#erik johnson imagine

[ilyasorokinn]

home sweet home , erik johnson

note, this is dedicated to @comphyjost. i'm sad, you're sad, we're all sad. also, this fic is part of the "life with the johnsons" series. check out this masterlist for more. pair, erik johnson x reader summary, for the first time in 13 years, erik johnson is playing against the colorado avalanche. warnings, kids/children, pain word count, 1516 words

(gif not mine. by @mattymartin <3)

The entire flight back to Colorado, you felt like your heart was going to beat out of your chest. It was more of an excited/nervous. You were excited to be back and see all your friends.

Out of all three kids, only one wanted to come back to Colorado with you. Zach was the only one out of the three who wanted to come back, so you decided to let him miss two days of school and fly with you to Colorado.

When the Landeskogs heard you were coming with Erik, they insisted on picking you up from the airport. You still had your house in Colorado, but

You made your way out of the airport, one hand holding your suitcase and the other holding Zach's hand. You easily spotted the Landeskog's car. When the kids saw each other, they ran to greet each other, leaving their parents in the dust.

Melissa did the same and ran over to you, wrapping you in a hug, "All feels right in the world." She laughed.

"I've missed you guys so much." You squeezed her before pulling away and hugging Gabe, "Missed you, too," You smiled.

"How's Buffalo treating you?"

"Cold, but it's good." You smiled, looking back over to your kids, who were talking a million miles a minute as if no time had passed, "It's not here."

"That's for sure." Melissa looped an arm through yours, leaving Gabe to deal with the bags, as she led you over to the car and began catching you up on everything.

You weren't in Colorado for very long, so you spent the day catching up with old friends and doing everything you missed and couldn't do in Buffalo. You had lunch at your favorite restaurant with a few of the other girls, you visited some old coworkers and by that time, it was time to get ready for the game.

When you got home, Erik was also home and getting ready for the game. You smiled at the scene in front of you. It felt like old times, "This feels familiar." You hummed.

"Doesn't it." He smiled, "It's weird, isn't it?"

"A little. I've only been here for a day and it feels strange." You admitted, wrapping your arms around his waist and leaning your head on his back, "You ready for tonight?"

"No." He admitted, "But it's a game, just like any other game." He shrugged with a sigh.

"It is, but it's not." You shook your head, spinning him around so he was facing it, "Have fun tonight, enjoy yourself." You told him, helping him tie his tie.

"I will." He nodded, a smile on his face as he watched you, "You have fun tonight, too." He nudged you.

"I will. In between all the crying and cheering." You joked, wrapping him in a hug, "I'm so proud of you, EJ."

"None of this would be possible without you." He hummed happily.

Later that night, walking back into Ball Arena, you were having an intense sense of deja vu. Everything was exactly the same but felt new at the same time.

You made your way down to the ice with the Landeskog family, who had made a sign for Erik, which made you cry the first time you saw it. After Zach saw it, he decided he wanted to make one too, so you quickly bought supplies and made a simple sign that read 'We love you, dad' and had his number on it.

You waited by the glass, Zach standing in front of you, bouncing on the balls of his feet, the Landeskog family on either side of you with their own signs.

Zach looked up at you, gesturing for you to bend down to his level, "I miss it here." Zach whispered.

You pulled away and smiled sadly, pressing a kiss to his head and hugging him, "I miss it here, too." You hummed, hugging him. You danced around with Zach, waiting for warmups to start.

A cameraman stopped beside you and Gabe, asking if you wanted to be on the jumbotron, and before you could respond, Zach spoke up before you, "Yes!" So, before you knew it, the four of you were on the jumbotron, showing off your signs.

You heard the crowd's reaction to seeing their captain, but then also to seeing Zach Johnson and Linnea Landeskog in the arena. you kept your kids' lives private but not a secret so people knew about them.

You looked around the Sabres side of the warmup ice and saw a good amount of people with signs for Erik, which warmed your heart and brought a few tears to your eyes, "Oh no, it's starting." Gabe teased.

When the guys skated out, you easily spotted Erik. There was a loud cheer that you knew would only get louder as the arena filled with more people. He skated a few laps, spotting you on the 3rd go-around.

He skated up to the ice with a few pucks. He handed one to Linnea through the photo hole and gave Lucas a few fistbumps, then handed one to Zach and two more to you, which you would pack in your suitcase and bring back to Lila and Ivy.

He gave Zach and fistbump and blew a few kisses before skating off. You wiped a few tears as you watched him skate off, "Don't cry." Melissa pulled you in for a hug.

"It's only going downhill from here." You laughed, knowing that the tribute video was coming up later. You stayed for all of the warmups, watching and marveling at all the people.

You made your way up to your seats, where a few of the other girls were sitting. They greeted you the same way Melissa had, with big hugs. You took your seat and took everything in. There was a buzz in the air. It felt like home.

A little through the first period, the tribute video played. The video had barely started, and you were already crying. The video started and played the videos of him getting drafts, his best goals, winning the cup, everything. You were surprised to see a clip of you and him in the montage.

It was a short clip of you running up to him after they had won the cup and let all the families on the ice. You found him in the sea of people and jumped into his arms, hugging him. The audio in the video was a little busy due to the commotion around you, but your voices were clear.

"You did it!" You said, your voice muffled due to you shoving your face into his neck, but the microphone he was wearing caught it.

"We did it, baby.” He corrected you, squeezing you tighter and pressing a kiss to your head before shoving his head in your neck.

The montage ended with a video of celly's and the interview he did with Emily Kaplan after winning the cup and talking about how he thought he would have to retire and how proud he was of the team.

After the 'Thank you Erik Johnson' picture flashed on the screen, he skated away from the bench and skated around, raising an appreciative hand to the crowd, a thankful and proud smile on his face as he looked out into the sea of people.

Your phone was out the entire time, taking a shaky video as your hands shook. You couldn't stop smiling and only cried more when the crowd started chanting, "EJ, EJ, EJ!"

After the game, you made your way down to the locker room with Zach, who had fallen asleep halfway through the third period. You could see his eyes closing and then shooting open every few seconds before he finally crashed and fell asleep, his head in your lap.

You carried him to the best of your ability down to the locker room and waited for Erik. A few of the Avs (7 guys) came down to the guest dressing room to talk to Erik, but when they saw you, they changed directions and made their way over to you.

Eventually, Erik came out, and when he did, they all cheered and clapped for him. He smiled, setting his stuff down and hugging every single one of them. He talked with them for a few minutes before they all said their goodbyes and made him promise he would get lunch with them before he left.

Once they were gone, it left you and Erik alone. You stared at him, an overwhelmed look on your face as you thought about the events of the night, "They're letting me stay at home tonight again."

"Good." You nodded, wanting to spend a night with him before he would be gone again. You wrapped your arms around him the best you could without jostling Zach too much, "I'm so proud of you." You whispered.

"I love you." He mumbled into your hair, pressing a kiss to your hair.

"I love you, too." You pulled away with a smile on your face.

-

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add yourself to my taglist!

[mourirderire]

NHL Fic Rec list

Hiii!!! I just wanted to share a few fics that really made me feel strong emotions...

Oh and make sure to check the warnings before reading :)

Avalanche:

Four times You Run Into Cale Makar and the One Time He Runs Into You - @kailyn-writes

i miss you like the very first night (Cale Makar) - @mattyanonwrites

Mistletoe Magic (Cale Makar) - @the-penalty-box-imagines

Nothin' Like You (Cale Makar) - @ghstandpucks

Teach Me To Please (Cale Makar) - @pucksalotguys

Annoying Little Brother (Erik Johnson) - @ghstandpucks

Apartment 352 pt 1 (Erik Johnson) - @imaginingsoftly

Have My Cake and Eat It Too (Erik Johnson) - @mikkorantanev

Like Father Like Son (Erik Johnson) - @ghstandpucks

look what you started (Erik Johnson) - @mattyanonwrites

Only All the Time (Erik Johnson) - @antoineroussel-archive

Overwhelming Light (Erik Johnson) - @burkymakar

the nanny (Erik Johnson) - @holy-pucks

Two Slow Dancers (Erik Johnson) - @hockeywocs

The Turn In Our Relationship (Gabriel Landeskog) - @yourfavewriteress

The Second Time (Nathan Mackinnon) - @wyattjohnston

Till Forever Falls Apart (Nathan Mackinnon & Sidney Crosby) - @pucksalotguys literally heres their whole masterlist i encourage you to read them all

Blues:

Right Under Our Noses (Colton Parayko) - @yourfavewriteress

Bruins:

5 Times the Team Told David He Was in Love + 1 Time he Realized it (David Pastrnak) - @mainlypastrnaksbae

Canucks:

Coach Hughes (Quinn Hughes) - @matsmarts

Midnight Rain (Quinn Hughes) - @babydollmarauders

Milkshakes AU (Quinn Hughes) - @hugheshugs

Devils:

Lies (Jack Hughes) - @nolanmoylee

Kraken:

Four Times His Teammates Said "I love you," and One Time He Did (Vince Dunn) - @blueskrugs

Panthers:

Baby, It's Cold Outside (Matthew Tkachuk) - @raysofcrosby

Wish We Were Older (Matthew Tkachuk) - @sorryjustafangirl

Penguins:

By The Water, Euphoria (Sidney Crosby) - @flashyfucker

Illicit Affairs (Sidney Crosby) - @blueskrugs

Two Little Lines (Sidney Crosby) - @pucksalotguys

Maple Leafs:

What Once Was (Mitch Marner) - @idontgiveaflyinggrayson69

Sabres:

All's well that ends well to end up with you (Tyson Jost) - @mattyanonwrites

[alltaternotot]

Lucky Charm | E. Johnson

Erik Johnson X Fem!Reader

A/N: Inspired by Emily Kaplan’s interview with EJ after the Avs won the Cup. He’s so fine it’s not even funny.

CW: NSFW (blowjob, praise, exhibitionism if you squint REALLY hard), swearing, very limited knowledge of how horse racing/betting actually works, but I gave it a stab. Very VERY lightly proofread, pls excuse any mistakes, just doin this for funsies.

Word count: 2.4K

:)

<><><><>

The summers in Denver were always perfect. It was finally time to relax and enjoy the warm weather after months and months of cold ice rinks and rigorous schedules, for you and your boyfriend both. EJ could finally take a step back from his intense training and long road trips, just for a few weeks, before it was back to the grind again.

You worked as a senior consultant in a successful Denver design firm, which was also the reason you met the tall blond. He commissioned you to design his newly renovated kitchen and living space, and invited you to enjoy a glass of wine with him when all was said and done. He had given you a soul-sucking kiss on the way out the door that night, leading to the best years of your life so far.

You were high up enough in the company now, around four years down the line, that you could somewhat make your own schedule. You followed Erik’s schedule most of the time. You would work hard in the months he was on the ice, and take a few weeks in the summer to enjoy the sunshine and your boyfriend.

That’s how you found yourself here, sitting on the shaded patio, watching the water in the backyard pool ebb and flow in the breeze and reading a new book leisurely. There was nothing like enjoying the soft sound of the water and a good book to pass the time.

