign of the rookie captain.

Seemed like Wang Jiexi would indeed be anchoring. But right now, Tiny Herb was on their second player while Royal Style still hadn’t lost anyone. What was the meaning in defeating an almost-dead Vaccaria? Lu Liang had feared this outcome earlier, which may have been arrogant then, but was seeming plausible right now.

However, Royal Style’s first player lost and up came their second player, Zhang Lin, controlling a Spitfire. After dropping to half health, he was able to defeat Tiny Herb’s second. It was finally time to see Tiny Herb’s anchor.

Who would it be?

Everyone waited with bated breath. If this wasn’t Wang Jiexi, not only would everyone would be very disappointed, they would also begin to doubt his supposed position as the core player.

At last, they saw the name flash on the screen.

Wang Jiexi.

The third player in the group competition, the most common position for the core player of a team. As the captain, Wang Jiexi arranged this himself.

The challenge facing him now was quite high. Royal Style’s Zhang Lin still had half his health left, and after him, there was the god-level player Lu Liang and his Peaceful Hermit at full health. Even those who had high hopes for Wang Jiexi doubted that he could pull off this victory. If it were Ye Qiu, then maybe there’d be a chance. But for a rookie player?

“Hey…” As Cleric, Fang Shiqian didn’t participate in the individual or group competitions, but he opened his mouth now. Everyone on Tiny Herb gave him a look. This guy wasn’t seriously thinking of adding to the pressure on Wang Jiexi right now, was he? No one would blame Wang Jiexi if he failed to win this round. 

In the end, Fang Shiqian simply said this. “Don’t embarrass yourself.” 

Wang Jiexi only smiled and entered the stage. 

This would be his very first battle as a proplayer.

He could hear the audience in the stadium getting louder now that he entered the stage. Before, he had only been able to feel and participate in the audience’s excitement. Now, he was its director.

So be it!

The surroundings were noisy, but his heart was calm. Wang Jiexi absently wondered if his former captain was watching this match from somewhere. 

Lin Jie would see, with his own two eyes, that he had made a correct decision.

***

Fourth battle of the group arena, begin!

"Newbie captain, I'm coming! To serve as your first opponent, I'm truly honored." Royal Style's Zhang Lin begin trashtalking in the match channel as soon as the battle began.

"Coming." Wang Jiexi didn't ignore him completely, instead replying calmly as Vaccaria rushed outward.

Zhang Lin didn't control his Flash Save to meet him directly, instead choosing to circle around.

A face-to-face battle wouldn't allow the newbie to truly taste the cruelty of the Pro League. Of course, he had to let him experience pro-level trickery and strategy!

After calculating Vaccaria's approximate movement speed, he selected a good position and began to lie hidden in wait. Through a narrow gap, he could see Vaccaria already rushing straight along the center road.

In the end, he's still just a newbie!

Zhang Lin couldn't help but think this after seeing Vaccaria sweep past Flash Save's hiding place just like that. Flash Save was already prepared to jump out and ambush Vaccaria from behind.

But in the stadium, in front of televisions and computers, everywhere where there were people watching the match, there were already sounds of exclamation.

Because just as Vaccaria had passed the point where Flash Save lay hidden, he had changed direction, riding his broom up into the air. Zhang Lin controlled Flash Save to jump out and ambush, gun at the ready, only to find in shock that there was no one in front of him.

Crack!

The next thing he heard was the sound of a breaking glass bottle, and flickering tongues of flame danced before his eyes. Vaccaria had broken a Lava Flask right over Flash Save's head.

Zhang Lin already knew where his opponent had vanished, and as he jumped to the side he was already lifting his camera view and pointing his gun at the sky. But – nothing!

He wasn't in the air?

Had he seen a ghost? Had the Lava Flask not been dropped from this direction?

Zhang Lin was once again dumbstruck. But the audience members had seen clearly that long before he'd raised his view, Vaccaria had already flown over Flash Save's head. Now, he was behind him.

Pa!

Stardust Extermination was a cool and flashy name, but it was still a broom in the end. This back attack swept Flash Save from head to toe, very thoroughly, and then back up in the other direction – Sweep!

A Witch's knockup skill.

Not only had Flash Save been attacked from behind, he was now sent flying up into the air.

And then there was Disperse Powder, Frost Powder… all sorts of magic powder swirled through the air, and Stardust Extermination continually danced around as though trying to sweep them up. With an endless stream of "papapa's" the broom landed again and again upon Flash Save's body, hit after hit until all his health was gone.

"Fuck!" Zhang Lin, still shocked, couldn't help but swear aloud.

He lost?

He lost just like that?

He was also a pro player who had played two years in the Pro League. But now, without even seeing the shadow of his opponent, he was killed just like that?

Zhang Lin was so shocked that he was no longer thinking clearly. He had seen Vaccaria, after all, when he had been gleefully lying in wait as Vaccaria rushed passed him.

"What happened?" Zhang Lin asked his teammates as he returned to the player area. He almost suspected Wang Jiexi of cheating somehow.

His teammates didn't explain much, merely pointing to the large display screen in the stadium so that Zhang Lin could watch for himself. The display was currently replaying how Flash Save had been thrashed to death by Vaccaria in one go. The Spitfire had been at half health and had been at a disadvantage at close range, but to be directly combo hit to death was still somewhat embarrassing and pitiful.

"That guy, how did he know where I was?" After watching the replay, Zhang Lin still didn't understand how Wang Jiexi had detected his ambush.

"He didn't know your exact position, but after he charged forward directly and didn't see you, he guessed that you were waiting to ambush him. So he immediately took to the air, and then you yourself jumped out, and then, it was what you saw…" a teammate answered. This was the conclusion they had drawn after watching the match.

"This… a coincidence?" Zhang Lin didn't know what to say. It just happened that he jumped out at the same time that his opponent jumped up, and then the opponent was faster in discovering and attacking him?

"Not really," said his teammate. "Even if you hadn't jumped out, he had flown up high enough to spot you…"

"The opponent was a Witch, and the position you chose…" Everyone shook their heads. But in reality, when Zhang Lin had initially chosen his position, no one had immediately thought that it was a thoughtless choice.

"He's just a newbie… How could I have known…" Zhang Lin tried to justify himself. He had underestimated the opponent somewhat. Maybe that was why he had chosen a position without 100% care? That was what he thought.

The discussion ended there, as the next battle of the group arena was about to begin. Royal Style's main general Lu Liang was coming forward, to face Wang Jiexi's full health Vaccaria. In his victory just now, he hadn't lost a single bit of health.

Normally Lu Liang would have been glad to face this situation, but seeing Wang Jiexi so easily kill off Royal Style's half-health character, he was quite upset.

"Little brat, looks like you have some skill!" As soon as he entered the match, Lu Liang sent a message in the chat. He was prepared to use his status as senior to give Wang Jiexi a good lesson, and so he didn't do what Zhang Lin had done with setting up an ambush. Lu Liang controlled Peaceful Hermit to head straight forward on the center road, and he saw Vaccaria riding his broom and flying forward in the same manner.

"Come on, show me what you got." Lu Liang's Peaceful Hermit stood still without attacking, waiting for Vaccaria to advance so that he could react and take control.

"Coming." Wang Jiexi didn't turn down the invitation. When Vaccaria was within five body-lengths of Peaceful Hermit, he suddenly let loose a Magic Missile.

"That's it?" As Lu Liang typed the message, he easily dodged to the side, already ready to counterattack. But just as his camera view wavered as he dodged, Wang Jiexi suddenly pulled into the air, out of Lu Liang's field of view.

"This again?" Lu Liang tapped on the keyboard, along with a smirking emoji. There was still no effect on his control of his character.

Rising Emblem!

Peaceful Hermit drew an arc with his scythe Death Savvy, and a ring of blue light instantly rose upward. He didn't even raise his view to look, simply relying on this Rising Emblem to snatch Vaccaria down.

But in this moment.

Again, in the stadium, in front of televisions and computers, everywhere where there were people watching the match, there was a collective gasp.

Vaccaria, Vaccaria riding on his broom in the air. Just as the blue light of the Rising Emblem rose upward, he suddenly swung his broom and swerved his body to the side. Another sweep of the broom, and Vaccaria dropped rapidly through the air.

With that, the light of Rising Emblem brushed right past Vaccaria. It looked as though he had glided down upon that light.

It was at this time that Lu Liang's Peaceful Hermit finally looked up. He was already prepared for the next step of the attack, and Vaccaria of course should currently be lifted into the air by the Rising Emblem.

Crack!

Pa!

Two consecutive sounds.

The 'crack' was a Lava Flask, slamming right into Peaceful Hermit's upturned face.

