#i gen cannot figure out what the fuck is north

[pup-pee]

bart; which way is north?

bart, points upwards; that way

[stupidsexyseguin]

AND THE NOMINEES ARE...

okay guys! this is going to be a really long post, so here are the links for voting, and a full list of authors and works will be under the read more with links to go and read the nominated works or peruse all works of nominated authors.

this poll will be open all of the rest of january, with voting closing at 11pm AEST on the 31st, with the results going up as soon as i can put them together after that. congrats to everyone nominated! thanks everyone who sent in nominations!

Best Hockey RPF Author 2017

Best Hockey RPF Work/Series (Sid/Geno)

Best Hockey RPF Work/Series (Nicky/Ovi)

Best Hockey RPF Work/Series (Mitch/Auston)

Best Hockey RPF Work/Series (Other)

Author Nominees:

angularmomentum

sevenfists

theundiagnosable

LottieAnna

pukeandcry

crispierchip

itsacoup

stevenstamkos

Work Nominations:

(Further sorted into pairings) (if a work has no attached link i have not been given permission by the author to link it directly, but it can likely be found using the ao3 search function) (if you can’t find a work that you nominated in this list it is likely because it didn’t meet nomination guidelines)

PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF INDIVIDUAL WORK WARNINGS AND TAGS AND USE YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT WHEN DECIDING TO READ THEM.

Sid/Geno

Shelter by 71tenseventeen

Sidney was five the first time he met Troy. Well, that he remembers, anyhow.

Thalassophile by Anonymous

Thalassophile- (n.) a lover of the sea, someone who loves the sea, ocean

Adventures with Vanya (series) by bumblybee

“I’d like to introduce our guest for today, Evgeni Malkin, author of Hockey with Vanya.” Sidney nails the pronunciation, and Malkin even glances up at him with a little smile. “Mr. Malkin is going to read us his book, and then you’ll all have the opportunity to talk to him. How does that sound?”

Sonatina by CoffeeStars

It had started at a promotional event for the Pens at a sporting goods store. A little boy with bright eyes had handed his new skates over to be autographed and said, very politely, “Will you please sign it? It’ll be super lucky if you do, and I can skate really fast and score a bunch of goals like you.”

Of Two Seas by itsacoup

“You are lucky, little sailor,” the man says once Evgeni has looked his fill, and his voice is melodious, with a high edge to it but also an odd, gravelly way of speaking. “Lucky and strong. Strong enough to be my champion.” He drops his arm as he speaks the last word, turning towards Evgeni with a half-smile.

Telemachy by itsacoup

Sidney steps back to survey his work; his eyes glisten as he looks at Zhenya, and from the moisture springs forth revelation: cold-hands blurring-vision gasping-for-air-that-isn’t-there. “Return to us an Oracle, or leave your life upon the mountain,” Sidney declares. His voice trembles, and it’s more a plea than a command. He grabs the back of Zhenya’s neck, tugging until he can reach Zhenya’s face and push an insistent kiss against Zhenya’s brow. Sidney pulls back to stare at Zhenya for a long moment, the soft hazel of his eyes gone dark with indescribable worry. Zhenya’s heart thumps as his entire body roils with sensation, burning cold and freezing heat and fear and exhilaration and confusion, and he cannot break Sidney’s gaze.

Catch a Glimpse of Gold Through His Skin by reginalds

The poster reads, from the top:

Times When it is Okay to Interrupt Mr. Malkin:

1.) Hitler invades Russia

2.) Fire

3.) German U-boat spotted in the Allegheny

4.) Sidney Crosby walks in the room

Motherland by sevenfists

The first Zhenya heard about it was an email from Sidney in the middle of August.

The Best-Looking Boys by sevenfists

He was just a kid, just like Sidney, and far away from home. When Sidney didn’t look away, Evgeni mimed swinging a baseball bat, and Gonch was right; it was clear he had no idea what he was doing.

That was the first time Sidney thought they could maybe be friends.

The Real Thing by sevenfists

Sitting at the table was Sid: Sid as Zhenya had first known him, almost a decade before: dorky, long-haired Sid, his cheeks round with baby fat. He couldn’t have been older than twenty, and even that was generous.

“Wow,” baby Sid said. “Are you Evgeni Malkin?”

All the Way Through by sevenfists

“I hope you’re going to tell me that you’re in a loving, committed, long-term relationship,” Jen said.

