#tanger/karlsson

[coffee-at-annies]

For the fic mashup, 94 and 41.

Love your stuff, Annie!!

94. Hair Brushing/Braiding + 41. First Kiss

You didn’t specify a pairing so please have some very quick aus based on what’s been knocking around my head lately.

First up, @prettyhockey and I have been talking about girl!SidGeno. Idk I’ve been in the mood for ladies and I don’t quite know any of the woho players or teams well enough to write about them.

The setup for this one is Gena promising to do Sid’s hair for idk pregame or whatever. She swears that she’s done it before, Gonch’s kids let her do it all the time. So she’s doing Sid’s hair. Sid spends the whole time chirping her about her skills and Gena chirps back about Sid fidgeting and messing up her work. Gena does know how to braid but it’s definitely wonky and not the easy basic braid Sid’s been putting her hair in since she was in mites. At the end of it Sid looks in the mirror, sees her objectively kinda terrible braid and the smug/fond look on Gena’s face and needs to kiss that look off her. Needless to say Gena ruins her hard work when Sid kisses her a second third fourth and fifth time and Gena runs her fingers through Sid’s hair in response.

Next up is SidFlowerVero cause I’m always thinking about both Sid and Flower and Flower hit a milestone tonight.

The setup for this one is Uncle Sid braiding Estelle’s hair ahead of her first big hockey game. He learned how to do it for Taylor when she was younger and used to do it for the Lemieux kids. She asked for an extra special braid from her favorite uncle and both Sid and Flower are weak to her puppy dog eyes. So here Sid is, on a rare afternoon off, helping Flower and his daughter get ready for hockey. I think the conversation to go from Flower+Vero to Flower+Vero+Sid is like a couple days old and they’re still getting a feel for what the new dynamic might mean. Idk if they’ve told the kids yet or if Sid is here in favored uncle status rather than potential new dad status.

Either way Flower comes across Sid very earnestly braiding her hair and telling her how amazing she’s going to be and after he finishes and she runs off to show her mom, Flower has to swoop in and kiss Sid. Just cause. Cause he loves him. Cause he’s so great with his kids. Cause he can now. He gets to have this. They had the adult feelings conversation and all three of them said yes. There’s something about kissing Sid for the first time that has him giddy and it’s not just the memories he’s about to make with his daughter- their daughter. It’s about the way Sid’s eyes scrunch up and how he wants to keep him forever.

Finally @podcasts-8-my-heart challenged me to do EK/Tanger and I’ve been talking about it with @carpehistoryandthepens so have some soft 6558.

The setup for this fic is both of them hanging out after a road game and drinks with the team in EK’s hotel room. They started out talking and watching tv and have migrated to sharing the same bed because it’s nice and both of them are hockey players and thus are conditioned to seek out touch. Tanger sprawls out on the bed and somehow his head ends up laying on EK’s thigh. Erik started out playing with Kris’s hair, twirling it between his fingers and lightly scratching his scalp. As the random hgtv show (because what else is on in hotel room tvs) they were half watching gets to the mid point of the episode, EK moves on from twirling it and started braiding Tanger’s hair. Little short braids the kind kids do at slumber parties or when they’re learning and messing around with their own hair. Nothing big, nothing fancy, nothing permanent, though Erik still has a stash of hair ties in his suitcase from when his hair was long that he could break out if he needed it. Kris’s hair isn’t quite long enough to warrant that and also he wouldn’t get them cause that would mean disturbing Kris. Kris of course is very content and is trying not to fall asleep on top of Erik but he skated 25 minutes tonight and while his conditioning is good, he’s adjusting to a time zone difference on top of everything else. He didn’t want to say goodnight earlier when they first went to Erik’s room but he also doesn’t want to fall asleep there.

This goes on for another twenty minutes probably. They’re not really talking or watching the tv but it’s providing just enough for plausible deniability and to keep them from falling asleep completely. After about twenty minutes one of their phones goes off or there’s noises from the hallway of other players returning that prompts them to groan and break apart. As much as neither of them want the night to end, Kris really doesn’t want to sleep in Erik’s room. He needs to do his nightly routine, change out of his jeans, and really he just needs to go. Erik walks Kris to the door of the hotel room, Kris swaying a little cause he’s tired prompting a balance/skating joke and one about old man legs. At the door Kris turns around to say goodbye, silly little braids still in his hair and Erik can’t help but smile fondly at him. Kris smiles back a little helplessly. He sways forward into Erik’s space where he’s leaning against the door and presses a gentle kiss to somewhere in the face/mouth vicinity before turning around and heading for his hotel room down the hall. It takes a moment for the kiss to register with Erik and all he does is watch Kris walk away towards his hotel room. When Kris is out of sight, he peels himself off the doorframe and goes to brush his teeth and get ready for bed.

[badangle]

compelling…

[stuckinnet]

CHILLS

[goatisbetheres]

two pretty best friends?

[simmyfrobby]

I need karlsson and letang to fuck on center ice. thank u

i want them to be so bizarre and strange. i want prolonged eyecontact. i want the most ridiculous game of one upmanship the world has ever seen. i want scent marking. biting. fighting. clawing. i want tanger to become the strangest, hairiest, most creature-like version of himself. and yea I also want them to fuck at centre ice.

