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tameodesza · 10 months

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Infidelity (KevinShawn/BretShawn)

AO3 link | masterlist

Shawn begins a tumultuous affair with Bret after Kevin leaves for WCW.

a/n: Shawn and Bret are no angels in this au, but I live for the angst 😭 !

Kevin leaving the WWF in 1996 was not on Shawn’s bingo card.

The two had just reunited as a tag team and successfully reclaimed the tag team championship belts. Also, the couple’s relationship was the strongest it’d ever been. So Shawn was completely blindsided by Kevin’s announcement after they’d settled into their hotel room.

“You’re leaving?” Shawn asked the question in complete disbelief. “Please tell me you’re joking, Kev.”

Kevin sighed, “No, Shawn. I’m not.”

Shawn felt like his heart was going to leap out of his chest. “When?”

“In a few months.”

Shawn let out a shaky breath he didn’t know he was holding in as he sank to the floor, not even caring about how dirty the hotel carpet must have been. He covered his mouth with trembling hands as reality sank in.

“Shawn,” Kevin swiftly knelt next to Shawn, bringing the blond into a hug as he placed a hand on the back of Shawn’s head to bury him into his chest. “It’s going to be ok.”

“Why now,” Shawn asked weakly. “Why are you doing this to us now?” Kevin nearly crumbled when Shawn pulled away to look up at him with tear-filled eyes.

“WCW made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” The expression on Shawn’s face told Kevin that was the wrong answer. He added, “I’m sorry, baby. I know I should’ve told you sooner.”

“No shit,” Shawn sniffed as he wiped a tear from his cheek, which was immediately replaced by another. “What are we going to do? What does this mean for us?”

Kevin brought his hands to both sides of Shawn’s face, using his thumbs to clear the streams pouring from Shawn’s eyes. “It means we’re just going to have to try harder. I’m not leaving you, Shawn. That’s not even an option. I love you so much. We’ll make it work, alright?”

Not receiving a response, Kevin leaned forward and placed a kiss onto Shawn’s quivering lips. Shawn placed his head back into Kevin’s chest, just wanting to be wrapped in the man’s warmth.

As Shawn feared, things got harder for their relationship once Kevin officially left the WWF.

The distance was easier to deal with in the beginning. Both Shawn and Kevin made efforts to see each other. They kept up with each other’s schedules, visited each other when their schedules overlapped, and called each other when time allowed.

Shawn wasn’t sure when it happened, but eventually, the effort that they put into the relationship slowly began to wane, their distance only seeming to cause more friction between them. Their calls became shorter and less frequent, hotel visits were few and far between, and at some point, they stopped keeping tabs on each other’s schedules.

There were many nights where Hunter held Shawn as the man cried to him about Kevin, venting his frustrations over what inevitably seemed to be the downfall of their relationship. These nights were usually prefaced with Shawn getting drunk or high on any drugs he could get his hands on, much to the disapproval of Hunter.

Regardless of Hunter’s dislike for Shawn’s coping mechanisms, he was always there to take care of him.

“Come on, buddy,” said Hunter as he struggled to walk a drunk, stumbling Shawn down the hall to his hotel room.

Shawn was supposed to stop by Hunter’s hotel room that day, but when the evening turned darker and Shawn still hadn’t shown up, Hunter decided to search for him where he thought he’d most likely find him – the hotel bar.

“We’re almost there. A few more steps, Shawn. There you go. Please tell me you have your room key.”

Shawn groaned, barely responding as he pointed to his back pocket. Hunter reached into Shawn’s pants, swiftly pulling out the key from his pocket.

“At least wait until we get into the room first if you want to touch my ass, Hunter,” Shawn slurred in amusement.

“Shut up.” Hunter was amazed that Shawn could still be inappropriate in a time like this.

After opening the door, Hunter walked them both into the room, plopping Shawn onto the bed before helping to pull off his boots. He then helped Shawn sit up into a comfortable position before tucking the man under the covers and announcing that he’d check in on him in a few hours.

Hunter barely made it to the door before he heard sniffling coming from behind him. He turned to see Shawn staring down at his hands with tears welling in his eyes. “Shawn?”

“Why did he leave me? Was I not good enough to make him stay?”

Hunter sighed, knowing where this was going. “Don’t be ridiculous. You know Kevin loves you-”

“But he’s not here. He left me.”

“Doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you-”

“He left me like everyone does. Why do people always leave me, Hunt?” That was all it took to unleash a river of tears from Shawn’s eyes.

Hunter decided to stay with Shawn that night, as he’d done many times before, knowing that it was never safe to leave Shawn alone with those thoughts swirling around in his head. He just really hoped his friends could figure their shit out sooner than later.

Shawn didn’t want to admit it, but without Kevin around to give him constant love and attention, he soon became vulnerable to his insecurities, his vulnerability often leading him to seek attention elsewhere. And with Kevin no longer in the WWF, many of the men backstage were more than willing to give him the attention he desired.

What came as a surprise to Shawn was that one of those men happened to be Bret hart.

It started as Bret giving him compliments after his matches.

“Hey, Michaels,” Bret voiced as they passed each other backstage, “Good match tonight.”

“Th-thanks,” Shawn said dumbfoundedly at the unexpected compliment.

As much as Shawn relished in the attention, he ignored Bret’s advances at first out of his love for Kevin. They were still technically together regardless of how little they communicated lately.

It certainly didn’t help that Bret, no longer restrained by Kevin’s presence, soon began to hit on him unashamedly. And maybe Shawn was mistaken, but he could’ve sworn he’d caught Bret looking at his ass once.

Things began to change when Bret gathered the courage to become more handsy with Shawn. It started with random hugs backstage that seemed to last longer than they should have. Then Bret began placing his hand on Shawn’s lower back as they walked down the hallway together. And sometimes, Bret would play with Shawn’s hands as they carried on a conversation.

Shawn would only blush, not having any intention of telling Bret to stop.

Bret’s attention and blatant flirting led to there being constant tension in the air between them. Whether it was in the ring or backstage, there was no denying that the two felt something for each other.

Shawn really tried not to fall for Bret. But as he and Kevin grew further apart, Shawn felt a little less guilty about entertaining Bret’s advances. It felt good to finally have someone give him their undivided attention again. Not to mention, Bret was easy on the eyes. And Shawn always had a thing for brunettes.

Shawn hadn’t told Hunter about his ‘situation’ with Bret, but Hunter noticed. Everyone did. It was hard not to with the heavy flirting and shy smiles the two threw at each other regardless of who was around.

Shawn was putting Hunter in a tough spot. He was loyal to both Shawn and Kevin. He was the shoulder that Shawn cried on most nights, so he understood more than anyone how lonely and frustrated Shawn felt. But Hunter also knew it wasn’t fair to Kevin. They both knew it.

But Shawn was a selfish man.

He constantly convinced himself that he wasn’t doing anything wrong. He and Bret were just two good friends getting to know each other. There was nothing for Kevin to worry about. Nothing at all.

However, that changed one night after a house show.

After a particularly bad argument with Kevin over the phone, Shawn made his way down to Bret’s hotel room. The older man had offered for Shawn to swing by after the house show earlier that day, but Shawn declined, intending on spending the night talking to Kevin. However, the conversation soon turned heated when Kevin, yet again, canceled their plans to meet up due to a scheduling conflict.

Not wanting to waste his night moping, Shawn decided to take Bret up on his offer.

Shawn told himself that he was only going to Bret’s room to hang out. Only to blow off some steam. Instead, he ended up blowing something else.

Shawn’s body was pressed tightly between Bret and the hotel room door behind him.

Bret leaned his head onto Shawn’s as he whispered, “You have no fucking idea how much I want to kiss you right now.”

Shawn gave a smirk, heart pounding as he tightened his arms around Bret’s shoulders, lust in his eyes as he said confidently, “Then do it.”

Bret pulled the younger man into a fiery, heated kiss that instantly made Shawn weak at the knees. It didn’t take long before Bret was leading Shawn to the bed and clothes were thrown on the floor, neither man caring about the consequences of their actions.

Shawn felt extremely guilty after the first time it happened.

He and Kevin had been together for three years. They had history, had the same friends, and met each other’s families. For Shawn to throw that away over one night with Bret was really stupid. He knew it. It also didn’t help his guilty conscience knowing that Bret had a wife back at home.

So Shawn planned on putting an end to it, marching indignantly down the hall to Bret’s hotel room the next night. But when Bret opened the door in nothing but a towel, hair dripping from a fresh shower, Shawn was only reminded of their previous night, how Bret made him writhe in pleasure as he pounded into him mercilessly.

Selfishly, Shawn wanted to experience that again at least once more.

So he did. That night. The night after that. And many nights after that, beginning their nearly 3-month affair.

#divider cr: @benkeibear #affair au #hartbreak #bret hart x shawn michaels #kevin nash x shawn michaels #shawn michaels #kevin nash #bret hart #kevinshawn #mr steal your girl Bret Hart #triple h #angst #alternate universe #wwf #wwe fanfiction

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racingliners · 4 months

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Life In The Fast Lane Chapter 19 - The Dream Team

Rating: Teen & Up

Warnings: None apply

Pairings: Original Female Character(s)/Original Male Character(s); OFCs & OMCs

Work Tags: Re-write of a previous work; not beta read; dual/multiple pov; mentions of IRL current and past F1 figures; Eventual romance; friends to lovers; found family/work family; actual family; occasional swearing; racing drivers and their various shenanigans; how to handle pressure (and how not to); with a sprinkling of the power of friendship; tags will be updated as work progresses

Chapter: 19/57 Word count: 4.9k Summary: When friends become family

long story short, this chapter is a big reason why I wanted to re-write LITFL in the first place and have ended up doing so.

long story long, when I was writing the first version of Change In Colour, I very quickly realised that I had never done enough to showcase Sophie's, Richard's and Vanessa's friendship in the original version of LITFL, so when I was planning the chapters for this re-write I really wanted to dedicate a chapter that showcased their relationship being cemented. I'd also always had Richard being British-Asian in my mind, but I got too in my own head about how to showcase it properly in the previous works.

A massive amount of inspiration for this chapter came from a very similar scene in the book and film adaption of Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. I've never been able to visit Singapore, so while I did do a lot of research for this chapter, if there's still some gaping inaccuracies please let me know and I will do my upmost to fix them asap.

Hope you enjoy the latest chapter!

Sunday 10th September – Heathrow Airport

As they arrived at the airport Vanessa had joked that if her career as a performance coach didn’t work out, she’d be able to apply for a job at Heathrow considering how well she knew all the terminals by now. Sophie just laughed and said that her Mum would happily provide a reference.

They met Richard inside the terminal building and went through the check-in process which they all knew like the backs of their hands. Only this time, as Mary had very happily informed Sophie over the phone that morning, she’d had the three of them upgraded to first class. Richard didn’t quite believe that he had been included until he walked into the British Airways lounge. Vanessa said that it was Mary’s way of saying Richard had hers and Mark’s seal of approval.

The lounge was paved with a dark wooden style floor, and scattered with plush furniture across the different spaces. The dining area, all spacious high-walled navy booths and wooden tables, was where Sophie, Vanessa and Richard were sat as they had decided to treat themselves even further to an afternoon tea since their flight wasn’t due to depart until half past seven.

“Your turn Ness.” Richard said as he passed Vanessa his mini-tablet. He frequently played mahjong solitaire to pass the time during airport visits, and as his own set of mahjong tiles was too precious to ever leave his flat (they had been a graduation present from his late grandfather) he hadn’t gotten round to teaching Sophie and Vanessa how to play, so Richard would let them take turns in picking tile formations for him to tackle instead.

While Richard had been born and raised in Woking – his mother’s side of the family, the Liao’s, were from Singapore. His parents had met at university in London, and since his mother’s plan was always to get a job in the UK she ended up having another reason to stay.

Ever since Richard had been old enough to fly, his family always set aside money so they could visit his grandparents every Summer holiday. As such he knew the island well enough that he’d promised to take Sophie and Vanessa on a guided tour of the sights on the two acclimatisation days they had. Given the way he’d been talking about it, Richard had been planning everything since the summer break. Which was why Sophie was surprised that her press officer was now so quiet.

“You okay Rich?” Sophie asked once the waiter had left after bringing over the stacks of scones, sandwiches and pastries.

“Yeah.” Richard said quickly, as he went to fill his plate and pour everyone tea. Sophie and Vanessa shared a small look, and silently decided to leave him be as they switched their attention to try and figure out the different sandwich fillings.

Their flight boarded and departed on time, starting the thirteen and a half hour journey over to Singapore. Sophie and Richard’s seats were together in the middle of the cabin while Vanessa had a window seat, so Richard was able to go over the week’s event and press schedule with relative ease. The race was one of the more unique on the calendar, with it being held at night and the eight hour time difference everyone operated on UK time for the duration of the race week. And while it had the advantage of minimal jet lag – it meant sleeping and eating at odd times of the day.

“So we land in Singapore at just after 4pm local time which is…” Sophie paused to quickly do the maths in her head. “8am back home.”

“Correct.” Richard nodded, picking up his cutlery. Another perk of flying in first class meant being able to have their meals whenever they wanted. Sophie had opted for asparagus soup while Richard had ordered sea bass. “So if we wake up one or two hours before we land, it’s basically like having an early start,” He paused to let out a long, content hum after his first forkful of food. “Your Mum better not upgrade us all the time, I’ll get used to it very quickly.”

Sophie let out a small laugh at the thought of her humble press officer going all snobby as she spread a pat of butter on her dinner roll.

“Speaking of the finer things, can I not get one hint about where you’re taking us tomorrow?” Sophie pleaded, adding an elongated please for good measure.

“Again, I want it all to be a surprise,” Richard pointed at her with the tip of his knife. “You are unbelievably stubborn.”

“I’m a racing driver what do you expect?” Sophie retorted with a small shrug. At that Richard let out a small chuckle and shook his head as he returned his attention to his dinner. Sophie knew that Richard wasn’t going to let on about the trip, she had just wanted him to crack a proper smile for the first time all day.

Vanessa returned to her seat five minutes later having used the complimentary shower. She walked down the aisle in her pyjamas, and joked in an imitation posh accent that she was going to order the cheeseboard for supper.

“On second thought,” Richard said quietly, leaning over towards Sophie. “Maybe we need to worry about Vanessa going regal.”

Sophie full on sorted with laughter, and had to take care not to knock her soup on the floor. Thankfully for the three of them first class was fairly empty, which meant that they could just be themselves without any pretences.

“So,” Richard had said quietly once one of the cabin crew had taken away their empty plates and poured them fresh cups of tea. “Anything you might want to tell me about your seat for next year?” He looked at Sophie over the rim of the porcelain white cup with the smallest hint of a smirk on his face.

“Well…” Sophie started, and quickly stopped herself because she didn’t know what she was allowed to say. There had been somewhat of a breakthrough during the week, McLaren hadn’t just decided that Sophie was their first choice for 2024 alongside James – but they had offered a multi-year deal that Becks was still combing through the finer details of. “It’s starting to look like I’m staying, all things being well.”

She couldn’t even begin to describe just how big a weight it was off her shoulders.

“Just wanted to double check that the whispers going around the factory were accurate.” Richard said with a bright grin, and he held out his teacup in a small toast. “To next year, hopefully.”

Sophie ever so delicately clinked her cup with Richard’s. “Hopefully.”

Monday 11th September – Singapore

The flight landed on time, and thankfully everyone was reunited with their suitcases at the baggage carousel. Walking through the arrivals hall of the terminal felt more like visiting a modern art gallery than an airport, and while Sophie had visited Singapore once during her second F1 Academy season, it was Vanessa’s first time. Once the coach had reached the city centre, she couldn’t stop looking out the windows and pointing at landmarks.

“It is way more beautiful than the TV cameras make it look.” Vanessa said with a sigh. Richard said nothing from his seat across the aisle as he was rapidly typing into his phone. The journey over to the hotel was made a little longer thanks to some of the nearby roads making up parts of the circuit, but everyone was checked into their rooms by 6pm.

Richard collected Sophie and Vanessa from their rooms just before 8, and said that while the bulk of their sightseeing was happening tomorrow, he was taking them somewhere special for what was technically lunch. They walked to the nearest MRT station and changed lines twice before Richard finally stopped talking in rapid fire directions.

“We’re getting off at the Botanic Gardens,” He said as the train departed the station. With all the walking they’d done already, Sophie regretted wearing sandals instead of trainers like Vanessa. “Then it’s literally just round the corner.” Richard looked down at his feet and gripped his hand around the pole above him a little tighter. The train car was busy, but not jam packed which allowed Sophie and Vanessa to sit together while Richard stood above them keeping an eye out for their stop.

It was only once they were off the train and back in the hot, humid evening air that Richard finally started to look more like himself. Even walking with a small skip in his step. He said that they were going to a hawker centre, of which there were hundreds dotted all over the island. Vanessa and Sophie were excited at the prospect of street food, while Richard seemed relieved that it wasn’t too busy. There were more food stalls than Sophie could count all with different signs above them encircling a large seating area that was filled with bright yellow benches.

“You two grab a table, I’ll get the first course.” It clearly wasn’t Richard’s first visit as me made a bee line for one the stalls on the left and joined the back of a short queue, while Sophie and Vanessa walked their way through the mass of benches and found a free one near the middle. The clientele seemed to be mainly locals, which Vanessa took as a good sign. And if any of them had recognised Sophie no one seemed phased by her presence, which suited her just fine.

About ten minutes later Richard returned with three steaming bowls, each one filled with noodles in a dark broth and cooked prawns layered on top. “Prawn noodles! They’re my Mum’s favourite, she insisted this was the first thing you tried.” Richard sat down next to Sophie and even rubbed his hands together excitedly before he passed out bottles of water from his backpack.

“Oh this is amazing!” Vanessa exclaimed after her first spoonful, and while Sophie didn’t speak with her mouth full she eagerly nodded in agreement. Richard beamed when he said that in his mother’s opinion they were the best prawns on the whole island, and it had taken her years to perfect a recipe to make them at home so it would be as close as possible to having the real thing.

The second they’d finished their noodles Richard had darted off to another stall, and this time came back with a singular plate. “Now this is nasi lemak. It’s coconut rice, with a couple of chicken wings, a fried egg and some sliced cucumber.” He pointed to each item on the plate with his chopsticks, and explained the history of the dish in between mouthfuls of food, which again was absolutely delicious.

“We might have to roll each other out of here.” Vanessa huffed when Richard had ran off to another stall claiming that it was going to be the last one. “Still,” She mused as she looked around, taking in the atmosphere of chatting diners and all the different smells coming from the food stalls. “I don’t think I’ve eaten this well all season.”

Sophie hummed in agreement, and spotted Richard approaching their bench with two plates. Compared to the previous dishes it looked rather simple – strips of cooked chicken on one and a generous portion of rice on the other, with two small dishes of dipping sauce on the side.

“Hainanese chicken and rice, this one was my Ah-Ma’s – my Gran’s – favourite.” Richard said with a small smile as he sat down. He wasted no time in taking a piece of chicken with his of chopsticks and dipped it in one of the sauces, smiling as he ate.

When the plates were empty, they let their food go down while sipping on their bottles of water and taking pictures for memories sake. Out of nowhere Richard, who had been gazing off into the distance in silence for a couple of minutes, started talking again in a heavy voice. His eyes that were always so warm now looked distant and glassy.

“Every time we’d come over to visit, my Grandad would take us all to the botanic gardens – he loved the orchid garden the best. No matter which one I’d point at, he knew what species or hybrid it was. Mum always said he was the reason she became a geologist.” Richard huffed a small, if strained laugh. “Then once we’d walked our feet off, my Gran would bring us here for food. And… when I got my job at McLaren three years ago I’d always make the time to take them to dinner every Singapore race week.” He then looked down at his hands, and drew in a long, shaky breath. “This is my first time back since their funeral I…” Richard gave a cough that sounded like it was disguising a sob. “I didn’t think it would hurt this much.”

Sophie immediately hugged Richard around the middle as tightly as she could, while Vanessa jumped out of her seat and wrapped her arms round Richard’s shoulders. They let him cry for as long as he felt he needed, and after a couple of minutes he patted Sophie and Vanessa’s arms and they let him go, but still stayed planted by his side.

“We’re really grateful you chose to share this place with us Rich.” Vanessa said softly, still keeping a hand on his shoulder. She silently pulled a packet of tissues out of her pocket and handed it over. Richard nodded in thanks and wiped his eyes, and said that if Sophie and Vanessa were up for it, he had planned on taking them to the botanic gardens tomorrow. They both said yes instantly.

Richard told more stories about his grandparents the whole way back to the hotel and they arrived back shortly after eleven, heading straight for the hotel bar to share a couple of pots of tea.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay this weekend Rich? If you need some time off-” Sophie started only for Richard to cut her off by giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

“I promise I’ll be fine, tonight helped more than you could know.”

