macklin with braces
there is a visual representation at the bottom of the text block🫡
as a kid mack never had braces because in between all his practices and different activities his parents couldn’t find the time to schedule consultations or fit in all the appointments that followed. especially when he started moving around a billeting, there was just no time so they went the easy route which was invisalign. the only problem with that was that mack could never be bothered to wear them, either he never remembered or he didn’t like the lisp they gave him when he put them in. he really didn’t care what his teeth looked like, he didn’t need teeth to play hockey.
his dad however said he needed to look presentable for media so, the offseason after his rookie year on the sharks rick scheduled him a consultation. the orthodontist tried to suggest invisalign again but rick argued he’d just forget to wear them again so braces it was.
macklin was pissed he tried to argue that the gap in his front teeth wasn’t even that bad and the rest weren’t even overlapping too terribly but what rick says is law. so, sometime after his 19th birthday mack found himself with a full set of top and bottom braces complete with a teal power chain to match his jersey.
when he walked into the sharks locker room for their first practice back he absolutely refused to talk, no opening his mouth, no giggling, no smiling, no teeth. that was until the equipment staff came in with his brand new, shiny bubble. the idle chatter had immediately ceased and everyone turned to look at macklin and his bubble. it took a second for someone to speak up but it was reeves who finally did what’s with the bubble kid?
mack didn’t respond, he just turned back to lacing his skates. really was next to poke the bear you get hurt or somethin?
deep down he knew that they wouldn’t stop unless he said something so taking advantage of having his head angled at the floor he finally speaks none of your fucking business, it comes out wet with a lisp on the s’s and that’s what gave him away
dude, celly got braces
mack wasn’t sure who said it but he was pissed, he whipped his head up to glare at where the voice came from before his chin was grabbed forcing his face in the opposite direction.
no way, let us see come on! it was will that had grabbed him, entirely too excited at the idea if you asked mack. most of the team had gathered around them now, including some of the rookies.
mack knew they wouldn’t go away until he showed them so he bared his teeth and let everyone ooh and ahh over metal mouth macklin.
chirps were being thrown out left and right but the only person he really focused on was will who was staring in awe, moving mack’s chin around so he could get all the angles. something dark was brewing in his eyes something that probably wasn’t locker room appropriate.