You shared a routine during these days. He would join you outside with a tray of food and special cocktails he liked to make, spending the day reading or playing cards with some music on. On race days, especially the ones his horses were entered in, he insisted on sitting outside with a cigar (because there was no way he was getting cigar ash on his indoor furniture) with the back door open, plus sitting on the part of the sectional that faced indoors so he could watch and still enjoy time with you.

Today was a race day, and like clockwork, you could hear Erik open the back door, the sound of the TV in the other room coming through, and his footfalls coming up behind you. He leaned against the back of the deck sectional you were seated in, squeezing the back of your neck and laying a gentle kiss on your head.

“How’s the read?” He asked, coming to sit down with a tray of sandwiches, fruit, and the drinks.

“S’good so far, I’m about halfway through.” You answered, popping a raspberry in your mouth and flipping the page, “any news on MacKinnon yet?”

Horse racing was something that seemed to escape you interest-wise. You thought the horses were absolutely stunning, but the pedigrees going back to the dawn of time and the betting Erik liked to partake in were a bit much for you. He loved it though, so you kept up with his horses at least. You had met them all on trips to California and listened to his explanations about why they were so elite, all while petting their velvety noses and giving them carrots, completely losing the conversation after their grandparents had been brought up.

“Nothing yet, the race starts in 20ish minutes. The announcers have high hopes for him though.” He said, picking up the cigar and his little silver guillotine strait cutter, “his money pool is up to 30k right now, could be a big day for us baby.”

He put the cigar into the guillotine and clipped the end off, pulling out his nice zippo and holding it up. You loved how he looked lighting up his cigars, holding the cigar between the teeth he still had and gently grasping it with his hand. You loved the way the little fire would reflect on his sunglasses and cast soft shadows on his face. Every time he blew a puff of smoke out, it made you want to melt into a puddle, but you would never tell him that.

“That one smells pretty good.” You remarked as he leaned back, pulling you up against his side, the scent of tobacco and spice wafting around you.

“I think so too. Naz gave me a few after the parade.” He said, looking up towards the tv for the stats of today’s race.

You admired his profile as he looked at the standings, watching his eyes dart across the screen behind his sunglasses and the tendril of blond hair sticking out of his backwards ball cap. You admired his nose and his cupid’s bow, watching as he blew out more smoke and let it billow around him. You quickly learned to love the way his lip fell flat where his teeth were missing too, despite your friends feigning concern for your future make-outs. You loved everything about Erik really, but moments like these really did something to you. You thought you might get caught looking for too long, so you turned back to your book and dove in once again.

Your books were to you like Erik’s horses were to him. You loved romance novels most of all, you could laugh at the worst of them and squeeze your thighs together when they got good. You learned new things about yourself because of them too, Erik more than willing to try new things when you brought them up, on the rare occasions that you did. You weren’t the most adventurous in the bedroom by any means, but you had a few things you particularly liked when Erik did or helped you do.

This particular book was on the thigh-squeezing end so far, the slow-burn where the main character falls in love with the handsome rugged cowboy (who also happened to have an affinity for cigars) after finding herself stuck in a podunk little town. It had gotten very hot very fast. Images of a tall dark and handsome man pushing the main character up against a barn door and finally kissing her after 15 chapters went flashing through your mind. You continued down the page, imagining the clothes coming off and the sloppy kisses leading up to a risky, almost-public blowjob. He topped it all off with blowing cigar smoke into her mouth while she trembled under him.

Suddenly, your skin was on fire, and you were hyper aware of Erik’s fingers gently stroking up and down your arm, and the way he looked smoking that damn cigar. You could feel your heartbeat quicken, and you breathing became more ragged and shallow.

You craned your head up and placed a kiss on his neck, then his jaw, then his cheek, then the corner of his mouth. Your hand found his chest as you tried to sit up a little more, but Erik lifted you up just enough for a proper kiss, letting his hand fall on your shoulders, the other holding onto the cigar so he wouldn’t burn you or get ash on you.

“What’s this for baby?” He said, reaching out for another kiss, “your heart’s beating a million miles a minute…” he continued.

“Cant I kiss my boyfriend? I just felt like it…” you said, albeit with a ragged intake of breath.

He smiled a knowing smile, “did your book get good baby?”

“I just wanna kiss you…” you repeated, and he obliged with a few more kisses, noting the way a blush crept up your neck and turned your ears red like it did when you asked him to try something.

After the kiss slowed down, you laid down on the sectional, your head resting on Erik’s thick thigh. His eyes shot back to the tv again, observing the standings again. You tried to focus on your book again, but your mind traveled back to the blowjob up against the cowboy’s barn, and him blowing smoke into the main character’s mouth, your thighs squeezed together again. Erik began running a hand through your hair, brushing your scalp with his fingertips.

You placed gentle kisses on his thigh and began to slowly slide off the sectional, not wanting to take too much of Erik’s attention off the tv. You brought a pillow down with you, putting it under your knees so they wouldn’t scrape against the concrete of the patio. You reached for the knot holding his shorts up, and he inhaled sharply, his hand flying down to caress your face.

“Baby…” he said, and you continued trying to take the knot out of the tie, “baby you wanna do this now? Here?” He said, gently holding your chin so you would look up into his gaze.

You never wanted to do anything outside before now, you had a lot of anxiety about the media seeing you and Erik doing NSFW things and ruining both of your careers. He had asked before on a couple of occasions, but you found a way to steer things inside with the blinds shut. You were almost completely secluded here, it was the off-season, and it would take a real scumbag of a media person to show up at the house for a juicy scoop.

“Yeah, I want you so bad…” you said quietly, “you look so fucking hot with that cigar…” you admitted without thinking.

“You like the cigar huh?” He said, pushing his hips up so you could pull his shorts and boxers down just enough for his dick, already half hard from a few kisses and touches.

“You have no idea what you do to me with that damn thing…” you said, pressing kisses to the cut of his hip and his happy trail.

He groaned in playful frustration, spreading a little more so you fit better between his thighs. You finally grabbed his dick, running your closed hand up and down. He moaned and reached for your hair, running his fingers through it again. You stroked him until he was fully hard, watching the muscles tense under your touch.

You ran your tongue along the underside in a fat stripe, letting your spit coat his dick. You took the head in your mouth and sunk down slowly, using your hand to stroke what you couldn’t take. He fisted your hair, pulling back strands so he could see your face.

He loved looking at you when you blew him, there was nothing better. He loved watching his dick disappear into your throat and how expertly you took him. You looked up through your eyelashes at him, and saw he was slack-jawed with his eyes rolled back, absorbing all of the sensations.

“Mmm baby, you look so pretty taking me like that…” he said breathily, “holy fuck your mouth feels so good.”

You hummed, sending vibrations through his dick and bringing him that much closer. He had to control himself from fucking your throat. Everything about this was hot, the sight of you on the ground for him, the wet sound of your spit, the way your mascara was starting to run in the corners of your eyes.

He watched and waited for you to look up through your eyelashes again, then took a deep inhale of the cigar and blew it out, still holding onto your hair. The smell of the cigar just heightened everything further.

Suddenly the sound of a bugle announcing the beginning of the race, and a shot accompanied by the gates holding in the horses swinging open drew your eyes to the tv. You looked up to Erik again, watching his eyebrows slightly raise as MacKinnon pulled forward by a few feet. You took him out of your mouth, spit dribbling down your chin and all over his dick, and you took a moment to breathe while you stroked.

Focusing back on Erik, you knew he was close, you could feel his hard muscles tensing. His moans were getting higher and a little louder, but not too loud, he knew that would make you nervous about people noticing. His hands ran through your hair and gently held the back of your head when you took him back into your mouth, swirling your tongue around the head, eliciting a sharp whine from him. He took another puff of the cigar, sending you into a somewhat feral effort to get him there.

“I-I’m so close baby! God you feel amazing!” He said, watching you take his dick, “you’re so good for me, treating me so well…” he praised.

You sucked gently and bobbed your head a few more times before he finally shot his load down your throat, letting you swallow it. He moaned and writhed above you, tightening his grip on your hair before letting his fist loosen so your hair fell down around your face.

You leaned your head on his thigh and took a few breaths, trying to regain some composure. Seeing you like that always made his heart skip a beat, hair tousled from his hands and lips swollen and glossy. You even had a little speck of black soot from the cigar swiped across your cheek.

He hiked his shorts back up and offered his free hand. He pulled you up to straddle his lap, taking a deep inhale of the cigar again, watching your eyes and your swollen lips. He kissed you, letting the smoke fall out of your open mouths. You were both breathing heavy as you relaxed chest to chest, head falling into the crook of his neck. He rubbed soothing circles into your back as you tried to regain your breathing.

“Holy shit! Mackinnon’s about to break into first!” Erik said somewhat tiredly, and you turned around to see his beloved horse pulling forward in the final stretch of the race.

You both cheered as MacKinnon crossed the finish line, effectively winning Erik 30 thousand dollars and more bragging rights to his racing friends. You leaned down and kissed him again, not trusting yourself to get up and stand on your jelly knees quite yet.

“We should break open a vintage bottle tonight baby, we’re celebrating!” He said, standing up with you wrapped around his waist, “you’re my lucky charm baby, maybe we should do that for every race!” He joked.

“Trust me E, I can get on board with that… just keep that cigar around…” You teased, and he laid a deep kiss on your lips.

He walked you both inside and laid you down on the couch, tray of food and drinks (and the cigar) long forgotten. His hands already traveling down your body and in your hair.

“Let me show you now much I love you, my lucky charm.”

[harlowhockeystick]

give me all the ej angst!!!! make me suffer <3

"you were the first one who actually loved me"

contains: angst, sadness, cuss words, age gap relationship (reader is 21) | dbf!erik johnson x fem!reader | j's 2k celly

based off of this ask

it had been a little over a week since erik left you high and dry, well, since you left him. a little over a week since he had freaked out over the fact that he might have gotten you pregnant, something that was within his control- something he knows now.

since then you've been staying secluded in your own room at your parents house, only coming out for meals or when you're asked. other than that, you've been staying in your room. you gave the excuse to your family that you had gotten sick, that you needed alone time to prepare for going back to school...anything that you think they would believe.

you kept checking your phone for any sign of erik. any text, call, any sort of notification- but there was nothing. not even an email. you felt stupid, you felt naive and used. you lived with him for a month at his ranch, helping him with all of the camps he ran, helping him around his ranch house. you were with him, also. he took you on dates, you shared parts of yourself with him that you never did with anyone else before.

you made love with him, he told you that you were the one he wanted. you were the one for him. you were the woman that he'd been dreaming of. so why would he do such a thing to you?

you had heard the doorbell, the dogs bark and your dad welcome somebody into the house loudly. you just drowned out the noise and turned up your tv. focusing on the show, distracting your brain from going to the events from the week prior.

soon you hear a knock at your bedroom door. you sighed, looking at the floor to see what shoes they were, trying to figure out who was on the other side. not being able to tell you sat up in bed and paused the show, "come in." you said quietly.

the door opened and erik stood on the other side. your stomach dropped and your heart started to race, you were frozen. you didn't know what to do or say. he stepped in and closed the door behind him. he took a look at you, and the room you were cooped up in, and it was clear that his actions took a toll on you. he wasn't stupid, be he did a stupid thing.