They spent another ten minutes lamenting how to spend their time since the bulk of the hotel’s amenities were now closed, but eventually Vanessa decided that with the flight and all the food they’d eaten at the hawker centre that she was going to order a light supper from room service and watch a film before bed. And since the hotel bar was closing Sophie and Richard chummed her back to her room.

Vanessa gave Richard the biggest hug goodnight, and said with a beaming smile how much she was looking forward to their tour around the city tomorrow. Richard just grinned and said he was happy to show them round his second home.

Sophie and Richard walked aimlessly down the corridor, not really knowing where to go as their rooms were on a different floor.

“I was thinking of watching an old race, since it’s been years I last drove here.” Sophie said when the lift at the end of the hallway came into view. Richard nodded, saying it sounded like a good idea. “You wouldn’t have any recommendations would you? I couldn’t decide which one to watch.” They stopped walking when they reached the lift, and Richard hummed as he contemplated the offer.

“Vettel’s last race win is always a classic.”

“I can order us both room service if you want anything for dinner?” Sophie offered.

Richard grinned, and reached out to press the button for the lift. “Deal.”

Sunday 17th September – Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

An ultra-exclusive nightclub was the last place Sophie had expected to find herself after the race. But, a double points finish for McLaren combined with Richard’s reassurances that the party was for paddock personnel only, she had happily pulled a white linen dress from her suitcase. And as an added bonus, they’d just so happened to run into Sophie’s mechanics sat in a corner booth enjoying a few quiet drinks moments after they arrived. Or as quiet as it could be given the dance music coming from the DJ booth.

Sophie insisted on buying a round of drinks, and carefully made her way over to the bar. She ordered a Singapore sling for Vanessa, a negroni for Richard, a pear cider for herself, and a beer for each of her mechanics. With assurances from the bartender that a waiter would bring the drinks over to their booth, Sophie turned round to head back before Steve sent out a search and rescue party. Only to walk right into Benedikt’s path. The two drivers apologised with a shy laugh, since the music wasn’t as loud at the bar neither of them had to shout to be heard.

“I guess I should say congratulations,” Sophie added as Ben stepped forward to catch the bartender’s attention. “You first win here for three years… even if you did wipe the floor with the lot of us.”

Benedikt shook his head as his cheeks flushed pink before ordering a round of beers. If the news that Red Bull’s technical director Alison Hawthorn was leaving the team to join Audi had affected Ben in any way, he didn’t show it. As well as winning from pole and getting the fastest lap, his winning margin had been just shy of twenty seconds.

“Is this the part where you tell me you’ll get me back next year?” Ben asked with a wide grin. His voice wasn’t taunting, but it still had the hint of friendly competition that so many drivers bantered with.

“Oh, something like that.” Sophie said with a lazy smile before turning to head back to the booth. “Have a good night, tell your mechanics well done from me.”

“The same to you!”

Sophie wasn’t sure if Ben meant that about having a good time, congratulating her mechanics on 8th place, or even both. But she let it slide when she saw her teammates come back into view, where as promised a bartender was depositing their drinks.

Richard briefly stepped out of the booth to give Sophie the spot he’d saved her between himself and Steve, and led a small toast once he’d sat back down. Given the sheer workload of the weekend, no one was interested in much more than chatting – until Tommy’s favourite song came on about half an hour later.

“Oh I’ll dance with you!” Sophie, who had just finished a second cider, stood up when no one else could be bothered. Jamie and Aditya, suddenly feeling left out, rushed to join them and the four of them loudly sang along to the lyrics as they danced around a small spot on the floor. Sophie wasn’t completely sure of the words, but she didn’t care as she was spun round the floor by her mechanics. Her and Jamie had to stop because they’d made each other dizzy, and they couldn’t stop laughing as they slowly made their way back to their seats.

Once Aditya had sat back down, he glanced down at his watch and cursed that it was nearing 3am, at which everyone had decided they’d had enough revelry and would be better off back at the hotel. Sophie piled her mechanics into a taxi first so they would be in bed sooner and Steve, who was the last to get in, promised he would get everyone back to their rooms safe and sound.

Benedikt and his mechanics all piled out of the entrance not long after, and he too shepherded people into taxis insisting that he would get one back to the hotel as soon as possible. Richard, being the most sober one present, correctly remembered that everyone from Red Bull and McLaren were staying at the same hotel and he offered Benedikt a lift in their taxi.

It was only as Ben waved off his mechanics that Sophie felt just how humid it was standing on the pavement, and she rued having that second cider. Thankfully Matt, who had emerged from the club carrying bottles of water, had thought of that as he passed them around the small group.

“I don’t know what they put in that Singapore Sling but it’s making the world spin.” Vanessa groaned with her head in her hands once their taxi had finally driven away from the nightclub. All Sophie could do was encourage her to sip her water as the taxi drove its way through the maze of skyscrapers and bright lights.

Once back in the air-conditioned hotel lobby, Sophie, Richard and Matt aided a slightly better looking Vanessa back to her room. She complained the whole way that she didn’t need three chaperones, Matt quickly retorted that it was the price paid for having people who cared about you.

“I promise I’ll call one of you if I start to feel worse.” Vanessa groaned after Richard was the third person to ask if she really was alright. She said she would see them all at breakfast as she chased everyone out of her room.

A wave of exhaustion crashed over Sophie as she stepped back into the hallway. Having alcohol, even light stuff, so soon after a near-two hour race in humidity that felt worse than Malaysia suddenly didn’t seem like one of her better life choices. She went to politely excuse herself and wish Richard and Matt goodnight, when she remembered that Richard’s room was on the same floor as hers – though almost at opposite ends. So as they had done on earlier on in the week, they shared a lift and got off on the twenty-somethingth floor, and slowly meandered down the thick carpet before stopping at Richard’s room.

“I’m proud of you mate, you did really well today.” Richard said with a soft smile, and even tightly hugged Sophie round the shoulders. Normally 8th place wouldn’t have felt like much to Sophie, but after her form in the previous two races plus coping with all the added heat and humidity, it was four points she was very pleased to have. “Go on,” Richard gestured down the long hallway. “Bedtime. I’ll come get you for breakfast.”

“Night Rich.” Sophie gave her press officer a small wave goodnight, and slowly made the long walk over to her suite.

She spent the time deliberating whether or not to have a shower or to just jump straight into bed. It had felt like a long weekend, despite the lack of jetlag. As well as the usual race weekend media obligations Sophie and James had been at a black tie sponsor event on Wednesday. And while Sophie realised that she did enjoy dressing up to the nines occasionally, she just didn’t enjoy doing so for other people. Let alone schmoozing for the sake of keeping the big wigs happy. She’d also been surprised that James hadn’t exactly enjoyed himself either, even if he was such a charming natural at it all.

The walk through the hallway felt endless. While luxury hotels were designed with comfort and the best amenities in mind, Sophie felt that they needed to do something with their hallway décor so it didn’t feel like she was going round in circles (not that she had much room to talk since her flat was still a work in progress despite having lived there for nine months now, but at least she had ‘constantly traveling to race tracks’ as an excuse).

She finally turned a corner that felt partially familiar, and Sophie knew she was near the door to her suite not because she recognised a vase or a corner of some wall art – but because Benedikt was waiting outside her door with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans.

“How’s Vanessa?” He asked immediately, but softly, when he saw Sophie come into view. They had ran into each other on Wednesday night, Benedikt heading to the restaurant and Sophie being collected by Richard to go to the back tie event. They’d said a brief hello in passing, with Ben joking over his shoulder that Sophie would find a way to survive all the handshaking.

“She’s fine,” Sophie nodded. “Ness just hates being fussed over. So long as she’s protesting about being helped, she’ll make a quick recovery.”

“I just, well…” Ben paused to bounce up and down on his toes. “She’s Matt’s friend and your friend and we’re friends so,” He paused again, not fully knowing where he was going with his point. “I’m glad she’s alright.”

Sophie hummed, and noted that like herself Benedikt was in some strange middle ground between sober and tipsy. She went to reach out for the door handle to her room when Ben said there was something else he wanted to ask Sophie about, but he couldn’t remember what, and he clicked his fingers together a few times until it suddenly came to him.

“The drivers dinner we’re having in Korea, did Nico or James mention it to you?”

“Yes, I’m on the dinner list.”

“Good,” Benedikt nodded. “Have you ever raced at Yeongam before?” He asked, seemingly pulling the question out of thin air, for some reason not wanting to go to bed just yet.

“Nope, never,” Sophie replied with a small shake of the head. “I was going to watch some old on-board laps on the flight over to go with all the sim prep.”

“Oh, you’ll love it!” Ben exclaimed, his eyes almost sparkling as he started to talk in great detail about the circuit. “I can’t remember the year, I think it was one of the races Vettel won. Anyway…” He began to talk about an old race battle, demonstrating it as best he could using his hands in place of each car. Sophie followed along with every word, until her eyes found themselves switching between Benedikt’s hands and his face. His eyes were still sparkling like the night sky, and she couldn’t help but notice the way his lips curved into a small smile once he’d reached the end with an almost exhilarated sigh. For the briefest of moments, she felt like she was standing with her toes on the very edge of a cliff.

“I will have to add it to my list!” Sophie replied with a small smile, trying even harder not to notice how well the soft grey t-shirt Ben was wearing fitted his athletic frame, and that the colour almost perfectly complimented his eyes.

“When’s your flight?” He asked brightly.

“No idea.” Sophie huffed. Between the cider and Benedikt her mind was all sorts of scrambled. Since when did he have this kind of effect on her?

“Ah, I’m sure Richard will keep you right!” Ben grinned as he clapped Sophie’s shoulder, and intentionally or otherwise kept his hand there for a few seconds. Sophie felt every single brush of Ben’s fingers against her skin when he finally dropped his hand back at his side. “Well, see you at the airport then, maybe.” He smile had slightly dulled as he walked the few steps backwards towards his room. “It was nice to see you tonight anyway.”

“Uh yeah, you too.” Sophie shook her head ever so slightly after taking in a long breath of air that didn’t seem to have any trace of Ben’s aftershave, it seemed to reset her brain somewhat. “Goodnight.”

“Night Soph.”

They both stepped into their rooms and Sophie tried as hard as she could to not slam the door behind her in a panic. Once she slid the gold safety chain into place she spun round and leaned against the wall, looking out the large windows across the city with the palm of her hand pressed firmly against her forehead as her heart thumped in her chest. All while she tried desperately hard not to think about just how softly Ben had said her name.

“Oh no,” Sophie sighed breathlessly and quietly. She couldn’t afford this. Not now, when her new contract was within touching distance. “Shit I’m in trouble.”

Hazel wasn’t anything close to the right word for Sophie’s eyes. The burst of peridot green marbled through golden brown encased in a deep ebony circle. Like a woodland on a summers day.

Benedikt ran both hands down his face as he walked through to the bedroom and flopped backwards onto the bed, looking up at the plain white ceiling.

“Oh schisse,” He muttered, trying to pinpoint the exact moment he had realised just how gorgeous Sophie was, even with her cheeks flushed pink and hair frizzy from the humidity.

He shouldn’t be falling for her, not when he was so, so close to his fourth world title.

And yet, Sophie loved the history of the sport as much as he did, and she wanted F1 to become so much better. Just about everyone in the paddock could see the love and admiration she shared with her mechanics and everyone else at McLaren. And after all the press excitement that had surrounded her, she was still so completely down to earth and good to be around – all she ever tried to be was just Sophie from Northampton.

Ben felt like he was standing at the edge of a forest with the sun on his back, wondering just how bad it would be if he stepped inside.

***

Singapore Grand Prix 2023 Classification

1st - Benedikt Schmitz (Red Bull) - 25pts 2nd - Giovanni Carotti (Ferrari) - 18pts 3rd - Cristóbal Vasquez (Alpine) - 15pts 4th - Marc Pavard (Mercedes) - 12pts 5th - Nathan Watkins (Mercedes) - 10pts 6th - Teo Martinez (Ferrari) - 8pts 7th - James Hewitt (McLaren) - 6pts 8th - Sophie Knightsbridge (McLaren) - 4pts 9th - Jan Martens (Audi) - 2pts 10th - Leon Bauer (Haas) - 1pt 11th - Owen Nichols (Aston Martin) 12th - Nico Dumont (Alpha Tauri) 13th - Evan McKinley (Williams) 14th - Tadashi Sato (Haas) 15th - Aaron Jones (Aston Martin) 16th - Antonio Lima (Alpha Tauri) 17th - Alistair Mitchell (Red Bull)* RET - Aidan Glover (Williams) RET - Daniel Jakobsson (Alpine) RET - Erik Braun (Audi) Fastest Lap - Benedikt Schmitz (Red Bull) - 1pt * - Driver did not finish but was classified for completing 90% race distance

2023 Championship Standings After Round 14

Drivers Standings

1st - Benedikt Schmitz (SUI) - 252pts 2nd - Giovanni Carotti (ITA) - 207pts 3rd - Nathan Watkins (CAN) - 176pts 4th - Alistair Mitchell (GBR) - 144pts 5th - Cristóbal Vasquez (ESP) - 143pts (8th - Sophie Knightsbridge (GBR) - 65pts 10th - James Hewitt (GBR) - 51pts)

Constructors Standings

1st - Red Bull Racing-Honda (AUT) - 396pts 2nd - Ferrari (ITA) - 311pts 3rd - Mercedes-AMG (GER) - 298pts 4th - Alpine-Renault (FRA) - 202pts 5th - McLaren-Mercedes (GBR) - 116pts

#to take tags from the ao3 link: yes I did mention Seb twice you cannot stop me from talking about him #my writing #Life In The Fast Lane #LITFL Chapters

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one-black-coffeee · 2 years

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Andrew and Neil are the type of people to hide lazer guns around their apartment just to start random wars with each other.

#also to tag team kevin when he visits #andreil #andrew minyard #neil josten #aftg meme #aftg series #allison reynolds #dan wilds #david wymack #kevin day #matt boyd #aaron minyard #renee walker #nicky hemmick #seth gordon #all for the game

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princessphilly · 3 years

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Word count: 5627

Tag list: @ohpuckyeah, @joelsfarabee, @besthockeyfics. @dreamer1430 @Defiant-Mouse @miracleonice87 @lovethepreds @linkingdolans @chicagostylehockey @heatherlcrosby87 @hockeywocs @shortstacks-blog @heatherawoowoo @newlibrary @markymarkstrom @iangiemae @puckbitchesgetmoney @missymore @himbos-on-ice @fiveholegoal @no-pucks-given @pagirl6866 @willieshakesqueer @nazdaddy @whatishockey @alphalib22 @romanseggy @laurenairay @texanstarslove @konecny-s @cutiesara23 @myhockeyworld87 @extratragic @squidlywiddly87 @stuff4me2do @allinangel93 @mydarkestsecretlol

CW: angst, meeting the family, references to the n-word, people sucking

I decided to go ahead and finish it when I got a sudden burst of creativity when I came home.

Nina snuggled in bed, a happy little sigh leaving her lips. Sidney looked at her, a fond smile on his face. It had been a month since they were back together and life was almost perfect. Well, they were 6-3-2, 14 points earned which was okay but not where Sidney wanted the team to be. It was still early in the season, it was mid-November so there was plenty of time to right the ship. He and the boys would fix it. Sidney sighed before attempting to try to go back to sleep. However, he heard the sound of a door opening and he sat up, pushing the covers down inadvertently.

Sidney racked his brain. It was Sunday, Marta, his housekeeper’s day off. Mario or Nathalie would have called before coming over. He had no idea who the hell it could be. “Fuck,” Sidney breathed. There were only two people who would do a surprise visit and one of them was a week earlier for the Moms trip.

Lightly brushing his fingers over Nina’s side, Sidney urged, “Pretty girl, wake up.”

It was roughly 8am so it wasn’t hard to get Nina, an early riser by nature to wake up. “Urgh, mawning,” Nina mumbled as she cracked open her eyes. Sidney looked anxious and agitated which made Nina focus.

Sidney opened his mouth, then closed it. If he was right, he was fucked and his pretty girl was probably going to run away screaming. He finally said, “Um, someone just opened the door and there are exactly five people other than me who have a key. There are two who’d do a surprise visit.”

Looking down, Nina was thankful that she had on one of Sidney’s shirts and shorts while sleeping. “Well, fuck, at least I’m not naked,” she said pointedly. Sidney had the grace to blush as Nina continued, “If it’s what you think it is, you need to get that under control,” pointing at his rather obvious morning wood. Sidney pulled the covers back over himself and Nina

Then a voice called out, “Morming, Sid!”

Sidney sighed in relief. It was Taylor, not his mom. Nina noticed it and arched an eyebrow. “Eh, it’s my sister, pretty girl.”

“Shit,” Nina fretted. This was going to be awkward, she didn’t even know if she wanted to meet his family but now, she was going to,have to. At least it was a sister.

The door creaked open and a blonde-haired head peeked in. “Boo,” Taylor said. Then her eyes perked when she saw who Sidney was with.

Nina groaned. Her hair was in a scarf, it was obvious she slept over and fuck, fuck, fuck. A devious smile spread on Taylor’s face. “Nice to see that you finally let a girlfriend sleep in your room, Sidney.”

“Shut the fuck up, Taylor,” Sidney yelled as his little sister giggled before closing the door.

Nina facepalmed. “That was fun. Fun fun fun.”

Rolling onto her front, Nina mumbled, “I’m not ready to meet your family.”

“I’ve already met yours,” Sidney reasoned.

“That was because Yanni was part of your Lil Penguins program. That was work related for you, doesn’t count.”

Trailing his fingers down Nina’s back, Sidney replied, “True but, it still counts. What are you doing next weekend?”

“I’m going to be in Philly for a wedding.”

Nina turned onto her left side, facing Sidney. Sidney sucked his bottom lip into his mouth before letting it go. “Don’t get any ideas.”

She slipped off the bed, pulling the scarf off her braids, letting them fall down her back. Rummaging through her clothes on the floor, Nina pulled out her bra. Pulling her shirt off, she put it on to the sound of Sidney’s groans. Nina rolled her eyes. “I’m stuck having to meet your sister because she decided to give you a surprise visit. I’m not meeting her without wearing a bra.”

“But you look so amazing without one,” Sidney replied.

Nina shook her head before leaving his bedroom. Making her way to the kitchen, Nina literally bumped into Taylor. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” Nina gasped.

“I’m okay,” Taylor reassured Nina, taking the moment to check out this girl that Sidney was now seeing. She wasn’t exactly what Taylor was expecting but one thing that Taylor liked about Nina was that she had kind eyes. Taylor had heard about her over the years, especially that Nina had kept rejecting Sidney. Her brother rarely heard the word no so that made Nina intriguing to her.

Taylor offered, “Have you had breakfast yet?”

“No, and I’m hungry.”

Opening the fridge, Taylor took out the ingredients to make omelets. Nina sat at the island, a pensive look on her face. “You know, I totally didn’t expect to meet you this way. This is awkward as fuck.”

“Eh, don’t feel bad, I should have given Sid a heads up,” Taylor replied. “Plus, I’ve heard about you over the years.”

“Oh really?”

Taylor laughed as she cracked eggs. “Sidney couldn’t shut up about you. First it was he met this nice girl at work. Then, it was that you kept telling him no and he was confused. Later, he was beating himself up because he managed to fuck up before he could even ask you out. I really enjoyed that, I liked that you kept not only telling him no but when he pissed you off, you didn’t forgive him right away. I love my brother but his ego needs to get cut down sometimes.”

“True, he has a huge ego. He needs to take himself less seriously,” Nina concurred. “But it’s probably impossible to get him to do that.”

Taylor shrugged, pursing her lips. “At least he means well,” Nina added.

Nodding, Taylor replied, “He does mean well, most of the time.”

“Already ganging up on me?”

They both laughed as Sidney entered the kitchen. “Why are you here, Taylor?”

“I went on a camping trip and I decided to be nosy and visit my big brother before heading home,” Taylor chirped. “The look on your face was worth it.”

“Hahaha. Should’ve called,” Sidney grumbled.

Taylor quipped, “Oh, did I ruin your morning sex plans? I’m so sorry.”

Nina snorted as she laughed. Sidney gave her hurt eyes and Nina blew him a kiss.

“Don’t worry Sid, I’m not staying long. Just enough to rest and then get back on the road,” Taylor said.

“You drove,” Nina asked. Sidney was now standing right behind her and she could feel his hands massaging her shoulders.

Taylor nodded as she flipped the first omelet. “You’re not what I expected, Nina. You’re way too pretty for a hockey player like my brother.”

Sidney wanted to kill his little sister as she continued to chirp him. Well, not only chirp him but ruin his planned lazy morning sex. But as he watched his sister and Nina interact playfully, Sidney could admit there was a slight good point. Taylor and Nina were hitting it off and Sidney knew that Nina would meet his family soon. This was a good sign.

