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10 Times We Fell a Little More in Love with Kevin Day

Summary:

Ten times Kevin Day stole our hearts and earned his rightful place as the internet's jock bf

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Work Text:

Everyone knows Kevin Day. Well, anyone who knows of Exy, or has been on social media ever, knows Kevin Day. Though he is the literal Son of Exy (his mother Kayleigh Day invented the sport), he has also risen to the title Queen of Exy (as per his queen piece chess tattoo), and has recently been given the honor of being the internet’s athlete boyfriend. As if you needed any more reasons to love him, here is a list of things that have made us fall more in love with the living legend. 

 

1. When he walked out onto the court with his racquet in his left hand during the Ravens v Foxes championship game 

 

[Gif of Kevin Day in his Foxes uniform passing his racquet to his left hand on the sidelines]

 

This moment was simply ICONIC, and changed the trajectory of my life (and perhaps even the sport). Kevin’s left hand had been broken just over a year prior to this, and he had to relearn how to play Exy with his non-dominant hand. Fans weren’t sure if he’d ever be able to play with his left hand again, but in the middle of the championship game, he proved that he could. Not only had he recovered from a near career-ending injury, but he was playing better than ever. He started playing with BOTH hands. BOTH! Swapping seamlessly between his right and left hands has now become a signature move of his, one very few players have even attempted. (See compilation video of Day and teammate Neil Josten running plays where they both pulled this trick AND scored here)

 

2. When we learned he loves Jeremy Knox as much as the rest of us

 

[Screenshot of an Instagram story from @KevinDay. A selfie of Kevin in a Trojan’s jersey and covered in a red and gold Trojan’s blanket. Text reads: “Ready for the first Trojan’s game of the season!”]

 

[Another screenshot from @KevinDay’s Instagram story: A mirror selfie of Kevin’s back to the mirror with him looking over his shoulder, showing off the large KNOX 01 on the back of the jersey. Text reads: “Someone asked me who’s number I have on. Well, only phenomenal captain #1 @JeremyKnox, of course!” Smaller text in the corner reads: “(Sorry Jean)”]

 

It would seem that the Queen of Exy is just another Jeremy Knox stan like the rest of us. I mean, have you seen the guy? He’s sweet, hot, and talented as hell. If you are not already convinced check out Buzzfeed’s Puppy Interview with LA’s Exy Team where Jeremy has a golden retriever off with an actual golden retriever puppy. (The jury is still out on who won.)

 

It does seem like the love is mutual. Right after that game, Jeremy posted a set of pictures on Instagram with the caption: “What an amazing way to start the season! Thank you to my amazing team and the wonderful fans! Special thanks to @KevinDay for his support across the country. Oh, and a Moreau jersey is in the mail ;)” 

 

Since these initial posts, there have been many, many more over the years. Find our favorite posts of them gushing over each other here: Kevin Day and Jeremy Knox are Bromance Goals, Actually  

 

3. He is apparently a history genius???

 

Why didn’t anyone tell us Kevin Day is hot AND smart? 

 

@vixenmarissa: so kevin day is in my euro history class and yes he’s always looking gorgeous and brooding in the back of class but today we had to give presentations and he was fucking amazing???? I figured he could speak in front of an audience but he was so engaging and smart ???

 

@vixenmarissa: oh and the title of his presentation was How to Fuck Your Way to the Top: A Guide by George Villiers and i knew that name sounded familiar and he’s mentioned in red white and royal blue??? kevin day just gave a presentation on a queer icon who is mentioned in my favorite book ???  might tell him to go read it

 

@vixenmarissa: okay update i might’ve totally embarrassed myself but i told him about rwrb

 

Can anyone get us a copy of this presentation?

 

4. He reads romance novels???

 

Remember when queen @vixenmarissa told him about Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston? Yeah, well he took her suggestion and read it. And live-texted the experience to her.