"can we talk?" he asked quietly, standing in front of your closed bedroom door. it felt extremely out of place, erik standing in your bedroom. your childhood bedroom, where you would have sleepovers with friends, then you would go on to have your first kiss, then sneak boys in and out, them climbing in and out of your window.

he was met with silence and he wasn't surprised. erik took a step closer, careful not to step on any clothes that were on the floor. he moved a bag and a pillow to sit down in a chair that was in the corner of your room.

"i told your dad about us." your gaze snapped forward toward him, moving from your blanket up to his eyes. his large, six foot four frame, looked so much smaller sitting in your bedroom chair. he looked almost like a little kid having to tell his mom that he got in trouble at school.

"why would you do that?" those were the first words he had heard you speak in over a week. they broke his heart. he broke his own heart, though, by doing what he did to you. making you feel bad for something that he had control over, making you feel used, making you feel like a little kid.

"i had to. your dad had been...confiding in me a little over the past couple days. we played golf two days ago, and he mentioned that you were moping around." erik explained, standing up from the chair and taking a couple steps toward your bed. his hands were in the pockets of his joggers, his frame still incredibly smaller than it normally was.

"i was worried about you, but i knew i couldn't just come over here. so, i told your dad. at first he was...upset. he had concerns, he was mad that it was hidden for so long," erik took a breath and then sat down on the edge of your bed. he looked at the carpet beneath his shoes, the rug that was by your night stand, the pair of dirty butterfly pajama's on the floor.

"but then i told him about how much i loved you. how i have done nothing but care for you over the past month, that you mean everything and more to me. i didn't tell him the exact reason why you were upset with me...but i told him that it was my fault that you're depressed."

erik looked over at you, his eyes meeting yours, and his heart sank. he hated seeing you sad, he hated seeing you this way; he hated knowing that he was the cause of your sadness.

"and i know, you're about to go back to school and i don't know what this means for you and me, but uh, you mean a lot to me. i'll do anything you ask of me."

"anything?" you responded, sitting up in your bed. he nodded his head, a slight stream of hope flowing through his veins. "then leave." his heart dropped again.

"you were the first one who actually loved me, erik. then you did what you did, and broke my heart right in front of me. you used me, i'm not meant to be used. so get out."

he thought it was best to not argue with you. he knows what you did, and he deserves every bit of bad looks and bad words that come out of your mouth toward him. he gets it.

so, he nods his head and walks out. makes small talk with your dad then heads to his home. you sit up and look out your window, watching him walk down the street toward his own house. he didn't look back to see if you were looking.

[misshoneyimhome]

❧「KINKTOBER 2023」☙

The One Without the Teeth I Erik Johnson

Summary; Erik, the newest addition to the Buffalo Sabres, has just joined the team, and there's a clear directive for everyone to give the hockey star the warmest welcome possible. So, when he accidentally interrupted your work, you seized the opportunity to make him feel right at home.

Tags; Erik x reader; Kinktober

Warnings; oral sex (f & m receiving/giving); semi-public (training room); lack-of-teeth-kink? 

Author's Notes: Starting off Kinktober 2023 with a bit of a classic hockey theme - the absence of front teeth. This is a new direction for me, and I'm excited to explore it with some fresh faces on the ice. I hope you find it enjoyable!

Word Count; 2.1K

・✶ ｡ﾟ

Erik Johnson, quite the big shot in the hockey world, had just landed himself a spot on the Buffalo Sabres hockey team. However, this 35-year-old was no ordinary newcomer; he'd had the honour of hoisting the Stanley Cup high above his head, thanks to his significant contributions during his tenure with the Avalanche. So, it came as no surprise when Kevyn Adams, the team's general manager, called on everyone to give him a warm welcome.

As for you, well, you were kind of like a shadow in the world of the team's staff. Your work certainly had an impact, but you were more like an assistant to an assistant on the media team. Most folks might recognise your ideas and creative output, but your name? Not so much. Not that you minded too terribly; you were content working under the radar and letting your work do the talking for your talents.

Then one evening, as the team's training camps were kicking off and the pre-season was looming, you found yourself alone in one of the team's training rooms. The cleaning crew had just wrapped up, and you had a simple goal in mind – snapping a few photos to give the fans a glimpse of what the players did when they weren't out on the ice, you know, besides the usual skating, weightlifting, and cardio routines.

As you moved around the room, searching for the perfect angles to capture the essence of the equipment, you couldn't help but get lost in the moment. Squatting down to get just the right perspective, you held your phone steady, ready to hit the virtual capture button. 

But just as you were about to take the shot, a deep voice abruptly shattered your concentration, making you lose your balance slightly. 

"I thought you were supposed to take photos of people actually using the equipment," the voice remarked, its tone a blend of curiosity and amusement.

You tumbled backward, nearly tripping over your own feet in surprise.

”Shit, sorry,” the man then spoke as he came to kneel and offer you a helping hand. 

Still somewhat flustered, you managed to regain your composure and looked up, your face coming rather close with Erik Johnson. He had an amused grin on his face, clearly enjoying your startled reaction.

"Uh, hey there," you spoke with a hint of embarrassment colouring your tone. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Erik chuckled, a warm sound that put you at ease. "I thought I'd give you a hand with your behind-the-scenes project," he explained. "Seems like you could use a model, and I could use a bit of a workout."

You couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "Well, in that case, let's get some shots of you in action," you said, your initial nervousness fading as excitement took over. Slowly, the two of you stood up, and even in your proudest pair of heels, Erik Johnson still towered over you.

With a confident grin on his face, Erik positioned himself on the bench press, the weight stacked on the bar more substantial than you could even count. He began to lift, and you couldn't help but watch in awe as his muscles flexed and sculpted his body into chiselled curves with each repetition.

The room was filled with the rhythmic clinking of weights, and the soft hum of admiration from your camera as it captured the remarkable scene before you. The way Erik's determination shone through his movements was nothing short of captivating.

"Looking good, Erik!" you called out, your voice laced with genuine admiration.

He shot you a grin in response, a bead of sweat trickling down his brow. "Thanks. This is a piece of cake," he replied with a wink, clearly relishing the challenge.

Following the intense bench press session, Erik sat up, his gaze fixed directly on you. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and, with a gentle expression, asked, "How come I haven't seen you around much?"

You shifted on your feet and offered a soft reply, "I mostly work behind the scenes, you know, handling the media stuff. Sometimes I do a bit of editing and post things on social media," you explained, a faint smile gracing your lips.

Erik returned your smile, his eyes reflecting a genuine interest in getting to know you better. Being the new guy on the team, he was still in the process of familiarising himself with everyone, especially the staff members who seemed to come and go constantly, assisting the players around the clock.

"Well, I'm glad I ran into you then," he said with a gentle smirk. "You seem nice."

The room seemed to hold a brief, soft moment of intimacy as your eyes locked onto each other. Erik's face glistened with post-training sweat, and the intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down your spine.

Breaking the silence, he spoke with a husky tone, "I hope the photos don't need too much editing."

You shook your head, maintaining eye contact with him, your heart beating a little faster. "Not at all," you assured him with a sweet smile. "You look quite handsome, actually."

Erik's smirk widened at your compliment. "Well, having someone I'd like to impress does enhance my best features." His playful and flirtatious response earned a small giggle from you, and a gentle blush adorned your cheeks. You nervously tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, your gaze momentarily dropping before lifting it to meet his once more.

As Erik continued to gaze at you, you found yourself unconsciously biting your lip, a sign of your growing attraction to this handsome man standing before you.

"Well, I'm sure I can use you for more photos another time then," you finally said softly, your voice trembling slightly, your heart quickening its pace.

"I'd love to help out," Erik responded quickly, his eyes growing darker, and his tongue sweeping across his lips in a sensuous manner.

You couldn't help but be captivated by his lips, but then something else caught your attention. It was subtle, but you noticed that Erik was missing his front teeth, a common sight among hockey players, but something that hadn't been visible until now.

Erik must have noticed your gaze on his mouth because he briefly pressed his lips together before cheekily remarking, "Maybe just nothing where I need to smile too much," accompanied by a playful smirk.

But instead of responding with disgust, you surprised him with a flirtatious twist. "Actually," you replied, your voice almost a whisper, "I like your smile."

"Really?" Erik's voice held a note of genuine curiosity as he leaned in a bit closer, clearly intrigued by your confession.

You nodded; your cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. "I've always had a thing for hockey players missing a tooth or two," you timidly admitted, finding yourself unintentionally drawn a little closer to where Erik was still seated. "I've just never..." you paused for a brief moment, biting your lower lip once more before continuing, "been close to one."

Your confession seemed to ignite a spark in Erik, and he shifted in his seat, his eyes gleaming with newfound intensity. Slowly, he extended his hand toward you, his voice a husky whisper as he said, "Well, then why not come a little closer and try it out?"

The invitation hung in the air, thick with anticipation, and it was a proposition you found impossible to resist. With a flutter of excitement in your chest, you took a step closer to Erik, your heart racing as you ventured into uncharted territory. 

His hands came to gently snake around your body, as you came to stand between his legs, your chest in height with his face. 

“You’re gorgeous,” he murmured into your body. “Come, sit down.” His voice was low and gentle, yet you sensed the dominating undertones, which caused your heat between your legs to lightly twitch. And so, you did what he asked of you. Switching positions, you came to sit on the bench, while rose from his seat and came to sit in front of you on his knees. Though, the position was a little awkward a first, the awkwardness quickly faded, as he hovered you, and collided his lips onto yours. 

The kiss was sweet and gentle at first, but the new team player was determined to show off his skills, as your confessions about your turn on seemed to have erupted a spark in him. His tongue was quick to brush against your lips, earning you to part them, and slowly it entered your mouth, to move around yours. Slowly it got more intense, and as he used his large body to make you lie on your back, you could feel how your core was starting to pool. 

His mere touch had you all turned on, and as soon as he broke the kiss, you felt his warmth missing from your body and lips. 

“Let me show you what I can do with this mouth,” he told you, as he carefully placed himself between your legs, gently spreading them, causing your skirt to move up slightly. Erik licked his lips, as his eyes caught onto your black lacy thong, which only seemed to be in the way. 

With his fingers smoothly running up your bare thighs, he used two fingers to move aside the fabric that stood between him and your sweet cunt. Small moans started to escape your lips, as you felt his hot breath coming closer between your legs, his scruff brushing your inner thighs, and your lips parted in a silent moan as you felt the breadth of his tongue’s initial stroke. A shiver went through your body once again, though this time it was in pure pleasure as Erik began to work his tongue between your folds and his lips connecting as well, coming on to suck on your clit. 

A smirk came across the man’s face, as your moans started to become louder and faster, which only seemed to encourage him further. You were silently thanking yourself for staying late today, to finish up your work, as a certain rush was flowing through your veins, with every skilful move Erik seem to have. The missing teeth in his mouth seemed to provide him better access to move his tongue, and what a blessing you though it was. You tried to lift yourself up a little to catch his eyes, which were solely intensely starring up at you, wanting to push you to what you craved the most. And with a few more licks, your body shuddered, and your toes curled, as you felt your orgasm rush over you, and your juices liquidated onto Erik’s mouth. 

