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reysdriver · 30 days

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Exit Stage Right | R.L

You and your daughter miss Remus while he's performing for a stadium of fans, so much that you have to see him before the concert is over — dad!rockstar!remus x mom!reader fluff

warnings: a little angsty if you squint rlly hard, but nothing else

words: 2.4k

a/n: I promised rockstar!remus a while ago, but I've been to 2 concerts in the last 2 weeks, which just so happens to be finals season, so I've been simultaneously busy as hell and itching to write this. I hope you like how it turned out!

Your daughter Olive was no stranger to loud noises.

Remus had a room to practise drumming in your house, it’s normal to encounter a chaotic mess of fans and paparazzi when you left the house as a family, and she just about had the loudest uncles in the world. Though you tried to limit the amount of noise she took in, Olive’s little ears had definitely adapted to her hectic little life.

But all that noise in her daily life was no match for a rock concert in a sold-out stadium. Those decibel levels would for sure be far too high for her little ears to handle.

It wasn’t as easy of a decision on what you should do with her tonight, though. You were getting cabin fever with all the identical hotel rooms you’ve been living in while The Marauders were on their tour, and you suspected Olive was in the same boat.

So, you decided to go back to the old days when the band first started going on long tours, when you would stay in the dressing room for the length of the performance. You and Remus figured it would be soundproof enough backstage, but you still insisted on pulling out the baby headphones you had bought just in case before she was even born. You were only planning on using them if it got especially loud backstage, yet you tried them on anyway.

They were massive on her, but they kept her safe and happy. Plus, she was pretty damn adorable with them on—not that she wasn’t all the time, but definitely cuter than normal with those giant headphones.

Waiting for the show to start, Remus bounced Olive on his lap while you watched the rest of the guys run through their current individual pre-show rituals.

It had been quite a while since you’ve been backstage with the band right before a show, and you honestly forgot how entertaining it was.

James was trying to solve the same Rubik’s cube he’s been working on for years to warm up his fingers, Peter was doing the daily crossword in the local newspaper, and Sirius was trying to multitask by doing his vocal warmups and his makeup at the same time.

It was really a terrible combination of tasks, as Sirius kept on messing up his eyeliner and then trying to suppress his favourite swear words for your daughter’s sake.

You wanted to tell him off, but it was really too fun to watch for you to intervene.

A minute or so after Sirius finally finished his look, the boys’ manager knocked on the dressing room door and reminded them that they have to go on stage soon.

Remus thanked him, and the guys all started getting ready to go. He kept Olive in his arms for as long as he could, until it was just the three of you in the room after everyone was already headed to the stage.

When he finally had to let her go, Remus made sure he gave you both a proper goodbye.

“I’ll be back soon. Just over 2 hours, then we can all go home.” He kissed you softly, but deeply. He always does this as a way of saying goodbye, kissing you like he might never do it again, but he doesn’t want you to think about it.

When his lips left yours and he slouched down to blow a raspberry on Olive’s tummy, you sighed quietly. “A hotel, not home.”

He looked at you sympathetically as he collected his drumsticks from the table beside you and stored them in his back pocket for the time being.

“Isn’t home anywhere where we’re all together?” He said, trying to lift your spirits. “But we’ll be home home soon enough. And I won’t be on tour again for a while, and we can be all together as much as we want.”

That did make you feel better. Even though you loved that Remus was living his dream with his best friends and giving you and Olive a great life, it did get stressful from time to time.

Privacy violations by paparazzi and media outlets, insecurity that sometimes got the best of you on both sides of the relationship, and of course, The Marauders going on world tours that were fun, but still somewhat torture. They made it so you had to choose between leaving home for months, or being away from Remus—not that there was any difference between those two.

You didn’t want to get emotional right when Remus had to go perform, so you smiled and reminded him that it was time for you to part ways for the evening.

“They’re waiting for you out there.”

A grin graced your husband’s face. “They can wait a little longer.”

“They paid to see you.” You reminded him.

“And I'll personally refund all of them if I don't go out.”

“Then we'll be out of money, and we'll both have to get new jobs and we'll never have any time with just the three of us.”

Remus pretended to think over your point for a second. “You’re right. I guess I have to go out and perform, then.”

“Put on a good show, honey. We'll see you soon.”

While saying goodbye to him, you raised Olive’s arm so you could wave at Remus for her as he walked out of the dressing room. Her face was already forming a pout when she watched her dad leave to go do his job, but you wouldn’t let that morph into anything more.

You turned her around so you could both look at each other, then you pressed a kiss to her chubby cheek.

“None of that, sweetheart. We’ll see him again in no time.”

Laying her down beside you on the couch, you reach down into the baby bag you never go anywhere without and pick out some of her favourite toys from their specific pocket; hopefully those will keep her distracted and happy.

◆◇◆◇◆

The toys didn’t work as well as you thought they would. They kept Olive busy for about an hour, but she seemed to snap out of her happy baby daze out of nowhere.

She started crying and nothing was working to calm her down. She wasn’t hungry, she didn’t need to be changed, and nothing you had brought for this very reason was working.

You knew the only thing that could quell her upset was outside and on the stage, playing drums for a stadium of fans. But even though she and Remus both wished they could spend all hours of the day together, you just didn’t know how that could work.

And then you remembered the headphones.

The sound backstage hadn’t been that loud at all while The Marauders were playing, so you honestly hadn’t thought about them since you and Remus packed them before you left the hotel.

But this could work. You could use them to help both you and Olive right now. So that’s what you did.

You dug through your bag and pulled the noise-cancelling headphones from the bottom of the bag, where they had sat untouched for the longest time. After picking them up with a tiny ‘aha’, you smiled at your daughter and told her that she would soon be seeing her dad.

She had calmed down somewhat due to the mere mention of Remus, but she was still wailing in your arms. You bounced her lightly while you walked down the halls of the stadium.

“It’s okay, honey.” You cooed at Olive, despite the fact that she couldn’t hear a thing. “You’re gonna tire yourself out and fall asleep before you even get to see Daddy. We don’t want that, do we?”

Although, maybe her crying herself to sleep wouldn’t be so bad.

It still wasn’t an option in your mind. Your daughter wanted to see her dad, so over to Remus you’ll go.

Once you got to the stage door, a burly security guard gave you a questioning look. You supposed he wasn’t used to a woman and a baby wanting to go into the wings during a rock concert. But he was just there to do his job, not judge, so he let you through when you showed him your ID.

You kept checking Olive’s face to see her expressions and gauge if everything was too loud for her. Her look didn’t deviate from the bothered expression her face took on when you started walking with her, so you assumed the headphones were cancelling out the noise, just as they were made for.

Nobody who was working backstage seemed to mind you being there, so you found an extra stool in a dark corner and pulled it so you could sit and watch the band.

Based just on how Olive was moving in your arms, you knew she had spotted her dad behind the cymbals he was smashing across the stage. Pointing towards Remus, you whispered to her again even though she couldn’t hear you. “Look! Who’s that? Who’s over there?”

She seemed to be cheered up enough just from seeing Remus, so your hypothesis was proven correct. Things were shaping up to be a good night.

You swayed and headbanged—as lightly as possible—since just because Olive couldn’t enjoy the loud music doesn’t mean you had to ignore it too.

The current song ended, and James was talking to the crowd while Sirius drank some much-needed water after all that singing. While taking a swig, the two familiar faces in the wings of the stage caught his eye, and he just had to share what he was seeing with the drummer.

He practically skipped over to Remus, who was also catching his breath from performing and pointed you out. Your husband’s eyes scanned the area until he found you, and his face immediately broke out into a smile—and so did your daughter’s.

Back in the dressing room, you were hesitant if you should leave at all or if you should just wait out Olive’s tantrum, but the matching looks on your husband and daughter’s faces right now was proof that you made the right decision.

Olive made grabby hands towards her dad across the stage, and Remus waved right back and blew a kiss in your direction. You weren’t quite sure if it was aimed at you or your little girl, but it made you blush either way.

He pointed to the setlist taped to the ground beside him and hid his hand behind his bass drum so the audience wouldn’t see his gesture; he held up three fingers to let you know there would be three more songs until he could get up and give you two his full attention. You knew they would most definitely be doing an encore after they finished, but at least they could all have a small break after the main show.

You nodded to show him you understood, but his attention was already grabbed back by James giving him the sign that it was time to get back into the music. Not even taking more than a second to prepare, Remus was back in the groove and started playing the next song on the list, effortlessly and perfectly.

The last few songs of the main set were some of your favourites from the band’s discography, but you had to admit that you couldn’t enjoy them as much as you usually would.

It was mainly because you were somewhat scared of an impending mood swing out of your daughter now that her father’s attention had left her, but also because these three songs were standing in between you and your husband like a brick wall right now. You just had to remind yourself that once they hit that last note and said their goodbyes to the crowd, that wall would be temporarily smashed once more.

But now, they were at the end of the concert. The crowd was cheering like they just had the best night of their lives—you don’t doubt that they did—and Remus was throwing his sticks into the sea of hands desperate for a morsel of The Marauders.

His rockstar persona was dropped the second those drumsticks left his hands, and he was rushing to the wings to be with you and Olive, a wide smile strung across his cheeks.

He pulled you two out into the hall so the crowd’s noise could be in the background. He knew they would be cheering for an encore in a minute; as much as he loved that sound, he would rather hear you.

“She was getting pretty fussy and I knew you were the only thing that would calm her down.” You explained to Remus before he could even ask.

You were afraid he would be upset with you bringing her outside of the dressing room, but he didn’t seem fazed at all. He gently took Olive from your arms and cooed over her.

“You missed me so much you dragged your mum out here so you could see me, huh?” Remus asked her. “You know I missed you too, princess. Both of you.”

“Yeah? Maybe you should get the guys to shorten the setlist so you aren’t away from us for too long, then.”

He didn’t respond, but you know that he had brought up the idea of shorter tours to the others now that he and James were both fathers.

You watched lovingly as Remus kept moving Olive’s hand away from the glitter on his face that she was so desirous to touch. You wished you all could stay in this moment forever, but the audience’s chants for an encore were getting louder and louder and you knew the scene in front of you couldn’t last much longer.

Right on schedule, James strutted up and tapped Remus on the shoulder with a brand new pair of drumsticks.

“We’ve gotta go back out there, mate. Time to part ways with your girls once again.”

Remus wouldn’t put up a fight. He handed Olive back to you and blew one more kiss at you two as a goodbye.

The doors opened and a cacophony of fan cheers hit your ears. It was a lot, but it just reminded you that all those people were waiting for your husband, so you could wait a few more minutes.

Just two final songs, then you could all go home.

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ringanon · 11 months

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My Girl | Thomas Bordeleau

Pairing: Thomas Bordeleau x fem!reader

Warnings: jealousy, suggestive smut, couple swear words

Word Count: 943

Summary: Based on a concept/conversation with @lukeevangelista . you go to one of Thomas' games and catch the attention of some of the rookies

Read the conversation

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He knew. He pretended like he didn't, but he knew. Thomas was more than well aware that bringing a girlfriend as attractive as his in front of a bunch of single rookies was a risk. It was a risk he was willing to take, though. Thomas didn't get a chance to show you off a lot, and by God, was he taking the opportunity tonight.

There was something about watching you cheer for him that made him perform better. Knowing that you were doing so with his last name across your shoulder blades drove him wild; knowing that all of his teammates saw you behind Reimer during the second period ignited a fire in his stomach and an eruption in his chest that led him to a hat trick that night. He knew his girl was watching, he could hear some of the rookies talking about it on the bench.

One of them, whose name he had yet to learn, yelled out, "it's a shame that girl over there is wearing Bordy's sweater, otherwise I'd think I had a chance."

Another one leaned over, "She with you Bordy?"

"Yeah she is, actually. That's my girl, Y/N." Thomas didn't look away from the game. He tried to keep his tone firm and even. He wanted to convince the kid sitting next to him that he hadn't been waiting to shout it from the rooftops since they saw him throw you a puck during warmups.

He had walked into the locker room after the game. By the time he had finished talking to you, most of his teammates had left. It left him and a group of three rookies. He tried to not evesdrop onto the conversation happening a few stalls down.

"...fine as fuck."

"Do I want to know?" Thomas didn't need to ask, he knew who they were talking about.

"No." The rookie was quick to brush him off, turning a deep shade of maroon, and clamping his hand over his knee until his knuckles turned a pale white.

Thomas paused, looking between the huddle of boys, "That's what I thought."

He tore off his clothes, thinking about the way your fingers would feel against his skin later tonight. He buttoned up his shirt. Thomas laughed when he did the last few buttons, knowing that it would be off too soon to really be worth buttoning it now.

"I'm surprised your girl didn't come in with you, Bordy." The same voice from the opposite end of the row of stalls caught him off guard.

"And why is that?" He sat down at his stall to put on his shoes, "Is this an excuse for you guys to gawk at her?"

"No-" they were quick to defend themselves, knowing they had been caught.

Thomas shot a text message to you, asking you to come into the locker room, they got to gawk at a sight to behold, and he got to dig his nails into the brains of those rookies. He wanted them to remember you were all his. A few minutes later, the door creaked open, you peeked your head in, frantically looking around the room to make sure that no one was changing and that, in fact, Thomas was still in there. You made eye contact with him and smiled. Thomas leaned back in his seat and opened his arms. The way you smiled made him forget that you were being oogled over a couple seats down. His hand met your thigh to pull you closer to him, giving his other hand a change to curl around your hip. He rested his other hand on your back, holding you there to press a kiss to your stomach through your jersey. He had to consciously hold his head together when your fingers found his hair, running them through his damp curls, "Hi pretty girl."

You whispered out your response, "I know they've been gawking at me the whole game, I know this is you marking your territory."

He pulled away to look up at you, "I'm not an idiot, Thomas."

You smiled, moving your hand to grab his cheek in your palm. You leaned down to kiss him and suddenly everything melted away. He pulled you down to straddle his lap, running his hands over your back, slipping a hand into one of the back pockets of your jeans to pull you closer to him. You pulled away and rested your forehead against his, "I'm glad you came today."

"And it totally isn't to brag to all of your teammates." You smiled, sitting up and wrapping your arms around him. You let him rest his head on your chest.

"Nope not at all, although I think it's working." You looked over your shoulder and the group of rookies all looked away to avoid eye contact with you, pretending they were deep in conversation.

"It's 100 percent working, Thom." There was a long pause, Thomas listened to your heartbeat while you just enjoyed the chance to have him this close to you, "Are you ready? I have plans I need to attend to."

Thomas snapped his head to look up to you, "What plans?"

You sighed, reaching behind you to grab his hand. You slid it up your jersey, letting him feel the lace that clad your skin. His eyes glittered when he looked up at you, "It's a new one, black, you haven't seen it yet."

He grabbed his backpack off the floor, and stood up. You yelped, wrapping your legs around his waist and clutching his shoulders to hold yourself up. The door slammed behind him, which made all the rookies jump. They sat and waited until you two were well down the hallway to continue their conversation.

-💍

This has been sitting in my drafts for FOREVER, yall can have it now.

#thomas bordeleau #thomas bordeleau imagine #nhl #san jose sharks #san jose barracuda #thomas bordeleau x reader

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nifflermini · 2 months

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Finding You Pt.1

I don't know how to start these, if I'm being honest.

Thank you for reading :D

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My feet created their own little rhythm on the wooden stairs, echoing off the stairwell. “I can’t be late again, I hate when I’m late for class” I cursed as I almost fell down the steps, realizing I had left my dance bag in my apartment. I groaned as I checked the pockets of my black hoodie to find my keys, running back up the two flights of stairs, and fumbling for my keys and finally unlocking my door. I sighed in relief at finding the small bag on my bed. “Alright cool, now go!” I thought, smiling at my older neighbor, who was smiling at me knowingly. “On your way to dance, Y/n?” She asked, her frail voice wobbling a little. I nodded, rushing a slightly panicked smile. “Yup! I’m going to be late though, so I’ve got to hurry, Sorry Ms. Otoyama!” I called, leaping down the stairs to the next landing, and feeling a little sting in my ankle as I landed. I ignored it as I hurried down the last two flights of stairs, trying to

I checked my phone, the bright screen lighting my face in the dim stairwell. But as I looked down at my phone, my eyes slid to my wrist finally finding a scrunchie to pull my hair up. I let a frustrated noise out as my unruly hair wouldn’t quite cooperate. “I swear, if there’s someone cute that passes me on the street and sees me like this, I might actually lose it.” I muttered, as I pushed the door open, flooding the dim corridor with light. I sighed in relief, glad I remembered this time. “Hey L/n! The maintenance desk lady waved, and I strained a smile, nerves flooding my senses. "Hi? I don't even remember you, when did you get here? Wait, no I remember, I'm so sorry!" I thought as the woman asked, “Off to dance class?” A conversational smile on her face. I nodded, waving and rushing a smile, that at this point, probably looked like a grimace. I opened the door, not realizing there was someone in front of me. I ran into what felt like a wall in front of me, and I looked up to see a guy with a confused expression, and ash blond hair. I bowed quickly, opening the door, and feeling my cheeks heat up a little. “I did it again.” I thought, curling into myself a little as I ran. “I hate it when I do that. Did I even apologize? Shit.” I shook my head, running the moment over in my head again, feeling shame fill me more and more as I turned the moment over in my head, until I reached the studio.

