abbatoirablaze

[abbatoirablaze]

Re-starting and Re-Writing

I've decided... TheFanficBlog is going to be my new blog as of 2026. I'm going to re-write some stories and delete my old blog (this) after everything that I like is transferred over. Stay tuned...or don't. It's up to you.

[abbatoirablaze]

Been getting anon asks that are sending a lot of hateful comments and tbh with everything going on in my life I’m tempted to delete my blog and the stories in it.

I made this as a creative outlet years back but I’m just not sure about it anymore

[abbatoirablaze]

Hidden Love, Chapter 9

Word Count:  1.8k

Warnings:  slight angst, mentions of sexual activity.

“I tell you, Edwina, all will be fine!” you smiled at your young niece, “my mother has personally seen to it that we stay at her estate for the season, and I will show you the way of being presented properly!”

“You do not need to worry, Daniella, you have been married before...you and my mother left England and married my father and uncle in Bombay...”

“But I am well aware of the rules of the ton,” you smiled softly.  You fanned her delicately and she gave you a nervous look, “worry not.  All will be well.  Have I not taken care of you, your mother, and your sister all these years?”

Your sister-in-law gave you a gracious look, “and I thank you for all that you have done for me in our years of knowing one another, sister.”

“And I thank your open arms!” you offered, “you, Kate, and Edwina have been just as familial as my own mother and siblings...I was lucky to marry into such a loving one.”

Edwina sighed and gave you a nod, “I just-I understand not why mother-“

“You know of the trouble she caused when she left,” you sighed as you gave your sister-in-law a sad look, “your father never wanted to part of the ton...your uncle, god rest his soul, approached my mother for her blessing...he allowed my eldest sibling, Dominic, to sponsor him so that when I came out, I was already spoken for.”

“I’m sorry about uncle!” she frowned.

“Do not be sorrowful, my child.” You sighed, “while our love was not a true one, we did our duty and remained faithful and kind to another in our time that he was alive.”

“How can you call me child when you are just a few years older than I?” she teased.

“Edwina, you are barely a woman, and eighteen.  I am a woman of five and twenty, married and widowed.  I’ve seen much more than you have, my child.”

“Kate is older than you.”

“And I’ve already helped Kate acquire a husband, have I not?” you asked her, “she is already with child and a governess.”

She smiled once more, “but Kate didn’t have to come here.”

“Kate is repulsed by the idea of England.”

“She is...”

“Lady Sharmas...we are here.” The driver proclaimed as the carriage came to a stop.  You smiled off at your niece, and tapped her thigh, “very well, Edwina.  Mary.  We are here.  Let us get settled in.  Yes?”

Already, it had only been a few hours since you’d gotten in, and you felt smothered by the country you’d grown up in.   While you may not have gotten to see your mother just yet, you were flooded with memories sitting in your old room.

You needed to get out and clear your head. 

And the one way to do that, was by having a nice ride in the early morn.  You found yourself in the pasture, trotting, when you noticed someone following you.  You smiled.  It felt like a competition; one where you could let go of your inhibitions.  And so you did,  as you grinned when you saw the hedge.

“WOAH NOW!” the man yelled at you, “CAREFUL THERE!”

Clicking your heels against your trusty steed, he jumped, clearing the hedge.  You felt a wave of triumph as you came to the top of the hill and turned, your hood on your cape dropping.  You shuddered as you saw the man. 

He smiled softly at you, his hand caressing your side, while the two of you laid in the field, more naked than the day itself.  Your eyes flickered from his thin lips, up to his eyes as his hand rested on the flat of your stomach.

“Anthony...”

“Daniella...” he sighed softly.  His hand trailed down to your core, and you moaned into the open field.  A gasp took hold of you as his fingers dipped expertly between your folds.  Your eyes closed, and your back arched ever so slightly.

“Don’t stop!” you begged.

“I don’t want to...”

His lips pressed to yours and he rolled you towards himself, until you were on top of him, and his hands were pulling your legs to either side of him so that you were straddling him.  Another gasp took hold of you and your eyes widened when you felt his hard cock bump against your backside.

“I want to make love to you, Daniella.”

“Take me, Anthony.”

“Enjoying your victory lap?”

Your eyes widened as you spotted the eldest Bridgerton came towards you.  You mumbled a curse in Hindi and looked for another way to escape him but found none.

“Anthony...”

“You’ll not be afforded such ample head start this time!” he said firmly in his own way of joking.  When you didn’t laugh he frowned, “it has been years since I’ve seen you...and you run from me?”

“Apologies sir...I did not mean to cause anyone concern.”

“Does your maid know that you’re riding astride, Daniella?”

“I have no maid,” you reminded him, “I am but a married woman...I need not a babysitter.”

“Well, you didn’t need a babysitter when we were younger either.”

A blush caught your cheeks, and you looked away from the man you’d once allowed yourself to love, “I wish you would not speak of those times, Lord Bridgerton!”

“Forgive me...are you lost?” he asked teasingly, “you are a long way from Bombay!”

“I am on my way back to Mayfair,” you said tersely, “to my mothers’ estate.”

“Well then-“

“I appreciate your attention sir,” you said in a whisp of anger, “but I am perfectly safe.  I know the country just as well as the day I left it, my lord.”

“Apologies!” you said quickly as you launched yourself into your mother’s sitting room.  Your mother gave you a rather unimpressed look, knowing your habit of wandering off.

“Daniella!”

“Sister!”

“I do apologize mother...Edwina...sister.  I did not wish to keep you waiting, but I could not waste such a fine morning...” you smiled as you looked towards the windows, “I went for a ride in the park...it has been so long since I’ve been home.”

“Well do not just stand there as though we are strangers!” your mother said firmly.  You smiled and came up to her, hugging her.

“I have missed you so, mother.”

“Could hardly tell,” she said in jest, “you never write to me...even your siblings and father has heard nary a peep aside from you telling us of your husbands’ departure and your wish to present Edwina to the ton.”

You frowned, “I do apologize for that mother.”

“It is I who is sorry, my child.  You are my youngest...while your father was happy to allow the proposal to Mr. Sharma as he felt it proper, I allowed you to be shipped off to Bombay without a thought.”

“I had married into a good family!” you offered, reaching out to take Mary’s hand in your own, “while my husband was unable to give me children, I was lucky enough to be in Kate and Edwina’s lives, and she allowed me to help raise them as well...and after...well, you know...I needed stability in my life.”

Your mother offered a kind look to Mary and took her other free hand, “it is good that we are all here together.”

“Well almost...where is Newton?  Is he still upstairs?”

“Newton?”

“Oh yes, mama,” you smiled at her, “Newton.  Our dog.”

“Dog,” she sneered, “such ugly little creatures.”

“Oh, would you look at that...it is the viscount.” Your mother smiled, looking to you, before turning your attention to your niece, “Edwina, I do not believe that I have made the introduction.   The viscount is wealthy, well-connected, and comes from an illustrious family.  And from what I’ve heard, he’s looking to marry this season.”

“Anthony?” you asked, turning your attention back to your mother, “he-he has not married all these years?”

“He’s very attractive.”

“That, he is!” you agreed solemnly. You found yourself fading out of the conversation as your sister disappeared with a baron to have a dance.  Your mind drifted to the viscount in question as he took to the floor with a young lady. 

Following around the edge of the dancefloor, you saw the pain in his eyes. 

The very eyes that you’d spent so many a night gazing into despite being promised to another man.

“May I have this dance, Miss. Danbury?”

“Viscount Bridgerton?” you asked softly, glancing up into his eyes, “you wish to dance with me?”

“I believe she is spoken for,” Sanjay grinned, as he held a tight grip on your waist, “aren’t you, Miss Danbury?”

Your eyes went to Anthonys’, “One dance couldn’t hurt, could it?”

His jaw clenched and he held out your wrist to Anthony so that you were presenting your dance card.  Anthony frowned, “it looks as though you are late in the evening, viscount.  I was the last man on Miss. Danbury’s dance card.  See?”

“I suppose I should have composed myself at an earlier rate to acquire a dance with the accommodating diamond of the season, should I not?”

“I am sorry, my lord!” you frowned, giving him a sad look.

“Maybe at the next ball, you shall save a spot on your card for me?”

“You know...married or not, you shouldn’t be traversing the gardens unaccompanied, Daniella!”

Your head snapped up at the comment, “Anthony.”

“Catching some air in the gardens outside the ballroom?” he asked, “or eavesdropping on the conversation of men?”

“More like, needing to find a way out of the dreary conversations from those who wish to hear about my travels in India.” You sighed, “I feel for my sister-in-law and how they glare at her about her marrying my husband’s brother, but they treat me like I’ve been on some grand adventure.”

“Was your marriage not everything you’d wished it would be?”

“Are you asking of my marriage, Anthony?” you asked, “after all this time where we have been apart from another, that is what you wish to ask of me?”

“No...no.  I-“

“I would think you would be more focused on your own marital troubles.”

“I have no troubles in my marital affairs.”

You scoffed at him, “of course you don’t, Anthony.  You are a rake.”

He gaped at you, “a rake?  Is that all you think of me, Lady Daniella?”

You couldn’t help but smile at his faux surprise, “Anthony Bridgerton, you are the biggest rake in all of England.”

“How could I be anything else when the only woman I’ve truly loved was already promised to another man?”

You felt your smile fading away at the words, “Anthony...”

He sighed, “I-I’m sorry.  I should not hav-“

“No, you should not!” you said quickly as you cut him off, “excuse me.”

Chapter 10

[abbatoirablaze]

Above All Else, The Losers, Part 1 of 3

Word Count:  1.6k

Warnings:

“How did you get this number?” you asked quickly.

“How I got it, isn’t important,” the voice on the other end of the line replied, “what is important is that your brother is in danger.”

“My brother is always in danger!” you scoffed, shaking your head at the insane notion that your brother wasn’t always doing something that had the potential for him to end up dead, “he’s always doing something that will-“

“This is different,” the voice answered, “your brother...he really is in trouble.  The-“

“If Carlos was in trouble he would have said something to me!”

“Would he?”

“Ma vida, this is no place for you!”

You glared at your older brother, “you can’t tell me where my place is, Carlos!”

“I’m telling you now!” he growled, shooting you another glare, “this is not the place for you to be.  If dad was to find-“

“I don’t care what dad thinks!” you spat, “I’m here.  And there’s no getting rid of me.  Your rank means nothing when it comes to my placement.”

His jaw clenched, “I could make your life difficult, Alli.”

“Then do it!” you spat at him as you felt your own jaw clenching.  You stepped up to him so that the two of you were toe to toe, “I belong here, Carlos.  And you know that.  Despite what you and dad think, I can make a difference, just like you are.  I can do this!”

“Women aren’t supposed to be in the military let alone special forces!” he hissed, “you’re not supposed to be here.”

“Why not, huh?” you asked, “because all I’ve ever wanted was to be like you.  And when I was little, you let me follow you around...you taught me everything that you knew of.  If you didn’t expect me to act on it, why would you do that?  Why would you encourage it?”

“Because I thought you would grow up!” he hissed, “I thought that you would realize that what you were doing was just focusing on me.  That you would realize that you were a little girl who should have been playing with dolls and wearing the dresses that mom and dad bought you instead of chasing after me and learning how to handle a rifle.”

“Well I didn’t, Carlos!” you frowned, “I saw what you did, and how noble it was, and I wanted to do the same exact thing.  So I did.”

“Dad doesn’t know...”

“No...he doesn’t.”

“Where does he think you are, huh?” You bit your lip and he frowned, “where does he think you are, Alexandra?”

“He thinks I ran off with some guy,” you admitted, “he thinks that I’m being silly and eloping with some jackass that wouldn’t stop coming by the house.”

“And what happens when that jackass comes by the house?”

“He won’t, Carlos...he followed me into the military!”

Your brother scoffed, “so you have a little military husband following you around?  God, that’s even worse.”

“I never returned any of his affections, Carlos...Kevin was stationed overseas...his unit got blown to pieces two weeks after he arrived.”

His relaxed demeanor changed in a millisecond and he shook his head, “go home, Alex.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

“I’m your older brother.”

“No...my older brother wouldn’t act like this,” you growled, “he wouldn’t treat me like some little kid.  He wouldn’t act like I needed a man to support me.  I can fend for myself.”

“Oh yeah?” he chuckled, “you think you can fend for yourself?”

“I know I can.”

“Then do it!” he spat, “because this is the special forces...and sibling or not, I’m not going to stick my neck out for you when you should be at home, Alex.”

“We’re in LA.”

“What?”

“We’re in Los Angeles...at the port.”

Your stomach turned as you thought about her words, “Look lady...I don’t know what game you’re playing at, but my brother and I have-“

“I know that you two haven’t talked since you were in basic for the special forces,” she said quickly, cutting you off, “I know that the two of you didn’t keep up with one another, and haven’t been involved in each other’s lives since he wrote to your father telling him what you really did.  I know that your father and your brother all but disowned you when you graduated and moved into your own group.”

“Then why are you calling me?”

“You’re a private contractor...and I’m looking to hire you.”

“To work with my brother?”

“To work for me,” she said casually, “and yes...that might involve saving your brother and his groups ass.”

You scoffed, “my brother won’t want me working with him.”

“Your brother doesn’t know what’s going on,” she said quickly, “he and his team are walking into a trap, and those idiots are too stupid to see it.”

You sighed to yourself and looked at the hat that sat on your kitchen island.  You and your brother had got matching ones right before he’d been sent off to basic when he’d enlisted. 

It was a much simpler time then.

“And how do I even know that you’re going to come back?”

Your elder brother smiled at you and wrapped an arm around your shoulders, “I’ll always come back home to see you, vida.  You’re my baby sister.”

“Dad won’t let you come back if you leave.”

“Well lucky for you that you’re only a few years younger than me,” he chuckled as he messed with your hair, “you’ll be out into the world soon enough.  Breaking hearts and taking names.”

“You know that I’m not interested into that type of thing, Carlos.”

He rolled his eyes, “you’re just saying that, Alli.  You’ve never had a real boyfriend because me and dad keep everyone off the property with a look and a threat of our rifles.”

“Oh believe you me, I’ve had offers of relationships big brother.” You laughed. 

Your brother stopped laughing and his steps through the store stopped.  You felt yourself being pulled back as he looked at you, “who came onto you?” he asked, “I’ll kill em before I leave.”

“Carlos...”

“No one comes onto my baby sister!” he frowned. 

“Can we not argue on your last day home?” you asked sadly, “it’s already bad enough that dad went down to the bar and said that you’re not his son anymore.”

“Who would have thought that me doing my civil duty and signing up for the military would cause him to disown me?” he joked.

“You know how extremist dad is!” you frowned.

“Naw...he’s just your normal Texan,” he chuckled, “but he did want me to run the ranch.  I know that...”

“We’re not always supposed to do what our parents want, big brother!” you sighed, giving him a sad smile, “Right?  We’re meant to follow what we want to do...our dreams.”

“Right!” he nodded, “and I mean...only thing I ever was sure of was that I wanted to serve my country...”

“I know...I’m going to miss you, Car...”

“I’m going to miss you too, Alli.”

There was a somber moment between the siblings as the two of them thought about what their lives would be like without the other.

“You know...I can’t think of a time when you weren’t there, Carlos...”

He chuckled as he tried to make a joke about it, “really?  Because the first three years of my life were pretty good.”

“Asshole!” you scoffed, shoving your brother as you started walking through the store once more. 

“I’m joking, Alli.  You’re my best friend...you know that!”

“And your life, remember!” she teased.

The elder sibling smiled as he thought about the nickname he’d given you when you were children.  All your life, you had clung to your elder brother like he was the air that you breathed. 

You were his shadow, following him wherever he went.

But he never seemed to mind.

But now as he stood in the shop that you’d managed to convince him to go to, he couldn’t help but watch you, wondering how your path would differ from his after he’d left. 

You’d probably find some guy that wasn’t too afraid of your father and date him for a bit before getting married and having a kid or two. 

