#still miss josty

[justjosty]

Some pics from warmies the other day!

[crow-the-unknown]

it's so hard genuinely really enjoying the sabres as a team and all their players and being an avs fan first and foremost because it just hurts knowing and seeing ej there. my heart is always gonna be rooting for the avs above anyone (even the pens) and ej was one of my favorites. i miss him so bad but i hope he can be good veteran dad-like insight for the sabres.

take good fucking care of him, buffalo. he's one of the best ones <3 :(

[mikkomacko]

Since they keep scratching him from the lineup, here's a millisecond clip of Josty from the Kaprisov video 🫶

[lenacopperleaf]

Am I going to wear my compher and EJ jerseys all year out of spite? Yes, yes I am. Do I have any other avs jerseys? No but that’s Besides the point.

[avsandflyboys]

Reading tweets about which Avs are back in Denver as of yesterday and my first thought was "I wonder when Tyson will be back" WHY

[mendeshoney]

i love it when you write for mat!!! can you do 10 and 11 from the drunken love confessions list please? so happy you're back by the way, and hope you're doing well!!!!!!!!!!

10.) “I love you. But that’s a secret. So I won’t tell you about it.” & 11.) “You’re drunk.” “Yes. And hopelessly in love with you.” with Mathew Barzal

"Oh Jesus," you hear Tyson mutter, and you look up briefly from the grill at his tone.

"What is it Josty?" You ask, casting your glance back down to the grill to flip the burgers.

"Mat's wasted." He says, eyes focused on where Mat's stationed a few feet away at the beer pong table with the rest of your friends. You try to ignore how good he looks, but fail miserably.

He's got on a black hat, position backwards on his head, black swim trunks, and he's shirtless and sweaty, body glistening ridiculously in the light of the summer sunset.

You tear your eyes away, trying to direct your focus on not burning the burgers in front of you. "He's just having fun," you say.

Unbeknownst to you, Tyson and his little sister, Kacey, exchange knowing looks from where they're standing next to you, Kacey mixing drinks at the outdoor bar and Tyson setting up the rest of the food on the counter next to you.

You'd been best friends with Kacey since you were nine, had grown up alongside the Jost's and been coming to their lake house in Kelowna for the summer for the last ten years, and they both knew you like the back of their hand.

So they obviously knew you'd been madly in love with Mat ever since Tyson introduced you all those summers ago now, even if you'd never managed to admit it out loud to any of them.

They saw how you'd go quiet whenever he entered the room, like you needed a second to be able to accept the fact that he was even in your space before you pretended like nothing was wrong. How when Mat was being a little shit or a little annoying, you always vouched for him, insisting he wasn't doing anything wrong. Or like how whenever he spoke to you, or how you spoke to him, you had that look in your eye that said "How is he even real?"

"I'll take over the grill," Tyson says, already scooting you out of the way and reaching for the spatula in your hand. "You should probably get Mat inside. He looks like he's one beer away from puking all over the place."

You frown a little, glancing between Mat and Josty. You've seen Mat when he's wasted, and while he's definitely inebriated, he's not that bad right now.

Still, you listen to Tyson, wiping your hand on a dish towel before heading over to the beer pong table.

The game ends just as you get there, and apparently Mat had managed to win, because the next thing you know he's cheering, arms in the air, and then bringing them down to wrap you in a tight hug when you make it to his side.

"Hell yeah!" He exclaims, swinging you around a little, and everyone laughs, including you, amused by Mat and his antics.

"Look at you go," you say, then tug on one of the arms he has wrapped around your shoulder. "Hey, I need some help bringing out a case of water, think you can manage?"

Mat nods, dropping his hands and following you as you start to head inside.

Just as you're about to pass Tyson and Kacey on your way in, Mat reaches out, grabbing onto the scrunchie around your wrist and hooking his finger inside. Tyson and Kacey exchange looks with wide eyes behind your back, completely missing the way your cheeks heat up.

You lead Mat into the kitchen and to the pantry where the extra cases of water are, and grab one from the case for him.

"Here," you start to say, turning around, but you stumble back a little when you find Mat completely in your space, him trying to wiggle his hand inside your scrunchie so it practically cuffs you together.

You laugh nervously, "What are you up to?"

"Trying to get you to hold my hand." He says, like it's obvious.

Your brain short circuits, and you nearly drop the water bottle. "W-what?"

He's still staring down at your hands, where they both rest secured by your scrunchie, and he smiles a little when he turns his wrist, brushing your palms together.

"Mat?" You ask, but he doesn't look at you.

"I have a secret, you know." Is all he says in response.

"Are you supposed to share secrets when you're drunk?"

He scoffs a little. "Course you can."

"Well..." you start, a little unsure of how to proceed. "What's your secret?"

“I love you. But that’s a secret. So I won’t tell you about it.”

Your entire world screeches to a halt, and this time, you do drop the water bottle, both of you ignoring it as it tumbles to the floor and rolls away a little.

"You...what?" You stutter out. "You’re drunk."

"Yes. And hopelessly in love with you." He says, linking your hands together. Finally, he looks at you then, a small smile on his face. "There, now we're holding hands."

You can't seem to find the words to speak, too stunned to be able to function. There's no way he's telling the truth, absolutely none.

Slowly and gently, you pull the scrunchie off of your wrists, untangling your hands so you can grab the water bottle from the floor. When you look back at Mat, he's frowning a little, but you ignore it, holding the water bottle out to him. "Here, you should drink some of this before we bring the rest out."

He stares at your outstretched hand for a second, then smiles, grabbing the bottle and taking a swig, the previous moment seemingly forgotten.

And for a second, you don't know what's worse. The fact that he dropped it so quickly, or that you can't tell whether or not he was actually telling the truth.

[comphy-and-cozy]

"Interesting 3am impulse you had there" with Josty please 💚

anything for you demi <3

I know you didn't ask for it but I know you secretly wanted angst. but then I accidentally made this one really painful so I'm very sorry in advance

celebrate 1K with me

Prompt: #35 "Interesting 3am impulse you had there."

Pairing: Tyson Jost x Reader (f)

Word Count: ~520

Warnings: Trade Angst proceed at your own risk, alcohol use (reader is drunk).

Home from the bar, you’re three whiskey sours deep and lying in bed in your favorite pajamas, heels tossed and forgotten on the floor. The familiar wave of loneliness accompanies the pulse between your legs and the urge to have a curly-headed boy kissing your neck is suddenly overwhelming, so you dig around your blankets to find your phone. Squinting at the screen, forcing your eyes to focus, you scroll through your recent texts. You feel like you’re scrolling for longer than usual, and you think to yourself that you must just be drunk, for the name you’re looking for appears moments later.

You press the phone icon, holding your phone to your ear. The ringer is loud, and you lose yourself in counting the rings: 6, 7, 8… 

“Hello?”

“Tyssssss,” you whisper.

You hear the sound of sheets rustling on the other end, can picture the way he looks in just his black boxer briefs, hugging his thighs and his ass in a way that makes you jealous you’re not there. Or that he’s not here.

“Come over.” He laughs a little, and your lips are curling up into a smile at the sound. It’s warm, filling your heart like a Tyson-coded hug.

“Interesting 3am impulse you had there,” he murmurs. His voice is low, full of sleep, and you feel a tug in your heart at the gruffness of it.

“It’s 1:47am, Mr. Jost, stop exaggerating.”

“It’s 2:47am in Minneapolis.”

Minneapolis. Minneapolis?

And then it hits you, comes flooding back like film being rewound as you flash through the memories of the phone notification, of the last text, of the tears you’d shed after you’d said goodbye to him for the last time. In your semi-inebriated state, you’d banished the thought from your memory, content to live in a world where Tyson was still in Denver and the warmth of his arms and his bed were never more than a phone call away. But the harshness of your reality sobers you up, quickly, and then your heart remembers everything.

“Sometimes I forget, too,” he says softly, like he’s reading every thought that passes through your mind. “Or maybe I’m just pretending.”

For a brief moment, 850 miles feels like 1, like he’s still right down the street, like you’re both looking out on the same horizon where the moon spills over Union Station. You feel the entire weight of his heartbreak, heavy on your chest. You hearn to hug him, to hold him in your arms and make it not true, if just for a moment. 

The call goes quiet, and for awhile, you’re content to listen to the soft, deep sound of his breathing on the other end. It soothes you, almost like the white noise of a ceiling fan you didn’t realize you’d gotten used to; you’d spent so many nights with his slow, steady inhales beside you that you weren’t sure how you’d managed to sleep without it since he’d been gone.

“Tys?”

“Mm?” his voice is groggy, like maybe he’d been dozing.

“I miss you.”

“I miss you too, baby.”

[tonyspep]

~*~viva las avs~*~

A/N: litterally every hockey rpf idea that pops into my head i share with my wonderful bestie bre aka @fallinallincurls, and this is no exception. i sent it to her months ago, and here i am finally getting around to posting it, lol. basically tyson jost was never traded from the avs and is engaged to jesse compher, jt's youngest sister and nate is dating his younger sister morgan while jt is dating kacey jost, tyson's younger sister. they are all in vegas for jesse's bachelorette party and of course i wouldn't be me if ej wasn't included in this fic, too. his love interest is modeled after the actress connie britton from the shows friday night lights and nashville.

~*~bright light city gonna set my soul~*~

(gonna set my soul on fire)

parings: tyson jost and jesse compher, nathan mackinnon and morgan compher, jt compher and kacey jost and erik johnson/oc

summary: jesse, morgan and kacey are in vegas for jesse's bachlorette party and after ej's string of smart ass comments, nate along with jt and tyson end up in vegas, too and what happens after is anyone's guess

rating: t

oh, there's black jack, poker and roulette wheel

a fortune won and lost on ev'ry deal

all you need's a strong heart and nerves of steel

viva las vegas, viva las vegas

“viva las vegas” - the bruce springsteen version

Nate was determined not to let EJ win.

If there was one thing the older man had been able to do since they met, it was being able to get under Nate's skin. Even when they were separated by a few hundred miles with it being the middle of the off season and Nate was back in Cole Harbour and EJ was in his sprawling Hollywood Hills home.

His jaw ticked as he saw another comment from @bighorny under Morgan's latest post.

