#i was looking forward to next season. i always look forward to seeing him skate. FUCK. fuck. fuck. fuck. fuck. fuck. god. fuck.

[librarydilf]

me: i am sad about worlds '24, i'm gonna focus on baseball & come back to this in a few months

shoma: u fool. here's a sledgehammer to the emotional solar plexus.

me: [agonized howl]

[lilghostiequinni]

Just One More

Main Masterlist Lando Masterlist

Pairing: Olympic Figure skater!female oc(Iclyn;Lyn) x Lando Norris

Warnings: Fluffy, Established relationship

Summary: She's a gold medalist for the British Figure Skating team. They had been friends before they dated; they started dating when they were 16; many would say they're stupid for never breaking up, not when he started racing full-time, not when she went to college and made the Olympic team. Not when he moved to Monaco, where she followed, always flying back and forth; on off seasons, she traveled with him, and he made it to every competition he could. Not many know the intensity of their relationship at all.

Requested: NO / yes

Icelyn had sat in front of Lando in the hotel room in Canada for his race this weekend. He was braiding her hair over and over again. Lando would start a braid then undo it only to redo it differently.

It was just a way to pass the time as they waited for something. Also, it gave Lando something to do with his hands that wasn't fiddling with something.

"Lando."

"Yeah, baby," Lando answered.

"Could I take you skating this winter? You make a video out of it," Lyn says as her eyes slip close a little from Lando running his fingers through her hair.

"You just want to see me embarrass myself," Lando says momentarily, stopping his movements and earning a whine from the woman in front of him.

"No, I just want to teach you, but I guess also that. You can handle g-force. Surely you can handle skates," Lyn says as she leans back, allowing Lando to wrap his arms around her shoulders, holding her against him.

"How about if you win another medal, I'll let you put me on skates," Lando says, kissing her temple after he does.

Lyn nods and cuddles closer to Lando, "Sleep."

Lando chuckles at her, "It's two in the afternoon."

"So?" She questions in return as she shifts to be able to get closer.

Lando chuckles and holds her closer still.

There was a period of grace between her ability to get another medal, and in that time, Lando won more races and won the championship in 2025, hoping for the same results in 2026.

But his fiancee, Lyn, is currently face tracking it to another gold medal win for her and the British team.

"And the gold medal goes to... Iclyn Lumi!"

Lyn almost collapses before she makes her way to the 1st place podium on the ice.

She stands on the podium and gets her medal. The two in 2nd and 3rd place congratulate her on the win.

While she's won before, it never feels completely different. It's the same joy, just not the same as the first time.

What's one more medal in her collection? What makes this win all the better is the chance to finally make her fiance get on the ice.

Lyn smiled so widely that she could not stop the tears from running down her face as she got off the ice.

Lyn had been looking forward for over a year to get her fiance on the ice.

When she does, she can't help but ask to turn it into a video and now she's not the only one laughing at her fiance trying to skate.

"Next medal, it can be anything but skating," Lando tells her, because what's just one more going to do?

A/N: Yeah, it's shorter, but it made sense

Tags: @poppyflower-22 @samantha-chicago @barcelonaloverf1life @tallrock35 @hellothere9597

If you want to be removed from a tag list, let me know so I don't keep tagging you. If you are striked through, I don't know if you want to be tagged, but just let me know if you want me to continue or stop

[withwritersblock]

Oh! Darling pt. 2

~Oh! Darling by The Beatles~

Author's Note: someone had asked for a part two and this is the best I could do teheh Summary: The months after the loss in game 7 Warnings: swearing? Word Count: 2,754 Quinn Hughes x fm!reader

The buzzer went off and his entire body felt overwhelmingly heavy. The last three months of his life have been the most exhausting. The sound of the Oilers players cheering and screaming as they skated towards one another. Quinn kneels onto the ice, his eyes filling with tears. He was never emotional but his body was exhausted. His mind was full of dread and right now all he wanted to see was his little girl. 

Brock skated beside him, resting his hand onto his shoulder as Quinn hung his head low. “We gotta hit the handshake,” Brock mumbled. Quinn nodded as he reluctantly got onto his feet. He nearly collapsed as he skated forward. Brock took a hold of Quinn’s arm, helping him up. 

He tilted his head back, looking up to the stands. Watching thousands of disappointed fans leave the stands. He clenched his jaw as he led the line. He pressed his lips together as he tilted the helmet back. He made eye contact with Connor, a soft smile formed to his lips. “You’re killer man,” Connor muttered out.

“Thanks, Go get ‘em,” Quinn forced out. He mumbled as he continued down the line, taking the praises of the team that just beat them. Embarrassed them. He craved to know the feeling of the other side. It only added fuel to the fire under his belt. He was captain, he needed to carry this anger onto the next season. Pre-season was already on his mind. 

He started the skate towards the dressing room, his eyes were on his skates as he continued down the tunnel. The words of the coaches were silent as his mind was foggy. He was mad at himself and feeling his chest ache as he continued down the tunnel. He walked towards his stall, tossing his helmet into it. He continued to rip off the rest of his gear, frustration oozing from his body.

No one else says anything when they enter the locker room as they all begin to take off their gear. Quinn sat down staring towards the floor as he clenched his jaw. 

“Quinn, need you for an interview,” One of the interns offered as he stepped into the locker room. Quinn lifted his gaze, meeting the eye of the young twenty year old. Quinn nodded.

“Yeah, yeah, okay,” Quinn stood up as he blindly followed the young kid towards the interview room.

He was quickly covered in cameras and tiny microphones. He took in a sharp breath as he stared blankly towards the collection of microphones. They were firing questions towards him and he was able to answer them but he couldn’t tell anyone what he actually said. He answered with his media training answers for tough losses. This was his toughest one yet. 

He walked out of the locker room, showered and ready to head home. He lifted his gaze to see Y/N standing beside Jack. His eyes widened as he met his younger brother’s gaze. “Jack,” he mumbled as he jogged towards them. “You’re supposed to be in Michigan,” he mumbled as he hugged Jack. He pulled away before he engulfed Y/N in a hug. 

“Game sevens are tough man, I’m sorry it didn’t go the other way,” he muttered out. Quinn took in a sharp breath as he pressed his lips together.

