#soph talks hockey

[sophsicle]

the thing is, i do not have any interest in a hockey player who falls in love. i am interested in a hockey player who is utterly destroyed by the boy standing across the ice from him. the boy he met when he was 17 maybe, at juniors. and then 18 at the draft. who he hated because they were competitors. who he hated so much that he couldn't even think about anything else. until he didn't know who he was if he wasn't competing against him. wasn't fighting against him. wasn't thinking about him. wasn't pressing him into the boards. wasn't holding him too long in the handshake line. wasn't sneaking into hotel rooms with him. and having hushed conversations in corners. and less hushed conversations in beds where they were soft and young and childish in a way they could never be on the ice. until the day they stop. because, well, it's not like this can go on forever, right? because we've been playing this sport since we were three and we will keep playing it until our bodies are so broken they have to scrape us off the ice. because this is our life. this is our whole life. this sport. and it has no room for boys who are soft and young and childish. who hold each other a little too tight. so now this hockey player stands on the ice and he looks at this boy and he aches like his whole body is bruised even though the game hasn't started yet, even though no one has touched him. and he wonders "if we had different dreams, in a different world, do you think it would have been us? i know you have kids and a wife now but - but do you think it would have been us?"

later, after the game, a reporter will shove a mic in the boy's face and ask him about the goals he scored and the goals he didn't. about the hockey player who's been his rival since they were 18.

"17" he corrects.

the reporter blinks. "sorry?"

"since we were 17" smiling in a way that feels like a sob. "he's a fierce competitor," hand rubbing against a stubble rough jaw, thinking about something that started long before he could grow a proper beard. "he's my favourite guy to play against, someone you miss when he's not there," another smile that the reporter has to look away from. "he has beautiful hands." he can't say what he wants to, of course. which is that he looks forward to these games more than any other. counts down the days. marks them on the calendar. because there are pieces of himself that he gave away when he was too young to know better. that he asked the hockey player to keep. and he has, because that's the kind of guy he is. because no one ever taught him how to put shit down. so when they go out there on the ice together, the boy gets to be whole again, for a little bit. he gets to be whole.

"Thank you" the reporter says.

And the boy nods. "Of course."

[lovecla]

IF YOU LOVE ME, LET ME KNOW | jack hughes.

chapter eight:

<last chapter> <next chapter>

➴ warnings: none!!

➴ word count: 3.6k

➴ author’s note: don’t you guys love when people kiss and make up?

liked by jennaortega, arianagrande, elblue6 and 1,698,928 others

sophiamontenegro thanks for having me, new york 🎅🏻

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mtv JAW IS ON THE FLOOR

trevorzegras you should’ve come to anaheim

sophiamontenegro trevorzegras and u should fuck off

user1 sophiamontenegro trevorzegras I wanna know the beef between them so bad someone put me in soph’s close friends list

user2 user1 im pretty sure its just Trevor who doesn’t know how to take a hint…

arianagrande i love you

morgan.grace you’re so fucking hot Sophia the hell

user4 PROUD TO SAY THAT I WAS IN THAT CROWD

user5 damn how did Jack fumble this 😂

— ♡

DECEMBER always brought more work than you’d like to have but for the first time since you started working as a singer, you were grateful for it.

You had so many appearances, so many fans to see, so many concerts to do. You were grateful singing was your favorite thing to do because time passed and you didn’t even notice it.

But, now some of the fuss calmed down and you were able to spend time doing things that weren’t related to your career, like;

“Sophia, come on, you’re gonna be late!” Grace shouted from the living room and you laughed, pouring the butter flavored popcorn into a bowl. “Sophia!”

“Jesus, Grace, calm down,” you shouted back, looking for napkins. “It’s not like we have to be there or whatever.”

Today the Devils were playing against the Blackhawks and Grace asked you if you both could watch it at your house.

“We don’t have to if you think it will make you sad, but i really wanted to watch Nico tonight.” Grace smiled, not even trying to hide how she was head over heels for him.

“It’s okay, Grace, I swear. I want to see Nico too,” you smiled, trying to hide the fact that you’d secretly been watching all of their games, desperate to catch a glimpse of Jack’s blue eyes. “We can do a girls night.”

“But you’re losing all the good shit,” she whined. “The Blackhawks players are fine, too. That Bedard kid is a cute, little honeybun.”

You chuckled, walking away from the kitchen and sitting on the couch beside her, putting the bowl on the table.

“He has a girlfriend, y’know. He dates his teammate’s sister, Ellie I think.”

“Oh, I think I saw a picture of them together at a party last month,” she tapped her chin with her index finger. “They do look cute together.”

“Yeah,” you nodded, watching as the commentator introduced the players. “Who do you think is going to win?”

“Girl, I don’t like to tell anyone my predictions because what if I jinx it?” She stared at you, like you were crazy just for asking.

You rolled your eyes. “Ever since you and Nico started fucking you became awfully surpersticious.”

“Sophia Montenegro!” She raised her arms, kicking you with her feet. “You can’t talk to me like that! I’m your sister.”

“Which gives me permission to say that you and Nico are fucking. Who cares?” You kicked her back, starting a kicking fight.

You both just stopped when you were both out of breath and the game was starting. The first period was going surprisingly smooth for the Blackhawks, which made you— secretly— worry.

Jack has probably seen better days. You would always say that he’s the number one player in the team because for you he absolutely is, but even someone who didn’t know anything about Hockey could tell that he was lacking.

You bit your lips and squeezed your thighs because, even after everything, Jack looked so fucking good. Especially with the black Devils uniform. He looked handsome and you knew that he was all of that, and he’d always be.

Sometimes you’d think about how good the sex between the two of you was, and you’d wonder if you’d find anything like that ever again.

At the end of the first period, the scoreboard read 2-1, the Blackhawks winning. You and Grace were in the middle of a discussion about how her ex looked like Shaggy from Scooby Doo when the commentator started showing the celebrities who showed up to the game.

“Who even cares about the celebrities who showed up?” You threw popcorn at the screen. “Or even better, since when do they show celebrities? Aren’t they supposed to be interviewing the players or whatever?”

“You know a lot for someone who doesn’t watch the games,” Grace teased you, and you just pushed a handful of popcorn inside your mouth. “And sorry to say this, sweetie, but if people didn’t care about celebrities, you and I wouldn’t have a job.”

You rolled your eyes, paying attention to the TV again.

“So, tell me, Nat, I’ve heard that we have some pretty famous people here today.” The announcer talked to the reporter who was standing in some kind of expensive room Sophia didn’t know the name of.

The black woman just smiled, nodding her head and bringing the microphone closer to her face.

“That’s right, Shaan. Some well known people blessed us with their presence here today…”

“I hope it's Ariana Grande or some shit like that.” Grace muttered beside you.

“Oh remind me to call her later, I need to visit her next time I’m in LA,” you replied mindlessly, still watching the sports channel.

“…And among all of these people, we have the one and only, Harris Dickinson and his girlfriend, Chloe McGill!”

“What?!” You heard Grace yelling beside you, which confirmed that what you were seeing wasn’t just your head trying to play games with you.

There he stood, in all his glory, with the cocky smirk that once gave you butterflies and was now making you sick, with his arm wrapped around a girl’s waist.

“Am I tripping or that girl looks awfully like you?”

You looked at the scene in front of you, where the reporter was now interviewing Harris with an enthusiastic smile. The girl beside him, Chloe you think, indeed looked a lot like you.

“She… she looks just like how I did when I started dating him,” you concluded, feeling sick all over again. “Even the fucking bangs, Grace.”

She put her hand on your left arm, caressing you. “I’m so sorry, bubba. Do you want me to turn it off?”

“No, ‘course not,” you reassured her, trying to smile. “I’m fine, I was just caught off guard, that’s all.”

“Okay,” Grace whispered. “Okay.”

“…I’m just happy to be here, y’know?” Harris stated, still showing his pearly white teeth. “I’m a huge Devils fan, just like my girl here.”

“That’s the biggest lie he’s ever said,” you laughed, feeling sorry for how pathetic he is. “He deadass couldn’t even stand the thought of Hockey, or any sport for that matter. What the hell is he even saying?”

“Well, apparently that little girlfriend of his, is the daughter of one of the Devils’ coaches,” Grace promptly replied, and you looked at her, ready to ask how the hell she knew that, but seeing the phone in her hand. “They’re like, rich as fuck.”

