TMD; The Mighty Ducks; Preferences and Imagines

𝕣𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕- 𝕃𝕦𝕚𝕤 𝕄𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕠𝕫𝕒; 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕨𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕟

𝕣𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕪; luismendozaispookie

The tension that had hung over Eden Hall like an unshakable storm finally broke the night the JV Ducks defeated the Varsity team. The victory wasn't just about winning a game—it was about proving that they belonged, that they weren't just a charity case brought in under Gordon Bombay's influence. But winning one game didn't erase the uphill battle they still had ahead of them.

The Monday after the game, the atmosphere on campus had shifted. Some varsity players still sneered as the Ducks walked by, but others gave small nods of acknowledgment, a silent admission of respect. The team had solidified their place, but acceptance wasn't immediate. The school's student body had always leaned toward the varsity team, and while some students cheered for the Ducks, others resented them for shaking up the status quo.

Luis Mendoza had never been one to get caught up in drama, but even he could feel the weight of the shift. He and the rest of the team had earned their place, but now they had to keep it. Next year, he and his teammates wouldn't be playing JV anymore—they would be taking spots on varsity, which meant that the tensions were far from over.

Mindy had been watching from the stands during the big game, just like she always had. She wasn't loud or flashy about it, but she was there. They had been together for a while now, and she knew how much this game meant to him. When Luis met her outside the locker room after the win, she grinned up at him.

"So, does this mean I'm dating a varsity player now?" she teased, poking him lightly in the chest.

Luis laughed, shaking his head. "Not yet. But I'll take the promotion when it comes."

Mindy rolled her eyes playfully. "Just don't let it go to your head."

"Oh, please," Luis said, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "I'm the most humble guy on this team."

She raised an eyebrow. "You literally skated past the entire varsity team and winked at their captain after scoring."

"Okay, fine. Second most humble."

As the weeks passed, things settled into a rhythm. Practices were more intense—Coach Orion wasn't about to let them coast just because they won one game. School wasn't easy either. Some teachers were supportive, but others still saw them as the outsiders who didn't deserve to be there. It wasn't just about hockey; it was about proving they could handle the academic pressure as well.

Luis, who was fast on the ice but not so fast in the classroom, felt the pressure. Keeping up in class was a different kind of battle. Mindy was his unofficial tutor, often dragging him to the library when he would rather be doing anything else.

One evening, he groaned and let his head drop onto the table. "Why is math so evil?"

Mindy smirked. "Because it requires effort. Unlike skating past people with your 'natural charm.'"

Luis peeked up at her. "You think my skating is charming?"

She rolled her eyes. "That's what you took from that?"

"Hey, I take my compliments where I can get them." He sat up, twirling a pencil between his fingers. "Alright, what do I need to know?"

Mindy pointed at the page. "This equation—"

Luis sighed dramatically. "This is worse than getting checked into the boards."

"Oh my God, Luis. Just focus."

By the time spring rolled around, the Ducks weren't just surviving—they were thriving. The school wasn't entirely won over, but they had made enough of an impact that they weren't seen as outsiders anymore. The varsity team had stopped treating them like jokes, and while there were still rivalries, there was also a newfound respect.

Luis and Mindy found their own balance, too. She was always there in the stands, and he was always looking for her after games. One night after a particularly tough practice, he found her waiting outside the rink, arms crossed, smirking.

"You survived," she said.

"Barely," he groaned, stretching out his sore muscles. "Orion's a machine."

"He's making you better," she pointed out. "And you'll need it next year."

Luis nodded. "Yeah. Next year, varsity." He looked at her. "You gonna stick around when I'm a 'big shot'?"

Mindy scoffed. "Please. I was here before you were a big shot. I'll be here after, too."

Luis grinned. "Good answer."

The first year at Eden Hall had been a battle, but it wasn't a battle lost. They had proven themselves. And next year? Next year, they would be varsity.

And they would be ready.