“Yeah, me too.” Quinn expressed as he planted his lips to Y/N’s cheek. “Come on, Ellie has to meet Uncle Jack,” he mumbled as he began walking towards his car at the opposite end of the parking garage.

~~~

It was late but the adrenaline from the game was overwhelming. Quinn wouldn’t be able to sleep, Jack slept his whole five hour flight. Y/N definitely could sleep but she wanted to be supportive of Quinn. Jack, Quinn, and Y/N all slowly entered Ellie’s nursery as quietly as they could.

She was a very heavy sleeper for a baby, which always caused worry for Quin and Y/N. Always paranoid that she wasn’t actually sleeping, which always led to Quinn wide awake at three in the morning holding his tiny fragile little girl in his arms. He loved hearing the sound of her faint breathing, knowing that she was safe and healthy was all that mattered. 

“Sit,” Quinn demanded for his little brother on the rocking chair beside the crib. Jack hesitantly sat down in the rocking chair, careful for it to not hit the wall behind him. He nervously glanced around the nursery. 

“Are you sure? What if she wakes up?” Jack asked in a hushed tone. Quinn rolled his eyes as he leaned down into the crib, carefully cradling the small little girl.

“She’ll be fine,” Quinn mumbled as he walked towards Jack. Jack straightened up, holding his arms out as if a football was about to be placed in his hands. Quinn tried to stop the laughter rising in his throat. “Look at my arms, do that,” he mumbled towards Jack. He quickly listened, adjusting his grasp as Quinn slowly handed Ellie over to Jack. 

“Oh my god, oh my god,” Jack mumbled as he stared towards the sleeping baby in his arms, his niece. His first niece. She was so small, much smaller than he had expected. “So tiny,” he mumbled out. Y/N inched towards Quinn, snuggling up to him watching Jack interact with his niece for the first time. 

“Careful with her head,” Quinn let out. Jack nodded as he adjusted, slowly supporting her tiny head more. 

“You better not tell Lukey, I cried, alright, I’m supposed to be the tough one,” he mumbled out, sniffling as he rocked slowly. Quinn chuckled softly as he shifted his gaze towards Y/N. She was already looking towards him with so much admiration. 

“I’m proud of you,” she mouthed towards Quinn, he smiled softly as he leaned towards her, pressing his lips against hers for a brief second. “I’m going to head to bed, I love you,” she whispered towards Quinn. He nodded as he let her slip away from his grasp.

Quinn quickly kneeled down beside the rocking chair, as he kept his gaze on his sleepy little girl. “Dude, she’s your kid, this is crazy,” Jack let out as he licked his lips nervously. Quinn smiled widely as he looked towards the tuffle of hair on her head. It was becoming thicker as the last few months have progressed. 

“Isn’t she amazing?” he let out as he continued to look over at her. Jack could simply nod. “She makes me forget about every bad thing that’s happened. Like how could I be sad when I have a daughter,  who’s the sweetest little thing in the world,” Quinn expressed as he slowly ran his fingers across her tiny head. 

Jack lifted his gaze, watching his brother admire the baby girl. He knew his brother would be a good dad, but he never expected that to happen during a prime time in his career. He was good at handling both sides of his life. 

“Still can’t believe you’re a dad,” Jack let out, “My brother, who used to hit me over the head with a hockey stick is a dad,” 

Quinn tilted his head back laughing quietly, “I did not,” he muttered. Jack lifted his head with his mouth open. 

~Two weeks later~

Quinn was lying on the couch with Ellie napping on his chest. He was watching the cooking show on the screen as he was soothingly running his hand up and down the tiny back of his daughter. 

“I know you’re asleep but the second those little hands can hold things you’re going to help me cook,” he whispered. His phone started vibrating in his pocket. His eyes widened as he quickly dug his phone out as quietly as he could. He pulled the phone towards his ear. “Lukey, the doors unlocked,” he whispered.

“Why are you whispering?” Luke asked, he sounded slightly winded as he was probably climbing the eight flights of stairs towards the apartment. Luke had a minor fear of elevators, especially ones that last more than four flights. 

“Ellie is asleep on my chest in the living room so be very quiet please,” Quinn mumbled. He delicately placed the phone down on the coffee table as he hung up the phone. He slowly started to sit up with his hand holding the back of her head and her tiny upper back. He still held her against his chest as he sat up slowly, she squirmed as she slowly woke up.

“Shoot,” he mumbled as she slowly babbled. “Your Momma is going to be so mad I cut your nap short,” he whispered as he slowly pulled her face away from his chest, smiling towards her. 

Luke stumbled into the room, tripping over his own foot in the process, “Shit-shoot my bad,” he let out louder than he intended. Luke’s eyes widened as he slowly shut the door behind him, “Oh shit did I wake her-oh shoot, I’m sorry,” Luke panicky whispered.

Quinn stood up from the couch as he maneuvered the little girl to his side, her tiny eyes looked towards Luke, looking him up and down. “You’re good, I woke her because I tried to sit up,” Quinn said while laughing, “Get over here Lukey,” Quinn took a couple of steps towards Luke. Luke awkwardly rubbed his hands together as he stared towards his niece for the first time. 

Luke pouted his lips as he felt his eyes tear up. “Wow,” he let out. Quinn smiled as he walked towards his youngest brother. 

“Do you want to hold her?” Quinn asked, a small smile on his lips. Luke’s eyes widened as he shook his head.

“No, I’m clumsy, I’ll drop her-she’s too cute to be dropped,” he mutters, crossing his arms over his chest. 

“Go sit,” Quinn ushered Luke over with his free hand. Luke let out a nervous sigh as he walked towards the couch. 

“What if I drop her?” Luke mumbled as he walked towards the couch and awkwardly sat down. Quinn rolled his eyes as he sat down beside Luke.

“If you drop her, I got these dad reflexes now; I can save her,” Quinn expressed as he jerked his head back and forth as he let out a teasing huff of air. Luke rolled his eyes playfully. 

“Where’s Y/N?” Luke asked as he awkwardly stared towards Quinn.

“She’s out with Riley for the morning. Over the last couple weeks, I’ve spent most of the day with Ellie. Y/N was crazy busy with her while the playoffs were going on, so she’s getting a bit of a break,” he explained while he handed Ellie over to Luke. He held her nervously as he awkwardly held her forward. “She’s not a bomb, Luke,” Quinn said laughing. 

“I don’t want to hurt her,” he let out as he nervously brought her closer to his chest. He laid her in his arms awkwardly as he met her tiny little gaze. He pouted his lips as he looked over his niece.

“Like you could hurt her, Gentle Giant,” Quinn offered as he patted Luke on his shoulder. “Look at that, you’re a natural,” 

“She’s got a lot of hair,” Luke observed as he shifted his head around looking at his niece from all different directions. Quinn nodded. 

“Apparently Y/N was the same when she was a baby,” Quinn mumbled as he rested his hand on the back of the couch. Luke teared up as he swallowed hard. 

“God, she was so tiny in the photos and videos. She’s so big now,” Luke expressed, as he sniffled. “She better be in Michigan every summer from now on. No more boys only trips, she’s gotta be there,” he mumbled, his voice cracking slightly. 

“So you can prove you’re the cool uncle?” Quinn teased.

“One hundred percent,” Luke muttered out. Quinn started reaching for Ellie. Luke furrowed his eyebrows, protectively holding her closer, “I’m not done,” he let out. Quinn chuckled as he rolled his eyes.

“I gotta grab her a bottle,” Quinn explained. 

“Then you grab one and I’ll just stay here with my niece,” Luke sing-songed. Quinn rolled his eyes playfully as he stood up from the couch dramatically. 

~September~

“Alright baby girl, you got your hat on, check, adorable blue dress, check, stroller, check,” Quinn spoke dramatically as he bounced back and forth, trying to entertain Ellie for a few minutes while he waited for Y/N to finish getting ready. He leaned forward, pulled the stroller to give Ellie more of a sun visor. 

Quinn adjusted the hat on his head as he turned his head to watch Y/N walk out of the bedroom, a t-shirt and shorts to her frame. “Let’s get this family run started, shall we?” Quinn said excitedly as he rested his hands on Y/N’s hips, guiding her backwards towards the stroller. 

“Do we have to?” she groaned out as she rested her hands on the base of his neck. 

“We used to go on runs every morning before you went to work, baby, I’m just bringing it back now that Ellie can join us,” he leaned towards her, kissing her lips briefly. 

“Quinn, my love, that was over a year and a whole pregnancy ago,” she said as she played with the short ends of his hair. He did a big chop before pre-season started. “There is no way I can keep up with you,” she mumbled. He smiled softly. 

“Which is why I’m pushing the stroller and we are going to go at your pace,” he explained as he tightened his grip around her waist. She pouted her lips as she tilted her head back. “Baby, you used to drag me out of bed to go on these runs.”

“I know but now I like the comfort of our bed, now that our beautiful baby girl sleeps through the night I want to spend time in that bed,” she pouted her lips as she scanned his features. 

“Once you get out there, feel the fresh air, you’ll love it,” Quinn explained as he leaned towards her kissing her lips. She held his head in place as she returned the kiss slowly. He pulled away, pecking her lips a few times. 

“You’re really convincing,” she mumbled against his lips.

“All I know is that you will be taking El on a run daily after today,” he muttered. She rolled her eyes as she walked toward their apartment door, pulling it open. 

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” she muttered as she motioned for him to get the stroller and start to push Ellie. 

He paused at the door, leaning towards her pecking her lips, “I know,” he said as he stepped out of the apartment. She rolled her eyes as she followed after them. 

Once they stepped foot outside, it was evident that Y/N was excited. The fresh air and the path that her and Quinn used to always go on directly in front of her. Quinn leaned in front of the stroller, smiling towards Ellie. She giggled as Quinn’s head popped in her view sideways. 

“You’re going to look ridiculous pushing that,” Y/N pointed towards him and the stroller. He rolled his eyes as he gripped the handles tightly. 

“Oh like this?” he let out as he began jogging, leaving Y/N stranded for only a moment. She chuckled as she jogged after him. She soon matched his pace, breathing heavily. 

“Yep, ridiculous,” she teased as she met his gaze for only a second before she glanced into the stroller to see a smiling Ellie. “Our baby girl is loving it, so I can’t complain,” she let out through a huff of air.

“Want me to slow down?” he asked. She shook her head.

“It’s been a while since I felt like this,” she let out as she took a deep breath. Quinn met her gaze while raising his eyebrows. 

“Oh yeah? I think I remember the last time you were breathing this heavy,” he smirked.

“Watch yourself, Quinny,” she said as smirked, taking in a deep breath.

“I think it was the night-” he began. She rolled her eyes as she quickened her pace to get past him. “Oh come on,” he let out while laughing.

“Try to keep up!” she hollered after him as she spun around, running backwards. Her gaze looked down towards Ellie. She was slowly drifting off to sleep.

[endereies]

ICE BOUND - MS

No Nut November - Day 4

NNN Masterlist...

-➤ When you treat Matt to a day of skating, he ends up teaching you the ropes

After the easy breezes of autumn, the chill in the air was noticeable. Months slowly rolled around to the beginning of December. You and Matt found yourselves wound up together inside a vast majority of the time, huddled under one of the many blankets you insisted on purchasing. Snow would occasionally fall throughout the week, as much as you hated the sheer chill it added to your skin, you adored the subtle crunch.

Today was one of those days, yet you found yourself within the bustling markets. Each stall was full of cute decorations and gifts dedicated to loved ones for the Christmas season. A hand painted ornament laid delicately in your hands, flipping back and forth as you further admired the cute design.

“Baby, look how adorable this is!” When you didn’t get a response from your boyfriend, your head raised. You saw him leaning against a lamppost, staring off in the distance. Your gaze met where his eyes were placed, and you smiled sweetly when realization his you. It was a skating rink, one you knew looked almost identical to the ones that introduced him to hockey.

“Matt? You alright, love?” A small giggle passed your lips when he jolted at your voice.

“Yeah, fine…I just miss skating around this time of year.” He shuffled slightly, trying to dismiss how he felt, but you had already noticed. Skating was a massive part of his life, especially his youth, you’d be surprised if he wasn’t nostalgic a smidge about it.

“How about me and you skate?” The words came out before you yourself could even think about them.

“Really?” He perked up instantly, his body reacting instinctively. “Can you even skate…?”

“I’m welcome to learning for you, baby.”

That’s how you found yourself stumbling on the ice like a newborn deer. You had been skating about 4 times in your life, all of which were when you were young. And it showed. Both your hands clung to the wall that circled the ice, doing anything you could to not slip and fall.

On the other hand, Matt was letting out small giggles at your actions. He was practically skating circles around you. Of course, after years of not being on the ice, he was a little rusty. However, he looked like an Olympian next to you, skating backwards and forwards alongside you.

“Baby? Do you trust me?” His voice is gentle and timid, and you can’t help but let it entice you.

“Always…why?” Your words were interrupted by Matt’s grip on your wrist. His hold pulled you away from the wall. Your body was practically frozen, not willing to move. The wall seemed so far out of your reach but you were relived when matt had a tighter grasp on your waist.

“Relax, breathe. I’ve got you, okay?” He watched as your body relaxed slightly, his warmth welcoming you. Until he let go.

“Matt, what are you doing.” You hadn’t meant to be stern, you were just scared and intimidated by the unfamiliar experience. When you were younger, you had that excuse to be bad, but now? You just felt like an idiot. “See, you can stand perfectly fine. Can’t you?”

Your gaze fell to your feet, frozen and sturdy on the ice. “I- uh I guess so.”

“Try pushing with your dominant leg towards me, slightly diagonal. Like this” After making sure you ware watching, he pushed with his right leg, inching closer towards you. You watched as ice gathered around the edge of his blade, scraping the top layer off.

Hesitantly, you did your best to push my leg out and to the side. It was gentle, but you moved none the less. Without stumbling, your blade once again scraped the ice and finally you were met with Matt’s body. “Perfect baby…Now, try again.”

Once more he furthered himself from me, a wider gap between the two of you. His eyes searched yours, in case he pushed it too far, but he wasn’t able to for long before you slid towards his. Your foot created a small indent in the ice, and you moved stronger, reaching him in one stride. His arms held your shoulders, letting your sturdy yourself on the ice before looking down. He admired the cute redness of your nose from the bitter cold.

However, all you could do was feel embarrassed, you were a grown adult and yet a bit of ice has you in pieces. You just wanted Matt to have a day out that reminded him of his childhood, but all you could do was shy away at the fact he was babysitting you like a toddler.

“Love, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” His eyes held a certain warmth that remedied your concerns, but you couldn’t easily let it go. “I wanted you to enjoy yourself skating, but you’re stuck with me which I cling to a stupid wall... I don’t know, I guess I figured you’d have a better time with Chris or Nick, y’know… someone who can skate.”

The soft look morphed into a bittersweet smile, his lips twitching upwards. “Oh sweetheart… I don’t care if you can skate. The fact that you were willing to do this with me, knowing you can’t skate well already means so much to me. I’m having fun teaching you. I’m doing something I love with someone I love. Why the fuck would I complain about that? Don’t you worry your pretty head about that…” The blush on your nose spread to your cheeks and now you hid for another reason. With another practised stroke of your feet, you pushed your body into Matt’s.

