#elle projects onto hockey players

[mermaidsirennikita]

Are there any other hockey romances that live up to Heated Rivalry I know you don't read a lot of contemporaries but I'm a little desperate

I have yet to find any, tbh! I've liked some Game Changers books (that's the series HR is a part of, of course) but nothing has hit me quite like HR, in part because I think they often feature one hero who is a hockey player and one who isn't?

Imo, part of what makes HR sooooo good is that Shane and Ilya are both at the top of their game, and so extremely competitive. It adds to the angst because it does make their relationship that much more scandalous (all the questions about them letting each other win in The Long Game), it makes it much easier for them to be discovered... and it adds to the sexual tension because they're both like, top of the line athletes that both like to win. They are very equally matched.

A lot of the times, I feel a bit uncomfortable with m/m books that are written by women because it feels as if like... one of the guys (usually the bottom) is basically just there for the female reader to project onto. Imo, while Shane and Ilya have very defined top/bottom roles in the bedroom (which is fine and normal--not everyone is going to be verse) the relationship very much reads as one between two guys, and two guys who in many ways are super alpha in their "jobs". Yes, Shane has more visible anxiety and is less aggressive outwardly than Ilya, but he's very dominating in his sport. Not that men are all ~alphas~, nor should they be--but I think this is part of what makes HR work (for me). Shane doesn't seem like someone remade their heroine as a guy in order to sell a m/m book. (In fact, Shane has many of the emotional traits you see in many closed off, withholding contemporary heroes, lmao.) Ilya doesn't read like a fantasy hero who's actually hooking up with a girl that got remade as a guy for book sales. Yeah, Shane may even enjoy being sexually submissive at points, beyond bottoming--but that doesn't read like Rachel Reid giving a version of a man who is just there for women to project onto. It reads like Shane being a super tightly wound guy who likes to relax by submitting sometimes. As people of all genders often do.

I've heard good things about Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy's Him, but I haven't read that yet and I need to... give it a while before I do so because I'll compare it to HR/TLG at this point.

Oh, I will say, if you haven't been to Rachel Reid's website, she does have a few short stories/cut scenes from HR/TLG that are real good.

--One is like, a Halloween short story about Ilya's first Halloween in Ottawa where he basically dresses up like Shane and Shane overhears him handing out Halloween candy and understandably wants to have five kids with him.

--One is an in between story about their first dinner with Hayden post Hayden finding out about them. Hammers home that Hayden is bi and doesn't know it, FOR SURE. Also, hot.

--One is a long cut scene wherein Shane, post-HR "catches" (he is not hiding) Ily watching ~content~ featuring a woman... counting backwards from 100... and trying to hold out. Shane is like "WELL I COULD DO THAT BETTER" naturally (he cannot). This is both a hot one, and imo, a good little bi rep discussion moment because Shane literally asks Ilya if he misses girls and they discuss that a bit. Also, Ilya just waiting for Shane to come out of the shower by watching ~content~ and being like "look, she's cute" is very, very funny to me.

[eyssimont]

Big Blue Waves - Mikey Eyssimont

W/N: Oh hi, let me introduce you to one of my emotional support St. Cloud State alumni. Mikey Eyssimont, who currently plays for the LA Kings AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Fun fact: I love him. that’s all. I’ve been trying to just write things whether anyone reads them or not bc I really enjoy putting these ideas down instead of keeping them in my head.

Inspiration: This song “Killing time in Hawaii” by The Money Pit, this quote, and this quote and his insta.

Summary: Mikey makes a pact with you that you both have one year to reach your goals with a sweet reward for your hard work if you make it.

Word count: 1640

Warnings: None. It’s just general fluff, but there are mentions of stress, anger, and a slight emotional breakdown and some cursing.

Image credit: his insta linked above

-------

“We’ll meet up again in a year and see where we ended up.” your boyfriend Mikey said to you as he sat on a stool hunched over the island with a beer in hand.

“Why are you saying that like I’m moving away or something, dumbass.” you shook your head with furrowed brows standing across from him in the kitchen. “Are you-- are you breaking up with me? You sarcastically exclaimed. “Fuck-- no,” he responded looking up at you with fear in his eyes. “I mean it like we’ll compare notes.” you let out a laugh followed by apologetic eyes. “You sound like a nerd.” was all you could get out and Mikey ignored you.

