#WAIT HOLY SHIT ICE HOCKEY AGAIN NEXT WEEK

[exopelagic]

I am in an OBSCENELY good mood considering everything

[puckngrind]

Leave Her Wild: chapter 3 - N. MacKinnon

Summary: MacKenzie heads to Washington and cashes in her bet with Nathan.

Warnings: swearing, fluff and stuff

Word count: 2,565 (swear they will get longer)

Series masterlist / Puck ‘n Grind’s masterlist

Washington.

The two texted back and forth over the week. Mostly randomness with a splash of real life. A friendship was blooming with the text conversation but what else could come of it? Neither one seemed to want to touch the subject. Kenzie wasn't even sure what to make of the attention from Nate. She threw herself into work as she normally would.

MacKenzie spent a few days in Colorado Springs for work but took advantage of her time off by hiking the Garden of the Gods. She was was halfway through Palmers trail when she feels her phone and decides to stop for water and take in the view plus check her phone thinking it was work. She laughs to herself realizing it was in fact not work.

Nate: how’s Colorado Springs?

She snaps a picture of her view and sends it.

Kenzie: gorgeous as always

Nate: holy shit are you hiking alone?

Kenzie snaps a selfie where you can see she’s alone and sends it.

Kenzie: don’t worry not anything too dangerous today. Lol

Nate: ok… not worried. Anyways, thought maybe dinner could be in DC since we will both be there next week.

Kenzie thinks about it and starts walking again. She realizes dinner out of town may in fact make things less awkward.

Kenzie: depends on my schedule but that should work

Nate: good. Enjoy the rest of your hike.

MacKenzie did just that. One thing most people knew about her was she loved adventures and trying new things. She rarely goes to the same vacation spot twice. Always wanting to try new restaurants and really only frequents Gus’s place in Denver. She liked to be free which drove her mother insanely crazy but MacKenzie didn’t seem to care. Her dad was her biggest supporter. Constantly sending her wanderlust Instagram posts after she taught him how. At least her mom had home in Kenzie’s brother, Cameron. Cam was doing everything he was expected to do including recently proposing to his high school sweetheart which Kenzie thought was dumb as seniors in college. His life was his life that was for sure, well and maybe their mother's life too. She couldn't control Kenzie which meant Cam got all of her energy.

The flight to D.C. was a breeze but busy would be an understatement as MacKenzie met her client at the end of the week. The demands were insane in the time frame. She spent almost all weekend in her hotel room working and talking with her team back in Colorado.

Nate: would you want to come to the game? I have tickets.

Kenzie: I would love to but I don’t even know if I can do dinner I’m so swamped

Nate: you need to eat right?

Kenzie: I mean, yeah. I’ll order in

Nate: how about you come to my hotel, we have an amazing restaurant here. You can work and eat

MacKenzie thought it over as she looked out her window. Walking the block and a half to Nathan’s hotel tomorrow night seemed doable. He had a point that she needed to eat and could work while they ate. It would complete their wager from the card game in the same instance. Wondered if Gabe or one of the other players would be around to ensure the dinner happened. MacKenzie thought she wouldn’t have the awkwardness of it feeling like a date this way. Plus, she wanted to try the restaurant out since last time she was in town and another client mentioned it. Mosi was all for the dinner when she called ensuring Kenzie her condo's mail was indeed checked. She thought this was the perfect arrangement and MacKenzie couldn’t find a reason to say no. Thinking Nate would already be at the arena for the game she sent a text.

Kenzie: Yes, to dinner at your hotel if you are still up to it after the game

She starts typing away again and laughs when the ping is almost immediate.

Nate: Perfect. I'll text you when we are back on the bus.

MacKenzie decided to turn the game on while she worked. She normally would have something on as background noise while she worked. She knows she can get lost in work and wanted to make sure she knew to pack up her laptop and such waiting for Nathan's call. She hears his name and looks up to see him score with less than a minute left. The Avalanche was already been leading but that goal ensured their win. She decided to change then couldn’t decide if she should pack up her work yet. “How sure how much time would he take between the game and the bus?” Kenzie asked her reflection. She texted him nice game to see if he would respond. He did a few moments later so she packed up slowly. Kenzie walks down to the street turning to head over to his hotel, humming to herself trying to not over think this very simple dinner. She slows down as she sees the charter bus in front of the hotel. Fuck.

"MAAAAC! Good to see you!" Gabe's voice comes booming out of the bus with some others chiming in as the stepped off the bus. MacKenzie awkwardly smiles at the team and then catches Nathan out the side of her eye. He’s staring at her as he walks down the step.

"Did you walk?" Nathan looks down at MacKenzie puzzled.

"Well, hello. Nice game. And yes. Just two blocks." MacKenzie pulls at her loose curl and then slides her finger down her messenger bag.

"Ready for dinner? I see you brought your work." Nathan taps her bag with his knuckle. MacKenzie nods and follows Nathan into the hotel. She awkwardly stops and he realizes it. “Whatcha doin’ there?” Nate walked back so he was standing in front of Kenzie.

“Isn’t the restaurant that way?” She points in the direction of the sign she stopped next to.

“Yes but they deliver to the room and I’d rather change into sweats and let you work in comfort.” He pulls at his tie. “Less eyes too. Come on.” Nathan placed his hand briefly on MacKenzie’s lower back to lead her to the elevator.

“I normally take the stairs.” MacKenzie looks around Nate for the steps.

“My room is on floor 12 and I just had over 20 minutes of ice time. Can we please take the elevator?” Nathan looked into MacKenzie’s questioning eyes.

“Fine. You have a point.” She smiles but gets lost calculating if that time is high or low for him.

They make their way to Nathan’s room. MacKenzie is surprised how nice it is. She’s not sure what she expected but it wasn’t this. Nathan’s suits neatly hanging up. Sweats sitting in his open luggage next to the closet. She realizes he hasn’t moved from behind her.

“Everything okay?” He moves to grab a pair of shorts and shirt.

“Yeah. Just not what I was expecting. You literally live out of suitcase don’t ya?” She watches him take off his suit coat and gulps at how his shirt is sticking to him.

“Some trips it feels like that. This one we won’t be home until the 26th… then a home stand with a few games on the road… and I’m boring you. Set up wherever you want and I’m gonna go change then will be right back.” He heads to the bathroom shut the door softly.

MacKenzie stares at the uncomfortable looking desk chair in a moment of indecision wanting to be set up so she’s working when Nate returns, she decides the bed was a better option for her to sit. Getting out her laptop Kenzie starts typing as soon as she hears Nate opening the door. He smirks when he sees Kenzie on the bed and moves to the desk to find the menu. She cannot help watching him. His muscles easily seen in the shirt and shorts he picked. He hikes up his pant leg exposing his thigh. Kenzie coughs focusing back on her work again.

"Here it is." Nathan turns around and walks towards MacKenzie handing her the menu. She stares at the menu then her finger lands on a cheeseburger and fries. Nathan moves to the other side of the bed, sitting to call in the order. He hangs up and starts to move.

"You can stay here. That chair is horrible looking." MacKenzie looks over at Nathan and he stops moving then looks down at his feet before swinging them up and adjusting to sit on the bed.

"Thanks." He looks over at her screen. "So what exactly do you do?"

"Simple description... I am a social media consultant." MacKenzie giggles. "Speaking of... your social media..." "Is non-existent." Nathan finishes her statement.

"Yeah, only two posts. That’s shocking for someone your age. Nate, do you know how you could amplify your earnings post career?" MacKenzie moves her computer and shift so look at him. He rubs the back of his neck and rotates on his hip to look at her better.

"Yeah. No, yeah. I get it. Just not my thing but you looked at my socials?" He bites his lip.

"I did after we ran into you at the bar post-game. Would've felt funny giving you my number if you had a girlfriend." MacKenzie admits.

"No girlfriend. So did you say you watched the game?" Nate changes the subject which Kenzie made a mental note of.

"Background noise while working. You can turn the tv on now or just talk to me. You scored." Kenzie looks over at Nathan.

"Empty netter but yeah. Nice win." Nathan says softly. The knock on the door stops their conversation. "Oh, dinner!" Nathan pops up and answers the door.

Dinner was delicious. The two shared backgrounds such as where they were from, college for MacKenzie, boarding school and early days of hockey for Nathan. They were laughing at each other's stories which lead to both laying on their stomachs watching a video for MacKenzie's work on her laptop.

"Kenz... Kenzie. Wake up!" Nathan whispers and MacKenzie's groggy self pops up and lands on Nathan's naked torso.

"Holy fuck!" She yells out. Nathan's hands steady her.

"Hey." Nathan backs up and bends to look her in face. Panic written all over her face. "You okay? We fell asleep talking." He looks at her.

"Why didn't you wake me? What time is it? Fuck. Sorry. I'm on a schedule." MacKenzie pulls away and looks for her bag realizing Nathan plugged her computer in at some point.

"It's 6:30. We just slept. I sleep shirtless and, uh, must've taken it off in my sleep. Sorry, should've put in on before I woke you. Hold on." Nathan moves to the other side of the bed and throws his shirt back on. "Let me call you an uber." He grabs his phone.

"I can walk. I don't have a meeting until noon so I'm fine. Thank you." MacKenzie points to the bathroom and Nathan nods.

She stands in front of the mirror for way too long just looking at herself. Pinches her cheeks and starts ranking her fingers through their loose blonde curls making them manageable enough to put up in a high ponytail. She grabs Nathan’s toothpaste and brushes her teeth with her finger.

“Well, Mac. This will have to do.” She bobs on the balls of her feet to psych herself up. Returning to the room she notices that Nathan had changed and slipped on some shoes. “Whatcha doin’ Nate?”

“I’ll walk with you. I wanted to grab coffee from down the street before we leave for the airport.” He grabs his wallet.

“You don’t have to.” Kenzie whispers as she heads to her bag.

“I don’t, but I wanna.” Nate smiles at her. She notices those soft eyes again. Almost gray but then again blue.

They head out of room to the steps. MacKenzie took a deep breath not realizing she was holding it until they got to the door.

“Why good morning you two!” Gabe’s voice comes from around the corner with a bag and coffee in hand.

“Mornin’” Nate answers and pushes the cross walk button.

“Glad to see you Kenzie.” Gabe nods and starts whistling while heading back to the hotel.

“Don’t mind him.” Nate breaks the silence after crossing the street.

“I’m assuming he’s thinking you got lucky last night.” MacKenzie tries to control her racing heart.

“I’ll talk to him.” Nathan assures her. She stops and looks up at him.

“Did you want to?” She puts her hand on her head not sure she really said it out loud.

“What?” Nathan stops and looks at her confused.

“Did you want to sleep with me?” She looks to see if anyone could hear her.

“No. Well… damnit. Hi. Let me start over.” Nathan looks deep in her eyes and cups her face.

“Go ahead.” She’s not sure if the words actually could be heard or not.

“I like you. You are easy to talk to. In the short time I’ve known you I’m constantly wanting to know more. I’m just bad at dating.”

“Why do you say that?” She moves closer to him without thinking.

“I’m not romantic. Plus my job isn’t the easiest for most of the year to maintain a healthy relationship. Plus, there is those who just want me for what I could give them.” He drops his hand to her hip. She sees his chest rise and fall.

“Who says you aren’t romantic?” MacKenzie questions.

“Every girl I’ve dated.” Nathan grumbles. This makes Kenzie laugh. “Well, they have.”

“I like you too, Nate. You intrigue me.” She feels the heat in her cheeks.

“So to answer your original question, yes. I would very much like to be physical with you but I also want to date you. Like not to fuck it up by…” She stops him by pushing herself to her tip toes to softly kiss his cheek.

“Well, saying all that is a start in how not to fuck it up.” She smiles at him. “Let’s get me back to my hotel then we can visit this whole dating thing when you return to Denver.” She starts walking and he quickly grabs her hand to walk with her.

“Here we are.” He stops at the doors of her hotel. “So, I’ll see you in two weeks, Kenzie.” Nathan drags out the two while contorting his face.

“It’s not that long plus you will be busy and I have this plus another project to finish before then.” She rubs the back of his hand with her thumb realizing how large his hand was in comparison which could crush her hand if he wanted. “Thanks for dinner Nate.”

“Can I?” He starts and gulps. MacKenzie watches his Adam’s apple bob. “Can I kiss you?” He asks with a quiver in his voice. She nods her head yes. Nate brings his hands up to her jaw holding her face up while he leans in pressing his lips to hers. Kenzie kisses him back and cannot remember a first kiss quiet like that. He releases while sucking in a deep breath.

“I…” Kenzie touches her lips.

“Well, see you soon Kenzie.” He kisses her forehead then turns quickly to head back down the street leaving Kenzie wanting more.

[benedictsvestcollection]

Toepick!

Bucky Barnes x female reader AU

Summary: Bucky’s a hockey player turned pairs figure skater partner for reader who’s kind of a pain in the ass. (aka this is a Cutting Edge AU if anyone’s seen the movie)

Chapter warnings: Cursing, mentions of hockey violence, reader is a brat, Bucky is a sarcastic asshole (just like in the show!)

Author note: Unbetaed chapter, I don’t have a taglist for Bucky fics but send me a DM or ask if you want to be added to it I’ll make a taglist for my Bucky fics! Please reblog this and tell me what you think in my askbox! 

Also thanks to @pisss-offf-ghostt​ for her hockey insight b/c I don’t know shit about hockey.

Chapter One

Bucky Barnes sat in a doctor’s office, two weeks after taking a puck to the face in a Winter Olympic game. It had hit him way too close to his eye and Coach Pierce had benched him the rest of the Games. 

What’s worse is that it was his own fucking teammate who’d given him the injury. Brock Rumlow, their Enforcer, had always had it out for Bucky. God knows why, but maybe Rumlow had never forgiven his NHL team for beating theirs in the playoffs the year before. Or that Bucky had scored the winning goal of that same game. 

Steve and Sam had always said Rumlow was a bad apple in the NHL and his Olympic spirit sucked too it seemed. So now, he was waiting on news from the doctor, telling him when he could start training for the next NHL season.

The doctor entered the room with Bucky’s file. “Well, doc? When can I get back on the ice?” He asked. 

The doctor frowned at him and put his x-ray up on the lighted board to show him. “Son, I’m afraid you won’t be able to play hockey anymore.” He told him frankly. “You took quite a hit to your occipital bone and it hindered 80% of your peripheral vision in your right eye.” 

“What?” He asked, unsure if he heard him right. 

“I’m afraid you’ll have to go into retirement from hockey.” He told him, looking at the man with sympathetic eyes. He was a great player, had a lot of years left in him. He had watched that game, this wasn’t his fault.

Bucky sat there, shell shocked for several moments before slowly rising and putting his coat on. “Thanks doc.” He muttered before finally leaving the office and building. Fucking Brock Rumlow. He had seen the smirk on his lips after he’d opened his eyes from taking the hit to his face. 

He pulled out his phone and dialed Steve’s number. “Hey, meet me at the usual place?” 

“Everything okay Buck?” He’d asked his childhood best friend and now teammate.

“Just… I’ll tell you at the bar.” He growled out and then made his way to their favorite haunt. “Call Sam. I have news.” 

Thirty minutes later, Bucky was nursing a beer at their favorite New York bar. Sam and Steve stared at him, shocked. “So what, now you have to retire? That’s bullshit man.” Sam shook his head. 

“You think I don’t know that?” Bucky growled at his teammate. “My publicist wants to make an announcement soon.” He told them. “But I told her to hold off. I want some time to just… Absorb this.” He ran his hand through his hair frustratingly. 

Bucky loved skating, how could he give it up? And Brock Rumlow gets to just keep playing? What a load of bullshit. 

“Rumlow should be fined for that shit he pulled on you at the Games.” Steve shook his head. 

“You really think being fined is what he deserves? Everyone knows it was a dirty move but Pierce is his coach in the NHL, he’s not gonna do shit about it.” Sam reminded Steve. 

It was true, even the announcers had called it a dirty shot, and everyone who followed the NHL knew that Brock Rumlow had it out for Bucky Barnes. But Rumlow was Pierce’s guy and he wasn’t going to do anything to his player to jeopardize the next season of the NHL. 

“Speak of the devil.” Sam whistled out and Bucky looked over his shoulder to see Rumlow entering the bar with his flavor of the month on his arm. Some up and coming model or something. Not that any of them kept track anymore of them. 

“Hey boys! How’s the post-Olympics life treating you? As good as me?” He winked at his newest companion. “She’s a model.” 

“Shocking.” Sam snorted from behind his beer. Smirking when Rumlow shot him a dirty look. 

“So Barnes, how’s the eye?” Rumlow asked him casually, as if he hadn’t given him the very injury that now forced Bucky into early retirement.

Bucky’s grip tightened on his bottle. “It’s fine.” He ground out and gave him a hardened stare. It was true, physically he felt fine. But, he was about two seconds away from beating Rumlow to a pulp though. Hell, Steve and Sam would probably help him if he asked. But he also didn’t want any added press than the impending ‘early retirement’ announcement in the coming days. 

“Look man, sorry about that. Guess the puck just got away from my stick, you know?” He said easily. 

Holy shit, he was really just going to pretend it wasn’t his fault? Guess he shouldn’t be surprised. 

“Yeah, you seemed real torn up about it.” Steve snapped at him. “The whole hockey world knows you have it out for Buck.” All four men, stood. All imposing figures as hockey players. “And everyone knows that was a dirty shot you took. The Olympics are supposed to be about coming together but you just used it for your own personal gain. You’re a disgrace.” Steve told him. 

“You letting your pals stand up for you Barnes? What’s the matter? Too chicken shit to say anything yourself?” Rumlow taunted him. 

Bucky stepped closer to him, almost chest to chest with the Enforcer. “Nope, I just know you’re not worth my time. You never have been, not even on the ice.” After several tense moments, Bucky finally stepped back. “I gotta go. I have a call to make. I’ll talk to you two later.” He looked at Sam and Steve before leaving some bills on the table for his beers and he purposely bumped into Rumlow before leaving the bar. 

Once he was safely in his Brooklyn apartment, he called his publicist. “Mel? Hey, let’s just…. Make an announcement. Tomorrow. Just get it over with.” He told her. “There’s no point in delaying it.” 

“Sure thing, we’ll just say you’re mulling over your post-hockey playing options. Maybe take a year off and figure out what you want. Book deals, coaching job, hell even a sports commentator.” 

“Yeah. I’ll think about it, Mel. Thanks.” He hung up and tossed his phone on the counter and sighed. 

Fucking Brock Rumlow. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What part of locked arms don’t you fucking get?” You snapped at your latest partner ‘audition’ as you got up off your ass from being dropped again. “Where in the hell are you finding these idiots Maria?” You snapped at your coach as you skated away from the latest guy. “You’d think none of them knew a simple lift.” 

Maria Hill, your coach for several years now was at the end of her rope. You’d rejected partner after partner for the past month and a half after you’d parted ways with your Olympic partner, from a disastrous showing at the Winter Olympics. 

“Probably doesn’t help that you berate them before they even get their skates on.” She called from the side of the rink as Tony Stark, your guardian since you were fifteen years old (although you were in your twenties now and didn’t need a guardian anymore) and practically your big brother, entered with his five year old daughter Morgan in his arms. 

“How’s it going?” He asked. 

“You’re insane.” Your latest pairs auditioner told you as he hastily removed his skates and shoved his feet in his sneakers and grabbed his bag. “Good luck finding someone willing to put up with the ice princess.” He snorted and left. 

“That good huh?” Tony asked with a sigh and watched you skate around the private ice rink on their property. 

“I can’t help that they’re all idiots.” You told him and Maria sighed, rubbing her temples as Morgan giggled at your comment. 

“You know, unless you work with any of these guys and Maria. You’re going to have to go to singles skating.” Tony warned you, knowing you hated singles skating. It always felt too lonely for you out on the ice alone. You had trust issues since you were a kid. Which was a double edged sword because you also had trouble trusting partners to not let you down. 

“Alright, let’s just call it for the day. I have some calls to make for some more options.” Maria told you as you continued to skate. She turned to Tony. “Talk some sense into her. I don’t have many options left.” She muttered and then left. 

Morgan sat at the edge of the rink putting her skates on to get ready for her private lesson. “Ice Princess, come on… Work with me.” Tony called to you. 

You shot him a glare at the nickname but skated over to him, stopping promptly and showering his legs with ice. “Yes?” You asked him innocently. 

“Don’t give me that shit. What’s your deal? You’ve rejected nearly eight perfectly good skaters in the past almost two months. And always over stupid shit.” He told you. “They’re either not strong enough, not fast enough, not graceful enough. None of which have been true.” 

You wanted to curse back at him but knew Morgan was beginning to repeat everything and Tony was being hushed and you really didn’t want to hear Pepper ask why Morgan learned a new curse word from you. “I’m just particular, that’s all.” You defended yourself. 

“Is that the word we’re using?” He snorted at you. “I know you have trust issues because of what happened. But you can’t keep using that excuse for skating. Not all those men are going to let you down. But they will if they pick up on your attitude and tension. You need to start giving some of them an actual chance.” He glanced over at Morgan who was starting to warm up on the ice before her lesson. “Just… Think about it, okay? And you’ll bring Morgan to the house after her lesson?”

You sighed and nodded at him. “Yeah okay, fine. I’ll think about it. And yes, I’ll stay here during her lesson.” You promised as you got off the ice and changed shoes while Morgan started her lesson. 

“Thank you. Dinner’s at six.” He reminded you and kissed Morgan goodbye before leaving for a meeting. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria Hill was looking over all the options she had on her desk. None of them would be able to take any of the shit that you were dishing out. She needed someone who could dish it right back to you and who could skate. “Jesus this is a nightmare.” She muttered to herself. 

“Might have a suggestion for you if you’re interested in hearing it and going to meet with him.” Nick Fury’s voice came from her office door. Nick was the trainer for you. Responsible for keeping you in shape and healthy. 