[ehghtyseven]

I hope Tanger and Karlsson (and maybe some other guys in the room) do a hair grow bet again. Gimme the nice flow!

ahhhhh anon, I would LOVE for both tanger and karlsson to achieve maximum flow status once again!

tanger’s not actually that far off at the moment to be honest - I am living for the day that we see him with the messy bun again 👌 - and don’t forget gravy! erik has some catching up to do though.

I am also now trying to imagine jake or rusty with a flow and… I can’t lmao 🤣

[tangerisms]

i made this a while ago but i feel like it would appeal to a niche group of pens fans SO

here are pittsburgh penguins players according to my spotify wrapped top 100 (there is definitely A Vibe going on here)

these are all based on corresponding player numbers nd does not reflect any recent roster changes (sorry jesse puljujarvi and New Guy)

the players in question:

2 - chad ruhwedel - need 2 - pinegrove 5 - ryan shea - something in the orange - zach bryan 7 - john ludvig - not allowed - tv girl 10 - drew o-connor - northern attitude - noah kahan 13 - vinnie hinostroza - skinny love - bon iver 17 - bryan rust - exeunt - the oh hellos 19 - reilly smith - lake missoula - richy mitch and the coal miners 20 - lars eller - wasteland, baby! - hozier 27 - ryan graves - sage - richy mitch and the coal miners 28 - marcus pettersson - tongues and teeth - the crane wives 35 - tristan jarry - worldstar money (interlude) - joji 39 - alex nedeljkovic - gimmie love - joji 43 - jansen harkins - dog days are over - florence and the machine 48 - valterri puustinen - talk - hozier 55 - noel acciari - everything is scary - german error message 58 - kris letang - kiss with a fist - florence and the machine 59 - jake guentzel - gtg - freddie dredd 63 - radim zohorna - exit music (for a film) - radiohead 65 - erik karlsson - roses are falling - orville peck 67 - rickard rakell - in the woods somewhere - hozier 71 - evgeni malkin - jackie and wilson - hozier 73 - pierre-olivier joseph - gooey - glass animals 77 - jeff carter - pumpkin man - mage tears 83 - matt nieto - growing sideways - noah kahan 87 - sidney crosby - i havent gotten around to telling you - scruffpuppie

do with this what you will

[intheupside]

who would survive on a deserted island (dkpitt)

Bryan Rust: I feel like Harkins probably could. He seems like a guy who would be climbing trees and cutting them down with his bare hands, maybe even chewing them down. I think he would do well.

Reilly Smith: I wouldn't say any of us! No, you know what? Harks. Harks could survive. He can probably find weird things to eat. He'd be sufficient at just getting by.

Jansen Harkins: Ned. He just seems resourceful, and I feel like he could just chill. I don't think he needs too much.

Alex Nedeljkovic: Jars. He seems like an outdoorsy guy. Survivalist? I don't know if that's a real word.

P.O Joseph. Not Ned! I'm going to say Gravy. He's from the Maritimes, I feel like they know a little about the outdoors is my guess. On a serious note, I think Ned would definitely be someone that would be good at it, just his capacity of adjusting in places. He would be good at it.

Lars Eller: Sid. He seems to be going different ways about things, about a lot of things. He doesn't rely too much on new technology, let's just say that.

Jake Guentzel: Sid. He's just an outdoorsman, that's kind of his vibe. I'm sure he could find something to live off of.

Chad Ruhwedel: Sid or Carts, or myself. They seem like they could handle themselves in a tough situation. I think I would do OK.

Kris Letang: Sid, he lives in the middle of the woods.

Erik Karlsson: Sid. I just feel like he would be very creative and would probably figure out a way to sustain himself for as long as he needed.

Valtteri Puustinen: I would say Kopi (Joona Koppanen). He's the smartest guy, I think. He knows what he's doing. I think if I went with myself? I'm dying. But he's a smart guy.

Joona Koppanen: I'll take Carts. He has the wisdom and the dad strength.

Colin White: John Ludvig. I feel like he's pretty handy, he'd like the outdoors like that.

Drew O'Connor: Luds, probably. He seems like he would. Look at him! He seems like an animal, don't you think?

John Ludvig: I'm going to say Cookie (Noel Acciari). Cookie's a burly man, he can handle himself. I'm pretty sure he'd find a way to survive wherever he was. I'll go with him.

Noel Acciari: Rudy (Chad Ruhwedel). He has a military background with his dad, he just seems handy.

Marcus Pettersson: Rudy. I think he's pretty handy, he could make something out of nothing, make himself a good shelter. That's big, I think he could build a shelter. Raks is a good fisherman, but the problem is he's alone on that island. He doesn't touch the fish, he hates touching the fish. He doesn't do it. So it'd be a problem, he'd need somebody with him.

Jonathan Gruden: I feel like Petey (Marcus Pettersson) would be good, just being around him for a little bit. He's pretty good, he could work his way around it and survive. Not OC. But P.O could maybe survive too. (Me: Half the team picked P.O for who couldn't survive.) I've got P.O's back! Maybe he's fooling me.

