#pro val player

[karlienhypen]

why have i suddenly become a pro at valorant?

jkjk.

i only won like 7 games in a row and went from bronze 2 to silver 1, but i was on a roll! something took over me yesterday i swear haha

(the streak has been broken 😭)

[gluion]

[part one] the perfect pair ➵ “ew, is that sunwoo over there? 저리 꺼져.”

esports player!kim sunwoo x esports player!reader

being a woman in the esports league is hard, but dealing with cocky kim sunwoo is unmatched. with the valorant champions tour about to commence, you two are forced to team up to retrieve the trophy. what will be tested—team morale or your patience around sunwoo?

chapter genre/warnings ➵ enemies to lovers, afab reader (they/them pronouns), slow burn, slight angst, crack, sexual tension, misogynistic & sexist remarks and behaviors, sunwoo is such an annoying teammate... retired ow player now val player…, rush gets introduced YIPPEE, sunwoo gets jealous...?, bets are made, a lot of gamer lingo (check the guide & visual aids!)

word count ➵ 10.5k words

parts ➵ check out the series masterlist

a/n ➵ it's out! felt a lil pressured by the number of notes i wont lie! i hope u guys enjoy this along with the visual aid <3 special shoutout to @shegotthewoobies @vernyangel @heemingyu @deobienthusiast for beta reading <3 much love to you all <3 esp to ki who made the usernames <3 if you enjoyed reading, do reblog and leave feedback!

want to be part of my taglist? send me an ask! masterlist

HYST wins VCT’s Game Changers By Bae Sumin

HYST takes the title as the winner of the Valorant Championship Tour (VCT) Game Changers in Los Angeles, USA against defending champion 88RR. The team took over the playing field, showcasing their astounding teamwork and tactful gameplays, and won 3-1 in a best-of-five series.

Since the first match on Bind, players Ailurus (Y/N) and bokku (Miyawaki Sakura) demonstrated their chemistry through their formidable performance as Omen and Yoru respectively. Their alliance was enough for their opponents to avoid one-on-one battles.

Rising player Ppiya (Hong Eunchae) secures her position as one of the most impressive duelists to come from this year’s VCT. In all of the matches played, Ppiya secures at least one kill per round, placing her 3rd in the leaderboards out of all players in the event.

In their second match on Ascent, remarkable sentinel players CHUU (Kim Jiwoo) and subakhye (Son Hyeju) built solid defense systems and dealt with flanks with ease. They can adjust their setups accordingly as they observe their opponents’ playstyle.

Although their exceptional performance in Game Changers makes its mark in VCT history, Ailurus only hopes that they are given more opportunities to engage in such tournaments. “I am happy [about our win], but I hope that the [VALORANT] esports scene sees us more than just winners [of Game Changers]. I want to be seen as a remarkable player regardless of gender,” they share.

Despite HYST participating in VCT for the past two years, this is their first championship win. In last year’s VCT, the organization met its defeat in VALORANT Challengers through their other roster consisting of players bae (Jacob Bae), nuguri (Kim Sunwoo), Darong (Lee Jaehyun), gyulz (Ju Haknyeon), and Maize (Lee Juyeon).

Both teams are under the guidance of Coach bori (Kim Younghoon), a retired VALORANT and League of Legends pro player.

These turn of events displayed HYST’s dedication to improvement and VALORANT. Many followers hope to see more of the reigning champions of Game Changers.

ROUND 1: “WELCOME TO MY WORLD!”

The moon radiates tonight, its white gleam accompanied by speckles amidst the sea of black. Now would be the perfect moment to take some time to yourself; get in more hours of sleep, or pick up a book you’ve been putting off. Instead…

“Hi, everyone! It’s been a while,” you greet your viewers through the webcam.

The monitor shines on you, colors of blue and violet painting your skin. On the wall behind you is a shelf filled with memorabilia; medals from small competitions along with trophies from bigger tournaments. 

“I know it’s a little late here, but I was itching to play some matches.” Your eyes glide through your stream’s chat. Many viewers are ecstatic to have you back on Twitch while others question your late hours of streaming.

jseollie: even after game changers?? CRAZY! bboppull: GRIND NEVER STOPS 💪💪💪 bookeucutie: tell us abt vct!!!

A chuckle leaves you as you open up Valorant. “I really enjoyed my time in VCT! I met some of my favorite players like Lorri from Evil Genius, sonder from Shopify, even Version1’s MeL.”

You lean back on your chair as you recall the event. “I won’t lie, I was very nervous about going against 88RR, which, by the way, is a lovely team. We met up for drinks after.” You scratch the back of your neck as you try to go through what your chat says.

“I remember talking to Kura about it since the semifinals, and she had to give me a constant pep talk.” The memory of Sakura knocking sense into you after every match makes you laugh.

As you dish to your viewers about your experience throughout Game Changers, you read their comments. Many of your viewers were happy with your revelation of the teams' bonds with each other. “Yeah, we’re competitive but we’re here with the same dreams, so I think it did help us form some kind of connection. I was able to exchange contacts with Sunmi and Taeyeon as well. I told them that whenever they decide to come back to Korea, they should give me a call.”

ajiajibee: is the trophy with you? ghanadara: i think it’s beside the picture frame

“Oh, I don’t get to keep it. It’s back in the headquarters,” you say as you slightly swivel your chair to the side. “That picture frame, however,” you point at your shelf, “is my certificate. That way, we all have something to bring home.”

You adjust your chair before smiling at the camera. “Anyway, I’m really happy that our practice paid off. It was an honor to even participate and meet other players.”

Most of the reactions were positive ones; congratulations and desires to see your team play together for more events. Yet, regardless of your achievements, there’s constantly a handful of negative ones.

hwithefool: Cant believe you won game changers. Ur not even that good. hwithefool: didn’t even get to champs L honeycube: boosted ass universefactory deleted hwithefool’s message. universefactory deleted hwithefool’s message. universefactory deleted honeycube’s message. hwithefool is now banned from this chat. Reason: Being rude honeycube is now banned from this chat. Reason: Being rude

Thankfully, your moderators were there to take control of such—but you’ll always know what people think of you.

“Anyway, for today’s stream, I’ll be playing with Juhak and Hyeju!” You exclaim as you switch scenes, now showing the Valorant lobby. “We’re going to play on our alt accounts for today, so it should be fun.”

real_juhaknyeon: LFGGGGG goated team rubyvobo: we get nom, jeorge porkwell, AND hyejuseyo?? We win today sunwooluver: what about nuguri?? he’s solo queuing right now rubyvobo: OFHEJSHSJJSKS I LOVE YOU GUYS sunwooluver: WILL NUGURI JOIN??

One of the few perks that comes with being an established streamer is that you could ignore comments, pretending you never saw them, and you’d get away with it; people just didn’t need to talk about it all together and you’d be fine.

So when you invite Haknyeon and Hyeju to your party, you continue talking to your chat about today’s stream. “We’re not going to play ranked today, I think?” You hum for a moment, going through the agenda in your head. “Well, we might, but I have no clue. It depends on what they want.”

Before you can continue with your rambles, your phone vibrates on your desk. Once you grab it, you notice that text messages from Kim Younghoon, the coach of the organization, have come your way.

coach bbang 🍞: hi y/n! don’t forget to remind your teammates about tomorrow’s meeting for vct ☺️ coach bbang 🍞: and gl with your stream tonight! y/n: teewai coach :DD see u tomo

“Sorry about that!” You put your phone away and give your full attention to your monitor. Hyeju and Haknyeon already joined your party, and you spot that they’re in a voice channel on the HYST’s Discord server. “Before I go join VC with the others, I just wanted to say thank you for supporting me and the others in Game Changers. It was a fun but tough competition, and I wouldn’t be here without you guys.”

Although your job did start as a hobby, you continued to persevere through such hardships thanks to your support systems; your teammates and viewers alike. You only ever considered going pro thanks to two friends. Unfortunately, time has its way of making you drift apart from them; you hope you can go face-to-face against them one day if the universe willed for it.

“Anyway, let’s have some good games!”

“I tuned in to your stream last night, Y/N,” Eunchae starts. “That losing streak is insane.”

You sigh, shoulders down as you walk dejectedly. “Don’t even get me started. Our randos were ass and wouldn’t stop talking shit.” You look at your younger friend who only pouts as you recap the events of last night. “I know you would always enter and clear sites for us, my Manchae.”

With your arm wrapped around her shoulder, her expression shifts into a smile. “I mean, that’s the least I can do as your duelist.”

“Well, not everyone seems to know that.”

The HYST headquarters is a three-story infrastructure whose interior resembles corporate buildings; the furniture is mostly of sleek leather and dark-stained wood. Monotone linoleum tiles and off-white walls stretch throughout the building.

As soon as you both arrive in front of the meeting room, you swing the doors open, revealing Sakura, Hyeju, and Jiwoo who sit together on one side of the conference table. You and Eunchae rush to them, exchanging greetings and embraces.

“Do you always play Valorant?” Jiwoo directs the question to you, referencing your stream last night with Hyeju and Haknyeon, to which you roll your eyes.

“No, I just had the itch to play!” You take a seat in between Sakura and Jiwoo. “Plus, I’ll take any opportunity to make some money.”

The doors swing open. “Hi, everyone. It’s nice to see you all,” Younghoon greets your team before walking to the whiteboard situated in the corner of the room.

The organization’s general manager, Lee Sangyeon, trails behind him, a smile painting his face as he takes a seat at the end of the table. “I’ll say this again, but good work in Game Changers.”

“Thanks, Sangyeon,” Sakura expresses her gratitude on behalf of the team. “We wouldn’t have been able to win without your help along with Younghoon’s.”

He shakes his head, trying to play it off. “No, I’m just here to make sure you guys get to participate, you know? Just want to make sure that you guys get recognized.”

Silence settles. The squeaking from Younghoon's marker is faint but loud enough to capture your attention. Although his figure covers most of what’s written on the whiteboard, you catch sight of a few gamer tags—Ailurus and bae.

Before you can decipher the other words, the doors open. “Hi, guys!” Haknyeon enters the room with all smiles. “Hello Game Changers winners,” he bows his head, making you chuckle.

His teammates, Jacob and Juyeon, trail behind him, relaxed expressions resting on their faces. “Congrats on the win,” Jacob shakes hands with everyone on your team. “That one play on Ascent went crazy, by the way.” His praise is directed towards you, and you try to play it cool.

“Ah, it was nothing. Just got lucky.”

“If I was in your situation, I probably wouldn’t have secured that round,” Juyeon chimes in as he takes a seat beside his teammates. The three boys sit across from your team.

Haknyeon smacks Juyeon’s arm, laughing at his words. “Yeah! Remember that one round in Breeze?” Juyeon only rolls his eyes while his teammates recap the events for your team.

You don’t really interact with Haknyeon’s team (or Jacob’s team if you were going to follow formalities), just the occasional greetings and small talk if you were going to be honest. It’s not like you didn’t want to be friends with them; there aren't enough opportunities to bond when you all have different schedules, let alone priorities. But you did enjoy their team's presence, and every interaction with them is one you hope may bring your team closer to theirs.

Except for one player.

“Sorry, we’re late!” Hyunjae enters the room with an apologetic smile. “Someone decided to sleep in.”

“Not true! Hyunjae’s lying.”

The room starts to grow dimmer, almost as if life were sucked out of it. Only you seemed to see it, never the others. There he is—the only exception. 

He’s dressed in an oversized graphic tee layered on top of a white long-sleeved shirt and a pair of black baggy jeans. His hair shows its soft curls, clearly indicating that he’s the one lying.

A playful pout rests on his lips as he tries to continue his defense. Yet, when he locks eyes with you, he holds back. A scowl now paints his face.

If you follow esports, then you would know who Kim Sunwoo is—an established pro player who switched from Overwatch to Valorant. At first, many people were confused by his choice, throwing away years invested into a different game. Yet, it seemed that he didn’t care about what others had to say as he signed with HYST a few months after he started playing Valorant.

Within that time frame, he was able to impress Younghoon and Sangyeon with his gameplay. After all, Valorant and Overwatch required different playstyles. It was easy for him to become big in the Valorant pro scene, as you would like to say, for he made use of his existing fame.

He’s adored by many people who follow the pro scene; audience and players alike. You, however, seemed to think differently.

You shift your gaze to Younghoon, silently hoping that the meeting will commence. As if he heard your thoughts, he says, “No worries. Go, take your seats.”