@vixenmarissa: sorry to expose you kev but this is too good

 

Photo 1:

Kevin Day: I got that book you suggested, and I am pretty sure this is not how any of this works. 

suspension of disbelief it’s fiction

They’re going to knock over the cake.

The secondhand embarrassment oh my god.

Wait. Are they flirting with each other?

you have to keep reading idk

 

Photo 2:

OH MY GOD HENRY KISSED HIM????????

WHAT

AND HE GHOSTED HIM

MARISSA ISTG WHY DID YOU RECOMMEND THIS TO ME THEN GHOST ME

dude it was 4 am i was asleep

SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED

WHY THE FUCK DIDN’T YOU TELL ME THE FSOTUS PLAYED EXY IN HIGH SCHOOL

i shouldve known that miniscule detail would be your fav 

 

Photo 3:

You also didn’t tell me there were more references to history. What do you mean they sign off their love letters with historical quotes? And what? You expect me not to do a deep dive on all of these couples now?

ooo if you do keep me updated i want to know all about the historical gays

GEORGE VILLIERS MENTION

HE KINDA WAS A HOT JOCK BF

in his kevin day era?

WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN

 

 

@vixenmarisa: guys i think i broke him

 

Photo 1:

THEY’RE IN A MUSEUM ARE YOU KIDDINGGGGG

STOP HES TELLING HIM ALL ABOUT THE STATUES

rip prince henry you would’ve loved kevin’s presentation 

JDSGHDJSGNJS HE’S DEAD??????

NO ITS LIKE A MEME FORMAT

Oh. 

 

Photo 2:

Do you think I can get away with wearing a history, huh shirt?

well you are a history nerd

RUDE

 

Do you think she can convince him to read more romances? And expose him? Even better, get him to live-Tweet those the way he does Exy games?

 

5. He dances like a loser 

 

As if everyone’s dream jock bf who loves history and reads romance novels couldn’t get any more endearing, it turns out he dances like a total loser. As evidenced by former Foxes teammate Nicky Hemmick’s Instagram story, Kevin Day’s club moves are just as bad as ours. 

 

[Blurry video taken by Nicky of people dancing at a club. A tall, broad shouldered man moves, somewhat on beat to the music, just bopping his head and swaying. @KevinDay is tagged over the man and the location is geotagged as Eden’s Twilight. Nicky can be heard singing along to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Girls in the Hood.”]

 

He’s so charming. He has seduced me with his loser-like dance moves and god-like confidence. 

 

6. When he took an impossible shot and scored the final goal of his college career AND won the championship for the Foxes (again)

 

[Video of Kevin Day running down court in his Foxes uniform, racquet in his right hand, and throwing the ball at the wall. As the ball bounces back he tosses his racquet to his left hand, he jumps to meet the ball, and smacks it into the goal. He lands, looking like an Exy god. The crowd goes wild, and so do the other Foxes on the court. The buzzer sounds moments later.] 

 

Kevin Day has always been one for risks, and it definitely paid off here. He hears something is impossible and takes it as a challenge. The Foxes and Trojans were tied for the entirety of the championship game. One team would score, the other would respond in kind. They were seconds away from overtime when Day decided to pull this move. He didn’t have time to pass the ball to his fellow striker, Neil Josten, or even run all the way down court. He saw an opportunity and took it. Experts argued over this play for hours and debated if this was his plan all along. I don’t know. It seemed very spur of the moment genius to me. A play only the Queen of Exy would be savvy enough to think of and bold enough to attempt. 

 

[Gif of Neil Josten running across the court and jumping up into Kevin’s arms.] 

 

And in this moment, Neil Josten was all of us.

 

7. When he wouldn’t even take credit for the win and thanked his team and father (our hearts)

 

Even though Day carried that game and led the Foxes to victory, according to Exy analysts, he refused to let the press only credit him. Even the stats from the game would prove he had racked up the most points, while making amazing assists, and playing almost a full game. (Note: The Foxes had enough players to sub out, but it appeared that Day, Josten, and even Andrew Minyard opted to stay in for nearly the whole game. The three of them took ten minutes each half to rest, and appeared to alternate so at least one of them was always on the court.) His comments are too good to summarize we will just include the whole video here:

 

[Video of the post game press conference. Kevin Day and Neil Josten sit at a table, a microphone in front of each of them. 

