#it's reading like Tala has a pre-match ritual where he just sits in the stadium for some reason

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Thoughts watching Sleepless in Madrid:

Kai is 100% fucking with Tala for reasons only Kai knows. Maybe it's because they accidentally showed up to G Rev in the same colored contacts and both are still refusing to take them out.

Thoughts on Lee and Ray drama under the cut because this is stupid long oops

This is the cutest. Every time I watch this episode it gets me. Lee telling Mariah he's okay when he's in rough shape, passed out from exhaustion and stress. He was probably carried back to their room and he's still being a big brother and comforting Mariah. ♥

I like this heart to heart and how Tyson was quick to offer advice even though he and Ray are opponents. A+ friend.

Lol at Ray though. He says Lee never wants to tell him what's bothering him, but I don't remember him ever asking? Like, he hears Lee having nightmares every night and follows him, finds him awake, sees him training instead of sleeping, and doesn't say a word. Presumably goes back to bed and leaves his friend to struggle.

I could go into how this is all definitely lingering tension from the whole traumatic Ray-gets-Driger-and-ditches-the-White-Tigers deal, but I won't. But it is. Can't just leave your bff after stealing his birthright, clobber him in the Championships, make him swallow his pride and forgive you, only to dust off the friendship to improve your chances at a title two years later and not expect there to be some kind of feelings. Lee's definitely feeling pressure to live up to Ray's expectations and make this the Championship win they should have had together to begin with.

But I said I wasn't going to get into it, so I'll stop.

Oh shit, he's on him for an argument the second they enter the stadium. These boys need to learn how to constructively talk about their feelings.

😢

At least in the end, Ray kind of gets it. I feel like they'll still need another Talk, but the moment he knocks Lee's blade from the stadium always feels so poignant to me. He's acting like a true friend and captain, proving to Lee that winning isn't as important to him as Lee himself.

Also nice to see concern from F Dynasty and Tyson, Hilary, and Kenny in the audience. I live for any snippets of camaraderie between teams. It just makes my heart happy. ♥