#cale needs a hug

[mytragedyperson]

Thoughts I had while reading TCF chapter 12

Deputy butler hans was one of the first people to be victimised by Cale, idc. My man is just living in confusion at this point, and every time he tries to clarify, he gets nothing exept maybe more confusion.

Cale may not seem like trash anymore but he does seem 10x more insane and unhinged than before I’d say. Love that for him.

Hans is a really good judge of character actually. He’s the first to realise Cale is/could be dangerous. Good for him.

Love that Hans seeming ruder is actually just him calling Cale out for his bullshit. You go Hans. You’re like the one person who isn’t just an enabler and occasionally thinks to ask Cale what he’s actually doing. Sorry, I may have a bias for deputy butler Hans which is only made worse by the fact that, IMO, he isn’t talked about enough. Also, really he’s just more comfortable which we love to see. It’s just too bad that now he’s going to be living a life of confusion and obliviousness, but as long as he’s happy, that’s fine.

Honestly Cale being like really? This guy is the most reliable deputy butler we have? Well, I guess I’m taking him to the capital as well. Deruth is torn between being relieved that someone who reports to him is there to keep and eye on things and being upset because his favourite deputy butler is gone. This only gets worse when Cale decides to extend his trip. Also, I feel like Hans slowly starts leaving things out of his reports. Like he’s thinking “do I tell him the young master smuggled two people into the capital? Hmm. You know what, I don’t think I will.��

Ok so I saw something recently that was talking about Dragon people and how he hoards people and the trip to the capital is proof. He brings everyone he has some sort of bond or relationship with, and along the way collects a few more. He may not be a full dragon but I feel like he’s an honorary dragon at this point. Like there’s been an adoption process, but there’s a slight disagreement over who adopted who. Cale likes to think that, because it’s his group, he adopted the dragons as family members, and most of the dragons are happy to let him think that, because they find it cute, but really, let’s face it, they’ve adopted Cale. Yes, even Raon. Eventually, they settle on, we adopted each other. But my point was part of the reason Cale attracts Dragons, is because he’s already so similar to them, and he doesn’t try to control them, that I’ve seen. If they want to join him for a plan, or something, he’ll make it work, but he’s never forced Raon or Eruhaben to do anything from what I can remember. I might be wrong though. And because of this he’s an honorary Dragon and his hoard is people, and Ancient Powers, etc. honestly he just likes hoarding things in general, wealth, resources, information, people, secrets – his and other people’s.

But Cale is so precious. He says he wants Ron away from him, but if he doesn’t see him in a while, he always remembers to ask about him. Do you think he realises Ron is already part of his small hoard? Like, he clearly doesn’t but that just makes it cuter.

I love that we can figure out the relationship between Ron, Choi Han and Beacrox just form the couple scenes they’re in. like, we don’t see every interaction they have, but from the interactions we do see, we can, not only tell that things aren’t quite as smooth sailing as Cale hopes, but also infer what their other interactions that we don’t see are like. and then it cuts to Cale lik I’m so glad they’re getting along as expected. In some ways it reminds me of the this is fine meme. You know, the one where the house is on fire and they’re just like this is fine. Only Cale actually does think this is fine, and actually is oblivious to the house burning down.

And he’s so happy that his people are getting along, but sure, it’s because “this is just like the novel”. Sure, hun, we’ll let you believe that. As long as you’re happy, we’re happy. And so is Hans

And once again Hans is confused. Every time he tells Cale something he thinks is a good thing, it’s somehow not. Someone give this man a raise, he deserves it.

Look at Hans, so happy to be complimented, completely unaware that he’s just sealed his fate by confirming he knows 3 basic martial arts. Somehow, I feel like he won’t be that put out about it, not as much as he would’ve been on day one

Also the fact that Hans has just casually been holding the kittens this entire conversation. That sounds adorable. I love that. Also, am I just forgetting or have we not gotten a description of Hans’ appearance. I only ask because I want to be able to visualise him in scenes better.

Ok so I looked it up and oh my god, he looks so cute.

Honestly, The Fragrance of Tea with Poetry sounds so relaxing.

Also, Billos is part of the hoard, but you didn’t hear that from me because he doesn’t realise it yet and Cale is in denial.

Honestly I love Billos’s approach. It’s not I’m going to make them acknowledge me because I’m their son, it’s I’m going to make them acknowledge me as their son because I’m more important/better than them. You go Billos, I’m rooting for you.

Also I want to be clear, on my first read through, I only got to about chapter 150 -160, somewhere around there, Clopeh had only just been mentioned/introduced, but I took a break and then, when I came back, I couldn’t remember a thing that was going on, so if I say something I’ve heard about this story, that happens after that point, and it’s wrong, that’s why. My knowledge of it is coming from one reaction fic, set after all these events, starting at chapter 1. So it’s probably right, but I don’t know

Anyway, that being said, Cale not liking people who don’t fight for what theirs makes so much sense with both what I’ve heard of him as Kim Rok Soo, but also in general. He doesn’t realise it but he’s constantly fighting for what’s his, his people. I think that’s why him and Billos get along so well. They’re kinda similar in that they’re both ready and willing to fight for what’s theirs and if they can make a profit off it, even better.

God, Cale is so accepting. He doesn’t care whether you’re human or another race. Can you help him? Great. If it doesn’t get in the way of how useful a person is, he doesn’t care. And, honestly, even if it does, he doesn’t necessarily dislike them. He only dislikes things that get in the way of his slacker life, and that’s so real of him.

The real reason Cale isn’t around Billos that much is because Billos can see right through him and tell when he’s just pretending to be annoyed. That must be Cale’s worst nightmare. Wdym he can’t just pretend to be annoyed to hide how he really feels? Oh my god, Cage and Taylor do this too, can tell he’s actually a kind person. It makes so much sense. Everyone he tries to push away can see right through him, that’s why it doesn’t work, but that’s also why he tries in the first place. I was gonna say I know he wasn’t trying here but I stand by this, and I still do, because this is what Cale does, tries to push away those who see him as a good person, maybe in an attempt to protect them so they don’t get hurt. If something bad has happened to everyone he’s cared about, he wouldn’t want to care, but you can’t just stop yourself from caring, and Cale is a very caring person, so he does the next best thing, he pretends, tries to convince himself and everyone else that he doesn’t care and he’s just using people, and he’s managed to convince himself, but everyone else sees him for the caring person he really is. Maybe he’s not even lying when he calls himself selfish, maybe in his head caring about others and letting them stay around him is selfish because it could lead to something bad happening to them.