His beard shimmered in the lights of the training room, as he pulled back his head from your heat. A satisfied smirk adorned his face, as he came to stand. “I like this kind of work out,” he playfully spoke, standing in front of the bench. 

Feeling confidence by the rush, provided by the tall forwarder, you came to stand in front of him as well; smoothly correcting your skirt. While matching his solid smirk and with no words needed to be spoken, you confidently moved to kneel in front of him, as his hard cock was nowhere near concealed in his joggings. 

His hand found your hair, gently stroking through it. Hooking your fingers around the hem, you gently pushed them down to pool around his angles. Licking your lips, and gazing up at him to catch his eyes, you stroke your palm softly over his member through his boxers, earning small breaths escaping his mouth.

“No teasing,” were light words, merely a whisper, coming from the man towering you. And by his command, you pulled his boxers down to join the joggers, freeing his hard length. With one hand you gave it a few light strokes, causing a few more moans from Erik, before you welcomed in into your warm mouth. “Oh yes,” he moaned, as you took his cock further in and down, while breathing through your nose, and using you mouth to flex and suck. Saliva filled your mouth around Erik’s cock, as you continued to bop your head, and his grip in your hair began to tighten as he was getting closer to a release. 

You could feel how his hips came to gently thrust against your own movements, so you increased your speed and little, and with a loud groan, and heavy breaths, Erik spilled his liquid into your mouth. 

Calming his breath, Erik looked down at you, as you cleaned him up, swallowing every bit of his cum, finishing with a sweet smile. 

“Welcome to the team.” 

[laurenairay]

Could we get EJ with a reunion kiss?

Reunion Kiss – Erik Johnson

Words: 1.1k

As soon as you requested EJ, I had this idea in my head. I hope you like it!

~

As the minutes ticked down, you found yourself tapping your foot, picking at your nails, barely able to concentrate on anything that wasn’t the arrivals board. Any moment now, your boyfriend Erik would be landing in Denver. Any moment now, he would be home.

He may be heading out to catch up with his former teammates tonight, but for the whole of today, he was just yours.

As soon as Erik had seen the schedule all those months ago, he’d started making plans with you. He’d gotten permission from his coach to fly out a day early, wanting to spend as much time with you as possible, and you’d be there to watch him play tomorrow as well. You weren’t sure how it was going to feel pulling on a Sabres jersey rather than an Avs one, even more so to wear it within the arena that you’d grown to know so well, but seeing him in person was going to be worth all of that strangeness, you knew that down to your bones.

It had been the hardest decision of your life to stay in Denver when he moved away to Buffalo. You loved your job, not ready to give it up and not able to work remotely, and Erik wasn’t ready to retire. There had even been a terrible moment when you’d thought that this was the end of your relationship, that being apart would be too much for your physically affectionate boyfriend, but he had insisted that the last thing he wanted was to lose you.

The last five years had meant too much to him, just as much as they meant to you.

Instead, you’d made the decision to try long distance – Erik’s contract was only for a year after all, and if he still felt that fire to play, if he got extended in Buffalo or picked up a contract elsewhere then the two of you would talk. Being apart from him really wasn’t what you wanted for the long-term, obviously, and he didn’t want that either, but for now it was the only option.

You missed him like hell though.

And if his long voicemails, copious amounts of gifts via shipping, and frequent video calls were anything to go by, Erik missed you too.

It felt like time dragged from the moment you saw his plane marked as ‘Landed’ to the moment he walked through the arrivals hall, but as soon as he spotted you waiting, he jogged over to your side. Erik wasted no time in scooping you up in his arms and spinning you around in the tightest hug, letting you squeal in his ear as you clutched him just as tight in return.

“Fuck I missed you.”

As he lowered you back to the ground, that was the last thing you heard before he captured your lips in a searing kiss. All you could do was to clutch at his shirt with both hands, leaning into his body as your knees felt weak, happily responding to the slow intense kiss over and over again until Erik pulled away with a sigh.

“As much as I don’t want to stop kissing you, we should probably get out of here before we get arrested for public indecency,” he mused.

“Come on Casanova, let’s get you home,” you laughed.

You looked up at him to see him mouthing the word ‘home’, which only made your heart twinge with the longing sadness that had been digging its claws into you. “I missed you too, if it wasn’t clear.”

Erik just took your hand in his, raising it to his lips to kiss your knuckles, making you smile all over again. It didn’t take long for the two of you to walk to where you’d parked the car, and it wasn’t until you were sitting behind the wheel that you spoke to him again.

“How does it feel being home, EJ?”

“Feels like I should’ve thrown you over my shoulder and dragged you to Buffalo with me,” he said, smiling sadly as he buckled his seatbelt.

Oh bless his heart.

“Hey, no, not the sad face. We knew this was going to be difficult,” you said frowning, taking his hand in yours across the parking brake.

“I didn’t think it was going to be this difficult,” he sighed.

A flash of cold dread filled your chest, and you found yourself inhaling sharply. Did he mean what you thought he meant?

“Is it too difficult?” you asked softly.

Erik took one look at your face and cursed under his breath, quickly unbuckling his seatbelt again to take both of your hands in his properly.

“No. Not like that. That’s not what I meant at all, sweetheart, I promise,” he said firmly.

Tension bled out of your shoulders, but you still needed more from him, which he saw clearly.

“The moment I saw your face, I realised exactly how much I missed you. Like, I already knew that I missed you, but actually seeing you in person? It magnified everything. Not being able to see your pretty smile whenever I want. Not hearing you laugh at my ridiculous jokes. Not waking up with you in my arms. Not seeing your awful dancing in the kitchen. Not hearing that incredible gasp you make when I slide into you. Not seeing you cheering my name at games like there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. I don’t get to have all of the things I love in my life anymore, all through my selfish choices.”

His words felt like a knife twisting in your guts, but hearing him say he was selfish? No, that you couldn’t stand for.

“You are not selfish, Erik Johnson. The last thing you could ever be is selfish. I know what I signed up for when I started dating you. We always knew this would be a risk,” you said firmly.

“Doesn’t make it any easier to only have you across the phone,” he said, voice thick with emotion.

“No, it doesn’t. We always said we would reassess this summer and I’m still sticking to that, okay?”

Erik nodded at your statement, smiling briefly, a little less sad than before. “Yeah, okay. Just need to remember what I’ve got waiting for me, right?”

“I will always be waiting for you, EJ, that I can promise. But you can absolutely make up for lost time right now,” you said, smiling innocently.

It was Erik’s sharp grin that sent a shiver through your body. There was the man you loved.

“Then you’d better buckle up and drive us home, sweetheart,” he said, voice rough.

The promise in his words only excited you more.

[fallinallincurls]

Easy Like Sunday Morning

this originally started (like most fics) in my dms with @tonyspep and this is entirely for her!! we know ej wearing his glasses is a heavenly sight so i couldn’t resist writing this and it’s just the softest thing ever.