“Yeah?” She asked him curiously and leaned back in her chair. 

Nick walked over to the television and turned it on, turning it to the sports network talking about Bucky Barnes’ retirement and what his options were now. The news had been out for a week now and everyone was speculating what he was going to do now. 

“Barnes? You expect me to get a hockey player to be her new partner and not have her throw another fit?” She asked incredulously. 

“Hear me out Hill.” Fury told her and sat across from her. “He’s strong, a phenomenal skater. Actually graceful even in hockey. And, he won’t take any of her shit lying down. Everything else, you can teach him.” He mused with a shrug. “Besides, rumor has it that he wants to keep skating. Sure, this ain’t hockey but it’s better than nothing.” 

Nick had made several good points. He was a great skater. And he was disciplined. It meant that he would stick to any regime of training and skating they threw at him. 

“She won’t like this.” She told him bluntly. 

“Does she like anything anyway?” He countered with a snort.

He had a point. You hadn’t liked any of the partners they’d brought you till now. So throwing Barnes into the mix wasn’t going to make it much worse. 

“Fine. Let’s go talk to him.” She relented.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You want me to what?” Bucky asked Maria and Nick. The two of them sat across from him in his Brooklyn apartment. Staring at them incredulously. 

“We heard you wanted to keep skating. And while this isn’t hockey, we’re training someone who wants Olympic gold just as much as you do.” Maria told him. “I’ve seen you skate. You’re talented as hell and strong.” 

Bucky looked back and forth between the two of them, expecting this to be some kind of joke. “What’s the catch?” 

“No catch. You’ll be paid, there’s a guest house at the Stark estate for you if the audition goes well. So you can live and train and not have to commute. You’ll be well paid.” Nick told him as he casually leaned back in his seat. 

Bucky snorted. “I’ve been doing this long enough to know that there’s always a catch.” 

Maria and Nick exchanged looks before looking back at him. “She can be… Difficult to get along with.” She told him carefully. 

“So she’s a pain in the ass.” He clarified flatly and snorted again. “Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had a pain in the ass on my team.” He muttered to himself. 

“So you’ll come try out?” Maria asked him curiously. “Look, I know you don’t take any shit from anyone. So you and her might work because you can dish it out. You won’t put up with her attitude.” She explained. 

Bucky considered his options. He didn’t want to stop skating. And it’s not like there were any open coaching positions currently. And he sure as shit didn’t want to write a memoir or work for ESPN while all his buddies were still skating. This was something for him. Plus he’d get to work with some hot girl instead of staring at Rumlow’s ugly face everywhere he went. 

“When’s the tryout?” He finally asked.

Bucky Barnes’ fic taglist: @pisss-offf-ghostt​ 

[spookypotato]

so for day 2 of spooky season🎃:

I just got motivated to write a fic, because of the wonderful sweater weather discord server (Thank you to everyone who told me to sleep and cared about my health, @im-oknutzy-trash , @jacklighting , but it was so awesome I'm glad I didn't😅). I don't know if it's any good, but I had a lot of fun with this chapter and if you like it I might publish it if I go on.

characters by the amazing @lumosinlove thank you for your universe!

This is about Nate. The waiter at Sid's that payed for their meal after the were outed, but if he was also their waiter the day of THE GREASE INCIDENT.

The Lion Shift - Part 1

"got my nametag, got my apron, got my notes and my pen", Nate whispered to himself as he prepared for his daily shift at Sid's Pizza.

He wanted everything to be perfect. Just as always. They did have a reputation to uphold of "best Pizza in Gryffindor" after all. Even the city's ice-hockey team were regulars and had personal connections with some of the cooks and staff there. And because ice-hockey was pretty much holy to all of Gryffindor - and so were their players - only the most experienced waiters were allowed to serve them, just in case.

Sid had told Nate earlier that he'd be alone today though, Ian who was supposed to be working today called in sick just two minutes before opening time and now Nate was all alone. It was unlikely that anyone could cover that fast. But the place wasn't busy so all should have been good.

It all should have been.

Nobody expected a lion to show up then. Luckily it wasn't the whole team, but it was still so important. And Nate was alone. He had to serve a lion. After two weeks of working at Sid's. He was being transferred to the most important task out of nowhere. With not even close to enough experience.

He would represent Sid's as best as he could, of course, but if the player told the rest of the team he didn't want to come to theirs anymore, Nate would be fired. Thrown out of all of Gryffindor to be honest.

He took a deep breath. No. He could do this. It's just a costumer as any other. Well, only that this costumer was a celebrity everybody loved and he could just as easily destroy his whole future. No. It would go well. He was sure.

He maybe should also not have the - shit - the captain of the lions, he realised now, waiting that long for a table.

Walking over as fast as he could, without looking stressed - which he was of course in no way - he started to mentally calm himself before trying to make his voice sound steady:

"Welcome to Sid's Pizza! Mr. Black, Mr. Lupin, right?" They were supposed to know the whole team including staff, but he was so nervous at that moment it suddenly made him unsure.

"Yeah.", the team's medic answered a bit surprised as Captain Black began to smirk. Maybe Nate said something funny and didn't realise it, but he guessed being funny was a good thing so he just went on.

"May we offer you a booth in the back? It would be a bit more private." He saw the medic looking at the floor slowly and fidgeting with his coat for a moment. The captains cheeks getting a bit rosy at his statement. He thought about it for a second, but then added "you know, because of all the paparazzi?"

Yup, he was fired. He was so polite in the beginning. It was going so well. 'you know'?! He wasn't best friends with Sirius, he was their waiter. He should have addressed them properly. How could he have been so stupid.

Sirius, apparently noticing him debating with himself, smiled and said: "Yeah, that would probably help a lot. Thanks, mate."

On autopilot he showed them their table. After they had sat down and he had brought them the menus though, he walked to the kitchen quickly, the heat in his face increasing with each thought and step.

Sirius Black just called him mate. Mate. This moment was by far the best in his life. He didn't mess up. Well, he did, Sirius just didn't seem to mind him messing up. But then again he was sitting on the kitchen floor talking to himself instead of severing the people the food they were waiting for outside.

So he jumped up and took a peperoni pizza, two small margaritas and a Greek salad to table four and got the cute couple on table six icecream to share, as requested.

Going back to the more important task. The world famous ice-hockey player and his- friend? team's medic? boyfriend? he didn't want to assume, but they would make a rather adorable couple. Now that he thought about it, there was something between them. The way the Captain had blushed when Nate suggested a more private booth. The way the medic is still constantly fidgeting with his coat next to him.

There weren't any openly gay ice-hockey players in the NHL now, but they could still be dating. Or, well, maybe they weren't yet but they seemed to flirty to be friends?

Since he himself had struggled a lot with secret gay pining, though, he just decided to try to make them see the obvious mutual attraction. He wouldn't go full on matchmaker with them, still not wanting to get fired. But he could just change the restaurants music or bring them a dessert to share... a milkshake with two straws and once they'd drink they would stare longingly into each other eyes and- okay maybe he'd watched to many romantic movies lately, but he would at least try out a few things.

[homerofthebraves]

I’m sorry this is so late, but this is my gift for the @hockeynetwork winter gift exchange! It was a lot more fluff than I originally intended, but I hope you like it @antoineroussel! 

“Paaaattttyyy. Pat Patty Patty Pats. Paaaaaaaaaaatts.” Travis drawled from his upside down position on the sofa. His feet were in the air, hanging over the back of the couch, kicking idly, and his head was almost on the floor. It was surprisingly comfortable. They were finally both back in Philly, for the first time in what felt like forever, getting ready for a season. He wondered if this is what the lockout felt like a few years ago. He’d have to ask one of the older guys. He turned his head to look at Nolan, who was sitting on the couch with his legs across TK’s torso, scrolling through his phone absently. Travis could hear the sounds coming from it. Patty was 100% on TikTok like the Gen-Z trash he was. 

“What.” His voice was completely flat. He didn’t even bother to look at Travis, just paused the video he was watching. Travis blinked up at him. His hair was long, like really long, to the point where he’d started tying it back with ribbons or those elastic things TK started finding all over the house. It was currently down, pushed back behind his ear. His face looked weird from this angle, and Travis could, like see the inside of his nose. His beard was gone. He complained about masks making it itchy, but Travis just thought he was struggling to grow it out. It always came in patchy anyway. Patty made a noise and nudged his foot into TK’s side impatiently.

“What do you want, asshole?” He muttered. Travis frowned. He’d actually forgotten why he wanted Patty’s attention in the first place. 

“I love you.” 

“Oh my god you’re the worst.” He turned back to his phone, and Travis could hear the start of that annoying Lady Gaga trend.

Travis pouted, looking up at Nolan. “You love me.”

“Asshole.”

“An asshole you’re in looooveee with.” Travis responded, turning his pout into a smirk. 

Nolan pulled his legs back, reached over and shoved Travis off the couch completely, backflipping him onto the floor. 

“Motherfucking OW.” Travis complained from where he was now sprawled out on the floor. “If you put me on IR, I will…” Travis trailed off because Nolan started laughing. He was laughing loud and obnoxious and holy shit was that a snort. 

“Holy-shit, Teeks- your face.” Nolan got out between huffs of laughter. Travis wanted to glare. He absolutely one hundred, two hundred percent wanted to glare. But he found himself smiling instead. It had been so long since he’d heard his boyfriend laugh like that, all carefree and happy. That’s not to say Nolan hadn’t been happy, but that last year and a half had been tough on him. He waited Nolan out, watching as tears formed in his eyes before could catch his breath. He stretched his legs out and cracked his back before standing back up. “You’re lucky I’m flexible.” He muttered, but the smile on his face completely betrayed any fake anger. 

“The luckiest.” Nolan smirked, pleased with himself. Travis sat down on the couch and leaned into Nolan’s side, looking over his shoulder to Nolan’s phone that was playing one of this or that videos.

“We should make one of those.” Travis gestured to the video. Nolan was watching one of his sister’s tiktoks from the summer. 

Nolan turned and gave Travis a look that basically said “who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?” Which like, fair. Travis had been against social media, and was vocal about his low screen time. Which was definitely off-set by the amount of time he spent playing COD with Patty. But he made fun of anything and everything to do with social media.

He shrugged in response to Nolan’s question. “Could be fun? And like, I can totally carry you piggyback.” He laughed. “Nothing serious, all like, hockey stuff? Maybe some hunting?” Travis was definitely not the type to share like, health diagnosis on the internet, but he could say whether he preferred hunting or fishing, top shelf or five hole. That sort of thing.

Nolan nodded, opening the notes app on his phone. “Believe it or not, I did learn how to make these things just from being around them so much. Just like, no dancing.” 

“No dancing.” Travis agreed. He could hold his own on a dancefloor, but these tiktok dance trends were way too complicated. He’d had enough of watching Haysie try to learn the WAP dance in the bubble. The images were scarred into his brain. 

Nolan was writing out an actual list of this or that for them to choose from. Shoots right or shoots left, mouthguard, yes or no, hunting or fishing. Travis had no idea this much thought had to go into this.

“Blondes or brunettes?” Nolan asked, his voice almost bored. 

“Depends on the day.” Nolan rolled his eyes at that. “Cause like,” Travis continued, “sometimes your hair is blond and sometimes it's brown and it’s very confusing.” 

“Stupid question. I’m throwing it out.” Nolan decided before Travis could have a full on breakdown over the color of his boyfriend’s hair. 

The tiktok took over an hour to film, which Travis was not expecting when he’d suggested the idea. Nolan was determined to finish it though, and it’s not like they had anything better to do with their time. They wouldn’t be heading into training camp until after New Years, and Christmas was over. Travis’ apartment wasn’t particularly decorated, since he’d come back to the States after the holiday. They’d had to clear out some space in the hallway, which had been covered in hockey equipment and various suitcases. 

They’d ended up watching more of those videos to get ideas, for their own, and Travis was ready to never hear this stupid song again. 

“We should ask to film the last one at the rink.” Nolan suggested, looking at his list. They’d covered hunting, fishing, planes and buses, equipment brands, soda or water, typical stuff.| “What’s the category?” Travis asked. He was currently digging through his gear bag looking for an extra Flyers beanie for baseball caps vs toques. 

“Top shelf vs five hole. Maybe it could be fun to get some of the guys involved.”

It was Travis’ turned to raise an eyebrow. “Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?”

Nolan rolled his eyes in response and shrugged. “I mean, it could be fun. I haven’t seen them in a while, do something with the team.” His voice was especially mumbly now. It got that way when he was feeling emotional and didn’t want anyone else to know. Travis was tempted to tease him about it, but chirping Nolan about his emotions was like skating on an edge. One movement too far, and you fall flat on your face. 

Instead of chirping Nolan about it, he smiled, walked over and kissed his head. “I’ll text the group chat. Tell G to make it mandatory team bonding.” TK lowered his voice into what was honestly a horrible impression of their captain. “Everyone better be in Patty’s tiktok tomorrow or your footing the next team dinner.” But it made Nolan chuckle so that’s all that really mattered. 

“You’re an idiot.” He smiled, reaching over to press a kiss to TK’s lips. Travis pressed into it, reaching up to grab at Nolan’s long hair. 

“Idea.” Travis said against Nolan’s lips. “We table this tiktok shit for tomorrow and we spend the next hour making out-” he cut off as Nolan but at his lip. 

“Why are you so incapable of shutting up.” He muttered, pulling Travis into his lap. And like, yeah Travis was totally on board with this. 

“Alright everyone! I have an announcement.” Travis yelled to the locker room as they got dressed for practice the next day. He’d forgotten to text the group chat after getting distracted by Nolan and then his phone was dead and then he figured he’d see everyone at practice anyway. 

“Did you finally propose?” Provy shouted back, throwing a roll of tape at TK’s head. Which like, rude. 

“Did Patty finally propose?” Haysie countered, laughing as Nolan threw a dirty sock at his face.

“No, no ones getting married. Patty wants everyone to help him make a tiktok because he’s Gen Z trash.”

The locker room exploded in laughter and chirps. 

“What’s a tiktok?”

“Will we be expected to dance?”

“I had enough of that WAP shit in the playoffs.”

Travis tuned them all out. Nolan was taking the reins now, explaining to everyone what he needed to make this. It turns out he’d already arranged it with the PR team, which explained why he was all brains, brawn and beauty in this relationship. They would be spending an extra hour after practice filming this, but it was totally worth it in Travis’ opinion. Nolan was back on the ice in Flyers orange, where he belonged. The season wouldn’t be starting for another few weeks, and if goofing around with his teammates is what Nolan needed, then Travis was going to support him. Even if it meant Haysie giving him a piggyback ride on the ice.

[milkacchan]

My fav haikyuu boys w an s/o who plays hockey

And s/o gets into a fight on the ice

First of all I do not play hockey but I wish I did so much bro

Kuroo:

• Mans is wearing your Jersey number

• He's sitting as close to the glass as possible

• And he's cheering you on as loud as he can

• He's probably with Bokuto or Kenma

• But his main focus is on you

• He's lowkey mesmerized by yours plays

• And the sheer tough and rough of the sport

• He's watched you wipe out a few times and he can tell by your body language you're getting frustrated

• But he freezes when he see's someone of the other team push you over and he winces when he see's you wipe out again

• "Oh no- (Y/N)!

• Things are starting to get chaotic

• And then he sees you get up and he see's you skate over

• And then he see's you swing

• "Fuck!"

• Bokuto/Kenma is cringing next to him

• Kuroos pale

• and oddly turned on watching you obliterate the person in front of you

• And then the masks come off and then he's worried worried because you take a first to the face and he hears your frustration from the rink

• And then your first collides with their face again

• Cue the chorus' of 'oh fuk'

• He's VERY worried

• You stand up after being pulled away

• the other person was pulled away as well

• You've got blood pouring down your cheek and he thinks he's gonna pass out

• He's pushing past people (followed by whoever he's with) as he eyes follow were you are

• "Babe? Babe you okay?"

• You flash him a bright smile. "Always. Just part of the game honey."

• God he's so in love with you

Bokuto:

• Mans is also wearing your jersey number

• he's fucking COLD

• decked out in warm clothes

• He's absolutely the loudest in the stands

• You can hear him on the ice

• He makes sure of it

• And knows a little about hockey, you watch it all the time

• But this is the first time he's been able to see you play

• n he's watching youu

• vibe and do your thing

• And then you make a point and he's !!!!!!

• but then he watches you get shoved over and hit with the stick and he's !!!!!! >:(

• Your hand reaches out and grabs the other person's skate and you yank and they fall backwards

• the teams are descending into chaos

• baby is cheering you on

• SCREAMING your fucking name as you pummel this person below you

• He's internally worried tho dont get me wrong

• but

• He's also caught in the moment

• he didnt think fights REALLY happened but here it was

• you werent lying

• He can see the blood on your Jersey and he's Definitely worried more after that

• "Nice hit out there, babe!!!!"

• "Thank you, Bo!" You wave at him before you're off the ice

• And he's just watching you with a dumb grin and lovey eyes

• He supports the fuck out of you okay

• He's definitely on your ass after the game, checking to make sure you're okay

• You've got a bruised cheek bone

• You assure him you're fine

• "But what about the blood on your jersey?"

"Pretty cool right? Just my nose though, I got all that taken care of. I'll probably have to get a New Jersey though.. blood stains."

• And then hezs kissing you bc you're just so perfect and unaffected by what happened

• "Baby you're so strong," 🥺

• "Aw bo,"

Akaashi: (the following is based of a true story) (the Bruins)

• Your team won

• :)))

• by a point in the last 4 seconds

• defense baby

• Akaashi is cheering next between bokuto

• Bc Akaashi is your boyfriend but Bo is also one of your best friends

• Neither wanted to miss it

• They're both wide smiles and proud of you for doing so well

• Internally planning dinner for after

• Its a vibe

• Theyre vibing

• And the other team is getting salty

• hence a team wide fight begins

• And Akaashi is immediately feeling uneasy as he watches the fans start to stir the pot too

• And suddenly a girl in the stands grabs your hockey stick and she hits you with it

• Akaashi is lunging foward and Bokuto is right behind him

• It takes you 0.000089 seconds to turn around and climb over the wall, immediately going for her

• Two men are trying to hold you back but they're quickly pulled off as other members of the team follow suit

• "the pretty boy with the green eyes and the owl are mine!" You yell to your teammates

• They confirm and you watch the girl run (try to anyway) up the steps of the stands and your right behind her

• You just so happen to corner her in the stand row above where Akaashi and Bo are

• You havent realized this yet

• He watches as you pull her back, she's still swatting at you, screaming curse words and phrases

• He watches without moving and pull the girls shoe off, using that just as she'd used your hockey stick

• Finally, when she's screaming apologies instead and you're done ripping her a new one

• You looked at the row next to you, grinning happily when you see who it is

• "Keiji, hey, glad you could make it,"

• You're bleeding

• The side of your head is bleeding Oh god

• he's about to answer when you press a chaste kiss to his lips

• "Hope you enjoyed." You drop the shoe "hello to you too, bo."

• then you're heading back down the stands, bumping into your teammates

• It was then Akaashi realized, you were absolutely 100% the one for him

• You're suspended for 8 games oop

Oikawa:

• Oikawa had seen you come home with plenty of bruises and scrapes

• he understood, he played volleyball and he knew how hard sports could be on your body

• But he never thought it'd be from another person

• But he shows up to your game

• iwachan dragging behind him

• Because no way was he going alone too many people

• And they're just chilling in the stands, having fun like they did when they were kids

• cheering and what not

• And Oikawa looks away for a SECOND

• someone calls his name and he glances black, figuring it to just be some fangirl

• But then everyone's yelling and the announcers are talking

• and iwa shoves him and Oikawa looks back

• to see you 🥰

• Getting the shit beat out of

• And his heart stops and his breath hitches.

• "Wo-Woah, Hold on-"

• He watches as your head hits the ice and he's yelling

• He's absolutely gripping Hajimes sleeve in pure panic

• It doesn't last long though because soon you're up and your shoulder rams into the other person's stomach knocking them back on their ass

• "Holy fuck dude," Hajimez eyes are wide

• "Jesus-"

• He watches as you fall onto the person beneath you

• It doesn't look like you're hitting them, more yelling than anything

• But you're definitely fighting off the people trying to pull you off

• His stomach is doing flips

• When he see's you after the game, you're in his arms in a HEARTBEAT

• he's squeezing you and then inspecting your bruised and bloodied face

• Dinner consists of a hospital visit, stitches (which you really didnt like) and almost falling asleep against Oikawas chest as Iwa drove home

• Oikawas sure to tell you how proud he is though

• and that he's happy yall won the game :)

Iwazumi:

• He knew practices were tough

• He knew the sport itself was a tough sport

• But he didnt know about the fights that often happen during hockey games

• Iwa probably went alone

• He's sitting closer to the ice

• And he's watching with a smile as you do your thing

• And the game progresses and he's got a drink and he's munching on popcorn

• completely mesmerized by the game

• He thinks the game is incredible all on it's own

• It's tough

• you're against elements

• Skating is hard

• He didn't thi k it was hard until you took him to a rink and the two of you practices and he fell on his ass so many times

• his butt was bruised for weeks

• And you've got pucks that HURT when they hit you

• all in all you have to be tough

• but his eyes always drift back to you

• just in time too

• He watches the person on the other team, swing their hockey stick and hit you in the back of the legs

• He's immediately standing

• His drink forgotten as it fell to the floor

• "H-Hey!"

• His heart falls and he sees you stand up

• But from how it looked, the way you fell /must've/ hurt.

• Your team seems to take no mercy on the other player before you can get up

• It did seem that you laid a good punch in

• A few good punches based on how they fell back

• But you were lost in the swarm of players

• And he can see (vaguely hear) that despite your coaches pleading, you're still going to play the rest of the game.

• He has the urge to flick you

• you're just like shittykawa.