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“L/N! You’re here!” My dance teacher called, shaking her head a little. “We were waiting for you!” guilt filled me. “I-I’m so sorry. My shift ran a little late, I mean, I’m r-really sorry, I didn’t-” My dance teacher came over to me and put her hands on her shoulders. “It’s okay L/N, we were just doing some warmups, and besides, it’s just me and Shimogai here.” I waved to Alexei, a friend I was familiar with because of dancing. Though he doesn’t actually like to dance, he’s very good, and often practices with me when it comes to timing, since mine is almost always off. “I’m so sorry. I promise I’ll get better.” I said, bowing to the two. “It’s no biggie, y/n, we just need to get warmed up, okay?” He reassured me, looking to my dance teacher, as if asking for permission to start. She nodded, waving her hand to his. I grinned at him. “Look at you Mr. Teacher dude, person.” I said, laughing a little as I rolled my neck, to one side, then the other, My body slowly but surely loosening. “Please, we both know where I got that from.” He said, smirking back at me, as our heads tilted sideways, to get a stretch, smiling at the sensation rippling through my body. “I didn’t teach you that, though, I just tried to help you, that’s all.” I said, rolling my shoulder back than forward before going into a lunge. “But you still teach those 9 and 10-year-olds, you can’t tell me you aren’t good.” He teased, as we spread out a little more, so I could warm up my Aerial. The studio I was at was special to me, not only because if you worked there, you’d get free classes, but also, this was where I had first found an escape. Found a feeling like I could relax and be calm. With nerves like mine, that’s not easy to find.

I stretched a little, rolling my shoulders a little bit before I took a deep breath in, knowing I may have trouble with this next stretch. I spread my legs as far apart as they could, trying to stay parallel to the ground before sliding myself into a middle split. I had just gotten this a few weeks ago, and still struggled with the mentality of having a middle split, so I often freaked out about it, my thoughts usually delving into thoughts like "What if my hip pop's out of its socket?" or "What if I pull something, and then it's something important and then I can never dance again?" This time though, I slid right into it, sighing as everything, for once, felt natural. “Ah, looks like you’ve improved y/n.” I shrugged my shoulders, a little startled by the sound after it had just been the soft patter of my feet hitting the ground after jumps, or the little thump of my heel hitting the ground after finishing a turn. “I’ve been trying, my side leaps are garbage.” I laughed, starting at myself in the mirror. “I’m glad you think I’ve gotten better though, sensei.” I said, bowing my thanks. She laughed. “No.” she said, smiling softly. "I know you've gotten better. You just need to use your legs a little more and commit to it fully." She advised, and I nodded, trying to soak in the advice. "What do you mean commit? What if I screw it up so badly, I can't commit? The start of my leap is pretty okay, but I can't, and don't want to mess it up so bad, that it doesn't even look like what I need it to." I shivered as I realized the potential to screw up. "If I really want to join the professional team, I need to get better at dancing." I thought, sighing.

"Hey, this time around, I know you've got this. You've worked so hard to get on this team." I nod, starting to space out, just a little bit. I have absolutely worked hard to get on the team. But why do I feel so... numb?

#semi eita #semi eita x reader #haikyuu fanfiction #haikyuu fandom

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integra1127grimmreaper · 2 years

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The One That Got Away - Part one

Negan Masterlist

Series Masterlist

Warning: Swearing

Note: Y/N - your name

Y/L/N - your last name

Y/B/F/N - your best-friend's name

Pre-apocalypse Negan

Dividers created by @firefly-graphics

They say that no matter how hard you try to move on, you'll always remember 'The One That Got Away...' That someway, somehow; they'll always remain a part of you...

So, in order to better understand the dilemma of the present story, we have to first delve back into the past.

Ten Years Earlier

"Y/L/N! You're late!" Coach glares at you once you've entered into the gym.

"Sorry about that Coach..." You apologise, pointing towards your knee which was now securely strapped within a heavy-duty knee brace, "knee locked up, had to get the brace from my locker."

"Sit your ass down" Coach nods towards the bleachers with a scowl, flashing you a quick wink then as you slowly walked pass him and you smirk at him in response.

"Alright class..." Coach calls everyone to attention once you've taken your seat. "We're going to do 5min warmup stretches and then I want five laps around the gym" he instructs the class, "now get your asses down here and begin!"

Getting up to follow your classmates down to the gym floor, you're halted midway by Coach. "Not you Y/L/N, you're benched." Nodding at him, you drop back down into your seat with a sigh of relief.

With your face cupped in the palms of your hands as your arms rested top of your thighs, you sat quietly watching as the class were running their laps. "You ok?" Coach enquires as he takes a seat next to you and you nod in response. "And your knee?"

"Killing me..." you admit with a wince as you stretch it out forward to relieve some of the stiffness.

"That bad huh?" Coach stares down at your leg with a frown.

"No shit Sherlock... it's shattered" you mutter, rolling your eyes.

"Watch your mouth..." Coach softly growls at you in warning, and you stick your tongue out at him with a snicker, causing him to smirk in reaction to your behaviour.

Realizing you were staring to long at his handsome dimpled face, you then change the topic. "How's the team been?"

"Shit since I lost my best player" he responds eyeing you closely.

"Well, shit happens..." you sigh with a disappointed shrug.

"You miss it?" he stares at you sympathetically.

"Up until six months ago I was your best player on the softball team" you point out raising your brows at him, "so, what do you think."

"Shit." Coach mumbles, slightly embarrassed. "Here I am, slightly depressed at losing my number one player and yet I forgot how you might be feeling about it all."

"Yeah, you're not the one with the artificial knee..." you respond frowning, "I lost a far lot more than you."

Coach's eyes drop to the floor in shame then in response. "I might have a solution for both of us" he slowly raises them back up in apology and you find yourself instantly melting at the puppy eyes stare you were getting.

"What is it?" you take pity on him, not able to remain mad at him when staring into those gorgeous hazel eyes.

"I want you back on the team" he answers, causing your brows to furrow in confusion.

"I know you won't ever be able to play again..." Coach responds with a wave of his hand. "But you were a damn good player, good enough to teach. I want you to be the team manager; help me run and assist in coaching the team."

You silently studied his face with a narrowed gaze as you thought it over. "Ok" you remark then.

"Seriously?" Coach looks at you with a huge smile of excitement and you nod in response with a smile of your own.

"It's a deal then!" he announces, sticking his hand out to you then. "Shake on it?"

Shaking your head at Coach as you take his hand, you chuckle, "deal..."

"So, what's the deal with Coach and you?" your best-friend enquires as the two of you walked to the next class.

"What do you mean?" you frown at her.

"You guys were real buddy-buddy during class..." she remarks, bouncing her brows suggestively.

"Oh-please..." you respond, rolling your eyes at her with a chuckle. "He just asked about my knee."

"Sure, that's all it was...?" she presses, not at all impressed with your answer "saw you guys shaking hands, what was that about?"

"He wants me back on the team..." you answer and she shoots you a confused look. "He wants me in a managing position; assisting with the coaching and such."

"And here I was hoping he asked you out on a date..." she sighs out in disappointment.

"Y/B/F/N!" you softly scold at her, looking around to see if anyone might have heard her. "He's my teacher... besides that, he's married."

"You're legal and it's senior year..." she shrugs in response.

"It might not be illegal..." you whisper, dragging her to the side and out of hearing range. "But let me repeat myself; he-is-my-teacher, therefore he could lose his job if it ever happened. And he's married, which means his off-limits."

"You're right..." she nods in disappointment. "Still doesn't change the fact that for an older guy, he's extremely hot."

"I plead the fifth..." you raise your hand up in denial and Y/B/F/N gives you the side-eye. Truth was; you had the ultimate hots for Coach, but that wasn't something you were going to admit out loud to anyone, not even your best-friend. A girl has to keep some secrets to herself...

"You might not admit it... but I know you have a thing for him."

You continue to remain tight-lipped about the subject until Y/B/F/N suddenly bursts out in laughter. "What the fucks wrong with you?" you stare at her wide-eyed.

"Just remembering the first day of high school..." she waves her hand about, almost choking on her own spit as she continued laughing. "Remember how you and Coach used to hate each other back then."

"Oh, I remember..." you remark with a smirk, thinking back to the constant verbal battles the two of you used to have." They would still happen now and then on a regular, but it was on friendlier terms than back in the start of your high school years.

"I think the reason why you two were always butting heads was because you both have similar personalities," Y/B/F/N comments matter-of-factly. "What changed though?" she asks you then, "one day you guys hated each other and the next; you're like old buddies."

"Softball..." you respond, "we got to know each other a bit more once I joined. We came to a compromise for the sake of the team."

"You guys could always come to another compromise in other areas as well..." she remarks with a suggestive smirk.

"Oh, hush you! We're going to be late for the next class..." you scold, dragging her along with you as she softly snickered at you.

Part 2

#twd negan #twdfanfic #twdlovestory #negan smith #coach-negan #negan x reader #negan x y/n #The Walking Dead #negan #Jeffrey Dean Morgan #JDM

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primofate · 3 years

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Genshin x fem!reader [Volleyball Team AU - Inspired by Haikyuu!] Manager reader gets hit on/harassed

Note: IM BACK FROM VACATION I recommend you read “How it’s like to be their manager” first before this one. Gives it a lot more perspective :)

Scenario: During an away game at another school, you catch the eye of a senior there. Little did he know that you’re the Genshin team’s manager and how much trouble he just caused for himself.

Warnings: SEXUAL HARRASSMENT but still SFW, swearing, profanities, fighting. platonic relationships.

Characters: Zhongli, Diluc, Kaeya, Albedo, Tartaglia, Kazuha, Xiao, Tohma, reader as the team manager

Other works in the Volleyball Team AU Series: Click Here

Lost.

It was like one of your traits. Getting lost easily. You sigh and look left and right to see if anyone was in the hallways to help you get back to the gym, or at least give you directions.

“Those guys...are gunna be worried if I don’t get back soon,” you sweatdrop a little and laugh nervously, picturing your childish team just losing it when you come back late. “I better hurry,” you mutter to yourself, pace quickening the slightest bit, just as a door to one of the classrooms slide open with a thud, revealing a spiky haired guy who stares and blinks at you. You take that opportunity to ask the guy where the gym is.

Back at the gym where the team is doing warmups and practice receives, Tartaglia starts getting antsy and annoying. “Where’s Y/N-chan~~?” He sways back and forth. Zhongli sighs at his middle blocker, “She’ll be back soon, she just went to look for a vending machine,” They still had an hour to go before the practice match, so Zhongli wasn’t that worried.

“Hmmm? It’s--HIT--been a while--HIT--since--HIT--she’s been back --HIT--though--HIT,” Kaeya states. Sentence cut off in pieces as he tries to keep the volleyball up in the air, his tied up blue hair starting to stick to his neck because of the sweat. Still, the team keeps practicing, up until 10 minutes later when even their captain starts to get antsy.

“...Captain, don’t hide it, just admit you’re worried for her too,” Tohma states with a harmless laugh. Zhongli muses and finally sighs, “I have to stay here. Someone else go and look for her,” and immediately seven hands are in the air.

Tartaglia waves his hand “Me, me!”

Kaeya raises his hand “I’ll go!”

Diluc does too “I can do it...”

Albedo follows “I remember the layout of the school,”

Kazuha volunteers “I’ve got good instincts,”

Xiao gingerly picks his hand up “I’ll bring her back fast,”

and finally Tohma’s hand is high in the air, “I’ll find her!”

Of course everyone wanted to go... Zhongli decides he doesn’t want to deal with it and tells his team to go with rock paper scissors. Watching them battle it out really made him wonder how the hell he kept this team together.

“YES!” Tartaglia pumps his fist in the air as he, Kazuha, Xiao and Tohma win the simple round of rock, paper, scissors. Kaeya, Diluc and Albedo are silently sulking, but continue their practice. “We’ll be back soon!!” Tohma waves at them as they exit the gym, starting their search on the ground floor classrooms.

Back where you were, you’d been following the guy for at least 2 minutes now. He said he’d lead you to the gym...but...it seemed as if there was less and less people to wherever he was taking you. It was the ground floor, at the end of the hallway where lockers lined both side of the walls. Suddenly the guy’s hand is wrapped around your wrist and he pulls you towards him. You instantly resist, pulling your wrist back and keeping away from him. “I-I just want to go back to the gym, my team is waiting for me,”

You steel your gaze at the guy. If he thought you were just going to stand there and take his blatant disrespect for your personal space, he was wrong. But his next move leaves you feeling disgusted, your skirt hikes up and he grins. “Stop!” you screech and twist your wrist away.

Tartaglia halts in his tracks at your familiar voice. His head turns just as his other three companions does.

The scene unfolding before him makes. him. see. red.

Hell, he doesn’t even see anything except the image of him punching that grin off of that guy’s face. His vision zones in on the bastard’s features, he strides over, in less than 5 seconds reaching towards the guy’s collar and slamming him on the nearest locker. “The hell do you think you’re doing?!” You’ve never seen him so angry before, but the realization of what happened has you cowering away, feeling like some dirty thing that was played around with.

“Tartaglia, ease up!” Tohma runs to try and restrain Tartaglia’s arms. He shoots a look at Xiao who immediately turns around to get the rest of the team, particularly his captain. Kazuha strides over to you, watching as you faced away and looked at the ground, ashamed.

Kazuha was never one to resort to violence, nor was he particularly a resentful guy. But he feels it. He feels the hatred rush through his veins, but he focuses on you instead. “You’re alright, Y/N,” he places a hand on top of your head and smooths your hair down just as the others arrive.

Tohma is barely holding on to Tartaglia, his strength matches his fury, but Diluc finally arrives and together with Tohma, successfully pulls Tartaglia away from the guy.

“Calm down,” the red haired spiker insists, to which Tartaglia only shouts, eyes engulfed in fury and piercing the offender with his gaze.

“This fucker touched Y/N!”

Zhongli, Kaeya and Diluc freeze at the news. Their heads slowly turn towards the attacker.

And now all set of 8 eyes on him are menacing, cold and unforgiving.

How dare he.

But Diluc holds his ground, restraining Tartaglia.

Zhongli’s head turns towards your frame, seemingly meek and tiny and tears pooling around your eyes.

Xiao hurries next to you as he arrives, the displeasure on his face was immense, specially when he starts wiping off the tears cascading down your cheeks. He grits his teeth “Don’t waste your tears on someone like him,” he knew well that you must have felt ashamed, and that your tears were not something you could control, but it was the best thing he could say.

It was Kaeya, unrestrained and gurgling with hot anger that lifts his fist up.

But it was not his fist that connects with the offender’s jaw.

It was not his hands that pulled the offender up by his collar once again.

And it was not him who states “Do not come near her again. Don’t even look at her,”

The whole team freezes.

It was their captain.

The captain that was always calm and collected. Who always tried to stop fights and apologize for the inconveniences that his team caused. There’s a shiver that runs up the member’s spines at the feral look on their captain’s face.

And then he drops the guy on the ground once again. The offender panicking and crouching backwards and away from them. “We should report it to someone,” Albedo, sensible and smart as ever, suggests. “...but throwing a few more punches in doesn’t seem so bad...” he adds and narrows his eyes at the guy.

“No, don’t. Let’s not waste our energies,” you firmly say and wipe the remaining tears away from your eyes. Kaeya moves over to your side and slides his jacket off of him and places it around your shoulders. “Okay, princess, whatever you want, we’ll just drop him off at the principal’s office and make a report,” when it really counted Kaeya’s flirtatious nicknames for you were quite reassuring. You smiled up at him a little.

Zhongli passes another glance at you, his fist is still tight next to him but he hoists the guy up and has Tartaglia come with him, since he was the one who saw everything.

The rest of the team turns to you, with Tohma taking your hand and leading you back to the gym. “You’re okay, Y/N, we’re here,” and sure enough they keep close enough to you to fend off anyone else. Like wolves protecting their pack. You knew the chances of that happening again was slim, but seeing them so concerned and circled around you like a shield was really what you needed right now.

“...Thank you,” you whisper to them as you arrive at the unfamiliar gym. They all turn back to you with a smile.

“We’ll beat them to the ground at this game, Y/N, you’ll see,”

Taglist: @softlybeloved @bobaducky @normalisthenewnorm @how-simpy @atasi-luna @berryqueue @hallohun @milkypompon @fadinganchornight @coldstonecrematorium @probablybethere @hanachan_2481 @gultonluvv @batcatistruemaster @plumpkie @amigenshin @foxxtrot-116 @spirlimpo @hadesaedes @minyoustar @yunaholics

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#genshin volleyball au #genshin impact #zhongli x reader #diluc x reader #albedo x reader #xiao x reader #tartaglia x reader #tohma x reader #kazuha x reader #kaeya x reader #childe x reader #genshin fluff

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fear-of-flyers · 2 years

Text

enough to last a lifetime (part 2)

Owen Power x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2.4k

Warnings: pregnancy, angst, swear words, brief mild panic attack, mentions of throwing up towards the end (if there's anything else please tell me!)

The next morning Kent glared at you over the cinnamon rolls and scrambled eggs you made for breakfast (definitely not just to make sure he kept his mouth shut). He also glared at you as he and Owen left for a quick workout and skate, and when he got back to shower and study. He let up as you tied his tie (because he couldn’t and you were there) and Owen kissed you goodbye, you promising to see him at the game and go out after. You pulled the door open for the two of them and Owen left first, Kent making sure to hang back and whisper “Tell him or else” at you before letting the door close. You sighed, slumping against the closed door, and took a deep breath allowing your thoughts to settle before standing back up all the way and heading to Owen’s room to get ready, remembering to make sure you had the test before leaving.

The boys were playing Michigan State that night and you were more than confident in their ability to pull through with a win. That settled your soul knowing that you had to tell Owen about his unborn child no matter how the game ended. You made your way to your seats with your roommate, Amelia, and Kent’s girlfriend, Selena. “Hey guys!” You said, sitting down with your usual snacks, popcorn, and coke. They both said ‘hi’ and the three of you settled into casual conversation as you waited for the guys to come out for warmups. Finally, a couple of minutes later both teams started skating out. The three of you had taken seats by the glass this time, a choice that had been proved completely worth it watching Owen skate out. He took his first lap of the ice while looking for you, face lighting up completely when he finally saw you and waving as if to make sure you were paying attention. You waved back, mouthing ‘I love you’ as you did before every game, and let yourself settle in for what you hoped was 60 minutes of good, winning hockey.