If your father got his way, you’d probably marry one of his friend’s sons, and the two of you would take over the ranch so that he could retire to the desert and his off-the-grid bunker.  And he’d probably return to town when he received a wedding invitation, or announcements of a child being born. 

“OH CARLOS!”

The elder sibling snapped out of his own thoughts as you smiled widely at him from the stand of cowboy hats.  His brow raised.

“What on ear-“

“We’re getting matching hats!” you said quickly, cutting your brother off.

“What?”

“Matching hats...” you said again, this time much slower as you lifted two identical hats from the racks, “we always said that when we were younger we’d get em...and your last hat is falling apart as it is because it was grandpas...get matching hats with me!  We could have the maker steam em so that our initials are on the inside too!”

He smiled at his younger sister as he walked over and took one of the hats from you, “you want us to get matching hats?”

“Please Carlos...”

“So it’s Chyron...”

She nodded at you, “they’re going to a CIA stash house at the port, and they don’t know that they’re walking into a trap.”

“So why me?”

“Because...you’re the best at what you do, Alexandra Alvarez...and I need the best if we’re going to get the Losers out of this alive.”

Part 2

[abbatoirablaze]

The StiXXX List, Chapter 10

Word Count:  1.7k

Warnings: nothing really

“CUP LINEUP!” Bobby Pronge called out throughout the hockey house, the second he had Johnny stop the music. 

While there were a few women who looked unsure, there were even more of them who were smiling.

“What’s a cup line up?” Amani asked Lance.  Her brows furrowed and she looked around nervously to the rest of the people who she was in a group talking with.  Bucky frowned as he looked at his girlfriend. 

“Another one of the reasons I don’t like this party,” he admitted, “cup lineup is-“

“For those of you who may be unaware of our little tradition,” Andy Barber smiled from in front of the large table that was set up in the middle of the room, with names arranged on cups on one end, and a bowl of ping pong balls on the other, “the cup lineup is something that we do at the first party of the season.  It’s when all of us hockey players put a cup with our name on it on the table, and all of the women at the party have to shoot it into one of the cups.”

“We don’t have to play, doll,” Bucky said quickly, “I got in a lot of shit for it last year with the team because I disappeared, but-“

“You mean when you snuck me and Steve on campus?” she asked, eyes wide as she remembered last year when Bucky had gotten Steve into the party and then the two of them disappeared to have some alone time. 

He blushed and nodded as he reached up and kissed her knuckles, “I wouldn’t mind doing that again.  You know, we are trying for baby Barnes number two...wouldn’t have to wear a condom this time...”

“No sneaking away this time, Barnes,” Ransom chuckled as he put his arm around his fellow teammate, “I was given the lovely task of watching over you to make sure you didn’t disappear this year.”

“It doesn’t really affect the outcome of the games,” Bucky laughed, “and I mean, I was getting some action...so really...I just didn’t use a version of beer pong as an excuse for it to happen.”

“Tradition, brother!” he urged, “I’m just trying to make sure you get as much pussy as possible.”

Amani rolled her eyes at the hockey player, “you’re so gross, Drysdale.  You do realize that his long term partner, who he’s trying to have another kid with is right there.  Why would you say something like that?”

“Why you so stuck up, ice princess?” Ransom growled.

“Cool it, Drysdale...Amani is my best friend...she’s my guest.”

“Whatever,” he said with a shrug as he rolled his eyes.  He turned away from the group and took a swig of his beer, “I was just tasked with making sure Barnes here didn’t disappear again.  As far as I’m concerned, his cup is on the table, so he’s in.”

“Alright, come on, ladies...line up!” Wade said as he snaked his way through the room, “every lady has to line up or go.  You all play!”

Bucky gave his girlfriend a wistful look while she lined up with the rest of the girls and Andy explained the rules.

“Every woman has to play...if you don’t-“

“THERE’S THE DOOR!” the rest of the team chorused.

“Exactly!” Johnny Storm smiled as he stepped up beside his captain, “the rules are simple, really.  Every woman lines up and shoots into one of the cups, beer pong style.  You kiss the player whose name is on the cup you land in.  The player can either keep their cup open and keep getting kissed from you lovely ladies, or they can drink the beer and crush the cup!”

A few of the women cheered, and Mike Weiss joined him at his side, clapping him on the shoulder, “if at any time you don’t want to kiss the person that you happen to get, you can reject them, but you have to streak down Greek Row to stay in the game.  As a reminder, hockey players, you are not allowed to refuse a kiss without punishment.  If you do not go streaking down Greek Row, you’re automatically eliminated from the game, and you’ll be dealt with after the party...women, if you reject a player and refuse to streak, you won’t be allowed back in the house until you’ve done both streaking down Greek Row and making it up to the player you rejected.  HOUSE RULES!”

“And as a reminder, this is a team tradition!” Andy said quickly, finishing it up for his teammate, “this is done in good fun for the team and you ladies to bring us luck in the upcoming season.  Before we start, if anyone wants to leave, without any issues, they can.  But if you stay, you play!”

There were a few girls who shifted uncomfortably through the crowd and left with guys, who were obviously not hockey players, but no one seemed bothered by it. 

“LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!” Bobby Pronge grinned, “As is tradition, the co-captains girlfriends are to start.  Ari is single, as a reminder to you ladies, but we do have our co-captain’s fiancé Laurie here...so she’ll start us off!”

Laurie scoffed, before looking at Andy, clearly unamused, “i’m not doing it...”

“Aww, come on Laurie, it’s tradition.  You know this...you did it last year and the year before and you weren’t even dating Andy!”

“And now I’m engaged to him,” she frowned, looking to her fiancé, “tell them I’m not playing!”

“I’ll go first,” Ghost smiled, stepping to the front.  Bobby smirked as she batted her lashes at him and picked up a ball, “I don’t mind taking one for the team.”

“That’s my girl!” he growled playfully.  He looked to his captain, “what do you say, Barber...”

“Isn’t his ex here?”

“Glitter!”

“Make Glitter go first!”

A few of the girls pushed Ghost’s twin forward until she was next to her sister.  Andy’s jaw twitched, “what the hell are you doing here?  Who’s watching B-“

“Haley’s watching her!” she said quickly, cutting her ex off.  Ghost smirked and held one of the balls out to her twin.  Andy growled.

“You’re not playing!”

“Tradition is tradition, Andy!” Glitter answered firmly, “should I kick it off?”

“You can do whatever you want.  I’m not playing this  stupid game!” Laurie hissed, pushing past the girls and storming off out the door. Andy was quick to chase after her.

“One of the captains always has a girl-“

“Angel can count as my girl!” Ari said with a polite smile as he stepped forward, “let her start off the lineup.”

Glitte gave the man she was friends with a soft smile and he mirrored it.

“Works for me, Pronge shrugged, “WHAT TIME IS IT?”

“CUP LINEUP!” the team chorused.

“ROLL CALL!” Pronge yelled over the team.

“Levi’s girl!” Glitter  smirked, laughing as she played along.

“LEVI’S GIRL!” the team chorused.  Ghost bit her lip and expertly sank the ball into the cup that had Ari’s name on it.  He smiled, and the two of them met at the table. 

“What’ll it be, Levinson?” she teased.  Ari smiled and picked up his cup, before chugging the beer.  He crushed the solo cup in his hands and tossed it to the ground.  The team cheered for him as he leaned in, but the cheers quickly turned to booing as Ari placed a polite kiss to the apple of his cheek.  She gave him a look, her lashes flickering up at the larger man, “that all you got, Levs?”

“Kiss her like a real man!” Pronge urged. 

“I’m a gentleman...” Ari insisted.  He put his arm around Glitter’s waist and led her back to the circle around the table, “the game’s started.”

“Fuck this,” Pronge laughed, pointing to Ghost, “ROLL CALL!”

“FREEZY’S GIRL!”

“FREEZY’S GIRL!” the team chorused after her.  Ghost giggled and shot directly into Pronge’s cup.  He went straight for it and pulled the ball out of the cup, holding it out to her.  She grabbed his hand and licked it while he chugged the beer and crushed the solo cup beneath his foot.  He growled at her and snatched her close to himself before pressing a heavy, wet kiss to her lips. 

Most of the team cheered for him, but Johnny noticed his best friend shrinking back while his dream girl kissed another guy, his teammate, nonetheless, like they were about to start filming their own porno in the living room. 

“Plenty of girls, man!” Johnny tried to tell his friend. 

“I need another drink!” Mike frowned, shrinking back into the kitchen so that he could grab another beer.  The game continued on, with a few of the other senior’s significant others pushing towards the front of the line fast so that no one else could try to cut in on their boyfriends. 

Tony Stark and Pepper were followed by Sue and Reed, then Aisha and Clay all before Wade’s girlfriend ended up landing on Cougar.  And somewhere in there, Andy had managed to convince Laurie to not only come back in, but to play, only after another girl went before her. 

Without any hesitation, she pushed Delilah in front of her, “let a new girl play...”

Bucky gave his girlfriend a nervous look when Ransom smirked and handed her one of the balls, “ROLL CALL!”

“Bucky’s girl!”

“BUCK’S GIRL!” the team chorused. 

Delilah looked at the table for a second, trying to find her boyfriend’s cup. 

“Any time!” Laurie groaned, “I want to get this over with.”

Delilah sank the ball immediately into her chosen cup, and Bucky looked at her in disbelief.  A few of his teammates chuckled, calling him lucky, while she made her way to the table.  She picked up the cup and held it out to him.

“Go get your girl, Barnes!” Lee smiled, pushing his teammate towards her. 

Bucky nearly stumbled over himself as he made his way to her, and took the cup from her hands.  He chugged it and dropped it to the floor, only to crush the cup beneath his foot like his other teammates had. 

“How did you-“

“SHUT UP AND KISS YOUR GIRL, BARNES!” Lance chuckled, yelling at his friend.  Bucky blushed and wrapped his arms around his girlfriend, pulling her into himself so that they could catch each other’s lips.  The team cheered for them, and when they broke apart, he began to lead her away from the group entirely.

“How did you do that, doll?”

“Come on...you didn’t think I would come to the party without having Haley teach me how to play, would you?” she giggled, nudging her boyfriend, “now that the formalities are out of the way...what do you say we get to work on baby number two, Mr. Barnes?”

Chapter 11

[abbatoirablaze]

Hidden Love, Chapter 8

Word Count:  1.4k

Warnings: slight angst.

“Did you hear it?”

“Did you see the latest report from Lady Whistledown?  The queens’ youngest is engaged in a revolution in Prussia!”

“The country is all but falling apart under the princesses command!”

“She’s a queen now...” another scoffed, “and some good that did...two kings died while she was there.”

“I heard that her husband didn’t just die...I heard that he killed himself when he found out that Prince Friedrich fathered her children.”

“How would they know?” another asked, “they were twins!”

“She’s cursed!”

“The whole country is cursed.”

“She left her children here in England with the Queen and King, because she knows that they’re all going to die in Prussia!”

“Enough!” the queen frowned, shooting a look to her ladies in waiting and the crowd that had been speaking about Amelia.

The crowd became still under her watchful gaze.

For weeks she’d been listening to her people talk of her daughter.  Of how she was a lousy queen and unfit to rule a lawless place, let alone Prussia.  For weeks she had found herself cuddled up with her grandchildren, praying that her youngest give word that she was alive.

She didn’t need to hear others voice her biggest fear of her daughter dying aloud...not when she’d almost been forced to live it when her youngest was but a child out of leading strings.

“Queen Amelia is welcome back in England with open arms, just as her children are,” she reminded them, “not only has she done her service in providing Prussia with an heir, but her daughter, the very daughter she birthed this very year will be the future of England...and she did something that many mothers would be unable to.  She let them go to another country to provide their safety.”

The ton remained quiet, nervously looking amongst each other. 

None of them were going to object to what the queen had said.

But none of them had retracted their own sentiments.

The scene only remained more tense when a young woman stepped into the entrance of the courtyard. 

Benedict felt his breath stole away in his chest. 

You wore a crown on your head, and you looked very dignified; albeit slightly gaunt.  The last time Benedict had seen you, you were grief-stricken when you had kissed your children goodbye as you loaded them into the carriage to England with him. 

You took a few simple steps through the courtyard, until you came to your mother.  Bowing ever so slightly, you looked at her, “Queen Charlotte...I thank you for the safety your country has provided my children.  Your country’s generosity is something I can never repay.”

“You are a child of England Amelia,” she said graciously to her daughter as she lifted her chin, “I may be your mother, but you are a queen of your own country...one you are fighting to rule for.”

You nodded, and as your attention turned towards the Duke and Duchess of Hastings, your mother commanded for the music to start again. 

Daphne gave you a warm smile as she saw you, but she waited like a statue; choosing to allow you to approach her.

“Daph...”

“Queen Amelia!” she said politely, offering a curtsy. 

“Oh, stop that!” she giggled, reminding her friend of their relationship with such ease that made the young woman’s heart ache for the companionship of her best friend, “you know that you need not do that around me.”

“As you wish,” she laughed, “thank you for finding time to come to our ball.”

“I wouldn’t miss it, Daph...I-“

But you felt the words dying in your throat as you saw someone all to familiar walking to the entrance to greet his brothers and mother.  

How did you miss spotting him?

“He’s missed you, you know?”

“Benedict...”

“He wasn’t the same after he left Prussia...” Daphne hinted.  You looked at your friend and she smiled, “he’s been watching over them, just as you’d asked...the queen even gave him a room in the palace so that he can be there for them full time.”

He had stopped in the entryway when he saw you.  Violet gave her son a sweet tap on the arm when she saw you standing on the opposite side of the room. 

“You should speak to him, Amelia...”

“I-I think I will...”

You took full-hearted steps towards him, your heart in your throat.  He gave you a bow when you came to a stop, “your majesty.”

“Do not bow to me, Benedict...we are far beyond that.”

“My queen...”

“Dance with me, Benny...”

He gave you a soft smile and held out a hand to you, so that you might lead him to the dance floor, “as you wish, my queen.”

“Benedict!”

“Yes Amelia?”

“Benedict!”

He looked around the courtyard, his brows furrowing as he realized that it hadn’t been your voice. 

“BENEDICT!”

The second-eldest Bridgerton was pushed so heavily that when he went to find your hand again, he could not. 

Another jostle, and his eyes opened to a very annoyed looking Eloise.

“What do you want, Eloise?”

“You have a letter!” she said firmly, holding the parchment out in front of him. 

He shot off the couch and grabbed the paper, upon seeing the mark of the woman he loved. 

“What does it say?” the younger sister asked, “it’s from Amelia, I know that...but-“

“Eloise, go away!”

“I am most curious of what it says myself!”

Benedict froze upon seeing his mother at the entrance to the drawing room.

“Mother...”

He felt an aching in his chest as he looked at the letter.

“You haven’t seen the children, Benedict...what if she asks of them in her letter?”

“The queen hasn’t let me see them since I came home,” he corrected, “she said that her guard will suffice.”

“Read the letter.”

Benedict looked at the heavy parchment in his hand and opened it with a nod.

My beloved,

I have received word from the castle that the children are safe.  My mother has written to me, and said that she will make sure they are safe within the castle walls. 

For your honor in what you’ve done, I am granting you a title in Prussia, and mother has agreed that you are to be knighted in England.  Anything that you may want for, simply write it, and it shall be provided.

You will receive her correspondence shortly after mine arrives. 

And as such, should I survive this war, I am to ask for your hand.  The hand of my beloved.  If I do not survive such war, I’ve already sent a letter to my mother, about our children.  There is no doubt in my mind that she’s opened it despite my protest to only open it should I pass, and she knows of Edmunt and Charlotte’s true parentage, as she’s already said that they are Prussia and England’s future, and she knows my intent to come home to you, and to England.

I will write again if I am able.

Yours and only yours,

Amelia

“Well?”

Benedict took a sharp breath in, “the queen knows of Edmunt and Charlotte...”

“They are still in the castle though.  They-“

“She has accepted my children despite it...A-Amelia said that I am to be knighted as well.  I-maybe...maybe that is why...so then our children wouldn’t technically be bastards?”