Unfortunately, Hyunjae opts to sit across from Eunchae, leaving one vacant seat across from you. 

Sunwoo sits on the chair as a dejected sigh leaves him, causing you to roll your eyes while you keep your gaze away from him. All you need to do is get through the meeting and you won’t have to face him for a while.

“Thank you everyone for coming here today,” Younghoon starts as he faces all of you. The whiteboard behind him has now been flipped, and the gamer tags are now hidden. “Uh, before we get into the agenda for today’s meeting, let’s congratulate the winners of Game Changers!”

Applause erupts from everyone who didn’t participate in that competition, but your eyes don’t miss how slow the boy across you claps, almost as if he wasn’t impressed.

“Now, we can get to the point of today’s meeting.” Younghoon steps to the side, revealing the text written—VCT GAMEPLAN with irregular shapes surrounding it. “We all know that VCT is around the corner, a few months from now, which means we’ve got to start our preparations.”

“Normally, we would’ve gone straight to strategizing and having you guys,” your coach looks at the team across you, “practice, but Sangyeon and I have agreed on doing things differently this year.” He flips the board, revealing everyone’s gamer tags. “We’re changing the roster.”

Many players are caught off-guard by Younghoon’s announcement. It’s not usual for a roster change to take place, especially with only a few months left before qualifiers commence.

“We know that not everyone may want to participate in the upcoming VCT, and I’ve spent weeks trying to configure what’s the best roster to represent HYST.” Younghoon then pulls out a blue marker and starts to circle some names; CHUU, Darong, bae, nuguri, and… Ailurus? “These are my picks for VCT.”

A frown appears on your face, but before you can comment, Haknyeon beats you to it. “I don’t know if having Hyunjae and Sunwoo play together is smart.” All eyes are now on him. “I mean, no offense,” his eyes flicker to the two subjects, “I don’t know if Jiwoo and Y/N would be able to keep up, and that’s not a diss to them.”

“I agree,” Jacob chimes in. “Haknyeonie, Juyeon, and I can play with Sunwoo and Hyunjae as duelists because we know their playstyles well. We’ve played together for years. Y/N and Jiwoo would be playing with them for the first time.”

Younghoon bites the inside of his cheek, deep in thought as he considers what’s been said. “Thoughts?” He directs his question to the two people in question. The two players exchange glances, almost as if they were communicating.

“Yeah, I know Sunwoo and I can adjust our playstyle but it took more than half a year for Juyeon and Haknyeon to get used to our playstyle,” Hyunjae says as he scratches the back of his neck. “And if it helps, I’d prefer to sit this one out. You know, I have a lot of sponsorships lined up that I need to stream for also.”

Your coach sighs. “No worries. What about you, Sunwoo?”

“Wait, can I say something?” Jiwoo gathers the attention of everyone in the room. “I also want to opt out of VCT. I mean, I just played in Game Changers.” A guilty smile takes over her features.

Thankfully, Younghoon acknowledges where Jiwoo comes from. “Of course, I understand. After all, that’s why we're having this meeting.”

Before your coach can try to reconfigure the roster, Sangyeon stands up from his seat.

“Can I suggest another rotation?” Younghoon nods before handing him a red marker. Sangyeon starts to circle another list of gamer tags, ones he believes should be in the final line-up of players for VCT; it consists of bokku, bae, gyulz, Ppiya, and… Ailurus, again? Your coach frowns as he looks at the selection.

“I think Sunwoo should be benched.” Your eyebrows shoot up at Sangyeon’s words, not expecting those words considering the player’s reputation.“He’s made some rash plays recently, and you know that.” You glance at the boy who sits across from you only to see that his gaze is affixed to the ground. 

Younghoon shakes his head, clearly in disbelief at the manager’s words. “Yes, but that’s only for a few matches. Trust me when I say that Sunwoo is strong as a duelist and an initiator.” His attempt to defend his mentee is weak against Sangyeon’s opinion.

“He plays for himself!”

Clearly, the two higher-ups have opposing views.

“Think about it; Eunchae and Sakura are great duelists, and anyone else on that team plays initiator.”

Although Sangyeon seems to believe his proposed line-up is the best one yet, your coach shakes his head. “Eunchae isn’t playing.” He glances at her before saying, “She told me beforehand.” All eyes are now on the teen who only shows an apologetic smile.

“Sorry, I wanted to take a break from this year’s VCT to focus on my studies.”

Sangyeon scratches the back of his neck. “Well—”

“Hey,” Sakura cuts into the conversation. “Haven’t we considered that Y/N and Sunwoo might not want to play together?” She looks at you two with scrunched eyebrows, clearly confused by your coach’s proposal. “I mean, we all know their relationship, no?”

Your feud isn’t under the table. All of the players know about your distaste towards each other but they don’t know where it stems from.

“Yes, but their playstyles complement each other.” Everyone’s confused as to why Younghoon is persistent. “Out of all my mentees, I’ve worked with them the most, and I know exactly how they can work together.”

“Well, I want Y/N on that team.” As your manager says that, all the attention is now on you. You’re not sure why Sangyeon would say that. Uncomfortable with how you’ve become the topic of the conversation, you cannot help but sink into your seat.

“And I agree with you. But if we’re going to have Y/N play, I need Sunwoo on that team.” You lock eyes with Sunwoo briefly as your coach says that. “He’s my one-pick, and I know he’ll help the team out the most.” Sangyeon sighs, rethinking the roster once more. You shift your gaze to the ground, clearly unhappy being paired with the player across from you.

You weren’t happy that the two continued to discuss the final roster without asking you, but before you could speak up, someone beat you to it.

“Shouldn’t Y/N take a break?” Your gaze lands on the boy across from you, eyebrows now furrowed over his suggestion. “I mean, they did just come from winning Game Changers. We can have Juyeon take over.” When you spot a small smirk resting on his lips, you ball your fists.

Whatever game Sunwoo is playing, you don’t want any part of it. If anything, whatever he’s trying to insinuate has you clenching your teeth. And you’re about to retort—

“No,” Sangyeon says, speaking on your behalf. “Y/N’s a good leader and a team player. I trust Y/N the most out of all the people on the roster.”

Sunwoo raises his hands in defense. “It was only a suggestion.” But when he glances at you, you don’t miss the sinister smile on his face.

Not only was Sunwoo trying to bench you out of the competition but Sangyeon and Younghoon were too invested in their conversation, speaking on your behalf as if you were nothing but a tool for the organization. Without a second thought, you stand up from your seat. Everyone’s eyes are on you as you storm out of the room.

That’s the thing about being a pro player in the esports scene; no one seems to listen to you if you aren’t a man.

For once, silence settles amongst everyone. Your departure is a message, one that everyone failed to see earlier on.

A sigh leaves Sakura. “I know we’re all worried about VCT but let’s not forget to hear everyone out, okay?” She glances at the doors that are now shut closed, wondering where you may have gone. “You know Y/N. Just avoid speaking on their behalf and let them talk for themselves.”

“Yeah,” Eunchae huffs, “let’s give them time to cool down. We only wrapped up Game Changers a few weeks ago.”

As Younghoon crosses his arms, a sigh leaves him as he looks down to the floor. “Sorry, Sangyeon and I were too caught up with what we wanted.” He glances at his watch before shifting his gaze to the players who sit idly. “Let’s talk about this again once they come back.”

In the eye of a hurricane stands you, a witness to the chaos, wondering what course of action nature shall take upon you. Somehow, your screams are soundless—not a single soul minds the hurricane for as long as it doesn’t hit them.

You stand in front of the washroom mirror, taking your time to recollect your thoughts. The stress that comes from the upcoming VCT, the pressure to represent HYST once more, the likelihood of working with Kim Sunwoo for the first time—there’s nothing you can control.

The stars point you towards acceptance, perseverance.

It’s not that you were against representing HYST for the upcoming VCT events. If anything, you were grateful that Sangyeon and Younghoon trusted you to undertake such an important role.

Although you’ve competed in Game Changers, the audience it attracts is smaller in comparison to the ones your manager and coach want to see you in. All eyes will be on you as you compete to reach to Champions.

The weight that comes with playing in a worldwide esports event, one that most of the community is tuned into, rests on your shoulders—a coalition of anxiety from every round that plays out, migraines from reconfiguring your strategies, the comments of you playing just because you aren’t a man. Those reasons should be enough for you to decline the offer, to protect your peace, and to make more out of your streams.

But nothing can compare to bringing back home the fruit of your labor—the Champions Cup—the recognition that comes from competing, and the bond built amongst teammates. If you got to experience all that from Game Changers, you’re almost certain that VCT will bring experiences to be marked in your books.

But what do you know, right?

With a mind clearer after today’s event, you exit the washroom, still deciding whether you should compete or not. Yet, it’s as if the universe has plans to provoke you as you come face-to-face with the last person you want to see.

His eyes lock with yours and a snarl appears on his face. “What? I had to use the washroom.” Defensive, like always.

Before you can make your way back to the conference room, he grabs your arm, holding you back. You glare at Sunwoo, your eyes glancing at his hand on your arm, and he lets go.

He bites the inside of his cheek. “I know we don’t like each other.” Tell me about it. “But,” he sucks in a breath as he stares back at you. “I know we want to prove ourselves, so why don’t we just suck it up and work together?”

Anyone could believe that Sunwoo’s trying to play nice with you—he’s willing to make amends in hopes that there’s no bad blood between you two—but you could care less about what this man has to say.

“It’s not that easy,” you start. “You don’t understand what I want.” Unlike him, you know that proving yourself does nothing.

His frowns over your words. “What do you mean—”

“Sunwoo, you can easily say you want to play to prove yourself,” you cut him off. “I can’t say the same for me. It’s a privilege enough that I can even play in these events.” You jab your index finger against his chest, making him stagger backward.

That’s what makes you and Sunwoo different; while he chases praises from a few lucky plays, you’re left to deal with the backlash from just breathing.

If Sunwoo wants to retort, you don’t give him the chance to do so as you walk away from him. As you reach the doors, you take a deep breath in before swinging them open. The chatter is interrupted by your presence as you make your way back to your seat.

Sunwoo follows shortly, keeping his gaze on you as he takes his seat. You would’ve ignored the way he looks at you but the eye contact you two exchange amplifies what you told him then in the halls. So when an ominous grin appears on your face, the lousy bridge he tried to build towards you crumbles. After all, it was constructed on a poor attempt to save his career.

“Count me in.”

ROUND 2: “YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE WAS THAT YOU PISSED ME OFF.”

With every day that passes, the weight of VCT rests heavier on your shoulders. Playing with a team you don’t compete with is not easy. Yet, you’re hopeful today—it’s all you have, after all.

As you enter the practice room, you are greeted by the chilly air that emits from the air conditioners. The practice room resembles an internet cafe; desks are lined up with monitors and keyboards while CPUs are placed under the tables.

You catch sight of Sakura and Haknyeon chatting away as they sit in front of their assigned computers. Jacob, however, is busy talking to Younghoon; you can only assume they’re talking about possible strategies.

Before you take a seat beside Haknyeon, you make sure to greet everyone. “And I couldn’t believe Juyeon just fell to the floor!” He exclaims which has Sakura laughing.

“What’d I miss?”

Haknyeon looks at you on the brink of tears before he retells the story. “Okay, because you know how Juyeon and I share a room?” You nod. “So, I told Juyeon to shut the lights off on his way to bed because I was ready to go to sleep. But somehow, he got lazy while walking so he had this genius idea to just jump to the bed.” At this point, your friend is laughing in between words, and the story has gone incomprehensible.

“And the next thing you know it, Haknyeon hears a sudden thump.”

You burst into laughter over the story. “You’re telling me he missed?!” The only answers you get are chortles from the two.

Preparations for VCT have fueled your anxiety for many reasons, possible losses and backlash to name a few, but Haknyeon and Sakura bring pockets of sunshine amidst the storm. If they weren’t here, you wouldn’t know how to deal with your worries.

“Sorry, I’m late!” Your mood shifts as your last teammate enters the room with an iced americano in his hand. You both lock eyes for a brief moment before you shift your gaze back to your friends, chewing on the inside of your cheek.

“Okay, hurry! Everyone, start fixing your setups,” Younghoon orders as he claps his hands, grabbing everyone’s attention.