Luck was on your side because the boys ended up winning 8-0, Owen scoring one of those goals early into the second. After the boys cleared the ice you said goodbye to Amelia and Selena, promising to make plans for later that week. After letting the seats around you clear out a bit you headed down to wait outside of the locker room, thrumming with both excitement and nervousness. You congratulated the boys as they came out, congratulating Johnny and Briss on their goals and hugging Luke, telling him that you were proud. When Kent came out of the locker room your nerves skyrocketed, knowing Owen had to be close behind. He pulled you into a hug, wishing you good luck and accepting congratulations for his goal. You saw Owen come out of the locker room, Kent only realizing when you tensed in his arms, nerves reaching a peak.

“Quit trying to steal my girl Kent,” Owen says, pulling you out of Kent’s arms and into his. “Hi baby, that goal was for you.” You smiled into his chest, a little bit of tension leaving your body. “Thank you, Owen, I’m so proud of you.” You responded, stretching onto your tip-toes and pulling him into a chaste kiss. He held you in the kiss for a bit longer, only pulling away, with the decency to look guilty, when Kent started gagging. “You can leave you know?” Owen said, “No one is forcing you to watch us make out.” Kent rolled his eyes and turned to leave, waving goodbye and mouthing you a ‘good luck’.

“What was that about?” Owen asked, confused as to why you needed luck. “Is everything okay?” You nodded, grabbing his hand as you started the walk to his car. “I think so. I just need to talk to you about something, and you can’t be mad.” Owen stopped abruptly, turning to you, face full of worry, fully confused as to why he would possibly be mad at you. “Is everything okay? Why would I be mad? Did you cheat on me? You wouldn’t cheat on me right Y/n?” He stuttered out, mind racing with the absolute worst possibilities. “Oh my gosh no. I didn’t cheat on you Owen, I would never. It’s kind of big news though so I want to wait until we get back home.” Owen blushes at the thought of his apartment being ‘home’ and he wants to wrap you up in his arms forever and never let go. Instead, he says “Of course, we can wait until we get back home.”

Owen drove the two of you back to his apartment and finally, you couldn’t hold off anymore. “Can we sit down please?” You asked, wanting the both of you to be as comfortable as possible for delivering this news. “You’re worrying me, Y/n. Please just tell me what’s wrong.” Owen said, holding your hand in his. You took a deep breath, preparing yourself for whatever might happen next, and let it out. “I’m pregnant. Like for sure, I took a test yesterday.” You didn’t know what you were expecting but you at least thought Owen would say something. Instead, he’s sitting there in silence as you search his face for an ounce of emotion, proof that he was feeling something, even if it was anger. Finally, what felt like hours (but was only 5 minutes) later Owen looked at you, saying, “Is this a joke? Are you being serious?” as he ran his fingers through his hair, a nervous habit of his.

You sighed, bracing yourself for rejection, and answered “No, I’m not joking. I am actually pregnant.” Owen stayed silent and you took that as a sign to continue, “I understand if you want nothing to do with me, us, anymore but I still wanted to tell you. I get that this probably isn’t the most convenient for you, with your whole career ahead of you, so I’m just going to go.” You stopped there, giving Owen a chance to say something but when he stayed silent you took that as your cue to leave. As you walked to the door you remembered the test in your bag, you took it out and left it on the counter, telling him that it was there and you were leaving. “I love you, Owen. Bye.”

With that, you left, only allowing yourself to start crying when the door shut behind you. You walked towards the elevator but it was just your luck that Kent was getting home at that moment. He saw you and smiled, smile falling when he put together the fact that you were both leaving and crying. “Oh my god Y/n, what’s wrong?” Kent said, panicking a little. “Did you tell him? Was he mean about it? Please answer me I want to help.” At his concern, you just cried a little harder prompting Kent to pull you into him and slide the two of you so you were sitting on the floor. He held you like that until you felt ready enough to answer. “I told him,” you finally said. “He wasn’t mean about it. He wasn’t anything about it. I said it and he asked if I was joking so I said no.” Kent looked at you confused, asking “Did you leave then?” You shook your head no, “I told him that if he wanted nothing to do with me I would understand. I almost wish he was mean so I knew he felt something, but he just stayed silent. So I put the test on the counter and left.” With that, you broke into a fresh round of sobs, turning back into Kent’s shoulder.

Kent was shocked, to say the least. He was horrified that his best friend would react the way he did, allowing his girlfriend to leave the house crying after sharing such big news. This wasn’t the Owen he knew at all and he was determined to figure it all out. First, though, he wanted to make sure you got home safe and wouldn’t be alone. “I know this is a lot but I have a couple of questions,” Kent said, still rubbing your back. “First, is your roommate home?” You shook your head no, fresh tears escaping at the thought of being alone. “Does anyone else know?” Kent asked next. You nodded into his shoulder, mumbling out “Luke does. He was there when I first found out.” Kent processed that silently, not wanting to disturb you more before again speaking. “How about I drive you back to your dorm and call Luke to meet us there? That way you won’t be alone and I can talk to Owen about why he thought it was okay to react like that.” You nodded into his shoulder, satisfied with the plan, and started to pull yourself up from the floor, reaching down to help Kent up after you.

In the car, Kent called Luke over the car bluetooth. “Hey, what’s up?” Luke answered, confused as to why Kent was calling him so late. “You know how Y/n is pregnant? Well, she told Owen and it went badly. I don’t want to leave her alone because her roommate is out but I want to talk to Owen and figure out what he was thinking. Is there any way you can meet us at her dorm?” The decision for Luke was easy, “Of course, I’ll be there in like 5 minutes.” Kent was grateful to have such good friends at this moment. Hanging up the phone he turned to you, confused by the complete silence, and realized that you were asleep. He turned the radio on and turned the volume down and continued the rest of the way to your apartment in peaceful silence.

Thankfully when Kent pulled up in front of your building Luke was already there, he gently shakes you awake and hugs you goodbye awkwardly over the center console before watching you say hi to Luke and walk into the building with him. Sighing to himself he hopes that everything will be worked out, he wants nothing more than for this to all be a big misunderstanding but he knows that those hopes are unrealistic. Taking a deep breath he pulls from the curb, ready to drive home and confront the problem head-on.

What he was not ready for was to unlock his apartment door and hear Owen sobbing from the living room. Kent quickly ran into the living room, “Dude are you okay? Why are you crying?” Kent said, adding “Why was Y/n crying” when he remembered that he wasn’t supposed to know. But that was proved to be a mistake when Owen just started crying harder. “I fucked up so bad Kent. Y/n told me she was pregnant and I couldn’t say anything.” Owen said, still crying a bit. “And she was crying, oh my god she probably hates me.” Kent sat down awkwardly next to Owen, pulling him into a hug. “She definitely doesn’t hate you. But from what you’ve said she’s probably really worried and confused.” Kent said, hoping he chose the right words before continuing. “You didn’t say anything, so she doesn’t know how you feel at all, and is therefore probably thinking the worst. Do you want the baby?” Hearing that Owen suddenly jerked away from Kent. “Of course I want them. They’re mine as much as they are Y/n’s and I would love to be involved.” Owen said.

Saying that out loud made Owen fully realize that he reacted horribly. “Oh god, I gotta call Y/n,” Owen said, reaching over Kent for his phone. Kent stopped him, “Hey dude, let me grab my phone.” Owen said, starting to get a little upset. “Wait, why don’t you call tomorrow morning? You’ve both had emotional nights.” Kent said, hoping his logic made sense to Owen, “It’s late, you should sleep, and let her sleep. Luke is with her if anything happens which it won’t, and- don’t look at me like that. I didn’t want to leave her alone and also wanted to check on you.” Owen chuckled softly at that, nodding his head in agreement. “Can I at least text her and ask to get breakfast tomorrow? So we can talk?” He asked and Kent relented, handing him the phone and walking to his room, calling out a “goodnight” behind him.

The next morning was hard for both of you. Luke stayed the night but neither you nor Owen slept well at all. To top it all off, you felt like throwing up the minute you opened your eyes. You pushed that feeling aside and looked into scheduling a doctor’s appointment through the clinic on campus. Sitting up just made the feeling worse and before you knew it you were running to the bathroom and throwing up everything you had eaten the night before. Your sprint across the room woke Luke up and he made his way to the bathroom, wetting a cloth with cool water for your neck and rubbing your back. When you finally felt done you pushed yourself against the wall behind you, and thanked Luke for the cloth, placing it on your forehead and letting yourself calm down fully. Once your stomach was fully settled you got up and brushed your teeth, changing into leggings and a hoodie before deciding to finally check your texts.

There were less than you expected, which you assumed you could thank Kent for, and the only one you paid attention to was the one from Owen asking to meet for breakfast and to talk. You shot back a quick ‘sure, the usual?’ before telling Luke that he was relieved of his duties of on-demand emotional support and thanking him profusely. Owen texted back agreeing to the place and sending a time. You were walking so you pulled on shoes and put your earbuds in, finally heading out the door. Frank’s was a diner on campus and a 10-minute walk from your dorm, making it a place you (and the boys) frequented. They had the best pancakes and perfectly fried eggs, so you knew that no matter what happened you would be happy with your breakfast. You got there and saw Owen in your usual back corner booth. You waved shyly, unsure of where you stood, and made your way towards the booth, saying hi to your usual waitress on the way.

#owen power x reader #owen power imagine #owen power #owen power fic #umich hockey imagine #umich hockey #buffalo sabres #fear of writing #enough to last a lifetime #my writing

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pastrnaks-sainz · 3 years

Text

The Laptop With the Flames Sticker

Pairing: Matthew Tkachuk x reader

Type: Fluff

Warnings: Swearing

Word Count: 1k

Summary: Matty had a routine. Every morning he stopped by a cafe in Calgary to get a coffee and some type of pastry. He was a regular, he always recognized people and they always recognized him. Until one morning he saw a college student sitting at a table by the window typing away at a laptop. It was her that caught his eye first, but when he saw the Flames sticker on the back of her computer, he had to talk to her.

