#something something royal couple of the nhl

[sweetteainthesummerx]

|◁ II ▷| down bad ! |◁ II ▷|

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nhl masterlist !

pairing: quinn hughes x famous singer! reader

warnings: fluff, smut is implied but not graphic!! use of y/n.

summary: your sister sends you an article of you and quinn being absolutely down bad for each other...

word count: 2.4 k

notes: saw one too many edits of my handsome boy on TikTok and this is the consequence :) also, this is sort of based off of taylor swift and travis kelce. enjoy!

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you're finishing up in the studio, just done tweaking one of your last songs on your new album when your phone dings! with a notification.

it's your sister, who sends a trail of emojis that don't really make sense and a link.

you press on it, confused and assuming it's something she wants for her birthday that's coming up soon.

instead it's an article that reads, TOP TEN FAN FAVOURITE MOMENTS OF NHL AND THE MUSIC INDUSTRY'S ROYAL COUPLE.

you laugh, because the cover photo is one of you and quinn from last year when you took him as your plus one to the grammy's. you have to admit, you both look really good, and so, so in love.

so you nestle into your chair to read it.

TOP TEN FAN FAVOURITE MOMENTS OF NHL AND THE MUSIC INDUSTRY'S ROYAL COUPLE

one of Hollywood's up and comings, y/n l/n and quinn hughes of canucks and nhl fame have been dating for over three years, and have been public for two. we have complied a list of fan favourite moments of the couple over the span of their relationship that show their deep (and public) affection and love for each other

10. 2023 Grammy's Award Ceremony

picture: you are wearing a light blue floor length gown, hair loose and curled. your makeup is simple and glowy. quinn stands next to you, in a clean, slate grey suit with a hand wrapped around your hip, fingers nestled in the dip of your hipbone.

the award ceremony for the grammy's - where y/n won best album for the second year in a row - was when the famous couple first went public officially, not counting the many paparazzi pictures taken in both vancouver and Los Angeles.

sources show that the two could hardly keep their hands off of each other. they were seen kissing multiple times through out the night.

it was true, quinn had been extra handsy that night, and had all but ripped that dress off of you when you got back to the hotel. you sigh at the memory, stomach warm and a little achy. you can't wait for him to come back from the roadie he left for only two days ago.

9. y/n's tiktoks

despite their massive success in their respective industries, it is easy to forget that they are also part of gen z. y/n's TikTok page features fashion, her music and most popular of all, her boyfriend. here are only some of her most viewed and liked videos:

video one: you smile into the camera, fluffing your hair in a close shot. the subtitles read: fit check with my bf! quinn pulls you against him by your waist, kissing your face over and over as you laugh, pushing at his chest. over the song, you tell him to let go so you can show your outfits. he lets go reluctantly but holds your hand, spinning you around to show off your sundress. then he grabs you and dips you low, hands dangerously close to your ass, as you giggle into his cheek.

video two: the video is taken by one of your friends who took your phone. she's on the couch and you and quinn are in the kitchen cooking for the small get together in your vancouver apartment. you lean up to smile at him, and he bumps his nose with yours. some trending love song plays in the back.

you flush at the comments gushing about how he looks at you, the height difference and how cute you guys are. there's something so sweet at seeing the two of you from an outsiders perspective.

8. quinn knowing y/n's entire discography

during media days, one interview has elias petterson and quinn hughes guessing songs and the artists. the journalist managed to sneak at least four of y/n's songs in, quinn getting all four correct, with the full name of the song, name of artist and then album, all under 10 seconds of the song playing. now that's a supportive boyfriend!

you watch the video linked, your boyfriend sweaty and hair wet. the media person is impressed, and quinn just shrugs bashfully and offers a crooked smile. you look at the time stamp and bite a grin: it's from before you guys went public. no wonder all of your fans say you guys were obvious.

7. quinn hughes: nhl player and personal bodyguard

fame in hollywood forces many in the industry to have body guards, and y/n is not exempt. for many years before she started dating the canuck's defensemen, she's had many bodyguards following her around. now, it seems like her boyfriend has taken over that job.

video: your body guard, john moves to open the limo door as you and quinn arrive to an event, but your boyfriend crosses from his side of the car to open it himself, patting john on the shoulder and gently pushing him from the entrance and helping you out himself. he helps you balance on your heels as you stand and wave at the cameras, one hand on your waist as he maneuvers you to the other side of the sidewalk so he can block you from the cars. he keeps your hand cradled in his, his other arm around your waist as he shoulders through the paparazzi.

quinn looks so attractive and so masculine in this video. you've never had boyfriends who took princess treatment so seriously, but quinn has always been a defender, on ice and off. it was a little awkward and it took a long a while for him to get you, but ever since he had you, he's made sure he tried his very best to keep and protect you.

6. getaway in hawaii

although the couple hasn't had any announcement of engagement yet, early last year they were sighted in hawaii on a trip eerily like a honeymoon: here are some pictures.

picture one: you're in a tiny pink bikini and he's in board shorts. he's taken off his hat to give to you, and you're pressing on a pair of your too-small sunglasses onto his face while both of you laugh.

picture two: the two of you are standing in the water up to your calves. he's got his fingers tangled in the strings of your bikini bottoms, and yours are on his chest as the two of you look into the horizon.

picture three: quinn has you balanced on his shoulder, smiling as you clutch at his back. one of his forearms is possessively covering your ass from the camera, and his other hand is wrapped fully around your ankle to give you a semblance of balance.

you still smile every time you think of that trip, afternoons playing in the water, romantic dinners and nights with his head between your legs, your fingers tangled in his hair. you silently remind yourself to book a vacation back there the next time both of you are free.

5. the NHL award ceremony

the recent NHL award ceremony when quinn hughes received the James Norris award for his skills as a defenceman gave us another peek into y/n's relationship with hughes family.

video one: you're sitting between quinn and luke in your pretty dark blue gown. your hair is pulled back from your face the way quinn likes. he's got an arm thrown over the back of the seat, fingers rubbing your shoulder as you talk to Luke about his hair routine. quinn murmurs something the camera can't catch into your ear and you laugh, tucking your hand into the his that's resting on his lap. he leans back, stretching his legs as you absentmindedly rub his knee, leaning over his brothers to talk to his mom.

video two: his name is called, and you stand with him, clapping loudly. he hugs you first, and you press a kiss into the corner of his lip, but he plants a firm, real one on yours. your manicured, white nails contrast against the black expanse of his suit and broad back. you push him gently towards luke. when he's finished hugging everyone and comes back down the aisle, you quickly fix his tie and smooth down his lapels. he kisses your cheek again and goes down to the stage.

photo three: the trophy is in the middle, the whole family wrapped together. you're tucked between ellen, the older woman has an arm around your waist and your boyfriend's got is arm slung across you shoulders on you other side, everyone smiling big for the camera.

you still remember ellen and jim insisting that you get in the photo, because "you're practically family anyways," and "it's any day now" that their son proposes to you. the photo is on their fridge, to this day.

4. quinn's y/n shirt

another video from y/n's tiktok. during the christmas season, she spent the holidays with the hughes family. her future brother in law (hopefully), jack hughes got quinn a pretty special present.

video: jack is holding the camera, and it pans to you and quinn. your holding a giant sushi stuffed toy (long story) from luke on your lap as you sit next to your boyfriend.

"here," he extends a hand holding a bag to his older brother.

Quinn smiles in thanks and digs into it, retrieving shirt. but it's no ordinary shirt. it's one of those old, retro looking ones with your face blown out all over it.

pictures from red carpets, your album covers, and in gaudy, shadowy text, it reads: IF LOST, RETURN TO Y/N L/N.

Luke cackles as you bury your face in quinn's shoulder. he's letting out a deep, belly laugh as his parents smile and take pictures of it when he holds it out.

he immediately pulls off his sweatshirt and tugs the shirt on. it fits a little tight.

"merry christmas!" jack yells as he gives you a high-five.

he still wears that stupid shirt around the apartment, just because he knows you like the fit and your face plastered all over his chest.

3. y/n's songs about her boyfriend

through many new releases, we have determined a list of songs about quinn from her new album, lover.

sweet nothing

paper rings

lover

daylight

I think he knows

afterglow

good looking

wow, you think. these people must not have lives if they're rummaging through your digital footprint and media presence with your boyfriend just to link them with your songs.

2. quinn's interview

since the couple has gone public, y/n has been seen at Canuck's games with family and friends. since she's from vancouver, born and raised, she is passionate about hockey and fits right in.

video one: the jumbotron flashes your face an name; you're wearing quinn's canucks jersey, hair loose. you smile and flutter your fingers at the crowd that's going crazy. one the ice, quinn's teammates jostle and holler at him, and you blow him a kiss. he pretends to catch it, and the screaming in the stadium reaches a new level as the screen pans to him: he's pink and all smiley.

video two: the ref makes a call and you stand, throwing your hands up in the air, exasperated. you huff, sitting back down with your head in your hands. your friends watch on with disappointment, and the three of you let out complains.

video three: quinn grins while looking off camera in the middle of an interview, and the journalist laughs.

"your girl?" he asks, and quinn nods shyly.

"yeah, it's real nice to see her here supporting. I mean, she's really busy too with her tours, but it's nice to have her on my turf."

"I saw! she got really riled up for the penalty during the second period. she's wearing your jersey as well."

"yeah," he scratches his neck, scrunching his nose to hide the big ass smile on his face, "she looks great, eh?"

"glad to see her in her hometown, too."

"right. yeah, I love her so much."

you snicker at how love sick he looks, because early on in the relationship he followed you around like a clingy, lost puppy. he still does sometimes after a roadie or one of your tours. you love it.

1. karma is the guy on the rink, coming straight home to me

the internet broke when y/n changed one of the songs on her song list for her tour last year at rogers arena in vancouver: instead of "karma is the guy on the screen, coming straight home to me", which is a reference to her ex, she changes it to better fix her new romance.

video: you dance through the song, your backup dancers clueless as you reach the line.

"karma is the guy on the rink, comin' straight home to me!" your voice breaks a little in a giggle at the end, your dancers shocked laughter and gasps visible from their faces that even an iPhone camera from 25 meters away can catch.

video two: quinn's in the tent with your parents and some of his teammates and their girlfriends, all of them are vibing to the music and dancing, most holding drinks in their hands.

when the line hits the speakers, everyone is screaming so loud and filming him, and he blushes so red that it spreads to his ears and neck, even in the dim light. his boys are slapping his back, and your dad gives him a high-five. he just smiles at you, dopey and deliriously happy in his shirt of your face and the 20 friendship bracelets your fans had made for him.

you remember that show perfectly, and the night after even better. you barely got any sleep because of his attentions, and your makeup artists spent nearly half an hour covering up the bruises on your neck and chest the next morning.

all in all, we can come to the conclusion that quinn hughes and y/n l/n are completely down bad for each other, like she teased in the song list of her unreleased album. we only hope for good things in the future for this famous couple!

you smile at the closing statement, sending it to quinn to read later in his hotel room.

he facetimes you that night, hair wet and eyes sleepy.

"that article was absolutely right. I am so down bad for you." he tells you seriously, with the promise of lots of love when he comes straight home to you.

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© sweetteainthesummerx.tumblr. all rights reserved. unauthorized copying, translation, or claiming of my writing or any works as your own is strictly prohibited.

[laresearchette]

Saturday, April 27, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: BRANCHING OUT (W Network) 8:00pm

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

<b>AMAZON PRIME CANADA</b> NWSL: ANGEL CITY FC VS. KANSAS CITY CURRENT

<B>CRAVE TV</b> THOMAS & FRIENDS: ALL ENGINES GO (Seasons 1 - 2)

IIHF U18 MEN’S HOCKEY (TSN) 10:30pm: Norway vs. U.S.

