Just a brazilian girl who loves formula 1, kpop and reading; 02 liner; she/her; Reading and reblogging blog (Sometimes you may see me posting some commentaries)
Emersyn had just arrived to the paddock in Bahrain, where f1 testing was taking place this year. She was obviously nervous for the season, as she knew many people will be watching her.
Some of them are just wanting for her to fail, as they don’t believe she should be in f1 and should he in f1 academy or not in motorsport altogether.
Emersyn is here to prove them all wrong.
“Kiddo!” Max called seeing his new teammate just enter the paddock. The young girl turned around to face the multi time world champion.
“Hi Max!” Emersyn said as they hugged as they both started to make their way to Red Bull. “How are you? Feeling nervous?” he asked.
“Yeah, lot of pressure ain’t it?” she replied. “Don’t worry what people are saying, you’re got a seat here for a reason and that’s because you deserve it,” Max told her.
“Always remember that,” he added. “I will, thanks Max, I am looking forward to it,” Emersyn said as he smiled and soon a voice called out to her.
“Lele!!” Kimi called with Ollie behind me. “Look who it is, the trio is finally back together!” Ollie added as Emersyn let out a laugh. “Hi guys!” she said as they hugged.
“You ready for this?” Kimi asked. “As ready as I can be,” she replied. “You deserve to be here, you were insane in f2 last season!” Ollie added which made her smile.
“Ems! Laurent is waiting for us for team briefing!” Max called over. “Okay, I’ll be there now!” Emersyn replied. “See you guys soon,” she said.
“See you Ems!”
“I’ll wave to you on track!”
Emersyn smiled at the pair before making her way over to Max who was waiting for her jusy outside the Red Bull hospitality.
“C’mon let’s get your rookie year started, yeah,” he smirked.
||
“Mack! I actually can’t believe all this! Did I mention Lewis Hamilton knows me and I talked to him?! I have Max Verstappen as a teammate! I was 3rd fastest overall today!” Emersyn rambled as she was on the phone to her boyfriend.
Macklin just smiled listening to her, he was so proud of her getting to formula 1. It was a dream come true for her and it’s showing as she’s not stopped talking since they’ve been on the call.
“and then Kimi dragged me into his pranks wars with Bono and then Ollie found a water gun from somewhere,” she continued
“Baby slow it down a bit yeah? I love seeing you this excited and happy but you’re going to be out a breath soon, take your time Emmie,” Macklin told her softly.
“Sorry! I’m just so happy Mack, I was so nervous earlier but everything has been amazing today,” she said. “I’m so glad of that,” he replied.
“Anyways enough about me! How is my Olympic boyfriend feeling after scoring?” Emersyn said giggling as she saw a blush appear on Macklin.
“I’m feeling great, feels unreal to be playing in this team and happy my family are here to watch. Just wish you were here,” Macklin replied.
“You deserve to be in the team! I’m so annoyed I won’t be able to come over either,” she told him. “It’s okay baby, I want you to be focusing on your first season in formula 1,” he said.
“Ems! You wanna grab food with a few of us?” Kimi shouted from outside her hotel room. “Sure! I’ll meet you guys in the lobby in 10!” Emersyn called back.
“Hurry up talking to your boyfriend, we’re all hungry!” Kimi added which made her roll her eyes and put her focus back on Macklin.
“I guess you’re leaving me?” he joked. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow baby, well done today I’m proud of you!” she told him. “Thanks Emmie, proud of you today as well, love you!” Macklin said.
“Love you too, Mack!” Emersyn replied as she ended the call.
||
“So, how’s your boyfriend?” Kimi smirked making the girl eyes widen. “You have a boyfriend?” Ollie exclaimed. “Who is he?!” Isack added.
“Macklin Celebrini he’s a hockey player, currently playing in the Olympics,” Kimi told them. “How do you even know who is he? I never told you!” Emersyn exclaimed.
“Ems, I heard your entire conversation with him as my hotel room is next to yours!” Kimi said. “So, how long have you been together?” Liam asked. “Last April, so 10 months,” she said.
“You met as he’s on the same team as your dad, right?” Ollie added as she nodded. “We need to meet him one day, you better bring in to a race this year!” Kimi told her.
“If he can, schedule is crazy in the NHL,” Emersyn replied. “Have you told Max?” Isack asked as she kept quiet as the boys let out a laugh.
“He’s going to be so protective over you and non stop ask questions about him, when he finds out,” Liam chuckled as she rolled her eyes.
“It stays just between us, promise?” Emersyn said as they all gave her a look, a look that told her that they want something in return for keeping this a secret.
“Fine, you guys can meet him first and I’ll buy you all tickets to a San Jose game, deal?” Emersyn asked as the 4 boys looked at one enough.
For a brief moment, Violet watched Y/n and Sloane walk ahead of them through the courtyard.
The two first-years were deep in conversation.
Sloane was gesturing animatedly about something, and Y/n was listening with that infuriatingly attentive expression she always seemed to wear.
Then Y/n glanced back.
Caught Violet looking.
And casually waved goodbye.
Like they hadn't spent the last two days unraveling twenty years of mysteries around her existence.
"See you later, Sorrengail."
Then she turned and continued walking beside Sloane.
Just like that.
Normal.
Gods, she was normal.
That somehow made everything worse.
Violet sighed.
Then immediately pivoted.
As she walked back to Brennan's office, the only thing she would tell anyone that she encountered was,
"Meeting."
Xaden didn't even ask.
He simply changed direction, and the others followed.
One by one.
Bodhi.
Imogen.
Garrick.
Ridoc.
Sawyer.
Rhiannon.
Dain.
Mira.
Eventually, they spilled into the office, and once the door shut, only silence followed. Everyone looked at Violet, waiting for any elaboration.
Violet dropped into a chair.
"Okay."
She rubbed her forehead.
"Good news and bad news. We have new information, but very few answers and so many new questions."
And so she told them.
The fireside conversations
The questions.
The answers.
Every detail she could remember.
No matter how small.
No matter how insignificant it seemed.
Because at this point, they were surviving on insignificant details and unsaid interpretations.
When she finished describing Y/n's explanation regarding her training, Garrick nodded immediately.
"Tracks."
Everyone looked at him.
"What?"
"The mentor thing."
He leaned back.
"That's basically what she's told me too."
Ridoc raised his hand.
"Same."
That earned several surprised looks.
"What?" Ridoc said defensively.
"I talk to people."
Imogen snorted.
"You annoy people."
"Both aren't mutually exclusive."
Violet ignored them.
Because everyone was thinking.
Rapidly.
Connecting pieces.
Trying to force a picture from fragments.
Then Violet carefully mentioned the part about Y/n's mother.
And Dain immediately went pale.
The reaction was so obvious everyone noticed.
Rhiannon frowned.
"Aetos?"
Silence.
Then:
"You breathing?"
Dain stared at the table.
For several seconds he didn't answer.
When he finally did, his voice was quieter than usual.
"My mother disappeared when I was younger."
The room went still.
"What?"
Dain swallowed.
"Just a few years after my sister was born. I think I could have been 6 or 7."
Nobody spoke.
Not even Ridoc.
"I haven't heard from her since. No one has. My father basically erased any record of her existence after that so..."
His jaw tightened.
"So hearing Y/n talk about her mother like she's alive is..."
He looked away.
"...weird."
That was putting it mildly.
Violet exchanged a glance with Mira.
Who looked equally unsettled.
Because if Y/n's mother was alive and seemingly present—
And Dain's mother had disappeared—
Then there were implications there nobody was ready to touch.
Not yet.
The room fell silent again.
Everyone digesting.
Processing.
Thinking.
Then suddenly—
Rhiannon sat up.
Eyes bright.
The look she got whenever a puzzle clicked.
"Wait."
Everyone turned.
Rhiannon pointed excitedly.
"Are there books on fighting styles?"
Violet blinked.
"Yes?"
Rhiannon laughed.
Actually laughed.
"There!"
She pointed at the table like she'd discovered gold.
"If we identify her fighting style—"
Bodhi immediately caught on.
"We can identify the regions she spent the most time in."
Rhiannon nodded vigorously.
"Exactly, and there we know where to look. We have riders and flyers from all across the continent that can provide something."
Imogen sat straighter.
"Each regional mentor had to follow some sort of ancient teaching or something like that."
"Yes!"
Now everyone was following.
Rhiannon practically bounced in her seat.
"If she learned from different masters, then some of her techniques have to originate somewhere."
Violet nodded.
"We can cross-reference."
A thoughtful expression appeared on her face.
"According to what she said, she spent a good amount of time in Tyrrendor. We can start with the archives here."
Bodhi immediately added:
"And if she spent time in Poromiel—"
He pointed toward the flight fields.
"The fliers could bring some light to that."
Now everyone was nodding too finally feeling like they could be getting somewhere.
"Someone has got to recognize something."
Sawyer leaned forward.
"Combat styles don't appear from nowhere."
Exactly.
Amongst so many things happening, so much darkness and uncertainty, Violet felt something click.
Finally.
They had lead.
An actual lead.
Not a theory.
Not speculation.
A lead.
The mood in the room shifted immediately.
Hope.
Momentum.
Direction.
Then Xaden ruined it.
Naturally.
"We'll do that when we have time."
Everyone groaned.
Ridoc threw his head back dramatically.
"There he goes."
"The responsible one."
"The tyrant."
"An enemy of fun."
Xaden didn't even look at him.
"We are still fighting a war."
That shut everyone up.
Unfortunately.
Because he was right.
The venin hadn't disappeared.
The wards still needed work.
Supply lines still mattered.
People were still dying.
Their mystery remained exactly that—
A mystery.
Not a priority.
At least officially.
Then Violet spoke.
Quietly.
Thoughtfully.
"What if it is correlated?"
Everyone turned.
"What?" Brennan asked.
Violet looked around the room.
"What if figuring out what happened to Y/n leads us to some answers?"
A pause.
"What if it connects to the venin? Or-or to the feathertails?! She spent some time in the Isles too? I mean, that has to amount to something. After all, no one can speed growth naturally. Memories can be blocked and pulled but not completely altered and erased, so what if? We all know leadership can't be trusted, and we all know that the Isles might have something that can help our wards and our fight. If figuring out what happened to Y/n can help us, it might be more of a priority than we think."
The room grew thoughtful again.
Because stranger things had happened.
Brennan had come back from the dead.
Venin existed.
Andarna existed.
Nothing was impossible anymore.
Then Dain spoke.
Softly.
"What if it leads to more enemies?"
Silence.
The words landed differently coming from him.
Because everyone could hear the grief beneath them.
The exhaustion.
The fear.
Violet looked at him.
Really looked.
And suddenly realized something she'd been avoiding.
For months.
She'd been so focused on her own connection to Y/n.
Her own confusion.
Her own grief.
That she'd forgotten something obvious.
This was Dain's sister.
Not hers.
His.
The little girl he'd loved, protected, lost, and mourned. She knew how Dain was. Where she was good at compartmentalizing her emotions, Dain just went with the motions. He would work until he couldn't ignore his feelings anymore.
And now—
Found.
Only to discover she didn't know who he was.
Gods.
That had to hurt.
More than any of them understood.
Violet opened her mouth.
Ready to say something.
Anything.
Then—
Knock.
Everyone froze.
Another knock.
Brennan frowned.
"Come in."
The door opened.
And every single person in the room looked surprised.
Sloane Mairi and Aaric Greycastle stepped inside.
The first-years immediately noticed the crowd.
The tension.
The fact that half the room looked guilty.
Which, admittedly, wasn't helping their case.
Slowly, she closed the door behind her.
Then, both crossed their arms.
"Wow."
Ridoc winced.
"What?"
"You all look incredibly suspicious for being some of the most feared or respected riders of this generation"
Nobody answered.
Sloane sighed.
Then looked directly at Violet.
Then Dain.
Then Xaden.
And suddenly her expression shifted.
Becoming serious.
"I think there are a few things you'll all be interested in."
The room immediately straightened.
Every ounce of attention locking onto her.
Sloane pointed a finger.
"But."
Ah, there it was.
The condition.
"I am only doing this out of concern and genuine care for my friend. You have to swear you didn't hear them from me."
Ridoc immediately leaned forward.
"Oh, this is good."
Imogen kicked his chair.
He ignored her.
Brennan folded his arms.
"Well, go on, what kind of things?"
Sloane glanced between Aaric and the closed door.
Both had agreed to do this because they were honestly concerned about Y/n. They had seen the group's fascination and curiosity with their friend, and that added to what the girl would occasionally tell them was enough to guarantee this.
Then back at the group.
Her gaze briefly lingering on Dain.
Long enough for everyone to notice.
When she finally spoke, her voice was lower.
Careful.
Measured.
"The kind that made me realize Y/n's background holds something much darker than she lets on."
Silence.
Complete.
Absolute.
Then Aaric added:
"And it should be something that holds our attention."
And suddenly every person in the room forgot about exhaustion.
Forgot about reports.
Forgot about sleep.
Because after months of questions...
They might finally be standing in front of their first real answers.
The room remained silent long after Sloane started speaking.
Not because nobody had questions.
Because every sentence somehow made things worse.
Or perhaps more accurately—
Sadder.
Sloane stood near the door, arms crossed, looking at each of them as she spoke.
"Y/n talks."
Ridoc blinked.
"That's not groundbreaking information."
Sloane shot him a look.
"She talks when she trusts people."
That immediately shut him up.
Because trust was clearly not something Y/n handed out freely.
"She's mentioned things that might have been random at first, but when you sit and think about them, you realize that it isn't normal. Not that any of us have a true definition of normality, but they are odd. And the worst part is, I think she doesn't even realize that they are strange."
Violet leaned forward.
Listening carefully.
Everyone was.
"I mean, she was never allowed, friends."
The room stilled.
Sloane shrugged.
"Or at least that's what it sounds like."
"What do you mean?" Mira asked.
"She said that her family raised her to believe that people weren't worth the risk."
Sloane frowned.
"As if that's normal."
It wasn't.
Not even remotely.
"She doesn't remember a good portion of her life. Firstly, because her early childhood years seem like a blur, and she can't identify a single solid memory. And the rest...she sometimes says she feels as if her brain blocked some of it cause it was too painful to revisit. Strangely, she finds peace with that. In her mind, as long as it isn't there, it can't hurt her."
Sloane continued.
Violet felt something cold settle in her stomach.
Her father had once told her that memory was strange.
That sometimes the mind protected itself.
She remembered him saying that after Brennan died.
After she'd had nightmares for months.
But nightmares and years of missing memories were two very different things.
"And although she is well traveled, she was also very... sheltered."
That wasn't the word she'd wanted.
Everyone could tell.
"Protected?"
Brennan offered.
"No."
Sloane immediately shook her head.
"Not protected."
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Controlled."
That landed differently.
Much differently.
"How controlled?" Xaden asked.
His voice had gone dangerously neutral.
The kind that meant he was paying very close attention.
That's when Aaric looked at him.
Then answered.
"It seems as if her family would do extensive background checks on anyone she ever interacted with."
That earned immediate reactions.
"What?" Bodhi asked.
Sloane nodded.
"Everyone."
Aaric continued, "Apparently, everyone who interacted with her had to be searched extensively. Whether it was teachers, neighbors, merchants, city officials, kids, women, quite literally anyone who could hold any chance of being around her."
The silence grew heavier.
"Not even royalty is guarded like that." Aaric finishes.
That wasn't protection.
That was surveillance.
Then Sloane dropped the next revelation.
And the room somehow got quieter.
"She said that she was glad that in Basgaith there was a rule that no one could get attacked in their sleep cause maybe she could finally sleep an entire night. Apparently, part of her training had been ensuring she was ready for defense at any given moment, so peace was a luxury."