Request: Hi babyyyyy! How are you? Do you think you could write something for Matthew T. where he is with shy girl? Like she is not typical Puck Bunny.. but normal girl he met in cafe perhaps? She is not skinny nor fat, not perfect skin? Y’know? Just not a model haha! No worries if not tho.. have a nice day <3 (from anon)

~~~~

Matty wasn’t fully awake yet as he walked down the street to the cafe he always went to. As he walked up, someone caught his eye. She was sitting at a table by the window, text books spread out on the table top and fingers frantically tapping away at the keyboard. He smiled to himself. She was cute. She seemed... normal. Like she was someone he could talk to and have a natural discussion with.

She didn’t even look up when the little bell on the door jingled as he walked in. Matty decided not to bother and kept to himself, though his eye was drawn to the Flames sticker in the upper righthand corner of her laptop. He ordered his coffee and pastry and went on his way. She didn’t leave his mind, though, and all through practice and after he was thinking about her.

The next day was game day. As Matty walked up to the cafe again, the same girl was sitting in the same spot. His fingers grasped the note paper clipped to the tickets in his jacket pocket as he walked in. Matty passed her table on his way to the line.

He casually dropped the note and tickets on one of your books. You didn’t even notice until he was long gone and you were packing up from your study session.

“What the hell?” you whispered to yourself, picking up the pieces of paper.

Hi, we haven’t met before but I noticed you the other day and I wanted to talk to you but you seemed really busy so I left you alone. I saw the Flames sticker on your laptop and thought you might like to come to the game tonight. There are two tickets attached to this note. I hope to see you there!

- Matthew Tkachuk

P.S. If you don’t believe me, ask one of the baristas. I come in here all the time

You were speechless. When you had glanced up yesterday and saw Matthew Tkachuk leaving the cafe and walking down the street you thought you were going crazy. Now you know you weren't.

The game was at one o’clock. You hoped your roommate wasn’t busy as you practically sprinted back to your dorm down the street from the cafe.

“Are you doing anything this afternoon?” you asked, completely out of breath and leaning against the wall.

“Did you run all the way here?” your roommate asked, eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Answer my question,” you panted, downing a glass of water.

“Uh, no, nothing, why?” she asked, confused.

“Matthew Tkachuk just gave me two tickets to the game,” you smiled, tossing her the note and tickets. When opened her mouth to protest, you cut her off. “I saw him at the cafe yesterday and this morning as he was leaving. It’s legit.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Are you fucking insane?” Johnny exclaimed, looking at Matty with an incredulous look as they taped their sticks in preparation for warmup. “Let me get this straight, you invited a random college student you saw at a cafe to the game?”

“That is exactly what I did,” Matty responded, smirking to himself.

“She’s gonna think you’re a creeper,” Sam laughed, tossing his tape back up into his locker.

“Alright, if she shows up you both owe me fifty bucks,” Matty said.

“I’ll take that bet,” Johnny nodded, looking over to Sam.

“Yeah, I’m in,” Sam agreed.

You settled into your seats with your roommate as the Flames came out for warmups. The tickets Matty had given you were at the Islanders’ end of the ice, so you were unable to see him before the game started.

“I don’t see your girl, Matty,” Sam said condescendingly as he leaned against the boards.

“She’s at the other end of the ice, dipshit,” Matty chirped back. “Gotta give her a good view for when I score my first hat trick on the season.”

“Easy there, though guy,” Johnny laughed as he skated over. “Don’t let your head get too big, your helmet won’t fit.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Matty shrugged them off, gently tapping his stick against the ice.

“Are you sure this was a good idea?” your roommate asked for the seventeenth time.

“Positive,” you replied yet again. “Look, there he is.”

Matty lined up for the opening face off, completely focused on his task at hand. Three minutes into the game, he put the puck into the upper righthand corner. His eye instantly found yours before his teammates slammed him against the boards in front of you in celebration.

“She’s here,” Matty said, out of breath as she sat down on the bench. “I expect to see those fifty bucks from both of you after the game.”

The third period rolled around and saw the Flames rout the Islanders 5-2, with Matty scoring his predicted hat trick. He made eye contact and pointed at you with every goal he scored.

A security guard escorted you through the tunnels of the stadium, your roommate having gone back to your dorm.

“I should thank you,” Matty smiled as he walked up to you, shoving two fifty dollar bills into his pocket. “You won me a hundred bucks.”

“I should be the one thanking you,” you replied, accepting his tentative hug.

“Did you have fun?” he asked, his brow furrowing.

“Best Flames game I’ve ever been to,” you answered.

“You know, I don’t know your name.”

“Y/N,” you replied, unable to push the smile from your face.

“Y/N,” Matty repeated. He loved the way it sounded as it rolled off his lips. “Can I take you for coffee, Y/N?”

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buckys-milk · 2 years

Note

do i see cowboy!bucky, OMG PLEASE

YYES YOU DID!!! So sorry this took so long, I actually started this two days ago but so much has happened since, but I finally got around to finishing it! After writing half way through though I decided to make it a short series!

Pairing- Cowboy!Bucky x y/n

Word Count- 2,474

Masterlist

Warnings- Eventual swearing, drinking, old guys honestly this chapter doesn’t have much

Wasteland-Part 1 (Series) (incomplete)

Summary: You own a small western town saloon handed down to you by your parents. One day a stranger washes in detailing the arrival of his friend. His friends arrival only brings you trouble, but what harm can come from babysitting two cowboys?

The Wasteland of the West, that’s what you called this 10th layer of Hell. With spacious skies, dry weather, and the population of 100, 50 of that being cacti and skeletons.

The Waterhole, your place of work, was about the most populated shack in town. Originally built by your grandparents, it’s been passed down to you, begrudgingly. Your parents had always wanted you to marry, but marriage wasn’t your speed, you preferred to watch ol’ drunkards fight and play card games.

Now your parents on the other hand, were the lovebirds of town, were. Few years back their bodies were found next to the old rail road out east few miles beyond the town border. Star crossed lovers they were coined. Then there was you. Everyone in town knew you, ever since you were a girl. Not born, but raised here, you would live here till your last breath.

Now, while that’s years away, you had started to plan out who the saloon would go to. It wasn’t going to no kids you knew that much. No friends, the saloon and old ranchers were friends, couldn’t trust them to not cheat at their card games, how could they run this place?

You see, the Wasteland wasn’t frequented much, and visitors weren’t really welcome in town. They always had this air of arrogance and somthin’ to sell, and ya'll weren’t the richest people in the west, and anybody who knew anybody was in the Waterhole. Except today.

“Nice quiet day eh?” In walked Happy, town carriage expert, fixed ‘em up real quick, not that there were too many carriages in town.

“Always is Happy,” you respond scratching at a blood stain patched to the counter. “Can’t remember a time the town was bustlin’”

“Well, back in the days when you were young, we had a lot more traffic.” He sat down letting a few coins escape his hand. “Double.”

A double was nothing more than a whiskey and ginger, you never understood why he called it that. Pouring out his drink you heard more of the locals rush in from their “busy” work days. Minors from out east past the tracks and farmers from up north. I’m no time, drinks were being passed around and the day was just beginning.

—

“Right on time as always Maxamoffs.”

In ran your two favorite wranglers, Pietro and Wanda Maxamoff, twins from the East coast. After they lost their parents, they hopped the train to come out west, landing in your sweet lil’ town. “I know you two don’t do nothin' more than bother the Starks down ‘road, what’s got you late today?” You threw the two a stern look placing a hankie into Wanda's hands.

“Sorry Miss Y/n, Pietro lost the bucket we use to feed the barn cats, couldn’t leave without giving them their water, wouldn’t be right!” Wanda gave you her puppy dog eyes. You were a softy, especially for the twins, they were the siblings you never had.

“We’ll, good on you for takin’ care of those barn cats, don’t know what they’d do without ya’” Nodding to Pietro settling at the piano, “Eh boy! Get those fingers wigglin'!”

He respond In short with a quick warmup followed by a happy tune. Pietro was the best player in town, better yet, the only player In town.

“Get those tables in the corner cleaned up Wanda, I’m gonna check in upstairs.” Wanda responds with a curt nod, bounding off.

You only had one visiter upstairs, some guy from outta town just passing through. He’d been resting a couple of days till he got back on his feet.

Dragging your feet upstairs wasn’t ideal on these steps, old and worn out, maybe you’d have that young Stark come by to replace ‘em, Peter’d have ‘em fixed up real quick. No time to think of it now, here you were In front of the outsiders lodgings. With a slight knock, you here a “yes ma’am?” From the other side.

“Breakfast?, or are you headin’ out?”

“Breakfast would be nice ma’am.” He responds.

“No need to call me ma’am, call me y/n” you chuckled. Men were scared of you ‘round here, owning the best saloon around had its perks.

You thought you’d make him breakfast yourself. Usually it was Wandas job, she was a great cook, but outsiders didn’t deserve her cookin’. “Hey Wan,” you bellowed from the top of the stairs, “I’m makin’ the stranger some breakfast, you man the counter will ya?”

Wanda responded with a clear look of confusion, but she didn’t dare question why.

Didn’t take you long to whip up some ham and eggs, best you’d ever done you thought. By the time you’d finish, the stranger was sat next to a window, far corner where Wanda had just cleaned. Placing the plate in front of him with a glass of brandy, you sat across. “Never got to ask, what brings you ‘round?”

He takes a bite, savoring the taste, first thing he’s had to eat in days you’d reckon. Never left his room until now. “Travlin’ through to the coast, got work there with a coupla friends, Steve by the way.”

You let him take a few more bites, wondering what could be so interesting about the coast, everyone always seemed to leave town for the coast. “Well, you’re lucky you’ve been here so long; usually outsiders are run outta town by now.” You slowly speak, crossing your arms against your chest.

“I suppose a thanks are in order?” He looks up with a daring smile, he’s handsome, blond locks and a scruffy beard, he’d fit in at the coast.

“No thanks necessary.” You still. “I don’t mind outsiders too much, I used to be one.” It was true, even if it was only for the first year of your life.

“Well I appreciate the breakfast and lodgings Miss Y/n.” Another bite. “Which reminds me. Since you don’t mind outsiders and all, how would you feel ‘bout having another around? Or would that make the town up in arms?” He says the last part in a low mumble, leaning himself across the table. You ponder it for a moment, you could handle a whole dozen strangers, it didn’t mean much to you.

“Depends on how long, I can protect ‘ya, but I do have a reputation to keep.” You play coy, giving him a wink.

“Wouldn’t be too long, he’s already on his way. I reckon he’ll be by in two days time.” The sneaky bastard, suppose it wouldn’t have mattered if you said yes or no, you were in for a stranger regardless.

“Well, I’ll have my girl Wanda prepare the room next to yours,” you stand, grabbing his plate and cup. “How much longer will you be stayin' out here?” You ask looking around the room catching stares from the locals.

He smiles, almost making you feel stupid. “As long as I can miss.” His eyes train onto the cup you had taken, signaling to bring him another.

—

Men around here were less than respectful, no matter how handsome the guy, respect wasn’t in their vocabulary. Steve had been of the more interestin’ men to come through town, and you were sure his friend would be just as funny.

In two days time, you were awoken by the sun caressing the horizon with sweet reds accompanied by a low whistle of the wind. A knock on the door had done it though.

“Miss Y/n, sorry to bother you, but I do believe my friend will be arrivin’ soon.” You could hear the shuffle of his feet as he awaited your answer.

“Can I trust you to start the griddle?” You groaned out, throwing your legs over the side of your cot. You heard a grunt in response and heavy steps cascading down the stairs to follow.

It was an unexpectedly chilly morning. A quick bath night not hurt. To follow, you pulled up your under dress in contempt, followed by a loose corset, and over it, one of your finest purples. You looked nice, put together for once. Slipping on your boots and Fixin’ your hair, for the final touches. Breakfast time, just as long as that ol’ stranger didn’t burn the kitchen down.

You found your way downstairs to open the bar, lookin’ out for the twins to start the day. You hoped they’d show up sooner rather than later. Sighing to yourself, your ears picked up the full hum of a tune carrying from the kitchen. Knowing what you’ll find, you waltzed in to see Steve. Dressed to the nines like a cowboy, rugged looking handkerchief tied ‘round his left forearm. That same forearm twisting as he dumped a pile of eggs and ham onto a few plates.

He looks up from his work and you catch a twinkle in his eye. “Thought I’d make a few plates, two for those twins you have workin’ here, nice kids.”

With your hands on your hip you couldn’t help but laugh, “S’nice havin’ a man ‘round here. Can’t remember a time where myself or Wan wasn' cookin’ breakfast.”

He doesn’t reply as he hands you a plate.

“Speakn' of which,” here come the twins. You give him an amused once over and he smiles big in response.

“Like seeing a man ‘round here? Just wait till ‘ya meet my pal, think you two will get along just right.” He chews his words with a big slice of ham, of which you shake your head at.

“Sorry we’re late Miss Y/n,” Pietro starts as he uncovers the piano, “we don’t have an excuse, we’re just late.”

You check the clock hanging off wall above your bar. The twins were early, for once. Today was getting weirder and weirder by the minute, and it only got worse.

—

The town had been quiet, a Monday. Everyone was working, weren’t too tired by the sun just yet, so the watering hole remained empty next to a few regulars.

Just then, the dull thud of hooves started over from the south. “Must be him.” You wispered to yourself. “Steven! You’re boy is here!” You yell to the kitchen where he sat nursing a whiskey while reading an old paper from the coast.

He peaks his head out from the corner, “You say my boy is here?” He seemed excited.

“Yea, I hear hooves of a horse that ain’t from aroun’ here.” You’re bored. You don’t care much for another stranger staying at your saloon, you’re just annoyed you gotta babysit. “Make sure the two of you don’t cause trouble ‘round here you hear? I don’t wanna have to hold back all 6 of the old farmers that live down town.” You joked.

He laughs at that, hearty. Oh yea, he’s excited. Just then, you realize you don’t hear the hooves anymore, it’s silence. Then, the two front flaps are pushed in, and in walks the stranger.

From behind you speeds an excited Steve, rushing to hug the stranger. For minutes you keep your head low, pretending to wipe at some invisible spots. You hear them talking low, all about their travels, until they stop. You look up to see the two of them staring at you, Steve with a dumb grin, and the stranger, with a curious eye.

He’s handsome, tall, black hat and new buckles on his boots. He’s wearing all black, that’s unlike most of the cowboys you see pass through town. Maybe is a west coast thing.

You hold eye contact for a second, not letting your heart beat get the better of you. “Somethin’ I can get you stranger?” You lean over the counter a bit as he sets himself down on one of the stools.

“Whiskey ma’am.” His drawl is strong, and there’s a linger of ocean in his scent.

You nod your head and turn around to prepare his drink, “You boys sure like your whiskey.”you joke turning back. You see his hat has made it to the counter, and he’s even more handsome without it. His hair is longer, curled by the ocean salt, but dark as night.

You place the whiskey down in front of him, making eye contact once again, ‘ocean eyes’ you think, fitting.

“Names James, but I’d like you to call me Bucky ma’am.” He smiles lightly before taking a drink.

You wait and watch, Steve assessing you, as you asses the stranger named James, or Bucky as he would like you to call him. You’re not sure how you feel about this…situation as you’d put it.

“Call me Y/n, I’m not married.” Bucky looks taken aback as he eyes trail to Steve who only shrugs.

“Not common you see a women all by her lonesome runnin' a saloon.” He responds, watching you lean against your back counter. “I commend you Miss Y/n.” Steve places a hand against Bucky's back, signaling you weren't one to be messed with. “I respect a workin’ woman.” He smiles big.

You stare for a second, eyes playing back and forth between the two boys. “How long you two stayin’?” Avoiding the comment.

Steve looks to Bucky who only smiles into his drink, “As long as you’ll have us miss Y/n. We can work around the saloon if you’d like.” Steve responded, seemingly excited again. “We aren’t due for the coast for a bit, and I’m a bang up cook don’t you think?” He looked at you hopeful, hand on your hip as your eyes trained on Wanda and Pietro behind the two men. You could afford a few more people to hang around for help, don’t think the locals would mind if they were working.

“Alright, just as long as ‘ya keep to yourselves and don’t cause any trouble now, I’ll allow you to stay. Free labor for free lodgings, you got that?” You grab at there empty drinks to be refilled.

“Can do miss Y/n!” Steve retorts back.

You place refilled drinks down in front of them, eyes lingering on Bucky, who’s eyes lingered on you.

You could handle this, if you can babysit twins from the east cost, you can babysit two grown cowboys from the west coast.

‘Easy peasy’ you think.

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puckngrind · 3 years

Text

Leave Her Wild: Chapter 2 - N. MacKinnon

Summary: MacKenzie and her friends head to opening night for the Colorado Avalanche.

Warnings: swearing, alcohol

Word count: 2, 675

Series masterlist / Puck ‘n Grind’s masterlist

Flames.

"You are really gonna wear that?" Mosi looks her friend up and down.

"Yeah, why?" MacKenzie tugs at her jersey. Of course she was going to wear it. Opening night, only hockey jersey she owned. Was a Christmas gift from her parents last year. She did a little twirl to show it off to the group of unamused friends.

"Because..." Drew rolls his hands and she rolls her eyes.

"Laissez les bons temps rouler!" Remy waves his hands in the air.

"That means, Let..." MacKenzie starts.

"Let the good times roll! We know.” Drew and Mosi say in unison.

"Alright, Mac is going to be wearing that. Remy has clearly pre-gamed. Mosi should’ve. We have our tickets and I'm driving so let's go." Drew starts herding the friend group out of MacKenzie's condo.

Opening night at Pepsi Center was always an event. MacKenzie and Drew got tickets from their volunteer efforts so the group headed out for their first time ever. They had gone to a Rockies game after Remy moved to Denver but normally the friend group didn't really do sporting events as outings.

“Is someone gonna explain these rules?” Remy plopped down from his first beer run with Drew and handed MacKenzie one. Eyeing her for the answer.

“Yeah. Kinda like soccer. You know?” She started. Knowing she was the only one who knew anything about hockey. “You can yell, cheer, boo. Doesn't really matter because no one really pays attention to the crazy you say.” The group all nod and she knows they will just clap when those around them do.

“So pizza-Jeep boy is wearing what color?” Mosi whisper yells while leaning into MacKenzie’s side during warmups.

“He’s in the blue and maroon jersey. The white is the Flames.” MacKenzie doesn’t take her eyes off the ice looking for Nathan to point him out but feels Mosi’s eyes on her. “Yes, Mo?”

“But… um... never mind.” Mosi stutters strangely.

"There he is." Kenzie ignores and points to the screen where they have a close up of Nathan showing his stats from the previous season.

The game starts which quieted the group’s chatter while everyone but Kenzie tried following the puck and going from watching the ice to the screen and back.

“Let’s go boys!” MacKenzie stands and yells after a big play with everyone in her section turning to look at her.

“Mac!” Drew pulls her down to her seat. “Check your surroundings.”

“You know I don’t care, right?” MacKenzie starts clapping again with a little cheer.

“As always, you do you.” Drew slow claps along as the game progresses.

Even though MacKenzie warned her friends that there might be only a goal or two, the game was high scoring which the friends all enjoyed. Remy cheered when anyone scored regardless of team. Colorado winning made the home crowd pumped and buzzing about being the year.

"We realize the season has over 80 games, right?" Kenzie comments to no one in particular as they head down the stairs.

“Food! Real food and drinks that don’t cost a million bucks.” Mosi begs on the way out.

“Allons! Let’s go!” Remy points to the closest restaurant he can see. "That one! Onward." Remy leads the group over.

