#>xd

A little sketch;)

I LOVE IT!XD LET'S GO!!! THE HUNT PURDE!!

Mr. Villainous belongs to me ( The treachery of darkness)😈💜

Zay belongs to @oneeqaisara ( Dark white tiger) ✨🐯

Crow belongs to @/xnzlian ( The bad crow trick)😈🐦‍⬛

20240510 LALALI mv - SVT HIP HOP UNIT

OMG OMG!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCHHHH!!!!!!!!! RAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!

GOAL HAS BEEN REACHED!!! 70 is my next goal >:]

1. Hockey Coach AU.

I'm excited, because this idea showcases a couple of the lesser-appreciated (but, no less loved!!) characters.

Stede is the bright new penny hired to coach the worst team in the league, the Gulls. (I would so go with the Kraken, if not for Seattle, but I also want Karl as their mascot). Stede is the eternal optimist that no one wants to have to deal with, certain that he can get the team ship-shape (he grins to himself) in no time. His methods of coaching are... unorthodox, to say the least, but the Board hopes he can be the breath of fresh air the team needs. He is to be backed by Assistant Coach Oluwande, who has somehow held onto his position these last few years. (He was offered the Head Coaching position, but politely declined).

Ed is the retired veteran coach, who led the team to multiple Championship wins in his seventeen-year tenure. He also happens to be the new Owner of the Gulls, purchased on a whim when the previous holder passed on. (The purchase was quick and quiet, not garnering much attention within the media, as he left the previous staff in charge of most of the day-to-day, hiring included). The team has sucked pond water since Ed's departure, and, as Stede is their third hire in as many failing years, Ed offers to act as a mentor. He can't stand to see his beloved Gulls land victim to the misplaced whims of another naive little bastard, let alone to keep losing money if his appointed staff can't make decent fucking hiring calls.

To say that Ed is shocked when he meets Stede is a dramatic understatement. He's been expecting some hard-headed, snot-nosed little brat, not the tranquil - if slight hyperactive - middle-aged babe extending his hand in greeting. Fuck, he's a looker. No one had told him that. But. Professionalism. Ed is able to reel himself in, of course, and the two set off to see what Stede has implemented, thus far.

(Funny thing? Stede doesn't seem to recognize Ed as the Owner of the team, and Ed doesn't feel pressed to correct him on it).

Meeting the team is a bit of a shock, as well. There are a couple of veteran players left, and, man, are they glad to see Ed. Especially former Team Captain, and former star Center Izzy, who has been instrumental in sending the last two useless fucking excuses for coaches packing. (He and Ed played together, back in the day, and he still carries a bit of a chip that Ed decided to retire at such a young age... Damn knee...). Defensemen Ivan and Fang are still around, too, but it's clear that playing with Izzy is wearing awfully thin with them, especially given some of the new roster changes.

The present, stand-out star on the team is the Swede, known affectionately among his fanbase as the Nordic Angel. (He's been rather beloved since his rookie season, in which, during a post-game interview, he was asked about the tooth that got knocked out on a high-sticking call, and he merely replied, "Eh, y'know. The teeth? They don't go back in."). He's recently been traded to the Gulls (for an absolutely obscene amount of money), which is a bit strange, really, as the media has spent the last few years lauding him as one of the best Centers ever to play the game. Yet, no one is questioning it, too much. The Great Speculation is mostly over how unstoppable a force Swede will be with newly-acquired Right Winger Roach, and Left Winger Frenchie.

Of course, this team is also facing some growing pains.

Remember those unorthodox methods? Yeah. Ed is completely flabbergasted. When two of his players (hot-headed Izzy and pain-in-the-ass-extraordinaire Frenchie) are ready to throw down, Stede steps between them, and politely tells them that violence isn't the answer. Ed wants to ask him exactly what fucking sport he thinks he walked in on, but bites his tongue. Frenchie does settle down, where Izzy spews an obscenity, which Stede merely rolls his eyes over. Again, Ed is beside himself. How the hell is this guy managing? When Izzy used to get in his face, it was all Ed could do not to knock the shit out of him. Well. Except for that one time.

Later, when Goalie Black Pete complains that he's had it with the bullshit of playing for a losing team, and demands a trade, Stede assembles the entire roster, so that they can talk it through. Everyone has their say in how much Pete means to the team, and that, no, they do not want to see him traded to another city. (Izzy walks out before The Feelings start, and is paid no mind for it). Lucius, one of the team trainers, is especially against the idea. A wink seems to do the trick, and Pete agrees to stick it out.

Jesus Christ, Ed can't help but think. What the fuck kind of buggery is going on in this place? No one on this fucking team is normal, or in their right mind, not even that Buttons guy that drives the Zamboni, and doubles into the mascot costume during Intermissions. But, this Coach is really taking the fucking cake. He has half a mind, and more than a little bit of duty as Owner, to ax the guy, right away, no matter how attractive he finds Stede. But, at the heart of it all, Stede is doing something fresh, he's trying something that's completely unheard of, at least by Ed's standards. No one runs a fucking hockey team this way, not without it ending in career suicide. Or, a team mutiny. While those were fun in his youth, it's not really the kind of publicity the Gulls need right now, not while they're still struggling to rebuild.