Violet looked at her son, wide-eyed, “what?”

“I am to be titled at Amelia’s request,” he said breathlessly, “knighted by the queen and-“

“And what?” Eloise asked.

“Amelia has found a way to marry me” he said in disbelief of what he’d just read.  He looked over the letter once more, his heart fluttering in a way that he never thought he’d be allowed to freely express, “Amelia wants to marry me after the war.  We-we won’t have to hide our love any longer.  We...I-”

“Ma’am!”

The three Bridgertons looked to one of the house servants who had appeared at the top of the steps, “what is it?”

“There is someone here from her royal majesty’s guard,” she said nervously, “Th-they have brought a carriage for Mr. Bridgerton saying that he has business at the castle.”

Benedict looked to his mother, and then to his sister.

“What are you waiting for?” Eloise asked as she nudged her elder brother, “go.”

“Mother?” he asked.

“Well, what are you waiting for,” Violet said as she urged her son towards the stairs, “Poppy, let them know that Benedict will be coming sho-“

“They have also asked for you Miss. Bridgerton,” Poppy said quietly, “the queen has also asked for your presence personally.”

Chapter 9

[abbatoirablaze]

Hidden Love, Chapter 7

Word Count:  1.4k

Warnings:  death, angst, secrets.

“KING HEINRICH IS DEAD!”

“THE KING IS DEAD!”

The words echoed through the castle, but it felt like it was louder as it repeated again and again in your own head. 

Heinrich was dead.

It wasn’t an act. 

The king was truly dead. 

Your heart ached. 

He may have not been a real husband, but he was truly a good man, and an even better friend to you in the years of knowing him.  And while you weren’t happy at the idea of him faking his own death, he had seemed to be sure that it would be an act. 

Not the real thing.

“Just trust me, Amelia!”

“Heinrich...what are you-“

“My footman had promised me that the drugs will wear off!” he smiled like an idiot, “the apothecary is taking care of it, and when I am to be placed in my tomb, really, I will have woken up and we will sneak out of the castle to a boat that is waiting for us.  My family, they will seal it up empty.   It will work!”

“You can’t seriously be buying into this fantasy, Heinrich,” you simpered, taking your friend and husband’s hands in your own, “if you wish to disappear with your footman, then do that.  But do not try to plan a ruse because you are afraid of them finding out.”

“It will work, Amelia.”

“But it won’t,” you said in disagreement, “you will die, Heinrich.  I can feel it in my bones.”

“I can’t believe it actually worked!”

You looked up at his twin, his eyes glittering with curiosity, while you yourself remained entirely unconvinced.

“It didn’t, cousin...can’t you see?” you asked, “your brother is gone...he is truly gone.”

“Heinrich, you are an idiot!” you all but screamed in a hushed tone when he finally admitted his plan to you, “you’re relying on Hans to find you in time.  You’re relying on these drugs to keep you knocked out...to slow your pulse enough that the doctor believes you are deceased...what happens if it does kill you?  What happens if your mother decides to prolong your burial?  This will not end well.”

“If I die then I am free anyways,” he smiled, caressing your cheek, “as would you be.  And as far as my mother is concerned, tell her that Prussia must appear strong.  That my death is too near my fathers, and a strong presence needs to be felt through the kingdom.  She won’t want to do it but will have to agree...mother understands the politics of it all and will agree!  She has to!”

“Friedrich...I think he’s actually dead!”

He looked at you, and then to his brother, “no...he can’t be...he wouldn’t.  He-“

“Friedrich...we-we have to let them take him so that they can process him for his burial...” you sighed, “GUARD?”

“My queen?”

“Find his footman, Hans, and send for those to prepare my husband’s body.”

“My queen?” he asked, his tone seeming a little unsure at the first part of your request, “his footman?”

“I shall need to speak with him.”

“I should tell your secret right now!” you all but cursed your husband, “you want so desperately to get out of this marriage, out of this life, that you’re threatening to kill yourself.”

“I’m not actually going to die-“

“YOU WILL, YOU IDIOT!”

“You’ll see.  You and Friedrich will see!”

“My queen...”

“One more day!” his brother begged, giving you a look, his eyes nearly wild as he looked between you, his mother, and the guards who stood over the corpse as he lay in his bed, “one more day, Amelia.  I-“

“He’s gone, Friedrich,” you sniffled, sparing him a look.  You shook your head, “we have been mourning for a day and a half...he’s starting to smell...Heinrich is dead...and we have accept that.”

You looked towards his mother, and she bit her lip as she tried to stop it from warbling.  You took her hand in your own and stifled another sniffle, “we have to be strong, for Prussia, my grace.”

She shook her head, a few tears slipping down her cheeks, “you have to be strong for Prussia, my queen...I just lost a son and a husband in less than half a year...the only plus is that he gave you two children before his death...”

“Friedrich...” you asked, looking towards the wrecked prince, “you are next in line.”

“I am not, my queen...you and Heinrich had Edmunt.  You shall be queen regent until he is of age.”

“I-“

“I cannot lead out people...not now.”

“I-I’m not-“

“You are our queen, my grace!” he sobbed, kneeling in front of you.  You looked at him, shell-shocked as he took your hands and cried against them.  Looking to his mother for help, she did no such thing, and instead, she knelt to you as well.

“My que-“

“Long live queen regent, Amelia of Prussia.” She commanded, looking at the guards.  Your eyes shifted to them, and they too, took a knee. 

Your lips parted and you gasped, unable to speak as a broken family cried in front of you, and your husband’s corpse lay in his bed.

“What is your wish, my queen?” one of the guards asked.

“Prepare the king’s body,” you commanded softly, “w-we must show the kingdom that we are not a crumbling dynasty.  Announce that I will be leading Prussia until Edmunt is old enough to take the crown at the request of the former queen, and the king’s brother.”

“Yes, queen Amelia.”

“Guard?” you asked softly.

“Yes, my queen?”

“Tell the godfather of my children that he is to meet with myself, Prince Friedrich, and the queen in my quarters while my husbands’ body is being prepared.”

“Yes queen Amelia.”

“And guard?”

“Send notice to my mother and father, post haste...she must be aware of my affairs as well.  Let her know that her grandchildren will be coming back with Mr. Bridgerton before the end of the week while Prussia settles down.  Have her bring on a wet nurse for Princess Charlotte and the usual nannies for Prince Edmunt.  They need not see their father buried or endure the torture of it.”

“Yes, queen Amelia.”

Benedict looked at the four year old, who was edging closer to being five.  His olive skin glittered in the early morning air.  The same could easily be said for the newborn who was wrapped snugly in his arms.

The carriage bumped and the little boy shifted in his spot, one of his eyes popping open, “must we travel this early, father?”

“I’m sorry, young prince, but we must!” he frowned, trying to keep the formality up despite his son’s slip.  His eyes fell to the little package in his arms.  She yawned, but otherwise seemed undisturbed.  His heart ached at the thought of you and how the little babe in his arms was your minature, “your mother has said that we must not stop unless it is for food for you and your sister.  Your grandmother is eagerly waiting your arrivals.”

He sat up, pushing away Benedict’s overcoat from his shoulders.  He shifted closer to the cushion for a moment, and looked at the jacket, “why do you act that way?”

“Pardon?”

“Mama says that you are my true papa...”

He nodded, “then she must have also told you that it was a secret.”

The little boy nodded, mirroring his fathers’ movements, “yes.  But you treat me like everyone else does...”

“I am to do so,” he frowned, looking at the little boy, “you are raised as a prince, Edmunt...I have no family name and title as my eldest does...I-“

“But I’m a prince...”

“Yes.”

“And I will rule Prussia one day, when I am able.”

“You will.”

“And Charlotte will run England.”

“She will.”

“And you are my papa.” He sighed and held an arm out to the boy.  He carried Benedict’s jacket with him and sat on the seat beside his father.  Benedict’s arm wrapped around him, and Edmunt leaned in, “I just wish to have my papa....”

“You do have me, Edmunt...I will be there for you whenever you need me to be,” he promised, “I just cannot say some things in public.”

“Will Charlotte know.”

“God willing,” he nodded, “one day.”

“I will make sure Charlotte knows,” he promised, his little hand reaching up so that he could gently stroke his little sister’s cheek, “Charlotte will know that you are her papa, just as I know that you are my papa.”

“It must remain a secret, my boy!” he sighed with a heavy heart, “the world must believe that you belong to Prince Heinrich.”

“You hear that, Charlotte?” he asked his sister, who was still sleeping soundly in the man’s arms, “we have a secret that the rest of the world doesn’t ever get to know...our godfather is our papa.”

Chapter 8

[abbatoirablaze]

The Boys' Club, Chapter 7

Word Count:  1.8k

Warnings:  sexual tension

“Thank you for coming...” you gave Arthur a look as he held out his hand to you.  You took it, and he instantly pulled you close to his chest, “you look ravishing by the way.”

His hand slid down to your lower back, and you gave him another look, “Arthur...please...I came because I wanted to be supportive of another driver...he gave all the drivers an invite, but this was the only way I could accept it...we both know that.”

He gave you a solemn smile, “so this has nothing to do with the night of the O2?” Your cheeks started to feel hot as you thought about the explosive night that the two of you had after the event.  He smiled and kissed your cheek, “you’re redder than the lights in here, mon couer.  Say what you want, but you and I keep finding our way back to each other for a reason.”

“You���re incorrigible.”

“I’m in lov-“

“Arthur Leclerc...do you mind if we take a photo with you?”

“Not at all,” he smiled politely to the very obvious fans of his brothers, “Darling...do you mind taking the photo for us?”

The girls looked hesitantly at you even though you had said that you would. 

“Who are you?” one of them asked, noticing Arthur’s hand slipping away from you as you switched positions with the young women so they could get close to him.

“She is a friend,” Charles said, swooping in out of almost nowhere.  He pressed a kiss to your cheek and put a hand on your lower back, “thank you for coming with Arthur tonight...I was starting to think he wasn’t going to show.  But I’m glad that you could drag my brother out even through his busy schedule.”

The women gave you a sceptical look, before looking at him with stars in their eyes. 

“Did you ladies want a picture with Charles too?”

They forgot their hesitations and nodded eagerly, and Charles gave them a smile before hopping into the photo as well.  You took a few for them before the girls giggled and went on to ask for their next series of photos with celebrities who’d shown up.

“I thought this was a closed event that was invite only?” Arthur asked his brother as he raised a brow at him. 

Charles shrugged, “brands always have some sort of giveaway.  There are a few contest winners around here...”

“Do you mind if I make a post on my socials?” you asked softly, “I partner with Chivas too, so-“

“Of course,” he smiled, “let’s take a photo together though, yes?  I’d love to be included in your post.”

Arthur was quick to come back to your side, and you were sandwiched between the two Leclerc boys as you took a selfie.  Arthur’s hand slipped around your waist, before gently making it’s way to your ass and cupping it.  You shot him a look and he gave you a playful smile, “take another, mon couer...this one is for us though.”

“Arthur!”

“Don’t make me beg!” he teased. 

You sighed and took another picture, only this time he’d leaned in and kissed you on your cheek.  You shook your head at him, unable to stop your smile, “mon conard, you are incorrigible.”

“I’m in love, mon couer,” he repeated softly, “you know that.”

Charles cleared his throat and you immediately felt your cheeks heating up as you looked at him, “I’m so sorry...thank you for inviting us, Charles.”

“Like I said before, I appreciate it!” 

“Thank you for the plus one!” Arthur grinned. 

He nodded politely and excused himself, saying that he needed to make rounds before everything started.  You made the post to your social media accounts only to see a few of the drivers when you put your phone back in your clutch. 

“Evie!” Lando smiled when he saw you. 

His smile, however, fell, when he saw that you had Arthur beside you.  Arthur’s grip tightened ever so slightly.

“Hello Lando!” you smiled politely before nodding to Arthur, “you know Arthur, yes?”

Lando gave him a terse smile and made some small talk with you for a few moments, before making a hasty exit when he saw Carlos Sainz come through the door.

“Well, that was awkward,” Arthur frowned, “I see what you mean though...he is a bit...pushy with you.”

“I think he means well!” you shrugged, “I also think that he’s used to getting what he has his eye on.”

“Well, if I have my way, he won’t get you.”

“Oh, mon conard,” you sighed, unable to keep yourself from feeling all of the old emotions from when you two had been together, “there’s not a man who could steal me from you.”  

Arthur gave you a sad smile, before being pulled away by another set of fans. 

You didn’t mind though. 

You were sort of happy to have a moment to yourself so that you could grab a drink. 

But it was when your hand brushed another as you reached for a glass you were left breathless. 

A familiar set of green eyes was watching you with an amused expression on his face, “you know...once is a coincidence...twice and in two different countries...are you following me, Miss Jaycobs?”

You couldn’t help but laugh at the quirky joke, “I’m starting to think you’re following me...running into me...now stealing my drink?”

“Well please,” he insisted as he handed you the beverage, his amusement still brimming, “don’t let me take a drink from a beautiful woman.”

“Does that line always work for you?”

He smirked even more, “I’ll let you know if I have your number by the end of the event.”

“Cocky?”

“Self-assured.” He shrugged as he leaned against the bar, “anyways...I’d say that this is fate...”

“How so?”

“Well, after I saved you from hitting the pavement and you scampered off, I realized I hadn’t asked for your name...or even your number,” he admitted slowly, “but then I’d overheard Lando talking about you...”

“Of course he was.”

He chuckled, “and I heard him talking about how you don’t associate with drivers in a...romantic fashion.”

“I don’t associate with him in a romantic fashion!” you corrected, “I was trying to let him down gently, but he isn’t one for understanding subtlety.

“That he is not.  Well, I’d just figured that you weren’t meant to be,” he agreed, “but seeing you here...it’s a long way from Bahrain, Miss. Jaycobs.”

“You do realize that I work for Red Bull as an ambassador...they have me doing events in the cities you guys hit where I have a following the week before and or the week of.  I’m also partnered with Chivas, who is doing this with Charles.”

“Is this you saying that I’ll be able to see you for most of the season?”

“Maybe...maybe not!” you shrugged.

“Well, I hope that I do, Evie.”

You took a few steps towards him and giggled as you leaned up to his ear, “who knows...maybe I’ll give you my phone number one digit at a time.”

“Worth the wait!” he smiled, his hand falling to your hip so that he could keep you close.  You took a sip from your beverage, and you weren’t sure if it was the effects of the alcohol or the butterflies welling up in your stomach at his sweet words. 

The lights flickered, and you heard the MC for the evening introducing the event, but it all felt like white noise as you stared into his gorgeous green eyes.

You groaned, hearing the incessant knocking at your door.

It was too early for work. 

With a growl, you opened your eyes and looked at your phone on the end table. 

No new messages.

You didn’t have any changes to your schedule, and yet, someone was knocking actively on your door.

“One minute!”

The knocking didn’t stop, and you frowned as you raced to the door. 

Opening it, you were shocked to see Charles Leclerc standing in front of you.

“Oh shit.”

What if he had expected to see Evan Jay?

“Can I come in?”

You moved aside from the door, half in shock that he didn’t seem to be bothered, half confused that he didn’t seem bothered, “can I...help you?”

You watched as the Monegasque driver paced back and forth in front of your bed before he came to a halt and looked at you.

“I know who you really are...”

Your stomach dropped, “wh-what?”

“I was talking to my brother last night after the event,” he admitted, “he probably had one too many, but we were talking...and he admitted to me who you are.”

“I-I don’t know-“

“Evalyn Jaycobs...Evan Jay...whatever you go by...I know...”

Your throat felt like it went dry. 

You weren’t sure if you should feel betrayed because Charles had admitted to you that Arthur told him who you really were or because of the fact that Arthur had gone and told your secret in general. 

“You can’t tell anyone.”

Charles’ brows furrowed, “what?”

“I-you can’t tell anyone,” you said quickly, hoping to mitigate any damage, “Helmut already kicked me off the main team and switched me and Lawson when he found out and-“

“Why would I tell anyone?” he asked, clearly confused by the conversation and its direction, “wait...you got put on the RB team because you’re a girl?”