Drinks, food, laughter fill the table as they banter back and forth.

“Isn’t that her, Mac?” MacKenzie hears someone nearby. She turns to see Nathan, Cale and a few more guys at a table about ten feet away. Nathan nods. She raises her hand then quickly feels the blood rushing to her face.

“Kenzie Lou, why are you the same color as your jersey?” Remy looks her up and down.

“Oh.” Drew mumbles with his mouth full seeing the table MacKenzie just waved towards.

“Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun!” Mosi clapped and is greeted with a kick under the table. “Ouch. Well it is.”

MacKenzie huffs and stands to her feet. Inhales and walks right over to the table of what she assumed was full of professional hockey players.

“Nice game Nathan.” She stops right at the end of his table and knows her face is still bright red.

“Looks like you were rooting for the other team there. Sorry 'bout that.” One of the boys down the table barks out.

“Hi MacKenzie. Thanks. Were you there? At the game, I mean.” Nathan turns his body towards her.

“Yes. Got tickets because of the foundation thing so we all went.” She gestures towards her eager looking friends. They wave and Nathan waves back with a flick of his wrist.

“Oh cool. So you are a… a Calgary fan?” Nathan gulps hard taking in the home Flames jersey.

“Well, a Tkachuk fan, actually. Yeah.” MacKenzie looks over at the 19 on her shoulder. “He was phenomenal last… ya'll. Well. Yeah.” MacKenzie looks around the amused players and shuts up.

“Sorry, let me introduce you. Guys, this is the other Mac. MacKenzie. Uh. Shit. I never caught your last name.” Nathan looks at her searching for a name.

“Blackwood.” MacKenzie answers and the guy across from Nate spits out his drink. “Um.” She just looks at him.

Nate wipes his face and stares down his teammate. “Are you fucking serious, EJ?”

“Sorry man.” EJ hands him another napkin. “No teeth.” He flashes his massive gap which makes MacKenzie giggle softly and Nathan groan.

“Let me get this straight. You live in Cale and Tyson’s building, volunteer with youth, only seem to follow Tkachuk 'cause you don't seem to know Avs hockey.” He wipes his mouth to continue. MacKenzie recognizes him as the captain from the game. “Have the same name as a goalie in the league, and are giving my boy, Nate here a run for his money.” Gabe winks with a sinister smile.

“Wait what?” MacKenzie puts her fingers to the bridge of her nose.

“What he means is…” Nate starts and MacKenzie places a finger up to stop him.

“No the goalie thing. I’m choosing to ignore the last part for now.” She says which gets a reaction from the entire table.

“Mackenzie Blackwood is a goalie in New Jersey. You happen to have the same name.” Nate explains.

“Gotcha. I’ll be honest, I catch games when I can but it’s background noise.” MacKenzie still feels her cheeks on fire but doesn’t let it stop her. “I will go to a Flames games if I'm in town when they play ya'll then a Blues game when I’m home with my dad and brother. Most of my hockey following is checking stats or social media.” She takes a deep breath not wanting to look directly at the table that all seem mesmerized by her presence. “Anyway, just wanted to say hi, which I did. So…. Nice game gentleman. Enjoy your post game dinner. Good seeing you again Nate. Cale.” MacKenzie nods and turns on her heals to her friends who haven’t touched their food since she left.

"Kenzie Lou!" Remy softly squeals.

"Don't." MacKenzie grits her teeth.

"What the hell did you talk to an entire table of NHL players about?" Mosi ignores her friend's request.

"I guess I have the same name as a goalie in the league." She annoyingly answers.

Drew starts typing before anyone can respond. "Oh yes. Mackenzie Blackwood. K not capitalized. Canadian. 22. New Jersey rookie who started last year. Wait, how does that happen?" Drew looks at MacKenzie's face . "Later. I'll google it later."

"Could we eat please?" MacKenzie takes a drink of her water and starts to finish her meal. She feels a ping on her phone and turns it over to read the notification.

Nathan's i-phone wants to airdrop you. Accept?

MacKenzie looks over and he nods at the phone. She looks back to accept and sees a screenshot from his notes apologizing for being awkward and asking for her number. She seems confused.

"Kenz?" Mosi questions.

"He wants my number." MacKenzie whispers.

"I'm confused." Remy whispers back.

"Found my phone on airdrop. Smart at least." MacKenzie chuckles.

"So airdrop your digits back to him or I will." Mosi pulls her phone out. "I just need to turn on mine. Who keeps it on? You, of course you do Mac." Mosi looks at Kenzie amused.

"Should I?" MacKenzie pulls at her loose curl wrapping it around her finger and letting it bounce back.

"YES!" Drew almost yells. "What could it hurt? Have a new contact for work at the least." Drew knew exactly what would get MacKenzie to send her number. She looks down to see Remy had written down her number on his napkin. The man always had a pen on him.

"Snap this to 'em." Remy pushed it over so MacKenzie did just that. Almost throwing her phone down as soon as she did. It buzzed not even a minute later.

Maybe Nate: Hi Mackenzie. This is Nate.

MacKenzie: Hi Nate. You can call me Kenzie or Mac

Nate: Okay Kenzie.

She looks up at him and he smiles wide.

Kenzie: enjoy your dinner

Nate: Same. I’ll text you later

She didn’t expect to hear from Nate but the next morning while getting ready for work, MacKenzie hears her text notification.

Nate: good morning. We are off Sunday and a few of us are playing cards at Cale’s place. Would you and your friends want to come over? It’s not far for you.

She stares at the text and starts to pace. Then sends out a group text.

Kenzie: Nate and some of the Avs want us to come over Sunday. Thoughts?

MacKenzie got all three messages immediately in return.

Mosi: obviously yes

Drew: yes is the only answer

Remy: fuck ya!

MacKenzie sent a text to Nate saying yes and asked what they could bring. She wasn't surprised Nate said nothing just themselves.

Sunday rolled around. MacKenzie and her friends walked down to Cale’s condo. She stopped in front of the door and Drew reached over her to knock. Kenzie looked up at him.

"What, just making sure we don't have to stand here forever." The door swung open as Drew finishes his statement.

“Nate, they are here and at least she’s not in a Flames jersey today.” The curly haired guy MacKenzie knew was Tyson from a quick google search of the team over the weekend.

“Decided to leave that at home, Tyson, but I can go get it.” MacKenzie points while giving him a half smile.

“Oh, and she...” Tyson turns to see Nathan behind him. “And she knows my name.”

“Sorry, don’t mind him. He got checked a little too hard at practice this morning.” Nathan pulls Tyson back into the condo. “Come in please.” He gestured and they moved past Nathan into the condo that was the mirror image of MacKenzie’s just slightly larger.

"Make yourselves comfortable." Cale popped his head out from the kitchen. "I'm sure you know where everything is."

"Yeah, just backwards." MacKenzie looks down the hall to the rooms. "Two or three?"

"Three. You?" MacKenzie raises two fingers and realizes her friends have already made their way into the living room.

"Thanks for coming." Nate was still standing behind her and she jumped.

"Thanks for inviting us. My mother tells me I need to make more friends here." MacKenzie sighs.

"Same actually. Tells me the team isn't enough." Nathan looks over her at his friends that were also his coworkers.

"Work, travel, and such keep my circle small." MacKenzie admits. "Oddly, same. You travel for work?" Nathan pushes his hands into his pockets and leans against the wall.

"I do then try to do different things for fun, you know?" She leans against the other wall.

"That's cool. Where are you heading next?"

MacKenzie's mind normally would be racing. Thinking of all the reasons why she shouldn't tell this essential stranger her work schedule but something about him made her feel easy. Maybe how he had more to lose if he burnt her. He didn't know what she did for a living but she could make his life miserable. Maybe it was the simplicity of their conversation or the kindness in his eyes. She felt like she could talk to him.

"Colorado Springs then off to Washington D.C. for the rest of the week and into next week." She answered him.

"Oh, I think we are in D.C. next weekend or maybe the beginning of the week." He stares at his foot kicking the invisible dirt then looked back up at MacKenzie.

"We are. Now are you two just gonna talk in the hall or are you gonna play cards here?" Gabe leans around the corner. "We've already gotten to know Kenzie's friends... let's go!" He gives Nate a look that doesn't go unnoticed. The two walk into the living room.

“Do I need to make introductions?” Nate looks around the room at all the eyes on both of them.

“Well, I googled ya’ll in preparation for today… so… I think I’m good.” She scans the room and sees a few of the girlfriends or wives. “Well, I don’t know the ladies.”

Nate took a moment to identify the few sitting around the room and who they belonged to. Pulling out an empty chair for MacKenzie. “Here, you can play here.” She sat down and pulled her legs up criss crossed under her as Gabe explained the rules. The group played poker until there were four left. JT, Nathan, MacKenzie, and Mosi. Mosi kept saying she accidentally won her table which made the competitive men agitated but made MacKenzie amused. Eventually it was just Nathan and MacKenzie.

“Kenzie, I think you and Nate need a wager of some sort.” Drew drops a bottle of water next to her and she glares up at him.

“I’m game.” Nate pipes up.

“Okay, so what if I win?” Kenzie takes a sip of water.

“Glass seats at the game of your choice.” Gabe declares.

“Okay, and if Nate wins?” Kenzie directs her attention to the captain who now has his hands on Nathan’s shoulders.

“You go out to dinner with him.” Gabe squeezes Nathan’s shoulders and smiles at Kenzie.

“Uh…” Nathan tries to nervously interject.

“That’s fine.” Kenzie tries to control her blush by not directly looking at Nathan then overcomes it to look right into his soft eyes. "Let's play."

Cale starts to deal and everyone can feel the shift of all eyes on the table even though most had scattered once they were knocked out in individual conversations. After three hands, Nathan goes all in.

"I think he's bluffing." MacKenzie whispers and pushes all her chips to the center.

"Kenzie..." He breathes out and Gabe's hand returns to his shoulder.

They place their cards down and Nathan wins with a full house. The cheers start and Nathan just stares at Kenzie who gives him a small smile. She gets up and heads to the kitchen to grab a drink. Finding Cale's rum and starts pouring more than necessary into her diet coke. Takes a drink and feels someone behind her.

"Drew, I'm not that competitive." She doesn't even turn around.

"It's not Drew." Nate murmurs.

MacKenzie turns around slowly. "Sorry. Nice game." She raises her glass to him.

"We don't have to go out for dinner, you know." Nathan shifts his weight.

"Well, a deal is a deal, right?" Kenzie tries not to breath him in as he reaches around her for a water but he smells amazing. He shrugs his shoulders. "If I won, would I have glass seats?" She leans into the counter.

"Yes, you can still have them if you want." Nate fiddles with the bottle, flicking at the paper label.

"So, dinner. When we both get back in town, okay?" Kenzie takes a sip and looks up at Nathan.

"Yes, I'll have my people call your people then." Nathan laughs.

"So Gabe will call Mosi?" MacKenzie bites her cheek with her comeback.

"Oooorrrr... I'll just text you." Nathan replies.

MacKenzie takes a drink again and winces with the burn. "That works too."

#leave her wild fic #N MacKinnon fic #Nate the great 29 #K's new series #2019 hockey season #nathan mackinnon

69 notes · View notes

eelistolvanen · 3 years

Text

Atlantis - Ryan Graves

Pairing: Ryan Graves x Y/N (established)

Warnings: mentions of depression, angst

Word count: 6.1k

A/N: So this is my first NHL fic. Warning: I didn’t proveread and my first language isn’t english. This idea is based on those tiktoks about people losing their sparkle. The title is from the song Atlantis by Seafret.

Hope you enjoy :)

_____________________________

You hurried along the concours at Pepsi center, swearing under your breath. You had already missed the warm ups because you had been held up at work. You didn’t really want to miss puck drop as well. Out of breath, you made it to your seat, happy to realise that you had, in fact, not missed puck drop. You plopped down besides Mel Landeskog and groaned.

“God, I wish I could kill my boss. What a dick.” You said between trying to regain your breath. Mel chuckled beside you. “I wish you did, I don’t know why you keep working for him. I know I wouldn’t.”

Mel had briefly met your boss when she visited you over lunch at your workplace once. And she quickly let you know about her dislike for him. You weren’t a fan of him either, but besides him you liked the job and was one you had worked hard to get.

You and Mel caught up, even though you had seen each other only a few days prior. Then the players started to trickle out of the tunnel and onto the benches. Both you and Mel put the conversation to the side to focus onto the ice. Your eyes went on to search for your boyfriend immediately. It didn’t take very long to spot him, given that he was towering over all the other guys.

As if Ryan had know that you were looking for him, he turned towards the Wags section and locked eyes with you. And although you were too far away to see it properly, you were sure Ryan gave you a simple nod. He always gave you one in warmups when you were watching him. Since you weren’t able to make it in time for warmups, you got the nod now.

The game passed quickly. Both the Avs and Dallas had been playing a good and very tight game. In the end the Avs won it 4-3, thanks to a late 3rd period tiebreaker by Mikko. Ryan played a good game as well, getting an assist and a plus 2 rating.

Soon enough you found yourself down in the families room waiting for Ryan to emerge. You were holding conversation with Mel and some of the other Wags, happily letting them distract you from your long day at work.

The moment Ryan stepped out of the locker room, your eyes moved to look at him. Your subconscious was so in tune with him, you always felt his presence as soon as he entered a room. A few quick steps and he had scooped you up in his arms. This is exactly what you needed after a long day at work. A Ryan hug could fix everything.

“Good game, babe. Sorry I missed warm ups, the boss kept me in today.” You muttered into his neck, while he seemed to melt into your body. He pulled away to look at you.

“Thanks, love. It’s fine, you didn’t mean to miss it. And you made it in time for the game, that’s the important bit.” He gave you a smile and a quick wink while wrapping his arms around you and turning to say goodbye to the team. He took your hand in his while leading you out to the car and driving home.

Unfortunately the long day at work wasn’t a one off. Recently your boss had kept you in longer seemingly every day, excusing it with you needing to more effort into work since many would love to have this job. And it was starting to war you down. You knew Ryan was understanding but you still felt bad that he had to wait up for you.

By the time November rolled around, you were more stressed out and exhausted than ever. You were drowning in work and you felt like the wasn’t any end in sight soon. It didn’t help that the Avs weren’t having a good time. Instead of being at the top of the standings they were battling to stay in a playoff spot. Ans even though it was still early in the season they wouldn’t want to drop back now and even fall out of the playoff race early.

You were currently standing next to Mel and Mikko’s girlfriend waiting for the team to exit the locker room. You knew the mood wasn’t good. The team just lost against the Preds. A team who was battling against them for a playoff position. Also, you were pretty sure that Ryan noticed that you missed the first period due to being held back at work. A few players started clearing out of the locker room and you could see the loss imprinted on their faces. Riding a losing streak was bad enough, but losing against a division rival made it even bitterer.

You felt like you were barely able to breath, not knowing what Ryan’s reaction was gonna be like. Once he finally exited the room, as one of the last out, he held his head low and you could see the disappointment on his face.

He didn’t really lift his head walking over to you but still pulling you in for a hug once you were within reach. He engulfed you with his huge body and held you tight. A huge weight lifted off your chest almost immediately. And you suddenly felt like everything was going to be okay. That you had just worried to much, he would never be angry at you for missing part of a game because of work. You tried to pull him even closer, while he gave you a kiss on the head.

It was nearing the end of November and you had just pulled yourself out of bed an hour ago. It was already 2 pm and while you hoped that sleeping in on your off day would help you with the constant fatigue you were facing, all it did was making you feel even more tired. And you felt like you couldn’t get anything done recently and sitting around in your apartment all day lazily wasn’t helping your guilt at all. But you felt too lethargic to move, the grim weather wasn’t helping. You knew you should get outside more, recently only spending time at work or being holed up in your apartment, but you just couldn’t get any motivation to get up and go outside.

It wasn’t helping that Ryan was away on a road trip and wouldn’t be back in almost a week. The avs had been playing better but the still weren’t where they were supposed to be. HE had been so focused on playing well recently, you didn’t really feel like bothering him with your everyday problems. His career was important to you and you didn’t want to mess with it.

This week passed slower and you felt yourself being sucked into the black hole even further. Then on top of all the stuff that was doing badly at work at the moment, your boss had decided to bring in a new intern. He also made it pretty clear to you that the intern was trying out for your job position. You slowly felt like the weight on your shoulders was staring to crush you. Once Friday evening came, you were wrapped up in blankets on your couch, binge watching some Netflix series and eating ice cream. Ryan would fly in after his game, presumably late in the night. So you didn’t bother staying up, you would only fall asleep on the couch anyway.

You were woken up by sounds outside of your bedroom and not soon after you heard Ryan slip in. He was trying to be quiet, but you were awake now anyway.

“Hey Babe, you’re back.” Your whispered statement probably sounded more like a question but you didn’t care. His reaction told you that he wasn’t expecting you to be awake.

“Oh hey, baby. I’m sorry for waking you” You barely heard him, his voice quiet and hushed. Soon enough he slip into bed and wrapped his arms around your waist pulling you close. He must have sensed that you had a hard day at work, just from the way he was holding you close to him. And you tried your best to relax into his touch and fall asleep again.

November passed and you just couldn’t seem to catch a break anymore. Today was another horrendous day at work, where everything seemed to be going wrong lately. Your boss was more than displeased with your performance and it didn’t seem like you were able to get out of your slump anytime soon. The new intern threatening your job position was obviously not helping in easing your nerves. Now you wanted nothing more than to get home and curl yourself up on the couch in Ryan’s arms.

Finally making it to your shared apartment, you had never been so glad that Ryan wasn’t on a road trip than tonight. As soon as you were inside the door you dropped your coat and the purse in the entry, kicked of your shoes and made your way to the living room. You let out a deep sigh, the tight feeling in your chest that you had all day still letting itself be known.

As soon as you entered the living room Ryan looked up from his space on the couch. His gentle greeting went mostly unrequited. You felt a lump in your throat forming. The team had hit a rough patch time lately again and you didn’t really want him to have to deal with your problems. You knew that he had enough on his mind. So you quickly tried to give him a smile but he’d already risen from the couch, knowing you well enough to see by your posture alone that something wasn’t right.

With a couple big steps he closed the distance between you two and wrapped his arms around you tightly. You were trying to relax, let yourself drown in his big embrace but then you slowly you realise something that you had been dreading for a while now. The tight feeling in your chest was still there. You anxiety didn’t lift of you like it used to. His embrace didn’t seem to let you forget about all your worries. It didn’t seem to heal you, put your pieces back together anymore. And suddenly you realised that it hadn’t for a while now. Slowly hug after hug his power to keep you together, to calm you down, had weakened. You used to call his hugs his superpower, that no one hugged you like Ryan did. No one else’s hugs made you feel at home, made you feel safe.

But now his hugs just felt like… hugs. Normal hugs. Nothing special. Simply a hug you could get from any person you knew. No magic, no superpower. No sparkle…

You could feel your heart shatter at the sudden realization. He hugged you still the same way. He still put all his power into trying to keep you together, to pick your pieces up, to heal you. It wasn’t Ryan who lost something. It was you. You had lost your sparkle, your magic. And Ryan wouldn’t be able to fix it. Not this time.

You hadn’t even realised that silent tears had started to run down your cheeks. You let out a shaky breath, trying to steady yourself. But all it did was making it worse. You let out a sob you didn’t knew you were holding deep inside you.