Violet froze.
Garrick's expression immediately hardened.
"The fuck...even Basgaith grants you some sort of mercy on that."
Sloane nods.
"In her case, they called it training. They wanted her alert all the time. Ready to fight..."
Her voice carried bitterness now.
"And kill at any given moment ."
Nobody spoke. Violet's mind went back to Y/n's words in the fire pit...
" I've trained my whole life...ever since I can remember"
"To be a soldier?"
"No...not exactly...more like a general"
Violet knew that the word general wasn't the correct one. The hesitation, the pauses to think and find something safe to say, the rise in Y/n's voice at the end of her sentence- it had been to cover the reality of her life.
"She was raised to be an assassin..." Violet says out loud, and the reality of her statement dawns on all of them.
Sawyer slowly leaned back and let out a puff of air.
"That...is...oh shit"
Because everyone in that room knew exactly what kind of training produced that result.
And none of it was kind.
None of it was healthy.
None of it was something a child should endure.
Sloane swallowed and looks down.
Then continued.
"The worst part is that her excellence came with a cost."
Nobody answered.
Because nobody wanted to hear it.
"Apparently, anytime she failed to end the fight, she would get the 'hesitation' trained out of her."
That made Brennan sit straighter.
"What?"
Sloane nodded.
A pause.
"Cruelty was rewarded, whereas kindness was punished. "
The room fell silent.
Nobody asked what kind.
Nobody wanted specifics.
The implications were bad enough.
"They never gave her special treatment because she was a child."
The words echoed.
Child.
Child.
Child.
Because every new detail forced them to remember the same thing.
Y/n hadn't been taken at sixteen.
Or eighteen.
Or twenty.
She'd been twelve.
Twelve.
Gods.
Mira looked away first.
Then Brennan.
Both siblings suddenly finding the walls very interesting.
Because they remembered her at twelve.
They all did.
The tiny girl who used to chase dragons.
The girl who climbed trees.
The girl who hid sweets in her pockets.
The girl who couldn't possibly have deserved any of this.
Violet's chest tightened.
Aaric coughs and catches everyone's attention. He looks at Violet, trying to relay a silent message as he speaks his next words.
"I have no idea of how much this could help, but the people she grew up with weren't soldiers."
Everyone blinked.
"What?" Sawyer asked.
Sloane nodded.
"Apparently not."
"Then who were they?" Dain asked with a sort of quiet desperation.
Aaric looked at Violet once again and then at Xaden. Violet exchanged confused gazes.
"Her 'family' consisted of a group of merchants, gamblers, thieves, and mercenaries."
That last word held weight.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Even Ridoc had nothing.
Because somehow that made the picture even stranger.
Not military.
Not government.
Not Navarre.
Not Poromiel.
Not rebels.
Not leadership.
Nothing fit.
Nothing.
Violet felt frustration begin to bubble within her. She could understand a little bit of what Aaric was trying to tell her between the lines. He had done research as well. He might have been some help. Y/n always spent her time with Sloane, and Aaric would join them sometimes. Growing up, she had heard both in the castle corridors and at the various military bases of rogue bandit groups. They had all types of groups of people from all parts of the continent. For the most part, they were harmless, just organized people who didn't affiliate with any political figure...and yet....she mentally noted to ask Aaric later cause he was trying to tell her something, but there were too many people around. She was of the few that knew his real identity so maybe when they were in private, she could-
"I ma not just telling you this because its fun or because I want to be a terrible friend."
Sloane crossed her arms.
And looked directly at all of them.
One by one.
Making sure they listened.
Making sure they understood.
"Quite the contrary, I am telling you this because I am her friend and I am concerned."
The room remained quiet.
"Y/n is a great person; she is kind, and funny, loyal, and sweet. She is one of the few people that has made this entire hellhole feel...decent. She doesn't deserve to be treated as an anomaly or a weapon cause she has had her fair share of that already. She is a human being, probably just as traumatized as the rest of us, if not more in some aspects."
The statement was immediate.
Certain.
Protective.
And for a brief moment, Violet saw Liam. She felt her throat close and her heart tug.
Not physically...never physically.
But in the way Sloane stood.
The way she defended the people she loved.
The way she refused to back down.
The way she cared.
"I found a real friend."
Sloane continued.
"And honestly?"
She looked around the room.
"You all observing her like she's some strange creature is freaking us out."
Ridoc visibly winced.
Brennan looked guilty.
Dain looked devastated.
Violet looked away.
Because she couldn't exactly argue.
Sloane was right.
Entirely right.
"She's human."
The words cut cleanly through the room.
"Treat her like it."
Nobody spoke.
Because there wasn't anything to say.
Then Sloane hesitated.
Just for a moment.
Before adding:
"I'm worried about her."
That got everyone's attention.
Immediately.
"What do you mean?" Xaden asked.
Sloane swallowed.
"Last night."
Her eyes flickered toward Violet.
"She said she found a way out."
"What?"
"Out."
Sloane repeated.
"Out of where she lived."
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
The implications arrived instantly.
Slowly.
Horribly.
"I don't know."
Sloane shook her head.
"Maybe she meant something else."
A pause.
"But..."
Her expression tightened.
"The way she said it..."
Nobody needed her to finish.
They already understood.
It sounded like escape.
Not departure.
Not leaving.
Escape.
And suddenly every piece of information shifted.
Again.
Because if Y/n escaped—
Then someone was probably looking for her.
Or had looked for her.
Or had allowed her to leave.
And all three possibilities were terrifying.
Sloane looked toward the door.
Then back at them.
"She's happy here. "
Her voice softened.
Genuine concern shining through.
"For some messed up reason, being in Basgaith and Aretia has helped her."
Violet thought of Y/n laughing around the fire.
Of her teasing Ridoc.
Of her arguing with Sloane.
Of her smiling at Vivifica.
Gods.
She was.
"All I am saying is, don't ruin that. Investigate all you want; for all we know, it could help us somehow. But don't ruin it."
Sloane said.
Not as a request.
As a warning.
Then she gave them a single nod.
Turned.
And left.
Aaric following at her tail.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Silence followed.
A very long silence.
Nobody knew what to say.
Because every answer had somehow created five new questions.
Finally Ridoc spoke.
Quietly.
For once.
"That's horrible."
No jokes.
No sarcasm.
Just honesty.
And somehow that made it hit harder.
Nobody disagreed.
Not one person.
Across the room, Dain stared at the table.
Mira looked furious.
Dain looked heartbroken.
Mira looked ready to kill someone.
And Xaden...
Xaden looked thoughtful.
Dangerously thoughtful.
The kind of thoughtful that usually preceded a very unpleasant discovery.
Eventually Violet broke the silence.
Barely above a whisper.
"If they trained her that way..."
Nobody interrupted.
"If they spent years turning her into a weapon..."
The words felt wrong.
But true.
Painfully true.
"Then why let her go?"
Silence.
Again.
Because that was the question.
The question.
Had she escaped?
Or had she been released?
And those were very different things.
If she escaped—
Then someone had lost their weapon.
If she was released—
Then someone had deployed it.
The thought settled over the room like a storm cloud.
Nobody liked either option.
Not even a little.
And as Violet sat there, staring at the closed door Sloane and Aaric had disappeared through, one final realization settled uneasily into place.
For months, they had been asking how Y/n was even alive.
How she returned.
How she forgot.
How she changed.
Maybe they had been asking the wrong questions.
Because perhaps the most important mystery wasn't what happened twenty years ago.
Perhaps it was much simpler.
Whoever took Y/n had invested years into shaping her.
Training her.
Protecting her.
Controlling her.
Breaking her down and rebuilding her into something dangerous.
People didn't spend that kind of time and effort on a child without a purpose.
And Violet couldn't shake the feeling that somewhere out there—
Someone was eventually going to come looking for what they had lost.
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The Toffoli household was quiet today. It was early morning, Tyler and Michael had gone to practice, so it was just Cat and Emersyn home.
Emersyn knew that when her dad would come back home after practice, he wouldn’t come alone. She was just taking in the silence when she could.
“It’s so peaceful without any boys here, this is amazing,” Emersyn said as she laid down on the sofa leaning her head on Cat’s lap, who let out a laugh and started to run her hand through the young girl’s hair.
“You know your dad won’t come home alone,” Cat replied. “Oh I know, Mack has already texted me saying that him and Will are coming over and Sam will end up here with Misa,” she added.
“So, how are you and Mack?” Cat questioned as Emersyn put her hands over her face. “Mum,” she mumbled as Cat let out a laugh.
“What? I’m not allowed to ask about my daughter and her boyfriend?” Cat asked. “We’re really good, he’s just amazing,” Emersyn blushed, which made Cat smile.
The silent house was soon interrupted by the front door flying open, and 5 different voices were heard all arguing over somerhing.
“Our peace is gone,” Emersyn groaned and sat up properly, looking over at the door. “Welcome to the world of hockey, sweetheart,” Cat said.
“Ems, sort your boyfriend out! He was pouting the entire practice on how much he missed you,” Will called. “Dude! No I wasn’t!” Macklin exclaimed.
“You definitely were, bro!” Dicky added. “I could hear you from the other side of the rink!” Misa said. “Don’t listen to them Emmie, I wasn’t!” Macklin told her.
“Make sure you keep it that way, I don’t need to be hearing that,” Tyler said.
||
The Toffoli household soon started to calm down, Emersyn was on the couch tucked into Macklin’s side, his arm around her shoulder the pair both looking at his phone.
Will on the other side of Macklin on his phone, Misa and Dicky were on the other couch arguing over somerhing stupid, and Tyler and Cat were in the kitchen.
Emersyn phone started to ring which made all the boys look over. The young girl reached over for her phone and just stared at the contact.
Laurent Mekies
“I need to take this,” Emersyn said and before anyone could say anything she left the room and made her way outside, and soon answered the phone call.
“Hey Emersyn, how are you?”
“Hi Laurent, I’m good, yourself?”
“I’m good thank you, I think you probably have a good idea why I’m calling you,”
“Maybe..”
“Welcome to Red Bull Racing and to Formula 1, the seat is all yours,”
“I-I thank you so much, wow,”
“Em, I’ve known you for years and always knew when you first joined the junior team, being reserved driver in RB Bulls last year. How much dedication and hard work you have put into your career, and I’m happy to be the one to give you the opportunity to be in formula 1, something you absolutely deserve,”
“I actually can’t believe it, thank you so much,”
“It’s no problem, you’ll get an email soon about when you need to come over to the headquarters and the officially announcement too. For now, go and enjoy the news with your family,”
“No problem, thank you so much again Laurent,”
“No problem Em, talk to you soon,”
“Talk soon,”
Enersyn just stood in silent when the call ended, but had a big smile on her face. She officially made it, she actually achieved her dream.
She was a Red Bull Racing formula 1 driver.
Emersyn let out a little giggle the big smile not leaving her face, she turned around and ran back inside the house. “Dad! Mum!” she called.
||
Tyler and Cat looked over to see Emersyn who had ran in from the garden, with a big smile on her face. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“I got the seat! I’m a formula 1 driver!!” Emersyn exclaimed as Tyler pulled her into a hug. “Em, oh kiddo that’s amazing! I’m so proud of you!” Tyler said.
“You deserve it so much sweetheart,” Cat added as she joined the hug. “I wouldn’t have be able to do this without you guys, so thank you so much,” she told them.
“What’s going on?” Will asked, as him Macklin, Misa and Sam stood by the entrance of the kitchen watching the three of the hugging.
“You’re looking at the newest formula 1 driver!” Emersyn exclaimed, giggling at all their reactions. Macklin was first to come over, pulling her into a big huge.
“Emmie, omg that’s insane!” Macklin said as he kissed her. “Ayy let’s go Ems! That’s crazy!” Will said as he hugged her after Macklin eventually let go.
“Congrats Lele!” Misa said as him and Sam pulled her into a group hug. “Congrats Em!” Sam said. “Thank you guys!!” she said.
Emersyn had arrived in the airport in her home state after a long flight from Hungary, which was the last race before the summer break.
She knew that before arriving back at home, it wouldn’t just be here parents there. One of the new rookies for the upcoming nhl season would be staying with them.
Emersyn had messaged Micheal Misa when she found out that he would be staying with them. The pair instantly got on and basically like siblings.
When she would get home, it be the first time along with Sam Dickinson, they’re going to meet in person. Emersyn was just waiting for a certain someone to pick her up.
“Emmie!” Macklin called from where he was standing by his car. Emersyn face lit up seeing her boyfriend and quickly had her way over to him.
“Macky! I missed you,” she mumbled into his chest as the couple hugged tightly. “I missed you too baby, c’mon let’s get you home,” he replied.
||
“The favourite is home!” Emersyn called when she entered the house. “Ems!!” Will called back as the pair hugged. “Of course you’re here Smitty,” she said.
“Someone’s got to be loud one, while you’re not here!” he added. “Hey! I’m not even that loud, you are way worse than me!” Emersyn exclaimed.
“That’s not true!” Will argued. Emersyn and Will continued to arguing about who know what, so they didn’t see the others entering the room and standing by Macklin.
“Are they always like this?” Michael asked as him and Sam looked at the pair arguing. “Yeah, this is normal for Smitty and Ems,” Macklin replied.
“You’ll get used to them, eventually,” Collin added. “It always happens when Em gets home,“ Eklund said as Emersyn and Will eventually stopped arguing.
“You done?” Macklin asked looking at his girlfriend and best friend, the pair both nodded. “Hi! It’s good to finally meet you two!” Emersyn said looking at the newest rookies.
“You too!” Michael replied. “Feels like we already know you, due to how much this guys talk about you!” Sam added.
“Just don’t listen to anything Smitty has said about me,” Emersyn told them. “Hey!” Will exclaimed.
Many of the San Jose Sharks players and their families were all in the Toffoli household, for a little team gathering.
Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, the new rookies on the team were also there, mainly sticking together and near some of the other younger players.
“Isn’t Lele home?” William Eklund asked, looking at Tyler. “Yeah, she’s up in her room I have called her but you know what she’s like,” Tyler replied.
“Lele?” Will questioned with a confused face, a similar one to Macklin. “Ty, you haven’t told them?” Cat said giving her husband a slight slap on the arm.
Before anyone could say anything, Emersyn had walked down the stairs and entered the room. “Eky!” Emersyn exclaimed and ran over to give the Swedish boy a hug.
“Hi Lele!” Eklund mumbled hugging her back, before pulling away. “Ah perfect timing, Ems, this is Macklin and Will,” her dad told her.
“Hi! I’m Emersyn! I assume dad forgot to mention he had a daughter, it’s nice to meet you both,” she said looking at the two rookies.
“Yeah he did, it’s nice to meet you too!” Will added. “Nice to meet you!” Macklin smiled. “Sweetheart, why don’t you go show Mack and Will around?” Cat asked.
“Sure thing! Anything to get away from this boring adult talking” Emersyn giggled, as she made her way back upstairs with two rookies trailing behind her.
“Emersyn, behave!” Tyler called.
“Always dad!” she called back.
//
“Woah, is that a racing simulator?” Will asked as they walked into one of the rooms upstairs. “Oh yeah, I’m a racing driver, gosh I forgot dad hasn’t told you both anything,” she said.
“We didn’t know he even had a daughter until as like 10 minutes ago,” Macklin added. “Well, looks like I got a lot of explaining to do, as least you both are here for a while!” Emersyn told them.
For a few minutes, Macklin and Will stayed quiet as they listened to everything that Emersyn was telling them about everything that’s happened so far in her career in racing.
“Em, that actually so cool I couldn’t be driving at those speeds,” Will said. “I can’t even drive on the roads,” Macklin added which made Emersyn give him a shocked look.