I’m sorry, even Billos, who, as far as we know, had no conversations with OG Cale and if he did they were limited, has noticed that Cale has changed. The saddest part of this story is realising the reason Cale typically doesn’t do much to act like trash is because he already thinks he is trash, so considers everything he does trashy or selfish or some otherwise negative. Someone give Cale hug.

Cale: possibly accidentally convincing Billos he’s tired of being trash

Ron, overhearing: what a precious puppy young master, so cute.

Cale’s thoughts: I’m still going to do whatever I want. I’m still trash

No one knows what Cale is thinking, including Cale.

Imagine living in a world where you can ask someone if they’ve always been a tarshy young master, and it’s not even an insult. Imagine being so earnest, so genuine, that you can ask someone this as a genuine, honest question, with no insult or judgement intended.

Love how everyone can just kinda tell he prefers honesty and genuine questions and getting straight to the point and just being generally blunt instead of tiptoeing around the subject and being polite just because he’s a noble. For someone who keeps his cards close to his chest, he’s somehow also an open book to anyone who talks to him for more than five seconds, unless he doesn’t like them. Also love how even little details like this make sense and are fairly consistent. Later on we learn Violan is blunt because she grew up around merchants and stuff, and Billos is the illegitimate son of the leader of the merchant guild, and also probably spends a fair bit of time around other merchants, so it makes sense that he’d also be very blunt, because that’s just how merchants are.

And as we all know Cale is very good at figuring out ways to make money, and some of these are very creative and outside the box.

Cale might just be the perfect reversal of Deruth’s thought of there are times when the body is stronger than his mind. Like, yes, this is true, sometimes you need brawn to win battles, and that contributes to winning the war. But physical strength alone cannot win the war, and the physically strong people aren’t usually all brawn, and even the ones that are have someone smart standing next to them offering their assistance. And it’s intelligence, tactics, knowledge, that truly win a war. That and charisma, and that is what Cale has, That’s why he is the perfect leader and commander. He may not be the strongest physically, but he makes up for that in Charisma and intelligence, and more than that, he treats the people around him as equals, and he doesn’t put them in situations more dangerous than he’s willing to face himself, so he also has the morale, respect and support of his people. Sometimes the body is stronger than the mind, but Cale and his group are the perfect example of how intelligence and knowledge are really what matters.

How does one act like trash at 8 years old? Most “trashy” behaviour you can do at that age would seem bratty at wors. Also I’m sorry, but the idea of little 8 year old OG Cale, sitting there, trying to figure out how to convincingly act trashy is adorable and really funny to me. Like, him sat, with a serious expression on his face, or trying to act like trash and no one really taking it entirely serious at first.

Also I feel like, to some extent, Cale has some level of respect for OG Cale and is a little impressed and amazed by him, and I like that. Honestly, I need the fic where most of the stuff is the same, like Kim Rok Soo still goes to that world, but instead of replacing Cale, the GoD figures out a way to just send KRS there and OG Cale is still Cale, so KRS basically does everything the same, only he also befriends OG Cale. And everyone else in his crew is a little annoyed at OG Cale, except Cale who is just kind of amused by his trashy act which he sees through in 5 seconds. He also still prevents OG Cale from getting beat up by Choi Han, and just kinda drags Cale around as he goes on his adventure, and eventually Cale grows on the others and they all just end up being amused and endeared to him. The Henituse family is confused, but KRS seems to bring out a better, happier side of Cale so they’re fine with it. This features a lot of KRS teasing Cale, and later everyone else teasing him. So everything is the same only KRS and OG Cale both exist in the TBOAH world. So, if you have a fic rec, please provide. I’m sorry but you can’t tell me that KRS wouldn’t take one look at 18 year old Cale Henituse, pretending to be trash and just adopt him, because when I say Cale is a dragon, I mean KRS Cale. OG Cale would be adopted so fast.

I feel like that’s such a good message. The whole it’s okay to throw away something you’ve spent a lot of time doing. If it’s not bringing you joy anymore, or you just feel like a change is in order, go for it. My mum has mentioned a couple times going back to university or something but won’t because she sees herself as too old, and that’s bullshit. If there’s something you want to do, or a change you want to make, and it’s not going to hurt anyone, you should do it. And, even if it does hurt people, as long as it’s not illegal and it makes you happy, you should do it. It’s your life.

No wonder everyone believed him, he sounds so passionate about it.

He’s just so respectful. He acknowledges that they have different goals, but is still so supportive about it ugh.

Wait, is Cale one of the first people to believe Billos can achieve his goals, to encourage his ambitions. Maybe his uncle did but I wouldn’t imagine anyone else really does. And he wonders why he can’t get rid of people, when he’s one of the first people to believe in them, to encourage them, to support them. I feel like Alberu because he’s driving me crazy. He seems so relieved that someone believes in him, so happy.

On a different note, I remembered the scene of Cale going to kitchen 2 and casually collecting people as he went so he had like 4 people following him, and that is both a crazy powerful image to me but also just the perfect way to summarise this story. Him just going places and casually collecting people on his way until he has like, entire kingdoms and territories following him, and I think that’s so powerful of him.

He really thought Billos would still follow Choi Han instead of him after not even a proper interaction, when he’d just given Billos the encouragement he needed. Cale is a clown,

Also I’m not being funny, Billos has literally no reason to follow Choi Han. I know we don’t know what happened in the books, but here Billos knows nothing about him, except he was with Cale. He doesn’t even know how strong he is as far as we know. The interaction in the capital, I imagine, happens after the terror attack, when Choi Han manages to save some of the people, but that doesn’t happen the same way. And that is what Cale blissfully ignores/doesn’t realise.

Cale, what did you expect. To Ron, it seems like you were having a real heart-to-heart. Of course, he assumed you know him.  And then your answer is phrased like a question, as if you’re unsure if you’re close with him. How can someone so smart be so oblivious to how the things they say or do come across? I’m not even sure if Ron believes him or not. There’s every chance he thinks Cale is just embarrassed to admit it for whatever reason.

Yep, and now Choi Han thinks everything he’s heard about how trashy you are are rumours. Oh well, this is the consequences of your actions, I’d say this is a fairly good consequence all things considered. Choi Han probably feel more positive towards him than he would if the rumors were proven correct.