The 'pa' was Stardust Extermination, sweeping onto his face right after the Lava Flask

Lu Liang's vision instantly went dark – how could it not, with a broom in his face? He immediately tried to control his character to back away, but then his body was swept once again.

Sweep!

It was this knockup skill again. And so, Peaceful Hermit was also lifted into the air.

The entire process had been different – changing direction midair, sliding down the light of Rising Emblem, it had been much more exciting than the back attack against Zhang Lin's Flash Save, but the end result was the same. Lava Flask to the head, sweep from head to toe, and then a Sweep into the air.

And after that?

And after that, magic powder swirled in the air, and the broom's endless "papapa" rang out once again.

No way?

The audience was stunned. Was Lu Liang also about to be beaten to death like this?

No, of course not.

Lu Liang wasn't Zhang Lin.

And an Exorcist wasn't a Spitfire.

He was currently suffering a midair combo, but Lu Liang still found an opportunity very quickly.

Star Fall!

Since Peaceful Hermit was already in the air, he was saved the time of having to throw up his weapon. As soon as the skill activated, Death Savvy shot down like a falling star straight toward Vaccaria.

But Vaccaria swung his broom once again, and the falling star went just past his body. He swung twice more, changing his direction and movement path twice, and Lu Liang's mouse almost flew out of his hand as he twisted his view to follow.

Couldn't keep up, his view couldn't keep up with Vaccaria's movements. Because Peaceful Hermit as still in the air, his body didn't have full freedom of movement. He could only twist his neck a bit to look around, and so of course he couldn't find the desired angle. Glory was just that realistic.

And Wang Jiexi was someone who had accurate judgment of this realism. After dodging the Star Fall, Vaccaria changed directions twice and in the blink of an eye had flashed to Lu Liang's blind spot.

"This guy… is he doing magic?" In the live audience, someone couldn't help but exclaim.

"Magic?" Former Tiny Herb Captain Lin Jie, sitting not too far away, heard this sentiment and agreed. "That's right, that's a very good comparison. How come I never thought of it?"

On the battlefield, the slapping sound of the broom resumed. The Witch's specialty was the ability to use all sorts of magic tools. But in this current confrontation, what everyone saw more of was Vaccaria's unbelievable yet incredibly accurate positioning. At first, everyone simply thought that the varied moves were enjoyable to watch, but after the broadcast showed some shots from Lu Liang's point of view, everyone finally realized how miserable this sort of positioning was for Wang Jiexi's opponent. Lu Liang, this fairly experienced god-level player, was being driven crazy by Wang Jiexi. Eighty percent of the time, his view didn't contain a shadow of Vaccaria's presence. His counter moves were steadily becoming more and more chaotic, but they still didn't create any noticeable threat.

No. To be accurate, it wasn't that they were completely ineffective.

The Rising Emblem at the start of the match, and the Star Fall he'd used right after the first time he'd been knocked up…

These sorts of responses, for most people, were effective counters. When hit with a Rising Emblem, they would likely be sent right into the air; when hit with a Star Fall, they would likely be struck to the ground.

But Wang Jiexi wasn't.

Relying on his pinpoint accuracy in positioning, no matter if it was Rising Emblem or Star Fall, he'd evaded them all. In fact, it seemed like these attacks only served to further display his weapons, weapons that allowed his magic-like movement to become even more dazzlingly beautiful.

Just like that, Lu Liang lost. His only accomplishment was that Wang Jiexi hadn't killed him with full health remaining. In the end, Vaccaria had still lost some health as a result of his counters.

***

Deafening silence.

Lu Liang, the god-level player, had been beaten so soundly?

Wang Jiexi, what was up with his Witch playstyle?

For a long time, there was silence in the stadium, with only the commentator shouting with passion and effort.

“Magic!” The comparison had come to his mind out of nowhere, but he thought it quite fitting, and he immediately latched onto it. “This was truly a show of magic!” 

“Right, that really was like magic…” The crowd began to murmur, agreeing with this assessment. When Wang Jiexi walked out and faced the crowd, the applause finally began, as well as cheers, and chanting – “Magic! Magic!”

In that moment, Wang Jiexi’s playstyle became known as magic.

On that day, Wang Jiexi earned his nickname, “the Magician.”

“This is nothing.” Hidden in the cheering audience, Lin Jie sat grinning from ear to ear. “This upcoming season – now that’ll be the real time for witnessing miracles!”

~END~

more notes:

1) The author said that he messed up in writing the prologue, forgetting that he’d made Guo Mingyu the captain of Royal Style when writing the main novel; here, we have a new character Lü Liang (which I’ve written as Lu Liang, because even though they’re pronounced differently, typing accents is a pain) as Royal Style’s captain and core player. I’m not sure if he ever cleared up what was truly “canon.” I’m translating this as it is, but you can form your own headcanons / mental corrections as you please.

1.5) According to main novel, Wei Chen-era Swoksaar’s Silver Weapon should be Death’s Hand, and Curse of Destruction was only made for Yu Wenzhou later. However, BB probably forgot that detail while writing this (as he tends to do).

2) UPDATE (in case you missed in the beginning): read the fight here; thanks for the translation! 

3) UPDATE 2: a tiny headcanon snippet, post s5

4) UPDATE 3 (3.18.19) Now experienced, I have translated the fight myself - it is inserted into the appropriate spot in this post.

(original: I skipped Wang Jiexi’s actual fights because my Chinese isn’t good enough (too much technical terminology and such that I can barely understand myself… I wouldn’t do them justice). I apologize, but please just imagine two epic fights during which Royal Style (and the audience) slowly realizes that they have severely underestimated this rookie.)

[carey-pricemas]

Moving Part Two- Leon Draisaitl (by anon)

Ok so I’m really sorry!!! I lost track of time by doing homework!!! But here’s part two!!! And I might finally get something finished tonight! (I really hate not being in a routine!) But anyway enjoy!!! Imma go finish homework then try and write!!!

Warning: None!

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/

“What’s pretty girl like you doing alone at bar?” asked a voice colored with alcohol.

You were sure you had already heard it somewhere before. You turn your head, actually curious as to who decided to disturb you at your lonely spot.

“William?!” you screamed from surprise, almost falling from the chair.

“I wouldn’t expect you here…” he murmurs. You were kinda amazed he remembers you as you met him a long time ago and he was more focused on Leon than you.

“Oh you don’t know? I moved to Toronto. I got a job here and there wasn’t much holding me in Edmonton so here I am. Ready to conquer!” While you were talking, Willy takes a seat next to you, laughing at your excitement. You weren’t even sure where it was from. Suddenly everything was so easy.

“You should have told me! I would have shown you around the city! And wait, you don’t know anyone here right? Well I’m here with some of my teammates… Time to get to know some people!” And before you can protest, Willy is dragging you to the other side of the club, but it’s actually fine. You need new people, a new start, and someone other to think about…

The music is once again too loud, lights flashing too quickly. You wondered how many pointless nights you wasted at places like this. Instead you could enjoy a cup of tea or a late night walk, but by that time it’s already gone. It’s fascinating how much you sacrificed for someone who probably didn’t even noticed.

“Hey you alright there?”

“Just- kinda nervous,” you quickly answered with small lie, hoping William was not gonna dig deeper.

“You managed to tame Leon, girl! You have nothing to worry about, they are gonna love you.” Oh if he only knows. It’s good he doesn’t though, as you left that in Edmonton, and were not planning on coming back for it.

Then you came to table full of guys all flashing you smiles, but none can oppose brightness of Leon’s.

Fucking hockey guys…

•~•~•~•~•~•

Loud noise is echoing through your apartment and you pray to all the gods that it’s not Leon calling you in the middle of night. However faith is not merciful. So you just answer the damn phone, too tired to care.

“I’m so glad you’re awake,” he breathes, voice full of liquor. You can barely hear him over the loud music.

“Leon I haven’t heard from you since my last night in Edmonton. Seriously go fuck yourself,” you spit into phone, wanting nothing else but getting him out of your system.

“Please lis-” he sounds desperate and if you were still in Edmonton, you would already be on your way.

But you’re in Toronto. The boys invited you to their game tomorrow and you were going on a date, so there’s no point in that anymore. Leon will get it sooner or later. He cares only because you’re gone now anyways. It’s just matter of time before he perplexes the head of another girl, forgetting all about you.

And maybe that still hurts a bit.

“Bye Leon,” you whisper softly before hanging up.

•~•~•~•~•~•

“Mo! Mo! Hold on! You aren’t listening me!” you are screaming through laughter. You tripped over your own feet, but instead of landing on ice, there’s something firm and warm.

“So you can’t skate?” he asked with grin pulling at his lips, trying hold in laughter.

“Never had a chance to learn,” you answered, not looking at him, too ashamed.