“You don’t have your license?!” she exclaimed which made Will let out a laugh. “I will eventually, just never really needed it,” Macklin told her.
“I got my license in the U.K. actually, so I’m the better driver than you,” Emersyn smirked at Will, which made him jusy roll his eyes and Macklin laugh.
“I mean, I can’t argue with something you literally do for your job, can I?” he added. “No, you can’t!” Macklin replied. “Hey, watch it! Or you’ll have to find a different chauffeur,” Will told him.
“I can be your chauffeur anytime Mack,” Emersyn added. “Thanks Ems!” Macklin smiled, as Will rolled his eyes once again but had a smile on his face.
Firstly have to say a big thank you to everyone who is apart of prema_racing, what a season it has been for us and I wouldn't have been able to achieve this without you all, so thank you so much!!
Sadly, this is where I say goodbye to the team that’s been there since the beginning of my career. It's been an incredible last couple of years with you guys and I'm going to miss you all so much, love you all and thank you for everything!!
Thank you to all the fans throughout the season and those who have been there since the beginning, can't thank you all enough🤍
tagged: prema_racing redbulljuniorteam
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tofff73 So proud of you kid❤️
emersyntoffoli I couldn’t of done it without you, love you dad❤️
summary: when danny is dropped, fans don’t expect him to reappear on verstappen racing ranch with yn verstappen
a/n: I’m creating a new shade of ‘hear me out’ called ‘suffer with me’ — And this category is less of a walk with me and understand and more of a holy god I need it now —> cowboy danny ric
Masterlist
verstappen_racing_ranch
🎵Dry Spell — Kacey Musgraves
liked by danny, landonorris, maxverstappen1, victoriaverstappen, and 3,721,822 others
verstappen_racing_ranch: Ain't nobody's boots under my bed, ain't nobody's truck up in my drive
view all comments
user1: DID YOU FINALLY DUMP THE LOSER???
user2: so you're saying you're single?
↳user3: she's 100% not talking to you
user4: girl finally!
user5: 🎊🎊🎊
maxverstappen1: finally
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: go away actually
↳maxverstappen1: no
↳maxverstappen1: and go change your ranch's name. Verstappen Racing is my race team's name
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: I've had it for longer! You change your name!
↳maxverstappen1: no! Mine makes more sense!
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: that's what you think!
↳maxverstappen1: and 1 week doesn’t mean seniority!
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: it does here!
landonorris: I've got a pair of boots!
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: no
↳maxverstappen1: absolutely not
↳landonorris: yeah ok
↳user6: shut down
danny: oh?
↳yn: yeah 😉
rb
liked by user, user, user, and 2,921,445 others
f1: BREAKING: Daniel Ricciardo is leave RB effective immediately. Liam Lawson is set to replace Ricciardo for the remaining races of the year.
view all comments
user7: hey. hey. what the FUCK IS THIS??????
user8: I'm literally so distraught right now
↳user9: nobody talk to me
user10: my day is literally ruined
user11: FUCK
↳user12: big mood
↳user13: couldn't have said it better myself
yn: what???
user14: they're dropping Danny?!?
Privage Messages: Danny and YN
maxverstappen1
liked by yn, charles_leclerc, landonorris, and 2,920,012 others
tagged: verstappen_racing_ranch
maxverstappen1: winter break so far (change your name!)
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user15: oh the Verstappen's are together again! All is well
↳user16: close! Apparently Victoria is away with her husband — yn and max are watching the kids
↳user17: awwwwwwww aunt yn and uncle max to the win
verstappen_racing_ranch: I will not be doing that thank you
↳maxverstappen1: it's my name!
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: I had it first!
↳maxverstappen1: you knew I was going to use it for my team!
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: I didn't know jack shit because you never tell me anything!
↳maxverstappen1: I do too!
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: he's living a secret life because he's ashamed of me
↳maxverstappen1: oh my god I am not. give it up — I tell you everything
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: yes I KNOW
↳maxverstappen1: pick a struggle
user18: …if it's just max and yn (adults) at the ranch who's the third person in that last picture?
↳user19: my heart of hearts says danny
↳user20: you don't know how desperately I need it to be danny
↳user21: SAME!
↳user22: BIG MOOD
Bluesky
user23: no but this!! Where on earth did he disappear too?!?
user24: I need some kind of signal he's alive — I'll take some smoke that spells out his name at this point
↳user25: that would be something to see…
↳user26: he just needs to give us SOMETHING
user27: I don't know how I don't know why I have literally no evidence but the vibes I sense but he's with the Verstappen's
↳user28: for my piece of mind I'm going to agree with your vibes which is not a sentence I ever thought I'd say
↳user27: seriously though! He loves Verstappen's and he loves the outdoors and he loves horses — the Verstappen ranch has all three
↳user29: this is now the truth for me
user30: HE POSTED. ALERT ALERT ALERT. DANIEL RICCIARDO POSTED SOMETHING ON INSTAGRAM
↳user31: running 🏃
↳user32: HES DATING SOMEONE!?!??
danielricciardo
liked by yn, maxverstappen1, landonorris, and 1,998,102 others
danielricciardo: life lately 💙
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user33: you're back!
↳user34: DANNY RICCIARDO!!!
user35: omg the beard is gonna kill me
↳user36: same
↳user37: joining the club
maxverstappen1: having fun?
↳danielricciardo: you know it!
↳user38: Maxiel my beloved
user39: 💙💙💙
user40: ummm sir who is that in the last picture!?!
↳user41: is this a soft launch?? I didn't know you knew how to do that…
↳user40: but who is it????? Danny Ric we need answers!
↳user19: and when I say yn Verstappen?
↳user40: …that makes a lot of sense actually
yn: that's the photo you go with?
↳danny: it's the best one of you I have!
↳yn: danny it's a picture of my ass
↳danny: …it's the best pg photo of you I have!
↳yn: Jesus Christ
Private Messages: Max and YN
verstappen_racing_ranch
liked by danielricciardo, landonorris, victoriaverstappen, and 1,877,111 others
verstappen_racing_ranch: you know the saying right?
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user50: holy shit queen we definitely know the saying
↳user51: LIVING THE DREAM HONESTLY
maxverstappen1: why is this on my screen??
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: because you decided to follow the superior verstappen racing?
↳maxverstappen1: GIVE ME BACK MY NAME AND GET OFF THAT BOY!
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: nah
user52: I'm totally not jealous or anything. not at all. promise.
↳user53: fuck that I'm jealous as shit. GIVE ME YOUR LIFE QUEEN
landonorris: so I see you found some boots beneath your bed?
↳verstappen_racing_ranch: turn right around little Lando
↳landonorris: whatever you say
user54: you're teasing us at this point honestly
user55: DANNY LIKED DANNY LIKED!
↳user56: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DROP THE REST OF THE PHOTOS
↳user57: yn please we're begging here
yn
liked by maxverstappen1, danny, oscarpiastri, and 2,911,445 others
tagged: maxverstappen1, victoriaverstappen
yn: time for dinner with the family
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user58: AHHHH YN's account is open!
↳user59: BREAKING NEWS YN MADE HER ACCOUNT PUBLIC
maxverstappen1: thanks for the invite but I'm never coming to your place again
↳yn: learn to knock then idiot
↳maxverstappen1: STOP MAKING FUN OF MY TRAUMA
user60: …did max just walk in on yn and her boyfriend?
↳yn: yeah he did 😂
↳user60: oh my god 🤣
↳maxverstappen1: I'm going to block both of you
user61: is anyone gonna talk about that last photo though? BECAUSE THAT IS DANNY RIC. I KNOW MY AUSTRALIANS THAT IS DEFINITELY HIM
↳user62: I want to call you crazy but holy shit that does look like him
↳user61: that is 100% him
victoriaverstappen: thanks for having us all over — it was nice having the entire family together
↳yn: anytime you want to come visit Victoria, you know we'll have you
↳user63: WHOS WE?
↳yn: wouldn't you like to know weather boy
danielricciardo
liked by yn, maxverstappen1, jensonbutton, and 2,881,000 others
tagged: yn
danielricciardo: caught myself a gorgeous cowgirl 🤠
view all comments
yn: no one else I’d rather be caught by liked by danielricciardo
user64: OH MY GOD THEYRE ENGAGED!
↳user65: IM SCREAMING OUT LOUD RIGHT NOW
↳user64: SO AM I
oscarpiastri: congrats!
↳yn: thanks Oscar
↳user66: and the nonchalant king strikes again
user67: I feel like we missed a step and yet were on an entire journey already
↳user68: mood
user69: this is everything I've ever wanted
user70: I want to know if yn saw the photos he used or if they were a surprise to her too…
↳user71: …good question actually
↳yn: oh we had to take some new photos for this post — they needed to be pg you know!
↳user72: holy shit queen pop off
↳user73: …anyway we can get the non pg photos???
↳yn: 🤣🤣
maxverstappen1: welcome to the family danny 💙
↳yn: oh my god again just say you're jealous
↳maxverstappen1: absolutely not
↳danielricciardo: while I'd usually say there's enough of me to go around…I'm entirely your sister's now
↳user74: that is unexpectedly sweet
user75: I just want to know how this relationship started honestly
↳yn: max kidnapped danny from Singapore and dropped him off on my doorstep
↳maxverstappen1: ok you're missing a lot of steps in the middle there
↳danielricciardo: best wingman ever!
↳maxverstappen1: let's not go to far with this
user76: so you saw Danny's big wet eyes and decided you wanted that then sent your world champion brother to collect him?
summary: once a year the internet gets to see a heartfelt moment between the hockey community and and sidney crosby’s daughter.
note: i made this for sid’s birthday and completely forgot to post it 💔 but nonetheless, happy belated birthday to mr.87 himself and all those who celebrate!!
INSTAGRAM
youruser
♫ Oasis • Wonderwall
liked by e.malkin71geno, mackinnon29, penguins, and others
youruser Happy birthday dad!!! thanks for being my wonderwall and the best dad i could ever ask for! 🤍
view comments
penguins 87 wishes for the captain!🐧
liked by creator
user5 oh my gosh sid being a girl dad🥹
e.malkin71geno when i back we smash sid face in cake 🤣🤣
↳ youruser okay so it’s a date! please hurry we miss ya!!
user67 i feel like this is a flyers diss..
sidcrobs the meme 😭😭😭
mackcelebrini so, what did WE get him for his birthday
↳ youruser yea no, you’re on your own for this one ✌🏻✌🏻
↳ mackcelebrini fake.
spittinchicklets Happy Birthday to the absolute legend!💛
liked by creator
pens2017 he has to be the best dad ever
liked by creator
user09 im new, why is everyone here..
↳ 71malkins every year on August 7th the NHL becomes one to wish Sidney Crosby happy birthday… (ominous music)
_connorbedard can ur dad please sign me an autograph
↳ youruser blocked!
bmarch63 punch him 87 times for me ❤️❤️
liked by creator
philadelphiaflyers are we allowed here..? 😬😬
↳ youruser idk are you.
hockeycanada Happy Birthday Captain Canada
liked by creator
kletang_58 does he know about this? 😂🤣
↳ youruser shhhhh
TWITTER
hope u enjoyed! likes, blogs and reposts are greatly appreciated! also my requests are open so feel free to send any ideas or thought you have!!🫶🏻🫶🏻
SUMMARY: Matej has spent his four years watching his dad play hockey, but this time, he finally gets his own turn on NHL ice. Invited to join the Canadiens for warmups, he proudly takes over Juraj’s stall, matches his dad’s jersey, scores his first “NHL goal,” and somehow manages to steal the entire Bell Centre’s attention.
WARNINGS: pure family fluff, established relationship, young parents, parenthood.
Requested: Juraj Slafkovský + your child gets invited to participate in warmups and completely steals the show
Matej Slafkovský had been inside the Canadiens’ locker room enough times to know exactly where he was going. You discovered that approximately three seconds after walking through the door.
“Matej—wait for Mommy.”
“I know where Daddy is!”
His little legs carried him across the room, past several other children who were already sitting beside their fathers’ stalls and getting dressed for the special warmup.
You followed behind him carrying what felt like an absurd amount of equipment for someone who was only four years old.
Helmet, gloves, elbow pads, shin guards, tiny hockey pants, skates and, most importantly, the miniature Canadiens jersey with SLAFKOVSKÝ stretched across the shoulders and his dad’s number beneath it.
Matej stopped directly in front of Juraj’s stall, there was no hesitation. He climbed onto the bench, turned around, and planted himself right in the middle of it.
“My spot.”
You laughed. “I’m pretty sure that’s Daddy’s spot.”
“No.”
“No?”
“Mine today.”
Apparently that settled it, you dropped his equipment bag beside your feet. At four, Matej already looked so much like Juraj that sometimes it was ridiculous. The same dark hair, the same expressive face, the same little grin whenever he knew he was being funny.
You had pictures of the two of them at the same age, and sometimes Juraj’s mother would send you old photographs just to prove how strong the Slafkovský genes apparently were.
Matej looked particularly like him now, sitting proudly in the middle of his father’s NHL stall.
You pulled out his hockey pants “Okay, superstar. Stand up.” Matej immediately lifted his arms, you stared at him “These go on your legs baby.”
“Oh.” He giggled and hopped down.
Around you, the locker room was unusually chaotic. Several Canadiens players had brought their kids in for the warmup, meaning there were tiny jerseys, little helmets and miniature sticks everywhere. Some of the older children were already dressed, chasing each other carefully around the room while their parents repeatedly told them not to run.
Matej was one of the younger ones, which apparently meant absolutely nothing to him.
He had been talking about this for days, that he was going to warm up with Daddy, he was going to skate at Daddy’s rink, he was going to shoot at Daddy’s goalie.
That final claim was debatable.
Matej could skate, he could skate surprisingly well for four, mostly because Juraj had put him on skates practically as soon as he could walk, stopping remained optional.
You knelt in front of him and started fastening his shin guards “Too tight?”
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
You adjusted the strap anyway, Matej leaned forward, watching your hands “Mommy?”
“Mhm?”
“Daddy gonna see me?”
“Of course Daddy’s going to see you.”
“Everybody gonna see me?”
You looked toward the cameras positioned around the room, Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, considering how excited he was, the answer was yes “Probably.”
Matej smiled “Good.”
You snorted, when you and Juraj had become parents at eighteen, you couldn’t have imagined this.
You had both been kids yourselves.
Juraj had been entering the NHL with the entire hockey world watching him, and the two of you had simultaneously been figuring out diapers, bottles and how to function on three hours of sleep.
There had been terrifying moments, overwhelming ones, moments when you had looked at each other and silently admitted that neither of you had any idea what you were doing.
Four years later, you still occasionally had no idea what you were doing but you had Matej and somehow the three of you had grown up together.
“Arms.” Matej immediately held them out, you were trying to get his elbow pads situated when you heard his entire demeanor change.
“Daddy!”
You didn’t even have to look, Matej scrambled off the bench with one elbow pad secured and the other dangling from his arm.
“Matej—” Juraj had barely stepped into the room before his son collided with his legs. “Whoa.” Juraj laughed, immediately reaching down and scooping him up “Čau, buddy.”
“I’m playing!”
“I heard.”
“With you!”
“With me?”
“Yes!”
Juraj widened his eyes dramatically. “They let you play with us?” Matej nodded enthusiastically.
“Who approved that?”
“Me.”
That made Juraj laugh, you stood from the floor “He’s apparently running the organization now.”
“Obviously.” Juraj carried Matej toward you, one big hand supporting him easily, then his attention shifted from his son to you, his expression softened instantly “Hi.”
“Hi.” Juraj leaned down and kissed you, it was supposed to be quick. Except Juraj had never been particularly good at quick kisses when he hadn’t seen you for several hours.
His hand settled against your waist and he kissed you again before you pushed gently against his chest “Your son is watching.”
