#st louis blues fic

[ilyasorokinn]

(day nine) the tree party , colton parayko

note, this fic is part of my christmas series called taylor's very merry christmas series. check out this masterlist for the rest of the series. pair, colton parayko x reader summary, picking out a christmas tree was always a ceremonious day for the parayko family. and this year, they had a new addition, winnie, so that made the whole thing all the more special. warnings, children/kids word count, 1073 words

(gif not mine)

When you and Colton first moved in together, Colton made it a whole thing. He made it an entire day. You got breakfast, then got your tree, which was a whole process in it itself. Then you went home and put on a Christmas movie while decorating your tree.

You had done it with Henry for the last 4 years, and this year, it would be Colton, you, Henry, and Winnie.

"Can we go yet?" Henry whined as he stomped around the front door. All of you were ready, but Winnie still took a little longer to get ready because she was a baby and needed a little more than you all did.

"Be patient, dude." Colton rustled his hair, "You know your sister takes a little more time than you and me." Henry sighed, hopping up onto the bench in the entryway and waiting.

After getting Winnie ready and getting both kids strapped in the car, you were on your way to the diner you always had your special breakfast.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite family." The same waitress since you had started your tradition almost 6 years ago, Penny, greeted you with a bright smile.

Henry let go of Colton's hand and ran over to hug her, "Hello, Henry. Oh, look at you. Look at how big you've gotten." He smiled bashfully.

She looked up from Henry and gasped when she saw the stroller you were pushing, "Get out!" She laughed. You pushed up the hood of the stroller so she could see Winnie, "Oh, look at her. She's beautiful." Penny cooed.

"Thank you." You smiled.

"What's her name?"

"Winnifred, Winnie for short," Colton answered.

"She's beautiful." You smiled as Penny led you over to your usual table which had a "reserved" plaque on it, "Barry almost shouted at a group of kids who almost sat here this morning."

"Oh, you don't have to save this table for us we're fine sitting at a different table."

"It's no trouble." She shook her head with a smile, "I'll be back with your drinks."

The majority of breakfast was filled with you telling Henry to eat some pancakes with his syrup and Colton to eat slower because he was so excited.

After breakfast, you were on your way to the tree farm, listening to Christmas music the entire way there. When you got to the farm, Colton hadn't even stopped the car before Henry was unbuckling his seatbelt.

"Hey, your butt stays in that seat until the car stops." You reminded him and he quickly sat back down. Once Colton stopped the car, then Henry jumped up and out of his seat.

You and Colton both got you. While Colton got the stroller out, you helped Henry out of his seat and held his hand as he pointed out all the things he saw.

Henry started pulling you off, having no regard for his sister or father, "Slow down, buddy." You laughed, "You gotta wait for Winnie and dad."

He stopped and turned around to see where the two were. Once they were close enough, he started pulling out off again, "I know you're excited. But I kind of need my arm." You joked.

"Come on, mommy, all the good trees are getting taken." Henry told you.

"I don't think they are. The perfect one for us will still be there." You reassured. Something caught Henry's attention, and he was quickly dragging you towards it, "Hot choclate?"

"Can we? Please?"

"You just had breakfast, which was practically a bowl of syrup."

"Please?" He begged.

"Fine." You relented. You ordered two hot chocolate, and made your way back over to Colton, who had Winnie in his arms, as he showed her the trees.

You handed one of the cups to Henry, who eagerly began blowing on the hot liquid, "That's right. Blow." You nodded as you blew on your own cup.

You wandered through the rows and rows of trees, trying to find the "perfect" tree, as Henry called it, "Do you see it yet?" You asked. Henry shook his head response.

You and Colton shared a look. You had been there for a little too long, and you were getting cold and you were starting to get worried about Winnie being too cold.

"All right, well, you gotta pick one soon. It's getting cold." Colton told him.

"Okay." He nodded. You wandered down a few more aisles before Winnie let out a cry.

Colton began bouncing up and down trying to get her to stop crying. You worked quickly, grabbing a bottle from the baby bag and pouring some of the milk from the insolated cup into Winnie's cup.

"All right, Henry, if you don't pick a tree-"

"This one!" He exclaimed, pointing to the tree you were standing in front of. You and Colton both looked at the tree, examining his pick.

"Are you sure? After this, there's no going back." You told him.

"I'm sure." He nodded.

"All right, I'll go find someone." Colton handed Winnie off to you and went off in search of someone who worked there.

-

When you got home, with the tree safely strapped to the top of your car, you called in some reinforcement (some of the guys) to help you bring the tree into the house.

They stuck around to help hang up a couple ornaments and play with baby Winnie who loved all the attention. While Winnie was distracted by her Uncle Robert and Uncle Scandy, you, Colton and Henry started decorating the tree with all your ornaments.

Well, it was mainly you and Colton because Henry was distracted by the Christmas movie playing on the TV.

Once you were done and every ornament was on your tree, there was only one thing left to do, "Hey, bud, do you want to put the star on the top of the tree?"

He nodded eagerly, taking the star from you and waiting for Colton to pick him up. Once he was tall enough, he carefully placed the star on the tip of your tree.

Once he was safely on the ground, Colton made his way around the tree to the back so he could plug the lights into the outlet. He took a step back, wrapping an arm around your shoulders as you marveled at your tree.

"Go us." You held your hand up.

"Yeah." Colton chuckled in agreement, slapping his hand against yours.

-

my taglist: @kolsmikaelson @kidlnthedark @bowen-power @lam-ila @puckinrightschicagoo @stars-canucks @iwantahockeyhimbo @2manytabsopen @calermakar08 @hamilton160 @pierrelucduboiis @thescooby-gang @sammysworldddd @sc87 @likeashotofwhiskey @mista-svech @paintlavillered @samanthasgone @hockeyboysarehot @nicoleloveshockey @hockeyunits @kaydenissleepy @Yagetintoit @seventieswhore @MichelleKirby30 @jamieeboulos @Coffeeandteaandflowers @bibella8swan @cuttergauth @boqvistsbabe @sophia-bordeleau @beccaiscold

add yourself to my taglist!

(this taglist is my regular taglist, my non-special occasion masterlist. if you want to be tagged in all my writing, feel free to add yourself!)

#colton parayko imagine #colton parayko imagines #colton parayko x reader #colton parayko fic #colton parayko blurbs #colton parayko #nhl imagines #nhl imagine #nhl fic #nhl blurbs #nhl #hockey imagine #hockey imagines #hockey fic #hockey blurbs #hockey #st louis blues imagine #st louis blues imagines #st louis blues fic #st louis blues blurbs #st louis blues #taylor writes #taylor writes: hockey #taylor's blurbs #taylor's very merry christmas series!

[horsesandhockeyplayers]

Would anyone be interested in a Marco Scandella fic?

#st louis blues #marco scandella #st Louis blues fic

[danny-415]

vacation time

(fluff)

pov: you thought about having a vacation and spending some quality time with dali because he’s too busy with hockey. you miss him very much and just could not stop thinking about him.

“dali!” you yelled out his name from across the room

“yeah?” he asked

“i was thinking we could spend 3 days on vacation in new york?”

“yeah we can, i never been to much places except for croatia, sweden, and missouri”

“well have you ever been to a basketball game?”

“wait, you wanna go to new york for a basketball game?”

“yeah i was just thinking maybe we could watch a game and go see places around. i just wanna spend time with you”

“okay we’ll go then”

“great cause i already bought tickets to the knicks game which are the front row seats”

“already?”

“mhm i was going to surprise you but i couldn’t wait because i already miss you but you’re super busy that’s why”

“awh miláčik i love you but i could’ve payed instead of you doing so much for me”

“don’t worry about it dali anyways i’ll be there at your games but i really wanna spend some time with you”

“come here” dali says as he’s going in for a hug and kiss

as dali hugs and kisses you, you feel the warmth of his body close to you feeling safe with him. you are filled with happiness and excitement.

liked by dalidvorksy, _slafkovsky_, and 71,918 others

y/n user: vacay time 🤍

dalidvorsky: love you! ❤️

davidestrom_: 😍😍

#nhl draft 2023 #nhl fanfiction #nhl fic #nhl fluff #nhl hockey #nhl imagine #nhl x reader #dalibor dvorsky #fluff #hockey #nhl blurb #nhl playoffs #st louis blues

[dragonflylady77]

i got you a whole flower shop

A Harringrove Valentine's Day fic I wrote this afternoon

present for @shieldofiron and also @lovebillyhargrove

oh and it's on ao3

Steve walks into a florist shop on Valentine's Day but his plans change after he gets a text not meant for him and he finds himself faced with Billy freaking Hargrove looking like every wet dream Steve has ever had in the past fifteen years since he finished high school.

“Sorry, I’ll be right with you.”

Steve made a vague noise of acknowledgement, too busy staring at the message he’d opened as he’d stepped into the first flower shop he’d spotted.

“Can’t wait to see you tonight baby. I’ll tell Steve I have to work late. Love you x”

He blinked a few times but the words didn’t change. The text was clearly not meant for him. Or maybe it was, he rationalised. That was one way to break up with your boyfriend without having to have the conversation.

He ran a tired hand over his face and put his phone back in his pocket. He wouldn’t need flowers after all. He tried to remember how much stuff he’d left at Jamie’s place during the few months they’d been dating and wondered if there was anything he’d miss if he didn’t get it back.

“I am sorry but it turns out I don’t actually need flowers after all,” he said, his eyes floating over the various buckets of colourful blooms in front of him.

“Am I dreaming or is that you, Harrington?” The voice sounded surprised and familiar and Steve turned around to face its owner.

“Hargrove?” Steve said in shock, stepping closer to the counter. He hadn’t seen Billy Hargrove since graduation fifteen years ago. “What are you doing in Chicago? I always thought you went back to Cali…”

Billy shrugged and Steve took a moment to really look at him. He still had those light brown, almost golden, curls that Steve had always wanted to run his fingers through, piled high in a bun, his face fuzzy with scruff, blue eyes trained on Steve. That part at least was familiar. Steve let his eyes move down, taking in the white tee, tight across the front under the black apron with the shop’s logo on it, Billy’s biceps bulging when he crossed his arms over his chest. Steve’s mouth felt very dry all of a sudden and hoo, was it always this hot in this store?

Billy raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He did, however, run that tongue of his along his bottom lip, another familiar sight, one that resonated inside Steve’s chest, in a place he’d been ignoring for years.

“Um, sorry, didn’t mean to…” Steve fumbled, fidgeting with his fingers. Fuck. He was being so awkward for no reason. He was usually a little bit better at human interactions.

“It’s okay, pretty boy, I know my good looks can be distracting,” Billy replied with a chuckle and Steve felt his face heat up. “To answer your question, my car broke down outside of St Louis and I realised I’d been kidding myself. There was nothing in Cali for me anymore. And I couldn’t leave Max alone with Neil.”

“Ah. I-I heard about him but Max never said—”

“I told her to keep a secret. Couldn’t risk Neil finding out. I made it back to Indianapolis on the Greyhound. Met a nice lady on the bus who offered me a place to stay for a while. Worked my ass off in a bunch of different jobs. Mona and her partner kinda adopted me, so when they moved to Chicago, I followed.”

