#Tampa Bay Lightning imagine
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777bae · 1 day ago
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OUT OF REACH EMIL LILLEBERG
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Summary :: Emil always forgets you’re not as tall as him, constantly putting things on the top shelf just out of reach. After a few failed attempts to grab a box of pasta, you call for help—only for him to tease you as he effortlessly grabs it down. Despite the frustration, you can’t help but appreciate his charm… even if he’s a walking kitchen disaster.
Warnings :: reader is quite a bit shorter than him (Emil is like 6’2)
Word count :: 2.0k
The kitchen feels unusually cramped tonight, the space shrinking with every stretch of your arm. The air is thick with the mix of frustration and determination that’s building up inside you. Every inch you gain feels like an impossibility—like the pasta box is playing some cruel game, just barely within reach but always slipping further back when you think you’re close. You tiptoe higher, your breath catching as you stretch even more, fingertips brushing the edge, but not quite making contact.
The box of pasta taunts you with its proximity, daring you to reach it, daring you to be taller, to be more clever, to be anything but the person you are right now—straining, balancing on the balls of your feet, your entire body bending and twisting to meet its challenge. Your fingertips graze the corner of the box, but the moment you think you’ve got it, the damn thing slides away like it’s mocking your efforts.
You step back, exhaling a huff of frustration. Your arm aches from the stretch, muscles burning, yet you can’t help but feel compelled to keep trying. You’ve been at this for what feels like an eternity, and all you want is that stupid box, just a simple task, but it’s like the shelf is an enemy in some poorly scripted battle you’re never going to win.
You’ve already tried everything. The edge of the counter, the tiptoeing, even the desperate stretches with your spine curved in ways it shouldn’t be. You’ve jumped a few times too, almost knocking over the spice rack in the process. But nothing works. The top shelf remains just out of your reach, and it’s becoming an endless loop of failure. You feel a surge of irritation wash over you, the kind that turns even small tasks into mountains you can’t climb.
Just then, you hear Emil’s voice from the living room—soft, almost muffled by the low hum of the TV. It’s a lazy kind of sound, his usual drawl that lets you know he’s not really doing anything, just existing. He’s probably sprawled out on the couch, wrapped in the warmth of his own quiet, effortlessly relaxed state, while you’re here, fighting an invisible war against a shelf.
You glance back toward the living room, almost as if you’re expecting him to materialize at any moment, like he might suddenly walk in, notice your struggle, and offer some sort of unsolicited advice or assistance. But no—he’s probably lost in the game, or checking his phone, or just… completely unaware of your ongoing battle.
You can almost picture it—his easy posture, the way he probably doesn’t even realize how long you’ve been at this. He wouldn’t know what it’s like to fight with something that’s supposed to be easy, to have something just out of reach, no matter how hard you try. His world is probably so effortlessly simple, and here you are—on your tiptoes, straining with a dumb box of pasta like it’s the most important thing in the world.
The frustration builds again, and you let out a long, exasperated sigh, as if the air itself is feeling the weight of your irritation. You can’t just give up—not after everything.
You stretch again, pushing your body higher, giving a little hop in a last-ditch effort to finally grasp the elusive box of pasta. It’s no use. The box taunts you, stubbornly staying just beyond your reach. Your fingertips graze the bottom corner again, but it slides away, like it’s playing its own game with you. Frustration builds in your chest, and your breath comes in short, sharp bursts as your muscles scream in protest. This was supposed to be easy.
You stand there for a moment, frozen in a mix of disbelief and irritation, your arm still outstretched, hovering in the air. The feeling of helplessness gnaws at you—how can something so simple be so maddening? The corner of the shelf, so close yet so far. Your gaze flickers to the rest of the kitchen, but the air feels too heavy, and you just need to let it out.
With a dramatic sigh, you drop your arm, the sense of defeat hanging over you. You turn to face the empty space behind you, shaking your head. This is absurd. He had to put it there, didn’t he? The box of pasta. The one thing you can’t reach.