@stayincomphy more like stayin' hot hot hot

And of course he tagged him in it, telling him to keep an eye on his girl.

Morgan was in Vegas celebrating Jesse's bachelorette party. This last Christmas the Comphers had rented a cabin in Vermont for the holiday and of course Tyson, Laura and Kacey had been invited along with Nate and his parents and his sister Sarah and her husband, and not even a day into the trip, Tyson got down on one knee and asked Jesse to marry him.

Sometimes Nate still feels like his ears haven't recovered from Morgan and Kacey's squeals and shrieks as they practically tackled the youngest Compher once Tyson had slid the ring on her finger.

He knows EJ is doing this to get a rise out of him, which is his favorite thing to do that doesn't involve horses or wine, but this time it's not going to work.

Morgan would never do anything and he's stupid for even thinking it.

Josty was completely chill about Jesse having her bachelorette there and JT told Kacey to have fun, which is what he told Morgan to do too. Though he did make sure his favorite white bikini stayed behind. No one was allowed to see her wear that but him.

Seeing her laying on a lounger chair at the Aria's pool, classic blue and white striped one piece with cut outs on the sides made him close the app. If he kept looking, he'd miss her more than he already did and she'd barely been gone two days. He needed to take his mind off of all this. Just as he was about to grab Cox's leash, his phone pinged and of course it was a text from EJ.

[horseboy] you dogg you can't seriously be sitting at home in bumfuck canada while your girl's living it up in lost wages for shame nathaniel for shame

[dogg] fuck you johnson. you're just trying to get a rise out of me and it's not going to work this time. go pet a horse or stomp grapes or clean your dentures old man

[horseboy] me? try to get a rise out of you? Impossible

[dogg] i'm taking cox for a run and shutting off my phone. you'll be talking to the ether or whatever

[horseboy] the dogg doth bark too much as the saying goes. give the man of the house some head pats and ear scratches from his favorite hooman would ya? you have fun trying not to think about your girl living it up and looking so good doing it

Taking Cox for runs is how Nate always cleared his head when things were waying on his mind. When Morgan was with him they would meditate or do yoga, which always ended with him grabbing her when she got into more advanced poses and they would become a tangle of various limbs, laughing as he practically smothered her with his bigger frame.

He swore he wouldn't let EJ win, but as he increased his speed while running, he knew he was defeating the purpose of clearing his head, but all he could think about was Morgan in Vegas. Suddenly, he was back home and he was booking a flight. Logically he knew Morgan loved him and would never stray and he tried to think about all the things that sucked about Vegas like the fucking Golden Knights, their stupid castle in their arena, their dumb goal song, glow in the dark jerseys, the sun and how he had to wear SPF30 or he'd turn into a lobster, hangovers and gambling but none of it worked.

All he could think about was how none of the losers who were hanging out at the hotel pool and in the casino would see Morgan with Jesse and Kacey and not know she was taken. Jesse had the cute diamond Josty bought last year and was wearing that bright pink sash that said Bachelorette and a little crown in every post she made.

Guys weren't exactly known for taking no for an answer, but if he was there they wouldn't have a choice.

Of course he booked tickets for Josty and JT, too. He couldn't exactly show up alone. That was creepy.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tyson knew he wasn't supposed to tell Jesse. Nate made that explicitly clear and yeah Nate outweighed him by like forty to fifty pounds and was taller than him, too and was generally scary when he wanted to be, but Nate wasn't scarier than Jesse.

Also, how were they supposed to start their married life together if he was kind of lying to her when they were engaged? Wasn't that bad luck or something? Whether it was or not, he wasn't going to risk it, so he sent her a quick text about Nate buying him and JT tickets to Vegas and how they would be there around six local time.

Jesse texted him a teasing taunt that said does this mean i get to crash your bachelor party? i've always wanted to go to a strip club

Tyson flushed just thinking about it. While Landy's bachelor party had gone completely off the rails, somehow, they had not ended up at a strip club and the truth was he didn't really want to go to one for his, but maybe...

“Earth to Josty. Come in Josty.” Suddenly JT's hadn was right in front of his face and he remembered where he was. O'Hare airport waiting with JT for Nate's flight from Dartmouth to land, os they could board the flight for Vegas together.

“You told Jesse, huh?” There was a knowing smile on his best friend's face. “Duh,” Tyson's tone was unapologetic. “It's bad luck to lie before you get married. It's like breaking a mirror or walking under a ladder or whatever. I'm not risking it.”

“That's such bullshit,” JT laughs, shaking his head. “You figured as soon as she saw us, she'd kick your ass eve if this was all Nate's idea. You are so whipped, man.”

“Don't call me whipped. You're just as whipped!” Tyson insists. “You told Kacey we were coming, too!”

“Because we have an open line of communication like adults. I wasn't afraid she'd kick my ass if I didn't tell her. It's a whole different thing than what happened with you and Jesse.”

“Okay, that is bullshit. An open line of communication? You communicate through memes! I've seen your text thread! Like, adults, too, really Coms? You drink out of Kacey's old Buzz Lightyear glass hwen you stay over at my Mom's and both of you drink milk straight from the carton. If anyone's the adult, it's me! I'm getting married! I'm one step away from a joint bank account and dividing my portfolio or whatever Landy talks about!”

“I can't take the two of you anywhere,” Nate sighs, piniching the bridge of his nose when he finds JT and Tyson shoving at each other and laughing after he picked up his bags. “He started it!” They said at the same time only making themselves laugh harder than they were already.

“I should've brought Landy to keep the two of you in line.” Nate grumbled as they made their way toward the gate.

“Good afternoon everyone,” A beautiful strawberry blonde in the standard flight attendant unifrom is standing at the front of the plane. Her eyes are a warm shade of glittering hazel and her smile is blinding but genuine. “My name is Kylie and I'll be your head flight attendant on our flight from beautiful Chicago, Illinois to exciting Las Vegas, Nevada. Please be seated while I perform the in-flight demonstration and we'll begin serving drinks and food once we take off in about twenty minutes.”

Before the call to switch to airplane mode comes over the speakers, Nate sees a text from Morgan come through.

[Red] you have some explaining to do, nate

The disappointment behind her text is obvious and Nate knows he can't blame JT and Tyson for this, but it doesn't stop him from glaring at his friends and saying, “You two really couldn't keep your mouths shut?”

JT's not about to fight with one of his Alternates but Nate is also the guy who's dating his younger sister, and right now he isn't one of his Alternates, he's the guy who's dating his sister.

“This was your idea,” He reminds him, keeping his voice cool. “We're,” He points to himself and Tyson. “On this plane because EJ got under your skin. Don't forget that, Nate. If Morgan's mad or disappointed, you have to deal with that. Don't take it out on me and Tys.”

Nate knows JT is right. He can feel the tips of his ears go red from being sheepish. He should be better than this.

“Sorry, man. You're right.” He admits and JT nods. “Of course I am.” He says smugly and Nate rolls his eyes, pulling out his eye mask from his carry on bag. He pays for the in-flight WI-Fi and turns on the meditation app Morgan found for him and he lets his mind and body relax before they land.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

With everyone settled and the food and drinks taken care of, Kylie is in the galley laughing at the younger flight attendants giggling over their phones. She checks her messages, breathing the familiar sigh of relief when she finds texts from her son and daughter. Marcus was a sophomore at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on a lacrosse scholarship while Bethany was taking a gap year and backpacking through Europe with her two best friends. Next year she was going to UC Irvine to study astronomy.

She couldn't help but think her babies had grown up too dam fast.

Being a single mom hadn't been easy, but the three of them had made it through after her marriage with their dad had fallen a part.

“Oh my God Kylie,” Julie was twenty two and pettie with dark black hair and stunning green eyes. “The rich guy in first class was totally checking you out.”

“The silver fox?” Brandy, who had golden blonde hair and had recenlty gotten married was twenty seven as of last May, was the other flight attendant with them and her curiosity was piqued. Julie nodded eagerly, practically licking her lips while Kylie laughed and said, “Settle down now. We're not doing that. This is my job. I'm here to work. Not hook up or whatever you kids call it these days.”

“Is it because you finally gave your number to that super hot hockey player who's always flirting with you?” Julie's tone was hopeful. “The one who doesn't have his three front teeth? And is, like, ginormous? He's got the pretty blue eyes and the dimples, too, right?” Brandy questions. “Yes,” Julie practically gushes, clutching her chest as she swoons while Kylie sighs as she shakes her head.

“You two need to stop it. He is way too young for me. Now get back out there with your carts. We're on the clock and we are not being paid to gossip about something that is never going to happen.”

Erik Johnson, the ginormous hockey player with the pretty blue eyes and missing three fron teeth, was a frequent flier on this specific airline when he wasn't traveling professionally with the Avalanche. He was everything Brandy described and so much more. From the boyish flop of his unstyled blonde hair ot the ever present mischievous glint in his cornflower blue eyes to the way every shirt – button down, polo, sweater (if there was a chill) or t-shirt – stretched snugly over his obviously very firm chest to his flirtatious nature, he was hard to resist.

But Kylie had two college age children and he was in his thirties. Also, given their careers they would hardly ever be in the same place.

Not to mention his teammates could pass for any of Marcus's friends and she did not want to think about team events and games where she would be surrounded by women who were barely older than her own daughter.

Looking never hurt and it was hard not to enjoy the flirting. It was nice to know a man like Erik found her attractive.

Laughing to herself, Kylie put on an easy smile as she went back out to the cabin to see if the passengers needed anything.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In California, EJ couldn't help but think of a certain gorgeous strawberry blonde flight attendant.

At first he thought Kylie's apprehension had to do with the missing teeth. Even though plenty of women told him they thought he looked better without his fakes, some were unsettled at first.

Especially if they didn't know he played hockey.

But he learned quickly it had more to do with his age. Being one of the older players on the team he never gave his age much thought when it came to dating. He generally wouldn't date a woman who was in her early twenties, but dating someone older had never crossed his mind until he met Kylie on a flight to Del Mar race track in Pasenda a year and a half ago. And honestly he didn't see anything wrong with dating a woman in her forties.

He knew she was at least 45 or 46, but that didn't really mean anything. Age was just a number after all.

