r/fnatic • u/OfficialFNATIC • 5d ago
AMA [Fnatic VALORANT] AMA with Crashies, brought to you by Sony INZONE
Hey guys, Crashies will be joining us here on Reddit, this Wednesday the 14th at 6PM BST/7PM CEST/12PM CDT for an AMA thanks to our friends at Sony INZONE.
Whether its questions about the season, offseason, champs or whatever you want - make sure to drop your questions for Austin in the comments below, and come back Wednesday evening to check out his answers.
Whilst you wait, check out our newly announced INZONE H9 II Fnatic Edition, developed alongside Crashies and the rest of the VALORANT roster: https://fna.tc/h9ii-fnc-edition-redditAMA
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u/jxxnisannoying 5d ago
since you didn’t make it to this champions, (sad) favorite moment ever for you champs? be specific pls 🙏🏼
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Paris 2025 was an insane champs experience for me personally. Beating PRX with Doma, 11-1 comeback in the finals vs NRG. Too many good memories that 2025 year. - Crashies
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u/0scarpayne 5d ago
Best part of getting to be on an org like fnatic compared to your NA history?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Seeing how FNATIC operates from the inside and getting to reach a wider scale of fans that I have never interacted with before! - Crashies
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u/pepperguppy 5d ago
What gum do you chew? Is it always the same? If not- what’s your fav?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Hahaha the million dollar question... I chew different brands, different flavors, depending on where I am in the world.. This year I was using EXTRA Polar Ice... Although, may have to retire that brand.. - Crashies
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u/Nafyra 5d ago
What's your personal favorite agent to play, in both ranked and pro play (independently from what your teams ask you to play) ?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Hi Nafyra ! My personal favorite agent to play is probably Sova.. Although Cypher this year was a lot of fun.. - Crashies
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u/perfectionisticmango 5d ago
have you always been good at FPS games? or is it just valorant? also how has your life changed since you moved to Europe? what has it taught you?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
I played mainly console games when I was younger. I had to grind CS:GO a lot (10k hrs) to get good at FPS games. I think I have matured a lot faster and have so many life experiences that has helped me grow as a person and player. - Crashies
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u/melancholyx3 5d ago
who was ur all time favorite player to play with?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Such a hard question... I can't just pick one player, you have to understand 🤣 - Crashies
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u/AlarmedUniversity280 5d ago
Hey Crashies. I’m gonna miss seeing you in orange :( Coud you share some of your favourite memories with the team?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
We had a lot of fun over the years! Who's to say there won't be more? - Crashies
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u/Ajarinanutshell 5d ago
If you were to compete in another region, what would it be and who would you like to have as teammates?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Only 2 regions left to compete in.. CN or APAC, what is more exciting?? - Crashies
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u/SSJEthan 4d ago
What could Riot give a hypothetical new scan initiator that would separate them from fade/sova?
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u/ellisss67 5d ago
hey Austin your my favourite couple of emea (brashies) I’m trying to go pro what’s the best advice you can give ?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Grind the game until you get Radiant. Make friends along the way, play a few tournaments together and get experience that way. The only way to make it, is to play play play until your hands fall off! - Crashies
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u/Drownedsquid89 5d ago
What games coming out soon are you most excited for?
Also my son wants to know what’s your favourite prematch snack?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
I don't really play any other games so it's hard for me to keep up to date with the new ones!