• Never giving yourself a break

• when the game finally ends (your team wins)

• you're off the ice first, looking up to flash iwa a smile, one he clearly knew was pained.

• He's outside the Locker room waiting for you

• He takes your hand and the two of you are off to get home

• Of course, he scolds you in the car.

• But then he hesitantly admits that it was cool to zeesee but you still should've stopped playing

• He makes you dinner

• And you watch a movie while he has your legs in his lap so you can ice your knees

• he's 100% taking you to get them checked out tomorrow morning

[iamtheblondestblonde]

Slides and Serendipity

Part Four (4.3k)

Part One   Part Two   Part Three

AN: Can we just appreciate how good he looks while literally just standing there doing absolutely nothing? It’s not fair. With that said, enjoy!

Warnings: Only language for now

I told him how I’d moved to the US when I was 18, right after finishing school. I’d always had a love for programming and when I was about 15 I had my first app up and running, but it hadn’t really been successful. At 17 some of my guy friends made me think of an idea that I wouldn’t be able to forget in the following years.

I was convinced that it could be my breakthrough but it would take up every minute that I could spare for the next few years because building the interface of an app with this magnitude usually took entire teams of people but I was doing all of the work by myself. By the time Tyler and I made it through the entrance I was telling him how during my freshman year of college I’d barely slept, writing code and improving like crazy.

“At one point I was so sick of it, I just wanted to do something else, anything else really, so I made this little game. It took me two days, although I probably could have done it in like four hours if I hadn’t gone out that night. The graphics were terrible and I thought it was stupid, a silly little distraction, but the friends that I’d shown it to loved it so I published it as a joke. No one could have predicted what would come and to this day I still don’t know what exactly happened”, I told him as we slowly made our way around the aquarium.

“So your little game became famous?” he asked curiously and I laughed dryly before giving him the last piece of information that he’d need to connect the dots, a look of shock now on his face.

“You made Flappy Bird?!”, he exclaimed so loudly that the actual birds around us quickly flew away. I put my hand over his mouth to try and avoid any further attention, even though most people had already turned around to watch us curiously.

“Yes I did but please be quiet. People weren’t exactly my biggest fans after I took it down”, I said and took his hand in mine to try to pull him along with me but he wouldn’t budge.

“Wow, like holy fuck I’m honored to be in your presence. I played that game all day long”

He smiled at me then and I was relieved that he’d calmed down again. With our fingers still laced together we watched some fish in silence before he spoke up again.

“Tell me about your life back then”

“I feel like people have kind of forgotten about me now but it was absolute madness then. I was 19 and racking in around 50 grand a day, which is something that no teenager should ever do. I did a lot of stupid shit as you can imagine but also became my own investor, so at least something good came out of it”, I told him, not really daring to look him in the eye. Only a handful of people still knew about Flappy Bird and while I didn’t regret telling him, I’d had to face all kinds of reactions before.

“Yeah I know a thing or two about being left unsupervised and making too much money as a teenager”, he said bitterly and I remembered some of the stuff that Mara had told me about him and his time in Boston. I go the feeling that he probably understood me better than anyone else.

We kind of dropped the topic for a while after that, instead just talking about his workouts and the upcoming weeks. I had noticed a group of teenagers recognizing Tyler a while ago but so far they hadn’t come up to us, leaving us to continue our conversation in peace.

A while later I heard him curse and turned around to see them taking pictures of us, making me swear as well. He tried to apologize but I wouldn’t let him as I’d kind of expected something like this to happen again and it wasn’t really his fault either.

I let go of his hand to avoid stupid rumors but didn’t step back from him. We continued walking, hands still brushing once in a while but neither of us reached out again. I asked Tyler to take pictures of me for my Instagram and he acted like a professional photographer, crouching down to get the best angles and everything. I wanted to get a picture with both of us in it but didn’t dare to ask anyone else. He posted some pictures as well but I made sure to stay out of the frame.

“I just remembered your other idea. Did it have the success you expected it to have?”, he asked me a while later, surprising me with the sudden change of topic as we’d just had a discussion on whether a sloth was a good spirit animal or not.

“Yes it did, actually more than I’d hoped and my sources also told me that you’re an avid user yourself”

“I swear if you tell me that you’re behind Instagram I am absolutely losing my shit”, he said, probably only partly joking and I had to laugh.

“Nah I wish but not quite. I guess you could call me your wingwoman though because I’ve heard that you met quite a few of your hookups through my baby Bumble”, I revealed, again laughing at his reaction. He looked at me as if to try and figure out if I was kidding before coming to the realization that I wasn’t.

I didn’t make a secret out of the fact that I founded Bumble, having given interviews and everything and it was probably the biggest reason why the media paid me any mind. If he’d googled me, he would’ve found lots of articles and pictures but I guess a guy like him refrained from googling anyone, including himself.

“I’ve been wanting to ask though, why Bumble and not Tinder? I know for a fact that the amount of people looking for hookups is higher on Tinder”, I said and watched him curiously.

“I was actually on Tinder for a little while but I didn’t like having to make the first move. I didn’t want to put myself out there with like pick up lines in case people would upload screenshots, but whenever I just wrote ‘Hey what’s up?’ people were giving me shit about the Tyler Seguin being basic so I deleted it. Bumble is nice because I only have to respond and I can just ignore the crazy bunnies until their profiles are gone”, he explained and I smiled, feedback always much appreciated.

“Well the Tyler Seguin using one of the most basic lines is pretty disappointing, I’d be mad as well”, I teased and he laughed, his eyes crinkling.

“With you I put in more effort, I mean I even made my dog steal your shoe and everything, kinda like a reverse Cinderella”, he came right back and we both burst out laughing again. Spending time with him was probably one of the easiest things I’d ever done. There weren’t any awkward pauses or moments and besides the fact that I was trying my best not to fall for his charms, I could easily count us hanging out among my favorite things to do nowadays.

Once we’d seen everything at the aquarium and barely avoided getting shit on by a bird we decided that it was time to head out.

“So I know that you said that you avoid Italian restaurants but there’s this German place in town and I feel like you’re best qualified to judge it. You have to tell me what to order though”, he said as we were walking back to my car. I wasn’t even that hungry but he looked so excited that I agreed to go anyways.

The restaurant was cute, actually reminding me of places I’d been to in Germany and when the waitress came to take our order I was surprised by her being German as well. I didn’t want to be rude towards Tyler so I kept our chat short but it always felt good to speak my native language again. She told me that the restaurant was owned by a couple from Germany and I vowed to myself to come back if I was ever in the need for some quality comfort food.

“I always remembered German to be quite harsh but it actually sounds kind of beautiful when you speak it”, he said afterwards as we waited for our meals.

“Well yea, you probably only heard people yelling at each other on the ice in Switzerland and the language there also sounds quite different from the one I grew up with. Angry German is definitely harsh but I don’t think you’ll ever hear that from me”, I assured him and he started pestering me about teaching him some slang.

The food tasted more authentic than anything I’d had in the States so far and it caused a feeling of longing to bubble up in my chest. For the most part I was glad that I’d left when I did but from time to time I still missed my old home, even if the US now felt more like my home than anything else.

“Do you miss Toronto?”, I asked Tyler, knowing that he probably felt the same.

“Yeah definitely, not as much right now because I just got back from Canada but whenever I feel down I wish my family could be with me to support me. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my life here in Dallas but I guess whenever things get bad it’s easiest to want to go back to your roots, you                                         know?”, he asked and I nodded, even if I couldn’t relate that much. I didn’t have such a strong support system as the one he obviously had but I could still understand him wanting to be surrounded by familiar things in those moments.

We talked about our lives outside of Dallas and his love for fishing and the peaceful look he got on his face when talking about his cabin that he had up north was completely different from what you’d expect because of the way the media portrayed him. Of course he mentioned parties as well and while some stories were crazy, I’d been to wilder parties and no one would ever give me shit about it because no one cared.

“I think it’s because it plays into the stereotype of the party-loving hockey player, like people actively wait for you to act out so they can say that they were right”, I said as were downing the last of our drinks. He was in the spotlight and people wanted him to behave responsibly, which I understood, but he was still a real person with real feelings and I could also see why he wanted to escape those expectations from time to time.

Tyler wanted to pay our bill of course and while I thought that it was a sweet gesture, I insisted on him letting me cover the tip at least. I wrote a little note in German on the receipt and then we left. We’d spent so much time inside that the sun was already painting the sky in reds and oranges, dipping everything around us in a beautiful light.

“I think I’ll really like it here”, I said to Tyler while I looked up into the sunset.

“I’m trying to help you with that”, he responded and I tried to talk myself out of feeling my heart flutter at the soft smile he was currently giving me.

This time his song choices were more laid back and I felt myself relaxing as much as I could without causing a traffic accident. He asked me to park the car at my house so we could walk over  to his place and I happily obliged, wanting to savor these last few moments together.

There was still a little bit of the sunset sky left by the time we made it back and I basked in its light as we slowly approached his gate. I was still humming one of the songs he’d played earlier when we made our way through his front door, four dogs coming at us with full speed. Soon enough we were both buried under masses of fur and wet noses, their excitement only slowly dying down.

“Thank you for today, I had a really great time”, I said to Tyler once we were both able to untangle ourselves and stand up again.

“So did I. I’ll see you tomorrow after practice, right?”, he confirmed and I nodded before leashing Yogi and thanking Tyler’s friend for watching him on my way out.

Back home I decided to be productive, so I pulled out my laptop and began researching people I’d want in my team when I got a facetime call not long after.

“Dude how was your date?”, Lisa immediately asked me as soon as her face filled my screen.

“It wasn’t a date and you know it”, I responded, rolling my eyes at her suggestive smirk.

“I don’t know, a guy going to the aquarium with you and then taking you out to dinner sounds pretty date-like if you ask me”

“Well I’m glad no one is asking you then”, I said before giving in and telling her about the day, not date, I’d had with Tyler.

“He sounds really fun, I’m surprised with everything that Mara keeps saying in our groupchat. Anyways, what were you up to before I called?”, she wanted to know and I told her about my mission to find people that I could see myself working with, which was honestly harder than I’d expected. Lisa and I had worked at an app development company in Denver together so she knew how eccentric a lot of people in our line of work could be.

“I think I can actually help you out with that one. Do you remember Mia from back in Massachusetts, the girl with the pretty handwriting that we met at the foam party back when we were Freshmen? She was in my recommendations on Insta a while ago and she told me that she moved back home to Dallas not too long ago. Even if she has a job already you’d probably be able to poach her if you wanted to and she might know some people as well.”

I remembered Mia of course, because we used to hang out a lot during our time in college. Afterwards we’d kind of lost touch, as it happened with a lot of people but if she was back in the area I’d definitely hit her up again, remembering her to make great designs. I asked Lisa for Mia’s info and then she told me the latest office gossip about my former coworkers. Leaving the company had been a risky move but because I’d always done a lot of freelancing and was sick of only following orders, I was confident that I could pull this off by myself. I’d already had requests lined up for when I’d start working again.

My fingers were itching for something to do and I was starting to seriously consider moving up the deadline to get at least some work done. I wasn’t really good at sitting around, so I decided to text Mia to see if she wanted to casually meet up this week, while also hinting that I might be interested in having her work with me before going to bed.

Katie picked me up the next morning and we caught each other up on the last few days while driving to where we’d meet the other girls for an early lunch. I had only spoken to Dominika and Alandra for a little while at the party but we’d hit it right off. They were funny and nice to me and greeted me with warm hugs as soon as we spotted them sitting on a table in the corner of the restaurant.

“You look amazing, I love your jacket”, Alandra said and I tried my best not to blush while returning the compliment. They all looked stunning in fact and I didn’t understand how people could hate so much on these genuine and great girls. We ordered something to drink and some light lunch and then Katie and Dominika started telling me how excited they were for the season to start up again.

“You’ll have to come to the games with us. I’m sure Tyler will ask you as well but even if he doesn’t, because he can be a little dense sometimes, you still have to come”, Katie said and I laughed at her insulting her boyfriend’s best friend. I’d been to quite a few hockey games in Denver and I’d always loved the atmosphere there so that was an easy yes.

“Anything exciting happen between you and Tyler since that super hot almost make out sesh in the pool on Saturday?”, Dominika asked and I hid my face in my hands.

“You guys saw that?”, I groaned, a slight blush now definitely creeping up my face.

“Girl I think everyone saw that and the way he was looking at you all afternoon... like damn”, Alandra threw in and started fanning her face with her hands.

Surely it hadn’t been that bad, now had it?

They continued telling me how I’d raised quite a few questions within the team, people wondering who ‘that hot blonde’ was that had managed to have Tyler wrapped around her finger.

“I swear nothing interesting happened since, the most exciting was perhaps a kiss on the cheek that night”, I said but I could tell that they weren’t fully convinced. I didn’t dare telling them about the hand holding, cuddling and all those other sweet moments out of fear of making a fool of myself. I knew damn well that he might only be that way to charm my pants off and I certainly didn’t need anyone else reminding me of that fact.

Soon enough it was time to head over to the practice rink and I got back in the car with Katie again. She was telling me about how Jamie first introduced her to everyone and how nervous she felt among all of those big guys and their better halves. I could totally relate to the feeling now, even if I’d already met some of them and wasn’t his girlfriend either, but being confronted with so many new faces at once still managed to freak me out.

Katie pulled into the parking lot right before the boys were coming through the exit. She greeted Jamie with a kiss while I tried not to drool over Tyler’s post-shower look. The guy wasn’t exactly taking it easy on me lately. I went over to hug him, secretly enjoying his smell before turning around to everyone hanging around in a loose circle.

“This is Liv by the way, for anyone who hasn’t met her yet”, Tyler introduced me and I tried my best to keep a neutral but friendly expression on my face.

“He’s told us how smart you are, so good luck on being the only one with any brain cells left between the both of you”, one of the guys chirped and I had to laugh out loud.

“Let’s not embarrass me any further please”, Tyler said before throwing his arm around my shoulder and slowly leading me towards his car, not without dirty looks towards his teammates of course. I could only wave at the girls with a shrug before we reached his G wagon and he opened the door for me, even holding out his hand to help me inside.

I told him about all of the stuff I’d need and while I’d need some stuff to be delivered, I was still convinced that we could get most of the stuff home today.

Tyler put on a snapback as soon as we reached the parking lot, unfortunately covering his beautiful curls but at least he refrained from wearing sunglasses inside. We grabbed a cart and made our way around the place, contemplating on shelves, desks and the best chairs before considering decorations. Tyler helped me with his input sometimes, but mostly he just let me do my thing and stuck to following my orders on what to add to the cart.

We couldn’t take the conference table I’d chosen with us of course, but everything else fit into his spacious car after getting the backseats out of the way. I was glad to have him assisting me today, as I would’ve never been able to fit everything in the Audi, let alone play Tetris the way he did.

I connected my phone to the speakers and had my hands full with multiple items when the display showed an incoming call from Mara. I looked at Tyler to see if he had anything against me taking it and after he shook his head no I accepted.

“Hey girl, just a heads up, you’re on speaker in the car and Tyler is with me”, I warned her before she could say anything stupid, like mention any of the things we’d talked about the last couple of days.

“Hi Tyler”, she said and I knew her well enough that she was probably trying her best not to squeal, successfully taming her inner fangirl.

“Hi Mara, I’ve heard a lot about you”, Tyler greeted her and gave me a playful wink.

“I guess it’s good that you’re both there”, she started and I immediately started to worry as this couldn’t mean anything good but my train of thought was interrupted by her continuing with: “I’ve got some news for the both of you. I’ve kept a close eye on the hockey blogs lately because of everything that has been going on and I’m so sorry Liv, but you’ve been spotted and identified.

“I guess you haven’t really been on your phone today but there’s pictures circling of you two on the hike, a video from the party with you two in the background, which really started this entire witch hunt and more sets of pictures just recently from the aquarium and you shopping for furniture together, I’m really sorry. Liv, you’ve also gained lots and lots of new followers on Insta and I guess your DMs must be blowing up as well”, she finished and if my hands were free, I’d bury my head in them right now.

I’d expected something like this to happen, but not a week after I met him already. I had a public account with quite an impressive following base as well because of my business and Mara went on to explain how the fans had pointed out the similarities in our recent posts and stories, concocting all kinds of crazy stories.

I couldn’t watch it at the moment, but the video from us at the party was apparently the worst. In all of the other pictures you could see us standing close to each other, occasionally touching, but according to Mara the video showed two girls lounging at the party with us in the background, Tyler’s arms clearly wrapped around me right after we fell into the pool.

Mara could sense that I wasn’t in the mood to discuss this any further because she hung up pretty soon after dropping that bomb on us. Needless to say that the rest of the ride was quiet, a loaded silence between us for the first time since we’d met. I could tell that Tyler was trying to figure out what to say to me but I doubted that anything he could come up with could lift my mood right now.

He helped me unload the stuff from his car in silence, both of us lost in our thoughts, only speaking up to greet Yogi. We carried the stuff into the office and except for me pointing out where to place the boxes for now, no other words were spoken after that for a while.

“I’m so sorry that you got dragged into this Liv, it’s not fair that the only thing people can say about you right now is about you supposedly dating a hockey player, you deserve better”, he finally said as he was about to leave and while his apology was sweet, it was almost immediately lost in the whirlwind of thoughts rushing through my mind at this point.

I felt exposed and watched, like the victim of an obsessive stalker. I’d been reduced to nothing but a fling in Tyler’s long list of conquests in a matter of hours and probably already had his fangirls threatening me. There was no point in trying to diffuse the rumors either, not that I’d demand that from him, because people always believed what they wanted.

I didn’t mind being recognized for the hard work I’d done all my life, but this was different. This wasn’t about my knowledge in programming or any of my ideas, people were now solely interested in me because of who I was supposedly with.

It was a weird feeling, being objectified like a butterfly in a glass case with no other purpose except to be studied closely and picked apart.

“It’s not your fault Tyler, it just comes with your lifestyle I guess”, I shrugged halfheartedly and he wrapped his arms around me. His hug gave me at least some feeling of comfort, although I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy it the way I would under different circumstances.

“I can tell that you need some space right now but if you need to talk to someone I’m always just a few minutes away and I’ll tell the girls to look out for you as well”, he said softly and with a kiss to my forehead he was gone, leaving me alone in the cacophony of thoughts screaming against each other inside my head.

[jovialecho]

Comeuppance

Rahzel decides to hit Troy up, telling him to head to the bar tonight rather than Sunday. He asks why it even matters what day, bringing up how eager and impatient Rahzel is to collect a soul.

“You might not even win the games.”

So sure of himself. It makes Rahzel’s blood boil and his eyes roll involuntarily. He urges the other to meet him at the corner of it anyway, and with enough fussing, Troy teleports over.

“Tonight,” The demon starts, walking over to Troy, grabbing his shoulder. “because tomorrow, they ain’t stay open as late. Drinks ain’t up and handed out as late either.”

Troy peels Rahzel’s hand off him, shaking his head. “We came to play, not get drunk. Stupid shit happens when you drink-”

“When I drink???” Rahzel guffaws and puts his hand on Troy’s shoulder again, leading him to the building, “Don’t be acting all innocent. You just as dumb when you blitzed.”

The other doesn’t bother with taking the hand off, walking past the double doors, immediately greeted with laughter and music. The pair head off to the new gaming side.

“Ah sick.” Rahzel latches onto an air hockey table, grinning wide. He looks up at Troy when he follows close by him.

“Been a hot fuckin’ minute since i done played this-” Troy finishes his sentence for him. “-Since the one in your room quit worker? Yeah. Funny how that one doesn’t work anymore. I don’t think we should play this one. I don’t think I’m for seeing the rage you’re always talking about.”

Rahzel watches Troy slip towards the nearest billiards table, instead.

“So we immediately going in, no drinks? No funny shit? No games for the fuck of it?” He watches Troy as he pays for the balls and places them into the rack. It doesn’t take long at all for him to get bored, “Aight, well. I’m gonna go get us some sodas or something, dude, just get the game set up.”

As Rahzel heads to the bar, he listens to passing conversations from the other few people in the booths. He heads for the barkeep, listening out the snacks and drinks he wants, taking a seat so he can wait for them.

His phone vibrates in his pocket, so he pulls it out to have a quick look, turning his head to see if Troy was texting from the pool table. Nope. Once in his device, he opens the texts, seeing it’s from...Rudy. Great. His favorite guy! What overrated nonsense is he going to spill? Deep breath, Rahzel. Alright, he’s ready for the headache.

