SMP are different.

Of course, you knew that from the first time you met Techno and Schlatt – when your heart was going at a jackrabbit pace and you were hedging backwards into a metal corner ready to do your best to not be beaten into the floor, and Techno pulled back.

No one has ever done that before.

You know how people work. They're all cool and fun on the outside, but when they get a person under their boot, all of a sudden, even the most kind person begins to smile like a shark. If you are trapped in a corner, then people will keep you there until they deem themselves satisfied.

But Techno didn't. Schlatt didn't.

They stepped back, gave you space to breathe, and gave you a choice.

You’ve never had that before.

Of course you’d choose SMP. And, now, sitting here on the bench waiting for Phil to come in, you know that you’d choose them again and again. Whatever beating you need to take, you will.

"He said Las Vegas," Sapnap is saying, twirling his hockey stick quickly in his hands. "I remember it. Phil said –"

"Wrong," Schlatt argues lazily. He's not even halfway close to being ready for practice, just laying on the ground looking up at the ceiling. If you scoot over just an inch to the left, their feet will touch.

"He said Montreal," Schlatt continues. "He was talking about visiting Canada again, Phil always gets excited when we go because we've been so much that it's the only trip he doesn't stress the fuck out about."

You scoot to the right.

Techno, who’s skating back and forth and rolling his shoulders, nods. "That's true. Phil seems very calm about this trip."