I LOVE FRUITS FOR MATCHES, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, mix em all up and GG EZ. - Crashies
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u/Xyler866 3d ago
Which team are you rooting for at champs?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
I feel like the top 4 is crazy where any of them can win on the day.. I have friends on all of the rosters, but the most exciting team for me to watch is LOUD. - Crashies
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u/ElectronicIdea7572 4d ago
Usually players are quite exhausted after the games, but when crashies meets with fans after matches, he looks as cheerful as usual, how does he do that (keeps his energy up)?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
LOL, I've been told this a few times actually. After games I am very tired, but I enjoy seeing all the fans and love making the interactions as positive as possible. Sleep and rest can come later 🤣 - Crashies
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u/MrLeaafs 4d ago
crashies quick if you were at a party and needed to poo real bad would u rather go to the toilet with a 99% chance of clogging the toilet and everyone know that it was you or would u rather do it in the bushes in the garden outside and nobody knows it was you pls hurry thank you much love
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
What a question this is... I think i'd rather clog that toilet up!!!!!! YESSIR - Crashies
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u/Dreed_The_Badass 5d ago
Did at any point in your impressive career did you think, 'Is it time for me to hang up my boots?' Much love <3
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
I think every player when they enter a "slump" period has had that thought. But I'm still here baby. - Crashies
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u/JellyMaximum6533 3d ago
Hi crashies :)
I don't think you're an unc AT ALL, but in the e-sports scene, it's rare to see players your age still competing. What do you think is the secret(?) to your longevity and consistency?
Also, are your Pokémon cards hype and escape room hype still going on?
Wishing you all the best, GOAT 🫡
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
I don't feel like an UNC so I appreciate you! My secret would just have to be, being disciplined and consistent outside of the game for example; having a good routine and genuinely enjoying the grind every day.
We definitely haven't bought as many Pokémon cards/packs as we used to, but I still have my juicy collection.. As for the escape rooms, the last one we did together was in Berlin. 💔 - Crashies
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u/KeyNatural5258 4d ago
What is the difference between FNS and Boaster calling, stylewise or like how they approach the game
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
They are kind of similiar in the sense that they like to work the map a bit and outsmart opponents. It was easy to help Boaster with things he needed help with because I already experienced a lot with FNS. - Crashies
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u/SKYlikesHentai 5d ago
Would you be willing to do a raze satchel guide? Btw been a huge fan of you and swapped my ingame role to recon since masters berlin 2021 where you got that sick 5k vs Vivo Keyd.
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
LOL... That raze satchel guide will NOT be coming out. Appreciate you for being an OG supporter <3 - Crashies
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u/Hungry_Estate_8094 5d ago
What other records you want to hold/break should you keep playing that you know you can break.
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
I want to win again! I don't care about individual records or anything like that. - Crashies
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u/Prestigious_Stock321 5d ago
how do you/did you cope with being far away from home and family?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Just tried not to think about it as much while also keeping myself busy with the gym and the grind! It was helpful that everyone on the team was enjoyable to chill with. - Crashies
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u/TheRatedREnder 5d ago
Y'all will have hope in this '27 season without changing the roster right? Please tell me yes austin. Pd: we love you all and i convinved my parents to root for fnatic too <3
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u/Milanesa2121 5d ago
What about your future? We love brashies<3. Would you play with boaster even in another team?🧡🖤
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u/PitCrewBoi559 5d ago
What is you and your boyfriend’s hair routine?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Wash each other's hairs and build a stronger connection that way. - Crashies
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u/utopicat 5d ago
streamer arc when?!?! you are my favourite pro player, would love to tune into streams during offseason!!
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u/spac3doutblond3 5d ago
What was the first food you ate when you got back to the States? Is there any food you miss from EMEA?
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u/ObjectiveCalendar229 5d ago
Do you want to continue the streamer carrier? We are missing you🥺
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
I'm still trying to find my twitch password... S0m hijacked it from me.. - Crashies
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u/Inevitable_Leg9218 4d ago
As someone who's been in the professional/competitive scene for as long as you have, how do you overcome times when it feels like nothing can go right or times when you feel like you are severely burning out?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Life is all about ups and downs, and luckily(or maybe not) I have experienced a lot of those. The most important thing is to not give up and continung to trust the process. If you believe in yourself and push through the hard times, it can only make you stronger!! - Crashies
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u/PeachyAssBooty 5d ago
hi crashies, what's your favorite cologne/perfume at the moment?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
I HAVE TO GATEKEEP THE COLOGNES. I'M SORRY!! - CRASHIES
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u/PeachyAssBooty 3d ago
fine... i'm just gonna assume it's dior sauvage and you're embarrassed to admit it😔
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u/lilnerdtv 4d ago
hai crashies ^.^
Valorant has made you a character/persona in thousands of peoples lives, and most of them are strangers to you. Every person watching you has an entire universe of their own that you’ll probably never see. Does it ever feel surreal knowing you’ve been part of so many peoples stories without even realizing it and does that thought ever affect your gameplay?
