#nateslehky

[selkiefinalist]

bookstore au please !!! matthew/sasha maybe? ik you’ve never written them but i think you’ve mentioned being interested? if not, then whatever pairing strikes your fancy 😊

Babies aren’t into the Iditarod. Probably. Which is fine, because Matthew can’t remember the name of that book, anyway - the one Ms. Pelund read to his class in second grade, about the guy and his dogs running the big race in Alaska.

It’s just the one book he can consistently remember, is all. He’s read other books. Probably. Like, all the way through, cover to cover. Not just googling shit to get through a test or an essay. He knows he has. But Brady and Emma’s baby shower is coming up, and they’re doing that thing where they asked for baby books instead of cards, because of course they did.

Which is why he’s here, at some book store in Fort Lauderdale - the GPS said it was the closest one, but books line the store from floor to ceiling, and there’s art on tables, and everything smells old and expensive, and he is definitely not in the right place.

“Can I help you?” A guy in a red plaid shirt materializes out of nowhere, his name tag and helpful face - nice face, good shoulders - broadcasting how much he’d like to help Matthew find the book of his dreams.

Matthew doesn’t dream of books. But fuck, he’s been acknowledged, so he can’t just duck out the door now. Plus book guy - Sasha - is hot, and is also giving him a not-so-subtle once-over as he waits for him to respond.

“I don’t know,” Matthew says. “Honestly, I doubt it.”

Book Guy Sasha’s face barely flickers, the corners of his mouth tightening and releasing. Could have been a smile, or a frown. “You are here for book?” He’s got an accent Matthew can’t quite place, but it sounds good coming off of his tongue.

He sighs and gives in. “Yeah. A book. But, like. A baby book? I mean, a book for a baby? That hasn’t been born yet.” Book Guy is staring at him, all inscrutable dark eyes, so he stuffs his hands in his pockets and keeps going. “My brother and his wife are having a baby, and they asked for books —“

“Ah,” Book Guy says. “Baby shower. I know this.” He turns to fully face the books on the shelf in front of Matthew, studying the titles as if he doesn’t work here. “Probably not the erotica section, then.”

What the fuck. He hadn’t even been paying attention, really; more wandering the bookstore at random, too swallowed up by the intense out-of-place experience to notice where he’d ended up. Whatever. There are two kinds of people in life: the ones who get embarrassed by their many stupid choices, and the ones that double-down.

“That’s for later,” he says, and wills himself not to flush. “Baby book first. Then, you know. Other stuff.” He flaps his hand at the shelf. He’ll be leaving with more than one book today, apparently.

Hot Book Guy Sasha arches a brow. The curve at the ends of his mouth is definitely a smile, this time. “Usually it’s the opposite, no? First comes love…”

Matthew laughs, loud in the quiet store. “Do you have kid books in here?”

HBG Sasha tilts his head towards another section of the book shop. “Of course. The children’s literature is over here.” He starts walking and Matthew follows, careful to keep his eyes at two and ten, or whatever the equivalent of responsible gaze management is. Sasha fills out his jeans. It’s hard not to notice. “Is there a particular edition you are interested in?” He stops in front of a shelf of books - clearly used, spines not quite as brightly colored as Matthew had imagined.

“I’m sorry?”

Sasha gestures gently at the shelf. “We have a 1903 Jack and the Beanstalk in very good condition. Or perhaps the 1928 Puss in Boots would suit better?” He pulls out a book with an illustration of a cat in boots on the cover.

Is Hot Sasha for real right now? “How about, like, 2024 editions? You know, something that’s fine to get drooled on. Like, I don’t think my brother even knows how to rea-“

Sasha slides the book back onto the shelf. “Uh.” It’s the first time he’s seemed flustered. Matthew can’t relate - he’s been flustered since he set foot in this place. “I’m sorry, uh…?”

“Matthew.”

“Matthew.” Sasha straightens the shelf unnecessarily. “I don’t think we will have the kind of children’s book you are looking for.” He sounds disappointed. Or relieved. Fine line, there.

Okay this is when you get to choose your own adventure:

Option A. Sasha takes pity on him and makes a list of children’s baby books and points him to a different store. Matthew picks out a sexy book and Sasha writes his phone number on the receipt; Matthew finds it when he gets home.