hope you enjoy!! feedback is always appreciated! xx

word count: 1.2k 

~~~~~

Slow mornings with EJ are a rarity to say the least. In the almost seven months that you’ve been dating, you can count on one hand how many times you’ve been able to roll over in bed and waste away the golden sunlight wrapped in each other’s arms. Usually, he’s up early at an ungodly hour for practice or you’re rushing out of the apartment in hopes of making it to the office on time.

But sometimes, to both of your delights, schedules line up and allow for the early morning to be spent together without any worries or expectations. 

Like today.

The soft patter of steady rain against the window panes pulls you out of your peaceful sleep. It’s still early, the clock on your bedside table reading 7:06 and the dim lighting revealing the sun is yet to rise and try to fight through the clouds. Eyes still heavy with sleep, you roll over to embrace the cozy atmosphere by cuddling up with your boyfriend.

Except his side of the bed is cold and empty. Not a trace of him to be found. 

A small huff escapes past your lips because you know Erik has today off. It’s Sunday. The team doesn’t have practice or a game for once and he turned down Nate’s invite to work out because he wanted to spend the time with you instead.

So where is he?

With a sigh, you relish in the warmth under the blankets for a few more minutes before getting up. You pull on a discarded button up of Erik’s, one that often finds its home on the floor after not being able to contain yourself anytime he wears the shirt. A smirk dances across your lips at the thoughts of how the single piece of clothing is responsible for the hours tangled up together in the sheets last night. Not that you’re complaining.

After securing a majority of the buttons, you wander down the stairs in hopes of finding the blue eyed, blonde haired man that has found home in both your heart and life. The house is quiet, nothing but the rain filling the silence which makes you even more curious. Erik almost never gets up early when it’s unnecessary, opting to spend the precious time snuggled up with you. 

But knowing him and his mischievous personality, he could be up to anything. Which is enough uncertainty for one morning. 

You rub the sleep from your eyes while rounding the corner into the kitchen after finding the living room empty. And that’s where you stumble across a scene that fills your chest with the purest form of adoration and sense of happiness like no other.

The Sunday paper is spread out across the dining room table, one particular page being read in detail by your boyfriend who is completely oblivious to your presence. A mug full of hot tea, that expensive stuff he insists on drinking just to prove to Nate that he can take care of his body, sits near his elbow. His dirty blonde hair is a tousled mess atop his head, strands falling over his forehead and into his blue eyes.

What gets you the most though, what steals your breath away and makes the world stop turning, is the fact that he’s wearing a pair of simple black glasses. The sight is new to you, not something you’ve seen over the seven months together. 

And you can’t explain how or why, but seeing him right here in this moment, makes you fall in love with him even more.

You’re the only one who gets to experience this. The only one who gets to see Erik so at peace and gentle, a total opposite to his presence the fans are used to on the ice. The only one who receives his love and relishes in the warmth of slow mornings with him. This Erik, the one in front of you right now, is yours. The man who has found a place in your life and heart. 

But no one, not another soul, gets to see or know him like this.

How lucky are you?

As much as you’d like to, and easily could, spend the next few hours admiring him, you have to ask the question sitting on the tip of your tongue. How have you been dating for this long already and haven’t seen him wearing glasses once? Not a single time before now.

“Hey babe? Where did the glasses come from?” 

“Good morning to you too,” He chuckles in response, an adorable smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He opens his arms as a silent welcome and you gently settle into his lap without a moment of hesitation. You press a soft kiss to his lips and you can feel Erik’s smile against yours.

“You didn’t answer my question.” You state pointedly, one hand tangling in his hair as your eyes remain locked with his gorgeous blue ones. “How have I never seen you wear glasses before, huh?”

EJ, much to your delight, blushes wildly under your gaze. The weight of such a simple question hangs in the air until he breaks the silence with a small laugh.

“I don’t really know. Wearing glasses means I’m old-”

“Hey!” You exclaim, playfully hitting his chest in pretend hurt. “I wear glasses too, you goof. In case you forgot.”

“I could never forget. Your glasses make you look even cuter than you already are. Like seeing you put them on in the morning or the way you squint just a little bit when you kiss me goodnight. That’s the cutest thing in this entire world, babe.” Erik starts, thumbs drawing small circles onto your hips. “But my glasses don’t have the same effect.”

A gasp slips past your lips at that. How can he think that’s true?

“EJ, baby, I hate to burst your bubble, but I think I love you even more with your glasses. Look at you!” You say with nothing but love, squishing his cheeks for a moment before kissing his nose. Erik rolls his eyes in affection, feeling his heart swell with each passing second. “Even if I only get this in the morning, please wear them everyday. For me?” 

He pretends to think about it as if it’s a hard choice to make. But this man would do whatever it takes to see you happy even if it means wearing his “old man” glasses more often.

“Sure, love, I’ll wear them every morning just for you.” Erik replies, a big grin blossoming across his face. You clap in excitement before kissing him deeply and trying to get even closer to him than you already are.

“Can we switch for a second? I wear yours and you wear mine?” That joyful laugh of his fills the air as he nods. Carefully, you pull his glasses off and replace them with yours, then repeating the same process for yourself. “Ohmygod, your eyes are worse than mine!” You giggle, trying to adjust to the new prescription.

“No way!” EJ exclaims, looking a little ridiculous in glasses that are too small for him. You can’t help but lean into him, laughing like nothing else matters in the world. Because right then, on a slow rainy morning wearing each other’s glasses for the fun of it, you know you can’t love anyone else more than you love Erik.

tagging some friends/mutuals who may be interested:

@tonyspep​ @happer08​ @eightmakar​ @comphyjost​ @jostystyles​ @stroopwaffle8​ @antoineroussel​ @equallyshaw​ @rosesvioletshardy​ @ilyasorokinn​ @2manytabsopen​ @suitandtys​ @laurenairay​ @kailyn-writes​ 

[wyattjohnston]

you're the king, baby i'm your queen - erik johnson

series: only all the time

note: hope you like fluff

word count: 1,392

The boys had been left behind at the Arena to celebrate in the locker room and the families had made their way back to the hotel where they made sure to start celebrating without them. The hotel party was no match for the free-flowing alcohol that was certainly turning the locker room into a swimming pool, but they were putting in a fair effort to match them.

When the boys did inevitably trickle in, all red-faced and wobbly, they were met with cheers and more alcohol. By the time Erik and Gabe arrived with the Cup Gwen was close to losing her voice.

She threw herself at him, having the wherewithal to keep her feet on the ground because she didn’t trust Erik to keep her up right in his state and she wasn’t in any position to balance them either.

Erik pressed his face right up against Gwen’s, forcefully tuning out the rest of the party.

“I’m gonna do it again,” he told her. “We are gonna do it again.”

“I know, baby,” Gwen said happily, kissing him so lightly it was more a breath against his mouth. “I’m so proud of you.”

In a moment of drunken solemnity, he said, “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“You absolutely could have,” she laughed, moving her thumbs under his eyes, “but I’m glad that I was here to see it.”

He was visibly exhausted, as was the rest of the team, and despite the alcohol running through his body he moved with a stiffness that came from playing through pain. The breakdown of all his injuries but his knee had been causing him enough grief that he’d brought it up during the week so she’d been focusing on it and, despite her own drinking, she was having trouble not focusing on the way he was favouring it.

So, she tracked him around the room as he greeted every single person who hadn’t yet disappeared to their beds, drunkenly thanking them for their support and, in the case of parents, for raising their boys to be the hockey players they’d become. It was as heart-warming as it was amusing.

“What are the chances that Erik goes to sleep at all tonight?” she asked Mel and Sawyer, Bo’s girlfriend, who both looked like they were ready to call it a night themselves.

“If any of them get any sleep it’ll be a miracle,” Mel said, only to fondly roll her eyes when Gabe shouted her name across the hotel’s conference centre and wildly gestured for her to join him.

“Why do you call him Erik?” Sawyer asked. “Everyone else calls him EJ.”

“Yeah,” Gwen said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, “that’s exactly why I call him Erik.”

Sawyer commented on it being so cute and so romantic and maybe I should call Bo ‘Bowen’—and Gwen didn’t want to be rude, but she was grateful when Sawyer disappeared shortly after to find Bo.

The reminders that she was getting older were becoming more and more frequent with the ages of the team seemingly drifting downwards—she wasn’t quite ready for her mid-life crisis to occur at thirty-three before she was even married and certainly not before she’d had any kids.

Mel returned to her side, though, and they stood in the corner looking very much like they were the women behind the Cup run. It had been a startling realisation for Gwen, who hadn’t spent all that much time around hockey given how long she and Erik hadn’t been together—in fact, they weren’t even at a point where their time in a relationship had exceeded the time they were broken up. All the ‘Better Halves’, as the social media crew called them, were treated with respect but there was something about Mel and Gwen that was venerable.

“Queen Melanie Landeskog looking over her subjects,” Gwen said, a long standing joke between them.

“Her Royal Highness, Gwendoline King, always right by her side,” Mel said back, swaying into Gwen playfully.

“Of course I’m by your side, I wouldn’t be here at all if it weren’t for you. Twice.”

“I’m glad I get to do this with you,” Mel said. “It feels silly because the boys are the ones who did it, but I think it’d be pretty hollow celebrating it if you weren’t here.”

Gwen pulled Mel into a hug, both of them swaying off balance at the suddenness of it. There was something to be said about platonic soulmates and they were each certain they’d found theirs.

Across the room, Erik drifted away from the Cup to let Newy have another turn hugging it. Gwen made eye contact with him, her heart racing when his smile grew impossibly bigger at the sight of her.

He raced towards her, his hands on her cheeks and brought her mouth closer to his in a breathtaking kiss, she gripped the front of his shirt just to keep steady as her feet left the ground before she was ready.

He started speaking before she was even back on the ground, “I’ve borrowed this. The real one’s at home and it’s the first time I’ve left home without it but this feels right.”

“How drunk are you?” Gwen asked, patting his cheek.

“Very, but—” Erik sank down to one knee, Gwen was largely concerned about the aching he’d been complaining about, and it took the sudden silence around in the conference room to make her realise what Erik was doing. “—I’ve made you wait long enough. Gwendoline Eileen King, will you marry me?”

“Erik, are you serious?” she asked breathlessly, before realising what he’d said at first and asked, “Who’s ring is that?”

“Mel’s. She’s going to want it back but I promise the ring I bought you is way better.”

Gwen stared down at Erik, at his stance, at Mel’s ring in his hand and shook her head in disbelief, “Jesus fucking Christ, Erik.”

“Can I get a yes? I can’t feel my legs.”

Gwen reached forward without hesitating to help Erik to his feet and cringed at the pained noises he made.

Erik, once standing, held the ring out to her again, pinched between his thumb and forefinger, and bowed his head to prompt her for an answer.

“Yes, Erik,” she scoffed because he surely knew the answer, “of course I’ll marry you.”

Erik slid the ring easily onto Gwen’s ring finger but she didn’t even look at it—it was symbolic, anyway—before she threw herself at Erik and trusted that he would catch her. He always caught her.

The room erupted, the complete silence shattered between one second and the next; Gwen didn’t open her eyes or break their kiss.

After being woken up only maybe two hours after going to sleep by Gabe at their door with the Cup, Gwen showered and changed with one eye open while they goofed around.

Though she had only worn Mel’s ring for a matter of minutes—Gwen wasn’t going to be the person who lost Mel’s engagement ring—her ring finger still felt like it was missing something. She walked out of the bathroom still looking at her finger, getting caught by Gabe who was trying to pass back through to the hallway.

Gwen laughed out loud when she saw that Erik had been left with the Cup in bed, naked only covered by the bed sheet.

She laid down in the empty space on the other side of the Cup, brushing her fingers over the names that were already on the cup and trying to imagine what it would feel like to brush over Erik Johnson.

Erik caught her hand, lifting it to his mouth to kiss the back of it, and asked, “Do you want to get married this summer? I’ve made you wait so long.”

“Erik, baby,” Gwen cooed. “I’ve known you and loved you for ten years; I would have married you in that first year if you’d asked and I will marry you if it’s the last thing I ever do. But I have waited all these years and I want my dream wedding.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“You’ve waited for me for so long that it’s my turn to wait for you, right? Everything from here on out is about you, Gwen.”