“Thank you, Matt…”

“No. Thank you for doing this with me. Now, c’mon. Those strides of yours need a little work.” A faint giggle slipped past his lips as he skated to your side, continuing to teach you about the basics of skating.

You couldn’t ask for anything more than that.

@melliflws @yuhayeee @st7rnioioss @sturn-bugz @bueckerrss @worldlxvlys @raysmayhem-72 @patscorner @y0urm4m @bernardsbendystraws @junnniiieee07 @luverboychris @jnkvivi @rac00ns-are-c00l4 @shorthairchris @colorthecosmos444 @anabethinking @zay-sturns @anyaa23 @emilyfaith2003 @zariyam @imjusthereforthesturniolosmut @sturniolosiphone

© ENDEREIES 2024

[le-trash-prince]

I don't really know how to encapsulate how much I love JJ or the impact he's had on my life. I met my dearest friend through our mutual love for him and his damn tramp stamp. I wrote my first fic for JJBek. I met so many people and made so many memories because of JJ.

More than anything else, he taught me the importance of loving myself unapologetically.

YOI fandom as a whole defined the latter half of my twenties. I know people who took up figure skating and people who got into competitive pole dancing because of Yuri on Ice. I know people who went on pilgrimages to Karatsu, all for a show that only ever got one season.

I wasn't expecting JJ to appear in Ice Adolescence, but I had been looking forward to meeting a whole new cast of side characters to fall in love with. JJ, Otabek, Phichit, and Christophe are some of my all-time favorite characters, and I will miss them always. See y'all next level 😭

[devilsupdates]

The last official updates until post season trade.

These are from this morning.

On learning to be a consistent, reliable player Alex Holtz says he really watches the way Ondrej Palat and Jesper Bratt carry themselves every day, showing up at the rink early, etc.

I have no doubt there are others too, but he pointed out those two in his answer.

Dawson Mercer: “We know we’re a talented group, we believe in ourselves. We know what (type of) guys we have in this room. We’re excited (for next season), you can’t doubt that because we know what we are capable of.”

Alexander Holtz says he wants to come back next season a different player… more reliable, quicker, better skating.

Luke said he was really thankful to have Jack to lean on this year, his rookie season, and spend every day with his brother.

Added: “I had a cook!” and reiterated that Jack is an excellent cook.

Luke Hughes will go to Worlds with Team USA

Nolan Foote had a lower-back, disc injury that had been lingering for the past four years.

That’s what kept him out this season.

Nemec said he really leaned on having Ondrej Palat and Tomas Nosek around in his first year. Being able to communicate in their language was important and he said that he, Palat and Nosek would often go for dinner together.

Nemec talked about his first real moment of feeling like he was in the NHL was when he was lining up against Connor McDavid in his fourth game.

That checks out.

Simon Nemec will be going to play at Worlds with Slovakia

Congrats to Jack on earning the King Clancy Memorial Trophy nomination!

Nate Bastian said his injury could not have come at a worse time in the season… said he probably would have been able to join the team on the ice today if #NJDevils  were still playing.

Dougie Hamilton said that he was hoping to be ready to at least join the team for practice in the next little bit if the team was headed to the playoffs.

Tomas Nosek says he will go to Worlds with Czechia and it will be the first time he’s playing at Worlds. Says it means a lot to him to be able to play for the first time with the men’s National team in his home country.

#NJDevils  Curtis Lazar reveals it was a shoulder injury. “Nothing too major, probably would have been cleared to play this week.”“I’m excited about the outlook of this team because we’ve been through a lot now.”

Jesper Bratt: “Obviously it wasn’t the way we wanted this season to go…there were a lot of games this year where if we played more mature we would have gotten the points.”“We have to use this as major motivation to dial it in…to come back more mature and get this team back to the playoffs.”

Jesper Bratt says he’s unsure if he’s going to Worlds, has to discuss with #NJDevils  medical staff before making that decision

Jake Allen on what he’s looking forward to next year: “I think there is a lot of optimism here. We know what kind of team this can be. We all want to put our work boots on this summer and come back a little bit better.”

Dougie Hamilton on his injury: “I just fell awkwardly on my arm… I just felt something and knew something was wrong.”

On the challenges of this year: “it’s hard not being out there with the guys…definitely makes you appreciated stuff and make sure you don’t take things for granted.”

On his health: “I’ve been skating, the plan was targeting playoffs…once we realized the was no (playoff) chance, we changed back up the rehab.”

“Hard year for everyone. Hard year for me not being able to help.”

Kaapo Kahkonen on coming over at the deadline: “I’ve gone through it twice. It’s always hectic at the start…you try to focus on your game…I felt good at the start, good guys in the room.”“I want to be a number one goalie…we’ll see where everything goes.”

Kevin Bahl on his year: “Biggest takeaway was learning a lot. I was in a spot I didn’t expect to be…I think I need to work on my shot this summer big time and footspeed.”On this year’s ending: “it’s extremely motivating…being here today and not playing hockey is a weird feeling.”On playing all 82 games: “it’s extremely grueling…it’s all about taking care of your body…it’s extremely rewarding too, because you are always with the game group.”

Ondrej Palat on what to take from this year: “Learning experience..need to think about it this summer and train harder this offseason.”“There are so many games we had a chance to get points and didn’t at the end…our mentality to play defense it wasn’t good enough.”On his own game: “Not a great year, not a lot of points…I’m not judging myself on points, I’m judging myself on winning battles and setting example, I think I did OK there, not great.”On opening season in Czechia: “it’s amazing, almost unbelievable to play NHL hockey in Czech”

Nico Hischier is expecting to go to Worlds with Switzerland. Says he’s in touch with his national team coach.

So it’s been a bit of a rough year injury-wise for Timo.

Timo Meier also said he was dealing with an oblique injury later in the year as well.

Timo Meier says it's up in the air whether he will be going to Worlds with Switzerland or not.

Says he's waiting on certain things to make sure his body is good enough to play more and he hasn't made an official decision yet.

Until anymore updates on the devils it will be about the playoffs and the cup here.

In Minnesota wild news

The Giving Flower 🌸

We're proud to announce Fleury is our 2024 nominee for the @NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy!

He is also the recipient of the #mnwild 's Tom Kurvers Humanitarian Award!

The Wild Flower blooms like no other 🌸

We're excited to announce we've signed goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to a one-year contract extension!

[yuzurujenn]

[2024.08.29] FS Life Extra - Yuzuru Hanyu PROFESSIONAL Season 2: Tanaka Keiji

The depth of his dedication to his performance is like he's putting his life into it As peers who have spent their second year as professionals, with a common bond, we asked him about his thoughts on skating.

This year, you performed with Yuzuru Hanyu in "Notte Stellata 2024" and "Fantasy on Ice." How was each of them?

-The concept of last year's ‘notte stellata’ (to send out hope to areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake) was carried over for the second time. Compared to normal ice shows, the ‘notte stellata’ show is not so much about ‘fun’ as it is a show with a deeper meaning given the time of the year, so in that sense there was a rather solemn atmosphere last year. Although the direction was similar to other shows—aiming for audience to enjoy themselves—I felt that Yuzu's own emotions were a bit heavier. I felt that while skating as a fellow performer, and I was able to approach it with a very focused attitude. This year, the event took place at a slightly different time (March 8th-10th) and not on March 11th, but my own impression was that Yuzu skated with a slightly brighter, more forward-looking feeling compared to last year.

Hanyu also said that after last year's performance, he thought about making next year a little brighter. It's impressive that you understood that without even him having to say it.

-Yes, I felt that way.

What made you feel that way?

-At the venue, his focus was always the same from practice to the actual show, but maybe it's during the practice and rehearsals. I just felt that way a little.

This was your first performance of your program "HOPE." What was the meaning behind the program?

-At first, I wasn't thinking of performing it at "notte stellata," and I had prepared it as an exhibition for this season. However, as the title of the song suggests, it also has the implication that moving towards hope is not something you can do in a straight line, and it expresses the idea that you can only reach your goal after facing pain, setbacks, and obstacles.

The choreography was done by Kohei Yoshino, right?

-Yes. Thank you, Kohei-sensei. Last summer, I told him, "I want to skate to this song," and we had many discussions about how to edit and direct it, and then we decided on it.

It's a program with a lot of innovative and cool movements.

-It's quite rap-like, so if you capture all the sounds, the movements would be choppy, so we edited it a little bit. Like, put in a different part in between, stop, and then start moving again. Kohei-sensei also researched how to create that kind of image. That's how we choreographed it, matching each other's senses. I think it's interesting to discuss and create together. Kohei-sensei and (Sasahara) Keiichiro-sensei (choreographer for "Run Boy Run" and "The Phantom of the Opera") are about the same generation, so before we start choreographing, we would have a discussion like "What should we do with this?" We would have a long chat (laughs). I think that's how it becomes quite elaborate.

Both of them are Gundam otaku

So, what did you think of "Fantasy on Ice"?

-Yuzu only performed "Fantasy" in the first half this year in A Tour. "Fantasy" was the same as usual, but this year I was really excited (laughs). I was talking about it with Yuzu and I asked him, "What are you collaborating on?" and he said, "Meteor," and I was like, "Seriously?" (laughs). Yuzu had said that he choreographed it himself, and I thought, "That’s great". We were both talking in a geeky way (laughs). I think it was a song that got him really excited, and that he had a lot of feelings for, so it was well-made and I think that’s what led to that performance.

Did you see the performance?

-Yes, I did. We had the same practice time. I was like, "He must really like (Gundam)~" (laughs). I really felt that he loved it and did a lot of research on it.

Did you see the costume?

-I know the show too, so I was wondering who it would be based on, then I saw it and thought, "Ah that one?" (laughs).

What did you think it would be like?

-I thought maybe it was the main character, but then I thought about it more and decided it was more like Gundam. That was the right answer (laughs).

A Mobile Suit Gundam collab is sure to get you excited.

-At first, I wondered what Nishikawa Takanori would be singing as a guest. I had no idea until I arrived at the rehearsal venue. Of course, I knew my own songs, and I also knew who else would be skating with me, and that Yuzu would be collaborating with him, but I wondered what song Yuzu would collaborate on. After all, it's Nishikawa-san, and I figured Yuzu might be a Gundam fan, and he did pick the best part (laughs). I was happy just to hear "Meteor."

Did you want to skate to "Meteor" yourself?

-Well, I'd be happy no matter what song came up, but I thought it would be even more fun if Nishikawa-san sang a Gundam song.

So, when you were asked to do "BEYOND THE TIME"...

-I was really excited (laughs).

Your costume was bright red, so the moment you came out I thought, "That's Char!"

-I tried to go all out (laughs). Kenji Miyamoto, the choreographer, wasn't very familiar with Gundam, so I had to explain it to him, but in the first place, I hadn't seen Char’s Counterattack, so I watched the whole series up to that point. I watched the first one, and then ‘Z’.

So, you watched it after you received the song.

-Yes. From the very first Amuro (Ray) to Char’s Counterattack, it took me about half a month to watch all of them (laughs). I’ve probably watched about 100 episodes. After all, the story started with the first Gundam. It was a good series, no doubt. Originally, I had watched the recent Gundam movie “Gundam SEED FREEDOM”. But revisiting the start of Gundam made me realise that this was where it all began. I can see why this is a series that has a lot of fans.

What kind of thoughts did you put into the program?

-Is it okay to talk about this first? It's going to be a long story (laughs). I talked too much at the "Fantasy" fan meeting too.

Well, I'll ask you about that separately (laughs), but please tell us if you have any stories about your time with Hanyu during the ice show.

-We had the same practice time for "Fantasy," so we spent a lot of time on the ice together, but that also meant that we didn't have much time to talk. But I watched him practice a lot. This time, Yuzu skated to two programs, so I got the impression that he was practicing those two programs and warming up the whole time once the show started.

I had the impression of Hanyu always being next to you during rehearsals, but what did you talk about this year? You said that last year you only had casual conversations that didn't stick in your memory.

-Ah, we did talk. But I don't remember it this year either (laughs). I don't recall it... Even though I've been with (Fantasy) for three years, I do look forward to the collaborations with other artists. Watching Yuzu, I can definitely feel the effort he puts into that, and I’m trying to follow his example. I wonder what kind of feelings he has when he performs.

Embodying the image of a professional

You've both just finished your second year as professionals, but have you noticed any changes in yourself or Hanyu?

-I think Yuzu embodies what it means to be a professional. He's in a place that no one can imitate, and even though we can't imitate him, there are things we need to learn from him. Of course, I can learn a lot from him as a professional skater, and although it may be difficult to get the chance, I think there are things that current skaters can learn from him and things they need to learn from him. So, I hope everyone will watch him.

What do you think you have learned from him, and what do you want current skaters to see in him?

-It’s related to both, on how he concentrates on the ice show and how seriously he takes each performance. Of course, everyone takes it seriously. But among them, it’s his level of concentration, and his attitude of using all his nerves and exerting himself mentally to perform. He stays focused throughout the performance, so even when you think he might get tired and unable to move, he still stays focused right to the end. It feels like he's burning his life into it. I want everyone to see how passionate he is about skating.

Now we’re both focused on skating

Finally, do you have a message for Hanyu here?

-A message in the magazine (laughs). Eh, um... he wasn't on the B Tour this year, so I wish he'd been there? (laughs).

Did you miss him?

-I'm only in my third year with Fantasy, but I felt that the atmosphere was different from usual. But rather than feeling lonely... (at the Shizuoka performance) I had the opportunity to go to a hot spring, so I wished we could have gone together (laughs). After all, we were in the same show, and he really showed me the attitude to have as a professional, so as I've always said, I hope that when he can take a break, we can spend time together with the old members.

You certainly said that last year as well.