Laying out by his pool surrounded by his pack, the affectionate name he gave his four dogs, he couldn't stop his mind from staying on Kylie.

It had been a long time since he had spent so much time thinking of just one woman. He wasn't ashamed of his bachelor status. There wasn't much he was ashamed of, really. The whole shebang of a wife, kids and a white pickett fence wasn't where he wanted to be. He liked living his life; going to Del Mar on a whim, maybe Hawaii, slipping his number to a pretty girl at a bar etc.

Fucking Landy he curses to himself.

The “don't you get lonely” talk was coming on stronger and stronger from his best friend. While EJ took pleasure in getting under Nate's skin (it was just too easy), Gabe was a whole different animal. He would get all concerned and go into full helpful Disney Prince mode with those big stupid crystal blue eyes of his and his big ass forehead would wrinkle in a way that was, somehow, still handsome and EJ hated it because it always worked and next thing he knew, he was spilling his guts.

As he began to scroll through Instagram, his phone pinged. Julie was a flight attendant Kylie always worked with. Way too young for him but pretty in an objective way and she was funny, too. They would text back and forth and if he ended up on a flight it was quite the coincidence.

Apparently she, Brandy and Kylie were laying over in Vegas before flying to Denver. He didn't need to be back in Denver for a few more weeks to start seriously training buuuuuuut Kylie didn't need to know that.

And Vegas was nice this time of year.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How the girls were drunk already Nate didn't know.

They squealed when they saw them in the lobby at Aria and smelled pretty like they always did but the alcohol was still obvious.

If Morgan wasn't drunk she wouldn't have launched herself at him and started kissing him everywhere. She would've been mad, which is what he expected. Steadying her in his arms, she hiccuped and said, sincerely, “I missed you, Natey. You shouldn't be here, but I'm so happy you are.”

Nate couldn't stop himself from smiling. He had seen Morgan this drunk once. At the Dustin Lynch concert they all went to after winning The Cup last year. She was very clingy, basically, plastered to his back the entire night, her arms around his neck and her legs wrapped around his waist. Her freckles, somehow, stood out more like the copper and gold of her hazel eyes and her skin was flushed the warmest shade of pink and she couldn't stop laughing.

He loved everything about her, but seeing her like this was so rare he belived he liked this Morgan best of all. Then she'd go and something else and that Morgan would become his favorite and so on and so on.

“I missed you, too,” He finally said and she beams back at him and he wonders how he lived so long without her.

“Ugh,” JT groans bringing Nate back into the scene and there's Tyson and Jesse kissing like he just got back from war. Kacey laughs from inside JT's arms that are wrapped around her slim frame and teases her boyfriend, saying, “What, you don't like watching Tys try to see if his tongue can find Jesse's tonsils?”

“I need a drink,” The eldest Compher sighs with a resigning shake of his head. That breaks Tyson and Jesse apart and she giggles, “More drinks! Yes! Tha's what we need! You're so smart Joey!”

More drinks is defintely not what they need but Nate knows stopping them is pointless.

After checking into the suite the girls rented, they're piling out of Aria's front doors and onto Las Vegas Boulevard and none of them have a clue what the hot, sticky Vegas summer night will bring.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Layovers weren't something Kylie looked forward to. Though it was nice to not have to jump back onto another flight after only an hour or so after the passengers had departed and the plane was cleaned.

She let Julie and Brandy run off to cruise The Strip. They were responisble enough not to get into too much trouble with Brandy being married now, but oh to be young again she thought with a wry smile as he let herself indulge in a glass of crisp Pinot Grigio.

As she sipped at the wonderful taste of her favorite wine, an all too familiar voice reached her ears amongst the sounds of the dealers, slots and music thumping through the casino's speakers.

“Now, what's a pretty lady like yourself doing in a place like this all by your lonesome?”

A shiver only Erik could inspire races up her spine and Kylie's breath catches at the sight of the handsome, bulit hockey player. His hair's soft, falling just so across his forehead, those cornflower blue eyes twinkle with mischief and the promise of a good time. His dimples make her knees weak and if she wasn't sitting the sight of his unbuttoned pink linen shirt would have had them buckling underneath her. The sleeves are rolled up, of course, to reveal the tan skin of his thick vein covered forearms. His cologne is crisp and woodsy, a deep warm smell that makes her want to bury her face in his neck to breathe it in even deeper.

Taking another sip of her wine, she can't help the smile that crosses her lips. “You just happened to be in the neighborhood or something?”

Erik's eyes move shamelessly over her figure, leaving nothing but heat in their wake and Kylie is going to need something stronger than white wine if she's going to keep him at arm's length like she should.

He leans in, his lips hovering just above her ear, his breath warm as he says, his voice low and husky, making heat pool in her belly, “Something like that.”

“Erik...” She sighs, shaking her head, but there's a fondness in her tone, sparking hope for the Minnesotan. “I'm not getting down on one knee,” Erik laughs covering her her slender hand with his larger one. “A drink is hardly a proposal.”

“You flew all the way to Vegas from your house in California because Julie told you we had a layover here. I am a divorced mother of two grown children. One is in college and the other will be starting college next year. I do not have time for games.”

“That's fine because who said I was playing games? A flight from LA to Vegas is nothing. It's barely two hours. One drink and one dance won't hurt.”

The thought of feeling Erik's hard body pressed against her, his strong hands holding her hips as they swayed is almost too much to bear. He's far too good to be true. A handsome thirty something athlete interested in her, making her feel things she hasn't felt in so long, having the walls she built up starting to crumble, she almost doesn't know what to do.

Eyeing him critcally, Kylie huffs and holds up her index finger. “One dance and one drink, and that's it. Don't try to charm your way into antoher drink and another dance. It won't work.”

“We'll see.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

i know your motives and you know mine

the ones that love me, i tend to leave behind

if you know about me and choose to stay

then take this pleasure and take it with the pain

“love me harder” - by ariana grande and the weekend

Alcohol makes things increasingly clearer for Nate.

The three beers plus the copious amount of shots at Drais` in the Cosmo help confirm what he's known since he met Morgan, he can't live without her.

He thinks the DJ is playing that one song between Ariana Grande and The Weekend, but it's hard to be sure when all he's thinking about is Morgan.

She's pressed right up against him, moving her hips to the beat of the song and dancing has never been his forte, but she's always been able to pull him onto the floor without much protest from him. Even before they were together she could get him to dance.

He can feel her hips through the silk of the tiny slip dress she's wearing. It's burgundy and brings out the different shades of carmel and copper in her hazel eyes. One of the straps has fallen off her shoulder, the thin stripped is wrapped around her bicep and he can see the cluster of freckles he memorized after their first night together. Her red hair frames her face perfectly, her cheeks are flushed prettily from the alcohol and the dancing, her alabaster skin the color of a perfectly ripe peach now.

She stops grinding against him and he lets out a strangled groan, because, why??????

Then she drapes her arms around his neck, the chunky heels of her shoes bring her closer to his height and she rests her head on his shoulder and this he can do, sway and hold her close so he can smell the coconut of her shampoo and the peonies of her perfume.

She murmurs the lyrics to the song, “Cause if you want to keep me, you gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, got to love me harder. And if you really need me, you gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, go to love me harder.”

Sober nate would not do this. Sober Nate would be mortified. But Nate is not sober.

Nate has had three beers and who knows how many shots because the bartender saw Jesse's Bachelorette sash and crown thing and they wouldn't stop pouring Fireball? Jager? Crown? Nate can't honestly remember. What he does remember is hearing Morgan giggle and seeing her look at him, happy and dopey expression on her beautiful face as she draped herself all over him, which meant he was knocking back the shots as fast as he could.

So again, sober Nate would not do this, but Nate – to reiterate – was not sober.

“Morgan Marie Compher,” He says with all the conviction he can muster as they continue to sway. “I wanna marry you.”

“Natey...” Her voice is soft and hopeful as she touches his cheek. She bites her lip and Nate groans, it's so hot. “You really do?” She looks at him through her velvet lashes and he answers her. “Hell yeah, I really do.”

And that's how they find themselves her; The Little White Wedding Chapel.

Morgan squealed and launched herself at him, Nate somehow having retained enough of his quick reflexes to catch her slim frame. How they broke apart from their steamy makeout, their hands nearly tearing at their clothes, to find JT, Kacey, Jesse and Tyson they don't know.

They don't know how they got to The Little White Wedding Chapel, really. But they're there standing in front of an Elvis impersonator, JT and Tyson standing next to Nate and Jesse and Kacey next to Morgan.

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here to join...” Elvis begins and Jesse hiccups and slurs, “Waaaaaait, a second! Mo Mo doesn't have a veil. She needs a veil.”

“Uh-huh,” Kacey agrees nodding eagearly. “Pause,” She hiccups, making the sign for timeout. The girls run off to the bridal shop in the chapel, giggling and stumbling as they grab Morgan and pull her along with them. When they come back five minutes later, Nate's breath catches.

His heart skips a beat and he breathes out, “Wow,” sounding mesmerized as Morgan walks toward him again, this time a soft tulle veil covering her face. It's fastened to a sparkling tiara and even in her burgundy slip dress and chunky heels, an outfit made for clubbing, she looks like a princess.

To Morgan as she stands across from Nate in his tight ftting black polo and matching slacks while the silver Tag Huer watch she got him on his birthday last year gleams on his right wrist, he looks like Prince Charming to her. He looks like the man she's been waiting for her whole life.

Elvis starts again. “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here to watch this hunk-a-hunk of burnin' love join this little mama in holy matrimony...”

“I do,” Nate murmurs, feeling more certain of this – being with Morgan forever – than he has about anything.

“With the power vested in me by the great state of Nevada, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Nate lifts Morgan's veil and kisses her with all the tenderness and love he ever has. JT and Tyson whistle while Kacey and Jesse yell, “Get it, girl!”

The six of them pour out of the chapel under a flurry of rice and rose petals, laughing and hollering as Nate and Morgan kiss again.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

but you're just so cool

run your hands through your hair

absent mindedly makin' me want you

and i don't know how it gets better than this

you take my hand and drag me head first

fearless

and i don't know why

but with you i'd dance in a storm

in my best dress

fearless

“fearless” - by taylor swift (taylor's version)

“I don't want to get married, Joseph,” Kacey says softly and JT blinks, his brain is workign overtime between all the shots and the beer and the champagne they all shared after Nate and Morgan's impromptu wedding. “Okay,” He manages, staring at his girlfriend curiously.