The ring Erik left at home (incl. wedding band)

[ilyasorokinn]

happy tumblraversary!! could i request an instagram edit of celebrating halloween/spending the fall season with erik johnson? thank youu!

BUFFALO FALLS

first edit (of 2 lol) for my tumblr-versary! i hope you enjoy :) (i know it’s a little short, so i’m sorry about that. also, that title is not very creative 😭)

fc: tanya burr

yourusername

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yourusername life lately 🍂☕️🤎

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mel.landeskog feels wrong without you 😢

↳ yourusername forever missing you ❤️

sabreswags 🕯️ god, i’ve seen what you’ve given others 🕯️

6erikjohnson6

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sabresfan1 i love that his instagram is just a y/n fan acc 😭

↳ yourusername i’ve trained him well ☺️

avsfan1 still feels wrong.

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(photos aren’t mine. they all belong to tanya!)

taylor’s tumblr-versary!

[horsesandhockeyplayers]

Fourth Line Grinder-- Part 11

Author’s Note:  This beautiful header is courtesy of @whatishockey​​ and her brilliant creative mind. We continue with ALL NEW content as EJ and Nell figure out their relationship. Please see the masterlist post to see the 2019 Pacific Classic as an example race

Word Count: 5118

Word Count TOTAL: 65,488

Song: Dark Horse - Aaron Watson

Synopsis:  Nell Sayer, often called The Witch for her ability to heal horses that are deemed lost causes, is content with her life. With a job where she makes a good living and her two best friends, Nell is unprepared for the changes a meeting with a once-in-a-lifetime horse and his incorrigible owner brings, knocking her off her feet…literally. If only she were as good at listening to her heart as she is at listening to the animals she loves.

Tag List: @laurenairay, @danglesnipecelly, @hockeylvr59, @whatishockey, @thebookofmags, @princessphilly, @glassdanse, @tippedbykreider, @iangiemae, @kotkaniemi-caufield-mom, @marcoscandellas, @mac-blackwood, @fanficrecsby-e​

Part 11 

The feeling of kisses being pressed along my naked spine woke me. True to my word I had accompanied Erik to Denver when he signed the papers for the property. I was staying at his modest Denver home for four days before flying back to San Diego.

Grinder came out of the Eddie Read with no issues, in fact he was so fit he was beginning to get rambunctious in a way that had Dick considering what to do with him if he qualified for the Breeder’s Cup in the Pacific Classic. There were two full months between qualifying and actually racing in the Longines Classic.

But that was a problem for another day. Thick fingers slipped between my vaginal lips and I moaned into the mattress. EJ pushed two fingers inside me and down to probe my G spot while his thumb rubbed my clit. I came in record time as he laughed against my shoulder blades, his hand following my gyrating hips as I shook from the orgasm.

Mile high sunshine was starting to filter into the bedroom and I knew from experience it couldn’t be much past 5am.

Erik kneeled between my spread legs and he lifted my boneless body onto all fours by my hips. We both moaned as the head of his cock slid inside me. His pace was languid and lazy as he slid a hand between my breasts and lifted me up pressing my back against his chest.

I raised my arms and clasped them behind his head, pulling him down for a kiss. I liked any kind of sex with Erik, but I loved these relaxed mornings, lazy fucking and morning breath until we had our fill of orgasms and hunger sent us to the kitchen for breakfast. It was messy and wet and I made a mental note to get a generous gift card for his housekeeper.

He continued his lazy thrusts, his hand sliding down my body and across my lower stomach like he could feel his dick inside me. Continuing down, he swirled his middle finger around my clit and snapped his hips into mine. His voice was low in my ear, “I like it when you cum on my fingers, I love it when you cum on my cock.. You gonna cum for me, Peaches?”

I shivered at his breath on my earlobe and proceeded to shatter into a million pieces in his arms. Praise slipping from his lips, “That’s my good girl,” as he fucked me hard through my orgasm, chasing his own.

When I felt his cock twitch inside me, he buried his face into the crook of my neck as he groaned through his release.

The sun had long crested the horizon, bathing our kneeling naked bodies in golden light and I knew he looked like a god dipped in starshine.

He collapsed into a mattress that seriously felt like sleeping on a cloud, he twisted as he fell and I landed on top of him, his soft cock regretfully sliding out of me. 

My muscles felt like warmed jello and I was putting more effort than should have been necessary into not drooling all over his smooth chest. 

Within a few minutes he was snoring softly again and I watched the sun climb across the sky through the floor to ceiling east facing windows. 

When relieving myself became more urgent than laying on top of 240lbs of prime Colorado beef, I tried to slip off of him as quietly as possible and ended up getting tangled in the sheet and falling off the bed in a heap. 

Erik sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, his hair tousled from sleep and my fingers. The sheet was still tucked around his body and I found myself staring at his well sculpted torso. I blinked when he spoke, “Peaches? What are you doing on the floor?”

I sighed and leaned into his hand as he stroked my hair, “trying not to wake you up,” I replied in defeat. 

He glanced at the expensive watch on his wrist, “We need to get a move on anyway. We have an appointment to walk to the farm and sign documents at 9 before it gets too hot.” 

With frustrating ease he got out of bed and picked me up off the floor in one motion. As the sheet unwrapped from his body I was left clutching it to my chest staring at his ass as he walked into the palacious bathroom.

His whole house was just like him, annoyingly practical while being exuberant. It was an older home in the established but monied neighborhood of Cherry Creek. It was a traditional style that had been updated from the dated granite and honey oak cabinets. A photo of Erik and his Grandmother from when he first purchased showed the mid nineties decor. It was now clean and masculine with large dark furniture.

I heard the shower start and I felt warmth start in my belly thinking about that thing EJ could do with the showerhead. 

Two hours later, my hair was still damp and hanging around my face, I had a venti triple shot latte cradled in my hands and I was feeling less like a blob of hot jello and more like a human being.

Erik of course had a sensible SUV and he drove toward the Rocky Mountains, the houses getting larger and farther apart. Flat city streets turned into two lane highways and rolling hills. Eventually, we turned and wove our way through the foothills until we reached a small valley. The entrance to the farm was marked with giant stone pillars and a beautiful iron gate that was open. The long tree lined driveway bisected two large pastures. 

A small band of quarter horse broodmares and their foals snorted at the strange vehicle and trotted around the irrigated grass, their tails held high.

The property was well maintained and dotted with large trees, both natural pines and trees that were planted when the place was developed.  The mountains rose steeply to the west. 

I rolled down the window and the air just smelled like mountains, “What’s the elevation here?”

“Ummm..” Erik hesitated fingers, drumming on the steering wheel, “just over 6,000 feet I think? I’d have to check.”

It was a good 10 degrees cooler than Denver and I was regretting not bringing a jacket. We passed the breeding barn and I craned my neck trying to see inside. He chuckled and reached for my hand, “Peaches, you’ll get to see inside, I promise.”

The main barn was a massive structure in the Monitor style. There was a beautiful fountain in the front courtyard with a bronze rearing horse sculpture in the middle. There were ten stalls on either side with long forty foot runs coming out the back. The center of the barn had two clusters of 4 double sized stalls,with a tack room, wash stalls, and grooming cross ties. 

Erik parked the SUV by the front entrance and I clambered out of the car and made my way inside the huge structure waving my hands in acknowledgment of whatever he was saying and not hearing a damn word. The stalls were huge 14x14 at least, with protruding European stall fronts that allowed even more room. The small Quarter Horses hung their heads over the fronts and I came to the conclusion I couldn’t have designed a better barn. Whoever built this place did so with the intent it was comfortable and functional for the horses. 

Beyond the barn was a fully covered arena. It wasn’t the largest, but it was large enough for a full dressage court. It was attached to the barn with a covered walkway and textured rubber bricks for traction. 

Erik caught up to me, “The realtor is just a few minutes late. What do you think?”

I leaned into him and sighed with contentment, “It’s perfect.”

When Erik disappeared into the office to sign papers I once again began to wander. I stopped in front of a sweet looking Palomino gelding, “You seem pretty content to live here, huh guy?”

He sighed and cocked a hind hoof to continue his morning nap. 

“Can I help you?” 

I turned toward the voice and there was a drug store box redhead whose Aquanet style would have made Dolly Parton jealous, “I’m sorry my… partner, just bought the place, he’s signing paperwork in the office.”

Her face changed and her southern accent became a lot more pronounced, “Hi there! I’m Peggy, my husband is Shane, he’s the trainer. Have you gotten a tour yet?”

“Just from the photos on the Internet I’m afraid.”

She scoffed, “Best way to get a tour is on horseback, you ride?”

“Just racehorses every day,” I answered with a smile.

“Think you can handle an old Quarter Horse,” she gestured to the sleeping Palomino behind me.

“I can’t remember the last time I rode something that didn’t want to kill me.”

She gestured to the pink halter by the door, “he’s my daughter’s horse. His name is Earl. Come on, I’ll give you an appropriate tour.”

20 minutes later, Earl was decked out head to toe in everything pink glitter and we were plodding next to Peggy on a fiery chestnut reiner. “How old is your daughter?”

She laughed, “10 and really loves pink in case you couldn’t tell.”

I sucked air through my teeth and nodded, “Yep. Thank goodness Earl doesn’t seem to think it’s an attack on his masculinity.”

“Earl here is the best babysitter I could have ever hoped to get.”

It became clear 5 minutes in that Peggy was a Talker with a capital T. But it wasn’t a hardship to listen to her as we rode the galloping track and she pointed out trail access points into the adjoining state park. 

Suddenly, I could picture my life here and the vision was so clear I felt like I had been thrust five years into the future. Riding Grinder along these very trails, the pastures dotted with Thoroughbred mares and their foals. The main barn full of rehabbing horses and racetrack failures training for dressage and jumping or even out on these trails for endurance. 

My phone trilled in my pocket with William Tell’s Overture and I dug it out of my pocket, “Hey Handsome.”

“Where did you disappear to?”

“Your tenant for the next few months offered me a tour.” Earl shook a rogue fly from his ear. 

EJ gave a sigh, but I could hear his smile, “Are you on a horse?”

“Yes. His name is Earl.”

“You can’t keep Earl.”

“Of course I’m not keeping Earl. I’m not in the business of breaking little girls' hearts,” I scoffed. 

Peggy turned her head and giggled into her hand and the chestnut mare she was on shook her mane.

“We’re on our way back.”

His voice was tinny on the other end, “Good. I don’t think Grinder would be happy if I went back to California without you.”

I rolled my eyes, “See you in a few.”

Peggy and I finished our impromptu horseback tour and I gave Earl a thorough grooming while Erik chatted with Peggy and Shane. I fished a tired peppermint out of my pocket when I returned him to his stall and the cellophane was almost impossible to peel off the sticky treat but he waited patiently.

I gave the golden gelding a pat and ruffled his forelock as he munched, his breath smelling like hay and mint. “Thanks for taking care of me today Big Man.”

Joining the small group I lifted Erik’s arm and slid underneath it. His shirt smelled like horse and sunshine with the faint hint of his laundry detergent. I got lost in my imagination looking around the barn thinking about where I was going to put my equipment, which stall would be Grinder’s, which of Erik’s broodmares I wanted to bring in first. Basically, building my business and the ERJ racing breeding operation in my head.

I got a hip in my side and EJ shook my shoulder realizing I wasn’t paying attention, “Did you like it?”

“Of course, it’s a beautiful property,” I replied nodding.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I took the case off and retrieved a sad and wrinkled business card that was pressed between the phone and the case, handing it to Peggy. “If your daughter ever becomes more interested in boys than horses, you give me a call and you can name your price for Earl.”

The redhead laughed as her husband growled, “She’s not dating until she’s 40.” 

Erik just sighed, “I knew it.”

I gave him an elbow in the ribs, “Grinder will need a retirement buddy.” 

We all shook hands and EJ pulled me toward the SUV, “I’m taking her home before she tries to buy all your horses.”

Peggy offered a wave as we got into the vehicle, “Y’all can come help Earl stretch his legs anytime!”

As we made our way down the beautiful driveway, I pulled one of EJ’s hands off the wheel and wove my fingers through his, giving a contented sigh.

He pressed his lips against my knuckles, “Are you going to buy every horse you fall in love with?”

I grinned and pulled my eyes from the stunning view flying by the window, “We can afford it.”

A small smile curled the corner of his lips and I enjoyed the Colorado Summer air as we headed back into town.

—————