-Yes, I’ve been saying that for a long time (laughs). Now, it feels like we can really face each other properly at the skating stage. It’s also easier to talk when we’re focused on skating in the same space. I’m curious to see what kind of conversations we’ll have when we eventually strip away all of that someday. At the moment, as a professional skater, I’m meeting new artists and having opportunities to speak with various people. I often think that if I weren’t doing this, I wouldn’t have had these encounters. So, I think it will be more enjoyable to have a relaxing chat in the hot spring after we’ve explored this phase a bit more, but now we’re focused on skating, with that awareness, I think there are more suitable things to talk about from that position.

Source: FS Life Extra PROFESSIONAL Season 2, pg 92-95 Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594622488 https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594622771

[invisibleraven]

Why can't we go on as many

AO3: Day 2: Thunderstorms + Willexie

Living in LA, the weather was usually pretty predictable-sun, heat, and the occasional gust of wind. Otherwise, you usually knew what you were getting. 

Willie had gotten used to it-it was all he’d ever known really. He had grown up all over but never in one place long enough to get to see the seasons and changes of weather that came alongside them. 

But he longed to see rain-not the odd drizzle or sun shower, but an honest to goodness rainstorm, complete with thunder and lightning. He bet it would be wicked to skate through-feeling the cool droplets on your skin, the smell of ozone in the air, the distant rumbles on the horizon. 

Instead he had a sunshiny day as he explored another suburban neighborhood before heading home. Caleb didn’t really care how he spent his days, as long as he called home before dark. They were more so pals than parent and child, but that suited them both just fine. Willie had enough of parents to last him a lifetime. 

Friends though, Willie couldn’t have enough of. That’s why he set off in a different direction every day, see who he could meet. He’d met Old Mr. Abernathy who liked to tell Willie stories of the good old days and gave him peppermint candy out of a cool glass dish. He’d met Dante and Fuego who were lounging around waiting for a callback-he sent them to Caleb so they got jobs and he got friends and co-workers on the odd day he picked up a shift at the club. 

He’d also met Luke and Julie who invited him to come check out their band-thus him being in Los Feliz in the first place. Willie couldn’t play a note but he always appreciated good music (and Caleb was always looking for new acts to spotlight, but Willie never told people that so he didn’t get used for who his ‘dad’ was.) 

He was getting close to the address when the sky grew dark, ominous, and then opened up; a torrential downpour of rain that was on the cooler side of bracing. Not nearly as fun to skate through as he imagined. Kind of dangerous to the point that he picked up his board and made a run for it.

He rushed forward, avoiding puddles and came to a home almost obscured by flora, an open garage…and a very cute guy in a leather jacket crouching next to an amp. 

Said guy who yelped and shook his hand out when the amp shocked him. 

“Reg what are you doing?” came a voice from inside the studio. 

“Fixing my amp?”

“In the rain?” The other voice came out then-a blond vision in a pink hoodie, and Willie had to stop and stare, just a moment. 

“It wasn’t raining when I started!” Then he turned, seeing Willie and gave a crooked grin, waving at him. “Hi!” 

“H-hi,” Willie stuttered. “I’m Willie, Luke and Julie invited me?” 

“I’m Reggie!” 

“Alex. Now will the two of you have the sense to come out of the rain please?” 

Willie laughed then, but scooted into the garage, thankfully just in time as lightning split the sky and thunder clapped so hard it made his fillings shake. 

Reggie yelped, running for the couch while Alex dragged the amp in, slamming the door behind him, shaking raindrops from his hair. 

“Shit. Willie, can you get all of us towels from the bathroom there?” Alex asked. “Reg gets nearly catatonic with thunderstorms.”

Willie fetched the towels, wrapping up his hair quickly before helping Alex ease Reggie out of his leather jacket so he could dry off. This was a different kind of wet than emerging from a dip in the ocean-this was cold and uncomfortable, and even after just meeting these guys, Willie didn’t want either of them to sit with that feeling for long, so he was more than happy to help. 

Willie sat next to Reggie who was holding himself tight, so he lay a gentle hand on him. “You know when I was a kid someone told me that the sound of thunder was angels bowling.”

“You think the angels would have better taste in sports,” Alex snarked, sitting on Reggie’s other side. 

“Glow bowling at least,” Reggie said weakly. “Bumper bowling even.” 

They all had to giggle at that, even if it wasn’t that funny, but they couldn’t seem to stop, clutching at each other, laughing even through the next roll of thunder. 

“Okay, we need a distraction,” Alex stated once they had collected themselves. “Willie came to hear us play, but without Lu and Jules it’s kinda hard.” 

“Dance party?” Reggie suggested. 

“Excellent idea,” Willie replied. “We can drown out the storm.” 

So they did, blasting whatever music they could find out in the studio, then connecting phones to play whatever they had. Even playing the band’s demo, with Reggie assuring him they sounded just as good-if not better-playing live, even with the shitty garage acoustics. Willie couldn’t wait to hear it. 

Alex finally let himself be loose, dancing with abandon-there was something about Willie that brought it out in him-a side that he rarely showed to anyone but Reggie. Reggie was smiling, storm a distant memory as he boogied, worries and bad recollections fading with every shimmy. Willie was in his glee, hoping the rain never stopped if it meant he could stay here, dancing with these two. 

They shouted over the rain, over the music, just shooting the shit to keep their spirits up and smiles goin. Willie felt a bond forming; Reggie was sweet and silly, but clearly had hidden depths. Alex was a bit more cautious, but was willing to laugh at himself and showed some genuine sweetness that Willie longed to see more of. 

The sun eventually did come out, though the three of them kept dancing until Luke and Julie came down from the house and Willie finally got to hear them play for real. They were really good. 

So he left with their card to give Caleb. And Alex and Reggie’s numbers on his phone for another dance party-after maybe dinner and a movie. 

And a brand new love of thunderstorms.

[munsonownsmyass]

Matt Murdock x reader

Summary: Spending the day with Matt, getting into the Christmas spirit.

Author's note: I wrote this for my dear @mindidjarin , after a convo about needing some Christmas fluff with Matty. Hope you enjoy, my love ❤️

Warnings: None. Fluff, Christmas stuff, kissing.

Walking into the bar, you can’t wait to get a drink after the long day you’ve had. You only manage to sit down and order a drink, before a random asshole sits down beside you, throwing the worst pick up line you’ve ever heard in your face. You wanna tell him to fuck off, but the holiday season is here, so you wanna try to be nicer. Politely, you tell him you’re not interested, but he doesn’t take a hint.

“The lady said she’s not interested. Besides, she’s here with me.”

You would recognize that voice anywhere. Matt Murdock. Not even paying attention to the other guy anymore, you just look at Matt as he stands there beside you, looking fine as ever.

“Matt Murdock. It’s good to see you. What brings you to my town?” You say excitedly, tapping on the empty stool beside you. You hadn’t realized how much you missed him until now. In the first years of law school, you, Matt and Foggy had been inseparable. Sadly, being a lawyer wasn’t the right choice for you, so when you moved back home, you lost contact with them. Every now and then you’d give them a call, talk about old days, always promising that ‘one day we’ll do something’, but life had gotten in the way.

“I’m here on business.” He states, before telling what he can about the case. While he talks, you can’t help but smile as you watch him talk about it passionately. Matt had always wanted to make a difference and it makes you so happy to see him do just that.

“So, all business, no pleasure?” You tease, quickly falling into the same old routine you and Matt had back in the day. Always flirting, but never taking the plunge. 

“Not yet, unless… Do you have any ideas?” He says as he leans in closer with a smile, the flirtatious undertone not gone unnoticed. You giggle softly, having to bite your bottom lip to compose yourself. Damn Matt and his charms. You would be lying if you say you didn’t feel attracted to him. How could you not? Handsome, witty, and smart. And he has always looked really good in a suit.

“Oh, I have an idea or two.” You purr, loving the way he leans closer, his hand finding it’s way to your thigh. Oh, how easy it would be to just give in, but you have other plans. “You have to work tomorrow?”

“No, I’m all yours, sweetheart.” He grins, licking his bottom lip as he looks to you, awaiting your next move.

“Good. I’ll pick you up at 10 then.” You giggle, giving him a quick peck on the check before getting up. Looking back, you see confusion written all over his face. Maybe even a little frustration? "You have my number, text me where to pick you up."

“When you said you had big plans for us, I had something completely different in mind.” Matt pouts, pulling his jacket closer. It’s a cold day, but the sun is shining, glistening in the fresh snow on the ground. You just giggle, feeling the heat creep up your cheeks at his words.

You can't help smiling as you walk out the door, already looking forward to tomorrow.

“Aww, come on Matty. It’s gonna be fun.”

And it did. You started out with brunch, wanting to catch up on everything he had been doing since you last saw each other.

After brunch you dragged him to the local square, which had turned into a Christmas frenzy. Stalls with gifts and goods, every Christmassy food and drink you could think of, some small rides for the kids and an ice skating rink. 

"You wanna go ice skating?" You ask, voice full of youthful glee. You had lots of happy memories from your childhood, skating on the frozen lakes in winter. You're met by a questionable look on Matt's face. "What?!"

He just tilts his head to the side, sighing  but still with a smile on his face. "I think you're forgetting something."

"Oh, come on. I'll hold onto you. I promise I won't let you fall. Please."

Somehow, Matt have always been unable to resist you, which is how he found himself on the ice a few minutes later. As promised, you hold onto him, guiding him around the ice. He's doing surprisingly good.

"Are you really blind? Or is it just a scam to get some tail?" You grin, making Matt chuckle at your side. He gives you a gentle squeeze, before placing a soft kiss on your head.

"I have super powers, but don't tell anyone."

You just chuckle, kissing his cheek before you continue skating.

Later, you take him for a walk around the market. Buying some candies and decorations, you can't help but feel the Christmas spirit slowly creeping up on you. It's been a wonderful day and you think most of it is because of Matt. You feel good in his company, relaxed. Everything is easy with Matt, so familiar and easy.

The last thing on your to do list for the day is the best hot chocolate in town. Silky smooth with a generous dash of rum and whipped cream. After getting your cups, you sit down on a bench, drinking in silence.

As the daylight fades, the lights turn on, illuminating the entire market in a colorful, warm glow. You look around in awe, a childlike twinkle in your eyes. “God… Don’t you just love the lights?”

Matt chuckles beside you and you realize what you said. “Fuck, sorry. I just forget you’re blind sometimes.”

“It’s okay.” He says softly, nudging your shoulder with a grin. For a while you sit in silence, taking it all in as you sip your drink. Happy families with joyful smiles, kids waiting patiently to see Santa. 

“Don’t you miss it? Seeing all the lights and decorations?” 

“Yeah, I do. But I still remember it, so I can imagine.” He pauses, turning towards you, his arm landing behind your back. His hand comes to a rest on your shoulder as he pulls you a little closer. “I can hear the children laughing, so I know they’re smiling as they run around playing. I can smell the pine trees, imagining them decorated with ornaments.”

He smiles as he turns his face towards the square, tilting his head a little as he listens. “I hear the carolers singing, people talking. I know they’re happy. And I can smell the mulled wine, freshly baked cookies and candy canes.”

You look at him, impressed, the smile on his face enough to make your heart skip a beat. He turns back to you with a soft smile. “So I might not see it, but I do feel it.”

He looks up, his eyes almost finding yours and you just stare into his beautiful hazel eyes, wondering how you’ve managed to know him for all these years and not fall head over heels in love with him. Maybe you’ve always loved him. Maybe you’re just stupid for not realizing it until now. But in this moment, you know you’re doomed, your heart already belonging to Matt.

“And I know you’re smiling right now.”

You grin, giggling like a fool. Yeah, definitely fallen hard. “How do you… You’re amazing Matt Murdock. I hope you know that.”

“Oh, I do.” He answers with a cocky grin, causing you to gently punch his shoulder. He just laughs, looking happy and carefree, more than he has in years. His finger comes to a rest under your chin, taking you by surprise.

“And you’re wonderful.” 

For a moment you forget to breathe. His hand moves along your jaw, the gentle motion causing your skin to break out in goosebumps. It comes to a rest on your cheek, cupping it gently as he slowly leans in. Mere inches away from your lips, he pauses, his breath ghosting over your sensitive skin. 

“I really want to kiss you. Can I?”

You let out a breathy yes, barely above a whisper. But he hears it, his lips twitching into a little smile before he closes the distance, his lips finally meeting yours. 

It's everything you've always dreamt of and more. He keeps you close, his soft lips dancing over yours, the taste of  chocolate and rum filling your senses. You're drunk on the taste of him, never wanting this moment to end.

When he breaks away for air, it's with a wide grin matching your own.

"I have another day, before I go back to New York. So if you're not doing anything…?"

"I'm all yours." You mimic his word from earlier, meaning every word. 

TFC girls: @e-dubbc11 @phoebe-danvers @itwasthereaminuteago @idrinkcoffeeandobsess @saintmurd0ck @mattmurdocksscars @a-bang-for-your-bucky @pedrito-friskito @mindidjarin

Tagging: @murdocks-devil @murdockswh0r3 @freshabogados @lucy-sky

[greetingfromthedead]

Festivities (Vash x Reader)

🎄🎄 Merry Vashmas and Happy WooWoodays! 🎄🎄

Plot: On the winter solstice your community has its own traditions and this year you spend them with Vash. Also Vash has cuteness aggression.

Series: Tempest Wind, but made to work as a oneshot

Pairing: Vash x Reader

Raiting: For Everyone

Tags: AU, Established Relationship, Fluff, Ice Skating, Holidays, Festivities, Cozy, I Have Never Been Good At Tagging Stuff

Word count: 2.1k

Author's Note: This is a slightly modified chapter from my upcoming fic "Tempest Winds". On that note I am looking for beta readers / proofreaders so if you are interested, hmu!

The snowflakes fall gently onto your face as you look up towards the snow covered tree branches. A path carved into the snow leads along the river, the fast current has kept it from freezing. The melody of the stream draws your attention and you stumble on the uneven trail, arms shooting out to find balance, but you have nothing to worry about as a strong hand grabs you under your arm before you land in the white powder.

"Careful now, love!" his voice is amused, "Are you really going to fall over before we even get to the ice?"

You get your feet underneath yourself again and turn around to shoot him a disapproving stare. As expected you first see the huge zipped up red coat and when you look up you see him peering down at you from between the layers of fluffy scarf. The pompom on his hat jiggles as he laughs at your expression.

"Why do you always feel the need to make fun of me?" you try to sound serious and look stern.

Vash bows closer, one hand holding the bag over his shoulder. He is eye level with you now and you see the happy glint in the deep blue eyes, his lips in a wide smile.