Option B. Sasha is like “you came all this way here, let’s look in backstock just to make sure,” and it’s about the most thinly-veiled come-on that Matthew’s ever heard so he’s like “hell yes let’s look” and there’s frottage in the back room. Matthew buys Sasha a sexy book before he leaves and writes his own phone number inside the cover and Sasha unfortunately thinks it’s very charming even though the book is a rare edition in very good condition.

Option C. is like, “let me make you that list of children’s books and oh, also, did I mention my shift is over in fifteen minutes,” and Matthew goes back to Sasha’s place where Sasha ties him up and pulls his hair and tells him how beautiful he is and they both have a great time.

[this-ass-is-eikonic]

LOOK, ALL I’M SAYING IS -

It’s interesting that

and

coincide.

…

I’m tagging @annieqattheperipheral here because I »know« they’ll have some thoughts to share

(and if you are unfamiliar, please see the following supporting documents):

Former Roarin’ 20s Line centre/reluctant third wheel Logan O’Connor has a grasp on the situation:

and @nateslehky definitely gets it:

as does @penaltyboxmaster:

and, perhaps most importantly, Coach Bednar:

[off-screen] “do you see guys who don’t get along off the ice?”

Coach Bednar: “well no, but they’re, like… inseparable.” [chuckles]

…

these two are NEVER 👏🏻 BEATING 👏🏻 THE ALLEGATIONS 👏🏻

and I think that’s just beautiful 🥹

​seriously though I love them and I’m so glad they’ve embraced Jacko as part of their polycule line

…the polycule line.

Happy Pride Night, Avsblr! 🥰

[fallinallincurls]

absolutely not good that lehky got hurt, but nate helping him off arm in arm made me immediately think of @nateslehky

[droumack]

"make a case for why I should write a character, pairing, or trope that I haven’t yet!"

I feel like you need to write a Natelehky fic, like @nateslehky has a great primer of their adorable moments. Like Nate being a crazy hockey freak while lehky is just shy and chilling. Like during the 2022 Stanley cup playoffs saying he would trade 10 first round picks for lehky

tragically I will never write anyone with nate except Jo! hard no for me :(

[hischierlovebot]

wip title game - tagged by the wonderful @mikathemad thank you so much <3333

rules: post the names of all the files in your wip folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! and then tag as many people as you have wips.

You will now see how absolutely useless I am at naming things, beware:

actor au

boda? ("wedding?")

devotion nicojack

jacktrevor

nicojack

sea

nicojesper

werewolves

God save us from me having decent wip names (technically actor au is right about someday, wrong about today, but that is sadly not the name of the file as of today) (also, there is a wip here that contains just one line, but I'm adding it because I do want to write it some day)

I absolutely do not know enough people to tag one per wip name, but I'm tagging @nateslehky @pupuhintz @devilssacrament and honestly anyone who wants to, because I am both forgetting people and too shy to tag

[caixxa]

WIP TAG GAME

Rules: In a new post, list the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it! And then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

--

I thought I had deleted all my wips but lol there are two:

hockey hols

Jesus

--

tagging @blueabsinthe18 @nateslehky and @hastybooks please! (I tagged 3 instead of 2 because one of these doesn't seem to accept to be tagged) but feel free to say you were tagged if you feel like talking about fic!

[annieqattheperipheral]

what do u mean why would you tease us like this @nateslehky i still think about this weekly. release immediately pls😭💕🙏

my inbox waits patiently. pls know that your babychild will receive all the love and kindness if posted. i love your writing

mess with the dogg, you get the CALE

[may-the-puck-be-with-you]

Guys! Have you read @nateslehky ’s new fic (morning, his place (burnt toast, sunday)? It’s super cute.