“Hey, hey! Shhh, it’s okay baby. Everything is gonna be okay.” Ryan slowly rubbed your back, trying to soothe you. But you knew Ryan well enough to know, that even he himself wasn’t believing his words anymore.

You quietly cried into his chest and he held you close to him. You had stayed like that for a while after. But the tight feeling in your chest didn’t lift. If anything your sudden realization made it worse.

You hit your breaking point in the beginning of December. You felt like you fell apart. You hadn’t been going to games for a while now. You came home after work and holed yourself up on the couch or tired to cry yourself to sleep.

Ryan tried to reach out to you as much as possible. He tried and tried and tried, but no matter what he did he wasn’t able to help you. His presence didn’t relieve the pain in your chest and that heavy feeling you’d been carrying around for a while now. It had gotten so bad that you had started to pull away. You didn’t consciously want to, but did it anyway. He just wasn’t able to get through to you anymore.

And this killed him. Nothing hurt him more than to see that light in you fade. Day after day, week after week, your once so bright sparkle had started to dim. And no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t fix you. Not anymore.

You had been thinking about it for a while now. You hated your work, Denver started to turn all grey on you and you felt like a burden to Ryan recently. You needed change.

Now, you were standing in the living room, a couple steps away from Ryan. You knew he wanted to close the space, hug you, try giving you comfort but he wasn’t sure if that’s what you really needed anymore. Silent tears ran down your face and you could see Ryan shatter right in front of you.

“Tell me we can fix this. Please Ryan, tell me that leaving isn’t the right thing to do.”

“You’re not happy here anymore, Y/N. You don’t have to stay here for me, you know? I can’t expect you to stay.”

You wanted him to be wrong. You wanted him to tell you that everything would work out, that you would be able to fix your life in Denver, that leaving wasn’t the right thing to do. But you knew better.

“Ryan, please tell me you know how to fix this. You always find a way to fix me!” You were desperate now, your voice shaking.

You hated how you could read the answer in his eyes before he even parted is lips. You knew this was it. Game over, you had nothing else to give.

“I look at you and see the ghost of someone you used to be and nothing hurts more than knowing that there’s nothing I can do to fix you. To save us. I can’t save us.” You felt yourself shatter. Game over. Nothing made it more real than him telling you. He finally closed the space between the two of you. But he didn’t hug you, he simply put his hand on your face and gently stroked the tears away with his thumb.

“I know you’re trying to look out for me, thinking about me, about us first. But you need to start looking out for yourself now. This life here isn’t treating you right anymore. It’s breaking you! You know yourself that you won’t be able to fix this here.” You inhaled shakily.

“I know, I just…” Your voice gave in.

“You know that if there was a way for me to fix this, to heal you, to do something about it, I would. You need to go, cause you won’t get better here. With me. And as much as I love you, this life here is ruining you.”

His forehead was touching yours now and both his hands were placed on your cheeks. You could feel his silent sobs. You could feel the way his heart broke when he said the following words.

“How do you look at the person you love the most and tell yourself that it’s time to let her go?”

“Don’t let go then!”

Slowly he pulled away. You tried to catch his hands in yours but of no use. Slowly he lowered them and pulled his hands from his grasp.

“Just promise me you’ll try your hardest to get better. To get that light back, that sparkle back. You will get better, but this time you have to fix yourself. I love you so much, Y/N, but I just want you to be happy. Maybe one day this will include me again.”

With that he gave you a last kiss on your forehead and turned around and walked towards the door. That’s when you broke down. You knew this was real know. The bags you packed would actually be used, the calls home you made to tell your family about coming home would actually hold its promise, the resignation on your job would actually be sent in. You knew this was only supposed to be a break for you to find yourself again and come back after. But right now this felt more like a finale breakup than anything else.

At first being home seemed to do you good. You spent a lot of time with your family, you didn’t have to think about your job anymore. But it didn’t take long for that cold, nagging feeling in your chest to return. So you had started to visit a therapist. And you tried your hardest to do the little tasks she sent you home with after each session. But somehow you just felt so broken. You felt so exhausted, so lifeless. It was hard for you to find joy in something nowadays. You felt… empty.

Weeks passed. Christmas came and went. You tried to set yourself some goals, some solutions for the new year. But things didn’t seem to get better.

Ryan really didn’t want to look at his phone. Another loss, another season that seemed to go to waste. An now he couldn’t even go home and hold you in his arms for consolidation. He already dreaded the empty house he would come home to. He really couldn’t call it his home anymore. Just a place he used for sleeping or the occasional nap. Nowadays he spent as much time at the rink or at teammates houses as possible. The house was just so cold without you. Like all life had left it. Once he was seated in his car he finally gave his phone a quick glance. He did a doubletake to make sure his eyes weren’t betraying him. But there it was you name on screen. Had had left him a voicemail.

His chest tightened as he realised that you probably called him on purpose during the game. You knew that he was playing, he was sure of that. He had to take a couple of deep breath before being able to press play on the voicemail.

At first he could only hear your shaky breath, presumably teary eyed. He felt a sudden stab to his heart.

“Hey Ryan, I know this is out of nowhere but I just…” Your voice went silent again. This time he was sure that you were sobbing quietly.

“I’m trying so hard, but I don’t know how much longer I can fight… But I want you to know that there was nothing you could have done to help me, Ryan. You did your best.” He could hear your sobs now loudly and clearly, and it broke his heart.

“And you have to know that if I ever lose my battle to depression… know that I fought, know that I tried, know I did my best to overcome it. I love you so much, Ryan.”

And with that the voicemail ended. Ryan felt like someone ripped to ground from underneath him. Felt like he was spiralling down a dark hole. He let out a gasp, feeling himself tear up.

He knew he had to call you back, as soon as possible. But it was proving to be a challenge. His vision was blurry from his teary eyes and it wasn’t helping that his hands were shaking uncontrollably. It felt like he was just sitting there in his car for ages, before he had calmed himself down enough to press the call button.

He didn’t really know what he was going to say. He didn’t even know where to start, all he knew that he needed to hear your voice. Now.

It kept ringing and ringing but you didn’t pick up. He tried multiple times but nothing. His calls went unanswered. With a heavy heart he decided to drive home, since he was still sitting in the parking lot at Pepsi center.

At home he tried again. And again just before letting his exhausted body fall asleep. But you didn’t pick up. Finally, the next morning just when he thought another call would go to voicemail you answered.

“Hey.” Honestly you didn’t know what else to say and you also didn’t know to expect.

“You wouldn’t do it, right? You wouldn’t… you know end it, right?” He sounded desperate, you could sense the urgency in his voice.

“Ryan…” “No, you wouldn’t do this to me, right? I love you, Y/N. I need you. I let you leave so you could get better, not to …”

His voice cut out, and his sentence went unfinished. You didn’t really know what to tell him. The voicemail was made impulsively. You had a bad day yesterday. Well, you had a lot of bad days recently.

“What do I have to do Y/N? Tell me what I can do? I thought that letting you go home, getting out for a while might help, apparently it didn’t. God, if you tell me that you want to come home, home to me, I’ll step on the next airplane and will get you myself.”

You laughed humourlessly.

“No, you were right. I have to fix myself. I had to get away from all of that. But I just can’t seem to get better. I don’t know that else to do, Ryan. I try to focus on myself, I go to a therapist, I try to get outside a lot. But… nothing.”

“You will get better, you have to. I couldn’t handle losing you, Y/N!”

Denver airport was buzzing this particular early February morning. You stood at the baggage claim, waiting for your suitcase to appear. The waiting time left you questioning yourself whether you made the right decision to come back here. You were only coming for a few days. To catch up with Mel and Linnea. Really Mel had been the one pushing you, saying that it would do you good to talk with someone you used to see almost everyday.

Finally you spotted your suitcase and made your way towards the exit. Finding Mel was easy enough, since she had spotted you way before you were near her and was now waving frantically. As soon as you got to her she gave you a big hug. Still, you were feeling at unease. You didn’t really know why. The team was on a roadtrip and wouldn’t be back for a few days, so there was no possibility to run into Ryan.

You weren’t actively avoiding him but you weren’t ready to face him either. YOU hadn’t spoken to him in weeks. You were supposed to be gone for a bit and come back once you felt better. Now over 2 months had passed and you weren’t better at all. You weren’t ready to come back, you were just visiting. You weren’t even sure anymore if you could ever come back. And that scared you. You used to love the city, loved living here, loved your job. Now, that was all gone. How would you be able to tell Ryan this? Tell him that you were failing at fixing yourself. Tell him to wait around for you, in hope that maybe one day, one day you would get better.

He had tried to call you occasionally but you usually weren’t picking up. Just sending him lame excuses for not answering the phone, knowing that he would see right through you. But you couldn’t stand to hear his voice. He cared so much, even though you weren’t giving him any reason to. You wouldn’t be able to lie to him, wouldn’t be able to give him false hope, that it would all work out. Cause truly, you’d given up hope.

Mel was right. Catching up did you good. You had missed her, in a way you had also missed Denver. The Denver you used to love, before everything turned grey and lifeless. You talked to her for hours. You played with Linnea, went out for lunch and even agreed to watch the Avs game in the evening.

Talking with Mel put a lot into perspective for you. You saw things from a different view. You realised that not everything always was gonna be perfect. That you didn’t need to have that dreamjob to feel happy. Quiet the opposite actually. Trying to be enough had torn you apart.

You didn’t just talk about you and your struggles but also about stupid everyday things. About that coffeeshop you went to, about funny stories on the team, about Linnea’s newest adventures. And you realised how much you wanted this back. This life you used to love so much, before you let it take control over you.

Those couple of days seemed to pass in a hurry and you would soon return home. This time with a goal to return rather sooner than later. That morning Gabe had left for the first practice since returning from their roadtrip. When he came back the three of you, Linnea was asleep upstairs, hung around in the kitchen making light conversation. You heard the door open and close, but you really didn’t think of much. Mel’s panicked look threw you off guard.

“You were supposed to tell Ryan that he can’t come over after practice today,- !” Mel’s harsh whispering towards Gabe was cut short as Ryan entered the kitchen. Suddenly everything went silent. It took Ryan a couple seconds to spot you, but his shocked look his face told you that Gabe at least hadn’t told the team that you were back in town.

Ryan was still wrangling for words, while Gabe and Mel quickly escaped the kitchen. You wished you could have too.

“You’re back. I didn’t know…” You knew he didn’t mean to sound so accusing and hurt, but it still stung. “Were you going to tell me?”

You were fighting for words. You didn’t think you would see him, you were hoping he wouldn’t find out. Your silence was enough of an answer for him, the disappointment written all over his face.

“I only came to visit, I’m not staying, Ryan.” You realised too late how wrong your words sounded. Ryan let out a sigh, frustration slowly building up.

“Obviously not to visit me.” He sounded sad and hurt. “I thought this was just some time away for you, not like… a breakup or something.”

“It’s not, Ryan. I- “ But you really didn’t know how to answer this honestly. Because it did feel like a breakup to you too.

He stepped closer to you before speaking up quietly. “ I love you, Y/N! I always will. And I’ll wait for you as long as you want me to. I won’t give up on you, ok? But if this is not what you want anymore, I need to know. Cause I can’t keep calling you, reaching out to you, keep holding on if you have already let go.”

You wanted to speak up, but you just didn’t know how. You just didn’t know how to let him down easy. And you could see in his eyes that he was waiting for you. But the longer you waited, the further he seemed to slip away.

He gave you a sad smile and a silently mouthed “I love you” before turning around and walking towards the door.

You knew he was long out of earshot when you finally spoke those words back to him.

“I love you too, Ryan.”

The rest of the day passed slowly. Everything seemed to drag on. You would fly back home the next day and you knew you had to tell Ryan to hold on just a bit longer. But you felt immobilized. Mel tried to talk to you about your confrontation, but to no use. You pushed her away, shut her out. So she let you be.

You were sitting in Mel’s car on your way to the airport. Mel was making light conversation and was actively avoiding the elephant in the room. And you were thankful for that. You wouldn’t know what to say.

For a minute you considered telling Mel to turn the car around and drive you to Ryan’s apartment. To your apartment. But you couldn’t do it. And a couple hours later you were sitting in the plane taking you towards your hometown.

You’d been sulking at home the entire rest of the day. You had to tell him. The sooner the better. But you hated confrontation so you waited til the next morning, when you were sure he was at practice. Your voicemail was short but hopefully enough to get the message across.

“Don’t… don’t give up on me, Ryan. I’m trying ok?” That was all you had said.

When he called you in the evening, it was the first time in a long time you answered to one of his calls. You talked for what felt like hours. Nothing deep or meaningful, just the little things. But when you hung up and you went to bed, it was the first time in months where you didn’t have trouble falling asleep.

Now you weren’t missing a single call of his. He asked you about your day, about your session with the therapist, whether you’d drank enough water and you would ask him about his day, about the team, about practice or about the game. Over the next months those calls started to become your favourite part of your day. It was one of the things you were looking forward to.

As you were sitting in your therapist’s office late in march, you kept replaying something she’d said earlier during the session. “You only know how to use the tools to fix your heart, but that doesn’t mean someone else can’t stand beside you and hand them to you.”

And you realised just how right she was. While nobody else could use those tools, it helped to know that there was someone standing beside you supporting you, helping you out, guiding you. And that someone was Ryan. And you knew then that that two of you would be fine. Even if it took a while til you got better. You’d already gotten better over the last few weeks.

So a couple of days before the regular season ended you flew back into Denver. This time not for a visit. You hadn’t told Ryan that you were coming. Since Mel or Gabe couldn’t come pick you up EJ came and drove you home. Talking with him on the drive home made you realise just how much you missed the team. They were like a second family to you. EJ was probably more excited for you to be back than you himself. He kept telling you how hard it had been for Ryan to be away from you and that he was glad that you were finally back so he wouldn’t have to hear Ryan pour his heart out to him on every team flight.

EJ helped you carry your bags up to your apartment door but told you that he would let the two of you reunite in peace. It took you a bit to calm your nerves before you were able to knock. Technically you still had the key and it was still your home as well, but you didn’t want to just barge in.

You could hear his footsteps walking towards the door and you were sure that you could feel your heart beating louder than ever before. You couldn’t hear any hesitation in his steps, indicating that he definitely hadn’t looked through the peephole before opening the door. This was only further proven by his shocked expression he wore when realising who was standing in front of him.

The surprised expression didn’t stay for long though and before you knew you were being scooped up into his arms. You could hear him exhale slowly. “You’re back…”

Your breath was caught in your throat. Shocked you looked down at the ice where your boyfriend had you moments before made heavy contact with the boards. It was midway through the third period and an opposing player thought the best was to avenge his teams 4 goal deficit by giving out a dirty boarding hit. It was the last regular season game and the clinching game for both teams, so emotions were running hot. He was still down, not moving. You watched in shock as the athletic trainers made their way onto the ice. Mel had wrapped an arms around your shoulder but you barely acknowledged her.

You could faintly hear her soft “He’s going to be fine Y/N, okay?” All you could do was give her a slow nod. In what seemed like slow motion, Ryan was helped onto his feet by the trainer and some of his teammates. His head hung low and he was basically dragged towards the tunnel but at least he was able to get up on his own.

You released the breath you were holding. You were still shaking but he seemed to be better than you first anticipated. The rest of the game passed by you in a blur. You were on autopilot. You barley registered Nate scoring on the powerplay that resulted from the hit. Neither did you acknowledge the empty netter from Mikko making it 6-0 for the avs in the end and subsequently clinching a playoff spot. As soon as the buzzer sounded you were out of your seat, trying to make your way down to the locker room.

Mel caught your arm and tugged you towards her. “Hey, he will be just fine, okay? He’s a though one. Let’s go down together, yeah?” You quickly nodded and gave her a hug. “Thank you, I don’t know what I would do without you sometimes.” You meant it, she was always such a good friend to you. She gave you a reassuring smile before wrapping an arm around you and making your way down to the locker room.

You were pacing holes into the carpet in the families room, impatiently waiting for someone to come out of the locker room and give you an update on Ryan. You nearly jumped EJ when he finally emerged as the first player.

“He’s fine Y/N. Just a little shaken up. He’ll be out soon.” He gave you a quick hug. And it really didn’t take long for Ryan to emerge. He looked tired and worn out, but he was walking on his own and you couldn’t detect any injury so you took this as a good sign.

He quickly closed the distance and pulled you in for hug. It was quiet but you could still hear him mutter “I’m fine, Y/N. I’m glad you’re back” into your hair. And in this moment you realised that the anxiety, the tight feeling in your chest and the worry about Ryan had lifted. One simple hug let all your worries wash away. It seemed to fix all your problems and worries. Just like it had used to do.

When Ryan pulled away you could see it in him as well. That realization. He gave you a kiss on your temple.

“You’re back, Y/N. You’re back. God, I missed you so much.”

And you knew he didn’t just mean your physical return to Denver. You were back.

*the end*

#ryan graves #ryan graves fic #ryan graves imagine #ryan graves x reader #nhl imagine #nhl fanfiction #colorado avalanche

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blackcherrykiss · 3 years

Text

BLOOD BOUNDARIES - Enhypen OT7 Fanfic (ch.3)

[CH.1] [CH.2 ] previous chapters

[CH.4] next chapter

genre: vampire au, romance, drama, mystery, thriller

note: written inspired by enhypen's storyline, given-taken lyrics & teasers. please keep in mind all members are apart of this fanfic and the main theme is mystery/drama!

...

"Kyungeun is that a... Hickey?" You blush at the unfamiliar sight.

"N-no n-not exactly...? I'm actually not allowed to show others this..." She exhaled deeply.

"Allowed?" You questioned her word choice.

"I-I mean, other girls would think I'm a slut if they saw this? I guess..."

"Oh, I understand. The girls here can be so judgemental... I can see why you'd want to hide it," You proceeded to comfort her as you felt unwillingly suspicious of her, "Don't worry! secret safe with me!" You pretended to zip your lips closed. However, you were still sceptical of the lack of confidence she had sewed in her words. But it wasn't like you were going to fish for the real story and details.

"You're literally an angel sent from the heavens..." She fiddled with her slender fingers, "You're so innocent and pure... Please stay that way." She said with a sentimental tone. "What about you? Don't you have any weight on your shoulders? I feel bad that you're always the listening rock." She frowned.