“Really? The guys from Edmonton never made the time? Well we gotta fix that.” You doubt they even know you can’t skate. Except they all know. You once asked Leon to teach you but he never made time.

Before you have time to regret most of your decisions, you were dragged to the other side of the ice.

And for a moment you forgot about everything.

“Hey you two! Smile for me!” Willy screams, taking a couple of photos of you.

“What are you going to do with them?” you scream back on him.

“Oh you’ll see.” He grinned at you before skating even farther from you. You stop leaning back on Morgan and start to slowly skate to Willy. You didn’t have illusions about catching him but you can at least try. Even though your version of trying was mostly about not letting your legs part too far away from each other. You really don’t wanna fall.

It was no surprise Willy give up after some time skating closer to you but never so close for you to catch him.

“If you skate from one end of ice to another without falling, I’ll tell you to who I sent it to,” he teased. You thought about his offer for bit. He didn’t gave you time limit and you were really curious. So why not? You can try.

“Okay but you gotta take me to the start,” you smiled at him and to your surprise, he dragged you across the ice and somehow managed to stop you at line behind net, without falling. Others notice something is up and skate closer to you, giving you some space.

“Ready! Steady! Go!” Willy yelled and you hustle with one of your legs moving a bit.

No stress. You don’t have to rush. Stay calm. Hustle one leg and let physics do it for you, and then the other. Oh wait! Your legs are falling apart, crap! Close ‘em! You don’t wanna fall! That’s better. Why is everyone standing and watching you. Is that a phone in Willy’s hands? Hell, now you definitely can’t fall. Stupid legs at it again. And those idiots can shoot at the same time. Crazy, they’re all crazy!

You eventually gain speed and get across the ice, just for you to discover that you don’t know how to stop and crash into the glass, landing straight on the ice.

You just laughed for solid five minutes on your back. Poor attempts of boys trying to get you back on your skates didn’t help much as they were laughing as well.

“I sent it to Leon,” Willy suddenly tells you when you were taking off the skates.

And world lost sense once again.

You’d rather not check your phone for some time…

•~•~•~•~•

Last rays of sunshine in the sky, clouds can’t even stop them. The whole city blooms from them, reflecting and twisting them but they still glow and amaze.

You were sitting at your window, warm tea in your hands, admiring the beauty of the city which slowly sinks into night. Shadows were growing and your tea was getting colder and colder. However, even with the last ray of sunshine, light didn’t disappear and people didn’t stop living their lives. They still have somewhere to go, somewhere to be.

And this time when you hear ringing, you didn’t decline.

“You always wanted me to teach you skate,” a soft voice echoes from phone. This time he’s sober.

“And you never made time. I can’t wait for forever,” you answer, also in hushed tone.

“You shouldn’t…,” he said even lower than before. Heavy silence surrounded you. Not even your breathing can break it.

“Leon? Are you there?” you ask when the silence was taking too long.

“Yeah… we- we must make it to the playoffs and then we’re gonna play in Toronto… And- and we’re gonna have a talk about all of this.”

“Or maybe I get a business trip to Edmonton… Let’s say next month. You make time and we talk.”

“W-what?”

“I’ll call you when I make it into Edmonton. Bye Leon.” Without waiting for his answer you hang up.

And maybe your breathing didn’t hitch this time.

•~•~•~•~•~•

First thing you did when you saw him was hug him. Surprising not only him, but you as well. Then you both sit, looking at each other, nobody brave enough to speak first.

“I’m stupid,” Leon finally breathes out.

“We both are,” you reply quickly not wanting him to blame it all on himself.

“If only I made up my mind sooner… We lost so much time and now… You’re in Toronto.” You link your hand with his, drawing small circles on his palm, trying to calm him.

And then it hit you.

“We are both miserable. And our friendship? Hell. We never worked. We just weren’t mean to be together… I guess. We would probably kill each other. Heh. Just imagine it.”

“Yeah… but we could at least try.”

“That chance was there two years ago. Now I’m in Toronto. It’s too late.”

“Yeah… We both are kinda busy.”

And sadness in his eyes breaks you a little bit.

“Leon look at me,” you said softly taking your other hand and lifting up his head, staring right into his soul.

“We can’t date. Not only because of our current locations but also because as I said, we would destroy each other. We both know that, we both managed to do that already. However we can make right at least our friendship. We never were good friends but that can change now. Please, please be my friend?” You look at him. Hoping that he wasn’t gonna reject you.

“We can try to make this right at least.” His voice was strong once again and smile broke on your lips, matching his.

And you laugh a lot that night.

And you wore his jersey when you watched him play.

And maybe it wasn’t perfect but for the first time, everything was alright.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/

So we don’t get the happily ever after but I really enjoy that there was like an ending at least! So let me know what you thought and give it up for our anon! English is not their first language but they managed to give us two parts! Up next: I’m going to finish this Nate Schmidt one even if it kills me!

Fun Fact: Our anon didn’t know the word hustle existed until writing this but it’s now their favorite word! XD

[bqstqnbruin]

Bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble

Ok, every single time I see Nick Robertson in a notification on my phone, I think of the anon who keeps requesting I write about him and hope that you’re excited (I have no idea if it’s the same person each time so how ever many people it is I hope you’re all happy). 

This one is a little shorter, but I wanted to get it out since it was relevant to what’s going on now (also sorry the leafs went home but you know I’m a Bruins fan y i k e s)

I hope you like this! _____________

“Kasperi Kapanen, Robertson wants the puck, and he scores! Nick Robertson with his first National Hockey League goal! And it is three, nothing, Toronto.” 

You started screaming, jumping up and down without a care in the world that you might be waking up your roommate, your neighbors, the people below you, anyone else might hear you ecstatic that your boyfriend just scored his first NHL goal. You can think of nothing else but immediately blowing up his phone with texts about how proud you are of him, recording the replay of his goal and posting in on your snap and insta stories. This was everything he had been working for his entire life, even if you hadn’t known him the entire time. Hopefully, this was the first of many goals, whether it was with Toronto or another team that wanted him. 

After the game, the texts on his phone made him smile, especially after losing in overtime, putting them on the brink of going home. One on hand, it would mean going home to see you, but on the other, there was no way he wanted to stop playing in the NHL so soon after he had started. The guys around him weren’t too happy about the loss, either.

“Perk up, bud,” Travis tells him, “It’s one loss. We still have a chance.”

“It’s not the loss,” Nick admits, staring down at his phone. His lock screen, and yours, was a picture the two of you had taken together before the season had started. Over the summer, you went out to his family’s beach house, spending the entire week enjoying the world around you. You were on his back, kissing his cheek while he’s beaming at the camera, even though you couldn’t tell because of his sunglasses. Seeing that picture normally made him happy when he couldn’t see you, but something about tonight, it just wasn’t the same.

“Is it my sister?” Nick nods, staring at the picture. What he would give to see you in person right now. “I get it. I miss my girl and my dog, too. Everyone misses someone.”

Nick looks up at Travis, immediately looking back down at this phone. The two of you looked so much alike, just looking at your brother made him crazy. “I just never imagined my first playoffs would be in a bubble like this. I never thought my first NHL games would be like this.” 

Travis nods, looking at the kid’s face. He understood what it was like to be away from family, hell he even missed you. Nick definitely had it harder than any of the other guys; he was the youngest in the playoffs, he just scored his first goal and couldn’t celebrate with the people he cared about, and he didn’t know if he was going to end his NHL debut in the next game or not. 

Nick was one of the first ones out of the locker room that night. None of the guys were in the mood to celebrate, even if he did just score his first professional goal, and all he wanted to do was go back to his room and Facetime you.

“Alright boys, we have a rookie to cheer up,” Travis says to the remaining guys in the locker room.

-----------

“Babe, I am so proud of you!” you practically screech at the sight of his face on your phone. 

You had been facetime each other nightly, trying to keep up with each other as much as possible. With him in the bubble and you on summer break, not much really happened other than you two just sitting on the phone while you watched the same thing on Netflix. Not that either of you cared; it was the closest thing to being with each other that you could have for who knows how long? 

“Thanks,” he says, halfheartedly. He was right in Toronto, in the same city as you, and yet he still felt so far away from you. He knows that if the two of you were able to be together, then you would be going out right now to celebrate. You would have been at the game, not watching it from the TV, on what was probably some sort of broadcast delay. 

“Nick, what’s wrong?” you could tell her was upset, he wasn’t the best at hiding his emotions. He just scored his first goal, he should be so happy.

“I just miss you,” he says, not looking at you. 

The pain in his voice was heartbreaking. You miss him, too, of course, but him hearing that would just make it hurt even more, wouldn’t it? “I miss you, too. Hell, I even miss Travis. But look at it this way: the longer you’re there, that means the more you’re playing, and the closer you guys are getting to that cup. Next year when you’re on the roster, you’re going to be traveling all the time. Look at this as practice for when you do that.” 