“That’s why Max went to college in Chicago, isn’t it? Because you were there too?” Steve asked, a few things making more sense now that he knew about Billy.

“Yep. Got her out of the dorms too. She loved it at Mona’s as much as I did.”

Steve smiled. He was glad that Billy and Max had gotten away from his asshole father. He had only managed it himself recently, after more than a decade of working for his dad, being belittled every time Richard Harrington was in the office, no matter how good Steve actually was at doing his job. He’d jumped at the chance when he’d seen that job listing in Chicago and he’d cherished forever the memory on his father’s face when he’d handed in his resignation.

“That’s great, Billy,” he finally replied, and meant it.

“What about you, princess? What brings you to the Windy City?” 

“Oh, I live here too. Been here about three years, I think. I don’t have to tell you how good it felt to be able to tell my dad I was leaving and he could shove it.”

“Ooooh, go Stevie! Always knew you had it in you.”

Steve laughed and shook his head. “Took me twelve years but I got there in the end…”

“That’s what matters.” Billy grinned. “So, what are you after? Roses for your girl, on account of the day? Or something more original?”

“Oh, um, I, um…” Steve sighed. “I was gonna get flowers for my boyfriend, but after the text I got before, I don’t think I will.”

“Boyfriend?” Billy was staring and Steve realised he probably needed to elaborate a little.

“Yeah… My best friend Robin helped me realise some important things about myself after high school. She made being queer in Hawkins a lot easier. We were flatmates for ages then she moved to Chicago to be with her girlfriend. You know her, actually, Heather? Holloway?”

“Oh. Wow. Yeah, I remember Heather. So you’re…”

“Bi. Yeah.”

“And you have a boyfriend.” The way Billy said it, it wasn’t a question.

It left a bad taste in Steve’s mouth. He got his phone out of his pocket again and sent Jamie a text saying they were over.

“I had a boyfriend.” Steve snorted. “Whoever he meant to text when he texted me can have his cheating ass.”

“You don’t seem too cut up about it,” Billy said, his eyes roaming over Steve and Steve found that he liked it. All at once, memories of basketball training and all the posturing and looks Billy would send him in the showers and hallways of Hawkins High took on a different flavour. All the pet names Billy used to call him when they were teenagers… the same ones he’d used a couple of times in the past ten minutes they’d been chatting.

“I’d only been seeing him for a couple of months, wasn’t anything serious.” Steve decided to take a chance. He crossed his arms and leaned forward on the counter. “It does mean I am now free tonight…”

Billy mirrored his actions, the smile on his face genuine and warm. “Is that so, pretty boy?”

“Uh huh… yanno, in case anyone was wondering.”

“That’s certainly pertinent information.”

“I thought so.” Steve leaned a little closer, smiling when Billy did too. “What time does this fine establishment close?”

“Right now,” Billy replied, without a glance at his watch as he removed his apron and set it on the counter next to them.

“Really? Won’t you get in trouble with your boss for closing early on Valentine’s Day?”

“I’m the boss and I have a hot date,” Billy said with that smirk that had always made Steve’s blood boil. Only now he could name that emotion for what it was: lust. There was something else in Billy’s eyes, something more magical and durable.

“Anyone I know?” Steve asked, his heart beating double time in his chest.

Billy didn’t reply, instead he rounded the counter and came to a stop in front of Steve with a grin. He cupped Steve’s face with both hands and breached the last inches separating them, bringing their mouths together. Steve moaned, his hands on Billy’s wrists to hold him there. He opened his lips to Billy’s questing tongue the second he felt it, pouring all that he was feeling into the kiss, and getting it back ten fold.

Steve let go of Billy’s wrists to grab his waist and dragged him closer. He couldn’t get enough of Billy, hands roaming up his back and down to cup that ass Steve had been dreaming about for months after high school, sparking his bi awakening.

“Fuck, Billy, I’m sorry it took me so long to find you again,” Steve said, breaking the kiss to catch his breath, resting his forehead against Billy’s.

“S’okay, Stevie, you’re here now,” Billy said, dipping his head for a quick kiss. He buried his fingers into Steve’s hair and locked eyes with him. “Never letting you go now I’ve got you, though, I hope you know that.”

“Fine with me,” Steve said as he wrapped his arms around Billy’s middle, delighted to feel Billy’s hard body against his. 

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Steve. I don't know what flowers you like yet, so I got you a whole flower shop.”

Steve laughed as Billy locked up for the night then they went up to the apartment Billy was renting above the shop where Billy cooked them dinner. Then they spent all night in bed, worshipping each other, and it was the best Valentine’s Day Steve had ever had.

#harringrove #billy hargrove #steve harrington #billy x steve #dragonflylady77 #valentine's day #florist billy hargrove

[redfurrycat]

🤠🏉🥇🥊🐓Sports Fic Recs🐓🥊🥇🏉🤠

Check the Top Gun Masterlist post for the latest updated version. 💕

Ao3 Authors: Abliafina, Barnes_Brain, Discosleaze, Ginnydear, Greenstuff, Hangmanbradshaw, Hypnagogicpunisher, Infinitejaust, KatofKanals, Marchrain, Midnight___phoenix, Ok_thanks, Vahosi, Teacupivy, Trinipedia.

Different Strokes by infinitejaust {E}

{Olympic swimming}

Jake looks over at Bradshaw, who’s got his arms crossed, biceps flexed. Outside the box, huh? Jake smiles. He has a wonderful awful idea.

and they were rivals (oh my god they were rivals) by ginnydear

{NFL}

unsportsmanlike conduct {M}

He didn’t expect there to be highlight reels of him and Jake Seresin arguing and jawing at each other after their first game against each other. His Uncle Mav’s recorded it, saying it’s the beginning of his long, successful career - to have a rival. Bradley thinks it’s a pain in the ass. or - the hangster nfl au

jersey swap {M}

“I think you’re right, and I’d dare to say that’s Bradley Bradshaw next to her. He and Robert Floyd have been friends since college, if you remember that from their draft.” The camera stays on the group for a second longer and then it switches to where Floyd is standing on the sideline, a large blue coat covering his body. He’s talking to Jake Seresin and the camera catches the moment they both look up towards the stands, Floyd waving excitedly. The screen splits in time to see Natasha waving back, as well as everyone around her. or - a hangster nfl au slice of life

skills test {E}

“I don’t have all day, Bradshaw,” Jake yells, dribbling the ball a few times. Bradley pauses and bends his knees, bouncing the ball between his hands. “Such impatience,” Bradley says, starting to move the other direction. Jake takes the ball in one hand and cocks his arm back, watching with glee as Bradley’s eyes widen a bit. “Take the shot then!” or - jake and bradley are selected to the pro bowl.

play-action fake {T}

“Come home with me.” Jake breathed against Bradley’s lips. His shallow breaths break up his words, but he gets them out all the same. Bradley chuckled and brushed his thumb across Jake’s bottom lip. “I’m always gonna come home with you.” He muttered, pulling his thumb down and leaving Jake's mouth agape. or: Jake asks Bradley to come home to Texas with him

top gun hockey au by ok_thanks

{Hockey}

invisible string {M}

Jake being traded to San Diego should definitely not cause Bradley to feel so unhinged. Not at all. He can be teammates, they've done that before, except that Jake is just as annoying and attractive to Bradley as he was when they were younger.

such great heights {E}

“Not sure if it’s clear by now, but I sort of had a huge thing for you.” No words come to mind — no, scratch that. Too many words flood Jake’s brain and sit at the tip of his tongue, but none of them seem fit for expressing the gooey feeling overtaking his heart.

Sliding Series by Barnes_Brain

{Baseball}

Parts 1-6 are the original Sliding Into Home Part 7 is an Alternate Universe Where Bradley is a reliever and Jake is his catcher

Sliding into Home {E}

{Baseball player!Bradley & Social Media/In-game host!Jake}

Bradley is the star shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals. The announcers adore him, his teammates love him, and the fans, mostly female, relish that at 29 he’s still single. Right before the start of the season he meets Jake Seresin, the new in-game host and social media admin. Jake has a smile that lights up the sun, an ass that Bradley could stare at for hours, and abs that go for days. Most important? He does not seem to give a shit about the fact that Bradley’s one of the best shortstops in the game. Jake Seresin did not expect to end up in fucking Missouri of all places, but after 4 years in the Navy to pay for a Public Relations and Communications degree? He’s gonna fucking use it. So Imagine his surprise when a moustached hunk runs into him in the tunnels of Busch Stadium. Literally. Jake won’t lie he’d climb the man in front of him like a tree, and might actually if he lets him. The only problem? He doesn’t even know what a shortstop does? When Bradley finds out Jake doesn’t know the difference between a foul post and a goal post he makes it his mission to make Jake fall in love with the sport that changed his life. He never imagined he’d get Jake falling for him instead. He wasn’t going to complain.

Caught Looking {E}

{Pitcher!Bradley & Catcher!Jake}

After spending three seasons in the Japanese Major leagues, also known as the NPB, pitcher Bradley Bradshaw has finally made it back to The Show. Signed to the Seattle Mariners, not only does he have to get reacquainted with the league, he also needs to get adjusted to their new catcher, Jake Seresin. The only problem? No one knows that they fucked through the minors together. What if the accident never happened in Sliding into Home? What if Jake actually showed up to one of Javy’s games? This is how things would change.

You gave me time to find out what my heart was lookin' for by trinipedia {E}

{Boxer-Personal Trainer!Bradley}

Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw is a personal trainer, among other things. He specializes in preparing young actors for their next action role, but when he's given the task of turning dancer/actor Jake "Hangman" Seresin into a believable boxer, he has his work cut out for him.

An Inside The Park Home Run by Midnight___phoenix {T}

{Baseball}

Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw was a First round draft pick for the New York Yankees. He was highlighted while in the minors as the next best Third baseman of our generation. He likes to think the hype was true. He bats over .300 every year (well despite his rookie year where he batted .282 and ended up winning Rookie Of The Year, but he likes to think of that year as a fluke when it comes to his batting average.) and has won the Gold Glove award three times in 10 seasons in the big show. He is without a doubt one of the best current ball players. He just wishes he wouldn’t get compared to Jake “Hangman” Seresin so much.

Formula 1: Deceive to Achieve by greenstuff {E}

{F1}

When new teammates, Jake and Bradley, agree to pretend they’re in a committed relationship to land a sponsorship deal, they probably should have factored in the possibility they might fall for their own lies.

Two-Way(s) Forward by Barnes_Brain {M}

{Hockey player!Jake & Rink owner!Bradley}

Jake Seresin was the LA King’s best two-way forward, leading not only his line, but his team with the coveted C on his chest. But when an injury sends him to Bob Floyd, PT extraordinaire, in hopes of getting back on the ice, he finds a little more than a path back to his career.

Desire is the only motivation by trinipedia {M}

{Rugby}

After a life-altering accident, Bradley Bradshaw moves to Texas to change his perspective. Bradley has decided not to think about American football ever again, but the chance meeting with an arrogant Texan, Jake Seresin, might change it all, not only for him but for the aforementioned Texan, as well.