“Our son has seen me kiss you before.”
Matej immediately made an exaggerated gagging noise, you pointed toward him “See?”
Juraj looked offended “You don’t like when Daddy kisses Mommy?”
“No.”
“You came from Daddy kissing Mommy.”
“Juraj!”
Someone across the locker room burst out laughing, Juraj grinned shamelessly while Matej stared between you, completely confused “What?”
“Nothing,” you said quickly. Juraj kissed your forehead this time, you slapped his arm “You’re horrible.”
“You love me.”
Unfortunately, you did, Matej squirmed until Juraj placed him back on the bench, he looked at the half-dressed state of him.
“What happened here?”
“I was doing it.”
“Mama was doing it,” you corrected, Matej considered that “Mama was helping.”
“That’s better.”
Juraj crouched in front of him, it was almost comical. Six-foot-three Juraj folded down in front of his tiny four-year-old, taking the loose elbow pad from Matej’s arm “Okay. Give me this.”
“I can do it.”
“I know you can but let Daddy help.”
Matej immediately allowed it, you crossed your arms “Oh, sure.”
Juraj glanced up at you “What?”
“I’ve been negotiating every piece of equipment for ten minutes.”
Juraj smiled “He likes me more.”
“I carried him for nine months.”
“And he came out looking like me.”
“Unfortunately.”
Juraj laughed, he reached out, hooked an arm around your thighs and pulled you closer until you were standing between his knees “Fortunately,” he corrected, then he kissed your stomach through your shirt before returning his attention to Matej.
Your heart squeezed.
There were moments when you could still see eighteen-year-old Juraj, usually when he was playing video games or laughing uncontrollably over something stupid but watching him with Matej was different, he was so naturally gentle with him.
“Other arm,” Juraj instructed, Matej held it out “Good job baby.”
“Daddy?”
“Yeah?”
“Am I playing your position?”
“You don’t even know my position.”
“I do.”
“What is it?”
Matej went silent, Juraj waited, you bit your lip. Finally, Matej answered confidently “Hockey.”
The entire section of the locker room around you erupted into laughter. Juraj dropped his forehead against Matej’s knee “Oh my God.”
“I’m right!”
“You know what? Technically, yes.”
Matej looked incredibly pleased with himself, eventually, the rest of his equipment was secured, then came his jersey. You held it open while Matej shoved his head through, his hair appeared first, completely disheveled, Juraj fixed the collar.
You smoothed down the shoulders, Juraj stared at it for a second. “You okay?”
He nodded, although his smile had become softer “Yeah.”
Matej twisted around “Look, Daddy! Same!”
“I see.”
Juraj turned around and crouched slightly so Matej could compare their backs. Same surname, same number, just one enormous and one miniature.
Matej gasped like this information had not been obvious from the beginning “We match!”
“We do.” Matej wrapped both arms around Juraj’s neck, Juraj immediately stood with him, squeezing him against his chest “My little guy.”
“I’m big.”
“Sorry. My huge guy.”
“Yes.”
You smiled, getting the helmet on became another production.
“No cage.”
“Yes, cage.”
“Daddy doesn’t have cage.”
“Daddy is twenty-two.”
“I’m four.”
“Exactly.” Matej frowned and Juraj sat beside him “You wear the cage.”
“But—”
“Matej.” There was something about Juraj using that particular dad voice that immediately ended the argument, Matej sighed dramatically “Fine.”
You covered your smile, Juraj whispered, “He gets that attitude from you.” You whispered back, “He has your entire face. Let me have something.”
Soon enough, the children were being gathered near the tunnel.
You followed until the point where families had to stop, Matej held Juraj’s hand with one hand and his tiny stick with the other.
Suddenly, his excitement seemed to transform into nervousness, the noise from the Bell Centre filtered through the tunnel, the thousands of people, the music, announcements.
Matej looked toward the ice and then back at you “Mommy coming?”
Your heart melted, you crouched “Mommy can’t go on the ice, baby. I’ll be right there watching you.”
He frowned “Promise?”
“Promise.”
You kissed his cheek through the opening of his helmet “Have fun with Daddy.”
Matej nodded, you stood and Juraj leaned toward you “He’ll be okay.”
“I know.”
“You look more nervous than him.”
“I don’t want someone skating over my four-year-old.”
“Nobody’s skating over him.”
“You better not let him out of your sight.”
“Yes, ma’am.” You narrowed your eyes, Juraj smiled and kissed you quickly “I’ve got him.”
You believed him because Juraj always had him.
The moment Matej stepped onto NHL ice, every ounce of nervousness disappeared completely. He pushed away from Juraj and started skating.
“Matej!”
Juraj immediately followed, you burst out laughing from where you stood near the bench. The crowd noticed the children almost instantly.
The video board began showing them one by one, a few waved, one hid behind his father, another kid was trying desperately to steal a puck.
Then the camera found Matej, he was skating down the ice with both hands on his stick, tongue poking slightly from the corner of his mouth in concentration.
The screen displayed "MATEJ SLAFKOVSKÝ — AGE 4"
The arena collectively melted, amassive cheer went up. Matej stopped or attempted to. Instead, he spun halfway around and nearly fell, Juraj caught the back of his jersey, Matej looked up at the video board.
His own face was enormous, his mouth dropped open then he waved. The crowd cheered louder. Matej’s eyes widened and he waved again.
Another cheer.
That was the exact moment your son discovered he could control twenty thousand people and you knew you were doomed. Matej lifted both arms, the crowd roared, Juraj bent forward laughing.
“Oh no,” you murmured.
Matej did it again, another roar. Juraj skated over and said something to him, Matej nodded seriously and then, he dropped his stick, pulled off one glove and blew a kiss toward the crowd.
You covered your face.
The Bell Centre exploded, even the Canadiens players were losing it. Cole skated past Juraj and smacked him on the shoulder while laughing.
Matej retrieved his stick and continued skating like he hadn’t just discovered his future career in entertainment.
Eventually, Juraj gave him a puck, Matej immediately became serious again, he pushed it forward, skated after it and pushed it again. Juraj stayed beside him, deliberately moving slowly.
“Shoot!” Nick yelled.
Matej approached the net, Jakub dramatically settled into position. Matej pulled his stick backward, swung and missed the puck entirely.
Matej tried again.
This time he connected, the puck traveled perhaps five miles per hour. Jakub made absolutely no attempt to stop it, it slid between his pads.
Matej froze, then screamed “I SCORED!”
He threw both arms into the air, his stick went flying and Juraj caught it before it hit someone. Matej skated directly toward him “DADDY! I SCORED!”
“I saw!”
“I SCORED ON NHL!”
“You did!”
Juraj picked him up right there on the ice, Matej wrapped his arms around his neck, the camera zoomed in as Juraj pressed a kiss against the side of his helmet.
Then Matej grabbed his father’s face with both gloved hands and loudly announced something that the nearby rink microphone caught perfectly.
“I’m better than you.”
Juraj’s mouth dropped open, the broadcast commentators completely lost it. You doubled over against the boards. Juraj looked directly toward where you were standing, you could practically read his expression.
Are you hearing this?
You nodded while laughing, your son had officially stolen warmups.
It somehow got worse or better, depending on who you asked.
Ivan helped Matej collect several pucks and Arber showed him how to tap his stick against the ice. Matej fist-bumped practically everyone.
He tried to join an actual passing drill before Juraj quickly intercepted him. He skated up to the glass and waved at fans.
Someone had a sign that said SLAF GOAL TONIGHT, and Matej pointed at himself like he assumed it referred to him.
The camera caught that too, then, when the arena announcer said Juraj’s name during warmups, Matej started pointing frantically “THAT’S MY DADDY!”
Everyone near the glass heard him.
“That’s Daddy!”
You could see Juraj trying not to smile, he failed miserably, Matej skated toward him and grabbed his jersey “You’re famous.”
Juraj laughed “A little.”
“Because you’re good?”
“I hope so.”
Matej nodded, then very seriously “I’m famous too.” Juraj glanced toward the giant screen currently displaying his son’s face for approximately the tenth time “Apparently.”
When warmups ended, Matej did not want to leave “No.”
“Matej.”
“No, Daddy.”
“You have to go with Mommy.”
“I play game.”
“You cannot play the game.”
“I scored.”
“You did.”
“So I play.”
Juraj crouched in front of him “You’re four.”
Matej held up four fingers “Yes.”
“You need to be a little older.”
“How old?”
Juraj considered it “Eighteen.”
Matej’s face fell “That’s forever!”
You laughed as you approached them, Juraj looked at you helplessly “You deal with him.”
“Oh, now he’s mine?”
“He’s always yours when he’s difficult.”
Matej immediately reached for you “Mommy.” You picked him up despite all the equipment making him approximately twice his normal width “Hi, superstar.”
“I scored.”
“I saw.”
“Daddy didn’t.”
Juraj looked offended “I haven’t played yet!”
Matej rested his helmet against your shoulder “I’m better.”
“You created a monster,” Juraj told you.
“Me?”
“You.”
You smiled and kissed him, Juraj slipped one hand around your waist, pulling both you and Matej closer. For a moment, the noise surrounding you disappeared.
It was just the three of you.
The same little family you had created when you were barely adults yourselves, except now your baby was four. He could skate, he could talk back, he could apparently charm an entire NHL arena and he was wearing his father’s name across his shoulders.
Juraj kissed Matej’s helmet, then your forehead “Go get him changed”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll see you after.”
Matej suddenly lifted his head “Daddy?”
“Yeah?”
“Score like me.”
Juraj smiled “I’ll try.”
“No.” Matej grabbed his father’s jersey and pulled him closer with complete seriousness. “You have to.”
Juraj nodded solemnly “Yes, coach.”
Matej seemed satisfied, you started carrying him toward the tunnel, behind you, Juraj called “Hey, Matej!” Matej twisted around in your arms, Juraj pointed toward him “Who’s better?”
Matej didn’t hesitate “ME!”
The players nearby erupted into laughter again, Juraj shook his head. You carried your giggling four-year-old back toward the locker room and later that night, when the Canadiens posted their warmup video, the caption didn’t mention Juraj.
It simply read:
We think we found our newest first-line winger.
The video ended with Matej’s tiny goal, his enormous celebration and his declaration directly into the rink microphone
“I’m better than Daddy.”
Juraj reposted it approximately ten minutes later, his only addition was:
SUMMARY: Jordan and Sammy have always known Jack as simply Daddy, so after seeing fans waiting for him outside the arena, Jordan finally asks why so many strangers know their dad.
WARNINGS: Fluff, established relationship, family dynamics, protective dad!Jack, famous!Jack, soft parenting moments.
Requested: Jack Hughes + Your child asks why stranger always recognize their dad
The boys had never really understood what Jack did, they knew Daddy played hockey.
They knew Daddy wore the red jersey with 86 on the back, disappeared into the locker room before games, and sometimes came home with bruises that made Jordan stare at him suspiciously while Jack insisted he was completely fine.
They knew the Prudential Center almost as well as they knew their own house.
But to four-year-old Jordan and two-year-old Sammy, going to a Devils game wasn’t particularly unusual.
It was just where Daddy worked.
Most nights, they weren’t even watching the entire game. They were playing with the other players’ kids, eating snacks someone had packed, wandering around the family areas with you, or eventually falling asleep somewhere they absolutely weren’t supposed to.
So the concept that thousands of people inside the building were there partly because they wanted to watch their daddy? That hadn’t quite registered yet, especially not with Jordan.
Tonight, the boys had somehow survived the entire evening without falling asleep.
Barely.
Sammy was strapped into his car seat behind Jack, his little Devils hoodie bunching underneath his chin, while Jordan sat behind you in his own seat, clutching the small stuffed dog he’d insisted on bringing into the arena.
You were in the passenger seat beside Jack.
Jack had changed after the game, his suit jacket thrown somewhere in the back underneath the boys’ bags, leaving him in his dress pants and a white shirt with the sleeves pushed up.
He had one hand on the steering wheel while the other rested lazily against the center console.
You twisted around in your seat “Okay, important question.”
Jordan blinked slowly at you, Sammy kicked one sneaker against his car seat “Would you rather have pancakes every single day or waffles every single day?”
Jordan immediately perked up “Pancakes.”
“Waffles,” Sammy announced.
“You don’t even eat waffles,” Jordan argued.
“Waffles.”
“You always eat pancakes.”
Sammy frowned “Waffles!”
You pressed your lips together, trying not to laugh, Jack glanced toward you “You started this.”
“I needed something to keep them awake.”
“Why?”
“Because if Sammy sleeps for seven minutes in this car, he’ll somehow decide he doesn’t need to sleep for another four hours.”
Jack nodded solemnly “Valid.”
The car had barely made it away from the players’ parking area when Jack slowed again, there was always a small group waiting near one of the exits after games.
Sometimes only ten people, sometimes significantly more.
Tonight there were probably twenty or thirty, clustered behind the barriers with jerseys, hats, cards and phones already raised when they recognized Jack’s car slowing.
Jack sighed quietly, not because he minded stopping, he actually tried to whenever he could. But his eyes immediately flicked toward the rearview mirror, towards Jordan and Sammy.
He rolled his window down and the voices outside instantly became louder.
“Jack!" “Hughes!” “Can you sign this?” “Jack, one picture?”
Jack lifted a hand “Yeah, yeah. I’ll get you guys.” Then, before accepting the first marker someone held toward him, Jack leaned slightly toward the window “Just one thing, though.”
The group quieted enough to listen “My kids are in the back.”
His voice wasn’t unfriendly, but you recognized the tone immediately, the dad voice, the protective one “I’m gonna take pictures and sign whatever I can, but if you can see them in anything you post, please blur their faces or crop them out.”
Someone immediately answered, “Of course.”
Another person nodded “Absolutely.”
Jack smiled “Thank you. Appreciate it.”
And then he started signing, Jordan watched for approximately fifteen seconds before losing interest completely.
You turned toward him again “So.”
Jordan looked at you “Pancakes every day, but you can never have syrup again.” His expression transformed into horror “No mommy.”
“Those are the rules.”
“No, Mommy.”
Jack signed a jersey outside his window, you continued “Or waffles, but Daddy has to make them.”
Jordan considered that, Jack looked over “Excuse me?” You ignored him, Jordan whispered dramatically, “Mommy makes better pancakes.”
A laugh escaped you “Correct answer.”
“Hey.” outside the window, someone started laughing too, Jack pointed the Sharpie vaguely toward you “You’re supposed to support me.”
“I do support you.”
“Apparently not my breakfast abilities.”
“You burn toast.”
“Once.”
“Last Tuesday.”
“That was one time.”
Jordan giggled, Sammy didn’t understand the argument but laughed anyway because his brother was laughing. Jack shook his head, turning back toward the fans “See what I deal with?”
That earned another round of laughter, he signed several jerseys, a Devils flag, two hockey cards, somebody’s hat and, somewhat inexplicably, a sneaker.
Then came the pictures.
Jack leaned toward the window for a few, smiling patiently while people positioned themselves beside the driver’s side, he glanced backward between practically every picture.
It was subconscious at this point, he check Jordan, check Sammy, check you and continue. Eventually, when he’d gotten almost everyone, Jack handed the marker back “That’s all I’ve got tonight, guys.”
A chorus of thank-yous followed.
“Drive safe!” “Great game, Jack!” “Thanks for stopping!”
Jack lifted his hand “Thanks, guys.”
Then the window went back up, the sudden quiet inside the car almost felt strange, Jack pulled onto the road again. You reached across the console and squeezed his thigh “Very popular tonight.”
“Apparently.”
Jordan’s voice came from behind you “Daddy?”
“Yeah, buddy?”
“Who were those people?”
Jack glanced toward the mirror “People from the game.”