As you’re giving him your mini-lecture, Travis and some of the other guys start blowing up a group chat you didn’t know you were in with them. “Give me one sec?” He nods, going back to watching whatever episode of Supernatural you were on. The boys had a plan, and somehow you think it was going to work.

“Everything alright?” you hear him ask as your phone continues to ding with instructions from Travis and Mitch. Somehow, they were the ones in charge. 

You switch back to Nick, the stream of texts still flowing. “Yeah, everything is perfect.” 

Seeing the smile on your face, he couldn’t help but smile back. “I wish I were with you.”

“Yeah, but that would mean you weren’t doing what you love. I would rather you be playing. And scoring the first of what will be many goals.”

----------

The next night, the boys were playing again. Losing this game meant that they would be going home the next morning, their bid for the cup on hold until the next season, whenever that start date may be. Win this game, play do or die on Sunday. Lose, and go home.

Lose, and go home. That sounded so good to Nick, if he had to be honest. He loved to play, but being in the bubble for this long was way harder than he imagined it would be. He wasn’t focusing at all during the game. The only time he wasn’t thinking about you was when he was actually on the ice. 

Lost this game, and he gets to see you tomorrow. 

But win this game, and he has to wait. And that means he gets to play more hockey, bringing him closer to the cup. 

Auston ends up scoring the game winning goal in overtime, sending the series to game 5. The Leafs had a history of pushing a first round series to the very last game. They just hoped that this time they actually moved past this round instead of exiting early. 

The boys in the locker room were screaming, celebrating that they survived another day in the bubble. Travis tried everything to get Nick to celebrate with them; all of their teammates did. He knew that once he got back to his room, everything would be alright.

“Come on! Live a little! We’re here until Sunday at least. And you can still facetime my sister, you have all day Saturday to text her and call her when we aren’t practicing, and I’m pretty sure you have at least seven thousand photos of her on your phone. Plus, I can get my mom to send me some baby pictures if you really want those,” Travis tells Nick, wrapping his arm around the young player as he sulks back to his room. 

“I should be happy. I just miss Y/N.”

“Yeah, I know. I told you I know. But I think that once you get back in your room, everything will be alright.” 

The look on his face slightly worried Nick. You had been acting weird after you had paused him that first time last night, switching back and forth between his face and something else on your phone, but you wouldn’t tell him what. And you had been nearly radio silent today. What if you were cheating on him while he was in the bubble? Is that something you would do? 

He opens his door, Travis not leaving as Auston and Mitch for some reason join up with them. This was weird, right? Nick could have sworn that he had turned off the lights and the TV in his room when they left for the game, yet both were on. “Oh my god!” he yells when he sees you sitting on the bed.

You practically jump off the bed and into his arms, him hugging you like he was never going to let you go again. 

“How are you here?” he asks. He can feel himself starting to cry, but not in front of the guys. He was just so happy you were actually here.

“I kind of have a great brother,” you say once he puts you down. The three boys are beaming behind you, even though Mitch and Travis were the ones who did everything, Auston was more just in the chat just to be included. 

“We convinced some people to let her in,” Travis admits. “Now let me hug my sister, you get her all night.”

He pries you away from Nick, even though the last thing he wanted to do was let you ago. But he had to let you hug Travis. Hell, he wanted to hug Travis. They somehow managed to get you into the hotel just so you could spend a night with him. 

“Ok, now. Get out,” you say to Travis, wriggling free from Travis and walking back over to Nick. He wraps his arms around you, planting a kiss on your forehead as he forgets that the other guys are even there. “I want to spend the night with my boyfriend, not my brother.” 

“I can’t believe you’re here,” he says once his three teammates leave. He owed them big time, but that was a problem for a later date.

“Well, I missed you, and they said they could get me into the hotel, following other rules which I didn’t question, but hey, we’re going to go with it,” you say.

He pulls you in for a kiss, never wanting it to end. If only you could stay in the bubble with him forever. 

[puclpodcast]

PDL: Picks , Plans, and Personality

PDL: Picks , Plans, and Personality 

Welcome Sports Fans… wait what is it… Puclonians. Alright! Welcome Puclonians to another PDL article. The PDL Commissioners have analyzed all the applications and have decided to go with these coaches:

Norwalk Nosepass- Hydra 

DC Crobat- Bigby

Pittsburgh Piplups- Zcron

Detroit Pyroars- Dr.Shamu

New Jersey Jolteons- DizzyD

Salt Lake Combees- Lynian

Columbus Gallade- Geo

Jacksonville Jangmo-o- Aggie

London Landos- Ozzy

South Hampshire Scyther- H3nz

Hershey Herdiers- Uncle Oshawott

Vancouver Vigoroths- xVforVIKINGx

Brisbane Heatrans- Sparky!

Miami Delphox- FackLuigi

Baltimore Oricorio- R.Sigma

Hartford Wailmers- Clod9

Bedford Necrozma- Dennis

Minnesota Nidokings- Snag

Miami Lanturns- Seth Vilo

Blackfoot Scrafty- RottedMushroom

Italian Azurills- Whimsicott

New York Yanmegas- Lampc

Belper Beedrills- BritishGent

Toronto Tyrantrum- SavageFire765

Let’s give a round of applause for this season’s coaches as they will spend the next 15 weeks (then playoffs) battling it out to determine who is the PDL Season 2 Champion!

I’ve announced the coaches in their pick order for the draft. Quick recap: The PDL drafts in a snake style format where pick will go 1-24 for Round 1, then 24-1 for Round 2, with this alternating every round for 10 rounds. I know a lot of the coaches have already started strategizing what they would like to draft and how they think things will play out. Now that the pick order has been released, most of the planing gets scrapped and you can revise your strategy from what is most likely to be available. For example if you are pick 24 in the draft, it is very unlikely that Tapu Koko will still be up for grabs, so you should probably not plan your draft around not getting Tapu Koko. However, if you are in one of the first spots, you only need to have a couple of Round 1 picks planned and there are quite a bit of very powerful R1 picks, so choose wisely!

How to create a good backup plan

It is almost inevitable that in a 24-person draft league that you will be sniped when trying to pick a Pokemon. It happens to everyone, and the better prepared you are for those snipes, the better your draft will turn out. This starts  with a good plan. Let’s say you want to complete that famous Fire-Water-Grass core, and you already have a Fire- and Water-type, and there is a good 30ish picks before your chance to take a good Grass-type. Depending on the draft and how many people have their own Grass-type, they might start all start getting grabbed. There is a trend in draft leagues once one person starts branching out into a popular type or role, everyone follows suit to try and get the next best option for their team. To avoid panicking and making a bad choice, it is always a good idea to list down all the viable Pokemon of the given type you are trying to get by their tiers. This way in the draft you can see which ones get taken and what still remains for you.

So you want that Grass-type and let’s say Shaymin was your top option and that gets taken, but  you still have the option of Roserade in the same tier. However, right after Shaymin someone else snags up Roserade. The top 2 on your list are gone, however you can still get Decidueye, which you have placed at your third spot. The person right before you takes Decidueye… what are you going to do? Luckily, pokemon has given us a plentiful amount of grass types over the years so there are many options still available like; Dhelmise, Whimsicott, Tsareena and if you decide to branch into T2/T4 there are more options like Breloom, and Rotom-M. The more you prepare what other mons you can take to fill the roles you want the better your draft will go. You will be able to make your pick, both with something that fills the roles and without the sense of panic that draft day can be infamous for.

Interview with Commissioner Ozzy

Clod9: Welcome Ozzy and thank you for taking the time to answer some questions about the PDL. To start, You have been around since the beta draft, and over the course of Beta to Season 2 of PDL there have been a lot of changes between Mons getting put in different tiers, new mons being added and different rules. What would you say has been the biggest change to PDL since beta?

Ozzy: Starting with the big question!  I was there at the start only as a coach initially, I wanted to get better at battling and saw that as an excellent opportunity, which it was. The beta then evolved into the PDL we know now. The most obvious and biggest change in my opinion is the number of coaches. In the beta there was only 8. We then triple that for season 1. This became interesting to manage in season 1 but for the most part we had excellent coaches that were keen to compete every week.

C9: I know there has been a lot of comments on the tiers, for those that think something is mistiered, what would you say is the best way for them to get their voice heard? (You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to)

OZ:The tiers have changed. To start with we used an existing template originally for the Beta and Season 1. We have tried to make things fair for both the experienced coaches and new coaches, finding that balance is hard. I am still relatively new to draft format and even battling so I do rely on the other commissioners to make the really hard tier decisions. After Season 1 we published a survey for coaches to voice their opinions to improve the season and I took the time to read them all. Some changes will reflect their opinions. But at some point we have to accept we can’t make everyone happy, but we try. Unfortunately by the time this article comes out I can see it will be too late to make any changes. But maybe we may take in any additions, there is no harm in asking. PM me to get that pokeball rolling.