Magnus Hellberg: Can I pick myself? I'm really big into the outdoors and hiking, hunting, fishing. I think I've watched every season of Alone and all those survival shows. I like to be out in nature. When I think about all the guys, I feel like I'm the most nerdy with that stuff, spend a lot of time on the water. I would say myself, but in a humble way.

Rickard Rakell: I think Sid would do pretty well. I feel like he lives out in nowhere over the summer.

Sidney Crosby: I think I'd say Ricky (Rakell). He's pretty chill, I think he's got some survival instincts. He's got the tools.

Ryan Graves: Maybe Jars, I feel like he's outdoorsy.

Jesse Puljujarvi: Maybe Jarry. I heard he stays on a farm? So that's why.

Tristan Jarry: Tanger. He'd find someone to come pick him up.

[icedbatik]

My favorite answers from Taylor's latest survey ...

CCM

Sidney Crosby fishing

Which Penguins player could survive on a desert island?

Reilly Smith: I wouldn't say any of us!

P.O Joseph: Not Ned! I'm going to say Gravy. He's from the Maritimes, I feel like they know a little about the outdoors is my guess.

Lars Eller: Sid. He seems to be going different ways about things, about a lot of things. He doesn't rely too much on new technology, let's just say that.

Jake Guentzel: Sid. He's just an outdoorsman, that's kind of his vibe. I'm sure he could find something to live off of.

Chad Ruhwedel: Sid or Carts, or myself. They seem like they could handle themselves in a tough situation. I think I would do OK.

Kris Letang: Sid, he lives in the middle of the woods.

Erik Karlsson: Sid. I just feel like he would be very creative and would probably figure out a way to sustain himself for as long as he needed.

Marcus Pettersson: Raks is a good fisherman, but the problem is he's alone on that island. He doesn't touch the fish, he hates touching the fish. He doesn't do it. So it'd be a problem, he'd need somebody with him.

Rickard Rakell: I think Sid would do pretty well. I feel like he lives out in nowhere over the summer.

Sidney Crosby: I think I'd say Ricky (Rakell). He's pretty chill, I think he's got some survival instincts. He's got the tools.

Tristan Jarry: Tanger. He'd find someone to come pick him up.

[coffee-at-annies]

Pens dropped their Valentines

[carnagechicken]

the Florida Panthers won the Stanley cup

and with that I have officially watched my first season of hockey.

I started as a fan of the penguins with an affection towards Flower as well. Now I’m ending the season a kraken fan, pens fan, flower fan and with more mattdrai interest than I expected.

The kraken stuff happened in mid April really suddenly, but ever since I started dabbling in hockey fandom in late 2021 I knew that becoming a kraken fan was going to happen eventually, a matter of when not if. Those beautiful jerseys, my love of cephalopods, and the team’s newness were strong draws but I still needed to have a special little guy to seal the deal. I discovered Adam Larsson in late march (thanks @angry-geno-is-score your fics* are brilliant<3) and what do you know that’s kraken hockey baby!

They’re probably going to be my main team next season. Still love the pens, their narratives are exquisite, but my brain wants kraken more.

(The mattdrai is a playoffs discovery that I fear I’ll never recover from. Leon’s disdain for the media and Matthew’s understanding that hockey is supposed to be theatre entertainment is *chef’s kiss*)

And with that here is a list, in no particular order, of some of notable things I saw this season,

: Tristan Jarry goalie goal!!! There was so much to like about this, the bench reaction, EK shaking Jars vigorously, Lars Eller going for a head boop and missing and then going for another one with more force, Ned trying to get Jars to skate over to do a fist bump line at the bench, Jars looking so bashful at the attention. :When Bryan Rust had that mustache and it was….kinda working. : Jeff Carter, the team Old Man that season, scoring like 3 breakaways and 2 short handed goals. : that shootout that went for 12 rounds (thank you Ned). : when Tanger got on all fours and started rocking back and forth in the locker room during Sully’s pre game speech (seriously wtf). : when Rusty scored in OT, had it waved off, and like ten seconds later scored again in a cooler way. : Sully becoming a grandpa<3. : when Jeff was a healthy scratch (the only time) and when he was asked about it was basically like ‘whatever, it doesn’t bother me, I just work here’. This was when I really started to like him btw. : Flower getting to 1000 games!! : Flower reaching the most wins!!! : kreider pulling out Matthew Tkachuk’s mouth guard and failing to throw it over the glass. : Florida beating Boston *again*. : that game were Sid got so pissed he screamed ‘no! No!’ at a ref so loud you could hear him over the crowd. He then proceeded to tell the ref ‘you fucked up’ :when Erik Karlsson made a mistake that sent the game to ot, scored in ot and then fell to his knees in relief. : that 10 to 2 victory over the sharks that was also Sid’s 1200 game. : sid scoring a goal off his ass. It had to happen one day : the pens ot win against vancouver back in Feb. The notable thing was that I was there with my dad and sisters <3

It's the little things that make hockey so fun!

