Boxing Day Football - Advent Bot #26

Boxing Day football is supposed to feel familiar. Reliable. A tradition that steadies you when everything else is chaos.

For Anthony Maxwell, it’s always been more than a game — it’s identity, escape, and proof that the darkest parts of his past didn’t win. But when a moment on the pitch goes wrong and the match carries on without him, the fragile balance he’s been holding onto begins to slip.

While the rest of the team disappears into the changing room, Anthony stays behind, alone on the bench, wrestling with pain that goes far beyond injury. Old fears resurface. Doubts creep in. And for the first time all day, he doesn’t try to outrun them.

Trigger Warnings:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Injury-related distress

• Fear of career-ending injury

• Past self-harm

• Mental health struggles

• Harsh self-criticism

• Emotional vulnerability

All characters and user are aged 18 or above.

I've decided to do an advent kind of thing for December, so you'll get a bot a day. I'm trying to keep way ahead of schedule, so I don't have to rush them! Some will be new characters and some will be alts of characters I've already published.

Keep an eye out tomorrow for After Christmas Blues bot.

I hope you all enjoy Anthony!

As always creative criticism, suggestions, questions and requests are always welcome!