NBA BASKETBALL (TSN4) 1:00pm: Game 4 - Cavaliers vs. Magic (TSN4) 3:30pm: Game 3 - Thunder vs. Pelicans (TSN4) 6:00pm: Game 3 - Celtics vs. Heat (TSN) 8:30pm: Game 4 - Nuggets vs. Lakers

MLS SOCCER (TSN5) 1:30pm: Austin vs. LA Galaxy (TSN5) 7:30pm: Columbus vs. CF Montreal

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 2:00pm: Game 4 - Hurricanes vs. Islanders (SNEast/SNWest/SNPacific) 5:00pm: Game 4 - Panthers vs. Lightning (CBC/SN) 8:00pm: Game 4 - Bruins vs. Leafs (SN/SN360) 10:30pm: Game 3 - Stars vs. Knights

MLB BASEBALL (SN1) 2:30pm: Dodgers vs. Jays (TSN) 6:00pm: Astros vs. Rockies (SN Now) 7:00pm: Yankees vs. Brewers

NLL LACROSSE  (TSN5) 4:30pm: Knighthawks vs. Rock

FLOAT (Crave) 7:15pm: When her plans suddenly change, young Waverly takes an impulsive detour to a small Canadian town. After nearly drowning at a beach party, she soon finds herself falling in love with the handsome lifeguard who rescued her.

A ROOMMATE TO DIE FOR (Lifetime Canada) 8:00pm:  A woman quickly learns there's something very strange about her new roommate.

THE PRINCESS AND THE BODYGUARD (Super Channel Heart & Home) 8:00pm:  Lexi has two weeks before she takes her rightful place as a royal princess. She must reveal her true identity to her best friend and find a suitable date for the royal gala, all under the watchful eye of her handsome, but infuriating, bodyguard Noah.

ANYONE BUT YOU (Crave) 9:00pm:  Despite an amazing first date, Bea and Ben's initial attraction quickly turns sour. However, when they unexpectedly find themselves at a destination wedding in Australia, they pretend to be the perfect couple to keep up appearances.

MANODROME (Starz Canada) 9:00pm:  Tormented by personal demons, Ralphie encounters a mysterious organization of men who welcome him as one of their own. As he struggles to define himself, pressure mounts and a powder keg is lit as he blows a hole in the lives of everyone he touches.

THE GRACELESS AGE: THE BALLAD OF JOHN MURRY (Super Channel Fuse) 9:00pm: The story of American singer-songwriter John Murry who was on the cusp of greatness until he became addicted to heroin, creatively exhausted, and went to Ireland a broken man.

NWSL SOCCER (TSN5) 10:00pm: San Diego Wave vs. Bay FC

BLADE II (CTV) 12:35am: Blade (Wesley Snipes) forms an alliance with a band of hardened enemies in order to battle powerful vampires.

[mumaugh]

“alex not only made the commitment to us, but made it to nick”

[chanelfunnell]

some mail by an elf.

A) I think Julie Petry looks pretty in face and a great bod. Not just for a mother of 4 kiddos without big help and with the work.

B) well British. No ice hockey better cheese, one NHL female commentator with a record as a woman. She has apparently an old test modelling photo with a gym kit on likeulie Petry but it is very valued possession when it comes to a choir girl from a nunnery Marketa lol. UK Navy started to value their accomplished female commanders, much older than M, with talks to the press about sport bras for their female soldiers lol. Sad for these female officers but I say UK are Dumbos taken for any ride. What do they think young sporty girls wear for a sport and active life under the tops if not a gym cropped top? A wired Wonderbra if they have C cup like Other Windsor Girls

ByLike many young sporty girls and athletes in North America certainly UK armed forces paid fifty fifty for the order and corrupted lobbyists' fees as a norm. They try to buy overpriced containers plus costs from tin dictatorship Qatar for their open borders problem with housing illegal immigrants who are apparently accommodated in four star hotels because a woman in charge of police and homeland takes huge cut in billions paid by taxpayers. She has apparently posted racist Christmas card with her dream stuff as inept bully of her staff and she sold also all UK biometrics, is behind huge surge of immigration like we face on the southern border and her illegal trades with Rwanda and Albania has opened influx of Albanians. She uses brutal force to chase old grannies as incompetent PR cretin bully and made from their police walking drug woke zombies tolerating substances and their abuse because apparently majority of the last governments since Brexit in their party is on a class drugs and so Parliament but the ministers are heavy users and we're heavy users. Not just found in their Senate's wash rooms and a country seat of their former inept female PM but often around the mistress of that bat dishevelled journo who stole money for taxi ride. Apparently UK general is fired for a personal use of the car but the mattress with similar Narcis personality disorder like Markle commanded Grenadiers from a discussion about possible pretty royal candidates for honorary colonel Marketa (Margaret) and Kate (Catherine) lol. No worries with old crow trolling Diana to Marketa with Peep Show bs because anything as corruption has not been known and found. Markle has apparently hired Black Rock ? Agency to dig any smear about M and found anything, just companies in Delaware and Nebraska for tech which is not illegal but M stuck her little foot into the army ministry door and blocked couple of army land sales and army bases., cancelled outsourced quasi fake company from a recruitment process featuring one overpriced video with a hot fake blonde babbling for a hour and called it a lullaby for a cobra or mamba but no action, info,, action . Ukrainians have Xmas on January 6 like Russians. Not December 25th. M is medically trained for the army and wants them to give max 3yrs on visa and out of UK as majority of Ukraine is safe to accommodate own folks and so the rest of illegals and heavy patrols on the borders all round UK. They run media campaign about poor Ukrainian GPs and a medic immigrant homeless while Pro russian Czech President had his daughter visiting Czech army hospital bcs of Marketa. Those tin pot dictators gave own PR regardless who 8svattackef and UK got it with new Tory Wave like with Blair who attacked Iraq and ignored UK soldiers. M is apparently checked every time crossing UK borders and her name on electrical roll in Harrow checked and all about the address and trying to track her. Patel and Markle claim that M is not living in UK lol and it is bs by M's trolls who said something to local police force as they belong to some Christian sect with HQs close to Norwich airport. Check what she has recorded on files of MET police. They refuse to reveal it but M was seized from the plan on arrival from Ireland where she helped upon certain fake alert. Army thinks it was done by fattie's mistress and her friend corrupted Ex Homeland minister woman upon Markle and Czech communist ex Pam's idea. Weeks later Belarusian journo was kidnapped from the same plane on the way to Lituania but copied from M's capture. M said that Elena Zelrnska is a lazy poser dressing up for Vogue photoshoots why their brave soldiers die and she should lift her lazy bum to go and look after them on frontline. So..UK is all PR spin and a pitch for spies and corruption like in 3rd world. We know why. .check facts or shop around like UK for new party after their corruption and dictatorship with cult personalities by PR spins is over the top. We chucked idiots after high taxes by a tea party lol. Bras or not so they don't have an ice hockey anymore.

[spine-buster]

The President Wears Prada (William Nylander) | Chapter 32

A/N: Another ‘friend’ of ours makes an appearance in this chapter (unfortunately for me lmao)

August 2nd, 2020

Aberdeen Bloom was as prepared as she could be for Game 1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.  

Scotiabank Arena was freezing – more freezing than normal – because of the three-games-a-day and all the hockey being played.  She knew the players and team personnel would complain if the ice was crap (apparently they could tell, though it beat the shit out of her how they could tell), and of course Scotiabank Arena, and the Leafs in general, wanted to make an excellent impression.  They were the centre of the hockey world, so Aberdeen knew they could pull it off.  It just didn’t help that it was August and it felt like early November indoors.

She joined Brendan and Kyle in their usual box – luckily they didn’t have to give that up.  The team was taking their pre-game skate below and Aberdeen watched as William shot pucks towards Freddie in the net, sneaking one past him before skating around their perimeter of the rink a few times.  On the other side of the ice, the Columbus Blue Jackets were doing the exact same thing, though she barely knew or recognized a soul on the team.  One of them could walk by her in the arena and she wouldn’t know better.  

“How do you think it’s gonna go?” Brendan asked from six feet away from her, his black mask covering his face.

Aberdeen shrugged her shoulders.  “You should stop asking me these questions, Brendan.  I know nothing about hockey.”

“That may be,” he said, not letting up, “but you know the boys, on a level far superior than your knowledge of hockey.  So what do you say?”

Aberdeen thought about it.  She knew them on a personal level, but that didn’t matter at all – at least she didn’t think it mattered – when it came to a playoff game.  She knew how much pressure the guys were under.  She also knew that they were still adjusting to the bubble life and how weird everything was.  Make no mistake – they were being taken care of exceptionally well by the staff at the Royal York Hotel, and Aberdeen made sure she said a loud thank you to every worker she came across and interacted with.  She heard every single one of the guys do the exact same thing.  But she didn’t know how that would translate into a hockey game.  They were two different things.  They were to different entities that she had no idea how to join together.  

“I don’t know,” she shrugged, her voice soft.  “When you ask me these questions, I feel like you want me to be Nostradamus or something.  What if I said they were going to lose 2-0?”

“I’d believe you,�� Brendan shrugged.

***

The Leafs lost 2-0.

“C’mon Nostradamus,” Brendan said as he packed up his clipboard and tucked it under his arm.  “The social media posts can wait.  You need to go mediate the post-game interviews and press calls.”

Aberdeen packed up her iPad after she rolled her eyes.  She shouldn’t have said anything.  She should have responded ‘They’re going to win 5-0!’ the first time he ever asked her that question and kept that answer throughout the entire season.  She followed six feet behind Kyle, who was in turn six feet behind Brendan, as they made their way to the locker room.  By the time they got there, Sheldon was nearing the end of his post-game speech.  Most of the guys were half undressed – at least at the top – and a few of them were shoving off their elbow pads and chucking their tape from their socks into the bins.  They all looked irritated.  

She made her way into the media room and set up the Zoom call where a bunch of reporters joined.  Morgan and Auston walked into the room, and she quickly typed in the chat which players were there so they could organize their questions accordingly.  Morgan and Auston sat down in their chairs.  

“Is Steve on the call?” Auston asked suddenly while Aberdeen was adjusting the camera.

“Uh, yeah.  Why?” she asked.

Auston pursed his lips together and shrugged it off.  

The interviews were going fine.  She hated hearing the sound of her own voice on recordings but she knew she’d have to suck it up for the sake of the media call.  She called on each reporter by name.  The boys answered their questions.  It was all very routine.  

“Steve Simmons from the Toronto Sun,” Aberdeen called out.  She waited, and while waiting, she saw Morgan’s and Auston’s demeanour completely change.  

“Uhhh, Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun for Auston – it’s one thing to hear about how tight they play, and to even watch the films of how tight they play.  What was it like to experience it?”

Auston took the lead.  “Uh, well I mean first of all, it’s unfortunate that I’mn getting a question from you at this point, Steve, but I just wanted to say I didn’t really appreciate the article you wrote about me a couple months ago.  I thought, uh, it was very unethical to be honest, but…uh, moving along…”

Aberdeen didn’t hear the rest of his answer.  Truthfully, she didn’t care.  All she could feel was a burning sensation shooting up her spine at Auston’s words.  He did it.  He called out Steve Simmons, the most annoying reporter known to mankind.  

She smirked.

***

After the media interviews, Aberdeen found a quiet space and took out her iPad again to post the final score graphic to the team’s Instagram page.  As she finished typing the caption – ‘Battled hard.  Back at it on Tuesday.’ – she heard some fairly loud footsteps behind her before they stopped.  “A girl?” a voice from behind her said.

She didn’t recognize it – and it wasn’t like anybody from the team would refer to her as “a girl” – so she furrowed her brows and turned around.  She saw what had to be a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets staring at her.  She couldn’t see it, but she automatically knew from the way he was standing and the energy he gave off that he was smirking smugly underneath his mask.  “Yeah, we exist,” she shot him a look, not ready to take any bullshit from him or anybody else.  The way these men thought she was a complete novelty astounded her.  “Have you never seen one of us before?”

“So Barzy was right,” the man continued.  “The Leafs have a girl in their bubble.  Incredible.”