“Well. No,” Sidney said. “We’re—it’s a casual thing.”

“Not anymore,” Jen said. “Congratulations, you’re in love.”

The Biblical Sense by sevenfists

“Sid, I’m so—I’m sorry,” Geno said. “My stupid—I’m ruin everything, I—”

“Shut up, Geno,” Sidney said, already intensely weary of listening to Geno’s self-recrimination. “You’ve barely even done anything.”

Geno’s voice dropped what sounded like an entire octave. “But I want to.”

My Fingers Laced to Crown by Squidbittles

It’s been ten years since Canada’s Crown Prince Sidney Crosby married Prince Evgeni Malkin, and they’ve found a love they never expected. Despite their best efforts, however, they remain heirless.

Amid mounting frustration and pressure from the public, they escape to the north for a much-needed delayed honeymoon in the hopes of finding a solution to the problem of succession.

Nicky/Ovi

love on a deposit of frozen pleistocene carbon by angularmomentum

Sasha is the only person to have lasted more than a year at Wrest Island Arctic Research Station, except, of course, for Dr. Bäckström.

Or: Sasha’s head over heels, in a slightly more than figurative sense.

running from the weather by angularmomentum

Alex starts playing for Dynamo at sixteen.

kith by angularmomentum

Sasha makes prefect in his second to last year. It’s earlier than anyone but him expected, but right on track for his two year plan, which is: be head boy, get a contract to play Quidditch professionally, and beat Bäckström off in the baths.

Goldenrod by Ferritin4

“You’ve gotta be crazy to fly one of those things,” Dima says, looking up at the icy arcing contrails of the Swedish jets as they rocket overhead. You have to be crazy to fly, Sasha thinks, and you have to be good.

A More Fascinating Name by pukeandcry

Although Sasha had never made the younger Mr. Backstrom’s acquaintance, he was at least familiar enough with his reputation to know that chief amongst his qualities was the quite publicly known fact that Mr. Backstrom was as notoriously uninterested in achieving an advantageous marriage as Sasha himself.

Something, then, must have upset the order of things. What that was he could not say, but Lord Backstrom was now, it would seem, in active search of a husband for his son.

the washington royals by screamlet

Sasha doesn’t remember the very first time he met Nicky, but Michael Nylander is kind enough to remind them when he arrives to meet the team, carrying an honest to fuck laminated newspaper clipping of the first time Prince Alexander visited Sweden to meet his future husband, Prince Nicklas.

Wolfborn by waspabi

A wolfborn on an airplane was either unbearably reckless or a hockey player. Most of the time, both.

Mitch/Auston

the dreams i’ll dream instead by afterthefair

“So, when do you want to bond?” Marner asks without any preamble as soon as they’re within three feet of each other.

Auston hears Chucky’s whispered, “What the fuck?”

Strome cracks up. “Jesus, Marns, can you say hi before you ask someone to fuck you?“

Marner laughs. “Sorry. Hi, Auston. I’m Mitch. We’re gonna play together forever.”

as long as it’s about me by Anonymous

It takes about the length of their first practice for Toronto media to decide that him and Mitch are best friends. And, like, Auston’s been warned about the press in the city a million times, so he gets it. They want a story. He’d be fine with it, honestly, except for the small issue that Mitch Marner is the most annoying person on the entire planet.

They used to shout my name, now they whisper it by CheapLemonIceLolly

Being a star athlete changes you.

think we’re overthinking it by LottieAnna

The first time Mitch picks up a guy, Auston’s convinced he’s hallucinating.

(Or: Auston and Mitch eventually talk about their feelings, even if they keep putting it off. Whatever.)

turn the world gold by LottieAnna

Mitch: hey ill be in az 2morrow, what r u doing?

we belong to you and me by LottieAnna and theundiagnosable

“You’re not allowed to take the high ground while proposing we defraud your government, Marns.”

“Not with that attitude,” Mitch says. “Look, I’m not proposing we defraud anyone, I’m just-”

“Proposing?” Auston finishes, wry.

Three Loves by MycroftexMachina

Mitch Marner: secret genius.

torch this place we know by theundiagnosable

Sportsnet @sportsnet

BREAKING: LEAFS’ MITCH MARNER TRADED TO PITTSBURGH PENGUINS sportsnt.ca/news/2kT45f9Q …

bring it to the top by theundiagnosable

“What’s going on, Matts?”

“Maybe I just want to do something fun, I don’t know.” Auston says, defensive. “Maybe I’m being nice.”