Here's to a wonderful 24/25 season!

(*Seriously, if you haven't already, read Serenity in Those Deep Waters by @angry-geno-is-score on ao3, it's *fabulously* emotional and I can't recommend it enough)

[naanima]

Guys, guys, guys. I'm so excited about the upcoming season for the Pens. I can't even articulate the joy I feel, sure, there is a component of "THIS COULD THE FUNNIEST HOT MESS" to ever happen, but mostly it is giddy excitement bcos we are going ALL-IN. Do or die, we are COMMITTED. And there is something about swinging big, even if we fail, that's freeing.

We got our vampire d-core (thank you to the person who used it in the tags. But like it is more a werewolf, a vampire and a pirate walk into a bar type of scenario. I'm still trying to figure out what our sweet summer child POJ is - the innocent human? The fae? WHAT OTHER SUPERNATURL CREATURE I CAN US TO KEEP ON DRIVING THIS THEME TILL IT IS DEAD & BURIED?!).

Our still performing old me (SIDGENOKRIS) - Sid was so CLOSE to snapping last season. He was so feral. Will he EMBRACE his INNER SELF & let the hockey robot persona die in a blaze of glory?! We can only hope.

Sully finally being able to pursue his insane strategy of offensive forechecking and ... Um. Yes.

Our one million backup goalies led by Fragile Omega Princess Tristan Jarry.

The Witch Dubas & his hot front office - POC AND A WOMAN? Wild.

BUT THE THING THAT HAS ME EXCITED!THINK OF THE COMBINATIONS!

I admit I sort of want Karlsson to be out there with the Carter line. Let the pirate lead, let him make the calls and see what befalls us! (We bitch about Carter but like he was honestly one of the best bast off options we had last season. It is just that everything else is... Yeah. So! Maybe the pirate will help?!?).

What about Geno line and Karlsson?! Will they click or will they implode as Geno sniff disdainfully at the NEW BLOOD. WILL HE EVEN REMEMBER KARLSSON'S NAME OR JUST REFER TO HIM BY HIS NUMBER?!

Sid line & Karlsson?! Will Karlsson scream in frustration at the CONSTANT YAPPING and decide to go complete crazy and just shoot the puck all by himself??

Will Kris & EK be the new besties ok ice terrorising all opposing teams but being offensive and NOT defensive? Will they have MORE AMAZING "TANGER" GAMES?! WILL THEY GIGGLE INTO EACH OTHER'S NECKS?!?

What about our TALL Puppy Victorian Vampire? Is he the wildcard? I DON'T KNOW!

AND ALL THE NEW BITS WE GOT WHO MAKES US MORE OFFENSIVE! (defense is what it is. We accept).

I JUST WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED. And the Pens will for sure deliver. But will the rest of the NHL & it's fandoms UNDERSTAND out INSANE FERAL JOY AT THE POSSIBILITY OF MANY AJ EXPLOSION?!

(ETA: I just feel the rest of the NHL does NOT understand how close we are to snapping, like going full feral cartwheeling cats wanting to scratch everybody's face off and like then eat their hearts?! Like, HOW DO YOU NOT LOVE THIS POTENTIAL?!).

[simmyfrobby]

Bestie share ur Tanger Karlsson thoughts maybe the universe will answer you 🎤

I DONT KNOW THIS MAN BUT WHERES THAT TWEET THATS LIKE NONE OF THIS TOP BOTTOM SHIT WE FUCK LIKE TWO DOGS TRYING TO KILL EACH OTHER THATS WHAT I WANT

[couthbbg]

Cherish

Erik Karlsson/Kris Letang •  5k • Complete • Rating: E

Tags: Didn't Know They Were Dating, (at least one of them didn't know), Anal Sex, Fluff

Summary:

It's officially the off-season, and Erik knows what that means. Or, he knows what it's always meant before, with every other teammate he's had a "thing" with. No more texts, no more late nights sneaking off. Still, Erik goes over to Tanger's one last time, just to be sure they're on the same page.

Spoiler: they're not.

Inspired by this video of EK saying how much he cherishes his relationship with Tanger :)) (and also that he never calls him "Kris" ... sure, bud).

Read on Ao3

Preview under the cut!

Kris tumbles into him with a laugh and a muttered, “Idiot,” that Erik swallows up with a kiss, pressing Kris into the mattress the way he likes. Predictably, Kris hums a pleased little sound, his warm hands running over Erik’s back before settling in hair, fingers tangling in the long strands.

About a month ago, Erik mentioned something about getting a haircut, and the outraged look on Kris’s face was all the convincing Erik needed to change his mind. That, and the way Kris’s hands never stray long from Erik’s hair, in bed like this, but also idly when they’re watching a movie on the couch, or in passing at the rink. Sometimes in the gym, Kris’s eyes will lock on the few pieces hanging in Erik’s face, loose from his bun, and, like he can’t help it, Kris will reach over and yank at one, smiling at Erik’s squawk of irritation—feigned, of course. Erik could never really mind. There’s very little he wouldn’t do, or endure, to make Kris smile like that.