Things started to fall into place as I stopped fighting with Erik, with myself, with the universe. I had decided to just let life take me where it wanted and if it all fell apart? Well I was certainly more wealthy than I had been, I had invested a lot of the money back into equipment to help me help more horses, I had Jesus and it would suck for awhile, but I would build everything back up again.

Grinder continued to train like a machine and we enjoyed our afternoons in the California sunshine.

I was sitting on him bareback as he grazed, just wearing a halter, the lead rope over his withers and dangling loose down his shoulder. My eyes were closed and I was meditating, breathing in and out to the count of his ripping and chewing of the grass.

To the shock of absolutely no one except myself, I found taking some time during my day to focus and center myself just for the sake of myself actually improved my work. Any lingering headaches soon completely disappeared.

EJ was fully on board with this new “Nell Takes Care of Herself” movement and regardless of time he was always pressing some sort of smoothie in my hand before I left the house in the mornings. I never asked what was in them because they were always palatable if not actually delicious and I didn’t want the illusion ruined knowing I was drinking raw blended chicken gizzards or something weird. 

August on the Southern California Coast was absolutely gorgeous, foggy mornings gave way to mid afternoon sunshine and temps in the 80s. Erik was ramping up his training and come the end of the month, I knew he would be spending more of his time in Colorado than California.

My meditation fell apart as I began to worry about what was to come. We hadn’t talked about when I would be joining EJ in Colorado. Peggy and Shane had the property rented through December. But we had discussed bringing some of our horses earlier as they were only using a fraction of the stalls. They were looking for places close by and Peggy and I had a plan to keep their show stock on so they could utilize the covered arena in the winter. I was getting daily photos of Earl from her daughter Daisy and they almost always featured some sort of costume or hat. He really was the best babysitter. 

Grinder snorted and shook his head bringing me back to the present. It was still midsummer and we had time. I pulled the big gelding’s head up from the grass and pointed him back to the barns, enjoying the feel of his large swinging walk.

My phone vibrated on my belt and seeing EJ’s dumb toothless face on my screen I swiped to answer it, “Hey, Grinder and I are just heading back to the barn.”

He cleared his throat, “Would you consider yourself a perfectionist?”

I felt my face scrunch, “Not really, but that’s a weird question.”

He hummed, “Ok what about a planner, would you consider yourself one of those?”

One of Grinder’s elegant black ears flicked back, listening to the conversation, “No more than anyone else? Erik, what’s up with the questions?”

I heard paper rustling in the background, “oh nothing I just found large, to scale drawings of all the barns with the names of horses in each stall, locations of your equipment, you even have a list of where each saddle is going to go in the tack room.”

My throat suddenly felt a little scratchy and I coughed, my voice a little high when I replied, “Um that is normal.”

“It’s not but ok, we can start making a plan after dinner, a lot of these mares I don’t want to haul out until after their breedings next season and we confirm they are in foal. Some I’d like to unload at auction.”

I sighed at having been caught, “Ok. I’ll be home in about an hour, do you want me to pick up dinner?”

Dishes clanked in the background, “Nah, Peaches, it’s lean protein and vegetables tonight.”

Wrinkling my nose, I made a mental note to pick up some Ben and Jerry’s on the way. I didn’t have to worry about being a professional athlete.   

I felt better when I followed EJ’s diet with him, but at what cost?

When I got back to the Del Mar condo, pint of ice cream in my hand, he was in the kitchen cooking away, dish towel swung over his shoulder looking like he was the main course.

I tossed the dessert in the freezer and snagged the big man around the waist for a kiss. He gave me a pouty look, “I suppose you didn’t bring a pint for me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said feigning innocence.

He just raised a brow, and we settled into our little slice of domesticity. I sat at the island going through emails, texts, and pouring over my schedule while he cooked.

After dinner, he spread the plans on the kitchen island,  “Shane and I have been talking, and I think they are going to move into that small house by the broodmare barn for the foreseeable future. We are going to have way more available stalls than we know what to do with for awhile and I don’t think having them on the property is a bad idea for a little extra income.”

I started erasing all the names I had written into the stalls, “I agree.”

EJ put an arm around my shoulders, his voice soft, “When do you want to move in?”

Frowning, I shifted in my chair. I had been expecting this conversation to happen at some point. “I don’t know. I mean there’s so much to do to get all the horses you want to winter out there ready. We have to buy blankets, order feed, bedding, we have to have guys on the ground ready for horses, we have to have guys here ready to pack up horses. There’s so much Erik.”

He kissed my temple, “It’s only August, Peaches, we have time.”

“I suppose you’re right,” I said, leaning into his kiss.

A large hand pulled the elastic out of my hair, “I am happy that you’re thinking about it though.” His voice dropped and the air became charged.

I offered a hum in response as his blunt fingers began to massage my scalp.

——

As August ticked by and we settled even more into a routine, even with EJ starting to spend more and more time in Colorado, to the point, I didn’t know what was going to happen when the season started. It would be questionable if he would even be available the day of the Breeder’s Cup, but first Grinder had to qualify. 

The days marched toward Grinder’s first grade 1 stakes in his entire life and when race day arrived I was an odd mixture of nervous and confident.

Grinder’s story had spread among the race community and there was a feature article in that week’s Racing Forum about our weird little family. The horse no one wanted to take a chance on, the miracle worker, and the hockey player that was entranced by my witchy wiles.

Like all days on the California coast, this one dawned bright and perfect. After an early morning hack around the track property to stretch his muscles, I was banned from seeing Grinder before the race.

I sat in my truck in the parking lot, unsure of what to do with myself. I hadn’t booked any clients for the day, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to focus on them, and I was right. Erik had a handful of interviews to give and he left it up to me whether I was going to be tucked into his side like the dutiful girlfriend or throwing up in a trash can from nerves around the corner. 

EJ climbed into the passenger seat without a word and handed me a large paper cup with a lid. I took the warm beverage gratefully and took a sip. I was expecting espresso mixed with milk and yummy syrup and I got something else entirely. He chuckled when I made a face.

“It’s herbal tea, Peaches. You don’t need anymore caffeine to tie your stomach in knots.”

I took another sip with a generous shrug because he was probably right.

Next, a breakfast burrito and a race program with a $100 bill tucked into it slid onto the center console of the truck.

My brow arched and I got a wiley grin in return. 

“You had a smoothie at 5am. Eat the burrito and then we are going to play a little game.”

“I’m listening,” I replied before taking a bite of the egg-y, cheesy, potato-y goodness wrapped in a tortilla.

His grin got impressively wider, “There’s a handful of claiming races on tomorrow’s card, what you win handicapping with this $100 bill today, you will use to buy the horse of your choice tomorrow.”

I inhaled a piece of potato and started choking, “What?”

Erik gave me a slap on the back and I felt the piece of potato dislodge from my throat, “You need to be distracted and this will be a challenge, even for you.” He settled into the leather seat and reclined it, “better get crackin’ on that program, the cheapest claimer tomorrow is $7500 and the first post is in an hour.”

Staring at the $100 bill tucked into the program, I chewed thoughtfully. Turning $100 into enough to buy a horse with? How did he even get this idea?

Keeping the bill safely between the pages of the racing program I picked it up and thumbed to the first race. 

An hour and a half later, Grinder was only occupying the furthest recesses of my mind as the horses of the first race flashed under the wire, in the exact order I picked them for the straight trifecta. I had just quadrupled my money.

EJ twisted his program in his hands and squinted at me from beneath the brim of his fashionable hat, “Should I call Gabe and just tell him I’m retiring now?”

I smacked him in the chest and disappeared to collect my winnings. 

By the time The Pacific Classic was called to the post, I was up several thousand and I had put the whole kit and kaboodle on Grinder whose odds were reasonable at 10 to 1. 

I had tucked the betting slip into my bra for safe keeping and idly wondered if it was still worth anything soaked in boob sweat. A large hand spanned the small of my back and I could feel the heat of the palm through the dress I had changed into. It was a simple jersey wrap around in a bright royal blue that matched the ERJ Racing silks. I had paired it with a suede heeled bootie and some hammered silver earrings and pendant. It was simple, it was elegant, and as always, it was machine washable. 

EJ kissed my temple and my phone vibrated, it was a facetime from Carlos. I hadn’t apologized for my behavior and at this point I didn’t really know how. He wasn't speaking to me, but when I answered the facetime call, there was Grinder in all his glory, being saddled. Carlos kept the phone on him as they walked around the paddock and the call disconnected as the horses departed to the tunnel and made their way to the track.

“I see you’re still being stubborn and Carlos is still not talking to you.” 

Grabbing his arm, I wrapped it around my middle, “ I don’t even know how to bring it up or what to say.”

I could hear the amusement in his voice, “Well I think you start with ‘I’m’ and end with ‘sorry’”

Heaving a sigh, I wondered if anyone would blame me for crushing his toes under the heel of my fashionable bootie this close to hockey season. “Thanks for the advice, smart ass.”

The horses started filing onto the track, nine gleaming thoroughbreds in various shades of red, brown, and grey. Then there was Grinder, marching across the dirt to the turf, his coat so shiny it almost looked like an oil slick. There were no bad vibes this time. These were good horses, real competition and somehow the big black gelding made them all look like scrawny mustangs gathered from the Nevada desert. 

Large hands closed over mine and Erik pried my phone from my death grip before sliding it into his pocket, “Please try not to destroy anything with your hulk hands.”

Frowning, I looked at my hands, “They’re not hulk hands.” 

“Peaches last time he raced and you held my hand I heard bones crack.”

There were 11 horses in the race, including Grinder. It was a decent field and I started to worry it was going to be too much. Too many horses, too much traffic, and if he did win, what about the Breeder’s cup where the field could be even larger? 

The horses completed the post parade and started to warm up. I watched the horses, looking for weaknesses, lameness, anything that might give me peace of mind that my horse was the best. There was nothing. These were some of the best horses in the country and Grinder was amongst them. 

Time stretched like a lazy cat and the warm up seemed to take forever, but all too soon the horses approached the gate and started to be loaded. Grinder had pulled the first post position and because of his running style, no one was a fan. Everyone wanted to be on the rail, to run the shortest race. That didn’t matter for Grinder, he was fit, he was a closer, but he could get caught in the mad rush. He could get bumped, or worse, stuck in traffic. I didn’t know what the ornery gelding would do if he was forced to run in the middle of the pack, Mikey and I had discussed it and we had both decided it was best to never find out.

Grinder was one of the first horses loaded, and I pressed the binoculars to my eyes watching his feet. They were flat on the ground and he stood like a statue while the rest of the horses were slotted into their spots. What was less than a minute stretched for eternity and finally the bell clanged and the gates opened. Grinder shot forth and I had to pull the lenses away from my eyes to blink before replacing them. 

The big black horse was surging with the pack. He was on the rail and stretching to keep his nose in front of the competition. He broke fast and he was…. Leading? 

“What the fuck?” Erik’s words spoke to both of us. I could tell from the body language both Mikey and the horse were surprised as well. 

I let the small binoculars fall, resting in my hand against the wall of the owner’s box, “I mean, we wanted to keep him out of traffic. This is fine. As long as Mikey stays out of his way, this is fine.”

And shockingly it was. Mikey helped rate Grinder and the fractions were fast, but not otherworldly. The frontrunners in this race were decent but Grinder was faster and he held them off with ease. 

Into the far turn, the field started to challenge him and every time a horse pulled alongside him, Grinder found another gear. The crowd roared as the big black horse headed for the finish, leading the field wire to wire. 

I didn’t remember when I started screaming but I was still screaming when the rest of the field passed under the wire and Erik was spinning me around. 

Time seemed stuck in fast forward as the ERJ Racing team took photos in the winner’s circle. There were interviews galore and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. The whirlwind didn’t cease until the sun had long gone to bed and I was leaning on Grinder’s stall door with my elbows, watching the horse munch his evening hay. 

A warm hand found the small of my back and Erik shouldered his way next to me, “he was spectacular.”