With another roll of his eyes, Rahzel pockets his phone and collects the food he paid for, making his way back towards Troy, though now he finds himself looking around for anyone paying him any attention. Luckily, nobody has the guts to look his way, so he carries on, ready to try to win a soul, MAYBE fair and square.

~~~~~

From one game to 4, Rahzel found himself on the losing end far too many times to accept. He’s never been one to swallow his pride in anything, let alone gambling, or games in general. 

Yet, as he leans against the bar, scowling, he can’t help but find a hint of amusement in the fact Troy bested him more times than not at a game Rahzel had to help him be better at. Maybe the kid his destined for something great-- Yes, Rahzel picks that up just from playing pool, because that’s definitely a useful life skill.

A hand on his shoulder pulls him out of his grouchy headspace and he turns his attention back to Troy. He’s surprised to see he isn’t smiling.

“What’s up? You won? Ain’t that enough?”

Troy pats him on the back, “As long as you aren’t going to hole up in your room for a week because of it, sure. It’s enough. I’m sure you’ll find someone better to make your first deal with. ...Maybe I’ll even change my mind down the road. Who knows, man. Just figure out what you’re best at offering first before making a mess with your words.”

Rahzel downs the last of his rum and coke before slipping off the barstool.

“Let’s go get some ice cream or something.” He walks right for the doors, ignoring whatever logic Troy decides to spew his way.

“Rahzel there’s no place open!” The brunette follows the lanky troll out of the bar, doing his best to keep up with the pace, “Dude. No place! There is noooo place!”

Rahzel stretches, groaning, “There’s ALWAYS a place, dude. Don’t worry. We going on a motherfuckin journey, dogg.”

Before he gets much further, a voice stops him. He looks ahead of himself to see a familiar face. Oh, it’s that biker again. Time for eye roll number 4 tonight...or was it 5. Rahzel puts his arms down and sighs, hearing Troy stop behind him.

He notices there are three others behind the familiar biker and he scoffs. Is this really happening?

“’ey. What’s good, man? You still pissed about that shit I TRIED to fix?”

The only response he gets at first is a scowl before the bearded biker takes a step forward, the others following in a synchronized fashion. Ew. It’s a posse.

“Yeah, I am. But this is strictly business, mostly.”

Rahzel puts a hand on his hip, raising an eyebrow to emphasize how little he cared, but also prompted him to continue, “Aight?”

He’s quick to notice any movement the biker makes and sees him pull out a handgun. Two of his lackeys follow suit, three guns aimed directly at him.

The demon can’t help but let out a laugh, both of surprise and fresh amusement. The lost deal completely forgotten now.

“Holy shit you really ain’t smart at ALL.” Rahzel can’t tell if he’s goading them or not at this point, though he surely is annoyed but what he perceives as an inconvenience more than anything else at this point.

“You’re gonna shoot me? You do. All four of ya are dead. You don’t know what the fuck ya dealing with, dude.

The lackey in the back starts to look between everyone, seemingly uncertain about what’s transpiring in front of him.

“Even one of ya own ain’t solid on this shit. Grow the fuck up.” Rahzel takes a step forward to further show his lack of concern for his own safety. “You ain’t big. You ain’t tough. You full of shit if you think you can take me on with a gun. I’ll get the fuck back up and find ya ass and rip you a new asshole. Ugly ass bitches you think-”

The leader aims, getting heated faster than Rahzel anticipated.

“I bet you goddamn drunk as shit, too. Put your gun down motherfucker. You’ll regret this shit, for sure.” Casually he reaches for the gun, only to have it immediately discharge into his arm. The sound startles him more than the actual bullet in his arm. “Gh-!”

Troy pushes himself in front of Rahzel, arms up.

“Stop! Stop! We don’t have to do this. Whoa-”

Rahzel reaches for Troy’s shoulder, hissing. “Troy st-”

The next gunshot makes Rahzel’s ears ring worse than before,  but his focus is on how Troy’s head jerks back, and it’s immediately obvious where the shot landed as blood, not his own color, lands on his shirt. As if time itself slowed down, Rahzel watches as Troy drops to the ground like a ragdoll, partially falling against him.

He doesn’t breathe in that moment, the reality not quite setting in. It all happened too fast. What the Hell is even actually happening. Shot. Troy. Troy’s been shot. Rahzel glances down some, seeing the bullet hole in Troy’s forehead.

Dead? Killed.

A hue of purple colors his vision as he looks upward at the group, the lackey on the right looking the most guilty. Yet, his attention falls on the leader as his gun raises again, no remorse on his face.

Rahzel’s mouth opens and all that comes out is screaming. From being frozen in place to suddenly lunging forward, nobody suspected the guy to just fling himself right at the biker. He knocks him to his back, growling and screaming at him, another gunshot hitting him in the chest, then another. He doesn’t let that stop him as he spits out honks and drool at the same instance, face diving right into the biker’s throat. The tendons and cords don’t stand a chance against his teeth and he sinks in, ripping out flesh, muscle. A mess of red cascades down his face and chin.

It’s immediately spat back out, and another shot, though ignored again, is sent into Rahzel’s back.  He stops himself from going back in for another bite, letting the shell of a man bleed out slowly, or suffocate on blood. A quick turn sends him in the direction of the next two. He gives zero fucks with how scared they look, he’s off his shit. All he can think about is Troy. How dead he is.

The demon’s running leaves the two to back away, still taking aim and firing, missing only a few times, though it doesn’t seem to slow Rahzel down at all.

“HOOOONK!”

With a quick burst of flashstepping, he ends up right in front of the two, still running. His hands grab at both of their faces,throwing them down into the asphalt at the same time.

A few more bullets are sent into him, his neck catches one for dinner later. All the pain is set aside as he kneels down with the lackeys’ heads in his hands. Simultaneously, he lifts and bashes the back of their heads into the pavement, listening to their muffled pleas and threats. He keeps going, unable to parse the difference of the bashing with the heartbeat in his ears.

Dead. Dead. He wants them all just as dead as--

He drops the two when there is no more sign of life left in them. Rahzel stands up slowly, bringing the two guns from the corpses with him as he searches for the last one. Down the street, he can see him running away, and Rahzel also notices a crowd gathering around to observe this spectacle.

He doesn’t give a fuck. He takes off running, using his flashstepping until he’s close enough to stop and aim, using a gun for the first time in either lives he recalls. He closes one eye and starts shooting, missing once with one gun and finally hitting the guy in the back with the second gun. He tosses the useless hunks of metal away, making his way over to the squirming lackey.

His hearing is coming back and he listens to the pleading and crying through the faded ringing in his ears.

“I didn’t want a- FFuuck I DIdn’T WANT ANY PART OF THIS! Please don’t. I don’t wanna die. Not like this. Not this young.”

Rahzel kneels and turns the man on his back, reveling in his scream of pain. With his claws he swipes his hand across his throat, successfully slitting it, but not enough blood comes out, so he does it once more, before standing up and hobbling over towards the pile that is Troy.

He has to be careful- He could still be- He sees Troy’s eyes open and his chest tightens.

Fuck.

He kneels, the pain starting to make its way past the numbing rage. He gently closes Troy’s eyes, noticing how bad his own hand is shaking. No, no. no. He scoops him up slowly, taking him in his arms bridal style.

No.

No, no.

He can’t decide which pain is worse, the ones in his body or the one in his heart.

Heart. He decides it’s his heart as his eyes well up with tears. The dead weight in his arms only amplifies the pain.

Distant sounds of sirens pulls his eyes off Troy for a moment. The crowd outside has grown larger, shocked faces staring at him. At what he's done. What about what they did?

Rahzel stumbles away towards an alleyway, but he doesn't fall. He can't. There's no way he can drop Troy. He has to take him home.

Troy.

He never got his soul. It's gone.

Rahzel drops to his knees, sobbing in both anger and despair, lungs fighting against this action thanks to the new holes in them.

"FF-Hhhghk!"

He gurgles on the blood coming up from his lungs, looking down at Troy again. "Mh.."

His captchalogue modus opens and he looks up at it. Troy would fit perfectly in the free slot. He looks from the slot down to Troy’s face, past the blood. He has to go in there.

Just for a while, okay?

He’s captchalogued in an instant, leaving Rahzel freedom to pull out the portable transportalizer, his vision darkening at the corners of his eyes. His focus fades in and out as he slaps the button to the last location on the device. He’s sent into another world, another universe and spat out right in front of his cave’s entrance.

Dropping to his knees in the sand, Rahzel looks around at the familiar territory, then up towards the house, Simon’s house. He crawls that way, every movement causing him to wheeze and ache. Sand sticks to his pants thanks to the collection of blood on his clothes. His lungs, filled with blood instead of air, makes it hard to really breathe, doesn’t it?

“Ghk..kkh.”

As his vision continues to darken, Rahzel becomes more frantic to get to the house. He can’t pass out, not now- No, this isn’t passing out. He knows the difference and this is most certainly dying. No way can he die on this fucking sandy hill. Pathetic. Though, seeing how he’s crying and bleeding everywhere on his way up, it’s hard not to be seen as pathetic.

C’mon Rahzel, you’re only thirty feet from the door. Twenty. Ten.

He uses the doorknob to push himself to his feet, wheezing again from the sheer effort. With his fading strength, he slaps his palm against the door repeatedly, moving to lean on the frame instead of the doorknob. Wouldn’t want to just fall right into someone, right?

Rahzel’s legs feel like rubber as he keeps himself standing for as long as he can. His ears twitch as he hears the doorknob turn. When he sees Simon, he notices the face journey she has as she looks him over. He heaves out another cry, shuddering weakly as he brings himself to stand up straighter.

His voice, hoarse and scratching from the bullet that tore into his throat as well as from the blood making its way up it, comes out barely above a whisper, and he can only push out one word, his consciousness fading in and out.

“M.. mom..?”

Everything goes black for him as he falls forward almost right on top of Simon.

Good job dropping dead in front of your mom, asshole.

[splendidlyimperfect]

Written for @stingueweek​ 2019; prompt: heroic

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Rogue Cheney/Natsu Dragneel/Sting Eucliffe/Gray Fullbuster Characters: Sting Eucliffe, Rogue Cheney, Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Polyamory, Established Relationship, Bad Days, Fights, Face Punching, Protectiveness, Rogue's having a bad day, Sting will not tolerate creepy dudes, Sting's just sweet and badass and protective, and loves his boyfriends a lot, creeps who can't take no for an answer, Tumblr: FTLGBTales, Stingue Week Series: Part 42 of i'm with them

-----

“How can they go from idiots to… that in the span of ten seconds?”

Gray shouted the question in Rogue’s ear as they sat at their table at the bar, watching Sting and Natsu on the dance floor. Even with Natsu’s infrequent lessons from Rogue, his dancing was still atrocious – except when he was grinding with Sting, apparently.

“Are you really complaining?” Rogue asked. Gray shook his head as he watched Sting slip behind Natsu, one hand pressed against his stomach, the other guiding his hips. A warm heat spread through Rogue as he watched Sting nudge Natsu’s head to the side and kiss his neck.

“You wanna join them?” Gray asked, hooking his foot around Rogue’s ankle under the table. Rogue shook his head and Gray frowned. “You okay?”

Rogue shrugged, trying to ignore the tense ache in his shoulders. “Just had a long day,” he said as a yawn caught him by surprise. Gray reached under the table and grabbed his hand, sliding their fingers together.

“We can go,” he said, nodding toward the door. They were at the bar for Gray’s work party – the latest project had gone well, and Gray’s boss had insisted on treating everyone and their partners to drinks. “Todd won’t mind,” Gray added, squeezing Rogue’s hand.  

Rogue thought about it for a minute, eyes travelling back to the dance floor where Sting and Natsu were still dancing. They were facing each other now, foreheads pressed together as Natsu slipped his hands into Sting’s back pockets and pulled him close.

“No, I’m okay,” Rogue said after a minute. “I could use another beer, though.”

Gray laughed, grabbing Rogue’s empty bottle and kissing his cheek before standing up and heading for the bar.

Continue reading on AO3

Rogue yawned again, shifting in his seat so he could keep watching Sting and Natsu. Sting had one hand on Natsu’s hip, guiding him gently while the other hand tangled in Natsu’s hair. Rogue was tempted to go out there and slip between them, let them soothe the stress and frustration of the day with gentle touches and soft kisses, and—

“Rogue?”

A familiar voice broke Rogue out of the moment and he frowned, looking up at the guy standing in front of him. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and it only took Rogue a second to realize who it was.

“Brad,” he said, rubbing his face and sighing. He really, really didn’t want to deal with this right now. The last time he’d seen Brad was three years ago, when they had been working together at a restaurant and Brad had pestered Rogue to date him. Rogue had said no, Brad had ignored it and got his phone number from the work system, then had texted Rogue for weeks until Rogue ended up quitting the job and blocking his number.

“I haven’t seen you in ages, man!” Brad said, ignoring Rogue’s unimpressed scowl as he sat down at the table where Gray had been moments ago. “You here with someone?”

“Yes,” Rogue said, shifting further away from him.

“That’s too bad,” Brad said, raising an eyebrow and leaning closer. “You look… really good.”

The words made Rogue’s skin crawl and he suddenly wished he was still wearing his jacket. He could feel Brad’s gaze trailing down his chest and he was about to shove himself away from the table when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“Hey, babe,” Sting said, leaning down and kissing Rogue’s cheek. “You okay?” he asked in Rogue’s ear. Rogue gave a noncommittal nod and breathed a quiet sigh of relief when Sting sat down on his other side and rested a hand on his leg. Sting tipped his head at Brad, giving him a bright smile.

“This is Brad,” Rogue said.

~

It took a second, but between Rogue’s uncomfortable shifting and the creepy look the guy was giving him, Sting quickly put two and two together. He kept his smile in place and gently squeezed Rogue’s leg. Rogue had told him just enough about Brad that Sting was tempted to dump a beer on him and tell him to go fuck himself.

“I’m Sting,” he said instead, reaching around Rogue with his hand out. “Rogue’s boyfriend.”

The look on Brad’s face shifted into something unpleasant as he shook Sting’s hand, and his gaze quickly moved back to Rogue. “You’re a lucky guy,” he said to Sting.

“I am,” Sting agreed, rubbing his thumb comfortingly across Rogue’s thigh. “You here with someone?”

Brad nodded, tipping his head back toward a group of people in the corner of the room that were crowded around the hockey game on the TV. “Just some work buddies.”

“They’re probably waiting for you,” Sting said, trying his best to keep his voice neutral. Brad looked like he was about to argue when Natsu appeared at the table, followed closely by Gray.

“Hey,” Natsu said, setting down the beer he was carrying and giving Sting and Rogue a puzzled look. Then he turned back to Brad and held out his hand. “Don’t think we’ve met. I’m Natsu.”

“Brad. Rogue and I used to work together.”

You mean you used to harass him, Sting thought, taking Rogue’s hand in his and sliding their fingers together.

“Let me grab another chair,” Gray started, but Sting shook his head.

“We don’t need one,” he said. “Brad was just leaving, right?” He gave Brad an icy glare, ignoring the puzzled glance Natsu threw his way.

“We were just talkin’,” Brad insisted, frowning at Gray and Natsu and then turning back to Rogue. “We haven’t seen each other in a while.”

“There’s a reason for that,” Rogue muttered.

“C’mon, don’t be like that,” Brad said, leaning forward on the table. “I just wanna catch up.” Rogue shifted closer to Sting, who quickly stood up and pulled Rogue after him. The mild irritation he’d felt when he heard Brad’s name was quickly turning to a hot, sparking anger.

“You should go,” Sting said, nudging Rogue back toward Gray and Natsu. When Brad pushed himself up out of his chair, Sting stepped between him and the other three. “Now.”

“Look, man,” Brad said, but Sting interrupted him.

“Don’t ‘look, man’ me,” he hissed, leaning in so that only Brad could hear him. “I know exactly who you are and what you did to Rogue, and I’m not going to let you make him feel like shit again. Now fuck off.”

~

Rogue couldn’t hear what Brad was saying to Sting, but from the look on his face, it wasn’t pleasant. The tension in Sting’s shoulders was clear and unfamiliar – Rogue hadn’t seen him angry in a long time.

“What’s going on?” Gray asked, slipping his hand into Rogue’s and looking back and forth between him and Brad. “Are you okay?”

“He’s just…” Rogue trailed off and leaned back into the press of Natsu’s hand on his back. “C’mon, let’s—”

“Seriously?” Brad shouted over the crowd, staring at Rogue over Sting’s shoulder. Sting said something else and Brad ignored him, expression turning uncomfortably vulgar as he looked between Gray and Natsu. “One guy’s not enough for you, huh? Gotta fuck all of—”

Before Brad could finish his sentence, Sting punched him square in the face.  

Natsu, Gray and Rogue stood in a stunned silence for a moment, staring at Brad and Sting. Then Brad stumbled back, cursing as he dropped his drink and grabbed at his bloody nose instead. “What the fuck?” he shouted, glaring at Sting through his fingers. “What the hell is your problem?”

“My problem,” Sting replied, hands still bunched into fists, “is that you’re an asshole.”

“Holy shit,” Natsu whispered from behind Rogue. “Our boyfriend’s a fuckin’ badass.”

Sting looked ready to hit Brad again, but the people around them were starting to turn and watch the scene. Rogue stepped forward and grabbed Sting’s shoulder, pulling him gently backward.

“C’mon, love,” he said as Sting scowled at Brad. “He’s not worth it.”

“No,” Sting agreed, “but you are.” He turned back to watch a couple of Brad’s friends come over and hold out a towel for his bleeding nose. “If you ever try to talk to Rogue again,” Sting said, staring Brad down, “I’ll break more than just your nose. Got it?”

Brad glowered at Sting over the cloth but didn’t say anything, and after a moment his friend took him by the elbow and led him back toward their table. Sting exhaled sharply and Rogue wrapped an arm around him, leaning in and kissing his temple.

“Thank you,” he murmured, letting out the tense breath he’d been holding since he first saw Brad. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yeah I did,” Sting replied, turning and giving Rogue a quick kiss. “He had it coming – he was such a dick to you.”

“Okay, who are you and what have you done with our boyfriend?” Natsu asked, appearing in front of them. He reached out and grabbed Sting’s arm, inspecting his swollen knuckles. “Jesus, babe, I think you broke your hand, too.”

Sting looked down at his hand ruefully. “It hurts,” he admitted, wincing as he tried to flex his fingers.

“No shit,” Natsu said, shaking his head and grinning. “That was awesome.”

“Hopefully he’ll remember it next time someone tells him to leave them alone,” Sting grumbled. Natsu raised his eyebrows and looked at Rogue, who shook his head and reached into his pocket for his phone.

“I’m more worried about you,” he said to Sting. “C’mon, let’s get you to the hospital.”

~

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite patient.” Loke appeared in the doorway to the hospital room and raised his eyebrow at Natsu. “What’d you do this time?”

“Hey!” Natsu protested, gesturing at Sting, who was sitting on the bed with an ice pack on his hand. “It’s not always me.”

“I mean, it’s a fair assumption,” Rogue said from his seat next to the bed. “The last four times we were here it was your fault.”

“The car accident wasn’t my fault!”

“That was a year ago,” Gray interjected. “We’ve definitely been here more than four times since then.”

“You guys are mean,” Natsu grumbled, hopping up onto the bed next to Sting. “You love me, right babe?”

Sting mumbled an affirmation and leaned against Natsu, holding out his hand for Loke to inspect. “You really did a number on yourself,” Loke commented, making an apologetic face when Sting hissed in pain. “What did you hit?”

“A jackass,” Rogue said, reaching out and squeezing Sting’s knee. Loke gave Sting an impressed look.

“He totally hulked out,” Natsu bragged, wrapping his arm around Sting’s shoulders and kissing his cheek. “Punched some asshole at the bar.”

“That doesn’t sound like you,” Loke commented as he moved Sting’s hand. Sting gritted his teeth and hissed in pain, and Rogue took his other hand, letting Sting squeeze it tightly.

“He’s right,” Gray said, giving Sting a strange look. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you get mad before. Not like that, anyway.”

“You should have seen him after the car accident,” Rogue said, running his thumb over the back of Sting’s hand. “When you—” he gestured at Natsu “—were…”

“In a coma,” Natsu supplied helpfully. A tiny flash of discomfort flickered across Gray’s face, but it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared.

“You were hurt,” Sting mumbled, turning and pressing his face against Natsu’s neck. “’n I was scared.”

The teasing expression on Natsu’s face disappeared and he kissed Sting’s forehead, murmuring a quiet, “I know, love.”

“Well, you probably fractured a couple knuckles,” Loke said, moving Sting’s swollen hand back onto the ice pack. “We’re going to have to get it x-rayed, but it might be a while. I’ll give you some painkillers for now, but you might want to get comfortable.”  

~ 

After an hour, Sting insisted on Natsu and Gray going home – both of them had work early the next morning, and there was no point in all four of them sitting in the waiting room.

“I’m sorry,” Rogue said, once goodbye kisses were exchanged and the other two had left. Sting frowned at him and Rogue sighed. “I feel like this is my fault.”

“No, love,” Sting insisted, shifting closer to Rogue. “It wasn’t your fault. He’s an awful person and he had it coming.”

“He is awful,” Rogue agreed, kissing Sting’s forehead and bringing his hand up to comb through Sting’s curls. “I just…” He swallowed against the sudden flood of emotion that welled up in his chest. “It’s just been a shitty day. There was this… we have this one customer who…”

Sting’s expression quickly turned troubled. “What happened?”

Rogue shook his head, cheeks flushing hot as the urge to cry hit him in the chest. “He’s just like Brad,” he managed. “Some stupid jerk who works at the bank across the street, and every time he comes in, he’s always just… the way he looks at me makes me feel...”

“Did he do something?” Sting asked quickly.

“No. He’s just always making these weird comments… like, he called my hair ‘exotic’ today and it just felt so gross.”

“God, I’m sorry, love,” Sting murmured, pulling Rogue in and kissing his forehead.

“I feel like I’m being stupid about it,” Rogue admitted, running his hands over his face. “Just like at the restaurant, with Brad, when I tried to tell the manager and he just said I was ‘misinterpreting things,’ so then I think maybe I’m just being sensitive, and—”

“Hey.” Sting ran his thumb across Rogue’s cheek and pressed their foreheads together. “If this guy makes you feel shitty, that’s on him, not you. Your boss at the restaurant was also an asshole, and I kinda wish I could punch him, too.” He looked down at his hand, which was already turning various shades of purple. “Okay, maybe not punch him because that hurt way more than I expected it to. But nobody should make you feel like that.”

Rogue nodded, quickly wiping at the tears that had, despite his best efforts, managed to slip out. “You make me feel safe,” he said quietly. “I know I’m an adult and I can take care of myself, but you standing up for me like that makes me feel really loved.”

“You are loved,” Sting replied, shifting back until he was resting his head on Rogue’s shoulder. “And you deserve to be safe. You should talk to Minerva about the guy at work – I’m sure she’d understand. You’re probably not the only one who thinks he’s a creep.”

“I’m not,” Rogue admitted. “Yukino doesn’t like him either.”

“Okay, if he’s making two of my favorite people upset, I might just have to punch him and deal with the pain,” Sting said.