thank you goat! ✌️
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Hello ! Of course it feels surreal to impact a lot of peoples' lives positively, but it also comes with the feeling of not wanting to let people down. It's been tricky trying to manuever around that feeling but I try to not let it affect my gameplay! - Crashies
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u/IndependentSmart2298 3d ago
Hi crashies. If you were to full pivot off of main initiator (like we saw glimpses of in stage 2) what role would you want to main? What agent would you enjoy playing most to change it up?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
I actually enjoyed playing the Senti role (Viper, Cypher) for the short amount of time I was doing it. (Bring KJ back to meta!!) - Crashies
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u/Intrepid-Cow-6110 5d ago
Hey crashies, you're one of my favorite players! Is there any way I could get an autograph from you? Unfortunately, I can't make it to your games. Wishing you all the best!
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
You have to make it to a game! I'll give you 10 autographs if you want! - Crashies
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u/Intrepid-Cow-6110 3d ago
Haha, I'd love to be there, but unfortunately I live in Germany and can't make it to a game right now. Would there be any way to get a signed card or something similar by mail? I'd be happy to cover the shipping costs. Thanks so much for answering, it really made my day!
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u/pkpYoonie 3d ago
of course I don't know where exactly in Germany you live, but the arena for vct emea is in Berlin and it's so easy to get autographs from players on audience days! maybe if he stays with fnatic you can get that autograph next year :o
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u/Intrepid-Cow-6110 2d ago
Unfortunately, the trip to Berlin and buying a ticket is too expensive for me. It would be great to see you play live someday, though!
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u/Free-Taro9241 4d ago edited 4d ago
- During the 2022 off-season, when did you find out that Optic didn’t make franchising and how did you feel when you heard the news?
- If Optic had made franchising do you think that everyone on the 2022 roster would have stuck together for the 2023 season or did you guys already plan on going your separate ways after the end of the season?
- When you guys were eliminated from champs 2021 by x10c what was the atmosphere like backstage?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
The news was definitely sad because we weren't really expecting it.
I'm sure the majority of us would have stayed together, hard to say if ALL 5, but the majority for sure.
Well we weren't even playing on stage because Victor was ill so it wasn't as bad as it could have been haha, but it was depressing for sure.
- Crashies
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u/Electronic-Coast-525 5d ago
Did you notice any differences from playing competitively in Americas in comparison to EU? If so, what was difference and how did you adjust your playing style to each region?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Great question! I actually noticed a lot of teams in EMEA have different playstyles compared to Americas. You have the Turkish teams, teams like KC, teams like Liquid, teams like FNATIC with the slow playstyle. It was very hard to learn every playstyle in a short amount of time. In Americas, there weren't many surprises when it cames to teams because I was so familiar with every player / team. - Crashies
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u/Laurawastaken12 5d ago
Who do you think is the most underrated player of VCT Emea and VCT overall?
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u/gh0stVCT 4d ago
what advice would you have for an aspiring pro? i’m currently a collegiate player. i watch a lot of videos on how to get better, such as Konpeki’s or TMV’s videos, but it’s still hard to apply some of those ideas to my actual matches. thank you so much!!