“You’re not pissed?”

“Why would I be pissed?”

“Because I’m a girl.”

Charles put his hands on his hips, still clearly confused.  He stared at you for a minute, and then crossed his arms over his chest, “why does that matter?”

You felt shell-shocked.

“Y-you really don’t care?”

“We come into Formula one wanting the best possible athletes...the best drivers...” he said firmly with a shake of his head, “why would I care if you are a girl or not?”

“You really are a rare breed, Leclerc...” you replied.  The two of you stood in silence for a second before you crossed your arms over your chest, “wait...if you don’t care, why are you at my hotel room?”

“I just-I wanted to tell you that I get it...the secrecy...but I also see the camaraderie that you give to those around you.  Yuki’s been in a better headspace than he’s been in years...and we haven’t even started the season...you came to support me even when you couldn’t do it as Evan Jay...you’re a good person, Evalyn...what you are doing isn’t for your own benefit.  You are making the paddock a better place whether you realize it or not.”

“Th-thank you...”

“I came by, because I wanted to let you know that even though you’re doing all of this in secret...I see you as a friend...and if you ever need to talk, or want someone to open up to...I don't want you feeling like you have to hide...I-I will be there for you.”

“Thanks Charles...”

“And I wanted to personally wish you good luck with the start of the season...I hope that you do well out there...and that you prove everyone that doubted you wrong.”

“Me too...thanks.”

“I’m rooting for you, Evalyn."

Chapter 8

[abbatoirablaze]

The StiXXX List, Chapter 9

Word Count:  1.4k

Warnings:  none

“Hey Delilah, hey Jamie?  Why’s the little man here with you, Dee?”

Delilah gave her friend a nervous look as her son politely waved to her with one hand and held his mother’s hand in his other one, “Hi Miss Haley!  I get to come to class with mommy today!”

“Why’s Jamie here?”

Delilah sighed, “Bucky had an issue with registration, and he definitely couldn’t take him...I was just going to miss class but when I sent the professor an email, he told me to just bring him in anyways.”

“You could have dropped the little guy off at the hockey house,” she suggested with a noncommittal shrug, “I know that Lance doesn’t have any classes in the morning and he could have looked after him.”

“Mommy says the house is too rowdy for little boys like me!” Jamie proclaimed proudly.

“That’s right!” Delilah smiled, “and while your daddy’s hockey brothers are nice boys, we don’t think they need to be looking after you, do they?”

“And mommy says only daddy’s defense team can look after me!”

“Only some of them,” she corrected, giving a quick look to her friend, “I wouldn’t trust Drysdale with a sack of flour.” 

Haley frowned, “Lance is pretty good with kids though.”

“Oh honey...Lance hates kids!” she sighed as she picked Jamie up and balanced the four-year-old on her hip as more students came down the hall, “you just think that because he’s in love with you and puts on an act when you’re around.

“What?” she scoffed, “no he doesn’t.”

“Baby, tell me what uncle Lance did when daddy took you to the house this summer?”

“Daddy went to the potty and uncle Lance told me to go to the fridgey and get him and uncle Ransom bottles.”

“He means bottles of booze, Hay...he sent my four year old into the kitchen to get him and Drysdale alcohol.”

Haley frowned.

“He said he’d give me a sip, but it doesn’t taste too good!” he added in, “Uncle Lance’s bottles are icky.”

Haley gasped, “oh my god, he didn’t...”

“He did,” Delilah frowned, “I gave Bucky hell for leaving Jamie with them to begin with, even if it was for a few seconds, but Lance and Ransom let Jamie taste beer.”

Haley shook her head, “I’m so kicking his butt when I see him later.”

“Please do!” Delilah laughed, “someone needs to kick some sense into that shithead, and-“

“Ohh, mommy, you said a bad word.”

Delilah frowned, “yeah buddy...I’ll put a dollar in the swear jar when we get home.”

“So I guess it’s probably not a good idea to ask if you’re coming to the annual start of season party?” Haley asked.

“Sorry,” she shrugged, “Buck doesn’t want to go even with the team forcing him to.  When he went his freshman year and told me about it, he was miserable, and we can’t find a babysitter for me to go too.  He said the party is all hyped up anyways.”

“I mean...it kind of is, but it’s worth going, especially since your boyfriend is on the team.” She shrugged, “if you want to talk it over with Bucky again, you can tell him that I’d watch Jamie for the night.”

Haley noticed the little boy’s eyes lighting up at the offer, “really?”

“Who’s getting my little bestie excited?”

The four-year old’s head was on a swivel as a young woman swooped by and scooped him away from his mother. 

Amani stopped beside Haley and kept the little boy on her hip, “hey buddy!”

“MANI!”  

“We were just talking about the start of season party, Amani,” Haley smiled, “Delilah here hasn’t been to one and I was just telling her that I’d gladly watch little Jamie so that she and Bucky can go.”

“You should!” she answered, stepping in, “I personally don’t want to go, but you’re dating Bucky...and it’s a chance for hockey couples to have some fun!  At least that’s what Lance’s always told me.”

“Lance always tries to get you to go!” Haley said, “every year since you two were scouted by the college.”

“I can’t even drink, Hay.”

“Everyone drinks at college parties,” she laughed, “no one cards you!”

“Last thing I need is to lose my figure skating scholarship because a bunch of drunk idiots got me drunk.”

Haley frowned, “They’re nice guys, Amani.  They aren’t drunk idiots...”

“Don’t give me the sad eyes, Haley.”

Haley looked at Jamie and reached out to him, and the little boy giggled excitedly, falling into her arms.  She whispered something into his ear, and then the two gave Delilah and Amani the biggest doe eyes they could muster.

“Oh no, you’re not using my son as a tool to get me to go to the hockey house!” Delilah said as she shook her head.

“And I’m not going just so I can spend a night around a bunch of horny puck bunnies and drunk players who can’t tell their stick from their stick because they’ve had too many!”

“But guys it’s so much fun!” Haley said quickly, “I mean, Amani, you always convinced Lance to take me instead of you going and you’re his best friend...you should go.  And we’ve gone over why you should go Delilah!”

“Then you go!”

“I’ve gone every year.  You guys need to see how much fun it is!”

Delilah shook her head, “there’s no way I’ll be able to convince Bucky.  He really hated the experience last year.  He really doesn’t like it when I have to spend time at the hockey house to begin with...”

“Leave that to Lance,” she smiled, “I’ll make sure that he talks to Bucky today.”

“I technically haven’t been invited this year, because Lance know-“

“I’ll talk to him!” she said quickly, cutting her friend off, “just leave it all to me.”

The girls sighed and looked at one another, knowing that arguing with Haley was a futile effort. 

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

“So you guys will go?”

“Get me an invite!”

“Talk to Bucky!”

“Then it’s settled,” she smiled.  She held her hand up for Jamie and he high-fived her, “me and Jamie will spend the night baking cookies and watching movies, and you will have some much needed mommy daddy date night time with Bucky, while you finally go to a hockey house party, Amani.”

“It would be nice to have a date night with James...just the two of us...”

Jamie huffed at his mom and crossed his arms, “I want a date night, momma.”

“We’re going to have a date night, bub, remember?” Haley asked playfully as she pinched the young boy’s cheeks, “cookies and movies...”

The little boy was smiling in an instant agreeing with her, while Delilah bit her cheek, “we are trying for another...so it would give us some time to-“

“Wait, you and Bucky are trying for another little cutie?”  Haley asked, “you mean there will be two little Barnes babies soon enough?”

She shrugged, “we just finally agreed on it the other day...I mean...and we haven’t really even told our parents, but yeah...James and I want to have more children and we feel like we’re both in a really good place right now...and Jamie’s four...we would want them to be close in age...”

“I’m gonna be a big brother!” he said proudly, “Mommy and daddy just have to pray to the stork.”

“That’s right buddy!” Delilah smiled softly at her son, “mommy and daddy are praying really hard for a baby.”

“Could you pray quieter?” Jamie asked with a huff, “last night you were really yelling mommy?”

Delilah’s eyes went wide at the mention and Amani started laughing from beside her, “was mommy praying too loud yesterday bud?”

“Daddy too,” he frowned, “but he started praying to god while mommy just kept saying the same thing over and over.”

Delilah went to scoop her son out of Haley’s arms, but she squealed in excitement and turned to go down the hall, “we don’t say those things in public, buddy...”

“Tell mommy and daddy to be quieter then.”

“Hey!  Where are you going with my kid?” Deliah asked nervously, while her son rattled on about her and Bucky’s intimate moments.

“Apparently she’s taking him on a little tour so he can tell the whole campus how loud you and your boyfriend are!” Amani laughed as she nudged her.

“We have class, remember!” Haley called.  The two other women followed their persistent friend down the hall to their sports science class without another word.

Chapter 10

[abbatoirablaze]

The StiXXX List, Chapter 8

Word Count:  1.6k

Warnings: slight angst.

“Got two more tickets, Henry!” a voice called as she slid two tickets across the window to the cook.  He chuckled and slid them off the counter and onto the line, calling them out as he went.  Zamaya smiled as she entered the diner, the bell on the door going off above her, “Bout time you showed up, Zay!”

“What, you getting antsy without me, V?”

“Hardly,” she scoffed as her friend came around the counter and kissed her on the cheek, before swiping her apron from under the counter, “but I do need a pick me up.”

“I get any sugar like that?” one of the men at the counter teased.

“Not you, McElhaney!” Zay all but roared as she turned to grab the coffee so that she could top him off, “but I’ll top you off for your troubles; since our girl Friday is slacking.”

“Leave her alone,” the old man chuckled, nodding his head to a corner booth, “Valentina is upset because that cop is in here with some cheap looking thing.”

Zay gave her friend a soft look, and she noticed how she tried not to deflate.  Val bit the corner of her lip, “it’s nothing, Zamaya.  I’m fine.  I-“

“I think she was planning on asking him out but when he asked for a booth instead of sitting at the bar and told her he was waiting on a date she chickened out.”

“Shut up and drink your coffee, Roy!” Val mumbled. 

“Were you actually gonna ask him out, V?”

“What?” she asked, her brow furrowing, “what-no. I-he’s a customer, Zay.  A regular.  That-that’d be like if I asked out Roy!”

“Young copper boy ain’t got the age I got, sweetheart!” Roy scoffed. 

Valnetina’s brow furrowed again, “keep spilling my secrets and you ain’t gonna live much longer, Roy!”

The old man chuckled yet again and went back to reading his paper, muttering on about ‘kids these days.’ 

Meanwhile, Zamaya kept herself trained on her friend, “if you want, I can go spill something on her...she looks like a puck bunny trying to get the jump on the team early this year...jump on Bodecker because she knows he’s usually one of the guys that gets the least amount of attention.”

“I-no-that would be mean...” she muttered softly, “I think I’m just gonna go on break...but you’re a good friend, Z...”

“I wanna see you spill something on her.”

“Mind yourself, Roy.  Or I’ll switch you to decaf!” Zamaya warned the old man softly.  He chuckled and continued to look at his paper, tuning the young women out once and for all.

Zamaya shrugged and Val took her apron off, sliding it under the counter, “I’ll be back in a little bit.  I’m going to grab something to eat...”

“You closing?”

“Yeah!”

“Take an hour,” she shrugged, “I’ll cover the counter...”

“Thanks!”

“I’ll probably get Sarah to cover for me in half an hour or so and we can have a smoke?”

“Yeah...sure.”

Zamaya watched her friend quietly making her way to the back, knowing that she’d make herself something to eat before sitting outside in the back.  She had so much that she wanted to tell her about, from Curtis and Taylor, to how she had even bigger suspicion about one of her sorority sisters Ati and Jefferson becoming closer over the summer, and even the latest drama between Angel and Andy. 

But she also knew they had to do it all before their other friend, Haley to get in, because Haley was best friends with one of the hockey players and would tell him everything she’d heard about if she knew it pertained to the team, despite never really being around anyone other than Lance. 

As she pondered all of it, she shifted between watching Lee Bodecker and his date, and her covers at the counter.  But she noticed something was off with the date.  While Lee was trying to remain engaged with the young woman, he was clearly wanting to spend some time with, it was obvious that he was not the hockey player she had intended on getting a date with. 

She looked bored and was checking her phone frequently.  And when Lee would ask a question, she was somehow managing to talk about herself for a minute, before asking about someone else on the team, instead of getting to know Lee more. 

She felt even worse, knowing that her friend would have given her arm to switch places with the puck bunny.  She knew that Val would get Lee at her counter every afternoon and he and his partner would stop by for lunch.  And every single day, the partner would flirt with Val, while she served the two of them, and every single day she would try to chat Lee up.  But he never took the hint that she was interested in him. 

“Hey, you gonna go out for a smoke?”

She turned, nearly umping out of her skin as the older woman who was covering the section closest to the bar came around the corner.  Zamaya grabbed her chest, “damn it Sarah, you scared me.”

The older woman laughed, the permed hair that had been pulled back into a messy bun bouncing as she put her pen back into the mess, “sweetheart, I’m not a quiet lady.   If I scared you, you probably weren’t paying attention.”

“Sar-“

“Go have a smoke with Val.  Girl’s moping in the alley like it’s nobody’s business!”

She spared a final look at the table where Val’s crush and the puck bunny had been sitting, but both of them had slipped out in the few moments exchanged between her and Sarah.  With a shrug, she slid off her apron and put it next to Val’s, then made her way through the kitchen. 

But when she reached the back of the building, her brow furrowed.

Val was nowhere to be seen. 

“Well maybe you’re just a bitch!”

“Oh no!”

Zamaya looked around the corner to see her best friend had stepped up between Lee and his date. 

“Excuse me?” the woman shrieked.  Then she turned to Lee, “are you going to let this-this waitress talk to me like that?”

Lee looked between the two women, shocked and confused about what was going on.  Zamaya ran over, putting a hand on her friend’s arm before she could say anything else, “hey-is everything okay?”

The woman crossed her arms over her chest, “this waitress needs to mind her own business!  I was talking to-“

“You weren’t talking to Lee,” Val scoffed, cutting the other woman off, “you were berating him because he didn’t want to take you back to the hockey house...are you even interested in Lee?  Or are you trying to get with one of his teammates?  I saw how you were acting in there with him.  You weren’t giving him the light of day.”

“Listen, waitress-“

“No, you listen, slut...Lee is a really good, really sweet guy...and the entire time you were in there, all you did was talk about his teammates!” Val growled out, “and there he was, walking you to your car like a complete gentleman, and you have the audacity to belittle him when he asks if he can see you again!”

“Cherry, lis-“

“Cherry?” the woman scoffed, “what the hell kind of name is that?  Are you sure you aren’t a stripper instead of a waitress?  Because the way you’re trying to grind all over him, I-“

“Cherry?” Zamaya asked, looking at her friend.

“Look, I think we should just call the night what it is...a bust.  Look Cheryl, I’m real so-“

“You’re not ghosting me, Lee Bodecker,” Cheryl hissed as she cut him off, “I don’t want to see you again...especially not if you’re hanging around with the likes of her.”

“Well I’m real sorry you feel that way!” he frowned.  He bit his lip nervously and she huffed, getting into her car.  The trio watched as she peeled out of the parking lot before Lee turned towards Val, “I’m real sorry about the way Cheryl acted with ya, Cherry.  I-“

“Don’t worry about it Lee,” she offered, waving him off, “she’s not worth anyone’s time, especially not yours.  You need a nice girl who’s gonna treat you right.”

“If only it were that easy,” he scoffed, a sad smile plastering itself on his face, “women ain’t interested in me.”

“Oh, I know of one!” Zamaya teased; looking at her friend.

“Aww, naw, Cherry ain’t into me,” Lee chuckled, “she’s just sweet as pie to everyone.”

Val blushed and looked towards another car that was pulling up, where another of their coworkers was being dropped off by her best friend, “oh, it’s Haley!”

“She really does like you, Lee...”