You throw your hands up in exasperation. “Emil!” you call, the words coming out louder than you intended, a mixture of frustration and resignation in your voice. The name cuts through the silence of the kitchen, a sharp cry for help. You wait, your pulse still racing as you let the annoyance settle in.
You hear the familiar sound of Emil shifting on the couch—his casual movement, a shift of weight on the cushions—before his voice drifts toward you, muffled and unconcerned. “Yeah?”
A second later, your irritation creeps up again, this time spilling out in an exaggerated tone, the kind of thing you didn’t mean but can’t hold back now. “Can you come in here for a second?” you call out again, the words dripping with the kind of annoyance you usually try to suppress, but tonight, it’s all spilling over. You don’t even try to hold it in; you’re done. You need help, but you’re going to let him know how ridiculous it all feels.
The sound of him standing reaches you next, the soft shuffle of footsteps that tell you he’s not rushing. A few moments pass before he appears in the doorway, moving with the same laid-back ease that’s practically his trademark. His hands are casually shoved in the pockets of his sweatpants, his posture relaxed as he leans against the doorframe, eyeing you with a faint glint of amusement already tugging at the corners of his lips. His eyes flick up to the top shelf—your target—and then back to you, still standing there on your tiptoes, arms stretched up, straining for the box of pasta that’s just out of your grasp.
He raises an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a smirk. “You still trying to get that?” he asks, the teasing lilt in his voice impossible to ignore. There’s something about the way he’s looking at you, like he knows exactly what’s going on. And maybe he does—maybe he’s been watching you struggle from the living room, quietly enjoying the show.
You roll your eyes dramatically, letting out a long exhale as you throw your hands up in mock surrender. “Yes, and I swear, if that pasta box is laughing at me right now, I’m going to lose it,” you say, your voice a mixture of exasperation and playful exaggeration. The frustration still pulses under your words, but you know you can’t take it too seriously—after all, it’s just pasta. Right?
Emil chuckles at your theatrics, his chest vibrating with amusement. He uncrosses his arms and steps forward, a slow, deliberate movement that only adds to the easy confidence he exudes. His arms fold back into his chest as he leans against the counter, watching you with a half-amused, half-sympathetic expression. “You know,” he starts, his voice light but with a teasing edge, “if you just asked, I’d grab it for you.”
You tilt your head, narrowing your eyes as you give him an exaggerated, dramatic pout, trying to mirror his smugness. “I’m trying to maintain some dignity here,” you say, your voice dripping with sarcasm. You take a small step back, waving your arms theatrically as you turn your attention back to the shelf. “But you—” you pause, making sure to emphasize the point—“keep putting things on the top shelf like you’re trying to make me lose my mind.”
He doesn’t even flinch. If anything, his smirk only deepens, that knowing look in his eyes never leaving. Without another word, he steps forward and reaches up to grab the box from the shelf. He does it so effortlessly that it seems almost cruel. The motion is fluid, practiced, like he’s done this a hundred times before, and he’s only half-paying attention.
He pulls the box down in a single, smooth motion, not breaking a sweat. His eyes flick back to you, a playful grin stretching across his face. “It’s not my fault you’re not as vertically gifted as me,” he teases, his tone light, but there’s that underlying sense of mischief you know too well. His words are almost too perfect, a reminder of how, in this moment, you’re not the one winning.
You huff, frustration still bubbling in your chest, and snatch the pasta box from Emil’s outstretched hand. Your fingers brush his briefly, and you can’t ignore the warmth of his touch, even if it’s just for a moment. You give him a playful shove, the kind you’ve given him a hundred times before when he’s pushed your buttons just enough. “Can you stop putting things on the top shelf like you’re some sort of kitchen god?” you ask, your voice half-mocking, half-exasperated. “I swear, it’s like you’re doing it on purpose!”