My cheeks hurt but I still couldn’t stop the smile, “yeah he is.” 

“He’s spectacular because of you.” He nudged my shoulder with his.

“No, he was always spectacular. Just no one else saw it. No one else believed.” 

EJ pulled me into his body and kissed my temple, “Come on Peaches, we got a big day of horse buying tomorrow and then I have to be in Colorado by Monday morning.”

And there it was, the kicker to my absolutely perfect day. September was starting and just as I felt I had gotten my footing in my new life, it was going to be changing again.

[prettytoxicrevolver]

Colorado Avalanche

How to Navigate:

❤ Heart = Fluff  ★ Star = Taylor Swift Song Fic  ⬥ Diamond = My Favorite Italics = No Work Posted Currently

Cale Makar 

Pool Party

Nathan MacKinnon

Erik Johnson 

Mikko Rantanen 

Gabriel Landeskog

[wildrangers]

Setting the Scene // Erik Johnson

Word Count: 1.5K

Summary: Erik wants to teach you how to ride a horse. What could go wrong?

Warnings: Cursing, fluff

“I’m telling you, this is a bad fucking idea” you said, glaring up at Erik. He let out a loud laugh, throwing his arm around your shoulders and giving you a squeeze.

“Come on, babe, I would never put you in danger, you know that, right?” he questioned, pausing your walking so he could face you directly.

You sighed dramatically replying, “Sure. But I also don’t trust that you don’t think it would be hilarious to try to teach me how to ride a horse for shits and giggles, only for me to accidentally hurt myself because you didn’t think it through.”

He sighed, rolling his eyes playfully at you before pulling you in for a hug. “I get it, you’re nervous and normally, yeah, you’re right, I would definitely be into playing a little prank on you. But not when it comes to horse riding, which can actually be dangerous at times” he argued, placing a kiss on the top of your head.

You didn’t answer right away; you did trust your boyfriend but were also terrified of getting onto a horse. It was one thing to join Erik at races or help him around the barn but actually getting onto one? That was a whole different thing. He pulled you from your thoughts adding, “What if I sweeten the deal?”

This statement caused you to pull away and gaze up at him, curious as to what he would be offering up. You had been dating for almost three years and the whole time he’d tried convincing you that since you were around horses so often, you should really know your way around them. You had begrudgingly agreed and let him teach you how to care for, handle, and exercise them over the years but now was the final step—actually riding one.

“I guess it would depend on what you’re offering” you answered.

“Look, I know what a big step this is for you, so how about if you go through with it, we take a long weekend vacation?” he offered.

“Where were you thinking?” you asked, curiosity peaking even more. “Your choice as long as it’s in the country—it’s too close to hockey season to be flying anywhere” he explained.

What a smart, smart man. He knew how much you loved travelling and how much you disliked that his job limited how often you could explore together. “Fine, you have a deal” you said nudging him with your shoulder before confidently heading towards the practice area. You heard him whoop in excitement behind you, causing you to shake your head and smile at his antics.

He quickly caught up with you and just a few minutes later you were in the practice area, helmet fastened securely on your head. You listened carefully as Erik explained the basics about getting onto and guiding Landeskog. “Does that all make sense?” he questioned after finishing, to which you nodded.

He took Landeskog’s reins in one hand while holding out his other to help you onto the saddle. You took a deep breath as the butterflies in your stomach picked up again. “Y/N, you can do this. You’re going to love it, I promise” he smiled at you. You nodded again, taking his hand while placing your one foot in the stirrup. Before you could overthink things anymore, you leveraged your other leg over Landeskog and quickly found yourself upright in the saddle.

“Holy shit I did it!” you grinned, having to look down at Erik for once as you did so. “Fuck yeah you did, look at you babe!” he smiled patting your leg in encouragement. “Now, all we’re doing today is walking around this pasture, nothing crazy, okay? Just nudge him along like I showed you.”

Erik handed you the reins and you gave Landeskog a quick pat on his neck before using your heel to gently spur him on. He listened and began strolling, Erik never leaving your side as he did so. You took in the rolling hills around you that were lit up by the sun and couldn’t believe how lucky you were to be here in this moment with Erik beside you.

“I can’t tell you how much I hate it when you’re right” you said poking him gently on his cheek. He laughed looking up at you, “So you’re enjoying yourself then?” he asked.

You nodded, “How could I not? Plus, Landeskog is the best horse ever and will get so many sugar cubes when this is over with” you said leaning down to stroke his mane. “Once you really have it down pat, I have a special spot I want to take you to” Erik said. Before you could pose any questions, he quickly added, “Until then though, it’s top-secret information.”

You rolled your eyes playfully before responding, “Well, we better get going then, huh?”

About a month had passed since you began practicing on Landeskog and you were ready to ride together to Erik’s secret spot. It was the end of August, so the two of you rode out mid-afternoon once worst of the heat had passed. Erik had also packed a simple dinner and a blanket so you could enjoy a meal at your destination.

“Can I at least get a hint?” you asked once the two of you had set off. Erik thought it over before replying, “All I’ll say is it’s about an hour away on horseback.”

You hummed to yourself trying to map out where you started and what was within an hour’s ride but, unfortunately, geography wasn’t your strong suit. The two of you rode in a comfortable silence most of the way because the trail was mostly uphill and you had to focus on staying upright atop Landeskog.

“Okay, so we’re going to stop here, I’m going to set dinner up, and then lead you there, alright?” Erik asked, hopping down from MacKinnon. “Wow, you’re really setting quite the scene, aren’t you?” you teased him. His cheeks flushed slightly as he unhooked the sack that held dinner before tossing the blanket from your own pack over his shoulder.

“I’ve been hyping this place up for a month now, I got to sell it, you know?” he countered before taking MacKinnon’s reins and walking out of view. You pet Landeskog while allowing him to graze as you waited for Erik’s return. He quickly did but not before tossing you a small piece of cloth

“A blindfold? Really babe?” you laughed, even as you began tying it around your head. “Yes, a blindfold and no cheating, Y/N” he insisted as he took the reins from you and led Landeskog to your dining spot. A few moments later, he helped you down before walking you to the spot he had deemed worth all this effort and showmanship.

You felt him move behind you before he questioned, “Ready?” to which you quickly agreed. He chuckled to himself and untied the blindfold. Your breath caught in your throat as you took in the scene around you. Erik had led you to the crest of a grassy mountain overlooking a huge valley filled with wildflowers.

“Oh my god, how did you find this place? It’s so beautiful” you gasped, feeling him wrap his arms around your middle. As you leaned back into his embrace, he brushed a kiss against your cheek before replying, “That’s still top secret” which caused you to laugh and groan at the same time. “I have to keep some of the mystery alive Y/N” he teased, placing feather-light kisses down your neck.

“I’ll allow it only because I could look at this view forever. It’s so quiet up here too” you noted taking in the miles of rolling hills you could see from this vantage point. You were so lost in the beauty around you that you didn’t notice Erik letting you go until a few moments afterwards. You went to look behind you in confusion but stopped halfway as you saw him on his knee beside you with a ring in hand.

Your hand flew to your mouth as Erik began, “Y/N, the day I met you was the luckiest of my life. You allowing me to know you and love you over these last three years has been the biggest privilege of my life. You’re my best friend and the love my life” he said, choking up on the last couple of words. “Will you marry me?” he asked, eyes teary with a hopeful smile. You nodded excitedly, feeling your own tears slide down your cheeks. Erik’s smile widened into a grin and he stood up, placing the ring on your finger before pulling you into an embrace.

You held onto him, blown away by the sweet, mischievous, loving man that would soon be your husband. You pulled away just enough to capture his lips in a passionate kiss, your hands tangled in his hair as he arms wrapped his arms around your waist. After several moments, he pulled away to catch his breath, dropping his forehead to your own. As the sun slowly set, you gazed into each other’s eyes, as though seeing your future together there.

A/N: I know I said I'd post something this weekend but I'm super excited for the game tonight so here's a little something I whipped up for our favorite horse girl :) Let me know what you think or if you have a player you'd like me to write for!

[laurenairay]

time to come together - E. Johnson

The second of five fics to celebrate The Avs winning the Stanley Cup!

Word Count: 848 words

A/N: this man is the toothless love of my life and I am so happy he didn’t retire last summer. Can’t even contemplate that right now because he deserves to be a stanley cup champion so much!

*

Drinks were flowing, music was pounding, Bo was taking a nap in a corner booth, and there were at least three half naked hockey players in your vicinity – the night was nowhere near ending, and there was nowhere else you’d rather be. Celebrating with your boyfriend Erik, the Stanley Cup Champion? Yeah there was no way you were going to be anywhere else.

He deserved this so much, the win and the celebrating, after so many years of pain and failure and self-doubt, and you were so unbelievably proud of him. This was everything he had been dreaming of, everything he’d been working towards since he was a kid, everything that he’d put his body on the line for over and over again, and you would happily accept his beer-soaked kisses if it meant he was going to be this happy.

Not that you weren’t going to take water breaks yourself though. This was the third bar after all. A few of the WAGs had joined you initially, most having drifted off after a glass or two, leaving just you and Mel alone at the bar, watching your drunk other halves having a drunk dance-off in the middle of the room. It was nice to see Erik let loose like this, to be honest – he deserved it, to have this much fun. You weren’t even going to record the ridiculous dancing either, not this time, even if this was a memory you didn’t want to lose.

As if he could read your mind, Erik looked over at you, and wasted no time in stalking over to where you were sitting at the bar. And it was stalking, because the intense look in his eyes was all-consuming.

“Well I think I’ll leave you to that.”

Mel smirked slightly, and you knew she knew that she’d broken you out of your thoughts, but instead of teasing you further she just sent you a playful wink as she walked away, leaving you in the company of your inebriated boyfriend, who was towering over you on purpose. Ass.

“Having fun celebrating with your boys?” you grinned, tilting your head up to look at him.

“You know I am. But…I can’t fucking wait to celebrate with you, later, just the two of us,” Erik murmured, the leer in his voice sending a shiver down your spine.

Fuck. You knew your reaction was visible by the smirk on your boyfriend’s face, but you didn’t care. You’d wanted to climb him like a tree since the final buzzer sounded, and you didn’t care if he knew it.

“Why wait until later?”

Erik’s stunned face, eyes wide and lips parted, made you grin, the very idea of your proposal making your blood sing. Hah. Two could play at this game. Even if all the beer and champagne and shots had made him forget that.

Huh, actually, that was something to think about.

“Can you even…you know…perform with all the alcohol?” you teased, trailing your fingers across his collarbone.

Erik’s dumbfounded face dropped into a glare, making you laugh. What? It was a legitimate question!

“There isn’t a moment in any day where I don’t want to fuck you,” Erik said firmly.

His words sent a hot flash through your body, but you weren’t giving in just yet.

“And if whiskey dick comes to play too?” you mused.

His glare shifted into a smirk, making your breath hitch in your throat. Oh you knew that look very well. Whatever was going to come out of his mouth next was going to be trouble.

“Then I can damn well get on my knees, can’t I?” he murmured, backing you firmly into the bar counter, pressing your bodies fully together.

Fuck what a picture. Erik swallowed your moan as he kissed you deeply, one hand looped behind your head to anchor the fervent embrace, the other hand over your hip like a burning brand. It was all you could do to throw your arms around his neck, kissing him back just as desperately, not caring that this was getting a little too intense for public. No, you didn’t care at all. You just wanted him.

Okay, yeah, he won this round. You could always get him back later. Much, much later. With that in mind, and with a racing heart and throbbing core, you broke the embrace, trying not to get distracted by the wild look in his eyes or the moisture on his slightly-swollen bottom lip.

“I need you now, Erik,” you said, the whine in your voice betraying exactly how desperate he’d made you.

He just groaned, hips jolting forward a little, showing you just how much needed you too.

“Fuck it, Gabe can hold down the party fort. Bathroom?” he said, a little breathless.

Not ideal, but you couldn’t wait. The party would be going on for hours yet, you knew that much, and there was no way you were waiting that long for your man to bring you to dizzying heights of pleasure.

“Let’s go,” you nodded, taking his hand in yours.

Erik just grinned.

[fallinallincurls]

Erik Johnson Masterlist

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