You chose your seat in hopes that Jacob would sit beside you, making it easier for you both to discuss possible team strategies. Yet, the other in-game leader sits somewhere else, leaving Sunwoo to take the spot next to you. Your bubbly mood has turned sour.

“Anyway, today we will be having a practice match! So, what to expect is that…”

Younghoon’s words fall flat on your ears as your heartbeat fills your ears. As you try to fix your monitor and audio settings to fit your preferences, you hope that the anxiety will die down. Yet, you feel a pair of eyes stare a hole right into you—annoyance now accompanies your anxiety.

“Can you mind your own business and listen to Coach?” You raise the question, only loud enough for your annoying teammate to hear.

“I am paying attention.”

You scoff, “Oh, so you’ll listen now?” You rip your gaze away from the computer to glare at Sunwoo. “You didn’t listen to me last time.”

A few days ago, your team decided to scrimmage against the other members of the organization. It was a good way to practice before signing up for scrimmages against other teams participating.

Unfortunately for you, it was a match that solidified your dislike of the player. With every round, he found ways to get on your nerves, ignoring your comms and playing for himself to name a few. If you were going to be honest, you expected a bit more from Sunwoo—Sangyeon is right about his stance on the player.

Sunwoo shrugs, glancing at your coach who continues to explain today’s practice match. “I don’t know, your strats weren’t making sense last time. I trust Jacob more.”

You clench your fists as you close your eyes briefly in disbelief. “So, if it’s a man speaking, you’ll listen?” You shake your head in disbelief as you return your attention to the computer. “Jacob and I had the same plan, asshole.”

If Sunwoo wanted to defend himself, he’s not allowed to do so as Younghoon calls on both of your names. “Hey, are you listening?” The two of you nod profusely in a poor attempt to hide your conversation. “Okay then. For today’s scrimmage, you’ll be going against RUSH.”

There’s no way, right? “Sorry, did you say RUSH?” You earn a nod from him, and your world tilts on its axis. After how many years, it only took one scrimmage for you to reunite with your reasons behind why you stand in the pro scene today—Jeon Jungkook and Eric Sohn.

The three of you first met each other in university in a club full of people who liked to play video games. At first, you weren’t sure why you joined in the first place, dreading the possibility of dealing with men who would throw misogynistic comments towards you. Yet, the universe found a way to make sure you would enjoy your stay, gifting you two boys who became your best friends from university. 

“Today is the perfect time to get to know your opponents, get a feel of what they do. I know that you guys have started playing together, trying to get a feel of what it’s like to play together, but I hope this scrimmage will build on it,” Younghoon says as your team quickly logs into their accounts on Discord.

Once you’ve logged in, you notice that Younghoon has sent you an invite to a Discord server. You accept it, greeted by the huge selection of teams participating, and you catch sight of RUSH in a voice channel. All of their gamer tags are recognizable, but two of them have stuck with you since your university days.

“You can all jump on the voice channel with them. Don’t forget to introduce yourselves.”

You’re the first to hop on a call and your teammates follow you shortly. Usually, you were the type to have someone lead the conversation, but to say you were excited to talk to your old friends would be an understatement. “Hi, everyone.”

“Oh my god, is that Y/N?” Jungkook asks, surprised by the sound of a familiar voice.

“Y/N?!” Eric’s microphone crackles over how loud he exclaims your name, and a grin rests on your lips over the reactions.

There they are. “I know, it’s been forever. I haven’t talked to you both since we graduated.”

The next thing you know, their faces appear on the screen; they don’t look too different from when you last saw them, but they’ve grown up. “Is it actually you?!” Jungkook asks. “I won’t believe it until I see you.”

A chuckle leaves your lips over your old friend’s words. “God, I’ll turn my cam on.” You click on the video icon, revealing your poor attempt to hold back your grin. “Happy now?” 

“It’s been so long, what the fuck? I miss you! Congrats on your win!” Eric says. “Everyone, why don’t we turn on our cams?” Both his teammates and yours have turned their cameras on. “Let’s introduce ourselves.”

The introductions are quick. You learned the real names of Jungkook and Eric’s teammates; Choi Soobin, Jeon Wonwoo, and Lee Jeno. RUSH’s roster is a good selection of players. Your palms get sweaty as you hear your heartbeat in your ears—nothing could’ve prepared you for today’s scrimmage. 

Before you can all agree to start the match, Sunwoo pops a question. “Sorry, how do you guys know each other?” You watch his expression through Discord, eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

Jungkook chuckles before saying, “We went to uni together, met in this club which we all left after our first year.” All he gets is a hum from your teammate, but you don’t miss the way Sunwoo looks off into nowhere, almost as if he’s irritated—you wonder why his mood shifted. “Anyway, are we ready to have our match?” You all hum in agreement before turning your cameras off.

“Alright, good luck and have fun!”

The worst Valorant matches are the ones that reach overtime. It’s 12 to 13 on Icebox in RUSH’s favor, and your team is on the brink of losing—only one win is needed and your opponent will leave victorious.

“I think we should go through mid and then make our way through A-site.”

You shake your head in disapproval. “No, Jacob, I think we should enter a site together instead. It’s risky to pass through mid since,” you glance at the leaderboard to check how many credits Jungkook has, “I have a strong feeling someone will use an operator.”

Although Jacob seems to consider your suggestion, a groan leaves Sunwoo. “Wouldn’t it be better to split up?”

“No, we’re not strong enough to fight our own battles. We need to play together, fight together.” You would like to think that your team can handle isolated battles, but you guys were weak against RUSH. Perhaps they had good reflexes or better game sense.

As the timer starts to count down, Jacob orders, “Okay, we’ll go with Y/N’s plan. The most important thing is that we don’t pick fights on our own and plant the spike.”

The round commences, and you all make your way into your positions; Sakura and Jacob slowly make their way through A-main while you go up to the belt. Haknyeon carefully sets up his trip wires and camera before joining you.

“I’m going to dart first.” Once you get your recon bolt out, you shoot it far enough to land on the wall; it catches the presence of Soobin and Wonwoo. The toxic screen goes up, perfectly concealing the site.

“Go!”

It happens all too quickly, shots fired and damage dealt and received. Before you know it, your team is dead—except for one who didn’t seem to listen to your plans.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” you say as you spectate Sunwoo, watching that he’s making his way back to where you guys died, leaving mid. There are only two players that he needs to fight, Jungkook on Jett and Eric on Deadlock. You know the round is tense, and the last thing you want to do is aggravate him.

Thankfully, Sunwoo plants the spike, but he situates himself in a spot that wouldn’t allow him to reposition quickly. A pair of footsteps go up the stairs, signaling that someone is making their way to heaven.

For a moment, he keeps his gaze affixed to screens, but he looks back to A-main, expecting a flank, and he’s right; Eric comes into his vision.

You expect Sunwoo to win the fight, but when his body falls to the ground, a sigh leaves you. The mood has plummeted, sinking into murky waters of frustration, disappointment. “Fuck, sorry,” Sunwoo apologizes as he covers his mouth in frustration.

“It’s okay, you tried,” Jacob attempts to console his teammate. “Good work, everyone.”

The spike gets defused; HYST has lost against RUSH.

“Come on, let’s go hop on a call with them again.”

With that, your team follows Jacob’s orders. “Tight match everyone, but a fun one!” Wonwoo says.

“Yeah, thanks for the game,” Sakura responds, trying to stay in high spirits.

“Well, we have to get going. We have another scrimmage,” Eric starts. “Y/N, send me your number through DMs. Let’s hang with Jungkook.”

You hum, a small smile resting on your lips. “Sure, see you guys in Challengers.” With that, everyone leaves the voice channel.

While RUSH is probably celebrating their win, HYST is in low spirits. It’s a practice match, sure, but still a match nevertheless.

“Good work, everyone,” Younghoon says in an attempt to cheer everyone up. “I really liked the energy I saw from you guys. You all put up a good fight and fought together.”

Although everyone seems to hum in agreement with your coach, you don’t join in. “Why did you stray off?” You redirect your gaze to the boy beside you, only earning a frown. “Didn’t we agree to play together?”

He rolls his eyes at you. “Yeah, but—”

“But what, Sunwoo? What could’ve been the reason for you to not enter with us and not follow the game plan?” You’re frustrated over everything; the stress of VCT, your loss against RUSH, your teammate who never listens to you.

“Hey, knock it off!” Younghoon gets in between you two. “Now is not the time to be fighting.” You and Sunwoo only glare at each other. “Cannot believe I’m dealing with a bunch of 5-year-olds,” he mutters under his breath.

“Jacob and Sakura, nice work in holding B-site, by the way. Haknyeon, you also did well holding A-site.” Then, your coach glances between you two. “Now, we still need to work on your coordination and teamwork.” It’s a statement for your whole team, but it feels as if it were directed at you and Sunwoo. You wish you sat out of VCT.

“You can go now.”

With that, everyone gets ready to exit the practice room. Your coach is the first one out. You think you’re at fault for causing stress on him but if only Sunwoo would work with you—listen, for the matter—then maybe you two wouldn’t be in this mishap.

“Hey, you two.” You look at Jacob who calls on you and Sunwoo. “Can you stay behind for a bit?” You glance at Haknyeon and Sakura who observe the interaction briefly. As you both nod, your other teammates have taken their leave.

Now, you stand in front of him with your teammate beside you. A sigh leaves him as he rubs his jaw while a frown rests on his face. You only see Jacob like this when he’s focused on his games, but never when it comes to dealing with issues like what your team (or you and Sunwoo, really) has.

“I know you two don’t like each other, and I still don’t know why.” You and Sunwoo exchange glances before ignoring each other once more. “But you understand that you both signed up for VCT, right? That means you will be playing many matches together.”

You’re aware that agreeing to represent HYST means having to work with Sunwoo. Your reasons for participating are enough to convince you that you handle all the upcoming matches with Sunwoo—all adversities will be dealt with. Yet, you couldn’t speak for your teammate. 

“So, I’m asking that you guys focus on working together. I’m not asking you to make up or anything but to still be professional around each other. We still have to win the qualifiers, so no funny business, okay?”

Jacob was right. Your dispute is getting in the way of team dynamics, holding HYST back, and you didn’t want to inconvenience your team any further. With that, you nod, begrudgingly accepting Jacob’s request. You can spot Sunwoo nodding along with you in the corner of your eye.

“Okay, thanks. You can both go now.”

When you and Sunwoo leave the practice room, not a single word is exchanged. 

ROUND 3: “DON’T LOOK SO SMUG, SUNWOO!”

Over the last months, you and your team have spent every waking hour on Valorant—practice, practice, practice, until you all felt satisfied.

To say you were sick of the game is an understatement, but some of your teammates try to make every minute enjoyable; Haknyeon would goof off some rounds and knife opponents from behind, Jacob would make comments that you never would’ve imagined leaving his mouth, and Sakura would ask questions about everyone before every round. You take your part in lifting the spirits and making these matches less monotonous by reading stories from the r/AmITheAsshole subreddit.

As for your relationship with Sunwoo, you’ve tried to keep it professional. During matches and strategizing phases, you would communicate with each other, exchanging ideas of how to win these games. Outside of those periods, however, were spent ignoring each other’s existence.

Thankfully, all those months of practicing didn’t go to waste—your team went against multiple organizations during Qualifiers, and now you’re on the last leg of the event. Only one more win is needed and your team makes it to Challengers.

Now, your team is in the practice room, head-to-head against another team. It’s 11 to 12 in your team’s favor on Ascent. It’s absurd that your opponents made a comeback from 3-9, but you’ll blame it on the superstition.

“Let’s play default. Their team tends to push out anyway,” Jacob orders before he takes a sip of water. “I’ll play by tiles while Sakura and Haknyeonie can go to A-site. Sunwoo and Y/N, play near B-site. Just make sure to not get caught by their Sova’s recon dart.” Everyone on your team agrees with Jacob’s plan.

The round commences. Just like what Jacob called out, a recon dart is thrown, but it doesn’t catch sight of you and Sunwoo. “Sova’s by B-site,” Sunwoo tells the team. 

“I hear footsteps by tree,” Sakura starts, and Jacob takes it as his sign to smoke the cubby off. Before you know it, he takes a peek at mid and kills off the enemy team’s Gekko. Sakura flashes A-site before double-swinging with Haknyeon. “There are three players by A-site! Go to B-site!”