You could tell she would genuinely listen, giving you a bit of confidence to speak up, "Actually, I do have something."

"Mhm? What's up?" She went into an attentive mode.

"Well... You know of Lee Heeseung right? He's a senior, relatively tall, red hair, fawn-like eyes... I'm sure you're friends with him."

"Yeah, I-I know him."

"Well... This sounds a little unrealistic but I've been needing to tell someone cause it was just so bizarre but, yesterday I fell in front of him and scraped my hand." You cracked up in between from the embarrassing story, "And so it started to bleed right?"

Kyungeun stared into space, emotion leaving her eyes, "Right...?"

"Again... I know this sounds so strange but then he..." You hesitated as you got to the weird part, making every word harder to say. "But then... He licked it... T-the blood..." You awaited a laughing face from her but instead received a silent reaction. "Sorry, you probably think I'm lying right? But I swear it happened." You scoffed at yourself.

"No... I believe you..." Kyungeun spoke softly.

"In fact, it actually happened while I was walking back to the dorms with Jungwon." You added in the detail.

"Jungwon!? Are you still hanging around him?!"

"Jeez, he's not that big of a loser... Jungwon's been getting kind of popular amongst the girls actually. I hear some girls talk about him." You were kind of flustered pointing out those observations, quickly fanning away those awkward feelings.

"Do you usually hang out with Jungwon alone?!" She said with concern filled eyes.

"Woah, when you put it that way haha... It sounds scandalous." You whisper even if it's just you two in the change room.

"Look Y/N, you need to stop hanging around with-" She cut herself off when a wave of girls burst into the clearing.

"Hmm? With?"

"Nevermind. Let's go do the warmup!" Her mood flipping like a switch in front of the sudden crowd

You wrap up your morning classes that day, which only moved slower with nothing in your body but water and an hour of sleep.

Packing up after your physics teacher deciding to end class early, you're moving at the speed of light to be the first to the dining hall. That is until you pass Jaeyun packing up his textbooks. Your two stares meet, triggering something bad in your intuition. Many bad feelings seem to be associated with him now that you know what kind of people he hangs around. You begin to walk funny upon such small interaction with him. With mismatched steps, you shuffle through all kinds of laughter and conversations amongst your classmates. You weren't exactly dismissed yet but it was your mission to leave earlier than everyone else and avoid the lunch wave.

With some luck, you slip out of the room successfully entering the vacant hallways. The emptiness and white noise of the halls haunting you. In short, your school was originally a castle built during the 18th century and retained its character over the years. However, the design made it much scarier to roam.

"Y/N... can I ask you something?" You hear a loud echo from behind.

You just know exactly who that is. You don't even need to turn around to know the only possible soul it could be is Sim Jaeyun. You were more surprised he knew your name more than the fact this was the first time you heard his voice clearly.

You hear the heels of his shoes ring against the clean polished tiles.

"Not sure if I'll answer but ask away." You turn around unaware of how close he had gotten. You move your foot back as he looked deep into your soul. It was as if he knew exactly that eye contact was your weakness.

"How much do you know?" He questioned while taking an alarmingly close shift toward you, cornering you.

"About?" You weren't sure of where this conversation was going but you were honestly clueless.

"About us. Don't act like you don't know who I was referring too." He was now just barely outside your 'personal space'.

An airy chuckle escapes you, "Is everyone trying to hide something from me? The answer is nothing. All I know is you're apart of some pretty boy gang and I shouldn't get involved with you."

"Sweetheart once you get involved with us, you can't get out." He bent closer with a sneer.

"Huh? I've only met half of you and you're all weird as hell. All I did was fall in front of Heeseung, how am I involved with you guys?" You push him back with your index finger.

"I heard about that situation. Heeseung's kind of bold isn't he?" Jaeyun snickers, "It's just fun for us to see someone who knows so little yet so much about us now."

You tried to express both your confusion and frustration through your face. It was unbelievable what he was saying but it was interesting that Heeseung would mention the incident to other people. "So little yet so much? I swear my roommates know more about you guys than I do."

"Do they? Or do they just know what we want them to?" He looked satisfied seeing your brain melt trying to process what he meant. "Think a little harder about what Heeseung did to you the other day."

You shook away the long thoughts he left you with, "Look. I lost my appetite earlier from you guys. I have not eaten since last night and I'm about to explode. Can we continue this another time-"

He bit the side of his lower lip, looking around before bringing himself to a distance where he was so close you could kiss him with just the slight movement of breathing, "I'm starving too but I've got my boundaries."

You felt like he was challenging you as a way of hooking you deeper. "Really? Are you sure you aren't crossing those boundaries?" You whisper clearly into his ear, with your head wide above the crook of his neck as you notice Jungwon behind Jaeyun.

#enhypen fanfic #enhypen imagines #enhypen vampire #enhypen scenarios #yang jungwon #lee heeseung #park jeongseong #sim jaeyun #park sunghoon #kim sunoo #nishimura riki #jungwon fanfic #heeseung fanfic #enhypen jay fanfic #sunghoon fanfic #sunoo fanfic #enhypen niki fanfic

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edengarden · 3 years

Text

BNHA CONCERT BAND AU BC IM A NERD

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS OR HEADCANONS AKSJHD PLS ASK ME I LOVE BAND I LOVE MUSIC AND I LOVE THIS-

Izuku Midoriya:

Boy definitely plays a wind instrument. I’m assigning him clarinet

Wants to be first chair so bad, he practices so freaking much I swear

ALWAYS. IN. A. BAND. ROOM. with Iida and Uraraka. They’re always practicing

He’s so confused with music theory, please help him. He just,, WHY is it minor?? WHY IS THERE A SOLO WITH NOTHING WRITTEN?? WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE HAS TO IMPROVISE WITH THE CHORDS WRITTEN OVER THE BARS-

Ochako Uraraka:

ALTO SAXOPHONE-

She’s also comfortable enough to play 2nd or 3rd clarinet if needed, or even soprano saxophone

Doesn’t have her own instrument, she borrows from the school and she HATES the reeds, they’re crap. When someone gives her a good reed, she CHERISHES it.

In jazz band also! With the same instrument, but she doesn’t feel ready for solos so she’s usually 2nd or 3rd. Bro when she has to switch from swing to straight she ALWAYS forgets and it’s the band’s downfall.

Tenya Iida:

TRUMPET TRUMPET TRUMPET TRU-

And he’s one of THOSE trumpet players, by the way.

“Sir the French horns aren’t tuned” yeah, he has perfect pitch

Literally plays flight of the bumblebee as warm up. Or has his own warm up scales. Never practices right before practice though, he thinks it’s “too late” for that

Has his own trumpet, it’s silver with hints of gold/brass. Takes care of it RELIGIOUSLY.

He HATES having to blow out spit onto the floor, but dude what other choice do you have??

Momo Yaoyorozu:

Sweet angel 🥺🥺 she’s an oboe player

Definitely bought her own instrument

Sight reading MASTER. she instantly gets the key bro, it’s so rare that she forgets an incidental

Definitely leads sectionals all the time. And she does it WELL.

When people (*COUGH* BASSES*cough*) slowdown, she’ll sway to the beat in hopes that they’ll follow her

Kyoka Jirou:

Electric bass or contrabass, give her either and she’s good to go dude.

Also has perfect pitch and knows her music theory WAY more than a high school student should know. She’s a genius.

Her warm ups? Jam sessions with Hanta and Todoroki. She just shouts a key and they go. It’s usually jazz, she plays a pretty constant pattern, Todoroki tries to improvise but hanta takes over pretty quick-

Definitely in jazz band as well. Also in a school competition band (like singer and stuff), also a one-woman-band. She’s in so many bands dude.

Shouto Todoroki:

TENOR SAXOPHONE

Also has a background in flute bc his parents wanted him to have ~versatility~

Knows all the theory in his head, like he knows what’s going on, he just doesn’t know how to explain it

*false note* “sorry my instrument isn’t warmed up, it’s probably my reed”

Has plastic reeds. And reeds ESPECIALLY for jazz.

Oh yeah he’s in jazz band! Loves that he’s like, the only tenor saxophone so he gets all the solos

Rikidou Satou:

TUBA PLAYER IN DA HOUUUSSEEE

Buddy actually brings the tuba home to practice, he drags that thing AROUND.

Always. Slows. Down. But no one knows it’s his fault most of the time, they blame Sero-

Firmly believes in the “basses are the foundation of the orchestra” mindset, he’s so proud to be a bass

Kouji Kouda:

Soprano Saxophone, but can also handle clarinet if the need comes (he just loves the sound of soprano sax you guys)

DEFINITELY in jazz band, but as a Tenor Sax 2 bc he knows if he went as a soprano sax he probably would’ve gotten solos

Is it Momo’s oboe?? Is it Kouda’s soprano sax?? No one knows the different except those two and Jirou

Plays Shostakovich’s jazz suite no. 2 as a warm up

DEFINITELY A SWAYER. He just gets into the mood of the music and SWAYS.

Tooru Hagakure:

Flautist!! She chose it as an 11 y/o bc it was a girly instrument but she really likes it lol

A mediocre player, she spends most of warm up with Mina tho, she thinks that she’ll get to warm up when she’s playing bc I mean— no one hears the flutes

Wanted to main the picolo for the sole purpose that it’s an Ear Destroyer. Aizawa heard the mischief in her voice and said no.

Sight reading?? What’s that?? She has no idea what’s going on, she just pretends to play and when she’s comfortable with the melody, she’ll just step in. NEVER notices key changes and signatures.

Yuuga Aoyama:

LASKHDSJ FLAUTIST!! Also clarinetist. He loves being able to stay where he is during practice even though he changes instruments it’s sort of funny

His cheeks get SO SORE when he plays clarinet though and he WILL complain.

“My flute is so heavy!” Kind of guy.

Definitely has his own instruments and takes GREAT care of them.

Wetting his reed with his saliva?? No, he plops it in a glass of water instead (the reeds are definitely his own, and expensive)

Tsuyu Asui:

Trombone gang bro.

Positions are burnt into her brain dude she’ll never go out of tune.

SO SMOOTH. SOOOO SMOOO- dude she plays so well?? It’s never spitty, but during jazz (yes she’s in jazz), if it’s a moody piece she KNOWS how to make it juuussssttt airy enough to be beautiful

Not that good with fast songs, but she makes up for her amazing ass vibrato and her range. GOD-LIKE RANGE.

Mashirao Ojirou:

FRENCH HORN!!!

Omg he plays like a king. And he’s so proud of being the ONLY one playing French horn, but there is PRESSURE, because a French horn is rlly tricky to tune dude. Have you SEEN it??

Always keeps his mouthpiece with him, as if he’s afraid someone will play his instrument?? Like no dude it’s good in it’s case but you do you I guess

He doesn’t stand out that much, but in the majestic pieces where he has a 5 measure solo?? He gives it his all and he pulls it OFF. Those moments are always the highlight of the piece

Mezou Shouji:

Bass clarinet!!

Once he managed to growl through bass clarinet and literally ALL the saxophone players were jealous AS FUCK

Buddy goes to a low E♭ like it’s nothing?? And then he goes up to like a high high C and you’re sitting there like THE FUCKING RANGE-

His warmups are like, quick scales and arpeggios. Bro he’s so steady when he plays and he could play for HOURS. Sore cheeks?? Don’t know her.

He so proud of being a bass clarinetist, but when he saw an octobass clarinet?? Aizawa better order one of those for him RIGHT. NOW.

Fumikage Tokoyami:

Baritone saxophone. Also lowkey really wants to learn bassoon because it’s such an old instrument

SKSKS he and Shouji sit next to each other, Tokoyami loves to read off of Shouji’s partition and create the WORST fourths you’ll ever hear. Even Midoriya told them to shut the fuck up once

In jazz band too!! Still plays bari sax

Such,, a good,, sound. So,, meaty,, and full,, and HOT. Bari sax is HOT!!

Plays moanin’s intro as a warm up. Search up the song. It’s bomb.

He loves to figure out new sounds with his bari sax. The Too Many Zooz type of sounds

Hitoshi Shinsou:

PERCUSSIONIST. Especially loves the bells, timpani, vibraphone and marimba.

He’s in the back judging EVERYONE. It’s so great for him, he gets to stand there and cringe and no one will know

Totally able to play 4 mallets like the king he is

Surprisingly enough, he’s rlly good in music theory. Like he could probably compose or transpose something no problem

Aizawa’s favourite, of course. Will ask him to sit in front while they play and circle the parts where he thinks something sounds off

Now that we’ve talked about the NORMAL band kids, I present to you,,, the gremlin band kids

Mina Ashido:

Percussionist as well!! She loves snares but you’ll see her pick up castagnettes even if y’all are playing something like Gymnopédie no. 3 she’s a bit confused but she got the spirit.

CANNOT READ SHEET MUSIC. Like notes?? No. She can do beats, just not notes. Let Shinsou figure out the ancient languages dude

Her and Hagakure don’t warm up, they just gossip together.

Did this to Bakugou more than once

SHE DROPPED SO MUCH EQUIPMENT LIKE HOW DID SHE NOT BREAK ANYTHING YET??

Denki Kaminari:

TRUMPET.

Buddy AIMS to have his spit land on someone sitting in front of him (rip Todoroki and Uraraka)

Thinks he’s cool because he plays trumpet, but he always loses count. God forbid Iida cant show up to practice because Kaminari will die

“Where are we? What are we doing? Which piece are we doing? Where are we starting?” Oh my god he’s so lost can SOMEONE please help him

Always gets in trouble during band camps dude. He and Sero are the Bad Brass duo

Eijirou Kirishima:

EUPHONIUM BABEY!! He thinks it’s so cool and he’ll get so insulted if someone calls it a “mini tuba”

DONT GIVE HIM SHEET MUSIC IN BASS CLEF HE HATES IT PLS JUST TREBLE CLEF

So!! Protective of his euphonium. His name is Johnny, by the way. He named his instrument.

When they finish practicing a piece, he’s the first to give feedback. Usually it’s good, like praises for classmates he heard and thought were really good!!

He’s so sweet. Willing to help others during practice and sectionals too!! It’s so sad that he’s literally on the other side of the room bc KAMINARI NEEDS HIS HELP-

Katsuki Bakugou:

Hehehe he’s a flautist. I’ve stood by this headcanon for like two years.

And he wants to be THE BEST. You never knew growling could be done through a flute until you met Bakugou.

CANNOT STAND slow pieces. He wants to go all out all the time, he always speeds up when the tempo’s slow.

Also in jazz band with what? Flute. Yeah, this is George Benson Time.

Will hit you with his flute if you ever think badly of him for playing flute. He’ll defend flute ‘till he dies.

Hanta Sero:

TROMBONIST!!! TROMBONE BABEY.

Will be so happy if he’s in charge of bass trombone?? Like yay??

Always wants to hit Bakugou’s head while playing.

Bro his playing style?? You know the like, lazy-ish trombone playing? But it’s just so full and smooth and heavy anyways? That type of shit.

In jazz band, he’s actually a natural at jazz, doesn’t practice that much so he’s like not even in a good position, buddy just slouches and sight reads.

I love Hanta sm guys I could talk abt trombonist!Hanta forever

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keichan · 4 years

Text

Running Through the Night Tsukishima x fem!reader Part 3: His Confession

You and Tsukishima have been friends for as long as you two could remember. With a very unexpected confession, how will this affect you two?

Authors note: I hope this chapter hurts <3 Thank you guys for supporting my work! Ily! Please leave some feedback if you like how everything is going so far!

Word count: 2143

Genre: college au, unrequited love, angst, best friends to lovers, fluff somewhere in there, mutual pining

Warnings: manga time skip!!! swearing!

Send me a message or ask to be added to the taglist !

masterlist・previous・next

You and Yamaguchi centered around your laptop watching the Sendai Frogs’ highlights from the game that happened a few hours previously. The Sendai Frogs obliterated the team that they were up against. Kei wasn’t kidding when he said that they’d take the game in straight sets.

“Wow! Tsukki was on fire tonight!” Yamaguchi leans closer to the laptop to see a clip of Tsukishima stuffing the opposing team’s ace. The highlight reel comes to an end with the teams logo appearing and the screen turning black.

“That was a really good game! I’m so proud of him!” you smile as you close your laptop. “Is it just me, or was he playing differently than normal?” you glance up at him. “Much more... Aggressive?”

Yamaguchi let himself sink even further into his seat, “Maybe something gave him even more motivation for blocking. Like in high school when we went up against Ushiwaka-san? With all the extra practices he has been going to,” he suggests. But every word is covered in uncertainty. A frown settles on your face. You know it’s not it. Nothing adds up. He’s been acting far off and hard to reach lately. There’s something else.

Kei wasn’t necessarily someone who is easy to confront. No matter what he will come off as cold and mocking if you try to intervene in personal feelings. You know all too well with what happened after Kei found out about Akiteru’s secret back all those years ago. The best you can do to support him and be happy. After all it’s seemed to work for all of these years.

“Yama, do you know what’s been wrong with him? He always leaves my house without saying a word. Each time he leaves, it’s like he’s there, but he’s out of my grasp. It’s hard to reach him outside of movie nights. I just don’t get it, we’ve been friends for over 15 years, but it’s just, I don’t know? Fading?” the words pour out. You place your face in your hands, not even bothering to look at Yamaguchi.

“I think-“

He was cut off by the sound of your phone ringing.

Matsukawa Issei flashed on your screen.

“Who is it?”

“Matsukawa-san from Seijoh.”

Yamaguchi shot you a confused expression. You haven’t heard from him in a few months, and it was already dipping late into the evening. You wondered what it could possibly be.

“Hello?”

“Yo! Y/N! Are you busy right now?” He was yelling over the sound of music. He must’ve been out at a bar. After all it was a Saturday night.

“I’m with Yamaguchi right now. Why what’s up?”

“Errm… Well uh-“ Matsukawa got cut off to a thud in the background. “Goddammit you guys just hold him up!” he yelled. “So uh… basically Hanamaki and I happened to be at the same club as Tsukishima and his teammates. I think they were celebrating their win tonight. But umm, he’s kinda fucked up. Like really fucked up. We’re trying to give him water and sober him up. We’re sober enough, just not good enough to drive. Would you and Yamaguchi come up here and pick him up? You were the first person I could think of.”

“Yeah. Send me the address and I’ll be there.” Yamaguchi already has his car keys in his hand, standing at the door.

“Where are we going?”

You tilted the phone away from your ear, barely managing a smile. “We’re picking up Kei from the bar. He celebrated a little too hard.”

The silence in the car was stifling. You and Yamaguchi knew that it was out of character for Kei to get fucked up to the point that someone has to go and get him. The three of you (and other Karasuno alumni) have gone out to casually drink, but everyone knows their limit unless it was the intention to get to that point. Which was just an extreme rarity to begin with.

The tension was getting to you, so you decided to bring up a different topic. “I’m glad that our plans are really coming along nicely, aren’t you?” Yamaguchi looks over his shoulder at you and grins. “Yeah. Yeah, I am.”

The bar wasn’t too crowded when you arrived. You and Yamaguchi walk across the dance floor, automatically feeling out of place, dressed in sweats and sneakers. Tsukishima was slumped over a small round table with an arm completely draping off. Matsukawa, Hanamaki, and the captain of Kei’s team sat around him, sipping on their drinks, enjoying each other’s company as if the unconscious man wasn’t at their table.

“Matsukawa! Hanamaki! Nakamura!” You wave at them. They all stand up to give you a hug and say their hellos to Yamaguchi. The five of you glanced over at Tsukishima to the sound of him groaning. He attempted to lift his head just for it to plop back down onto the table.

“So how did this happen?” Yamaguchi shouted over the music. He rubbed his head nervously before Nakamura placed an arm around his shoulder, “Well Tsukishima was acting pretty strange during warmups and throughout the game. We didn’t really think of anything of it though. He usually goes to all outings with the team regardless. But when he got here, he took every opportunity to down drinks.” Nakamura nodded his head at Tsukishima, “He got to the point where he couldn’t really stand so me and red hair right here managed to get him to where he is now. And Matsugawa-“ “It’s Matsukawa” “Matsukawa, called you, Y/N, and now we’re here!” He stuck his chin up looking satisfied with his answer.

He reached over and placed a hand on your shoulder, “Plus it’s always nice seeing you! You haven’t come by to watch us practice in a while.” You glanced down at the wooden floor, “Sorry, I’ve just been really overwhelmed with school and work, it’s been hard to make time like I used to.”

He shook both of his hands, “No no! It’s not a big deal! Don’t feel bad!” Before you could say another world Yamaguchi speaks up, “Let go ahead and get Tsukki in the car.”