Or like this—a soft, satisfied curl of his lips as Erik pulls back to breathe. Kris’s dark eyes flutter open, staring up with Erik with obvious affection, and—it’s this, Erik thinks. This look and this smile and this happy, quiet version of Kris that feels like the greatest secret Erik has somehow, unbelievably, earned—this is what makes him think he might be welcome in all the ways he never has been before.

“Hi,” he says stupidly, dumbstruck by the large, glowing ball of warmth blooming in his chest. 

“Hi,” says Kris. Never one to let a moment stretch too long, he goes on, “Are you going to get to work, or just stare at me all day?”

“Hmm,” Erik hums like he’s considering it, leaning to press the answer into Kris’s neck. “I can multitask,” he offers between kisses.

“Oh, can you,” Kris mutters a little meanly, and then he’s fumbling blinding around in the sheets for the lube. When he finally finds it, he shoves it at Erik impatiently, saying, “Come on, come on.”

Read the rest on Ao3

[sportsthoughts]

Not to alarm you all but tanger and karlsson’s hands just touched on the bench

[butterflyintochains]

Putting Family First

Or, the six times Sid and Geno were protective over Kris, and the two times they didn't need to be. I'm delving into the rough time period between 'It's A Cruel Summer' and 'A Second Chance' - so 2018 and early 2019 - here. And, exploring Kris' heartache through the eyes of the two men who know him best. And, two moments in the present day, where they have nothing to worry about.

This is not going to be fun, at least until the very end.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One.

Sid didn't quite know what to think when they got back from the All Star Game, and his best friend went totally mute on everyone out of nowhere. Kris hasn't been talkative since the season started, he's been sitting on the edges of conversations lately, a wistful look in his dark eyes. Right now, the team are in the dressing room for training ahead of the midseason grind. Horny and Phil exit the room first, everyone else following them. Sid kneels at Kris' stall, and looks him in the eyes, the lights are on, but nobody's home. ''Tanger, Kris... hey, you with me, mon frere?'' Sid says.

Kris blinks a few times, and says. ''Hi, Sid.''

Sid says, letting Kris come out of his head slowly. ''Hi, Kris, I've missed your voice, brother. Talk to me, are you alright? You've not spoken to us in days.''

Kris stares at the doors, Geno goes to close them, secluding the core in the dressing room together. ''I just... don't like my mind right now, guys. There's too much going on, and... it hurts.''

Geno sits down next to Kris, putting a hand on his knee. ''We know, let us help you.''

Sid gently asks, as if trying to coax a scared cat from a tree. ''Kris, we know you're hurting, we don't care why. We do this your way, are you okay to skate today?''

Kris shakes his head, tears in his eyes. ''No.'' Is all he says, is all he needs to say. Sid nods, and goes to sign them off for a gym day together. They change into gym clothes, and head upstairs. Whatever happened in Tampa has set Kris back, he was coming through this depression before the all star break, now, he's been thrown right back in. And, Sid fucking hates it, the shadow that's replaced his brother.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two.

Geno has no idea why Kris hates playing the Senators so much all of a sudden. Just last season, he used to look forward to those games against Ottawa. Now, it's like a dark cloud follows him into the arena. He keeps an eye on Kris as the team suit up for the game, their second of three against Erik Karlsson's team. Dumo is trying to engage his partner in a conversation, to no real results. ''What's up with you tonight, Tanger? You've not spoken to anyone since we got in.'' Schultz says.

Geno rolls his eyes. ''Leave him alone, Schultzy, if he doesn't want to talk, he doesn't want to talk. We all have bad days.''

Ian Cole says. ''But, G, he's been like this since training camp. We're the defending cup champions, we need to act like it.'' So fucking what? They were defending cup winners last year too, and in 2010, and on it goes. ''Ian, that's enough. Depression doesn't care about a cup, we're family, let's act like it. I'm sure Mario would love to know you're making one of his boys' lives harder.'' Geno says. A threat, but one he'll more than step up to if needs be. He'll have no one insulting Kris when they need to be putting him back together.

Geno keeps an eye on Kris throughout the game, noticing how he glances over to the Ottawa bench with the most heartbroken look in his eyes. Some time into the third, Sid passes the puck to Dumo, who shouts. ''Tanger!'' Kris fires his fourth goal of the season past the opposition goalie. In the end, they take the game 6-3.

The core, as usual, stay until last after press. Kris puts his head in his hands, body shaking with silent tears. Geno wraps his arms around his brother, Kris hugs him back. ''Thank you, Geno.''

Geno says, helping to ground Kris back in reality. ''Don't thank me, Legenda, they're idiots, don't listen to them. We're here for you, so are Horny, Dumo, Rusty, and Jake - that's all that matters.'' Sid asks, sitting with them. ''You really meant that threat, didn't you?''

Geno nods. ''I did, if anyone doesn't wanna support Kris through this, they can get the fuck off this team.''

Kris, ever a martyr at the best of times, says while drying his bloodshot eyes. ''Do not sacrifice the team on my altar, please.'' Sid says, fully on board with Geno at all times when it comes to taking care of their family. ''We are the team, Tanger, us three.''