Yes, yes, Cale giving Ron lemon tea is funny, it’s good revenge for the lemon torture. But how did he know Ron didn’t like lemon tea? Was it in the books or just a lucky guess? Either way Cale is a little shit and we love him for it.

fun fact: i wrote this on word first and it partially took up like 5 pages. also have the photo of Hans I found as a treat.

[unadulteratedbluebirdnightmare]

Is known by everyone that cale has ptsd right? SO, WHAT IF WHEN CALE'S FAMILY IS SUPER PROTECTIVE WITH HIM, HIS PTSD COME.

Like, imagine that:

*Cale planning on doing dangerous things again*

Eruhaben: you unlucky bastard, let this to me.

Cale: *feeling useless*

OR

*Cale tries to help alberu with the paperwork but he starts overheating*

Alberu: just sit and relax. I'll do it.

Cale: *feeling even more useless*

And every time this happens he starts to think a bit more about his ""useless past"" and with more fear of being abandoned!! Incredible, isn't it?

[pingvin-king]

Deruth: That’s my son 🤧🥹 That’s the boy I raised

Ron:

[ringoahiru]

I want to be a part of Cale's family.

- Me after going through a ton of bullsh*t at school.

[noxiousgrace]

This hits so much more differently after you find out the truth behind his transmigration

[sadlynotthevoid]

I want to read a lcf fic where tboah cale from a shitty alt-universe gets thrown to lcf universe and now krs!Cale has to deal with an 18-20-year-old tboah!Cale with below zero self-esteem.

And it's permanent.

The universe-hop thing, not his low self-esteem (I hope).

Tboah!Cale doesn't mind staying there. Maybe he ended world-hopping on purpose, maybe he knew beforehand he was changing universes, maybe it was worth it, maybe he thought no one was going to miss him anyways. Maybe all of them.

And the Henituse family welcomes him. They're warm, they try to make him feel like one of them, they include him, talk with him, smile at him. They listen to him, actually listen, and try to get to know him—

—And that's more than anyone has done since his mom passed away.

They all have their ups and downs, of course. But they're slowly becoming a family and that means so much. And everyone is happy about it, too.

The most excited one out of them is Lily. She has four brothers now, even if she can't see one of them too often. Y'know, different worlds and everything. Besides, this new brother of hers practice martial arts like her—well, not exactly like her, but he fights— and joins at her training sometimes. He also fights as he walks, like an elegant cat. And she thinks that's cool and cute.

Deruth and Violan are going through an emotional roller coaster, just at different speeds. They both, although delighted to have another son, are experiencing a lot of feelings about the situation. Mostly worry about their new child who gets surprised every time someone is genuinely kind to him, but also shock because they have five children.

Still, Violan is overall content that all Cales are minimum willing to try, calmly bounding with each of them at their own rhythm each one. Tboah!Cale and her have styling afternoons once a week now. Deruth, on the other side, is silently having an existential crisis after another, overthinking about every reaction tboah!Cale has and wondering if og!Cale did or does the same, and feeling worse every time he can't remember. He already ordered Hans to punch him if he gets too trapped on it or does something stupid. He doesn't want to charge any of his children with that again.

Bassen accepted the whole world-hopping-alt!hyung really quick because he just got used to weird shit from krs!Cale and Cale!Roksoo's unique ways of thinking. Something like this was just bond to happen at some point.

He caught tboah!Cale's bad mental state on the first hours of meeting him and assumed it had to do something with their other selves. He just wants to know, why does his brother have to suffer in every life? At least he can do something about it now.

Bassen is very surprised when they announce that tboah!Cale is staying. He thought that was a given. Was it not?

Then they proceed to insist that the other should be the heir. Tboah!Cale wins but not for the reason he expected.

After some time living in this world with his new family, getting to know each other and healing, meeting Krs!Cale's friends, and just learning to be himself, Krs!Cale gets in his usual shit. Tboah!Cale is not amused. He goes after him, kick some people in the face, set fires a bad guy's pants, and comes back, wearing heels, with Krs!Cale over his shoulder.

That's how he and Alberu meet.

[silveredsticks]

Ross, Brandon, Miles & Cale celebrate Ross' goal . Avs v VGK . 14 April 24 . Photo by Candice Ward

[valdeswan]

Is the fact that when he did get close to someone, they died, so he never understood what came next in friendship or any other kind of relationship.

What do you do with the people that you love? He doesn't know, because he never had the time. He never learned how to share. With who? The dead? The graves? The rests of his loved ones? God?

You know most of the time people get angry at Cale because he can't for the life of him communicate things as they are, specifically regarding his health and seems to be unable to register his family worries for him.

And to that I said, of fucking course, his whole life on earth was horrible and he didn't develop emotionally because let's do a quick recap:

His parents died.

His abusive uncle took him in

He ended up in an orphanage.

When he was twenty the world collapsed.

He was bullied because he didn't have abilities.

Then the shelter he was in was destroyed

Once again he was alone until he met with LSH and CJS and let's not forget he was already 20 something.

Not long after they died as well.

Then he closed off with everyone because he didn't want to get attached just to lose them again.

He woke up in a novel

GoD confirmed he was supposed to die not CJS nor LSH.

He had to face his past again due to SG test.

...Well you get my point by now he was a little too busy surviving for him to actually develop self worth, most of his life he learned he wasn't someone who deserves affection or care and unfortunately no one said otherwise and if they did they die leaving him worse than before.

So it is no wonder he keeps things to himself all the time, after all why would others worry about him it makes no sense? At least from his pov.

That's why he is so detached at the beginning, still he can't help but try fixing things because it is the only action he knows

Surviving and saving others is so deeply engrained in him that unknowingly he keeps getting in a bigger mess. He got attached against his best efforts and gives more than he can take because he is not used to getting, the people who ever gave him anything always ended up dying before he could understand being emotional or plainly having emotions is normal.

[fallen6253]

Calling him dad:

I feel like Cale would have a blank face with mildly wide open eyes if the kids were to call him dad.  Raon would fumble with the words a little because while he considers him his father, he still feels shy about being so open about it.  Hong is beet red while shouting in a mix of embarrassment and excitement about proclaiming this to his dad’s face.  On would say it a bit quietly but steadily, glancing away for a second before maintaining eye contact because she wants him to know they mean it.  She looks almost unfazed but there’s a slight red on her ear. They see Cale have a blank look on his face and know it’s because he’s an idiot and needs a moment to process. Which is absolutely right because he’s like ‘me? Dad? Where did they get that idea? Well, not that i mind, but– when did this development happen?