Aberdeen could tell by the way he said and emphasized girl that this conversation – if you could call it that – was gonna be a doozy.  The guy was huge but didn’t look any older than she was, so she knew she would be able to put him in his place.  “What are you even doing in this hallway?  You’re not supposed to be on this side,” she said sternly.  “I suggest you leave and go back to your area of the arena unless you want me to complain to the NHL that your breaching protocol.”

From the very end of the hallway, another figure walked by, stopping at the gap when he apparently found who he was looking for.  Aberdeen could at least recognize him – John Tortorella, the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.  “Pierre, what the fuck are you doing there?  Come on, we gotta go.”

The man, named Pierre, gave Aberdeen a smoldering look.  She rolled her eyes.  “Must have taken a wrong turn,” he said, loud enough so John would hear.

Dead set on not taking any bullshit, and just really, really wanting to put this guy in his place, Aberdeen didn’t let up.  “Perhaps you should remind Pierre of how to speak to the staff of another NHL team,” she said sternly.  Both men were too far away to notice how red she was getting, but she could see Pierre whip his head to look at her and his eyes go wide in shock.  “And perhaps he should read another copy of the social distancing and bubble protocols tonight in his bedroom so he doesn’t make this unfortunate decision again,” she said, deliberately using ‘decision’ instead of ‘mistake’, because she fucking knew this was no mistake.  She wondered what other rumours were swirling in the Royal York about a girl being in the Leafs bubble.  

Pierre scurried to the end of the hallway.  From her spot, she could hear John chuckle.  “You must be the Aberdeen Bloom I’ve only ever heard good things about,” he said.  “Keep it up.  I might ask you to take my place to keep the boys in line.”

She couldn’t help but smile.  Pierre took one last look between his coach and ‘the girl’.  “I could take ‘em,” Aberdeen commented, getting a nod from John before he and Pierre disappeared.  

She let out a breath.  

***

After the team got back to the hotel, picked up their pre-packaged dinner, and settled into their rooms, Aberdeen showered and changed.  She sat at the desk where she put the meal and took out her phone.  She sent some quick texts to her parents, Siena, and Camden before bringing up William’s name.

U up?

lmao minskatt isnt that what i should be saying to u *wink emoji*

Do you want to eat dinner together?

of course

I’m ready whenever you are babe

She waited for him to start the call.  Not even two minutes later, her phone began to ring and “Head Empty” flashed across the screen.  She accepted the FaceTime call almost immediately.  When it connected and he appeared on her screen, walking in his hotel room with his bathrobe on and his hair wet and tied back, she smiled.  “Hi.”

“Hi minskatt,” he said, his voice low.  She watched as he put a pair of headphones on.  “That’s better.”

Hers were already in.  “I’m sorry about the game tonight,” she said, perching her phone on a high point on the desk.  “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.

He shrugged.  “Not really.  At least, not right now,” he said, putting his phone down too.  “Maybe later.  Like, after we have dinner.”

“Promise me we will.”

“I promise,” he said, looking into the phone.  He knew she would want him to talk about it, and he made her a promise all those months ago.  He would never break it.  “Right now I just want to have dinner over FaceTime with my girlfriend even though we’re less than fifty feet away from each other.”

Aberdeen chuckled, if only because she agreed wholeheartedly that this whole thing was ridiculous.  The tone of William’s voice made her know that he thought it completely ridiculous too.  “It’s hard.  I know.  At least we get free food,” she held up a forkful of the marinated chicken breast.  “And good food.  It’s not like it’s airplane food.”

William smiled slightly.  “First thing I do when we get out of here is bring you to Canoe or Ardo or Miku and splurge on every meal they have on the menu,” he said.  

“Sounds good to me.  Maybe by then I’ll have a new job to celebrate, anyway.”

“How’s the article coming along?” he asked.

“Fine,” she said.  She’s started in the other day and already had about 1500 words worth of material.  She figured the best way to go about it was keep a sort of diary every day and then edit it down when she could.  “Might talk about how fucking awkward you hockey boys are these days with women.”

“I’m excluded from that, right?” he asked.  “I mean, I totally swept you off your feet when we first met.”

She couldn’t help but smile.  “You did.”

***

August 3rd, 2020

Aberdeen accompanied the team to one of the workout facilities just so she could catch a glimpse of sone sunshine on the day off.  Instead of working out, she sat on the sidelines of where all the equipment was and the boys worked out, furiously typing away on her personal laptop.  Every so often when she’d glance up, she’d see Morgan’s thighs almost ripping through his shorts as he did some lunges; she’d see Auston’s biceps almost bursting through his sleeves as he lifted weights above his head; she’d see William’s thick torso exposed as his shirt rode up from him throwing a heavy medicine ball above his head.  

A million girls in this city would kill her to be in her position.

And here she was, writing 10,000 words about them instead of ogling them.  Well, everyone except her secret boyfriend.

***

August 4th, 2020

Game 2.  

Aberdeen was confident that the boys would respond to Columbus’s win in Game 1.  She could tell in their energy throughout the day and in the arena they were ready and they were ready to win.  

“Hey Nostradamus,” Brendan called out, winking.  Aberdeen saw Kyle chuckle from behind his mask.  “What’s the score gonna be?”

“Oh shut it,” she shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest and smirking to herself.  Except she couldn’t hold her tongue.  “3-0, but this time for us.”

“I believe her!” Kyle piped up.  

Brendan snorted.  “Who’s placing bets?!”

The bell rang and everybody settled down to stand for the anthem.  As the game got underway, Aberdeen could feel rushes of electricity move up her spine every time the Leafs touched the puck.  They were playing phenomenally.  They looked focused, into it, and like a complete team.  It was a night and day difference from Game 1.  Though the first period didn’t have any goals, Aberdeen knew they’d be coming – for the Leafs only.

In the second period Auston scored and Aberdeen jumped out of her seat to celebrate.  And when John scored late in the third period to get a two goal lead, she was even happier.  

Then, with less than two minutes left, disaster hit.  

It was a play behind the net.  Pierre Luc Dubois – the guy from the other day, Aberdeen had learned – basically cross-checked Jake Muzzin, and Jake fell awkwardly, trying to break it, with his head hitting a Blue Jackets player’s leg.  He fell to the ice.  

He wasn’t getting up.  And the referee hadn’t blown the whistle.  

Those fuckers.

“BLOW THE FUCKING WHISTLE!!!” Aberdeen screamed at the top of her lungs, startling Brendan and Kyle.  Her face was turning red.  She was sure she’d been so loud the referee actually heard her, because he finally blew it.  Jake was having a hard time getting up, and then he lay back down.  One of the trainers immediately made his way onto the ice, rushing towards Jake.

The replays began to play from every angle, and Aberdeen watched on the TV screen in the box how his head and neck contorted once he hit the player’s thigh.  She had tears in her eyes as she watched the worst angles.  She looked back out onto the ice to see Jake still lying there.  The trainer was still with him, though more were making their way onto the ice now.  Then, she saw one of the trainers put his hands near Jake’s neck.  They called for a stretcher.  

She bolted out of her seat.

“Aberdeen!” she could hear Brendan call out after her, but she didn’t listen.  She didn’t turn around.  She hurried down to ice level, her mind running a mile a minute, and flashed her credentials to anyone and everyone she needed to, not bothering to stop so they could actually see them.  

By the time she got to ice level, she could hear the distant sound of sticks tapping, letting her know he was being stretched off.  She met all the trainers and the stretcher at the entrance.  “Jake?!” she asked frantically.  

“Aberdeen?” he asked.  

“Are you okay?  Did you break your neck?!”

“I didn’t break my neck.  I can feel my arms and legs,” he said.  Aberdeen let out the breath she didn’t know she was holding in.  “Did it look scary?”

“Is that a joke?” she asked.  “I ran down here the second they called for the stretcher.”

“We’re going to take him to the hospital.  He’s going to have to leave the bubble,” the head trainer informed Aberdeen.  “You need to tell Brendan and Kyle.  Then update us on the protocol of what it will take to get him back into the hotel.”

Before she could acknowledge what was just said, Jake spoke up again.  “Aberdeen?”

“Yeah Jake?”

“You need to call Courtney for me.  Tell her I’m okay,” he said.  “She’s probably worried sick.”

Aberdeen’s heart sunk into her stomach.  Courtney.  “Yeah yeah, of course—”

“—You have her number, right—”

“—We really need to get him to the hospital—”

“—Yeah, I have her number—”

“—Call Courtney, please,” were Jake’s last words before he was stretchered off.

Aberdeen watched until they were out of her line of sight.  For a few moments, the images of what just happened flashed through her mind, and she momentarily forgot about everything.  She felt sick to her stomach.  Jake said he felt okay, but she knew hockey players always just said that.  Morgan had been playing injured for the better part of the year until he actually got injured.  High sticks to the face, lost teeth, blood drawn – these guys just put a bandaid on it and said they were fine.  But this was different.  

When Courtney’s face crossed her mind, she jolted back to life and grabbed her phone out of her pocket, scrolling until she found Courtney’s number.  The phone didn’t even have to ring twice.  “Aberdeen?!” she asked frantically.  “How’s Jake?”

“Hey Court—he’s okay—”

“He’s okay?!”

“Well, they’re bringing him to the hospital right now,” she said.  “But I was able to talk to him because I rushed down to ice level and he told me he was fine and to call you.”

“So you—you were able to talk to him,” Courtney said, her voice much calmer than just moments before.  “You saw him?”

“Yes.  He told me he could move his arms and legs,” Aberdeen informed her.

“Okay.  Okay.  Does that mean he has to leave the bubble though?  I mean can I go visit him?”

Aberdeen cringed.  “I don’t think so,” she said.  As she did, she could hear Luna being fussy in the background and Courtney trying to calm her.  “The NHL has an agreement with Toronto General about potential injuries.  If everything is okay and he comes back into the bubble, all he has to do is pass three negative tests,” she explained, listening to Luna get even fussier.  

“Okay.  Alright.  But they’ll call me, right?”

“Absolutely.  I’m sure Jake will even be able to call you from the hospital.  Our trainers all have their phones on them.”

“Thanks Aberdeen,” Courtney said, and Aberdeen could hear the relief in her voice.  She knew all Courtney wanted was to hear from her husband.  Luna let out a loud cry.  “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye Court,” Aberdeen ended the call.  

Families.  So many of them had families.  So many of them had families that were suffering and making do with a prolonged absence and Aberdeen couldn’t take it.  The players were sacrificing so much to be in the bubble.  And their families were sacrificing so much letting them go into the bubble.  She knew most of them had money – to cope, to do whatever, really – but that didn’t compensate for presence.  That didn’t compensate for having daddy around to play and snuggle with.  

She began to cry as she found herself walking towards the locker room, not even knowing whether or not the game had ended.  She didn’t really care at this point.  All she could think about was Courtney and Luna at home, worrying about Jake as he was being taken to the hospital.  To Aberdeen, nothing else mattered right now.  

She heard some commotion from the locker room and she knew the boys were back in.  She didn’t know how long they’d been back for, and didn’t bother to peek in to see.  She didn’t want to when her eyes were still red and welling up with tears.  Instead, she hid herself around a corner, crouching down with her knees against her chest, wiping at her eyes every so often and trying to control her emotions before having to go in, or getting called by Brendan, or by Kyle, or—

“There you are.”

Well, so much for that.

She looked up from her crouched position and saw Jason looking down at her.  He wasn’t completely undressed – he had all his UnderArmour on – but he was still sweaty from the game and his hair was matted against his head.  She wiped her eyes one last time before getting up.  “Hi.”

“Did you see Jake?”

She nodded.  “He’s okay.  He can feel and move his arms and legs or whatever.”

“Why are you crying?”

She knew he wasn’t asking to be insolent, but did she really have to have to spell it out for him?  “Don’t tell me you’re immune to this shit,” she said.  “I just had to call Courtney and explain to her that her husband didn’t break his neck and end his God damn career.  Luna was crying in the background.  It’s a lot, okay?”

Jason nodded his head.  “I know it is.  I’m not trying to…fuck, I know that came out wrong.  He’s gonna be okay, Aberdeen.”