“But you don’t know them?”
“No.”
Jordan went quiet, you looked at Jack and Jack looked at you, neither of you thought much of it so the conversation moved on.
Sammy demanded a song and Jordan wanted a different song, Jack chose neither of their suggestions and received immediate complaints from both children.
About twenty minutes later, the boys were significantly quieter.
Sammy was fighting sleep with everything his tiny body had, Jordan had his cheek resting against the side of his car seat, you were almost halfway home when his sleepy voice suddenly broke through the music.
“Daddy?”
Jack lowered the volume “What’s up?”
“Why were all those strangers waiting for you?”
Jack’s eyebrows lifted slightly, you turned around, Jordan was staring toward the front “What do you mean, baby?” you asked.
“Those people.”
“At the arena?” Jordan nodded.
“They were waiting for Daddy.” Jack glanced toward you and that was when you both realized. He genuinely didn’t know, to Jordan, Jack wasn’t Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils.
He wasn’t the first overall pick, he wasn’t the player whose jerseys filled the stands, he wasn’t someone people traveled hours to meet or waited outside arenas hoping to see.
He was just Daddy.
The man who made dinosaur noises during bath time, the man who carried Jordan upstairs when he fell asleep on the couch, the man Sammy climbed onto every morning without even asking.
Jack smiled slightly “Well… people know Daddy because of hockey.”
Jordan frowned “Because you play?”
“Yeah.”
“But Uncle Luke plays.”
“He does.”
“And people know Uncle Luke?”
Jack laughed softly “Yeah. Lots of people know Uncle Luke.”
Jordan’s eyes widened “Uncle Quinn?”
“Definitely Uncle Quinn.”
There was another pause, then Jordan asked, completely seriously “Do people know Uncle Trev?”
You covered your mouth, Jack snorted “Unfortunately, yeah.”
“Jack.”
“What?”
You were laughing now, Jordan still looked confused “But why?”
Jack thought about how to explain fame to a four-year-old “Okay. You know when you watch hockey on TV?”
Jordan nodded.
“Lots and lots of people watch Daddy play hockey on TV too. And when people watch someone play a lot, sometimes they really like that player. So they might buy their jersey or want a picture or an autograph.”
Jordan considered it “So they’re Daddy’s friends?”
“Not exactly.”
“But they like you.”
“Hopefully.”
You smiled “They’re fans, Jordy.”
“Fans?”
“People who like watching Daddy play.”
Jordan looked toward the back of Jack’s seat, then he asked the question that made Jack smile immediately “Are you famous?”
Jack looked at you again, you bit your lip “That’s complicated.”
“Mommy.”
“What?”
Jordan sounded deeply offended by your refusal to answer, you laughed “Yes, baby. Daddy is famous.”
Jordan’s mouth dropped open, Jack groaned “Why did you say it like that?”
“Because it’s true.”
Now Jordan was fascinated “Daddy’s famous?”
Sammy suddenly perked up from the edge of sleep “Daddy famous!”
Jack sighed “Great.”
“DADDY FAMOUS!”
“Sammy, baby, inside voice.”
“Daddy famous,” Sammy whispered dramatically.
You were practically shaking from trying not to laugh, Jordan stared at Jack through the gap between the seats “So everybody knows Daddy?”
“Not everybody.”
“Lots?”
Jack nodded “Yeah, a lot.”
Jordan went quiet again, you could practically see another question forming. Then—
“Mommy?”
“Yes?”
“Are you famous?”
Jack smiled, you pointed toward yourself “Me?”
Jordan nodded.
“No.”
His eyebrows immediately pulled together “Why?”
Jack laughed “Jordan.”
“What?”
“Nothing, buddy.”
Jordan looked between both of you, then his expression became increasingly concerned “But Daddy’s famous and Mommy’s not?”
“Correct.”
“How did you meet?”
There it was, Jack glanced toward you, you smiled because you already knew exactly where Jordan’s little brain was going “How did we meet?” you repeated.
Jordan nodded “If Daddy was famous.”
Jack’s smile softened “Well, Daddy wasn’t really famous yet when Mommy met me.”
Jordan sat up slightly “You weren’t?”
“Nope.”
“Nobody knew you?”
“Some hockey people knew me.” You snorted, Jack shot you a look “What?”
“Some hockey people.”
“I wasn’t famous.”
“You were absolutely already becoming hockey-famous.”
“That doesn’t count.”
“It absolutely counts.”
Jordan interrupted “How did you meet Mommy?”
Jack smiled “Mommy had a friend.”
You nodded “One of my friends was dating one of Daddy’s friends.”
“Uncle Trev,” Jack supplied, Jordan knew Trevor well enough that his entire face brightened “Uncle Trev!”
“Yep.” Jack continued “Daddy and Uncle Trev played hockey together when we were younger.”
“For Team USA,” you added, Jordan nodded despite very obviously not knowing what any of that meant.
“And Mommy was friends with Uncle Trev’s girlfriend.”
Jack smiled “So sometimes we’d all end up in the same places.”
“Did Daddy ask you to be his girlfriend?”
Jack answered immediately “Yes.”
You answered at the exact same time “Eventually.”
Jack frowned “Why are you saying eventually?”
“Because you took forever.”
“I was seventeen.”
“You still took forever.”
Jordan was delighted now “So Daddy wasn’t famous?”
“Not like he is now,” you explained. “We knew Daddy before all of this.”
Jack’s expression softened, that was something he’d always loved about your relationship. You’d known him before NHL arenas, before massive contracts, before cameras followed him through All-Star weekends and people recognized him at restaurants.
You knew the teenage version of him, the ridiculous hair, the USNTDP days, the version who had to borrow rides sometimes, the version who could spend hours around you without anybody outside the hockey world caring where he was.
Jack reached across the center console and gis hand found yours, you intertwined your fingers automatically.
Jordan noticed “Did Mommy know you’d be famous?”
Jack smirked “Obviously.”
You rolled your eyes “No.”
Jack squeezed your hand “She knew I’d be good.”
“I knew you were good.”
“Same thing.”
“No, it isn’t.”
Jordan asked, “Did you know Daddy would play for the Devils?”
“Nope.”
“Did Daddy?”
“Nope.”
“Did Uncle Luke?”
Jack started laughing “ Uncle Luke was like fifteen, Jordy.”
“Oh.” Another few seconds passed, then Jordan said “I don’t want strangers to know me.”
The amusement disappeared from Jack’s face almost instantly, you felt his thumb stop moving against your hand, you turned completely around “They don’t have to, baby.”
Jordan played with the ear of his stuffed dog “But they know Daddy.”
“Yeah.”
“Do they know me?”
Jack answered carefully “Some people know Daddy has you and Sammy.”
Jordan’s face became uncertain.
“But Daddy doesn’t let people take pictures of you.” Jack looked at him through the mirror “That’s why Daddy told those people outside that if you boys were in their pictures, they needed to cover your faces.”
Jordan thought about that “Why?”
“Because you get to decide someday if you want people to know you.” You looked at Jack, his eyes remained on the road, but his voice was soft “Daddy chose a job where people see him. You didn’t choose that.”
Jordan nodded slowly.
“So Daddy protects you from that.” Something in your chest tightened, Jack had always been ridiculously protective of the boys, there were occasional pictures of them online, of course.
A hand, the back of Jordan’s head, Sammy sitting on Jack’s shoulders with his face turned away. Maybe a family picture where you both had intentionally decided beforehand that you were comfortable sharing it.
But Jack was careful.
Painfully careful sometimes, he couldn’t control every camera pointed at him but he could control how much access people had to his children.
Jordan’s voice became tiny “You’re my daddy first?”
Jack’s face changed completely, you looked over at him “Oh, buddy.” Jack glanced into the mirror “Always.”
Jordan smiled “Before hockey?”
“Way before hockey.”
You raised an eyebrow “Technically hockey came first.”
Jack looked at you “You’re ruining my moment.”
You laughed “I’m sorry love.”
He squeezed your hand again “You’re my boys first. Always.”
Sammy, who had understood approximately fifteen percent of the conversation, suddenly announced “My Daddy.”
Jack grinned “Yeah?”
“My Daddy.”
By the time you finally pulled into the driveway, Sammy had completely lost the fight against sleep, his head had fallen sideways in his seat, mouth slightly open.
Jordan wasn’t much better.
Jack parked inside the garage and killed the engine, for a moment, neither of you moved. Jack looked toward the back.
“Okay.”
You followed his gaze “Operation bedtime.”
By the time Jack reached Sammy’s side, the two-year-old was completely limp with sleep, Jack carefully unbuckled him “Hey, Sammy.”
Nothing
“Buddy.” Sammy made a tiny complaining noise, Jack slid one arm underneath his legs and the other behind his back before lifting him against his chest.
Immediately, Sammy’s face buried itself against Jack’s neck, Jack kissed his hair “Yeah, okay.”
You were already opening Jordan’s door, Jack glanced over “I can take Jordy too.”
Jordan’s eyes opened immediately “No.” You burst out laughing, Jack looked personally betrayed “Wow.”
Jordan reached both arms toward you “Mommy.”
Jack adjusted Sammy higher against his shoulder “Seriously?”
“Mommy carry me.”
“I literally offered.”
“No.”
You leaned inside “Come here, baby.”
Jordan practically melted into you as soon as you lifted him, he was getting heavier, far too heavy for you to pretend he wasn’t growing anymore.
But the second his arms wrapped around your neck and his sleepy face pressed against your shoulder, you couldn’t bring yourself to care.
Jack closed Jordan’s car door behind you “He’s four. He’s capable of walking.”
You rubbed Jordan’s back “Tell him that.”
Jack stared at his son, Jordan’s eyes remained closed “I can´t. ”
You smiled, the four of you made it toward the door, Jack carrying Sammy while you carried Jordan. Right before you could reach for the handle, Jack stopped “Wait.”
You looked toward him “What?”
He shifted Sammy slightly and stepped closer, then he leaned down and kissed you, his lips lingered against yours for a few seconds before he pulled back.
You smiled “What was that for?”
Jack shrugged “Love you.”
Your expression softened “Love you too.”
Jordan’s sleepy voice came directly beside your ear “Mommy?”
“Mhm?”
“Daddy’s famous.”
Jack closed his eyes, you immediately started laughing “Apparently that’s the only thing he learned tonight.”
Jordan lifted his head just enough to look at Jack “But he’s our Daddy.”
Jack’s entire expression softened again, he reached over and gently smoothed Jordan’s messy hair away from his forehead “Yeah, bud.”
Jordan rested his head back on your shoulder, Jack kissed the top of his head, then he looked down at Sammy sleeping against his chest.
To everybody waiting outside the arena, he was Jack Hughes, number 86, an NHL star. Someone worth waiting behind a barricade for just to get a signature or a ten-second picture.
But inside your house, none of that mattered very much, here he was the person Sammy demanded every morning. The person Jordan wanted watching whenever he built something with his Legos.
The person who checked both boys twice before going to sleep even when you’d already told him they were fine.
And apparently, as of tonight, the boys had finally discovered that their daddy belonged to everyone else a little bit too.
Fortunately, Jordan had already decided what mattered most.
Summary: Somehow you find yourself co-parenting with the biggest manwhore in all of Briar U.
⋆˚࿔ tina's note 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ This took a while and the next one might take a bit too because I'm mid move and renovating my new place plus I'm trying to find a job (but they are asking for 25+ years of experience in my field and I have no idea where they're finding people with it) so I'm all over the place right now but be patient I promise I've got you, life just got busy.
College Baby masterlist
Briar U's campus - Thursday noon.
You huff a laugh at Dean and Beau's theatrics as they announce their joint 22nd birthday party, you had no idea what the theme would be since he wouldn't give you any clues but you knew that both guys were very excited about it and now you know why.
"You duoing with Dean?" Cole, a new friend from one of your classes asks beside you.
"Nah, the birthday boys are going together" You reply spotting Hannah and Garrett hunched over his phone a few people away and wonder what they can be planning now.
"Well if you don't have a duo yet, wanna go together? You can pick the costumes" He suggests and you think about it for a few seconds, you're not dumb, you know he doesn't mean just going as friends, he's been flirting for a while now but this is the first time he asks you out. He's not bad looking either, completely different from Dean he has dark brown hair and deep brown eyes with a tan he seems to keep even through the winter, plus, he's not an athlete and… wait, why are you comparing him to Dean right now? "If you have someone else you're going with or you don't want to…"
"How do you feel about the Fairly Oddparents?" You interrupt him before he can continue.
"I think I could pull green hair and you'd look great in pink" He smirks you smile back.
"Great"
"I'll see you at the bus then?" He asks.
"Oh, I'm actually driving in earlier" With Seb so you can get everything set up with Beau's neighbors who will be babysitting, but you don't tell him that "So I'll see you there?"
"No yeah, absolutely, I'm gonna go find green hair dye now" You exchange goodbyes and he leaves as you approach Tucker and Logan who are giggling away.
"So, what are you two going as?" They look at each other while trying not to burst out laughing and then Logan composes himself and turns to you with a serious look.
"We thought we'd take this opportunity to teach people about some very important informationthat seems to not have been told to everyone" You raise an eyebrow at him "I think it might be a little too late for you and Dean, but we're still trying out best out here"
"What the hell are you talking about?" You interrupt him.
"We're being the birds and the bees" Tucker lets out in a fit of laughs, you roll your eyes and walk away with your middle finger lifted their way which makes them laugh harder.
Cape Cod - Friday at noon.
You love your Friday schedule, you only have one class at 9AM that is supposed to end at 11 but more likely than not ends a little after 10 because your professor goes through his lesson plan quickly, you're not sure if that's great for your education but it is amazing for your personal life, and so you get to pick up your baby and spend the rest of your day lounging before your closing shift at Della's, a shift that you only get every other week meaning a lot of times you get that night free too.
Today you're taking advantage of your early class and free day to drive over to Beau's Cape Cod house early and meet Beau's neighbors, a couple of retired rich women who have been best friends their entire lives and bought their house next to the Maxwells back when Beau was little, you have the suspicion the women are 'best friends' in the way history categorizes same sex couples who are very obviously in a romantic relationship but can't publically admit it but it's not your place to question it as long as they are good people which Beau has assured you they are.
"They used to babysit us all the time" Beau says "Well… we'd sneak out of our house and into theirs all the time because they'd let us have all the snacks we wanted and watch as many movies as we could through the day, but they'd keep us fed and alive so that has to count for something"
"That's not very reassuring" Dean interjects "Look bro, I love you, you know I love you but I can't leave my kid with complete strangers"
"They are not strangers" Beau rolled his eyes "They are lovely women I've known my whole life and if I vouch for them doesn't that mean a lot? Don't you guys have fate in my judgement?"
"Fate on the judgement of the guy who once got robbed by a girl he'd just met at a club because she, and I quote 'Looked innocent enough not to steal my wallet'? Hmm… I don't know" You narrow your eyes at him.
"That happened once!"
"Once in New York, twice in LA and surprisingly also once in Vancouver from what I've heard" Dean mumbles, Beau looks at him with betrayal.
"I was drunk and in love" Beau defends "They looked like angels"
"Were you high too?" You question he lets out a 'maybe'
"Uh Bo!" Seb squeals in Deans arms throwing his little body into Beau's.
"Hey! He trusts me, that counts for something right?" The football player basically beams as Seb giggles in his arms.
The conversation ended with you three on a call with Susan, Sue, one of the neighbors who reassured you twenty times that they'd be delighted to babysit for the night as they often did for her best friend's, Maggie, grandkids.