You and Mikey weren’t struggling. He was playing in the AHL as a part of the Ontario Reign and you were finishing your last year of college. You were both happy but you wanted more and you knew Mikey did too. You dreamed of getting a job in your career field so you wouldn’t have to stay at your office job and your boyfriend wanted to play in the NHL. It was simple really but things wouldn’t just magically change without any effort. You both knew that which is why in a frustrated fit Mikey had a proposal. You two had a year to do as much as possible to move up in your respected fields, to chase those dreams and reach them-- or at least get closer to them. The reward would be a trip to Hawaii. Just the two of you, reflecting on the past year together.

“You know that means we have to save up, right? Was your response to his plans. “And one of us has not only a beachfront apartment but is also terrible at saving money,” you added reminding him of all the trips he and his teammates have taken over the past 3 years, they were practically regulars at all the vineyards across central California. Mikey finally looked up at you and let out a soft chuckle, "I wouldn't say beachfront more like beach adjacent. You let out a laugh. “plus, I'm not that bad with money.” and you knew neither one of you believed him.

So that’s what you two did. You dove into your senior year of college with a few goals in mind: get good grades, find an internship or job opportunity, and pick up new skills that would help you stand out on applications. Mikey's goals were pretty simple. He wanted to focus on working out and come into training camp stronger, keep his health in check, and cut back on trips with his teammates in order to save money.

Mikey was super supportive on your first day of school, reminding you that you were totally capable of kicking ass in school. But it wasn't always easy. You went through periods of not being able to see each other. Your essays lining up back to back while he trained more often. And when training camp started well, the communication began to fall.

You missed him, having barely any time to see him let alone attend his games, more than anything you wanted some time with him without having to think of school, or recommendation letters, or your future.

One afternoon after practice you arrived at his apartment as a surprise. Wine and food in hand. You wanted a nice night inside with your favorite person. After texting Mikey to let him know you were at his place he didn't respond.

It wasn't like him, he always sent an emoji here, an "ok" there, and even though it annoyed you, you always let it go because at least it was a response.

You saw him walking to his building and made your way to him hoping to not scare him.

"Hey, Mikey!" You called after him, trying to catch up.

He stopped and turned to you with his fingers wrapped tightly around his keys. 

"What are you doing here?" He asked, irritated. You were taken aback by his tone.

"I wanted to surprise you with dinner-- didn't you get my text?"

“No.” he swiftly turned around and made his way up to the apartment where you followed him up the steps.

"Why the fuck are you ignoring me?"

You yelled as he opened the door.

"We haven't seen each other in weeks and this is how you greet me?" There was an edge to your voice that caused Mikey to look up at you. 

"I got cut from the fucking roster today Y/N." He clenched his jaw and lowered his eyes.

"I'm starting the season back in Ontario." He polished the statement by throwing his keys against the wall.

Your eyes softened as you stood there frozen.

"Baby" you dropped the items you'd been carrying and made your way towards him. "Baby, look at me." You picked his chin up to meet his eyes. "I know this sucks. I know this feels like a setback." His eyes fell again and you resorted to holding his hands in yours. "But you've been here before and you've bounced back. You've worked so hard this summer and you deserve to take any opportunity to get better. You still have this season to get called up."

"I know-- it's just" you cut him off and placed a kiss to his forehead.

"Your time will come, Eyss. I promise."

---

Mikey was having a great season in Ontario quickly surpassing his goal and points totals from the previous two years in the first half of the season. You finished the fall with straight A's and secured an internship for the spring. Things were looking up for you both by the time the end of winter rolled around.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" You yelled and it caused Mikey to jerk awake on the couch next to you. You had found some time to hang out with him and even go to a few games during your break before school started up again.

"What the fuck happened?" He asked while rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"One of the classes I need-- a required class-- one that I need to graduate was just canceled." You threw yourself against the couch. Frustration building up within you.

"Mikey, please say something."

"I really want pizza right now." You were about to raise your voice at him when he moved closer to you to wrap you in a hug.

" Babe it’s ok. You know, this isn't the end. It's just a bump in the road. Your school will figure it out soon enough." He spoke matter-of-factly placing a kiss to the back of your hands.

As you two enjoyed your favorite pizza later that night, laughing and talking about memes you enjoyed you felt a little at ease. Your school sent a follow-up email. They were scrambling to find a new professor and if they couldn't, another class could be taken to fulfill the requirement. It felt like a weight had been lifted off your shoulders. 