“Thanks.”

“Come on, Aberdeen,” he said soothingly.  “It’s gonna be okay.”

She shook her head, wiping away the last of her tears.  “I know.  I’m just being a big baby.”

“No you’re not,” Jason said.  “You’re not being a big baby.  You’re being a human being.  Someone you cared about got hurt.  Do you want to talk about it when you get back to the hotel?” he asked.

She considered it for only half a second before she shook her head.  “No.  I know you call your girls every night.  I can’t take time away from them.”

“Aberdeen—”

“I’ll be okay,” she asserted.  “I promise.  I’ll be okay.”

“Aberdeen!” Kyle’s voice suddenly called out.  He rushed towards her with his phone in his hand.  “They took him to the hospital, right?”

“Yeah,” she nodded her head, trying to steady her voice and make it seem as professional as possible.  “He’s technically left the bubble, so we have to update the trainers on protocol to get him back into the hotel and how—”

“I’ll handle that with Brendan and Josh,” he interrupted.  “But he was okay?”

“He could feel his arms and legs.  That’s what he told me.  Then he asked me to call Courtney and I did that.”

Kyle nodded his head, looking – really looking – at Aberdeen for the first time in their conversation.  “Were you crying?”

“I’m going to be fine,” was all she said.  

***

“I’m going to come to your room,” William said through the phone in a strained voice.

“Don’t you dare,” Aberdeen chastised him, a new batch of tears having fallen down her face as she lay in bed.  “Don’t you even think about leaving your room, William.”

“Aberdeen, you need me and I need to be with you right now—”

“And you need to stay in your room so you don’t get kicked out of the bubble,” she said sternly.  “I’m being serious, Will.  Don’t come over.”

She watched as he bit his lip and shook his head.  She could see all over his face how conflicted he was.  It was one of the things she loved most about him – to the world, he seemed cool and unemotional and that he didn’t really care about anything or take anything too seriously, but to her, he was the entire range of emotions in one conversation.  He had a heart full of gold and she knew it would always stay that way.  “This is killing me, minskatt,” he whispered, his voice defeated.  “I want to be there for you when you need me.  Always.  I mean…you need me, right?”

Her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach.  She didn’t know where this was coming from, but like some things with William, she felt like it was something that had been on his mind for a while and was only letting out now.  He was still learning to talk to her about his feelings.  He was keeping his promise from February, so she could appreciate that.  “Of course I need you,” she said softly.  “I’ll always need you like you need me.  We’re in this together.  You know that.  But you need to be on this team right now.  You need to help them fight.  This isn’t about me.  It’s about the team.”

“It’s always about you,” William said.  “You still don’t get it, do you?  It’s always about you.”

“Don’t make it about me right now, Willy.  It’s not about me.  It’s about Jake, and the team,” she paused for dramatic effect.  “Make it about me later,” she added, trying to be humourous.

It garnered a small smile from him, and she felt proud of herself.  “I love you, minskatt.”

“I love you too Willy.  Promise me you’ll get some sleep?”

He nodded slightly.  “I promise.”

***

Aberdeen’s iPhone was still in her hands as she woke again from its vibrations.  She jumped at the sensation of being awoken in the middle of the night.  If it was Willy calling her at three in the morning, she was gonna kill him.  

“Hello?” her voice was groggy.

The voice on the other end was not William’s.  “I lived, bitch.”  

***

August 6th, 2020

It wouldn’t be a Toronto Maple Leafs series without some drama, apparently.  And the drama tonight was how the team blew a 3-0 lead, allowing the Columbus Blue Jackets to win 4-3 in overtime, with Pierre-Luc Dubois scoring a hattrick.  That meant the Columbus Blue Jackets were now up 2-1 in the series.

It meant the Leafs could go home tomorrow.

Aberdeen tried not to think about it.  

She didn’t bring it up with anybody as they went back to the hotel, and she knew, judging by the looks on their faces, that they didn’t want to hear about it either.  Nobody would be turning on their TVs tonight, and she doubted they would check the news on their phones, either.  Maybe they’d play video games to take their minds off of it.  Or maybe they’d go right to bed and rest, since they had to do all of this again in less than 24 hours.  Fuck.

Aberdeen took a shower.  She washed her face.  She did her skincare.  She put on a sheetmask.  

Her phone rang.

She knew it was William, so she tucked herself into bed and accepted the FaceTime call.  When he realized that she had a sheetmask on, a smile broke out on his face from ear to ear.  “Nice sheetmask,” he said, biting his bottom lip.

She smiled cheekily and shrugged her shoulders.  “You’re used to it by now.  Shouldn’t come as much of a surprise,” she said.

“I am used to it by now and—oh shit, hold on, I forgot something…” he said, trailing off as he set his phone down so Aberdeen could only see the ceiling in his room.  Knowing William, he probably forgot to turn the light off in the bathroom or something.  But the longer he took, the more Aberdeen became skeptical of his whereabouts.  She barely heard anything on the other end.  “There we are…” she heard his voice.  And then she saw what he had on his face: a sheetmask.  He was still smiling from ear to ear.  “Now where were we?” he asked.

“William!” Aberdeen squealed, letting out giggles she couldn’t hold in at the sight of him.  He looked ridiculous.  It was clearly the first time he’d ever put one on himself.  “What in God’s name are you doing?”

“You love these things!” he tried to justify himself.  “I brought one because I knew I’d catch you at least once in here with one of these things on.  And if we can’t do it together…well, physically, then we can do them together in separate rooms.  Like everything else we need to do.”

Her cheeks flushed red – not that he could see.  He bought sheetmasks and put them on with her.  He gave her time to write.  He encouraged her writing.  He listened to her.  He cared for her.  He was even better than anything she could have imagined in a dream boyfriend.  How did she get so lucky?  How did she let guys treat her like shit before him?  She felt tears well in her eyes.  He was going all out to make the best of the bubble, and she couldn’t be more thankful.  “I love you so much, Willy.”

“I love you too, minskatt.”

“No…I love you Willy.  Like love you love you.  Love you love you love you.  I don’t even have the words…and I’m a writer!  You make me speechless, Willy.  There aren’t enough words in the English or Swedish languages that I can string together that will, like, tell you or show you how much I love you.”

“I get it, minskatt.  Don’t worry.  I feel the same way.”

“I don’t know how I got so lucky with you.”

“I annoyed you enough until I wore you down,” he quipped.

She giggled.  “You seduced me is what I’d call it.”

“I don’t know about that.  If I remember correctly it was you rubbing yourself against my thigh that morning.”

She made a face at him.  He made the exact same face back but crinkled his sheetmask so he had to flatten it with his free hand.  She watched him with complete adulation.  “Willy?”

“Minskatt?”

“Can we listen to our song together?”

William smiled.  He fiddled around with his phone and his ‘Minskatt’ playlist until the familiar chords started playing over the phone, filling the air with the nicest, best, most beautiful sound Aberdeen had ever heard – save for Willy’s laugh, maybe – because she knew this song was about her, about them, and it was still their little secret.

[larenoz]

Roswell, New Mexico Fic Prompts

We have fantastic writers and other creators in the Roswell, New Mexico. Here are some prompts for stories (or other creations), that I'd love to see.

PROMPT: 1930’s Speakeasy AU featuring injured WW1 vet Alex who now works as a singer in Maria’s speakeasy. Michael is the local bootlegger who supplies Maria’s bar. Isobel is a local socialite? Kyle local doctor? Love to see everyone else as well?

PROMPT: Mob boss AU - inspired by that new photo going around! Michael is the son of a Chicago mob boss. Michael meets and falls for college student Alex. Is Michael active in the family business? Is he trying to distance himself from the family business? Is Alex what he seems?

PROMPT: Notting Hill-inspired AU - Alex is a famous singer. Michael is the mechanic who fixes Alex’s car when it breaks down out in the desert on tour. Shenanigans ensue.

PROMPT: Kyle - Something happens to Kyle that has him near breaking point emotionally (eg Sheriff Valenti gets seriously hurt on the job or something else). It makes everyone realise just how much Kyle has been there for all of them in some way when they needed it and they all return that support in his time of need.

PROMPT: Name Change - At some point in the future our fav couples get hitched. Plot twist - not only does Alex take Michael’s last name (that’s canon at this point, right?) but Max takes Liz’s. Make it so sweet I have to book a dentists appointment.

PROMPT: Sports AU - Michael and Alex are both on the same college hockey team. Alex looses his leg in an accident, ending his playing career. Fast forward 5 years, Alex gets a job as an IT/Web consultant for the same NHL team that Michael now plays for.

PROMPT: Space Pirates AU - Michael is a run away royal turned space pirate/resistance fighter. Alex is the military officer sent to capture him. #Malex If you want to throw Kyle in, happy for a #Mylex version as well. (Seriously, how do we not have more space pirate fics in a show about aliens!!)

PROMPT: Polyamory - The number three plays an important part in the show - 3 pod squad, 3 axes on the star map to Antar etc. What if the default relationship group on Antar is also 3 people? Look at how Michael spirals when cut off from Max and Isobel? Could it explain why Michael and Alex have so much trouble staying together - they are missing their third? Could this be why the bond between Max and Liz wasn’t strong enough to keep her in Roswell - they were missing their third? Maybe “outdated binary of sexuality” has multiple meanings? Give me Mylex, give me Kaliz, give me both? Or give me something unexpected?

[enneadau]

Miraculous Egypt: Notes:

I thought I would share some secrets of something I’m working on with you all just before I drop the next chapter in ten minutes...

Heba (Ancient!Yugi):

Kheper (Beetle in Ancient Egyptian). Shimun’s grandson and a palace scribe. Heba is royal on his grandfather’s side, as his grandfather was the Pharaoh’s uncle. However he is far out of the line of succession, as people like reminding him. (justifying the royal hair XD). Shimun is teaching his grandson all of the languages he knows, but the traders from the silk road do not come often, so he’s only recently started teaching him Chinese. Heba was given the Miraculous book to translate by Shimun as part of his training. He obtained the Ladybird Miraculous earrings, when he dropped off the notes to Shimun’s study and an akuma attacked the palace. Shimun asked him for his help and Heba, though worried because he’s not a good fighter, agreed.

Atem:

Kem Mau (Black Cat in Ancient Egyptian). Crown Prince of Egypt. Atem is often busy with lessons or helping his father with the nation, but tries to make time to spend with his friends. He loves playing games and will sneak out into the city to see what changes need to be made. He often has Heba cover for him when he’s out of the palace as they look close enough to pass for each other if people don’t look too hard. He is engaged to Mana, but finds Kheper fascinating. After he becomes Pharaoh he is a just and fair ruler but is often late to court or meetings if he has to be Kem Mau. Atem received the Black Cat Miraculous when he protected Shimun during the first akuma attack on the palace.

Pharaoh Akhenemkanon:

Has no idea who Kem Mau and Kheper are. He would not be pleased that Atem keeps putting himself in danger, though he would be proud of him for protecting the people. Is pretty sure Shimun has something to do with the situation but has been promised that the situation is under control. Orders the city guards not to attack Kem Mau and Kheper and to follow through if they need assistance, after the first couple of akuma attacks.

Isis:

Wenet (rabbit in Ancient Egyptian). Bearer of the Millennium Necklace and Rabbit Miraculous, knows EXACTLY who Kem Mau and Kheper are but has been keeping it from the other item holders. Can and will give the two heroes somewhere to rest and recover and both detransform and retransform if they need it.

Shimun:

Shtyw (turtle in Ancient Egyptian). Bearer of the Turtle Miraculous, though he doesn’t use it unless he’s protecting something incredibly important. Master Fu analogue. He has the Miracle Box containing the other Miraculous because it was being transported to a new, supposedly safer, location by the holder of the Butterfly Miraculous and then their caravan got attacked. The box and book was brought to him to translate, and he let his student, Heba, work on the book as part of his training into the Chinese language. Is keeping the box secret from Akhenaden because of the way Akhenaden has changed since the Millennium Items were created. Shimun has concerns that he’s no longer entirely in his right mind.