Thing is... Stede's kooky-ass ways of doing things... They're working. The Old Guard and the New Blood are actually meshing in a way that is providing some stellar results. They don't pull off a win until their third game of the season, but it's a spectacular five-to-two finish, and it fuels the wins that follow. Unfortunately, there are a lot of minutes lost to the penalty box, but it's effective in jarring the other teams for a short while. Swede is living up to his hype, and Frenchie is absolutely lethal coming across the ice. Soon enough, the Gulls have lifted themselves out of last place in the league, much to the shock of... Well, let's face it. Everyone is shocked, save for Stede (at least outwardly).

"I knew they could do it," he replies, like he shouldn't be simultaneously biting his nails, and shitting fucking bricks.

Half-way through the season, Roach falls victim to a lower leg injury. As if that isn't bad enough, Fang gets sidelined by a rather nasty concussion. The Gulls manage to acquire Left Winger Jim, who quickly proves to be an unsung secret weapon, and Defenseman Wee John, a brick wall with a heart of gold that other teams just want to avoid, at any and all costs. They lose a few games in a row, while the two newcomers find their groove, but it slowly begins to even back into more wins than losses.

Through it all, the tests of the first year in a coaching gig, Stede remains peaceable and collected. Ed wonders what his secret is. No one is this fucking optimistic. His own temper has landed him on the ugly end of the media, on more than one occasion. Hell, he's tense and steamed just watching the other man go through it. Curiosity gets the better of him, and he strikes up a deal with Stede.

"You show me how you keep yourself from spouting off at these assholes, every time they cross the line," he offers, "and I'll teach you every fucking trick and detail that ever helped us win." Stede accepts the offer, and Ed fully expects to be taken to a local bar. (Surely, the guy must be a drinker, right?). Oh, no. No, Stede takes Ed shopping. In a fucking limo. Makes sure he indulges himself in some of the finest clothing their area can offer. The salon, where something is finally done about that tangled knot Ed calls an up-do. Champagne. Fine restaurants. They try golfing, but Ed puts a stop to that, almost immediately. Nothing is calming about trying to strike a little white piece of plastic across someone's lawn, especially when he misses, and ends up beating the mentioned ball to pieces with his driver. (For any M*A*S*H fans out there, think Henry Blake, after Klinger interrupts his shot).

After a truly glorious weekend spent in Stede's company, they take a break from posh, and Ed ferries them to his favourite diner. On the back of his bike. If part of that decision is encouraged by the desire to have Stede's arms around him, grip tightening as they take corners at breakneck speeds... Well, that's his business, isn't it? Once seated, and starters are brought, Ed has to start asking. Up until their shopping trip, Ed had no idea Stede was loaded. Not that Ed's doing terribly for himself, he does own a professional ice hockey team, but it's not like Stede is being forced to work for a living. Why trade the luxury of what he's sure was a mansion, for traveling in a bus for weeks on-end? Fancy dinners and parties for eat-ins and movies with those members of the team that were interested? Stede's answer, well... It floors him, a bit.

"I never belonged where I was," he explains, idly stirring his straw about through his soda, while he stares into the half-full cup. "And, these people? The team? Take a good look at them, Ed." He's finally looking at Ed, now, and the older man feels the weight of that expression. "They weren't really wanted, either. That's why they've ended up where they are." He shrugs, and looks back down. "I just want them to know how much their efforts are appreciated. That we can be a team, and a family, and fuck what the media has to say."

"What do you mean, they weren't wanted?" Ed asks, pausing his journey through a pile of French fries. "Swede's been a big name for ages."

Stede scoffs. "The team we got him from just wanted the money they could make off his status," he grumbles. "Just because he's a little older than some, and they want the Hot, New Thing, as fast as they can snap it up. Wee John was never brought up before, because of his back. Jim, for the way they go after other players like they've wronged their family... And, well, Roach is just a little crazy." He pauses, seeming bothered by his next words. "Did you know that Ownership tried to trade off Izzy and Fang, last year? I had to put a stop to that business, right away."

Ed stares at Stede in alarm. "You're the one that got them saved?" He'd gone through the roof about that decision, himself, once he'd taken over the team. But, by the time he got to it, the matter had already been settled, and the Board hadn't made a big deal over it. He'd never dreamed that it was Stede's doing. But, all Stede does is shrug. "Why? Izzy's a dick."

"Complete asshole," Stede agrees, but gives a sad smile. "Doesn't mean he hasn't earned his place on the team. Besides, even his constant bitching is valuable. I've learned quite a lot from it. From everyone, really... I just hope that Ownership sees what we're accomplishing. I want them to see everyone on this team for their true value, not in dollars earned."

There's a warmth that passes between them in the momentary silence that follows, both men weighing the words. "Don't worry, mate," Ed finally assures him, popping another fry into his mouth. "They do." Stede beams in hope, and Ed just fucking... melts. Quietly.

He can't let this doofus go. He's good for the team. He's good for the league. And, as Ed relaxes back against the booth, a grin on his face, he can't help but acknowledge that Stede is doing him wonders, too. They have the rest of the regular season to get through, and Ed already knows he'll fight tooth and nail to keep Stede with them. And, maybe, if he's careful about it, they can have more weekends like this one.

20240510 LALALI mv - SVT HIP HOP UNIT