C9:Much isnt know about the Beta league; how did you do/ what kind of team did you draft?

OZ: First rule of Beta League, you don’t talk about Beta League……….

Well fortunately I still hold the Beta Hub that I can refer to for this question.  I do remember that we actually did the draft over like 1 week, for 8 guys! It felt like it would take forever. I would be submitting my choices whilst walking the dog sometimes!

So I was relatively inexperienced to battling at the Beta, actually ‘relatively’ is a complement. So the type of team was a collection of mons the did not necessary have any synergy and if they did, I didn’t know it.

M-Gyarados

Garchomp

Mamoswine

Tangrowth

Dusknoir

Raichu

Victini

Crobat

Togetic

Registeel

The beauty of having only 8 coaches is the amount of mons available to you. And now looking at the team it wasn’t to bad a team. I ended up 6th with 4 wins and 4 losses with a 0 differential so I couldn’t complain about that performance either

C9: How did that team vary between beta and last season?

OZ: So season 1 team consisted of:

Garchomp

Slowbro

M-Mawile

Uxie

Breloom

Torkoal

Electivire

Chatot

Scolipede

Regirock

Garchomp was a favorite of mine in the Beta so wanted that straight away and I like the bulk of the Regi’s. Rest of the team was different and I tried to create a balanced team. I was happy with this bunch of mons though they did me well, even Chatot got some kills.

C9: You drafted Registeel and Regirock the last two seasons, can we expect a Regice this season?

OZ: Quiet possibly……

C9: It seems like you have learned a lot and improved drastically since Beta to Season 2, how do you think you will fair going up against some new coaches and some returning veterans?

OZ: Well I suppose I have, but when you have 0 experience the only way is up!  I am a big believer in learning from your mistake and I made a lot of them! But more importantly, members of the community were a great in help, providing me with advice and tips before during and after battles. I don’t accept to be winning the crown in season 2 but I am aiming for playoffs this season! The biggest thing for me though is to enjoy myself.  Even if it ends in a loss, as long as I had fun that’s what counts. Cheesy but true!

C9: I know last season that you just missed playoffs by tiebreakers. Does that sting or is it just more motivation to go for it next season?

OZ: No it didn’t sting. I started off the season poorley and to get to a possible playoff spot was a real surprise. I couldn’t have asked for a better finish.

C9: What was your favorite mon on your team?

OZ: Well I want to say Garchomp but thats an obvious answer and slightly boring. M-Mawile interested me during the summer league.  A certain gym leader had one and I would always find myself having a hard time with it. So I wanted her for the PDL. Mandy was a good lass, with me at the helm she managed 8 kills.  Looking through the data though Garchomp got 10. So Georgina wins it.

C9: Would you share one of your craziest sets that you ran in PDL and if it worked?

OZ: Not running EQ on Electivire! I’m still learning sets and going crazy seemed a bit too ambitious last season. Maybe this season I will feel more confident.  One of my proudest prepared mons was a Taunt, Nasty Plot, Heat Wave chatot. I won’t bore you with the battle but it was one of the battles commentated on the YouTube channel.

C9: You also do a lot of the behind the scenes work with the doc, which looks amazing by the way, did you learn to do that on your own or did you have prior training beforehand?

OZ: Why thank you. Not really, apart from usual stuff I got taught at school many years back. It has been mainly self taught with some assistance. I had looked through other examples to point me in the right direction. I enjoyed making it though.  Even the hub evolved during season1 which I have yourself to thank for. This season I have made some improvements so it runs smoother as well. Even potential new segments for PDL coaches and non PDL coaches to take part in.

C9: Ok lets learn about you as a pokemon Fan. When did you start listening to PUCL?

OZ: It will be about 1 and a half years now I reckon.

C9: What pokemon generation did you start with?

OZ: Gen 1!!!! However I didn’t play Gen 3 – 5. I only got back into it at the back end of Gen 6.

C9: What is your favorite region?

OZ: Kanto, probably for nostalgic reasons.

C9: Who is your favorite pokemon?

OZ: Arcanine. I love dogs and that was the first dog pokemon I came across.  Well growlithe was but Arcanine is bigger!

C9: If you had to pick: Attack or Special Attack?

OZ: Attack,  There is that saying, the best form of defense is attack.

C9: What is your battle style:  Stall/Hyper Offense/Bulky Offense/Balance?

OZ: I have a new style its called hyper confused. Both me and the opponent can’t figure it it!

C9: Do you prefer Speed or Trick Room?

OZ: Speed

C9: What is your favorite Weather; Hail/Sand/Rain or Sun?

OZ: Living in the UK it always rains so not that! I would like the Sun. No actually that doesn’t work either that can get uncomfortable. It’s snowing here at the moment so hail isn’t my favorite. However sand brings back bad memories, it get everywhere! So the winner is……. A nice spring day. That ability is coming in Gen 8.

C9: Electric/Misty/Grassy or Psychic Terrain?

OZ: Electric terrain so I don’t fall asleep.

C9: Favorite status to inflict: Sleep/Freeze/Paralysis/Burn or Poison?

OZ: Paralysis if that helps me be quicker I am all for it.

C9: Have you watched the Pokemon anime? If yes, what is your favorite Theme song? I’m personally a huge fan of Pokemon Johto.

OZ: I want to be the very best! Like no one ever was!

C9: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us today. I know you are rebranding your team for this season of PDL, would you like to announce that now?

OZ: Well in the Beta League we had the Darlington Dusknoirs

Season 1 was the Essex Electivres

Season 2 I have been seeked out to coach the infamous London Landos. I am very excited to see what they bring this season, the potential is there for sure!

C9: And are you ready for this season of fun and excitement?

OZ: OOOOOOOOO YES!!! Good Luck and most important Have Fun coaches!

from PDL: Picks , Plans, and Personality

[leagueofawesomedudes]

Week 5 Preview

LOAD Week 5 Preview

Fellow Germans, welcome to your LOAD Week 5 preview. We’re a quarter of the way through the season and your three time reigning champion has reclaimed his rightful spot at the top of the standings. Bow down peasants. Thinking about winning a fourth straight championship gets me harder than seeing Jared without a shirt on. Dom came into the league swinging and looks like a formidable challenger to take me down, but until someone else reclaims the title I’m going to keep swinging my monster hog around any chance I get. Deal with it. In other news... the Browns are still fucking awful, Chad did anal with a random on Sunday, and Tj said he’s going to quit fantasy after this year. If I remember correctly, I’m pretty sure Tj had similar complaints last year as well about the “fantasy gods” being against him. Sounds to me like a guy that can’t take the heat when the going gets tough. Everyone deals with injuries, so let’s all cue up our tiny violins and shed a few tears for Tony. The Squad is going to be splitting up this weekend with half of us heading back to Homecoming and the other non-fun half staying back in Cleveland to watch the Browns lose to the fucking Jets in person. I really hope we win but jesus fuck last week was brutal. Meanwhile Dom is going rogue and staying in Columbus to try and fuck some female he’s in love with (dude wants to have sex with a girl, what a fag). Alright enough bullshit let’s get into the matchups.

2 Gurleys 1 Cup vs. G-reg 3rd Leg

I’ll go ahead and get my own matchup out of the way first. Bennett congrats on getting your first win two weeks ago, but those may be few and far between the rest of the season, and don’t expect win number two to be coming this week either. Bennett has a lot of confidence in his team now with his savior, Doug Martin, coming back from suspension. I hate to break it to ya pal but he’s not that fucking good. I will admit, his white power duo of Rodgers and Jordy has been paying off in a big way this year, but that’s about all he’s had going for him thus far. I expect that to continue with the Packers playing a weak Cowboys defense that just got wrecked by the Jared Goff and the Rams. I’m sure those two will connect for some major points and even Cooks is bound to go off against Tampa Bay’s league worst pass defense, but those three aren’t going to be enough. My receivers leave a lot to be desired, but my three headed monster at RB should have another huge week to pick up the slack. Bell has a great matchup against the Jags, Hyde gets the Colts who are giving up the most points per game in the league, and Gurley is going up against a Seattle defense that’s giving up 5 yards a carry this season. Last but not least, Famous Jameis is going up against the Patriots defense that has been absolutely shredded by quarterbacks so far, so expect a shootout. Bennett is going to hate seeing that big dumb nig scoring tuddies all over his starting defense. Side note, it also wouldn’t surprise me if Bennett benched Rodgers and started his man crush Mitch this week. Seriously man you should do it, that’s what a real friend would do. This one might be a little closer than I’m making it sound, but I still take the W this week.