“Yeah, that sounds like Harris’ type to me.” You mumbled, praying that the second period would come faster.

And maybe God did hear your prayers because not even five minutes later, the Devils and the Blackhawks were back on the ice. The game was nerve wracking, your nails and eardrums long gone from how much you’d bitten them and how loud Grace screamed during the game.

Jack was smooth on ice, the best you’ve seen him playing all season, even before you and him fought. It was satisfying to watch him doing what he loved and you were happy that he was finally getting back on track.

Two hours later, the game ended; the Devils won. Grace cheered and jumped around while you laughed at her, happy to see her happy. Even if you didn’t understand much of hockey and even if you didn’t care about it, you were also thrilled, because you knew Jack would be happy.

You kinda hated your mind for always thinking about him but you couldn’t help it. Not when you saw how handsome he looked and not when you still loved him. A lot.

The same reporter from before, Nat, continued to talk, interviewing some of the players from the team. Grace whined about being hungry and you rolled your eyes, getting up to cook for her.

“What do you want?” You asked, opening your cabinets. “I can make pasta for us.”

“Ugh, yes, please,” she fake-moaned and you laughed. “If I’m going to fuck Nico tonight, Imma need all the carbs in the world,”

“You’re disgusting. I hope you know that,” you answered back, putting the water to boil.

“For Nico Hischier? Hell yes I am!”

You cut the onions and garlic, before putting olive oil on a separate pan and adding them. Grace continued to yap about the game, pointing out all the best players and who she liked best, while you just nodded and cooked.

“Ooh, they’re having a fancy celebrating party tonight!” She yelled from the living room, even if you could still see her and the TV because you had an open kitchen, grabbing your attention. “Is it a gala? I hope it is, Hockey players look so fucking good in suits.”

“And they say I’m the horny one…” you mumbled, putting the tomato sauce inside the pan.

“Can this woman give us some information we actually want to hear? I don’t care if they have points or not, I just want to see them in suits!”

“She’s just doing her job, Grace, stop being a whore.”

Moving around the kitchen, you finished Grace’s dinner, and grabbed a plate for her, not after filling up a glass of cold water and grating some cheese.

You went back to the living room, placing everything in front of her, while she hugged you from behind, giving you neck kisses.

“I am going to wife you up, baby!”

You giggled. “Shut up and eat, weirdo,”

She just let you go and sat on the floor, swallowing the pasta like it was her last meal.

You both watched as they showed the party, all of the players there, people laughing and smiling for pictures. Jack wasn’t interacting with the reporters, and you thought it was weird, even if you knew he low-key hated them.

“…so, yeah, I’m definitely happy we won tonight but we still have to work hard—” Mercer suddenly stopped himself mid-sentence, leaving the woman— Nat— beside him confused. He covered his mouth with his hand and laughed. “Is that Jack fighting someone? That’s sick! Film that, baldy!” He asked the cameraman.

You and Grace stopped talking and stared at each other. The camera suddenly changed angles and showed a body you knew way too well on top of another body you, unfortunately, also knew well.

“Jesus, Jack is punching Harris in the face!” Grace announced, like you weren’t watching it yourself.

The angles weren’t good because you’d bet money the cameraman wasn’t expecting to record a fight tonight, but it was still pretty damn clear that Jack was punching Harris’ face repeatedly, while his girlfriend screamed and cried and the other players tried to get him off Harris’ face.

Harris fought back, but even though he tried, he wasn’t used to fighting. Unlike Jack, who threw every punch with force and precision.

“It seems like our number eighty-six, Jack Hughes, is having a fist fight with the actor Harris Dickinson!”

“Stop trying to state the obvious, bitch, film the fucking fight!” Grace yelled.

“Grace, calm down.” you whispered, watching as the camera focused on Jack again, this time him being dragged by Nico and Nathan while he shouted at them to let him go.

This was bad. Like, bad, truly bad. They focused on Harris’ face for just a second, and it was enough— his face was all bloody and he was probably going to have a black eye for a week, with how swollen his eye was. Jack had most likely broken his nose and shit wasn’t looking good.

“Oh my God, why did he do this!” You got up from the couch, pacing around the room. “Fuck, does he know what this is going to do to him? Harris is dating the Coach’s daughter, what the hell!”

Grace was also too stunned to speak, something that did not happen often. You could tell she was just as distressed as you.

“Harris Dickinson is going to the hospital with his girlfriend Chloe and his father-in-law, Coach Ryan McGill.”

“What the fuck, this is bad,” you put your hands on your head, trying to figure out what to do. “I need to do something.”

Grace sighed, loudly. “I should be the brain in our friendship but… yeah. I mean, I know you guys are out of contact right now but this… he definitely did this for you…”

“Yeah, Grace, make me feel worse, go ahead.” You hissed.

“I’m not trying to make you feel worse, baby, you know why he did that!” She raised her arms. “You should talk to him. This obviously isn’t working for any of you.”

“Grace—”

“No, you will hear me now!” She talked on top of you, also getting up. “I’ve watched you put on a fake smile and pretend you’re fine and I didn’t say anything because I knew you had to figure it out yourself, but I can’t do this anymore. You’re drowning yourself in work, you spend half of your time at your studio and the other half at John’s studio. You don’t go out, you don’t live.”

“Grace.” You tried again.

“And usually I’d say something like: ‘get over that fucking asshole’ or ‘he isn’t worth it’!” She walked back and forth. “But the worst part is that Nico told me Jack is just like you!”

That made you stop. “What?”

“He’s not at parties, he’s not hanging out with the team, he’s not goofing around. All he does is sleep, eat and go to practice. And, fuck, Nico doesn’t know what to do because Jack never acted like this before.”

“Grace, what…” you breathed, almost yanking your hoodie with how much force you were holding it. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because it’s so fucking obvious you both love each other yet you won’t do anything!” She lamented, staring at your eyes. “I can’t watch you fall apart like this. You have to tell him that you want to be with him.”

“Grace, I can’t— I can’t do that.” You stuttered, trying your hardest not to cry.

“Sophia,” she whispered, grabbing your hands. “That man loves you. He just punched your ex-boyfriend on national television, with everyone watching. I stand with what I said back at that dreadful Halloween party, I’ve seen how he looks at you. And he loves you. Jack Hughes loves you, Sophia.”

You let her words sink in, nodding once. Grace was bossy, delusional and a bit insane too but she was right. You needed to do something.

“Okay,” you agreed, holding her against your body. “What do I do?”

“Shit, I didn’t think you’d agree with what I was saying… I don’t know?”

“You’re such a dumbass sometimes,” you laughed and she pinched your butt. “I think… I think I’m going to his house.”

“That’s a bald ass move and so right. Want me to go with you?”

“No, I’m good. I don’t even know if he’ll hear me out but I’ll try?” You stepped back, grabbing your car keys and purse.

“Call me if anything goes wrong,” she blinked, going back to the couch. “If you don’t, I’ll call you and risk interrupting your fuck.”

“Like I’d ever pick up,” you joked, leaving the house.

Jack lived thirty minutes away from you, and alongside with that, it was a Friday night in Newark— of course the streets were filled with cars. It took you an hour to get there but even so, Jack’s car wasn’t parked in front of his garage like it used to.

You turned your car off, and waited. You could wait outside but with how cold it was, it was safer for you to wait inside. You couldn’t risk getting sick.

Seconds turned into minutes and when the one hour mark came, you sighed.

“Maybe he isn’t coming home tonight,” you said to no one, tired of waiting. You knew you could call him, but you weren't entirely sure he’d pick up. “Maybe it’s just traffic.”

You decided to wait a little bit more, half an hour. If Jack wasn’t there by the end of it, you’d just come back tomorrow. Fortunately, shortly after that, Jack’s car was parked outside of his house.

You watched as he got out of it, opened the back door and grabbed his duffel bag. Taking a deep breath, you left your car and closed the door silently.

Walking to his porch with fast steps, you called him. “Jack!”

He stopped immediately, turning around to face you. He had a bandage on his eyebrow and one on his cheek. Your heart tugged on your chest.

“Soph?” He asked, like he couldn’t believe you were standing in front of him.

You stepped closer, smiling awkwardly.

“Hi,” you said, softly, putting your hands inside your pockets. “Can we… hum… talk?”

He stared at you for a second, before nodding and turning around again, opening his door and letting you inside the house first. You thanked him and stepped inside, taking in the sight you missed so much, his home.