“Okay,” Mitch says. He doesn’t sound convinced. “And…”

“And,” Auston winces, already regretting every decision he’s ever made, “I sort of need you to pretend to date me so I can win a bet with my sister.”

Other Pairings

take a sip of my secret potion by bluejayys (gallagher/galchenyuk)

Brendan’s gonna get to know Alex– maybe even work up the courage to ask him out on a date.

put it in the rearview mirror by thedeadparrot (gallagher/galchenyuk)

At the end of the season, the Gallys go on a road trip from Montreal to Florida. There are a lot of feelings involved.

and i’ve just let these little things slip out of my mouth by crispierchip (skjei/vesey)

Jimmy comes out to Brady in November.

Underneath the Charging Sky by pukeandcry (d. strome/latta)

Dylan hadn’t expected to be in Tucson this year. He hadn’t expected to still be so fucked up about Connor. He hadn’t expected a lot of shit, and Latts was definitely on that list.

we let our battles choose us by electrumqueen (gen-ish)

Auston straddles a lot of lines. He’s the sunbelt kid, you know? The trailblazer.

beginner’s guide to sex (and love) by viennajones (mcdavid/draisaitl)

“Uh, so when you said you could help me, did you mean…” Connor thinks that he understood Leon alright, but making sure is probably a good idea.

Leon looks a little sheepish. “Not to sound super cocky or whatever, but I’ve been told I’m pretty good in bed. I could show you a thing or two. If you want.”

I Lie Only For You by leyley09 (wilson/latta)

“So, instead of telling his mom the truth, Tom wants you to pretend to be his boyfriend. And you said yes to pretending, even though you want to be boyfriends for real.”

“When you say it out loud, it sounds stupid.”

“It is stupid.”

if this is the stars by theundiagnosable (marner/w nylander/matthews)

“Babe,” Mitch says, collapsing onto the couch. “Matts, I just got hit on by the hottest barista I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“Nice.” Auston high fives him.

through the woods we ran by stevenstamkos (hischier/patrick)

“Tell me about your faeries.”

Nico does not want to talk about faeries, not in the comfort of his bed with Nolan stretched out next to him, but he knows that Nolan is only trying to learn as much as he can about Nico. Nolan has asked him about everything, his likes and dislikes, his home in Naters and his family, his history. And now his faeries.

let’s just see what tomorrow brings by capebretons (hischier/patrick)

The first time Nolan sees Nico, it snows.

It’s the first snow of the winter, late November, cold enough to make Nolan’s cheeks pink, and his ears, and the tip of his nose. It’s the cold, that’s all. It’s got nothing to do with Hischier.

and dreams paled by antoineroussel (rinne/saros)

A young man sits up, facing away from Pekka, and rubs his eyes furiously. His skin is golden, left shoulder scarred lightly, and he wraps one of the red furs around his waist, apparently not wearing much else. Pekka, startled, makes a choked noise, and the man turns around. He gets to his feet with a boyish smile, and sits himself down on the chair opposite to Pekka.

triple the fun by allfleshisgrass (benn/seguin)

Tyler finds a three-headed dog, adopts it and tries to be the best doggy daddy in Dallas.

A Different Kind (series) by Nuanta (benn/seguin)

Set in a world where scents hold powerful magic, omegas are marginalized and despised, and are treated as slaves. Born into the noble Seguin family, Tyler was sold off to a life of captivity once he presented. Now, the defiant omega finds himself under the supervision of a soft-spoken Knight-Captain, alpha Jamie Benn, who doesn’t let any of his junior knights take advantage of omegas. Not only that, but Jamie seems to care about Tyler’s opinions, wants to change the world…if the system would only let him. When the world turns on its head, though, Tyler will do whatever it takes to prove he deserves his life and his freedom, and maybe a little more.

place your hand in mine, i’ll leave when i wanna (series) by jolt (benn/seguin, mcdavid/d strome, marner/matthews)

Tyler knows he looks like the kind of douchebag who listens to rap or, like, ska bands from the early 2000s, but he actually has a secret affinity for happy pop songs and, unabashedly, Blink-182 and Fall Out Boy and stuff. The music a lot of people pretend to have grown out of or be too cool for.

Tyler thinks Jamie looks like the kind of guy who loves songs about trucks, but mainly because he thinks he’s built like one.

Home at Last by crispierchip (barrie/landeskog)

This would be Tyson’s luck.