“Bet she just flirts with every lonely guy for a better tip,” he sighed dreamily as he watched her run off to greet her friend, “I ain’t that lucky to score something sweet like her.”

“You’re an idiot, Lee Bodecker!” Zamaya said as she rolled her eyes, “you and Val have the biggest crushes on each other and are too afraid to say it.”

“No she don’t like me like that.  I ain’t good enough for my Cherry pie...you wanna talk idiots though, look no further than Haley and Lance!” he chuckled, pointing to how Haley was excitedly greeting Val, all the while Lance was getting out of the driver’s side to hand Haley her bag, “those two are the epitome of idiots in love with each other.”

She rolled her eyes, clapping the defensive player on the shoulder, “whatever you say, big guy...when you decide to grow a pair and finally ask her out though, don’t say I didn’t warn you when she mauls you with kisses and shit...she’s been hoping you notice her for the past year that she’s worked here.”

Chapter 9

[abbatoirablaze]

The StiXXX List, Chapter 7

Word Count: 1.3k

Warnings: swearing

“LUCYYY I’M HOMEEEE!”

“In the kitchen, Zay!” her roommate replied from the other room as she burst through the apartment door. 

Zamaya smiled, following the smell that was emanating from the two girl’s kitchen.  She knew that her best friend only really took the time to cook when she was upset and she knew that she should ask if everything was alright, but the smell of brownies was making her stomach rumble. 

She entered the kitchen, and her smile disappeared when she saw her best friend.  Her hair was up in a messy bun, and it was tied back with a bandana.  She’d also managed to change into what she’d dubbed her ‘chore coveralls.’ 

“Dinner that good with your dad, Mel?” she asked.

“Dinner’s always great with the dean,” she frowned, “you know...just once I would like to talk about things that happen around our school that don’t involve that stupid hockey team!”

“Sorry...my day kind of ended up revolving around them too...and I was at the coffee shop all morning and afternoon and I saw a few of those puck jockeys.”

“All I got to hear about is how he was going to put Johnny Storm on academic probation if he couldn’t find a tutor, because the idiot is on the brink of expulsion, but then Bria stepped up to the plate and agreed to tutor him,” she huffed, talking about her ex-boyfriend, “why would she agree to that?  I mean, I know that we aren’t super close, but everyone knows about me and Johnny, right?”

“You know how she is...when it comes down to it, she’s baby Roque...she’s always going to look out for those puck jockeys.” She shrugged, “speaking of those puck joc-“

“Not you too, Zay!” she groaned as she nearly slammed the brownies onto the counter, “I don’t want to hear about those idiots any more today!  And I especially don’t want to hear about my asshole of an ex!”

“Well, you will after I tell you that one of those idiots happened to meet Taylor.”

Her face dropped, “Who?  Because I swear if you say that Joh-”

“Everett.”

She paled, “what?”

“You heard me...big grizzly bear of a man.  The playboy on the defensive team that always has puck bunnies chasing after him...yeah, he was hanging all over her like he was a needy puppy,” she laughed.  She reached into the utensil drawer and grabbed a few spoons for herself and her roommate.  She went to dip into the molten brownies, but Melody glared at her, “come on...you made them!  What’s the point of you making them if we aren’t going to eat them, Mel?”

“They’ll burn the shit out of your mouth if you eat them right now, Zay...give them a few seconds to cool and tell me why the hell you let Curtis Everett, the defense teams man-whore, is slutting himself up with our innocent little Taylor!” 

“It’s not like I knew that he was going to run through her like a freight train in the administration office,” she shrugged, “one minute she’s getting an iced coffee and running errands, then a few hours later she’s got Everett wrapped around her tighter than a boa to its prey, and he’s buying her coffee and a pastry.  It was kind of weird, Mel.  I never saw him acting like that around a woman.  Usually it’s the other way around.”

“No...this isn’t good,” she said quickly, shaking her head at her friend, “we have to stop this before it even starts, Zay.  Curtis is not good for her.  We need to keep the two of them apart, Zay!”

“She’s a freshman...let her make her mistakes.”

“Her freshman mistake doesn’t need to be Curtis Everett, Zamaya.”

“Why not?” her best friend asked, “yours was Johnny Storm!”

“My point exactly!” she exclaimed, “I’m a neurotic mess because of that asshole!  He was so toxic that-“

“You know I happen to remember you saying that it didn’t matter how toxic he was because the dick was that good!” she reminded her friend with a playful smirk.  Mel continued to frown at her friend and Zamaya shook her head, “come on, Mel.  You were a neurotic mess before Storm.  He just added to it.”

Melody frowned at her friend.  But just as she was about to say something, there was a knock on the door.  She pointed towards her friend, “this isn’t over, Z.”

“It never is, M!” she smiled.  She waited until her friend turned the corner, and she grabbed a spoon, digging into the brownie.  The happiness from the explosion of molten chocolate faded in an instant as she spit it out, cursing the heat, “SON OF A BITCH!”

“Didn’t wait for the brownies to cool again?”

“She never learns!” Melody frowned, as she and Angel entered the kitchen.  Melody went to the freezer and grabbed the small pint of vanilla ice cream.  Opening it up, she handed it to Zamaya, who greedily took a large spoonful, “was it worth it, Z?”

Zamaya glared at her. 

“As much as I would love to laugh at your misfortune...and the fact that you never learn to grab the ice cream first, I only have an hour to study,” Angel frowned as she looked between Zamaya and Melody, “Andy wasn’t home when I went to drop off Brooke today, and I ended up missing my class because of it...he said that he would be home, and I waited outside of his place for an hour; blowing up his phone.  Amber is watching her now, but she has to leave for work in an hour.”

“Seriously?” Zamaya asked, glaring at her friend, “what an asshole.  It’s his turn to watch her, and this is the second time in a row!”

“I know, Z.”

“You really need to talk to hi-“

“Trust me...I’ve tried talking to him, Mel.  But he won’t listen to me,” she frowned, “he doesn’t care that it is affecting my money or school work.  All he cares about is that his and Laurie’s perfect life isn’t inconvenienced.”

“I’ll inconvenience the mother fucker,” Mel hissed as she dug into the brownie but only after putting some ice cream on her spoon, “he’s got no right.  You don’t make him do anything for Brooke.  Hell, at this point, Amber is practically her dad with how much she watches her and helps her!”

“She takes enough dick to have one at this point!” Zamaya chuckled.

Angel gave a playful glare to her friend, “don’t, Z...she really does do a lot to help with Brooke!”

“I’m just joking and you know it,” she scoffed, handing her spoon off, “by the way I have some treats for the little one in honor of her birthday!”

“You were at her birthday party last month,” Angel laughed as she too dug into the brownie and ice cream, “and you two got her that barbie playhouse...you did more than enough!”

“Well these are cookies that I got from the diner yesterday when I had a shift!” she said, pointing to the box on the counter, “I know you and Amber love them too, so I got a good bit of them.”

Angel sighed, “you’re too good to us.”

“I know.”

Melody shook her head at her two best friends, before tapping Zamaya, “go get ready.  She’s got an hour to study, and you have an hour before your shift at the diner.”

“How do you manage to memorize my work schedule and everything that you do?” she teased.

“Because you’re pretty much my wife at this point!” she scoffed, taking another bite of the brownie.  She tossed the keys to her friend as she made her way around the island, “I put gas in this afternoon.”

“You’re the best wife ever!”

“Hey, what about me?” Angel teased.

“You let Andy Barber cum in you,” she said squishing her face together, “until you’ve thoroughly gotten dicked down by plenty of other men, you’re still going to reek of his property.  You’re not wife material yet!”

Mel practically spat her dessert out over the blatant insult from her best friend, and Angel looked at her, jaw gaping.

“ZAMAYA!”

“JUST SAYING!” she yelled from her bedroom, “FUCK THAT DEADBEAT DADDY!  PRIMO WIVES DON’T GET DICKED DOWN BY DEADBEATS!” 

Chapter 8

[abbatoirablaze]

The Boys' Club, Chapter 6

Word Count:  2.1k

Warnings: none

You looked at Yuki as the two of you watched the highlights from the first day of testing together.  It had been a crazy day with the lights going out, but overall, it wasn’t a bad one. Yuki had come in at tenth fastest overall, but you had made it in fifth place coming in just above Carlos Sainz with a time of 1:30:882. 

Yuki laughed and nudged you, and you felt yourself paling as you watched the screen. 

“This was funny!” he laughed, smiling all the way as he thought back to earlier in the day.

“Funny for you, maybe,” you frowned, thinking about how earlier you had been blindsided by the incumbents when the power had gone out in the garage, “they caught me without me having a rigged mic and I almost blew my cover.”

The two of you watched on the screen as you looked around the garage, pretending not to hear the poor soul who’d been tasked with trying to get a word from you.

“JAY!  GET OVER HERE!” Laurent called when he’d seen you being cornered by the interviewer and questioned. 

Yuki giggled even more when you all but bolted from the team trying to get a word.

“Well, it looks like we’ll have to wait until media day to get a word in edge wise from another of our rookie drivers...back to you!”

“Jay,” the media coordinator for the VCARB team, and Yuki’s girlfriend asked, “Yuki?  We were cleared to do a few Tik Toks with you guys before the F1 media team takes you guys for individual things.  While Jay hits the round table for the rookie interview, Netflix wants to borrow Yuki for a few questions for DTS.”

“Alright...so what do you want to do with us?”

“There are actually a few Kardashian sounds we want to use...”

You looked at Yuki, “oh you’ve got to be kidding me...”

“We watch the Kardashians,” Yuki said guiltily, while looking to his girlfriend, “it’s hot right now.  And it’s a really addictive show!”  

“This is all your fault!” you laughed, looking between the couple.  She gave you a look and you sighed, “fine...play the sounds...let’s go.”

“Hello, I’m Laura Winter, and...”

She looked to Jack, who had her cards as he smiled and looked at her, “welcome to the rookie round table.”

“Good stuff,” she smiled, “I’m joined by Jack Doohan, Oliver Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, Evan Jay, and Gabriel Bortoleto.  And we are here to find out a little bit more about our rookies this year!”

“What about Bortoleto?” Kimi asked.

“Where is he?” Oliver asked.

“He has a little bit further to walk, so he’ll be here shortly,” she said quickly, trying to keep all of you on track, “now.  You all are the largest bump crop of rookies.  How is it feel to be joining Formula One?  How are the emotions this season which is set to be so close?”

“It’s cool!”

“I’m still trying to figure out what a bump or crop is?” Jack asked.

“A good crop!” she clarified.  You couldn’t help but laugh as the rest of the boys looked between each other and discussed it.  You tried to hold ack your smile even more as you noticed just how much Jack was trying to flirt with Laura, while the others tried to argue who would go first in answering questions. 

“Evan...take it away!”

“Well, I mean, obviously it’s a dream come true.  I started a bit later than my fellow drivers when it comes to our careers, but we’re all here...all of us except Bortoleto and Alonso and Liam.  You know what, we’re down a lot of rookies at this round table, aren’t we?”

Kimi started giggling from beside you, “that’s right!  Where is Alonso and Liam?”

“This is a rookie round table boys.  Fernando Alonso and Liam -“

“Liam and Alonso are rookies!” Kimi giggled, trying to be a troublemaker.

You smiled at him as the two of you started joking back and forth before Laura pulled the conversation back to herself and then guided it down the line of boys.  You managed to take the whole thing in stride, despite Liam never showing up, while making as many jokes as you could, which only seemed to annoy Laura. 

“I heard that Liam was so upset about spinning out yesterday that he refused to do the rookie roundtable with the rest of you.”

You looked at Yuki, “what?”

He nodded, “was pissed that you got above him in times too.”

“Wait...he was actually supposed to be there?”

Yuki nodded, “he was throwing a fit about how you outranked him, so he refused to go.”

“You were pretty close to his times too!”

“That didn’t help,” he smirked, “but it was you that sent him over the edge.  I guess he was throwing a tantrum and refused to come out of his room in the Red Bull setup.”

“Asshole,” you grumbled, referring to the New Zealander.  Yuki shrugged and you bumped fists, “who we race for?”

“Racing Bulls!” Yuki smiled, giving you the RB horns sign that the two of you had come up with, “who do you race for?”

“That’s right.  Racing Bulls!” you repeated, “let’s kick some ass, Tsunoda.”

“Oh yeah!”

You pulled out your phone and lifted it, playing the viral clip of a little boy singing Yuki’s name.  He smiled at you, and you did the Racing Bulls horn sign to him, “YUKI TSU-NO-DA!  Who’s the first driver and the best driver?  YUKI TSU-NO-DA!”

A few of the guys around the garage chuckled, but it only encouraged him. 

He nodded and you watched him put on his helmet and hop into his car.  He was given the morning session, and you were more than okay with that.  But you had wanted to make sure that you were there so that you could show that you supported him too.    

So, while you watched him pull out of the garage, you were surprised when you noticed the Red Bull that had pulled out wasn’t Max’s.  Stepping out of the Racing Bulls garage you saw Max leaning against the walls in a simple Red Bull tee and a pair of jeans.  Your brow lifted, and it was obvious that he noticed you, but he didn’t do anything more than nod in your direction. 

You returned the favor, but went back into your separate garage, choosing to watch the action from your phone.  Most of the men in the garage ignored you, thinking that you were nothing more than Yuki’s secret girlfriend because you hadn’t gone out in your binders and wigs and makeup. 

So, you took the chance to head to the Red Bull garage when there was a little break in the action. 

Christian gave you a polite smile, and Max was quick to join your side, “good to see you, Evie.”

“Verstappen.”

“Liam’s got the whole track today.”

Your brow quirked and you looked behind him.  His car was jacked up, but you hadn’t thought much of it, because yours had been too, but you knew you were driving later.

“Why’s that?”

“Three guesses.”

He shot you a look and you couldn’t help but smile and shake your head. 

Already, you’d been well aware of the politics at Red Bull, IE Helmut Marko. And you knew that both Liam and Helmut had to have been pissed when you had gotten a better time than Liam in a Racing Bull car.

You were about to say something when another driver popped up between the two of you though.  

“Oh, hey guys...fancy seeing you here...”

“Yeah, fancy that, Lando,” Max said unenthusiastically as he rolled his eyes at his best friend, “me being in my garage. For my team.”

“Well, I more so meant your friend here,” Lando offered, pulling the attention to you and himself as he held a hand out to you, “I’m Lando Norris... and you’re Evie Jaycobs!”

“I am!” you smiled politely taking his hand in yours, “I’m sorry, have we met before?”

Lando frowned, and you noticed Max biting back some laughter while you pretended to have never met the driver. 

“I mean, we’ve crossed paths...the O2 you were Arthur Leclerc’s date at  the second Scuderia table, right?”

“I was...”

“And Max has been non-stop talking about you ever since you handed him your socials when he met you at Red Bull?”

Your brow rose, “oh, has he?”

“And I mean, I have to admit, I saw you on Raya-“

“That’s where I saw you from!” you lied, cutting him off, “I-I’m so sorry...gosh this is awkward...”

“Awkward?” he asked, “no...why would it be awkward?  Plenty of people use Raya.”

“Well because I didn’t swipe on you!” you admitted, trying to softly reject him, “I-I’m sorry.  You’re just-not my type...i-it’s nothing personal...I just...don’t date drivers.”

Lando tried to brush off the rejection, but you could see that it hit his ego.  Max was having a very hard time not laughing beside him. 

“Y-you were with Arthur Leclerc though.”

“He doesn’t actively drive for a formula one team and he is a good friend who needed a date for the event..”

This time Max couldn’t help but laugh, and you found yourself holding back your own bits of laughter. 

“Oh...so what are you doing here?”

“I was curious about Red Bull,” you lied once again, shrugging your shoulders as you held up a Red Bull pass, “and well, since I’m an ambassador for Red Bull, they invited me out to their garage to see what F1 is all about before the season starts...”

“Well, I mean...I could show you F1 outside of Red Bull.”

“Oh, I-I already took up driver Tsunoda on that.  He’s going to give me a tour of the campus later...you drivers are really sweet.”