You both stayed quiet for a while; he put his things away and you stood there, weirdly. You didn’t know how to start the conversation, so you just stared at him. He looked tired, dark circles adorning his face, hair messy and face a bit swollen. Even if he looked hurt, he looked ten thousand times better than Harris, who was probably in the emergency room at the local hospital.

“Jack,” you started, noticing how his body went stiff and he stopped moving. “Why did you do it?”

You didn’t give him a chance to reply, stepping closer and putting your hand on his face, feeling the hotness of it, and realizing you missed him more than you knew.

“Jesus, Jack, do you even realize what you did?” You whispered, moving your thumb up and down. “He’s dating your coach’s daughter. He’s a powerful man, baby.” The pet name slipped out of your tongue, but you didn’t want to take it back.

“Fuck,” he breathed, grabbing your wrist and kissing it. “Say it again, Soph.”

Maybe someone else would need him to clarify it better, explain further. But not you. Not when the love you felt for him ran deep inside your soul.

“Baby,” you whispered again, watching as he closed his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows.

“Sophia, fuck, what did you do to me?” His voice sounded so tender, you could feel your body wanting nothing more than to melt inside his arms. “I can’t— Fuck.”

“Jack, you need to understand that what you did, baby, it could cost you a lot—”

“I know. Soph, I know that. And I still would break his asshole’s nose again and again.”

“Why did you do it?”

He stepped away, and you immediately wanted him to come back. “Why did I do it? Isn’t it obvious?” He laughed, humorlessly. “Sophia, I am in love with you. I love you.”

You felt your cheeks getting wet, and only then did you realize you were crying.

“I didn’t understand it sooner because, hell, I have never loved a woman before that wasn’t my mom, and even then, it’s not even close to what I feel towards you,” he ran his hands through his hair. “I didn’t think being in a relationship was for me, I didn’t even want it. But now I look at you and—” he looked at you, blue eyes brighter than you’d ever seen. “I look at you and I realize you’re all I want.”

You were fully crying now, the tears running down your face like models on a runway. Your hands were shaking, and you wanted to scream at him.

“You’re it for me, baby,” he stepped closer, gently putting his hands on your waist, letting you rest your head on his chest. “I know that you’re upset, and I know this isn’t easy for you. We all got bags full of shit that we don’t want, but I will unpack them for you, baby. Just… just let me.”

“Jack,” you sniffled, trying to stop crying. “I need you to know that I love you, too. But,” you pressed your lips together, organising your thoughts. ���You need to know that sometimes it’s going to be hard for me. I don’t trust so easily anymore and I’m sorry for it but that’s just who I am.”

You could swear you could feel his smile, while he held you tighter. “It’s okay, Soph. When I tell you that I want you, I don’t mean only the good parts. I want you whole. I want the bad, the good and the in-between,”

“What if,” you hold him impossibly closer. “I don’t want you to get tired of me.”

“Tired of you?” He chuckled. “I want to marry you.”

You stepped away from his like he was on fire. Frowning, you raised your finger.

“Don’t say things you don’t mean, Hughes. Besides that, you’re literally twenty-two.”

“I don’t mind you being my old sugar mommy,” he shrugged, smiling.

“Call me old again, Jack Hughes, and I promise you will never hear from me again.” You smiled too, and for the first time in probably two months, it felt real.

“Yes, ma’am,” he stopped smiling, stepping closer to you again. Holding your wrists to his mouth, he kissed the right first before moving onto the next. After he was done, he placed them on his neck, grabbing your waist.

You stood on your toes, trying to stay face to face with him.

“Can I be your boyfriend?”

You smiled. “I guess you can.”

“You guess?” He bickered back, plastering his white teeth for you. “Can I kiss you, baby?” He whispered, kissing your cheeks. Then your nose, then your forehead. Always gentle and steady. “Soph, sweetheart, can I kiss you?”

Instead of answering, you just glued your lips together, moaning because you had missed this so much. His lips felt like the sweetest thing in the world and when he touched your tongue with his, you were sure you had turned into butter and was now melting.

Maybe your forever wasn’t so distant at all.

[strawberryblondebutch]

Could we get a grapevine story of Ken Klee?

Oh man. Many of them are not my story to tell, but I can give you the highlights.

So, Klee was brought in as a replacement for Katey Stone, who went on to emotionally abuse her Harvard players for years (paywalled article). He was told at the time of his hiring that USA Hockey had a policy of dismissing coaches once their relationship with the team fractures. He ended up being ousted after two years and three gold medals.

Central to his coaching ethos, meanwhile, is that he was only there to coach "players who want to get better," which in practice meant that he decided for you if there was any room for improvement. Players at the top of their game? Yeah, you're good to go. Do what you want. Players he decided had hit their ceiling and it didn't impress him? Well, that's that. Go get garbage time. This take, I should add, is especially heinous when you look at the 2015 roster. Only four players over the age of 25, and none over 30. Your peak as a player is 27-30. Everyone on that team had room for improvement.

The other thing he did with great frequency was remind players that "someone is always coming to take your job," which maybe would have rung true had he not created a country club atmosphere where his favorite pets could do no wrong.

Now, I'll say this much: if I'm handed the roster he was given in 2015, I've got prime Meghan Duggan and near-prime Knight, Decker, and Coyne. Yeah, I'm giving them all big minutes. But that's something you discuss up front with your players in the locker room. I'm not saying he was running an Abby Lee Miller pyramid every week, but... you knew if you were on the in or out.

So, uh. I'm not exactly surprised to hear that some players got to do whatever they wanted and others were told to shut up and let the stars do their thing.

(FWIW regarding player retirements - I do know Soph personally and I've talked with her a little. She said there were "a few factors" that went into her retirement. Being away from Luke for half a year was hard on her, and she's been working outside of hockey for a few years now, because she didn't expect to be able to just exist as a full-time player. I can't speak to Brittyn at all, as I do not know her.)

[ladylooch]

David meeting Sophie for the first time.

A continuation of this blurb

Mack rolls the edge of her wine glass along her bottom lip while taking in the scene across from her. At the kitchen island, David and Sophie are sitting together working on friendship bracelets. Sophie has Devils bracelets for when she goes to Lio’s games, but pointed out she has nothing for the Rangers game tomorrow. David, as he has been all night, turned on the charm and immediately offered to help bead together the bracelets for Sophie.

All night he has been catering to the youngest Hischier- asking her about school, clearing her empty dinner plate, filling her glass of water whenever he filled his, offering to hold the warm dish while she scooped out some potatoes at dinner. Mack can see how Sophie, so young and innocent, is effected by his charm. Mack is not as enchanted. Every move and chuckle and sweet gesture towards her little sister irks Mack to no end. Everything this man does has that effect on her. 

After the last sip of her wine, Mack stands, going over to observe the beads on the counter.

“You could wear this one.” David offers up to her immediately. It has red and blue beads, along with 14 and Carlson with a red heart after it. Mack’s face scrunches at it, then she tosses her long brunette hair over her shoulder before heading further into the kitchen.

“I’ll pass.” She fakes a smile, only for Sophie. “They look great tho, Soph.”

“I can make you one for Connor? You can wear it tomorrow.” Sophie asks.

“Mack? Are you sure you don’t want to come tomorrow night?” Lucie calls from the living room where she is putting in her request for tickets after putting Stella down.

“What?” Sophie whips her head to the side. “You’re not coming? No, Mackie, please! You have to come!” 

“I’ve been to enough hockey games.”

“That was Devils hockey though. Not Ranger hockey.” David shrugs simply as he works a bead onto the stretchy, clear elastic. “This good, Soph?” 

“Um…” Sophie trails off, leaning in closer to David. Mack watches as her little sister obviously inhales some of David’s cologne. Her eyes flutter to David’s face where she blushes, seeing him looking at her, awaiting a response. “Mhm, yeah. It’s great.” She says. Mack makes a face, eyes drifting over to Lucie who is watching too. Lucie looks amused, pursing her lips and shaking her head at Mack like “look at Sophie crushing on him.”

“This will look great on you with that sweatshirt. They have great things at the pro shop now.” 

“You think?” She asks, holding it up to her neck along with the few bracelets she has finished so far. 

“Yes, very beautiful.” David murmurs.

“Thank you!” Sophie exclaims, blushing at the compliment. Mack doesn’t think him saying Sophie is beautiful is right. David is WAY older than her little sister; it is so inappropriate. 