IWTBY Verse by hangmanbradshaw

{NFL QB!Jake}

I want to brainwash you into loving me forever {E}

“So…this is fucking weird and I have no clue what to say here.” Bradley smiled warmly and leaned his forearms against the table. “Don’t worry, Mav already filled me in, and I’ll do it.” Jake blinked. “You’ll do it?” “Yeah.” Bradley sat back with a nod. “You want to come out, right? If us appearing to be in a stable relationship will help, then I’m in.” Or, Jake Seresin has it all- fame, money, a NFL MVP trophy, a Super Bowl appearance, a lonely house, and a problem. He wants to come out on his own terms. Enter Bradley Bradshaw, the solution to said problem, or maybe, the beginning of a new problem. After all, you don't fall in love with your fake boyfriend.

Wanna Be Your Left Hand Man {E}

Europe calls. Jake & Bradley answer.

I find myself running home to your sweet nothings {E}

Nine months into their official relationship, Jake and Bradley navigate a new season of the NFL, life, and their relationship. Or Ice and Mav get married, the gang all celebrates, and Bradley and Jake find home in each other once again, in more ways than one.

love thorns all over this rose {_}

Bradley's friends watch him lose himself, find himself, and then find something even better. Or Bradley doesn’t really do dating, until he does. Aka Bradley pre-IWTBY, and a little during, according to Reuben, Callie, and Jonathan.

Watson Wildhearts by KatofKanals {E}

{HS Football}

16 year old Bradley Bradhsaw is new to Watson, Texas in the summer of 2000 and he is downright miserable—he hates the whole town and all the people in it. That includes Jake Seresin, the star quarterback and rich boy at the top of the social pyramid. Eventually, though, Bradley starts to wonder if maybe there’s more to Watson and Jake Seresin than he saw at first glance. Maybe there’s something special there after all.

get your head in the game by abliafina {T}

{Volleyball in Corporate setting}

Hangman thought he'd thrown in the towel when it came to his volleyball days, but when Rooster, the handsome team leader from another company, invites him to join the summer tournament he knows he's done for. There were worse fates than spending the day on the beach.

Love (Suite Love) by hangmanbradshaw {T}

{NFL QB!Jake}

Jake never thought he'd leave a pop concert with a public crush. Bradley was on vocal rest. Really, he was.

sparks fly (sereshaw's version) by marchrain {T}

{College Baseball & Football}

Bradley Bradshaw, the freshman starting pitcher for Pacific Harbor University, meets Jake Seresin, the new hot-shot quarterback. He hates Jake, there's not a single thing likeable about him. He hates the way his hair is held up by gel, the look in those stupid emerald eyes of his, the fact that he's a football player of all sports—Jake's insufferable. But then, why does he enjoy their banter? Why does he like the dumb toothpick that sits between Jake's teeth? Why does his stomach flip when Jake laughs? Why do his eyes keep flicking down to Jake's lips? - or, sereshaw sports uni slice of life au

when bradley falls in love (goose & carole's version) by discosleaze {T}

{NFL QB!Jake}

Snippets of i want to brainwash you into loving me-verse, from Goose & Carole's perspectives, aka watching their son fall in love.

I talk a big game that I'm scared of losin' by hangmanbradshaw {E}

{Boxer!Bradley}

Jake's a professor ready to jump back into the dating pool, Bradley's a little rough around the edges, and Nat swears they're perfect for each other. She might be right. Or Jake dumps his loser ex and moves to California to be near Nat and Javy. Nat knows a guy, and sometimes opposites attract.

cuz you know I love the players and you love the game by hangmanbradshaw {E}

{College Baseball & Football & Cheerleading}

Jake's the star quarterback, Bradley's the star baseball captain. They both like playing games, turns out they want the same prize. Or Bradley dresses as a cheerleader for the team and Jake hates him (except that he totally doesn't)

suburban legends ✈ by vahosi

{NFL QB!Bradley}

we were born to be suburban legends {G}

unmarked numbers in my peripheral vision (july) — chapters 1-12 flush with the currency of cool (august) — chapters 13-24 where the spirit meets the bones (september) — chapters 25-36

we were born to be the pawn in every lover's game {_}

you kiss me in a way that's going to screw me up forever (october) — chapters 1-12 dare to sit and watch what we'll become (november) — chapters 13-24 my pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand (december) — chapters 25-36

and they were batterymates by teacupivy {E}

{Baseball}

They’ve been teammates for just a few months now, but plenty long enough to have the whole dick-measuring-in-the-locker-room, fist-fight-on-the-field, make-up-behind-the-scenes, suddenly-best-duo-in-the-MLB speedrun.

red river rivalry by hypnagogicpunisher {M}

{College Football}

He’s heard the buzz about the new 4-star on the Texas team. It piques his interest. Oklahoma had been dominating the last few years of the rivalry, but betting odds were hot against the Sooners going into the game week, partially because of this Seresin kid. A true freshman, with his kind of stats, was a rarity. Bradley wonders just a bit what his passing stats would look like with him, who seemingly has fucking magnets for hands and the ability to stretch for a pass like he’s made of rubber. -- He can feel the frustration snaking through his body, settling with a numbness in his fingertips. At 2nd and 10, his pass is tipped and ruled incomplete. He can hear a jeer from the sideline, and he fucking knows it’s Seresin.

#Sports Recs List #hangster #sereshaw #hangaroo #bradley rooster bradshaw x jake hangman seresin #bradley rooster bradshaw #jake hangman seresin #🐈red🐈furry🐈cat🐈tag🐈

[wyattjohnston]

all fic | universe | gifs | exchanges

(alphabetical order by team, then by player)

updated: 27 Jan '24

* = contains smut

boston bruins

charlie mcavoy

kiss it better now

buffalo sabres

erik johnson

only all the time (series of one shots)

jeff skinner

your eyes look like coming home

tyson jost

it’s me & you

out of ten

this is getting good now (series of one shots)

calgary flames

noah hanifin

the one who needs saving

carolina hurricanes

andrei svechnikov

kinda hope they catch us

colorado avalanche

gabriel landeskog

‘til you give me all your love

nathan mackinnon

the second time

you always did feel just like home

columbus blue jackets

nick blankenburg

need a little company

dallas stars

jake oettinger

the saddest thing i know

roope hintz

no sound worse than silence

tyler seguin

ain’t no sunshine (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, playlist)

edmonton oilers

leon draisaitl

lock in your love

florida panthers

matthew tkachuk

don't want to miss you like this

you gotta kiss somebody (sometimes)

los angeles kings

pierre luc dubois

never said a thing

montreal canadiens

josh anderson

what am i to you?

nashville predators

anthony beauvillier

into moonlight (series of one shots)

taylor hall

better at leaving* & i just keep coming back to you*

new jersey devils

dougie hamilton

i’ll bet you didn’t even know

jack hughes

make it weird

we all have our secrets

we don't have no time to waste (series of one shots)

nico hischier

late nights in the middle of june (series of one shots)

not perfect (but we were)

new york islanders

mat barzal

all eyes, they're on you (series of one shots)

uh oh

new york rangers

chris kreider

toward a feminine sea

philadelphia flyers

joel farabee

fell in love with you in stages

travis konecny

take me as i am (series of one shots)

pittsburgh penguins

ryan graves

never saw you coming

to hold your hand (would be the bravest thing)

seattle kraken

andre burakovsky

dreamer (just like you)

we look good together*

jamie oleksiak

my picket fence penguins

your eyes look like coming home

st louis blues

colton parayko

open your heart to me

kasperi kapanen

let's get these wheels in motion*

kevin hayes

got a hold on me* (series of one shots)

how those rumours fly

toronto maple leafs

mitch marner

give the stars something to watch

morgan rielly

sache que je serai la tienne (series of one shots)

william nylander

let's get these wheels in motion*

vancouver canucks

brock boeser

and i had silly dreams

take you one day at a time (series of one shots)

elias pettersson

been a long time coming

quinn hughes

let's finish what we started

until the light shines through

vegas golden knights

nolan patrick

found the cure for a broken heart

say that we'll be together (series of one shots)

washington capitals

nicklas backstrom

give up the game

tom wilson

in the shadows & still want more

winnipeg jets

adam lowry

breaking all the rules

#masterlist #this may look exactly the same as the old one #but this is in the new post type

[bobby-r2d2-floyd]

Behind the Glass (an NHL x TGM crossover)

San Diego, CA. The newest city to put in for a bid for an NHL expansion team. Why California needed a fourth team, no one really knew, but no one was going to complain either. Especially if it meant that people weren't having to drive up to Los Angeles or Anaheim (or even San Jose) to catch a game.

Enter: The San Diego Tomcats. Named after the retired F-14's and an homage to the Naval Base and Weapons School right there on North Island.

Expansion drafts were never fun for anyone; players leaving their teams, administration trying to make deals, fans losing their favorite players, searching for the best coach... but hockey players aren't the only people who have to relocate. Y/N Champaign, a.k.a Lens, an assistant NHL photojournalist who was working with the Pittsburgh Penguins was asked to move to San Diego to work with the Tomcats. While there, she does the one thing she swore to never do: fall in love with a hockey player.

A story of blood, sweat, tears, ice, cursing, and romance, Behind the Glass follows Lens as she navigates a new team, and new emotions.

The Team

players:

Bradley Bradshaw (C): Center, drafted from Washington Capitals

Rueben Fitch: Left Defense, drafted from Nashville Predators

Mickey Garcia (A): Left Wing, drafted from New York Rangers

Jake Seresin (A): Right Wing, drafted from Dallas Stars

Javy Machado: Right Defense, drafted from Boston Bruins

Robert Floyd: Goalie, drafted from St. Louis Blues

staff:

Beau Simpson: General Manager

Soloman Bates: Assistant General Manager

Tom Kazansky: Head Coach

Pete Mitchell: Assistant Coach

Bernie Coleman: goalie coach

Natasha Trace: Athletic Ttrainer

Y/N Champaign: Team Photojournalist

@cassiemitchell and i already are aware of each other writing a hockey fic, we literally talked about it so don't make it a thing to pit us against each other, we're friends. it's pure coincidence that positions are near identical

COMING SOON!

dm me to join the tag list or fill out the form here, the fic will be 18+ and I WILL be checking bios!

#top gun maverick imagine #nhl imagine #hockey imagine #bearmalkin is back #robert floyd #robert 'bob' floyd #robert floyd x reader #robert floyd imagine #bob floyd x reader #bob floyd imagine #jake seresin #bradley bradshaw #natasha trace #javy machado #mickey garcia #rueben fitch #nhl × tgm

[juuicysaros]

THE UNOFFICIAL ST. LOUIS BLUES PRIMER PART 1 : FORWARDS

JORDAN KYROU (Rouzy)

Info: #25, RW, STL 35th in 2016 (listed as a center ? does not play center)

Last season: 37 goals + 73 pts (career high goals!)

History: played a handful of games in the 18-19 season, but his real rookie season was in 19-20 and was cut short due to covid. Broke out for real in the 20-21 season and in the 2022 offseason signed an 8 year contract extension !! Won the fastest skater competition at the 2021 all star game!