And he’s close to saying they should not call him that if they feel weird about it, but he sees the genuine excitement on the boys’ faces, and the fond determination on On’s face that seems to know his turmoil and tells him that yes they mean it and no this doesn’t feel weird it feels liberating and suddenly he can’t say anything.  He just pats each of their heads before letting them fall into his arms in a warm embrace.  

Because children should be happy.

And his kids will be happy for as long as he can make it so.

So if calling him ‘dad’ makes them feel like this, he’s okay with it.

(He’s more than okay with it)

He ignores the way his chest feels.  Because that’s not important right now.

What’s important is that On started sniffling like she was about to cry.

That was new.  On had never made such an expression.  She seemed happy and relieved.

Like the weight she had been carrying as the older sister that was thrown away by her home was finally lifted from her small shoulders.  The usual serious expression was gone.

And Cale hugged her tighter.  He ignored the way his arms trembled from the effort.  So did the kids.

Because children should feel like children.

And On was feeling like a kid again. 

And her siblings were right there with her.

With their dad.

With this large yet little family of theirs.

In their own corner of the world.

[slackerlifewhere]

TCF is all about healing

- This is a review about the novel.

There's possible SPOILERS for readers who haven't finished reading the first volume.

___

When I first picked up the novel, I didn't have high expectations. After reading a lot of stories that end up disappointing me because of how the author eventually adds romance or harems into the story because their main character apparently needs a romantic relationship to feel good about themselves, I thought that Trash of the Count's Family will be the same thing further down the line.

But damn, did the author prove me wrong.

In the first few chapters, the novel's entire vibe was almost unnoticeable. Sure, there were some small details like him not being used to extravagant clothes or finding a simple meal delicious, but it wasn't obvious. It made me raise my eyebrow but I simply thought that he's a simple salaryman or something.

The first lines about him not having anyone who would miss him if he's gone in his previous world can be excused as him having no lingering attachments. And honestly, some transmigration/isekai stories do have their main characters having no attachments in their previous world. So it makes sense and it didn't alert me of what could've possibly happened to Cale, former Kim Rok Soo, for him to be so aloof and calm at the forced transmigration.

And then...he thought about poverty and pity when interacting with On and Hong. That was the first sign that he may have left a few lines out of his introduction.

It steadily got worse when he was talking to Choi Han about him being used to the cruelty of people like Venion. And then, at the first meeting with Raon, he appeared as if he understood the hopelessness of a child under an abusive adult's hand.

That's when I finally thought that TCF is a story about healing. And I was pleasantly surprised.

Sure, there's action, drama, and comedy, but TCF is mainly about moving on or healing from past hurts. There are moments when it can be called "cliche" but TCF is unique in the way it portrays Cale and his relationships. There's the found family trope that I love but what I love the most about the story is how these characters who have lost something or were about to lose something if OG Cale didn't make the deal with God of Death to have KRS replace him, is slowly understanding that they're not alone and that they can improve as a person if given the chance.

It's heart-warming and completely unexpected. I didn't read the first chapter expecting this fantasy-themed action novel to be about this.

OG Cale, Choi Han, Raon, On and Hong, Lock, Taylor and Cage, Alberu, the Dark Elves, Mary, and so many characters paved the way for me to completely fall in love with this novel.

If I sound like I'm exaggerating, then I don't care because this novel is just beautiful.

What completely blew my mind is the final reveal of Cale's past as Kim Rok Soo.

Listen, I have a love-hate relationship with KR survival novels involving monsters and dungeons and the freaking apocalypse. I love some of them and I can't stand the others. But I did not expect that Kim Rok Soo was in a world trying to survive from the effects of the apocalypse.

My first reaction was "What the actual fuck" because I 100% did not expect for the story to go that way. And my second thought was "So that's why!" Because it finally explains why he hates "papercuts"! This guy is so good at making big things about himself sound so small that it left me stunned when the big reveal happened!

I wanna slap him and hug him at the same time.

It explains why he's so good at being a commander. It explains why he's used to getting hurt or why he hates the thought of his friends and family dying with him as the survivor (I believe he has a survivor's guilt?). It explains everything.

He may be in a new world but he's still stuck in his past no matter how much he says about not thinking about what-ifs and his past. The time he spends in this new world is him slowly realizing that he's not alone and he doesn't have to be so scared.

And when I finally thought that I'm done being surprised, OG Cale appears and flips everything I knew about the character. They talk about how content they are with their new identities. They smile. They're happy. And that proves why this novel is about healing and not the simple transmigration novel full of action and comedy. Instead of getting angry at Kim Rok Soo, former Cale Henituse, for the deal with God of Death, he's just happy for the man and for himself. I just love how the author doesn't forget about Kim Rok Soo's sacrifices and rewards him with a happy life with his mother.

It's so hard not to finish the novel within weeks because of how good it is. It can be fast in some parts for the action, which makes sense since everything is happening at once. But there are also slow emotional moments that keep reminding me why I love this novel.

So yeah, this is my review about TCF. It's not a perfect novel but it's a good novel about healing and family. And I'm waiting for the second volume to be done so I can finally read the rest.

[mytragedyperson]

Thoughts I had while reading TCF/LCF chapter 15

Oh the hunting rabbits. Once again Ron is being a little shit and he even tricked poor Choi Han into helping him.

Ron may not have caught the rabbits but I imagine it was still his doing

On, Hong and Hans continue to be precious and adorable. Hans tries to take such good care of him. Love that he took the time to prepare jerky for them. He’s so sweet. I said it before I’ll say it again. Another day, another reason to love Hans

And Hans is right. Their sassiness is cute. Cute and terrifying. This novel does that type of thing better than most

The image I have in my head of Choi Han just peacefully sat eating his soup next to Cale and the kittens as all the other knights keep just glancing at him in uncertainty and Cale internally curses him for catching rabbits of all things, while Hans tries to get the cats to pay attention to him. I love it. It’s times like this I wish I could actually draw.

Choi Han asserting dominance. Also the start of Choi Han’s weird well I didn’t manage to kill them but I did manage to cut off a limb and permanently maimed them thing that happens a couple times that I remember. These bandits then Redika.