"Because it's easy and I adore your expressions!" he says proudly and you roll your eyes. You know you'd do the same if the opportunity arises. You enjoy teasing him just as much as he loves teasing you. He pecks a quick kiss on your lips, only barely missing the scarves around both of you. Your gloved hands grab the front of his coat and pull him closer to give him a proper kiss before turning around again and continuing on along the path. The kiss freezes Vash into place for a second, still bent forward, he stares at you leaving before hurrying after.

Soon you see the main road ahead, lit up by many candles leading down the slope to the big lake, the trees on either side so dense that you could almost forget it's still light outside. As you get off your little path you see a few more people, some coming up the incline, still out of breath and cheeks rosy, their skates dangling from their bags. Others are heading down just like you are to enjoy the views and a festive day. As you get to the candlelit road you stop and wait for Vash to put down the bag. You rummage through it and take the two candles you've brought handing one to Vash. He smiles warmly and waits for you to close the bag again and light your wick with the flame of the closest candle. You turn towards the man and hold out your candle at a slight angle so he has it easier to light his flame with yours.

"I wish you happiness and patience. I hope you have a magical season and a new year that is peaceful and kind to you." the smile on your face makes his heart flutter as you say those words, passing on your wishes to him.

Vash looks at his candle for a moment before making a little spot for it in the snow and placing it down.

"I wish love and happiness, like the kind I feel every day, to whoever gets my flame. I hope their heart will be light and worries will be but a distant memory." Vash leaves his words with his candle as you put yours down next to his.

"Let's go!" you grab his hand, waiting for him to follow you. He quickly throws the bag over his shoulder and squeezes your hand as you start running down the slope, you see people who are lighting their candles and handing down their well wishes. You get around the bend in the road and see the two large spruce trees towering on either side of the path, they are decorated from top to bottom in crystals. An ancient tradition passed down by generations since the colonizing ships first arrived. Some of the crystals are emitting a dim glow that's barely visible in the daylight, others reflecting the light from the sun. Some are round, others are sharp, there are both ores and polished stones, the light dusting of snow shimmering as the path opens up to the enormous lake surrounded by cliffs and mountains on the opposite side. The long and narrow shape has allowed for the snow to be blown away by wind, leaving smooth blue ice behind. 

You drag Vash to a free bench and start pushing your boots off before he even gets around to handing you your skates. He smiles at your excitement as you pull on the skates and start to tie them up. Vash follows your lead knowing full well how you will become if you have to wait for him to be ready, he doesn't feel like being called a slowpoke by you again as you shake with excitement. In the end it's him patiently waiting for you as you meticulously get yourself ready so you can enjoy what's next. You put all you things in the bag that Vash takes to carrying once again. He helps you up from the bench and hand in hand you go to the ice, carefully passing the young children and beginners still finding their balance. Once out in the open you get to speed up.

You skate along the coast for a bit looking for a perfect spot to leave the bag. Carefully you hang it on a tree branch making sure to remember the surrounding and off you go. Pushing yourself to go faster and faster, Vash realizes immediately what you are doing - trying to race him to the other side of the lake, of course you cheated by starting early, but it doesn't matter, he still catches up and passes you, haven gotten a bit ahead he turns around. Laughing at you as he tauntingly skates backwards. You still try to catch up to him, but sadly there's no competition, your only hope was to get a head start. Better luck next time, you'll let him hang up the bag and start booking it as soon as he turns his back on you.

As you clearly lost, you shake your head and slow your pace, changing trajectory to be along the beach again. You look at the dark green forest covering the gentle mountain slopes, the stony cliffs bare from most vegetation. Here and there you see little houses, but you know most are hidden well. As you leisurely watch around, Vash skates circles around you. He has unzipped his coat that's now flapping in the air currents, as he laps you over and over. He keeps looking at you with a gentle smile, like you're the most beautiful view here. His cheeks are red both from the cold air and the slight blush as he thinks just how dear you are to him.

It is already getting dark after barely just getting here as this festive day is held on the solstice when the night is the longest, from here it will get lighter again as spring inches its way closer. That's why everyone here gathers together, the usually so reclusive people of your community have formed traditions, to show each other just how close you really are, that nobody is alone and everyone wishes their neighbor well. It's an amalgam of new customs formed over the decades spent here on this planet and very old ones brought here from Earth.

The sun disappears behind the mountains and as twilight settles in, lights start to appear in the forest and on the cliffs. Vash slows down and takes your hand. Together you glide over the ice watching your surroundings come to life as people light lanterns in their windows revealing the hundreds of houses dotted around the lakeside.

"I'm so glad I get to spend this day with you." Vash's voice speaks up next to you and when you look over you see his eyes on you. As you slow to a stop you turn to face him. You pull off your gloves stuffing them into a pocket and cover his freezing cold cheeks with your warm hands. His cover yours as to avoid you getting frosty.

"I'm glad I get to spend every day with you." you smile, "You fill them with so much happiness."

"I love you." his soft eyes looking into yours as he speaks the simple words that make your heart jump every time you hear them.

"I love you too. Getting to build a home together with you means the world to me." you think of the cozy house that awaits you, all year you've worked on turning it into your personal paradise, the building you grew up in is now more than just that, it's an actual home.

Vash bows down, his hands letting go of yours and instead wrapping around you. He kisses you slowly and tenderly. Your hands slide to be around his neck, pulling him close as your lips move together deeply and lovingly. His arms hold you against him tight, your body keeping him warm. Suddenly he straightens out, pulling you up with him, your skates no longer touching the ice. He breaks the kiss to push his cold nose  against your neck, making you instinctively flinch. He pushes against the ice and you find he is spinning you around. Letting out a squeal you hold on tighter.

"I love you. I love you. I love you." he almost shouts into your scarf, as he overflows with excitement, leaving you laughing. He carefully puts you down again, but spins you so he is behind you, wrapping his arms around you once more and putting his cheek on your shoulder to look at your smiling face. You look back at him knowing there is never a dull moment with him around. You put on your gloves again before taking his hand.

"Shall we go? We still have a light to hang up in our window." you ask him.

"Yes, Sweet Pea, let's go home." he pushes his cold cheek to your ear. "I need you to warm me up again."

You laugh and push yourself off, his hand in yours as you go back to where you left the bag to pick it up and you make your way to the entrance where even more candles have been lit, the trail of them leading onto the ice now. The giant spruces in full effect looking like they have been sprinkled with stardust. You take a last look around, the lights from the mountains and the stars in the sky almost blending into one, reminding you where you come from.

Before you head home you go to one of the decorated trees, Vash standing behind you as you take off your red knitted scarf. You tie it to one of the branches, among the number of other colorful scarves. Vash's hands are on yours as you form the knot and you let out a content sigh.

"May our ancestors watch over us, may we carry on." you let the scarf slip out of your hand and for a moment Vash still holds you, giving your fingers a light squeeze and then stepping back to offer you his hand. Together you go home again, the candles with everyone's happy wishes lighting up the dark night. Even the path along the river has a few candles , but the moonlight creeping in from between the branches and bouncing off the snow is enough to guide you.

You get to your little wooden house by the river, it feels so warm and welcoming because you know you can spend your days there with the man you love. Vash gets started on the fireplace and you make sure there's hot chocolate ready for him. As the room is lit up you bring the lantern that's been waiting for your return. With a long stick Vash brings over a small flame from the fireplace and lights the candle in the lantern as you hold open its door. Together you hang up the guiding light on your window facing the lake. You doubt anyone is able to see it though the forest, but it doesn't matter, it's the thought that counts.

Together you settle into the couch by the fireplace, surrounded by soft pillows and blankets, you lay your legs over his lap, Vash's arm around your shoulders to keep you close. The fire relieves the ache in your muscles and you feel happiness and bliss.  

Read more Tempest Wind HERE.

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[calpalirwin]

Ice Breaker

Summary: Thea had her reasoning as to why she didn’t like hockey players. Until Calum makes her re-evaluate her opinion.

Word Count: 6.1k

And away, and away we go!

__

Thea didn’t mind the frigid air of the ice skating rink. What she did mind was the group of hockey players already on the bleachers, their gear scattered around as they laced up.

Thea hated hockey season. She hated how their brutish nature of yelling and slamming into each other was a constant cause of distraction. Hated the smell of sweat that always clung to their gear and their bodies, as if they had no idea how to operate a washing machine or a shower. And she hated their sense of entitlement. Not to the rink— no, that was rightfully theirs— but their sense of entitlement to her. As if she was there merely for their sake and desires.

Coach Anderson had always held a zero tolerance for disrespect or harassment, to the point of banning players from his team. But even the strictest of policies hadn’t been enough to deter the most determined.

She kept her face neutral of any contempt or disdain as she staked her claim at the bottom of the bleachers.

“Excuse me, miss?” one of the men called out to her. “Were you planning on using the rink?”

Thea clicked her tongue in her cheek as she looked over at the man. Dark brown curls, wild and loose framed his face, and equally dark brown eyes studied her closely. His black jersey lay slung over his broad shoulders. “No,” she smiled sweetly at him. “I just came to the ice rink with a bag of gear to sit here for three hours.”

The man laughed. “Real funny, princess. But I got the schedule from the coach right here in my bag. And I hate to break it to you, but this is our practice time for the next eight months.”

“Four months,” Thea corrected. “Your season is four months.”

“For the regular season. But we’re in training for the first two months. Then the actual season. And then playoffs which are an extra two months. And that, princess, is how to count to eight,” the man clarified.

“So I’ll be rid of you in six,” she grinned. “I shall count the days!”

The man laughed again. “Tell you what, princess. Since you’re already here, and we would hate to see you freeze waiting on us, I’ll talk to the coach, and see if we can’t work something out for today.”

“Or I can talk to the coach myself. See if I can’t work something out for today. Wouldn’t want you boys to freeze or anything.” Her voice was rich with sweet sarcasm.

The man scoffed, sweeping a large hand in the direction of the hallway that led to the offices. “Be my guest, princess. Fair warning through, Coach Anderson can be a bit of a hardass.”

“Ooo, I’d be careful how you refer to your coach,” Thea winced.

“As would I,” Coach Anderson said as he walked into view, his co and assistant coaches a step behind. “Thea, sweetheart, how are you?” he asked with a warmth that had his team looking at each other in surprise.

“I’m good,” she smiled, giving the coach a hug hello. “Although there appears to be an issue with your scheduling. You double booked yourself.”

Coach Anderson pinched the bridge of his nose. “Shit. I always want to think you end at three, not start at three.”

“You know, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you do this on purpose as a chance to see me.”

“I don’t do it on purpose,” Coach Anderson said with a laugh. “I’ll look everything over and find a work around. As for today… Peter, let’s get set up on half the rink. We’ll let Thea use the other half.”

Peter Steele, the assistant coach nodded once before jogging off.

Coach Anderson clapped his hands together. “Alright! Thea, have you met the team?”

“Briefly,” she said, her eyes sweeping over the twelve men who sat on the bleachers, still watching the interaction between the head coach and the figure skater with both intrigue and shock.

“Thea, this is the team. First line I have Hood, Irwin, and Hemmings as my forwards. Fleming and DeLuca are the defensemen. And then Clifford’s goalie.”

Each man waved a hand in greeting, first the dark haired man whom she had spoken with, a man with light brown curls, two blondes, another brunette, and another blonde.

Coach Anderson then prattled off the names of his second line, but Thea kept her focus on Hood and the arrogance that radiated off him as he stared blankly back at her. “And I’m still working on a practice schedule for the third and fourth lines. Gentlemen, this is Thea Anderson, my daughter.”

Eleven men coughed uncomfortably. The twelfth— Hood— only widened his eyes, the only indication he gave of the news shocking him. “I apologize for the overlap of schedules and will work on getting that fixed. However, I think we’ve wasted enough time, so let’s get to it.”

Thea paid them no mind as they all headed out on the ice. As she readied herself, she let the sounds of the sticks hitting ice, the yells and grunts of the players, and the shouted commands and whistles of the coaches all fade to a nonexistent hum.

By the time her skates were laced and she made her way to the ice, her focus was solely on her own movements: each push off, jump, spin, and landing. Flawless and graceful execution. No room for error.

For the twelve hockey players and three coaches, playing with only half a rink was a challenge, given the less than ideal space. Cramped, but not impossibly so.

Hood, in a state of hypervigilance, saw how Thea pushed herself into a backwards skate with her right foot. He also saw the left defender shoot the puck, the trajectory destined to cross the figure skater’s path. Hood rushed towards it.

Thea noticed the black blur of the puck hurtling towards that red center line, saw its trajectory same as Hood, and adjusted, jumping as Hood continued to race towards her to stop the puck.

Thea completed her spin as Hood slid to a halt, his skates showering her in sparks of shaved ice, and he sent the puck flying across the rink towards his left forward. Breathless, and a little pleased he’d managed to pull that off without colliding with Thea or even crossing the center line, he shot a grin at her. “Pretty jump there, princess,” he complimented.

She scoffed at him, brushing the shards of ice off her skirt. “And I suppose I should thank you for saving me from nothing?”

“That puck would have tripped you if I hadn’t stopped it,” he pointed out.

“No it wouldn't because unlike you, I’m aware of my space.”

Hood glanced down at the red center line, the toe of his skate right along the edge on his side. “As am I,” he said smugly.

“You’re a brute,” she hissed.

“If it so pleases, Your Highness,” he grinned like the fool he was, before he sketched a bow that even Thea had to admit was rather graceful despite his size and gear.

“Hood!” Coach Anderson barked with a sharp look at both his player and his daughter.

Hood pushed himself backward, still bowing. Thea scowled at the theatrics, at the smug look on his face, as he skated away and turned his attention back on his teammates and that infernal black puck.