“David, can we talk?” Mack asks him. David startles at the pointed tone, then turns to look at her face. Oh shit, crosses across his expression. He did something, but he has no idea what.

“Uh, Mack?” Lucie questions, on alert.

“Let’s go in the hall.” Mack suggests to him as he stands to follow her. The door doesn’t even get fully shut before Mack is whipping around at him. “Stop hitting on my sister. She is barely fucking legal to you, OLD man.”

“What? I’m not hitting on her?” David genuinely laughs as he puts his hands in his pockets.

“Yes, you are and Sophie is falling for it.”

“Mackncheese, I am not hitting on your sister. I’m being nice.” 

“You call that nice in bumfuck Iowa? Cause here we call that being a fucking creep.” David is taken aback, standing up straighter as Lucie steps into the hallway. 

“Wow, seriously?”

“Yeah seriously!” Mack yells back. 

“Mack, calm down.” Lucie hisses.

“Am I being a fucking creep?” David asks Lucie, looking very hurt. 

“What? No.” Lucie shake her head, looking back at Mack like ‘what the hell?’. 

“Really? Because all grown men clear plates for people and refill glasses and make childish friendship bracelets with beautiful girls at 8pm tonight like he has nothing else to do.” Mack glares at David, arms crossed over her chest as he looks back at her. He shrugs his shoulders lightly. 

“I guess I was just raised different in bumfuck Iowa. You know, to be polite.” Unease pierces through Mack’s anger. Did she misjudge the situation? Silence settles in the hallway before David clears his throat. “Well, thanks for the invite, Luc but I’m gonna head out for the night.” 

“Okay.” Lucie says quietly, stepping aside so David can go back in to gather his things.

It is clear that the remaining people in the apartment heard Mack yelling at David in the hallway. All are quiet and reserved. Mack steps back in, feeling like she is standing in a spotlight, but holding her tongue to not say anymore. David grabs his plate of half eaten chocolate chip cookie, tossing it into the trash with his napkin. He dumps the water out from his cup, then puts it in the dishwasher before closing the door. 

“It was nice meeting you, Sophie. Best of luck with the rest of the school year. And have fun at the game. We will try to get a win for ya.” David waves, not daring to go over to shake her hand.

“It was nice to meet you. Do you want a bracelet?” She asks hopefully.

“Um, no. Thank you though.” David smiles gently, then goes to Con, giving him a hug.

“Thanks for coming.”

“Yeah.” He hugs Lucie last. “Let me know if you still need me to watch Stell on Wednesday. Heard Lio tell you he was gonna be out of town, but I’m around. I know how much you two love your date nights.”

“Yeah, that would be great. I’ll call you Tuesday.”

“Sounds good.”

The last person he has to walk by is the one who is the reason for his early departure. 

“See ya around, Mack.” 

She opens her mouth to say something, but can’t think of what she should right now. Instead, her eyes look out at her family members who all have different levels of disappointment on their faces. The door softly closes behind David and the whole room exhales heavily.

“Nice. That was mature.” Lucie finally says to Mack, rolling her eyes and walking over to help Sophie finish her bracelets.

“What? David was the one-“

“No, you were. You’re the problem here, Mack.” Connor says, not even bothering to sugar coat what the rest of them are saying. Mack bites her lip as she looks at Connor. He crosses the room and gives her a hug that she limply accepts. “He’s good people. Give him a chance.” 

Mack grabs herself another big glass of wine, then sits down at the counter to help both her sisters finish bracelets. As she threads the beads through, she can’t help but think about David down in his apartment right now. She definitely overreacted. But something… she can’t name overcame her! It forced it’s way into her chest and throat until it was spewing angrily out of her mouth. Her brain rewinds the image of  David’s hurt face- his low eyes, squiggly eye brows and slumped posture. He was hurt. Mack hurt his character with her words and insinuation. Why does she keep doing that to him? She looks at Sophie, then at Lucie, before she speaks.

“I’ll go to the game tomorrow.” Both Hischier girls look up at her, then grin.

“Oh! It will be so fun! We can go grab dinner at that new rooftop off 9th and get espresso martinis and then show up totally on time for the game.” Lucie winks, “And they have these amazing-”

“Is Stella coming with us?” Sophie cuts their older sister off, cocking her head to the side.

“Ah…” She contemplates, looking at the ceiling. Nothing about what Lucie rattled off is kid friendly. “Yeah.” She finishes sheepishly.

“So, we can go grab pizza and then be there bright and early for warmies, so Stella can see Connor?” 

“Yep, that sounds more like it.” Lucie laughs, wincing slightly. “Stupid Lio being out of town. We hate him.” Lucie jokingly growls. 

Mack smiles, then goes back to sliding more beads on the bracelet she is working on. She finishes it up, then looks at the whole thing including the Carlson, 14 and the heart. 

Maybe she will wear this one tomorrow for her apology tour at Madison Square Garden.

[twisted-tales-told]

Im being tame today, two questions for the ask game, 12 and 15? I hope you feel better soon, may your headache vanish<3

This ask game

Hello, my headache has only increased in size and volume and I feel like ouch

But distraction, thank u sm for providing

12. Characters based on people you know

Hmm, I think it’s more the people I know influence how I view the characters.

For instance @sophsicle definitely influenced my version of Sirius for the better! And the way they talk about him made me rethink how he experiences the world and I’m definitely happier with my scenes with him in it because of this!

And @otrtbs influenced my Regulus (Ahb Regulus is my lil guy. My lil meow meow. I carry him in my pocket as I go about my day fun fact).

Plus like, similar to knowing a song writer any interaction we have serves as inspiration. A whole hockey au has been inspired for me because of Soph and Nat also inspired my seer au. It’s just such a nice way to go about writing things I think. Just letting the people in our world be cool and be themselves and taking those pieces we witness and immortalizing them into our little smaller worlds.

Also the Marylily Dark Ariel au definitely wouldn’t have been a thing had @rollercoasterwords not recced me this song:

15. Scenes im scared of writing:

I’m not so much scared of writing scenes as much as I am about my own unpredictability. Like what if one day I just stop writing. You might think this is silly, but I have horrific adhd and sometimes go months forgetting about a hobby that once consumed me. I am constantly terrified this will happen to me with writing. This fear does also cause me to write more though, so it’s a bit bittersweet.

[honeysmoonn]

white mustang! - (the outsiders)

my name is sophie, but just about everybody calls me soph, and i’m 16! i have wavy, dirty blonde hair that goes to my shoulder blades, and i have greenish-blue eyes. i have freckles on my face and body, as well as a few moles. i also have a really cute nose (sort of button-ish), which is definitely one of my fav features, along with my lips. i’m also short (5’0), which is ridiculous, since everybody in my family is average height or taller. i dress in jeans and converse pretty much everyday, usually with a cute top or sweater.

as for my personality, nearly all of my friends said that they thought i was going to be mean when they met me. but it’s just because i’m anxious and have a rbf, and i’m quiet when i first meet people. after i get to know someone, though, i’m pretty loud. like, i talk a lot (everybody tells me so) and i love to tease and make people laugh.

my hobbies are reading, writing, and listening to music pretty much 24/7. most of my taste is older music, but i also like new music, and i love 80s movies with a passion. i also love to swim and tan in the summer. sports like baseball, hockey, and and f1 are huge interests of mine, too. cooking is something i like as well

other small stuff about me is that i come off older to a lot of people, and i’m quite sensitive but i try to hide it. i love dogs and have two of my own. i’m clumsy. oh, and my love language is physical touch, which is weird, since i don’t like when people touch me a lot of the time, but it’s okay when i initiate it, if that makes sense

anyway, i hope this wasn’t too long. this is my first time doing something like this. and congrats so much on 500!!!

i think i’ll ship you with sodapop!

i feel like he would be scared of you at first but actually fall in love tbh!

you two have pretty similar personalities and i feel like you guys would just make such a cute match

[ace-angel-judas]

I can only imagine Jinmi’s reaction to hearing what Mark said to Hyejin during that card game 😂

“Where’s Hyejin?”

Sunmi was being her usual mother hen self, counting her ducklings as they walked out of the dorm.

“Uh, probably getting fucked by Mark,” Jinmi stated.

Sunmi’s jaw would have hit the floor if it wasn’t attached to her skull while Sophia let out a witch cackle of a laugh.