Profile: great goal scorer at his best, often passes for the "perfect play" instead of shooting. Not super physical

Other: besties with Robert Thomas, they even signed matching contracts <3

ROBERT THOMAS (A) (Thommer) (Tommer?)

Info: #18, C, STL 20th in 2017

Last season: 18 goals + 65 pts (team lead in assists !)

History: played most of the 18-19 season and won the cup as a rookie! Had a good season considering he was on a team of more dominant veterans, very notably received That One Hit from Krug in the SCF

Profile: Not a massive goal scorer but definitely can score, more of a playmaker. Struggles with overpassing for the perfect play. Resident faceoff man post-ROR trade.

Other: besties with Kyrou :)

PAVEL BUCHNEVICH (Buch)

Info: #89, LW, NYR 75th in 2013

Last season: 26 goals + 67 pts

History: traded to Blues in 2021 and immediately had a career season. Was good on the Rangers, is even better on the Blues.

Profile: Great goal scorer! Very good shorthanded this season, already has 2 SHG! Hasn't been his best year overall but would be surprised if he didn't get at least 20 goals

Other: has never played a full 82 game season

BRANDON SAAD (Saader)

Info: #20, LW, CHI 43rd in 2011

Last season: 19 goals + 27 pts

History: won 2 cups with the Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015. Signed with the Blues in 2021 as a free agent

Profile: very consistent 20-ish goal scorer! Has been moved around the lineup quite a bit this season but is usually on the second or third line, great depth goal scorer

Other: not super relevant but inch resting to me, he was traded from Chicago to Columbus in the infamous Artemi Panarin trade

BRAYDEN SCHENN (C) (Schenner)

Info: #10, C, LAK 5th in 2009

Last season: 21 goals + 65 pts

History: important piece in the 18-19 cup season, scored a goal in game 7 of the SCF! Was an alternate captain for 3 seasons under ROR, currently his first season as captain :)

Profile: Usually a 20-ish goal scorer, production has suffered this year from being moved around the second and third lines

Other: I'm still jumpscared by him being in 2013-era Flyers fics to this day. He played on the Flyers with his brother Luke for several (4?) seasons !!

JAKE NEIGHBOURS (Jakey) (?)

Info: #63, LW, STL 26th in 2020

History: Technically in his sophomore season, was unexpectedly called up for 43 games last season + made the roster full time this year out of camp. Worked his way up from the fourth line to the first line before settling down to the second line after the coaching change. He's having whatever the opposite of a sophomore slump is! It's definitely been a breakout season for him so far

Profile: Good goal scorer, was briefly leading the team in goals. Very physical guy, doesn't take many penalties considering he's not afraid to throw himself around

Other: Roommates with rookie goalie Hofer, and they both spent the Christmas holidays with the Schenn family! They do a very cute little thing during the goalie headbutt line :)

SAMMY BLAIS

Info: #79, LW, STL 176th in 2014

Last season: 9 goals + 20 pts in 31 games post-trade deadline

History: Played on the 18-19 cup-winning team (was #9), traded to NYR (for Buchnevich) in 2021, scored NO GOALS in 2 seasons there, traded back in 2023 and scored career high 9 goals post trade deadline.

Profile: Usually a physical player, worked well on the relentless 2019 team. Struggling to find his place on the current team, sometimes a healthy scratch

KEVIN HAYES (Hayesy)

Info: #12, C, CHI 24th in 2010 (listed as LW ? but has been playing center)

Last season: 18 goals + 54 pts (PHI)

History: Drafted by Chicago but played for Boston College (apparently had an injury where he almost lost his leg????). Played several years on the Rangers, about ten minutes in Winnipeg, played several years in Philadelphia, and got traded to the Blues in the 2023 offseason for a couple of rocks (a 6th round pick). Part of the controversial trade that made Krug invoke his no-trade clause.

Profile: Good depth scoring and fantastic faceoff man. Decently physical player and he battles well enough that he's already got 10 goals to show for it.

Other: cousin of Keith Tkachuk! His brother (former player, retired in 2019) unfortunately passed away in 2021 and every time he scores, he points to the sky for him :,)

KASPERI KAPANEN (Kappy)

Info: #42, RW, PIT 22nd in 2014

Last season: 15 goals + 34 pts (PIT + STL)

History: Drafted by the Penguins but was traded to the Leafs where he played 5 seasons, then traded BACK to the Penguins where he played 2 1/2 seasons, then put on waivers. The Blues picked him up in 2023 and he put up a solid 14 pts in 23 games. He fought his way up from the minors and has played exclusively in the NHL since the 18-19 season.

Profile: Good depth player. Very fast but doesn't shoot very much. Currently on the fourth line, usually higher but was moved down as other players (notable Neighbours) moved up the lineup.

NATHAN WALKER (Walks)

Info: #26, LW, WSH 89 in 2014 (currently playing center, my sources are conflicting but he's currently playing center so. he might be a center)

Last season: 2 goals + 10 pts

History: He's Australian! He was born in Wales! He holds basically all of the Australian records since he's one of like 4 Aussie players ever. He played his first NHL games in the 2018 playoffs and won the cup the with Capitals! Unfortunately did not play enough games for his name to be on the cup. He's technically only played a handful of games this year and started with the AHL team but he's been on the team for a few years now and he just signed a 2-year one-way extention, so you'll probably be seeing more of him :)

Profile: Physical player despite being undersized (5'9). Not a big scorer but provides a major physical presence on a not very physical team.

Other: look at his instagram right now his kids are so goddamn adorable

ALEXEY TOROPCHENO (Torpo)

Info: #13, RW, STL 113th in 2017

Last season: 10 goals + 19 pts

History: Played in the KHL in 20-21 due to issues with the Blues AHL affiliate (goodbye San Antonio Rampage, fuck VGK). Made his Blues debut when a covid outbreak on the team forced them to call up a number of players.

Profile: Physical player! Kinda massive (6'6) so he can and WILL run guys over. Fast and relentless player who doesn't give up the puck easily. Mostly a 4th line grinder but he WORKS on that 4th line. Great penalty killer, already has 2 shorthanded goals on the season

Other: this has less of an impact now because it's just him and buch, but back when there were numerous russian players i always called him my favorite russian. this still stands <3

OSKAR SUNDQVIST (Sunny)

Info: #70, C, PIT 81st in 2012

Last season: 10 goals + 28 pts (DET + MIN)

History: The Blues offseason signing of the century. Played a handful of games with the Penguins in the 16-17 season when they won the cup, but didn't play enough games for his name to be on it. Signed to the Blues 18-19 team on a one-year deal and had his best season to date, won the cup for real this time to boot. Traded to the Red Wings in 2022, then traded to the Wild at the 2023 deadline.

Profile: As a center, he's a solid faceoff man, a solid physical presence, and I think he really exudes everything that worked about the 2019 team. Good defensive forward on the fourth line.

Other: A huge fan of the STL MLS team! Went to games even before he had officially signed here. I think the entire city of STL likes this guy he seems cool. Also the Sundqvist + Walman for Leddy + Witkowski trade is known for being absolutely awful. jake walman if ur reading this pls come back

And that's all for the forwards! This is what the roster currently looks like (1/14/24) and other players who are called up/down frequently will be in a separate section

#blues primer

[ilyasorokinn]

night of neglect request: falling asleep on the other's shoulder with colton parayko <3

TIME TO GO

22. "falling asleep on the other's shoulders" (from this prompt list)

after a long day, the only thing you wanted to do was to go to bed and sleep, but colton dragged you to a very last-minute party a few of the guys decided to throw.

you put on a smile, even though you were tired as heck, and talked with your friends. you were happy to be with them, you just wanted to crash into bed.

you were talking with a few of the other girls, only barely listening as you struggled to keep your eyes open, “y/n, you okay?” april, one of the guy's girlfriends asked.

"yeah, all good." you nodded, "just really tired."

"do you want to sit down?"

"i'm scared if i sit down, i'll fall asleep." you chuckled.

"you sure?"

"yeah, i'm all good."

flashforward, people were starting to leave, but not you and colton. you were sitting next to each other on a couch, his arm thrown around your shoulders and your head on his shoulder as he talked with a few of your friends who were still there.

you tried your hardest to fight off falling asleep, but sleep won the battle. your eyes closed and you were out, "looks like y/n's out for the night."

colton glanced over and noticed you were conked out, "yeah, i think we're gonna head home. i kinda dragged them out after a long day." he chuckled.

"we'll see you guys on thursday." marco led colton, who was carrying you, to the front door and opened it.

"see you then." colton nodded, then headed towards the car. he attempted to grab his car keys out of his pocket without jostling you too much but failed.

"you suck." you muttered.

"i know." he sighed, setting you on the ground, then grabbing his keys and unlocking the door.

"next time just wake me up." you told him.

"noted." he nodded.

taylor's night of neglect!

#colton parayko imagine #colton parayko blurbs #colton parayko imagines #colton parayko x reader #colton parayko fic #colton parayko #nhl imagine #nhl imagines #nhl fic #nhl blurbs #nhl #hockey imagine #hockey imagines #hockey fic #hockey blurbs #hockey #st louis blues imagine #st louis blues imagines #st louis blues blurbs #st louis blues fic #st louis blues #taylor writes #taylor writes: hockey #taylor's blurbs #taylor's night of neglect #night of neglect #taylor's prompt lists

[friendly-jester]

Tagged by @freerangetropicalbirds! Thank you my friend!! <3

Are you named after anyone? I named myself after Rory from Doctor Who 😂

When was the last time you cried? I don't remember but probably sometime within the last two weeks cuz I'm a big crybaby

Do you have any kids? No but I would like to adopt some one day!

Do you play/have you played any sports? I was on the neighborhood swim team from ages 6 to 11

Do you use sarcasm? Who doesn't?

What do you notice about people when you first meet them? Probably their hair color

What's your eyecolour? Blue-gray!

Scary movies or happy endings? Can I say both? Cuz I wanna say both.

Any talents? Uhhhhh.... I'm goodish at video games?

Where were you born? St. Louis, Missouri

What are your hobbies? Playing video games, reading fan fics and webtoons, doing art stuff, and baking :)

Any pets? Four cats! Oliver (black and white short-hair), Daisy (gray/brown tabby), Copper (orange tabby), and Penny (calico-tabby mix).

How tall are you? 5'7'' (170.18cm according to google lol)

What are your favourite school subjects? Art was definitely my favorite

What is your dream job? Working with cats in someway!

No pressure tagging my usual mutuals @heystephen @checkyourhead1992 @babydollbaron @stoic-rose @metalqueersolidiv @cosplayspacepirate @theparanoidpachyderm @bizabert @momsthetic @mystical-salamander @wlwadora-ble @mutechild @theyellowotter

#my list of mutuals to tag for tag games has gotten so long haha #i was tagged #shouting into the void*

[stereax]

whos your favorite player on every team?

Ooh, this is a fun one! Under the cut :) Also not gonna use former Devils, and gonna try to stay away from just naming the most known player on each team... we'll see.

Anaheim Ducks: Lukas Dostal is doing a damn good job tending that net. I'm super excited to see where he goes!