And the vice captain learns a valuable lesson luckily before he pisses off Choi Han too much

That must be humiliating for the bandits, having to admit they lost to 5 knights even if one of them was really strong. All their bandit friends and rivals will make fun of them. They become the laughing stock of the bandit community. And all because they tried to steal from Cale Henituse while Choi Han was there. Big mistake

It’s so fun watching Choi Han terrify and intimidate people. And he seems so pleased with himself.

Choi Han also enjoys messing people but I guess that makes sense. I feel like to be an ally of Cale’s you have to be a little shit at least slightly. It’s a fairly big part of the job description.

I feel like everyone likes messing with Cale tbf. He’s fun to tease and mess with

Ok it’s time to discuss the whole conversation Choi Han and Cale have here. First of all him saying I’ve never seen so many bandits before instead of just saying yeas as an overall answer is really smart form the author. Lets the audience know that this probably isn’t the first battle he’s seen, just with bandits and in-world, he’s lying without lying, because why would the trash Cale have seen a battle? He hasn’t left the Henituse territory in what, 2 years? And no one calls him out on this so it must be true that he’s never encounters bandits or a battle. In this story wording is everything. Ok so I know Choi Han doesn’t really know much about Cale but the whole “this must be your first time facing death” thing is really interesting to me. It shows how, when Choi Han thinks of death, he thinks of battles and violence.  Because even if Cale has never faced a battle before, illnesses still exist, right? Like, there are many ways you could die, and many near death experiences you could face that have nothing to do with violence. That’s without taking into account the KRS element. And this thinking does make sense. Most of the death he’s seen has been due to violence. I just think it’s interesting that, in Choi Han’s mind death is associated most with battles and violence. But the thing is I don’t think at this point Cale really thinks anyone at this point is going to kill him, but he is still nervous around them purely because they’re dangerous and main characters and he doesn’t want to get involved, or so he claims. I don’t think I actually explained that how I meant. Basically he’s  scared of the possibilities of what they could do but realistically he knows these things won’t happen, at least subconsciously. Idk Cale, maybe he keeps talking to you because, and this might be a stretch and I’m really grasping at straws here, but maybe the reason he keeps talking to you is that he likes you. Or maybe that you keep answering him. Idk though.

Ok and this the whole I trust in my heart I’ll be okay. Now, he’s talking about the Indestructible Sheild, and we know that and it makes sense to us… but no one else knows he has the indstructible shield. So when he says he doesn’t need to know martial arts, points out the people around him as a reason why and then says that he trusts in his heart he’ll be okay, all they hear is I trust you as my guards to keep me safe. Of course that motivates them, you’ve seemingly just put your full trust in them to keep you safe not just because it’s their job and they’re supposed to, but because you, as a person, actually trust them to do it. And then you’re somehow shocked when they want to train more. They want to ensure that your trust isn’t misplaced. Cale, I know you know things they don’t, but this is why we’re careful with what we say.  Because Choi Han isn’t a mind reader so for him all he knows is what he sees and here’s so for Choi Han, this is that conversation word for word, starting from:

Choi Han: Cale-nim, do you not study any martial arts?

Cale: no need

Choi Han: shouldn’t you at least have the strength to protect yourself.

Cale: I have plenty of ways already *looks at the people around him* you can see them too right? *smiles* *pats heart* I trust my heart. I will live.

And funnily enough that’s also what everyone else hears. They don’t know about the indestructible shield, so to them when he says about trust, he’s talking about them. He’s so clueless, so dumb, and somehow so good at motivating people. This may happen a few more times, me showing a conversation without Cale’s thoughts to show what everyone actually hears just because I feel like it proves some of my points better and explains it better than I could. It also gives you a better idea of which conversation I’m talking about. It won’t be constant or all the time but when talking about misunderstandings that could’ve been avoided if Cale just remembered people weren’t mind readers who knew what he meant, I’ll occasionally do this. As I said it probably won’t be often. But anyways, I know a huge part of Cale’s character is that he’s oblivious and causes misunderstandings but how does he not realise they’re obviously going to think he’s talking about them here? What does he plan for them to think?

This is why I can’t feel sorry for him when these misunderstandings happen. He actually brings it on himself. Honestly reading these conversations while taking out his thoughts really helps you understand what everyone who isn’t Cale sees and hears and really puts it into a new perspective where it’s easier to understand their reactions and the understandings, and shows how utterly avoidable these reactions and situations are. And it actually makes it more entertaining for when you read his surprise or confusion. Like it’s easy enough to understand anyway but when put like this it’s like yeah there’s not really another way they could’ve taken that with what they know

So honest question how many times do you think the characters in this novel have looked at Cale and thought he was being cute and it’s just never mentioned because Cale never noticed it? Like they’ve just looked at him and gone “aww!” I reckon for Ron it’s a daily occurrence he’ll never met. And anytime he sees money or is presented with good food and gets happy or excited. When he interacts with Raon or the cat siblings. When he says certain things or does certain things. Because Cale is kind of adorable in his own right and just doesn’t realise it, doesn’t realise how precious he is, and I feel like everyone lowkey platonically simps for him and I think that’s perfectly valid. Again they have weekly gossip sessions where they just gush and worry about him. Ooh they share photos they took when he wasn’t paying attention, not embarrassing ones, but just moments they thought he was being cute.

Wait so the lemonade is specifically prepared by Ron, right? And the lemon tea by Beacrox? I love that the implication here is that Ron brought lemons along for the sole purpose of teasing Cale. Like that’s hilarious. God I love Ron and the lemon torture sm.

Yes, Choi Han motivated Hilsman. I’m not gonna say he didn’t but once again Cale doesn’t realise he’s also motivated him, and he’d probably be horrified if he knew. But Choi Han does also motivate Hilsman and provides some sort of level Hilsman wants the knights to achieve. Choi Han teaches him not to underestimate and encourages him to get stronger just by being present, but Cale encourages them with words and boosts their morale. That’s what’s he’s best at raising morale, boosting confidence, anything that has to do with speaking really. He somehow knows even without realising it what people need to hear to motivate them. The best way to put it is Choi Han is physical motivation and Cale is mental/emotional motivation, if you know what I mean. I’m bad at explaining things but hopefully you get my point.

My god they’re so dumb. The cave is right behind the villa so, logically, something goe wrong, those living in the villa will be killed first. Dumb, arrogant, careless. There are so many ways Venion and the Marquis are so dumb. The worlds where Taylor dies and doesn’t take over this family? I have no hope for them. Maybe one of his siblings is better? Idk, we don’t really know much about the other Stans but I can’t imagine they’d be much better if they have this Marquis as their father.