“Excuse me?!” Sunmi gasped, “They aren’t together anymore!”

“Sex outside of relationships is a thing,” Jinmi shrugged, “And you didn’t hear what I heard during that question game,”

“We didn’t need to hear, we all saw Mark playing tonsil hockey with Hyejin,” Sophia snorted, swaying slightly, “Hmm.. I miss Taehyung..,”

“It was just a kiss,” Sunmi cleared her throat, “You don’t think there actually..,”

“Boning? Humping? Hiding the snake?” Sophia listed off, “Haechan gave me an in depth description of the last dreamies tour, they definitely are,”

Jinmi nodded, “Renjun told me too,”

Sunmi straightened her shirt, shaking her head, “I suppose I’ll talk to her in the morning,”

Jinmi pursed her lips as they walked towards the elevator, “Hmm, if what Renjun said was true, you’ll be waiting until the afternoon for those two to finish,”

The three girls stepped into the elevator, Sunmi pressing the button for their floor.

“Who knew innocent Mark Lee had it in him to satisfy our little bunny rabbit,” Jinmi giggled to herself.

“I don’t want to think about that,” Sunmi whispered.

“Hey Sunmi?” Sophia slurred.

“Yes, Soph?” Sunmi asked as the doors closed.

“I’m going to throw up,”

Jinmi and Sunmi both screamed.

[valiantkoalaturtle]

I’ve convinced dad to come to an AWIHL game so that’ll be interesting. He reckons hockey is American and therefore bad. Hopefully the Perth ladies prove him wrong!

[huggybug]

#57 with Jamie Drysdale or Freddie A!!

happy dilf day!

57. “Who would’ve thought we’d end up here?”

“Luke! Don’t forget your stick!” You yell at your son who was running into the rink, his bag the only thing holding him back.

“Thanks Mom” He grins when he comes back for the stick.

“Come on Soph, let’s go get some hot chocolate” Your none year old skipped alongside you as you entered the rink and veered off to the café.

“Is Dad coming today?” Sophie asked as you handed her a cup of hot chocolate.

“Mhm he should be here when the game starts” Jamie was coming straight from practice and bringing your other son who was currently training at the gym down the road. It was quite the complex schedule for today but luckily it all worked out.

You and Sophie made your way to the stands and secured your seats. She ran off with some of her friends soon enough and you were left to scroll on your phone while you waited for Jamie and Noah. Luckily they showed up shortly after, Noah plopping down next to you and almost pushing you over.

“How was practice?” You ask Jamie, you had already tried to ask Noah but all you got was a grunt so you turned to your husband instead who seemed much more enjoyable.

“Fine, we had a lot to work on but it went well” The season was coming to a close which meant the pressure was on but Jamie seemed to be in a good place so you just nodded. After as many years as you had spent together, you’d figured out when to push and when to leave it alone.

You watched the game and listened as Jamie and Noah criticized almost every player on the ice, giving Luke an especially hard time but you ignored them. Sophie came back throughout the game, asking for money for candy or if she could go play in another area of the rink.

Luke’s team won and he collected a few points with two goals and an assist which even Noah was impressed with not that his chirping on the way out made it seem.

“Soph could’ve played better than you did on that last power play” Noah messed with his brothers hair. The three kids walked in a line while you and Jamie trailed behind.

“Hey! I’m a good hockey player and Lu was not good” Sophie protested which made Noah shake with laughter.

“Be nice to your brother, he had a good game” You call from behind, pinching Jamie’s side to make him speak up.

“Oh yeah great job today buddy” Jamie smiled brightly and Luke mirrors it right back at him.

The kids go back to arguing and playfully pushing each other around and you sigh, resting your head on Jamie‘s shoulder. “What’re you thinking about? Dinner?” You laugh softly at him.

“Isn’t life just crazy? Like we have three kids J” Jamie takes a minute, probably to wonder if you were losing your mind.

“Yeah… who would’ve thought we’d end up here” You look up at him to find he’s already staring back at you.

“I’m really glad I went to that game” You say with a sly smile. You and Jamie had met through Trevor. He had actually invited you to a game which you were hesitant about but afterwards, Trevor met up with you and Jamie was hanging around. It was safe to say Trevor was long forgotten after you started talking to Jamie, although you definitely had a lot to thank him for now (which he never let you forget).

“Yeah, I am too”

[sophsicle]

mitski wrote I Bet on Losing Dogs about the leafs actually

[lovecla]

IF YOU LOVE ME, LET ME KNOW | jack hughes.

chapter seven:

<last chapter> <next chapter>

➴ warnings: brief mention of smut

➴ word count: 2.4k

➴ author’s note: is the thing people say about rainstorms before rainbows true? i guess it’s time for soph and jack to find out. “happy” reading ♡

FALLING out of love was something you had yet to experience.

Of course, back then you thought you had fallen out of love with Harris, but soon you’d realize that you had never really loved him. It was some kind of strong admiration, a need to have someone to call yours, someone who you could write love songs for, someone who you could imagine yourself getting old with.

‘Course, none of those things happened with Harris, not even during your honeymoon phase. You were young when you started dating him, twenty-one and with no real idea of what love truly was.

So an older actor who thought you were cute?

It felt like you had hit the jackpot.

But now, as you try your hardest to forget what Jack meant— means— to you, you realize that it isn’t as easy as you initially thought it would be.

Jack is everywhere, occupying every corner of your mind. You remember how sweet he’d talk to you after sex, always treating you with kindness and making sure you were well taken care of. How he’d send you memes that were purely about Hockey even if you never understood what was so funny about them, how he’d get excited talking about his job and how he’d try to explain all the terms to you.

Despite what happened, Jack had made you so happy. It was sad to think that it was all probably a joke to him, but for you? No, it was real. So real. Every time you looked at his face, you reminded yourself that some things are not meant to last forever.

But God knew how much you wanted him to be your forever.

Keeping yourself busy was easy, and you were thankful for that. Your small concert, a week ago, filled you with so much joy and contentment— you were alive and not thinking about the middle child of the Hughes family for the first time in seven months.

Grace made sure that you took enough breaks but whenever you were alone with your thoughts for a long time, the first image your brain liked to share with you was Jack’s smile and Jack’s eyes and Jack’s nose and lips.

It was tiring.

You didn’t tell anyone, but you secretly watched his games when you were alone at night. You didn’t know much, but the experts keep saying that this is Hughes’ worst season and that he’s playing like shit, which, unfortunately, made you worry.

But you wouldn’t go back, you couldn’t go back.

Sometimes, at night, you’d remember how he looked at you when you told him you were in love with him. Or how he looked when you told him to leave, so desperate for you to hear him, at least for a few more minutes.

You’d replay that day inside of your head every night, like a nighttime routine, trying to find a different, better ending.

You’d always come up empty.

Sighing, you looked at your phone, reading Grace’s text with a smile.

Grace being Grace.

Even if she technically worked for you, you’ve barely seen Grace the past couple of days. You were both so busy it was almost impossible to keep up with each other’s schedule. But you did manage to free up some space so you could at least have lunch with her, and turns out she thought it’d be cool to include Nico too.

So, lunch at Nico’s house.

You said goodbye to the people who were working with you at the GQ photo shoot and drove to his house, blasting music through your speakers. No thoughts allowed!

You rang the doorbell, waiting until Grace herself opened the door, like she owned the house. You still weren’t sure if you wanted to know what was truly happening between the two of them, so you didn’t ask questions.

“Hi, my little popstar,” Grace shouted, hugging you tightly.

“Stop putting little before every noun when you’re referring to me.” You mumbled, face still shoved in the crook of her neck.

“Why would I do that? It’s fun and true. Come inside, Nico’s ordering pizza!”

You entered the house, feeling your cheeks getting warm when you remembered what happened the last time you were here.

“Shut the fuck up, Sophia,” during sex, he only used your name whenever he was really pissed, and apparently this was one of those times. “Don’t need anyone hearing how much of a whore you actually are.”

“Fuck, uh, come for me, baby, c’mon,” Jack whispered, hands still on you, dick fucking you hard and rough, leaving your insides raw and deliciously hurting. “Come on my cock like the good girl you are.”

Well. No more of that.

“No— Man, listen. I want a large pepperoni and a large margherita, please,” Nico smiled at you before putting his hand on his head, holding his phone with the other. “Why the hell would I put pineapple on a fucking pepperoni pizza? Let me speak to your manager, that’s— that’s a crime.”