You and Sunwoo start to make your way through B-site. You walk in front of him, trying to smoke off  hall and market. It should’ve occurred to you how weird it is that Sunwoo trails behind you, but it doesn’t, and you choose to enter the site.

The next thing you know, your body flops to the ground, and you let out a groan. As you spectate Sunwoo, he successfully trades you. “Spike down B,” the announcer voices out. Now, it’s a three versus one battle.

“Astra’s with me! Go plant,” Haknyeon calls out, and Sunwoo listens. He plants the spike like a breeze and situates himself in the boathouse.

Jacob tucks himself by mid, waiting for Astra to pass through spawn. “I can catch Astra off-guard while you try to pinch them,” he tells Haknyeon. Within a few seconds, he successfully lands his shots and kills Astra, securing HYST a win—your team will be participating in Challengers.

Everyone cheers, getting off their seats and huddling into a group hug. “Holy shit, Jacob! That was such a good 3K!” Haknyeon cheers as he’s overfilled with joy.

Your teammate tries to shrug off the compliments. “We all did good.”

A pair of arms wrap around you and Jacob. “That was an amazing play!” Younghoon is thrilled by today’s matches. “WE’RE GOING TO CHALLENGERS!”

It’s a dream come true; you’ll be competing on stage in front of a wider audience against teams who are more capable than you—who have more experience than you—but the journey has only started. You wonder what the upcoming months will have in store for you and your team—what will time do for you and Sunwoo?

You’re the first to break up from the hug, everyone else following along. “I’m going to call Sangyeon over,” your coach announces before making his way out of the practice room.

Then, Haknyeon pulls out his phone. “Wait, the guys are blowing up our group chat. I’ll just call them.”

Sunwoo is about to follow his teammates, but you grab hold of his forearm as you hold him back, and he frowns at you. “I need to talk to Sunwoo,” you smile at the other guys who only glance at each other, confused by your actions. Yet, they let the matter go, letting you deal with your business with him.

Sakura grabs your shoulder. “I’m going to call the team. Anything you want me to tell them?”

“I’ll tell them myself, it’s okay. You can go.”

With that, it was only you and your teammate.

You let go of his arm and a frown replaces the grin you once showed. “What was that during the last round?” As Sunwoo scrunches his eyebrows further, you groan. “You literally baited me.”

An exasperated sigh leaves him. “God, it’s not that serious.”

“Sunwoo, you’re playing duelist. You’re supposed to be entering sites for the team.”

“And I do!” He glares at you, annoyed by your complaints. “We still won. Can’t you just be happy that we made it to Challengers?”

That’s the thing you hate about playing with Sunwoo; if the outcome is good, he’ll turn a blind eye to his mistakes. How does he improve as a player if he doesn’t acknowledge his faults?

He’s about to turn away from you—make his way to his teammates and celebrate today’s win—but you grab his hand and pull him close to you. The sudden action almost has him toppling over you, and thankfully, his reflexes are quick enough to make sure you both don’t fall.

But the distance between you two is smaller, his eyes wide while yours remain stern. He holds his breath while yours grazes his skin.

You’ve never seen him this way—compliant, obedient—and it’s a sight to behold, one you’d like to keep for yourself. If only he were like this to you, then maybe you wouldn’t—no, snap out of it.

“Sunwoo.” He gulps at the way you call his name. “I’m your controller, I’m supposed to stay alive longer to support you.” You hold his gaze. “Try to keep this behavior up during the rest of VCT, I dare you.”

There’s malice laced in your tone, an attempt to make him cower—obey—over your threat, and you know your job is successful when Sunwoo doesn’t try to retort. He has every opportunity to retort—rile you up like all other times—and yet, he remains silent.

With that, you let go of his hand, stepping away to give you both room to breathe. Patches of warmth litter all over your skin, from your neck to your chest. To have Sunwoo look at you like that has—

“Guys!” Younghoon comes back rushing into the room with Sangyeon trailing behind him. You catch sight of the smile that rests on your manager’s face, clearly proud of your team. “Let’s look at the list of the teams who made it to Challengers.”

Your coach fiddles with the television remote and opens up the stream. Just in time, you’re able to look through the teams who made it to the next event. As you spot HYST in a sea of esteemed teams, fulfillment bubbles within you.

Yet, you know the battle doesn’t end here. RUSH makes the cut—will your team remain victorious or will it meet its demise?

ROUND 4: “YOU’RE HERE TO TAKE MY KILLS, SUNWOO? LET’S MAKE IT A COMPETITION.”

You were lying when you said you were sick of Valorant. There were other games you could be playing, Minecraft, Overwatch, and Stardew Valley to name a few. Yet, here you are, playing your favorite (read: most hated) game for today’s stream.

“I won’t lie, I’m not sure why I’m playing this game on stream,” you chuckle. “Like, I could be playing something else to save my mental health.” The comments keep coming as you ramble, trying to kill time.

keybladetwo: CONGRATS IN PLAYOFFS!!! GOODLUCK IN CHALLENGERS orangecheeko: HYST TAKEOVER 🔥🔥🔥 hungrydinosaur: the 3k bae did last round was INSANE

A flood of compliments comes your way, making you smile. “Awe. Thanks, everyone! I still can’t believe I’ll be playing for Challengers, and then there’ll be Masters and Champions.”

reingoaway: how was it like playing with the others :O noxturnal: U and Jacob on the same team must be crazy! Aren’t u both IGLs

A hum leaves you as you think over your answers. “It’s fun for the most part,” you admit. “I mean, it took us a while to get used to each other’s playstyles, but I’d like to think that the practice paid off.”

You fiddle around with your Valorant collection, changing skins on some firearms. “I’d like to think Jacob and I do pretty well in strategizing in the middle of matches. Sure, we have our fair share of contrasting opinions but we always consider each other’s ideas.”

Although the time you spend practicing with your team can be tiresome, your teammates try to make every round enjoyable. It’s thanks to them that you’re able to deal with the weight of VCT for the most part. There is burnout that comes from playing the same game at a pro level—at least you have most of your teammates to thank for the most part.

tagmeup: Will you play with nuguri? ailguriluver: YEAA u guys go crazy together ashfallen: nuguri & ailurus stream 🙏

You would’ve ignored it as you used to with all other streams, but your chat seems to flood the same question; there’s no escape even in the safety of your own channel. “Uh,” you scratch the back of your neck, “I didn’t really plan to stream with nuguri.” 

nugunuguwho: He’s on stream right now!

“He is?” You bite the inside of your cheek as you type out his username on Twitch. His profile shows up, showing that he’s live, and you adjust your stream so that it shows your browser. Now, your audience can see that you’ve searched him up.

Once you click his stream, you are greeted with the words “DEFEAT” flashing on the screen. “Aish, fuck this game!” On the top left corner of the screen is your teammate, all dressed in a gray hoodie with hair messier than usual, and frames resting on the bridge of his nose. He leans back on his chair, tonguing the inside of his cheek out of frustration from losing a match.

The screen shifts to the match summary, showing that he’s currently 00RR in Ascendant 3. “Man, you would think that people in these ranks would at least understand to comm!” He then showcases his match history and—holy shit, it’s a red carpet. “Guys, it’s not looking good.”

You hide your smile behind the back of your hand. Although you make comments about how terrible of a player Sunwoo is, you would’ve never imagined him to be on such a horrendous losing streak.

(At the same time, it could be the fault of his teammates, but you weren’t going to give him that satisfaction. He’s an awful player, point blank.)

“Ailurus is on my stream?” You are snapped out of your thoughts as he mentions your gamer tag. “How do you know?” He scrunches his eyebrows as he reads the chat. “They’re streaming?”

You rush to close the window and frown at the camera. “I can’t believe you guys sold me out!” As you shake your head, you shift your stream back to the game. “I was trying to spy on him! Anyway, I’m going to queue up because I cannot have Sunwoo ruining my win streak.”

You’re about to queue into a game, hoping to end the discussion, but your eyes catch sight of a familiar name and you halt your movements. 

nuguri: r u down to play?

It’s an internal battle—should you pretend you didn’t see Sunwoo’s message or should you fake your relationship with him?

Time ticks. The more you contemplate, the more you realize that you can’t play off that you saw his message in a sea of unfamiliar usernames. You’ve dug up your hole—there’s no turning back now.

“Okay, add my alt account.” Not a single mention of his name, and yet, your audience knows exactly who you’re talking to. The chat is filled with messages of excitement.

A friend request has been sent to you. “Is “sawako’s bf” your fucking alt?” Your gaze shifts to the chat, waiting for a message from Sunwoo.

nuguri: check discord

You roll your eyes before accepting his request on Valorant before opening up Discord. Another friend request has come in, and—is that a Smiski as his display picture? Your mouth parts open as you accept his request. Before you can shoot him a message, he calls you, and you don’t think twice before picking it up.

“I didn’t know you liked Smiskis,” you admit, surprised by the sight of the figurine. The sight of your profile picture, a Smiski from a different series, beside his photo is humorous—who would’ve thought that you two would match? “I didn’t even know you had another Discord account.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

You shrug. “I mean, you just don’t look like the type you know? You reek of “loser e-boy that can’t do shit” energy.” As you hear him gasp, you chuckle.

Perhaps it helped to interact with Sunwoo in front of an audience. You can say diss him if you wanted, boiling it down to banter, and no one would question it.

“First off, I have a Discord account for work and another one for just personal use. And second, I am not a fuckass e-boy.” His defensive energy has you rolling your eyes. “Hey, I see you rolling your eyes!”

“The fuck? Get out of my stream,” you say as you glance at the camera. As you go back to Valorant, you see that you’re invited to Sunwoo’s party. Once you accept the invite, Sunwoo queues you both up for a Ranked match. “If we lose, I’m blaming it on you.”

“Hey! It’s not my fault that I lost all my matches today.”

You bite on the inside of your cheek, holding back your laughter just in case he’s still watching your stream. “Okay, whatever you say. I know you only peaked Immortal 1.”

“Immortal 1 is a good rank! What are you trying to say?” A chuckle leaves him as he says those words, clearly knowing that he’s unfortunately not like you who is currently ranked at Immortal 2.

“I think you just want me to boost you.”

“Match found,” the announcer voices out. You are greeted by the opening screen of Sunset.

“Yeah, sorry. I’m down on my luck that I need someone to boost me.” Sarcasm is evident in his tone, and you can’t help but laugh. The screen then shifts to agent select. “What’s good, everyone?” A bad attempt at deep voice leaves Sunwoo as he talks to a team full of strangers.

You’re thrown back by the sudden tone shift, causing a giggle to leave you. “What the fuck was that?!”

“Go! Talk to the team.” You shake your head as if he can see you. (Maybe he’s still watching you, after all.) He hovers over Reyna before telling you, “It won’t hurt.”

The thing about you is that you would never talk to a team full of strangers, but you don’t think twice when you say, “I’m good,” before hovering over Omen.

“There we go!” He exclaims in your call. You try to hold back your grin.

Unfortunately, the moment doesn’t last long. “Didn’t you mean to hover over Sage?” A stranger on your team asks.

You frown. “What do you mean?”

“Because you’re a woman.”

You should’ve seen this coming—there’s a reason why you don’t like to speak in this game.

“Just because I’m born a woman doesn’t mean I need to play that agent. I can play Skye if we need a healer,” you suggest, trying to keep your cool over what the stranger says.

“Nah, Skye might be too complex for you.”

You’re thinking if you should just lock in on Omen or retort, but both choices lead to an outcome where they’ll constantly be on your ass. Before you can make a decision, however, someone speaks.

“Hey, let them play whoever they want to play. You can play Sage if you really want,” Sunwoo cuts into the conversation, hoping to diffuse the situation. But when a chuckle leaves the stranger, you know it’s far from reaching that.

“Ah, I see how it is. How’s the head?”

You’ve officially reached your limit, and it seems Sunwoo has reached his as well. “This shit isn’t worth it,” Sunwoo ends the conversation with that. Before you know it, you’re back in the lobby, alone. “Sorry, I quit the game. Just give me a second to boot it up.”

As you hear those words, warmth surges within you. You don’t like your teammate at all and he’s never given you any reason to treat him with kindness, but just this one action is enough to make you see him in a different light—is he rotten to the core or have you been blinded this whole time?

Before you know it, he requests to join your party, and you accept the invite. When your eyes catch sight that he’s deranked to Ascendant 2, it hits you that he lost some RR just to avoid playing with the player who was giving you a hard time.