---

By March, the realization that your college career would be over was starting to set in. You had struggled in one of your classes. Not being able to get the material and it was the biggest form of stress. Spending another night calculating how you'd pass the class without sacrificing your GPA caused an emotional breakdown. You were exhausted from another night of essay writing and research. Your internship was great and you loved the hands on experience but having to leave your stable office job for a temporary paid internship always caused financial stress you didn’t want to trouble Mikey with. On top of that, you hadn’t been to one of his games in months. Mikey had been called up for a few games, making his NHL debut on the road but was then sent back down when his injured teammate returned. Sometimes it felt like you couldn’t catch a break, like the world was against you. You finished another cup of coffee hoping to wrap up your latest 10 page paper hoping in some sense that you and Mikey could brave this storm.

---

The wind was blowing lightly against your skin as you settled in your seat. The sun was scorching but the shaded patio area was comfortable enough. With wine in hand you watched the waves crash against the sand in the distance. Mikey walked back to the table while you finished up.

"You ready to go?" He asked, extending his hand out to wrap with yours as you headed towards the beach.

You two walked on the sand until you were close enough to watch the waves. Even with the ruckus of families talking and kids playing around you, you both sat down on the sand. Taking in the past year of your lives.

"So, is this the part where we compare notes?" You asked jokingly.

Mikey chuckled and stared off into the distance. You admired the way his curls popped out from under his sun hat. He swore up and down you both needed to wear one to protect yourselves from the sun. You loved the way his sun-kissed skin glowed, how he wore his Hawaiian shirt completely opened, fearing the hideous tan he'd get if you didn't remind him to just fully take it off. After some silence, Mikey finally spoke.

"I can't believe we're here." 

You laughed softly. "Seriously, Mikey, we made it. You have a fucking NHL contract, babe." 

"And you have a college degree and a job lined up." 

Your smile was contagious and Mikey's mouth curved into a smile to mirror yours. As you drank in his brown eyes you held back tears.

"Michael, where are we going next year?" you asked, turning to watch the waves hitting the shoreline again and again.

"Anywhere."

[pierrelucdisaster]

Figure You Out - Nolan Patrick

W/N: Here’s my first shot at writing that I’m willing to share publicly. I was inspired by a list of prompts I found some time ago and one stuck out to me and I sort of ran with it.  I’m posting this here just to start off and I might move over to a writing sideblog, haven’t decided just yet. Also, a shoutout to @tansthemans and @zinka8 for holding my hand over the weekend while I tried to figure out how to find the original draft of this story. I never did. And also to @tkachukme​ for also holding my hand while I wrote this and giving me feedback I appreciate it!

Summary: You and Nolan attend a wedding.

Inspiration: “Why try to force it? If we’re truly soulmates, it’ll happen.” this quote and this song. 

Writing inspo: 1 2 3 4 5

Word count: 1512

Warnings: none.

“Babe, we’re gonna be late.” you heard Nolan speak to you from outside of the bathroom door. “Just a sec.,” you said back. You stood in the mirror putting on the finishing touches to your outfit. Your cousin Bella was getting married and you and Nolan had flown in from Philly for the special occasion. Nolan made his way into the living room of your parent’s house. Everyone else had left to lend a helping hand with the reception and festivities. You had helped out from the moment you arrived so you gave yourself this time to spend with Nolan without wedding distractions. You made your way into the living room where Nolan was sitting. “Alright, let’s get going,” you spoke behind him while you struggled to put on your earring. Nolan jumped up and took one look at you. His expression softened as he took you in. He wrapped his arms around you engulfing you in your favorite type of hug. “I’m going to have the prettiest date there.” he spoke quietly into your hair. You laughed and pulled yourself away to grab your bag and keys. “Ok loverboy, let’s go.”

You and Nolan met six months after your move to Philly...

[tasksweekly]

[TASK 066: THE BLACKFOOT CONFEDERACY]

Shout out to @olivaraofrph​​​ for helping compile this task in celebration of Native American Heritage Month! The Blackfoot Confederacy are one of the largest American/Canadian indigenous groups consisting of the Siksika, Kainai, Amskapi Pikuni, and Aapátohsipikáni people who all traditionally spoke the same language and had a vastly similar culture to each other. There’s a masterlist below compiled of over 80+ Blackfoot faceclaims categorised by gender with their occupation and ethnicity denoted if there was a reliable source. If you want an extra challenge use random.org to pick a random number! Of course everything listed below are just suggestions and you can pick whichever character or whichever project you desire.

Any questions can be sent here and all tutorials have been linked below the cut for ease of access! REMEMBER to tag your resources with #TASKSWEEKLY and we will reblog them onto the main! This task can be tagged with whatever you want but if you want us to see it please be sure that our tag is the first five tags, @ mention us or send us a messaging linking us to your post!