They're walking around Las Vegas Boulevard, not having a particular destination in mind and they let the others walk up ahead.

Kacey had caught him completely by surprise. He never expected to find himself falling for her while Tyson and Nate were falling for his sisters. One day she was Tyson's baby sister who teased and then suddenly she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

She was Jost, then she became Kacey and after that he was calling her Kace and then she had a drawer full of clothes at his place and he was calling her baby before he could blink.

Marriage was a long way away. She was finishing up her degree and he knew how important that was, that she graduate and have a job lined up before she moved to Denver. He admired that about her, how she knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it.

“I love you,” Her soft voice brings him back and he smiles down at her. “Me too, Kace,” He assures, brushing back a loose curl from her untamed tangle of curls he loves to run his fingers through. “Wanna show you how much I do, JT,” She murmurs into his chest.

He laughs and kisses the crown of her head and a neon sign catches his eye. He's just drunk enough to have the courage to do this. If he were sober, he wouldn't even think of doing this.

He tilts her chin upwards and bends, and they kiss softly, their tongues meeting and after breaking apart, he's pulling her toward the purple neon sighn that says Hart and Huntington Tattoo Company.

Kacey giggles as she unbuttons her tight pleather pants and the tattoo artist eyes her suspcioulsy as she lays down, revealing the skin of her slim hip. She's more or less tipsy now. It's been hours since the margirtas and the endless shots and the two swigs of champagne.

“I'm basically sober. Scout's honor.” Her Girl Guide's salute is clumsy and does not inspire confidence in the severe looking tatted up raven haired female tattoo artist. “I love him,” The young Canadian says, her soft tone radiating honesty and the older woman's blood red lips twitch.

In her green eyes, however, is understanding. “The letters JT with the number 37 hanging from the end of the J, yeah?”

Kacey knows the smile on her face is dreamy as she meets JT's familiar chocolate gaze across from hers and she answers, “Yes,”

While her hip is being tattooed, JT's tight fitting shirt has been discarded revealing his toned chest and six pack. Across his right pec her name and number for volleyball are being inked into his skin. He wrote her name down, so the tattoist could mimic his own handwriting and at the end of the “y” in her name he added, the number 10.

Most tattoo artists tried to talk couples out of doing stuff like this. Especially if they weren't married or they were far from sober. But the husband and wife who were tattooing the young couple that had stumbled in, had a feeling they were the real deal.

“That's forever, baby,” Jenny mused as her husband Ronnie wrapped his burly arm around wher waist as JT and Kacey left the shop, hand in hand, matching besotted smiles on their faces. “Fuck yeah it is,” Ronnie's gruff voice agreed.

i'm not usually this way but

you pull me in and i'm a little more free

it's the first kiss, i'ts falwless, it's really something, it's

fearless

oh, yeah

cause i don't know how it gets better than this

you take my hand and drag me head first

fearless

and i don't know why

but with you i'd dance in a storm

in my best dress

fearless

“fearless” by taylor swift (taylor's version)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

and i know that it must be the woman in you

that brings out the man in me

i know that i can't help myself

you're all that my eyes can see

“feels like the first time” - by foreigner

What in the world have I got myself into Kylie thinks as she and Erik sway to the familiar guitar and keyboards to the classic Foreigner song “Feels Like The First Time.” It may have been only one drink, but it's been several dances to several songs.

Her hips fit perfectly inside his large, broad plams and the crown of her strawberry blonde hair slides right under his chin. Her body fits against his like they're two pieces of a puzzle.

This is too much and she shouldn't dare, but before her rational side can take hold,; she lets him tilt her head toward his and lets his lips draw hers into a kiss.

It's been too long since she's felt like this; completely overwhelmed by someone.

Erik can't remember the last time he's wanted to kiss someone so badly. The chase had always been the best part of the song and dance. He had never really wanted to catch someone until Kylie. Not because she was resisting his advances, but because he wanted to have her in his life, to share more than just his bed for a night or two.

The need to breathe is a curse because all he wants to do is keep kissing her. Their tongues met softly and they break apart, her slender hand clutching at his linen shirt while his large hand is firmly gripping her right ass cheek, keeping her pressed against him as they catch their breath.

“This is so very bad,” Kylie laughs in disbelief.

There are so many reasons why. Number one is being how she's three years shy of being fifty and as she triest to back out of his grip, he tightens his hold. “No way,” His voice is low and deep, making her knees buckle. “You're not running away after kissing me like that,”

“Erik,” She pleads for him to understand this will never work or for him to convince her that it will, she's not sure what she wants more.

“Here's the problem,” Erik murmurs, his other hand tracing the slim curves of her left side before he brings that hand to cup her beautifully formed high cheekbone, so it's impossible to look away from him. “It's been so long since anyone's told you how beautiful you are, how funny. So long since anyone's wanted you, which is a damn shame,” Every velvet word makes Kylie shudder and through the silk of her blouse she can feel her nipples peaking and God he's going to be the death of her.

“Which means all you can think to do is run. Well, I'm telling you that you're beautiful and you're funny and that I want you,” His nose moves up and down the curve of her neck, breathing her in before his stunning cornflower eyes bore into her cinnamon drenched hazel with such honesty and want, she has no choice but to believe him. 'I'll be on the fight back to Denver and you can decide to stop fighting this and take a chance or you can let me down easy. It's up to you, but trust me when I say, Kylie, you're beautiful and you're funny and I've never wanted anyone as badly as I want you.”

The kiss he leaves her with is as soft and tender as it is passionate.

She brings her fingers to her lips, watching Erik go and she knows no man has ever made her feel like this.

Erik is offering her everything. She just has to step up and take it.

and it feels like the first time

like it never did before

feels like the first time

like we've opened up the door

feels like the first time

like it never will again, never again

“feels like the first time” - by foreigner

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

maybe i've just gotta wait

maybe this is a mistake

i'm a fool yeah

maybe i'm just a fool yeah (oh, oh)

girl what would you do, would you wanna

stay

if i were to stay

“last first kiss” - by one direction

This is not, objectively speaking, something “grown ups” who are engaged would do; have four large supreme pizzas, a sick pack of beer and an assortment of candy inside a blanket fort while they're in their underwear, but Tyson and Jesse aren't really concerned about the perception of being grown ups, they're too busy being so in love they can't even see straight.

The deep evergreen lace of her bralette and cheeky underwear against her warm alabaster skin makes Tyson's blood grow hot and thick in his veins.

While Jesse can't stop thinking about how his black boxer briefs hug his thighs.

They both laugh and snort, unaware of the door to the suite opening and how JT and Kacey are stumbling inside. Or it could be Nate and Morgan. It honestly doesn't matter. What matters is they're here together, inside their blanket fort and Jesse has the 3.5 karart diamond ring on her finger.

“Awww man,” Tyson groans, making Jesse blink as she looks at him curiously while he pouts. “Morgan and Nate got married tonight. We're engaged. Elivs was supposed to marry us. They aren't engaged. That's not how it works.”

Jesse giggles and shakes her head as she crawls toward him to sit in his lap. Her amrs wind around his neck and she presses her forhead against his, lovesick smile on her pretty face. “I don't want Elvis to marry us, Tyson,” Her voice is soft and warm, making his heart skip a beat like always. “I want a whole wedding with everyone there. I want my Dad and Joey to walk me down the aisle, to give me away. I want to wear a pretty dress and you to wear a suit.”

Tyson swallows thickly. It's so easy to imagine Jesse on a summer day in a simple white dress with a short veil and Bob – please, tyson i think you can call me bob now and not mr compher – and JT on either side of her walking toward him. Kacey and his Mom are standing with him along with Fab and Barzy and he can't breathe.

Her smile is blinding just like it is right now with only the light from the glittering hotels on the Strip filtering through the sheets of their blanket fort.

He slips her engagement ring off of her finger and she yelps, “Hey!” but he silences her with a heated kiss before she can say anything else. Their tongues tangle together sweetly, her fingers sinking into his curls as his other hand, that's not holding her ring slides up and down her back until they break apart, their lungs burning with the need to breathe.

“Give that back,” Jesse laughs, shoving at his toned chest. “My super hot fiance gave it to me.”

Tyson laughs, loud and unabashed, like always. Flicking an olive from one of the pizzas, Jesse laughs and retaliates by flicking a pepperoni at him. A mini food fight breaks out, Tyson able to catch most of the toppings she flicks at him inside his mouth. They settle and he takes a deep breath, staring deeply inot the familiar warmth of Jesse's soft brown eyes.

He grabs for her hand like he did at the cabin last Christmas and her heart pounds like it did on that crisp winter day. “Tys,” Shaky and soft, falls off her lips and he kisses her quickly before taking another deep breath.

“We're gonna get married just like you want. You're going to wear a pretty dress and I'll wear a suit and your Dad and JT are going to give you away, but I want to promise you stuff right now. Say vows or whatever,” He waves his hand and she nods, feeling her eyes getting misty. “You're my best friend, J. Life is crazy and you never know what's goin g to happen the next day, the next minute or hour, but I know if you're there, it's going to be okay. I know it's not always going to be easy. I don't know a lot, like, having life insurance or buying a house, but I know there's no one else I want to learn all that stuff with execpt you. But what I do know is life will be the most fun because it's with you. I promise, Jesse Chloe Compher, that I will love you forever even if you steal the last of the ketchup chips, forget to buy milk and still can't cook. I promise I will take care of you and won't let you get behind on Grey's Anatomy and I won't watch ahead of you on Ginny and Georgia. I want to be your last first kiss. Will you be mine?”

Jesse can't stop the smile from crossing her face. Seh can't believe she gets to spend the rest of her life with the incredibly sweet and funny and cute boy that's in front of her. He slips her ring back onto her finger and she takes a deep breath, glancing at the diamond before meeting his beautiful, big chocolate eyes.