“He’s just a Swiss Karen, really,” Grace sighed, sitting on the couch. You sat next to her, watching as Hischier tried to explain to the manager why pineapples shouldn’t even be included in pizzas in the first place. “I think he’s just nervous about the games.”

“Yeah,” you wanted to tell her that you’ve been watching the games and that it didn’t look really good for them but it would just give your I’m-already-over-Jack facade away. “Must be hard.”

“Tell me about it, I barely see him. It’s like hockey players only exist during the summer or whatever.” She sighed again, fixing her braids. You looked at her, full of compassion.

If you and Jack dated, would you feel like her?

No.

You wouldn’t know the answer to that question because that won’t happen.

“Hi, Soph,” you heard the Devils’ captain say, greeting you.

“Hey there, thirteen. How are you?”

He yawned, stretching his arms. “Tired, stressed, hungry, tired.” He stopped for a second before continuing. “Have I mentioned tired?”

“Sucks to be you, to be honest,” you giggled, looking at him funny.

The pizza would take a while to get delivered— especially since Nico argued with the manager and now they were probably taking their time spitting on the dough— so you used the time to catch up on their lives.

Grace talked about how her marketing degree never prepared her for how much work she’d actually have to get done, and how much she missed her mom and dad, and how Jessica, your vocal coach, was starting to piss her off with her I-am-better-than-everyone attitude.

Nico talked about the games, and how he basically was never at home, and how he’d spend half of his time on planes and the other half on practice and yet he still felt like they weren’t going to make it.

That made you wonder how Jack was doing with all of this. If he had come back to Newark after their week away, to spend thanksgiving with his family.

Not that you cared, you just wondered.

Noticing how both Grace and Nico stayed quiet, you realized that they’re probably waiting for you to update them on your life. You smiled awkwardly.

“I have been working a lot,” you shrugged. “I love what I do so it isn’t exactly working for me. Besides that, I sleep, eat and drink water.”

They both looked at you with pity, which made your stomach ache. You didn’t want anyone pitying you, in fact, you didn’t need it. You weren’t a damsel in distress, you didn’t need to be saved— you just chose to spend your free time alone. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.

“I’m gonna go grab some wine from the cellar, be right back,” Nico announced, out of nowhere, getting up and heading downstairs. Grace looked at him with puppy eyes and you laughed.

“People in love are disgusting,” you joked, and Grace rolled her eyes at you.

“Shut it, Twilight,” she laughed, not denying it. “I’m gonna go grab the glasses.”

The doorbell rang and you got up. “It looks like I’m gonna go grab the pizza.”

“Make sure they didn’t put poison in it!” Grace shouted, making her way to the kitchen, while you walked until you were in front of the door, smiling still.

“Sophia?”

Hi, Universe. It’s your girl, Sophia. So, what is this about? What are you trying to do here? Let me tell you now, it won’t work.

“Hum, hi?” It sounded more like a question than a greeting, but out of all things you would have imagined that could happen to you that day, opening the door and finding Jack on the other side of it wasn’t on your list.

“What are you,” he stuttered, clutching hard the bag he was holding in his hands. “I didn’t know you’d be here. I’m sorry.”

You leaned against the door, confusion taking over your face. Jack wasn’t the type of man to apologize so easily.

“It’s fine.”

You both went quiet, staring at each other. It was weird to be around Jack without touching him, your heart still hurting because you love him deeply.

It was the type of love you’d want to tell your children, if you decided to have them one day. The type of love where you’d come home after a long day, just to find your forever sitting on the couch, yapping about his day. The type of love you read in books and watch movies about, the type of love you want to write songs about. The type of love where his hugs feel like a cold, gentle breeze during a sunny day, and his kisses felt like the fireworks on the Fourth of July.

You loved Jack Hughes deeply and he wanted him to be your forever more than anything.

But it wouldn’t happen. And it’s fine. It’d be fine.

“Do you want me to call Nico?” You whispered, averting his gaze.

“You don’t need to, I just stopped by to give him this,” he raised the bag in his hands, shrugging.

“Okay…” You nodded, not sure of what to say. “Then, I guess I’m… gonna go. Nice seeing you.” You lied, because you’d much rather keep watching him on TV, with a safe distance between you two, than to face him in real life.

“No, Soph, wait—” he called you, putting his feet between the door gap. “Can we, like, talk?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Jack.” You retorted, biting your bottom lip.

“Soph, did they spit on our pizza?” Grace’s voice sounded cheerful behind you, and you cringed, knowing exactly how she’s going to react once she sees Jack here. “I hope they only spitted on Nico’s pizza, to be honest. What are you doing there— Oh.”

You turned around and looked at her, smiling awkwardly. No one moved a muscle for at least ten seconds and you gave in, knowing that discussing things with her would be harder than hearing Jack out.

“I’ll just… I’ll be right back, okay?” You announced, pointing to Jack behind you. “It’s fine.”

“But—”

“It’s fine, Grace. Go find Nico, please.” You pleaded, not wanting to feel any shittier. Grace only stared at Jack for what seemed to be a whole minute before nodding once and making her way to Nico.

“I guess she still hates me.” Jack pointed out, chuckling humorlessly.

You turned around, raising your eyebrows at him. “Can you blame her?”

“No, not really,” he shrugged, putting the bag on the floor and putting his hands inside of his jeans’ pockets. “I get that you’re still mad at me.”

“I told you, I’m not mad at you. Hurt? Maybe. But I knew what I was getting myself into, so I guess I can’t really blame you.” You wrapped your arms around yourself, trying really hard to be the bigger person when all you wanted to do was smash his face into a wall and kiss him right after that.

“I want you to know that I am sorry about what happened,” he stepped closer, making you smell his cologne, sandalwood and something else that smelled a lot like money. Weird combination but it worked for him. “Truly. I didn’t fuck Ava or any other woman while we were together. I— I just wanted to be with you, Soph, I need you to know that.”

You stared at his face, trying so hard to find the same expression you found on your ex’s face whenever he lied and manipulated you. But you couldn’t— Jack was still the same as he was seven months ago, when he hit on you at that dinner party.

He still looked like the guy who held you close after sex, the guy who order take out for you just because he knew you’d get too tired to cook for yourself, the guy who had a playlist just for his favorite songs by you, the guy who never understood your chronically online memes but laughed nonetheless because he said the way you laugh is funnier than the joke itself.

Jack still looked like he could be your forever.

So close yet so fucking distant.

You could feel yourself slipping into him again and you knew you couldn’t do this with yourself. You had to choose yourself before choosing anyone else.

“You don’t need to say sorry,” you whispered, smiling softly. “It’s fine. As you said, we weren’t even dating. I bet you wouldn’t have reacted the way I did if it’d been the other way around.”

He looked at you like you had grown a second head. “I would’ve gone crazy if it was the other way around. Sophia, I know it’s hard to believe but—”

“It’s fine, Jack, it really is,” you stated, shaking your head. “I accept your apologies but I think—” you broke eye contact, stepping back. “I think it’s just best if we stay out of each other’s way.”

You couldn’t tell which one of you cracked first. Jack, who looked at you like he’d seen a ghost, let his shoulders fall, looking as dejected as ever. You could feel the tears starting to form in your eyes but you held on tight. You had already cried in front of him once, and you weren’t going to do that again.

“Soph,” you heard his voice, so soft and so unlike him. “Soph, you don’t… you don’t mean that, baby.”

“I do,” you looked up, squeezing your eyes shut. “I do, Jack. And it will be fine. Let’s just move on.”

“Soph…”

“Please,” you whispered, already stepping back into the house, hands on the handle. “Jack. Please.”

You finally looked at him, noticing how his eyes looked so blue and sad. He stared at you before shaking his head, once and then twice, stepping back.

“I’m so sorry, Soph.” He said softly, before leaving Nico’s porch and making his way to his car.

“I know you are, baby,” you whispered, letting the tears finally fall. “I am, too.”

“Hum… pizza for Nico Hischier?”

Great.

[ladylooch]

i can see nico being distracted and not helping around the house and they argue

or nico snapping one day at lexi cause of hockey. we know he never takes it out on them but i’m there have been a time or two where he has

or maybe one of them keeps saying no to sex and the other isn’t sure why and they just get into an argument about being disconnected or something

A/N: I’m going to go with the first one here with a spin. 