However, after practice four days later, Sidney was wishing his sister had never stopped by. Nina had been incredibly busy all week and Sidney knew he wouldn’t see her until next week due to her trip out of town. He was feeling extra irritable and hearing his name over the tv didn’t help.

“So, two weeks ago, Sidney Crosby admitted that he was having relationship issues that were affecting him on the ice.”

Tanger went to change the channel on the tv in the lounge, muttering, “Fucking ESPN.”

“Shh, keep it on,” Sidney urged, crossing his arms over his chest. He wanted to see what kind of bullshit ESPN was saying now.

A couple of the guys stopped to check out the TV. Kevin Neghandi laughed as he responded, “Yeah, he admitted that after breaking a slump. Ever since, he’s been on a 2 point-per-game streak. But this really isn’t about him.”

“Huh,” said Geno, scratching his head.

Buccigross continued, “There was a picture of Crosby and his girlfriend posted on the internet, a nice picture. Someone posted it and made a derogatory statement about his girlfriend, Nina Jackson. This player is a player for Clemson.”

Neghandi laughed again. “Ms. Jackson has a younger brother named Jason Jackson. He was also the number 20 prospect, number 1, 5 star tight end. He also now plays for UNC.”

Sidney chuckled as he realized exactly where this was going. The guy on the tv continued, “Clemson and UNC had the rare Thursday night game last night. #1 Clemson went to the Tar Heels, ranked #22 and got spanked, 56-30. Jason Jackson had 10 catches, 200 yards receiving, and 3 TDs. His response in the postgame.”

The tv showed a clip of Jason talking to the media. A reporter asked, “What inspired you to have such a big game tonight.”

“Lowell decided he needed to talk about my sister on the gram so I had to put him in his place,” Jason drawled.

Sidney’s phone buzzed and it was a message from Nina. my brother is so dramatic 🙄

Nice to know he’ll always have your back, Sidney sent Nina.

Nina smiled happily as she looked at the Thai food on plate. She was so hungry and excited to see Jamila face to face in person for lunch. Her friend looked more vibrant than usual, as life was treating her good. They made small talk until Jamila said, “I heard something about you, that you aren’t single for the first time in forever.”

“Oh really?”

Jamila looked at her best friend. “You’re dating Mayo boy.”

“What?!?” Perplexed, Nina stared at Jamila while Jamila rolled her eyes.

“Sidney Crosby is like Mayo. Super white. Damn, my dating habits really did rub off on you. Welcome to being a basic bitch like me.”

It was Nina’s turn to roll her eyes. “Stop being so fucking dramatic, Jamila Brown.”

“I was an actress, I’m supposed to be dramatic. Tell Mayo boy if he ever breaks your heart, I’ll kill and cremate whatever’s left of him after your father and brother are finished with him.”

“Are you really gonna nickname him that?”

Jamila smirked at Nina and Nina sighed. Shrugging elegantly, Jamila replied, “I’m a part of Philly sports Twitter. I got lots of other names I could call him.

“Be a bigger bitch, Mila.”

“He gets a better nickname when he lets you fully run his pockets. And don’t give me that look, don’t be afraid of being called a gold digger. They are probably calling you worse names. Make Mayo boy run that card up when he takes you on baecation. Once that happens, I’ll upgrade his nickname.”

Nina sighed as she looked at the menu. Jamila reached out and put her hand out, covering Nina’s menu. “You know I’m just playing, right?”

“I don’t want to talk about it now, let’s talk about Toyin’s wedding instead,” Nina murmured.

It was Jamila’s turn to sigh. “I’m sorry, Nina. I’m sorry for being a bitch. I shouldn’t be taking out my bad mood on you. I hate men.”

“Not forgiven yet,” Nina snarked.

Jamila looked pensive as she said, “I like this guy but I don’t want to admit I like him. He’s like too perfect, too nice, well not that nice. He actually gives a fuck.”

“Let me guess, you’re scared and about to do something super stupid,” Nina dryly replied.

Jamila gave Nina a shocked look before she slumped in her chair. “I don’t want to,” she pouted.

Nina reasoned, “Then don’t. Just ride it out for once.”

“Easy for you to say,” Jamila replied.

Nina shrugged as her phone buzzed. It was a message from Sid, well really just a picture of him sweaty post-practice. Nina left him on read, she would get him back later for that. “Stop being stupid, and stop self-sabotaging.”

Jamila rolled her eyes as she ate her food. After swallowing, she arched an eyebrow. “Mayo boy sent you a message?”

“Yeah, but I’m focusing on you. I’ll see him next week… and his parents.”

“This is going fast,” Jamila commented.

Nina bit her lip before saying, “I guess he had to wait eighty-four years, I mean five years, so he’s going to take advantage while they are in town.”

“Interesting.”

Nina pointed out, “At least I’m giving my relationships a chance, unlike you.”

“Fuck you.”

Jamila gave Nina an exaggerated nasty look as Nina quipped, “I’m strictly dickly, bitch.”

The conversation switched to safer topics. However, throughout the wedding weekend, Nina had the thought in the back of her mind that maybe things were going a bit too fast.

“Well, Taylor says she likes her. I checked out her instagram account and she doesn’t even mention you. Lots of nice vacation pictures though.”

Sidney looked at his mom from across the table. Trina had a pensive look on her face. Troy raised his eyebrows before leaning back in his chair.

Sidney reasoned, “I want you two to meet her. Give her a chance. Nina is amazing, I’m lucky that she even likes me.”

“Why wouldn’t she like you, you’re Sidney Crosby,” Trina scoffed.

Sidney shrugged. “Nina’s a PhD student and everything. It hasn’t been easy for her either.”

“Interesting,” Trina said.

Nina herself was feeling extra nervous. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to meet Sidney’s parents, especially after having to turn in a huge paper and part of her thesis to her advisor. But, as she shook her head and smoothed down her shirt, they were in town and she was going to try to make her best impression.

Midway through dinner, Nina began to wish she was somewhere else on this Friday night. While Troy, Sidney’s dad, seemed nice, it felt like Trina was judging every single thing she did. Every reply Trina made to Nina’s questions was in a dry voice, as if it was boring her. Nina felt a bit discouraged. Sidney obviously loved his parents but it felt like his mother didn’t like her.

On the other hand, Trina felt like Nina was looking down on them. It seemed like she was mentioning her PhD program, her thesis, like she was too smart for them and her boy. Trina sipped her water as there was a pause. She didn’t know about this girl but at least, every time she looked at Sidney, Trina could see the stars and hearts in her eyes.

Nina looked at Sidney, her palms sweating. She didn’t know what to say as she looked down at her plate. Her appetite was gone. Sidney, himself, didn’t really notice anything as he answered his father’s questions about the beginning of the season. Then Troy turned to Nina.

“So what do you plan to do now that you’re with Sidney,” Troy casually asked.

Nina replied, “I have about two more years left before I finish earning my PhD. I plan to continue to work and I may teach a class or two.”

“You still plan to work,” Trina asked.

Nina nodded. “Yes. I love what I do and I’m not wasting my degrees.”

“Why do you want to work?”

Nina could tell that Trina intended that question to be light but Nina could still feel the claws. She was tired of this passive-aggressive bullshit and ready to curse her out. But Nina couldn’t so she measured her words carefully. “I did four years of undergrad, three years of school for my doctors in physical therapy, and I will do four more years for my doctorate. Why would I stop working after earning my degrees?”

Trina paused; she had expected some trite, suck-up answer. But it seemed like Nina was serious. “I would think that if you were with my son, you’d rather not work.”

“I’m not built to be a housewife.” Nina laughed. “I love what I do and if I’m expected to stop for Sidney, then maybe I need to reevaluate some things.”

Trina felt like she lost control of this conversation. All she wanted was to see what kind of user her boy’s dream girl was. Now, she had the feeling that her son was going to get dumped and it was going to be her fault.

Sidney laughed. “I don’t expect you to be a housewife. You would be so bored if you were.”

Nina flashed Sidney a quick grin before adding, “Nathalie has let me know the responsibilities though. I’ve done lots of volunteer and charity work over the years so that isn’t new at all. I’m excited about the toy drive, I remember when my parents just got out of the army and cash was tight. I got my favorite doll as a kid from a toy drive.”

“That’s nice,” Trina said. Maybe this Nina girl wasn’t completely stuck up, she thought as the night continued. After a couple of hours, Nina said her goodbyes. It was getting late and she was spending the morning taking her little sister to volleyball practice. After she left, Trina let out a sigh as Sidney turned to her.

“You have to lay off on Nina, Mom.”

Trina turned to look at her son. Sidney was giving her his most serious look and she sighed.

“I like her but I don’t know if she’s the one for you, Sid. It seems like she’s one step from leaving you,” Trina said. “I don’t see her sticking with you if things go bad.”

“Just because she plans to work?”

Sidney gave his mother an assessing look. He knew she meant well but this wasn’t for her to decide. “This isn’t your problem.”

“Fine, I like that she has her own life. She’s not obsessed with you and she plans to be her own person,” Trina conceded. “But she’s different.”

He knew this was going to be hard, asking his mom to back off but Sidney knew he had to do it. Nina hadn’t said anything last night but Sidney could sense that she was tired of how his mother was acting. Sidney also knew that if Nina decided to cut ties, it would be completely over. Sidney started, “Compared to Nina, I’m a dumb hockey player. But what I have with her, I’ve never found with anyone else. If you have a problem with that, that’s you. But be civil to Nina.”

“Really, Sidney Patrick Crosby,” Trina said, incredulous. But the look on her son’s face was something she had never seen before. Even though she didn’t believe her son would really pick any woman over her, a voice at the back of her mind told her that if Sidney ever did, this would be the woman he’d pick over her.

It was Saturday night and Nina pasted another smile on her face. If Trina got snide again, Nina didn’t know if she could be nice about it. But at least they were in public. As they sat down for dinner, a couple of guys came up. Sidney and his family had perfect PR smiles but the guys stopped in front of Nina.

“Hey, aren’t you Jason Jackson’s sister?”

Nina grinned. “Yes.”

“Why did he have to have such a great game against Pitt today? He killed them,” one of the guys said.

Nina shrugged. “Pitt should play better defense.”

After the guys left, Troy asked, “your brother plays college football?”

“Yup. He was the top prospect in Pennsylvania last season. Games on tv and everything.”

“I didn’t know that,” Sidney murmured.

Nina giggled as she replied, “All you do is eat, sleep, and breathe hockey.”

Sidney blushed as everyone laughed at that statement. However, through the night, more people came by the table to give Nina props for her brother’s monster game than to try to get a glimpse of Sidney. Jason had 184 yards receiving and 2 TDs for UNC today and there was already buzz about Jason being on the fast track to the NFL. During a lull, Trina stated, “You must get asked about your brother a lot.”

“I’m used to it. Once ESPN comes to your brother’s games when he was a sophomore in high school, you have to get used to it,” Nina said with a shrug. “I’m old enough that it really doesn’t bother me.”

“How does your brother deal with it,” Sidney asked, curious as he remembered some of his early experiences with fame.

Nina replied, “College football is a different beast than the pros. So, he’s on scholarship and his days are pretty much regimented with meetings, practice, classes, more meetings, video study. I ran track when I was in undergrad so my experience was slightly similar. Main difference is that Jase gets paid for his likeness in video games now and a percentage of any jersey sales with his name and number.”

“You ran track,” Troy asked. Unlike his wife, he felt a bit more open towards Nina. It was obvious that she didn’t need Sidney for anything and Troy could see that his son was able to relax in a way with Nina that he hadn’t been able to relax with a woman before.

“I had a partial scholarship. I ran the 4x100 relay and the 100 meters. I didn’t have the athletic ability to race for a living but I did decent,” Nina stated, feeling a bit shy. It had been a long time since she even talked about her track career. “I was state champ my senior year and my team won silver at the Penn Relays my sophomore and junior years of college. Now, I just run to stay in shape.”

“Wow,” Sidney said, impressed. “Sounds like you loved it though.”

Nina flashed Sidney a grin. “I did, I love running. What most people forget is that you can’t just run for health, you have to run and do strength training and yoga or Pilates.”

“Have you been to any of your brother’s games,” Troy asked. “Seems like they are doing well.”

Nina replied, “We went to the season opener. I will never go to North Carolina in August ever again if I can help it. I’m going to their game next weekend at Virginia Tech. We’ll probably go to the bowl game since my little sister will be off school that week.”

“Seems like you stay busy,” Trina mused.

Nina couldn’t help a little glare as she managed to say without malice, “I plan my calendar in advance.”

Trina said, “That sounds good. You have a life outside of everything.”

“And I will continue to have a life outside of everything,” Nina said with a syrup-sweet smile.

Nina quietly washed her hands, glancing up to the mirror. Trina was looking down on her hands as she washed hers. Tentatively, Nina asked, “Are you having a good time on this trip?”

“I enjoyed the Moms’ trip,” Trina replied.

Nina looked down at her hands as she dried them. This was so awkward and she wanted to cry.

“Sidney Crosby is here, and so are his parents,” somebody exclaimed just outside the ladies bathroom. Trina and Nina both shared a look until another person said, “And his n-word girlfriend is here with them too.”

Nina opened her mouth but Trina put up a finger. The second person continued, “His mom doesn't look too happy with that black girl. Maybe you could get a chance, finally.”

The door opener and the two women came in, laughing. The laughter stopped when those women saw Nina and Trina.

“You don’t have to worry about getting a chance with my son because there’s no way I’d let him be with someone like you when he’s with a lady like Nina,” Trina stated.

The two women shared a look but Trina stared them down until they left. Nina let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “No wonder my son is always saying that it hasn’t been easy for you,” Trina offered. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they get kicked out.”

Nina sniffled as she said, “That’s the first time I’ve heard it in person. It’s usually nasty messages online. I really, really hate it. But I guess I’m going to be stuck with this for the rest of my life.”

Impulsively, Trina reached out and grabbed Nina’s hand. “From the way that my son looks at you, nasty women like those will just have to be angry forever.”

Nina giggled as they shared a look. It felt like there was a truce and she was going to take it. After Trina talked to the manager and got those women booted, Nina definitely felt like there was definitely a truce.

“Don’t take anything seriously. If they don’t like you, they’ll say absolutely nothing to you. If they make jokes, they like you.”

Two weeks after meeting Sid’s family, it was his turn to meet Nina’s family. The team was home for American Thanksgiving and they didn’t have a game until Friday evening this year. So Sidney was going with Nina to meet her extended family. He was feeling extra nervous and desperate to make a good impression.

Sidney grimaced as Nina giggled. “Plus, it’s Aryanna’s birthday so they won’t be too mean. I think.”

“Anything else I need to worry about,” Sidney asked.

Nina reached out over the console and touched Sidney’s hand. “Relax, it’s not a game. You can’t lose.”

“But, I want them-”

Cutting Sidney off, Nina said, “I know, you want them to like you. So be the dork that you are instead of faking like you aren’t a dork.”

Sidney felt a bit insulted but Nina gave him a dazzling smile. “I like it when you’re being dorky, anyway.”

Sidney tried hard to follow Nina’s advice. There were so many people that he couldn’t keep them all straight so he focused on making sure he remembered the names of the older people in Nina’s family. There was Mawmaw, the family matriarch, Tracey and Vernon, Nina’s parents, Aunt Tasha who baked the sweet potato pie that he was having his third slice of, Aunt Dee, Uncle Tony, and Uncle Bashir. All of the cousins kinda blurred together but Sidney figured he’d learn their names quickly.

Overall, he felt like everything was going well. Sidney answered everyone’s questions and he guessed his answers were good since one of Nina’s older cousins told him his new nickname was White Boy. Nina had snickered while some of the younger ones giggled. Right now, Sidney was talking to Aunt Tasha. “What would it take to get you to bake me a pie of my own,” Sidney asked.

Tasha laughed while Tracey smirked. Tracey interjected, “Oh no, Tasha gonna be bragging about this forever. ‘Guess who came to Thanksgiving and loved my sweet potato pie? Sidney Crosby loved my sweet potato pie.’ She will never shut up!”

“Don’t be mad that you can’t bake a pie as good as me, Tracey,” Tasha chided, laughing. “Nina makes a better pie than both of us but that girl don’t wanna cook.”

Tracey smirked when she saw the look on Sidney’s face. “Oh no, Tash, now this boy gonna be begging my daughter to make him a pie.”

Everyone laughed as Nina was in a different room. Mawmaw chided, “I’m happy that one of my family don’t got to be in the kitchen like that. I wish I could’ve been the same at her age.”

Sidney decided to scroll his phone as the older women began to argue. Then he felt someone tap his shoulder.

“White boy, you wanna play spades?”

Sidney looked at this cousin of Nina. He was sitting at a table with Vernon, one of her aunts, and another cousin. “No,” he replied, shaking his head.

The cousin got a devious grin on his face. “It’s easy, you should play for Shantara, she can’t play for shit.”

Sidney’s competitive instinct told him it was a bad idea. And from the way Vernon was eyeing him, Sidney knew he was right for shaking his head. “Nope. I’ll learn by watching.”

“Nina’s white boy smart,” Aunt Tasha hollered. “You play spades and renege, boy, someone about to go for those knees.”

“Stop torturing, Sid, Deonte,” Nina scolded as she sat in Sidney’s lap. “At least wait til the second visit before hazing him over spades.”

“I like this boy, Nini. Keep him, he’s betta than that last boy you brought here, bless his heart. Didn’t know how to talk to people,” Mawmaw advised.

Nina wanted to die as the rest of her family snickered. Holidays: the time of the year where your greatest fuckups get rehashed for shits and giggles.

Nafis snorted. “What’s his name... it wasn’t that Ron boy, was it? Naw, it was James’s old friend, Jordan. We all knew he wasn’t shit, I mean, nothing, when he made Tommy mad.”

Nina winced as remembered that. Tommy was one of the sweetest guys and hard to rile up, but anyone who could make cousin Tommy mad was a douchebag.

“Her pets like him. Tess curls in his lap and Steely lets him pet him,” Vernon said.

Everyone stared at Sidney, eyes wide. Stuttering, Aunt Tasha said, “T-t-that cat and d-dog hate every damn body other than Nini and her family. I be damned.”

Mawmaw laughed.

The rest of the dinner went without incident. But at a quiet moment, Vernon pulled Sidney from the group to a quiet spot in the yard. It was late November in Western Pennsylvania so no one else was there.

Vernon Jackson had seen more of his fair share of crap in his life. Growing up in Ward 8 of D.C., Vernon had dodged dealers, hustlers, stick-up kids, etc. to survive. His grades weren’t great so Vernon went into the army to ensure that he escaped. Through being deployed in the Gulf War then to Mogadishu, Vernon had done his best to make sure that all his children had more than he did growing up.

Now, his sweettart, his eldest, his sweet girl, Nina was grown. She had done more than he and Tracey combined. But looking at the man he was sure his daughter was in love with, Vernon began to wonder if he made a mistake.

Oh, it was obvious that Sidney Crosby was in love with his daughter. But the feelings of love could fade and given his history, Vernon couldn’t trust that Crosby would do the right thing.

So as a loving father, Vernon pulled Sidney to the side. “I just wanted to ask you something important before I give my blessing to this.”

“Yes, sir,” Sidney responded.

“You know your children will be considered Black?”

Vernon watched Sidney’s face after asking that question. Lust and infatuation was nice but this was his little girl. The last thing he wanted was his daughter hurt because she fell for someone not just clueless but maliciously clueless about race.

Sidney quietly replied, “I know. People will see them as Black and will think the worst of them first.”

Not bad, Vernon thought. He expected a colorblind response.

Then he heard Nina call out, “Dad? Sid? We are about to cut the cake!”

Vernon and Sid both grimaced but for different reasons. Vernon because he couldn’t really have cake because of his diabetes, Sid because cake wasn’t on his meal plan. Vernon told Sidney, “before you start making plans for rings, you need to start thinking about how you are going to start speaking up about race. Think about that.”

Sidney kept Vernon’s words in his mind through the week. Trina had told him what happened in the bathroom that night but Nina told him that his mom had handled it for her. But as he waited for Nina to open her door, Sidney couldn’t help but think what he could do to avoid situations like that from happening for Nina. But words failed as Nina opened the door and gave him a shy smile.

“Hi pretty girl,” Sidney drawled as he walked in, closing the door. He hung up his coat on her coat rack before sitting on Nina’s couch.

“I missed you daddy”

“Missed you, pretty girl. Did you have fun?”

Nina straddled Sid’s thigh and replied, “it was a good time even though UNC lost. The VT campus is beautiful. How was the road trip?”

Sid laughed as Nina played with his hair. “It went well but Geno got hurt. He’ll be out for two weeks.”

“That sucks.”

Sidney hummed his assent as he wrapped an arm around Nina’s waist. He missed his pretty girl and it seemed like she missed him too. They sat there together for several quiet moments before Nina whispered, “I really missed you, daddy. It’s been too long.”