Emil’s laughter is instant, his deep chuckle rumbling in the air between you two. He leans back against the doorframe, arms still casually crossed over his chest. His eyes gleam with amusement, a mischievous twinkle you know all too well. “You’re welcome for my assistance,” he says, his tone light and teasing. “But seriously, you’d be better off just asking next time.”
You hold the pasta box up, waving it in front of him like a prize you’ve just won—an exaggerated, triumphant gesture that only makes your frustration more ridiculous. “Oh, I’ll ask next time,” you reply, a smirk tugging at the corners of your lips. “But only if you promise to never, ever put the cereal up there again.” You give the box a little shake for emphasis, almost like you’re bargaining. “I’ll start hiding your snacks if you do.”
Emil’s grin widens, and he tilts his head slightly, as if considering your offer, but you can see the glint of mischief in his eyes. “If you do that, I’ll just move all the snacks to the highest shelf of the pantry,” he says, feigning seriousness, though you know he’s enjoying this playful back-and-forth. “You’re not winning this battle.”
You narrow your eyes at him, crossing your arms in a mock display of defiance. You give him a playful side-eye, your lips curling upward despite your best efforts to appear stern. “You just wait,” you say, a quiet promise hanging in your words. “I’ll find a way to get back at you for this.”
Emil just shakes his head, his smile broadening even more. The laughter still lingers in his voice as he pushes off from the doorframe, but he’s clearly not done with the teasing. “You’re lucky I’m around to help,” he says with a playful sigh, the words drawing out a little more than necessary as if he’s giving you some rare gift of his presence. “Where would you be without me?”
You roll your eyes in exaggerated disbelief but can’t help the smile creeping onto your face despite yourself. There’s something about him—something about the way he teases, so effortlessly, without even trying—that softens your irritation every time. “Probably managing just fine, actually,” you mutter, trying to keep up the act, but the grin that you can’t suppress says otherwise. “But it’s good to know you’ll always be there when I need you to—what was it? Rescue me from the shelf?”
“Exactly,” he says with a wink, his voice dripping with mock-heroism, and you can almost hear the dramatic music playing behind his words. He turns to head back toward the living room, the casualness of his steps belying the smugness in his grin. “It’s a full-time job, you know. I’m basically a hero around here.”
You can’t help but laugh at his antics, the sound escaping you before you can even think to hide it. You watch him saunter back into the other room, shoulders relaxed, a confident air about him. You stand there for a moment, the faintest smile still tugging at your lips as you shake your head, knowing full well that maybe, just maybe, you secretly appreciate having him around—even if his brand of “help” involves ridiculously high shelves and pasta-box placement strategies.
“Hero,” you mutter under your breath, still smiling as you shake your head, half in disbelief, half in fondness. “Yeah, sure.” But you both know the truth—you’d never trade him for anything else.
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swissboyhisch · 2 years ago
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WAG Meetings
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Pairing: Steven Stamkos x Reader
Summary: After it's confirmed that the boys will go to playoffs for another season, the WAGs have a meeting to discuss the most exciting part. WAG Jackets.
Word Count: 1025
Warnings: I predict a lot of inaccuracies about playoff planning and that. Kids. Bad flow.
A/N: I personally love this but I'm not sure how good it is.
THE MASTERLIST JOIN THE TAGLIST HOCKEY DISCORD
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On the 1st of April, you and the other partners of Tampa Bay Lightning gathered at your home in Tampa to watch as your boys clinched a playoff spot for the 2022-2023 season. That signalled the start of the playoff prep for you. It was to be your tenth postseason. Your tenth playoff run experience. However, this was your ninth as the Captain’s partner. That also meant creating your ninth playoff jacket. 
The day after the clinch, the girls came over again. The boys were on a road trip giving you all the space you could need to start the prep. You organised a brunch while you organised this year’s WAG jacket. You weren't the captain's partner the first year you were involved in a WAG jacket creation. But now you lead the charge. Luckily you have experience by now.
You finished setting up the large charcuterie board on the coffee table in the lounge room. All the extra chairs and bean bags were set up for everyone. Everything was set up for adults and kids, including food and drinks. 