“Tys, I promise to love you forever. I won't ever let you get down on yourself after a bad game. I will always be your biggest fan, through the ups and the downs. No matter where hockey takes you, I'll be right by your side ready to cheer you on. I can't wait to see you grow and become the best version of yourself on and off the ice. I know you'll never let me down, that if I need you, you'll be there giving me all the support and strength. We can do anything together, so bring on buying a house and figuring out life insurance. I promise,” She laughs, touching his face before leaning into kiss him quickly. “To always make you smile and laugh, to never let you stay sad for too long. I promise to learn how to make Laura's famous Nanaimo bars so you'll always have a tatse of home around. I promise to wear something cute to bed every night. Yes, Tyson Jost, I will be your last first kiss.”

The next kiss they share is longer and as passionate as ever.

When Tyson lays Jesse down amongst all the pillows and blankets, she couldn't say, but all she knows is the warmth of his body against hers. Seh arches against him and he fumbles slightly with the front clasp of her baralette and then his lips are on her skin, making her thighs rub together as his tongue circles one of her nipples. He's so good at this she wonders how she lived so long without him.

They're a tangle of limbs; panting and sweaty, their skin sticking together after they both reach their highs, foreheads pressed together and dopey smiles on their faces.

“We're married now,” Tyson says huskily and Jesse giggles. “Yeah, we are. I'm Mrs. Tyson Jost,” She murmurs. “I'm Mr. Jesse Compher.”

And that's how they fall asleep in the blanket fort in the middle of the sprawling and expensive suite at the Aria hotel. Still a little drunk but as in love as they ever have been.

i wanna be last, yeah

baby, let me be your, let me be your last first

kiss

i wanna be first, yeah

wanna be the first to take it all the way like this

“last first kiss” - by one direction

soundtrack “viva las vegas,” bruce springsteen, “feels like the first time” foreigner “love me harder” ariana grande and the weekend and “fearless” (taylor's version) taylor swift

[senditcolton]

For your birthday prompts (happy happy!) what about #25 with Josty perhaps? Please and thank you!

this one is smut not spice. and not vague smut like a previous blurb, this shit is explicit so 18+ only please and thank you.

One look and I am sold, you've got me on my knees.

“Hey, babe, I don’t mean to rush you but we need to go.” You hear Tyson’s voice carry into the bedroom from the adjacent living room and you can faintly hear the rustling of paper and jingling of keys as Tyson gets everything ready for your departure.  

It was the night of the Sabre’s holiday party, thrown at Alex Tuch’s house and Tyson was nervous. You understood his desire to arrive in a timely manner, make a good impression. After being traded twice in less than six months, he wanted to show that he was here to stay and that he was a good teammate and even better friend. You understood that.

But you also weren’t sure why he still felt he needed to prove himself. You hated how these trades had changed him, made him doubt himself and his abilities. Everyone in Buffalo loved him, the team started winning as soon as he started playing and from all intents and purposes, every one of his new teammates seemed to love having him around. You missed the confident fun Tyson that you knew, one who wanted to better himself because that’s who he was, not because he thought he was forced to just to survive.

You hoped that this night with everyone else would bring him back.

With a final sigh and a last-minute check of your hair and makeup, you open the bedroom door and walk into the living room to see Tyson pacing, his shoes already on and his hair one of his hands running through his hair. He hears your footsteps and doesn’t even turn to look at you before he is moving towards the counter, ready to grab the keys and White Elephant gift, his words moving at a mile a minute.

“Okay, ready to go? It takes about 30 minutes to get to Alex’s house from where we’re at and that means we might be a little late but I don’t really know if there is a set time but you know, I want to get there early, maybe help out with any last-minute decorations or food or –”

You gently cut him off by grabbing his wrist, drawing his attention to you. His eyes finally connect to yours and you hold his gaze, steady and strong as you gently remove the items from his hands, just so you can replace them with your own fingers.

Tyson’s eyes are still locked on to your frame as you inhale deeply, a silent cue for him to copy you. The two of you continue like this for a moment, your calming presence helping to calm him down. It’s when you believe he has finally settled do you speak.

“Tyson,” you say gently, one hand moving to cup his jaw, thumb running over the stubble there. “Breathe. They love you. Everyone loves you. You don’t need to burn yourself out trying to get their approval or their respect. You can do that by being yourself; that fun, light-hearted yet passionate and driven person that I know you are. The person that I fell in love with.”

You smile as you watch the tension leave Tyson’s frame, that adorable crooked smile appearing on his face.

“What did I do to deserve someone like you,” he muses, causing your heart to do somersaults in your chest. He leans into to give you a small kiss and you thought that would be the end of it but Tyson’s free arm wraps around your waist keeping you pressed to him as he continues to speak.

“How did I get so lucky to be dating someone as kind and caring and beautiful and fucking sexy as you are,” he whispers, and your next words die on your lips as you watch Tyson’s eyes shamelessly rake down your body, feeling your breath catch in your throat when his eyes connect back to yours, the fire within them clear.

“You are stunning baby,” he says, pulling your chin up so his lips meet yours. His hands trace down your sides and you whine into his lips at the shiver that he sends rushing through your body. Tyson’s lips fall from yours, down your jawline to the soft skin on your neck. A soft moan escapes you as you feel one of his hands slip underneath the hem of your dress, gently caressing the skin of your upper thigh, a moan that Tyson hears and which draws his attention back to your face, his hungry eyes sending a rush of heat to your core.

“I thought you said we have to leave,” you ask breathless, Tyson’s hand still resting on your thigh.

“You were right. We don’t have to get there first. The start time is more of a suggestion than anything else,” Tyson explains, his body moving to press you deeper into the living room until the back of your knees hit the edge of the couch, a gasp falling from your lips.

“What has gotten into you?” you laugh, the humor seeping in to try and distract yourself from the warmth that was slowly growing in your abdomen. Your teasing was effectively silenced when you felt Tyson’s fingers creeping close to your core and you can’t stop your body from reacting, hips rolling towards him in desperation.

“I’m just trying to show my appreciation for my amazing girlfriend,” he explains, his voice light despite his actions making you feel the exact opposite. “Can I not show her how much I love her?”

As soon as the question fell from his mouth, Tyson’s fingers connected with your core and you couldn’t stop the moan that he pulled from you. He stroked your folds through the fabric of your panties, your arousal soaking through the thin lace and Tyson lets out a similar groan at the feeling of you so wet for him. You found your previous resolve weakening with every continuation of his movements against your core, as he presses soft kisses into your neck, his lips moving up to land by your ear.

“Please baby, let me make you feel good,” he whispers as his fingers deftly slip under the fabric of your panties, finally connecting with your cunt and pressing against your clit. Another moan rips from your chest as you grind your hips against him, amazed at how wound up he makes you and amazed at the quick transformation from the nervous wreck he was a few minutes before. This was the confident Tyson that you had missed and you’d be damned to stop him now.

“Yes,” you breathe out, accepting his offer and watching as a smile crosses Tyson’s lips. Tyson’s hand disappears from your core and you whine at the loss of contact. Your whimper quickly turns into a moan as Tyson pulls you into a passionate kiss, your hands tangling in his hair as his grips your waist tight. You gasp into the kiss as he effortlessly leans you down, placing you onto the soft cushion of the couch.

Your legs open to allow him to press closer to you and Tyson quickly occupies the space as his hands trace up your body, dancing along your breasts, teasing them through the fabric as he continues to kiss you. You mewl into kiss as his hands jump down to gather your skirt, pulling over your hips to expose your core.

Tyson’s lips start to follow the familiar path across your jaw and down your neck, never pausing in one spot, careful not to leave any marks on your skin, knowing that he’ll have plenty of time to do that once you two return from the party. He drags his lips across your collarbones and down your sternum and you are certain he can feel your heartbeat pounding out of your chest. Your hips buck up towards him, silently pleading for him to move to the area that you needed him most.

Finally, Tyson moves lower, his knees dropping into the plush rug in front of the sofa as his hands travel up the waistband of your panties and you lift your hips to help him pull the lace down your legs. Your legs attempt to close when the cool air of the apartment hits your warm core but Tyson’s hands are instantaneous, pulling your thighs back open and you gasp at the feeling of his fingers digging into your skin. He places kisses up your inner thighs, putting his lips everywhere but where you wanted him.

“Tyson, please,” you whine above him, your hips once again bucking towards him. The only reply you receive is a small chuckle at your desperation before he finally, finally, places his mouth over your soaked pussy.

You throw your head back against the cushion, your back arching as his tongue traces up your slit. He moans at the taste of you and the vibrations send a shuddering jolt up your body. His mouth moves against you, his tongue dipping in and out of your folds and you can’t stop the soft moans and muted curses that fall from your lips. He licks a bold stripe up your cunt and when his lips close around your clit, the moan that is ripped from your chest is downright pornographic.

“Fuck, Tys,” you cry out, your legs tightening around him. He looks up at you from his position between your thighs, his eyes connecting with yours and you let out another moan at the sight of his face buried in your core.

His lips never leave your clit, his tongue moving to flick over the bundle of nerves, skillfully bringing you closer and closer to the peak, the familiar feeling of your orgasm tightening in your lower stomach. You gasp when you feel two of Tyson’s fingers slip into you, slowly pumping them in and out, your walls fluttering around him, his tongue never stopping his ministrations against your clit. He curls his fingers and perfectly hits that sweet spot, causing you to bolt upright from the couch, your one of your hands moving to tangle in his hair.

“Oh god, fuck baby, right there,” you whine and Tyson lets his fingers graze over that spot once again, pulling another moan from you as you collapse back onto the couch as Tyson continues the movements of both his fingers and his tongue, pushing you closer and closer to the edge. You dissolve into a mess above him, your head thrown back and your free hand gripping the edge of the cushion so tightly you were almost worried you might rip it.

“Fuck. Fuck, Tyson, please,” you breathe out, the pressure in your stomach threatening to burst. Tyson lets his teeth gently scrape over your clit and the combination of that, his tongue, and his fingers still pounding into your g-spot, the coil in you snapped and your orgasm crashed over you. You cry out his name as his movements never cease, prolonging your pleasure for as long as he could.