Sidney gave Nina a slow smile as she began to grind on his thigh. He felt the same way as he kissed Nina, soft and slow. Then as they broke apart, the sensual haze on Nina’s face turned into horror. “God damn it,” she muttered.

Sidney frantically asked, “What’s wrong, baby?”

“I just felt my period show up, three days early,” Nina said, rubbing her temples. Her period was cock-blocking her after a couple weeks of no dick and she wanted to die. “I just felt cramps and as much as I’d like to slide to my knees and suck you off, it won’t happen tonight.”

Nina groaned as she closed her eyes, head down. Sidney just started to laugh.

“Cmon, pretty girl. Let’s just watch movies tonight.”

“Movies sound good,” Nina replied, “I just refuse to watch Friends, ever.”

Sidney giggle-honked as Nina moved from straddling his thigh to curling into his lap.

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thebookreader12345 · 3 years

Text

My Girls

Pairing: Jay Halstead x reader

Summary: Y/N is on leave from work because she’s 9-months pregnant, but since she’s got nothing to do at home, she decides to go visit her husband at work

Requested: No

Warnings: mentions of pregnancy

Word Count: 1,230 Words

“Look at you. You’re glowing,” Platt said to me as I entered the lobby, stomping the snow off of my boots.

“Thanks, Sergeant. Would you mind buzzing me up?” I ask.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on leave? You look like you’re about to pop,” Platt exclaimed and pointed to my stomach.

“I had nothing to do at home, so I figured I’d pick up some lunch for the team” I answer. “And don’t worry, Sarge. I didn’t forget about you.” I set the bags I was holding on the floor and picked out two items from one of them, setting them on the desk.

Platt smiled. “Two tamales from Portillos! You’re the best, Y/N. Let me get you upstairs.”

Platt unlocked the gate for me, and I thanked her, beginning my trek up the stairs. When I got to the bullpen, I saw that everyone was looking bored either typing slowly at their keyboards or flipping through files. Now was the perfect time for them to eat something.

“Hey everyone,” I announce.

Jay looked up at the sound of my voice, and he smiled when he saw me. “Hey, babe. What are you doing here?”

“I was bored at home, so I figured I’d swing by. I brought Portillos,” I state and hold up the bags.

“You are the best,” Adam declared and walked over, taking the bags from my hands. He walked over to his desk and set them down, and everyone walked over to get their food except for Jay, who walked over to me.

“How’s baby girl doing?” Jay asked and placed his hands on either side of my 8-months pregnant stomach.

“She’s kicking non-stop” I admit. “We’ve got ourselves a soccer player.” Just then, the baby kicked again, this time right where one of Jay’s hands was resting. He smiled as I took off my hat, shoving it into my coat pocket. I had hoped that our baby would be born before it started snowing, since walking on regular ground was tough enough with another human being growing inside of me, but I had no luck because it had started snowing a few weeks ago.

“He Y/N, is there any word on when that baby is coming yet? Cause Hailey and I need you back up here,” Kim said.

“My due date is in 3 weeks, but you guys do know that I’m taking 3 months of maternity leave, right?” I ask.

“Uh. Jay, you suck,” Hailey pointed out.

“What? Why?” Jay questioned.

“Well, you could’ve just kept it in your pants,” I answer. “If you did, I could be at work instead of sitting around the house all day doing nothing. I can only listen to my mother talking about baby names for so long.”

“Okay, Y/N wanted a kid just as much as me, so therefore she is half at fault,” Jay explained.

“That is also true. Go on and eat,” I tell Jay. “I brought the food for a reason.”

Jay raised his hands in the air. “All right. I’ll eat. Did you buy anything for yourself?”

“I ate before I came over,” I answer.

“Thank you for the food, Y/N,” Adam exclaimed as he stuffed a few fries in his mouth.

“You’re welcome,” I say.

“So Y/N, have you and Jay decided godparents yet? Cause I mean, I’m a valuable contender,” Kevin spoke.

“Oh jeez,” Kim laughed.

“We’re not getting into that right now,” Jay said and sat down at his desk. I followed suit and snatched one of the fries from his meal. “Hey!”

“After the amount of times you’ve stolen my food, I have the right to steal yours,” I confess.

“Have you guys picked out any baby names yet?” Hailey asked and took a sip from her water bottle.

“Yes, but we’re not sharing. Its going to be a surprise,” I say and glance up at the clock. “Well, I should get going. You guys probably have tons of work.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to you later, babe,” Jay spoke. Before I left, I poked my head into Voight’s office to see him glancing down at some paperwork.

“Hey, Sarge,” I greet.

“Y/N! What are you doing here?” Voight asked.

“I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I also brought you something,” I respond and set a bag down on his desk.

“A steak from Mastro’s? Don’t tell anyone this, but you’re my favorite on the team,” Voight informed me.

“I won’t say a word. Have a nice night, Sarge,” I say and leave his office.

That night at home, I was sitting on the couch wearing a pair of Jay’s sweatpants and a t-shirt. I had just gotten off of the phone with my mom, which was the second time I had spoken to her today, and I was now skimming through the photo album I kept in the living room. As I took in the pictures littering the pages, I smiled. Most were of Jay and I, but a good chunk contained us with the rest of the team. They were like my second family, and while I wanted to get back to work, I was ready to start a family with Jay. Just then, the front door opened, and Jay stepped inside, shaking the snow off of his clothes.

“Hey, Y/N,” Jay said and walked over to me, placing a kiss on my cheek. “Whatcha doing?”

“Just looking at pictures. Sit down. I just got to the best part,” I inform him. Jay took a seat next to me as I flipped the page, revealing all of our wedding pictures. I remembered our wedding day like it was yesterday. We decided to have the wedding in the spring, so our colors were light blue and pastel pink. Everyone looked amazing, especially Jay. My favorite picture had to be of Jay and I along with the rest of the team. All of us were standing together, smiling at the camera. It was hard to believe that our wedding was over 2 years ago.

The next page made me grin even more, seeing as it started out with the first ultrasound I got, which confirmed that I was pregnant. Then of course you had our gender reveal picture. We wanted it to be simple, so we just cut a cake. When we cut into the frosting and revealed pink cake, Jay was over the moon. The other pictures were just random ones from throughout my pregnancy, but they all brought back amazing memories. I shut the book and leaned into Jay, who wrapped his arms around me.

“How was work?” I ask him.

“Fine. I’m glad to be home though. I missed my girls,” Jay spoke and placed a hand on my stomach, causing the baby to kick.

“She missed you too,” I respond. “Can you believe we’ll be parents soon?”

“It all feels so surreal. But I’m ready to meet my baby girl,” Jay murmured.

“Me too, Jay. You ready to head to bed?” I question.

“Do you mind if we just sit here for awhile? I’m not quite ready to go to bed yet,” Jay informed me.

“Not at all,” I mumble and lay my head on Jay’s shoulder.

“I love you both,” Jay spoke and rubbed his hand over my stomach.

“We love you too,” I exclaim and press my lips to his.

____________________________

Tag List:

@prettypyschoinpink @securityfriendly-jay @scarletsoldierrr @lorenakaspersen @virtualreader @carnationworld @caitsymichelle13 @dreamingmanip @campingmonkey @winterberryfox @nevertoofarfromivar @anotherfan07 @giagma @mrspeacem1nusone @i-like-sparkly-things

#One Chicago #Chicago PD #jay halstead #jay halstead x reader #jay halstead imagine #baby #pregnancy #x reader

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nugnthopkns · 3 years

Text

don’t say you miss me

word count: 5.5k

warnings: explicit!fem reader, references to sex but nothing explicit, cursing, recreational drug use (marijuana), alcohol consumption, there is no happy ending

recommended listening: overnight | maggie rogers

series masterpost: here

a/n: second installment of hiiapl! little overnight inspired ditty that i’m actually pretty proud of. i’m having so much fun with this it’s insane

You had never meant to get attached.

It was a lot easier said than done – especially with Kevin. He was loud and obnoxious, sure, but it was part of his charm. When you first met him, outside a club in downtown Winnipeg, you were blown away by his duality. He had been so loud with his group but quietly brought you a bottle of water after you puked on the sidewalk. After insisting you take his number so you could let him know you got home safely, Kevin convinced you to go to dinner with him. One meal turned into several and before you knew it you were engaged in a casual fling with the Winnipeg Jets’ newest centre. It was mostly sex, with the ocasional interaction outside of the bedroom, but something about Kevin made it feel like more than just a hookup. Over the few months you slept together your feelings shifted, and you began to harbour a rather large crush.

Just when you were going to take the leap and talk to Kevin about getting serious fate reared its ugly head. After only being in Winnipeg for six months, electing to not return to Massechusettes right away after the Jets playoff run finished, Kevin was traded out of the city. The news split your heart in two – there was no way the two of you could become a couple. Though long distance could have been an option, you weren’t going to ask him to commit to that. Being a professional athlete is tough as is, and having a girlfriend a six hour flight away was extra stress you refused to put on Kevin.

The last night you spent with Kevin was emotional. Lots of tears were shed, mostly from you. You knew he was compartmentalizing it all and trying to not let you know how much the trade was affecting him. Whenever the two of you had talked about hockey, Kevin was always quick to mention how much he loved Winnipeg and how much he wanted to stay. Neither of you talked much, too focussed on wallowing in sadness and committing each other’s bodies to memory. He left the next morning, and there was a silent agreement that whatever the two of you had was over. It was fun while it lasted but now you both have to be adults and get on with life.

☼☼☼☼

Nearly six months later you consider yourself to be getting on with life just fine. You’ve got a better paying job, a new apartment, and enthusiastically throw yourself into any project that’s presented. To others, however, you’re barely hanging on. Any time you get a text notification, you hold your breath until a name flashes that isn’t Kevin’s. A notification from Instagram saying he viewed your story makes your heart beat three times as fast. You constantly check for updates on how he’s playing, and watch as many Flyers games media blackouts will allow just to catch a glimpse of his face. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t shake Kevin Hayes.

“They’ll be in town this weekend,” your best friend Rachel says. “Are you gonna reach out to him?”

You nearly drop the carton of chinese food you’re eating on the floor. “I didn’t know that,” you stammer, trying to make your surprise believable. Kevin will be back in Winnipeg for the first time since being traded. You knew this already, of course, because you have the Flyers scheduled imprinted in your memory.

She narrows her eyes at you. “Don’t fucking lie to me. You knew they were coming to town. The NHL app stays open on your phone at all times.”

Caught in your lie, you can do nothing but duck your head. You’ve thought a lot about what you’re going to do. Should you send him a text, let him know you’re available after the game? Or should you ignore him completely and make it seem as though you’re doing much better than you are?

“I don’t know Rach. I’ve never had a sort of ex come back to the city he left me in.”

“He didn’t necessarily want to leave you,” Rachel points out. “He got traded. If you want my two cents, I don’t think you should give him a call. You need to move on, not stay stuck in the past.”

Your friend is right, and you know that’s what you should do. Moving on from Kevin would be easier if you didn’t try to contact him. He hasn’t reached out to you so you assume you’re the only one in the relationship still struggling to come to terms with his departure. You struggle with the decision until puck drop, but ultimately decide against texting him. It simply wouldn’t be beneficial for your fragile heart.

A small group of friends has gathered at Rachel’s to watch the game. You’re lucky, or unlucky, to run with a crowd of die-hard Jets fans who get together any time they play, whether it’s at someone’s house or a sports bar around the corner from the arena. Though you tried your best to get out of it tonight, making up any excuse you can think of to stay at home and sob quietly into a pillow, Rachel knows better than to let you be alone and forces you to be in attendance.

It’s a pretty quiet game with the Jets dominating the first two periods. The Flyers are sluggish, not connecting passes and taking far too many penalties. You’re pretty sure Winnipeg has it in the bag when the puck drops for the final twenty minutes of play, so you turn your attention away from the television, picking up a conversation with Christina, the girl your friend Tyler brought along.

Some choice words must have been said to the Flyers in the intermission because they come out swinging. Before you can comprehend what’s happening, they’ve tied the game. The period is full of contact, with multiple players from each team spending time in the penalty box. Your attention is once again returned to the large screen for the final few minutes, and your jaw drops as you watch Kevin dangle through the Jets defence to sink the puck into the back of the net. It turns out to be the game winning goal, and you sit in silence as your friends pay up the money they lost in bets and check their updated fantasy pool standings. Maybe you should text him.

“Don’t fucking do it,” you hear Rachel whisper in your ear. Your other friends know of your past with Kevin, they were around and spent some time with him, but they don’t know how much you were still holding on. Everyone besides Rachel assumes you’re alright – that Kevin is just a blip in your past.

You roll your eyes and sigh, but tuck your phone back into the pocket of your jeans. It stays there – out of sight, out of mind – until it buzzes some time later. Expecting it to be your mother hounding you for not calling in a while, you pull it out. A message from Kevin flashes and you go whiter than a ghost.

Taking the boys out celebrating the big win. You in?

The words, so casual, feel like a punch to the stomach. Why the months of radio silence just to ask to see him like you’re friends? Making sure that no one is paying attention to you, you quickly type out a reply.

That’s not a good idea and you know it Kevin.

You send the message and immediately turn off your phone. This way you won’t have to deal with the aftermath until much later. You allow other things to hold your attention and don’t head home until you’re so tired that it will be impossible for you to think about Kevin’s text.

When you power your phone back up in the morning, you’re shocked to find that Kevin never responded. He obviously didn’t care too much about your absence, and part of you wonders if he was just being polite. It doesn’t make sense, but instead of letting your brain overthink the lack of response you throw yourself headfirst into cleaning your apartment. Hours later it’s spotless, and you slump onto the couch in a pile of exhaustion. You check your social media notifications, a few mentions from your friends about the shenanigans you all got up to the night before and your sister tagging you in a post letting you know she’d like to visit a specific beach the next time she comes to visit. Kevin’s profile photo sits at the top of your instagram feed, and before you can stop yourself you click to view his story.

It’s a snapshot of his teammates with bright smiles on their faces. Each of them is holding a can of beer, and a few look as though they shared a joint before entering the establishment. The photo is captioned ‘glad to be back in winterpeg’ and is accompanied by a couple of snowflake emojis. Your heart clenches inside your chest – it hurts more than you thought it would to see him enjoying himself as though he has no bittersweet feelings about being back. It would be beneficial to unfollow Kevin, but you can’t force yourself to pull the metaphorical trigger and completely cut him from your life.

Kevin leaves the next day for Vancouver. You know this because you watch his story yet again, and curse yourself for grasping at straws. Why must he have such a strong hold on you after so long? A call to Rachel has her driving to your place in minutes, ready to hold you while you cry and distract you from the pain that still lingers from his first departure.

☼☼☼☼

It’s easier to forget Kevin without him being in the city – you do your best, and eventually it sort of sticks.

He no longer crosses your mind every few days. You go weeks, sometimes a month or two, without thinking about him. It’s nice to no longer get sad when you enter a bar you frequented with him or wince when someone mentions how he’s playing. It also helps that he never returns to Winnipeg.

There’s no reason for him to. The Flyers don’t play another away game against the Jets the rest of season, and as far as you know he doesn’t frequently talk to his old teammates. Your life fades into a quiet routine you come to love dearly. The world feels balanced for the first time since Kevin left and you’re nothing but thankful.

Life moves on, and you find yourself succeeding in your career – so much so that you’re quickly offered a promotion. The change increases your workload and doesn’t leave you much of a life outside of work, but it doesn’t matter much to you. It’s a welcome distraction and keeps thoughts of Kevin out of your mind. No one comments on your genuine improvement, but you know they can see it. Rachel is proud, and she’s told you exactly once. It’s all you’ll get out of her so you take it and roll with it. The rest of the regular season passes without you so much as knowing, or caring, and before you know it there’s a notification for an article saying the Flyers were eliminated in the second round. For the first time you find it really hard to care.

☼☼☼☼

Summers in Winnipeg are your favourite. The city is warm for the first time all year and the flowers look beautiful in full bloom. With the promotion you’re afforded more vacation time, which you plan to take full advantage. There’s nothing you love more than hanging with friends in the sun, soaking up the rays, and casually drinking.

The days bleed into one another in the way that all good summers should, and before you realize it it’s your last day at work for a week. It will be nice to be free from workplace constraints for a while, and your friends have the time off as well. The group of you are heading to a cabin on Falcon Lake where you’re sure lots of partying will take place. You suggested getting farther away, but settled on the area in case Tyler’s sister goes into labour. He’s a very family oriented person and offered to watch his nephew when the time comes.

Four o’clock comes faster than you ever could have imagined, and you cheerfully wave goodbye to your co-workers. Some complain of your ability to leave during the busiest season of the year, but most of them wish you well. You put an immense amount of work into your job regardless of the quarter and know you deserve the break. If you don’t stop at the grocery store on your way you’ll be in trouble since you’re in charge of all the breakfasts and you currently only have a half-eaten loaf of bread that could go stale any day.

You’re in the cereal aisle, deciding whether or not you really need Honey Nut Cheerios for the trip, when you hear his unforgettable voice. It’s loud and booming and brings back so many feelings that you’ve learned to repress that you turn on your heel and head to the nearest self checkout despite only gathering half the items on your list.

Back in your car, you dial Rachel’s number and try to regulate your breathing.

“Hello?”

You don’t bother with any formalities. “Kevin is here.”

“In Winnipeg?” she asks, more than a tad confused. “Why would he be in Winnipeg?”

The interior of the Ford Escape you drive feels too small, so you crack a window and peel out of the parking space. Rachel’s voice reverberates throughout the car thanks to the bluetooth system. “I don’t fucking know, but he’s here.”

“I don’t think that’s possible Y/N,” Rachel says, always the realist. “He lives in Boston. What would he be doing in Winnipeg in the middle of July?”

You aren’t sure, and make sure to tell her so. “But it was him,” you swear. “He was in the grocery store.” You stop at a red light, placing your blinker on and checking both ways before turning right. A few more minutes and you’d be safely tucked away in your apartment, away from the world and the possibility of running into Kevin.

“There’s like a hundred tall gingers in the city babe, you didn’t see him.”

“You’re right, I didn’t see him,” you agree. “I heard him. How many tall gingers are there in Winnipeg with Boston accents?”

“Oh fuck. I’m coming over.” With that, Rachel hangs up, and you pull into the parking garage. You sit in silence for a minute or two before deciding your shaking legs can hold you upright. Perhaps you weren’t as over Kevin as you thought.

Rachel spends the rest of the afternoon and evening with you, ensuring you don’t do anything stupid and letting you spew all your feelings, both good and bad. More than one bottle of wine is consumed, but you have more than enough time to nurse a hangover. If you play your cards right through the week this won’t be the only time you do it either.

You wake up on top of your pristine sheets, Rachel grumbling beside you – she’s never been as good at holding her alcohol.

“What time is it?”

The alarm clock on your bedside table flashes a few numbers and you have to stare at them for a minute before you comprehend them. “Just after eight,” you say, sitting up. Surprisingly, you feel fine. Maybe the crippling weight of your feelings for Kevin cancels out the hangover you most definitely should be feeling.

“We need to get going. Gotta pack the car and hit the road. I’m the one who needs to get the keys so we have to be there before everyone else,” she sighs, grumbling something else under her breath as her feet hit the floor.

You just laugh at her and head into the kitchen. While Rachel showers you make coffee and pack the food into the ancient cooler your father gave you when you moved out many moons ago. It has served its purpose on several trips like this – you’ll be sad to see it go eventually. You switch places with Rachel, and once you’re feeling refreshed the two of you stuff your trunk and hit the road.

The drive is rather uneventful, with the both of you sitting in silence, and it doesn’t take you long to approach your destination. Rachel is a poor navigator so you’re tasked with figuring out where you’re going and making sure you get there, but it could be worse. You have a general sense of where you’re going. Getting the keys is painless and you get to work unpacking your overloaded SUV.

“Do you think there will be other people around we can party with?” Rachel asks as you close the trunk for the last time.

You shrug. “Don’t know Rach. It doesn’t look like it.”

She drops it, agreeing with you, and you separate to unpack your personal belongings. The cabin is large enough that no one has to share a room, which you’re grateful for. Though you love your friends dearly, they don’t always know what personal space is. At some point in the afternoon the rest of the group trickles in, and by dinner you’ve all settled and are ready to party.

Tyler figures out how to use the ancient barbeque and sets to work cooking the burgers. Everyone else gets side dishes ready or sets the table, with Christine starting a bonfire. You don’t know her well, only having met her a few times, but your friend seems to be infatuated with her. She fits in great with the group so you aren’t worried about any awkward tension. Dinner passes in a fit of giggles and shouts, and once the dishes are done you can relax fully.