Shada:

Bearer of the Millennium Key. Doesn’t trust Kem Mau and Kheper. Trusts Akumas less, but wants to bring them in before the Pharaoh and make them honour their liege and unmask, so he can test their minds and souls and ensure they really are trying to do what’s right for Egypt and not a pair of commoners that are trying to get the people behind them so they can start a rebellion. Is not above attempting to capture the two heroes, and not necessarily gently.

Karim:

Bearer of the Millennium Scales. Has no idea who Kem Mau and Kheper are, but also doesn’t entirely care, since they’re helping protect the capital and country. There are much bigger concerns. Would mostly like to know who they are so they can be aided in keeping their lives and identities safe. Has noticed oddities about Prince Atem’s behaviours and vanishing acts, but is also aware that Atem sometimes sneaks into the city to see what he can do to help the people there, so figures he’s just getting bolder with that.

Mahad:

Hetra (horse in Ancient Egyptian). Bearer of the Millennium Ring and Horse Miraculous. Best friend and bodyguard of Prince Atem. Frequently gets frustrated when the Prince disappears on him. No longer mistakes Heba for Atem, despite how similar they look, because he’s used to Atem ordering Heba to cover for him when he sneaks out to the city.

When he gets Akumatised, Mahad becomes Kkwy, the Dark Sorcerer. He is powerful enough to cause an eclipse, darkening the skies of Egypt and bringing a night filled with horrors that hunt his targets. This, however, is not something that happens easily as Mahad has trained himself strictly because of his natural dark powers.

Mana:

Dhuki (Fox in Ancient Egyptian). Bearer of the Fox Miraculous. She is a year younger than Atem and was born a harem child from one of Atem’s grandfather’s children (making her far enough removed to be a safe match as she’s a second cousin). She is in line to be Atem’s first wife but that is a few years down the line. Mana often helps Atem cover when he has to disappear but has asked him not to tell her what he’s doing, since Akhenaden could use his Millennium Eye to read her mind and find out.

Seth:

Thueban (snake in arabic). Bearer of the Millennium Rod and the Snake Miraculous. Seth is Akhenaden’s son who was sent away as a child. He returned to the palace after his mother died and his village was burned by slavers. He is in training to replace Shimun as the Bearer of the Millennium Rod. He is loyal to Egypt and to the throne and will do whatever is needed to protect both. He does not hidden the fact he has used a Miraculous from Akhenaden, though he has been honest in that he returned it to Kheper after use AND that he doesn’t know who Kheper and Kem Mau are, as he doesn’t see the point of trying to hide it when Akhenaden can read minds.

Kisara:

Girl with the White Dragon Ka Beast. Kisara was rescued from slavers by Seth when they passed through his village. She tried to go home, but was unable to find her way and returned to Egypt, hoping to find Seth. She gets attacked for looking different when she was in a village the royal family just happened to be passing through and got akumatised into Bariq (lightning in arabic). Once she’s deakumatised she is brought back to the palace by Seth, who wants to protect her.

Djau (Ancient!Joey):

Kelb (Dog in Arabic). Bearer of the Dog Miraculous. Foreign born young man who was taken in by Shimun and became part of the royal guard. He is part of the guards who protect the walls, but in his time off duty, he can be found playing games with Heba or practising with Huya.

Ahset (Ancient!Anzu):

Nhl (Bee in Arabic). Palace Healer and Bearer of the Bee Miraculous. She was one of the kitchen staff until she helped Heba, who had been jumped by some of the noble boys. Seeing she had a natural talent for looking after people, he introduced her to the palace’s lead healer, who agreed to teach her, if Ahset would teach her how to make honey cakes so she could cook them for her daughter.

Huya (Ancient!Honda):

Noble born spy working under the palace spy master (Akhenaden). Huya has been assigned by Akhenaden to find out the identities of Kem Mau and Kheper and has a list of suspects. Atem and Heba are on that list, but he is actively avoiding investigating them so he doesn’t have to hand over his friend or the Crown Prince over to his boss, who he finds creepy. Huya turns down the use of a Miraculous, because he doesn’t want to have to break an oath to either his boss or to Kheper. If he takes it, he has to hand it to his boss, who would know if he didn’t and would not only fire him, but possibly arrest him. But if he doesn’t return the Miraculous to Kheper, who says he needs to, then he’s breaking the agreement he would have made to accept the magic in the first place.

***IMPORTANT POINT***

Millennium Items Holders have a LOT of mental training, so they will NOT get Akumatised easily. Any Millennium Item holder who gets Akumatised will be VERY powerful. Use them sparingly and with good reason

[laresearchette]

Thursday, February 29, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: PERIMETER (BET+) ME, HEREAFTER (Disney + Star) BIG NATE (Season 2B Premiere) (Paramount+ Canada) THE FIRST 48 PRESENTS CRITICAL MINUTES (A&E Canada) 8:00pm ELSBETH (Global) 10:00pm (Moving to W Network on March 4 at 9:00pm) ROYAL CRACKERS (adult swim) 12:00am

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT: L'IL STOMPERS (TBD - Treehouse)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

AMAZON PRIME CANADA AT ETERNITY’S GATE FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES REINA ROJA SELF MODULATION THE TOURIST (Season 2)

DISNEY + STAR ME HEREAFTER (Season 1)

NETFLIX CANADA MORBIUS A ROUND OF APPLAUSE (TR)

MLB SPRING TRAINING (SN) 1:00pm: Philles vs. Jays

NHL HOCKEY (SNOntario) 7:00pm: Coyotes vs. Leafs (SNEast/SNWest/SNPacific) 7:00pm: Knights vs. Bruins (TSN2) 7:00pm: Habs vs. Panthers (TSN3) 8:00pm: Jets vs. Stars (SNWest/SN1) 9:00pm: Bruins vs. Flames (SN) 10:00pm: Penguins vs. Kraken (SNPacific) 10:00pm: Kings vs. Canucks

NBA BASKETBALL (SN1) 7:00pm: Bucks vs. Hornets (TSN/TSN4) 7:30pm: Warriors vs. Knicks (SN Now) 8:30pm: Thunder vs. Spurs (SN1) 10:00pm: Heat vs. Nuggets

THE GREAT CANADIAN POTTERY THROW DOWN (CBC) 8:00pm: The remaining potters find themselves playing electrician when creating a table lamp.

LAW & ORDER TORONTO: CRIMINAL INTENT (City TV) 8:00pm: A shooting at a condo building leads Graff and Bateman to a twenty-year-old cold case that they must solve in order to catch the killer.

ALMOST PARADISE (CTV2) 8:00pm: When Alex entangles himself in a homicide investigation on behalf of his love interest, Ann Villegas, he is forced to befriend a geriatric couple with peculiar personality traits.

HOLMES FAMILY RESCUE (CTV Life) 8:00pm: After an unexpected stroke, a couple's lives have changed drastically and now their home no longer works for them; Mike, Sherry and Michael step in and discover unsafe structural issues, and look to rebuild a safe and functional space.

THE BRIDGE (Discovery Canada) 8:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Twelve contestants attempt to build an 850-foot bridge with minimal supplies in just 20 days for a cash prize.

AN OPTIMIST'S GUIDE TO THE PLANET (Crave) 8:10pm

THE NATURE OF THINGS (CBC) 9:00pm: Using the latest technology, "Sounds of Nature" brings viewers a world beyond their own, discovering secrets hidden until now.

LEGO MASTERS AUSTRALIA (Discovery Canada) 9:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Teams are challenged to create something that would be found at the bottom of the ocean; the creations will be submerged in water.

SUPERMARKET STAKEOUT (Food Network Canada) 9:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Alex Guarnaschelli takes four chefs on an international trip without leaving the parking lot; they dish up Italian-style countryside cuisine and get a little bazaar with Moroccan food before one chef says bonjour to a year's worth of groceries.

VIKINGS: AMERICAN QUEST (Cottage Life) 9:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): The construction and transatlantic crossing of the Draken Harald Hårfagre, the largest and most authentic recreation of a Viking ship ever built.

SHOGUN (FX Canada) 10:00 (SERIES PREMIERE): Destinies converge in Japan after a barbarian ship washes ashore in a poor fishing village; in Osaka, Lord Toranaga finds himself outplayed by his enemies.

SWAMP PEOPLE: SERPENT INVASION (History Canada) 10:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Hunters return to the Everglades to find the enemy transformed; giant female pythons learn to hide from their pursuers; the swampers must dive deep into their secret lairs and remove the beasts before the glades are lost forever.

[laresearchette]

Saturday, November 12, 2022 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: THE ROYAL NANNY (W Network) 8:00pm LIL REL HOWERY: I SAID IT. Y'ALL THINKING IT (HBO Canada) 10:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT? REINDEER GAMES HOMECOMING (Premiering on November 14 on CTV Life at 2:00am) OUR ITALIAN CHRISTMAS MEMORIES (Premiering on November 19 on W Network at 6:00pm) A MERRY CHRISTMAS WISH (TBD) A TINY HOME CHRISTMAS (TBD)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

CRAVE TV THE BOB’S BURGER MOVIE     DESIGNING CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD CHRISTMAS ONE DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS

NHL HOCKEY (TSN5) 1:00pm: Sens vs. Flyers (SN) 4:00pm: Oilers vs. Panthers (CBC/SN) 7:00pm: Canucks vs. Leafs (City/SNEast) 7:00pm: Penguins vs. Habs (CBC/SN) 10:00pm: Jets vs. Flames

NBA BASKETBALL (TSN/TSN5) 4:00pm: Nets vs. Clippers (SN1) 7:00pm: Raptors vs. Pacers (TSN4) 7:30pm: Hawks vs. 76ers

WELL SUITED FOR CHRISTMAS (W Network) 6:00pm: Sparks fly between a fashion designer and one of the city's most eligible bachelors as she creates a tuxedo for him for a Christmas gala.

W5 (CTV) 7:00pm: Investigating the culture behind Canadian gymnastics, what some describe as an authoritarian sport and why it continues.

CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART (CTV2) 7:00pm:  Violinist Beth returns home after the recent death of her mother and tutors the daughter of a reclusive country music star to prepare her for the upcoming holiday concert.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (CTV) 8:00pm:  Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) must pick a side when a feud between Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) leaves the Avengers in turmoil.

I WON’T LET YOU GO (Lifetime Canada) 8:00pm: When an ex-boyfriend starts stalking her, Angela turns to her devoted husband, Keith, for protection, but no matter what she tries, she can't seem to shake the stalker who is ruining her life.

DON’T WORRY DARLING (Crave) 9:00pm: Alice and Jack live in Victory, an experimental company town that houses the men who work on a top-secret project. However, when cracks in her seemingly idyllic life begin to appear, Alice suspects something sinister is lurking below the surface.

WANDER DARKLY (Super Fuse) 9:00pm:  A traumatic accident leaves a couple in a surreal state of being that takes them on a disorienting journey through the duality of their shared moments.

[hit-em-with-the-four]

I Got Away With You- Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The three of them touch down at Billy Bishop airport on Toronto Island and are quickly escorted to a car. 

“Your highnesses I contacted Lucy to let her know we landed and she shall be expecting us in the next hour or so.” Adrienne says smiling at the two royals in the car with her.

“Thanks girly, always can count on you.” Arabella days and Adrienne looks at her in confusion. “What? I have to get used to talking like a normal teenager.” She giggles. 

When the three get to Lucy’s apartment, Adrienne pushes the code and the door unlocks so they are able to get into the building. It is a very impressive place and Arabella notices that they hit almost the top floor. 

“Where does she live?”

“One of the high end top floor apartments I guess. I don’t quite know,” Adrienne smiles as they exit and walk to Lucy’s apartment. She knocks and the three patiently wait.

“Adrienne!” A short beautiful blond lady exclaims holding a chubby little baby on her hip. “Oh, your highnesses! It is so nice to meet you.” She curtsies. 

“Please Lucy, the pleasure is all ours.” 