And now you're parking on Beau's garage and buckling Seb out of his seat "Okay, you've gotta be on your best behavior okay? We'll go over there and meet Sue and Maggie and then we can go get lunch and then we'll come back and you'll go stay with them for a bit yeah? But mama will come back and get you after you sleep" You've always been one to talk to Seb about everything, ever since he was born you've been narrating your lives to him, Dean started doing it too when Seb turned three months old after he overheard you telling the baby about the process of changing his diaper and he noticed you talking to him soothed the cries and made the process easier. You'd explain to him how you'd read about how talking to your baby has a lot of benefits and that night he'd gone home and read about 10 articles about it, next day he too was narrating everything to the baby.
Sue and Maggie were amazing and invited you to stay for lunch, you stayed until you noticed the guys arriving at the neighboring house and left after giving Seb's forehead a kiss, the kid too entertained by Maggie and the toys she'd brought out for him to care about your leaving.
"Hey" Dean calls out when he sees you approaching the house "Seb all settled?"
"Yeah, Sue and Maggie got him"
"I know I said I was totally okay with them watching him but I don't know if I really am I mean, they are strangers to him" He voices out his worries.
"I assure you, your kid does not feel the same" You chuckle "But, you should probably pop in and see him with them before the party starts so you can get some peace of mind"
"Yeah, I think maybe I will" He nods.
"I'll come by, wanna say hello to Sue and Maggie" Beau joins you "Oh, you've got Joanna's room, second floor last room on the right, here's the key just keep it locked during the party so no one gets in"
"I will, thanks" You take the key and walk to your car to get your overnight bag.
Beau and Dean's party - Friday night
The party is in fool bloom now, you find Cole with some of his friends by the entrance and approach them "Hey"
"Hey! I knew pink would suit you" He flashes you a smile.
"Can't say the same about your hair" You make fun of the badly sprayed patchy gree hair dye that coats his hair making it stiff and awkward.
"Yeah, not easy finding a temporary dye for dark hair" He nods "But I made it work"
"You sure tried" You chuckle "Wanna get a drink?"
"Lead the way" You grab one of his hands and pull him through the crowd into the kitchen where there are drinks all over, the guys even converted the double sinks into coolers by pouring a shit ton of ice in them, it'll probably melt in the next two hours but hopefully by then people will be drunk enough not to care.
You're pouring yourself a drink when Dean approaches you, Maverick jumpsuit on with the zipper down enough for his chest to peek through although you don't doubt he'll end the night with it falling over his hips "Hey, hear anything from Maggie and Sue?"
"Nope, I'm guessing everything's fine over there" You say swirling your cup and taking a sip.
"But what if-"
"It's your party Dean, enjoy it, Seb's fine" You reassure him and turn back to Cole
Dean frowns at your dismissal and pulls out his phone to check on the baby monitor app he has there, he set it up in the living room where Sue and Maggie told him they'd probably hang out all night before the party, Seb seems okay playing with blocks while Maggie and Sue sit on their couch talking, that calms him down a bit.
"He's fine, I just checked the camera" He informs you interrupting your conversation with Cole.
You frown and turn to him "I told you so, now go be a good host, enjoy your party, I'll check on him later"
"Okay but I really think we should go over there in a little bit for bedtime so-"
"Dean" You groan "He's okay, now go"
The blonde stares at you for a second before nodding and walking away, you don't notice the way he turns and his eyes narrow at you laughing at whatever Cole said.
"Why the murderous look bro?" Beau slaps his back handing him a shot he quickly downs.
"We left our kid with complete strangers and she doesn't care" Dean says, his gaze locked on you and Cole "Look at her, flirting away"
"Okay let me preface this with a you know that I love you but stop being an asshole" Dean finally looks away from you to stare at Beau "They're not strangers they are two lovely ladies who used to look after me all the time and she spent half the day with them so I'm guessing her trusting them comes from there, also, she's allowed to flirt with whoever she wants, you're not dating"
"Yeah but-"
"No buts, you've got a new girl over every other day, you don't get to judge" Beau points at him "Now, this is our party, let's enjoy it" Dean tries but there's a sour taste in his mouth that doesn't leave for the rest of the night.
"You suck at this" Cole laughs beside you at the cup pong table.
You gasp "I do not" And as if to prove his point you throw your ball and it bounces two times before launching off the table, Cole laughs you groan "Bad example, bad example"
"It's okay, I've got us" He does and in just three more turns you win the game.
"I think I'm about ready to leave this party" You admit with a yawn "Wanna come up with me?"
"Yeah, yeah, of course"
Dean watches with jealousy all over him as you guide Cole up the stairs and undoubtedly to you room for the night.
"Yo Dean, can you do me a favor and look like you're enjoying yourself?" Beau approaches him "Here take one of these off my hands" Dean takes a red cup from his hands "Now look around, see, everyone's having the time of their lives, enjoy"
Dean takes the advice and looks out to the impomptu dance floor in front of him "Who is that?" He asks staring at a girl dressed as JLo, maybe if he'd been a bit more sober he'd recognize her, but she doesn't.
"Well," Beau leans on the counter in front of them "I don't know her personally, but I'm pretty sure that's JLo"
"That's really helpful, yeah"
Tucker who is standing next to the two in the bee costume that made Dean laugh once he realized what the duo between him and Logan meant speaks "I got an idea" He changes the song to On The Floor and the three see as the girl gets excited and starts dancing.
"Who says you're struggling with your assists huh?" Dean kisses Tucker's head and walks towards her.
"I can still change the song, dick" The curly haired guy says as the blonde walks away "Or get your baby mama on your ass" He mutters the last sentence.
"Don't think she cares much about him right now" Beau tells him, Tucker gives him a questioning look "She brought a date, Deanie over there has been sulking about it all night"
"Really? You think they'll get together any time soon?" Tuck asks as the two watch Maverick and JLo grind on each other.
"Nah, they'll keep us waiting for a bit more" Beau replies "But when they get together I want it known that I was their biggest supporter"
"I'm the favorite uncle so I'll let you have that" Tuck shrugs.
"We both know that's a lie" They notice JLo leave and two new girls approach Dean and give him a thumbs up "Hey at least he's having fun now"
Cape Cod - Saturday Morning
You wake up early and thankful that you didn't drink too much the night before, Cole lays next to you in just his boxers and when you look at your phone you notice a text from Dean.
'lmk when you wake up so we can get seb together before the bus leaves'
"Mmmm" Cole groans "What time is it?"
"Eight" You tell him, the party bus leaves at 10 so you still have time to lay for a while more but the team bus leaves at 9 so you know you should get up earlier than not "Gotta get up"
"No" He pulls you in closer "Too early"
You chuckle "I know, but I've got some things to do before we leave"
"Its Saturday morning" He groans again "And we have no classes"
"No, but there's more to Saturdays that classes"
"Fine" He moves away from you "What are we doing?"
"You can go find your friends and hang out until the bus gets here" You say making him gasp.
"You making me do the walk of shame? After such a good night" He snuggles back into you, hot breath hitting your neck and giving you goosebumps.
"Mhm" You push him away and finally get out of bed "Better get out now before more people wake up"
"Fine, but you owe me a coffee sometime this week" You agree.
He gives you a kiss by the door when you walk him down and when you turn to the kitchen you see a group already there, there's two of Beau's football friends alongside the quarterback, Dean and Logan staring at her.
"Good morning" You say "Wanna get Seb?"
Dean keeps staring until Logan elbows him on his side "Sure"
"You okay?" You ask him once you're outside of the house, he just nods and you wave it off as him being hungover "It was a great party, did you have fun?"
The first volunteer, or victim, depending on who you asked, was Brennan.
Not because he wanted to.
Because Mira had looked around the room, pointed at him, and said:
"You."
Brennan had immediately objected.
"No."
"Yes."
"Mira—"
"You literally came back from the dead. If anyone gets to have the weird conversation with the formerly dead girl, it's you."
Ridoc had nearly choked laughing.
Even Xaden had looked suspiciously amused.
And thus Brennan found himself standing in front of Y/n Blackthorne three days later.
He'd faced venin.
Battles.
Death.
Political negotiations.
Somehow this was worse.
Much worse.
Y/n looked up from cleaning one of her daggers as he approached.
Immediately rising to her feet.
Disciplined.
Respectful.
Alert.
"Lieutenant Colonel Aisereigh."
Gods.
That was strange.
Brennan swallowed.
"You've been assigned a supervised mission."
Her posture straightened further.
"Yes, sir."
The sir nearly made him wince.
She was older now.
Nearly grown.
And yet all he could see was the little girl who used to demand piggyback rides.
The little girl who cried when he left for Basgiath.
The little girl he'd mourned.
"Your team will be Cadet Mairi, Cadet Sorrengail, Cadet Gamlyn, and Lieutenant Tavis."
At the mention of Violet, something flickered in her expression.
Not recognition.
Interest.
Just interest.
"Understood."
Brennan nodded.
The conversation should have ended there.
It didn't.
Because he couldn't stop staring.
Couldn't stop comparing.
Couldn't stop searching for something familiar.
Anything.
Finally, Y/n tilted her head.
The gesture was so eerily reminiscent of her childhood self that Brennan nearly forgot how to breathe.
"Is there something else, sir?"
Gods.
She was evaluating him.
Not the other way around.
The realization hit like a punch.
Brennan recovered immediately.
Years of command helping him hide it.
"No."
A pause.
"That will be all."
Y/n nodded.
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
Then, sat down and returned to cleaning her dagger.
Dismissed.
Just like that.
When Brennan returned to the others later that evening, the room immediately fell silent.
Mira narrowed her eyes.
"What happened?"
Brennan sat heavily.
For several seconds he simply stared at the table.
Then finally spoke.
"I think I was the one being evaluated."
Ridoc immediately laughed.
Mira blinked.
Then snorted.
Actually snorted.
"Brennan Sorrengail."
He glared.
She ignored him.
"You got intimidated by a first-year."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
"I did not."
"You look offended."
Brennan pointed at her.
"I don't like this."
That only made her laugh harder.
The morning of the mission arrived cold and clear.
Dragons occupied nearly every available patch of field.
Cadets rushed through preparations.
Riders barked instructions.
Controlled chaos.
Just another day.
Xaden walked beside Violet toward the gathering point.
His hand occasionally brushing hers.
Not enough to attract attention.
Enough to ground her.
Ahead, Ridoc had apparently decided introductions were optional and friendship was inevitable.
Which was exactly the sort of strategy Ridoc would employ.
Sloane stood beside him laughing openly.
The sight alone would've surprised Violet a year ago.
Even more surprising was the source.
Y/n.
She was currently rolling her eyes while trying and failing not to smile.
"What did you even say?" Violet asked.
Ridoc immediately pointed at himself.
"Nothing but brilliance."
"That means something stupid," Sloane informed them.
"It was educational."
"It was about whether gryphons can be offended by an ugly saddle ."
"THEY CAN."
Y/n laughed.
Actually laughed.
The sound carried across the field.
Easy.
Unrestrained.
For just a second—
Violet caught a glimpse of the girl she remembered.
Not the mystery.
Not the soldier.
Just Y/n.
Then Garrick approached from the opposite direction.
Hands behind his back.
Expression perfectly serious.
"The question appears harmless."
Sloane immediately groaned.
Ridoc pointed.
"See? Garrick gets it."
Y/n narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"If I were a flyer, I wouldn't trust either of you."
"Smart woman."
"Cadet."
"Smart cadet."
Violet smiled despite herself.
Watching them.
Watching Y/n.
Watching the people she'd somehow had.
Then sighed.
Xaden immediately noticed.
Of course he did.
He slowed his pace.
Motioning for Garrick to continue ahead and lead the others moved forward.
Leaving them a few steps behind.
"What's wrong?"
Violet looked ahead.
At Y/n.
At Sloane.
At Ridoc gesturing dramatically enough to probably cause an accident.
Then quietly said:
"I just wish she'd grown up with us."
Xaden remained silent.
Listening.
Because she needed this.
Needed to finally say it aloud.
"That's all."
Her voice softened.
"You know how strange this is?"
A sad smile appeared.
"Getting to know someone you literally watched as a baby and for some portion of their childhood."
Xaden squeezed her hand.
Violet continued.
"Do you have any idea how happy I was when she was born."
A small laugh.
"I wasn't the youngest anymore and had someone who wouldn't dote over me. On the contrary, I could care for her."
That earned a smile from him.
"I adored her."
She shook her head.
"We all did."
The words came easier now.
Less grief.
More memory.
"She was the princess of the household."
Xaden could actually picture it.
The way Mira had described her.
The way Brennan still looked shattered whenever she entered a room.
"He cared for her too."
Xaden raised an eyebrow.
"General Aetos?"
"Unfortunately."
That made him snort.
Violet laughed.
A genuine one this time.
"She was his little princess."
A pause.
"He loved her."
The admission surprised even Violet.
"You know."
She looked away.
"In his own twisted way."
Xaden didn't comment.
Because he understood complicated fathers better than anyone
"Mom and Dad adored her. My father would say that life had given us a healer..well, mender; a warrior, a scribe, a soldier, and a princess. Mom would always laugh at that and say that Y/n wasn't meant for any kind of violence."
Another pause.
"So Brennan and Mira would compete on who could make her laugh the loudest until she would get hiccups."
Then softer:
"Dain absolutely worshipped the ground she walked on."
Xaden remembered the look on Dain's face the day he arrived back. The uptight, snotty-ass whipe that he constantly knew was gone. Dain moved through the motions, trying to grasp reality and control his mind. Xaden never was a fan of him, but even he could pity Aetos.
Anyone could see the devastation.
The disbelief.
The grief.
Yes.
That tracked.
Violet exhaled.
"It's good we didn't send him first."
A tiny smile.
"He would've gone into shock."
"Probably."
"Definitely."
They shared a brief look.
Then continued toward the others.
By the time they arrived, Sloane was in the middle of arguing with Ridoc about something neither of them actually cared about.
Y/n leaned casually against Vivifica's foreleg.
Relaxed.
Comfortable.
Almost content.
Then she saw them.
The transformation was immediate.
Y/n straightened.
Adjusted her uniform despite the fact it was already immaculate.
Dropped every trace of casual humor.
And met both their gazes directly.
Professional.
Disciplined.
Controlled.
"Cadet Sorrengail."
Her eyes shifted.
"Lieutenant Riorson."
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Because she'd just addressed them as equals in rank hierarchy.
Not friends.
Not acquaintances.
Not people she'd spent weeks around.
Professionals.
Xaden exchanged a brief glance with Violet.
Then looked back at Y/n.
"Cadet Blackthorne."
His voice remained neutral.
"Ready?"
The response came instantly.
A smile appearing.
Easy.
Confident.
Almost cocky.
"Always."
Both Violet and Xaden raised their eyebrows.
Simultaneously.
The expression was so familiar that Garrick immediately noticed.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"You both did the eyebrow thing."
Ridoc pointed dramatically.
"The eyebrow thing is never good."
Y/n looked between them.
Unbothered.
Which somehow made it worse.
Vivifica rumbled behind her.
The blue swordtail lowering her head slightly.
Watching.
Waiting.
And for the first time since this entire mystery began, Violet found herself feeling something unexpected.
Not grief.
Not confusion.
Not fear.
Curiosity.
Because for the next few days, they'd finally be spending real time together.
Not observing.
Not investigating.
Not theorizing.
Actually talking.
Actually learning.
And judging by the amused challenge currently dancing in Y/n's eyes—
This mission was about to become far more interesting than anyone had planned.
The mission had done something none of them had expected.
It had made Y/n real.
Not the dead girl.
Not the mystery.
Not the tragedy.
A person.
And unfortunately for everyone involved, that person was proving to be annoyingly competent.
The mission itself had gone remarkably smoothly.
Too smoothly.
Which, in Violet's experience, usually meant disaster was waiting around the corner.
Instead, Y/n had simply prevented three potential disasters before they happened.