Rogue let out a quiet laugh, bringing Sting’s injured hand up and kissing it softly. Sting yawned and curled up under Rogue’s arm.

“I’ll always keep you safe,” he said sleepily, pressing a soft kiss to Rogue’s neck. “We all will.”

“I know,” Rogue said as he wrapped his arm around Sting and held him close. “But I think you’ve done enough protecting for tonight. Right now, you should get some sleep.”

[charmed-asylum]

The Partners

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 6

Summary: Finn Cox had everything boy would ever dream of a hot cheerleader girlfriend, loved by everyone, and caption of his hockey team. So why is since Camille Dawson step into his life he starts to have second thoughts about everything

FYI: I can not believe we are finally hitting the climax of this love story. Finally coming back up to present where we left our lovesick Finn. Things are gonna go good to great HOLY SHIT back to dang it. WARNING: it's OVER 5K 

✨ The Partners: 1/  2/ 3/ 4/ 5  ✨ // Master List 

tagged:  @weapinggwillowss​ @nottherightseason​ @strangerfictions​  @thewolfswriting​ @ hauntors 

Finn waited outside The Mouse for her. His hands in his pocket old brown leather jacket zip up. The breeze sways his thick chestnut brown hair around with the smell of pine trees. He checks with Will she had nothing. So no excuses. With the past few days she was less like herself when they were together she didn’t speak much. Then there were the long moments in the bathroom. Silent moments.

She walked out around 2:50. Fifty minutes past her schedule. She didn’t realize he was there at first. Her hair was loose in front of her eye like the way it uses to be. Holding her brown apron with The Mouse logo, a little mouse and squirrel, wearing dark denim jeans and a vintage tour t-shirt. “ This is a plot twist" Camille said walking up to him. Finn smiled at her whit. “ Come on. Today I’m the driver. I check you are clear. Will out on business. My dad at work fine” Finn said taking her things. She rolls her eyes and taps him on the shoulder. “ I’m sure you are not gonna tell me what this is about for real or where we going” Camille says walking next to him to his car. She stops by the passenger door for a second. The breeze play with her hair. Finn got in and pop the door for her. “ I won’t bite come in” Finn said. Camille shocks her head and got in.

The music was playing loud booming “ Remember our third work meeting. We were still getting to know each other. I had practice and you came by. I couldn’t stop working so you got out on the ice" Finn started to say. “ For the first time” Camille added. “ Yes. On the ice with your two left feet. You kept falling but kept getting up again and again” Finn said looking at her. She turns towards him and smiles. He loved how determined she always is. “ Finn Cox you better not bring me with the Ice Box” Camille said seriously. He stops the car got out and open the door for her. A big sign that looks like it came out from disco 70s. He stood behind her and look off blindfolded. “ You said one day I’m gonna get you back. Now we gonna see. Each Friday they have good music skates and a lot of glow sticks” Finn said with a bright smile. One way into her heart was always glowing sticks. One of the many weird facts he learns during their time together.  As they walk inside kids everywhere parents following them with pop in one hand and shoes in another. Camille's eyes were bright but her body was still she just look around. Dazed.

“ My parents when they were alive they brought me here. a few times.  I completely forgot about this place” Camille said looking at a pinball machine. Eyes glitter with silver. Her phone started to ring. She glanced at it,” Take it 12 hours I don’t want it. I’m all yours".  Finn looks at it and turns it off. “ My mom used to take me here too. Hey, you think we might have been game buddies. I know all the cheats to all the games" Finn ask handing her rollerblades. “Probably" she said with a grin. They paint each other face with glow in the dark face paint and went out to the rink. She was right she was good. She glides and spins like a leaf flying gracefully in the air on a fall afternoon. Finn followed her around in around. Holding onto her hand he stops her. “ So gonna tell me what wrong” Finn asked. She turns to him and continues to skate. “ No. I’m fine. So story behind your mom bringing you here” she said still skating backward. Fin let go of her hand and went to hold onto the side for a break. Camille stops and skates back towards him. “ My parents had me late in life I was the oops baby. She would bring me here and we skate around play as long as I wanted. Me and her time. Then at the end of each time while we sip cherry temple in crazy straws she would ask me to talk and I would and go on and on and she listens. Kinda like what you do” Finn said.  Camille hops on the side and rubs his bicep gently. “ Can you get me two cherry temples demand the crazy straws and kept the change for the games? “ Camille asked a passing a kid hand over a 50. “ We got the drinks we got the glow sticks. Now tell me how your day” Camille said, Finn. He hated how good she was this it was her day and still she was made it all about him. She waited with a smile. Till he was ready.

They continue laughing as they toss the balls up. Camille laughs and holds her hand to her face. “ No no, I can top that. So in college freshman year. When people found out I was from Alaska which as you know I move here. So I am from somewhere else they always ask stupid questions. One was who are you? What are you? I would go what do you mean what am I.. I’m a girl. They are like no. What are you” she stops and got another 100 points this time not even looking. “What would you say” Finn ask into the story. Holding the ball in her hand she looks at him and said,” I say I am not what you think what your mind simply places me. I am more than meets the eye. More than face value. My father was part of the Alaskan Athabaskan till he ran away looking for better and in time he meets my mom. Gorgeous Puerto Rican. They always then ask did you live in an igloo” Camille said in a wonderful fake British accent. Finn drops the ball on the ground and look at her then started to laugh harder. “ We gotta go. We got somewhere we gotta be let’s go“ Finn said grabbing her hand. She stops and frowns. “ But I’m winning” she said. “ Come on you like it” he said pulling her away giving all their tickets to a little kid with pink tails.

They pulled up to airplane runway far back by the woods. Finn hops out with his hands in his pocket waiting for Camille. She looked around and then at him. Taking her he holds her tight. “ I got something but you gotta trust me” Finn said with his head on top of hers. She looked up to him and tickle him off. “ I think I’m balls deep my friend.I’m at the no turning back so what the hell blinds me again” Camille asks. She trusts him with no-fault headfirst he was the same way she could ask anything and he will do it with at a thought.

Finn had a hookup thanks to a parent. They fly high in the sky, dark glitter sparkle night the same as in her eyes or her smile. Camille smile and look out the window by Finn's side. “ When I was done you gave me a spot. Worst place in my life. You were there. I just wanted to show you a place we both can go to” Finn said looking out. Camille looked back at him then out at the stars. “ Where we going” Camille asked. His eyes glisten against the stars his heartbeat to the sounds of nature around him. “ You see somewhere magical"  Finn said hold Camille's hand.

She waited by the wooden lodge as Finn finished up with the pilot. The breeze hit her face softly with the wind blowing against her hair. “ All my time I never did this. Come on we got a few hours" Finn said running inside with the bags. Camille casually walks in behind him. “ You going to tell me how you got this. I wanna pitch in” Camille said going through her wallet. He stops by the front desk and took her wallet from her wiggling it in his hand before pocketing it. She sighed and continued to walk beside him. “ Will pay for it alright" Finn said ringing the bell. Camille sat against the wooden desk and face the lobby. Finn rang it once more. No one. She pulled at her sweater and walk around by the fireplace.

He wanted it to perfect but he didn’t account the fact it wasn’t gonna be clear. She tried to make him laugh to feel better. There he was supposed to be and again it was her at the end trying to make him feel better. She talked him into checking out the game room down in the basement as an adventure. They spent hours talking, Finn talking more Camille of course listening. Watching TV even getting a glimpse of the light show that dances across the sky. He wasn’t the boy he was before and she wasn’t the girl, they were more. Still, they didn’t know yet but they were different.

After some sweet talking Camille was able to sweet-talk her way back for her phone. He wanted to tell her that night he wanted to kiss her delicious sweet angelic lips as they watch the sky. Holding her small waist sweet smell of heaven and ice cream swinging her back and forth as the old music from the record player play. He wanted all of that but there was one thing she wasn’t his.

Finn knew he had to deal with it. That feeling he had probably always had. He had her every day of every week for at least two months. The time he enjoyed every bit of it.

Camille song of the day was a one-hit-wonder from the 80s. She even got him into it this time. Singing off-key with her. “ I can’t believe it. After all these years you talk me into coming with you here” Camille said pulling into the parking lot. Finn was thrilled now finally first time in ever he had complete control in something he knew hockey. Picking up his backpack and bag of supplies he walks beside her into the rink goofing around.

“ The kids gonna flip. They think we are dating. You know. Our little new boy talks you up. Rest well went off with their little brains" Finn said taking out the equipment. She sat on the wall and watch him. “Don’t we all when we so young. So what on the plan today coach" Camille said kicking her feet as she watched. He stops and looks back giving her a huge smile. “ No I’m gonna have a bit of fun. Come on help before they show up” Finn said tossing a rag at her.

They came running like they were all going through a sugar rush. Finn was the big prize they all wanted to win. Camille giggles at this till the kids realize she was there and attack her on the ice. He laughed so hard that a bit came out. “ So Miss. Dawson gonna help us out a bit today. And maybe if you good enough and ask a whole bunch of times she come back” Finn announced in front of the kids. Each of them cheers and pulled at her shirt. I’m gonna get you back so hard Camille mouth to him as she smiles at the kids.

It was nothing but an unusual game of hockey boys with Camille and girls with Finn. Shockingly Camille and her team weren’t so bad. In the end, they all enjoyed themselves. Being silly with the kids. Bit eat my ice chips bickering from one another when the kids were not looking. A few slips and falls thanks to the one and only Camille. 

Camille stops midway tickling Sarah when her phone started going off for the fifth time. She glanced at it and turn it off once more. “Everything okay. It might be Will or something" Finn said picking up Timmy into the air. Putting her phone back in her pocket she nods her head no.

Each kid begs Camille to come back when she quickly agreed. “ So I guess I got some competition now huh” Finn said cleaning up. Tossing some rags at him she puts up her hands like a boxer. “ I think I’m ready for you Finno. Those kids shall be mine haha” Camille says playfully. Finn puts his hands up too and pretends to be alone with her. “ No Cam cam they shall be mine. Forever moo haha” Finn said with an evil smile. She giggled and went into a player ready pose, hand out ready for combat.

“ I have to say, sir. Cox. I never thought I would see you be so good with kids. They love you” Camille said driving down the highway. “You didn’t know. I’m fooling them all with my charm for their money and youth” Finn said looking at her. “ Well I’m impressed dear Finno" Camille said. Her phone starts to ring again. “ You doing anything today. We can chill and watch some movies or something “ Finn asked. Camille just kept glancing at the phone not paying much attention. “Yeah why not “ Camille finally said. He clapped his hands with excitement.

                               ________________________

He waited patiently for her arrival. A half-hour she said an hour ago. Everything was ready the movies, sparkling juice, music playing, and the blankets. “ What are you doing having it look like an old 90s boy band music video in here” Dad says as he reads the Sunday paper.

“ Nothing. Me and Cam we are huh chilling today. Movie night” Finn said walking into the kitchen. Dad picked up from his paper. “ Oh. Well, she might be a minute she was outside when I arrived. Upset” Dad said taking a sip of his coffee. Finn rushes past him to the window. Camille, of course, was sitting on the curve hunched over. “I wonder what happened" Finn said peaking out the window. Dad finished with his coffee and the newspaper look out over Finn's shoulder. “ Son if you are to be a gentleman then go out there if not best you stay away. She needs that now” Dad said then left for work. “ You say that like she is your daughter and I’m the random boy" Finn shout out to him. “ Sometimes I feel she is. Remember GENTLEMEN“ Dad said. Peaking back out he saw dad waving bye to Camille.

She sat there silently looking out. Stiff as aboard. No emotions just the dry tears and fluffy rosy cheeks. He never saw her like this. She was always alright no emotions people first. Now she is defenseless variable. Whoever did this Finn wanted to kick them a new one. She looks back at him then back at the ground.

“ I was-" Camille started to say. “ No look. I’m just gonna sit next to you. We don’t have to speak just know I’m what you need Cam” he said sitting beside her. She nodded a bit and look back down. He took her hands and mouth it be okay. Camille holds him tight around his arms and started to cry. Her cry sound like a sad melody playing on a beautiful string orchestra. It broke his heart to hear that.  However, he knew he couldn’t he had to be strong be a gentleman. That right now was to simply sit on the curve in his sweats holding tight and never letting go.

She got up out of nowhere and walk in as if what occurred never happened. “You mind if I borrow a shirt or something I never made it home” Camille said putting the popcorn in a huge red and white ball. It was stunning. If a person never saw her minutes before you would never know. “ Yeah” Finn said leading against the countertops. She insisted they watch his favorites the ones she would usually say no to. They lay close to one another his left arm around the back of the couch, her position in her spot right on his chest with his other hand as a cover for all the scary parts. He kept looking down at her amazed and after a few hours, she fell asleep. He watches her wonder what she dreamed about. Was he anyway in it? Like in his dreams. Even after he got up he watches her peaceful with her phone in his hands. 

The talk was not long. All he could remember was red. Only on the phone with him for five minutes and he already hated him. His I’m from New England or some better than you shit. Prick even had a girl there when he called. A few words till everything went blank and see you there dick. “Such a freakin dick shit” Finn said.

“ You can say that again” Camille said standing behind him. She stood there with sleepy eyes and an old quilt over her shoulders. “ I thought you were sleeping. Just how much you heard ” Finn said worriedly. She smiled and gradually sat down against the wall. “ I woke up. And you were gone. Not much the ending” Camille said looking up to him with her innocent Bambi eyes. Finn was stunned by how she ended up with an 80s cliche dick head. So many questions and statements rush his brain. “ Two questions and a statement “ Camille stated nonchalantly. Shaking his head no,” No ten” . “Five questions and a statement” Camille said pulling at the blanket.

He sat down across from her legs spread out. “ Was he a dick? Why you start to date him? Is he always a dick? Why did you think you deserve that him? Such a fucking dick! Did he make you upset?" Finn blurted out.

“ James wasn’t that bad. Just. He not much an ass as he is just entitled. When we first met he thought I was fish bait till I had a gathering at Will Manhattan penthouse. Then he kept and kept asking till I said yes. I was different from him. It was for 2 years. Years invested. I was everything Finn perfect girlfriend friend perfect everything. His family loves me more than him. So did his friends. You know. I always went to anything and did everything. Just one thing I just wanted one thing. All I wanted was for him to visit. Always with the excuses. Just come see meet Will Eddie you. 2 years I invested into him and only him. I got sick of it so I called it off. He begged and begged. Probably because of Will and Tina never end connections to all things money. That was the reason he kept asking. Like today still, I asked and he gave me no answer. I couldn’t do it anymore. Love should not ever be that hard” Camille said softly. Finn sigh. He kept popping up ways to beat the shit out of this dick.

Finn sat still waiting for Camille to change. “ You mind if tonight we... If I just lay beside you. Hold you a bit. I don’t want to be alone right now” Camille asked hastily. He nods surprise but this request. They lay beside each other with Camille arm wrap around him. He was in heaven when she was at her lowest. All he wanted to do was suck up all the pain anger sadness from her. Kiss her thin lips that she always nibble on and tell her it to be okay. For now, he held her tight and not let go. Shield her from everything.

Dad woke him up eyes wide open mouth to the floor. “ Don’t worry. We did nothing “ he whispered to him. She was fast asleep. He turned to her watch as she sleeps like a baby angel. Moving her hair out her face. His hand rested against his head other holding hers. Without hesitation he reaches in he did it he kissed her gently on edges of her lips.

Slowly opened her eyes she smiled and said,” Good morning". He reached in and kiss her again this time holding her closer. She holds him tight and kisses back. Taste of sweet honey bit of spice and intoxicating. They lay there holding onto each other their mouths moving with one another. His hands split between giving all his attention to her plum ass and cover beast. Her smooth small hands claw onto his back to bring him in deeper. After what felt like hours Camille finally pulled out smiling and giggling like a schoolgirl. “Has anyone ever tell you you are an excellent kisser? “ Finn said holding her hand. She glances his big hands wrap in her petite ones. "Yes" Camille says with confidence. She played with his hair a bit and nibble down on her lip. While he just stares into her eyes in full bliss.

She turned him over and sat up in bed. Rubbing her back he started kissing her again. “ Can't we stay in bed. Keep each other warm” Finn asked. Getting up she kisses his hand softly“ Why can't we just sit. Chill. We don’t know what this is. Or isn’t.” Camille said looking over her shoulder to him. He said nothing. She was right. Even if he didn’t want to hear it she was right.

“ Cam. I’m so happy. Don’t you and I deserve that? Be happy for once Figure it out later” Finn said still rubbing her back. She holds his hand a bit tight. Soft-touch that made him more smitten by her.

“ We do deserve that” she said playing with his fingers. Finn lay on her thighs and play with her fingers till they intertwined. “ Yes. We both do” Finn finally said. He kissed her hand gently and look at her. Taste of cherry blossom jasmine from her body lotion. Her eyes finally meet his. Soulful eyes. The sparkle shimmer. He was forever lost in her eyes her smile. Part of him wonders if it was something or simply reflect. " This summer has been everything I ever wanted. I mean my kids' thing is doing well. I'm gonna be done with my classes soon then I will be able to be back on track. Away from this small town. Before I got hurt. When life was perfect" he says staring at her. Still. She was frozen still. Then slowly she looks at their hands locked together. "Your welcome I guess. I didn’t do much. Finn. Small town....before like what before" she said still looking down at their hands.

He looks at her. Confused. " Don't look at me like that. This town a bloodsucker. Before I got hurt I was on track. Before I was hurt. My life was perfect" he says. She looks at him then back away. 

Plopping side her watch her soulful eyes racing back and forth. Her mouth was a little open. Getting closer he takes his free hand and touches her checks. Then he slowly goes to kiss her. All of a sudden she lets go and starts to get up. Looking back at the now lonely hand she peaks at him then back down. " Don't you feel. Things happen for a reason, Finn. You getting hurt. Being here" she says still looking at his hand. 

Grinning at her he slowly continues her shoulders rubbing them. " Don’t know. Cam Why do you care. We can finally be together. Don't you" he starts to say. She gradually grabs his hand off her. Soft. Turn fully towards him. " You don't mean that. You and your dad are better. You can finally think about what you want. If you never got hurt. We would have never got to see each other. You would of live your life without me" she says breathlessly. Her face was priceless. Shock. Stun. Confused.

Looking at her, " We would still see each other. You would have said sorry about my mom and I would forgive you. Or I- ". She pushes away from him and gets up. " Thought you change but I was stupid. Stupid and foolish. I should have never done this. Never help your dad. Gave air to you. Your the same. How would we ever see each other? Finn. We went years without talking. I have to go before I say something. I won’t be able to take back” she says grabbing her things and throws her shoes on. Was she leaving?  Getting up he grabs her by the arm. Looking at her. She looks away and starts to go.

“Truth is you never ask. Just did. Finn, you were able to go back to life or at less fake it. Me it took five years to fake that night the kiss that year never change me as much as you. You will never understand what you took from me. What you did. Shut I even left and tried everything to fill it. THAT VOILD  Date a guy that thinking about it now kinda looks just like you. Always stay in touch with your family. Being here isn’t the mistake of your perfect life. NO!  it’s you. Act as nothing happens. God, I wish it was that easy and you almost had me believe it. That it can be. Your five years and a kiss late to tell me. You miss me” she continued to her car. She stops look back at him tears starting to come down her cheeks “I wish it was easy to hate you but I know that deep down I couldn't ever love someone as I did with you like I still do. And it's unfair not only to us but to everyone else. I can't ever move on because you ruin it for them too” She said grabbing her keys out her purse leaving her wallet on the ground. He starts to run down the road after her but stops three blocks down.  SHIT

Walking back to the house he stops and picks up her wallet. Mad at her being foolish stupid and selfish. He grabs the first bottle of alcohol from the kitchen. Slam the door to his room he starts drinking and playing loud music. Kicking and screaming her names as loud as he can. He threw the bottle against the wall. As he picks up the broken pieces he grabs her wallet from the ground. Slouch over with her wallet in his hands. He opens it. Debit card, some black credit cards, a few business cards, school id, driver license, and whop money. Stopping mid count. He saw the picture that was taken their last day in the photo booth. It was worn out. He was as numb as a rock. Looking down at this simple happy time. Knowing what happens after that last frame. But even worse the next day. Grabbing out his old leather wallet behind the money, phone numbers and condoms was the same photo. Numb. Of emotions.

I was wrong. I was wrong and now I think I might mess up for the last time. I thought my life end when I got hurt. But it has been all along. The day I left her behind. Pussy out of everything. Sitting there realizing what I did. What I had to do.

I look back out at the house. My heartbeat goes faster and faster with each minute. I should have told her been truthful with her. Fix it before it’s too late. Breathe.

The run to Camille's front door felt like walking in quicksand. I bagged on the door as hard as I could, calling for her. Nothing. So I walked over to where her room use to be. Trying to look in. Nothing. I called and called for her. It can’t end like this.

“ You need to stop” Will said standing behind me.

“ I need her. Come on Will get her for me please” I begged him. He was upset which means Camille probably said a little bit and ran to her room.

I ran over to the back hopping over the fence to see if she was by the treehouse. NOPE. I knock and knock hoping she answers before Will catch up.

“ Just stop. Don’t you even understand what all this been like for her? What mess you left behind. Finn, I love you like a son I am never going to have just don’t come back” Will said holding his cellphone.

I didn’t want to stop. I wanted to stay until she forgives me. But the words he said left behind. It stuck to me. Echo in my head though my blood. I didn’t realize that. Till now.