~~~

The following day when Thea walked into the arena, the men that made up her father’s team were already out on the ice.

She scowled as she stalked over to the bleachers and laced up. If Coach Anderson was so insistent on sharing the ice, then he could have the burden of making sure his players stayed out of her way.

“Thea, sweetheart!” her father greeted, skating towards the edge of the rink closest to her.

“I thought you fixed the schedule.”

“I did!” the man beamed. “We have…” he glanced over at the clock on the wall, “a half hour left. They’re gonna start their cool down exercises so we won’t have any pucks flying around. It was the best solution I could come up with.”

“Mmm, how thoughtful…”

“Thea…” Coach Anderson said in a low warning.

“It’s not you I have the problem with, Dad. It’s them,” she clarified with a pointed glance at the team.

“They haven’t done anything to you, have they?”

“Not them specifically.”

Coach Anderson’s jaw tightened. “I traded that entire part of the roster, and made it very clear to this team that I won’t tolerate any indication of disrespect or harassment.”

“I know. And I hope you know I appreciate the lengths you have gone through for my sake. But they view kindness as a weakness, so it’s easier if I’m a bitch from the start.”

Coach Anderson rested a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Your kindness is your greatest strength, don’t let anybody make you feel that it’s not.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Of course. Now, feel like showing these men what you’re capable of?”

“Suicides? Let them think they have a chance, at least?”

The father and daughter shared a grin, as Coach Anderson blew his whistle. “Line up!” was the barked command.

The twelve men scurried to line up along one of the goal lines waiting for the next order. They kept their focus straight ahead even as Thea joined them in the line up. “Alright, gentlemen. We had a good practice, so I’m gonna give you the opportunity to earn a little reward here. One suicide across the rink.”

The men blinked in confusion. “That’s all, Coach?” one of them asked.

“That’s all,” Coach Anderson nodded. “One suicide stands between you and an early end to practice. However, if Thea finishes before you, you all will be doing suicides until practice officially ends.”

One of the players raised their hand.

“Yes, Hood?”

“To clarify, does place matter? So as long as Thea doesn’t finish first, we win? Or does she have to finish thirteenth for us to win?”

“You’re a team, Hood. If one member finishes before Thea, you all win. That’s what? A ninety-two percent chance at success? Sounds more than fair, right?”

“Yes Coach!” was the uniform response.

“Full rink. On my mark. Ready. Set.” Coach Anderson blew the whistle.

The players were quick to fly back and forth across the ice, gaining the lead early. Thea skated towards the end of the pack, pacing herself, playing the long game.

By the center line, the players started to fall on the return, as Thea made her way to the middle of the pack, still keeping a comfortable pace.

The men ahead of her pushed themselves harder to keep their lead as they skated for the goal line.

“Dig deep!” was the encouraged shout from the coaches as they hit the goal line, and skated back across the rink.

Thea passed more of them as they reached the second blue line. And as she headed out for the last round of goal line to goal line, only Hemmings, Hood, and Irwin were ahead of her.

Despite their longer strides, Thea passed Hemmings by the center line, and then Irwin as she hit the goal line. Hood was only a few feet away, passing the blue line.

All that lay between Hood and victory was a clean shot across the rink. He had a small but decent lead, and a longer stride.

Thea lengthened her own stride, feeling the stretch in her leg muscles. By the center line she was half a step behind.

Hood grit his teeth, and put as much speed in his strides as he could, already having maxed out how far he could extend his legs between each stride.

The toes of their skate hit the final goal line at the same time.

Thea nodded at Hood, conceding graciously. She opened her mouth to extend her congratulations, but Coach Anderson spoke up first. “Good effort, but not quite good enough. Line up!”

“Coach,” Hood replied, his voice coming out as heavy as his breathing. “With all due respect, you said Thea had to finish first. She didn’t. We both did.”

Coach Anderson’s eyes darkened, ready to tear his player apart for daring to question orders.

“Dad,” Thea interjected. “He’s right. You were very clear that I had to make it to the line first. And I didn’t. So unless Hood is up for a tie-breaker, your team’s free to go.”

“What kind of tie breaker do you have in mind?” Hood asked, intrigued.

“3 laps around the rink. If we tie, you lose. If I win, you lose.”

“You got yourself a deal,” Hood agreed, offering her his hand.

She shook it, sealing the bet.

“Take your marks then,” Coach Anderson relented. “But, Hood, if Thea wins, I’m adding an extra 5 minutes for your impertinence.”