As gently as he possibly can, Nico Hischier lays his youngest, Sophie, down into her crib. 

The transfer is seamless. She barely notices she is on her mattress instead of her father’s chest. Nico carefully balances the bottle in his hand, not wanting to drop it and wake her. Tonight has been a pretty easy night, which Nico has needed. He has team related things he needs to get to, so he is thankful all the girls went down without a fight. It helps that they had a fun day at an amusement park with the Meier’s, so all three were extremely tired. Even their almost one year old had fun watching the older kids play games and experience the rides. 

Nico carefully closes the door, then double checks the monitor is working before he joins his wife downstairs. She sits at the kitchen table with her laptop, scrolling through Pinterest. Bright purple, pink and teal images cover the screen. He smiles, knowing what she is working on.

“For Soph’s party?” Nico asks after kissing her. Then he heads to the sink, rinsing out the used bottle and putting the separated parts into the dishwasher. He puts in a detergent pack, then runs the machine on a normal cycle. 

“Yeah! Do you have any thoughts on a theme?”

“Whatever you want, sweets.” 

“She isn’t just my child.” Lexi jokes. 

“I know.” Nico laughs, thinking about the huge dimples that were out in her cheeks all day. “I’m sure you’ll come up with a great theme, baby.”

“Well… I was hoping we could…”

“You don’t need me. Pinterest is way more creative.” He shrugs. “Plus I really need to get working on our pre-season team outing. I gotta reach out to a few places and ask about renting out their spaces.” 

Lexi doesn’t respond. Across the room, she watches him clean the kitchen counter. He doesn’t seem to notice her silence. Her eyes drift back to her computer screen and she continues her scrolling. Fine. I guess she is doing this whole party on her own. He clearly has bigger priorities than their daughter’s first birthday. Her shoulders tense and a deep frown pulls her lips down.

“What did you decide we are getting her?” Nico asks as he moves to the sink, starting to scrub the inside. “She really is liking the bubble machine the twins have. You should consider that.” Lexi purses her lips, feeling her body get heavy with the burden of responsibility Nico is pushing back onto her. Why does she have to come up with the gifts for Sophie? This was another thing she assumed they would decide together.

“Sure.” 

“Alright.” Nico murmurs as he tosses the used sponge in it’s holder. “I’m going to go to my office and get some stuff done.” He kisses her cheek, then leaves the room. Lexi rolls her eyes as he strolls down the hall to his office.

“Thanks for the help.” She mumbles after him. 

They reunite in bed a few hours later. Lexi comes out of the bathroom after removing her calming face mask. It may have soothed her irritated skin, but it hasn’t cured her mood or frustration with her husband.

“Can we talk?” Lexi asks as Nico folds open the covers on her side for her to get in. He drops his phone, turning his attention solely on her.

“Of course. What’s up?” He murmurs. He reaches for her hand, folding their fingers together. 

“I am feeling… frustrated.” She settles on.

“Okay? What can I do?”

“I need you to help me with Soph’s party.” Nico’s eyebrows furrow and he tilts her head at her.

“You have never wanted my input before on the girls’ party.”

“Yeah, I know. But I really need your support for this one. I am feeling overwhelmed and, like, overburdened with responsibility in our family already. I’m concerned about that because the season hasn’t started yet. I think if I could have your support right now, that would really help.”

“Okay. Absolutely. What can I do?” 

“Can you sit with me tomorrow night and help decide some key details?”

“Yes. We could drop the girls with Timo and Emma, make a whole night of it just me and you?” Lexi smiles, then leans into him. Her arms weave around his body, relaxing into his chest at how sweet and wonderful he is being about this.

“That would be amazing. More than I asked for.” She murmurs. 

“I know. But I want you to know you’re a priority to me too. If you’re feeling like this, I want to step up and help. You do a great job around here, baby. Sometimes I think that means you always have it handled. That isn’t fair.” He kisses her forehead. 

“Goodness, Nico. You’re so damn sweet, I’m getting a cavity.” Lexi chuckles, feeling so relieved and heard by him.

Perfect Nico Hischier always knows exactly what she needs to hear.

[howdoyousleep3]

Here I am writing a sappy love note to all of you even after I said I wouldn’t do this, but it brings me happiness to show love to others and this year was pretty challenging and we deserve this. 

I don’t even know how to begin to explain what this page and this fandom and all of you mean to me. Before I had this fandom in my life I was sad. I had no hobbies, I went to work, I came home, I dicked around on the internet; there were very few things that brought me much happiness. 

What started with finding this fandom and writing a little Daddy Steve that I wanted to see on “paper” has brought me such incredible amounts of joy and happiness. Never have I ever felt so loved and appreciated. I know I started my blog in November (i think??) of 2019 but 2020 is where we’ve grown. Look, I hit this moment last week–

🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

You make me feel cherished here. You make me feel adored. You support me in a way I’ve never experienced before. Writing brings me joy but you supporting my writing and loving on it brings me the most joy. You’ve helped me grow as a person and as a writer and you have helped me create these worlds that we cherish together and share as one. 

This is a special place for me and it is because of you and I’ll never be able to repay you for the happiness you bring me. 

Here are a few people I want to shoutout specifically while I have the time to do so. This is going to be so long, bear with me plz:

@cantabile-l, you are the softie we all dream to be, my precious jo bean. You are intelligent and so very sensitive to others in the best way possible and I hold you and our friendship so close to my heart. I love you.

@maddiewritesstucky, you are my sister soul mate and nothing will convince me otherwise. You show me immense support, you bring me so much sexual frustration, and I am baffled I can be so close to someone when we’ve literally never even met in person. Lord help everyone in Hawaii when we meet up god knows when. I love you. 

@ixalit, you are my bub, my poet, my porn provider. You have a soul so deep and broad I swear it stretches over here to me in my state. I can only hope that you continue to share your talent and love with the world. I love you. 

@musette22, you are my sweet sweet minniebug and your friendship came at a time when I needed it most. You always know exactly what to say to me at the exact time I need to hear it and seeing your texts on my phone when I wake up in the morning makes me smile. I will always be hear to listen to your Seb and Chris shouts. I love you. 

@rainbowsandcoconut, my baby Ditte there are very few people that make me laugh and smile more than you do. There is no one else in this world who loves Chris Evans more than you do either, stg. Even if we don’t talk every day I feel your presence in my corner nonetheless and I hope you feel mine as well. I love you. 

@imlittlebitdie, Riley bb when I think of the word support I immediately think of you. You are so thoughtful and a pillar of support in my life. You have taught me how to be a good friend, so much about privilege, and the intricacies of hockey. I love you. 

@andysmountains, my lizard-loving plant-loving dose of sunshine. You are so special to me and our friendship is a light in my life as well as the pictures of your kitties and plants. I can’t wait for the plant tour. #BuckyBear4Life

@sheetsforwhichimmade, oh god Soph I know we just recently and drunkenly confessed our love for each other but I must do it again at such a time. Your James/Stevie brain blows my own mind, your texts about Boyfriend make me scream, and seeing your name show up on my phone makes me so happppppyyyyy. I love you. 

@doctorenterprise, my Daddy Twin, my fellow Ball Gobbler, I know our friendship was just kindled but there isn’t a conversation that I have had with you that hasn’t made me giggle or smile. You are the ultimate hypeman, you have the Daddy Brain, and I can’t wait to continue on into 2021 with you by my side. 

@ceratonia-siliqua! My honeybun! You have the largest heart that anyone has ever had and I wish I could drive across the country just to snuggle you close. I hope 2021 treats you better. You deserve the best things life has to offer. I love you. 

@becassine​, my sweet bratty Bex where did you come from? You are literally the most beautiful creature I’ve ever set eyes on, your way with words is unmatched, and no one else hypes like you do. I hope you get all the lovin’ and touchin’ you deserve in 2021. Thank you for loving me. I love you. 

@thegodswife​, Manda you are such a constant source of, “i’m not crazy, right??”. Your hype is unreal, I don’t know how you don’t have more attention given to your work, and you are one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. I love you. 

@hannah-stagram​ My sweet baby Hannah Banana you are someone who I feel understand me on a different level than some others. You are sweet, you are caring, you show me so much love and kindness. Your random hype texts on some mornings bring such a smile to my face. I love you.

@hanitrash​, giiiiirl I don’t know how you do it. You work, you have a family, you write some of the best smut out there and the ideas never stop flowing. You are inspirational. I miss you and love you. 