(Would it be bad to hope he did it for you?)

You hop in the queue to find another match.

It’s quiet for a moment; the mood has been ruined by some stranger on Valorant. Yet, Sunwoo seems to have something under his sleeve, a way to lift your spirit. “What if we pick each other’s agents?”

“This is a ranked match. You know that, right?”

Sunwoo lets out a groan. “I know that! But think about how fun it would be! We can play each other’s mains!”

“Do you really want to play Omen or Sova?” The screen then shows you’ll be playing on Pearl. “I thought you wanted to win some games.”

“Hey, I can definitely play those agents!” You roll your eyes over his words, clearly not believing him. “Let’s make it a competition. Whoever gets placed on top of the leaderboard wins, but you play Raze while I play Omen.”

A hum leaves you as you contemplate his proposal. “What’s the prize?”

“Well,” Sunwoo pauses, thinking over what can be done. “What if the winner gets their wish granted by the loser?”

“A wish? What type of wish?”

“Well, that’s for us to determine in our own time.”

You should’ve said no—why would you agree to such a bet with the one guy you can’t stand being in a room with? But the problem is that your pride is on the line, and you wanted to prove to Sunwoo that you could do his job better as a duelist.

So, you don’t think twice when you say, “Ah, fuck it. Let’s do it.”

You should’ve played Raze earlier on in your esports career. The match passes you like a breeze, entering and clearing sites and shots landing on your opponents every round. You don’t remember having this much fun playing Raze for the first time.

But somehow, the universe didn’t listen to your wishes—Sunwoo sits on the top of the leaderboard while you’re under him.

“Fuck! I only needed one assist and I would’ve beaten you.” As you complain, your teammate laughs.

“Ah, I wonder what I should have you do for me.”

You roll your eyes before looking at the time. “God, it’s that late already? I think I’m gonna end the stream already.”

“Yeah, me too. I’ll be back.” Before you know it, he deafens himself on Discord.

A sigh leaves you before you briefly look through the chat. “Sorry guys, I’m gonna end it early. I still need to pack my suitcase for Challengers next week.” There’s a mix of comments, ones that beg you to stay while others that thank you for today’s stream. “I’ll try to stream again before I leave but no promises. Bye, everyone! Hope you enjoy the rest of your days!”

With that, you end the stream. Another good stream out of you despite how short it was.

The most surprising thing to come out of this stream is that you were enjoying your time with Sunwoo. Whether it may be from the later hours of the day or just a front that he was putting up for the audience, you didn’t want to think too much of it. You’ll accept it for what it is now.

As you quit out of some of your applications, you look back at Discord to see that he’s back.

For a moment, it’s quiet. There’s an internal struggle within you—should you thank him for what he said earlier or not?

You didn’t want to call attention to the issue anymore. Unfortunately, you’ve had your fair share of experiences with misogyny throughout your life, and it pained you to say that this wasn’t the worst thing you’ve heard. 

But he beats you to it, almost as if he was bothered by the silence, and says, “I’ll think about the wish for a bit, just want to think of my options.”

A groan rips out of you. “Don’t make me do anything stupid, please.”

He hums for a moment, almost as if he was considering your request, but you know who he is. “No guarantee! I’ll see you soon.”

Before you can retort, he ends the call. You stare blankly at your screen. If you thought Sunwoo was okay, you were absolutely wrong. He’s still a shithead.

But when you get in bed, you stare at the ceiling for a moment, and you can’t wipe off the grin that rests on your lips.

God, you need to sleep. 

perma taglist ➵ @deoboyznet @kflixnet @blankjournal @winterchimez @miusgirl @jenoscafe @sweet-unicorn-world @vernyangel @mosviqu @stealanity @deobi0412 @blue-rainydays @maessseongs

series taglist ➵ @wooluv09 @untilsunset @hiefisch @wonuroyal @sunkitti

if you enjoyed reading, please do reblog and leave feedback! don't just like :]

[korshrimpski]

WHAT CHAOS: Jordan Spence has the NHL's most interesting backstory

my favourite moments from this podcast [Youtube] [Spotify]

First of all they open the podcast like this: "You are the only player from Manly, Australia. Do you feel pressure being the NHL's only Manly man?"

One of the big reasons why the spence family moved to canada was too see what jordan could do playing hockey at a higher level because Japan's big sports is baseball (which he used to play) so hockey was kinda in the background

Spenny mentions how he got into hockey because his dad used to play it growing up. And he also explains where his passion for hockey outgrew baseball is when he would go visit Prince Edward Island in the Spring to play Spring hockey tournaments.

Jordan talks about youth hockey in Japan and how he played people older than him and when he moved to P.E.I people would ask him if there was even hockey in Japan, which was a very common question.

The host asked, "Have you ever crossed paths with Aito Iguchi?" who is a very popular japanese player and used to make hockey content on youtube. And this is another common question spenny is asked (btw the answer is no, he has never skated with him)

They asked if spenny ever had to do early morning training in japan and spenny didn't have any morning practices and the host find that wild

SPENNY TRIVIA #1: he had to travel an hour to go to his team in Japan

There is apparently a lot of Canadian hockey players that live in japan to play pro there so spenny found it cool growing up focusing on their skills and all that (ik i'm terrible at writing and explaining things, please forgive me)

He was not a chirper when he was younger

Part 1 of my favourite part of the podcast: context; when spenny moved to canada he didn't know english. And something that helped him understand english he asked his teammates "what are some bad words i can say" and in return he would teach them bad Japanese swear words

Part 2 of my favourite part of the podcast: when spenny was first trying to learn english he would speak in 3rd person and to quote, "so i would be like, 'oh Jordan hungry' or like, 'Jordan go to bed.'" LIKE?!? that isfucking beautiful i love it so much

then the host actually makes a funny joke saying that it's devastating spenny's english progressed from there because it would be intimidating if he said something like, "Jordan dropping 'em."

they ask about him being trilingual and this is his reaction (please he's so funny)

14. He would like to think he is trilingual but he kinda isn't? Like he can speak japanese and english.

15. But with french he would like it to be known that when Phillip Danault speaks french to him he can understand it, he just finds it tough speaking french.

16. he picked up french because of school and in the Q a lot of people speak french and when he was traded to Val-d'Or (north quebec),everyone spoke french so he had to learn.

17. he called phillip danault 'the man' twice because they were talking about how he was so popular in quebec and montreal

18. he also found it funny that people would speak french in front of them thinking they won't understand it but spenny would (i wish they delved into this more but sadly they didn't)

19. he found the australia experience very awesome and mentions how a lot of content was around him and how that was cool. But at the same time it was weird for him because he doesn't really feel connected to australia because he was only there for a year and a half and has no memory of it, so he felt like an imposter being called australian (I an australian dub the, Jordan Spence, to be a honorary aussie)

20. spenny wishes he had an aussie accent and him saying this made me feel very powerful like yes.... hehehe we are amazing.. hehe

21. then one of the host says, "Imagine if you were out their still having not finished learning English also speaking in an Australian accent." spenny cuts in and says, "third person as well." then the host continues, "third person as well... but doing like 'Jordan hungry' in australian accent, man you'd be, you'd have outrageous endorsement deals." | Like i'm so sorry i found this so funny because now i'm imagining spenny with a mangled aussie accent saying "jordan dropping 'em" and its beautiful 😭😭

22. then spenny does an... okay ish aussie accent. Idk it sounds the same as all the other non-aussies saying "good 'ay mate"

23. QUINTON BYFIELD MENTION 🗣️ (context: the host mentions how spenny learn qb was german through their podcast)

24. also this moment, "I had no clue (context: qb was part german). And you know, I'm really close with him... You know we hang out all the time." Like physically i am well, emotionally my heart has swollen 2 times

25. then they move onto talking about fantasy football and i'm sorry i don't understand fantasy football (i simply cannot comprehend NFL, so this bits going to be with the things i do understand) which is: qb and spenny have been team owners together for the past two year and so far their top guy isn't doing well

26. "whats [qb] like as a buddy?" 27. "he's such a goofball, it's actually crazy." JORDAN SPENCE DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW UNWELL YOU JUST MAKE ME "he's such a goofball" SPENNY AAHAHAHHA

28. hold on the answer continues, "He's such a goofball, it's actually crazy. It's funny for me you know, cause like I know how he is around the boys and like a great guy like he loves fooling around with the guys, you know pranking guys, joking around. And then you'll be- I'll be beside him, he'll just be doing the media and he's like dead serious. And it's like so funny to me cause like that's pretty much the only time he's serious is if he's doing something for the media or obviously when he's playing. So like he's you know, everyone loves him and he's a great player and you know, i'm, we hang out all the time and it's a lot of fun but it's, that's like on of the biggest thing that's kinda funny is the only time he's serious is like when he's playing hockey really." LIKE YES SPENNY!! ramble about your bestie (he's like me fr i will talk about my friends all day long)

29. One time qb and spenny were spotted on an ebike together and the host ask if doubling up on an ebike is a regular occurance and spenny says, "um yeah i think." and the host is like me fr saying, "fuck yeah." to the info

30. they ask about halloween and if spenny and qb have a couples costume planned and they don't. and spenny explains last years costume and how quinton suggested it and how it was very last minute.

31. also spenny is wearing a mets hat but he's not a mets fan he's just a fan of cool hats

32. then they start talking about baseball... i do not understand baseball either,, sorry. I'll try my best for this bit.

33. spenny likes baseball but doesn't have any teams and he usually watchs games for japanese players. and he would love to mention shohei ohtani

34. they ask him his relationship with drew doughty because spenny's family dog is named after hi. Because growing up jordan didn't really root for any team he mainly had players (his top 3 players were, Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang and Drew Doughty (doughty being his fav))

35. spenny calls drew a "goofball" in his rant about how cool drew doughty is and can i just say i love spenny describing people as goofballs

36. after the draft he is asked a questionnaire and one of the questions is "do you have a pet if so what is their name" and jordan was sitting there like "shit this is going to look so bad, because people might think i just got the dog and named it doughty." like my man was stressing

37. but it wasn't until 2 years ago when drew actually found out about the dog because spenny's roommate alex turcotte (a little tidbit: alex and spenny have been roomates for the past 3-4 years) and jordan is pretty sure turkey is the one that told dewey and dewey just starts laughing (thank you turkey for your service to the cause of embarrassing spenny)

38. Now spenny doesn't think to much about the dog being named after drew but when that happened he was so embarrassed

anyways hope you all enjoyed my incoherent rambles :3

[compacflt]

have you ever considered writing more about icemav's respective childhoods? i'm always thinking about val kilmer saying in his memoir and documentary that he had obsessive dreams about ice's father who made him feel he had to prove himself as The Absolute Ideal Man and that the interactions he dreamt about between ice and his dad surely "imbued ice with greater fury" and his obsession with perfection made him arrogant.

yeah i go into ice’s childhood a little in my slider one shot since they’re right out of high school when they meet. But val and I took it in two completely different directions. Val’s ice has daddy issues and a poor relationship with his father (extrapolating from excerpt above); my ice has lack-of-daddy-issues and NO relationship with his father. No dad = no man to model himself on = overcompensating. When I said, in mavericks POV (debriefing), that ice “clearly doesn’t know how to talk to other men,” I meant that with my whole chest.

i appreciate Val’s insight, and I’m not sure when his memoir was published, but i think TG86 Ice is complicated DEEPLY by his plot-necessary accession to COMPACFLT in TGM22. At least for me, his end rank of O-10 casts him in a totally different light. It implies that what he wants is not necessarily to be “The Ideal Man,” he wants to be The Ideal OFFICER. And there’s a lot of data to back up that claim in Top Gun 86, too: he’s so gentle with Maverick, even when he’s trying to intimidate him (take the intonation of “I heard that about you. You like to work alone,” for example—is that how you’d say that if you were trying to piss someone off?); and there’s also the fact that two of the five times Ice talks directly to Maverick are explicitly about his safety practices and how they affect the safety of the TEAM (“Who was covering Cougar while you were showboating with this MiG?” / “I don’t like you because you’re dangerous.”). I said in a post last week that I don’t think Ice is a team player—but a good OFFICER doesn’t have to be a team player to make sure that the rules are followed and everyone stays safe. I think if Ice were trying to be The Ideal Man, he’d look a lot more like super-cool bad-ass rule-breaker MAVERICK (the buff daredevil male protagonist of a pro-military propaganda movie), who is canonically overcompensating for HIS relationship with his father/his incredibly unhealthy toxic masculinity.