Arizona Coyotes: Of course, our pride king Travis Dermott!

Boston Bruins: Look. I said I was gonna not name the most known players. But you can't expect me not to name a goalie for the Bruins! Impossible! I'm gonna give the edge to Jeremy Swayman.

Buffalo Sabres: Probably Jeff Skinner, honestly. Most cursed man in hockey. Does that make me old?

Calgary Flames: I don't follow the Flames much but I do really like Cody Taylor.

Carolina Hurricanes: Pyotr Kochetkov is, in my opinion, the only Cane with rights.

Chicago Blackhawks: All Star Jason Dickinson just seems like a funny dude. Well, for having to play for Chicago...

Colorado Avalanche: I am forgiving Ross Colton for that really shitty shift against the Devils because he's holding Woody's hand and they're cute. But I'm watching you, mister.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Alexandre Texier. He's French! And played in Switzerland last year! And is suffering!

Dallas Stars: Thomas Harley is carrying half my fantasy teams and he seems like such a fun dude!

Detroit Red Wings: Jake Walman, hitting the griddy, and getting a bobblehead after it.

Edmonton Oilers: I am not immune to Ryan McLeod propaganda. Just look at his smile!

Florida Panthers: Sam Reinhart, the highest-paid Panther, has no goals and one assist in his last six games and his ice time is declining. Where are the Sabres fans who told me how much they would miss him? When I hear of all the positive qualities the team lacked in the past, I think of Reinhart - lol nah that's just the Reino copypasta. Love him!

Los Angeles Kings: Long Distance Girlfriend Kevin Fiala and his hysterical wife!

Minnesota Wild: Mats Zuccarello is very short. This is always fun. Especially because his stick is very long. Also fun.

Montreal Canadiens: Juraj Slafkovsky is not only worryingly homoerotic with every single Slav he meets, he is also trying valiantly to overcome the bust narrative, and he's silly and goofy! What more do you want?

Nashville Predators: Roman Josi. I am not immune to a good-looking Swiss man.

New Jersey Devils: All of them. I'm in a Dougie Hamilton mood right now, though. (Aka, I miss him :'( )

New York Islanders: The Real Sebastian Aho, simply because it's funny there's two of them. Also, this one is prettier.

New York Rangers: There's a fic out there that makes me somewhat like Braden Schneider.

Ottawa Senators: I'm saluting Jacob Bernard-Docker for his services to my fantasy teams.

Philadelphia Flyers: The image of Known USNTDP Member Cam York fielding calls from Zegras on how to take care of his platonic soulmate is truly peak.

Pittsburgh Penguins: The Other Smitty, Reilly Smith. I am predictable. I have a type.

San Jose Sharks: Anthony Duclair! And his many sons on the team.

Seattle Kraken: Kailer Yamamoto. I just like him because he's short, okay? He also seems to have a very fun character, which I admire.

St. Louis Blues: Colton Parayko, for no other reason than it's a very good hockey name.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Brayden Point is another of those players that just eternally carries my fantasy teams.

Toronto Maple Leafs: I think Calle Jarnkrok is eternally underrated. And I'm right.

Vancouver Canucks: Stanley Cup Champion Teddy Blueger. He deserves it.

Vegas Golden Knights: I simply believe that if one does not at least admire Jack Eichel for his dedication to being a bitch and ruining all the narratives, one does not exist to me.

Washington Capitals: They have Dylan Strome from the fics! It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride, everything everything will be just fine, everything everything will be alright alright...

Winnipeg Jets: Nino Niederreiter. God, I hope he finds a home some day. I hope it could be Winnipeg.

#stereanswers #sterechats :)

[samantha-and-her-chaotic-desires]

Due to your recent post:

🖊+ Lacrimosa Ambrose (what a woman <3)

P.S.: Have a nice day! :3

SDFGHJKLJHGFDFGHJKKJH I love you I love you I love you and you ALSO have a nice day!!! <333

HOOOOOOOO BOY I'M GONNA DUMP A L O T OF STUFF :D I'M GONNA GET LENGTHY BUT HHHHHHHH PLEASE BARE WITH ME

DISCLAIMER: Lackadaisy belongs to @lackadaisycats and it is a beautiful animation and web comic, I HIGHLY recommend.

Below The Surface is my 2023 Lackadaisy fic. It will be linked below <3

Lacrimosa Ambrose - The Siren:

FIRST IDEAS:

At first, I wanted to make a villain for Lackadaisy. I was doing this purely for the sake of my Murder Mystery fic Below the Surface (posted here and currently being worked on here!) and I wanted someone who was a REALLY big threat. And so, I created a new mafia-like group: The Rose Brigade. But who would be the leader? I wanted a powerful---and also a plus sized woman in official art I'm making!---who is no-nonsense and irredeemable.

I wanted to originally make her a Bombay cat, but as I looked through more cat options, I decided to settle on a Chartreux cat! They're so pretty!!! Below is an image I wanted to reference, yet alter at the same time.

Her voice claim is very much Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil. She has that badass, sultry tone to her that makes me fold over for this queen that can very much kill me.

She was originally going to be redeemed, but I decided "hell no she deserves a whole villain arc that DOESN'T give her a chance to turn good" and I am very much happy with that outcome.

I didn't know WHAT she would be job-wise? I originally wanted to make her an actor, though when I designed and wrote for Silas Tueuse (another Lacka-OC whom I love dearly), I wanted to mix things up, and wanted diversity. So Miss Jazz-Singing-Sensation was born! Her color palette and drawing her dress KILLED ME.

Choosing her name wise, I wanted to allude to Tracy's work, and allude to a villain. So when I was scrolling through the website, I noticed the Lacrimosa poem, and BOOM. Her name was chosen. Last name means 'immortal' in Greek, plus it's a play on the dish ambrosia. :)

FACTS/HEADCANONS:

She owns a jazz lounge, and is a famous jazz singer! The name is TBD, but she gets a LOT of traction there.

While she was from Boston, Massachusetts, she is Latin! She often refers to people as mei deliciae (translated to my darling), and one of her favorite foods is ceviche! It consists of either shrimp or fish, as well as lime, lemon, onion, chili pepper, and cilantro! From my understanding of it, you can dip chips into it and eat it like that. Sometimes you can even avocado in it, if that's your fancy! Below is a photo example.

She is a horrible driver. Horrible. Picture Cruella De Vil but drunk. Sooo yeah, 100x worse.

She has a daughter, but she's distant from her, and she rarely---if never---checks in on her.

She is incredibly narcissistic, but does NOT have Narcissistic Personality Disorder: she does have empathy, though it's hard to tell if she's being genuine or not.

Prefers suits over dresses, but will wear dresses for performances to keep up her professional image. For casual meetings, she wears a dark indigo and dark blue suit with a fedora and a rose pin on her jacket lapel. The outfit accentuates her curves nicely, and I will draw her more in a suit in the future <3

She has a Colt M1911 Revolver that her husband gifted her before he passed. She uses it constantly.

ROLE/PURPOSE/OTHER STUFF!:

She's the main antagonist, and she is the leader of the Rose Brigade. She tries to hide behind a sweet, motherly facade, but she is emotionally and physically abusive to certain people. She is also a bit overconfident in certain abilities.

She had ties with Atlas May, though so far I have yet to confirm or deny if she killed him. So with her relation to Atlas, she slithered her way into trying to manipulate Mordecai, seemingly present as a mother figure towards him while in St. Louis. Ivy gushes over Lacrimosa's singing skills and performances, so her meeting her in person, she's just all giggly. Nonetheless, Lacrimosa is a softie for praise, and can't help but feel slightly more appreciated.

Lacrimosa might be manipulative and a full blown awful person, but she has been taught common courtesy. She knows to be respectful, she believes everyone is equal, and will not discriminate against those who are in the LGBTQ community. However, this does NOT excuse her awful behavior. She is MEANT to be an awful person.

She will ALSO absolutely break anyone who tries to tamper with her. She CAN and WILL call you out on your bullshit.

Her song (if it were 2023) would be Medusa by Kaia Jette!

HHHHHH THIS WAS SO MUCH???? AND THAT'S NOT EVEN IT????? FGHJKHGFDXFGHJ I might add on later

#Below the Surface - Lacka-Fic #lacrimosa ambrose #lackadaisy oc #lackadaisy lacrimosa #original character #I love her <3 #she can kill me but I love her <3 #ask #answered ask #I LOVE YOU SM BTW TYSM FOR ASKIGN THIS!!!! :DDDD #I also wanted to do more research so THAT's why it took a while GHJKHGVHGFHJGCVGH #thanks for the ask <3 #lackadaisy

[machihunnicutt]

HELLO!

I said I'd do this, so I'm following through. I have no more baby it's you for you this week, but I thought I'd talk a little about some of my sources/inspiration/post fic thoughts in case anyone was curious (and also because I'm knee deep in the post fic blues 🫠). All of that is under the cut:

Firstly, here are the two playlists I've made for the series:

for both sides now

and for baby it's you

I'm very drawn to songs/lyrics (if it was not already clear from these fic titles), but for baby it's you in particular I spent a lot of time listening to both big dramatic breakup songs AND yearning/reunion/wedding songs. Here are some of my favorite/most relevant lyrics:

“Down on My Knees” - Bread (very BJ, to me)

“Darling Be Home Soon” - The Lovin’ Spoonful (extremely beejhawk, to me)

Secondly, I love movies lol...

From chapter 1:

[BJ] had a daughter about to start college, a mostly renovated house in Maine that was starting to feel like his, a comfortable position at a city hospital, and a fiancé who loved him. (Hawk liked the word fiancé. He always drew it out when he said it, brandishing his ring finger like he was Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl and had some big rock on his hand instead of a simple gold band).

This performance is very Hawkeye to me. (The drama, the lounging, the jokes...finally got a guy to marry me!) Idk what else tell you besides I adore this movie.

Obligatory Judy Garland section...

From chapter 2:

“Yes. Coincidentally I’m also all nose and all eyes and all heart and all brain,” Hawkeye said. He drew his blanket tighter around himself and put his hands nearer to the stove.  “Are you going to lead me down the yellow brick road, darling?” Trapper said, smiling wide. Hawkeye shrugged. “If I could find it I would,” he said. 

And more Wizard of Oz in chapter 7:

“You know that scene in The Wizard of Oz where the scarecrow’s been tied up on a post for so long that the second he’s cut loose and tries to walk he falls over?” Hawkeye said.  “Uh huh,” Trapper said.  “The OR is my corn field, so to speak,” Hawkeye said. 

Transformative journey/quest to a city of bright lights & colors??? Where you discover home & belonging in the people around you??? Featuring beejhawk signature color red???

And one more (more Judy, different movie) from chapter 7:

“You mean St. Louis,” BJ said.  He’d seen it on a double date in college, just after New Year’s. He’d gotten a little teary eyed during the song at the end, and when Judy Garland’s sister, devastated by the prospect of moving, sobs, and wrecks all the snowmen in the yard. Judy chases her down to console her. We could be happy anywhere, as long as we’re together. That’s what she says. That’s the part that made him feel like crying. Leo teased him about it.

This is the scene he's talking about.