“Mama!”
Speaking of kids, your son came running up to you. Ever the twin of his father, his blonde hair was a mess. “What’s wrong, kiddo?”
“Dadda?”
“Dadda is at work.” The pout that graced his face was heartwrenching. One that you knew all too well. “He’ll be home tomorrow.”
The doorbell echoed through the house. Kiddo squirmed in your arms, making you put him down. He sprinted to the door and jumped, trying to reach the door handle. You couldn’t hold back the chuckle at the sight. You came up behind him, opening the door to reveal Sanna holding Rio—Kiddo’s best friend.
Sanna Hedman has been your best friend since she and Victor arrived in Tampa in 2009. You two quickly gravitated towards each other as you were close in age and relatively new to Tampa. You had arrived only the season before. Sanna was your alternate captain, helping you organise many events for the girls. And it also meant both your kids, born only months apart, are best friends like their parents.
“Rio!” Kiddo squeals.
You two laughed at your boys hugging before speeding into the house, straight to the playroom downstairs set up for the kids. Sanna, with a bag of bottles of champagne in her arms, followed you through to the kitchen. The pair of you flitted around the kitchen, ensuring everything was ready. A tray of mimosas was poured, ready for the girls to arrive. 
“Here,” Sanna grins as she hands you a mimosa and sits beside you at the kitchen counter.
“To another playoff run,” You grin.
Sanna laughs happily, “Cheers. Another year of playoff fun.”
Over the next ten minutes, you welcomed other women and kids into your home like many times before. Soon you were all settled into the lounge room—everyone with a drink. You had a seat near the tv where the PowerPoint you created last night after everyone left the watch party. It had all sorts of slides discussing styles, colours, and fabrics. Everything that is needed for the jackets and more.
Cece came and sat on the other side of you. She was one of the newer WAGs in the group. The young woman was the long-term partner for Ross Colton, the young centre on the team. She couldn’t contain her excitement. “I can’t believe it.”
“Your first WAG jacket,” Senna smiled, who was next to you as she would be helping you with the presentation. 
The pair of you had taken the young woman into your close-knit group. You two, Tiff (Kilhorn’s partner) and Ana Kucherov, were all very close. The leaders of the group, if you will. But as a whole, all the women were close.
“Welcome all to the 2023 WAG Playoffs meeting.”
The girls all cheered and clapped. It was a big thing for your boys, and all of you were excited about another playoff run. For a couple of new girls within the group, it was their first playoff experience. But like every year you’ve had this meeting, everyone’s emotions were at an all-time high.
“We will be starting off with our jackets, as I want to be able to send them off to the designer tomorrow.”
“When will they be ready?” Cece questioned. 
Sanna grins, “Most likely around two weeks.”
“Since I became captain’s partner, we’ve been working with the designer Jenna Jetta, a Jacksonville-based designer. This is the ninth postseason we’ll be working with her. Jenna only works with Lightning. Senna and I will go to Jacksonville this weekend to see the test jacket.”
It took a lot of talking, going back and forth between everyone, but you all finally agreed on a design—a black leather jacket with neon blue lightning around the bottom. Then on the back, there was the player’s number and their signature. On the front had the team logo and the partner’s name. And on the collar, they had little flags, one on each end, representing the two players. 
Each girl had little personal things on the jacket as well. They could choose little embroidery details to add. You had chosen to add your son’s name and your and Steven’s hometown on the sleeve cuffs.
“Now we’ve finished the design of the WAG jackets; it’s time to discuss round one. It’s already confirmed the boys will be against the Leafs for the first round.”
Senna hummed in agreement. “It’s been announced games one and two are in Toronto. For those wanting to travel, you are more than welcome. But if you don’t, Mrs Captain, Ana, and I plan someone to host a watch party for those two games at one of our houses.”
“Games three and four are home, meaning each player has a suite. We will be deciding at a later date who will have which suite,” You add on. After you had given everyone the rundown on the first round, it was time to conclude the official pre-playoff meeting. “Thank you for your involvement in this year’s playoff jacket design. I can’t wait to give them out at the pre-playoff dinner.”