“Understood, Coach.” Then he focused those intense brown eyes on Thea. “Am I allowed to shed some gear to make the odds more even?”

“You could skate in your underwear for all I care, Hood. I could even skate backwards and blindfolded, you’re still going to lose.”

“That’s a bold statement. Hope you can back it up,” he told her as he shucked his helmet, gloves, and jersey, discarding them on the lip of the wall surrounding the rink. “And it’s Calum.”

“I didn’t ask.”

When Coach Anderson blew the whistle, Calum skated like his life depended on it. Not only did he want to prove her words wrong, he wanted to pull through for his team. Ten minutes of suicides— fifteen in Calum’s case— would be an excruciating end to practice. Then there was the scathing lecture the team would receive about their lack of discipline for failure, and the personal one-on-one reaming Calum would get afterward for his attitude.

But a victory… A victory might earn him only a stern reminder at most. And the gratitude of his team.

While Calum had more reasons to win than he could count, Thea had zero. It didn’t matter to her whether or not she won. No threat of punishment loomed over her head as she and Calum raced around the rink. Just the pride that came with putting hockey players in their place. To show that she was a force to be reckoned with in her own right.

Every part of Calum was on fire as he fought to at least keep pace with Thea as they entered the final lap. Calum raced down the straightaway letting his speed carry him through the turn, using the chance to catch his breath, determined to hit the last straightaway with everything he had. His lungs burned. Sweat trickled down his spine. Even though a tie would mean he lost, it was still better than a complete blow out.

Thea pulled ahead as they hit the last turn, and he mentally braced for the inevitable defeat. But as she came out of the turn, Thea slowed. At first Calum assumed it was so she could stop just over the line, and she had somehow misjudged the distance as he went past her, crossing first. But the soft smile she flashed his way told him that she had let him win. But what for? “Good race,” she continued to smile, offering out her hand.

He didn’t dare question her reasoning for throwing the race in his favor now. He engulfed her hand in his larger one. “Good race.”

“Alright,” Coach Anderson said, a slight edge of confusion in his tone. “Hit the showers and I’ll see you all tomorrow. Hood, hang back a second, please.”

Calum squared his shoulders. While he knew he should consider himself lucky, and was indeed grateful to Thea for saving him and his team a grueling five extra minutes of practice, he hoped whatever Coach Anderson wanted to discuss didn’t include being benched to curb Hood’s impertinence. “Yes, Coach?” he replied once the rest of the team made their swift exit towards the locker rooms. None wanted to be privy to whatever hell Coach Anderson had planned.

Even Thea had managed to make herself disappear out of immediate earshot as she started to practice a series of jumps on the other side of the rink.

“Good effort out there today.”

“T-thank you, Coach,” Calum faltered over his words. This was so far from how he imagined this conversation happening.

“But if you ever have the boldness to act disrespectful in regards to me, the other coaches, or any of our judgments again, your time on this team will be incredibly short-lived.”

“Understood, Coach,” Calum nodded.

Coach Anderson clapped the younger man on the shoulder. “And at some point I would thank Thea. Rightfully so, she’s not overly friendly toward hockey players. And she wasn’t being overly confident about being able to outskate you blindfolded and backwards. I’ve seen her do it before. So the fact that she threw both races in your favor is beyond me. Now, hit the showers and get out of here.”

“Yes, Coach. And thank you.”

Calum wasted no time in heading for the locker room, in the event Coach Anderson changed his mind.

“Why did you let them win?” Coach Anderson asked as soon as Calum had left, and Thea skated back towards her father.

She skidded to a halt in front of the coach. “Same reason you let him off easy. Kindness is our greatest strength, isn’t it?”

Coach Anderson shook his head, chuckling lightly. “That it is. But I didn’t expect you to be so quick to set aside your reservations.”

“I’m not. I’m merely giving them a clean slate to work on. And there’s a fine line between being confident and being cocky,” she began to skate around the coach in a lazy loop as she elaborated further. “They’re confident. As they should be, they have all the markings of being great players. I assume you saw as much because they’re on your team. But I also know you don’t put players on your team solely because they’re good at hockey. I don’t know your team enough to pass my own judgment on them, so I’m trusting yours. I’m willing to see in them what you see in them, until proven otherwise.”

“I wonder who you learned such wisdom from.”

“Mom,” Thea laughed, jumping into a perfect spin. “Plus, your team was at a disadvantage. You had been running them ragged for who knows how long, whereas I just got here, fully energized. A few of them might have genuinely beaten me in the first run if it had been the beginning of their practice. If I want to win, I want it to be because I’m truly better.”

“Fair enough. So you think you can manage to share a half hour with them?”

“Yeah I think that’ll be fine,” she smiled.

Coach Anderson bid his daughter farewell, and Thea returned to running through her practice routine. The team slowly filtered out of the locker room, offering her a friendly wave or a shout of thanks on their way out the door. And while she acknowledged them in return, neither her nor the players engaged in further interaction. Not until Calum finally trudged out, his bag slung over one shoulder, and his skates slung over the other.

He dropped both of them at his feet, mindful to not damage his skates. Then he leaned against the wall of the rink dividing him from her. “You let me win. Why?”

“It wasn’t a fair match. You had already had your practice. I was just beginning mine.”

“All the more reason you should have mopped the floor with us. You had the upper hand, and you don’t like us. So to give up an easy win like that…”

“If I win, I want it to be because I’m truly better. Not because you’re already fatigued. And I never said I didn’t like you guys.”

“You didn’t have to. Your attitude towards us speaks for itself.”

“Not being fond of hockey players doesn’t equate to me outright disliking them.”

“Fair enough. I wouldn’t be fond of hockey players either. I’ve heard some of us are brutes.” He flashed her a knowing grin.

“As long as you’re aware you’re a brute,” she responded airly.

Calum laughed. “Well, I prefer to earn my victories too. So any time you want that rematch…”

“I’m sure we’ll be able to find each other.”

“See ya tomorrow, princess.”

“Rest up, brute.”

~~~

The next few weeks, Thea set aside her reservations as she utilized the hockey team’s cool down exercises as her own warm up.

She learned a lot about the team in daily half hour increments. Most of them had girlfriends. They all enjoyed a drink or two, except Ashton who was sober and more than happy to play designated driver. All twelve players that made up Coach Anderson’s first and second string had almost always played together on the same team, and as a result were all really decent friends, but the bond that the first string players had was a lot stronger than the bond the second string players shared.

In return, they tried to learn what they could about their honorary thirteenth, but Thea offered them as little information as she could. Opening herself up meant dealing with their questions, or worse. From what they were able to gather, they could reasonably assume that Thea practiced daily, but only worked with her coach during competition season, and that she was closest in age to Luke.

Usually, Calum hated how much his life was on display. Hated the unfair power dynamic it created with someone knowing so much while he knew so little in return. But with Thea, he found himself enthralled by it. He knew what he needed: that she was elegance and grace incarnated, and that she was more disciplined than any one he’d ever encountered before. As far as he was concerned, everything else was a matter of details. And he was certain that details would only enhance the big picture that was Thea Anderson, and he didn’t need to be more distracted by her presence than he already was.

As training came to a close in preparation for the opening season, Coach Anderson gathered his men at the end of one of the practices. “Gentlemen. Our first game of the season is tomorrow, so we won’t have practice. However, you need to be here at five. You don’t want to know what happens if you’re late. Is that understood?”

“Yes Coach!”

“Dismissed. Thea?”

“I’ll keep an eye on the time so I don’t conflict with your game, I know,” she told him.

“Thank you, but that’s not what I want to discuss.”

“Oh?”

“The team we’re playing tomorrow… As much as you are welcome to the rink for your practice, and as much as I would enjoy having you with us for our first game… Estrada is on the other team’s roster.”

Thea paled. “Oh…”

“So I understand if you need to be elsewhere.”

“No.” Thea shook her head and drew up her body as tall as she could. “No. He took enough. I won’t give him the satisfaction of thinking he took this away from me, too.”

Coach Anderson nodded once in understanding. They both knew Thea could face whatever bullshit Donovan Estrada threw her way. She’d done it once before.

~~~

The following afternoon, Thea was surprised at how off she felt as she began her practice. She chalked it up to nerves about potentially running into Donovan, but when Calum walked in fifteen minutes early, she was shocked to realize it wasn’t nerves about the game at all.

She had become used to starting her practice as they ended theirs. Used to their loud laughs coming out of the locker room, and their friendly waves goodbye. Used to their presence, Calum’s in particular. She swallowed the patheticness of it all.

He offered her a two fingered wave and a broad smile. “Hey! Glad to have the whole rink to yourself the whole time?” he asked, leaning his forearms against the wall.

“It’s so quiet,” she said, flashing him a wide grin.

Calum laughed, his head tilting back. “Aw! The princess misses the brutes!”

“Shut up,” she laughed with him, pink coloring her cheeks.

“You staying for the game?” he asked.

“Aw, the brute misses the princess, too!” she mocked. “I’m still undecided. Not the biggest fan of who you’re playing.”

“Oh yeah, some of ‘em used to play for your dad. Hmm… Damn, that’s something.”

“What?” she paused.

“Nothing,” he said with a small shake of his head. “Just wondering if it’s all connected. Must have been pretty bad if it is.”

She stiffened. “It’s none of your business, Hood.” The words came out colder and harsher than she had ever spoken to him before, even on that first meeting.

Calum raised his hands in surrender. “Not trying to make it my business. But I know it would mean a lot to the team if you could find the strength to stay. Hell, it would mean a lot to me.”

She would have teased him for that, and he knew she was about to based on how a slow smirk spread across her lips. But he was saved from the back and forth taunting as the rest of the team slowly started to trickle in. So Calum pounded his fists against the lip of the wall in two quick thuds. “Be real cool if you stayed,” he said before following his team towards the locker rooms.

Thea stayed frozen in place until Calum was out of her line of sight. She took a few deep cleansing breaths to steady her racing heart. She didn’t want to leave. She didn’t want to give Donovan the satisfaction of thinking he had ruined her safe haven. But Calum wasn’t stupid. He knew too much. And while she had zero plans to interact with Donovan, on the off chance she did and Calum witnessed it, he would be able to put all the pieces together. She wasn’t sure which reality was worse: one where Calum knew the truth about why Coach Anderson had a brand new team and judged her for it, or pitied her for it. And if he shared any of his suspicions with the rest of the team…

She shook her head. No. She was certain that Calum had been honest when he told her he wasn’t trying to make her business his business. She had to put her trust in that. In him.

In the end she decided to stay, setting herself up right behind the players’ bench on the home team’s side. And she felt sure she had made the right choice by the excited smiles that lit up the team’s faces when they all came out. “Glad you stayed,” Calum told her, his gloved hand resting on top of hers. A brief moment of warmth that would have been over as quickly as it happened if it hadn’t been for a harsh bark of laughter.

Calum’s head whipped to the source of the sound, noting how Thea’s hand stiffened under his. “Estrada,” she said coldly.

Donovan ignored her, his sneer focused full force on Calum. “I’d be careful getting close to this one. Her daddy might trade you, too.”

“You got traded because you’re as shitty a player as you are a man,” Thea spat, the tightness in her body that once was fearful panic now tightly controlled anger.

Donovan’s hands clenched into fists and Thea laughed, an eerily lifeless sound that chilled Calum down to the bone. “Oh? You’re gonna hit me again, Donny? Go ahead. Seeing as how that worked out for you so well the last time.” Her voice was low and lethal as she took a dangerous step forward, leaning up on the tips of her toes to get as close to Donovan’s face as she could. “Be more than happy to break your nose again. Straighten it back out.”

Quick as a flash, Donovan’s hand snaked around Thea’s other wrist. And the way her breath hitched in pain was the final straw in this meeting for Calum. “Let her go,” he said with a steady calmness.

Donovan turned his attention back to Calum, hand still gripping Thea, a terribly cruel smile on his lips. “And what are you? My replacement? The princess’s bodyguard?”

“Nah, mate,” Calum replied, his tone almost bored. “Thea doesn’t need a bodyguard for one thing. And for another, I don’t play anybody’s replacement, especially not some shitty excuse for a man like yourself.”

Donovan dropped Thea’s wrist as more players from both teams started coming out of the locker rooms.

Thea watched the silent stand off between the men. Donovan’s face was twisted in a sneer, barely containing the rage radiating off him; Calum the epitome of relaxed ease, his anger tightly restrained. Two sides of the same coin. Thea cradled her wrist to her, the skin tender and red. She gave the barest shake of her head as Coach Anderson walked by, worry in his eyes.

“Count your days,” Donovon hissed after Coach Anderson passed before stalking off himself.

Thea felt her knees go weak. “Whoa, steady,” Calum said, his hands flying to her waist, his hold delicate. “Are you alright?”

Thea shook her head. “No. And I wouldn’t suggest making an enemy out of him. Not for my sake.”

“What if I wanted to make him an enemy for my sake?” Calum asked, the corners of his lips pulling up in a playful smirk.

“Don’t,” she said, her voice strong. “He’s part of my past for a reason. Leave it that way.”

Calum dropped the smirk. “With all due respect, I’m not sure if I can.” And without saying another word, or entertaining another argument from her on the matter, Calum walked off to join the rest of his team.

“That one,” Coach Anderson overheard as Calum fixed his stare on Donovan. “Number 83. Find any excuse to hit him. Hard.”

Ashton snorted, “And what could he have possibly done to already royally piss you off?”

“None of your damn business,” Calum snapped. “Hit him, or I’ll hit you into him, is that understood?”