The beer you grab from the fridge on your way out the door makes your insides fuzzy in the best way possible. By the fire, surrounded by those who care about you the most, you feel at peace. You’re yet to think about the sudden reappearance of Kevin in Winnipeg, and you’d like to keep it that way. Someone grabs the beat up acoustic guitar you found in the living room and thrusts it in your direction. You’d taught yourself to play in college, and it comes in handy for times like this.

“I refuse to play Wonderwall,” you laugh, shooting pointed looks at each and every person sitting around you.

“Come on Y/N,” Rachel groans. “Just once?”

“Fuck off.”

You don’t mean it, of course, and strum the opening chords with a grimace on your face. Tyler counts everyone in and they sing for you, which is appreciated. You might be decent at playing, but your singing voice is one that shouldn’t see the light of day if it can be helped. It’s more fun than you imagined it could be so one song turns into three, and before you know it your makeshift jamboree attracts the attention of the neighbours you didn’t know existed.

Applause erupts from behind you, and you flush enough that your cheeks warm significantly. “You guys are so good I hate to disrupt the rhythm,” a deep voice says, “But do you mind if a buddy and I join you? We’re a little lonely by ourselves next door.”

Tyler’s out of his seat in a heartbeat, jumping up to pat the man on the back. “Of course man, come on over! I’m Tyler, and that’s Rachel, Christine, Marshall, and Y/N.”

You all wave politely, and the mystery guest introduces himself. “Nice you meet you guys. I’m Nolan.”

It’s then you get a good look at who you’re speaking to. He seems to be a few years younger than you, maybe early twenties, and he has a face you just can’t place. Maybe you’ve seen him around Winnipeg – the city is small enough that you can often spot the same faces in a crowd. “I’ll just yell at him to come over and we can get the party started,” Nolan explains, “Kev, bud, come on over! And bring a couple beers.”

All the blood rushes from your fingers at the name. You shake them intensely, willing your circulatory system to function properly again. If you had to hazard a guess there’s probably a million people in Manitoba named Kevin. There’s no reason for it to be Kevin Hayes. You’re most certainly still spooked from your near encounter with him yesterday.

“Fuck Patty, you couldn’t come back and grab your own?” the emerging figure grumbles in the vocal stylings you’ll have imprinted on your heart until your dying day. Kevin is here, and if you don’t leave in the next few seconds you’ll be face to face with him for the first time in over a year.

You stand abruptly, not stopping to explain your hasty exit to anyone, and practically run into the house. The door slams behind you and you do your best to make your heart rate return to normal. Tyler shouts something you can’t quite comprehend, but you know it’s probably some sort of reconnection greeting. He’d met Kevin a couple of times while the two of you were together and had gotten along with him well.

“Hey,” Rachel whispers, “You good?”

You hadn’t heard her come in. “Not really,” you admit. “I mean like I knew he was in town but never in a million years did I think he’d crash my fucking vacation.”

She nods in agreement. “What do you want to do?”

“Stay in here forever?” An eye roll is sent your way but you choose to ignore it. “I’m serious Rach, I can’t go back out there, at least not tonight. Every time I think I’m over him he finds a way to make me realize I’m just faking.”

“I know,” Rachel says simply. She really does – as your best friend she’s privy to your every thought on the matter. After making sure that you'll be okay she heads back outside, armed with an excuse for your early departure.

You spend the rest of the night tucked under the covers, listening to the laughter of your friends outside, no doubt in your mind that Kevin is the source for most of it. He’s always been good at commanding an audience. Thoughts swim freely in your brain, most of them occupied by Kevin in some capacity. Was tonight just a one off? Will you have to eventually face him? What will you say? Eventually sleep comes, though it’s fitful and fleeting.

☼☼☼☼

You do your best to avoid Kevin, and it works for a day or two. Tyler has stricken up a friendship with the athlete, and spends more time with him and Nolan than your group. You don’t mind all that much because they typically are out on Nolan’s boat or lounging in their cabin, but every night the group reconvenes at your firepit. The excuses are starting to run out – there’s only so many times you can say you have heat exhaustion before someone stops believing you.

“Y/N, Kevin hasn’t even mentioned you,” Tyler whines one night after dinner. “It won’t be awkward. We only have a few days left, please spend time with us?”

“I’m spending plenty of time with you,” you grumble. “You promise he won’t say anything?”

Tyler shoots you a smile that lets you know he knows that he’s broken down your resolve. “Why would he? If he was going to do it he would have already.”

You aren’t sure if that makes you feel better or worse. You’re glad he’s faring better than you, but on the other hand you wish he’d at least make an effort to inquire into your well-being. Maybe it was simply proof that you were still holding onto something that didn’t mean much of anything. Eventually you’d have to face the music, whether it be with Kevin or someone in the future, so you make the decision to try and at least get used to seeing former flames in social settings.

“You’re rolling my joints tonight asshole,” you grumble, shoving your sock clad feet into a pair of worn out sandals.

There’s a small commotion, mostly in excitement at your begrudging agreement, and you roll your eyes as you grab what is destined to be your first of many beers from the fridge. Rachel slides up beside you on the way out the door and squeezes your hand, letting you know she’s ready to support you no matter what happens. It’s comforting, and the nerves in your stomach settle a small amount.

Marshall is already outside, helping Nolan start the fire. They seem to be extremely similar and you’re glad they can seek each other out when the rest of the group gets too rambunctious. The rest of your party filters out of the house and takes up residence in the adirondack chairs. Kevin doesn’t appear to be around, so you allow yourself to speak freely, loud and unabashed.

“No I’m telling you,” you insist, trying to convince Nolan your stance on Jack Antonoff is correct. “Jack is literally responsible for reinventing pop production.”

He laughs at how into the conversation you are. “Why the fuck should I care?”

“Because you fucking listen to Lorde!”

Someone else is laughing along with you and it nearly stops you in your tracks. At some point Kevin had joined the party, but you hadn’t noticed. Knowing that he was listening makes you suddenly self conscious, and you wrap your sweater tighter around your shoulders. Nolan can tell you’re uncomfortable and does his best to relieve the tension.

“Kev, do you wanna run back and grab the weed?” he asks.

The auburn haired man pulls a baggie out of his hoodie pocket. “Got it right here baby cat,” he grins. “And it’s ready to go. You got a light?”

Nolan tosses him the lighter and Kevin expertly puts the joint between his parted lips. He lets the smoke fill his lungs before exhaling, and you watch him more intently than you should. You’re thrown back to the memories of Kevin’s apartment downtown, where you’d smoke in content silence after a night of passionate sex. The scenes flash in your mind and you’re overcome with melancholia. You had been so happy in the moment, and now you’re in a similar situation but feel nothing. Other than sharing in your laughter, Kevin is yet to say anything to you.

You must have been lost in your thoughts, because Kevin is staring at you with a quizzical expression. “Y/N? Do you want a hit?”

It takes you a second to snap out of your daze, but to cautiously take the lit joint from his hand. “Thank you Kevin,” you say, voice timid. It’s the first time you’ve spoken to him since he left Winnipeg for the first time.

He shoots you a dazzling smile and your insides threaten to turn to mush. No matter how hard you’ve tried to convince yourself you over him, that you’ve moved on from Kevin, you know you’re wrong. Kevin Hayes will have some sort of hold on you until you die. To distract yourself from the overwhelming amount of emotion you inhale deeply, hoping that the buzz smoking will bring can clear your mind. You really don’t want to think about what you lost when he’s right in front of you.

The three of you sit in silence, passing the joint in a circle, and listen to the conversation your friends are engaged in. Marshall ropes Nolan into a game of cornhole and he goes begrudgingly. As he stands he sends you a sympathetic look, and you know that he’s familiar with your history with Kevin. It doesn’t surprise you – Kevin isn’t exactly one to keep secrets.

“So,” Kevin says once it’s just the two of you, “How have you been?”

You do your best to swallow the lump in your throat. “I’ve been good. Work has been crazy lately, so this break has been really nice.”

He presses, and you indulge him in a conversation about your new job, though it can barely be considered that now. Everything is surface level – you’re afraid of letting Kevin in too much. Though your fling may have been brief, it didn’t make his departure or the lack of contact any easier. He tells you about his life in Philadelphia and how much he loves it there. Before you can stop yourself, you ask him a loaded question.

“Do you like it more than Winnipeg?”

Kevin falters. It takes both of you a moment to process what you said. Not one to lie, he answers truthfully. “Yeah.” It comes out in a sort of deflated sigh. “But I miss –”

“Don’t say it,” you rush, trying hard to keep your voice down. “You don’t mean it.”

An embittered huff comes from him, and you watch carefully as he peels the worn ball cap off his head and tugs on his curls. “I do,” he insists. “I absolutely miss you.”

You no longer care who can hear you. “If you missed me, you would have texted. Called. Anything,” you say cooly. Everyone else has clued in to the fact that something is going on between you and Kevin, and have migrated inside in an attempt to give you privacy.

“I did. You’re the one who said it wasn’t a good idea to see each other again.”

“Because it had been over half a year!” you shriek. “And it had been radio silence before then. You left Kevin, and I’m not blaming you. I know it’s your job. But you left and it was so fucking hard, and it stung because you didn’t even try. So when you hit me up after that game I knew I had to say no. Because no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise, I’m still so in love with you that if you asked I’d uproot my life and follow you to Philly. I don’t want to be that girl.”

The outburst leaves you gasping for breath. Never before had you spilled heartache so fast – with a sort of reckless abandon. Anytime you’ve had these types of conversations you’ve been calm and collected. You’re currently the farthest thing from it.

Kevin’s expression softens, and a sadness fills his eyes. “I was scared,” he begins, “Because for the first time in my life I was with someone I could see spending the rest of my life with. Sure, we weren’t serious, but I was going to take it there. Then I got traded and the plans I had went to shit and I was too scared to do anything about it. So I let you slip away.”

Silence fills the space between you. You don’t know what to say, so you focus on unraveling the loose thread from the hem of your cardigan. Kevin shuffles in his seat awkwardly. “Where do we, uh, go from here?”

The question shocks you. To the best of your understanding, you had made it perfectly clear where your relationship was headed. “Nowhere,” you breathe. “You head back to Philly, meet another girl, and fall in love. I stay here, do my job, and learn to be content with myself.”

“There’s no room for us in your little plan?”

“We’ve run our course Kev. As much as I still love you, will always love you, we’re too fundamentally different for us both to really be happy in a relationship. You have to know that.”

He nods. “I do.” With that, Kevin rises from the chair, gives you a sad smile, and leaves. You assume he’s calling it a night, and you wish to do the same. Finally having that conversation was exhausting and all you want to do is sleep for the next twelve hours.

☼☼☼☼

The rest of the trip passes without you seeing Kevin again. He and Nolan left early the morning after your conversation, and you do your best to enjoy yourself. Part of your brain makes you believe you’re the reason they left, though Tyler tells you otherwise. No one asks about what happened between you two, not even Rachel, and you return to the city determined to start anew. Eventually you break the cycle of obsessing over Kevin’s stats, and take it upon yourself to unfollow him on social media. Life goes on.

Things never really get easier. You still find yourself grieving the loss of Kevin, late at night when you can’t sleep, but are confident in your decision to say goodbye for good. Time heals everything, and eventually you’ll be okay.

☼☼☼☼

taglist: @jamiedrysdales @kiedhara @tortito @boqvistsbabe @iwantahockeyhimbo if you want to be added just shoot me an ask :)

#kevin hayes imagine #kevin hayes x reader #kevin hayes fic #philadelphia flyers imagine #hockey imagine #hockey fic #nhl imagine #nhl fic #cwrites #hiiapl

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raymondebidochonlifechoices · 2 years

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I posted 6,725 times in 2021

715 posts created (11%)

6010 posts reblogged (89%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 8.4 posts.

I added 4,990 tags in 2021

#bughead fanfiction - 987 posts

#riverdale season 5 - 775 posts

#bughead - 662 posts

#😂😂😂 - 496 posts

#riverdale season 5 spoilers - 448 posts

#riverdale - 411 posts

#bughead fanart - 353 posts

#riverdale spoilers - 337 posts

#jughead jones - 325 posts

#😂 - 196 posts

Longest Tag: 136 characters

#justice for serpent jughead aka the most annoying and earnest jughead who bothers adults the most and cares the most about his community

My Top Posts in 2021

To summarise:

Dr Curdle Jr, the most overworked coroner in the history of coroners, rents out his cooler for extra money. Recently unemployed Betty Cooper splurges on a cadaver locker.

Wonky Timeline Alert #1: Archie is pulling 12-hour shifts in the mines. While still being head of RHS’s ROTC. And coaching football. At least there haven’t been any fires since he reinstated the fire department.

KevKev, who remembers what a real cult (kidney donations and all) is like, becomes suspicious when Cheryl tells him that their deity is not hot stud Jason, captain of the water polo team, but Mother Nature. Kevin, who is gay, quits.

Chad goes to his father-in-law to complain that Veronica agreed to give him alimony and leave him all of her assets. Hiram is impressed by Chad’s puce suit jacket and decides to help him by giving him a gun. If he can’t have Archie, nobody will!

Tabitha, who has probably seen at least one of Bughead’s high school sex tapes, wants to help them make some more. She knows that investigating is what gets Jughead and Betty going, so she enlists their help to help find Squeaky. Bughead make eye contact. Yowza!

Chad attempts to shoot Archie. Much like with his attempt to off Veronica with that helicopter crash, he fails.

I thought Jughead was on administrative leave but, according to this episode, he was fired. Another wrench in Archie’s plans to save The Town Formerly Known As Riverdale … Tarnation!

Jughead proposes to track his underaged ex-student on social media and have him travel all the way back to Riverdale in order to chat about his traumatic experience. This, he says, is totally appropriate, since he’s not his teacher anymore … Oh Riverdale! (affectionate)

He also learns that Betty’s last suspect swallowed his own tongue because he thought she would dismember him and is immediately turned on. Bughead have to visit the morgue to cool down.

Alice has a break down on tv and tells the serial killer to stop killing. The serial killer does not listen to her. Instead, they go and steal evidence from the morgue. It’s a hard knock life for Dr Curdle Jr.

The milkshake sign at Pop’s clearly reads: Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry and Blueberry. And yet, Lerman’s shakes are … green. Help me understand, Riverdale.

Archie is mining (heh!) his own business, when Hiram detonates an explosion.

Wonky Timeline alert #2: Veronica had her Quinceañera when she was 14.

Plotline reboot #6532672: Veronica has been knocking heads with her father for the past 4 seasons not because she was against his criminal activities but as a means to seek his approval.

“Our dance of death is finally coming to an end” proclaims Veronica, after making a death threat, thus ensuring that the dance is, in fact, not coming to an end.

The Mothmen are a secret illegitimate clan of Blossoms that live in the woods. Nana Blossom has been replacing her husband’s illegitimate spawn by new, shiny, adopted children (Penelope). That’s big money for you.

Jughead, Betty, Tabitha, Toni and Fangs take the Mothmen down using a taser, a pocket knife, a gun, a shotgun and Jughead’s narrative skills. Oh, and the help of the one illegitimate Blossom accomplice who had previously freed their one male captive. Because: no homo.

Avatar Cheryl successfully bends all four elements to her will. She could have saved Riverdale. Instead, she saves Archie.

Archie Orpheus emerges from the mines carrying his Ericdice.

Chadwick, having already failed to kill Archie, attempts to kill Veronica. He gets shot instead. I don’t know what he expected. Smithers arrives just in time to mop up the mess.

Murder in Riverdale, it turns out, is a family affair. So far, the Blossom family -including but not limited to: legitimate blood relatives, adopted wives, illegitimate children of the woods, estranged blood relatives by the name of Hal Cooper, and young mentees (that’s Chick)- have been responsible for most of the murders that have been taking place in Riverdale since junior year. I am now mildly worried about Cheryl’s witchy ways.

Toffee is chasing butterflies at the Iguazú National Park in Argentina. She has texted Betty asking to officially change her name to Toffee Jones once Betty marries Jughead. She also asked for a certificate attesting that she bears no relation to the Blossoms.

One down. Two more opportunities to discover secret illegitimate clans in the woods.

125 notes • Posted 2021-09-24 00:52:28 GMT

To summarise:

For once, the musical is actually relevant to the show. Betty explains the plot to make sure that every viewer is aware of this unprecedented achievement.

She leaves out the crucial detail that the protagonist suffers from bipolar disorder and not from a case of the bitches, as does Alice. Hmmm …

Alice dreams she’s back in s1, playing Stepford families with Charles, Polly and Betty. Neither Hal nor Chick are invited, which … RUDE!

Remember how Archie and Eric remodeled the Pembrooke for Veronica? Apparently, it’s now smaller, because, somehow, the Andrews residence, with its one single bathroom beats the Lodge’s abode …

Veronica relocates to Archie’s childhood bedroom.

It remains unclear whether Smithers moves in as well or stays at the Pembrooke to re-enact that scene from Risky Business.

Speaking of moving, Britta has been living in the janitor’s closet under the stairwell at school. Unfortunately, Professor Jones isn’t working at RHS anymore, so he couldn’t provide advice on how to remain undetected. She is found out by the janitor.

She could have used those 10k Veronica gave her for scoring a goal for the Bulldogs back in 5x9 to rent a room at the Five Seasons but maybe she’s saving up for college?

Some singing.

Riverdale, the writers tell us, is in a perpetual state of crisis. And whose fault is that, may I ask?

Tabitha asks Jughead to become her fake boyfriend for her dinner date with her parents. Since both she and Jughead are the only people not having had any sex since coming back to Riverdale, they decide to sing a song and kiss.

More sad songs.

There hasn’t been a single fire in Riverdale ever since Archie put together his merry band of firefighter volunteers back in 5x7 but suddenly, they are everywhere. Could it be Hiram trying to woo Archie back?

Without Kevin’s artistic direction, Cheryl’s cult is left with no followers. She uses autotune but it doesn’t change anything.

Reggie Mantle is studying to become a licensed stockbroker. Veronica is intrigued. After all, he has the approval of both her father and her sister. Wait! Is Reggie being groomed by the Lodges?! What about Nana Rose??

More sad songs again.

It is Mother’s Day in Riverdale aka Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss Day. Alice accuses Betty of living her own life. Also, of being responsible for Polly’s death. Sounds like a typical Riverdale Mother’s Day indeed.

Both Tabitha’s father and myself believe Jabitha is a passing fancy.

You know it’s serious when Archie takes off his shirt but Veronica doesn’t look.

“Where do you see us in the next 5 years?” asks Veronica. “Oof” replies Archie. Or something to that effect.

Veronica Lodge did not kill her husband in order to share a bathroom with Jughead and Uncle Frank! What’s next? Sharing closet space with Smithers?! She moves out of Archie’s house.

She probably never found out about the dogs. Small mercies.

Betty visits Kevin to sing a duet with him. Kevin, being big with musicals, is so thrilled that he offers her a second duet.

Unlike the writers, Tabitha’s dad remembers the crazy alien nights at Pop’s back in the 70s and is critical of his daughter going back there. Or leaving her 6 figure CEO job to go date the busboy. He hasn’t learnt about the Coyote Ugly nights yet. That’s ok. There’s time.

I’m living for the moment Jughead gifts him a copy of The Outcasts.

Jabitha sing and kiss again. To be honest, that is a kink that I would have associated with Kevin rather than Jughead.

Jughead should be kissed often and by someone who knows how i.e. Betty.

Cheryl and Toni have tea Without. Singing. QUEENS!

Betty vows never to leave Alice. Alice accepts her apologies. Betty and Alice sing again the show’s moto: “And you find out you don’t have to be happy at all”. It’s true. I’m not happy at all.

Everybody sings together in front of Polly’s grave. It’s a metaphor for this season being one long funeral. The Blooper twins make an appearance. Everyone’s so shocked that the writers remembered them that no one mentions how different Juniper looks. Recast or the Mothmen? You decide!

Toffee is driving a truck down the Lonely Highway. She’s coming back to Riverdale and is ready to cut a bitch.

One down. One more funeral left.

178 notes • Posted 2021-09-30 18:08:38 GMT

181 notes • Posted 2021-11-25 19:09:52 GMT

Since we’re all about to dissect Riverdale’s tripping on mushrooms episode as if it were The Brothers Karamazov …

… a little something about Bughead, sex and purity.

The two main characteristics of Bughead’s sex life are intimacy and exclusiveness. Sure, they’re kinky too (“Bondage? Nice!” said 5x10 Jughead with an eager smile on his face) but mostly, sex for Bughead is about making love and being each other’s center of attention.

If 5x10 taught reminded us anything, is that Riverdale!Jughead was, is, and probably forever will be, Bettysexual. Canonically, not only is Betty the only woman Jughead’s interested in, but also the only woman interested in him. No one else seems to find the emo heartthrob – come successful writer attractive. (Which I find ridiculous but it is what it is.) “But what about Tabitha, and Cora and Jessica?” you will ask. “You mean his aborted and/or failed relationships?” I shall answer. The writers’ goal in making all of Jughead’s post-time-jump relationships flukes, is to preserve the intimate and exclusive character of his relationship with Betty. Jughead’s failed/aborted relationships are a little bit wump-y for my taste and, objectively speaking, it is extremely unhealthy (and not romantic) to insinuate that a person cannot have a good relationship with anyone who is not the show’s otp. And yet, it is this fairy-tale approach that makes Jughead such an incredibly attractive character partner-wise: he only wants one girl. (That is not to say that there aren’t other things that make him attractive 😉).