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
Keep grinding and believing in yourself and the process, while also being realistic with your goals. The only way to improve is to think critically about your decision making and how to min-max certain scenarios. You can do it! - Crashies
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u/Space-Cynic-2026 4d ago
What was it like working with Sony to develop the INZONE peripherals, and which one is your favorite?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
I tell this to everyone that asks, it was so cool to be apart of developing INZONE peripherals. They definitely do it the best that I've ever seen with how in-touch they are with the players and the products. I have nothing but great things to say about the INZONE team. - Crashies
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u/Reoukax 5d ago
How can I start or attempt to play professionally? I’m not from the US so the opportunities are almost nonexistent?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
You just need to grind the game and get to the highest rank. Find friends throughout your journey, make a team and compete in whatever you can. Just play play play. - Crashies
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u/jessyjessyjessyy 5d ago edited 5d ago
heyyyy crashies :D random fun fact about yourself that we don't already know?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
You guys know everything already!!! I wish I had more hidden talents or something like that.. - Crashies
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u/jessyjessyjessyy 5d ago
it might be hard for you to watch and keep up with champs in the US but based off what you've seen, who were your favourites going into champs this year and with the top 4 being VIT 100T G2 and LOUD, who do you think will win champs?
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u/OfficialFNATIC 3d ago
The top 4 are all capable of winning the tournament if they are having a good day.. I'm sticking with LOUD
- Crashies
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u/ATL6SPD 3d ago
Crashies! What were your favourite moments from each team you have been in so far? (From Envy, OpTic, NRG to now FNATIC)?
What was the atmosphere like during Map 1 and Map 3 when you faced LOUD during Champs 2022?
Also do you still stay in touch with some of your ex-teammates like Marved, yay and Victor?
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u/SirDankNam 4d ago
Do you believe Valorant Esports is growing, if so by how much? What do you think is needed, from a player perspective, to help Valorant Esports grow?
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u/SLI_Mini 3d ago
Looking back on your career now, who are your favorite teammates you played with? Both in and out of the server?
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u/Thee_Archivist 3d ago
Crashies, my friends refer to you as the GOAT of getting peeked while holding the spike and getting the kill anyway somehow. Even when you're not even looking at where they peek from. It's happened so often that it feels like you're the advantaged one lol.
Are clutches something you actually drill as pros, or is it just a confidence thing of feeling your opponent is playing scared?
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u/ChaoticFlameZz 3d ago
out of curiosity:
- Was there a world that you could've tried to continue your original career in CS pre-VALORANT, or was it like doomed by that point from your perspective?
- Where and when did it go wrong during the late months of your NRG stint for you?
- If you can answer this one: Were there any other serious offers in NA before you decided to fly to EU to play for Fnatic?
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u/HottestElbows 3d ago
What is competing like? Do you enjoy the feeling? What is it like to stand on the international stage? Are you ever afraid- especially your first time? Do you enjoy or fear the stardom? I was in theater in high school and feared crowds of only two hundred people, so to me it must be terrifying to stand up for thousands. How do you deal with it?
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u/HottestElbows 3d ago
I've seen another comment like this but have my own thoughts- how do you navigate the feeling that you inspire and hype up thousands of people? So many people- including me- watch you with awe in their eyes. Is that a terrifying thought/feeling? Do we motivate or demotivate you?
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u/HottestElbows 3d ago
What went through your mind when you stood up and held left click against NRG at champs? Was it a heat of the moment thing? An instinct? Did you intentionally think it through? Did you understand how excited it was going to make people or was it for yourself?
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u/XASASSIN 3d ago
Hi Crashies
When will EMEA get our trophy, I expected the power of the bald eagle you bring to be the difference maker but sadly even that wasnt enough. Can vitality bring this home :0
All the best for your future, watching you and boaster was some of the most fun I had as a valorant viewer and thank you for the memories.
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u/imsorrywha 3d ago
In your opinion, what was the highlight of your career so far. And what your thoughts on the new vct format/structure going forward
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u/zecethings 5d ago
Are you thinking about leaving the team? If so, could you tell us why you want to leave?
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u/Educational-Big-2487 3d ago
What is your favorite personal highlight and why is it the 5-man rope ace?
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u/DasbesteFuni 5d ago
Was Yinsu very jealous everytime you kicked her out of Boasters bed?