Have sex with the guy you’ve been hopelessly drooling over for the past year only to wake up bonded to him. Perfect.

(stronger than a) Bourbon Street Hand Grenade by dexsnursey (barrie/landeskog)

Nate grins and ducks his head, and Tyson is considering giving him a hug and maybe a big smooch too, when Gabe speaks up, because of course he does. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“Oh no,” Nate groans, and really, that should have been his warning.

Instead, Tyson finds himself raising his eyebrows, puffing up his chest and declaring, “Oh it’s on like Donkey Kong, Gabriel.”

Nate sighs, this loud, chest deep thing, and Tyson really needs to learn when to keep his mouth shut.

10,000 Weight in Gold by oflights (barrie/landeskog)

“What’re some of your biggest pet peeves? Wanna know what mine is?”

“Uh, what’s yours?”

“When people say Tyson, and they’re talking to you instead of me.”

tell me if you love me or not by underwaternow (barrie/landeskog)

It starts in Sweden.

Stop Making Sense by Vidriana (w nylander/kapanen)

“Well, here’s how I see it,” Kappy starts. “You have two options.” He holds up a finger. “One: You just tell them the truth.” He shrugs.

“What’s option two?” Willy asks.

Kappy raises a second finger. “Option two: You get a fake boyfriend,” he says, with much more gravitas than this ridiculous statement could possibly warrant.

should have said (say it) by theundiagnosable (w nylander/hyman)

“Okay,” Zach says, slow. “You said- no food, isn’t the wedding in-”

“Five days,” Auston finishes, “yeah.” He sounds even more calm than usual, a little monotone, actually, which is how Zach knows he’s internally losing his shit.

[cwnerd12]

 In the press briefing room of the Rabbath Palace, Andrew stands at the podium, addressing a crowd of reporters, “Before I start today’s briefing, I would like to thank King Wayne for appointing me as his new press secretary. It’s an honor to be serving such a fine king, and I look forward to serving him well. any questions.” The reporters all try to grab his attention. Andrew points to one, “Yes?” Reporter, “Has King Wayne responded to the declaration signed by his generals, condemning his marriage to Queen Mercy?” Andrew, “He is responding in private, but publicly he continues to assert that his marriage is perfectly Biblical to those who know the Bible.” Another reporter, “Is there any indication that Ammon will be joining King David's North American Union?" Andrew, “Why would we do that? Seriously, like, why? That's dumb." Another reporter, “Your wife has said she will not be joining you in Ammon because, quote, ‘There's no way I'm raising two little girls in that misogynist shithole.’ Do you have any comments?" Andrew, disparagingly, “My wife is a feminist,” his tone changes back to cheerful, "That's all for now! Thank you!”

In Wayne’s council chamber, his cabinet, all older men who were appointed by Warner, stands up as Wayne enters. Wayne gives them all a quick glance over, and without even sitting down, he says, “You’re all fucking fired.” The councillors all look at each other awkwardly as Wayne sit down. Wayne, “You all signed a declaration condemning my marriage, and I’m not going to tolerate it!” One councillor speaks up, “The king of a Christian nation cannot be a polygamist-” Wayne, “I’m not having this argument again! Unless there’s a new chapter of the Bible explicitly forbidding multiple wives, everything I’m doing is perfectly biblical!” One councilor tries to say something, but Wayne cuts him off, “And don’t bring up the New Covenant, I’ve already heard it! You’re all old men who served my father, and I need young men who are willing to serve me!” Gen. Dale McClintock, Commander General of the Ammonian army, speaks up, “Wayne, firing all of use would be reckless in a way that I know Warner never raised you to be. You have every right to be angry, but don’t go putting the country in at risk because of it.” Wayne rolls his eyes and thinks for a moment, "I still want to replace most of you. If you want to keep your job, you need to prove that you can be more useful to me than someone who's younger and more in-step with my ideals. McClintock, “Can I speak with you alone?”