 

A reporter speaks off camera, “That was an amazing game, and there were truly some extraordinary plays. Kevin, how does it feel to be a champion again, and savior of the Foxes?”

 

Kevin furrows his brows at the question, but quickly recovers. “I’m not sure what you are talking about, that was a team effort. I wasn’t the only one on the court today.”

 

The same reporter speaks again, “But you did lead the Foxes to victory, yet again.”

 

Kevin shakes his head, still displeased. “I didn’t lead them at all actually. That credit has to go to Neil, our captain, and even goes back to Dan Wilds who captained the team before him. They have both been able to rally the Foxes and lead us into multiple championships in ways I never could. There is a reason why he is captain, and I’m not.” 

 

Neil smirks from beside him. “Well, we’re all bad at something, your highness.”

 

Kevin glares at him. “Anyway,” he turns his attention to the room again. “Our coach has also been the fearless leader of this team since he founded it. Without him, we wouldn’t be here, I most certainly wouldn’t be.” 

 

Josten, who always has something to say, backs him up with an, “I’ll drink to that.” Then he takes a swig of his Gatorade.

 

Another reporter speaks, “Kevin, since it is your final time speaking to us as a Fox, is there anything you’d like to say?” 

 

“Though it is true that this is my last game as a college player, this is not the end of me being a Fox. I will always be a Fox, and the Foxhole Court will always have a special place in my heart. With that said, I have to thank my Foxes, past and present, for taking me in and playing alongside me all of these years. Thank you to coach, who never questioned whether or not I could play again, and put up with me never fully giving up my assistant coach title. Sorry for being such a pain in the ass. Thank you for coming to all of my games, dad.” He pauses for a second and looks over to the side. He gives his father a small smile. “And, I have to thank my mom. For not only gifting me with this sport and sharing her love of it with me, but for literally giving it to the world. I hope I’m making her proud, and continuing her legacy in a way that honors her.” He gives another small smile, his eyes shining with unshed tears. 

 

“And you assholes are stuck with me for another two years, so who cares what I have to say? I think we’re done taking questions.” Josten says with a big smile. 

 

Kevin can be heard grumbling, “I truly don’t know why we ever allow you to be in front of a microphone.” He stands to leave.

 

Neil stands with him and pinches his sides. Kevin barely reacts, but looks back annoyed. The microphone still picks up Neil saying, “I’m a delight, your majesty.” 

 

“Oh, you’re something.” Kevin pushes Neil along, urging him off stage. He gives the press one final smile and a wave, with his left hand.]

 

Yeah, we were pretty speechless after that too. 

 

8. He took the time to meet every fan and take selfies with them after his first professional game 

 

After his first game as a professional Exy player, Kevin Day took time to meet every single fan waiting outside the stadium for him. The Queen spent nearly an hour greeting his loyal subjects. (Sorry, I had to. I saw the opportunity and took it. Hopefully these Tweets will make you forgive me for that cringe.) 

 

@exysmexy: so i just met kevin freaking day ????

[Photo of Kevin signing an issue of Exy Today with himself on the cover. His hair is still wet from his post game shower, and a few pieces are falling over his face.]

 

@likethedawnrose: I TOTALLY JUST EMBARRASSED MYSELF IN FRONT OF THEE KEVIN DAY BUT I ALSO MADE HIM BLUSH SO  

[Video of Kevin signing magazines, posters, etc. He’s smiling and saying ‘hi’ to people. He moves along the line and gets closer to the camera. He says “Hi” and asks, “Should I make this out to someone?” He’s looking up and making eye contact with the person taking the video. 

A voice off screen says, “You’re so beautiful holy shit.” 