So, yeah. that’s just how i see it. Again, idk when Val’s memoir was published—the writers of TG and TGM treat Ice as a character very differently, and both characterizations necessarily reflect on the other. I did not get the sense that TGM Ice was “imbued with fury,” for instance. So I think Ice trying to be/feeling pressured to be the best OFFICER makes more sense in light of TGM than Ice trying to be/feeling pressured to be the best MAN.

I feel very shrug about mav’s childhood. Kinda seems like he got over that in TG86. He got to save his team the way his dad did, AND lived to tell the tale. Yay. His development’s pretty much done for the franchise.

[always-rolling-my-eyes]

Here are my thoughts on the DWTS Cast and Partnerships

Who I’m excited for:

-Stephen and Rylee - Mr. Pummel Horse Man! Before the Olympics even started I thought it would be cool if DWTS got a male gymnast for a change and after he went viral I knew he was a lock for the show. He’s clearly the early frontrunner and barring anything catastrophic, I can’t see them not making the finals because even if his dancing skills are subpar he will for sure be the People’s Prince and will be raking in the votes. I’m a little disappointed he didn’t get paired with Britt or Daniella, but I lowkey feel like Rylee is being primed to be the new face of the show to attract a new generation so, I’m not too surprised they gave her the ringer of the season. Plus, I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do choreography-wise with a competent partner. They’re my preseason winner pick

-Illona and Alan - Love her personality, love her attitude, love her confidence, love her. I am SO happy she is doing the show. I was worried they wouldn’t want more than one Olympian on the season but I am so glad that wasn’t the case. Not only do I think she is going to kill it but I also think she will be the most fun. I have high hopes for Alan, he’s usually pretty reliable when it comes to choreography. I don’t really remember anything remarkable from him over the years, but I also don’t remember anything super terrible, so I think he knows the potential he has with this partnership and he won’t waste it. I think she could be the closest to spoiling Stephen’s win and it’s crazy how possible an all-Olympian Final 2 is

-Tori and Pasha - Donna Martin graduates! Sorry, but my fellow 90’s kids will know exactly what I’m talking about. I cannot be the only person who can’t believe she hasn’t done this show before, especially considering how many other 90210 cast members have been on already (RIP Shannon Doherty 💔🕊️) I don’t think she’ll be a great dancer, probably more middle of the pack, but she does have Pasha as a pro, and that goes a long way in this competition. I think with Pasha’s ability to teach / choreograph to his partner’s strengths and being the perfect 90’s nostalgia vote for the demographic, I can see her going far…unless she’s super, super terrible 😬

-Reginald and Emma - Oh, hi Big Guy! I didn’t even like Family Matters all that much but I still can’t tell you how lowkey excited I was when I heard his name, and I think a lot of others will feel the same. I think he’s going to be lovable and sweet and another one who will hit this demographic right in all the nostalgia feels. And with Emma as a partner, well that girl has proven herself (time and time again 😒) to being a miracle worker, and as frustrated as I am that she always gets partners like this, I can’t say I don’t enjoy the partnerships because she is just so good with them. He’s either an early boot or going far and the show will have to manipulate his elimination

Who I’m intrigued by:

-Danny and Witney - All I know is that he’s a football player and they notoriously do well on this show, so I have to admit I am very interested to see what he can do and WITNEY’S BACK! The last time she came back from a break she was better than ever so I am very much looking forward to seeing her in the ballroom again and I think this pair will be a dark horse to look out for

-Chandler and Brandon - I have never heard of her before. Disney girl, Pretty Little Liars spinoff, that’s all I got when I looked her up. I think she’s going to be a great dancer and Brandon will do great with her, however, I worry about her coming in with what could potentially be a very young and small fanbase and I don’t think the producers will go out of their way to help Brandon, do I can see this couple being a sacrificial lamb to help move forward the producers agenda. Then again, I had never heard of Xochitl last season and she won the whole damn thing so, who knows 😂

-Phaedra and Val - THIS A’INT PHAEDRA! (RHOA fans will understand) She’s hysterical, works hard and knows what needs to be done but doesn’t take herself too seriously. I think she will be a great performer but perhaps some of the more technical dances might be problematic for her but I think her personality will shine through no matter what. Still hate Val.

-Jenn and Sasha - I don’t watch any of the Bachelor / Bachelorette, but I heard she had a DEVASTATING night on Monday, like oh my god. This last minute addition does feel a little bit icky, like ABC is trying to ease some of the blowback they got from fans and the media for how she was treated during her finale, but I hope she has fun and enjoys the experience…well, as much as she can enjoy is with Sasha as her partner. I have zero faith in Sasha’s abilities. Why DWTS feels the need to continuously shove this untalented, misogynistic, offensive gremlin down our throats I will never know but all I can hope for is Jenn gets a positive experience out of it

Who I’m ehh on:

-Joey and Jenna - Like I said, I don’t watch any of the Bachelor / Bachelorette so I still kind of have no idea who this man is. Jenna’s a terrible teacher, so unless he has dance experience already he is not going to be good, but Bachelor Nation will probably carry him to at least the middle of the season, but I am curious if they will split votes between Joey and Jenn. I wonder who Bachelor Nation would rally behind, Joey or Jenn? But the real question is, who would the producers rally behind, Sasha or Jenna? 🤔 Watch this space…

-Brooks and Gleb - I have no idea who this woman is. A Sports Illustrated model? Great, more mediocre, sexy dances from Gleb, just what I was hoping for. I think they’ll get to week 3, MAYBE week 4, until Gleb checks out and they’ll end up being a middle, unexciting elimination

Who I wish I didn’t have to acknowledge their existence:

-Dwight and Dani - Never a fan of SA allegations, so I will not be supporting. Sucks Dani has to deal with this because I know she is probably going to come up with some amazing choreography for him but 🤮

-Eric and Britt - YUCK. So problematic, I just…don’t understand why they would even cast this man…did they think there would be a chance Julia would show up in the ballroom? Who am I kidding, they would’ve settled for Emma, but neither is happing, that’s for damn sure. Why do they keep doing this to Britt? She deserves so much better (no female pro deserves to have to deal with this, for the record) DWTS is never kind to her but at least she’s getting a husband out of it

-Anna and Ezra - I don’t care. I just…don’t care. The ankle monitor just shows how low this show is willing to go which is especially gross when there are plenty of celebrities who have been campaigning to get on this show for years and she doesn’t even seem to want to be here. Ezra, I am so sorry, but maybe they’ll let you choreograph one of the pro numbers?

Me being petty:

SOMEONE CHECK ON SCHEANA (Vanderpump Rules fans will understand 😂)

[inmaki]

HIIII val anon checking in cuz i havent been back in awhile LMAO just wanna pop by and say hi i hope you’re doing well ‼️‼️🫶

- ur fave pro val player ( real )

VAL ANONNNN IMY <3 im doing well i js finished a huge project so like. im gonna work on one of my many text reqs!!! and then my gojo fic maybe !! HOW ABOUT UU HOW IS LIFE!!!

[dodgebolts]

also I’m still fucking crying at the fact that basch and I (iron-bronze aka lowest few rankings) queued into a tdm against a literal pro Val player on their top 5 NA radiant account LIKEWJDKHFDB RIOT FIX UR SHIT

[paleyshelie]

NBA 2K25: Tis the Season Event Brings Galaxy Opal LeBron James and Holiday Cheer to MyTeam

The holiday season is here, and NBA 2K25 MT is celebrating in style with the highly anticipated Tis the Season event. For players, this event promises a mix of elite player cards, exciting challenges, and festive content that will help you build a competitive MyTeam lineup and enjoy the spirit of the season. Headlined by the release of Galaxy Opal LeBron James, this update is one of the most impactful events of the year, both in terms of the cards available and the festive spirit surrounding the game. Whether you’re diving into packs or eagerly awaiting free content, there’s something for everyone in this holiday extravaganza.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about the Tis the Season promo, the standout player cards, potential future updates, and pro tips to get the most out of this limited-time event.

The Star of the Show: Galaxy Opal LeBron James The centerpiece of the Tis the Season promo is none other than the Galaxy Opal LeBron James, one of the most highly sought-after cards in NBA 2K25. As soon as this card hit the packs, it was clear that LeBron would be a game-changer. With an array of insane stats, this version of LeBron is primed to dominate every facet of the game.

LeBron James: A Must-Have Addition to Your Lineup This Galaxy Opal card boasts a stunning 97 Speed, 92 Three-Point Rating, and an incredible 98 Driving Dunk. These attributes alone make LeBron an elite option in MyTeam, both offensively and defensively. Whether you prefer driving to the rim or spotting up from beyond the arc, this card offers unparalleled versatility.

LeBron is already one of the most dominant players in NBA history, and his digital version in NBA 2K25 stays true to his on-court prowess. His combination of size, speed, and basketball IQ makes him an excellent option for any lineup. Whether you’re trying to take over in MyTeam Unlimited, progressing through challenges, or simply enjoying casual play, having LeBron as your centerpiece will give you a significant advantage over your opponents.

In addition to his impressive stats, LeBron’s animations are as smooth as ever, making him one of the most enjoyable cards to use in the game. His dunking ability is unrivaled, and his ability to facilitate the offense through passing makes him an ideal choice for players who love to run their offense through a playmaking forward.

For MyTeam enthusiasts, this Galaxy Opal LeBron James is not just a top-tier player — he’s the centerpiece of an elite lineup.

The Other Stars: Galaxy Opal Penny Hardaway and More While LeBron James steals the spotlight, there are several other top-tier cards in the Tis the Season promo that shouldn’t be overlooked. One of the most exciting additions is Galaxy Opal Penny Hardaway, a versatile point guard who is perfect for players who love to run their offense through a tall, smooth playmaker.

Penny Hardaway: A Tall, Versatile Point Guard Standing at 6’7” with a 93 Speed rating and elite ball-handling stats, Penny Hardaway is a dream card for players who like to create offense with a lengthy and smooth point guard. Penny is an exceptional passer, a great defender, and can also score efficiently from all areas of the court. His ability to run the floor, create plays for teammates, and score on his own makes him a must-have card for any player who enjoys an uptempo offense or switching between multiple offensive schemes.

Aside from LeBron and Penny, the promo includes several other notable players, ranging from Pink Diamond to Diamond tier cards. These cards ensure that even players who don’t want to spend a lot of VC can still find solid options to improve their team.

Other Notable Cards in the Tis the Season Set For those looking to diversify their roster without breaking the bank, the promo offers a variety of Pink Diamond and Diamond cards. These players bring strong stats and excellent gameplay potential, making them valuable additions to your lineup.

Yao Ming (Pink Diamond) Standing at an imposing 7’6”, Yao Ming is a powerhouse in the paint. While his three-point shooting is limited at 54, his size, strength, and defensive presence make him an absolute nightmare for opponents in the post. His ability to dominate on the boards and protect the rim ensures that he’s an excellent option for players looking to add a dominant center to their roster. While his true potential may shine later in the season, particularly around the Chinese New Year, Yao is a solid card for players who like to play a traditional big man role in the paint.

Kyle Korver (Pink Diamond) Korver is one of the best pure shooters in NBA 2K25, boasting a staggering 98 three-point rating. While his driving dunk and speed are relatively average, Korver’s ability to stretch the floor and knock down shots from deep makes him a vital asset for teams that rely on spacing and perimeter shooting. Players who prefer a shooting-heavy lineup will appreciate his ability to sink threes from virtually anywhere on the floor. His smooth release makes him a great option for players looking to fill the role of sharpshooter.

Steve Smith (Pink Diamond) Steve Smith, the versatile 6’8” wing, brings solid all-around stats to the table. His great animations and combination of scoring and defense make him a reliable option for building a balanced roster. Whether you need a secondary ball handler or a lockdown defender, Smith can do it all. His ability to hit threes, finish at the rim, and guard multiple positions makes him an excellent value for players who prefer a well-rounded team.

Brad Miller (Pink Diamond) The inclusion of Brad Miller in this promo has surprised many, but it’s one that offers value for players who are looking for a budget-friendly center. Standing at 6’11”, Miller has decent shooting and mobility, making him an intriguing option for those looking to fill the center position without breaking the bank. His versatility and ability to stretch the floor make him a solid, affordable option for building a competitive team.