Unattached, post-time-jump Betty can and should have as much sex with as many people with as few strings as she desires. This is a hill I’m willing to die on. If you consider a sexually active Betty unworthy, that is your problem to be discussed with your therapist. The fact that said sex is shown to be neither intimate nor exclusive, is what rankles most with a lot of the fans, because it goes against what bughead stands for. It also goes against what Betty stands for, because both she and Jughead have been defined -for most part of the show- as one half of their relationship. Post-time-jump Betty’s sexuality simply doesn’t track with that image. By now, it should be clear that this is deliberate: it’s not meant to track. The way she expresses her sexuality is meant to be viewed in a negative light. It is meant to be juxtaposed both to pre-4x17 Betty and to future bughead.

You know what also rankles? The sexism of it.

We are explicitly told that Jughead’s relationships end in failure, which is the opposite of Betty’s hook ups (they are meaningless from the beginning, ergo they can’t fail). In reality, of course, both Jughead and Betty are equally messy. If Jughead has been failing to have a positive relationship, Betty simply hasn’t formed any relationships period. On the surface, however, this narrative boosts Jughead’s desirability as Betty’s exclusive partner. The sex-without-strings narrative still carries a different weight for women than it does for men. Case in point: the fandom’s meltdown. Then you have to add the fact that Betty’s sexuality is linked to her deteriorating mental health. That’s nothing new for Riverdale, however, fucking around in your 20s shouldn’t carry the same narrative weight as torturing and almost killing a man. Dammit, Riverdale!

Stripped down, the season’s narrative re:bughead is simply this: sex without your one true love is bad for you. This has been Riverdale’s m.o. for bughead since the beginning. Not all Jabitha haters nor all anti-Bughead stans are purists. But some of them are. And while it is indeed the narrative that the show has cultivated, it’s anyone’s choice to think critically for themselves.

Jughead’s an adult. If he really wanted to tackle his relationship with Betty these past 7 years, he would have. He’s been repressing like a champ, just like Betty has. He was tripping balls in 5x10 and finally admitted that he both wanted/still wants Betty to make the first step and that he’s ready to forgive her. We’ll see Betty’s (similar) take on things after the hiatus. It’s inevitable. Betty’s not responsible for Jughead’s trauma (which is yet to be revealed) in the same way she’s not responsible for his success (graduating from Iowa Uni, books no1 and now 2). Jughead’s not responsible for Betty’s trauma either (that’s TBK) nor her success (graduating from Yale, getting into the FBI, almost catching a serial killer). Neither will “fix” each other’s problems. That’s not what they do. What they will do is provide each other with the safe space that will help them overcome those problems.

The sex will be epic too.

195 notes • Posted 2021-04-01 19:46:48 GMT

Fanfiction: There was only one bed

Riverdale: There was only one prison

412 notes • Posted 2021-04-01 01:35:25 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

#my 2021 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #that's ... a lot of posts!#Riverdale #this is the show I created a tumblr account for #these are my life choices

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inmemoriesoflgckeeho · 2 years

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han keeho is a korean-american trainee under lgc ent. he joined the company in jan of 2019.

name: han keeho ( 한키호 )

english name: kevin han

birthday: april 20, 2002

place of birth: seattle, washington

zodiac sign: aries / horse

height: 182cm ( 5′11 )

weight: 64kg ( 148 lbs )

blood type: b

nationality: korean-american

year end goal:

to debut as the lead vocalist of the next lgc boy group.

he wants to participate in future dreams.

have his own vlive to join another vlive show.

most memorable/favorite event: his most memorable event is the lgc dream team. dream team was a mixture of escape room with a little bit of name tag chase which was exciting for keeho. it was fun and gave everyone that watch the show a chance to see that he is more than just a idol - but an entertainer too.

random facts:

@lgcjisoo and @lgckian is his best friends, he feel most comfortable and his true self when he’s with them.

keeho first though about switching career path to modeling, but changed his mind because he loves performing.

after meeting his sunbae, @lgcyushin, he really want to visit his farm and have a field day with his farm animals

he is an athlete. sports that he has play football, flag football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, foot volleyball, badminton, and tennis. he is also big on working out and being in the best shape he can.

his ideal type is someone who’s obsessed with him as much as he is obsessed with himself.

the emoji that he thinks represent him the best is “ 👻 & 🐸 ”

public appearance:

✧ ⎯ 2019

lgc family concert

lgc sport festival

✧ ⎯ 2020

lgc docu series on netflix

✧ ⎯ 2021

lgc family concert

lgc dream team ( ep. 1 - ep.3 )

✧ ⎯ 2022

tee vlive show: find me

#lgc:cupdate003 #( psd credit in source )

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delightfulfiresoulweasel · 3 years

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DAYdreaming a Kevaaron AU

This is an Kevaaron Singer Aaron! AU I came up with from crazy brain storming and, well, ended up here so I hope it will be enjoyed as much as I enjoyed it in my head. Kevin and Aaron break up, Aaron scribbles down lyrics instead of class notes and his Med school friend notices, takes Aaron to a studio to compose the music and create songs, because its better than Aaron relapsing, and one night without telling Aaron, posts the songs on Soundcloud. And what if Exy finals had half time performances like Super Bowl finals does, and they asked Aaron to perform as Kevin'’ team were in the finals.

(I will be using songs and lyrics that does not belong to me; songs: MrLoverman, Burning, Falling, Till Forever Falls Apart, One Last Song)

Kevin and Aaron are dating, Aaron is in med school, Kevin is a successful exy player living in Chicago. One day, while Aaron is visiting Kevin, they fight over something very small, the argument starts getting heated, both of them bringing up the issues they have been repressing. The argument turns into a shouting match until Kevin tells Aaron that he doesn't have time for this. Aaron leaves Kevin'’ flat, books himself a flight ticket on his way to the airport and calls his friend, Jason, to come pick him up.

They don't talk for a month. Neither of them text or call each other. They don't tell any of the Foxes about the breakup either. But it becomes obvious when Aaron doesn't show up to Kevin'’ game that is in his city.

Aaron used to go to every single one of Kevin'’ games when it was in his city, fly over to the most important ones as support.

The reporters and sport commenters loved Aaron. He would sometimes join Kevin in his post game interviews, Kevin'’ arm wrapped around his shoulders. The fans also waited for the pre-game kiss that became a ritual for the couple. Kevin climbing the bleachers as Aaron draped himself over the railing to reach Kevin'’ mouth, for a good luck kiss. After the game, the photo would circulate all through twitter, fan accounts making a collage of the gathered photos.

So when Aaron did not show up to Kevin'’ game that was in his city, the Foxes knew. Aaron'’ phone was blowing up with messages even before the game started. He wasn't at the stadium but he was watching it on TV at home.

He had many texts from Nicky, asking to know if Kevin and him were broken up. Matt, Dan, Renee, Allison, Robin and Katelyn were all equally concerned.

Andrew called him, he picked it up. "What did he do?" "Nothing." Aaron had said. "Nothing?" Andrew had huffed. "Leave it, we broke up but I still love him, no one is to blame." Aaron had said before he hung up.

He was disconnected in classes, too busy scribbling down words swimming in his head than concentrating in his classes. Jason, his new found friend, which was a foreign concept to Aaron, had noticed. Taking one glance at Aaron'’ notebook, he had realised that these were potential song lyrics. He had an idea.

Aaron was not happy being dragged by his sleeve by Jason. They were stood in front of a beat-up studio.

"I have no idea why we are here" he had said. Jason had smiled.

Sitting on the piano, Jason snatched Aaron'’ notebook from his book. He knew a friend, who knew a friend that owned a studio. Jason had thought it would be good for Aaron if he sang his heart out. He knew Aaron was a good singer from the few times they went to Karaoke together.

They had spent the whole night at the studio, composing a melody to Aaron'’ first song.

I am MrLoverman, and I miss my lover man.

Jason could hear the hurt in Aaron'’ voice, voice cracking, the shaky breathing when he was too close to tears, the tremble in his hands and the distance in his eyes as he was lost in thought, thinking of better times.

The second song was harder than the first. It was filled with more emotions and truth. It was a pleading, a cry for a voice to be heard. Openly stating that he wanted his lover back. The sweet melody of Aaron'’ voice making the song both a weapon that created a wound in your heart and the balm that licked to wound closed.

Oh, have you ever called I will burst straight back Give you my forgiveness And the shirt off my back

Jason had asked one night between recording sessions, the studio was their new stop place now. After every class they would rush to the studio, some musicians that were there just to jam had heard Aaron'’ voice, they were captured by it. Aaron was the Nine Muses ( yes all nine of them) and the audience was mesmerised. He asked if he were to ever release an album that had these songs in it, what Aaron would name it.

After a pause, Aaron answered between laughing fits that he would name it DAYdreaming, get it, Kevin Day and he was dreaming of him 24/7. Jason laughed but thought it would be a great marketing name.

As Aaron wrote, the songs were getting more and more detailed and personal, they were all the words he couldn't speak before.

Forget what I said It's not what I meant And I can't take it back

He had not meant to say half of the things he had said to Kevin a month ago, looking back, he knew they were simple things that could have been solved if they had just spoke, if Aaron had just been brave enough to start the conversation.

But he had been too scared, scare that he would lose Kevin over something so simple, so he avoided the topics, and at the end, he still lost him.

Aaron had hated California, the place full of memories of his mother, a torturous life Andrew had endured, the missed years both of them could have had as brothers. But Kevin had changed that, the memories were still there but now, accompanied by happy ones Kevin had created for him.

If the tide takes California I’m so glad I got to hold ya

They had stood on the beach, wrapped in each others arms, looking at the horizon as the sun set, Kevin whispering future plans for the both of them into Aaron'’ ear. Aaron had smiled to all of them, some ridiculous, some too good to be true ideas, but he did not mind, because in all of them, Kevin and Aaron were stood together.

And if the sky falls from heaven above Oh I know I had the best time falling into love

All of these studio sessions, all of these songs, they were all for Kevin, for over a month, he had dedicated all his time to create the perfect songs that reflected his truest feelings about Kevin, his regrets, his cries for lost love. He loved Kevin, and it did not scare him anymore, his love for Kevin.

Maybe one day I won't sing about you

But he did, he always would, did not matter if Kevin resented him or welcomed him with open arms, he would sing about Kevin for the rest of his life like a broken vinyl.

I know you don't want to talk to me So this is what I will do Maybe you're listening So here's one last song for you

He knew he would never post these songs anywhere, or send them to Kevin, but he had hoped deep down in his chest that somehow these lyrics would be carried out to Kevin.

They eventually run out of lyrics and music to combine, Aaron knew he had to leave this behind him. His true love, buried away in his make shift song lyrics. He closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep with something missing inside him. Jason did not

That night, he uploaded their album, DAYdreaming by Aaron Minyard and the medics ( get it, med students) on SoundCloud. He had watched Aaron crumble under the loss of Kevin, voice booming into the microphone as if he was calling out to Kevin, hoping his voice reached his ears. Jason hoped someone, a fan, might discover it, and the album got carried out to Kevin.

What he did not expect was the insane success. Aaron had an angelic voice, now the whole world knew. They were listening to his heartbreak over and over again, tagging Kevin, asking what had happened, millions were relating to Aaron, crying to his hurt, his story, his voice.

Aaron however was fuming mad, he could have strangled Jason. The Foxes were blowing his phone up, agencies calling him to sing a contract with him, many gig and concert offers.

He accepted a few small radio'’ interview proposals, with Jason by his side, explaining that he had written those songs only for himself, and his nosy friend had went out of his way to leak them online.

But the rush did not die, in fact, it only got bigger as Exy finals game was approaching. Kevin'’ team was against Andrew and Neil'’ team. The match alone would have created a big deal, but now with the breakup and the album drama, all eyes were on how Aaron'’ twin would react to Kevin on court.

Aaron did not want to Foxes taking sides, he had said it to all of them personally, texted in the group chat where Kevin could see, mentioned it in interviews. They were a family, and Kevin'’ and his break up should not mess their hard found family.

The finals were a big event all on its own, but it got even fired up when Aaron was offered to perform in the half time show. Aaron was shocked, Jason was delighted. He said yes, and Aaron, feeling prideful from the support his songs were getting, said yes as well.

Andrew was not pleased, Neil was very much amused, and he could imagine that Kevin was fuming.

Aaron was shaking with nerves on the finals day. Nicky had flown from Germany as support to both Andrew and Aaron. All the Foxes were lined up in VIP seats, but no one was there for the big game and all of them knew it.

Aaron briefly made eye contact with Kevin right before the game. Kevin was flexing his broken hand, a nervous habit he had, meeting Aaron'’ eyes, he stopped. Aaron smiled at him, a warm, gentle smile. Kevin'’ hand relaxed, he smiled back.

The first half of the game passed as a blur for Aaron, he was having a hard time focusing on the players and the game as time got closer to half time whistle. Jason was stood right next to him, Nicky'’ hand a grounding presence on his shoulder. Eric was there too, he hugged Aaron tight before he got on stage, in front of millions.

Aaron did not do this, he was not a singer, he was supposed to focus on his classes and stay out of drama. Not perform for the whole world to see.

The songs were lined up from less painful to more painful ones, ending with One Last Song.

Under the blinding lights, Aaron could not see anyone else but the microphone in front of him. He sang, with all his heart, he sang. The crowd was wild, screaming his every word back to him. Aaron had never felt this kind of ecstasy, not with drugs, not on Exy court. This was all him.

The last song, was the hardest to sing, after singing all his heartbreaking songs one after other, laying all his hurt, truth, mistakes and regrets in front of millions, he was emotional for the last song.

Maybe one day I won't sing about you I'll sing a song about someone new But right here, right now You are on my mind And I think about you all the time I'm sending a message to you And I'm hoping that it will get through

Oh, the message was getting through all right, the person that needed to hear this was standing right on this court, Aaron'’ insides made a move, as if he was going to throw up. He closed his eyes. The part that hurt him most was approaching.

In case you hear this Then know you're the love of my life Want to tell you I'm sorry I miss having you by my side When you were mine

He was getting chocked up, the tears burning, no longer able to contain them behind his closed eyes, he opened them, momentarily blinded by the stage lights.

He did not see the person climbing up the platform, he did not hear anything over his own heart beating.

When it was good it was bitterswe...

He was cut short, strong hands holding his shoulders, turning him around, he was facing Kevin. His hair slicked back with sweet, cheeks glistened with tears.

Aaron knew his was also covered in sweat, tears running down his cheeks. Kevin cupped his face in his strong hands, Aaron leaned into the touch.

Kevin bent down, closing the distance between them and kissing Aaron, heavy and bruising, too possessive, too longingly. Aaron smiled into the kiss, messing it up, but he did not mind. He wrapped his arms around Kevin'’ neck and kissed back just as hard.

The crowd was screaming, Jason was whooping from where he was on the stage but none of it mattered, Aaron'’ world was Kevin and Kevin only.

#all for the game #aaron minyard #kevin day #kevaaron #all for the game imagines #aftg #aftg textpost #kevaaron supremacy #singer au #AU

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percontaion-points · 3 years

Text

King’s Men chapter 19 & Epilogue

Click to see the rest of the snark & image descriptions.

Chapter 19

Renee needed one for her foster mother and donated the second to Matt so his father could bring his current mistress.

Did we need to know about Matt's dad dipping his dick where it doesn't belong?

That night Nicky and Aaron showed up to evening practice uninvited. Neil expected Kevin to send them packing with a "too-little, too-late" speech, but he put them to work immediately. On Wednesday the upperclassmen tagged along too. A week and a half wasn't enough time to make anyone an expert on Raven drills and scrimmages, but Kevin tried his best.

And the reason why they haven't been studying the Ravens this entire time is because...????? No really, I want to know. This book has been building up to this singular event, and yet, everybody's acting like this championship match-up came out of the blue.

"Your father's death left a void that's not easy to fill. Little boss is cleaning house and cutting losses everywhere he can, taking out people from California to South Carolina. Cops, doctors, moles—doesn't matter. If there's even a chance they're a liability to his new rule they're gone. Interesting stuff, the reshaping of an empire. Bloody, too."

This is literally the last goddamned chapter; I don't care about any of this! Get to the fucking game already!

Dan threw her arms around him and buried a choked laugh against his padded shoulder. "Yeah, Neil. We won!"

Chapter 19 summary: Well, as you would have imagined, the final championship game ends up being Ravens vs Foxes. The foxes throw themselves into their last stretch of training before the big game. But finals are also upon them as the spring semester wraps up.

One day, Kevin doesn't come to practice, and shows up later in the dorms, shitfaced, with something over his cheek. He's always had the Ravens tattoo on his cheek, but looks like he went out and randomly got a queen chess piece tattooed. He talks a lot about how Riko can be the king, which I think is a weird way to hammer in the book's title. But I don't know enough about chess to make a comment about it.

On game day, as they go to the “castle” at Edgar Alan, there's a whole lot of extra security. Seems as though Renee's foster-mother's threats against Edgar Alan and what the dean saw about Jean were taken so seriously, that now everybody's worried about the ravens hurting anybody who comes visiting.

Since this was such a huge game, they passed out a list earlier to reserve seats for two people per player. However, since this is a team of “rejects”, most don't have anybody, but people still manage to fill up the reserved section anyway. Neil's uncle Stewart, the one who randomly showed up just to kill Nathan, randomly shows up again. He talks about more mafia business, about cleaning house now that Nathan is gone. I don't care, and this goes nowhere.

They play, but it's a close game. In the end, it's 10-9 with foxes on top. After the game, Neil decides that taunting Riko, of reminding him that he'll always be “number two”, is a good idea, and almost gets murdered for this. But Andrew shows up and punches Riko out.

Epilogue

EAST was written above an elevator in bold red letters, and Neil forgot about the banners. The guard had to swipe his badge and key in a six-digit code to get access. There were only two buttons inside, "Floor" and "Tower". Neil closed his eyes for the ride to the top.

The guard stayed behind when Neil stepped out, so Neil went on alone. A short hall opened up into a spacious room Neil recognized. Nine years ago he'd been here with Riko and Kevin while his father carved a man into a hundred pieces.

This is literally the goddamned epilogue; can we not be sneaking in random info like this INTO THE LAST THREE PAGES?!

Trigger warning: Graphic murder

It wasn't comfort, but Neil didn't figure that out until it was too late. Ichirou put the gun to Riko's temple and pulled the trigger without hesitation. The gunshot was so unexpected, so loud, that Neil jumped. Riko's body jerked under the force of impact.

SO THAT JUST HAPPENED.

This was everything he wanted, everything he needed, and Neil was never letting go.

[image description: Frodo Baggins looking sweaty and dirty, right after he threw the One Ring into Mount Doom. It is captioned with “It's over. It's finally over.”]

This was everything he wanted, everything he needed, and Neil was never letting go.

Epilogue summary: The police end up getting called out tot he stadium following Andrew's beat-down of Riko. So nobody but the fans get to leave. Eventually, Neil is called up to where the mafia family hangs out to watch the games. Ichirou, Riko, and the raven's coach are all there, along with Stewart. Eventually, Ichirou pulls out a gun, shoots Riko point-blank in the temple, and then puts the gun in Riko's hand to make it look like he'd killed himself. He also says that the coach is dead, even though he's clearly standing right there; the implication being he won't be alive for much longer.

This entire thing was Ichirou cleaning house, of needing to remove the shitstain that Riko had turned the ravens into.

Neil goes back downstairs, and joins the others as they leave to return home.

With that, the series is put out of its (and my) misery.

#All For The Game #The King's Men #chapter 19 #epilogue #Renee Walker #matt freeman #um... ew #Nicky Hemmick #Aaron and Andrew Minyard #Kevin Day #HEADDESKING #Move on already!#nobody cares #ugh just ugh #bad writing is bad #i would ask where the editor was but i think we all know there was none #Riko Moriyama #so that just happened...#Neil Josten

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thisisnotourlasthunt · 2 years

Text

I posted 471 times in 2021

60 posts created (13%)

411 posts reblogged (87%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 6.8 posts.

I added 254 tags in 2021

#all for the game - 36 posts

#andrew minyard - 33 posts

#aftg - 33 posts

#neil josten - 32 posts

#the foxhole court - 25 posts

#the kings men - 25 posts

#the raven king - 25 posts

#kevin day - 17 posts

#aaron minyard - 14 posts

#nicky hemmick - 14 posts

Longest Tag: 132 characters

#vaguely inspired by that one post when andreil is cuddling and they are bickering with each other and then neil calls andrew 'aaron'

My Top Posts in 2021

Aaron: You gotta stop spending money on stupid shit

Andrew: ...ok

~ Later that day ~

Aaron, face buried on both his hands: Andrew! We fucking talked about this!