“ Just huh tell her. I love her. Tell her I need her. Please “ I beg to him. He looked at me and I knew. He wasn’t gonna tell her. I couldn’t be mad because if my daughter was in there cry and some jackass said what I said I probably do the same and kick his ass for thinking so. “ Just go. Finn. Maybe. Just go” Will said then walk back inside. I watch as he walks back inside. I swear from the corner of my eye I saw her peaking from her window.

Each day for the rest of the summer I sat in my car waiting for her. Waiting. Hoping she would see me. Instead, she simply left. My dad finally after hours of begging told me she spent the rest of her summer with her aunt. How can I mess with her so much that she goes with her aunt? The one that handed Will full custody of her when they got divorce with no fight. Camille never came back to Alaska. The house she lived in was sold and given to another family. Will would visit but he wouldn't say a single word to me. I couldn't get mad at him, how can I. He spoke to my dad. But never to me.

She didn't put much on her social media page, probably because she knew I will be looking. I even though I have not seen her I pray for her each night to this day. I think of her when I'm brushing my teeth when I'm with my dad the kids. At first, I wonder if she thought the same.

Probably not. Still, I do. No matter what. Memorize her  Punishing myself with our picture I keep on myself all the time.

[callioope]

Good Things in 2019

@theputterer and @the-strongest-stars tagged me in the awesome annual end-of-year Good Things meme! I’ve done this in 2018 & 2017 and always think it’s a fun exercise of both reflection and looking forward.

Oh boy, though, my first thought was, what even happened in 2019? (Looking at a calendar helped! It reminded me of a few things I forgot)

It’s been a Rough Year, friends. Between OCD and basically travelling almost every weekend in the latter half of 2019, I am very much ready for a new year and hopefully a new slate.

But this is about the positives!

Personal

Played a lot of Dungeons and Dragons! I am now officially in two campaigns. This year, I endeavored to recruit more women to play, including the wonderful @allatariel. I play both my beloved cleric, Maritsa (who I’ve been playing her years now) and my new character, Noara, a ranger elf with a red panda familiar (yeah, my DM let me do that for funsies, so I could get an animal sidekick but also still try out the Horizon Walker subclass). 

Speaking of red pandas, I accomplished my LIFE GOAL of meeting a red panda face-to-face. I got to feed Harriet at the Cincinnati Zoo for 30 minutes. She was adorable. 

Completed all my dental work and had a clean bill of dental health two cleanings in a row! 

Attended DC’s Around the World Embassy Day event, always fun

Attended Star Wars night at a local library, where I got to participate in a short demo/lesson on how to fence with a lightsaber!

Attended 50th Anniversary Celebration of Apollo 11 / landing on the moon (dude they projected the rocket on the Washington Monument and it looked so cool)

Returned to the NY Ren Faire and upgraded my ren faire garb

Celebrated at THREE friends’ weddings and got to catch up with old friends I hadn’t seen in awhile

Ate ice cream at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Vermont

Went to NYCC for the third year in a row. Got to wear 2 costumes this year: a 1920s flapper interpretation of an occamy and my Endor!Leia costume (repeat of 2017). Learned the True Pain of sewing. Created feather shawl for my occamy costume. Learned the True Pain of crafting.

Celebrated one year anniversary with hubbie down where we got married: visited the museum we got married in and actually got a chance to enjoy the exhibits, went to our favorite brunch place down there, got to check out Fleet Week and tour an aircraft carrier and uh... I think it was a missile cruiser? 

Went up to PSU for a women’s hockey game for sister’s birthday (made embarrassing HAPPY BIRTHDAY sign for the cameras); also it was an absolutely wonderful fall drive on the way up there

Got to see The Rise of Skywalker in IMAX at the Smithsonian Air & Space Center with the awesome @allatariel! (thank goodness we had each other to get through that movie lol) also got to reuse my Endor!Leia costume. I did my own braids for the first time ever! (usually my talented sister does them) They looked like braids done by a n00b, but I didn’t care because they were passable and I did them myself and that was a Big Thing for Perfectionist Me (to not just... say screw it and undo it and just. give up. but to just let them be as is)

Worked hard at therapy and self care

Got a Sleep Number bed and holy shit let me tell you. i can actually sleep now.

OH! I almost forgot!!! Started playing Assassin’s Creed! I’ve only ever really played the LEGO Star Wars and Harry Potter video games so like. This was big for me. 

Writing

Finally finished Learning Curve. TBH I was a bit shocked that this was in fact the only fic I published in 2019. What a travesty.

However! I have been writing

@allatariel & I sat down, overanalyzed You’ve Got Mail, and drafted up the outline for my in-universe AU, something I’ve been dreaming of starting for years. Have about 4300 words so far.

Just under the wire, I did manage to start my NatGeo AU, which I’ve been dreaming of since my honeymoon in Nov 2018

Started editing/revising my original young adult fantasy novel

Poked a little at my epic fantasy pirate travel novel idea

Books

I read exactly one book, Among the Red Stars, which I enjoyed. It’s about women fighter pilots in Russia in WW2. Inspired by real people.

Music

Saw Panic at the Disco! in concert. I went along with my sister. Not like a huge fan, but they put on a pretty fun show!

Saw Waitress on Broadway!! OH MY GOD. And Sara Bareilles was starring in it. Amazing. I freaking love her music (”How does she know / what a heart sounds like?” gahhh). She was so good, and the show was so good. I literally cried all the way through it just because I was so happy to be there, but also because of the content. Man.

Saw Sara Bareilles again, in concert, in Philly. I love her so much.

Television

Finished Critical Role Campaign 1! Oh man, what a ride. Gosh, I love that show. I really need to catch up in C2 now. I’ve started it but I’m only on episode 26 or 27.

I’m not sure whether I finished The Clone Wars in 2018 or 2019. I think it was early 2019. This show was amazing and this was the character development that Anakin Skywalker needed. I love Ahsoka Tano. I cannot wait for the last season.  

Finished Rebels!!! AGAIN, what a ride!!! I still love Ahsoka Tano. I also love Hera Syndulla and Sabine Wren. Sabine’s Darksaber arc was fantastic.

The Mandalorian OMG BABY YODA!!! Yes, I have succumbed to the adorableness of Baby Yoda. Most adorable SW character forever. But also just an enjoyable story in general. This, this is how you craft a story. still NOT over the darksaber omg. 

The Good Place is continuing to be good. Not as crazy about season 4, but I’m so glad they decided to limit the seasons.

Got my sister to watch Rebels!! And then even a few episodes of The Clone Wars!!! Mwahaha >) 

Finally got around to watching The Great British Bake Off, what a sweet show!

OMG I ALMOST FORGOT Anne With an E!!! Gosh what a wonderful wholesome delightful show. No I haven’t watched S3 yet because I am Lawful Good to a fault and just patiently waiting for it to come on Netflix

Film

So, I woefully neglected to mention The Aeronauts in this post about my favorite movies in the 2010s and that was a Mistake. Because I really enjoyed this one

But otherwise probably check out that list. Because I don’t go to the movies that often, actually, and anything I really loved from 2019 is most definitely listed there.

Did I meet my 2019 Goals?

Writing: Fandom

Finish Learning Curve YES

...and How to Lose a Spy in 10 Days Uh, no, not so much

Begin and complete the in-canon universe You’ve Got Mail AU YES, it is begun but no it is not complete

Try to knock out a few other projects on my 30+ SW ideas Umm, I did start / poke at a few things in addition to the YGM and NatGeo AUs, but nothing really “knocked out”

Try my hand at creating more visual fan works (like moodboards/photosets, step 1, learn proper terminology) ahahahah, no. 

Writing: Original

Query more agents for my completed original novel YIKES, No. But I wasn’t anticipating that I’d decide to heavily edit/revise my manuscript.

Actually get around to deciding which idea I want to work on next and work on it Yeah, sure, I decided. How nice of past!Liz to make this goal so reachable as “deciding” lol

Reading

Be more supportive in helping my friend run Book Club so that it can actually meet more regularly HA, oops. Book Club died, but kind of in favor of being able to start a second D&D campaign. At least that’s the trade off I’m looking at. I had some OCD-related glasses issues this year that inhibited reading a lot.

Try to read at least one book for myself outside of Book Club lol WELL the one book I read this year was not part of Book Club sooo

Goals for 2020

Writing

I’m not going to make this a completion goal, but instead...

...I’d like to just focus on creating a regular writing schedule/habit. Whatever the project, I just want to make sure I carve out significant time each week just to write. I don’t want to set a specific goal like “x hours a week” for now, but I want to make sure that I am writing each week.

To achieve that (because what are goals without maps):

If the words don’t immediately jump onto the page, then I’m going to try outlining or summarizing. I’m going to let go of overthinking how sentences are phrased, and just pretend I’m describing the story idea to a friend.

That blank page is staring at me and I’m just going to fill it with words no matter what I might think of them!

And I’m going to let everything else expand from there. And see how that works.

Edit my original manuscript

Query more agents re: original manuscript

Look into the idea of perhaps forming or joining a writer’s group for original writing oh gosh that is so scary

Other

Get back into reading

Develop a routine for working out

Eat healthier

Continue focusing on therapy goals

Get around to watching: Black Sails, Mad Max: Fury Road, Arrival

Get better at responding to things in general

Tagging: @allatariel, @magalis, @mythologicalmango, @skitzofreak, @threadsketchier, @brynnmclean, @ruby-red-inky-blue, @siachti and anyone else who sees this and wants to do it!

Happy New Year y’all!

[hockeylvr59]

What Ifs || Jeff Skinner

Requested: [ ] yes [x] no

Authors Note: It’s still cold outside so I needed some warm summer feelings. Plus the plot for this one is another that has been in my head for months. I’ve been in a huge Skinner mood lately so its about time I actually wrote it down. 

Warnings: none

Word Count: 3202

Song Inspiration: What Ifs - Kane Brown 

P.S.  The Spillway is a real place in Linesville, PA and looks something like this.

It was finally summer vacation. Well, as much of a summer vacation as being an adult allowed. Since you were little, the week surrounding the 4th of July was the one time a year you’d get to see all of your cousins. It was so important to you that you made sure to get off work even now, in order to go up to your grandmother’s cottage.

For the most part, you spent your time swimming in the creek, skipping rocks, hanging out by the fire talking and playing charades, or on the porch playing card or dice games. Of course there were occasional trips to the store, or out for ice cream, and every few years a group of you drove up to the spillway to see the fish.

This year your cousin had brought her boyfriend along and so a group of you went to show him the spillway for the first time. It was always crazy seeing just how many fish could be crammed into an area, to the point that the waterfowl were able to walk on their backs.

As you were getting ready to leave one of your cousins asked about the fish having been sick the previous year or two and so you pulled your phone from your pocket to google while you walked. You definitely should have known better because after a moment your body slammed forward and then bounced back like you had walked into a wall.

And maybe you had...except walls didn’t usually reach out to catch you from falling.

Hearing a male voice ask if you were okay you nodded and before looking up began to apologize for not watching where you were walking. A giggle assured you that it was okay and when you finally met the gaze of the man in front of you, your eyes went wide and you gasped.

“Holy shit…” You murmured. Either this man was a damn good lookalike for Jeff Skinner or the Sabres forward himself was standing in front of you. A lookalike wouldn’t have that damn giggle though and so that simply left one option. Why Jeff Skinner was here in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania was another question entirely.

In the moment it had taken your brain to process all of that, Jeff had started running his fingers through his hair and a blush rose on your cheeks as you gripped your phone tightly between your fingers.

“You know who I am?” He asked and when you nodded his own cheeks flushed and after a moment he smiled. Hearing your family call your name you cursed under your breath before pulling back.

“That’s me...guess I have to go.” You murmured. “Enjoy the fish. It’s kind of a weird but cool thing.” There was certainly a large part that wanted to ask for an autograph or a picture but he was clearly on vacation himself and bumping into him had been enough of an intrusion into his day.

“Hey y/n...wait…” He called when you stepped around him to meet your family at the car. The fact that he had said your name alone made you pause and glancing back at him you tilted your head in curiosity.

“I um...I don’t know how long you’ll be in the area but I’m staying up near Erie for the rest of the week. I uh...if you go up that way maybe we could meet up and talk?”

The question completely caught you off guard and your sisters called your name again.

“I...I’d really like that.” You finally managed. Seconds later Jeff’s phone was in your hands and opening his call feature you quickly dialed your own number before handing it back. “I uh..I’ll let you know if we come up to Erie…”

“Sounds good.” He breathed and as you climbed into the back of the car you glared at your sisters and cousins daring them to say something and then sighed in relief when they let it go.

____

Once back at the cottage you slipped your phone from your pocket and clicked on the number that had called you not even half an hour before to add it into your contacts. You really didn’t expect that Jeff would try to get in contact with you again. After all, you’d simply run into him and then had spent not even two minutes in his presence and he was an NHLer who could have pretty much any girl in the world.

Still, when, that evening at dinner, a trip up to Lake Erie to swim, since the creek was really too high to enjoy, was proposed, you were all for it. You did really want to swim and sunbathe on the beach but if you were up at Erie, there was really no excuse not to invite Jeff and see if he actually meant what he had said.

After checking the forecast it was decided that a trip would be made to the lake not tomorrow but the following day. So, before falling asleep that night, you’d sent Jeff a text telling him that you would indeed be in the Erie area and that he was welcome to come if he didn’t already have plans. Laying awake you wondered if he would actually respond, the reasonable side of your mind telling you not to get your hopes up.

To your surprise, the following morning you woke up to a text declaring that he’d love to meet you at the beach and to let him know when and where you were when you got there. Simply replying with a ‘thumbs up’ emoji you proceeded to get dressed for the day to just enjoy hanging out with your family.

It wasn’t until you and your sister went out on the kayaks that the topic of the previous day was brought up. Your sister was significantly younger than you but at the same time was probably the one person you felt most comfortable talking to.

“So...are you gonna spill on who that guy yesterday was?” She asked as you paddled upstream, keeping your eyes on the banks in hopes of seeing the bald eagle that was known to nest nearby.

“He...uh...he’s a hockey player for the Buffalo Sabres.” You stated softly causing your sister’s head to snap in your direction.

“Woah, seriously? What the hell was he doing at the spillway?”

“I don’t really know. I just bumped into him y/s/n. He caught me from falling and when I looked up I immediately recognized him.”

“Oh god, is he one of your hockey crushes?” She questioned rolling her eyes at you because she was well aware of your obsession with the sport’s athletes.

“I mean kind of, yeah, he’s adorable. He has the best smile ever and his dimples are adorable. He was a figure skater growing up and so I could honestly watch him skate all day. He used to play for Carolina before getting traded to Buffalo.”

“And you didn’t ask for an autograph or selfie?” She added knowing that if you had it would be pretty obvious.

“No. I didn’t want to bother him any more than I had already. He’s on vacation clearly.”

The conversation lulled for a moment as you continued to paddle before turning around to head back downstream.

“But he gave me his number and is going to meet us at the beach tomorrow.” You added softly, straighening out your kayak before just starting to drift for a moment.

“What?!” Your sister exclaimed nearly losing her paddle into the water in the process.

“Yeah...I didn’t ask for anything and instead told him to enjoy the spillway and when I turned to leave he told me to wait and the next thing I know he’s handing me his phone and suggesting that if I was going to be in the Erie area that we meet up. So I called myself so he had my number and that was that. I uh...texted him last night about the lake, not expecting a response mind you, but this morning there was a text declaring that that sounded like fun and to let him know when and where we were when we get there.”

“Damn..this vacation just got interesting.” You sister teased.

“Don’t say anything to anyone else please. It’s not a big deal.”

“I won’t, but are you trying to convince me or yourself because this seems like a pretty big deal.” Glaring at her as you pulled the kayaks up to the bank and climbed out she simply shoved you before the two of you headed back inside to get something to drink.

____

The drive up to Erie wasn’t too bad, you rode with your female cousins and sisters so that you could blare music and sing the entire way while all of the parents drove seperately.

Thankfully while the beach was busy, it wasn’t overly crowded. Finding a spot you noted down what beach number you were at and then helped unload everything from the suv. You had worn your swim suit under your clothes so you didn’t need to change before heading to find a spot to sprawl out. While everyone was making themselves comfortable on the beach, you shot a quick text to Jeff telling him that you were there and where at before you grabbed your own towel, settling at the outer edge of where your family was. Slipping off your sandals, you let your sister spray you down with sunscreen before settling back onto the towel.

Jeff hadn’t responded and part of you wondered if something had come up that took priority over hanging with some stranger. Just as you had given up hope of him showing someone asked if the spot next to you was taken and glancing up you couldn’t help but blush as Jeff’s smiling face looked down at you.

“I mean I was kind of saving it for someone but he never texted me back so I don’t think he’s going to show.” You teased before motioning for him to make himself comfortable.

“Sorry.” He replied and you shook your head to assure him that it was really fine.

“You’re here aren’t you?” You asked and he gave you a bit of a smirk before reaching into the bag he’d brought for sunscreen.

“I’m Jeff by the way. I know you know that but we didn’t really get to introduce ourselves.” He added holding out a hand for you to shake which caused you to laugh quietly.

“Y/N.” You responded, reaching to take a sip out of your water bottle before laying back on your towel, all the while peeking through your lashes as he lathered on the sunscreen.

After a moment he pulled his shirt over his head in that effortless way boys do so that he could get his chest immediately your body went hot because though you knew he was gorgeous, up close it was almost too much.

For a moment he attempted to coat his back and though he had pretty good flexibility, there was no way he could finish himself. Glancing around to make sure that your family wasn’t paying much attention to you, you grabbed the bottle from beside him and squeezed a dollop of lotion into your hands before holding them up toward him.

“Want some help?” You inquired and after getting his permission you proceeded to run the lotion into his skin, taking in the feeling of his muscles under your fingertips. Today was going to be the absolute death of you yet. Assured that his back and shoulders were now protected from the suns rays, you wiped the remainder of the lotion into your legs before standing and tossing your sun glasses onto the towel.

“I’m going in.” You declared, your eyes meeting your sister’s who simply smirked at you seeing Jeff at your side. The sand was hot under your feet and so by the time you reached the water, it’s coolness felt fantastic against your skin.

Resting your hands on your hips you simply let the waves lap at your legs for a moment before you started wading in, diving under the water entirely once it reached your waist. When you surfaced, Jeff was at the water’s edge and you raised an eyebrow at him.

“You coming?” You inquired, floating as much as you could while the waves crested and pushed you closer and closer to shore again. The lake was really your favorite place because it had the waves that made everything more fun but it was fresh water as opposed to salt that hurt your eyes.

Admittedly, it was sad when Jeff finally joined you, the water hiding his body from your eyes, but at the same time being close to him in general made your pulse jump.

“I didn’t expect you to get in the water so quickly.” He admitted as he floated next to you, the laughs of your cousins and sisters reaching your ears from just a little ways down the beach.

“We came to the lake for a reason.” You declared. “If I wanted to sunbathe we didn’t need to drive the hour up here. Plus I’ve always been a water bug.” Swimming though the waves again, Jeff followed, eventually tugging at your foot in order to get your attention.

His touch on your skin, even that of your foot, sent a jolt through your body and you resumed just treading water as you looked at him.

“Why didn’t you ask for an autograph or picture if you knew who I was?” He inquired softly, his voice and presence causing you to shiver.

“Because you’re clearly on vacation. I don’t know...I guess it just doesn’t feel right bothering someone like that even if they are a bit of a celebrity.”

“So you did want one?” He asked, his smile growing wider causing his dimples to really appear.

“Well yeah, but honestly I never expected to meet someone I was a fan of so the experience itself is enough for me.” Nodding to himself, Jeff reached out to splash you causing you to laugh. “Hey now. Play nice Mr. Skinner.” You scolded, squealing when his hands reached out to your waist pulling you closer to him.

“Are you a Sabres fan?” He asked, now doing most of the work to keep both of you afloat as you talked.

“Penguins actually. But I became a fan of yours after Jordan was traded to Carolina and I saw you play.”

“Hmm..” He hummed making you wonder what he was thinking.

“But Buffalo is a team that I watch on occasion, and that I usually don’t root against.”

“Well that’s good to know.” He stated. “Otherwise I don’t know if I could give you my autograph.” Laughing you squirmed from his grasp to swim a little more before deciding that you needed a break and moved to return to your towel on the beach.

Plopping down your sister tossed you another bottle of water as Jeff was still in the water for the moment.

“You look like you’re having fun.” She whispered to you and when you nodded she smiled. “Good. You deserve it.”

Obviously by now other members of your family noticed your company but you just prayed they didn’t say anything for now and that your dad didn’t recognize him. Your dad was the only member of your family into hockey enough that there was even a chance he’d recognize Jeff since he wasn’t a penguin.

Laying back on the towel you closed your eyes for a moment until water droplets fell onto you from above. Rolling your eyes, you watched Jeff as he sat down.

“What? You looked hot.” He teased. Actually your skin was quite cool still from the water and when you opened your mouth to comment, your brain realized what he had actually meant and you snapped it shut again. There was no way in hell that Jeff Skinner thought you were hot.

The two of you continued to chat about various things as you laid next to each other, everything from hockey, to what you were going to school for, future goals, your crazy family next to you. He had sisters as well so he totally understood being surrounded by woman and definitely sympathized with your dad and uncles who were in the same boat.

After awhile Jeff pulled his phone out of his pocket and told you to smile, snapping a couple selfies, some smiling, a few others with you making faces at him.