The other movie in chapter 7:

“I mean Las Vegas. Meet Me in Las Vegas. You took me to see it. I remember because we left Erin with Susan Meyers’ girl, Olivia? And she spilled soda all over my nice table cloth,” Peg said. “Oh,” BJ said, distracted. He sipped his drink. It was beer. He was taking it slow. He wasn’t going to do something stupid like get drunk and make a scene. They weren’t near the bar, but he couldn’t help but scan the crowds anyway, looking and listening for Hawk. “It’s about a rancher and a ballerina. The rancher is a gambler, but he doesn’t have any luck until he meets her. Every time they hold hands, he wins big,” Peg said.

This one is on YouTube! And there's lots of handholding!

Thirdly, books:

From chapter 9:

Hawkeye had friends everywhere, and a couple were up to date on the gay bar scene in Las Vegas. One of his old med school pals worked in a hospital out here and said that if they couldn’t make it to the big three Vegas gay spots, they’d better at least go to Le Café. 

I am not much of a researcher, but I did refer to Out of the Neon Closet: Queer Community in the Silver State by Dennis McBride & the accompanying photo book LGBTQ Las Vegas for information about Vegas' gay bar scene. Here's more info about/photos of Le Café.

AND:

Erin, Benny, & Fern's summer escapades (and Benny's character in particular) were inspired in part by A Separate Peace (which I believe I've referenced in fic before?? Someday I'll stop, but today's not that day). Here are some Benny & Erin related lines:

From chapter 3:

The mother blinked at Benny. He was striking, Erin reasoned, when you first got a look at him: shock of red hair, perpetually windswept, splatter of freckles over his face and up his arms, emerald green eyes, thick, expressive eyebrows, lopsided nose, deep, rolling, voice that didn’t have any note of falsity. Benny was a senior counselor, which meant he was older, and in charge of the junior counselors. He was 20. All of the female junior counselors had crushes on him, according to Fern, who was surprised when Erin admitted that she thought Benny was plenty nice and smart, but he didn’t make her heart pound. The male junior counselors resented him, and the envious masses spread rumors.  One such rumor was that Benny was a homosexual.

And from A Separate Peace:

From chapter 6:

She thought, floating on her back, that maybe this was one of those formative experiences everyone was always telling her about. Her teeth chattered, and Benny was laughing loudly from the shore, despite the fact that he’d been telling her that it was imperative that they keep quiet. Erin wondered if Hawkeye had ever had a summer like this, or Dad, or Mom, or Margaret: a summer where it felt like everyone was against you, and you couldn’t be bothered to care. 

And from A Separate Peace, again:

I think about this passage constantly 😀‼️

COOL! That's all I wanted to say. Thanks for reading. Peace, love, MASH, etc. <3

#baby it’s you #bsneu #awi’s fic #trying to get better at talking about writing 👍🏼 #awi speaks

[tippedbykreider]

something just like this - epilogue 2 l c. parayko

Thank you to the ever wonderful @antoineroussel for arranging the Winter Fic Exchange 2023 <3

I was given the lovely @senditcolton as my giftee - Colt and Cassie are back and they're bringing the tinsel!

Big thanks to @laurenairay for giving it a read through for me as I'm severely out of practice. I would also like to apologise to any native Greek or Italian speakers, as I am neither and I'm having to rely on good old Google, which I appreciate doesn't quite capture the nuances of the native language. This has also been very loosely proofread so if you see any typos, you didn't :)

Warnings: alcohol mention, proposal

Word count: 5.3k

If you're new to Colton and Cassie, you can check out the first installment of this series here

Cassandra Constantinou had gone home to New York for Christmas for as long as she had lived away from the city. Every year she would pack herself a small bag and brave the hustle and bustle of St Louis Lambert International to make the short plane journey home to Brooklyn. Even after meeting the love of her life in the form of a 6 foot 6, Canadian, golden retriever of a man named Colton, Cassie would still head home for Christmas and be back in St Louis for New Year. Colton didn’t mind, of course, as his schedule had always been less than favourable and he would never begrudge Cassie the opportunity to be with her family; but he would’ve been lying if he said that he’d never thought about what it would be like to wake up beside her on Christmas morning - although he supposed it would be like any other morning, except with added tinsel.

This year, though, things were going to be a little different and Colton Parayko couldn’t have been happier about it.

It was pure luck, really, the way things came about. A fortuitous bounce with scheduling meant that the Blues would be playing at home between Christmas and New Year and Colton couldn’t help but take advantage of the opportunity in front of him.

It had started out as a completely innocent suggestion one late-October evening as the two of them shared a bath together. The wine had been flowing, as it so often did when he had some time off the next day, and conversation had steered towards the upcoming holiday season. Cassandra had already made sure her annual leave was in place to ensure she had the maximum amount of time with Colton, all that was left to do was break the news to her family that she would be spending Christmas in St Louis.

“You know, I’ve been thinking,” Colton murmured against Cassie’s shoulder.

“Sounds ominous,” she replied with a grin.

“Your parents could come here for Christmas.”

Cassie immediately shifted to look Colton in the face.

“Here? In St Louis?”

“I mean, that is where we live, yeah,” he teased.

“I thought you said you wanted a quiet Christmas?”

“I did”

“Inviting my parents to stay would be the complete opposite of a quiet Christmas,” Cassie countered. “You might even say that it would be a very, very loud Christmas.”

“You don’t think it would be fun?” he asked with a smile.

“I think it would make you reconsider our relationship.”

“Come on, Cass,” he reasoned. “It’s not like I’ve never met your parents before.”

“That was different,” Cassie contested. “We could escape to Manhattan and spend the day sightseeing when we were there in the summer. Besides, Christmas is a completely different beast. It’s like they go full Gremlin over the holidays. It’s complete insanity.”

“I think it’d be nice,” Colton shrugged. “They could bring your nonna.”

Cassie took a long, drawn out sip of her wine and Colton could almost see the cogs turning as Cassie relived every single Christmas she’d ever spent with her family. It’s not as if Colton was suggesting the entire Gamberini clan make the trip to Missouri, which would decrease the craziness factor by at least ten, but it would still be a far cry from the peaceful, relaxing Christmas she had been envisioning.

“Besides,” Colton added, pressing a soft kiss to Cassie’s shoulder blade. “Kind of wanna see what an Italian-Greek Christmas is like. I bet the food is amazing.”

Cassie shifted completely and turned to face Colton, setting her wine glass down on the side table and climbing into his lap.

“Your nutritionist will kill you,” she smirked, running her fingers through his shaggy hair.

“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

Colton’s eyes were sparkling in the low light of the room and he was wearing his signature easy grin that Cassandra loved so much. It was effortless, then, to give in to his request and she couldn’t help her own smile that formed on her lips as she thought of her parents and her nonna sitting at their dining table laden with food and wine. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction, though. Not yet, anyway.

“I’ll think about it,” she said as nonchalantly as she could manage.

“I’ll start looking for flights tomor-”

Colton’s words died on his tongue as Cassandra claimed his lips for her own and his thoughts were filled with nothing but how good it felt to have her body pressed into his.

*

There was only one other time that Colton had seen Cassandra completely morph into her mother and even then, it was something that he hadn’t realised had happened until he went to visit Giovanna and Hector during the summer. There was something about impending visitors that seemed to trigger Cassandra’s Gamberini genes and not a single cushion or candlestick could be out of place. The first time this had happened had been in early April, when Colton’s parents came into town and he’d come home from practice to find her half hanging out of the second floor window as she tried to clean the glass. The next day she had been up a ladder cleaning the ceiling light fixture in the entryway. Both of these things he’d seen Giovanna do during their summer visit and the resemblance between mother and daughter when it came to household cleanliness was startling, even down to the headscarves they would both wear, presumably to keep their dark hair out of their eyes as they worked.

When Colton arrived home with the groceries Cassie was in the middle of vacuuming. It had been three years since Cassie had come into Colton’s life like a complete force of nature and he still found himself being completely struck by just how beautiful she was, even during those everyday moments of mundane domesticity. He knew just how much of a cliche that was, of course, but as he watched her in a pair of leggings and one of his old university t-shirts that swamped her frame, with her chocolate hair piled high on top of her head and wrapped in one of those bright silken headscarves, he found that familiar feeling of warmth spreading through his chest like a shot of whisky on a cold day. She was singing to herself as she pushed the vacuum along the hardwood floor, Colton could tell by the movements of her mouth to the music the loud drone of the Dyson was competing with.

Cassandra felt Colton’s presence before she saw him, she always could. She didn’t care how insane it sounded but the house always seemed to feel different when he was around, like the walls themselves were alive and warm and breathing. She turned and caught him disappearing into the kitchen, his arms laden with grocery bags. She shut off the vacuum and followed him, turning down the stereo as she went.

“Hope it wasn’t too busy?” she asked as she began to put the groceries away.

Colton pressed a gentle kiss to her hair as he passed her on his way back out to the car.

“Nah, it was okay. I figured we’d go out and get the lamb for the Christmas dinner together though, if that’s okay? I had a look while I was out but honestly? I had no idea and it just… I don’t know, it’s important to your family and to your dad and I just wanna get it right.”

Cassandra’s whole expression softened at that, because even though this kind of thoughtfulness was something she’d come to expect from Colton, it always managed to knock her back a bit all the same. She took one of his large hands in both of hers as she looked up at him.

“Of course it’s okay, γλυκέ μου. We can go this afternoon if you like?”

“Is that not going to be too hectic for you with doing the airport run?”

“We should be fine, their flight doesn’t get in until 7:10.”

“Thank you,” Colton said sincerely, his eyes on Cassie’s.

“Hey, I should be thanking you,” she replied with a little shake of her head. “It means so much to me that this matters to you as much as it does and I really, really appreciate you and everything you’ve done today. I know it was a late one for you last night with travelling back from Winnipeg and all and you’ve been a huge help.”

“We’re a team,” Colton said matter of factly but with a gentle smile and a softness in his eyes as he surveyed Cassandra. “And you’ve completely blitzed this place. It looks beautiful, πουλάκι μου; the tree, the decorations, all of it.”

“I think I just need to set up the guest rooms and we’re about ready.”

“Leave the groceries to me then,” Colton pressed gently. “I’ll make sure everything gets put away.”

“You got everything on the list?”

“I did,” he assured her with a smile, holding up three fingers on his free hand. “Scout’s honour.”

His grin widened at the little laugh Cassie gave him as she let go of his hand.

“I’ve got it all under control here,” he continued. “Just let me know what you need me to finish off down here and I’ll make sure it’s done.”

“The floors need cleaning but I think that’s about it.”

“Mop the floors, got it,” Colton affirmed. “And once you’re done in the guest rooms I’m gonna run you a nice hot bath, yeah?”

Cassie smiled at that and she was certain that Colton Parayko may just be the most thoughtful man she’d ever met.

*

It was official: Cassandra and Colton’s fridge was fit to burst. How Colton had managed to squeeze everything in there, Cassandra would never know but she was sure that he must have been a world class Tetris champion in a previous life. The amount of food that was in their house was, frankly, obscene, even by Mediterranean standards and Cassie wasn’t sure there were enough hours in the day to actually cook it all. She made a mental note to ask Colton if any of the rookies were without a dinner on Christmas day, she’d be a meals on wheels service if it meant getting rid of it all.