“Well Yuki drives for Red Bull’s sister team,” he shrugged, “I mean, McLaren won the constructors last year-“

“Lando...she’s not interested.  Leave the poor girl alone!” Max chuckled as he dryly cut his best friend off.

At this insistence you felt truly bad for having rejected him so much seeing how deflated he looked.  You gave Max a look and he shrugged his shoulders, “I-I do have some time now...I mean-“

Lando instantly pepped up and puffed up his chest, “I could show you the garage right now if you wanted.  It’ll have you being on team papaya-“

“Show me the garage, Lando.” you laughed, cutting the driver off.  He was quick to hold out his arm, and you sighed, taking it, just for him to lead you down the way.  You let him mansplain everything to you, telling you all about how complex the cars were, and using all the terminology he could think of.

Meanwhile, you pretended to have no idea what he was talking about, and you expertly asked clarifying questions, without throwing in the actual verbiage just so that he could puff himself up even more and correct you, then answer the question. 

He’d managed to keep you in the McLaren garage nearly the whole session.  And you were surprised when you saw Oscar pulling back into the garage.

You knew you only had a few hours until it was your turn behind the wheel, so you tried to make an excuse to leave, but he only made an excuse to counter your excuse about how you had to be hungry. 

And it was at that inopportune time that your stomach grumbled.

“What kind of tour guide would I be if I returned you to Max hungry?” he asked with big doe eyes as he looped his arm through yours once more, “least I can do is be a good McLaren ambassador and treat you right.”

“Lando...I think you have treated me phenomenally,” you tried as you unlooped your arm from his and started out of the garage.  He seemed to follow you as you tried to get away, and you were almost past the Mercedes garage when he had you turning around again, “Lando I appreciate it, I do.  But I have to-“

Your words were crumbling almost as much as you were as you ran into a something.

Or rather a someone. 

There was a clattering of limbs as you and another person fell to the ground.  But the man was sweet enough to protect you from actually getting hurt as he wrapped his arms around you and hit the ground first.

Your scared eyes looked into the surefire green ones of a very British Mercedes driver who still happened to be in his suit.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was at,” he commented breathlessly as he looked at you, “are you alright, Miss?”

Chapter 7

[abbatoirablaze]

The StiXXX List, Chapter 6

Word Count:  1.3k

Warnings:  none

“See doe eyes, I told you that it would all work out,” Curtis said proudly as he wrapped his arms around the young woman from behind as they stopped at the coffee shop counter.  He rested his head on top of hers, “so, how do you take your coffee sweetheart?”

“Curtis Michael Everett.”

“Fuck!” the large man groaned under his breath as he froze in place, “the coppers are here to bust up our fun.”

Doe eyes couldn’t help but giggle at the man and look up at him adoringly, “come on Curtis...Bria won’t be mad.”

“Baby Roque is always mad about something,” he muttered, kissing her temple.  She gave him a sad look and he lifted her hand, kissing her fingertips, “you’re too sweet and unassuming, doe eyes...my innocent, little thing.  Bria is scary.”   

“Aww, Curtis...” she cooed, reaching up and absentmindedly stroking his beard, “you’re a big softie...”

“Only for you, doe eyes.”

During the time she’d spent with him, she’d all but fallen for his charm, and the pair were so comfortable with one another that it felt like they’d known each other for years instead of just a few hours. 

“Hey Bria,” Taylor smiled, hoping that her friend would become less aggressive with her big teddy bear, “me and Curtis got everything done on our list and-“

“Your list,” she corrected her friend with a brow raised, “you and Curtis got everything done on your list...”

“Yeah...”

“Tay, what are you doing back so soon?” the barista asked as she turned to greet the next customer, which happened to be her and Curtis, “I feel like I just saw you an hour or two ago...”

“Yeah...uh, I spilled my coffee!” she blushed, biting her lip as she looked up at Curtis once again.  The large man bit his bottom lip and she felt herself heating up as her eyes travelled down to his buttoned up letterman, where she could see a tuft of his chest hair peaking up from the top button.

He gave her a small smile, and the pair turned away from Bria as he reminded her of the coffee, “what do you want to drink, doe eyes?  I don’t exactly know what it was that you were drinking when I ran into you.”

Bria looked on, shocked at the pair as Taylor ordered her coffee, and Curtis began to ask about what was good, “are you both gonna really ignore me right now?”

“You didn’t need to come down, baby Roque, I told you that,” he said dismissively, before turning back to Taylor, “and what do you recommend for me, doe eyes?”

“You said you’re a savory guy, right?” she asked.

“Only thing I got time for that’s sweet is you, doe eyes!”  He nodded.

“Curtis!” she giggled softly.  The teddy bear of a man held onto her even tighter as he set his head back on top of hers, “okay...set him up with a chai...I feel like he’d like that.”

“Not espresso?”

“He doesn’t like coffee much and espresso would just make him even crazier,” she giggled.  Curtis looked smitten as he had all but wrapped himself back around doe eyes, “right?”

“Whatever doe eyes says, goes.  Chai me up barista chick.”

“That’ll be it, Zay.”

The woman behind the counter laughed and rang up the order, “whatever you say, doe eyes.”

Taylor blushed at her friend’s comment on her new nickname but turned back to Bri, “you want to sit down with us for a bit?  We saw a few of the tutors on our way through the library, and they said they could add some of your people in for you.”

Bria softened as she looked between the pair, “you did that for me?”

“Curtis suggested it,” she smiled, looking towards the brute, “he said it was the least we could do since you’re helping out the team with Johnny.”

“Word travels fast, doesn’t it?” she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest as she instantly hardened up once more.

“Ten seventeen,” Zay said quickly, breaking back into the conversation, “are your drinks for here or in to go cups?”

“Oh, well take it for here.  Wait, do you want something to drink, baby Roque?” Curtis asked as he pulled out his wallet, “it’ll probably be a few minutes if you sit down with us.  We can go over everything for you.”

Her brow raised, “Wait...you’re paying?”

“Well yeah...”

Bria smiled and looked at the barista, “add on a large triple shot for me, Zamaya.”

The bell rung behind them, signalling that a few more patrons were coming in, but Curtis was shocked to see their primary goalie, and Junior, Jefferson walking in with a young woman, “hey Zamaya, sorry the pastries are late, but someone here decided he wanted to play ‘decorate the Ati’ instead of icing the pastries, and that started a full on icing war.”

“Hey Jefferson, hey Ati,” she smiled, “it’s no problem...hopefully you guys at least brought some extra?”

“Always!” Jefferson smiled, dropping the boxes on the counter.

“Wonderland?”

Jefferson’s cheerful demeanor dropped and he swallowed hard as he looked at his teammate, “Everett...wh-what are you doing here?”

And Curtis froze when he realized that he’d spent his whole day simping over some woman and treating it like it was a date; one where he was an absolute gentleman.”

“Oh, Curtis didn’t tell his little buddies about his little date with his girlfriend?” Bri teased.

“You have a girlfriend?” Jefferson asked, “wait, since when?”

“Aww, Taylor, I didn’t know you were seeing anyone,” Zamaya jumped in jokingly adding to the girls’ growing awkwardness, “he must be serious if you brought him here.  How long have you two been dating?”

“W-we’re not dating!” Doe eyes said quickly, “I-we just ran into each other and-“

“Hey...I recognize you,” Ati smiled, interrupting the awkward encounter, and saving the younger woman, “you are always around when Jefferson and I drop off the pastries for this place.”

“Y-your guys’ pastries are my favorite,” she smiled, recognizing the save, “sometimes I take one or two back to my dorm so I can have a late-night snack.”

“Do you want one?” Curtis asked quickly, “barista chick, add on one of whatever it is that doe eyes loves!”

Jefferson’s brow raised but he said nothing.  Instead, he looked at his best friend.  Ati gave him a soft look, and he instantly melted.  He opened a box that Ati was carrying, which happened to be a box of extras, “how about you take one, on the house?”

“Oh you don’t have to.  I-“

“What’s your favorite, doe eyes?” Taylor looked back to Curtis and he nodded at her, “Wonderland said it’s okay for you to have one, doe eyes...which one do you want?”

“The cinnamon twist!” she said gently. 

Jefferson smiled, “great choice...those are Ati’s favorite too...and my personal specialty.”

“Now you’ve gone and inflated his ego!” Ati smiled, nudging her best friend.

“Fifteen seventy!” Zamaya called. 

Curtis reached for a twenty and handed it to her, barely paying her any mind as he watched doe eyes lighting up as she bit into the cinnamon twist, “keep the change.”

“If you guys want to grab a seat, I can bring them up when they’re ready!”

Curtis nodded, before turning his attention to the second floor where a balcony overlooked the rest of the cafe, “can we sit up there?”

“That’s my favorite place to sit too!” Doe eyes smiled at him.  Curtis grinned and re-wrapped his arms around her.

“So you two sure you aren’t a couple?” Jefferson teased.

“You two aren’t one?”

Jefferson blushed as he looked at his best friend, “Ati and I have been best friends since middle school.  We just do our pop-up baked goods together for some extra cash.”

“You’ve never brought Ati around the house!” Curtis smirked, pushing his hockey brother.

“Because I don’t want any of you ruining my sweet, spun sugar.” He grinned, looking at the young Indian woman, “we do our baking at Ati’s sorority house.”

“I bet they love that.”

“The girls really do love Jefferson,” she smiled softly, nearly swooning over her best friend, “he’s the greatest.”

Chapter 7

[abbatoirablaze]

The StiXXX List, Chapter 5

Word Count: 1.3k

Warnings:  cursing

“Hey book nerd,” she smiled, answering her phone while she tried to balance her own stack of books and iced coffee, while slipping the device between her shoulder and ear, “what’s up?”

“I’m running super behind,” she groaned to her best friend, “is it at all possible that when you go to registration to pick up the list of people that need tutors, you can stop off at the dean’s office to pick up the finalized tutor list?”

“Why the sudden change in plans?” she asked innocently enough, “last I knew you had your afternoon open, and you were getting in some light planning!”

“That was before I agreed to take on a special case,” she replied sadly, “now I have to see if I can squeeze the people I normally help out into other tutoring sessions.”

“All of them?”

“All of them,” she agreed sadly, “Dean Craig will know what’s going on, because those puck jockeys have probably already told him.”

“Puck jockeys?” she asked, “What are you tal-SHIT!”

She couldn’t hear her friend’s reply, because when she turned the corner, it felt like she’d slammed head-first into a brick wall, which caused not only her books, papers, and phone to fly out of her hands in all different directions, but also her source of energy to slip from her grasp as well. 

By the time her ass hit the ground, the coffee was falling down from above her, like a sticky shower.

“GOD DAMN IT!” a loud voice bellowed.  She pushed her bangs out of her face to see a behemoth of a man, looking so angry that he could tear the entire school apart, “FUCKING ASSHOLE.  YOU RUI-“

But the man stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the petite little thing in front of him.  She was covered in her own beverage and looking at him with the most innocent doe eyes he’d ever seen in his life.

Her lips were slightly parted, and her bottom lip was all but quivering, and he didn’t know if it was from fear of running into him, or the sadness in her eyes as she looked at the empty plastic cup that once held her coffee. 

And for the first time in Curtis’ life, he felt his anger leave him in an instant. 

The bruiser was known for quick bursts of anger and fighting on the ice, but staring down at the young woman, he felt like he was in the wrong for not watching where he was going. 

The puck bunny waiting on his text back to her naughty photos didn’t hold a candle to the sweet little thing in front of him. 

“Shit...”

He instantly dropped to his knees, not catching the stunned look of the young woman in front of him, and he began to collect her papers and books, “I’m sorry doe eyes, I wasn’t watching where I was going...are you alright?”

He continued to move around at a lightning speed, collecting all of her stuff, while she still stared at him in awe. 

She’d been fully aware of who Curtis Everett was.  He was known around campus as a bit of a player, and while she was only a freshman and he was a senior, she’d gotten the lay of the land from a few of the girls she’d become friends with while working for the registration office the past summer as part of her work study.

“You okay doe eyes?” he asked softly as he sat the pile beside her.  His hand reached up and he braced it on one side of her face, searching her eyes, “I didn’t give you a concussion or anything, did I?  You’re a little thing and I ran into you pretty hard.”

“I-I’m fine...”

“I’ll give you this, you took a hit from me better than most grown men,” he chuckled.  He gave her a soft smile, and she pushed away the butterflies in her stomach.  Looking down at the mess around her she frowned, but he caught it instantly, “what’s wrong, doe eyes?”  

“My coffee...”

“I can buy you a new one,” he said quickly, “I mean, it was my fault for running into you!”

“But you can’t make my clothes dry!” she groaned with a defeated sigh, “I don’t have time to go all the way back across campus and get cleaned up then run back to meet the deadline for-“

“HERE!” he said even quicker.  He removed his letterman jacket and pulled his dry shirt off without a second thought, “you can wear my shirt.  I-“

“I can’t do that, I-“

“Please...I-I’ll feel horrible knowing that I caused this and didn’t do anything if you don’t...I-I can even find a janitor and let em know about the mess while you go change.”

“I can’t just walk around campus in a t-shirt.  What about my pants.”

Curtis chuckled, “doe eyes, you’re so small compared to me, I promise that shirt will go to your knees...but if it makes you feel better, I’ll give you my belt so you can make it a dress too.”

Before she could so much as argue it, the large man was taking off his belt and handing that to her too.  She looked at him, unsure of the offer, until she realized that her phone was still making noise. A blush coated her cheeks and she shook her head, pushing her gaze away from his firm chest.  

“My eyes are up here!” he reminded her in a teasing tone, as he pointed from his chest to his eyes, “if you stare at me like I’m a steak much longer I might have to charge you, sweetheart!”

“Shit, I-I’m sorry!”  she groaned, reaching to pick up the phone, “Bri!  H-hey—hey I’m here.”

“What the fuck is going on?” she asked, “who’s voice do I hear?”

“You shouldn’t be worried about a call, doe eyes.” Curtis chuckled, “you’re soaking wet in the middle of the halls...and I’m now half naked because of you!”

“I recognize that voice!” Bria said quickly, “Taylor, put him on the phone.”

She bit her lip and handed the phone over to Curtis, “i-it’s for you.”

He chuckled and took it, “this is Ev-“

But he stopped chuckling the moment the voice returned.  She couldn’t make out what exactly was being said, but it was obvious that Curtis was being yelled at by the young woman.

“Calm down, baby Roque...I’m gonna take care of sweet little doe eyes here...I’m literally giving her the shirt off my back, and I’m going to walk with her the rest of her little trip to make sure no one is harassing her...yeah...yeah.  No...I’m not like that, baby Roque...oh, come on.  That was once.  B-Bria-no.  Calm down.  You don’t need to come down to-“

He blinked for a second and looked at the phone.  She could see that he’d been hung up on, and she stifled her laughter.

Bria was like an older sister to her, and she was familiar with the hockey team because her older brother was the last captain, so she wasn’t surprised that she’d known the defensive player who’d bowled her over.

“She’s going to meet us at the coffee shop after we grab the lists...” he frowned, “but uh, when we stop at registration, we need to get a new copy of my schedule.  That-that got ruined in our little rendezvous.”

“You don’t have to come with-“

“Doe eyes, don’t argue,” he chuckled softly, once again, handing her the shirt and belt.  He swept up her papers and books under his arm and helped her up, “you’re stuck with me now...now let’s go get you changed and finish up running around so I can buy you a new coffee.”

“Okay,” she sighed, “but just remember...by the time we get to the coffee shop you’re going to have to deal with Bria’s wrath...so long as you’re okay with that...”

“Doe eyes, I’d put up with so much more if it meant getting to spend a little bit of time with you.”

A blush coated her cheeks once more and she looked away from the large man, unable to meet his gaze, “I bet you tell all the girls that.”

“Maybe,” he shrugged, wrapping his free arm around her as he led her towards the bathrooms so that she could change, “but with you, I’m not lying.”

Chapter 6

[abbatoirablaze]

The StiXXX List, Chapter 4

Word Count:  1.5k

Warnings:  mentions of cheating.