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three.

Something Sid is starting to get really fucking sick of now that February has come in is the people who can't stop gossiping about what might have happened to Kris last summer to bring this depression on. Kris is slowly coming out of this darkness, he talks more, is starting to get his bite back, but there's still this sadness that follows him everywhere. And, for some stupid reason, some of the bottom liners are taking it unto themselves to gossip about why Kris is different now. Sid gets in for training, and hears some of the guys chatting in the common area. ''I think he's salty he couldn't play in the playoffs last year.'' Brassard says.

Ian Cole muses. ''Maybe he got dumped by someone after the final? He was always talking about having someone, now he never does.'' That's hard to believe, what moron would ever dump Kris Letang? Who on earth would be that fucking stupid? Sid only has eyes for Geno, but even he can't deny how desirable Kris is. ''Honestly? I think he needs to get out of this funk or just tell us what's wrong with him. He's got a letter, a third cup, and he's up for the Masterton. What could possibly be wrong with him?'' Reaves says.

Sid makes his presence known by entering the common area. Trying so hard not to smack them all even stupider. ''Good morning, boys. Heard you gossiping about my alternate captain. Care to explain yourselves?''

Cole asks, not answering his captain's question at all. ''Sid, do you know why Tanger is being all weird?''

Sid says, setting his bag down on a chair. ''No, Ian, I don't. And, to be honest, I don't care, it's none of our business. But, you three gossiping about him isn't gonna make it better.''

Brassard says, putting his feet up on a chair. ''But, Sid, it's been months.''

Sid shrugs, and crosses his arms. ''So? Depression doesn't follow a schedule, whatever happened last summer has hurt him deeply. Geno and I are slowly bringing him back, but it's not gonna be overnight. For now, if you value your places in this team, leave him alone.'' Mario and the boys did the same for him after his concussion, and for Geno after his knee operation, and Kris after his stroke.

With that, Sid goes to get ready for a gym day, he shakes his head. Kuny, Max, and Duper would've never stood for this behaviour, Flower would be furious himself, for all his joking, Flower loves his family still. He's thankful Kris has a PA meeting today, so he can't hear the traitors, the more he and Geno can keep on trying to bring him back, the happier he'll be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Four.

No one entirely knows why Kris is gravitating to Horny lately. But, he seems content to help Kris out of his depression, so, Sid and Geno won't question it too much. It's been hard letting anyone else into the healing bubble they've built around him, but, they trust Horny to not fuck him up further. It does, however, surprise them when Kris approaches Horny in the gym, speaking in swedish. Horny engages Kris in friendly conversation at the salmon ladders, Geno looks over to Sid from his bike. ''Did you know he could do that?'' He asks his husband.

Sid shakes his head, coming over to Geno. ''No, no, I didn't.'' He hops on a bike next to Geno. ''What d'you think they're talking about?''

Geno shrugs, and says. ''No idea. But, he looks happier like this, no?'' Sid nods, observing the relaxed posture Kris has, and the smile on his face, faint as it is. They get on with their workout, Horny must tell some swedish joke, because Kris actually laughs, something no one has heard from him in ages. ''What's going on over there?'' Jake asks, downing some gatorade.

Sid looks equally perplexed, he had no idea Kris could speak swedish, much less carry a full conversation in the language. ''No idea. My brother speaks swedish apparently?''

Marcus looks up from his phone. ''Really? You speak swedish, Tanger?''

Kris nods, switching back to english. ''Yeah, Horny taught me.'' Hags is blown away. ''Wow, that's cool. Why'd you start learning?'' Kris' eyes glisten, he gives a wistful smile, putting a hand to his heart. ''For someone very special to me, Hags.''

Horny puts a proud hand on Kris' shoulder. ''Best student I've ever had.''

Geno welcomes the new information about Kris. Anything that helps him come out of his head is a good thing as far as he's concerned. Whoever Kris learned swedish for, they were a very lucky person. They finish their gym session, and head for a cool off skate. Horny still engaging in swedish conversation with Kris, Sid so wishes he knew what they were talking about, but that would probably ruin it. ''I guess you learn something new everyday, huh?'' Rusty says before they all head home.

Geno chuckles, zipping his Metallurg hoodie up for the drive home. ''Yeah, Rusty, I guess so.''

After everyone else clears off, Geno asks Kris. ''How are you today, Legend?''

Kris takes a deep breath, fiddling with the strings of his white Val D'Or hoodie. ''Strangely, alright? I think speaking in a different language helped today.''

Sid furrows his brows, glad Kris is looking more himself today, but curious as to how swedish helps. ''How does speaking to Horny in swedish help?''

Kris shrugs, it's obviously difficult to explain, but he says. ''It's like... a calming feeling, I guess? Like, a safe feeling?'' He picks up his car keys. ''I'll see you guys tomorrow, I love you both so much.'' He hugs them tight. Geno says, pleased that Kris has finally had an okay day after so fucking long. ''We love you too.'' Sid thinks about that while Geno drives them home, speaking swedish is somehow therapeutic for Kris, there's something big there, or there was. But, if it helps, it helps, and Sid isn't gonna question any tiny bit of progress Kris is making.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Five.