The first by spotting tracks nobody else noticed.
The second by identifying an abandoned outpost that wasn't actually abandoned.
The third by correctly predicting a supply route change based on terrain conditions.
After the third time, Garrick had simply looked at her and said:
"Either you're incredibly smart or deeply concerning."
Y/n had smiled.
"Both can be true."
Garrick had immediately pointed at her.
"See? Concerning."
Even Violet had laughed at that.
And that was how they found themselves sitting in a clearing that evening.
The mission completed.
Dragons resting nearby.
Stars spreading overhead.
A fire crackling in front of them.
Sloane sat between Garrick and Y/n.
Ridoc beside Violet.
The atmosphere surprisingly relaxed.
For once.
No venin.
No battles.
No revelations.
Just riders.
The fire popped softly.
Night settling around them.
Then Sloane spoke.
"How did you learn to light a fire like that?"
Y/n looked up.
"Hm?"
"The fire."
Sloane gestured.
"You made it look way too easy."
Ridoc nodded.
"Honestly, I think you're the only person here who knew how to survive before Basgiath."
That earned a soft laugh.
Y/n leaned back on her hands.
Orange firelight dancing across her features.
"My family moved around a lot."
Something in Violet immediately sharpened.
Not visibly.
But enough that Tairn noticed.
Across the clearing, the black dragon shifted slightly.
Listening.
Y/n continued.
"Across the continent and a bit around the Isles too."
Now everyone was paying attention.
"So, you kind of pick some things up along the way."
Violet blinked.
That explained something.
Actually several things.
"Oh."
Y/n looked at her and raised a brow.
Violet tilted her head and played it off, "No wonder I couldn't place your accent."
That earned immediate understanding.
Y/n clicked her tongue.
"Yeah."
A grin appeared.
"It happens."
Then her expression softened.
"But it was fun."
Interesting.
Not resentful.
Not bitter.
Fond.
"You get to learn so much."
The firelight reflected in her eyes.
"Different dialects."
"Different stories."
"Different cultures."
She shrugged.
"People act like Navarre is one thing."
The smile widened.
"But it isn't."
Garrick immediately nodded.
"Not even close."
Y/n pointed at him.
"Finally, someone understands."
Ridoc gasped dramatically.
"You're replacing me."
"You're replaceable."
"Rude."
"I prefer the word honest."
Sloane laughed.
Hard enough that Garrick nearly joined her.
Y/n shook her head.
Still smiling.
"Even within Navarre there are huge differences."
Then her gaze drifted upward toward the stars.
"And Poromiel is beautiful."
That caught Violet's attention.
Not the statement.
The way she said it.
Like memory.
Like experience.
Not hearsay.
Garrick nodded.
"So I've heard."
"You should go."
"Bit difficult right now."
"Fair point."
Silence settled briefly.
Comfortable.
Then Ridoc asked:
"Where felt most like home?"
For a moment, Y/n seemed genuinely surprised by the question.
Then she smiled.
A small one.
Different from her usual sarcastic grin.
Softer.
"Tyrrendor."
Garrick immediately sat straighter and clapped her on her shoulder.
"Good answer."
"Biased." She quipped.
"Correctly biased." He answered proudly.
Sloane rolled her eyes.
Y/n laughed.
Then continued.
"I don't know."
She looked toward the distant mountains.
"There's something about mornings here."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"Feels... peaceful."
The word seemed important.
Like she'd spent a long time searching for it.
"You don't get that everywhere."
Garrick nodded, and Sloaned smirked.
"Exactly."
"Hell yeah."
That earned a snort from Violet.
But she understood.
Tyrrendor did have that effect.
Something ancient.
Something steady.
Something resilient.
Then a thought struck her.
Immediately.
"So you knew?"
Y/n looked over.
"Knew what?"
Violet didn't elaborate.
Didn't need to.
"About venin."
The fire suddenly seemed quieter.
The answer came without hesitation.
"Yeah."
Sloane blinked. Ridoc sat up. Garrick looked unsurprised.
Y/n shrugged.
"Before the reveal?"
Y/n nodded, not understanding her confusion.
Silence.
Then Ridoc said:
"That's not a normal answer."
"No?"
"I guess it isn't."
Y/n poked at the fire with a stick.
"But, when you move around enough, especially near border villages..."
Her expression grew thoughtful.
"Folklore changes."
Violet listened carefully.
Every word.
Every inflection.
Every detail.
"It stops being stories."
The crackle of the fire filled the pause.
"And starts becoming warnings."
Nobody spoke immediately.
Because they all knew exactly what she meant.
Villages knew things cities didn't.
People living closest to danger always did.
Eventually the conversation drifted elsewhere.
Toward dragons.
Toward signets.
Toward increasingly ridiculous theories from Ridoc.
"I think Sloane gets lightning."
"No." Sloane shook her head.
"Why not?"
"Because Violet already has lightning."
"So?"
"So that's greedy."
"That's not how signets work."
"It doesn't work like that how you explained either"
"It should."
Y/n laughed.
Sloane groaned.
Garrick looked exhausted.
Normal.
Wonderfully normal.
And while everyone continued talking—
Violet grew quiet.
Thinking.
Analyzing.
Connecting pieces.
Eventually she reached for Tairn.
Immediately feeling his awareness turn toward her.
Are you thinking the same thing I am?
A long pause.
That depends.
His tone was dry.
On whether you are overthinking or not.
Violet ignored him.
My family moved constantly when I was growing up.
I am aware.
The only way to stay hidden from someone powerful is to keep moving.
Silence.
Then Tairn became attentive.
Continue.
Violet watched Y/n laugh at something Ridoc said.
Watched the ease with which she fit into the group.
Watched the confidence.
The adaptability.
The survival instinct.
If someone took her...
She organized the thought carefully.
And wanted to keep her hidden...
Then remaining in one place would be dangerous.
Tairn hummed.
Understanding.
Particularly after her death.
Exactly.
The pieces clicked together.
My mother wouldn't be looking for a living Y/n.
Nor would General Aetos.
Because they believed she was dead.
Thus making concealment significantly easier.
Especially in Tyrrendor after the Apostasy.
Tairn sounded thoughtful now.
Which was never reassuring.
Or near Poromiel.
Or within Poromiel.
Violet nodded slightly.
Exactly.
A long silence followed.
Then Tairn said:
An interesting theory.
Not confirmation.
But not dismissal either.
Violet watched Y/n carefully.
Still laughing.
Still talking.
Still somehow existing despite everything they knew.
There are still too many unanswered questions.
Tairn's voice rumbled.
Precisely.
And there were.
So many.
Too many.
Questions that refused to leave her alone.
How did she become one year younger instead of three?
What happened to her memories?
Why keep using her mother's maiden name?
Each mystery spawned three more.
But one question lingered above all the others.
The one she couldn't stop returning to.
The one that mattered most.
Violet looked across the fire.
At the girl she'd once known.
At the stranger she'd only just begun meeting again.
And asked herself the question that haunted all of them.
Who raised her?
Not just where.
And how.
But who.
Because someone had taught her to fight.
To survive.
To disappear.
To navigate borders.
To recognize venin.
To speak like someone who had seen half the continent.
Someone had shaped the person sitting before them.
And whoever that someone was...
They were powerful.
Patient.
And very, very good at keeping secrets.
Across the bond, Tairn's response came low and thoughtful.
That, silver one, may be the most important question of all.
The camp grew quieter with every passing minute.
One by one, conversations died.
The fire settled into a low crackle.
Dragons shifted into sleep.
Eventually, only the sounds of the forest remained.
The distant rustling of leaves.
The occasional chirp of insects.
The slow breathing of sleeping riders.
Violet sat awake.
Or at least pretended to.
Because every few minutes, her eyes drifted back toward Y/n.
Toward the way she tended the fire.
Toward the way she never fully relaxed.
It wasn't obvious.
Most people wouldn't have noticed.
But Violet did.
Y/n was always listening.
Always aware.
Always cataloging.
Even now.
Especially now.
The flames flickered low.
Y/n casually reached down and adjusted a piece of dry grass with a stick. The fire immediately steadied.
Efficient.
Minimal effort.
Minimal waste.
Violet found herself watching.
Again.
And again.
And apparently one too many times.
Because Y/n finally looked up.
Directly at her.
The firelight danced across her face.
For a moment neither spoke.
Then Y/n sighed.
"Ask."
Violet blinked.
"What?"
A small smile tugged at Y/n's mouth.
"You're not subtle, Sorrengail."
That immediately made Violet defensive.
"I can be subtle."
"You really can't."
The smile widened.
"I can practically see the questions clawing their way out of your skull."
Violet opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Y/n laughed softly.
"They've been there since I arrived."
Well.
That was embarrassing.
Somewhere in the distance Tairn gave a distinctly amused rumble through their bond.
You are about as subtle as a dragon in a library.
Helpful.
Always.
Violet ignored him.
The problem was that Y/n was right.
There were too many questions.
Far too many.
And most of them were personal.
Dangerously personal.
Questions she wasn't entitled to ask.
Not yet.
So she settled on something safer.
Something mission-related.
Or at least adjacent to it.
"How did you learn to fight like that?"
Y/n's brows rose slightly.
Violet continued.
"You're one of the best fighters in your year. I would go as far as to say, better than most in mine."
That earned a snort.
"You make it sound impressive."
"It is impressive. Fighting for me had been a struggle."
Violet leaned forward slightly.
"Emeterio barely corrects you, if he ever does."
A pause.
"You anticipate movements as if it were a dance and you know which move is next."
Another.
"You went undefeated in challenges."
Another.
"And you're lighter on your feet than most third-years."
The corner of Y/n's mouth twitched.
Clearly amused.
"That's a very polite way of saying you've been studying me."
Violet froze.
Y/n laughed.
Actually laughed.
"Relax, I think that is part of the nature of what we do."
She waved a hand dismissively.
"You've all been subtle."
A pause.
"Mostly."
That wasn't reassuring.
Violet's eyes narrowed.
"You noticed?"
"Oh, absolutely."
Y/n didn't even hesitate.
The answer came too quickly.
Too confidently.
"I know what to look for."
There it was again.
That phrase.
That implication.
I know what to look for.
Not I noticed.
Not I paid attention.
Something more practiced.
More deliberate.
Violet filed it away immediately.
Why would someone her age need to know that?
Why would someone have been taught that?
Y/n seemed to realize she'd revealed more than intended.
Because she looked away briefly.
Thinking.
Choosing her next words.
And instantly Violet knew she was about to receive a partial truth.
Not a lie.
Something more dangerous.
A truth missing pieces.
Finally, Y/n spoke.
"I've trained my whole life."
Simple.
Matter-of-fact.
"Ever since I can remember."
The answer felt rehearsed.
Not memorized.
Repeated.
Like she'd explained it before.
Many times.
"To be a soldier?"
Violet asked.
Y/n tilted her head, pursing her lips.
Thinking.
"No."
The answer surprised her.
"Not exactly."
Another pause.
Then:
"More like a general."
That made Violet blink. The way Y/n's voice rose in the end made Violet realize that general might not be the correct word for it, but it was the safe one.
Y/n stared into the fire.
"I had mentors."
Plural.
Interesting.
"Different teachers."
More interesting.
"Different places."
Very interesting.
"Different ways of thinking."
The fire crackled.
"They taught me strategy."
A pause.
"Combat."
Another.
"History."
Another.
"Politics."
Violet's mind immediately began working.
Mentors.
Teachers.
Travel.
Military education.
Not random.
Structured.
Purposeful.
Who educated a child like that?
And why?
Then another question slipped out before she could stop it.
"Did you ever feel trapped?"
The words hung in the air.
Y/n became very still.
Not offended.
Not angry.
Thoughtful.
Extremely thoughtful.
Long enough that Violet wondered if she'd gone too far. So she tried to soften it by making it more casual.
"I... I mean, like, did you ever want to do something other than train to be a rider? I wanted to be a scribe, and as you can see, I didn't follow through. But some people train all their lives with this one goal, so was that...was that yours too?"
Then Y/n shrugged.
A small movement.
Almost imperceptible.
And said:
"Can a bird know about the sky if all it's ever known are the same bars of its cage?"
Silence followed.
Heavy silence.
Not because the answer was sad.
Because it wasn't.
It was honest.... almost resigned.
And somehow that was worse.
Across the bond, Tairn's attention sharpened.
Interesting.
Very.
Y/n poked at the fire.
Watching sparks drift upward.
"I don't know."
Her voice softened.
"It's all I've ever known."
Not resentment.
Acceptance.
Which somehow made it more heartbreaking.
"I mean, it's what I'm good at."
A small smile appeared, with a hint of something Violet could infer as sadness.
"It's what I was built for."
Built.
Not raised.
Built.
Violet caught the distinction immediately.
Then Y/n shrugged again.
"So you find contentment where you can."
The statement sounded older than twenty years.
Much older.
"Basgiath was the natural choice."
That surprised Violet.
"You wanted to be there?"
A brief laugh escaped Y/n.
"Very much."
"You chose this?"
"Absolutely."
Another pause.
"My mother hated the idea."
Violet nearly forgot to breathe.
Her mother.
"I imagine she might still hold some resentment, especially after I went and joined a whole revolution. She's probably livid."
There it was again.
Mother.
Present tense.
Not had.
Has.
A living mother.
One who apparently objected to Basgiath.
And Y/n was indifferent to it.
Why?
Because she'd know someone would recognize Y/n?
Because she'd know Dain was here?
Because she'd know Violet was here?
Or because of something else entirely?
Questions multiplied instantly.
Y/n either didn't notice or chose not to comment.
"I trained for years to get here."
A wistful expression crossed her face.
Something almost vulnerable.
Almost.
"I always wanted to be a rider."
That, somehow, felt genuine.
Entirely genuine.
No hesitation.
No calculation.
Just truth.
Then suddenly she yawned.
The moment broken.
Human again.
Tired.
"We should probably sleep."
She stretched.
Rolling her shoulders.
"You taking next watch?"
Violet nodded.
"Yeah."
"Good."
Y/n stood.
Then pointed toward the fire.
"Throw dry grass on it occasionally."
She demonstrated.
"And keep turning it."
The flames adjusted immediately.
"It burns slower."
Violet nodded.
Y/n smiled.
"See?"
Then she turned.
Crossed the clearing.
And laid out her blanket beside Vivifica.
The blue swordtail immediately shifted.
Protectively.
Instinctively.
Curling her tail around Y/n's sleeping form.
The gesture was so natural it clearly happened often.
Y/n settled once.
Twice.
Then was asleep almost instantly.
As if she'd learned long ago to take rest whenever it was offered.
Violet stared into the fire.
Mind racing again.
Questions everywhere.
Eventually she reached for Tairn.
His response came immediately.
There is much to discuss once we return to Aretia.
That was an understatement.
Violet watched Y/n sleeping.
Protected beneath Vivifica's tail.
Looking younger somehow.
Less like the dangerous cadet everyone knew.
More like the girl she'd once been.
And yet—
Nothing fit.
Nothing.
The answers existed.
But they weren't connecting.
Not yet.
Her mother is alive, Violet thought.
Apparently.
She traveled everywhere.
Apparently.
Mentors trained her.
Apparently.
Tairn rumbled thoughtfully.
You dislike incomplete information.
I hate incomplete information.
That earned what was suspiciously close to dragon amusement.
Because there were too many contradictions.
Too many unknowns.
Who was this mother?
Was she Dain's mother?
Someone else entirely?
Why oppose Basgiath?
Why hide?
Why keep moving?
And perhaps most importantly—
What kind of training had Y/n actually received?
The version she'd given tonight sounded clean.
Orderly.
Educational.
But Violet couldn't shake the feeling that something uglier lived beneath it.
Something harder.
Something painful.