The Call for Better Free Content: Locker Codes and Holiday Events While the pack contents are exciting, many players, including myself, have been hoping for more robust free content. The Tis the Season event has introduced the 12 Days of Giving, but so far, the rewards have been underwhelming. For players who are hoping for something truly special, a free Galaxy Opal Locker Code could be the perfect holiday treat. Previous years have seen exclusive cards like Zion Williamson and Ja Morant made available through Locker Codes, and the community is eager for similar rewards this year.

In addition to Locker Codes, a Christmas-themed event, similar to past Hoopsmas events, would add a layer of excitement to the holiday season. The idea of collecting presents in exchange for exclusive rewards like Hall of Fame badges, event packs, or even free player cards would keep players engaged and motivated throughout the season. After all, rewarding players with meaningful content keeps the holiday spirit alive and ensures that MyTeam remains exciting during the festive period.

What to Expect Moving Forward Looking ahead, we can make some educated guesses about what 2K has in store for the rest of the holiday season:

Locker Codes: It’s almost certain that at least one major Locker Code will drop on Christmas Day, likely offering a free Pink Diamond or Galaxy Opal player to celebrate the holiday.

Holiday Events: Limited-time events like the Season of Giving have been hugely popular in past years. A similar event would provide players with the opportunity to grind for exclusive rewards while keeping the festive spirit alive.

Auction House Activity: With Galaxy Opal LeBron James now in packs, the Auction House will likely see an uptick in activity as players scramble to afford the King. This could be a great time to grab discounted Pink Diamond cards with extra Hall of Fame badges.

Budget-Friendly Additions: The promo typically includes a variety of Diamonds and Amethysts that are both effective and affordable. Players who don’t want to spend too much MT should keep an eye on these hidden gems.

Pro Tips for the Season To make the most of the Tis the Season event, here are some helpful tips:

Invest Wisely: If you spot a Pink Diamond LeBron James with multiple Hall of Fame badges in the auction house, grab it. With the release of the Galaxy Opal version, prices for the Pink Diamond will be at their lowest. Stay Updated: Keep an eye out for Locker Codes and event announcements. Follow reliable sources for the latest updates to maximize your rewards during the holiday season. Enjoy the Grind: Even if the free content doesn’t match the packs, take advantage of events like the 12 Days of Giving and other limited-time opportunities. Every reward counts when building a competitive lineup. Final Thoughts The Tis the Season promo in NBA 2K25 has already delivered excitement with the release of Galaxy Opal LeBron James, but the true test will be how 2K balances the pack content with rewarding free offerings. While the pack content is undeniably enticing, it’s up to 2K to deliver meaningful and engaging content that will keep players coming back throughout the holiday season.

As we look forward to the rest of the holiday events, the community remains hopeful for Locker Codes, additional surprises, and an overall enriching experience for MyTeam players. Whether you’re hunting for Galaxy Opals, building a competitive squad on a budget, or just enjoying the holiday festivities, there’s no better time to dive into NBA 2K25. Happy holidays and good luck on NBA 2K MT Coins your journey to building the perfect team!

[wickedlybadass]

YEEEEEAHHHH I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so TRILLED AND ESCATIC, i CAN BARLY SPELL ON HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

I knew it!!! Jenna Johnson (and Val Chmerkovskiy but whatever, he's a 3 time winner so no surprise there) finally got an Emmy nomination!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since dancing with JoJo Siwa, I knew Jenna was an incredible and awesome choreographer and dancer and I was just waiting for someone to finally notice!!!!!! She is the first pro to dance with a same-sex partner ever, recognized to win on the All-Athletes season, runner-up two seasons in a row and she has always been a team player stepping in when needed before she was a pro and got millions of views on youtube for her V. Waltz with James Hinchcliffe!!!! Even Kristyn Burtt predicted during her season with JoJo that she was going to be nominated for an Emmy and she did!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jenna is a wonderful dancer and choreographer and I know she's known for doing so well with those with dancing backgrounds but she's so amazing, I do have faith she'll win DWTS again and she'll do it with someone with two left because shes's so incredible!!!!!!!!

I'm so proud of you, Jenna!!!!!!

Val Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson share epic reaction to their Emmy nomination: Watch here - ABC News (go.com)

[phamphamz]

BRUNURI I DONT PLAY VAL R THOSE GOOD OR BAD STATS 😭

-🫧

THEYRE AMAZING IM A PRO PLAYER

[hamausagi]

every other pro val team having cool ass player cards in their bundle:

my two favorite teams having the most plain and ugly card in the world:

[alleyhearts]

Hello and welcome!

My name is Puppet, I use she / it pronouns, and I am over 25 years old. My detailed rules and muse list can be found HERE! This is a sideblog, and follows back from @scuttlingsinner.

Due to the nature of the source material, there are certain topics which are unavoidable when engaging with this content. There is a non-zero chance that you will see dark and disturbing content, much of which will likely be untagged. It's not just a bag of dead dove here, it's the whole fridge. Please keep in mind that one of my high activity muses is, in fact, Valentino. I do not intend to fully censor what kind of person Val is.

Other " standard " content warnings will be applied, listed below. If you are copy / pasting from this list into a blacklist

rape cw ( one of the few exceptions to the rule of " you should expect this if you follow, so it will not be tagged " )

underage cw

spoilers cw

incest cw

feral cw

vent cw

drama cw

If any avoidable subject needs to be tagged, please do not hesitate to send me a message. I will ask no questions.

This blog is 18+ only, and the player aligns with pro-fiction / " pro-ship " ideas. I believe that as long as there is no intentional harm being done to a living human, I do not care what someone writes or enjoys within the confines of fiction. It is none of my business unless I'm writing with you, and even then, it is only my business as long as we're writing it. I also do not have a DNI list, but if you do, and I fit it, please do not break your DNI to follow me.

Take care of yourselves, don't be an asshole, and have fun!

[hxllblazer-a]

the unofficial companion guide to the DA AU

Generally selfish and pointed to try and avoid the greater issue at hand, John has no particular opinion in the greater war or well… much of anything outside of his home in Nevarra other than maybe it’s time for a change and this is the great big ‘told you so’ from Andraste. He is crass, annoying, prone to openly flirting with everyone as a joke, not much of a team player, and tends to distance himself from everyone—out of safety, of course, but when needed he can cooperate.

General approval:

Be selfish and dismissive.

Ally with mages and make pro-mage choices.

Take him to Val Royeaux at least once.

Be anti-Circle.

Flirt with him.

Do just about anything that’d upset nobles.

Be open to discussions about taboo magic like blood magic and demons.

Inquisition specific approval:

Do not exile the Grey Wardens.

Publicly expose Florianne.

Let Morrigan drink from the Well.

Support Leliana for Divine.

Collect Venatori tomes for him.

Imprison: Alexius,

Execute: Denam, Erimond,

Conscription: Samson

Pardon/Give to the Wardens: Blackwall

Put to common people’s work/charity work: Florianne (if alive), Poulin

Put remains to use: Florianne (if dead)

Refuse to judge a Warden: Ruth

Arm and exile to Te.vinter: Movran

Lock up in F.erelden: Dedrick

Recruit as a smuggler: Crassius

DA2 specific approval:

TBA

DAO specific approval:

TBA

Probably the list of people John gets along with (Inquisition specific):

 V.arric, Sera, Iron B.ull, Josephine, L.eliana

Probably the list of people who’d want John to jump off a cliff (Inquisition specific):

B.lackwall, Vivienne, Cassandra, Cullen, S.olas, Dorian

Definitely does not like being around (Inquisition specific):

Cole

Probably the list of people John would 100% try to get with:

Josephine, Iron B.ull, Dorian

[dwtsfun]

Dancing with the Stars Season 30 PREMIERE!!!

Hey everyone. Welcome back! We are here for the monumental 30th season of DWTS. Can you believe it? It's wild. Tyra is back as host and she was much better than she had ever been last season. Len and Derek are both at the judges' table with Bruno and Carrie Ann. And I actually liked what Tyra had on. I also thought everyone but one person did a good job. Okay, so now, let's move onto the recap/ranking thing.

As we know, when we have this many people, I tend to rank the couples instead of trying to format an entire recap. The same will be true for this season.

1. Kenya and Brandon- Okay so let me get this out of the way. I have been watching Kenya on RHOA for about a decade and I do not like her character on that show at all. I'm gonna try my best to separate her character on there from how she is on here (which I hear is how she is in real life). I just wanna get that out the way so I don't have to deal with any claims of bias. That being said, this dance really stuck with me more than any other dance from Monday night. I think watching just how natural she was, seeing how much musicality she has and Brandon's choreo really blew me away. I was not expecting her to be that good. Her lines were gorgeous and I felt her hold was actually mostly good. She is one of two women that I felt really gave enough to their performance without going overboard. I'm very excited for these two for the weeks to come.

2. Matt and Lindsay- Another shocker for me! I saw that viral clip of Matt dancing on The Bachelor last year and I got so much second hand embarrassment from it that I did not have any hopes for Matt and rhythm. But listen. Matt shocked me. Lindsay actually got something out of him. So much so that I maybe feel like he's actually got potential to be good. He's gotta loosen up his hips and get that footwork together, but I'm actually excited for these two as well. And I was not expecting that.

3. Amanda and Alan- I wasn't shocked to see what these two did on the dancefloor as Amanda is a dancer and Alan has worked with a big dance ringer before (Heather). So I knew that they were going to be good. And they delivered on that end for sure. I thought her attention to detail was great (almost too good cuz it caused her neck to get wonky). The thing that made me really fall for them is that they are really fun together. Amanda also dances through the floor and not on top of it. So I'm happy that we will have one major ringer that really brings it this season.

4. Mike "The Miz" and Witney- These top 4 are here because they all surprised me the most of everyone and they were the most enjoyable. I think Mike (or The Miz, not sure how I'm gonna refer to him just yet) was shockingly good. Like good to the point that he could be a legit contender if he just works a little more on his technique and reigning in the energy. He's very charismatic. He's got the right attitude. And Witney seems to be working well with him. Actually, I'm seeing little bits of her partnership with Chris Mazdzer coming through. I'm liking what I'm seeing from these two and I hope they improve like I think they will.

5. Jojo and Jenna- So I really liked Jojo a lot more than I thought I would. I thought I would roll my eyes every few seconds, but I wasn't. And she made me actually enjoy Jenna as well? Hell is freezing over right now lol. Anyway, I thought this was a great dance. I don't think it was the best of the night score wise, but it was up there. Once Jojo reigns in all that energy, she's going to be great. That was her biggest issue for me.

6. Suni and Sasha- I really wish I could've put these two higher. But I just couldn't justify it. Suni might be the best technician on the cast this season (like most gymnasts have been). Everything move was excellence. Her transitions between each move was also really nice as well. I don't notice that too often but I noticed it with her and I really appreciated that. My issue is that she's not really performing right now. She's in her head and I just want Sasha to figure that piece out sooner rather than later. I want her to stick around and that's gonna be her Achilles heel.

7. TIE Jimmie/Emma and Christine/Pasha- I feel bad for everyone that got a tango on Monday. It's a terrible week 1 dance. I also hate that these two both got pop songs from 2007 to dance to. Pop songs that should not be anywhere near a tango. It just made for two really weird routines. That being said, both were able to show some strengths that will bode well for them in the coming weeks. Jimmie has a really solid frame and good posture. Christine has a very flexible back. I'm a little more worried for Christine than I am for Jimmie as far as fan support is concerned, but I think she'll be good this week.

9. Mel C and Gleb- I hate having to put Mel all the way down at 9th place. I love her and while I think she had some of the best technique of the night, I wanted more from her and I felt like she had more to offer. I can only blame Gleb's choreo for that. While it was fine, it just didn't make a statement to me. It fell flat. He's gotta step it up because Mel has what it takes to make it to the end. And I actually would want to see her there. But in this season, where everyone is at least good (well everyone will be after our first elimination), you have to stand out with the choreography.

10. Iman and Daniella- First of all I want to say that this dance was underscored. Iman needs to work on his feet for sure. That being said, he's got great control of his limbs, he's got great musicality and he can just legit dance. I think this could've been 1 or 2 points higher. I hope he can be a basketball player that makes it far. Also, I want to say that the tall and long men this season have great control of their limbs and are not afraid to move true to their size. That's really nice to see.