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TAG LIST:
@penny4yourthoughts @mp0625 @hischierhaze @11zegras @lvrzegras @francesfarhadi @cixrosie @daisysthings
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haddonfieldwhore · 2 months ago
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santa doesn’t know you like i do - aleksander barkov
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aleksander barkov x reader
summary: just a little christmas special 🎄
warnings: mention of injury, nsfw implied, gn reader, but reader is referred to as pretty once
word count: 0.9k (short and sweet)❣️
“don’t you wanna wrap me up and mistle-touch under the tree?
he won’t bring you somebody that loves you more than me.”
you were placing a few last minute ornaments on the tree when you heard sasha come home, the sound of the key in the front door followed by his footsteps alerting you to his presence.
“hey,” you smiled as you walked over to him, greeting him with a kiss which he returned.
it was the night before christmas eve and the panthers had just played a tough game against the tampa bay lightning, filled with rough hits and a few injuries, tampa winning 4-0 in the end.
“hey,” he replied, and you could tell from his voice that he was tired and a little frustrated; though he rarely showed it. he managed to crack a smile as he gently plucked a stray piece of tinsel out of your hair, and wrapped you in his arms, walking you further into the living room towards the tree.
“i’m sorry the game didn’t go well,” you murmured, and sasha rested his chin on your shoulder, your back pressed flush against his chest as his arms encircled you from behind. he only hummed in response, swaying side to side softly. “is chucky okay?” you asked; the left winger having been hit knee on knee during the first period. miraculously, he had returned to play the other two periods of the game, but it still wasn’t enough for the panthers to walk away with the win this time.
“yeah, i think so. the days off should help as well,” he replied, referring to the four days off the panthers had for the holidays.
“that’s good.”
he hummed again, and you let a silence fall over the two of you as you stood admiring the twinkling lights on the tree. your eyes landed on your favourite ornament, a small red picture frame in the shape of a stocking with a photo of you and aleksander together on your first christmas together a few years ago.
you looked down at the gifts beneath the tree, a few for sasha from you, some for your families as well as his teammates, and a few clumsily wrapped packages from sasha. it was endearing to you that despite trying every year, his wrapping skills never improved.
“what are you smiling about?” he asked, squeezing you tighter.
“i’m just happy,” you admitted. it was the truth; you were feeling the warmth of the holidays, and the physical warmth of sasha’s body against yours. you turned around in his arms, snaking your arms around his neck, your fingers lacing through the short honey blonde hair at the base of his skull.
“i love you,” you whispered, and he smiled back at you.
“i love you too.”
you leaned up to kiss his lips, and his fingertips dug into your hips softly, your t-shirt riding up slightly as he slid his hands beneath the fabric to touch your skin with his warm hands. the kiss deepened as you tugged at his bottom lip with your teeth, and he pushed you gently towards the couch, tumbling into the sofa after you.
you were nearly asleep when you heard a quiet beeping sound, and felt sasha moving beneath you, a subtle disturbance as your head was resting on his chest.
you weren’t sure exactly when the two of you had ended up on the floor, a blanket beneath you and another one covering your tangled bodies as his fingers traced shapes on your bare thigh absentmindedly.
“it’s midnight,” he said, the beeping having been his watch, signalling the change of the hour.
“it’s christmas eve,” you realized, snuggling closer to him as his arms wrapped around you.
“we should go up to bed,” aleksander mumbled, his voice deeper, and you could tell he was as close to falling asleep as you were.
“yeah, probably not a good idea to sleep on the floor,” you laughed. “although it is pretty, looking up at the lights,” you said, gazing up at the tree.
“yeah,” he agreed; although he was looking at you rather than the tree. “come on, let’s go to bed.”
you followed sasha upstairs to your shared bedroom, flopping face first into the bed, causing sasha to laugh softly.
