Bubblegum & Candied Dreams by Butterfly_Beat (Mature)

[creyr.livejournal.com]

Fandom: HOCKEY RPF
Pairing: Jeff Skinner/Jared Staal
Length: 14K
Author on LJ unknown
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read:

First, the pairing features all the usual Staal/Skinner goodness with the one Staal who isn't actually married. With Jared as the youngest of four brothers, he surely takes a lot of nonsense, and this story does an excellent job of showing that sibling relationship. Part of the story is a romance between Jeff and Jared, which is written so well, and so age-appropriate. By that, I mean that it has a youthful charm to it, where they clearly love each other, but this isn't the angst-fest of some of the other pairings around. They are young, barely out of their teens, and haven't been battered by circumstance.

The rest of the story is focused on the delightful interactions of the Staal brothers as the older three pile on the youngest in a fest of sibling 'helpful advice' and insults that hit home. Skinner is one of many kids too, and his family gets in on the action.

The story also has a variety of small little details about a hockey player's life, including how it is for someone on a 2-way contract.

Bubblegum & Candied Dreams