[selkiefinalist]

8 17 & 18 :)

8. If you had to write an entire story without either action or dialogue, which would you choose and how would it go?

i'm terrible at action, and i hate writing internal monologue, and i'm least comfortable with dialogue but i'd choose dialogue so it could devolve into something absurdist as quickly as possible because at least i could embrace the chaos

17. Talk to me about the minutiae of your current WIP. Tell me about the lore, the history, the detail, the things that won’t make it in the text.

oooh you have a little insight on this wip already, which is going SO SLOWLY but it is going. i gotta keep the mystery alive for the three people who are going to read it but here's a line that i had to cut that i am emotionally attached to but just isn't going to work in the scene:

The way the light slides over [redacted's] collarbone, hides itself in the hollow there. He gets it. He'd hide there too, if he could.

it's such exactly a line i would write, and actually did write, and it makes me want to punch myself in the face for being so predictable but, you know. i am what i am

18. Choose a passage from your writing. Tell me about the backstory of this moment. How you came up with it, how it changed from start to end. Spicy addition: Questioner provides the passage.

uhh this is just an extended scene where i make fun of our 2023 ASG contestants. it's way too long (this fic has such insurmountable pacing issues it gives me anxiety) and obviously very self-indulgent:

On the other end of the rink, JT’s taking shot after shot at the empty net but just can’t seem to get one in. Pucks are fucking everywhere. One ricochets off the post and almost brains Cogs. “How am I doing?” he calls to Nate. “Am I dialed?”

Nate just sprints at him, full speed. They both go crashing into the net. 

“Goal,” JT shouts, from where he’s buried under a pile of MacKinnon. 

Coach breaks it up in another minute and turns the focus from ‘fucking around’ to ‘actual practice.’ He’s good at knowing when to let them go, and when to start reeling them in. 

[calemakart]

hello! would you be ok with me (or i guess people in general) using your art or doodles as pfps either her or possibly on ao3, with credit of course!

totally ok if not but i figured i’d ask. love all your work ♥️

hii!! yes of course go for it, thank you for asking :')

[may-the-puck-be-with-you]

Thanks for the answer! I was truly curious. Usually polyamory is not really my thing, but this fic totally captivated me. Don't get me wrong I'm a huge fan of your natelehky and natecale fics, too. But as you've also mentioned the mikko/nate pairing is very underrepresented. Plus their dynamic with Arsi... *chefs kiss*

So really: thank you for taking the time and answer these questions 💖

From the BTS for fic writing questions: 18 and 24 with this hope is treacherous (this daydream is dangerous) 😊

hi!! sorry for taking a little while to get to this!! <3

18. What is a line/scene you’re really proud of? Give us the DVD commentary for that scene.

how did you KNOW this was a fic i tried to reread recently and couldn't get through cause i hated my own writing 😭😭 this was a fun exercise to do though.

i like this scene a lot:

The worst thing about Artturi’s infatuation with Nate is that Mikko understands it. He gets it. Because he feels it too. [i've never written anything polyamous or poly-adjacent, so exploring a person's capability of loving two different people was a new thing for me. i liked the mix of jealousy and longing, i guess]

Mikko remembers his rookie year. He remembers being a tall and gangly teenager, forehead covered with acne, too afraid to text Nate, let alone talk to him. Nate's only a few years older, but he seemed so, so serious and a little scary. [mikko being afraid of nate as a rookie is SUCH and underrated aspect of avs lore imo!! nate/mikko in general are really underrated.]

Mikko thought he was afraid of Nate’s intensity. Maybe he was.

[cut for brevity's sake--although i like what was cut haha]

It’s amazing how much fear and lust could tangle around his rookie heart like vines, practically interchangeable in their look and feel. [i really like this imagery. it was one of the first things i wrote for this fic irrc and i liked the idea of what mikko thought being fear was actually attraction bc i think the physical reactions to those two feelings are very similar.]

Eventually, the fear withered away, dying and decomposing into dust, but the lust never left. [again, a continuation of the metaphor i used, i like the imagery of it all]

Not really. Not at all. [i like the simplicity of this. the acceptance of grown-up-current mikko realizing what those feelings actually were.]

24. How did you come up with title for [x fic]?

i'm sooooo bad with titles. taylor swift is my go-to just cause i'm really familiar with her catalog. i can't remember why/how i thought of the song treacherous, but i really liked the sentiment that went along with the lyrics 'this hope is treacherous, this daydream is dangerous' cause a lot of the emotions mikko (and artturi and nate) are working through in the fic is this idea that they could /all/ be together. and i think there's fear in the unknown for them and a fear that they can't do that or that it couldn't work out, even though it's something they all want or hope for.

ask me bts questions about my writing!

[podcasts-8-my-heart]

sending ♥️♥️ and a bowl of warm soup your way! hope you feel better soon! 💗

[ID: a microwaveable container of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup. /end ID]

Thank you!!!