Wayne and McClintock walk down a palace corridor. McClintock, “I know you admired me when you were a boy. I hope that you still look up to me.” Wayne, somewhat sheepishly, “I do.” McClintock, “I know that deep down you must understand why so many of us are unhappy with your decision.” Wayne, “It’s perfectly biblical!” McClintock, “Yes, I know! The kings of the Bible all had many wives, but it always sowed discord and distress in their families. Life during the times of the Old Testament was short and brutal. Men were called up to serve in the army, and so many of them were killed, it created a gender imbalance, and polygamy was a necessity to care for the extra women. By the time of Christ, society had settled and civilized, and the standard of monogamy was set. The nuclear family with one husband and one wife has lasted through the ages because it is the most stable and harmonious family unit.” Wayne, “I love Hattie and Mercy, and now that I’m married, I’m not going to divorce either of them!” McClintock, “I know that. But what about the rest of us? Is polygamy going to be the standard in Ammon now?” Wayne, “David got to re-define marriage!” McClintock, “But you’re not David!” Wayne, “A husband must provide for his wife. As long as a husband can provide, he should be able to have as many wives as he wants.” McClintock, “So wealthy men start hoarding women, they could have dozens of wives. That creates an imbalance and young men who would otherwise make excellent fathers and husbands are forced to go without. Women get bought like trophies. It de-stabilizes society.” Wayne makes a face and then mutters, “Well, if only the king does it, it can’t be that bad. Besides, I don’t want to marry anyone else. I’m satisfied with my two wives.” McClintock, “Will you still be saying that ten years from now?” Wayne, “I’m not a pervert!” 

In a beautiful sun-filled garden, Mercy lays reading in a hammock. She wears a sun dress with spaghetti straps. Hattie, in her typical modest Chanel, bursts out of the door, “You don’t have to go showing it off!” Mercy lowers her book, “Pardon?” Hattie fumes at her, “We all know why Wayne married you, you don't have to dress like that!” Mercy sits up, “Wayne got me this dress.” Hattie, “Look, I know that I’m just going to have to put up with you now, but you have to understand, I’m still the one he married first! My son is his heir! I’m the queen of Ammon that everyone loves!” Mercy, “I’m not trying to compete with you. I only married Wayne so he wouldn’t go to war with Gilboa.” Hattie, sarcastically, “Oh, you’re so noble!” 

Back inside, McClintock and Wayne continue to talk as they go down the corridor. McClintock, “I know you’re eager to prove yourself, but that takes time…” Wayne sees Mercy and Hattie talking through a door, and stops walking. McClintock stops, “What?” Wayne opens the door and heads out.

Outside, Wayne says, “What is going on here?” Hattie, “I was just having a little talk with Mercy here. That dress is too immodest.” Wayne, “I picked it out for her. As long as she wears it here where no one else can see her, it's fine.” Hattie sneers. Wayne puts his arm around her and kisses her on the cheek, “You know, you and Mercy are sisters now, and I love the both of you dearly. I want you two to love each other like sisters, because my job is already hard enough without having to settle a catfight every day. Right now, I have to go face a room full of old men who are just furious at me for doing what is well within my right as king and perfectly acceptable in the Bible. I don’t want my beautiful wives being angry, too. Now, I have a meeting to go to. You two be good to each other.” Hattie lowers her gaze humbly, "I will." Mercy rolls her eyes and keeps reading. Back in the hallway, McClintock watches it all with disapproval.

At the Rabbath Palace, Mercy greets Elías with a big hug, “Thank you so much for coming!” Elías, "Just wanted to make sure you're okay.” Behind them, Wayne eyes Elías with distrust, “She's a queen, of course she's doing well." Mercy steps away from Elías and over to Wayne. She murmurs into his ear, "Be nice. He's just my brother." She goes back over to Elías and takes him by the arm, "Come on, I'll show you around.” She leads him away, with Wayne looking on. Once they’re in an isolated place, Elías stops walking at turns to Mercy, “Okay, seriously, how are you doing?” Mercy, “I’m fine, actually. I mean, Hattie definitely hates me, but I was expecting that.” Elías, “You aren’t having a hard time with…” his eyes travel to her shoulder. Mercy, “Oh, no. I guess I haven’t been here long enough to really get triggered or something, but I'm still talking to my therapist, and besides, Wayne makes it kinda hard to hide anything.” Elías, “What, do you mean he like, checks?” Mercy, “No, no, it's... it's husband and wife stuff that I’m sure you don’t want to hear about.” Elías, “If he's making you do anything you don't want to do, I do want to hear about it.” Mercy, "Don't worry about it, really. He's listened every time I’ve said no, and he hasn't asked me to do anything weird or gross, so…” she shrugs, “Me being happy is a big part of his whole romance fantasy. I know it's not healthy thinking and I shouldn’t keep saying it, but things really could be a lot worse.” Elías, “Is there anything you want? I can ask him." Mercy, “No, don’t. I know you want to help, but… this whole balancing act rests on his idea of what this relationship is like. He wants me to be his happy, spoiled little pet, so, I act like one, and he gives me whatever I want.”