Ashton clicked his tongue in his cheek, taking note of how Calum’s eyes flickered to watch Thea settle herself behind their bench, before flickering back over to Donovan. Watching. Studying. “What did he do to her?” Ashton asked, keeping his voice low.

“I’m not sure of all the details, but there was some sort of abuse.”

Ashton cracked his knuckles.

~~~

The game was brutal, even by hockey standards. The crowd cheered and winced whenever a player was slammed into the plexiglass barrier. No one seemed to note, however, that oftentimes it was Estrada who was shoved up against the wall. No one except those involved, and Thea.

Thea couldn’t control the gasp that escaped her as the plexiglass barrier in front of her shook with the force of Donovan being slammed into it.

The referee blew his whistle, calling a penalty on Calum for boarding. Calum merely shrugged as he skated off towards the penalty box, Donovan shooting daggers at him the whole time. Thea slowly made her way through the crowd to get closer to the penalty box. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she hissed at Calum.

“Playing,” he answered with that same bored tone.

She rolled her eyes. “I told you to leave him alone. You don’t know what he’s capable of doing.”

“And I told you,” Calum replied, his words coming out cold and harsh, “that I can’t let it go. And I can handle him.”

“Calum, please.”

The plea in her voice and body language irritated Calum. Thea was scared, and he hated it. “I’m sorry, Thea. I’m so sorry,” was all he said before he jumped back into the game.

“Calum!”

To his credit, Calum laid off Donovan for the remainder of the game. But Ashton and Luke picked up his slack, and Donovan still had it out for Calum.

Donovan bided his time, taking the hits from Ashton and Luke and adding it to the specific style of hell he would leash upon Calum, and when he saw his opening, he didn’t hesitate.

“Hood!” Calum heard the shouted warning moments before his head slammed into plexiglass.

Helmets clattered to the ice and a fist was on a collision course with his jaw. Calum never heard the whistle as he tackled Donovan onto the ice, both of their fists flying. If Donovan wanted a fight, he was gonna get a fight, consequences be damned. Calum didn’t care if he got thrown out of the game, if Coach Anderson benched him for the rest of the season, or if he even got blacklisted from the league entirely. All he cared about was making sure Donovan knew that there were no lengths Calum wouldn’t go through for Thea’s sake.

Calum wasn’t aware of Ashton and Luke physically dragging him away down towards the locker room, the rest of the team and the coaches following in a hurry. He wasn’t aware of anything except a blinding desire to go back out and finish his fight with Donovan. Nothing until Thea’s face appeared in his line of vision, worry making her eyebrows crease together.

“Oh, Calum,” she mused, her touch gentle as she traced the bruising on his face.

“You should see the other guy,” he tried to smirk. “And since when do you call me ‘Calum’?”

“That is your name, isn’t it?”

“You know what I mean.”

She sighed, and there was a beat of silence as the locker room emptied. “Why’d you do it?” she asked, her voice a low whisper despite them now being alone.

“It’s stupid to explain. But I feel… protective of you, in a way I don’t fully understand. I don’t know the full history between you and Estrada, and it makes no difference to me if you tell me it all, or you don’t. Well it does make a difference, but not that way, if that makes sense. Like I still would want to beat him to a pulp. I still do want to beat him to a pulp. I want to make him pay for every ounce of hurt he ever caused you because I’m not the type to stand to the side. And the way you reacted around Estrada… I know I would do anything to make sure nobody ever makes you feel that way because… because you, Thea, are… you’re…”

“I’m what?”

“You are… unexpected. In the best way possible. Every time I think I got you figured out, you find a new way to surprise me. So, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry if I overstepped, or made you feel that I don’t think you can handle your own shit.”

She pondered on his words, saw the sincerity in his face, his beautifully bloodied face. “You’re right. That was stupid to explain.”

Calum scowled as much as he could. “Gee, thanks. Pouring my heart out over here.”

“Pouring your heart out? ‘Sorry I pummeled your ex during a game where I’m supposed to be a professional, but you’re just so unexpected!” she mocked, batting her eyes at him for extra effect.

He chuckled. “I didn’t say I was sorry for fighting him. I said I was sorry if you found me defending you offensive.”

“Well I accept your apology, Calum.”

“That’s four times now you’ve actually called me by my name. You can’t tell me that’s coincidental.”

Thea shrugged “I’m unexpected, what can I say?” Then, her lips brushed lightly against Calum’s cheek. “And for what it’s worth, I care about you, too. More than I ever thought I could care about a hockey br— Sorry. Hockey player. Not brute. Matter of fact, let’s just agree that I’ll never call you a brute again, so long as you never call me a princess.”

“Deal,” Calum easily agreed, as his playful nickname for her had been tainted the moment in rolled off Donovan’s lips with such disgust. “And Thea? Provided I’m not about to walk out of here and lose my job, and uh, maybe after my face heals up, would you maybe wanna go out to dinner?”

“You owe me a rematch on that race, first. And if you win, then you can take me out.”

“And if I lose?”

“I don’t see that happening.”

__

Tag List

@aquarius-hood1996 @creator-appreciator @philthepegacorn @myfavfanficsever @youngblood199456 @stormrider505 @iknowyouthinkimbulletproof @hoodhoran @metalandboybands @maybeememez @1weekago @simpracha @binxiboo @xxxlaura @victoria432stuff @maedesculpaeusoubi @hfkait @moviefangirl17 @vc55bughead

[workingforitallthetime]

drawn arrows unseen

part 18 / previous installments/tags

As the tiny little crowd at Mullett Arena cheers for the Arizona players taking the ice for warmups, Mason circles through the shooting rotation at the visitors’ end of the rink and looks for 98 out of the corner of his eye. He’s been on edge ever since their bus arrived at the arena. So far, nothing in the tunnels or the visitors’ room has assaulted him with Connor’s scent. It’s best to see him for the first time during warmups, anyway. At least this way he’s ready for it. Braced.

After Connor stickhandles in the neutral zone for a couple of minutes, Mason skates toward him, sliding in with his hand raised for a fistbump. That’s what you do, when you play against a buddy you won gold with once upon a time. You say hi at the red line. This is normal. Mason can act normal.

Then Connor’s scent hits him like a brick wall. Mason’s skates stutter on the ice as his entire body regresses right back to their hotel room in Red Deer. He should turn around. He should skate away, right now, before Connor looks up and sees him or scents him. But his skate blades keep pulling him forward, like they’re propelled by sheer want, like the blood beating hot in his veins is dragging his entire body toward Connor.

Connor flips his puck onto his stick and straightens up. His eyes widen. The puck falls to the ice, forgotten.

Mason doesn’t have any secrets anymore.

As Mason gasps in a desperate lungful of air, Connor’s familiar scent goes warm and fresh. Cedar wood oozing sap, melting ice dripping through the branches.

Oh fuck, Connor breathes.

The scent goes straight to Mason’s gut and ripples outward from there, sending warm waves all the way to the tips of his toes. It makes him lightheaded, unable to think straight. He strips off his glove and reaches out for the front of Connor’s jersey. 

Just before Mason’s fingers close around the kachina logo, Trevor cheerily slides in next to them. “Are we having a moment?” His nostrils flare as he inhales the miasma emanating from Mason and Connor.  “Oh, shit, we are for sure having a moment, huh?” He tugs at the hem of Mason’s jersey. “Big Mac, you gotta come with me.”

Without breaking eye contact with Connor, Mason snarls at Trevor.

“Mason.” The playfulness in Trevor’s voice is replaced with a low urgency. “People are watching.”

Trevor always knows where the cameras are. Mason nods at Connor, quick, inhaling one last sustaining breath of Connor’s scent before he wrenches himself away. He turns and follows Trevor down the boards. Behind him, he hears Jamie telling Connor to go see his trainer, now. It’s the first time Mason has ever heard him use his alpha voice.

Trevor skates with him to the end boards, staying right on Mason’s back. He nudges Mason in line for a one-timer. “So what the fuck is…”

 “I was fine,” Mason interrupts him.

“Sure you were,” Trevor says, easy, and maybe he even means it. He bumps his shoulder against Mason’s. “You just gotta let your boy get his shit together. Every alpha on the ice is gonna be after him if he comes out for puck drop smelling like that.”

Mason doesn’t realize he’s growling until Trevor honks out a laugh and slaps him on the pads. “Easy, boy. Find him after.”

It’s the best and worst game of Mason’s life. He’s on top of every puck, winning every battle, as if having Connor close sharpens all his instincts and stokes his competitive fire to a full-on conflagration. He’s also hyperconscious of Connor, painfully aware of his location whenever Connor’s on the ice. Every time Connor gets hit – and Connor does get hit, quite a bit, even if Anaheim’s lacking in the alpha aggression department this season – it takes Mason a beat to override the impulse to fight his own teammates.

Midway through the game, Connor glides toward the dot to line up for a faceoff against Mason.  A bead of sweat stands out against the white film on his neck. The trainers must have greased him up with some kind of scent blocker. It doesn’t work, or at least it doesn’t work on Mason. It just turns Connor’s icy clean scent a little chalky.

Mason reflexively gulps in a breath as the puck drops. Connor sweeps it behind him to Guenther and all Mason sees is a flash of Connor’s teeth as he takes off down the ice, leaving Mason desperate in his wake.

(next)

[sergeifyodorov]

calle, mikko and eichel for the send me a character ask thing >:)

hehehe taylorrrr <33

i confess im terrible at remembering my first impressions so thats gonna be the least filled out part but lets get INTO it

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Cale: “Everyone has been talking about this man’s rosy cheeks and -- wow, he really does have rosy cheeks”

Mikko: [vague absorption of names you hear when you’re watching a game but you don’t know what’s going on][oh yeah that mikko rantanen guy is an av]

Eichel: “The guy who’s kind of bitchy”/ lbr it was mceichel slashfic

IMPRESSION NOW

Cale: Sweet little rosy-cheeked milkmaid of a babygirl. That hair looks like a baby bird. Dude is a nerd, and probably going to be the Avs’ next captain. That Conn Smythe run was memorable as hell, and I’ll always remember him as a playoff performer, even though the Avs are literally all hurt. Except Mikko.

Mikko: HART 2023 WINNER IN MY MIND. For some reason to me (ngl, my opinion on the Avs is “favourable but I don’t think about them”) he is the only Av who played the whole season -- he carried the entire fucking team through that early-season hell where everyone was really really hurt, as opposed to only mostly hurt like they were in the back half (plus Natemac was back). All this has cemented to me that he is an underappreciated big beautiful blonde moose of a man. Great tits as well if i have to be honest.

Eichel: My bitch wife. Mad respect for being apparently the only hockey out there who knows how to take care of his body (i see u going right down the tunnel when somethings wrong instead of trying to tough it out on the bench. Yesssssss). Robbed of the Smythe. People keep trying to say that he’s not better than McDavid -- this is obvious, but that’s not the point! Also I think it’s funny that that attitude (read: self-respect) has caused people (sabres fans) to note him as a locker-room cancer. It turned out that it made him a playoff performer instead. Not that I want VGK to win more Cups (for purely petty reasons, namely that my leafies should win out), but I do look forward to seeing him tear up the playoffs from here to kingdom come. Also, he’s not objectively handsome but i want him carnally.

FAVOURITE MOMENT

Cale: Just watching him skate/man the power-play. His edges are gorgeous, he’s really in the top tier of pure skaters out there. Also the Stroopwaffel Incident

Mikko: Hm. Probably that one media where they had Avs do the heart hand thing and he didn’t understand it? Himbo supreme. Just so large, and so beefy, and so stupid

Eichel: Do I really have to say it?

IDEA FOR STORY

Cale: He is the barmaid that the cowboy (natemac?) sees when he enters the mysterious Old West town’s saloon for the first time. He’s got this sort of quiet demeanour that everyone knows not to mess with, because he’s smart as a whip and he’ll get you if you don’t know what’s good for you. Maybe it turns out he’s also the rival gunslinger and we can have this Dark Cale against nate. (and then they kiss)

Mikko: Equal parts romcom boyfriend and werewolfcore. Werewolf boyfriend. I’m sure there are no paranormal romances with a plot that can be established in this manner

Eichel: I’m still on the mceichel train I prommy but I admit the eichel section in scheherazade was really quite fun… I’d like to stay a little bit in that universe, only not plunking auston in just having him already be there. The eichelston teammates to ex-teammates to teammates again to lovers. They could be gossipy haters together. They could kiss under the moonlight. 

UNPOPULAR OPINION

Cale: I think this new failgirl era (questionable concussion treatment) is a dangerous trajectory for him. We’ve already seen many, many NHLers with promising careers interrupted or cut short by concussion mismanagement, and Cale is one of the best and brightest of the younger generation. I’d hate to see him go down the path of someone like Kariya.

Mikko: HART 2023 WINNER IN MY MIND!!!

Eichel: I’m not sure if eichelthirsting is unpopular or not (or if any of my opinions are unpopular really), but that is what i’m going to say. I saw pictures of him post-Cup with his shorts rolled up all the way and that leg exposed to get the Cup tattoo, and. Awooga. 

FAV RELATIONSHIP

Cale: Cale x a good nights sleep, cale x stroopwaffel. I think natecale is probably a pleasing one, just because they’re both Canadian Weirdguys, but i’m going to be honest I haven’t read many Cale fics. (Yes, to anyone who might b reading, this IS an opportunity to drop your fic recs in here. Id love em)

Mikko: Arsirane, I don’t have time for messing around

Eichel: McEichel, just because of that juicy juicy Narrative. They don’t have any personal beef with each other, but if you lock them in a room I bet they’d complain to one another so much about the media that they’d start spontaneously kissing. 

FAV HEADCANON

Cale: ex-emo kid. We’ve all seen that one photo of him with the bad black hair dye job, whether it’s real or not. I would just like to state that I also believe he can bust out I Write Sins Not Tragedies on the karaoke machine if he is JUST this side of drunk and horny enough.

Mikko: Reportedly funny, but probably the kind of funny where about half the time he doesn’t realize that what he’s said is hilarious, but everyone else laughs at it anyway (he doesn’t mind this. It’s a point of pride)

Eichel: im gonna vote him Most Likely To Kiss His Teammates Platonically On The Mouth 2k23

[tenchisupremacist]

I’m honestly shocked by how happy I am of this worlds??

I honestly liked the men podium?? Insane.

No but really, it was an incredible competition, I had the time of my life watching it.

I’m of course very sad for Sota, but he should be proud of what he accomplished this season. Even if the free skate didn’t go the way he wanted, he was able to show his quality in the second part, I look forward to see him again next season.

Matteo was able to be in the first ten positions once again, I’m glad!

Kazuki was a joy to watch, as always, it’s impossible not to smile and dance while he skates! I think considering his skill he’s very underrated, though it easily happens in the talented crowded japanese field. Anyway I was ecstatic to see him get such a great result.

Jason made me cry. To have the skate of your career at worlds and at 28 without quads and ending up 5th is incredible. He showed everyone what quality skating is really like, it was beautiful, every moment, and I’m really happy that was shown in pcs (the highest of the field, as it should be). He’s a blessing.

Ilia’s free went pretty much as I expected. I was relieved to hear him say he’s learned that maybe sometimes it’s better to lower the risk and go for a cleaner skate. I worry for him (and his body) and I think it would be great both for his health and his career if he didn’t lay everything on the quads.

And what can I say about Jun 🥹 He had the best competition of his career, finally on the world podium and honestly had the numbers to even win this (well, unfortunately not literally). I’m not bitter though, I’m glad Shoma was able to pull through and give a good performance even in his condition, I may think Jun wasn’t scored 100% fairly, but Shoma deserved the win.

I’m really happy overall and I still can’t believe it.

This was my first whole season as a figure skater fan and I enjoyed it a lot ✨✨

[slightlystupidhun]

Skating Around Us

(Valentines Edition)

This is a Valentine’s Day special!! I’m giving gifts for my readers and also the ones who inspired each AU! I hope you like it! More will be coming out later this week. I caught COVID, literally tested positive after posting this so it may take longer to put out!! I’m so sorry!

PT. 1

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

—————

It had been a long year for Asher and Baabe. Stanley Cup Winner, Asher, had recently begun the new hockey season. His partner, Babe, or Skates, depending on who you ask, had won the Winter Olympics gold metal and started competing again recently. They found themselves being pulled in every which direction, ones that often pulled them away from one another.

Tonight was Asher’s first night before a week off. He wanted to meet up with Babe, maybe catch a bite, and spend some… Quality time… together.

He took out his keys, turning them in the lock. He opened the door, expecting to be greeted by his wonderful partner, but was only met by silence.

“Babe? Baabe?!” He called out to them earning no response. He checked his phone only to see a message light up on his screen.

BAABE 😍💕💍

Hey!! Head to the kitchen and look in the front drawer, the one with the cookie cutters.

ASH 🐺❤️😘

What’s going on?

He gained no response so he decided to follow his partners directions. He dropped his bag in the doorway and walked over to the drawer opening it to find a small box and a note. He opened the box to find the watch that he had been looking at for weeks on it. He loved how perceptive Baabe was, he loved how well they knew him. He unfolded the note, written on hot pink paper.

‘I hope you like the gift! I hope it fits you well! Humor me and join the hunt. Where do we always build pillow forts?’ The note read out. Asher smiled to himself, ah it was a scavenger hunt. He decided he’d take the bait. He knew immediately where they were leading him. He walked into the living room and found a box full of his favorite snacks. This basket had a yellow note on it. He picked up the note and unfolded it, almost dropping it as he also opened the bag of one of his favorite snacks, stuffing some of its contents in his mouth.

‘I’m proud of you! You found the clue. Now this next one won’t be an easy target. It’s moving and living and breathing. They’re a bruiser, but not to worry they have a doctor on their side. With them your next clue does reside.’ Oh no. He had to track down Tanker? If they didn’t want to be found, it would be hell finding them. He quickly took out his phone and called them.

‘Ring Ring’

‘Ring Ring’

‘Ring-‘

“Hello?” Tanks voice came from the other end of the line.

“Tank, Where might you be?” Asher asked innocently enough. He could hear Tank chuckle.

“I’m at Sam’s house. We have a dinner reservation at 6. You got 20 minutes before we head out. Good luck, oh and bring your skates.” They hung up and he grabbed his skates and keys before heading out. He quickly started his car and headed out. He arrived at Sam’s house with two minutes to spare. He walked over and knocked on the door.

“Hello Ash.” Sam said answering the door.

“Hey is Tank here?” Ash asked getting right to the point.

“I’m right here Ash.” They walked forward checking their bag. They reached into their pocket pulling out a note and handed it to him.

“Thank you!” He read the note.

‘I’m glad you made it in time, now if you don’t mind. Take a look back, at the leader of your pack.’ He finished the note.

“Good luck getting to David.” Sam said as him and Tanker got in the truck driving off.

Asher nodded and quickly took out his phone. He called David.

‘Ring ring’

‘Ring ring’

“Ash?” The voice rang across the line.

“Hey Buddy, where you at?” Asher asked cheerfully.

“My House.” He responded before hanging up.

Asher got in his car and drove over, pulling into David’s driveway and jumping out. He knocked on David’s door. This time David answered the door, before Angel pushed passed him and handed Asher the note.

‘Great Job on finding Davey,’ he began to read aloud, David groaning at the nickname. ‘Now find someone who skates with me. He is a literally a star, from David he lives, not far.’

“They mean Vincent right?” He looked over at Angel, who nodded in return. “Thank you!” He ran back to his car and drove off. He knocked on the door of Vincent’s home.

“Well Hello there,” Vincent said answering the door with lovely under his arm. He held out the note between two fingers.

“Hello.” Ash said as he took the paper, reading it aloud.

‘Great Job finding Vincent and Lovely, their a great pair. You have a final spot to clear the air. Your manager and their boyfriend hold the clue, that in the end will bring me to you.’

The pair bid him goodbye as he texted Stealth.

BOYFRIENDS BOYFRIEND 🥱🤭

Wya?! 🤔🤔🤔

MANAGER 🫥🏒

At my house. Hurry Up 🥱

He shoved his phone in his pocket before heading up to their house. He was still excited to participate but he was getting restless. He wanted to see them already. He walked up to their door but they already had it opened and were holding the note out to him. Milo was wrapped around them.

“Thanks!” Ash said taking the note.

‘Thanks for finding them. Now for your final clue, look back to where it all began.’ Where it all began? Where was that. He creased his brows how he always had when he was thinking. He suddenly popped up.

“RINK C!” He yelled out. He jumped up and ran to his car. “THANK YOU!!” He yelled out to them heading over to the rink. He carefully parked his car before grabbing his skates and heading inside. He made a bee line for rink C. He finally arrived and pushed open the large glass doors. He saw that the room was dimmed, save from the few candles outlining the rink. He walked over the the red bench where he had met his now partner.

On it he discovered a bouquet of carnations and red roses. Attached to them was one last note.

‘Skate up and get out on the ice.’ He did just that and quickly headed out onto the ice. Suddenly he heard the doors open and saw babe coming over to join him.

“Hey Baabe. Thank you for all of this.” He smiled as they came right up to him. “What’s this all been about huh?” He smiled as he rubbed their arms.

“Well,” they began as they got down on one knee.

“Why are we getting on our knees?” Asher said beginning to bend down. They quickly pushed him back up.

“No no! I’m supposed to be down here. You stay there.” They sighed as they looked up at him. “Asher. I love you so much. From the first date we had, I knew we were made for each other. You have taught me how to be firm in love. You taught me what genuine, true love feels like. And for this I am forever grateful.” They took a deep breath, choking back tears. “You are the one for me. We have stuck with each other through thick and thin and there is no one else I would rather do life with.” They reached into their pocket and pulled out a box, opening it to reveal a shiny silver ring. “I love you more than words can express. Will you do the honor of being my husband?” They looked up at him hopefully. He had tears in his eyes.

“Oh my- Yes! I love you so much!” He kissed them tenderly, lovingly. They could taste the tears running down his face. He pulled away looking at them and slightly giggling to himself.

“What?” They asked standing up with him as he patted his pockets. He reached in and pulled out another shiny silver ring.

“Yeah I was just waiting for the right time.” He smiled at them grateful they were his and he was theirs. They decided they would love to stay like this forever, in each others presence and completely in love.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED

“I was waiting for the right time.” He smiled at them and kissed them again. They slid on his ring and he slid on theirs. They held hands and just stood in the others presence.

“I love you Ash.”

“I love you Babe.”

I HOPE YOU LIKE IT!! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

[shadowetienne]

I was able to watch most of Skate Canada this weekend (yay for being in the same time zone and not having much to do Friday/Saturday, didn't catch the Pairs SP and about half of the Men's SP). Overall thoughts below the cut:

Women's Event

Thrilled with this podium! Some great skating, some very early season skating, some I can tell you are coming back from injury skating, but overall, enjoyable skating. I wasn't baffled by any of the scoring, and it felt like a pretty fair event overall.

Very happy with the podium!

Rino's bronze was a lovely surprise, and her skating was so wonderful this event.

Chaeyeon did very very well with a silver for her first full senior season and first senior GP event. I'm a little worried for her going up to seniors this young, but so far, she's handling herself well and seems to have good support.

Kaori is of course phenomenal, and this was such a wonderful early season skate for her!

Ice Dance

Oh how I hate Ice Dance scoring. I understand it OK, but Wang/Liu are one of my favorite teams, and it's frustrating to see them scored as always quite low in comparison. I was happy to watch them as always, and I'm looking forward to see these programs develop. (To be clear, I don't think that they were wrong to be in the lower ranks with what they skated here, I just don't think that they deserved to be nearly 10 points below the next lowest team.)

There weren't that many teams that I enjoyed, but other than Wang/Liu (of course), I did like:

Brown/Brown - I have a soft spot for sibling teams, and their skating is fun and well matched, liked both programs about the same and am interested in seeing how they develop

Reed/Ambrulevicius - They did very very well! Happy for them for that medal, and their programs were interesting (I think that I like their RD better than their FD)

Fear/Gibson - I always enjoy watching them, they always bring a performance, and I'm really pleased to see how much they've improved technically over the years

I'm just going to sigh over Ice Dance some, and hope that I enjoy some of the other events in the season more.

Pairs

Honestly, this pairs event felt a little lackluster overall. Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps did wonderfully, but there wasn't much else that stood out to me. Maybe something else would have stood out if I'd caught the SP. Is there anything I should seek out to watch?

Men

Missed part of the Men's SP, but man did the men men about it. Messy set of programs, but uniformly enough messy that the results weren't super surprising to me. I'm getting to watch the whole FS (as I write this in between programs), I'll make note of programs that I care about or stand out to me!

Matteo is as always a brilliant performer. The jumps have been fighting him, but knowing he's coming off an injury, I'm not super surprised about it. It was good to see him happy about his FS, even with the late program jumping errors. I hope this is going towards even better executions of programs later in the season. He had a rough time with underrotations in the SP, which put him in a hole for scores for the SP. Good to see him pull it back together for the FS!

Wesley is still very juniorish, and man those falls were dramatic (glad they didn't seem to rattle him much), but there were some moments of brilliance in that, and he was having so much fun! I hope to see him develop on those moments, and have fewer falls in future.

Mikhail Shaidorov has stuck with his Carmina Burana program from last season, and I'm not mad about it. There was definitely still room to grow into the program as he grows into seniors, and he's definitely showing growth in this program! I'm proud of him for that composed and well executed program, I really enjoy the way he does his transitions, and his jumps were comfortable to watch (a nice change of pace). Needs to work on his speed a little still, but he's definitely developing it. Good to see his end of season last year was not a fluke, and he's definitely here to make a mark. Rooting for him!

Kao Miura - lost my stream for the start of his program, came back right on his fall on the 3A. He pulled it back together pretty well. Not sure how I feel about this program as a whole, but it seems to be working pretty well for him so far. The 3A fall seems to have been a one off problem in the program, the rest of the jumps were brilliant. He didn't draw me into this program like he has some others, but I'm proud of him for skating it well, and missing the start of the program I'm sure didn't help on that front for me.

Kazuki Tomono - Shaky start with the big jumps, but the rest of the program was brilliant. I think that I'll like this program a lot if he can nail those initial jumping passes. It's got a lot of potential as a vehicle for him though. That was rough on the scoring for him, but he did a good job.

Junhwan, rough rough falls to start with, and they just seem to have taken the jumps out from under him, especially the big ones and the combos. His skating quality is as always brilliant, but this was a rough skate. Ina Bauer is beautiful as always, but this was a rough day. I feel bad for him, and I'm hoping to see that go better for him later in the season.

Sota Yamamoto - he gave me a little fright on the 3A struggles, but the rest of the program was absolutely brilliant, and I am so proud of him! What a pair of skates together! I love his skating so much, and after everything he's gone through with injuries in his career, seeing him at this level, doing so so well, is really really wonderful. His first Grand Prix title! I'm so proud of him!

Oh man did the men men. I'm OK with who is on the podium, but I feel so bad for Junhwan especially and also Kazuki.