He smiles and looks down at the ground. “You’re too kind.” He looks at the poster in hand. “Oh you’ve got me all flustered now and I’ve forgotten if you gave me a name.” 

“Tulip, like the flower.”

He signs the poster, and hands it back. “Well, Tulip like the flower, thank you for coming out today.” He smiles and then is handed more things to sign from the next person over.]

 

@B0YDS: thank you for taking time to talk to all of us @KevinDay !

[Selfie of a fan with 02 written on their cheek nearly pressed against Kevin’s tattooed cheek.]



9. That time he was out running in teammate Neil Josten’s Hoodie

 

Kevin and Neil can frequently be seen running together around the park now that they are both on the same professional Exy team. On one of these runs though, Kevin was papped wearing Josten’s old Foxes hoodie. It was slightly small on him and whenever he lifted his arms the hoodie would reveal a bit of his abdomen. There are many pictures from his cool down stretches and we were all very, very normal about it.

 

@thisjosten: UMMM IS THAT NEIL’S HOODIE IS KEVIN RUNNING WITH NEIL WEARING HIS HOODIE 

                     @kevneils: boyfriends much?

                     @m1nyard: if this is evidence that they’re dating what does it say that josten has a minyard hoodie on

                     @EXYQU33N: they are roommates maybe he grabbed the wrong one

                                         @thisjosten: okay that explains kevin in neils but what about andrews????? dude lives in boston

 

@likethedawnrose: SOME OF YALL ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE NAMES ON THE HOODIES I AM MESMERIZED BY THE SIGHT OF KEVINS ABS IN THIS VIDEO

                     @gleefulfoxes: the sluttiest thing a man can do is wear a crop top

 

@KN0X: i usually don’t condone taking photos of celebrities when they’re just existing but OH MY GOD BLESS WHOEVER GOT THESE PICS KEVIN DAY WAS SCULPTED BY THE GODS

 

@wildesone: DO U SEE THAT VLINE JESUS CHRIST

 

10. He liked a Tweet referring to him as babygirl

 

Okay, so, this last one broke me. I am still reeling from this. I was about to submit this article when Twitter was set ablaze by Kevin Day himself liking a post that called him babygirl. He has liked fan Tweets in the past and even responded to some posts. But, this is the first time the internet’s jock bf has ever interacted with a post calling him a nickname. Fans are now taking this as approval for refer to him as babygirl from now until forever.

 

@kevinight: had to draw babygirl after i saw this clip from yesterdays game 

[Digital art of Kevin Day smiling, his eyes crinkled, and teeth showing] 

[Video of Kevin Day beaming and cheering on teammate Neil Josten as he scores a goal]

                     @m1nyard: I’ve never seen his smile so big before???

                     @K3VINDAY: he’s always beautiful but he usually has his model face on but jesus he’s so gorgeous here 

                     @exyisexy: you really captured how happy he was

                     @thisjosten: this was so sweet I love them 

                     @likethedawnrose: KEVIN DAY HIMSELF LIKED THIS TWEET CONGRATS TO U BUT ALSO TO ME THIS IS A BIG WIN FOR THE KEVIN DAY BABYGIRL TRUTHER COMMUNITY 



What are your favorite Kevin Day moments? When did you first fall for the superstar? Let us know in the comments! 

And be on the lookout for new videos featuring our favorite jock bf. We may or may not have had him read thirst Tweets last time he was here…  

Notes:

so i saw a buzzfeed type article done in another fandom and i just loved it!! (linked here https://archiveofourown.org/works/28609218) like idk it just feels like the characters are actually real because it's something i'd be reading as a fan and i'm reading the fic as a fan idk the parasocial relationship is really parasocialling

also sorry i had to bring up rwrb the brainrot is so real and i just think kevin would love all of the historical references and if exy was real i think alex would've played it instead of lacrosse idk

also if you see your @ in here it's totally unintentional (except for tulip fellow kevin day wife your cameo was on purpose) i was just making up names sorry if you feel called out