@trekchik​, my Meetcute Queen I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in 2021. Thank you for all the support this year. I miss you and love you. 

@rorybarnesrogers​, rory baby I lub talking to you almost every day. You are so fucking funny and supportive and I can’t wait to read that damn story. I love you. 

@the1918​, Lynne even with us talking things out now, my happiest fandom memories this year most definitely include you. Your talent is unparalleled, as is your hype, and I only wish the best for you in the next year. 

Even more love goes out to all of these beautiful beautiful people who bring a smile to my face every day who I love with all of my being! 

@ywecanthavenicethingsanymore @hawkeyeandthewintersoldier @sunflowersstan @fishcustardandclintbarton, @thiccbuckybarnesfic, @babyyhoneyydarling​, @tae-withsuga​, @hbalbat​, @tonguetiedmisfit1​, @martelldoran​, @kalee60​, @martianjuice​, @darter-blue​, @crownofstardustandbone​, @solasnagealai-escapism​, @stardi293​, @cuteplanties​, @sweeterthanthis​, @fandomfluffandfuck​, @willbakewithstucky​, @thewaythatwerust​, @softestziam​, @ozarkthedog​, @seb-stan-lover​, @fafulous​, @littlesurfergrl​, @pixidustprincess​, @dreadlockholiday​, @maireadtbts​, @korean-disaster​, @allegedlyann​, @hoeforthegays​, @justice-for-plums​, @mossystark​

I know I’m forgetting someone and it’s gutting me but I have been working on this for three hours now and I must eat din din. 

I love you I love you I love you. 

[bordeleaubeau]

half of the college application videos are unrealistic but also some of them just don’t do it right. i was watching hannah meloche’s months ago and i was literally shocked at how lowkey dumb she was being. like dont get me wrong when i applied i literally had no clue what i was doing and i didnt know everything ab the school i was applying to but she da chose half of the schools based on where her friends were like?? she j sounded rlly unprepared

we’ve actually talked about this exact video before! hannah’s video pissed me off to no end lol. i understand everyone makes mistakes but she made a TON for her app process. although i am glad she is seeking to get a degree and is aware that social media and youtube may not always be an option. you need to apply where you WANT to go. not where your friends go. not where theres some sort of influence. it’s huge. she had so many big name schools and then she went to a local one i had never heard of before i think? im pretty sure she applied to msu too. but anyway, the college app videos are SO unrealistic. and they all apply to the same fucking schools!!!! all the uc’s, all the ivies, all the well known schools honestly. and they’re all like “this is gonna be a REALISTIC college video! i had a 4.8 gpa, i was president for 8 clubs at my school, played 3 varsity sports all four years of high school, i was in 30 clubs, national honors society, 1500 on the sat, 45 hours of community service a week, a part time job” LIKE FHSDKHSDKJLHSKDH WHAT. 

so. in case anyone wanted to know, here are my stats. 

may i present to you. a realistic college application.

gpa: 

3.4 weighted, 3.3 unweighted.

i got honor roll almost every marking period of high school!

ap’s:

1 ap class junior year - finished with an A, did not take the national because our teacher didn’t prepare us good enough and i wasn’t going to pay for it lmao

honors classes:

4 honors

extra curriculars:

i wasn’t in any clubs. literally none. my school has crappy clubs.

- varsity hockey manager

- attended 2 leadership conferences at university of pennsylvania soph and junior year

- attended a business summer camp up in williamsport

- ambassador for my school for said summer camp

- girl stem fresh year

- attended rotary youth leadership awards conference this year

- business competition at a college fresh year

- 3 years of a school wide event that we practice outside of school multiple times a week

- spoke at a school board meeting about saving a program/class i’m in!

- jv/varsity bowling soph year

test scores:

LMAO 

fun fact v and i were in the middle of a really big fight when i was taking my psats....... and i was really sad and couldnt concentrate on my test.

i got a 960 on my psat.

out of 1600.

not my finest moment honestly.

letters of recommendations:

i asked my “in school mom” to write me a letter of recommendation! i had her as my teacher freshman and currently right now in my senior year. she has seen me grow through all 4 years and we had an instant bond my first day freshman year. it’s a 4 year class i took, and while she wasnt my teacher for that class sophomore and junior year she was still super involved with me and making sure i was doing good! then i asked my honors english teacher from freshman year, who i had then and then also had junior year for the same class the other teacher taught! make sure you build really good bonds with teachers - the ones you’re the “teachers pet” for will write you incredible letters of recommendation.

any other questions, feel free to ask:)

[valiantkoalaturtle]

I used to absolutely detest ice hockey. I was like this is the opposite of artistic roller skating, die. But then I read check please and had to quit skating and now I’ll take anything I can get that’s skating. I do love the sport in its own right too.

hockey snobs are the funniest fucking thing to me i hope none of you listen to them bc you getting into hockey bc you thought a player was cute or bc you saw goon and thought it was funny or read check, please and it got you into the sport is fucking awesome, and everyone who loves hockey should be on-board with anything that grows the game bc why wouldn’t you want new fans ????? and, more specifically: why wouldn’t you want new, MORE DIVERSE, fans ????????? people that thought they would NEVER be into hockey now love it, that’s fucking awesome ??????? why would you be mad at that ever ???????????? anyway if you’re a new fan and you’re getting bullied by a “I’VE WATCHED HOCKEY MY WHOLE LIFE I ACTUALLY SHIT HOCKEY PUCKS” fan, just know that you’re cooler than them and i support u.

[jiggyloveshockey]

PSA: Safe hockey podcasts for women, POCs and members of the LGBTQIA+ community

After seeing more and more bullshit from the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast on my dash (a Barstool podcast regularly featuring Dave ‘El Presidente’ Portnoy, who is just a massive scumbag!!!), I figured I’d compose a list of hockey podcasts that are safe to listen to for everyone who is not necessarily a straight white man. And by that I mean: podcast hosts who make an effort to use correct pronouns, who are outspoken against racism and misogyny, who invite diverse interview guests and criticize the NHL and sports media if they feel it’s necessary. 

Feel free to add podcasts you like, my lovelies. These are just the ones I regularly listen to:

Puck Soup

First hockey podcast I ever listened to and still my favorite. Greg Wyshynski and Dave Lozo are two of my favorite sports writers and both hilarious. They talk about hockey, pop culture, films and random stuff. It’s two straight white dudes talking, but they are both what I would call “woke” and generally not down for any sexist, racist bullshit the hockey world might spit out. They also have extra shows once a month for Patreon subscribers. Length: 1-1.5h // Frequency: weekly // Explicit content

Steve Dangle Podcast

Steve Dangle is a hockey fan from Toronto who rose to fame with his “Leafs Fan Reactions” videos on Youtube. He also has a popular podcast together with his childhood friend Adam Wylde (a radio host) and producer Jesse Blake (a snack!) in which they discuss all things Leafs and general hockey stuff. A bit shouty and sometimes rambling, but generally fun to listen to while doing chores or driving. It’s a bit like listening in to some really nice friends who are also idiots. But you love them. Length: 1-2h // Frequency: twice a week // Not really explicit content. 

31 Thoughts Podcast

The classic hockey podcast. Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek discuss everything going on in the NHL. It’s not as funny and entertaining as the other podcasts in this list, but it’s hands down the most informative one. Also - Elliotte usually has the hottest NHL gossip and insider information. Length: 1-2h // Frequency: weekly // So not explicit. Ever. 

ESPN: On Ice

Second podcast with Greg Wyshynski I listen to. Emily Kaplan from ESPN is his co-host on this one and they nail it on a weekly basis. Usually with at least one interview, more often it’s two. Guests include active and former players, coaches and officials. They also have a segment called “Phil Kessel loves hot dogs” which deserves a separate post altogether! Length: 30min-1h // Frequency: weekly // Not explicit. 

Jack & Soph

Relatively new podcast with Sophia Jurksztowicz (TSN) and Jackie Redmond (NHL Network) in which they talk about sports, but mostly hockey. You may know Sophia from the Puck Personality interviews. They are both very funny and the podcast keeps it light and entertaining for the most part. Morgan Rielly is the interview guest on the first episode, which is very adorable. But they also put their guests in the episode titles, so if you don’t like the guest, you can just skip an episode. Length: 45min-1h // Frequency: weekly // Occasional swearing