You and Yamaguchi were able to wake him up and get him to stand up on his feet. Using you two as his support, Tsukishima slowly walked across the dance floor, tripping over himself every few steps. Mumbling incoherencies about him being able to walk, that it’s ridiculous that you two showed up when he’s fine and sober. His face scrunched up

You managed to lower him into the backseat of Yamaguchi’s car, which was harder than you think, but after all, he is 6’5. You buckled in his seat belt and began to pull away when he lazily grabbed your arm.

“Thanks, Y/N” he quietly mumbled before his hand slid off and slumped his head against the headrest.

The three of you successfully managed to get to his apartment upstairs and into his bedroom without Tsukishima falling on the floor.

“Y/N, I’m so sorry, I have to go. I have to be at work really early tomorrow. Do you think that you can handle him?” Yamaguchi sets down a glass of water on Kei’s bedside table with a bottle of aspirin. You nod towards the door, “Go ahead. I can handle Kei. We both know that he’s just a big toddler when he’s like this anyways.”

Yamaguchi laughed in agreement. “See ya! Goodnight, Y/N!”

You heard the front door to the apartment close just to have Kei try to sit up in his bed.

“Ah Kei! You’re awake! Here drink some water and take this!” you pass him the glass and the medicine he slowly takes it. He almost misses the nightstand when putting the water back on it. He slowly looks at you, “Sowwy,” the simple phrase comes out slurred. “I’m jus kinof drunk,” he lets out a soft chuckle before placing his hands behind him on the comforter to support his weight. You look at him expecting to see the usual smirk, but instead it’s a playful smile.

“S’okay.” You walk over to his closet to grab him a change of clothes. Knowing him, he’d be pissed if he woke up in jeans the following morning. You place everything folded nicely beside him. “Kei, I’m gonna go use the bathroom real quick, go ahead and change okay,” the blonde nods as you exit the room.

After a few minutes you come in to see him pulling his shirt down over his head. You pick up the rest of his clothes piled at the side of his bed and place them in the laundry basket on the opposite side of his room.

“Hey, Y/N,” you turned around to see him towering over you. His usually stern features are completely softened. There’s a twinge of sadness in his eyes. You furrow your eyebrows in concern.

“Are you o-”

“Why is it that I try so hard for you…” he talks slowly in an attempt to articulate every word, but his words still come out slurred. “And you just don’t notice me.” His voice faltered.

“What are you talking about, Kei? We’ve been best friends for as long as we both can remember. We’re always together, even despite school and your volleyball career. Of course I notice you.”

He shakes his head and grabs your wrist and looks directly into your eyes. “That’s not what I mean.”

“Then what do you m-”

“I love you, Y/N”

There was a brief silence before you let out a short laugh causing his grip to tighten the slightest bit.

“I love you too, Kei? What are you going about?”

His eyes began to water. “Y/N, I have loved you for as long as I can remember. There isn’t a second that goes by that you’re not on my mind. Every time I see you, my heart grows warm. I want you to always be happy. No… I want to be the reason that you can be happy everyday. Trust me, I know that I’m cocky, I know I’m a smartass, but I’d do anything for you. I’ll be better than him for you-”

“Kei, please slow down I-”

“I’ve been wanting to tell you this for so long I just never had the courage. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met in my entire life. You’re so kind and compassionate, I don’t get how you manage to put up with me sometimes. I am so grateful to have you in my life. I just want to be there for all of your highs and comfort you in all of your lows. After we both graduate from college when we land our dream jobs we can move in together and go adopt a dog like you’ve always wanted. I just want to live out my life with you. Y/N, you make every moment of my life so fulfilling. I cherish you with all of my heart.”

You stood there in awe with your mouth slightly agape trying to comprehend everything that just happened. You didn’t even realize you had tears slowly lining your cheeks until one dropped onto your arm.

“I-I don’t know what to say…” your voice faltered out.

Kei gently rests his hand on your cheek, wiping the tears away as they flow.

“I’m so in love with you L/N F/N” He looks at you dreamily. Never in your life have you seen Tsukishima Kei like this.

Before you could even think to react, Kei quickly leans down and places his lips softly on yours. He pressed a longing kiss on your lips filled with pent up emotions from years and years of longing.

But, you didn’t close your eyes. You didn’t kiss him back. You stood there like a statue. You placed both of your hands carefully on his chest and shifted him away from you slowly.

“Kei, let’s just go to sleep okay,” your voice wavered as you walked him over to the bed, trying your best not to lose your composure in front of him. He just nodded in agreeance Every single thought in your head was screaming for you to leave. You couldn’t wrap your mind around what had just happened. You grabbed his glasses from his face and set them on the nightstand.

“We’ll talk about everything tomorrow okay? I’m going to take the couch tonight. Goodnight, Kei.” Without letting him say a word you turned off the lights and swiftly left the room.

You sat in Tsukishima’s living room staring at the beige wall with tears silently falling down your cheeks. You didn't know what to do. You didn’t fall asleep until the sun came up.

When Tsukishima woke up the following morning he felt absolutely destroyed.

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writing-the-end · 4 years

Text

LoL Chapter 18- Mind and Body

Masterpost

A Wizard Hermits tale (AU and Red belongs to @theguardiansofredland )

After the success of their first day among the elite, a new dawn rises and the hermits continue to prove their worth as a guild and as wizards. From the distance, however, people are watching the hermits much more closely than just if they win or lose.

____________________________________

Somehow, the hermits were in the lead. By the end of the first day, they were leading the boards. Even though they lost the pageant and footrace, their domination of the quick draw, the sea race, and Tango’s evening flight race has them ahead. Behind them, the other two nonguild teams were tied for second. The points from there on were a mess between the guilds.

It was an underdog story for the ages. Three ragtag teams leading the Chimaera’s Championship. Guilds will train for years to win even a bronze medal in the games. They select their teams from only the best, never ceasing to push their limits. And yet, nothing can compare to the determination and skill these outcasts held. Even the hermits had to admit, Team Crafted and the wanderers were strong. But more than that, they were both a team. Just like the hermits.

“I’ve got this, guys.” Iskall laughs, twirling a rod of iskallium in his hand. “These mega guilds won’t know what hit them when they see my sharpshooting skills.”

“I mean, we are winning right now, but...I really wanna win them all.” Mumbo’s had a taste for competition, and now he wants more. “But I’m not so worried about the guilds as I am the other teams that are tied.”

Iskall looks over his shoulder, seeing Avon observing the distance between where she stands to the target down the field. “I think she’s all bark and no bite. I’m gonna show everyone the power of iskallium after today.”

“What kind of mage even is that?” Mumbo questions, noticing the massive black wings on his opponents back. “Is that like Ren’s misfired werewolf mimic?”

“Nah dude, don’t you know anything?” Iskall spikes his iskallium rod into the ground. “That’s a draconic mage.”

“Are they rare? Like...rare as Grian’s sky angel magic or my multi-magic?” Mumbo has never heard of a draconic mage, though he never really learned things like this from his parents. His mood immediately sours at the thought of them. He hopes they’re not here, watching. Or does he?

“Eh, in a way. Not quite like you guys. It’s more of a… finding the right teacher kind of problem.” Iskall sees Mumbo’s confusion only grow. “They have to learn from dragons, dude. Not exactly the most trusting beasts, those big lizards of doom. But don’t worry about that- it’s not like you’ll have to face anything like that.”

“Good luck, Iskall.” Mumbo whispers, retreating as the event starts. He was the only hermit willing to wake up this early for the event. Most are still somewhat drunk from celebrating their victories yesterday. No one imagined they’d do this well. Though, a few were dizzy, and Tango even struggled to get out of bed.

One by one, down the line, wizards use their magic to strike the target. Everything from flecks of dirt to pillows shot at the haybales. One art mage even draws up their own arrows and sends them flying. Some strike near the bullseye, others don’t even reach the target. It was a close match for the former. The drawn arrow was almost perfectly center, just millimeters from landing a perfect score.

Iskall knows he has to be better. He gets three shots. Three tries. His emerald eye flicks across the field, measuring the distance between himself and the target. Three shots and he’ll win. He feels the wind in his hair, blustering for a second and ruining a shot of the person next to him. Three shots and he’ll prove he’s a mega sharpshooter.

It’s his turn. He draws out his rod of iskallium, his own element of creation. It’s radioactive, but he’s immune to it. He can feel the power, the energy within the rod. Energy he plans to use to make a clear, perfect shot. He reels his arm back, and throws the first rod. As soon as it’s airborne, he releases a burst of radioactive energy from the projectile, sending it burying into the target. A near perfect hit.

His next shot is almost identical, though the wind as his rod nears the target pushes it slightly off center. His shoulders sag, a weight pressing down on him, pressing in on his lungs. As long as he doesn’t miss the center ring, he’s got the event in the bag.

He doesn’t miss. Iskall offers a coy smile beneath his beard, though inside he’s freaking out. He’s currently winning a championship event. He stays calm, but in his mind he’s already celebrating. Doing his own little dance in the sand at his feet.

Until a barb whizzes down the field, burying into the center ring. He opens his eye, staring at Avon beside him. Her eyes are trained on the target, like a predator stalking it’s prey. Her wings are slightly ajar, counterbalancing her weight from throwing the poison barb forward. She straightens, another projectile appearing in her fingers. He can see purple toxin dribbling from the tip of the barb. The gaze never falters, determination locking her in. She twists around, launching the barb like an arrow in the wind. It digs into the hay-filled target, the larger base of the barb brushing against her first target.

“No...way.” Iskall whispers. The wind picks up. Surely that will mess her up, right? He was Iskall, deadeye of doom. Nothing can stop him. The last barb flies in slow motion, her throw slightly curved against the wind. Letting the breeze push it to center.

The tip of the barb splits through the first shot. A perfect bullseye, not once but twice. Iskall has no ability to be bummed that he only got silver- that was mega awesome. Avon seems calm, collected even as she receives her medal, albeit tired. Exhausted physically, but never betraying what she’s thinking or feeling.

Mumbo and Iskall are still talking about the sight when Grian and a few other hermits join them in the stands. “So, how’d it go?” Grian sings, trying to be as bouncy as usual despite sleep still holding his eyes. He notices the silver medal hanging off Iskall’s neck. “What?! How’d you only get second? You’re like...the best shot i’ve ever seen, Iskall.”

“Those three wanderers, bro. I’ve never seen a least conspicuous group ever...but wow.” If it wasn’t for their lack of members, they’d give the hermits a run for their money. At least they have that going for them. “So G-man, you ready to prove your true talent?”

“Flying? You bet.” Grian flicks his arms out, and his angelic blue and white wings unfurl from nowhere, appearing like clouds in the sky. “That pageant was just a warmup.”

He hops onto the railing of the seats, before taking off into the air. Flying among other winged wizards, the hermits can already see his mastery of the sky. On the ground, Etho is warming his muscles as obstacles rise above the stadium. Pillars and rings teeter into the sky, caves and ravines digging in the ground, the dual events taking place at the same time. Neither Etho or Grian were the only nonguild wizards- Ecto is back, snacking on a cactus as she watches the course construct before her. In the air, the basilisk mage, Ty, is testing his wings against his short, lanky body.

“I don’t know who to watch!” Mumbo whispers, glancing from one course to the next. A firework crackles in the air, and in both the sky and the sand wizards take off. Across the obstacle course.

“You watch Grian, I’ll watch Etho.” Iskall chuckles, observing as the shadow ninja disappears through a shadow, reappearing in the lead. He bounces off a wall, dropping onto a raised bar and flipping across a pit of acid. Who even made that pit? Seems dangerous. But danger means nothing for Etho, and his incredible agility across the course.

Mumbo is biting his lip, watching as Grian brushes against a pillar of stone in the sky. Grian’s flying is risky, even in the best of times. The amount of heart attacks Grian gives his best friend on a normal day is spectacular. Today is even worse. He loses a year of his life watching the sky angel plummet from the sky, wings snapping open just in time to fly through a ring, pulling into the lead. Mumbo swears he can see a blue feather sheared off Grian’s wing as his friend squeezes between two rocks.

“Oh no, not again!” Iskall’s groan turns Mumbo’s attention to the ground. Ecto and Etho are both at the finish line, huffing and puffing as they clasp hands and congratulate one another. Mischievous eyes glimmer and grin, sharing quips and laughing. The two look at the other contestants, but based on Iskall’s outburst Mumbo knows who won. Again.

“Grian’s winning though!” The two look up, a shadow passing over their seats in the crowd. He’s got a heavy lead, while Ty and a gryphon wizard battle for second. Ty takes the lead, his scaly wings fluttering in the wind and ducking low to go under a blockade. The guild mage flies over, swinging his arm. Magic shoots out, aimed directly at Grian.

“Is that allowed?” Mumbo gasps, standing up. Grian’s almost at the finish line. He can’t let himself get hit by whatever spell the mage just cast.

“Go Grian!” Iskall shouts. “Watch out!”

Grian looks back, eyes widening as the golden magic hurdles his way. He’s so close...he’s not going to lose this. Grian curls his wings, tightening them against his body. He plummets from the sky. Wind whistles across his ears, feathers fluttering and the ground quickly rising up to meet him. But so is the finish line. A blast at his back pushes him into terminal velocity, the guild wizard’s magic blossoming into an explosive barrier. He needs to open his wings, to slow down. But he’ll become a target. So what does he do?

He closes his eyes. And crashes into the ground. Bouncing off the grass and hurtling over the finish line, Grian wins first place. Blood and bruises quickly appear on his skin and face, but he’s conscious and sitting upright as the coliseum erupts into cheers. Iskall and Mumbo only sigh. For the healer of the guild, he gets himself hurt more often than anyone.

Once on the sidelines, Etho helps Mumbo wrap bandages around Grian’s wounds. Mumbo shakes his head, prodding a bruise. “That was totally an illegal move, that explosion.”

“The guilds are pissed that we’re winning.” Etho hums. He tries to manipulate a shadow to cover him against the sun, but frowns when his magic refuses to appear. “You should’ve heard the wizards in the agility course. They think we’re cheating. They don’t get how a bunch of misfits are winning in almost every event.”

“It’s just cause we’re that much mega better.” Iskall chuckles. “They don’t have the awesome teamwork and diverse wizards like us.” He leans back, watching Joe standing before a sphinx. It’s the riddle event. “Maybe if they stopped worrying about money and status they’d do better.”

Grian hisses in pain, only for Etho to hush him. From the field, the sphinx stalks Joe. “I am alive, but without breath. I am as cold as life in death. I’m never thirsty, though I always drink.” The feminine voice purrs from the sandy skin of the sphinx’s human face. Feline haunches roll and rock under feathered wings and fur, but Joe only looks to the sky, his glasses hiding the emotions in his eyes as he thinks. “What am I?”

The hermits hold their breath, watching Joe in the lion’s den. His lips curl up, and his clasps his hands behind his back. “You’re a fish.”

The sphinx pauses, then dips her head. “Well done, poet. How about this? What can you break, even if you never pick it up or touch it?”

Joe snickers. “Easy, a heart.”

“How very poetic, Joe of the Hills.” The creature pauses directly in front of him. “But not what I was looking for.” Teeth snarl and claws glisten, and the embroidered fabric of Joe’s cape is flung across the field, glasses clattering to the side. The hermits collectively wince, even Grian feeling the ache in his bones that Joe will feel come tomorrow. “The next contestant. Ian.”

The engineer mage bounces to the mark, completely unconcerned by the vicious lion-bodied creature before him. He wipes his brow, leaving a trail of black oil across his forehead. “I’m ready for whatever you got, miss sphinx!”

“Hmm, alright then.” She chuckles, sitting on her haunches. A lion’s tail, with feathered tips, flicks like a clock against the grass. “What can bring back the dead; make you cry, make you laugh, make you young; is born in an instant, yet lasts a lifetime?”

“Memories!” Ian quips, grinning proudly. “Let’s see if you got any better.”

The sphinx growls. “Alright, engineer.” She offers another riddle. And another answer. Iskall leans forward, biting his lip. The current leader has only two correct answers- Joe and another wizard were the only ones clever enough to come up with correct answers with enough time. One final question. And one final answer. The sphinx stands up after Ian responds, shoulders rolling. “Congratulations, Ian of the Crafted. You have won my challenge.”

“At least it wasn’t a guild that won. I don’t think we’ve heard the end of it.” Mumbo whispers, sitting back. Grian winces, pulling his arm against the sling it’s in, to which Etho swats him to keep it still.

“Stress is next!” Iskall grins, exciting to see his friend perform. Stress chose this event herself, and no one dared question her claim. And as she stands among the other wizards, she’s easily the most out of place. Surrounded by large men and mages of strength and muscle, many hardly wearing much more than whatever their guild deems necessary and often glistening in oil, Stress crosses her legs and pats the warm material of her ice blue dress. She casts a quick spell, and her short brown hair caresses pale cheeks as an icy wind cools her down. Iskall leans back, shaking his head. “She’s going to freaking crush this.”

And crush it she does. No one, not even the audience is prepared to watch the short, dainty ice wizard lift more weight than any oiled, burly man around her. Her magic, and her own strength, easily lifts the shelled form of a tarasque, a hydra, and a baku in one wall of ice. Not just lift the still living creatures, but doing so with enough care that each beast is left unharmed and even cradled by the ice rink beneath their feet. As soon as the creatures are back on their feet, Stress is immediately cooing- ignoring her gold medal in lieu of praising the hydra’s many heads for all their work helping her win.

Truly a strange mage for the strength event.

__________________________

“Are you sure they’re not here just to compete? You really think they’re here to...stop him?” A black cloaked figure whispers, eyes following the ice wizard as she skips to her friends. From the nosebleed section, the brothers can hardly see each individual person. But the hermits are easy enough to pick out. They stand out, unlike the other guilds. Each person with a unique outfit, unique features.

“If I know my brother, he can never take anything sitting down.” Red fabric moves as the white haired wizard talks, sharp eyes never leaving their target. A mask like that can be seen from a mile away. “And his friends aren’t much better.”

“They’re incredible!” The third figure, clad in a white cloak to hide his mop of rainbow hair, stands to get a better look. His friend grabs him by the arm and pulls his rear back to his seat. “These people are the true heroes we nee-”

“Can’t you be quiet for a minute, loudmouth?” His brother seethes, glancing at their contact. They’ve only just met him today, despite being in contact for much longer.

“I don’t know if I’d call them ‘heroes’, but they’re all Lairyon has.” The contact pulls his cloak’s mask up over his nose, tugging on the long white hairs stuck in between.

“A ragtag team of criminals, rejects, and outcasts is the only hope for Lairyon. Great.” The black cloaked brother huffs, setting his head on a propped up hand.

“How much different is that from us- or, I mean, the crown and his advisor?” The white robe lowers his voice after his brother slaps his arm, sharp gaze daring for him to try that again. “Lairyon needs light to return, and I think these hermits are exactly what we need.”

“I hope you’re right, your majesty.” The contact tugs on his long white ponytail. “They’ll need more help if they expect to survive. Which is why I came to you.”

“Well, let’s get started?” The three stand up, disappearing amongst the crowd. There’s a few people they’ve seen on the field who can help the hermits. Help from afar- as Ex always does.

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