March speeds in, and spring is on its way at last. Winters in Pittsburgh last far too long sometimes. Kris has just broken a record for the team long held by his successor, Paul Coffey. Most assists by a Pittsburgh defenceman. Which has been a bit of a mood booster for him since the game against the Islanders. But, as ever, Sid and Geno keep their eyes on him, watching for any sign that he needs them. The signs are small, but easy for them both to pick up on. They arrive for training ahead of a game against Calgary. It seems as if Oleksiak and Reeser are debating something with themselves. ''You do it, you've been staring at him for weeks, Big Rig.'' Zach says.

Jamie scoffs. ''Seriously, Reeser? I've seen the dumb look in your face when you look at him.''

Zach says. ''Yeah, duh, I'm not blind, Big Rig, he's gorgeous. But, you're a defenceman, so you ask him out.''

He's gorgeous? Who's gorgeous? Sid doesn't need much time to put two and two together. He gently warns them both. ''Boys, I know what you're trying to do, and I advise you not to.''

Jamie asks his captain. ''Why not? It's not like he's taken, is it?'' Geno also warns them. ''It's not a good idea, take it from those who know him best.''

Kris comes in from talking to Dumo in the common area, he notes the tension in the room. ''Everything okay, Sid?'' Sid assures him, trying to keep the room calm for his brother. ''Yeah, all okay, mon frere.''

Jamie blurts out, against advice, against all known logic. ''Hey, Tanger, are you single?'' The whole room goes dead silent, even Sully is dumbstruck. Kris takes a few seconds to even his breathing out, but the shaking hands are a dead giveaway. ''Yes, I am now, but I am not interested in anyone who isn't my other half. I'm glad you're on my dcorps, Big Rig, but I am not on any market.''

Jamie nods, resigned to letting Tanger be the one who got away. ''Okay, I'm sorry, Tanger, I didn't know.''

Kris calmly says, gripping his jersey tighter to busy his hands. ''That's fine, just... don't do that again.''

Sid is in awe of how calmly Kris handled that, even a few weeks ago, he'd have run out of the room in tears. There's obviously a storm within him, but he's gotten so much better at calming it down. Sid wraps his arms around him during a down moment in training. ''I'm so proud of you today, Kris.''

Kris rests his head on Sid's shoulder, something steady for him to rely on. ''Thank you so much, Sid. Did you know Oleksiak had a crush on me?''

Sid says, also shaken by that particular revelation. ''Nope, it was him and Reeser, debating who got to ask you out. Big Rig won.'' Kris furrows his brows, confused, not sad. ''Reeser too? Wasn't he chasing after Rusty two weeks ago?''

Sid laughs. ''I don't even want to know what goes on behind our backs, to be honest.''

Kris blinks a few times, as if letting the information wash through him. ''Neither do I, actually.''

Geno leans on the boards with them, and jokes. ''You need someone more handsome, Legend. More like you.'' Kris gives a wistful smile, and nods. Kris and Sid go to practice their assists together, Geno joining them a few moments later. Kris doesn't mind being shared between them, he'd have this no other way. It's them three against the world, just as it should be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Six.

Well, that fucking sucked. Two time defending champions, only to get dumped out by fucking Washington of all teams, and in the second round too. But, they did such a good job to get through the season in mostly one piece. Media is done and dusted on clear out day, the trio sit at their empty stalls, ready for some rest after all the work they've put in all season. Kris leans his head back, and says to his two brothers. ''I'm sorry for the wreck I've been this season, boys.''

Sid is baffled at that, Kris has been hurting this season, but it hasn't affected his game any, he still led the defence in all categories as he always has. ''Kris, what are you talking about?''

Kris sits up, looking Sid in the eyes. ''Well, I have been, I've been a wreck, and a burden no doubt.''

Geno shakes his head. ''No, you aren't, Kris. You've had depression, that's all.''

Sid asks his brother, moving to sit closer to him. ''Kris, whatever happened last summer is your business. But, you have never been a burden to anyone, if anything you could stand to be more of a burden.'' Sid continues. ''You are our conscience, this whole thing falls apart without you. You've been hurting, and we're here to help you.''

Kris looks nervous about something when he asks. ''What about when we leave this room? You two are going to Florida, I'm going home to Montreal. I hate being alone with my mind right now.''

Geno promises him, because that's what you do for family. ''We're a phone call away, Kris, whenever you need us. Promise.'' Kris nods, taking a deep breath. Sid says to him. ''You are not a burden, you are not a wreck.''

Sully comes in to pick something up. ''Tanger, to be honest, I'm surprised you're still standing sometimes. You've not been yourself this year, we all know that, but, you're still you.''

Kris nods, drying his eyes again. ''Thank you, all of you.''

With that, they close the doors on another season, not nearly as successful as their last, but, oh well. Sid does have a brief wobble in the car on the way home with Geno. Kris will now be on his own for two months, in that house in Montreal all by himself. For his sake, Sid hopes offseason goes quickly, and Kris doesn't just shut himself away like he did last summer. Those weeks on end without hearing from him were terrifying.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seven.