Honestly Venion is so pathetic. I can’t wait to see him get destroyed again. I remember the torture being satisfying to read the first time. I can’t imagine that will change

I’m sorry I know this probably isn’t the intent but Hans walked over with Choi Han when Cale was upset/angry and my brain just went aww he brought the emotional support Choi Han and I can’t unthink it. Choi Han  is so emotional support and I love that. like I know that’s not really what/how it happened but idk I like the idea of, whenever Cale is upset or angry, someone just going to get Choi Han. The kids are already there obviously.

Cale: I just want to get Choi Han away from me

Also Cale, whenever Choi Han goes literally anywhere away from him: stay safe, and take this medicine, and hurry back and - *continues to act like a concerned parent and fuss about Choi Han*

Choi Han, who lost one family and has quickly gained another: I’ll never let anything happen to you and I love you and I’ll never leave you for too long and- *continues to platonically simp for Cale and is just so happy because he has somewhere to return to and a family and all the things he thought he’d lost forever*

Choi Han calling Cale sir just feels so weird to me. Like Cale-nim fine, but sir? Idk it doesn’t feel right.

Ah yes, Cale’s bad feelings. You’ve gotta love them.

Cale really can’t catch a break, can he? Choi Han leaves his side for two seconds and this BS happens. Well, guess that settles it, Choi Han can never leave Cale again. Every time he does, things like this (Marquis Stan’s carriage) happen. Or he brings back more people than he left with, and that’s clearly Cale’s thing, it can’t be both of their thing.

Once again, Cale gets involved when he doesn’t really have to. If Choi Han punches Marquis Stan I think that would be deserved. Probably for the best he didn’t though. That would not end well for Choi Han as funny and deserved as it would be.

I mean chances are, before he got out of the carriage, they didn’t really know Choi Han was with him? I’d say it’s a 50/50 chance they knew before then, but also it seems like these people are just like that, and would’ve reacted the same if Choi Han wasn’t with Cale, only maybe even worse.

[themissinghand]

Hi you...I hope you have a wonderful day.If you don't mind my request..I want to ask Kim Dokja x sweetheart!reader..The reader is his lover since school (The reader who expressed her feelings for Kim Dokja first.).Before the destruction happened, the reader behaved like a wife to Kim Dokja because the reader knew Kim Dokja's past so the reader gave everything for Kim Dokja to know that he was always loved. (This man needs comfort..).. After the destruction happened, they separated from each other..(Kim Dokja is on the train while the Reader is everywhere.)..Kim Dokja is always worried about the condition of his lover..When they meet again, their meeting is full of romance and fluff after being separated for a long time ..(I bet Kim Dokja's group was the most surprised and the uproar because the Reader and Kim Dokja are very polar opposite.)..The constellation supporting the Reader is also extraordinary..Because the privacy attribute of the reader is also extraordinary..

Thanks for reading..I hope I didn't bother you..I love your work😍..Give you a lot of love💕💕💕..(Btw ,did you read The S-Classes That I Raised or not ??..I love Han Yoojin)..Take care of yourself..Bye dear author 🥰..

Omniscient Reader Viewpoint: Fool

Summary: In which Kim Dokja is a fool for you.

Or snippets between Kim Dokja and his wife in an apocalyptic world.

Pairing: Kim Dokja x F! Wife! Reader

Note: Thanks for your patience! I’m also currently reading The S-Classes That I Raised Manhwa, but not the novel! The holy trinity with Han Yoojin, Kim Dokja, and Cale Henituse are literally my favourite trio. 

Warnings: Minor novel spoilers! Lots of kisses, fluffy, but also light angst, and implied sexual themes. 

★・・・・・・★

Oh Baby, I Missed You

Where are you? 

Kim Dokja watched what remained of Seoul while standing beside the protagonist of his novel. 

Even after all those scenarios, how come he could not see you even once? 

[The Constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is curious about what Incarnation ‘Kim Dokja’ is looking for]

As if on cue, Kim Dokja felt someone’s eyes on him. Spinning around with his hand on his sword, he matched the weariness of the sunfish beside him. 

“Baby!” Hearing a familiar voice, Dokja freezes in disbelief until he hears two blades clashing with one another. 

“Who are you?” Yoo Joonghyk growled at you, who defended well and jumped back. But instead of a blade, you had a long bo staff. 

“Me? I’m Dokja’s wife.” 

“WHAT?!” The door to the rooftop swung open with multiple heads popping through in shock. 

“Is that true Dokja-ssi?” Yoo Sangrah asked, and when all of the attention was on him, Kim Dokja sheepishly nodded. 

“WHAT???? So you and Master-” Jung Heewon immediately covered Lee Jihye's mouth and grinned. 

“Nice to meet you er…”

“(L/N) (F/N). Been Dokja’s lover since a decade ago.” You smiled sweetly, before walking towards Dokja with open arms. 

“I missed you baby.” 

This time, Kim Dokja walked forward and hugged you tightly, and he felt embarrassed when everyone was watching him.

[The Constellation ‘Demon-Like Judge of Fire’ is wiping her tears] 

[The Constellation ‘Demon-Like Judge of Fire’ did not know Incarnation ‘Kim Dokja’ was already taken]

[Many Constellations wishes for your happiness]  

“Baby, can I kiss you?” Kim Dokja flushed at your innocent question, but looking over your shoulder, he saw the wiggling eyebrows and grinning expressions from his teammates. Despite knowing his team would tease him forever, he knew he couldn’t reject your request. 

“I miss you too.” 

Without another moment, you cup his cheeks and pull him in for not one, not two, but three quick kisses. 

[The Constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ jaw dropped]

There were surprised gasps and squeals, and a few hushes from Lee Heewon. 

“No wonder he always looks like he’s looking for something…”

“This is not for children to see.” 

“But hyung is-” 

[The Constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ gags]

[The Constellation ‘Secretive Plotters’ did not expect a romantic plot]

[The Constellation ‘Demon-Like Judge of Fire’ donates 1000 coins]

[The Constellation ‘Demon-Like Judge of Fire’ is squealing at the reunion kiss]

“You have a lot of constellations following you baby. As expected of you.” Kim Dokja, still a little breathless and dazed from the consecutive kisses, buries his face into your shoulder in embarrassment while you play with his hair. 

He missed this.

He missed you.