11. Cody and Cheryl- I definitely expected these two to perform a lot better than they did on Monday. I'll chalk that up to first night nerves and having a difficult week 1 dance. When Cody let loose, you could tell that he is a really good dancer. Even some of the more technical things showed off his experience. I fully expect them to come back next week with guns blazing. The one pro whose knowledge of the show rivals Derek's, is Cheryl. I think she knows that they may not be in the safest spot right now and that that needs to change, stat.

12. Melora and Artem- I thought this dance was good, but forgettable amongst a sea of other good to great dances. There wasn't anything that Artem or Melora did wrong. It's just that type of season. Melora is definitely a performer. And she's got some of the basics down really nicely. She needs to find her balance though. She lost it quite a few times during that tango.

13. Brian and Sharna- Okay, this is low. But it is not indicative about how I feel about them as a (dance) couple or how I feel about his dancing. I thought he did a good job. I think they're great together. I just didn't care for this foxtrot. And that's okay. They are only going to go up from here and I can't imagine them leaving anytime soon.

14. Olivia and Val- Olivia was good as well. However, she is kinda stiff. I also didn't really like Val's choreo. I don't have much else to say here. She didn't really make too big of an impact imo. I also hated the outfit that production put her in. It was so unflattering and looked like they threw a pair of curtains on her body.

15. Martin and Britt- This was the one bad performance of the night. And it was bad. I had heard rumblings of him not rehearsing very much and that was so obvious in that paso. I think it was smart for Britt to throw that talking part in at the beginning to minimize any dancing he had to do. But yeah, it was bad. I hate that I have to say this because I love Britt, but these two should go next week. I just can't take anymore weeks of this dancing when everyone else is leaps and bounds better already.

So that's it. Sorry I'm so late. I was going to get this up yesterday but I had a terrible day and said "fuck it" to work, school and this blog. Let me know what you all thought about the show and I will talk to you all soon!

[rawiswhore]

Various WWF Wrestlers x Fem Reader- “Let The Bodies Hit The Floor”

A sequel to the fanfic I posted on New Year’s Day 2 3 days ago.

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You were throwing a New Year's Day and New Millennium party when the last day of 1999 was transitioning to the first day of the year 2000.

After you and the WWF roster had watched the ball drop on television, you and some male pro wrestlers you think are sexy danced with their bodies writhing and grinding on your completely naked body.

You made sure your ass gyrated on each of their laps before the song ended.

When the song you danced to with them was over, you scurried over to the boombox and pressed the stop button, where the radio stopped playing any music, much to the dismay of the party guests who enjoyed this CD.

Sorry, you had other plans.

Your other plan was pulling out an iconic board game you brought with you, that iconic board game is Twister.

But you're not just gonna play Twister, but naked Twister, where they just so happen to be naked as well!

You've asked certain sexy male wrestlers if they can play naked Twister with you, which they're skeptical about.

It's fine if there's 3 people playing naked Twister, but only if it's one man and 2 women.

They're not homophobic (except Val Venis, probably), but they're afraid they'll have a boner if they're completely naked and their erection will poke into someone's asshole.

You did say they could probably tuck their dicks into their thighs a la Buffalo Bill from "Silence of the Lambs", but they're indecisive of what they should do.

You told them that when someone falls down while playing Twister, they're out of the game, so maybe their dicks won't enter someone's asshole.

Besides, they shouldn't be so worried and scared about being naked men whose bodies are toppling other naked men, considering these men are professional WRESTLERS who have groped, pinned, hugged and had their faces in other men's crotches and asses, all while they're half naked, sweaty, slathered in baby oil and dressed in Speedo's.

Billy Gunn wears pleather short shorts with kiss marks all over them and tells men to "suck it!" while pointing at his crotch, Stevie Richards used to wear crop tops and denim short shorts, whereas Val Venis wears nothing but a purple Speedo and writhes his hips around in a circle and sometimes even slides his hands down his body while doing that, and that doesn't seem suspect?

You even suggested and joked to them if they get an erection, they can think about the Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young wrestling naked and that will kill their boner.

You also joked to Val Venis he should've been castrated by Kai en Tai when they almost cut his dick off, that way his cock won't enter anyone's ass hole!

Twister is also a game where people can crouch on all fours like they're "crab walking" like in elementary school gym class, so they shouldn't be too concerned about getting their dick in someone's anus.

Sadly, there weren't enough circles on the mat for everyone you wanted to invite to play naked Twister with you, so you had to have only a few players.

Those players were you, Christian, Jeff, Val, Test and Billy, you picked the sexiest men to play it with as well as some of the smallest, skinniest male wrestlers.

Who did you invite to shout out what body part you put your hand or foot on which color and flick the arrow on the little board?

Triple H!

He's jealous that he'll miss this, but he does get to stare at your naked body as well as some other male wrestler's nude bodies.

Before playing the game, you told the whole room that you and some wrestlers are gonna play Twister naked, but they can feel free to get some snacks and drinks, as well as told these wrestlers what the rules of Twister were.

Though, they played Twister as kids, they remember the rules and you shouldn't have reminded them of the rules.

Whoever is the last one on the mat gets to have sex with you tonight.

"But what if you're the last one on the mat?" Jeff asked, raising his hand.

Good point.

You explained that whatever man is the last one on the mat with you gets to have sex with you tonight.

"But what if all of the circles are covered by hands and feet?" Christian asked.

You thought for a little while, until you suggested an idea.

"Maybe Triple H will spin the arrow" you suggested, shrugging your shoulders. "And a body part will replace another body part when he says what color and body part!"

They nodded their heads, getting the memo.

They haven't played Twister since they were kids, but they've never played naked Twister.

You slid your feet out of your stilettos, whereas these male wrestlers you had previously danced with had undressed until they were completely stark naked, placing their clothes on a couch.

You should've done this in a hotel room instead of at a New Year's Day party, what if someone steals their clothes?

Though, you have other plans for this New Year's Day party after this game.

Once these sexy male wrestlers were all naked, you stood on the edge of the Twister mat alongside Billy Gunn and Test, whereas Christian, Val and Jeff were standing across from the mat.

Despite Twister being a game that requires 2, 3 or 4 players, like Shawn Michaels said about D Generation X, you make the rules and we will break 'em!

Some of these male wrestlers were trying to deflate their erections, thinking of something unsexy like Mae Young and the Fabulous Moolah wrestling naked.

Was it working? Surprisingly, yes!

Triple H flicked the arrow on the board, where the arrow spun in circles around the board, until it stopped at left foot yellow.

"Left foot yellow!" Triple H announced, raising his voice so you and these other wrestlers can hear him.

You lifted your left foot off of the carpet, planting that foot on a yellow circle on the mat.

Billy and Test followed, lifting their left foot up from the carpet and placing it on a different yellow circle, whereas Jeff, Christian and Val standing across from this mat lifted their feet and placed it on a yellow circle.

Jeff, Christian and Val stretched their hamstrings out when they tried to make their foot reach to stand on a circle.

When Triple H saw that everyone's foot was on a circle, he flicked the arrow again, where the arrow furiously spun around until it slowly stopped at a certain square.

"Right hand green!" Triple H shouted.

You bent your body down and swooped your right hand under your left leg, where your hand reached and pressed on a green circle behind the yellow circle one of your feet was standing on.

Billy and Test bent the upper half of their bodies down and did what you did; try to put their hands on the green circle behind the yellow circle one of their feet was covering, whereas Jeff, Christian, and Val reached their hands out and tried to touch an empty green circle, trying also not to stumble and fall down.  

Jeff, Christian and Val were lifting one of their legs up like a flamingo while trying to reach out and put their hand on a green circle, they look like they're playing football and going to push a football back behind someone.

You, Billy and Test looked like you were doing stretch exercises when you bent, like how Trish Stratus used to look on WWE Raw episodes when she stretched before a match.

You and these wrestlers were all trying to keep your balance while putting your hands on a circle, laughing and smiling from ear to ear and trying not to stumble and fall.

Triple H flicked the arrow once more, the arrow spinning around until it stopped.

The arrow stopped at right foot green, and one of the rules is that you should spin the arrow around until it lands on a color in a square.

Triple H spun the arrow again, the arrow spun around until it slowly stopped at a square.

"Left hand red!" Triple H announced.

Your left hand reached out and tried to touch a red circle, and the other wrestlers followed, trying to put their hands on an empty red circle.

It was easy for Jeff, Christian and Val for their hands to touch a red circle since they're so close to it, but it was pretty difficult for you since you're the smallest one playing and far away from the red circles.

You looked really funny squatting with one hand sticking out while another hand is behind your leg, like you were preparing to run around a track.

You as well as these wrestlers were all trying hard not to stumble and fall down, or even touch another circle for now, though it's okay if you fall down.

Triple H spun the arrow again once more, the arrow spun around until it stopped at a circle.

Since the arrow stopped at a color already covered by a body part, he spun it again.

"Left foot blue!" Triple H exclaimed.

You lifted your left foot and placed it on a blue circle, these other wrestlers followed and placed their foot on an empty blue circle.

Test and Billy turned their bodies to the side to put their foot on the blue circle in their line.

Now, both of your feet and hands as well as theirs are covering each circle on the mat.

Once again, Triple H spun the arrow.

"Left hand yellow!" Triple H announced.

You lifted your leg like a flamingo and replaced your foot with your hand covering a yellow circle, these wrestlers tried doing the same thing.

"Right hand red!", "Right foot green!", "Left foot yellow!" Triple H shouted afterwards, where your hands and feet as well as these other wrestler's feet and hands moved to different circles, replacing body parts and all of them trying to keep their balance and not fall down.

This seems like a good idea, but in actually, it really isn't.  

Your body was nudging against these wrestlers' naked bodies, although you were mainly nudging against the sides of their nude bodies.

When you were playing Twister, you wanted to lift one of your legs and trip someone hot but not sexy enough, Billy Gunn and Val Venis especially.

Though, Val and Billy are far away from you.

You want to have sex with Jeff Hardy or Christian tonight, but you also wouldn't mind it if you had an orgy on January 1st, 2000, or even on December 31st, 1999, the last day of the 20th Century and the 1st day of the 21st Century, 2000's decade and the new millennium in general.

You wish Triple H looked the way he did back at the beginning of 1998, that was the sexiest he's ever looked by far, and you wish Shawn Michaels was in the WWF tonight, so they could join you in this game.

You even wish Rob Van Dam was in the WWF now, he's so sexy and easily the sexiest man in ECW.

Sometimes, your hands and feet crossed over to circles that weren't lined up vertically in front of you, which mean these other wrestlers had to cross their hands and feet to other circles.

It's no fun when you can't let your hands and feet cross over to other circles that aren't lined up in a vertical line in front of you.

You and these other wrestlers were giggling and laughing throughout this Twister game, trying hard not to fall down and keep your balance.

Sometimes, your body was bending like a pretzel just for your hands and feet to reach and touch across a circle, so were these other wrestler's bodies, sometimes your bodies were getting entangled in one another.

Meanwhile, the majority of the WWF roster and partygoers were watching this naked Twister game, laughing their heads off.

They might want to play too.

Their laughter was distracting you as well as the rest of these other wrestlers you're playing with, and you and these wrestlers are trying to concentrate.

The man who won the game was Christian, thank goodness.

Epilogue: after you played naked Twister, you played another variation of naked Twister with these men, where this time, you shouted for these men to touch your breasts, hips, pussy, thighs, ass, etc. as quickly as they can, and the first man who touches a certain body part of yours

Later on, you played another version of naked Twister, where you grabbed these wrestlers you danced with as well as played Twister with by their body parts.

Then, you danced with these men again while they poured soda and alcohol on your naked body and they licked it all off, and you poured alcohol and soda on their naked bodies and licked it all off.

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I typed this fanfic yesterday and wanted to post it yesterday, but didn’t have enough time, so I posted it today. 

[always-rolling-my-eyes]

Some new names I’ve seen as rumored DWTS contestants:

Jaime Lynn Spears - 🤮

Jill Duggar - really hope this one is true 🤞🏻

Adrian Peterson - never heard of him, looked him up and apparently he’s some football player who abused his son and just last year had a domestic violence charge against his wife?! DWTS WTF 🙅🏻‍♀️

David Archuleta - excited about this one because he might be partnered with a male pro! Desperately hoping it’s Pasha and if it ends up being Val, ngl I’m gonna be pissed 😤