2 Gurleys 1 Cup > G-reg 3rd Leg

Hollas Heavy Hitters vs. Ain’t EZ Bein Breesy

Due to the first round of bye weeks there are a few shitty matchups this week and this is one of them. Two early season bottom dwellers are going at it as Holla takes on Solden. If Solden put as much thought and effort into fantasy that he does trying to get laid every single night he might actually be a pretty decent manager. Just kidding Solden, but seriously though if you showed as much enthusiasm for your fantasy lineup as you did last Friday night at Dom’s when you wanted to go out at 9:45 pm and not “stay in all night and not get laid”, you could really make some noise. Holla loses Matty Ice and Freeman to the bye week. Dak is a solid backup but has a mediocre matchup against the Packers. What’s really going to hurt him is not having a respectable RB to plug in this week for Freeman. Paul Perkins and Jeremy Hill are trash options so Holla’s going to need a lot out of Shady in a good matchup against the Bengals to make up for it. On the other side, Solden loses his Brees, Pryor, and Ingram so he’s getting hit harder by this bye week than Janay Rice in an elevator. On the plus side, his receivers all have some pretty decent matchups and Gronk is going up against the worst pass defense in the league. It may come down to whether or not Alex Smith has another big game which would also hurt Holla’s defense on the other side. Also important to remember, Holla is going to be bouncing around in Athens this weekend so there’s a good chance he blacks out and forgets to set his lineup while he’s balls deep in some freshman. This one could really go either way (kind of like all of us on the weekends) but I’m going to give the edge to Holla with the bye week being too much to overcome for Solden’s team.

Hollas Heavy Hitters > Aint EZ Bein’ Breesy

Jon SnOBJs vs. The Brady Bunch

Our own El Presidente finds himself in last place after a two game losing skid, and it hasn’t been pretty. After swindling AB away from Solden to pair with OBJ, it looked like Chad was going to be the team to beat going forward. Needless to say that hasn’t been the case. Chad might be killing one too many brain cells with his excessive Titos intake, because he’s had some trouble getting his lineups right and benching the wrong guys. That being said, Chad is too good of a manager and I think he starts to turn things around this week. *Insert standard “boring Doug joke” here*. QB advantage goes to Doug, Brady is going up against the worst pass defense in the league...no further explanation needed. That particular matchup could get uglier than the blood bath Chad left behind in the room at the Double Tree last year. I’m going to give the WR advantage to Chad. All three of his receivers have plus matchups, especially Randall Cobb against Dallas. Devante Adams is more than likely out this week (fuck me right) so Cobb is going to see more targets against a bad secondary. If AB and OBJ both go off like they should, that’ll give Chad a big cushion. On the other end, Doug gets the advantage at RB with Kareem and Bennett’s favorite color of RB, Christian McCaffrey. I like Chad’s TE matchup with Brate going up against the Pat’s awful pass defense, whereas old man Jason Witten has to go against a Packers D that has shut down opposing TE’s, advantage Chad. This one comes down to the flex position and Bilal Powell coming off a big week going up against our perennial playoff contending Browns makes it an easy choice, Doug wins a close one.

The Brady Bunch > Jon SnOBJs

Crows before Hoes vs. Little Diggs

Pot Stirrin’ Paul faces off against LOAD rookie Dom this week. Paul’s pot stirring tendencies continue to go unchecked as he continuously tries to tear our friendships apart and no one says anything. Ever since he became official with Bean his pot stirring antics have been nonstop, it’s almost as if he doesn’t need us anymore and could care less about the consequences. It’s funny how these two are matching up this week because Dom also knows a thing or two about stirring the pot among a friend group, right Solden? Let’s pull a quick tequila shot and take a look at this matchup. Dom is putting a lot of faith into Mariota playing this week, otherwise he’s going to be scrambling on the free agent market for a QB last minute. It’ll be interesting to see what Dom’s RBs can produce with both Montgomery and Gordon banged up. At full strength Dom’s lineup has the advantage across the board but it looks like this one will be close with the injuries in play. Mike Evans and Larry Fitz have perfect matchups for Paul this week. Paul’s hoping that Watson can continue his hot streak but that may come to an end against the undefeated Chiefs. Paul can make things interesting if Ajayi finally produces this week but Dom has a huge advantage with Kelce and Diggs in the TE and flex spots. This one will be close, but in a phrase he’s all too familiar with, Paul is going to come up a little short.

Little Diggs > Crows before Hoes

*MATCHUP OF THE WEEK*

The Injured Reserve vs. Julio Tones

On paper, this matchup looks to be the most competitive going into the week, earning Matchup of the Week status. More importantly, the two roomies square off in matchup with both hoping to go to 4-1 and remain atop the standings. Earlier in the article I mentioned how Tj has had some injuries to deal with, and to his credit he had a brutal week. Losing Carr for a few weeks and Dalvin for the year would piss anyone off, but I doubt any of us would be pussy enough to want to quit after that. Just kidding Tj, we all know you just want to “enjoy the games” and not have to worry about fantasy. But I think I speak for all of us when I say none of us feel bad for you. You got lucky with the Zeke situation and it was your decision to draft a quarterback that was going to be questionable for the entire season. Moving on, I almost forgot to even mention Cholly. That’s probably because he doesn’t come around very often I sometimes forget he’s even our friend. I’ve seen more of Bennett in the past month and he lives four hours away. But looking at the matchup this is going to be a good one. Tj did a good job plugging in guys in place of Carr, Julio, and Dalvin and has a sneaky nice lineup this week. Casey’s biggest advantage is his receivers, and this one is going to come down to Tj’s running backs. Zeke should have a huge game against the Packers, but unless Blount and White can find the endzone once or twice, it may not be enough. Cholly should get consistent production across the board. With Ertz going up against a stingy Cardinals defense and the lack of production from T.Y. without Luck, I don’t see enough big scores to overcome Cholly’s squad.

The Injured Reserve > Julio Tones

Alright fellas that’s all for this week. Hopefully none of you are too offended and I’m sure none of my picks will be correct but as long as I get the win this week I don’t give a shit. Solden, Tj, Paul, Chad have fun soaking with each other this weekend and bring a few W’s home for the Tribe and Brownies. Dom, good luck with your dream girl, hopefully she lets you eat her ass. I’ll do my best to make sure Holla doesn’t end up in the Hocking River again but I can’t make any promises. Love you all and I’m glad we’re all friends......yes even Doug.

[junker-town]

The '90s were the NBA's most memorable jersey phase, for better or worse

The 90s were a wild, glorious time for NBA jerseys

It’s NBA Jersey Week at SB Nation and there is no way we can talk about the history of basketball jerseys and skip over the ‘90s. The ‘90s are when NBA teams started get weird and traded in their traditional jersey looks for colorful, almost cartoonish, and sometimes downright ugly jerseys.

From Penny and Shaq in the pinstripes to Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp in a very forest green, I rounded up some of the best and worst of these jerseys. Then I got together when SB Nation’s finest, Zito Madu, Harry Lyles Jr, and Michael Sykes, and we gave our thoughts. Happy Jersey Week to you and yours.

Toronto Raptors: 1995-1999

Whitney: These were the jerseys the Raptors debuted when the franchise started in 1995. They literally debuted themselves to the world with a huge dinosaur on the chest, who is also dribbling a basketball, and has raptor shoes. Yet somehow, people still go nuts over these ... including myself.

Sykes: Those are the Air Dino 6’s, btw. I’m partially kidding, but I do feel like those sneakers should have a name. That’s what appeals to me most about the jersey. The color scheme is cool and it’s one of my favorite throwbacks, but the Raptor on the jersey is absolutely my favorite mascot of all-time. It’s so ridiculous yet so amazing at the same time. Honestly? It might be the best thing Canada has ever given us.

Zito: I remember these being in NBA Jam, and because everything that was in NBA Jam is inarguably great (not really, but I need a way to defend these), so are these jerseys. It doesn’t matter that it makes no sense that a Raptor is dribbling a basketball, while not evening wearing the jersey of the team but rather, wearing a white one with the letter “R” on it. With his feet claws poking out of the shoes. We don’t talk about that. Just like we don’t talk about other perplexing things like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Street Sharks. The jerseys are great because they were in NBA Jam and because Vince Carter could still dunk without having to ice for hours afterwards.

Harry: These jerseys bring back some of my earliest NBA memories, so whether or not they’re objectively good or bad, I like them. I always thought the color scheme the Raptors had was dope, but this really does work to me. One thing we don’t talk about often enough: the Raptor is palming the ball. But we’ll pretend like that’s not happening here.