The aftershocks cause you thighs to tremble around him as you slowly come down. Tyson’s lips and tongue are still moving against you, cleaning every last drop of your cum from you before he finally removes his fingers. His hand raises up to your face, his fingers gently tapping against your mouth and you close your lips around them, moaning at the taste of yourself and the still gentle movements of Tyson against your core.

Eventually, his mouth disappears as he raises his body up to hover over you, watching you with is pupils blown wide before he removes his fingers, quickly replacing them with his lips and you melt into him.

You feel Tyson gently pulling down your dress, moving your legs over and you gasp when he grips your hips once again, this time he pulling you up off the couch. Your knees shake a little from the aftershocks of your orgasm and Tyson holds you tight until you find your balance again. He breaks away from you as you smooth down fabric of your dress and your hair, trying to piece yourself back together again. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Tyson lean down and pick something off the floor. You realize that it is your panties and you hold your hand out to take them from him. Tyson doesn’t hand them to you, instead choosing to stuff them into his back pocket.

“I don’t think you’ll be needed them later tonight,” he chuckles and you blush at the mere insinuation of what’s to come. Tyson leads you to the front door, placing your coat around you before grabbing the keys and present before ushering you towards the door, his hand heavy on the small of your back.

“Come on, let’s make an appearance at this party so we can leave as soon as possible,” he laughs and you can’t stop the giggle that falls at Tyson’s words, happy to have your beautiful amazing boyfriend back by your side.

[laurenairay]

number 4 with josty please 🥹

4 – “I’m so proud of you.” – Tyson Jost

1k words.

I hope you don’t mind that I wrote this one for my Tyson & Chloe series, Tiff! My heart is still aching over him being put on waivers and then claimed by Buffalo 😭

There’s a Chance masterlist

*

“Rough game.”

Tyson sighed at Chloe’s words, flopping down onto the sofa next to her, face and body riddled with exhaustion. When he’d messaged her after his game tonight to ask if he could crash at hers, Chloe had been worried. It had been five games now without Tyson scoring a single point, and she could tell the frustration had been building more and more for him. She’d been able to go along in person to support him and cheer him on for three of the last games, but tonight’s one she’d had to miss – and it looked like he could’ve really done with her being there. Damn it. Normally she’d back away quickly from this kind of emotional heavyweight, keeping herself at a distance from anyone going through something she wasn’t also directly involved in, but the sadness in his words made her second-guess herself, and she’d invited him to stay without even thinking.

The things this guy did to her.

“I had three chances tonight. And I missed all of them,” Tyson mumbled, running a hand through his unruly curls.

“Hey, these things happen. I might not have been watching ice hockey for very long, but I know that dry spells are a thing,” she said softly.

“I’ve barely scored any points since I got traded, Chlo, this isn’t good enough,” he said.

“Tys, it’s only April. You’ve barely been with the team a month. You’ve got to give it a little time,” she pointed out.

“There isn’t time in hockey. That’s not how the NHL works,” Tyson muttered.

“Well excuse me for not knowing the ins and outs of the NHL,” Chloe said dryly.

Tyson winced at the sight of her pursed lips, and sighed. “I’m sorry. I just…I should be doing better. I need to be doing better, or it’s going to look like The Avs were right to trade me.”

He clasped his hands together and looked down at them where his elbows were resting on his knees, the picture of misery, sending a pang of sadness through Chloe. She’d never dealt with this before, where her partner was doubting their self-worth so much, so she wasn’t sure exactly what to say. All she knew was that in the short time she’d known Tyson, she’d come to care about him more than she’d ever cared about anyone before, more so than any other partner she’d ever had, even if they weren’t official. Yet.

So she knew she had to say something.

“Hey, look at me,” she murmured.

It took Chloe resting a hand gently on Tyson’s shoulder to get him to do so, and the miserable look her sent her made her smile sadly.

“You’re going to get there. I know you will. You work so hard and put your heart into everything you do, so I know that the time and practice and hard work will pay off. It may take a little patience, but I believe in you, Tyson. And I’m so proud of you,” she said, as sincerely as she possibly could.

Tyson’s eyes widened slightly as he took in her words, a little stunned.

“You’re proud of me?” he asked softly, “Why?”

“Because you don’t give up. You could’ve just shuffled along with life after the trade, soaking up all the sadness, barely a whisper of your former self, but you haven’t. You’re trying to make a life for yourself down here, a fresh start, and that is something to be proud of. You’re putting your all in with the team, the training, everything. Hell, you’re even pursuing a relationship, remember? That’s something to be proud of too,” she said, smiling slightly at her last point.

His cheeks flushed as he mentioned their budding romance, his own sweet smile finally appearing.

“You’re the best thing I’ve got going for me right now, you know that right?” he mused.

“Damn, I’m sorry,” she grimaced.

Chloe knew she wasn’t the easiest person to be around. Like, she knew that even to Tyson she could be cold and closed off, only letting him closer a millimetre at a time – but if that made all the difference to him, then maybe it was time she tried a little harder to let go of her past, to be able to give herself a chance of a future. He deserved that much at least.

“Don’t be. We’ll get there,” he shrugged.

“You’re that sure about us?” she said, hesitantly.

He just nodded, still smiling at her. “I am. It’s a glacial pace, sure, but maybe it’s what we both need. And now that I know you’re proud of me…”

He trailed off, smiling even wider as her pale cheeks flushed slightly.

“Oh shut up, that’s what I get for trying to be supportive,” she grumbled.

For once though, Chloe could admit to herself that her grumpiness was all an act, as Tyson slung an arm around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“I really appreciate it, thank you. I know expressing emotions gives you hives,” he teased.

“You are the worst, Tyson Jost,” she said, shaking her head fondly, “But I guess I like you anyway.”

“Lucky me,” he said, smiling unabashedly.

Chloe didn’t know what the future would hold for Tyson, whether he could break this slump or whether it would break him. The intricacies and politics of ice hockey were still a learning process for her, and she didn’t think she’d fully understand how it all worked without emotion or care. But what she was starting to realise was that Tyson was becoming one of the biggest parts of her life – and as much as that scared her, for the first time in a long time, she was excited to see where it went.

“Want to order some take-out and watching trashy TV?” she suggested, looking up at him from where he still had his arm around her shoulders.

“Yes, please. You know exactly what I need,” he said, the last of the misery melting away from his eyes, “Thai?”

Chloe just smiled, trying to ignore the butterflies stirring at his sweet words.

“Thai food it is.”

*

Tag list: @starshine-hockey-girl @typical-simplelove @fallinallincurls @corneliaskates @senditcolton @fiveholegoal @youngbeezer

[matbaerzal]

thinking about phone sex w josty this fine afternoon. they’re on a long roadie rn, and he just misses you. maybe one night he calls you up, he has that particular tone in his voice and you know what he’s calling for. he asks if you miss him just as much as he missed you, if you are just as needy.

-🧶

Warnings: swearing, smut; phone sex, masturbation.

"I've watched that video you sent me so many times" he admits.

"Yeah?" you bite your lip, pressing your thighs together as you remember recording yourself getting off for him. You'd propped your phone up, giving him a closeup of your pussy, using your fingers, being extra vocal for him.

He'd closed his eyes, imagining his cock sinking in and out of you as he heard how wet your pussy was every time your fingers moved and he pretended that he was the one drawing out your moans.

"Yeah, you did so well for me baby" he palms his hard cock through his sweatpants.

"Just for you" your free hand sneaks under your t-shirt – it's his, really, and you're wearing nothing but it and a pair of panties.

"fuck, I miss you" he breathes.

"Mhm" is all you can manage as you brush your fingers across your nipple.

"D'you miss me too?"

"So much"

"Need me just as much as I need you?"

You nod, your hips bucking up as you forget he can't see you for a moment. Your skin's getting hotter by the second.

"Answer me, baby" he reminds you

"I'm so wet for you Tys"

"fuck- are you touching yourself?"

You shake your head – "just my nipples, but I can feel it, my panties are soaked"

"Go get that toy you love for me"

As he hears your drawer open and close, he pushes his sweatpants down freeing his cock. When you get comfortable on the bed again he spits onto his hand wrapping it around himself, holding it still as you tell him you've got it.

"Take off your panties and turn it on"

The faint noise of your vibrator makes his hand twitch, but he waits still – "make yourself cum, can you do that for me?"

"Yes"

You bite your lip as you press your toy against your clit lightly, teasing yourself.

"Good girl" he starts to move his hand as he hears you whimper. He closes his eyes after spitting on his hand again, trying to get lost in the little sounds you're making.

You picture him in your head, laying on his hotel room bed, his chest glowing the way it does when he's fucking you. His brows furrowed both from pleasure and in concentration – always determined to make you feel good. Just as you press your toy harder against your clit he moans your name.

"Can't wait-" he starts, interrupting himself with a groan, "can't wait to come back home – show you how much I've missed you"

"Please, Tys" you beg, wanting him to do whatever he wants to you when he gets home, needing him to tell you.

"Gonna make you cum for each game we win"

You whimper – they hadn't lost one yet. Your pussy clenches around nothing reminding you of how empty you feel. You put your phone on speaker to free your hand, laying it on the pillow next to you.

"How do you want me to make you cum, baby?" he asks.

You sink your fingers into yourself, breathing heavily as your mind floods with images of his mouth on you. "tongue – want your tongue"

He swears under his breath, his hips bucking up into his hand, "want me to lick your pretty cunt hmm?"

"Fuck- Tyson, yes"

"What else?" there's a desperation in his voice, telling you he's as close as you are.

"Want you to fill me up, need your cum in me"

"Yeah?" his eyes roll into his head as he thinks of his cum dripping out of you, making you taste your juices mixed together.

You move your fingers in sync with his breath, hearing it become shorter as his own hand speeds up, chasing his high. You hold your vibrator still against your clit, moving it only as your hips buck.

Tyson's mind goes blank when he hears your moans, forgetting all about his little conversation with you. His stomach tenses, but he bites his lip, holding off his orgasm a little longer.

"Tys, I'm-" your toes curl as warmth spreads through your body, "fuck- I'm cumming"

He can't hold off any longer as his name rolls off your tongue, ropes of cum landing on his stomach as he listens to you ride out your orgasm, keeping your vibrator pressed against yourself until it's too much. Your thighs shaking when you finally turn it off.