“I didn’t know my constellation was following you too.” Kim Dokja perked up at your words in interest.

“Which one?” 

[The Constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ slowly looks away in disbelief]

“No way.” Maybe her long bo staff should have been an indicator. 

[The Constellation ‘Demon-Like Judge of Fire’ looks at the Constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ suspiciously]

[The Constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ looks at the Constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ suspiciously]

[The Constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ looks at the Constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ suspiciously]

You smiled innocently as if it wasn’t a big deal, and was just happy to see him. 

[The Constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ pats himself on the back and is proud he has good eyes]

So Don’t Go, Stay With Me

“Do you have to go?” 

“Yea. I have to go find my family. I’ll be safe, and I know you’ll be safe since you have such reliable people around you.” 

You cup his cheeks as you two stare into each other’s eyes lovingly. 

“Message me if you need me, and I’ll come with my nimbus cloud at any time.”

Knowing that your constellation was the Monkey King, Kim Dokja knew you were capable and perhaps on the same level as the protagonist. 

But…

“We can find them together.” 

“Dokja, don’t you already made plans with the sunfish?” He balled his hands into fists. 

“I want you to see the end of that novel you love so much. And I’ll come join you when I’m done. I promise.”

You tippy toe and then press a kiss to his forehead. 

“Baby, trust me.”

Kim Dokja then kisses your cheeks, before you decide to skip the formalities to kiss him on the lips. It was all it took for Kim Dokja to let go, and interlace your hands.

Soft and sweet, Kim Dokja felt loved with how gentle you are with him. He doesn’t want you to go. 

And he will miss you when you are gone. 

Kiss Me Slowly, Show Me You Love Me

Kim Dokja knew you were the one when you jumped after him.

"Kim Dokja!"

When he saw you reach out for him as he fell from that rooftop in middle school.

When you proposed to him on one knee, and kissed his hands as you whisk him away from his miserable reality.

He knew you were the one, when you cried for him, and saved his life, again and again.

“Don’t touch him. Even if you are his mother and my mother-in-law, you have no right to kill him to prove a point.” 

“Move.” 

“Over my dead body.” 

Kim Dokja could barely see you standing before his sleeping body, beside Han Sooyoung, protecting him from his mother.

[The Fourth Wall is shaking] 

“You don’t know anything.” 

“That’s fine with me. I trust Dokja more than you.” In the next moment, he felt a cloud form underneath him, followed by curses and gunshots being fired. 

“It’s you! You’re the one who he loves the most! And you’re going to kill him!”

Feeling your calloused hands on top of his head, he saw many versions of you pop out. 

Was it the duplication skill that the Monkey King had? 

“I’ll break the prophecy because I will never hurt my baby.” 

Kim Dokja smiled faintly, before he lost consciousness again. 

Because Only You Can Kill Me

“Baby, you can’t do this.” 

The world is silent for once. The channel was off and both of you paid the price for such privacy. 

“It’s the only way.” 

“Kim Dokja.” He flinches when you call his full name, you never do.

“I have to. It’s the only way that the story will move on.” 

“There has to be another way.” You purse your lips and rub your temples. 

“There has to be a way.”

Kim Dokja held your hand solemnly. 

“There is no other way-”

“Shut up!” You shook off his hand in anger. 

He knows you know that this was the easiest way. 

“I’m not letting you sacrifice yourself!” 

That’s why you’re angry. 

He hugs you from behind. 

“You’re an idiot for even thinking that, there has to be another way!” You break out of his hold and stare at him straight in the eye. 

“If only I had more power-” Kim Dokja grabbed your hand and placed it on his heart.

“(Y/N), I only trust you. You know that right?” Kim Dokja smiles. 

“You’re the only one who can kill me. No one else can.” He felt your hand tremble as you took a shaky breath. 

“So please…kill me.” 

So the story can go on.

“Don’t look at me like that baby.” You say after short deliberation. 

Finally, with a subtle nod, you conceded with tears rolling down your cheeks. 

Then, without further ado, Kim Dokja pulls you in desperately, and both of you were surprised when he was the first to initiate the kiss. 

But when the two of you are so intimate and so close to one another, knowing that the future is uncertain, neither of you want to let go. 

Please, Make Me Your Everything

Kim Dokja feels so desperate in this apocalyptic world. 

He’s planning and looking so far ahead using his knowledge of the novel, and sometimes, he feels like an outlier. 

Perhaps he is. 

Just like he always has. 

But when he’s in your arms as you plant kisses from his collarbone and trails to his neck, he feels at the center of the world, your world. 

Slowly, he feels you kiss his jawline before going closer and closer to his lips, and feels impatient with how slow you are. Every single kiss tingles on his skin, making him remember every precious moment he had with you.

He will never admit it, but he’s frightened for the future. Not about his death (because he will come back, he has a backup for that), but during his absence. 

You are strong and responsible enough to lead the team, but he was afraid that you were going to take on the burden alone. 

When he finally feels your lips on his, he pulls you closer, treasuring every second of you just like how you make him feel alive everyday. 

“Baby. What’s wrong?” Your fingers gently wipe his tear away as you hold him, and when he feels your tears drop on him, he couldn’t help himself. 

“I’m sorry. I just…” 

“Shh, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. I trust you.” Kissing him on his nose gave him butterflies, but even so, he couldn’t get rid of this bitterness in his heart. 

“I love you. I love you. I love you so much.” Dokja repeated the same words until his voice croaked and his lips became dry.

All the while you ruffled his hair and massaged his scalp, and responded to each of his confessions with affirmation. 

“We’re gonna be okay, and you’re gonna be okay. I’ll wait for you Baby.”

That night, Kim Dokja cried himself to sleep in your arms, and for the first time in a long time, he felt warm, secure, and well-rested. 

So when he feels his own sword pierce through his heart painlessly by the one who he swore his eternity to, he feels just as safe and happy. 

You catches him as he falls, as you cry silently and reminds him to come back soon. 

“Don’t forget me, please.” 

How could he? When you’re the one who chose to move forward with the story, when you’re the one who will face his team after their reckless plan?  

He was already greedy and selfish, wanting you to never forget him and wait for him, however long that may be.

Kim Dokja is a fool.

An idiot that only makes you cry.

With a strained smile, he nods before noticing the notification above. 

[Incarnation ‘Kim Dokja’ will be killed by the person he loves the most]

When he wakes up, he promises that he will never sacrifice himself again.