“Please come in, I have tea steeping right now and this little guy is just going for a nap.”

“What’s his name?”

“Henry!”

“Aw, he is so adorable.” Arabella gushes looking at the sleepy boy. 

“Thank you, I will be right back. Jake should be here very soon so we will be able to chat about everything!”

“Perfect, would you like any help with anything?”

“No no, your highness I shall be okay.”

“Please call me Arabella from now on.” Lucy smiles. 

“Of course Arabella, whatever you would like.”

When Jake gets home the five of them sit at the kitchen table and go over logistics.

“So, Arabella would move here the middle of August?” He asks.

“Yes and of course we would compensate. All we ask is that Adrienne come with her as safety measures. She will still need to do royal appearances but it will be very hush and when she is not on royal duty she will have to alter her appearance. Her contacts and hair will be changed. Her last name will change as well just to keep her safe and away from things. And she will have a bodyguard in Toronto with her but always at a distance and not when she is here with you. This will simply be for her safety to ensure that no one knows who she is or why she is here. Obviously, I trust you and your family to keep this secret of having a royal and the future Queen of Denmark.” “I love the Royal Family and the fact that you are trusting me with a member in my home is wonderful and I am so grateful that you have chosen us to house such an important person.” “Adrienne was the one who recommended you. She has only spoken highly of you two and being related to her and how righteous and reliable her family is, personally it was a no brainer who I wanted to be with.” Arabella smiles and Lucy can hardly contain her excitement.

“Im so excited! We can show you all Toronto has to offer! The girls will be excited to meet you.” Arabella looks at Lucy. “Oh? Sorry, I guess we never mentioned this. Jake is on the local NHL team, the Toronto Maple Leaf!”

“Ah, that is wonderful! I have never been to an NHL game before. Should I get a jersey?”

“Yeah, we’ll hook you up!” Jake chuckles. 

“Thank you, now we also have something else to ask you two.” The couple nods and Arabella pulls an invitation out of her Kate Spade hand bag. 

“This is for you two. As a thank you for taking me in we are going to pay for your airfare via our private jet, outfits custom made by designers who outfit the royals and accommodations to stay at the castle. We are hosting a ball for my twentieth which has just passed. It is next weekend and we would love for you to join us on such a momentous occasion.” The pair look at Arabella in disbelief. 

“Princess, this is quite unnecessary.”

“Are you about to say no to the Princess and Queen of Denmark.” Arabella winks with a smile gracing her face. 

“No your highness.” Lucy says the same smile gracing her face as well. 

“That’s what I thought. Now, will Henry be in attendance?”

“We can take him to John’s or Morgan’s. I am sure neither of them would mind if Henry spent time with them. Mitch’s and Steph wouldn’t mind either, as long as we give them a bribe.”

“I have just the things for them when you come to the palace I will show you.”

“Thank you, would you like to see your rooms?”

“You have enough space for both of us to have our own rooms?”

“Yep! Morgan, my teammate used to love with us so your room is his old one. Don’t worry, we cleaned it and can decorate it to your liking.” Jake shrugs standing up. 

“Sounds good to me.” The group stands up to check out the rest of the apartment. 

“This room is beautiful.” Arabella heats Adrienne whisper. 

“You can have this one if you want. I don’t mind taking the other one. You made all this happen, you wholeheartedly deserve this.” Arabella smiles. 

“Why don’t we decide later when we have seen all options?” 

“Deal!”

“Now, I noticed there’s an apartment downstairs? Are you renting or looking to rent it out?” Arabella rolls her eyes and looks at Adrienne as the Queen speaks. 

“We hadn’t thought of it yet. Why do you need a place for security?” Jake asks.

“Mother no I don’t need security around here. No one knows who I am.” Arabella mutters under her breath. 

“Arabella Feodora, you are not to defy my wishes. You wished to go to Toronto!”

“To have a normal life!” Arabella exclaims. The queen looks at her in disbelief. 

“You are the future Queen. Your life will never be normal. For your safety we have to have guards. How about Celeste and Fred?” Fred is Adrienne’s brother and Celeste is his wife. Arabella looks at Adrienne and Lucy. 

“Would that be okay with you two. I mean this is your house and we wouldn’t want to over stay our welcome?” Arabella says directing her attention away from her mother to Jake and Lucy. 

“We would love to have them take over the downstairs apartment. They have a separate entrance and all the amenities they have are the same as a regular apartment would.”

“We will compensate and pay rent.” The couple wave it off. 

“We are more than happy to do this for free.”

“We’ll pay to do a house makeover? Whatever you guys want as a thank you?” Lucy and Jake try to argue, both thinking that it is so unnecessary of them to do. “We’re not gonna take no for an answer. We have to repay you for everything you’ve done. So it’s either money or a house makeover. Which one would you prefer?”

“House makeover for sure!” Lucy says enthusiastically thinking about all of the things she could redecorate with. 

“Perfect! It’s settled then!” 

[siaso-blog2]

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[larenoz]

Roswell Prompts Masterpost

This post is a list of my various prompts for Roswell, New Mexico. At the bottom of the page is list of links to responses for Roswell, New Mexico AU stories based on answers to the 5+ Head canon question. They could be used as prompts 

My Prompts

1. PROMPT: Michael’s Truck - Present day, Michael’s truck gets destroyed/damaged beyond repair and he looses his SHIT. People don’t understand why he’s so upset about it. Except maybe Alex. Cause me PAIN, make me cry but finish with sweet, sweet comfort and a happy ending.

Fill 1: https://planetsam.tumblr.com/post/186145178035/larenoz-roswellprompts-present-day-michaels by @planetsam

Fill 2: https://bestillmyslashyheart.tumblr.com/post/186147104564/roswellprompts-present-day-michaels-truck-gets by @bestillmyslashyheart

2. PROMPT: 1930's Speakeasy AU featuring injured WW1 vet Alex who now works as a singer in Maria's speakeasy. Michael is the local bootlegger who supplies Maria's bar. Isobel is a local socialite? Kyle local doctor? Love to see everyone else as well?

3. PROMPT: Mob boss AU - inspired by that new photo going around! Michael is the son of a Chicago mob boss. Michael meets and falls for college student Alex. Is Michael active in the family business? Is he trying to distance himself from the family business? Is Alex what he seems?

4. PROMPT: Notting Hill-inspired AU - Alex is a famous singer. Michael is the mechanic who fixes Alex’s car when it breaks down out in the desert on tour. Shenanigans ensue.

5. PROMPT: Kyle - Something happens to Kyle that has him near breaking point emotionally (eg Sheriff Valenti gets seriously hurt on the job or something else). It makes everyone realise just how much Kyle has been there for all of them in some way when they needed it and they all return that support in his time of need.

6. PROMPT: Name Change - At some point in the future our fav couples get hitched. Plot twist - not only does Alex take Michael's last name (that's canon at this point, right?) but Max takes Liz's. Make it so sweet I have to book a dentists appointment.

7. PROMPT: Sports AU - Michael and Alex are both on the same college hockey team. Alex looses his leg in an accident, ending his playing career. Fast forward 5 years, Alex gets a job as an IT/Web consultant for the same NHL team that Michael now plays for.

8. PROMPT: Space Pirates AU - Michael is a run away royal turned space pirate/resistance fighter. Alex is the military officer sent to capture him. #Malex If you want to throw Kyle in, happy for a #Mylex version as well.

9. PROMPT: Polyamory - The number three plays an important part in the show - 3 pod squad, 3 axes on the star map to Antar etc. What if the default relationship group on Antar is also 3 people? Look at how Michael spirals when cut off from Max and Isobel? Could it explain why Michael and Alex have so much trouble staying together - they are missing their third? Could this be why the bond between Max and Liz wasn't strong enough to keep her in Roswell - they were missing their third? Maybe "outdated binary of sexuality" has multiple meanings? Give me Mylex, give me Kaliz, give me both? Or give me something unexpected?

AU Prompts

These responses were based on answers to the 5+ Headcanon questions which could be used as prompts.

Teacher AU  by @ubiestcaelum

Firefighters or Medical Professionals AU by @ubiestcaelum

YouTuber Star AU by @queersirius

Steampunk AU by @queersirius

Noir Detective AU  by @ubiestcaelum

Athlete/Sports AU  by @beamirang

Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement AU  by @beamirang

Stardust AU  by @beamirang

Notting Hill AU  by @beamirang

Sex and the City AU  by @ubiestcaelum

Boarding School AU  by @queersirius

Undercover Mission AU by @ubiestcaelum

Romancing the Stone AU  by @ubiestcaelum

Restaurant AU  by @ubiestcaelum

Narnia AU by @fraudulentzodiacs

Dragon Age AU by @hannah-writes

Mass Effect AU by @el-gilliath

Detective AU by @gra-sonas

Werewolf AU by @el-gilliath

Stranger Things AU by @queersirius

Criminal Minds AU by @hannah-writes

Witcher AU by @hannah-writes

[andrewuttaro]

New Look Sabres: 2019 Offseason Retrospective

Some offseasons are over in a hurry. All the action is done by Independence Day and Hockey goes into hibernation for two months. Then there are offseasons like this one: hurry up and wait because something else is about to happen. That said Jeff Skinner is our Stanley Cup. In the Season Retrospective back in April I said the Buffalo Sabres’ Stanley Cup for the 2019 Offseason would be resigning Jeff Skinner. The team didn’t qualify for the playoffs so what’s the next most important thing for the team? Jeff Skinner. If you said anything other than Jeff Skinner you either thought the Sabres were going to trade up in the draft or you think Jack Eichel is a bum… or both. Either way I think you’re fooling yourself. Jeff Skinner proved to be the ideal left wing for Jack Eichel, even after the wheels flew off in the second half. Lose a guy like him and you’re in the same spot we’d been in for three years prior putting Eichel with left wingers like… Zemgus Girgensons? Yikes. Looking back at last year’s Offseason retrospective its kinda funny that I was so pumped for Conor Sheary. The guy does an important job but he’s really just a middle six wing. That left side was so barren for years that it seemed impossible we’d ever get a guy capable of skating wing with Jack Eichel. The crazy thing about the offseason the Sabres have had is that now they have… dare I say it: a very good top six! Don’t worry, we have all of Training Camp to debate roster deployment and we certainly will! The next great offseason accomplishment, our secondary Stanley Cup, is ROYAL FUCKING BLUE! On August 15th, 2019 shortly after 3 in the afternoon years of waiting came to an end. One little tweet ended years- YEARS of our bitching and moaning for the best incarnation of the Sabres look. Honestly it overshadowed the reveal of the 50th Anniversary third jerseys the following day for me. Coupled with an implied return to the original Sabres logo without the silly silver lining all over it, it’s not exaggeration, and certainly not out of place on this blog, to say Buffalo now once again hosts one of the best logo/color combinations in sports. Either way, those were the two big defibrillators taken to the chest of an exhausted Sabres fanbase this offseason.

The hurry up and wait of this offseason was Rasmus Ristolainen. That trade seemed inevitable and then it wasn’t for most of the summer. Then Chad DeDomincis spoke about his secret sources and put the likelihood of a trade at 70%. Just as we had feared the move was held up by a string of dominos that can best be described as cowardly General Managers waiting for the market to be set on restricted free agents. As of the posting of this article there is no resolution of the Ristolainen situation making any in-out section somewhat hard to do. I still believe the trade will happen before opening night, but we’ll just have to wait and see. For me its not worth getting wound up about what he said in a Finnish newspaper. It’s been clear he’s not been entirely happy here for months if not years. Does it hurt the potential trade? Idk, does it hurt more than his shitty advanced stats already do? This is already more time than its worth spending on a hypothetical trade. The moment that trade happens there will be a heartfelt goodbye from me, Risto is a guy I loved a lot. Let’s talk about the moves that did happen! Going out is Matt Tennyson, Sean Malone, Danny O’Regan, Matt Moulson (finally officially gone), Scott Wedgewood, Jason Pominville and Alex Nylander. The out list could be longer than that, but I tried to keep it to folks who were or could’ve been NHL players. That list is very scant on big names but more importantly its shorter than the coming-in list (particularly on defense): Henri Jokiharju, Marcus Johansson, Curtis Lazar, Andrew Hammond, Jimmy Vesey, Colin Miller, Arttu Ruotsalainen and… I know it was technically a resigning but Jeff Skinner because we resigned Jeff Skinner!!! Before Matt Hunwick’s neck injury unfortunately sent him to Robidas Island (LTIR for all of this upcoming season) there was not only a surplus of defenseman on the right side but there was so many that the team was going to be over the salary cap. This was what made us all think a Ristolainen trade is inevitable... and now September is knocking on our door. Once again, talking about the outs and ins of the Sabres offseason is kinda hard with this big, pending, hypothetical trade hanging over our heads. Nonetheless, plenty did happen.