You lay like that for a moment, listening to his breath as you both come down. Your hand is still between your legs as a message comes through. You open your phone with your free hand, unable to help the small moan you let out as you see the picture he's sent you. His cum painted across his abs – "all for you" he speaks, and you can hear his smirk.

You open the camera app, sinking your fingers into yourself again as you position your phone before quickly snapping a few photos. You send the best one back to him, waiting for him to open it. When you hear him growl, it's your turn to smirk – "all for you" you throw his words back at him.

[matthewkniesys]

no thoughts just tyson jost

For real! I love josty and I wish him nothing but the best but I miss him so much as an avs player. Like imagine the content we would get of josty with the cup and shit if he was still on the team. Anyone wanna elaborate... even though it hurts I wanna talk about him.

[crow-the-unknown]

end of season opinionated rankings of nhl teams

so i'm now completely settled into being a fan, ofc there's still more to learn about all teams, but it's nearing the end of the season so i wanted to do this again for funsies and give explanations this time :3

colorado avalanche- my family team, overall i love them the most and i'm the most attached to them idk why necessarily

pittsburgh penguins- oh boy did this team grow on me, mostly because of my good friend @beagss , i've learned to love them very dearly but i also have no clue how it happened lol

carolina hurricanes- this team is just fun and generally good, i'd be okay if they didn't make it too far unlike with the pens or the avs but it's still great seeing them succeed cos i really like the team and j think they're super underrated

seattle kraken- my family's secondary team+ they have burky so i can't not like them, and their vibe is immaculate too. i also have grown to like many of their players such as matty or geekie or mccann

minnesota wild- i like their players and they have flower, which is nice to see him on a team i generally like. i don't like them when it comes to being division rivals with the avs, but out of all teams in our division i like them the most and can tolerate them cos they're cool

calgary flames- they have good vibes honestly, idk about most the players but they have naz now so i have a soft spot for them. they're chill with me i guess :)

edmonton oilers- this one's weird because they're a team i'd say i love to hate when it comes to playing them, but i also want them to succeed?? like, i like their players and mcdavid and drai deserve a cup at this point tbh. they seem alright, very middle of the road as far as how i feel about them because it tends to shift day to day for me.

vancouver canucks- some people i follow like them a lot and they seem pretty cool, i want them to do well. i also like their players and overall i feel like they deserve to be treated better lol, they really got to me after the horvat trade and the bruce situation.

new jersey devils- i love so many players on this team ngl. it's nice to see them doing well this season given their less than great past. also my good mutual @toothlessdudebros is a big fan, so how could i possibly hate them?

buffalo sabres- another team i just want to do well, especially with the players they have. another huge reason? josty. that's it. just jost lol. (miss you king)

toronto maple leafs- oh you guessed it. i want them to make it past the first round, i feel bad at this point. they have a great group of guys that i've come to like quite a lot. as much as i like to poke fun at leafs fans, it does have to suck and i know the feeling

ottawa senators- they have a bright future i think, i like brady tkachuk and a few other guys there so i'm rooting for them a bit.

tampa bay lightning- another team i love to hate. i like their players, but playing against them is the worsttttt and it makes me wish florida would sink into the ocean forever lmao. you have to respect the back to back runs thiugh, definitely what i've looked to as a hopeful avs fan. there's some things that really annoy me about them, but i'm more lenient to say i'm okay with them than not.

arizona coyotes- idk about y'all tbh, i am aware of your existence but like are you really there??? if ykwim. i had some guys i liked there but they all got traded lol. most mid team ever, also what on earth is that arena???

washington capitals- you guys have some players i like, especially in kuemper (miss you) so you're alright. idk about ovi, also the old pens vs caps rivalry has made me less than lenient to be alright with y'all' lol. still have a legend there tho, so i gotta respect it a little bit.

new york islanders- bad cos of the rivalry(?) with the pens, but i like barzal and now beau is there so it's alright. some people i follow like them, so they're just okay

florida panthers- matthew tkachuk. that's the reason i like you. and i guess barkov is ok too. but honestly who *really* likes florida anyway? bring my boy ratthew back to calgary. please.

winnipeg jets- morrissey is cool? also jesse from bardown likes you guys and he's cool so you're alright with me. other than that? not much to say lol

anaheim ducks- should have kept the purple and teal jerseys smh. bring them back. do it. i dare you. other than that there isn't much to say since they've just been bad lol. i like zegras tho :))

columbus blue jackets- who the hell places an nhl team in ohio? i always forget you exist i'm not gonna lie. i'd be okay if you guys got bedard i guess???

san jose sharks- why are there three californian teams, it's worse than florida lmao ':] karlsson is your only redeeming factor.

chicago blackhawks- i... don't like y'all? idk the vibe just isn't right. being bad also just doesn't help the situation of me not liking you, sorry blackhawks fans. the avs have the superior toews anyway.

detroit red wings- old avs rivalry instinct says not to like y'all. larkin is the one redeeming thing, but being located in detroit might as well cancel it out

montreal canadiens- i know lots of people sympathize with you but.. idk i can't. i like lots of the players but, the vibe is so meh that i can't really bring myself to care :/

la kings- again, why three californian teams??? doughty and fiala are alright, but in the end i think i'm still salty over some avs and pens and canes losses lol

new york rangers- your fanbase gives off the complete wrong vibes for a team that hasn't won a cup in a hot minute. i know there's some good rangers fans out there, but man the view i have is so skewed from seeing bad fans. please prove me wrong. i like some players tho, if that's anything :>

dallas stars- weird. goofy. but in a bad way? idk how to feel about you guys... but i don't get the best vibes, also the avs and stars are division rivals and that doesn't help it at all lol

nashville predators- playoff hatred leftover from last year+ the duchene betrayal and karma *reassuring thumbs up* :)

boston bruins- shared family dislike. how are y'all so good? criminal. terrifying. gotta respect it... but i simply don't wanna <333 if it's anything's, i hate you less than i did at the start of the season.

philadelphia flyers- pennsylvania rivalry=bad. also youre vibes are just so.... off. i also am not a john tortorella fan

saint louis blues- i could write an ESSAY on why i despise y'all. the fanbase vibes are all off and your only redeeming quality is in kyrou but that is way overshadowed by how much i hate b*nnington with a burning passion.

las vegas golden knights- tbh idk why i hate y'all so much, i just do. i simply loathe y'all. always have, probably always will. sorry but not sorry

[lenacopperleaf]

Ryker you’re making me miss EJ even more

[brainrattlers]

Play It Cool - Tyson Jost (2/n)

Author’s Notes: Here’s part 2, there wasn’t a lot of Josty in that first part so I’m tossing out a bit more to advance the plot a bit. Miss Part 1? https://brainrattlers.tumblr.com/post/684079731435552768/play-it-cool-tyson-jost-1n

Pairing: Tyson Jost x OFC 

Warnings: Language. Alcohol consumption. Again, not saying it’s in this part, but seriously this likely treads into 18+ only territory eventually. Word count: 2972

The sound of her phone buzzing awoke AJ from her slumber.

Nate: You made quite an impression last night.

AJ: Oh no, I didn’t do anything incredibly dumb, did I? 

AJ frantically tried to recall the night’s events, but with her head pounding still, she couldn’t be sure of what she remembered. She waddled to the kitchen to grab a glass of water and to make some toast. It occurred to her that Nate only had the one beer and was drinking water the rest of the night. She was kicking herself for not following in his footsteps.

Nate: Quite the opposite. Tipsy AJ is charming AF lol just wanted to check in on you though, make sure you were drinking water.

AJ: I am. Thanks again, I really did have fun. I haven’t had a night like that in a long time.

Nate: Anytime. I’ll let you get to it today. Fort later?

AJ: Yeah, I’ll text you. 

AJ found herself back in the land of the living and got some chores around the house done, and indeed texted Nate later to play Fortnite. He joked about doing a squad stream, knowing full well she would not be up for it.  But the two did play duos for a while. For once, she was beating him, and she was confused as to why. Typically it was him who was carrying the pair, but this time he was falling behind and getting sniped. She chirped him in audio chat, but also could tell something was going on as she heard his phone buzzing a lot.

He finally admitted he was texting some of the guys in group chat, but was told to relay a message.

“So next week EJ’s hosting a party, and wanted to know if you wanted to come?”

“Huh? You want me to go as your plus one?” AJ was pretty much in denial that she had made a good impression the previous night.

“Nah the text literally says Ask AJ if she’d like to come.”

AJ put down her controller and instantly was sniped. She didn’t even notice. “Yeah, I guess so? I have off the next day. Do I need to bring anything?”

Nate laughed. “Nah, you’re good. Bring yourself. I can give you a ride if you want. Oh shit, I need to get your reboot card,” he shifted back to the game at hand, “These kids are dogshit, time to take them down.” Nate continued chuckling. AJ assumed it was at his comment about the kids’ they were playing against, but really, it was the text from Tyson in the group chat that happened before Erik made the official request to Nate.

Hey Nate, would your friend AJ be up for the party? She seems pretty cool.

Of course, following the somewhat awkward text from Tyson were a handful of chirps giving him crap saying he had a crush on AJ. Nate shut it down reiterating that he thought it would be good for her to get out and meet more people as she was still pretty new in town. Erik agreed that she seemed to fit in well the night before, and asked Nate to ask her.

By the way, Tyson never confirmed nor denied whether the chirps were true or not.

The week had been a blur of printer jams, running network cables in a new office area being built (including rooting around in the ceiling, by far one of the worst aspects of being IT support. Drop-ceiling tiles are the WORST.). Installing new workstations. AJ was busy to say the least.  On top of that, there was one away game early in the week on the west coast, so it was late by the time it ended. Somehow, Nate had gotten in the habit of texting her before flights took off, and when the plane landed. In fact, before they took off, he Facetimed AJ, clearly tired and frustrated by the loss. He was getting ready to tell her something before EJ snuck up behind Nate in the frame asking if she was coming to the party or not.

“Hey EJ, yeah, I should be there, permitting people don’t do anything stupid at work.”