Sadly the rest of the afternoon went by way too quickly and it felt like no time had passed at all before your family was packing up to go home. After carrying your stuff to the car you made the excuse of needing to use the bathroom to sneak one more moment alone with Jeff. Standing outside the changing rooms he wrapped you into a hug, your nose pressed into the fabric of his t-shirt that smelled like salt from his sweat mixed with deodorant and laundry soap. It was a scent for you to associate with him.

“Can we keep talking?” He asked you and you looked up at him surprised. You really didn’t expect anything after today as great as it had been.

“Yeah of course.” You responded, and when he pulled you into a hug once more you heard him whisper ‘good.’ “I had fun today.” You commented as you started to walk back to the cars.

“Me too. This was definitely the highlight of my vacation.” You knew you needed to leave but again your body ached to remain close to him for as long as possible. “Hey. Come here for a second.”

Leading you over to his car, you couldn’t tell if it was actually his or just a rental, he opened the trunk and reached into a duffel bag, pulling out a hat. Another pocket contained a sharpie and after pressing the pen into the fabric for a moment, his tongue stuck out while he wrote he handed it to you.

“There. Now you’ll have an autograph and selfies.” He seemed pleased with himself as you slid the hat onto your head. “You look good in sabres gear. I’ll convert you yet.”

“We’ll see about that.” You said, smiling up at him. “Thank you for all this. Pretty sure it was the highlight of my vacation too.”

Turning to wave at him as you walked back to the car you couldn’t help but smile and wonder what fate had in store for you as he called out to you that he would text you.

____

Back in the car with your cousins, you slipped the cap off your head, finguring Jeff’s signature with a smile. Today had been the last thing you’d expected when you arrived for just another standard family summer vacation.

You were bound to be asked a thousand questions later but for now you were just going to think about the sweet, smiley, gorgeous NHL player that had absolutely turned your life upside down.

[puckngrind]

What’s In A Name: 4 - J. Toews

Chapter 4

Where we left off: Bekah joined the Lady Jackets with Brynn in Chicago and didn’t tell Jon but he found out.  After the game, he wrapped his arm around her at the arena to head back home making Bekah question things.

Warnings: smut, language

Word Count: 3,468

Series Masterlist ) Puck ‘n Grind’s masterlist

Questions.

Brynn had nothing but questions from the time Bekah returned to the hotel the next morning until the two hit her couch the following weekend after Chicago. Why didn’t Bekah tell her? Why would she not call them dating? How often does he text? Is he good in bed? Most of the questions were met with an I don’t know or I’m not telling you. Bekah was a slightly open book with her best friend but telling her how Jon makes her melt into a puddle wasn’t something she wanted to devolve.

April hit and Jon’s texts became less frequent. The Blackhawks made the playoffs and Bekah found herself most evenings in her apartment watching the game. Wondering if this was the round they would get knocked out. She would text Brynn asking for clarification on a hockey related thing. A day after beating the Ducks in 7 games Bekah looks down to see Jon’s name flashing on her phone.

“Hey Beks.” She can tell he’s laying down and there is a strain in his voice.

“Hey Tae?” Bekah’s questioning reply was noticed. “Congrats on making the cup finals again!”

“Thanks. I was thinking...”. He paused and cleared his throat. “Could you come? I don’t know, maybe starting the June 13th? We will be either be playing game 6 or we will be out. If it goes to 7 games you have the choice of coming to Tampa with me or hanging out at my place?” There was a silence on the line. Jon waited. “Beks?”

“Uh, I was just thinking. Sorry. Yeah, that should be fine. It’s a little short notice for work but I’ll see what I can do.” Bekah started pacing her apartment.

“Awesome. I know I could have just texted you but I wanted to hear your voice it’s been sooo long.” Jon’s voice staggers.

“Oh? I’ve heard your voice a few times during interviews.” This makes Jon laugh.

“I’ll set up your flight and everything as soon as you tell me if you can get me off...I mean get off work...fuck...me. I’m just gonna stop talking.” He cusses to himself.

“The whole no sex during playoffs really messing with you huh?” Bekah bites her knuckle to hold back the laughter.

“Well it’s been a little longer than playoffs so yeah...you could say it’s messing with me a bit. I just keep thinking of you. Speaking of, if it goes to game 6 and 7 you will be staying in a guest room. Sleeping next to you would probably make me explode.” The admission made Bekah’s entire body jolt. They quickly said their goodbyes and she typed out an email requesting off for the week.

Bekah flew in the morning of the 12th. Jon explained that they would be passing ships essentially but wanted to make sure she was set up before he left for the game in Tampa. Jon told her a driver would be picking her up and when she saw Beks scribbled on a piece of paper and Jon’s face emerging from under the Cubs hat she jumped and picked up the pace to him stopping just short of running into his arms. “Can I touch you or no?” She jokes.

“C’mere.” Jon pulls Bekah in and kisses her. Her hand immediately grabs at his beard.

“What barn are you raising tonight, Tae?” Jon chuckles as the two walk to grab Bekah’s bags. “Seriously, I thought it was just the bad rink lighting from my television.”

“My genetics hates the no shave protocols what can I say.” Jon kisses her on the top of her hair. “I’ve missed you, Beks.” He breathes in.

“Same, now let’s get me back to your place so you can kick some Tampa ass.”

Jon left a ridiculously detailed note about how to operate everything in his home. The number for the team manager if he didn’t answer and his house cleaning service just in case. Bekah roamed the halls of the giant townhouse. Taking in the things she didn’t notice before or he added and she didn’t know. She felt tiny in his massive kitchen but realized it was perfect for him in the many conversations about cooking they had. She finally wandered into the room he mapped out as the guest room she would use. Laying on the bed she sees a box. Jon’s scribble on a card laying on top.

You don’t have to wear this but it will look better than the last sweater I saw on you. Always, Tae

Bekah pries open the box to reveal a Blackhawks home jersey. Pulling it out of the box she notices the C on the chest. Flipping it around, Bekah fingers graze over the letters in Toews embroidered across the top. Of course he got her his jersey and not just a blank one. She slipped it on over her tshirt and snapped a pic in the mirror. Typing out a how does this look message she tossed her phone on the bed not expecting the quick response.

Jon: holy fuck Beks. I’ve never seen anyone look so hot with my name on their back.

Bekah: I’m sure 🙄

Jon: I’m adjusting myself right now because that’s how turned on I am. I’ll send proof

Bekah: I believe you. Good luck tomorrow. I’m gonna snoop through all your stuff and then head to bed.

Jon: Knock yourself out! Nothing to hide. I’m gonna take a very very cold shower.

The next night Bekah curled up on the sofa to watch game 5. Win they would come back only needing one more game to win...lose they would hope to go into game 7. Bekah kept falling asleep but the phone call in period 3 woke her.

“Derek thinks you are gonna see them take the cup at home.” Brynn’s voice vibrates in Bekah’s ear.

“Oh?” Bekah rubs her eyes and realizes the Blackhawks just scored with a few minutes left.

“He’s very jealous. Actually stewing about it if I were to go that far.” Brynn giggles.

“I guess I should wear this jersey then?” Bekah yanks on the Blackhawks emblem.

“He got you a jersey? Please tell me it’s his!”

“Yes Rin, it’s his. Not his his because I’m sure that would be swimming on me his sweatshirts do and pads don’t go under them.”

“Friend, I don’t know what you two call whatever this is but men who are just using women for sex aren’t letting them stay in their mansions without them, borrow their sweatshirts, and wrapping their chiseled arms around someone in public they consider their fuck buddy.” Brynn huffed out. Bekah could feel that she’d been keeping that in for awhile. She heard a beep and pulled the phone to see.

“Oh, shit he’s calling.”

“And they definitely don’t call them as soon as they get off the damn ice. Love ya!” With that Brynn hangs up and Bekah answers Jon’s call.

“You won Tae!” She breathe out not realizing she was holding it taking in all what Brynn was saying.

“We did! And we were suppose to fly back tomorrow morning but something got messed up with the hotel and we are heading to the plane. I just didn’t want to freak you out when I came in super late.”

“Oh, cool. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll see you for breakfast then.”

“Bye Beks.” She hung up and headed upstairs.

The slight kiss on her forehead the next morning was the next thing she remembered. “Sleep well?” Jon was dressed in his team issued sweats.

“Good morning!” Bekah answers quietly. “Your guest bed is pretty comfy I might not move.”

“I made breakfast and then I gotta get to the rink.” Jon’s voice sounded deeper to Bekah.

“Oh! Oh!” She rubs her eyes taking in the playoff beard. “Sorry. I forgot about the beard. When does that come off?” She ran her finger down the hard line between his soft cheek and coarse beard.

“When we win it all...or lose but I’m hoping we can win the cup here for once. For the fans.” Jon stands up.

The two make their way up to the rooftop where Jon has bacon, toast, fruit, some drink concoction that is clearly meant for him and coffee for Bekah.

“You don’t eat bread.” She pulls the mug to her lips then sips.

“I don’t but you do. So I made sure to have some for this week.”

“Thanks.” The two fall into easy conversation before he leaves for practice.

Bekah wandered her way down to campus while he was gone and took in the changes in the years since she graduated. She saw Blackhawks gear everywhere. She wondered if she just never noticed or because they were playing for the cup the next day was the reason for the abundance of sightings. She realizes how many times she could have seen Jon play before she graduated. Her best friend, only college friend, was an avid hockey fan from Minnesota. She would try to convince Bekah to go with her all the time. Chances of them meeting back then we’re slim and Bekah was sure as she walked back into his home that there was no way he would have ever noticed her if they had.

Dinner that evening was on the rooftop too. The views were amazing especially at night.

“You okay?” Bekah took in Jon’s demeanor and if that didn’t give away that something was bothering him the clicking of his foot on his chair was hard to ignore.

“Maybe a little nervous about tomorrow. Maybe a little horny. Maybe...I don’t know.”

“Maybe what Jon?” Bekah pulls her knees up into her chest while she waits Jon out.

“You are sitting in the family section.” Bekah gulps but nods. “It was the only seats I could get.”

“Ok...wait seats?” Bekah raises her voice accidentally.

“Yeah,” Jon nervously rubs his neck. “My parents are here and you are sitting behind them.”

“Oh...oh...OH!”

“Please say something else.” Jon squints.

“Fuck. Um. Yeah. That’s...fine. Have you told them about me? I mean why would you...but...fuck. Me in your jersey will look fantastic. Maybe I shouldn’t wear it. Hi, I’m Rebekah Pierce. I’ll be the one releasing your son of all his built up tension tonight if they win...nice to meet you.”

Jon start choking on the bite he just placed in his mouth and keeps coughing. “Shit! Babe!” Bekah rounds the table and pats him hard on the back. He finally stops and turns to pull her into his lap. “You cannot die tonight I would like to see you win this cup thing!” Jon smiles and kisses Bekah. “Oh Captain. That’s against the rules.” Bekah eyes down to where she can feel Jon hard as a rock.

“I’m fine. I’ll just take another ice bath. I’ve come accustom to them lately.” This makes Bekah giggle. “And my parents know I have someone here which is why they are not. They don’t know what we are because let’s be real...we don’t know. And please don’t talk about releasing anything to them. Fuck. I would like to pretend that my mother still thinks at 26 I’m saving myself.”

“Say what?” Bekah bats her eyes processing.

“They will be polite and I’m sure won’t ask too many questions.” Jon kisses her and she feels him jolt below her.

“I’m gonna get up now. I will not be to blame for a loss of anything.” Bekah kisses his forehead and starts to clear the table.

She felt her palms dripping with more and more sweat with each person being escorted to her section. Finally a Toews jersey on a lady that could easily be his mother comes into Bekah’s view followed by several others. Before Bekah can say anything the woman leading the group smiles at her. “You must be Beks.” Her arms come up to hug Bekah.

“Rebekah. Pierce. Yes. Nice to meet you Mrs. Toews.”

“Well...bonus points for the pronunciation.” Jon’s brother, David, laughs out. They made their introductions and sat down for warm ups. Jon skated a few time past them. Andrée turned around talking to Bekah more than paying attention to the ice. Bekah wondered if games ever got old for her. How many games has she gone to in his lifetime?

“I know a little about you. Just not super into hockey. You work in marketing in Columbus. Oh, and you keep my son on his toes. Which is what he needs.” She pats Bekah’s knee as she feels the heat in her face. Jon telling his mom about her added another layer to this whole thing. Thankfully the game started and the attention was drawn away from her and onto him. Bekah was on the edge of her seat. When the horn sounded and the Blackhawks won the stadium exploded. Without even realizing it Andrée had Bekah’s hand dragging her with the rest of the families to the ice.

Bekah leans into Andrée who is beaming since they left their seats. “I don’t belong here.” Bekah admits looking at the families waiting for the team.

“He said you would say that which is why I was told to drag you to the ice with me. He clearly knows you well.” She winked and then there he was. A hot smelly mess with a look on his face that made Bekah forget that she felt out of place. Andrée embraced her son pulling on the beard telling him it looked better every year. The rest of the family gave their hugs of congratulations and the Jon turns to Bekah.

His eyes soften as he pulled her in for a hug. Bekah feels his sweaty lips at her hairline and she laid her head on his chest. “I’m glad you didn’t fight my mom about this.” Bekah looks up and wraps her arms around his neck and he picks her up. “A little more celebrating here then home m’kay?” Jon kisses her temple then skates off to finish the victory celebration and interviews.

Jon busted through his Lincoln Park door with Bekah wrapped around his waist. The high from the Stanley Cup win adding to the need for each other. “Do you wanna head up?” Bekah tried to catch her breath as Jon unlatched her bra from under the jersey.

“Maybe later.” Jon eyes the couch and places Bekah down slowly. She goes take off the jersey and he stops her. “Keep that on. I’ve been dreaming about you in that for days.” Jon licks his lips and sucks his breath in hard.

“Oh. Okay Captain.” Bekah pulls her lip in between her teeth while she pulls off her pants and panties. Jon quickly removes his suit. “If ya want to bend me over the couch I’m already ridiculously wet.” Bekah stands on her tiptoes and presses her lips into Jon’s. The slew of French and English curse words mixed with grunts sent an unknown energy radiating through her body. Jon didn’t answer but spun Bekah around and she bent over the back of the couch. He tapped her inner thigh then moves the tail of her jersey up her back. Bekah looked up at Jon just as he slammed into her rocking both their bodies and the couch forward.

“Sorry.” He mumbled.

“I’m not.” Bekah barked out feeling the familiar stretch of Jon’s length against her walls.

“I’m not gonna last long but I’ll make up for it.” Jon states before leaning over and hooking his finger onto Bekah’s clit.

“Jon. Fuck.” Bekah cried out feeling her orgasm flood her body and then his pulsating deep inside her. His tired body pulls hers up to his chest.

“Sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” Bekah turns around and leans against the couch.

“For the quickie. Not exactly my style. But damnit if you aren’t hot as hell in that sweater.” Jon traces her lips with his finger.

“Well, we have all week, right? I wasn’t expecting a marathon anyway plus watching you holding that cup up in the air was orgasm worthy.”

“Damnit Beks. You do things to me.” He dips down to kiss her lips.

“Now about this beard? Can we?” Bekah uses her fingers to illustrate cutting it off.

“Yes, let’s head upstairs.” Before she can move Jon hoists her over his shoulder and heads to his master bath. He places her gently on the sink’s countertop.

“I have legs damnit and I’m not a trophy.” Jon laughs and kisses her. “Plus how do you still have all that strength?”

“Adrenaline Beks. And you are better than any trophy.” Jon got the razor set, bowl of warm water, and towels out. He reaches for the razor and Bekah’s hand stops him.

“Do you trust me?” She pulls the razor from between his fingers and places it down. He just nods then stands between her legs. Bekah begins with the badger hair brush and cream. Lathering up his already damp beard. Jon’s eyes flash from her to the reflection in the mirror back to her. Using her thumbs she rubs down the bottom of his jawline causing a grunt to rumble deep in his chest. Finally grabbing the razor she whispers...”you trust me right?”

“Yes Beks. With everything.” His admission brought down the first stroke from the razor. She worked methodically down his face and then focused on his jawline making sure not to cut him. Jon groaned with every swipe of her thumb as she checks her work. Finally Bekah reaches for the warm, wet towel and gently wipes off the remaining cream and hair. Jon’s fresh clean face exposed. Bekah leans over to pull the moisturizing cream out from the tub but Jon catches her face and pulls her into his lips.

“That was so fucking sexy.” Jon whispers into her lips.

“Can I finish?” Bekah pulls away and runs the moisturizer down Jon’s face and neck and finally his shoulders. She feels him shutter under her grip. “Now I’m done.” She looked over her work then Jon captures her lips in his again. “I just realized you should be out partying with your teammates.” Bekah pulls away and places her hand on his chest to keep them apart. Jon shrugs. “You should go! The entire city is excited...I’m sure you won’t pay for a single drink Tae.” Jon’s strength over powers her and has Bekah’s body presssd tightly to his chest.

“Nah. I like this celebration better. The partying is more for the young guys and the ones who haven’t won it yet.” Jon’s muscles tighten around Bekah.

“Jon.” She squeaks out his name in protest.

“Beks, I have three cups now, two gold medals, and a world championship. I have partied plenty in my day with the winnings of each of them and I’m only 27. I just want to crawl into bed. Properly give you an orgasm and then do it again in the morning.”

“Damn.” Bekah whispers more for herself in realization that Jon wasn’t just a pro hockey player but would one day be in the hall of fame. Her face caught on fire when she realized that after winning the cup all he wanted to do is celebrate with her.

“You gotta talk to me Bekah.” Jon’s voice finally broke through her thought process. “Babe!” He swipes gently at the strands of hair that have fallen to her face. “Beks, talk to me.” Panic dripping from his voice.

“You called me Bekah.” She finally blurted out.

“And, it IS your name?”

“Yeah but you only ever call me Beks. Even your mother called me it which is conversation in itself later...but I don’t think I’ve ever heard you call me Bekah before.” This makes Jon smile.

“I just gave you the expansive run down of my hockey winnings that had earned me a spot in the Triple Gold Club...and you focus on the nickname I use!” Jon laughs hard and stares deep into Bekah’s eyes.

“Triple Gold Club, what the...what is that?”

“Youngest member too but that’s not what we are talking about.” Jon runs his thumb tightly along Bekah’s jaw line then over her lips she pulls it in and sucks hard. “Fuck Beks... I’m already hard.” She looks down between their bodies to see for herself.

“I just don’t want to be the reason you are not celebrating with your team and fans Tae.” She slides her finger from his collarbone bone down his abs.

“There is exit interviews and a giant ass parade. Plus I prefer my day with the cup over most of the public celebrations.” Bekah hummed taking in this information. “Can we take this to the bed now?” With that Bekah nodded and Jon carried her to his bed.

[whoreforacotar]

Batboys Hockey AU

I GOT THIS IDEA AND I'M FUCKING DOING IT

Jason: #19

-probably a forward

-could be a defenseman

-the captain that everyone wishes they had

-dude loves to fight people tho

-especially when people chirp at him about you

-you both met after a game actually

-he was super nice to you, as nice as he could be with a bloody lip and black eye with a bad attitude towards the other team

-plays for the Gotham Knights

-jersey colors are black and silver

-always makes jokes about why they aren't called the Bats

-logical mascot right???

-anyways

-he never got your number which really fucked him up

-because like, he's always so confident and shit, why didn't he ask for your number when he had the chance

-realized that he was too comfortable around you and totally forgot about asking you out because he was so fucking relaxed

-next game tho

-some guy from the Metropolis Otters decided to talk about you and jason fucking lost it

-this boi barely knew you but he knew he liked you so fuck that guy amiright?

-you knew exactly what had happened considering the guy pointed towards you and then spoke and then Jason hauled off and punched him

-you couldn't lie to yourself and say you didn't think it was an amazing gesture

-Jason was sent to the sin bin and next thing you know, he fucking winked at you

-helmet off and looking all hot and shit

-long story short, that's how you guys got started

-he asked you out after that game and you guys hit it off while on an ice skating date

-gives you his extra jersey which is fucking huge on you btw

-"do I have to stay out of the box? I like sitting next to you tho."

-boi gets you seats every game he has

Dick: #43

-definitely the center

-one of the highest scoring players in the minors

-somehow has never gotten extremely hurt

-still has all of his teeth

-perfect hair you know what I'm saying

-never had a broken nose

-never fights

-boy is too likeable-

-Alternate captain to Jason

-owns it like hell tho

-loves to chat it up with the refs

-mainly because he has to get them to like him so they wont hate on Jason so much

-you ended up going to one of the games with Tim because he was like your best friend and shit

-flirted with you shamelessly

-you made the first move tho

-he was gonna wait until he saw you again

-you asked for his number and he couldn't believe it

-girls never usually went up to him and asked him that kind of stuff

-you did

-and he of course gave it to you

Tim: #79

-definitely a goalie

-no doubt

-boy can move so easily in skates

-you would never expect it from him

-plays on a lower class team 

-plays on said team because none of his brothers are on it

-actually loves the idea of being goalie

-met you during morning skate 

-you were the coach's daughter

-nice job tim, nice job

-anyways

-boi nearly fell flat on his face

-saw you step onto the ice with a stick while carrying the puck and next thing you knew

-this fucking kid was basically drooling under his mask

-the coach introduced you two because tim needed some help on his reflexes

-you were shooting and he was trying to pay attention to the puck instead of you

-it wasn't working

-he slipped and fell right on his bum

-then he ended up getting hurt and you helped him stretch his muscles afterward

-you guys became great friends

-later on in the year that you were friends

-he kissed you before one of his big games

Damian: #14

-VIOLENT BOI

-definitely on defense

-boi can score from center line

-slapshot is a nightmare to be in front of tho

-plays on the team that Jason and Dick used to play on, the Gotham Knights

-gets into a fight if he needs to

-but whenever someone even mentions your name on the ice

-oof

-dude better watch out

-Damian actually met you when him and Jon got in a "fight"

-you were Jon's cousin from out of town

-you wanted to support your cousin

-until you saw how hot his new friend was

-"Holy shitballs"

-your uncle Clark nearly fainted from the profanities that came out of your mouth when the fight started

-damian saw you tho

-you had glass seats right next to the penalty box

-he waved and sent a wink with a small smirk

-hair a mess. black eye coming in, and a dazzling smile to sweep you off your feet

-you waved hesitantly, but you waved

-Jon wasn't happy

-mainly because from then on you rooted for Gotham

-boi was a grump for the next four weeks

-Damian was through the fucking roof

-you guys ended up going out after a few games

-damian def lets you wear his jersey

-boi loves you with all your heart

-always waves to you after a fight on the ice

[holidaywishes]

It Had To Be You XIX

Chapter Nineteen: Ready To Love You