“I can’t believe you agreed to do that, Bria...”

The sophomore rolled her eyes at her friend and senior mentor, “It’s not that big a deal, Tiff. I mean, you know the team does some good for the school...and I’ll be getting some teaching credits from it...”

“I don’t care how much good the team does,” she scoffed, “I wouldn’t help Johnny Storm if it meant that the world could finally have some peace.  You know, Mike tried to approach me about it because we’re both in the law program, acting like we were all buddy-buddy...”

“Yeah?” she laughed, “and?”

She stopped putting together the packets for the new students and looked at her friend, “It’s Mike Weiss...he was acting because we were in the same field of study that I was somehow his bestie...all because he wants his little eskimo brother to graduate.  Those hockey dicks are-“

“Careful,” she warned her friend, “my brother, your boyfriend, is one of those ‘hockey dicks.’  And-“

“But your brother is different,” she said, shaking her head, “Roque is-“

“Please tell me you don’t still call my brother by his last name!” Bria grimaced, looking at her best friend.

“Well obviously not all the time,” she laughed, as she started working again.  She picked up another packet, ignoring her friend’s look, “come on...keep going with your story, Bri.”

“Girl, you need help if you’re still calling my brother by his last name,” she laughed, “y’all have been dating for two years now.”

“Alright, kid.  Enough analyzing.  Back to your story!”

“I’m just saying-“

“So, what basic rouse did they use on you to get you to say yes?”

“I-they didn’t use a rouse on me...”

“They did if it worked!” she smirked, “unless you just have as soft spot for Storm...should I tell your brother that way he can alert next year’s team that he’s already signed with to properly initiate your little lover boy?”

“I am not into Storm, Tiff.”

“Doesn’t sound like it,” she smiled  starting to sing the beginning part of a nursery rhyme, “Bria and Johnny sitting in a tree!”

“You’re so juvenile!” she groaned, rolling her eyes.  Tiffany continued to sing the song, while Bria tried not to laugh, “stop, Tiff!”

“You’re smiling!”

“Yeah, well you’re being stupid...I always laugh when you’re a jackass,” she countered.  When Tiffany didn’t respond, she got quiet, “hey Tiff?  Why’d you say no?”

“Why’d I say no to tutoring the piece of garbage that is Johnny Storm?” she asked, her brow cocking, “come on, Bri...you should know!”

“Tiff...I’m sure he’s not really that bad.”

“Bria...I know that you’ve only met a few of the members of the team because your brother tried to shelter you from a lot of the shit that they did...but Johnny really isn’t a good guy.  I’ve seen him run through way too many women...some of whom were already in relationships before they hooked up with him.”

“Okay...so-so he’s a manwhore...but you can’t blame the fact that some girls cheated on their boyfriends because of him.  They made that decision to do it too!”

“You do what you want with that situation,” Tiff shrugged, backing out of the argument, “you’re a grown woman with your own life.  I’m always gonna look out for you like a little sister, because even if I wasn’t dating your brother, you are like a little sister to me...but when it comes to the team antics, I’m going to keep my head down and ignore those jackasses.  I just want to finish my degree and get on my way to becoming a DA in Boston.”

“You’re really gonna leave me here all alone to go home to Boston when you graduate?”

“Babes...your brother is on the Bruins team.  And your little lover boy is signed with them for next year.  And we’re from Mass...it’s not like it’s a crazy thought to want to go home.  I would think that after today it might be on your mind too...that is, if you can last a whole year dealing with him.”

“Hey Tiff, the team isn’t all that bad, are they?” she asked softly after a moment, “I mean...you and my brother ended up together so some of the guys have to have some redeeming qualities, right?”

Tiff frowned, “it’s really bugging you, isn’t it?  I mean...what I said about how your brother kept you away from the house?”

She nodded and shrugged, “I mean...he always just said that it was because the guys were just that...a bunch of guys living in a house together, so he justified it by acting like they were too rowdy, but I-“

“There were other reasons,” she admitted, “some of the guys aren’t that great...he was doing it to protect you, Bria...your brother may seem like he’s stoic about a lot and doesn’t give a damn about much, but you are the one thing in this world that he care about.  And he didn’t want to see the men that he was on a team with hurting you!”

“Do you-do you think something would happen to me?” she asked curiously, “you know...I mean, I agreed to help out Storm and tutor him-“

“Oh god no.  When I have my nightly dinner call with your brother I’m telling him, and I have no doubt in my mind that by tomorrow morning every single one of those boys will all know who you are before you even so much as step a foot into that house.”

Bri gasped, “Tiff!  You can’t tell my brother about it.  He’ll lose his mind.  He’ll drive all the way here and beat Johnny’s head into a wall!  Especially if you tell him everything I told you!”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell him that Storm hit on you or anything-“

“How did you know that Storm-“

“Baby, I’ve met them enough times to know that Johnny Storm was probably drooling all over you.  You’re a cute young thing.” She smiled, “and you’re a hundred percent his type.  Breathing!”

Bria blushed, “Tiff-“

“Don’t worry though.  Like I said, I won’t tell him that Storm was hitting on you...only that you were approached because Storm is looking for a tutor and you agreed, because you have love for the hockey team.”

“You know if you told him anything more than that, he’d probably hop on the first flight out here, right?”

She laughed, “Bria. There is still a fifty-fifty shot that he does that regardless.  Your brother is really protective of you.”

“Yeah, I know...”

“So...is there anyone that I should be wary of in the house?” she asked, “I mean...my brother wasn’t the first member of the team that you dated, right?”

She paled, thinking of just who in the house would be bad to run across.

“PARTY!”

“HELL YEAH!”

“Hey-do you know where-“

“Tiff?” Roque asked, eyes going slightly wide, “what-what are you doing here, love?”

“You guys were having a party,” she laughed as she grabbed one of the red cups that he’d been filling and handing out, “I came to it.  Duh!  Have you seen Bobby?  I don’t know if he just forgot to text me, or-”

“I-we thought you weren’t coming!” he said quickly, eyes scanning the crowd to possibly spot his brother on the ice before she did, “I thought you had a tutoring session?  You always tutor people on Wednesdays!”

“Well yeah, but it ended early,” she smiled, taking a sip, “I wanted to come spend some time with Bobby.”

“I -he might have left,” he said quickly, covering his tracks, “you know, I know that we were running low on some stuff, and Bobby offered to make a run.”

“That doesn’t sound like Bobby,” she giggled, eyeing the hockey player, “you sure you’re sober, Roque?”

“Too sober!” he frowned, “you should head home.  Let me tell him that you stop-“

“Oh no, it’s fine!” she laughed, cutting the man off with the wave of her hand, “I’ll just go hang out in his room...let him know that I’m there when he gets back?”

“Tiff, I-“

But his words were lost in a sea of music and people as Tiffany started towards her boyfriend’s bedroom.  She could hear some commotion behind herself as she started up the stairs, but it wasn’t until she reached his room and turned the handle that she felt an arm attempting to pull her back.

But it was too late. 

The cup spilled out of her hand and booze seeped into the hardwood as she saw her boyfriend with another woman on his bed. 

Ghost. 

Tears spilled messily down her cheeks as she was pulled away; the image of the blonde riding her boyfriend seared into her brain.

“They’re all man-whores in my opinion, Bria,” she frowned as she stapled a packet a little harder than necessary, “not one you should keep an eye out for any more than the other...because no matter what, when they’re in that house, anything is fair game.”

“Tiff...”

“They’re all just a bunch of needy little fuckboys looking for a puck bunny to touch their sticks, Bria...do yourself a favor and don’t get sucked into it,” she frowned, “don’t let him ever take you to his room, and don’t go to any of the parties.  Meet him only at the library.”

“Tiff...do-do you want to talk about it?” she asked, her brow furrowing in concern as she looked at her friend, “I mean...I know we haven’t talked about much before you dated my brother, but-“

“Just do what I’m telling you, Bri...” she told her friend, “and trust me.”

Chapter 5

[abbatoirablaze]

The StiXXX List, Chapter 3

Word Count:  2.3k

Warnings:  cursing, threats, some violence, guys ball-tapping each other, mentions of cheating/sex.

“All I’m asking is that you give us this semester, Dean Craig,” Mike tried to reason with the dean, “we showed that Johnny could raise his grades even while being part of the team, and-“

“His grade point average is still within the academic probation guidelines, Mr. Weiss,” Dean Craig frowned, “I understand that you are trying to help out a friend and a teammate, and for that, I commend you, but Mr. Storm is closer to the brink of being expelled than he is graduating.”

“He’s a senior this year...he’s still passing-“

“Barely!” he said firmly as he held out the transcript, “and may I remind you that you’re supposed to maintain a high c average in order to stay on any athletic teams.  He’s supposed to have maintained a 2.5, but is only at a 1.6.”

“With all due respect, sir, of the collegiate teams, only a handful even have minimum requirements for eligibility, and Johnny doesn’t come here on scholarship!” Mike argued, “he’s passing by most collegiate standards, and while his grade point average is below the national average, he’s at a D+, which is still passing.  That means he’d still get his degree!”

Dean Craig sat back in his seat, “I don’t want to pull Mr. Storm from the team, Mr. Weiss.”

“Then don’t,” he said quickly, “Johnny was the high scorer last year, and the year before, “you don’t have to pull him from the team.”

“Not pulling him from his athletic extracurriculars puts into question the integrity of the whole system,” Dean Craig reminded the undergraduate, “by letting Mr. Storm slide simply because of his exceptional abilities on a pair of skates-“

“The team needs him,” he argued, “Johnny is the reason that we won the championship sir.  He’s the reason that all that extra money came from alumni because we won two years in a row.  And when it’s likely that it’ll happen again this year.”

“Mr. Weiss, you cannot promise the perform-“

“Johnny’s already accepted a contract with a NHL team for next year,” he said quickly, cutting the dean off once more, “he is staying here at the college so that he can finish his degree, win us a third consecutive championship, and bring more relevancy to the school.  Don’t you want to be able to show off the fact to all the alumni that an NHL star opted to stay at our school to finish his degree, to become an alumni, rather than make millions of dollars a year?”

“I-“

“Think about it!” he said quickly, “this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you can’t allow the school the opportunity to miss out on!  Johnny Storm, alumni of your very school, then drafted by the NHL!  Think of the extra money coming in, and not just from alumni, but people who will see Johnny play next season, and believe that it, in part, had something to do with the school.  Don’t do this to the school, Dean Craig!”

The dean’s jaw ticked, and Mike smiled, knowing that he’d had the educator in the palm of his hand, “what exactly are you suggesting, Mr. Weiss?”

“A tutor.  One that is fully encouraged by the school to be with Johnny the whole school year.  He’s their only student.”

“We can’t pay them.” He said firmly, “this is not a job.”

“Then give them credits,” he said quickly in response, “we’ll talk to education students.  Give them the same education credits that they would get being a TA.”

The dean sighed, and shook his head, “I-I don’t know why I’m agreeing to this, but fine.  If you can find someone that is willing to tutor Mr. Storm, without pay, we will provide them with education credits as if they were a teaching assistant.  But let me stress this as well, hockey star or not, if Mr. Storm’s gpa drops any more than it’s already currently at, there will not be a discussion in my office, Mr. Weiss.  And it won’t be about taking him off the hockey team.  It will be a full disciplinary hearing about Mr. Storms expulsion...do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal, sir!”

“Come on, Ricky, I-“

“No fucking way!” the history major said as he slammed his book shut, “Johnny’s a dick...even though I could use the credits, I wouldn’t help a guy that slept with my girlfriend.  SCREW HIM!”

“Wait, were you Rachel’s Ricky?” Johnny asked with a smile, “she talked about you when I hit it from the back, I-“

Johnny’s words were stopped dead in his throat when Mike ball-tapped him.

“He’s two steps above being special, Ricky.  You can’t hold that kind of thing against him.  He’s genuinely stupid, Ricky.  You’d be helping out the school, not just him.  Come on Ricky.  Help the guy out.”

“I hope he gets expelled!” the guy growled as he pushed past the two men and out of the tutor’s area in the library. 

Mike huffed and looked at his friend who was still hunched over, “did you really have to do that?  He was our last shot!”

“Did you really have to ball tap me?” Johnny groaned as he sorted himself out and readjusted himself, “I use those on the regular, you know...on women that actually give me the time of day, unlike a certain stripper does to you!”  

“Fuck you, Storm...”

“Come on, man...it’s not like I was a complete dick to the nerd.  I-“

“Yeah, I remember you...I fucked your girl in the ass, and she told me about you” Mike mocked his friend, “you do realize that I’m trying to help you here, right Johnny?  I don’t care if you railed his girlfriend, but you can’t be bragging about it.”

“I didn’t fuck her in the ass,” he clarified, “I just hit it from the back.  She was too whiny and made this weird face when I looked at her dead on.  I couldn’t do it otherwise, man...”

“Jesus fucking christ, Johnny!” Mike growled as the two men walked through the library, “you’re going to fail out if we can’t find you a tutor.”

“I don’t need a tutor.  I have high d’s,” he shrugged, “and the dean’s gonna let me slide so long as my grades don’t get any worse.”

“Johnny you’ve had fucking senioritis since the day I met you when you were a freshman.”

He smiled, “aww you remembered little scrawny Johnny who just lived to be jolly?  I’m honored, Mikey...”

“God you’re a real fucking idiot,” he growled as he glared at the senior over his shoulder, “how are you my best friend?”

“I ask myself the same question all the time,” he shrugged, “same for how you haven’t fucked your dream girl yet...”

“Shut the hell up, Storm.”

“I could help you if you wanted,” he offered, “you know, since you’re helping me get a tutor or whatever.  Could invite ghosty girl to a party and keep the lights off.  We’re a similar build.  She wouldn’t know it was you til you nut the second you get inside her but-“

“I swear to god, I will ball tap you so hard you’ll regress through puberty if you don’t shut up!”

“So angry,” Johnny smirked, “you know, if you got laid then-FUCK!”

“SHHH!” a librarian called from the other side of the floor, her cart ceasing movements as she glared at the men.

“Sorry...sorry...he uh, stubbed his foot on the corner of the shelf when we turned!”

“Stubbed my foot...yeah fucking right, you prick,” he wheezed from the ground as he cupped himself, “fuck you, Weiss.”

“Yeah, well, I warned you,” he shrugged, “you stay there...I’m going to try to see if any of the work study girls know of any tutors I haven’t talked to yet.”

“Fuck you!” he wheezed once more. 

Mike smirked to himself as he started towards the counter, where one of the girls was checking out someone’s books.  After they left, he gave her a polite smile.

“Hi, how can I help you?”

“Yeah, I-I’m gonna be honest...my friend, he’s a real fucking idiot, but he needs a tutor...bad...do you know of any tutors that weren’t in the lounge today?”

She bit her lip and then looked over his shoulder.  Her eyes widened ever so slightly, “is that Johnny Storm. Is he okay?”

“He’ll be fine.  Eyes back on me, sweetheart,” he smiled, snapping until her eyes were focused back on him, “are there any more tutors?”

“I-I could always help him...”

Mike frowned, “what’s your major?”

“Wh-what?”

“Major...what are you here for?”

“Oh, I-“

“Major...”

“Dance.”

“I need someone to teach him something, not fuck him,” he frowned, “now...do you know of anyone else?”

She sighed and nodded, “there’s a sophomore...her name’s Bria...she’s an education major...”

“Where’s she at?”

Study desks...” she frowned, “she-she’s the girl who’s got Air-pods in and a shimmery bonnet...you’ll figure out who she is...she’s hard to miss.”

“Thank you!”

Mike didn’t wait for a response as he started towards the study desks.  But he froze when he saw the woman.  “Oh fuck...”

The woman looked up and smiled at him, before removing one of her headphones, “hey Mike...what are you doing here?   Little early to start hitting the books, isn’t it?”

“Baby Roque...”

“Well, hello there, my melanated queen,” Johnny smiled as he perched himself on the corner of the desk and smiled at the young woman, “did my good friend here tell you all the benefits of getting to work with me?”