EJ’s grin was all she needed to see to know that he genuinely wanted her to be there. Nate even got out of his gloomy gus persona to smile a bit. He panned his phone around, with the guys getting situated for their seats. A few guys waved, asking who Nate was talking with. Upon hearing AJ’s name, JT and Tyson peeked over the back of their seats to say hello and wave. AJ’s voice came through the little speaker of Nate’s phone.

“Hi guys! See you Saturday?”

Unfortunately, Nate had already passed them by so AJ didn’t get to see the look of utter joy on Tyson’s face. JT did though, and gave him shit for it. Both got a little quiet though when they heard Nate ending the facetime with “I’ll text you when we get home.” 

JT stopped the teasing, and mouthed “sorry, bro.”

Tyson sighed, putting his headphones on, and leaned his head against the inside wall of the plane. He closed his eyes and lost himself in some music as he didn’t want to think about what he just heard, and how to take it. That was a phrase that was usually said to someone special at home. Unfortunately, it was something Tyson hadn’t said really to anyone lately, other than his mom.  Fortunately for him, he was asleep quickly, and one of the first off the plane when they arrived back in Denver.

And AJ was woken up with a 2AM text from Nate.

Nate: Hope your phone is off and I didn’t wake you. On the ground. Talk to you later.

Sleepily, AJ responded.

Phone’s not off but glad you’re on the ground. Sweet dreams.

Work kicked AJ’s ass the rest of the week, so much that she didn’t even go to the home game on Friday night. It felt weird sitting at home watching, when she’d been to Ball Arena for most of the home games already this season. 

It was weird for Nate too - he knew she wasn’t going to be there, but he still looked for her by the glass in section 120 with a sign. But he also knew that if she didn’t get some rest, she was likely going to have a migraine for a few days. That’s the funny thing about Nate and AJ - he started noticing patterns before she’d moved to Denver, just from playing Fort, that she’d have a rough few days and lack of sleep would set in, and then she’d be out of commission for a day or two. She finally admitted after a few times that literally it was her body’s way of telling her to slow down. He hoped she was having a lowkey evening.

Nate wasn’t the only one who noticed that AJ wasn’t at the game. During warmups, Tyson scanned the glass looking for AJ’s beanie or signs, and came up empty. 

AJ was indeed at home, in her pajamas. Pizza on the coffee table. She was curled up under a blanket watching the game unfold, when suddenly she had a slight panic attack.  Mind you, nothing major, but it occurred to her that she was not sitting in 120, so if Nate scored, who was he going to point at?  The super-celly-stition would be broken! So many shots from Nate, but nothing found the twine. However, he did have two assists on the night. No need to point. The boys squeaked out a 3-2 win in OT. Most of the night was spent texting Jess, who was at the game.

As AJ and Jess became good friends, it was evident that they both thought Nate was cute. They’d joke about what it would be like to date him. Jess was clearly smitten with Nate, and was trying to figure out how to get Nate to notice her, hoping that AJ would be able to help.  AJ originally was completely smitten with Nate, but as their relationship evolved into whatever it is now, it just wasn’t feeling right to be smitten with him - especially with how much Jess was crushing.

However, over the last week and a half, AJ’s interests definitely shifted.  Sure, she and Nate talked all the time and hung out on occasion - hell, he was probably her best friend. But it was also evident to Jess that AJ had a crush on someone else on the team. Texts like “Did you see the tweet with Tyson walking into the arena today? Damn he makes that suit look good.” and “Oh fuck, I hope Tyson’s okay after that nasty looking hit!” were becoming pretty common. AJ finally confessed, especially ever since that super awkward day at work, yeah, she’d been harboring some feelings for number 17.

Jess: Wait, you saw him in a towel? Damn, what I wouldn’t give to see Nate just in a towel!

AJ had seen this, but it isn’t quite what you think. And she kept that to herself, because honestly that is a story for a different time that isn’t now. Just know it was a lovely sight, just saying. But it was definitely overshadowed the day that Tyson snuck into her head, where he was currently living rent-free.

The texts turned into jokes about how they’d all double date, go on couples’ trips together, host dinners, etc. The typical daydreaming stuff you’d expect. Rarely did the conversations not end with either “ugh you need to introduce me sometime” or “I really should set something up so you can meet him in not-hockey mode.”

That particular night ended with a text to Jess of “I’ll see what I can do tomorrow at the party.” and another to Nate of “good game tonight, but I see you missed me. Still picking me up for the party tomorrow?”

Jess’s response was, “Party? You better take pics.” Nate’s response was, “I always miss you at the games you’re not at. Who would I point at if I scored? 7:30.”

The next day was spent sending photos of clothes to Jess to figure out what to wear to the party. It was supposed to be a casual get-together, but she still wanted to look nice. Which is odd, most days she would have just picked out a clean pair of jeans, and a different hoodie from her closet. Eventually, she decided on a particular pair of jeans that she felt pretty confident in, and her favorite loose sweater. When she’d get anxious, she found that running her fingers over the bottom edge grounded her. Of her nicer clothes, it was probably her favorite: black, warm, and super soft. She attempted to control her curly hair, and got it into a style she felt okay with. After her phone buzzed, she took a deep breath, and headed for the door as Nate was outside waiting.

The odd thing about the breath she took was not that she was nervous about Nate, in fact it was quite the opposite. He’s been there for her through a lot, and seen her at some pretty low points. AJ felt like she could let her guard down around him. And slowly, she was feeling more comfortable opening up to others too, if just little bits at a time. But she was feeling optimistic about the night, despite being somewhat anxious about how many people would be there. At least at the bar she was able to use the dance floor, and Nate, as security blankets.That likely wouldn’t be the situation here, but she was going to do her best.

AJ hopped into Nate’s car, and they sped off onto the freeway, heading toward EJ’s home. As they pulled up, there were a number of cars already parked. It hit her just how much money some of these guys were making when they were driving Mercedes, Land Rovers, and Lamborghinis. She took a moment to close her eyes and breathe, pushing the negative anxious energy down, before climbing out of the vehicle and heading up to the door. Nate held it open as AJ entered, and a few teammates turned and cheered at the newest arrivals. EJ swooped in for a hug, and Mikko waved from an overstuffed chair.  Peering around the room, it was evident that food and drinks were most definitely happening, and AJ stopped when she found something she liked. In the corner, JT, Sydney, and Tyson were chatting, when Tyson felt like was being watched. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught AJ staring at him. She smiled and looked down, then back up to respond to something EJ had said. She did make it a point to give a little glance back to see if she too was being watched. Tyson was laughing at something JT had said, but regained eye contact and smiled back at AJ. 

He loved that her cheeks flushed when she smiled at him. The eye contact was short lived, however, as Nate was tasked with introducing her to more people at the party. It is always difficult when you’re the new person in a group - everyone seems to know you, but you don’t know any of them and have to remember faces and names and whom each person belongs to. It was dizzying, but even EJ picked up on AJ’s level of anxiety starting to rise. He invited her to grab some food and a drink in the kitchen, finding Cale and his girlfriend, as well as Devon and his wife, chatting in the more quiet area. After a quick introduction, AJ was feeling a little better with it being a bit more quiet. Her phone buzzed, with a text from Nate who was just outside in the living room.

Nate: Can you grab me a beer? 

AJ rolled her eyes, and grabbed two before excusing herself from the kitchen. She strolled back out into the living room, and handed Nate his bottle. “Really Nate?”

He smirked at her before clinking his bottle to hers. She rolled her eyes yet again, sitting next to Nate on the sofa. He put his free arm around her, however she never noticed that part. What AJ did notice was that Tyson was watching, and then had a somewhat somber look on his face before rejoining the conversation going on in the corner. It honestly made her heart ache a little. As the night went on, couples came and left, but a handful of people still lingered. Nate, Gabe and Erik were talking about horses, Burky and Cale were playing beer pong against Mikko and Sammy. AJ could see that JT and Sydney were getting ready to head out, but Tyson said he was going to stay a bit longer.

Realizing her bottle was empty, AJ headed to the kitchen, but not before stopping in front of Tyson, seeing his glass was empty. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to try to be a little more smooth than she was the first time she had met Tyson, that fateful day at work.

“Hey, you want a refill on your drink? I’m heading that way…” She waited a moment before continuing. “I can bring you something back?”

Tyson’s brain finally engaged, and he stood up. “One more, and probably a water. I have no idea what JT put in this thing, but it tasted good.”

While AJ expected Tyson to stay put, he was following her into the empty kitchen. Tyson leaned on the island, watching AJ eyeing the bottles of alcohol and mixers in front of her. He smiled at the way she tilted her head when reading fine print on bottles. The way she stuck her tongue out just a bit as she measured the pours. Finally finished, she put the glass in front of Tyson, and joined him in leaning against the island. Tyson finally broke the silence, asking how she met Nate.  He honestly didn’t want to hear this story, since Nate was direct competition, but he couldn’t think of another segue to just start talking to AJ. 

In reality, Tyson wanted to know everything about AJ in general. He loved the way her voice sounded, how she talks with her hands when she gets excited. Her smile that made her eyes twinkle which made his heart skip a beat. And he had no idea what color her hair was, but he loved how the curls framed her face. Really, he just wanted to be able to talk to her forever. Unfortunately as this was EJ’s house, they’d all have to go home soon, and he wasn’t thrilled that she would be leaving with Nate. Tyson pushed that feeling down, and focused on AJ as they chatted in the kitchen.

He focused so much, she caught Tyson staring at her lips, then back into her eyes, back to her lips, and back to her eyes again. Unknowingly, Tyson licked the corner of his mouth, and it was not lost on AJ. She definitely caught his eye movements, and couldn’t stop looking at his lips. Her heart was pounding in her chest. The alcohol from the evening was loosening inhibitions, leaving her to do something she most certainly would not have normally done.

“Hey, Tyson?”

No response, he was deep in thought about something.

“Tyson?”

AJ slid her hand up Tyson’s arm, and the trance was broken. He looked at her, feeling her study his face with her eyes, and suddenly her warm hand slid along his jaw. Tyson closed his own eyes, leaning into her palm that was softly cupping his cheek.

She took a chance. Part 3: https://brainrattlers.tumblr.com/post/684427077082021888/play-it-cool-tyson-jost-3n

[outerbankies]

ok maybe i’m not mad about the new hair