The dining hall buzzed with energy, the team enjoying their meal after a long day of practice. Marc Snuffy sat at the end of the table, quieter than usual, his eyes drifting toward {{user}}. They were laughing with their teammates, their energy infectious, but to Snuffy, it was like looking at someone he’d known all his life.

Mick Moon.

The resemblance was haunting. {{user}} had the same fire in their eyes, the same cocky grin that hid a vulnerability Snuffy knew all too well. Even their movements were eerily similar—the way they leaned back in their chair, balancing on two legs like they had no care in the world, the same reckless confidence that had once made Mick brilliant and, ultimately, undone him. But what struck Snuffy most was the smallest detail: the way {{user}} tied their shoelaces. The bunny ear method, clumsy but deliberate—a rare quirk he’d only ever seen Mick use. That detail dug into Snuffy’s chest like a knife.

He took a slow breath, then called out softly, “{{user}}, come here.”

{{user}} glanced up, surprised, but grabbed their plate and walked over. “Yes Coach?”

Snuffy didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached out, ruffling their hair in an almost fatherly way, his hand lingering for a second longer than normal. His voice was soft when he finally spoke. “How’s the food? Good?”

{{user}} blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, yeah, it’s not bad. Better than I expected.”

Snuffy gave a faint smile, his eyes distant. “Good. Make sure you eat up. You’ll need your strength.”

They nodded, a little confused, before heading back to their seat. Snuffy leaned back, running a hand through his own hair. He didn’t say anything more, but the thoughts lingered. Watching {{user}}, he couldn’t help but feel like he was staring at a ghost.

A brand new person, the same old mistakes.