Whitney: Dinosaurs play by a little different rules than everyone else.

Milwaukee Bucks: 1995-1999

Whitney: These were the Bucks’ road jerseys for four seasons. The team also missed the playoffs in three of those seasons. It may have been the the era of Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson but they aren’t exactly the glory days. I don’t hate these. I would probably support a Giannis-led Bucks team in them.

Harry: These are one of those things in life that’s kind of awkward and bad, which makes it somehow good? If the Bucks were to pull these out a couple of times a year, I wouldn’t mind it.

Zito: That Buck on the jersey looks like it should have appeared in Shadow’s vision in American Gods. Looks like an old god that visits you in times of distress to remind you that there are great things to come in your future. I believe that the Buck foretold of the coming of Giannis Antetokounmpo, so I will allow it.

Sykes: The only thing appealing about this jersey is the fact that it’s old. First of all, the deer just feels out of place here — it looks like the Bucks just found a stock photo of a deer and photoshopped it to the side of the jersey. Second, purple and green? Nah, fam. That’s hella 90’s, and fashion in the 90’s is way overrated. I’m a snob, yes. But that’s just ugly. Get it out of my sight.

Whitney: Sykes, ya know, I think that buck is actually stock 90s clipart now that you mention it.

Vancouver Grizzlies: 1995-2000

Whitney: These are so wild that they’re probably my favorite. Another jersey that was debuted with an expansion team, the Vancouver Grizzlies. I mean, the shorts had a huge grizzly bear on them. Of all the 90’s jerseys for sale today, think this is the one I would buy. The Vancouver Grizzlies were never that good on the court but these jerseys were.

Harry: I’m with Whitney on these. All of the small design aspects on these are awesome. The Grizzly claw holding the basketball on the top of the shorts is one of my favorite alternate NBA logos, and I’m glad the current Grizzlies team still utilizes that. But if we’re talking overall color scheme and design, give me these.

Zito: These look like something you find in a fake African clothing store in the gentrified neighborhoods of Brooklyn, but I like it.

Sykes: Zito, for the win. There’s nothing more I can follow up here with. These are dope.

Orlando Magic: 1989-1998

Whitney: In an era of expansion teams, it also gave us these Orlando Magic uniforms. They continued wearing them all the way until 1998 after debuting in 1989. They had three pinstripe jerseys total — white, black, and blue. It was so simple yet so good. I had a blue Penny jersey and a pair of his shoes during this time, so I’m biased about how great these are. This picture is perfect too with the NBA on NBC logo in the background. I’ll stop gushing now.

Zito: When I think of the Orlando Magic, which I try not to do often, I see them in these jerseys. They’re so simple and wonderful. I loved the star at the end of the shorts. I can’t really make any jokes about these, they’re nice.

Harry: These are also a favorite of mine. If I had the powers to make it happen, I’d make it so the Magic had to wear these today. The pinstripes, the number, the black, white, and blue just meshes together perfectly. I was also a fan of Penny Hardaway growing up so I’m a little biased, but there’s no denying these were perfect back then, and would work just as well now.

Sykes: Alright, I’ll be that guy. These jerseys stink. Way too many stripes for my taste. I do enjoy the color scheme of black, white and blue, but I just could’ve gone without the white stripes throughout the uniform. It ruins what is otherwise a brilliant design. Simple is good, and these stripes are just extra. Still, shoutout to Penny for the foamposites though — a D.C. fashion staple. So what if we’re wack?

Detroit Pistons: 1995-2001

Whitney: The teal era has it has been referred to. It brings back a lot of Grant Hill memories but that may be the only good thing about them. They definitely fit the cartoon theme running through the league at that time but they took it too far.

Harry: These remind me of how great Grant Hill could have been without injuries. Otherwise, yeah, don’t really dig these.

Zito: Grant Hill deserved better.

Whitney: We finally agree on something.

Sykes: Y’all tripping. These are clean. First off, the fact that Grant Hill wore these is always a plus to me. Plus, the Pistons are using an actual demon horse for this, which is totally badass. Automatic points for me. I love the teal here, and it doesn’t really match with the flame orange and black, but it reminds me of an old school Camaro color or something.

Phoenix Suns: 1992-2000

Whitney: The sunburst jerseys. Another jersey that fans wish was the current look. The Suns wore the Dan Majerle, Kevin Johnson, Charles Barkley. Jason Kidd even wore this jersey. The purple is good but I’m a bigger fan of the black alternate. They scream 90s NBA nostalgia to me.

Zito: I know there’s a lot of nostalgia around these jerseys, but no. These aren’t good. Is the basketball a comet? Can’t be, it has to be a sun. Then why are there tails of a comet? I can’t ignore this in the same way that I can ignore a Raptor dribbling a basketball. A man must have his limits.

Whitney: They’re not that bad, Zito.

Harry: The nostalgia certainly is real when I see these jerseys. They might not make sense like Zito mentions but damn it, they remind me of my early NBA fandom and watching Charles Barkley play basketball.

Sykes: I am a man with no limits. These are fire. No one will tell me otherwise.

Seattle Supersonics: 1995-2002

Whitney: The Sonics went darker with their color scheme and by dark I mean an intense forest green. They also added their own cartoon flair with the big Sonics font across the front. It proved to work for nostalgia and hipsters, I guess, as these Sonics went to the 1996 NBA Finals. But these are bad.

Zito: Seattle had a basketball team?

Whitney: That’s a little rude.

Harry: I try to pretend like these never happened but they did. Every franchise typically has one or two bad uniforms in their past so I won’t drag these as much as I might want to. Those teams did leave lasting memories, though.

Sykes: The nostalgia play is definitely a big factor with these, but I’m definitely good with passing on them. That being said, I’d still gladly wear an OG Gary Payton ‘96 Sonics jersey with pride. Shoutout to The Glove.

Charlotte Hornets Pinstripes: 1988-2001

Whitney: When the Hornets joined the NBA in 1988, they came out with these, wearing them all the way into 2001. A true jersey that spanned the entire 90s era. For me, this color scheme screams 90s. It also helps this was the Muggsy Bogues, Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson era which is historic on its own.

Zito: It’s like they looked at what Orlando did and thought, “yes, the pinstripes are cool, how do we ruin it? Ah yes, make it look like mold.”

Harry: When I think of NBA basketball in the 90s this is one of the first jerseys that comes to mind, along with those Hornet teams. I’ve always been a fan of these, and while the stripes aren’t as clean or traditional, it fit. In fact, I’m kinda feenin’ to get a Larry Johnson throwback now.

Sykes: I’m good on these. They look like something they’d pass out for a rec league scrimmage. I really hate the different colors of the pinstripes, too. It’s really like they combined the Magic jerseys with the Bucks jerseys and decided it was a great idea.

Indiana Pacers 1990-1997

Whitney: The Flo Jos! These jerseys weren’t exactly popular when they came out. Many didn’t understand why the Pacers had Florence Griffith Joyner design them. But today, they’re definitely one of the most popular throwbacks out there. The Pacers should just switch to these full time.

Zito: It might just be a sign of our tendency to look at things from the past through rose-tinted glasses that people want these back. Because people shouldn’t want these back.

Harry: I think these are another great example of jerseys that are fine to break out once or twice a year. Let’s leave it at that.

Sykes: Big facts.

Whitney: Didn’t expect y’all to trash the FloJos like that. Questioning why I even asked you three to join me in this now.

[theworstbob]

yellin’ at songs, week 26

capsule reviews of the songs which debuted on the 7 July 2017 and 8 July 2017 editions of the billboard hot 100

7.7.2007

61) "Lost," Faith Hill

"With everything I have doesn't mean a thing if it's without you." I. Don't know what that means? I could stare at some of these lyrics and not really understand what's happening other than I'm supposed to believe in love and all its power, which is probably the most we can expect out of a late-career Faith Hill song. It's not great, but, y'know, just as I feel weird about trying to assess Fifth Harmony songs, I feel like Faith Hill songs are reaching for that Aunt With Too Many Inspirational Quote Pillows demographic, and I have to respect the choice she had made to service this demographic. This was someone's third wedding song, and I think that's beautiful. (Also, credit where credit's due, Kara DioGuardi co-wrote a song I tolerated.)

65) "Never Wanted Nothing More," Kenny Chesney

This is a weird one. Because it's Kenny Chesney, but it's also Chris Stapleton, but it's also Chris Stapleton writing a Kenny Chesney song. It's complicated. Like, you look at Kanye West's early discography, you see names you know, Jermaine Dupri, Goodie Mob, Lil' Kim, Nas, Alicia Keys, you see respectable names, you can see how the songs Kanye produced would fit into the greater Kanye catalogue. There's a difference, of course, between production and writing, but early Kanye doesn't feel like producer-for-hire. This song is written so outside the voice I've come to associate with Chris Stapleton that I can't imagine him ever writing it. Like, this song fits in with the Chris Stapleton origin story because it shows Chris Stapleton has been doing this thing for a long time and was good at it, but that's the only way it fits. This is just a Kenny Chesney song that Chris Stapleton happened to write, whereas "Izzo" is a Jay-Z song with a Kanye beat. Country music's weird as hell, man. I ain't gonna get it.