Andrew on a segway with Neil on the back: YOU talked, I just pretended to listen.

Neil: Besides, we didn't BUY it, we STOLE it.

Aaron: THAT'S WORSE!

96 notes • Posted 2021-03-14 13:01:20 GMT

Andrew: Want to know what is the worst thing someone can call me?

Neil: Aaron?

Andrew: ...

Neil: ...

Andrew: Want to know the second worst thing someone can call me?

98 notes • Posted 2021-03-18 18:30:23 GMT

Nicky: Betrayal hurts, but the betrayal made by a family member you took care of hurts more, it feels like my soul has been ripped from my body and shredded into millions of pieces just to be stepped on some more

Neil: Is he okay?

Andrew, reading on the couch: I ate the last ice cream.

Nicky, tearing up: It was MY ice cream

Andrew: Did it have your name?

Nicky, voice cracking: No, but-

Andrew: Then it wasn't yours

Nicky: But-

Neil: He has a point you know

Nicky: Betrayal hurts, but the betrayal made by a family member you took care of and from someone who literally asked you if you were really friends-

139 notes • Posted 2021-03-26 12:01:51 GMT

“My child is completely fine.” Your child hasn’t been able to read another book or watch a series after reading all for the game without thinking “Where is the consent???” after two characters kiss each other without asking for the consent first.

150 notes • Posted 2021-01-11 19:17:55 GMT

Andrew Showing The Foxes His Love Through Actions.

All through “All for the game” we can see how Andrew shows his love through actions. I believe that Andrew does care for his teammates and I know I; m not the only one, so I wrote this. (Also, I will just forget about the choking scene because N*ra did their relationship so badly, like- ugh, that’s for another time)

Tw: Curse words, references to the foxes pasts, punches, vomit, Riko, mentions of scars, mentions of nightmares, mentions of panic attacks, mentions of past self-harm, probably many spelling and grammar mistakes.

Allison.

It happened during a game, the foxes were winning and the other team were getting exasperated because they could not get past the backliners and if they could, Andrew would not let them score.

During the last minutes of the game, a player from the other team made Allison trip on purpose and “accidentally” kicked her.

Everyone else were too far away from them.

Except Andrew.

When the referee called the fault, Andrew was already there, punching the guy resulting in him taking a step back and falling to the ground.

As the referee gave him a yellow card, Andrew extended his arm to help Allison up.

And if he asked Renee how bad the injury was, no one had to know.

Matt.

When Matt was visiting his mom during summer vacations, they decided to go shopping, there he found the most adorable hoodies. It was orange on the outside and the inside had a really soft and warm fabric, which was white and had orange paw prints. But the best part was that the hoodie had fox ears.

Matt obviously bought nine of them.

“Disgusting.” Andrew had said, which Matt had obviously expected, so he thought nothing of it.

Everyone wore them, Aaron had given his to Katelyn, except Andrew.

But when winter came, Matt saw Andrew get out of his dorm room with the hoodie on, pulling it tighter against himself when a cold air blast came.

“Not a word.” Andrew deadpanned, pointing at Matt, when he noticed him, before leaving the tower.

Matt smiled the whole day.

Dan.

During one of their dinner bankets, the foxes were placed into pairs and told to socialize with the other teams. The pairs were meticulously design so that ‘the monsters’ (minus Nicky) interacted. This meant every ‘monster’ was placed with an upperclassmen. Andrew got Dan.

So when they Dan were talking to some players from Penn State, the Ravens decided to join.

They began talking sh¡t about Dan’s time as a stripper.

Andrew didn’t say or do a thing, knowing Dan was capable on fighting her own fights, she is the first female captain on Exy, but he does stand to the side, throwing a death glare to them.

But when one of them decide it’s a good idea to slap her in the butt when she is distracted....Andrew intervienes.

He grabs the Raven’s wrist, twisting it before pushing him into a table.

Dan is surprised, to say the least, but she knows that the Raven will get a worst fate if she leaves Andrew like that.

Calmly, she tells him she is okay and that the Raven didn’t touch her and that he can look and see for himself.

The latter does the trick, Andrew turns his murderous glare at Dan so she turns in place extending her arms showing him that the Raven did nothing to her.

Andrew calms after a while and stands up, glancing at the Raven one more time.

The rest of the night Andrew does not leave Dan’s side until they head back home. Dan attaches herself to that memory forever.

Renee.

Renee and Andrew sparred at least once a week, more whenever Andrew was having a bad day.

Such as that moment, Aaron’s trial was just around the corner and Andrew was not having it.

He went to Bee’s twice but it still wasn’t enough, so him and Renee spared.

But today was a specially not good day, Aaron’s lawyer had said that he’d have to speak about what happened that day.

Renee knew that Andrew was far more on his head than n the present so she wasn’t mad when Andrew threw her down to the mat and her hip bumped onto the floor.

For the first time since they spared that day, Renee saw Andrew actually see her.

His eyes were wide, probably surprised of what happened so she reassured him that she was okay and that it didn't hurt much and that she’d had much worse before.

But he didn’t listen to her and got off the mat.

Renee stood up and went for her water bottle, thinking that Andrew had gone to let out some steam alone.

But then he came back with an ice package in hand and gave it to her.

Renee thank him, placed it on her hip and sat near him while he starred to the distance in moral support.

Nicky.

Nicky wasn’t one to get sick often, but when it happened, he really got sick.

So when one day he wakes up with a headache and all of his bones ache, he knows he’s in trouble.

Not wanting anyone to be worried about him, Nicky tries to stand up, just for a blast of nausea hits him and he has to run to the bathroom before he pukes on their bedroom.

When he is done throwing his guts out, he brushes his teeth and walks out to the kitchen for a glass of water. But when he gets there, a water bottle is out with a bottle of Pepto-bismol beside it.

In the middle of his confusion, Andrew and Aaron appear with a thermometer, a blanket and pills.

“Go lay down,” Andrew says with an uncharacteristically softness in his tone.

Nicky complies and walks towards the couch, Andrew protectively trailing behind him with his phone and a blanket.

“I don’t have any class today, Aaron has two in an hour but then he’ll be back. Tea?” Nicky is perplexed at this attention given by his cousins so he is only able to nod and think who were these people and what did they do with his cousins.

The rest of the day, the twins (mostly Andrew) take his temperature, give him his meds, cook for him and help him out whenever he needs it.

Nicky sleeps with a smile that day.

The next day, he feels much better, but because the sickness messed with his feelings, he has an urge to hug his cousins.

He asks for permission and surprisingly, Andrew says yes.

Nicky keeps the hug fast and makes sure he doesn’t make Andrew feel trapped.

He still cries at the memory.

Aaron.

Out of all the foxes, Aaron is the one with the most difficult things to study. He is in fact studying pre-med.

So during the finals week, he is the most stressed.

There is this one class in which Aaron has been having the most trouble with and if he doesn’t pass the test, he’ll have to repeat the class. So to say that he was stressed was an understatement.

He begins studying for that class a week and a half before the exam is and the day before the exam, he skips gym, morning practice and afternoon practice.

He studies for the exam the whole day and had to be reminded to take breaks for the bathroom and meals constantly.

He is also forced by Andrew to sleep when he woke up at 3 am and Aaron was still awake, studying.

Aaron keeps thinking of the material as he tries to sleep, and isn’t able to until 4 am, he dreams on the material the whole night.

When he opens his eyes, he sees that the sun is much higher than usual, worried, he checks the time on his phone just for his fears to be true, his alarm didn’t sound and he slept through the whole exam.

He doesn’t even care to change and runs to the building. The door to his classroom is closed and the professor is not there.

“Can’t stop thinking about the exam? Me neither.” He hears one of his classmates say behind him.

“I didn’t even do it.” He says through his teeth.

“What do you mean? I saw you there.”

Aaron is confused so he asks more classmates if they saw him, and all of them said that yes, they saw him there.

Hurriedly he got to the tower and confronted Andrew if it was his doing and if he did the exam for him like they did in high school.

“I did.” was Andrew’s only response before walking out.

Aaron got a B⁺ a grade much better than if he had done it by himself.

Kevin.

After Riko died, his and Andrew’s deal could be done, but they had grown close, they had passed so much time together since Kevin escaped Evermore.

Neither of them would say it out loud, but they were each other’s best friend.

So when Kevin learned that his things would be thrown away from the Nest, he went into a spiral.

But when Andrew asked and Kevin couldn’t say why, Andrew made it his mission to know.

Neil had a few assumptions, but when he had been at the Nest, he had been too focused on his injuries that he wasn’t a good resource.

So Andrew contacted someone he never thought he would be speaking to. Jean.

Jean told Andrew of Kevin’s old bedroom and the things Kevin had to hide away from Riko because if he found them, Kevin would be punished. Yet he didn’t know what these secret things were.

Thankfully, Jean knew where the hiding spot was.

The next day, Andrew took the Maserati in the early morning without a word (Neil knew but he had to act as if he didn’t), and made his way to Evermore.

Once there, he had to sneak inside, but given that the Nest was desolated for classes it was easy.

When Andrew got to where Jean had told him where the hiding spot was, he found a small shoe box.

Opening it, he found three things and Andrew immediately understood Kevin’s spiraling.

When he got back to the tower, he directly went to his dorm. Inside were Neil, Nicky and Kevin watching a game.

Andrew signaled Neil and the latter made Nicky follow him out.

“Where were you? You missed morning practice,” Kevin said as soon as they were alone.

Without a word, Andrew took the shoebox out of his bag and carefully gave it to Kevin, who took a shaky breath at the sight of it.

As soon as it was in Kevin’s hands, he opened it and carefully took the three things which were the last things he had from his mother.

A woman’s ring, a record player and a photograph.

Tears immediately sprang from Kevin’s eyes and Andrew decided he would give Kevin his space.

“Thank you,” Kevin said as he opened the door, Andrew just nodded feeling a weird warmness in his chest.

Neil.

Andrew shows Neil his love in so many ways, helping him out during panic attacks, reminding him that he’s safe, holding his hand, kissing him, sharing a cigarette in the roof, stroking his hair when they cuddle and so much more.

But the most important thing Andrew does for Neil is letting the latter see his vulnerability and trust him with it.

It starts with simple things, Andrew letting Neil sleep with him in the same bed, cuddle together, sit on Andrew’s lap (and vice versa), etc.

But it slowly begins to increase, let Neil stay whenever he gets a nightmare and/or a panic attack, let Neil take care of him when he gets sick, let Neil cuddle on top of Andrew, let himself seek comfort in Neil, Andrew letting Neil take his armbands off, see and touch them.

It takes a long time, but Neil doesn’t mind, those little things are more than enough for him and he doesn’t expect more from Andrew, but welcomes this little things and holds onto them with all of him.

Bonus:

Wymack.

Wymack is always threatening his foxes with running marathons and says that their personal stuff is over his pay rate, but oh doesn’t he care for them.

He works hard for them so they can have good things and safe and comfortable area for them, that’s why he had the walls on the showers made.

He loves the foxes, and they love them too.

One morning, he had to organize some piles of paperwork, but he had a stressing week and the night before he hadn’t been able to sleep good, so after a while of organizing paperwork, he decides he deserves a break.

The foxes are supposed to be in class so he doesn’t expect them until the afternoon. He goes to the lounge and lays down on the couch to “rest his eyes”.

He falls asleep almost instantly.

Andrew had forgotten something on the court after their morning practice so he decided to go now, he had finished his classes and knew that Wymack had to organize some paperwork, he was surprised to see the old man asleep.

Andrew could remember his initial fear of the man when he saw him the first time, he was tall, broad and serious, but he didn’t let it show. He had been waiting for the man to do something to him, but instead the man had respected his boundaries and didn’t ask when Andrew broke into his home in the late night and made himself a pot of hot cocoa (which had been bought for this reason).

So quietly, Andrew went to Wymack’s office and organized his paperwork, marking those who were missing one or two things with a post it and leaving right after he was done, not expecting the man to know it was him.

When Wymack woke up and walked back to his office he was surprised to see that his paperwork was organized. He mentally questioned who it was but when he read the post its he immediately knew it was Andrew, he knew all of his children’s handwritings, and made sure he bought Andrew’s favorite chocolate ice cream.

Abby.

Abby was the first one, apart from Bee, to see his scars.

The first time she had tried to say something but she had seen something in his face because he didn’t and let him place the armbands back on.

After that she looked away when he took them off and just glanced at them for a second to make sure there were no track marks before turning around again so he could put the armbands back on.

(She knew there would not be track marks, so she just looked at them so there would be no new ones, he cared for her foxes.)

And during the physical exam, she made sure not to touch him more than necessary.

Abby checks on Bee asking if he’s okay, she never expects an in depth answer, just a confirmation and she feels relief when Bee tells her that he is getting better.

On one of his sessions with Bee, she suggests Andrew that he should tell someone about his scars, preferably someone who has already seen them.

Andrew knows what Bee is trying and Bee knows that Andrew knows and Andrew knows Bee knows that Andrew knows.

In the end, he does tell Abby. He keeps it vague and watches her reaction, waiting for a small expression change, but thankfully Abby just listens, and shows no pity, knowing that Andrew would hate it and does not comment.

When he’s done, she just nods and thanks him for telling her and when Andrew leaves, Abby lets the tears she had retained out.

She keeps the truth guarded with her life, glad Andrew trust her enough to say this.

Bee.

It is not a secret that Andrew sees Bee like his mother figure, out of all the woman in his life she was the only one that he didn’t feel the need to be unlike himself, she loved him just the way he was.

It was scary at first, his mind supplied that it would be just like Cass, he just had to wait for the other shoe to come down.

It never did.

So he found himself driving to her office when he needed to understand something or he was just not in a good mental place.

He would also call her when he didn’t have the energy to move.

She was on one of his sides during Aarons trial, helping him keep his cool when he felt like he needed to punch something.

When it had been his turn to say his testimony, he had looked at her and Neil, remembering that they would be with him and that they would show no pity to him.

So the day before Mother’s day, when him and Neil were shopping for clothes, and he saw a coffee mug in the shape of a bee hive that read “To the Bee-st mom” he had to buy it.

The next day he arrives to her office and leaves the cup before leaving without a word.

It fills Bee’s heart when she reads it but knows best than to comment of it on their next session.

But if she uses it everyday and it becomes her favorite mug, no one has to know.

Look at me posting three days in a row, I’m proud of myself ngl. Anyways, have this, hope you like it, I tried my best and this is honestly the longest “headcanon” I’ve ever written.

239 notes • Posted 2021-02-03 20:07:26 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

#my 2021 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #ah yes #ofc my everything would express how mentally unstable I am #Only those who have read AFTG will understand #for those that DONT know what AFTG is....#send me a DM if you REALLY want to know #if not #good #:)

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whatmack · 4 years

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When you say "shake a lemon at gd" week, do u by chance mean sukkot? bc that's amazing

YEAH I saw it described that way once? and I was like. I mean. You make a valuable point op Anonymous asked: I just saw your tags and I didn't know you were jewish too and then I searched you blog and found some of your jewish foxes hc and !!!!!! and also like, would you wanna do one for sukkot? “It’s inside,” Robin points out. It’s the most obvious issue, but it needs to be said.

Neil is prepared with the counterargument so quickly he speaks with his mouth full, cheeks bulging like a hamster. “The one at my old school wasn’t! They built it on the soccer field. And before you say anything they covered it with like eight huge tarps because of the sun so if we just left those on for games even--” Andrew leans across the table and pushes up on the bottom of Neil’s chin so he closes his mouth. Neil rolls his eyes, but swallows his food. Beside him, Nicky cooes. “No one’s going to come to games if they can’t see,” Kevin says, slotting into the conversational gap before Neil can regain the floor. They’re frowning. Probably the mention of soccer. “Can you do filming inside?” Neil nods his head, confidently. Dan shakes hers, with equal confidence. They pause and squint at each other suspiciously. “Okay,” Robin says, as that argument erupts in a flurry to her right. “Walls then, okay--” “As long as the tarps are tied down--” “Yeah. Wait, the floor-- would we have to not have the floor? Is there some rule about the ground?” “Can’t be,” Matt says, spearing another potato. Everyone on the Exy team eats a lot, but Matt’s ability to put away food is unmatched; Robin is constantly impressed. “Everyone in the city does them on like, balconies and fire escapes and shit.” “And when dear Matthew says the city, he means New York, the only city in the world,” Dan cuts in, turning away from Neil to wag her finger. Matt grins, unrepentant, and makes a kissing noise at her. They are a very loud family, the Foxes. It’s overwhelming. Robin kind of likes it. “Abby!” Nicky shouts. He cranes around Allison to wave at the kitchen, around the corner of the scuffed baseboard. “Help me! They’re never going to leave it! I want to go clubbing while I’m still young!” “Who’s young?” Robin says. It’s an anxious thrill: she’s still getting used to being able to tease, and get teased. Nicky only sticks his tongue out at her. “Hate to burst your bubble, kids, but the walls can’t be more than thirty feet high,” Abby shouts, steam from the pot she’s stirring making her hair stick to her forehead. “If the inside’s ten yards, then the outside’s got to be more than that.” Aaron is chopping tomatoes; he’d escaped the riot of the dining room (really a living room with a huge table taking up the space) early on. Smart man. Kevin looks devastated. Neil, on the other hand, flaps his hands through the air. “Source?” “Look it up! Who am I, your mother?” “Kind of,” Allison mumbles. She’s smiling. Robin doesn’t know her well-- only from visits-- but she thinks it’s not often Allison has a smile like this, small and real. Robin catches her eye and smiles tentatively back. “What exactly is the measurement it says it can’t be more than thirty of,” says Matt, and Robin lets the argument once again drag her under.

#:D #Anonymous #'can an exy court be a sukkah' is not what i expected to be trying to figure out this morning #but here we are #fuck wait my timelines are twisted does robin come in the very next year while the girls are still there #TOO LATE NOW TO CHECK WHOOP #i was like AH YES RENEE IS WITH THE PEACE CORPS but IS SHE YET?

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wrestlingwithhistory · 3 years

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A Gentleman Never Tells - Chris Adams

Gentleman Chris Adams is a name that many people miss when they talk about wrestlers from the UK who not only did good business in the US during the 80’s but helped to train some of the biggest names in professional wrestling during the 90’s and helped to bring to light one of the most popular finishers in the industry today.

Chris Adams was born in Rugby, Warwickshire on 10th February 1955 and from a young age was involved in competitive Judo, which he continued training in exclusively for around 14 years which he earned a Black Belt in the discipline. Both he and his brother Neil competed in national and world championships, with Neil actually winning a silver medal in the 1980 and 1984 Olympics. Chris was a member of the 1976 Olympic team but never competed for Great Britain.

Chris Adams began taking part in Professional Wrestling in 1978. He had no formal training in wrestling and used his expertise in Judo in his early years of wrestling. He worked with Joint Promotions and appeared on ITV’s World of Sport regularly taking on the likes on Mark ‘Rollerball’ Rocco, Dynamite Kid, Fit Finlay, Adrian Street and Davey Boy Smith. His finishing move, originally called ‘the Judo Kick’ was later renamed a ‘Superkick’ and is still used by many professional wrestlers today.

By 1983, Adams was approached by Fritz Von Erich to work for World Class Championship Wrestling and he officially joined on 15th April, 1983. During his time with WCCW, he feuded with many of the company’s big stars, from The Von Erichs to Ric Flair, and the Fabulous Freebirds. He was tag partners with Gino Hernandez and became the second iteration of The Dynamic Duo in 1985, where one of their most notable matches was a hair match against the Von Erichs which The Duo lost and were shaved in front of a rapturous crowd.

Chris was due to go into a feud with Gino going into 1986. They had worked an angle against The Cosmic Cowboys, who were actually Kevin and Kerry Von Erich in disguise. The finish to the match was Adams being blinded by hair cream that was thrown by Hernandez, resulting in a loss against the Cowboys. Chris used this time in the storyline to go back to the UK and visit him family, but during that time, on 2nd February 1986, Gino Hernandez died of a Cocaine Overdose. Adams was questioned by Scotland Yard about Gino’s death as authorities in Texas originally treated the incident as a homicide, but this was later changed to an Overdose by officials. There is still some scepticism over Hernandez death today.

Shortly after this, Adams started to become involved in a number of high-profile altercations, many of which would hamper his career despite his talent in the ring. In June of 1986 while travelling back from a show in Puerto Rico, Adams headbutted an Airline pilot and punched a male attendant. This resulted in a 90-day jail and a $500 fine. It is believed that Adams’ belligerence was a result of being denied alcohol by an FAA inspector and that he was restrained by Kevin Von Erich in the process. By September of 1986, Adams had left WCCW to join Bill Watts’ UWF but later returned to WCCW in 1987 as UWF was absorbed into the NWA.