“Excuse me?” she laughed.

“Uh, Johnny-“

“I’m sure he didn’t tell you of the greatest benefit of all if you did agree to be my tutor,” he smiled, shooting her a wink, “I’m a quick learner, yeah, but I’ll learn things ten times faster if it means we get to skip the boring stuff and I’m licking my way up your-“

“That’s Roque’s baby sister, you jackass!”

Johnny froze and made a face before sucking in his cheeks, “I uh-I should not have said what I said.”

“No...you shouldn’t have,” she said with an unamused expression on your face, “but it’s okay.  I’m not gonna be your tutor, Johnny Storm, so you have nothing to worry about.  And don’t worry, I won’t tell my brother about what you said, either.”

“Okay, good...I was afraid that you were gonna tell your brother about-wait...what do you mean you’re not going to be my tutor?”

“You self-centered pompous asshole,” she scoffed, laughing as she packed her book into her laptop bag and put her air-pods in their case, “the whole world doesn’t revolve around you, you know that right?”

“I-uh-“

“There’s not enough money in this world that would make me agree to being your tutor,” she scoffed once more, “I’ve got way better things to do with my life then to hang around with you.”

“It uh-it actually, wouldn’t pay!” Johnny said quietly.

“So you, what?” she asked, “expected me to just want to bathe in the natural talent and god-given gift that is Johnny Storm while I got frustrated because a rock could learn more than you?  I don’t hate myself enough.”

Mike bit his lip, unsure of how to step in.  Roque’s baby sister knew about everyone on the team from her older brother and previous captain, and a few of the guys had met her last year when she came in as a freshman, but he also knew that it was rare that a woman could make his best friend so speechless. 

“What?” she taunted, looking at him once again and blinking, “dumb white boy forgot his words now that a strong black woman is in front of him?”

“I-“

“Speak, Storm!” she said firmly. 

Her tone sent a shiver up Johnny’s spine. 

He’d never felt this way with anyone before. 

His throat went dry.

“Please...”

The word sounded so unfamiliar, so unnatural coming out of the normally cocky man’s mouth. 

It sounded almost scared.

“Please, what?”

“I-I’m not going to graduate if I can’t pass...” he admitted with a frown, “I-I can’t do it without you.”

“And what do I get out of it?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Wh-whatever you want,” he said honestly, “I-I don’t know.”

“The dean said that we can get you credits for classes,” Mike said finally, stepping in to his friend’s aid, “if you tutor Johnny the whole year, be available to him...and help him graduate, you can get a full year’s worth of teaching assistant credits.”

“Give me your phone, Storm.” He jumped, surprise coating his entire body as he realized that she was agreeing.  He fumbled in his pockets and grabbed at his phone, handing it to her.  She pressed a few buttons, and Johnny noticed a buzzing noise coming from her laptop bag before she hung up and handed him his phone back, “I have class today and will figure out my free time.  Send me your class schedule, game schedule, and practice schedule, and I’ll have something figured out before the end of the week.”

“O-Okay.”

“You attend every single one of your classes,” she said firmly, “I want every piece of paper and syllabus that’s handed out, every note you take, and the classes recorded.  And it better be your notes.  Your recordings, and your ass in that seat, because if I find out you skipped a class because your superstar ass didn’t feel like going, I’m going to kick it til you’re black and blue and begging the professor for extra credit because you’re a lazy bitch, got it?”

“I-I don’t have a recorder.”

“Buy one!”

And with that, she walked away from him.

“Dude...what the hell was that?” Mike asked.

Johnny shook his head, nothing but a quiet sigh leaving his lips as he shoved his phone back in his pocket, “I-Weiss, I think I’m in love.”

“Good luck,” Mike said with a shake of his head, “Roque will fucking kill you if he finds out you’re interested in his baby sister.”

“No, not interested, Mike,” he replied, “I-I’m going to marry that woman one day.  She’s my future wife.”

“Yeah, okay Storm.” He scoffed, walking away from his best friend.

Chapter 4

[abbatoirablaze]

The StiXXX List, Chapter 2: Ghosted

Word Count:  2.4k

Warnings:  mentions of a strip club, swearing in front of a little kid, cursing.

“Man...you look rough...you sure you’re alright?” Steve asked his roommate as he showed up at the dorm, “I mean, I know that you’re just getting in, but you don’t look to hot.  That walk of shame is doing more than shaming you...”

“It was all because of that fucking stripper,” he groaned, shaking his head, “she-she kicked me out of her place...I had to walk home.”

“You had your car last night.”

“And it ran out of gas this morning before I could get back to campus or even a gas station,” he grunted, “I didn’t have a gas can, so I had to walk to the Walmart a few miles away just to buy one, and then walk to the gas station to get gas.”

“You could have just called me,” he frowned at his friend, “I mean, I was sleeping, but I would have picked up at some point in time...and I have a car.  And a gas can.  Or you could have called Buck.  He’s always up really early with Jamie when Delilah goes to class and he lives off campus so he might have been close...”

“That would have been more useful information a few hours ago, Steve.”  

“I mean, it could have been worse,” he tried to offer, “nothing else bad happened, right?”

“Am I like cursed or something because I slept with that stripper?” he asked, “everything is just too messed up for me to be coincidence.”

Steve tried to bite back his laughter, “congrats man...you got ghosted...”

His brows furrowed as he looked at his roommate, who was practically shovelling the cereal from the bowl into his mouth, “What do you mean, ghosted?”

“You didn’t pay any attention to the warnings from your big brother, did you?”

“What the hell are you talking about Steve?”

“The stripper, last night..”

“Alright boys...first thing we have to do before we officially start the semester, and our season, is to come here!”

A few of the freshman narrowed their eyes at the glowing building that advertised the women inside of it. The neon lights were drawing men in from the college town like moths to a flame.

“Why did we get brought to a strip club?”

“I thought this was supposed to be a team bonding exercise.”

“How is this supposed to help our season?”

“Pooch, Jensen, Sam, great questions!” Tony grinned as he pointed to three of the freshmen, “does anyone know why we brought you guys here?”

“Because what better way to encourage male bonding than by looking at god’s greatest gifts to man!  Gorgeous full breasts, and jiggly asses!” Wade answered from beside him as he threw his arm around his friend’s shoulders, “boys...we’re going to make you men tonight!”

“Alright Wilson, calm it down,” fellow senior, and co-captain Ari Levinson chuckled, patting his friend’s shoulder, “guys, every year the senior class brings the freshman class to this very club behind us.  And every year, the hockey gods themselves give us a sign that we’re going to do well when one lucky freshman gets picked.  Now, as players, we know we’re all pretty superstitious...but it’s more than that.  It’s a tradition.  A tradition that we happily uphold because it’s us passing the torch onto you.”

Sam and Steve looked at one another happily as Johnny Storm wrapped his arm around each of their shoulders, “now...the second tradition is that you boys have to decide before we walk in...are you buying our beers?  Or paying for our girls for the night?”

“You got ghosted!” Steve repeated with a chuckle.  When his roommate didn’t respond Steve dropped the spoon back into the bowl, “come on.  You really don’t know what I’m talking about?”

“No,” he shook his head, “Steve, what the hell are you talking about?”

“I can’t believe you don’t know,” Steve laughed, “in the past few years it’s become one of the team’s biggest traditions.  And I mean, everyone knows about it!”

“Well, I don’t know what the hell you are talking about, so stop the foreplay and just tell me!”

“Well, what do we have here?” a voice giggled as the men entered the establishment.  Her hand ran along Tony’s shoulders, and he gave her a wink.   She giggled and continued on her path to the bar.

“Hey boys!” one of the other strippers smiled as she passed the group of hockey players, shooting Wade Wilson a wink, “Wade, come on back to the rooms when you’re settled in!   I’ve missed not seeing you all summer!”

“God, I love this place!” Wade grinned.

“FRESH MEAT!” another stripper cheered as she passed.

“Hey Wade!”

“Hey Tony!”

“Ladies,” he smiled as he licked his lips, “alright...tables up front.  Freshmen who said that they wanted to pay for lap dances, go to the ATM...you’re going to need a lot of ones.”

The freshmen formed a line courtesy of Johnny pulling them over to the ATM, while the rest of the seniors started giving a girl their drink orders and Steve and Pooch passed over their cards with grimaces on their faces. 

“Well, who do we have here?”

“Oh, hey there, Ghost,” Johnny smirked, “come to check out our newest incoming class?”

“Or here to just check out the prime real estate?” Wade teased.

“Maybe,” she smirked, eyeing the man up and down, “shame you’re not still on the menu.”

Johnny’s brows raised, “who said we’re not?”

“Oh, don’t tempt me, my sweet little flame.  I’d ruin you and then some, and enjoy every second of it!” She giggled.  He all but swooned at her words.  She ran a finger down his chest, and he grinned and licked his lips, but she already turned her attention to the last freshman in line at the ATM when he didn’t reply, “what’s your name, sweetheart?”

“Sa-Sam...”

Sam shook his head.

He didn’t know why this woman in front of him was causing him to stutter. 

“Sam...cute!  Simple.  I like it.” she smiled, shooting him a wink, “maybe I’ll see you later, Sam.”

“Oh man...it was so funny when you disappeared with her...” he laughed, “but hey...the guys said that since she picked you, we’re in for a great season.  You were the sacrifice.”

“Always the black guy being sacrificed!” he muttered to himself.

“What?”

“Why is her and I hooking up a good thing for the team?”

“Because she’s always around the house, hooking up with someone on the team.” He shrugged, “I mean, she’s usually hooking up with Pronge, but she always starts off the year with a Freshman.”

“What?”

“How do you not know about Ghost?” he laughed, “your older sister went here and dated one of the guys on the team and your brother was on the team.  I’m sure that they both came across her at least once or twice.”

“My sister didn’t tell me about puck bunnies.” He shrugged yet again, “and my older brother was here a few years before my sister.”

“Oh, Ghost isn’t a puck bunny,” Steve laughed, “she’s THE puck bunny.  She’s the tradition.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Buck told me about it last year...when the guys were talking about how they go to the strip club every year and the hockey gods smile down on them, it’s because every year Ghost picks a Freshman to sleep with.  After that, the team always has more wins than losses.”

“You’re joking!” he scoffed, “they can’t possibly think that this chick’s got a golden vagina that leads us to more victories.”

“Your words, not mine,” he shrugged, “but someone on the team is always hooking up with her during the season.  And when they are, we’re winning!  It’s only when she holds out that we lose...and bad.  Like I said...usually it’s Pronge...or a few others.”

“So what?” he asked, “she’s going to try to sleep with me the whole season then?”

Steve shook his head, “No.  She kicks off the school year by sleeping with one of the Freshmen on the team and then making them do the walk of shame.   Then she usually rotates between a few of the guys.  Usually, it’s just the defensive team so we don’t really have anything to worry about.”

“Why didn’t anyone tell me?” he asked.

He shrugged, “I thought you would have known.  I mean, Buck told me about it last year when he was a freshman!  I figured that your sister warned you about her.”

“Did it happen to him too?” he asked, “Do i-do I need to get myself checked out or something?  Why are you still laughing?”

“Hell no, and the team was pissed, because Bucky skipped out on it last year,” he said shaking his head, “he has been with my sister since middle school, and the idea of going to a strip club is not his idea of a fun night.  Buck may seem rough and tumble and up for anything, but he’s downright obsessed with three things in this world:  hockey, school, and his family...but there were a few guys on the defensive team that stuck up for him since he’s been with my sister for so long.  No, last year it was Cougar.  Whoever it is, usually gets hell for the whole year though.  Cougar’s year was shit last year.”

“How long has she been doing this?”

“I think you might be the fourth guy...maybe...I know it was Thor the year before Cougar...not sure on who it might have been before that.”

“What?” he asked, “she’s been doing it this long?”

“It’s tradition, Sam!” Steve shrugged, and as Sam came closer to him to ask him what he meant, there was a knock on the door.

“It’s open!” Steve announced, “come on in!”

“Hey guys!”

“UNCLE STEVIE!” a little boy yelled, coming into the dorm.

“Hey buddy!” Steve smiled, picking up his nephew, “how’s it going, Jamie?  Where’s your mommy?”

“It’s me and daddy day!” the three-year-old grinned, “Right daddy?”

“Doll’s got classes and was out the door by six thirty...then she’s got her internship hours at the hospital from eleven to four,” he frowned, “we’re gonna get just enough time for him to go down for his nap, and make some dinner before I head out for evening classes at 5:30.”

“They never said being a teen parent was easy!”

Bucky chuckled, “it was a hell of a lot easier last year when our moms could switch off babysitting Jamie and your sister and him still lived with your mom.”

“Well, you two decided to get an apartment together!” Steve smirked, “you guys wanted to play happy little family!  Though mom was pretty sad to see all three of us out the door in one year...I guess she kind of expected Dee and Jamie to stick around to save up some money while she was in school.”

“We felt like it was the right thing to do by giving your mom her house back...last thing she needs is to have to deal with this little punk right here!” he smirked, messing with his son’s hair.

“HEY!” Jamie pouted, “Gamma loves me!”

“That she does...but so does daddy!” he reminded his son, “And I missed not being able to be around you and mommy all the time.”

“That’s why we move here!”

“Yup!  And I wouldn’t trade it for the world, punk!” Bucky grinned as he put his hand on his son’s shoulder.  Then he looked to his best friend and teammates, “you guys need any help unpacking still or...what’s wrong with you, Falcon?”

Sam went to open his mouth, but it quickly closed as he looked at Steve.

“It’s probably better if you don’t ask,” Steve frowned.  When Bucky didn’t move on from the comment he sighed, “He got ghosted.”

Bucky made a face then frowned at his friend, “sorry man...but your season is fucked!”

“Do I need to get tested or something?” he asked once more, “shit!  What’s wrong with this chick that-“

“Don’t worry,” Bucky sighed, shaking his head as he cut his friend off, “you’re fine.  Ghost is clean...just-the freshman she sleeps with usually incurs the wrath of another one of the guys on the team every year...and then...you know, any guy that sleeps with her that season as well.”

“What?” he asked, “who?”

“Watch out for Weiss,” he said quickly, giving him a heads up, “he’s been in love with Ghost since his sophomore year, but she’s never even so much as looked at him.  He’ll be on your ass all year, and since he’s on the offensive team like you are, you’re screwed.  You won’t have to worry about Pronge since he is one of the guys that leads the D, but Weiss is gonna be on your ass.  He was rough on Cougar last year!”

“That’s rough!” Steve grimaced, “is he at least gonna be pissed at her?”

“At Ghost?  Yeah right,” Bucky scoffed, “If anything, he’ll just try even harder.  Usually, he’s at the club every weekend after the game...dude spends all his extra cash on her.  If there was any hope of getting him off that train, someone’s probably tried.  But he’s hooked on her like she’s some sort of drug.”

“Shit...” Sam frowned, looking to Steve, “I’m fucked.”

“Could be worse,” Bucky shrugged, “Could have been Andy’s ex.  That’s her twin sister and she works at the club too.”

“I might have felt her up on accident this morning...” Sam admitted nervously, looking between his two friends.  Their eyes nearly bulged out of their heads and Sam shook his head, “i-it’s not what you think.  You see, she left her bedroom, and I thought she was making breakfast for us...but it was her twin sister.  And, well...I started, kinda trying to hit it again.”

“Oh, you’re super fucked when he finds out.”  Bucky frowned, “Andy’s possessive as all hell over her despite being engaged to another chick...swear, anyone even looks in her direction and automatically they’re on his shit list.”

“Shit...wait, why’s he like that if he’s engaged to someone else?”

Bucky chuckled, “dude...he’s got a kid with Glitter.  Fuck, if anyone ever did to my doll, like you did to Glitter...I’d kill em.  Then again, I’d never leave Delilah...I’m gonna marry her when we graduate.”

“Well, it was nice knowing you man,” Steve frowned at his friend, “when Barber and Weiss murder you we’ll do our best to notify your next of kin.”

“Oh man...I’m really fucked...”

Chapter 3