Summary: November comes to a close and you start getting for Christmas. With no finals in sight, you take off to Dallas to surprise Tyler when he gets back from his road trip.

Author’s Note: So, this one catches us up to today! Next chapter will be a Christmas one and then a smutty one after that maybe? I’ll be honest, this one took me longer than I thought it would because there’s hardly any angst. I guess my specialty was angst and now that they’re happy, it’s taking me longer to write it out 😂 But even if this isn’t my best work, I hope you enjoy it!

Warning: 🙅‍♀️

Song Credit: Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree -- Pentatonix, Up On The Housetop -- Gene Autry, O Holy Night -- David Archuleta, Oh Santa -- Mariah Carey,  Ready To Love You -- HEDEGAARD

  masterlist

  You knew you were going to see Tyler when he came to Calgary but, after he moved into his new place, you kept bugging him to give you a tour. With only one day before the road trip, he gave you a quick virtual tour.

  “It might not translate on screen but it’s really awesome” he laughed from behind the camera

  “It looks pretty awesome from here,” you laughed, squinting to see what he was showing you, “it’s bigger than your last place isn’t it?” He flipped the camera to him and nodded

  “Oh yeah!.. Wait, do you not like it?” he scrunched his face in concern

  “I’m only seeing it through a screen but it looks amazing” you responded with a smile, noticing the concern on his face not leaving

 “It’ll look better with you in it,” he finally smiled, lifting his eyebrows suggestively, “when will that be by the way?”

  “Well, my classes don’t end until December 10th but you’re on a road trip then. And it’s right before Christmas. So, it might not be until after Christmas…” you rambled

  “New Years? We play Montreal on New Year’s Eve but the 1st we’re free. And in Dallas…” he said hopeful

  “Count me in,” you gave a wink but then a wave of stress rolled over your face, “except… I still have to find an internship and they might start right away in January…”

  “SHIT! I didn’t tell you,” he said loudly, “I heard back from my guy and he wants to do a phone interview with you. Like tomorrow..”

  “Tyler, that’s awesome! But what is it for? You have told me nothing, I should probably do some research…” you joked, “or else it’s like nepotism?”

  “Don’t worry,” he laughed, “it’s a marketing agency. I got all your ‘requirements’ and I made sure that he was okay with that. Clearly, he was. I just forgot to tell you. I gave him your number so, he’ll be calling you…”

  “Can I get the name of this marketing agency?”

  “Entourage or, technically, Agency Entourage I guess”

  “I’ll look it up now, thanks love.” It was something you had called everyone, love. You used to call everyone lovey -- like lovey dovey -- but changed it to love later on; but you had never called Tyler ‘love’ until a few weeks ago and he never seemed to question it, so it continued. He blew you a sardonic kiss and continued the tour a little but once he got to the bedroom he said that’s where he’d let you go so you would be left wanting more. You were at the end of the month and everything seemed to ease up slightly. You’re assignments were finished, you just found out you had no finals so you were pumped, all you had to worry about was one more final presentation and a couple extra classes and you’d be done.

  Your phone interview was a few days before the Stars were in Calgary and part of you wondered if Tyler had planned it that way. It went well, you were personable and knowledgeable about the company, you asked questions about the position; all in all you were excited about whatever the next step would be. The waiting was the worst. Waiting for a yes or a no, waiting to find out if you needed to buy a plane ticket and get some kind of insurance, waiting to see if moving in with Tyler was even an option or if you should just find a place for yourself. You felt like you were going to short out your computer with how many times you checked your email; you spent literally an entire hour one day refreshing the page. It was getting ridiculous but this is what your life had become. Eventually, you’d start applying to a bunch of different jobs on your University job board because you needed a job and you only had one month to get everything figured out; then you saw it.

  “Hi (Y/N)! Thank you so much for talking with us this weekend. We were so excited to receive your resume from Tyler. He spoke very highly of you and your qualifications were very impressive. We would love to offer you an intern position on our communications team here at Entourage!”

  As you scanned the email, you screamed and jumped out of your seat in the library, alerting everyone to your presence; you apologized and sat down to continue reading.

  “We understand that we have to get some things approved with your advisor first and that this is a co-op position so you have to be back in April but, if all goes well, maybe you would consider continuing on with us in the fall. We’ll discuss more in further correspondence. We look forward to working with you, a contract will be sent to you shortly. Thank you!”

  You were shocked and excited and you could barely contain yourself so, you packed up your bag and ran out of the library. Once you picked up your phone, you weren’t sure who to call first. You’d see Tyler in tomorrow and you could tell him in person but you wanted to share it with him. So, instead, you call Chris.

  “THAT’S AWESOME!!” he shouts from the other end, “I’m so excited for you! When does the job start?”

  “The contract says January 8th. So, I get a couple extra days after the New Year,” you reply excitedly and he just shouts back in excitement before asking if you’ve told Tyler yet, “not yet. Tomorrow. When I see him.”

  “Well I’m happy for you, sweets,” he coos, “you deserve it.” You thank him but roll your eyes slightly at his emotion and then hang up.

  The game against Calgary was relatively tame. When Tyler scored the game winning goal in overtime, the Flames challenged it and the fans were not incredibly happy with the result.

  Hockey fans do not like being challenged on home ice by opposing teams.

  You went to go meet Tyler by the locker rooms before he took off to B.C.; running to him quickly to embrace him in a kiss, taking him by surprise. You pulled his face to yours tightly and he guided you to the wall to support both him and you.

  “Hi,” he said catching his breath as he pulled away, “it’s nice to see you too.” He laid his forehead against yours and you smiled up at him, apologizing softly before playfully biting his lip.

  “I missed you,” you said when the two of you finally separated, walking side by side to the bus outside the Saddledome, “I didn’t think I was going to get to see you before you left either”

  “Well, I’m glad you caught me” he said softly

  “Me too” he smiled, bringing your lips back to his quickly but fumbled slightly as the two of you walked down the hallway

  “You bit me,” you laughed rubbing your lip, “that gonna be a common thing?”

  “Maybe…” he shoved you playfully, “you bit me too by the way.” You smiled up at him, scrunching your nose and grabbed his hand as the two of you continued walking. When he noticed that you were almost to the bus, he pulled you behind a wall structure and put his finger in front of his mouth to tell you not to talk; you stared at his lips as he peeked out from behind the wall occasionally.

  “Sneak on the bus,” he whispered, “and the plane. Come to B.C.” You laughed and shook your head, still staring at him in disbelief. You couldn’t believe that you were finally with him. He was so god damn beautiful.

  “How would I even do that?” you joked, “sneak into the little luggage thing under the bus -- where there’s no oxygen and all of your smelly hockey equipment -- and then somehow get on the plane before everyone else and hide in the bathroom?”

  “Yes, exactly,” he leaned down to kiss your neck, pinning you against the wall slightly, “do exactly that…” You felt him smile against your neck and you got so distracted that a tiny moan came from your mouth but he stifled the sound by capturing your lips with his.

  “Sorry..” you said breathlessly when he pulled away, “I just, uhm, I have to tell you something.” You heard a voice call for Tyler and then his phone ring, he ignored it for a minute but when it rang again he had to answer it.

  “Sorry, babe one sec,” he said still pinning you against the wall as he answered his phone, “Hello? Yeah, I’ll be there in a sec. I just had to use the bathroom Chubbs. Relax, bud.. Okay, bye. Yeah, bye.” He hung up the call and turned back to you, staring at you for a minute before you spoke again.

  “I had something to tell you,” you started, “but I can’t remember what it was now…” He laughed and kissed your nose

  “I’m sure you’ll remember it when I leave.” He gave you one last kiss and told you he had to go or they’d call a search party and you tried pulling him back to you by grabbing his arm but he trailed his hand down your arm and kissed your hand; just as quickly he was on the bus.

  “You didn’t tell him?!” Diana shouted at you as your Christmas playlist boomed in the background

  “I was distracted,” you replied, “I mean that boy knows how to kiss…”

  “Okay okay I get it. So, what’s your plan?”

  “Voices singin’ ‘let’s be jolly, deck the halls with boughs of holly...’”

  “Well, my Monday class got cancelled so I’m going to finish out the week and figure out some stuff here after that -- decorating and all that. Then head out to Dallas on the 14th; he’s back in Dallas on the 16th I think. So, I’ll tell him when he’s home,” you said as the song changed, making you and Diana bop your heads

  “Ho Ho Ho, who wouldn’t go, Ho Ho Ho, who wouldn’t go. Up on the housetop, click click click. Down through the chimney with Old Saint Nick…”

  “That’s a good idea right?” you continued, “he’ll be surprised and then excited about the news?”

  “I think it sounds super sweet babe!” she said happily, “I think he’ll be so happy to see you! Do you think you’ll be there for Christmas though? Like it’s so close to it but that’s a pretty big deal…”

  “No, I’ll probably come back home. He’ll have his family there I think, I don’t want to impose. It’s not my place, right?” you asked as if Diana would give you some kind of answer but she just shrugged.

  “A new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees. Oh hear, the angel voices…”

  “I don’t know babe, I mean you always sing at the church here. Every Christmas Eve you go caroling too. You hate giving up those traditions…” she replied and you pursed your lips in thought, “but I mean, you would be living in Dallas…”

  “I’ll decide when I talk to him. I don’t think that’s a me decision. I think it’s an us decision” you agreed finally and Diana nodded her head. When the 16th came around, you were nervous about how to act when you got there. This would be the first time that you were staying with Tyler as his girlfriend and you didn’t want to move too fast. He had told you months ago where he kept his spare key and what his code was if you ever wanted to stay there while he was away; you let yourself in and were immediately toppled by the three labs in the house.

  “Ooof, hey guys! Hello my sweet boys!” you said, puppy voice high and playful. You were happy to have a day with the dogs before you saw Tyler because you knew that the team was having a rough week and you weren’t sure if he’d be grumpy or not when he saw you, so it would be nice to blow off some steam with the dogs. You took the dogs out to the park, explored Ty’s new house, snooping around, trying to work the T.V. but failing, sitting out by the pool in the backyard and, eventually, dancing around to Christmas songs while the dogs chased you around.

  “I saw them shopping last week, and his new girl was so bleak. And then I swore to myself. Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas night. Ho ho ho…” Gerry was the one who seemed to be the most confused by your dance moves, Marshall was used to it by now and Cash wasn’t even paying attention but Gerry thought you were in pain or something so he tried to, you can only assume, save you.

  “Ow! Gerry, stop,” you laughed as he jumped on you, “come dance with me you dork!” The song continued in the background and you heard a ding on your phone that let you know the game was starting. You turned off your music and went over to the couch.

  “How do I work this stupid T.V.?” you asked the dogs, who looked at you with wide eyes, “there are too many remotes!” You finally got the T.V. on and switched to the game, doing your best not to touch any of the remotes once the channel was set. When the game finally ended, and the Stars had lost, you knew it wasn’t going to be the happiest of homecomings. The second he walked in the door, he heard the T.V. and was immediately on edge.

  “Who the fuck is in my house?” he yelled

  “It’s just me…” you popped out from around the corner, “sorry, I thought I was going to get to the door before you came in.” You waited for a second to gauge his reaction and let out a sigh of relief when he smiled.

  “Hi babe” he said, dropping his stuff in the middle of the room to walk over to you.

  “Hi,” you hugged him and pushed yourself up on your tippy toes to place a kiss to his lips, “what do you want to do for the rest of the night?” He hugged you tighter and said ‘nothing’ and you nodded your head, dragging him to the couch.

  “I know you’re not super into it but there’s a new episode of Sabrina on Netflix,” you asked, “how would you feel about that?” He smiled at you and you knew he was fine with whatever you wanted to do.

  “Sounds like a plan,” he planted a kiss to your head before running off to his bedroom to change, “I’ll be down in a sec, you get everything ready.” You got comfy on the couch, with the dogs trying to find the best spot to sit until Tyler came down and shooed them away from his spot on the couch.

  “You ready for the adventures of Sabrina?” you said excitedly, trying to lighten his mood

  “I am if you are” he sat down, looking a little defeated and you watched him get comfortable, giving him a small kiss that turned deeper when he grabbed your face, trying to pull you closer to him.

  “Hmm mmm.. not yet,” you pulled away from the kiss, trying not to move too fast, “later.”

  “Later tonight?” he said expectantly and you shook your head, curling into his side and turning on the Netflix series. You heard his breath slowing and you could tell he was going to fall asleep soon, so you jumped in before he could.

  “I almost forgot, I got that job with that Agency” you said coyly, “I meant to tell you last week but got distracted by something…”

  “That’s awesome!” he jumped up, bringing you to sit up, “when do you start?”

  “January 8th. I just have to find a place here and --” you started but he interrupted

  “Done. You’ll stay with me” you stared blankly at him for a second, trying to figure out what to say or, rather, how to break it to him gently.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Tyler. Us living together for five months? That’s a big deal…”

  “I’ll hardly be here and it’s not like you’d be moving in for good,” he caught your gaze go down to your lap, “not that I wouldn’t love to have you move in here…” You smiled weakly and told him you’d think on it.

  “I think it would good for us to have some boundaries though…”

  “Like showing up randomly at each other's place?” he teased and you nudged his side

  “Yes, like that” you said and lightly kissed his lips, turning your attention back to the screen.

  “I’m happy you’ll be here,” he said, leaning his head against yours, “I hate long distance relationships.” You smiled and squeezed him, letting him know you felt the same.

  “They’re the worst…”

  “Totally,” he joked, “I need to feel you. Touch you. Kiss you. In person, not over a screen.” His hands crept up your side and you squirmed as he reached the part of you that always tickled at the slightest touch, forcing you to jump up. You stared at him for a second, his hands lingering on your waist, waiting for your move; no matter how much you wanted to be with him like that, your brain and your body wouldn’t connect and you couldn’t let yourself be vulnerable with him just yet. So, you leaned back in for a kiss and claimed that you were feeling a little worn out and you were sure he was too.

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.” Soon enough, his head lobbed onto the top of yours, trapping it like it did at the cottage all those years ago, and you felt so peaceful; like this was where you needed to be.

[justlookfrightened]

Locked out, Part 3

Read Part I and Part 2

“I’ve never been thanked with pie before,” Jack said, reaching to take the containers out of Eric’s arms before he stepped back to allow Eric to enter his condo.

“You never knew me before,” Eric said, following Jack through the entry and past a large living room area to the kitchen.

Jack set the pies down on a wide granite (yes, definitely granite) countertop that had very little on it. The countertop stretched between a deep sink and KitchenAid range, with a stainless steel Frigidaire side-by-side model on the adjacent wall. A granite-topped island divided the kitchen from the living room, with stools on the living room side turning it into breakfast bar.

“So, um, I found some video of your team,” Jack said, turning away from the still-covered pies.

“You did?” Eric said, stepping further into the kitchen. Maybe Jack expected him to do the honors, since he made the pies? “Umm, which pie do you want? There’s apple and peach. Either will be better if I heat it in the oven. Microwaving it ruins the texture of the crust.”

“Oh, you want pie now?” Jack said. “I don’t usually eat this time of day, but I guess I could … apple, I think.”

“I could cut you small slices of both,” Eric said, stepping to the oven. Given the state of the kitchen, he wasn’t entirely sure Jack knew how to turn it on. Which wasn’t fair; Jack probably baked fish or boneless, skinless (flavorless) chicken breasts from time to time. Wait -- this was a gas range with an electric oven. Jack definitely did not appreciate this.

“Once the oven preheats, it’ll be about 10 minutes,” Eric said. “I’d suggest adding ice cream, but …”

“I don’t have any,” Jack said. “I don’t usually eat dessert. Do you really have to heat up the pie?”

“It’s not absolutely necessary,” Eric said. “But if you don’t eat pie often, then when you do, it should be the best it can be, right?”

Jack nodded his agreement with that sentiment.

“It really does taste better warm,” Eric said, carefully cutting small slices, about half of what he would normally serve, from each pie. “Do you have a ceramic plate, something that can go in the oven for a bit? And a pie server? Or a spatula?”

Jack reached into a cupboard where there were white stoneware plates. “There might be something in that drawer,” he told Eric, pointing.

Eric found a yellow triangular server, something that probably came with a pizza delivery or maybe a cake. Jack had set two plates on the counter.

“We can probably put both on one plate,” Eric said. “The slices are small.”

“Aren’t you going to have some, too?” Jack asked.

“I made the pies for you,” Eric said. “But I’ll join you, if you like.”

“There’s no way I can eat this much by myself,” Jack said, and Eric’s heart broke a little. Surely Jack had friends he could share the pies with? Eric rarely got more than a slice -- if that -- of any pie he made and allowed his Haus-mates to eat.

“That’s why I was asking about heating them,” Jack continued. “There’s a table at the team facility where people leave food to share.”

So apparently NHL team facilities weren’t that different from other workplaces.

“Every office I’ve worked in has something like that,” Eric said, cutting two more half-sized slices and plating them. “Or you can freeze them to eat later, or serve when you have people over.”

“A lot of guys already left for the summer,” Jack said.

“You stay here?” Eric asked.

“For most of the summer,” Jack said. “I keep my sponsorships and stuff based here -- it’s close to Boston and not too far from New York -- and I do a lot of charity stuff. I do try to visit my folks for a couple of weeks, but I can get back in between.”

“Where do they live?”

“Montreal, mostly, but they have a cabin in Nova Scotia, too,” Jack said.

“Sounds nice,” Eric said.

“It is,” Jack said. “You said you might be working in Providence this summer? Do you usually go back to Georgia?”

The oven beeped that it was ready, so Eric slid the plates in. “Those will be hot when they come out,” he said.

Jack pulled a potholder from a drawer behind him.

“Anyway, yes, if I get this internship, it will be the first time I haven’t gone home for the summer,” Eric said. “My mother’s not real happy with the idea, to be honest.”

“How do you feel about it?” Jack asked. “Do you think you’ll be homesick?”

Eric shrugged.

“Maybe a little?” he said. “I’ll miss Mama, of course, and MooMaw, and even Coach, but I just don’t … fit in in Madison.”

“You’ll miss your old hockey coach?” Jack asked.

Eric laughed.

“While my hockey coach was great, no,” Eric said. “Coach is my dad. He’s the local high school football coach, and everyone calls him that. I wasn’t all that close to my hockey coaches, not like my figure skating coach when I was a kid. Katya was a force to be reckoned with. But I always called her Katya.”

“That explains some things,” Jack said.

“Like what?” Eric said.

“LIke how you played rec league hockey and still made an NCAA division I team,” Jack said. “And how you skate fast enough for that to make sense. I said I watched some of your games, and you don’t look like someone who was new to high-level athletics or the commitment it takes. Your checking game could use some improvement, though.”

“No kidding,” Eric deadpanned. “Do you want me to make coffee or something?”

“I only have caffeine in the morning,” Jack said. “But I have a single-cup drip filter if you want some. I was going to have milk.”

“Milk is good,” Eric said.

Jack got out two glasses and a carton of low-fat milk.

“So I’m guessing you were a pretty good figure skater?”

“I was the 2010 Southern Regional Junior champion,” Eric said.

“Why’d you switch?”

The oven beeped again, and Eric picked up the potholder and turned to get the pie out.

“The short version is we moved and we were too far from my coach to make it realistic to practice every day,” Eric said. “I really couldn’t improve -- or even maintain my level -- without that.”

“But if you were that good, couldn’t you have moved away from your parents to get the coaching you needed?” Jack said. “I left home at 16 for hockey. Or did you not want to?”

Eric put the two plates on the island and said, “That would be the long version.”

“I’ve got time,” Jack said. “If you want to tell me.”

Eric looked around at Jack’s condo, he wasn’t sure for what. A sign, maybe. He was pretty sure it would be safe to say he was gay. NHL players didn’t go around beating up random gay college boys they met through automotive misfortunes. But he liked Jack, and Jack seemed to be taking an interest in him, and he didn’t want to cut what seemed like an incipient friendship with a lonely hockey player short by outing himself.

The condo didn’t give him any indication about how Jack would react, It was tastefully decorated in grays and blues, with large black-and-white artsy photos of hockey rinks and memorabilia from Jack’s six years as a Falconer. Yes, Eric had Googled him last night, just to have an idea what he was getting into going to his condo. Yes, he knew there was an overdose when Jack was 18, knew that the hockey world thought the Falcs were taking a chance when they drafted Jack the next year. That taking that gamble had paid off for the Falconers in perennial playoff appearances and one Stanley Cup and absolutely no scandals involving Jack Zimmermann, whose personal life attracted almost no attention.

Well, how much of a friendship could it be if he couldn’t be out? That was why he didn’t want to go back to Georgia, after all.

“We moved, officially, because Coach got a new job,” Eric said. “And that was true. He did get a new job, at a bigger school. But he’d been looking for a new job for two years, because I was having trouble with kids in school who thought I was gay, at least in part because of the figure skating. And I didn’t want to go through that with a whole new group of kids in a new school.

“I could have moved away, like you said, and lived with my coach, but if I stayed with the same coach, I would have been with the same kids who locked me in a storage closet overnight in seventh grade -- without my parents there to support me. And, to be honest, I couldn’t have gone much further with Katya, I don’t think. She was great, but she didn’t have the facilities, the other people I would need to be Olympic-level.”

Jack nodded. He understood how much would go into making that happen.

“And the investment my parents would need to make for me to even have a chance, to get into the pipeline … No one is guaranteed success, and I’d be coming in late, with all the politics. I just decided it was enough.

“So we moved and I started a baking vlog and joined a hockey league. And I turned out to be pretty good at hockey -- except the checking part -- and I found a college where they would work with me on that and help me get better, and where it was okay that I’m gay.”

Eric couldn’t look at Jack immediately after saying that, so he picked up a fork and took a bite of the apple pie. Jack, who hadn’t eaten while Eric was speaking, did the same.

“Holy shit, this is good,” Jack said.

*************

Tagging @thehockeyhaus

Read Part 4