#versus

also what cat said on her podcast when they were tipsy and trying to figure out how the podcasting thing works (i think it was also around will's birthday week), they were definitely sneaking out to a private room to do god whatever knows what and got caught, and tried to laugh it off as "just snooping." sure, boys!!!!!

will and mack likes to gatekeep the stuff that they do. the dinner books, the book club, the carbonne reservation, the espresso martinis, meeting up in sweden during world's, the stickgate!!!! and even the halifax one... we only ever find out through third-party slips. outside of very evident pr posts and tagged ig posts/joint tiktoks, they are incredibly private.

and honestly, it's the healthiest thing they could do. the nhl and san jose try to sensationalize their chemistry, friendship, or in brodie's words "whatever they consider themselves to be", and while they are good sports about it, they maintain a strict boundary around their personal lives and relationship.

for two guys navigating a very high pressure sport, they have managed to create a genuine sanctuary with one another. they found a safe space in each other where they can grow, have fun, navigate life, and elevate each other both on and off the ice, entirely on their own terms. LOVE THAT FOR THEM HONESTLY

prediction: if they train together this offseason, we won't be hearing it from them. i will be very surprised if they do post each other. we'll likely find out only via a random sighting or a trainer's ig story. let's see if they will make each other's summer dumps lmao

Yes to all of the above! They’re definitely each other’s keepers in every sense of the word. My theory for me though, is that we’d know a lot more about their shenanigans if Mack hadn’t essentially placed a “not up for discussion” clause on whatever it is they have. Because yes, Will Smith is a gatekeeper. This is a man who refuses to reveal the spice blend he uses on his steak. But at least we know the spice blend exists. Will strikes me as someone who enjoys showing off the things he values and letting people admire them from a safe distance, while never actually revealing the specifics. Mack’s a little different. He seems to see their bond as almost sacred, specifically because he’s very well aware of how unusually close and intimate it is.

I always think about that moment on Spittin’ Chiclets when they were asked whether they watched movies on the road. They mentioned their hotel TV was still sitting on the home screen, and Biz joked, “So you guys are just on your phones?” Then he asked if they watched other hockey games. Will had this suspiciously conspiratorial look on his face, like he was about to disagree and accidentally reveal that they spend their time doing literally anything else (the possibilities range from harmless bro wrestling to 50 shades of whatever they consider themselves to be). But before he could chime in, Mack immediately cut in with “Yeah, sometimes we put on a game” and Will visibly reeled it back in. That interaction lives rent free in my head because it perfectly captures their dynamic. Left to his own devices, Will would enjoy deliberately drip feeding interesting tidbits to the masses. Whereas Mack would slam the emergency brakes.

Mack would, in fact, rather perish in a desert than give the public a single crumb of information about what he and Will get up to, or *gasp* what they are to each other. He wears every emotion on his face and feels everything at full volume. I genuinely think he knows that if he opened that lid even a little bit, the whole thing would blow off and he’d end up saying things he’d much rather take to the grave with him. That’s not to say Will loves him any less. I think he adores him. The difference is that Will seems to enjoy people noticing their bond. He likes the admiration, the awe, the collective “wow those two are really something.” There’s a satisfaction in having something special and knowing other people can see it too.

FINALLY!

For all those how have been waiting oh so patiently (for 3+ years) I have finally added the Nibbly design to my first version of the ‘Versus the Lords in Black’ series, so with baited breath I introduce to you…

🔴Linda vs Nibbly🔴 (Honey Queen)

I went ahead and included all the other posters so they can be seen together (as god intended)