But the story must go on.

[caleism-1]

Ok. Here me out.

I need an au where no one has heard them talk before until now. Like, people probably assumed they were mute because of this and were shocked when they randomly say something while… I don’t know.. The fam was having an argument or can’t decide on something. They don’t even say a lot too-

(Kinda like this)

“He can talk!?”

Tcf ver

After his hyungs died krs spoke less and less until he just didn’t. He still lead great though (signals, arm movements, power points kinda, notes, actions, etc). It’s just, by the time the switch happened, it didn’t seem weird for him to not speak.

Speaking of which (pun kinda not intended).

After Jour’s funeral, Cale had also started speaking less. BUT DON’T THINK THATS GONNA STOP HIM!! He has a pretty mean glare-

By the time he was around 11 - 12 he stopped (a slow process like Roksu).

You know that noble meeting that explained why he had a black set? I can just imagine him darkly smirking.

Anyways-

The first time someone would here him speak would probably be the touching moment Choi han and Cale had to boost morale (hug <3)

(But before that, Cale would probably whisper in someone’s ear and they would probably think that person is crazy if they try to tell someone else. lol. This doesn’t have to happen)

DP x DC ver

Everyone was there. The whole fam was there. A pretty big argument was happening. Probably Batman and Jason.

Danny walks in drinking a smoothie, says something, and walks out.

And everyone was like “???!!”

Because Danny-

Has been there for at least 11 months almost a year.

Danny who has never spoken all this time just-

Huh???

[ringoahiru]

Relationships I want to see more in TCF/LCF fanfics:

(Adoptive) Uncle/nephew Choi Han & KRS!Cale (maybe Cale!KRS also)

The Choi family (Choi Jung Gun, Choi Han & Choi Jung Soo)

Best friends Alberu & Choi Han (underated)

Grandpa Eruhaben to KRS!Cale, Cale!KRS, Choi Han, Alberu (I need more of them, okay?)

Father/Son God of Death & KRS!Cale

BFF God of Death & Cale!KRS (it would be funny to see the two of them watched KRS!Cale's journey from the very beginning)

Master/servant God of Death & Sealed God (after KRS!Cale had defeated him)

Partners in crime God of Death & Sun God (why not?)

Lee Soo Hyuk & Alberu (KRS!Cale's hyungs shenanigans)

Hyung/dongsaeng KRS!Cale & Cale!KRS (Cale get to be the hyung even though KRS is technically older than him)

The Gods (they basically fight each other like siblings)

Etc. because I can't remember it all-

I hope someone can write some of this- (can anyone tag me in?)

[noxiousgrace]

Kim rok soo being 'the recorder' (as sherrit refers to him) is so sad

he was there for the people who didn't have anybody to remember them after they passed away. he'll literally never forget anybody who's died around him.

He says something similar to this to raon: "raon, I'm someone who cannot forget. Don't be like me." Just from that single sentence, he says so many different things imo.

"don't sacrifice yourself like me."

"don't carry your grief inside of you like i do"

"don't hang on to painful memories. unlike me, you're allowed to forget."

"it's okay to have regrets, don't let them haunt you like i did."

While I'm sure he'd probably say something like "i just meant to not sacrifice yourself." We all know his words always have a deeper meaning than he likes to admit.

Back to the first point i made, the irony is that I don't think he even remembers his biological parents' faces, he was so young when they died 😭

[thewritingofspencerrose]

Mamma Masterlist

yay quinn on a well deserved norris trophy win!

"Oh my God," Is all I can say as Quinn's name gets called for the Norris Trophy. Jack standing to my left prompts my legs to do the same, trying my hardest to take a wiggling Ellie from Quinn while Cohen sleeps on my hip, just five months old.

My face nearly splits open from the smile I'm wearing, Quinn ducking in to kiss my lips as he places Ellie on my other hip, kissing the top of her head and the top of Cohens. He moves down the line, hugging Luke and Jack and his parents before moving to the stage.

"Here, Elle Belle, come sit with Uncle Jack," Jack offers, her running over as soon as she's on the ground to take a seat with her 'favorite' uncle.

Thank you, I mouth, Jack just smiling as Luke takes my hand that's not holding the baby to my lap, offering me a smile as the tears trail down my cheeks in joy.

Tears are in my eyes as Quinn makes it up, standing in a room of legends to take his trophy and the microphone.

"First off," He begins, smile bright as day. "I'd like to thank my teammates. It's a great group of guys, and - um -" He pauses, and although I've caught him on more than one occasion practicing for this moment in our bathroom mirror, he needs this moment to think through the next minute and a half.

"The reality of winning an award like this is you can't do it alone, and you really need good players around you. And I certainly have that, so thanks fellas."

"Um- to my coaching staff, great group of people, love playing for you guys. Um- Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford, thank you for your continued mentorship and trust. To the Aquilini family, Roberto and Francesco, for being here, nobody cares about the city and the fans more than you guys, so thank you."

"Momma," Ellie tries to whisper, stealing my attention, "Daddy got his award?"

"Yes, baby, Daddy won," I answer, Jack and Luke smiling the brightest.

"And to my family more than anything-" I can't help but look to the Hughes beside me, people who have been in my life for years, and be eternally grateful that I was accepted into it. "My brothers, its surreal to be able to go through the same profession as you guys, and my parents, for your continued support and love."

"And to my wonderful fiance," Oh God I'm not prepared for this. His eyes meet mine, smile growing impossibly larger. "This has been the first season I've been blessed enough to be a father, and truly I feel that's what drove me to be the best captain I could be. I love you and thank you for bringing our gorgeous kids into the world."

I blow him a kiss, tears still streaming as Lu squeezes my hand, chuckling.

"He was nicer to you than he was to us," He mumbles, entirely a joke, but it does earn a small laugh.

"And most importantly and lastly," Quinn continues, eyes on the trophy in hand, "to Roman Josi, congrats on a great season, wherever you are-" His eyes scan the crowd, chuckling when he finds the man in question. "There you are, when I think Nashville Predators, I think you, and you're a fantastic player and they're lucky to have you."

He turns, eyes landing on their next target.

"And Cale, I probably love watching my brothers play most, but I'd say you're next on that list, and I've learned a lot from you, so um, congrats on another great season, and appreciate you guys. Thank you."

His eyes meet mine, smile wide and eyes wrinkled at the corner in joy.

This is my boy, the father of my children and the man I love.

I could not be more proud.