Elías has dinner with the Judds. Mae, “Obviously, what happened with Esperanza and Vesper was extremely hard on both Warner and me, but the worst was we didn't know what happened to you kids. We figured you had to be at least alive, but beyond that... Silas wouldn't tell us anything. It was torture for us, and he knew it, I'm sure. Otherwise we would have taken you all in and raised you as our own.” Elías, “Things definitely would have turned out differently if that happened.” He glances over at Wayne, who glares back at him. Elías goes on, “I was pretty lucky, though. My adoptive parents were always very kind and supportive.” Wayne, “They knew who they were adopting? Abbadon’s heir?” Elías, awkwardly, “Well, I made it pretty clear, I didn't want to be anything like my dad.” Wayne, “But you’re a teacher now, like Vesper, aren’t you?” Elías, “I’m a middle school English teacher. Pretty different from Biblical linguistics.” Wayne, “Can't imagine your students were thrilled to find out." Mercy reaches over and puts her hand on his arm, “Wayne, be nice." Elías, “Everyone took it pretty well, actually. My students were more curious than anything. They’re young enough they don't remember Dad. Growing up, going through everything, books were always my source of comfort, a way to escape. I became a teacher because I wanted to give that to other kids.” Mae, “Esperanza would be so proud. She’d be so proud of all of you.”

Mercy and Wayne get ready for bed in their bedroom. Sitting at her vanity, Mercy brushes her hair and texts on her phone, “I wish you would try to be friends with Elías. You were such good friends growing up.” Wayne, “I was a child then. A lot has changed.” Mercy turns to look at him, “I want the men in my life to get along.” Wayne, “He’s the Abbadon heir.” Mercy, “He's an English teacher.” Wayne, “So was your father. As king, I have to be wary of all my potential rivals.” Mercy, patiently, “Elías doesn’t want anything to do with politics. Even if he was, any possible supporters would be scared off by the name Abbadon. Even with all the charity work I accomplished in Gilboa, nobody wants to talk to me here." Wayne, "I heard he's been working with David." Mercy shakes her head, "Not recently. He's met with David a few times, but that was with me and the rest of our family to figure out how were were going to handle us all being publicly identified. David's always been very kind to us. Gabriel mentioned that he likes marine biology, so David let us spend a weekend at his private beach house. We spent our time foraging for clams and looking in tide pools. It was some of the best time we've been able to have together." Wayne, "I can buy Gabriel a beach house." Mercy sighs, “I know you can.” She turns back to her phone and texts something. Wayne, “Who are you texting?” Mercy, “My siblings! Who else would I be texting?” Wayne, “If Elías is smart, he won’t get in between me and you. I don’t like other men spending too much time with you.” Mercy, “Wayne, he’s my brother!” Wayne, “I know he’s reporting everything I say back to David.” Mercy goes over to Wayne. She puts her hands on his shoulder and touches his face, “Can you at least try to like him? For me?” Wayne, “He doesn’t appreciate what I went through to make you my wife.” Mercy, “I told him about the war. He knows.” Wayne, “The war was nothing. I had to be king before I could even think of war.” Mercy, jokingly, “What, Warner wasn’t dying fast enough so you had to speed him along?” Wayne doesn’t say anything. Mercy grows serious. Fright shines in her eyes. Wayne, “When I want something, I do what I have to to get it.” Mercy, “Did… did you really kill Warner?” Wayne, “I’m not going to say any more. When I'm faced with problems, I deal with them. It's very much in Elías’s best interest that he doesn’t become a problem for me." Mercy nods and pulls her hands away, showing fear, “Don’t worry. I’ll keep him at arm’s length. No matter what, you’re the most important man in my life.” She steps away and goes back to her vanity. Wayne gets into bed, “Come get into bed with me.” Mercy texts something on her phone, “Just a moment. Let me say good night to everyone.” She sends the final text and puts the phone down. She gets into bed. Wayne, “I have to protect my crown and my queen. Deceit is everywhere. I have to always be on guard.” 

Elías sits in his guest bedroom, looking at his phone. He presses a button, and a sound recording plays, “My father stood in my way, so I moved him.” Elías presses stop, relieved and joyful to have gotten it.