It's been odd having to re-adjust to being a quartet again after so long as a trio. For Sid and Geno, at any rate. They still are thrown by having two defencemen to lead the team now, rather than one. Kris, however, has taken this very much in his stride. At first, they had no idea how he was doing it, how someone so proud and territorial as their Kris could stomach having someone else so similar to him on the team. That was, of course, until just a couple of short weeks ago. The two forwards get in for a skating day, Kris and Erik already on the ice, passing the puck between themselves, talking and laughing together. 2018 feels like so long ago, they might be six years older now, but Kris finally looks like himself properly. Kris dekes Erik out for a nice empty netter, and shoots Erik a challenging look. ''Well, how was that?''

Erik jokingly says. ''Cheater! Ready to get embarrassed, Letang?'' Kris flashes Erik a shit eating grin, and the most adoring glance ever. ''Don't threaten me with a good time, Karlsson. Drop the puck, go for it, see what happens.''

Erik drops the puck, and immediately weaves around Kris to score a goal of his own. ''I think that just happened, alskad.''

Kris removes his helmet, and kisses Erik on the cheek. ''Only because I let you score, mon coeur.''

Erik says, lost in Kris for a moment. ''Whatever helps you sleep tonight, hjartat.''

Kris winks, putting his helmet back on. ''Isn't that your job, amour?'' Geno finally takes to the ice. ''Alright, get a room.'' Kris practices some handling. ''We kinda had one, G.''

Sid miles, and shakes his head. He never would have imagined Kris to be such a open flirt in his life, and Erik fucking loves it, and gives as good as he gets. They truly were meant to be, weren't they? He so wishes he could've been in Raleigh in 2011, to see how the hell this whole thing began, but that'd ruin it, wouldn't it? ''Well, you're early today.'' Sid says.

Erik says, leaning against the boards. ''We wanted to skate together privately, helps us get in the zone. We do it all the time in Montreal and Vetlanda.''

Sid makes Erik one simple request before the others join them. ''Erik, one thing, just... don't hurt him again, please?''

Erik looks serious when he says. ''Would never dream of it, Sid, I swear.''

Sully splits the quartet up for practice. Erik with Geno, and Kris with Sid, as it should be, Sid thinks. Erik jokes across the ice. ''Hey, Sid, keep your hands off my man, okay?''

Sid smirks, and bites back. ''As long as you keep yours off mine, we're good, Karl.''

During a break, Sid watches Kris and Erik converse in french, putting it together that Kris learned swedish for Erik all those years ago. Sid sees how happy they look to finally be together after all these years apart, and lets all his worries go. Kris will be just fine, he's in good hands, and that's all he cares about.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eight.

Sid's annual Canada Day party is winding down. Nate and Marchy have long went home, some of the usual gang have stuck around. To no one's surprise, Kris and Erik have vanished. Geno goes to look for them, they've probably found some corner of Sid's estate to hide in for some alone time. Geno knows all to well, nothing beats the rush of that first summer knowing you're both going back to work together at the end of it. He finds them sitting against a tree, deep in conversation about something, letting the rest of the world fall away. Geno has been in awe of that for months now, how Kris and Erik can get so totally lost in each other. Safe to say, they've only got eyes for each other tonight. Geno observes them, Erik clearly says something Kris likes, because Kris beams at him. Kris runs his fingers through Erik's growing hair, Erik relaxing into his hand. They close the distance between them with a kiss, and rest their foreheads against each other. Geno smiles, and heads back inside. ''You find them, G?'' Sid asks him.

Geno nods, taking his hoodie off. ''Yeah, I found them. Having some private time.''

Sid gives a knowing smile, and sits down on the sofa. ''I can't remember a time when Kris was this happy, maybe after the 2019 all star game.'' Sid confesses to Geno. ''I hope this lasts.''

Geno assures his partner, they've had those worries more times than they care to admit. ''It will, they've been back together for four and a half years. Erik makes Kris happy at least.''

Sid nods, satisfied with that. ''Yeah, he does.''

After a while, Kris and Erik come inside out of the chill. ''Hope the boys didn't find having a Swede here weird.'' Erik says.

Geno laughs. ''No weirder than having a Russian here, besides, you two are a package deal, no?''

Kris nods, proudly accepting that label. ''Damn right we are, anyway, we should head to bed. Good night, guys.''

Sid says. ''Good night.'' Kris and Erik head off to the guest room, Geno nods to himself. They clearly have nothing to worry about anymore. Kris is okay now, the team will be okay. That's all they care about.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've been wanting to explore the trio post-breakup for a while now, and did a bit in 'It's A Cruel Summer', but I really wanted to delve deeper into just how that breakup affected Kris long-term, and how it affected Sid and Geno's relationship to Kris. Not overprotective parents, more like concerned brothers. I can't imagine they'd haze Erik as such, just make sure he's sticking to his words.

I just love the idea of Sid and Geno being protective of Kris off ice, since he's so protective of them on ice.

Enjoy!