As always take my enthusiasm with a grain of salt. Last offseason retrospective I was amped for Patrik Berglund and that ended in a way no one could’ve predicted. Nonetheless, I am pretty excited for Colin Miller and Marcus Johansson. Miller will be an excellent top 4 d-man once he filters into that role and Johansson is the kind of role player at left wing this team needs more of. Side note: I’m just really happy we’ve got a GM who knows how to take advantage of cap strapped teams like we saw in the Miller move. If “Trader Tim” was dumb enough to waste a draft pick on negotiating rights for Vesey three years ago, “Poppin Botts” is smart enough to poach playoff performers. Speaking of three years ago Jimmy Vesey probably doesn’t need to be in the top six, but his acquisition is low-key brilliant and if you ask me he’ll look like a steal by November. When it comes to the forwards I know we could still use a right wing, but I don’t think there are many offensively bad incarnations of this top six anymore. Pending that hypothetical Risto trade, the closest thing to a blockbuster this offseason was Alex Nylander for Henri Jokiharju. It was a one-for-one trade and pretty immediately called as a win for the Sabres; as fans we thought Nylander would go as part of a package but there it is! The steal of the summer! For one, whatever switch was flipped in Nylander’s motivational subconscious toward the end of last year’s training camp was fleeting. I’m not suggesting anything dubious but LMFAO had a longer run of quality play than Nylander. I apologized for calling him the lesser Nylander brother last year though that is plainly correct. I think the words of a Chicago blog really have the best words to form my new, final burn of the 2016 first rounder: piss-poor motivation. We may never know what he could’ve been had he given a shit, Chicago isn’t exactly where you go for quality development these days, but the return for him was way more than we could’ve hoped. While I normally struggle to wrap my head around prospect trades this one was a quick learn. Henri Jokiharju is the kind of young defenseman you can’t really put a ceiling on. He could’ve been a regular on Chicago’s blueline had Joel Quenneville not lost his job there. Keeping guys like Marco Scandella and Rasmus Ristolainen around decreases the likelihood Jokiharju starts in Buffalo but he deserves the spot whether he gets it or not. Lawrence Pilut and Zach Bogosian starting the season injured throws some more wrinkles in that story, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

Before we wrap up I want to reiterate how hawkish I am on Linus Ullmark. Both him and Carter Hutton fell off a cliff in December and never recovered last season. Those two guys are the main reasons we got a ten-game winning streak. I am crazy enough to say they’re good play early in the season was not a fluke and Ullmark specifically I think will make a compelling case for the starter role. Next up in the world of New Look Sabres is a blog on the Prospect Tournament next weekend. I’ll be in Delaware that weekend but nonetheless you’ll get a post on that as the final appetizer before Training Camp starts and we’re really off to the races! Like, share and comment. New Look Sabres is now a part of my broader Uttaro Sports Plus blog so there’s other stuff to enjoy while you wait for more Sabres content. We don’t have to wait much longer. Football season is here and I’m back in graduate classes so it can’t be too much longer! Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

Thanks for reading.

P.S. I wrote a full-fledged Farewell Jeff Skinner piece that was never published because we were blessed enough to keep him. If there is enough interest I can post it or parts of it. Let me know what you think.

[chanelfunnell]

More mail dashing through deep snow , online

A) I have my source about Amanda Grahovec's second pregnancy peeping Mrs Troll Interesting was actually right not just about pregnant sister of Kaner. I am not an insider and I have no sightings or fake sources no time to monitor cyber space I happily reblog. I don't block unless craziness and accusations.

B) Tazer has very bloated face, you see it it is not a round face on slim Megan Hevner with slim face features and not fat on the hanging cheeks on someone who is obese. Tazer looks still handsome but something is wrong not his look though. Tyler Johnson looks as a baby face rookie without his beard yet he is pretty muscular. They are nice warm looking couple.

C)I did not seen any posts on Crosby/Toews Interesting. Maybe she has a festive break.

9D) I'd link it to other Johnson , a former housemate of Tazer who has purchased a farm in Western Canada. His children and grandchildren will get it, not his grandfather's brother's son and a bunch of female in law gold diggas without a job in their lives. I say strickly I don't believe in horoscopes, card reading and no way to psychics. Yes M looks with her dimple smile face like her grandfather in his young age. If a young Londoner predicted a property family issues and so our female astrologer Jessica Adams with details about March to May disputes for both Camilla and a king regarding assets oh well.... It could be a tax year time and Marketa after full harvest/crop /stock for the farms and assets of her inheritance linked with her farms and estates. she has Jupiter in 8th house and Sun in 1st one. There were no guests outside of her family in lenses so maybe she is strict and serious about it like Captain Serious and it will be about it. Camilla called paps to photograph her in the car, the daughter of Princess Margaret,a mother of young marine Arthur Chatto behind her. God knows what the which is up to. M posted some her gifts such as a French coffee press and a handmade brooch. The Windsors got apparently some stupidity if royal festivities but Kate Middleton was quoted that William gave her Sezane earrings for one hundred like Adams's horoscope. More like a freebie. She receives tons of freebies as an unclaimed tax and so UK government Gheid ars all in melee lol mean girls 2.0. Wait for March then, we have play offs I don't bother about astrology and RF, Meghan Markle. Anything about NHL winner and forecasts for Kaner with Tazer lol? Will Blackhawks win? Tell me...

[ittybittypbandj]

The Internship - Chapter 1

Trying my hand at a multi-chapter Bittyparse fic! 5 chapters, weekly updates. Also on ao3. <3

Summary:

Eric Bittle arrived in New York two weeks ago, newly single and ready for a fresh start. This internship was just what he needed to jumpstart his life.

Kent Parson loved his life in New York. He was at the peak of his NHL career. He had friends, the world's greatest cat, and everything he thought he needed.

He never expected a small Southern blonde to burst into his life and turn everything on its head.

Bitty frowned hard at the red bowtie. He twisted away from the mirror, tugging it off as he reached for the lavender one. Lordy, lavender was just as bad. How had all his favorite ties had become gauche overnight?

His mama had reassured him over Skype last night, "Don't worry, Dicky. You'll do great. You'll charm the socks off 'em. Before you know it, they'll be movin' you over to that food magazine you love so much." And he was gonna prove her right. He just needed to put in a little time, show them what he could do.

But how could he do it in a tie that screamed I don't know what I'm doing and by the way I’m bad with animals?

Okay fine, maybe it wasn't the tie's fault. If this were Jack’s first game of the season, Bitty would be reminding him to breathe right about now. He would be alright. He was Eric Richard Bittle. He could land a double Axel with his eyes closed and bake a flourless chocolate cake in Georgia in July. He could do this.

Bitty had moved to Brooklyn two weeks ago, eager to start his new internship in Manhattan. For the next three months he would be a Social Media Associate for Fancy Feline cat food. The job paid a stipend - not much, but enough to finance his matchbook-sized bedroom and name-brand butter - and there was a possibility at the end to extend his contract. It wasn't exactly his dream job, but what was a boy supposed to do? A year out of college, a degree in American Studies, and no experience? Employers weren't exactly banging down his door with offers.

A year ago, Bitty thought Jack was his future. At graduation, he had plans of moving in with Jack, finding a job in Providence, and settling down into their shared life.

After Bitty moved to Providence, he’d sent resume after resume to employers but couldn’t find a job. Jack was out of town frequently and Bitty didn’t have any local friends – Lardo and Shitty and Holster and Ransom were all in Boston, which was just far enough away to be logistically difficult – and he found himself more isolated than he expected.

Bitty also realized that he’d only experienced Jack’s intensity and anxiety through the rosy lens of infatuation. They both struggled with the shift in their living situation, lord knows it was as hard on Jack as it was on him. In April when Jack’s playoff run ended abruptly from a wrist injury and an eight-week recovery, Bitty’d been ready to poke out his own eye rather than face another day of both of them at home, dancing around the fact that this just wasn’t working.

And so, after they’d finally talked and cried and shared a joint session with Jack’s therapist, Bitty and Jack called it quits and Bitty tearfully phoned Lardo to break the news. He’d stayed on her and Shitty’s lumpy couch in Boston for two months while Shitty called in a family favor and helped him land this internship.

Even after everything, Bitty was feeling hopeful. All he needed was a few months' experience and a job on his resume more substantial than ‘running a baking vlog’. He took a deep breath and released it, checked his hair one last time, queued up Queen Bey on his headphones, and headed for the subway.

_/_/_/ \_\_\_

Bitty’s first day at the office was a whirlwind of new faces and information. Meesha, Bitty’s fellow intern and apparently the person in charge, led him on a brisk tour through the office and he practically skip-jogged to keep up with her. While they walked, she peppered him with information about the department.

"You’ll coordinate the images and story for all the social media platforms, and you’ll directly manage the endorsement relationships." Meesha glanced over her shoulder to check that he was keeping up. "I do all the site and ad placement, and Tito runs the admin side. We're all a hot mess this week prepping for Kit, but don’t worry - we'll get you settled in just fine."

"Kit?" Bitty asked.

"Oh yeah, Kit Purrson. She's launching as the face of Fancy Feline in, like, three weeks. Totes adorbs and has a crazy-ass following. We've got, like, a zillion things to do to get ready. I'm sure you'll jump right in. You've used Visio, right?"

By lunch, Bitty’s head was swirling with acronyms and spreadsheets. It felt a little like in figure skating when he’d come out of a scratch spin too fast - the world was wobbly and the colors were spinning, but he was confident it would right itself if he grinned and skated through it.

"Heeeey, how's our new boy doin'?" someone yelled as they passed his and Meesha’s cubicle. Bitty spied styled black hair over the cubicle wall.

"Hey Tito!” Meesha called back. “He's great!"

Tito appeared from around the corner, eight coffees in two to-go containers balanced masterfully on one arm. He read the lids and carefully passed one to Meesha. "You guys ready for our guest today? I’m totally having him sign something.”

Meesha rolled her eyes as she inhaled the fragrant coffee. “You are seriously the lamest. Sports are a consumerist construct and the guy is basically, like, Kit’s chaperone. She’s the real star.”

Tito laughed and offered a cup to Bitty, “Hey Eric, I wasn’t sure what to get you. How’s a vanilla sugar oat milk latte? It’s the special across the street.”

Bitty grinned. “Thanks, hon!” His first day was turning out pretty great.

Meesha steered Bitty into a large conference room. Tito ran to his desk for a hat and marker before joining the people assembling around the conference table. Lordy, he hadn’t been lying about an autograph. Who was this guy?

A dozen folks chatted quietly around the table. Their guest was apparently running late, and Meesha took the opportunity to fill Bitty in on launch plans. As she was explaining the finer points of multi-platform synchronization, Bitty heard a man’s laughter down the hall. His ears perked up. Did he know that voice? Surely it couldn’t be –

Bitty’s head jerked up as an effortlessly well-dressed man in a royal blue snapback stepped into the room. Their eyes locked.

Oh lord. Kent Parson.

_/_/_/ \_\_\_

Kent scowled at Kit, his chin resting on his hands on the cold hardwood.

“C’mon, baby, you’ve got to eat it.”

Kit sniffed the dish daintily, nonplussed.