Colton was cooking in the kitchen as Cassie tied the laces on her sneakers.

“It smells amazing, λατρεία μου,” she called out, pulling her coat on and wrapping a large scarf around her neck.

“That’s because it’s one of your recipes,” Colton laughed from the kitchen as he began seasoning the steak.

“I don’t cook steak as good as you though,” Cassie countered as she appeared in the doorway, a small grin playing on her lips. “You always season it perfectly.”

“But I season it exactly as you’ve written it down.”

“Must be all the love you put into it then,” she grinned, going up onto her tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek.

“You heading out to the airport?” he asked as he set the meat to one side to rest.

“Mhm.”

Colton washed his hands before turning to Cassie and wrapping his arms around her, his eyes soft as he surveyed her. She looked tired, he noted, the kind of tiredness a lot of people get in the run up to the holidays, but the stress that had started to make a home in her features in the weeks before she finished work for Christmas had melted away and that was something, at least. He was determined, then, to make sure that he gave her a Christmas to remember for all of the right reasons.

“Drive safe, yeah?” he murmured softly, pressing a gentle kiss to the crown of her head.

“Always do,” she replied with a smile. “I’ll call you when we’re on our way back.”

With a chaste kiss to her lips, Colton let Cassie go, walking with her to her car and waiting on the driveway until he saw her car turn out of the street and disappear from view.

*

Cassie shifted her weight from foot to foot as she waited at arrivals at St Louis Lambert International. Mercifully, the flight in from LaGuardia was on time and providing that the wait for the bags wasn’t too long, she’d clocked that she could be at home with a glass of red wine in hand within an hour. She watched with a smile as families were reunited for the holidays with shared embraces and happy tears, and in some strange way it had almost made her homesick for New York City. It had been the first time that Cassie had been on this side of arrivals when seeing her parents (it had always been her doing the travelling, after all) and she couldn’t quite work out if it felt wrong because she was missing going back to New York for Christmas or because it was simply a new experience. ‘Wrong’ was probably the wrong word for it, she thought, because Christmas with Colton felt good and right and like a dream, but it still wasn’t quite thirty people shoehorned around a hodgepodge of dinner tables (of varying heights) and chairs, gesticulating wildly and shouting over one another to be heard. Although Cassandra supposed that nothing really could ever come close to that experience.

She cast her mind back to the Christmas of 2006, the year her Baba’s family came over from Greece to celebrate the holidays. Her Nonno was still alive then and she found herself completely awestruck at how he seemed to come to an unspoken understanding with her Pappou, despite the two men not speaking each others’ languages and them both having limited mastery of English. The two men would often sit at the dining table, drinking coffee and playing cards, while occasionally making ‘universal grandpa sounds’. It was also the closest Cassie had seen her mother come to a nervous breakdown, but that was also to be expected when both Cassie’s Nonna and Yiayia were trying to assert dominance in the kitchen. There’s nothing quite as terrifying as two Mediterranean women trying to cook different types of food for Christmas in a small kitchen in an apartment in Brooklyn. She distinctly remembered that Christmas being the loudest yet and how both her parents uttered the words “never again” as they waved off her Yiayia and Pappou at the airport. Her Greek grandparents hadn’t been back to America since and while Cassie knew that a large part of that was due to them getting older and their health not quite being what it was, she also suspected that it had a lot to do with America not being Greek enough and the fact that it snowed near enough every day they were there.

She wondered what Colton’s Christmasses were like back home in Canada and if they had any traditions and immediately thought about how they might be able to incorporate those into their cross-continent celebrations. Cassie knew there was turkey involved, though, owing to the fact there was one lounging in her fridge back home. It would be the first time either her or her parents would be having turkey for Christmas, the meat of choice usually being veal or lamb, and Cassie wondered how her Nonna would take it.

As if on cue, Cassie’s eyes found the little frame of her beloved Gioia Gamberini, with her parents close behind. Cassie called out to her Nonna, whose eyesight wasn’t quite what it once was, as she seemed to scan the many faces at arrivals. A lump formed in her throat at the sight of her Nonna’s face breaking into the biggest smile as she finally laid her eyes on her beloved granddaughter.

“Cassandra!” she beamed. “Vieni qui. Lascia che ti guardi.”

Cassandra enveloped her Nonna into a hug, stooping to match the old woman’s height and staying there as her grandmother took Cassandra’s face in her hands.

“Ancora bello,” she smiled. “Sei raggiante di felicità. Ti sta ancora trattando bene?”

“Sta cucinando in casa mentre parliamo,” Cassie replied with a grin.

“Bravo ragazzo.”

“Fammi entrare. Smettila di tenere Cassandra per te,” Giovanna interrupted as she opened her arms for Cassie. “There’s my baby.”

Cassandra found herself being bundled into her mother’s arms, kisses being placed all over her face while her Nonna continued to tell her how beautiful she is. Giovanna eventually pulled back to survey her daughter with keen eyes.

“Let me look at you, make sure he’s feeding you right.”

“Mama-”

“Good, good. Still a little on the thin side but we’ll work on that,” Giovanna nodded.

“Can I please hug my daughter now?” Hector asked, a hint of exasperation in his voice.

Cassandra ducked out of her mother’s embrace and stepped right into her father’s waiting arms.

“Cassandra, Λουλούδι μου.” He pressed a soft kiss to the crown of her head. “You look healthy, happy.” Hector’s eyes were shining as he looked at Cassie, “Was the drive here okay?”

“All painless,” Cassie assured him. “Traffic wasn’t too bad and Colt is cooking dinner as we speak so we’ll be able to eat when we get back and then we’ll give you the grand tour of the house.”

“Two house moves in as many years, Cassandra,” her mother replied as they waited for the luggage to come onto the carousel. “You must be crazy.”

“Thankfully I wasn’t in the old place long enough to accumulate clutter and Colton’s didn’t have much either. I don’t think we realised how little furniture we had until we moved into the new house. We definitely gave our bank accounts a hammering getting the new place furnished.”

“You should have said, Cassie,” he father scolded gently. “We could have given you some money towards furniture.”

“That’s really generous of you, Baba,” Cassie said, putting her arm around his shoulders. “But Colt and I had it covered.”

“We’re very proud of you, you know,” Hector replied. “All your hard work and now you’re seeing success. It makes my heart happy. All my life I hoped that you would have a wonderful life and that you would have all the things that I didn’t and now here you are.”

Cassandra swallowed the lump in her throat down and pressed a soft kiss to her father’s cheek.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without you and mom, you do know that, right?”

“Oh please,” Giovanna interjected. “You’ve worked damn hard for this, we just fed ya and clothed ya.”

“Well, I appreciate the feeding and clothing all the same,” Cassie laughed softly.

It took another 15 minutes for the bags to appear and further 15 to get everybody seated and settled in the car. Cassie had swapped her Mercedes coupe for a more practical SUV around 8 months prior and Hector quickly busied himself with testing out what all the different knobs and buttons did on the centre console. Cassie called Colton on the way home as promised and before long she was pulling the car into the driveway, the Christmas lights on their porch twinkling in welcome against the dark December night.

*

It was a little after 8am when Cassie stirred the next morning, head a little fuzzy from the bottle of red wine she’d had the night before. ‘Nonna’s doing,’ she thought to herself. ‘I never could say no to her’. She smiled as she thought back to dinner the night before; the little look of pride on Colton’s face as her father praised his steak, quickly replaced by one of boyish sheepishness when Nonna Gioia started to wax poetic about how handsome he was. Her mother had helped Colton clear the table and soon enough everyone had retired to the lounge to drink wine while Dean Martin played softly in the background just for Nonna.

Cassie cursed the empty bottle of Barolo in the kitchen as she dragged herself out of bed, the space where Colton slept already empty and cold.

‘He’s been up for a while, then,’ she thought.

She pulled on her robe as she exited the bedroom, the undeniable smell of eggs and bacon wafting up the stairs and along the hallway to greet her. She could hear her Nonna’s broken English, followed quickly by Colton’s rich laughter and she couldn’t stop the smile from tugging the corner of her lips upwards until it was a full grin.

“What mischief is going on in here, then?” she asked as she entered the kitchen.

“Nonna was telling me about how you used to run around her apartment naked, eating olives,” Colton grinned.

“I would like to clarify that I was three years old at the time,” Cassie countered, hiding her face as Colton laughed again.

“What’re you talking about? You still do that now.”

“Oh my god,” Cassie groaned. “Can you not?” She turned to her Nonna and pointed a finger at her, “Mi piace quest'uomo. Non spaventarlo.”

Nonna merely cackled and took another sip of her coffee, paying no heed to Cassandra in the slightest.

“Non c'è modo di spaventarlo,” Gioia shrugged. “Ti ama troppo.”

Gioia gave her granddaughter a knowing look before shuffling out of the kitchen to sit in the armchair in the orangery to watch the birds outside.

“She’s a riot,” Colton smiled as he continued preparing the eggs.

“She is,” Cassie agreed, pouring herself a coffee before refilling Colton’s mug. “No sign of my parents yet?”

“Your mom is reading her book in bed with her coffee and your dad went out for his morning walk. Think he wants to scope out the neighbourhood.”

“God, he’s so nosey,” Cassie huffed out a laugh. “You should have woke me up, I coulda helped with breakfast.”

“I tried,” Colton teased. “You were out cold, mouth open, snoring.”

“Liar.”

He simply laughed in response, cracking another egg into the pan as Cassie hopped up onto the counter beside him.

“I figured you could use the lie in.”

“That wine was like rocket fuel,” Cassie groused as she nursed her coffee mug. “Why aren’t you hungover anyway? You drank just as much as I did.”

“Faster metabolism, maybe?” he shrugged.

“Life is so unfair.”

“Go sit with your Nonna, I can handle it in here,” Colton said gently.

“You sure?”

“Positive,” he assured her. “Go catch up and talk about me in Italian.”

“Oh you’d love that, wouldn’t you?” Cassie teased as she hopped down from the counter.

Colton gently grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into his body, bending down to press a soft kiss to her lips. Cassie grabbed his tshirt gently with her free hand to deepen the kiss, giving him just enough before pulling away with a grin.

“Get outta here,” Colton laughed breathlessly, watching with a coy grin as Cassie sashayed out of the kitchen.

*

Once breakfast had been served and eaten, attention could turn to the most important order of business: the food. Christmas Eve had always been an important day for Cassandra and her family; it was the day where they would spend time together in the kitchen, making panettone and christopsomo, baklava and, of course, pasta. Colton was certain that he’d never seen so much food in all of his life and he knew that he was going to need to enlist the help of his teammates to eat it all. In fact, he reckoned that there was enough food prepared to do Christmas dinner three times over.