THE TASK - scroll down for FC’s!

STEP 1: Decide on a FC you wish to create resources for! You can always do more than one but who are you starting with? There are links to masterlists you can use in order to find them and if you want help, just send us a message and we can pick one for you at random!

STEP 2: Pick what you want to create! You can obviously do more than one thing, but what do you want to start off with? Screencaps, RP icons, GIF packs, masterlists, PNG’s, fancasts, alternative FC’s - LITERALLY anything you desire!

STEP 3: Look back on tasks that we have created previously for tutorials on the thing you are creating unless you have whatever it is you are doing mastered - then of course feel free to just get on and do it. :)

STEP 4: Upload and tag with #TASKSWEEKLY! If you didn’t use your own screencaps/images make sure to credit where you got them from as we will not reblog packs which do not credit caps or original gifs from the original maker.

THINGS YOU CAN MAKE FOR THIS TASK -  examples are linked!

Stumped for ideas? Maybe make a masterlist or graphic of your favourite faceclaims. A masterlist of names. Plot ideas or screencaps from a music video preformed by an artist. Masterlist of quotes and lyrics that can be used for starters, thread titles or tags. Guides on culture and customs.

Screencaps

RP icons [of all sizes]

Gif Pack [maybe gif icons if you wish]

PNG packs

Manips

Dash Icons

Character Aesthetics

PSD’s

XCF’s

Graphic Templates - can be chara header, promo, border or background PSD’s!

FC Masterlists - underused, with resources, without resources!

FC Help - could be related, family templates, alternatives.

Written Guides.

and whatever else you can think of / make!

MASTERLIST!

Female:

Beverly Hungry Wolf (born in 1950) Kainai Blackfoot - writer.

Beverly Johnson (64) African-American, Blackfoot (unconfirmed)  / Louisiana Creole (African, French, possibly other) - model and actress.

Faye HeavyShield (born in 1953) - sculptor and installation artist.

Grace Hightower (62) African-American, Blackfoot - actress and singer.

Galyn Görg (53) African-American, Choctaw, Blackfoot, Irish / German-American - actress and dancer.

Ananda Lewis (44) African-American, Muskogee, and Blackfoot - model and tv personality.

Gillian White (42) African-American, Blackfoot, Irish - actress.

Jewel De'Nyle (41) Blackfoot, English, Sicilian, Spanish - former adult actress and director.

Bianca Lawson (38) African-American, Creole (French, African), talian, Blackfoot, Portuguese, and English - actress.

Lily Gladstone (30) Kainai Blackfoot, Amskapi Pikuni Blackfoot, and Nez Perce - actress.

Chelsea Tail Feathers (19 as of 27 April 2008) Kainai Blackfoot - model and beauty pageant titleholder.

Stella Maeve (27) Blackfoot and Cherokee - actress.

Shayla Stonechild (23) Metis of Blackfoot and Cree descent - actress and model.

Kehlani (22) African-American, French, Blackfoot, Cherokee, Spanish, Filipino - singer.

Carrissa Lowhorn (26) Siksika Blackfoot - model.

Chandra Melting Tallow (Mourning Coup) (26) Siksika Blackfoot - musician.

Fivel Stewart (20) Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Scottish, and Blackfoot (Unconfirmed) - actress.

Tennille Day Chief (16) Blackfoot - actress.

Brandy McCallum (?) Blackfoot, Cree, and Metis - singer-songwriter.

Rulan Tangen (?) Metis of Blackfoot descent - actress and dancer.

Joleen Mitton (?) Plains Cree, Blackfoot, French, and Scottish - model.

Elle-Maija Tailfeathers (?) Kainai Blackfoot and Sami - actress and filmmaker.

Morningstar Angeline (?) Navajo, Blackfoot, Chippewa Cree, Mexican, and Unspecified European -  actress.

Arlette Alcock (?) Metis of Blackfoot, Cree, and Nakoda Sioux descent - singer-songwriter.

Nalita Murray (?) Blackfoot - actress.

Kiela Bird (?) Amskapi Pikuni Blackfoot - actress and model.

Tailinh Agoyo (?) Blackfoot and Narragansett - actress.

Sara Tomko (?) Blackfoot, Cherokee, Polish, and Slovak - actress.

Makayah Crowfoot (?) Blackfoot, Navajo, Oneida, Irish, Armenian, English, and French - actress.

Cherish Violet Blood (?) Blackfoot - actress.