“I know, princess,” he wheedled, “but daddy’s going to make you the most famous li’l furbaby on the internet. You’ll pass grumpy cat like he forgot how to frown. All you have to do is eat the gross food.”

Kit mrowled in disapproval and Kent rearranged his awkward limbs. So this is what his adulthood had come to, he mused. Two condos, three sports cars, a slew of hockey awards, and apparently a cat too picky to eat the goddamn food she was paid a shitload of money to represent.

Tonight’s standoff had lasted an hour, and Kent would be damned if he let Kit win again.

He scratched his nose. He probably should be doing the prep work the Fancy Feline team needed before Kit’s photo shoot. At the meeting today, they’d given him a to-do list that rivaled his off-season training goals. He was supposed to check with Eric Bittle if he had any questions.

Speaking of which, why had Eric Blast-from-the-Past Bittle even been there today? Kent would have appreciated a goddamn heads-up, that’s for sure.

Eric looked good, he thought. A little taller and sharper than he remembered. His hair game was on point. Kent had only seen him a couple times in the four years since the Samwell party where they first met, and of course Eric had grown up, but seriously – he was hot now.

But why the hell was he in New York City? And was this related to the charming, old-man text messages Jack had started to send Kent out of the blue a month ago?

Kent debated texting Jack to ask, but it was a horrible idea. Either Jack and Eric were still together and Jack would send awkward Canadian nonsense about how great Eric was, or they weren’t together and Jack would get pissed and shut Kent out of his life again.

Kent sighed and climbed to his feet, heading to the refrigerator for Kit’s specialty wet food and a glass of white wine to wash down the bitter taste of defeat. He would fight the cat food battle another day. As Kit scarfed down hand-seared filet mignon, Kent sipped his wine and fiddled with his phone.

Kent: hey dude what’s up? I saw your boy today.

Jack: Hey Kent.

Jack: What?

Well shitballs, this was already turning out to be a terrible idea. No turning back now, Kent reasoned.

Kent: Eric was at a business meeting today. all suited up and shit.

Kent: what’s he doing in NYC? u guys ok?

Jack: Oh.

Jack: We broke up in April.

Kent: shit Zimms, that really blows. he seemed like a cool guy

Jack: Yeah.

Kent: sometimes it just doesn’t work out, y’know? i’m sure you’ll find somebody great

Jack: How was the meeting?

Kent: oh

Kent: it was good. boring as watching ice melt but productive I guess

Kent: eric looks good, I mean not in a weird creepy way but he looks like he’s doing ok?

[Jack is typing…]

[Last message received 8:54pm]

Kent: hey, did you see the new netflix show where ordinary people recreate fancy cakes and that crazy lady yells at everybody?

Kent: it’s the tits

Jack: No, but I’ll check it out.

Kent: dooo iiit

Jack: What’s the name?

Kent: fuck if I know. it’s the one with the previews of nasty looking cakes and ppl getting screamed at. you can’t miss it. it’s a goddamn gem.

Jack: Sounds like it.

Jack: And, thanks Parse. I’m glad he’s doing OK.

Kent: no problem man

Kent: any time

_/_/_/ \_\_\_

Bitty paced all eight feet of his bedroom, back and forth, back and forth.

He was supposed to be starting a new life! In a city of eight million people, how had he stumbled upon the one person connected to his life with Jack? And how was he supposed to be professional and work with said person, when everyone (well, maybe just Bitty) knew that he was secretly a manipulative asshole?

Good gracious, he might be freaking out just a little. He needed reassurance. Who could he talk to that knew the situation and would be supportive and not weird?

Bitty: LARDOOOOO

Lardo: BITTTYYYY

Lardo: Why the yelling, Bits?

Bitty: I am coordinating a photo shoot at Kent Parson’s house next week. KENT PARSON’S HOUSE

Lardo: That’s sick bro.

Lardo: They’re giving you a lot of responsibility right away. Nice.

Bitty: -_-;

Bitty: I think you’re missing the point

Bitty: KENT PARSON KENT PARSON KENT PARSON

Lardo: Lol Bitty cool your jets. He’s been pretty chill lately, hasn’t he?

Bitty: If you mean ‘not making my boyfriend have any more panic attacks’, then yes he’s been chill

Bitty: But I’d say that’s a VERY low bar to hurdle

Lardo: Have you met him yet? How was it?

Lardo: Does he know you and Jack broke up?

Bitty: I’m pretty sure he didn’t know who I WAS

Bitty: Period.

Lardo: No way, dude. You’ve meet him multiple times, right?

Bitty: twice, 3 times if you count the disaster at the Haus

Lardo: He totally remembers you, dude. You’re unforgettable.

Lardo: You’re like a delightful minor superhero.

Lardo: You’re Antman.

Bitty: Ugggghhh this is the worst

Bitty: and Antman, seriously? We are SO gonna talk about that later

Lardo: Bitty, bro of my heart, it’s truth time. You sitting down?

Bitty: *sits*

Lardo: Good.

Lardo: Here’s the thing. Kent Parson is just a dude. A dude with some fucked-up history respective to one JLZ, but still just a dude.

Bitty: I know, but…

Lardo: Hush, Padawan.

Bitty: -_- *hushes*

Lardo: He’s probs not an evil person. You’ve only ever seen him in relation to J, and they went thru some messed up shit as kids. When he’s not dealing with that, he’s probably a boring-ass adult with a job and a cat. You can’t judge him forever based on the 3 times you’ve met.

Lardo: Was he awful the other times?

Bitty: Well no, mostly just at Epikegster

Bitty: But he was Really Bad that time

Lardo: I get it Bits, but if that’s his only awful moment, then the dude already has like a 67% not-awful rate.

Bitty: So you’re saying I’m all worked up over nothin?

Lardo: Maybe? Give him a chance.

Lardo: You don’t have to be BFFs. Just be professional and friendly until he gives you a reason not to be. If it turns out he’s a dickhead, you have my blessing to fuck up his shit.

Bitty: Thanks Lards. Mind if I snap you outfit choices later?

Lardo: Do it. Matching polish?

Bitty: Yes’m but toes only. I miss your help with fingers. It gets all smudgy when I do it

Lardo: I miss you, bro.

Bitty: You too :-*

_/_/_/ \_\_\_

Kent pressed the center button on his phone again…8:51am. This was officially the longest morning in the history of time.

So far he’d gone for a run, made a smoothie, showered, arranged the throw pillows, hidden the dopey photo of him and his sis at Disneyland, brushed Kit. Now he was sitting on the couch, running shoes bouncing on the marble coffee table as he waited for the Fancy Feline team to arrive. Maybe he should make coffee? He hopped up, re-fluffed the pillows, and headed to the kitchen.

The crew arrived promptly at nine, accepting the hot mugs of coffee Kent passed around. Eric shook his hand and started up a pleasant and professional stream of small talk as the photographer set up tripods and the assistant unfolded white umbrellas.

Unfortunately, Kit decided this was her party and she could hide if she wanted to. She spent the first hour perched on the bookcase, refusing to budge for treats or catnip.

Kent couldn’t blame her. Usually it was just her and him in the apartment, and even when he had people over, she generally ignored them and slept in the bedroom on the Monsieur Taco pillow he won her at Coney Island. Having a half-dozen strangers in her space, hovering over her with cameras and lights? He’d probably peace out too, if he were her.

After thirty minutes and no success, Kent relinquished the catnip to the assistant and excused himself to start a fresh pot of coffee. From the kitchen counter, he found himself watching Eric.

Eric was frowning as the drama unfolded, his lean torso hunched in concentration. His right foot tapped impatiently on the rug. It wasn’t Eric’s job to get Kit to participate. Eric had explained this to Kent while they were setting up, that his role today was to make sure they got all the shots they needed for the campaign.

As Kent watched him now, Eric nodded to himself like he’d made a decision and marched over to the bookcase. He began talking animatedly with the photographer and gesturing rapidly, taking charge of the situation like a tiny major general. Kent was impressed. Hell, even Kit watched him with interest.

Kent felt a little like a jerk – he’d always thought Eric was childish and annoying, based on their past brief interactions and Eric’s animated Twitter feed (not that he’d internet stalked him, pssh). But maybe Kent had it wrong. This version of Eric seemed full-to-bursting with charisma and natural leadership. Hell, even Queen Kit respected it.

As Eric directed the strategy to coax Kit off her perch and over to the windowsill, Kent couldn’t help but stare. Eric glowed warm and golden, like Southern sunlight was radiating from his pores. He looked good in control.

Kent’s stomach did a pleasant swoop as he thought about Eric taking control in other ways. Or what it would take to convince Eric to give up that control, to go soft and pliant and let Kent – or someone, whatever – do the controlling.

His chest tingled warmly. This probably wasn’t the best train of thought for a professional gathering; nothing like sporting a quarter chub at ten a.m. with people here to photograph your cat. He sighed, rearranged his junk, and headed back into the living room with the coffee pot.

The rest of the shoot ran smoothly. Kit, once she felt comfortable, totally hammed it up for the camera. Eric took behind-the-scenes videos and sent the best ones to Kent. They all shared high-fives when a video Kent tweeted of himself ineptly juggling cat toys got retweeted by George Takei. In celebration of their good social media fortune, Kent poured everyone mimosas.

Before Kent knew it, it was late afternoon and the photographer’s assistant started to disassemble the equipment. Eric herded everyone to the sofa where he handed out packets of instructions and debriefed them on next steps, and then the crew shook hands and headed out one by one.

As Kent shut the door after the last person, he wandered into the kitchen to find Eric still in the apartment, loading the dishwasher.

“Dude, you really don’t need to do that. I can do it after you go.”

“Kent Parson,” Eric scolded, “my mama would never forgive me if I left a host with a mess to clean up. It’s nothin’, really.”

“Thanks, man,” Kent replied. It was cool of Eric to offer and, if Kent was being honest, he probably would have left it a mess until his housecleaner came tomorrow. He started to consolidate cardboard containers of Chinese food.

They worked in silence in the spacious kitchen, making quick work of the cleanup. Kent caught Eric humming to himself. He recognized the tune – All For You by Janet Jackson – and sang along to Eric’s humming.

Eric let out a surprised huff, his cheeks pink. “Oh lordy! Was I singing that out loud?”

Kent just laughed and pulled out his phone, and one of his favorite pop mixes began playing from hidden speakers. Eric bopped his head to Janelle Monae as he dried the glasses. Kent lip-synced into a bottle of soy sauce like it was a microphone.

As Kent reached around Eric’s shoulder to place the wine glasses on a high shelf, their eyes met and Kent winked. He’d enjoyed a few mimosas and Eric was cute, so sue him. He just thought it’d be fun to make Eric blush, and his efforts were thoroughly rewarded. Eric’s blush spread from his face down his neck, reddening the soft skin at the base of his throat.

Kent felt the warm tingly feelings in his chest again. Shit, Eric was cute.

Abruptly, Eric turned and said, “I really should get going. We’ve got the kitchen under control and I need to upload these videos before tomorrow.”

Kent felt oddly deflated, although of course Eric was going to leave when they finished cleaning. He should probably apologize in case his wink had made Eric uncomfortable. Kent spent his days around gross hockey players, maybe he’d just committed some corporate sexual harassment shit and he didn’t even know it. Kent fished around for something to say that didn’t make him sound like a creeper.

He smiled and tried, “Kit really enjoyed having you here today. You’re good with cats.”

“Ha, thanks.” Bitty twisted the dishtowel in his hands. “I’m not really a cat person, but Kit’s great. Y’all’ve got a really special bond.”

“Maybe you could come over and get some more candid shots sometime?” Kent made a face. For Christ’s sake, he sounded ridiculous. “I mean, the ones today were really good.”

Eric’s face did something complicated. Kent watched him bite his bottom lip.

“Thanks,” Eric replied finally, “but no. I should go.”

“Oh,” Kent exhaled, “Yeah, of course. Sure thing, man.”

Kent helped Eric retrieve his things and walked him to the entryway. As Kent shut the door behind him, he rolled his eyes to the ceiling.

He was so fucked.