[fourteenerfic]

for the sake of tradition hockey rpf Nathan MacKinnon/Cale Makar 3700 words, teen & up thanks to @nateslehky for the Christmas miracle of a beta!

“Uh, it’s kind of… but my mom sent us,” Nate says and produces a small plastic ornament from the envelope. It’s a photo of them standing with their hands on the cup, smiling at the camera, sandwiched inside a wreath adorned with a glittery red placard that states “Our First Christmas.”

“It’s dumb, I don’t know.” Nate shrugs, holding the ornament cupped in his hands, outstretched for Cale to take.

Read on ao3

[may-the-puck-be-with-you]

This or That

@iamscoby THANK YOU 💖💖💖

Would you like to play, @arsi-lehkonen, @nateslehky, @c4tth3w?

painting or photography // dusk or dawn // spring or autumn // movies or tv shows // chocolate or nutella // audiobooks or podcasts // card games or board games // fiction or nonfiction // cookies or brownies // dragons or unicorns // bath or shower // blue or yellow // rollercoasters or bumper cars // iced tea or hot tea // left side of bed or right side of bed  // zip-up hoodie or pullover hoodie // straight hair or curly hair // gummy worms or gummy bears // rain or snow // sneakers or flip-flops // bowling or mini-golf // pasta or pizza

Blue — chosen

Green — either or/no preference

Red — neither

[selkiefinalist]

hmmm for that ask meme you just posted about:

water, skin, and/or lights

hopefully at least one of those shows up!

putting it under the cut because i’m prim like that

water currently appears 26 times in this fic and it’s gonna be a whole lot more by the time we’re done but here’s one that’s a bit different and will probably get cut but is just for you:

Yeah, like.” Gabe paused to drink his water. “Remember when you and Kerf got in that dick-punching contest a few years ago? Or that time you sang the Top Gun song to Dutchy at, like, four in the morning after his hatty. Or, you know.” Gabe went soft around the edges for a second. “How you used to push Burky around on the ice after practice.”

“Burky curling.”

“Yeah.” Gabe was quiet. That one was too fresh for both of them, probably. He met Nate’s eyes directly, sincerity pulsing through the phone. “You’re tough to play with. You’ve got high standards, and you want the team to know it. But when you’re all in on someone, you’re all in. And inside that relentless exterior —“

“I swear to god, Landy—“

“No, let me finish.” He was completely serious and half-laughing, all at once. Only Gabe could pull it off. “Inside that sculpted shell of a hot hockey man is also a giant, giant, cringe loser. Of epic proportions. People like that about you.”

Nate’s face was burning. It was probably too dim in his living room for Gabe to tell, but Gabe had a radar for this kind of shit. “Okay, I’m hanging up on you now.”

skin appears 49 times!! this is a selkie fic so i can’t get around it:

Nate rolled himself to his hands and knees, skin slipping off his shoulders onto the sand. He was shaking, still, but it was down to fine tremors. “I’m okay,” he said. It was only half a lie.

“Who’s the idiot, now?” EJ didn’t move to touch him, though. “Do you want me to bring you your clothes?”

lights i did before, but here’s a different snippet from a rough section:

EJ flipped a light switch, and the under-cabinet lights went on, soft and making shadows. Went to the cabinet where he kept the water glasses, paused with his hand on the door.

“You want something?” he asked, like he just realized that Nate was there, that there was something unspoken hanging between them.

[ao3feed-hockey]

spinning out, waiting for you

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/gR8ZtUT

by nateslehky

Nate’s watched the videos, he’s seen the analysis, he’s read the articles; he knows Cale Makar like the back of his hand. But still, the kid surprises him.

Mostly in the way that he’s not a kid at all.

[Can be read as a standalone]

Words: 8891, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of if you want to, only if you want to

Fandoms: Men's Hockey RPF

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Gabriel Landeskog, Erik Johnson

Relationships: Nathan MacKinnon/Cale Makar

Additional Tags: Pining, Mutual Pining, Idiots in Love, Rookie! Cale, The Cribbage Fic No One Asked For Part 2 (Nate's POV!), Nate Does Not Love Cribbage But He Does Love Cale

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/gR8ZtUT