Because no one became that alert by accident.
No one learned to read rooms that quickly.
No one learned to sleep that lightly.
No one became that good at surviving unless survival had once been necessary.
The fire crackled softly.
Above, stars stretched endlessly across the sky.
And as Violet watched the sleeping girl who had once been a child she adored, one thought refused to leave her.
Not who took Y/n.
Not even why.
But something much simpler.
Much more human.
When Y/n spoke about her childhood—
About training.
About moving.
About being shaped into something—
There had been no anger.
No bitterness.
No resentment.
Only acceptance.
And somehow...
That frightened Violet more than if there had been hatred at all.
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@river-of-woe @nikfigueiredo @littlepippilongstocking @narcissanarcissa @tati813 @interphellar @thelostbookmarks @rem-ie @illyrianprincess @delulustar @soldierfromthatmusic @chiara21 @thelostbookmarks @star-girlblog @muhhpfuuu @linnygirl09 @universallyrascaldreamercookie @thingsiwannaseelater @midnight-sun-bright-star @astrum-a @hallelujah-aries @littlemissclairbiggs @goldfishluvr @tiredqueen73 @celine-2007 @sousou2h @littowl @emmy5555 @ra-vens-ri-ver @whyucloudingmymind
Author's note: What do you all think of the story so far? Any theories?
The thing about war is that it takes over your mind. With the rebellion and venin being revealed, the riders being transferred to Aretia to fight for them, Violet hardly had time to even think of how Y/n was. She only knew that when the time came to choose, she had chosen their side.
Given that their attention was on much bigger problems, Violet had been relieved that neither Mira nor Brennan had come knocking to ask and question. There was nothing less that Violet preferred right now than having to listen to her sibling argue. It was a headache waiting to happen, and frankly, she had considered herself lucky that with the hordes of riders and flyers alike arriving, professors and generals rearranging to accommodate everyone to continue classes and preparations, Y/n had been able to pass as any other. But her siblings weren’t dumb, and honestly, Violet had never been one to be Zihnal’s favor.
The war room in Aretia had seen better conversations.
Maps still covered the table.
Markers still shifted across territories that no longer belonged to Navarre.
And yet—
None of that mattered right now.
Because all eyes were on the Sorrengails.
And the secret they had carried like a blade for too long.
Brennan stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, jaw tight in that familiar way that meant he was holding back far more anger than he was showing.
Mira stood beside him.
Sharpened.
Impatient.
Alive in a way that always made it hard to believe she’d been raised in the same house that buried so many truths.
Dain sat rigidly on the other side.
Violet beside him.
Xaden was behind her chair, silent as always when observation mattered more than intervention. Ever so thankful he was an only child.
Ridoc, Rhiannon, Sawyer, Garrick, Imogen, Bodhi—scattered around the room like pieces of a strategy that had stopped making sense weeks ago.
And now—
Everything was being dragged into the light.
Brennan broke first.
“How could she be alive?”
The question wasn’t curiosity.
It was fracture.
Mira tilted her head slightly, eyes sharp.
“Well,” she said, voice edged with something dangerously close to challenge, “maybe you can provide insight on that, brother.”
Brennan’s glare snapped to her immediately.
“Don’t start.”
“I’m not starting anything,” Mira shot back. “Just pointing out the irony.”
“WE saw her body,” Brennan said sharply, ignoring her entirely now. “She wasn’t a war death. She was a tragedy, not a casualty.”
The word landed heavy.
Too heavy.
Everyone in the room felt it.
Brennan’s voice lowered, controlled but shaking at the edges.
“And no one knows why she’s alive. Or why you all decided it was acceptable to keep this secret.”
Mira exhaled through her nose.
“Mom knew,” she added.
Brennan gave a humorless laugh.
“Mom is excellent at hiding secrets. That shouldn’t surprise you.”
Mira opened her mouth—
Violet cut in.
“We don't think she ever died.”
Silence dropped like a blade.
Brennan froze.
Mira stilled.
Even Garrick stopped shifting his weight.
“What?” Brennan asked slowly.
Violet swallowed.
Her voice was steadier now, but only just.
“She never died,” she repeated. "Instead, we think she was taken.”
Dain finally spoke, voice low.
“And replaced.”
That earned him a look from Brennan sharp enough to cut stone.
“Explain.”
So they did.
Piece by piece.
Carefully.
Violet led it, because she always did when truth felt too fragile to hold.
“She was gone from the fort that night,” Violet said. “But the body we found, it wasn’t hers. It matched her height, her coloring, enough to convince everyone in the panic of the search.”
Ridoc muttered, “Which is horrifying when you say it out loud.”
“Completely,” Sawyer muttered back.
“No signs of real identification,” Violet added quietly. “Not beyond what fear made us see.”
“And Aetos’s signet confirmed gaps,” Bodhi added.
Dain’s jaw tightened.
“Fragments,” he corrected. “Not confirmation.”
“But enough to know that things don’t add up,”Violet said.
Imogen leaned back slightly. “And she’s too good at all of it for it to be accidental.”
Sawyer nodded once. “She fights like she’s already has gone through Basgiath.”
That earned a silence again.
Mira slowly exhaled.
“So let me get this straight, she was taken,” she said. “And replaced with a body to fake her death. And trained into a weapon, a super soldier?”
“Most likely,” Violet confirmed.
Brennan looked away for a moment, processing.
When he spoke again, his voice was quieter.
“That still doesn’t explain how she’s alive now.”
No one answered immediately.
Because that was the part none of them could solve.
Finally, Mira spoke again.
“Has anyone asked her?”
The room went still.
Violet blinked.
Dain looked down.
Ridoc gave a very slow, very awkward cough.
Xaden didn’t move.
Mira’s expression sharpened.
“Oh, don’t tell me,” she said flatly. “You didn’t.”
Silence answered her.
Then she laughed.
Once.
Sharp and disbelieving.
“You’re telling me,” she continued, voice rising slightly, “that a girl who was supposedly dead for years shows up, probably traumatized, clearly trained, having survived something probably none of you understand and nobody thought to speak to her like a human being?”
Imogen shifted uncomfortably.
Garrick muttered, “It wasn’t that simple.”
Mira pointed at him immediately.
“You’re telling me it’s simpler to treat her like a battlefield anomaly than a person?”
No one answered.
Because she wasn’t wrong.
Mira turned slowly, scanning the table, directing her gaze to anyone with a rebellion relic.
“Did any of you think to ask Sloane?”
That landed harder.
Xaden’s gaze flicked briefly to Violet.
Ridoc frowned. “Sloane?”
“She spends most of her time with her,” Mira continued. “Aaric too.”
Dain stiffened slightly at Aaric’s name.
Mira pointed between Dain and Violet.
“You two know Aaric. The rest of you know Sloane. That’s already two bridges you refused to use.”
Violet’s shoulders lowered slightly.
That hit.
It hit because it was true.
Because in all the chaos with venin, war, rebellion, Aretia; they had reduced Y/n to a problem.
Not a person.
Violet’s voice came quieter than before.
“It’s too much.”
The admission wasn’t weakness.
It was exhaustion.
Mira’s expression softened immediately.
That shift was almost jarring.
Because Mira Sorrengail didn’t soften easily.
But she understood.
She always understood family fractures.
Especially ones carved by loss.
“I know,” she said more gently.
Silence stretched again.
Heavy, but different now.
Less defensive.
More reflective.
Brennan finally spoke again, quieter this time.
“She was a child.”
No one disagreed.
That was the truth at the center of all of it.
A twelve-year-old girl.
Gone.
Then returned.
Changed.
Alive.
Mira exhaled slowly.
“Then, why don't we stop treating her like a threat first?” she said. “And start treating her like someone who survived something we don’t understand at the moment.”
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
“Because we can conclude that whatever happened to her wasn’t gentle.”
No one argued.
Even Xaden didn’t.
Because they’d all seen enough to know that kind of truth when it stood in front of them.
Finally, Rhiannon spoke softly.
“So what now?”
A pause.
Then Garrick answered.
“Now we meet her.”
Imogen nodded once. “Properly.”
Ridoc sighed. “Without assuming she’s going to explode if we just look at her”
Rhiannon kicked him under the table, “not the moment”
Dain didn’t look up.
But his voice was quiet when he spoke.
“Without assuming anything.”
Violet exhaled slowly, knowing what he meant…without assuming she is the same person they cared for.
Something heavy had finally been set down—just slightly.
Brennan looked around the table one more time.
Then nodded.
“Then we start there.”
Outside the war room and everything beyond it, kept burning toward an uncertain future.
But for the first time in weeks…
They finally agreed on one thing.
Before answers.
Before conclusions.
Before war.
They needed to look at Y/n Blackthorne not as a mystery to solve—
but as a person who had been through something none of the could think of.
And figure out what that meant before it was too late.
Taglist: If you'd like to be added to the taglist, leave a comment or reblog :)
daniel ricciardo x fem!writer!reader - social media au.
synopsis: in search of authenticity for her latest novel, a successful writer turns to Reddit to ask questions about F1—and finds herself forming a quiet, meaningful connection with an anonymous stranger who knows the sport a little too well.
admin's note: helloooo!!!! I hope you really like this idea, I loved it from the moment it hit my brain 🙂↕️🙂↕️ It doesn't follow the real timeline; some events happen differently! P.S. If you have any ideas for FCs I could use for future smaus, I'd appreciate it xx
masterlist
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reddit - r/f1talk
OP (u/PlotTwistWriter): Hi! I’m writing a romance novel set in F1 and I want it to be realistic. Do drivers actually have time for relationships or is it just… chaos?
u/SmilingThroughTheGForces: Chaos, yes. But not the kind that makes relationships impossible. Just the kind that forces you to choose what matters.
OP: hat sounds… sad?
u/SmilingThroughTheGForces: Sometimes. Sometimes it just makes the quiet moments better.
later that night
OP: Okay second question: would a driver ever date someone who’s not part of the paddock?
u/SmilingThroughTheGForces: Honestly? That might be the dream.
OP: Why?
u/SmilingThroughTheGForces: Because they’d like you not the helmet, the car, or the headlines.
-
-
reddit - weeks later
OP: Can I ask something not research-related?
u/SmilingThroughTheGForces: You already are.
OP: Do you ever get lonely?
(three minutes pass)
u/SmilingThroughTheGForces: Yeah. Mostly in hotel rooms after races. When everything’s loud all day and then suddenly… nothing.
do you think the crosby girls would do the trend when you js randomly go and hug people on like their parents and grandparents nate geno or kris maybe even kindy cos hes living with them
WHERES MY HUG AT?
Summary: hugs for everyone!
an: i love making these type of fics as you can see
across the universe series
anais and ophelia’s version
“Wheres my hug at?”
The Crosby family was enjoying their last day in Pittsburgh before they traveled back to Halifax for the summer. Ben was getting his luggage ready since he was leaving as well to visit his family. Ophelia had the bright idea to film a tiktok before everyone separated.
Troy and Trina were in the kitchen having their breakfast at the dinner table when Ophelia walked in, her best friend Kelly was recording the interaction. Troy was in the middle of drinking his coffee when Ophelia wrapped her arms around his shoulders and gave him a side hug. The older man didn’t say anything, he just let it happen.
“Did you eat already?” Troy asked her.
“Yeah,” Ophelia nodded.
“Kelly, did you eat breakfast? There’s waffles that Viv made.” Troy looked over at the other teenager.
“Thank you, but I already ate.” Kelly replied.
Then Ophelia let go of her grandfather and moved over to her grandmother. Trina accepted Ophelia’s hug. This time it was a real hug since Trina had gotten up to get more coffee.
“You’re being affectionate this morning, Phee.” Trina chuckled.
“I’m in the mood for hugs today.” Ophelia replied. Then she saw her next ‘victim’. Ben had walked into the kitchen after he had successfully packed his own suitcase. “Ben!” She extended her arms out to give him a hug, which he accepted.
Since staying in the Crosby house, he had gotten used to Ophelia and her whatever she had planned. Kelly laughed as Ben just accepted his fate.
Later on, Ophelia found her mom and dad on the couch. Sidney was practically on top of Vivien while she played with his hair and watched an old movie on the tv. Finn was on the carpet playing with his toy cars. Ophelia had texted Anais to come in and try to hug their mother, but first they had to get through their clingy dad.
Anais entered the room and looked over at her parents. Sidney was definitely NOT letting go of Vivien anytime soon. Ophelia held in her laughter as Anais poked Sidney’s shoulder. The tired man hummed as a response but didn’t pick up his head. Why would he? He was in his wife’s arms while she played with his hair! He was in paradise.
“What is it, lovebug?” Vivien asked Anais.
“I just want to give you a hug.” Anais replied.
Sidney finally spoke up. “Give her a hug tomorrow.” He mumbled.
Anais scoffed playfully. “Dude, get off of her. It’s my turn.”
“She’s my wife.” Sidney declared.
“She’s my mom.” Anais fought back.
“I’ve known her longer than you have, Ani. Just . . . go hug your sister or something.” Sidney gently pushed her away. In that moment, he noticed that Vivien had stopped scratching his head. “Why’d you stop?” He asked her.
“So clingy and demanding.” Vivien rolled her eyes and continued running her fingers through Sidney’s hair.
“This dude,” Anais walked to her sister, who was still recording her tiktok. “Bitch move!” She quietly whispered to the camera as she laughed.
“He moved!” Ophelia finished a popular tiktok audio as they laughed.
“What are you guys—” The video cut off right when Vivien was about to ask the girls what they were doing.
opheliamaec: national hug day or whatever
anais.gc damn sid didn’t move at all 😒
opheliamaec yo everyone boo this guy
macksupreme BOOOOO
goldengoalsid BOOO!!
nhlflyers BOO!
opheliamaec yo everyone boo the flyers
anais.gc BOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
penguins BOOOOOO!👎🏼
bedsyvibes KINDY!!
willsbananabread tried to give my dad a hug and he dropped kicked me 😞
opheliamaec that happened to me when i tried to move sidney five mins ago :/
—
“Hugs for everyone”
Anais’ tiktok was very similar to Ophelia’s. She was in the Penguins locker room with her dad and several other players who were cleaning out their lockers. She propped her phone in her dad’s stall and soon the unexpected hugs began. It was quick, more like a compilation of Anais hugging the players.
First was Erik Karlsson, who spotted Anais’ camera and made a face after giving her a hug. Then Bryan Rust, who didn’t think twice about the hug. Geno came into the locker room and spotted the camera recording. He pointed at it. “What is this? No picture please!” He said in his deep voice, but he suddenly didn’t care about that anymore. Anais gave Geno a hug and he hugged her back.
He then picked her up and spun her around twice. “You remember when I pick you up when you were little?” He laughed as he her on the ground.
“Yes, you also faked that you were going to drop me several times.” Anais laughed as the memories of Geno giving little Anais tiny scares because he faked that he was going to drop her. But Geno wouldn’t. He would never let Anais fall.
Finally, Kris came into view. He was talking with Sidney when Anais opened her arms out to him. He didn’t hesitate to give her a hug, never breaking his conversation with Sidney. Kris eventually looked at the teenager. “You okay?” He asked with genuine concern.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Just felt like giving you a hug today.” Anais assured him.
“I thought something terrible happened. Don’t scare me like that,” Kris admitted as Sidney and Anais laughed. “Thanks, Ani. You give really great hugs.”
anais.gc: hugs 4 everyone
penguins 🫂
opheliamaec there’s my close good friend erik karlsson
thebigthreepens geno lol
coquettecrosby tanger asking you if you’re okay 🥹
grantfilms no joke you look like your mom in this vid 🥲
anais.gc my dad said the exact same thing when he saw me this morning haha i think it’s the bangs
danysdragons geno and his loud ass voice lmao
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