Giovanna had prepared a lasagne for dinner, which again was washed down with copious amounts of red wine and Colton watched with teary eyes as Cassie and her father sang traditional Greek carols in the living room once the dishes had been cleared away. It was easy then to get swept along in his thoughts about what he hoped his life would be like next year and the year after that and even in ten years’ time. One thing remained constant in these thoughts, though and that was the woman sat beside him, cheeks flushed from her red wine buzz and eyes sparkling even brighter than the lights on the tree. Colton wanted this with Cassandra for the rest of his life, he was sure of it and he couldn’t help but feel blessed that the most important people in her life, the people in that living room with them both, had accepted him into their family. It was big and bold and both the same and unlike his own in so many ways, but it was hers and it was perfect. She was perfect and as he pulled her into his side and pressed a kiss to her forehead, just as he’d done many times before, his mind wandered to the little box upstairs, hidden inside of a pair of socks in their dresser.

*

There was a certain stillness in the early morning that Colton had learned to appreciate over the years. Plenty of early rises during his hockey career meant that it didn’t have quite the same sting as it used to and he often used those moments of calm and quiet to prepare himself, both mentally and physically, for the day ahead. This morning was different though, he had nowhere to be and he almost cursed himself for waking up so early on Christmas day, like a child excited to see what Santa had brought. But then he paused and looked at Cassie’s sleeping form beside him in bed and he was thankful, thankful that he would get to spend those extra hours he would have been sleeping just appreciating what he had and the woman who looked so at peace. His eyes roamed the gentle contours of her body beneath the duvet until they settled on the chocolate locks that had half fallen into her face, her Mediterranean features set in a soft stillness that made his heart swell in his chest like a rising tide. She was beautiful to Colton, yes, but it was the kind of beauty that went beyond the surface. Cassandra Constantinou’s soul was beautiful too.

He slipped out of bed as quietly as he could muster and went to the dresser that stood opposite the end of the bed, opening his sock drawer and looking for the gaudy elf stockings socks that Cassie had bought him for Christmas two years prior. He rooted about at the bottom of the drawer until he pulled them out, unable to ignore the slight tremble in his hands as he did so. He unballed the socks, revealing a small velvet box, which he took before closing the drawer. He stood for a moment with it in his hands, so small within his large palm and yet weighted like a neutron star with promise, commitment and everlasting love. It hit him then, like a rogue wave and he found his eyes brimming with tears as he looked at Cassandra, still sound asleep in their bed. He wondered if she knew just how her gravity affected him, how she pulled him in so effortlessly and kept him there. He wondered if she knew just how much he loved and worshipped her, how proud she made him, and how much better his life was for her being in it. He hoped she knew all of that.

He took a deep, settling breath and walked towards Cassie’s side of the bed, kneeling beside it and using one of his hands to brush her hair out of her face while the other gripped the ring box tightly. His smile was soft as she stirred, her eyes finding his immediately as they opened.

“Merry Christmas, Cass,” he whispered, earning him a sleepy smile.

“Merry Christmas, Colt.”

Cassie smiled at the rhythmic feeling of Colton’s hand stroking her hair before furrowing her brow slightly.

“What time’s’it?” she asked.

“A little after 6,” Colton grinned as Cassie groaned.

“That’s so early,” she grumbled. “God you and your early riser bodyclock.”

“I promise it’s for a good reason,” he whispered.

“Yeah?” Cassie sat up in bed slightly. “And what’s that then?”

“Wanted to ask you something,” Colton replied, a nervous smile playing on his lips. Cassie only nodded and so Colton took a deep breath before speaking again. “Cass, you are literally the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. You’re smart, kind, generous, so damn funny, God, you make me laugh every single day. I’ve never met anyone with as much spark and passion as you and it’s there in literally everything you do. You’ve taught me so much and I’m just… so thankful for you and grateful to have you in my life.”

“Colton,” Cassie sniffled.

“And I love your family. I love how they’ve made me feel so welcome and like I’m a part of it.”

“You are, Colt,” Cassie replied softly, a rogue tear escaping her eye and rolling down her cheek. “They love you.”

“And I love you, more than anything and…” Colton took another breath, holding out the small box to Cassandra for her to open it. “I want this with you for the rest of my life.”

Cassandra wasn’t sure at what point she’d stopped breathing, but all the air was knocked out of her lungs as she opened up the box to reveal a beautiful trilogy ring that seemed to sparkle even with barely any light in the room, as if it was starlight incarnate.

“Cassandra Giulia Constantinou, would you make me the happiest guy in the world and be my wife?”

Cassandra could only manage a nod as the tears streamed down her face, happiness washing over her like a river breaking loose from a dam. Colton’s arms were around her next, warm and safe and familiar as he sniffled against her hair, his lips planting flowers against her to crown her head.

“I love you,” he murmured into the chocolate strands of her hair. “I love you.”

Cassie pulled back a shade to get her eyes on his, both pairs shining with matching tears of joy.

“I love you too,” she whispered softly.

He took her left hand and slid the ring onto her finger, his eyes never leaving the expression of pure happiness that was etched onto her features, before cupping the back of her head and pulling her in for a deep kiss. Cassie’s hand came up to cup his cheek, bringing him closer still as she poured herself into the kiss, their tongues dancing together in the way that only they knew how. They parted only when their lips were swollen and their chests heaving, Colton resting his forehead against Cassandra’s as he held her.

“How long have you been planning this?” Cassie asked softly after a few moments.

“A while,” Colton admitted. “Although deciding to do it today was only a recent decision. Your dad and I did a lot of talking when you weren’t around.”

“You asked my Baba?” Cassie sniffled, the tears back once more.

“I really like and respect your dad and it’s only right that I ask for his permission to marry his only child and daughter.”

“God, you have no idea how much that will have meant to him,” Cassie choked as she fought to keep her tears at bay. “And to me.”

Colton kissed her forehead softly before helping her to her feet and putting her robe on her.

“Come on,” he said softly. “There’s some people who want to celebrate with us.”

He led her out of the bedroom and down the hallway to the top of the stairs, her mother, father and Nonna waiting for them at the bottom with the champagne already poured and not a dry eye between them.

“I thought you chicken out,” Nonna teased Colton with a grin.

“Chicken out of marrying this one? Never.”

Cassie looked up at Colton, smile brighter than the ring on her finger that glittered like sunlight on fresh snow, and cupped his face, pulling him in for a chaste kiss and murmuring against his lips.

“This has been the best Christmas ever.”

#my writing #colton parayko fic #nhl fic #nhl writing #nhl fanfic #something just like this #something just like this universe #colt and cass #colton and cassandra #winter fic exchange 2023 #the winter fic exchange 2k23

[wyattjohnston]

and just like that, the exchange has come to an end! thank you to everybody who participated—all 43 people!

if you take the time to read these fics, take the extra minute to reblog it and let the writer know how much you enjoyed it. the only way to spread things on tumblr is to reblog them. likes don't get the word out there!

please respect all warnings at the beginning of fics. if a fic has been marked as smut or 18+ and you are younger than, do the right thing and do not read it.

keep your eye out for the summer fic exchange 2k23 sign up post. if you want me to let you know when it's happening you can click here.

the winter fic exchange 2k23 masterlist

Buffalo Sabres

Tyson Jost

- A Christmas 3+1 by @2manytabsopen for @ bqstqnbruin

- cooler by @jostystyles for @ butgilinsky

- it's always the boy next door by @ya-pucking-nerd for @ ilyasorokin

- Slowly, Then All at Once by @color-offside-the-lines for @ jostystyles

Carolina Hurricanes

Andrei Svechnikov

- All I've Tried to Hide by @laurenairay for @ hoesforthecanes

- The Myster of Love by @comphy-and-cozy for @ idontgiveaflyinggrayson69

Colorado Avalanche

Cale Makar

- i love you, grumpy by @nylwnder for @ gravestrain

- tell me you want it a thousand miles away from the day that we started by @fallinallincurls for @ hockeylvr59

- Unexpected Love by @buttercupjosh for @ wildrangers

JT Compher

- this song is about you by @torontoflames for @ comphy-and-cozy

Nathan Mackinnon

- I Got You by @hockeylvr59 for @ raysofcrosby

- The Problem with Maddie by @luvsherleafs for @ fallinallincurls

- you always did feel just like home by @wyattjohnston for @ blueskrugs

Minnesota Wild

Kirill Kaprizov

- Christmas With You by @raysofcrosby for @ callsign-denmark

Montreal Canadiens

Josh Anderson

- promise this won’t change a thing by @matthewtkachuk for @ luvsherleafs

Juraj Slavkovksy

- second times the charm by @ilyasorokinn for @ lam-ila

New Jersey Devils

Jack Hughes

- sweet nothing by @gravestrain for @ quinnshuggy

Nico Hischier

- be my fire in the cold by @tinyhockey for @ lifeofpriya

New York Islanders

Anders Lee

- Welcome Home by @idontgiveaflyinggrayson69 for @ barzysunflower

Anthony Beauvillier

- holiday cards by @fear-of-flyers for @ buttercupjosh

- It Was Real For Me by @lam-ila for @ sorryjustafangirl

- tell me that you'll open your eyes by @liquidflyer for @ 2manytabsopen

Mat Barzal

- comin' home to you by @quinnshuggy for @ color-offside-the-lines

- Last Christmas by @bitchinbarzal for @ liquidflyer

- New Year's Surprise by @barzysunflower for @ bitchingbarzal

- Sparks Fly by @hoesforthecanes for @ tinyhockey

Seattle Kraken

Andre Burakovsky

- They Shoot Websters, Don't They? by @bqstqnbruin for @ laurenairay

Jamie Oleksiak

- i won't say (i'm in love) by @barkbarkbeauvillier for @ jxmieoleksiaks

- seizing the moment by @butgilinsky for @ typical-simplelove

- the untitled date day by @jxmieoleksiaks for @ barkbarkbeauvillier

- Untitled by @selfindulgentpoorlywritten by @ tippedbykreider

St Louis Blues

Colton Parayko

- something just like this by @tippedbykreider for @ senditcolton

Toronto Maple Leafs

Mitch Marner

- won't you stay til the a.m? by @senditcolton for @ fear-of-flyers

Morgan Rielly

- babe for the weekend by @sorryjustafangirl for @ broadstbroskis

William Nylander

- choosing you by @broadstbroskis for @ nylwnder

Vancouver Canucks

Brock Boeser

- fools rush in by @pcttymcrlecu for @ torontoflames

Elias Pettersson

- here comes your man by @thomasschabot for @ selfindulgentpoorlywritten

- Home by @wildrangers for @ thomasschabot

- Nervous by @typical-simplelove for @ ya-pucking-nerd

Quinn Hughes

- More than a Memory by @blueskrugs for @ matthewtkachuk

- What the Heart Wants by @lifeofpriya for @ pcttymarleau

Washington Capitals

TJ Oshie

- What We Had by @callsign-denmark for @ cellythefloshie

Winnipeg Jets

Adam Lowry

- Last Christmas by @cellythefloshie for @ wyattjohnston

if you wrote a fic and the person you wrote it for did not reblog it, tell me! if you know you haven't reblogged the fic written for you (and left some nice comments!), please go do that now.

ANONYMOUS EXCHANGE FEEDBACK

#the winter fic exchange 2k23 #exchange masterlist #nhl fic #nhl imagine #hockey imagine #hockey fic