In UWF, Adams became tag partners with Terry Taylor, known to many as The Red Rooster in WWF in later years. They later feuded and carried this back over into the newly acquired by NWA, WCCW. Over the next few years, Adams would find himself in the upper mid-card region of the company’s talent pool, competing against many of the companies’ big stars and also working with companies like Georgia Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Alliance.

In 1988, Chris Adams opened his own training school based out of the world-famous Dallas Sportatorium. Two of his most popular students were Scott Hall/Razor Ramon and Stone-Cold Steve Austin. In 1989, Adams was arrested and sentenced to a year’s probation after his wife was found beaten after Adams had flown into a rage, again related to his Alcohol abuse. He was later involved in more legal troubles and again place don probation for 2 DUI arrests in 1991.

After the WCCW has ceased business in 1990, Adams returned to the independent circuit. He would visit numerous territories having matches for various championships during this time. He won the GWF Heavyweight Title on 2 occasions in 1994 and also a brief stint as the NWA Heavyweight champion in 1995 after Jim Crockett had taken control of the company.

He continued wrestling with various NWA affiliated territories and other independents up until joining WCW in 1997.

When joining WCW, Chris was placed into a British stable called The Blue Bloods alongside Lord Steven Regal (later William Regal) and Squire David Taylor. This stable was not together for very long due to some personal issues between Regal and Adams which hampered the stable from becoming credible in the eyes of the WCW officials. Adams wrestled against Randy Savage in the first match of WCW’s new midweek show, Thunder in 1998. Adams got a pinfall over Savage, but the decision was overturned by JJ Dillon after interference from Lex Luger swayed the match in Adams’ favour. He began to drop down the card, working as an enhancement for other talents to get victories over. He left the company in 1999 and returned to Texas where he began promoting shows and wrestling part time.

During his career, Adams unfortunately fell victim to a number of addictions, his first with Alcohol. David Manning said in the Documentary ‘Gentleman’s Choice’ that his Alcohol dependency was heightened after a flight cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances by the airline prompted them to offer a free bar to the wrestlers on the flight, not for a few drinks but for several hours until a flight was arranged for them.

Adams was also a heavy user of GHB, which at the time was being used by bodybuilders and wrestlers alike as an alternative to steroids but it did not have the same anabolic effects as steroids and left longer addictive tendencies with the users. Many of the people using them believed that the GHB worked while they slept.

Adams and his then girlfriend Linda Kaphengst overdosed on a combination of alcohol and GHB in April 2000. Adams survived, but Kaphengst was not so lucky. The overdose starved her brain of oxygen and her family were told that should she survive, she would likely have long term brain trauma. A few hours later, her situation worsened, and her family had to make the difficult to turn off her breathing apparatus.

Adams was not originally suspected in any foul play at the time of the incident and went on to marry again in August 2001, but an intoxicated and threatening voicemail left on answer machine to Pam Hernandez stating that if she did not stop meddling in his affairs then she would ‘end up like Linda’. This voicemail was brought to the Homicide team dealing with Linda’s death and Chris was indicted on a manslaughter charge.

He was due to be indicted but the day before his hearing, he was fatally shot in the chest during a drunken fight with a close friend Brent ‘Booray’ Parnell on October 7th, 2001. Booray claimed self-defence, stating that Adams snapped off a piece of bedframe and tried to attack him with it. Booray claims in the documentary ‘Gentleman’s Choice’ that he does not know the reason for Adams’ behaviour at the time, other than asking him to keep the noise down as his mother was sleeping in the next room. He said that his eyes were black and almost demonic at the time of the fight, which is a known side effect of the drug GHB.

Booray was cleared of all charges against him as acting in self-defence.

Adams, although a clean-cut Olympic prospect from the UK, fell victim to the harsh lifestyles of living on the road as a professional wrestler. Though many still speak of him based on the poor choices he made during his life, many still speak of the apt moniker ‘Gentleman’ given to the late Judoka-turned-Wrestler.

His legacy of wrestling some of the sport’s greatest names in the 80’s and 90’s, training future hall of fame wrestlers and one of the UK’s least discussed exports is somewhat tarnished by his final days.

I have posted the link from Youtube to the 2008 documentary ‘Gentleman’s Choice’ below uploaded in full by The Hannibal TV.

If you have liked this post, please leave a review and follow for future posts.

Thanks!

https://youtu.be/-sgxAH47TsA

#gentleman #wcw wrestling #wrestling #history #uk #von erichs #gino hernandez #steve austin #stone cold steve austin #scott hall

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simonsrosebud · 3 years

Text

the one where someone doesn’t know who kevin day is, pt. 2

part one three four five

dalton’s apartment becomes a common occurrence over the next month. kevin kisses dalton into the couch cushions, and then the bed. and this one time it’s almost the same, except dalton interrupts. “oh, hey, i’ll be at your game tomorrow- ah,” he breathes as kevin kisses down his neck.

kevin doesn’t like that. no- he likes that, that dalton is willing to see him do what he loves and all, but not that he told him right now. because now he has to stop what he’s doing and explain. explain that he’s pretty fucking famous in the exy world, that his mother is the creator of the sport, that he’s kevin day- what that entails.

but dalton takes it surprisingly easily. he thinks it’s because he’s not invested in the sport in the way almost everyone else kevin knows is and just doesn’t get it, or maybe because he actually likes kevin for kevin and just doesn’t care about his past and the weight of his name.

because after kevin’s done dalton kisses away his frown and climbs onto his lap. “don’t worry, hot shot, you’re still just a history nerd to me.”

kevin upgrades dalton and his friend to his family seats. his friend seems to know exactly who he is when he goes up to them before warm ups, and by the guys face kevin realizes that dalton definitely didn’t tell his friend who they’d come for.

kevin hugs dalton. “i’m not out yet,” he whispers. “otherwise i’d kiss you.”

dalton grins like a child. “later.” he shrugs.

andrew mocks him in the car to fox tower after their win. “invite your boyfriend?” and he freezes. “fuck you for thinking i’m an idiot.”

kevin thanks god that nicky rode with matt. aaron and neil both look at him, though. “you’re dating someone?” neil will never not be oblivious. aaron just sneers.

kevin stays quiet. he should’ve known better from andrew, after all. but he pulls out his phone. come pick me up?

be there in 30, we're walking home from the stadium LOL

it's enough time to go hang out with the rest of the team and the vixens in the lounge, dan would kill him if he didn't show at all. but he must lose track of time because eventually the door opens and instead of another fox it's dalton. it's not enough to pause conversations, even though kevin is sure they all at least notice.

when kevin follows him out dalton knocks shoulders with his and smiles. “are you drunk? i noticed they were drinking.”

“no. i’m um, i’m-i’m four months... sober.”

dalton is a pure angel because he smiles at kevin as he drives. “that’s good, kev, i’m proud of you for that.” and he doesn’t make him explain, or ask questions. he takes it at face and lets it go, and it makes kevin want to bask in the feeling he gets from it. it’s a different kind of trust than he’s used to.

he texts andrew that he’s not coming home for the night. as soon as they get inside dalton’s place he has his lips on kevin’s. “looked really hot tonight,” he mumbles and lets kevin walk him backwards towards his room. “wish you still had your uniform on. so strong,” and squeals when kevin picks him up.

“stop talking, d”

the next morning dalton drops him off at the stadium for training. he doesn’t see anyone else there, so he lets dalton grab his face and kiss him before climbing out with a smile.

it fades when he sees nicky and allison staring at him as they exit the stadium. he forgot it was therapy week for the team.

kevin freezes up. nicky’s grinning, and allison continues walking to her car. “wait!” nicky wiggles his eyebrows when kevin grabs his arm. “for once in your life, nicky, please don’t tell anyone.”

and it’s weird, because nicky kind of loses his smile. “are you gay? or bisexual?”

shrug. “second.”

“are you serious about not telling people? you’re obviously not out yet.” kevin nods, and nicky smiles. “i won’t tell. i can keep secrets, you know, when they matter.”

kevin looks to allison, who looks to nicky. “we’ve all noticed you hanging out with that guy lately. if a bet about you two boning comes up we’re splitting the pot.” nicky nods. “secrets safe with me, then.”

kevin doesn’t tell them that andrew and neil know. allison’s stubborn and he’s lucky he got her to keep her mouth shut on the first try.

he’s still moody during practice, though. on their way back, andrew drives right past fox tower and to dalton’s apartment. kevin doesn’t even realize until the car stops. “what are-“

“get out. you’re not allowed back until your mood is gone.” and kevin could just walk back. it’s only a fifteen minute walk, honestly, but he doesn’t really want to. he wants dalton to wrap his body around him so he can take a nap and he wants to just hug him. he’s realized over time that he’s been incredibly touch starved, and he’s become a fan of bear hugs.

he could feel himself distracted during practice, worrying himself over if he should tell the public that he’s bi to get ahead of it and worrying over what he and dalton are. if it’s going in a direction that would even give him reason to come out.

so when dalton lets him in with a smile at the unexpected visit, kevin kind of falls into his arms and hugs him. “can you hold me.” it’s a different type of vulnerability, but dalton takes it with grace.

and eventually, when dalton’s lying on him with a hand in his hair, he asks, “do you wanna be my boyfriend?”

kevin snaps his head to look at him. he runs his hand up dalton’s bare back. “i’ve never been in a real relationship before. my last one... she was toxic for me.” triggering would be more accurate.

“that’s okay,” he whispers, his hand slides down to kevin’s face and he drags his thumb down his lip. “just want you, kev.”

it’s the first time he thinks he’s ever heard something along those lines, and it hits so deep. he rolls over dalton and kisses him into the mattress.

the foxes have a field day with it.

kevin doesn’t tell them, but he realizes two weeks later that allison was right when she guessed about them starting bets, and it doesn’t help when kevin brings dalton back to the suite only to find the upperclassmen and cousins all spread out on the couches and floor- minus renee and aaron. he freezes and starts to walk backwards but andrew steps in front of him. “stay.”

“why.” but andrew doesn’t answer because he’s already said his piece, and kevin almost ignores him until neil pulls the vice captain card and forces him to stay.

kevin wants to hit him.

“it’s fine, kev,” dalton practically pulls him to the group. dan greets him first and introduces herself. “we’re playing never have i ever, drinking edition, if you wanna play, but you’ve got to drink for kevin, too”

and dalton’s wanted kevin’s friends to like him ever since he first saw them, so he doesn’t really want to say no.

“this is a bad idea. they don’t play nice,” kevin says to dalton. and he’s right. the foxes don’t really play the game right, and all they do is go for each other.

kevin starts.

never have i ever payed a guy to knock me out: neil takes a drink with murder in his eyes. andrew’s behind him and flicks the back of his head. he isn’t playing, but he’s not letting neil get wasted without being close by. and also, he kind of lives there.

never have i ever gone to a peaceful exy banquet: no one drinks, and for some reason it makes them all burst into laughter.

never have i ever done cracker dust: dan says that one with a drunk pointed look. the cousins, neil, and dalton for kevin all drink.

never have i ever had a panic attack over getting a phone: neil

never have i ever kissed the same gender: neil, nicky, allison, dalton takes two swigs.

never have i ever dated someone outside of exy: nicky and dalton for kevin.

never have i ever broken a bone: kevin, matt, aaron

broken a hand: kevin

witnessed kevin having a meltdown: everyone

lived with my dad for two years without telling him he was my dad: kevin shoots daggers at allison. dalton drinks for him.

had to get shitfaced to get a tattoo: kevin

sent neil to west virginia: kevin

seen kevin’s real smile: dalton, neil

dated kevin: dalton. it settles a few bets all at once.

given kevin a blowjob: dalton laughs before taking a drink, but that’s the last straw for kevin. he’s sober as all hell and not letting them take the piss out of him and dalton like this. “we’re leaving.” he pulls dalton up.

dalton has an arm around his shoulders and his head ducked by kevin’s. “s’fun, hm?”

kevin’s not having it. it was not fun and he had reasons he didn’t want dalton meeting the foxes yet and the whole thing was fucked over because neil pulled the VC card and dalton was too nice to decline it.

neil says, in french. “you knew he’d find out at some point”

kevin is furious. “none of you had the right pulling the shit you did tonight. i’ll fucking kill you.” and he grabs dalton by the waist to escort him out.

all posts/updates relating to this au can be found in the “OC: dalton miller” tag!

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wrestlingisfake · 3 years

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Resurgence preview

It's been a year now since New Japan launched their US-based show, NJPW Strong. I'm sure the original plans involved running US tours with a mix of American regulars and visiting stars from the main Japanese roster. The pandemic, however, limited the scope of Strong, mainly featuring minor leagues on a closed set. It almost felt like a parallel universe with little relationship to the "real" NJPW. Now, finally, the brand gets to do a show in front of an actual crowd, and we get to see this concept the way it was meant to be seen.

The show airs live on NJPWworld (999 yen for one month--about $9.12 US) at 11pm EDT. Or, if you just cannot handle setting up your payment on a Japanese website, you can get the show on FITE.tv for $19.99 US. Both services should make the show available on-demand later, in case you want to wait until you're done watching Triplemania.

Lance Archer vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi - Archer is defending the IWGP United States champioship. The title was in limbo through most of 2020, as Jon Moxley was unable to schedule a defense in either New Japan or AEW. That changed in 2021, as thawing relations between the two promotions led to more Moxley title matches, until he lost the belt to Archer on July 21. Shortly before Archer's first defense on July 28, AEW aired a video of Tanahashi challenging the winner of that match.

This is Tana's first show outside of Japan since the pandemic began, and his first match in California in nearly three years. I'm not sure anyone expected him to be here, given that the New Japan of America operation has focused on building up North American talent rather than bringing in big stars from the home promotion. So this is a special treat for the live audience, above and beyond Archer coming in from AEW.

I expect a pretty straightforward match with Archer killing Tana with big power moves and Tana rallying for a big babyface comeback. In a vacuum I would think either man could end up with the belt. However, the real story to this match is that Tanahashi went out of his way to make a challenge for the US title, but not until after Jon Moxley lost it. So Moxley has accused Tana of ducking him, and it stands to reason that he'll confront the winner of this match to close the show. That feels like a formula for Tana vs. Mox for the title, maaaybe at the AEW pay-per-view on September 5. Everyone sure seems to hope that's where we're headed, so I don't think a lot of people will be pulling for Archer tonight.

Jay White vs. David Finlay - This is White's first defense of the NEVER openweight championship. It's also his first New Japan match since May, as the quarantine procedures for entering Japan have made travel pretty rough for the non-Japanese talent. As I recall, Finlay received this title shot because he pinned White back in March. Finlay hasn't been back in Japan since that tour. Both of these guys have been in Impact Wrestling as of late.

Originally, the idea behind White winning the NEVER title was to set up a match with Hiroshi Tanahashi at one of the Wrestle Grand Slam stadium shows that New Japan scheduled this summer. The aforementioned travel problems seem to have scuttled that, so now White is facing The Other Guy From FinJuice.

The biggest buzz I've heard surrounding this match is that Finlay appeared on Wrestling Observer Live to promote the show and ended up giving fans the impression that he wanted to go to NXT. I mean, Finlay could be fucking with us on that. But it's not a good sign when people are mainly interested in a match because they're looking for signs that one of the participants is fixing to leave the promotion. Not that it affects the finish, of course--Finlay could sign with NJPW for a million years, and he still wouldn't be booked to beat White for a title in 2021.

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Moose - This match kind of came out of nowhere. Ishii isn't exactly a top guy in New Japan but he's always right below that level, clobbering most of the roster and getting clobbered to set up new contenders. Most of the NJPW Strong roster would be underdogs against him. But then, Moose isn't on the Strong roster--he's coming over from Impact, where he's been pushed as a top heel for months. Moose is a 6-foot-5 big mean guy and Ishii is a 5-foot-7 big mean guy, so this should be an interesting contrast. It's easily the most interesting match on the show.

I'd like to see Moose win, since it'd be a slight upset and he could use the momentum for whatever he's doing next. But if he is gonna win, Ishii is going to convince you that he had to work his ass off to earn it. I'm looking forward to this.

Tom Lawlor & JR Kratos & Danny Limelight & Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs vs. Lio Rush & Chris Dickinson & Adrian Quest & Fred Yehi & Yuya Uemura - Lawlor is the NJPW Strong champion and his team is the New Japan version of "Team Filthy." The babyface team originally featured Brody King, but he was pulled from the card at the last minute due to "unforeseen circumstances", so Adrian Quest is substituting for him. That's a real tough break for the good guys.

There are several storylines at play here. Lio Rush stepped up as the next challenger for Lawlor's title, and they'll have that match at the August 16 tapings. Dickinson was kicked out of Team Filthy, and is currently aligned with Brody King's Violence Unlimited stable. Uemura had been working on the Japan roster as a Young Lion, but he's just begun his excursion so he has a chance to really express himself as a performer.

If Rush wasn't already positioned as Lawlor's next challenger, I might think this match could end with someone pinning Lawlor. As it is, though, it probably makes more sense for Team Filthy to win in a dominant fashion. Yehi and Quest are basically undercard scrubs, and Uemura just now graduated to that position. Rush and Dickinson aren't going to be able to carry so many weak links.

Juice Robinson vs. Hikuleo - Juice has spent most of 2021 teaming with David Finlay over on Impact, whereas Hikuleo has been wrestling on Strong and more recently on a few AEW shows. Given that Hikuleo is 6-foot-8 you'd expect him to squash everything in his path, but New Japan isn't afraid to have more established stars get the better of him. Whether Juice is one of those more established stars remains to be seen.

Juice biggest career highlight was winning the IWGP US title, and Hikuleo's was challenging for that title a few weeks ago. If one of them is going to be in the hunt for that belt, then winning this match should be step one. As much as I'd like to see Juice back in the chase, I get the feeling it'll be Hikuleo taking that role.

Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows vs. Jon Moxley & X - The Good Brothers (Gallows and Anderson) are the Impact Wrestling men's tag team champions, but their title is not at stake here. I think Moxley was originally booked to team with Syota Umino on this show, but travel restrictions prevented Umino from coming into LA. One way or another, Moxley will have a mystery partner that won't be revealed until the match begins.

The backstory is that Gallows and Anderson have been a thorn in Moxley's side every time he's tried to fight Kenny Omega, or really anybody in Omega's stable. With that in mind, the most logical partner would be Sami Callihan, who has a history with Moxley and unfinished business with Omega's group. People have been asking for a Moxley-Callihan reunion from the minute AEW and Impact started collaborating, and there's no reason it can't happen here. On the other hand, I wonder if that's something New Japan would do as a surprise, as opposed to advertising it ahead of time.

If Moxley's partner isn't Callihan, there's a serious risk that the live crowd will start chanting for Callihan and disrupt the match. So if they're going with someone else, it'd better be good. I suppose Eddie Kingston would be accepted, although again, why would that be something you do as a surprise? Personally, I'm all about Moxley and the cold, deadly eyes of Shooter Umino, so I know I'll be disappointed no matter what. :(

Anyway, it'd be stupid for Moxley's team to lose this match.

Rocky Romero & Fred Rosser & Wheeler Yuta vs. TJP & Clark Connors & Ren Narita - This is a pretty good sampling of the NJPW Strong midcard. Of this group, Romero has the most clout with the main New Japan roster. Rosser is still best known as WWE's Darren Young, the guy from the Nexus who looks exactly like John Cena. Yuta has been making waves on AEW, filling in for Trent Beretta with Orange Cassidy's group, so I guess he and Rocky are both Best Friends Twice Removed or something. TJP is a former WWE cruiserweight champion and Impact X division champion. Connors is one of the guys from the Gekiochi-kun ads--I think he's the one who snaps his fingers to teleport everybody. Ren Narita is the guy who used to wrestle Syota Umino all the time, but Syota is not on this show. :(

Alex Coughlin vs. Karl Fredericks - When Strong started, Coughlin, Fredericks, and Clark Connors were the three Young Lions from the LA Dojo who worked as prelim guys. Since then I believe Connors and Fredericks have "graduated," and Coughlin is still working on it. I'm pretty sure Fredericks is the one in the Gekiochi-kun ads that says "that's pretty cool." I don't remember what Coughlin does in those ads, so clearly he needs to get his ass in gear. Anyway, I guess Fredericks wins.

Bateman & Mysterioso & Barrett Brown vs. The DKC & Kevin Knight & Jordan Clearwater - This is scheduled as a dark match 30 minutes before the live stream begins. I've heard most of these names, but the only one I kinda know is Bateman from whatever goofy stable he's in at Ring of Honor. I dunno, I guess his side wins.

#njpw #njpw strong #njpw of america #resurgence #lance archer #hiroshi tanahashi #jay white #david finlay #jon moxley

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