Nina Riley (Crystal Marie Hilyard) (?) Latvian, Belarusian,  Irish / Seneca, Shawnee, Cherokee, Blackfoot, Black Irish - singer, actress, and writer.

Fatima Kojima (?) Japanese, Crow, Blackfoot, Cherokee, African-American, and English - model.

Mary Griffin (?) Blackfoot - musician (Spirit of Thunderheart).

Jhane Myers (?) Comanche and Blackfoot - artist.

Valentina LaPier (?) Blackfoot - artist.

Male:

Douglas Cardinal (83) Metis of Kainai Blackfoot, Algonquin, and German descent - architect.

Kenny Scabby Robe (68 as of 6 July 2013) Blackfoot - musician (Black Lodge Singers).

A Martinez (68) Blackfoot, Apache, Mexican, and Northern European - actor.

Robert Taylor (born in 1951) Blackfoot, Cherokee, and Osage - artist.

Rickey Medlocke (67) Blackfoot, Lakota Sioux, and Cherokee - musician.

Benny Urquidez (65) Mexican, Spanish, Blackfoot - pro boxer, choreographer, and actor.

Gerald McMaster (64) Siksika Blackfoot / Plains Cree - curator, artist, and author.

Max Wolf Valerio (60) Kainai Blackfoot / Sephardic Jewish, Northern European - poet, memoir writer, essayist, and actor. - Trans!

Benjamin Dane (55) Blackfoot and Comanche - actor.

Steve Reevis (55) Blackfoot - actor.

Joe Hipp (54) Blackfoot - pro boxer.

TRUE (David John Riggins) Blackfoot, African-American / German, Russian - filmmaker, designer, and artist.

Thomas Jane (48) Irish, Scottish, possibly more distant German Jewish and Blackfoot - actor.

Stephen Graham Jones (born in 1972) Blackfoot - author.

Eugene Brave Rock (born 1978) Kainai Blackfoot - actor.

Algin Scabby Robe (39) Blackfoot / Yakama - musician (Black Lodge Singers).

Shaun Taylor-Corbett (39) Blackfoot / White (Unspecified) - actor, singer, and writer.

Armond Duck Chief (37) Siksika Blackfoot - singer-songwriter.

Cowboy Smithx (35) Kainai Blackfoot and Aapátohsipikáni Blackfoot - actor, filmmaker, and podcast host.

John Scabby Robe (35) Blackfoot / Yakama - musician (Black Lodge Singers).

Robbie Daymond (35) Blackfoot, Sioux, Cherokee, Apache, Black Irish, and German - actor.

Robin Big Snake (33) Siksika Blackfoot / Cree - pro hockey player.

Kalani Queypo (30) Blackfoot, Native Hawaiian, and Swedish - actor.

Winston Day Chief (29) Kainai Blackfoot - pro hockey player.

Matthew Scabby Robe (28) Blackfoot / Yakama - musician (Black Lodge Singers).

Booboo Stewart (23) Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Scottish, and Blackfoot (Unconfirmed) - actor.

Noah Watts (born 1983) Crow and Blackfoot - actor.

Gyasi Ross (?) Blackfoot and Suquamish - rapper and author.

Julian Black Antelope (?) Blackfoot, French, and Irish - actor.

Jason Grasl (?) Blackfoot - actor.

Lil’ Smokey (?) Blackfoot - rapper.

Jack Gladstone (?) Blackfoot - artist.

Sean Sprawling (?) African American, French, Portuguese, Blackfoot / Spanish - actor.

Carlin Black Rabbit (?) Siksika Blackfoot - drummer (No More Moments).

Quarthon Bear Chief (?) Siksika Blackfoot - vocalist (No More Moments).

Cory White (?) Siksika Blackfoot - bassist (No More Moments).

Brandyn Darko (?) Siksika Blackfoot - guitarist (No More Moments).

Darren Geffre (?) Blackfoot - musician.

DJ Keeps The Fire Burning (Kevin Kicking Woman) Blackfoot - musician.

Brad Crowfoot (Nutly) (?) Blackfoot and Navajo - radio show/podcast host and photographer.

Myrton Running Wolf (?) Blackfoot - actor.

Byron Chief-Moon (?) Kainai Blackfoot - actor, choreographer, dancer, and playwright.

Troy De Roche (?) Blackfoot - artist.

King Kuka (?) Blackfoot - artist.

David Dragonfly (?) Blackfoot - artist.

Charles Littleleaf (?) Tenino, Wasco, Paiute, Amskapi Pikuni Blackfoot - musician.

NB:

N/A