69) "Dance Tonight," Paul McCartney

it's gotta be pretty nuts to know that your status as one of the greatest songwriters of all time is so secure that there is absolutely nothing you could do to remove yourself from that pedestal. Like, the only reason I can find for a song like this (read: a bad one) being made from a dude at this level is, he was bored and wanted to see if people would call it an extraordinary songwriting feat if he just dropped a track like "it's nice when people have fun!"

74) "Let It Go," Keyshia Cole ft./Missy Elliott & Lil Kim

Pretty good! A little subdued for my taste, a little too restrained for a song about letting go, but I think we've talked about how I'm not naturally drawn to R&B simply because the genre is so subdued and restrained, so it's probably my own fault I'm not as into this song as I feel I should be. Like, I like all the names involved, I thnk Keyshia Cole was a pretty decent singer, I like the ingredients of the song, but someone put them together with a different palette than mine in mind. Ugh, and that's just the worst, how the world doesn't make enough things for white males to enjoy. This song, though, I think it's a'ight! I have no complaints about it specifically!

91) "How Do I Breathe," Mario

...i swear i've heard this exact same r&b song at least twice, though. like, "let it go" had missy on the track, it was cool. this is another song about a man who is sad his girlfriend left him and wishes she would come back. mario's a more engaging vocalist than the joes and tanks of 2007, like i'd like to hear him sing a better song, but... man, this week is just songs i didn't need to hear, and not in the sense that pop music is bad and i shouldn't try to listen to this much of it, more that 2007 just kinda said, "hey, here's some shit you've already heard from us, have fun." i feel i don't need to have an opinion on this song because i've already had an opinion on some stargate joint or another, y'know?

97) "Doomsday Clock," Smashing Pumpkins

hey speaking of unnecessary, another smashing pumpkins song! and not even one i need to begrudgingly admit is good, this one is the thing i expected smashing pumpkins to sound like, billy corgan nasally whining about some bullshit or another while the guitar plods along dutifully. nothing here is innovative, nothing here takes smashing pumpkins and frames it in a new light for me, this is just a song that exists. these songs all exist.

Well, obviously, since we’re hitting the halfway point, we’re gonna be doing something special! ...Or I would forget how to count and not realize this was the halfway point. Anyway, no Top 20s because nothing changed. 2017!

8 July 2017

4) "Wild Thoughts," by DJ Khaled ft./Rihanna & Bryson Tiller

I don't believe anything Bryson Tiller says on this song. My understanding of Bryson Tiller was that he was a simpering sad boy who sang about his feelings, so when he comes on a track where he a) has to present himself as an equal to Rihanna and b) has to make the argument that he is a worthy sexual partner for Rihanna, it's hard to take him seriously, because all he's done before suggests he's not this person. Like, someone thought of Bryson Tiller was the answer to the question "Who could make Rihanna think wild thoughts?" and that's just amazing to me. Literally anyone else would have been better. Are we not ready to lean so fully into the Latin trend that we'll give Luis Fonsi a starring role in a DJ Khaled song? Are we just this over Miguel? Hell, we know from "Run Up" that PARTYNEXTDOOR's capable of being occasionally interesting, why not him! This song could've been something, but man, that Bryson Tiller feature sinks it.

51) "Feels," by Calvin Harris ft./Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean

I appreciate the work Calvin Harris puts in to making pop music funky again, I think he's aware there's a direct line in music history from him to The Chainsmokers and he's doing his best to distance himself from that, but there's a limit to how much I can enjoy a song with the line "I know you're not afraid to catch feels with me." Like, this is another good song, Calvin Harris has been doing work this spring/early summer, it's just, one of them has to be the worst, and it's this one with its tumblr-ass hook. I wish I had a more legit reason to not be into this song. Nope. It's just that one word. I don't even necessarily mind that word, it's just, an entire song built around that word isn't a party I wanna attend.

61) "First Day Out," by Kodak Black

Nope!

83) "Relationship," by Young Thug ft./Future

Comparing Young Thug to the other dudes in his genre is like comparing a wasp to a group of bumblebees. They're sort of the same thing, but Young Thug is so much different and fearsome. ...This isn't his best song? This is the song you'd expect to chart off the album given the pedigree, but also, it isn't, because there's so many other, better songs on the album? But we should be evaluating this song for what it is, not what it isn't. "I put my dick inside her mouth before she act." Neat! Of all the many things Young Thug is, he is not perfect.

89) "Feel it Still," by Portugal. The Man

I AM IN FAVOR OF ALL THE BRASS 2017 HAS GIVEN ME THIS YEAR. The only instance of a brass instrument I remember from 2007 is the "Get Buck" beat, and I am so thrilled with the occasional blasts on this song. It's a fun song by a band I know I've heard about at some point but didn't expect to see here. I thought Portugal. The Man was ponderous indie nonsense, but yo, if they got one of these in them, I'm down to see what else they got. It's weird when it turns out bands everyone says is good make good songs. Like, what happened to bands like the Arcade Fire, who just whined monotonously over jingle-jangling?

100) "Real Hitta," by Piles ft./Kodak Black

...Are you. Guys. Are you serious? Piles? PIIIIIIILES? Of all the fucking. So many rappers hit in 2007, and the one y'all dredged up to make the Deacde Dance Club, literally the week I introduce that as a thing, is maybe the worst one, the one whose name I didn't even bother to spell right, I thought he was so yesterday. I'm not gonna listen to it for what I hope are obvious reasons, but that doesn't mean we can't jump into the AZ Lyrics page. "All that ass she got back there startin' to look like a Pamper" This is the least sexy way to describe a butt since "My Humps." "Sex game undefeated, think I'm 100-0" ...Has Piles only fucked 100 times? I mean. Hey, nothin' wrong with that, I'm not here to prude shame anyone or promote promiscuity or whatever, but even in the last 10 years, 3,650 days, Piles has only fucked once every five weeks or so? Or is he just on a winning streak, like, that's how many times in a row he's ejaculated? (I'm assuming he's not bragging that, every time he has sex, he makes the woman cum. I don't think Piles has ever had a woman's pleasure in mind when setting about his business.) This is a bizarre boast. "Biggest thing he ever did for you was take you to Chili's." ...Okay. Okay, that's pretty good. "That lil pussy was so sorry, I call it minimum wage." You know what fuck it I'll take gross political commentary. Piles had two lines I enjoyed out of the context of the song! There may be hope for all of us y -- oh right Kodak Black "I'ma come through, and I'ma fuck ya like the police lookin' for me" Well, that's about as tone deaf as I expected, alright, well, there's hope for some of us.

Decade Dance Party

...Um. 31) Piles We said that it’s hard to have two hits ten years apart. What this list presupposes is... What if it isn’t?

Who Won the Week?

A few weeks ago, there was like a three-year stretch where the Houston Texans and the Cincinatti Bengals would play each other in the football playoffs. They were boring games and bad to watch, and while the Bengals and Texans were good enough to have made the playoffs, it kinda sucked that one of the two got to go to the next round while a different, more fun team to watch gets eliminated, or was left out of the playoffs entirely. “Feel It Still” is a fine song and is definitely better than “Let it Go,” but like. “Feel it Still” shouldn’t be the champion for the week. I dunno, kinda meh for both weeks, 2017 takes it because I don’t think “Feel it Still” should get demerits for all the Kodak Black I didn’t listen to. So.

2017: 14 2007: 12

Next week, 2007 is giving us what is indisputably greater than all The Beatles songs put together. (I linked to that specific post because gosh that dude adding his two cents at the end is the reason op exists.) But will it be better than the alt-country song and the indie-rock song I for some reason ranked over “Umbrella?” ONLY TIME WILL TELL.

[karlkapri]

― from War is Kind ["Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind”], Stephen Crane

Hockey Poetry Post 53/?

(Photo credit: Tony Gutierrez, link, link, Smiley N. Pool, link, Steph Chambers, Jennifer Buchanan, Ashley Potts, Steph Chambers, Steph Chambers, Ashley Potts, Dean Rutz, Stephen Brashear, Matthew J. Lee, link, Bob DeChiara, Maddie Meyer, link, Sam Navarr, Wilfredo Lee, Sam Navarro, John Locher, Patrick Smith, Ellen Schmidt, link, John Locher, link)