“someone’s tired,” he teased, crawling overtop of you and placing a kiss on your shoulder as he caged you beneath his large frame.
“mhm,” you mumbled in response, already half asleep again. you protested at the sudden absence of his body weight on top of you, and felt him slide the blanket from beneath you so he could tuck you in, before crawling into bed next to you.
“goodnight,” he kissed the top of your head as you wrapped your arms and legs around him.
you were asleep before you could reply, and sasha leaned over to switch off the lamp on the beside table, before pulling the blanket up higher over your body, and drifting off to sleep to the sound of your heart beating in time with his <3
disclaimer: all screenshots, events, and/or interactions depicted in this are a work of fiction. i have no association with any parties mentioned
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cellythefloshie · 16 days ago
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;; Secrets and Their Consequences Chapter Twenty of the Road Wife Series
Table of Contents 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20
Summary: You struggle to cope with the guilt of multiple breaches of contract. Kinks & TW: regret, mentions of rule breaking/breach of contract, no smut in this chapter. Word Count: 1.6k+
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With every step, your foot scraped against the floor—lift, toe drag, stumble, repeat. The motion was mechanical, born of necessity rather than will. The weight of your reality pressed down on you, suffocating and relentless, guilt coiling around your chest like an iron chain. You teetered on the edge of collapse, but you couldn’t fall—not yet. Not until the sanctuary of your apartment swallowed you whole.
Each movement felt automatic, your body operating on instinct as if thought itself had abandoned you. Breathing wasn’t deliberate; if it were, you might have suffocated there in the dim, lifeless lobby, waiting for the elevator’s arrival. Its droning ding pierced the silence, a cruel reminder of time’s sluggish crawl.
Inside, the elevator's ascent stretched endlessly, a distorted loop of seconds and minutes. When the doors slid open on your floor, you reached into your pocket, fingertips brushing the cool, jagged edges of your keys. Wrapping them tightly in your fist, you felt their bite against your palm as you shuffled toward your door. But your trembling hands betrayed you. The keys slipped through your fingers, clattering to the ground—and you followed.
Your knees hit the floor, the impact dull and distant, as if it belonged to someone else. Pain existed only as an abstraction; all you could feel was the unbearable weight pressing down, and the hot, stinging tears carving paths down your cheeks. The sobs came unbidden, shaking your frame as you let your head fall into trembling hands, your bag forgotten at your side.
And that’s where Ross found you—crumpled outside your apartment, broken and unable to hide.
Your name left his lips, soft yet urgent, reverberating in your mind alongside the thud of his hurried footsteps. He dropped to his knees beside you, his presence a sudden, encompassing warmth. His hands found your shoulders first, drawing your gaze up from your hands, before his palms cupped your tear-streaked face, lifting your gaze just enough to meet his.
“What happened?” he asked, voice low but laced with concern. You tried to turn away, but his hands stayed steady. “Talk to me,” he pleaded, desperation threading through his words.
When your silence lingered, Ross’s hand slipped from your face, diving into his pocket for his phone. Whoever he intended to call, you couldn’t let him. Not now.
“Don’t,” you choked out, your voice breaking as fresh tears blurred your vision.
“Tony will—” he began, but your words cut him off, a bitter edge to your trembling tone.
“Tony will never look at me the same if he finds out what I’ve done.”
The weight of your admission hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Ross froze, his hand clutching his phone tightly, torn between defying your request and shouldering this alone. After a long, tense moment, he exhaled sharply, sliding the phone back into his pocket.
Wordlessly, he shifted to help you to your feet. His arm wrapped securely around your waist, steadying you, as he guided you toward your apartment door. His fingers fumbled through your key ring, trying one key after another. You should have told him which one it was, but the words wouldn’t come. You simply let him take the lead, too drained to do anything else.
When he finally unlocked the door, Ross led you inside with a care that felt foreign—like you were something precious rather than an object to be used and discarded. His movements were deliberate, his touch protective, as though you were more than a fleeting indulgence. In that moment, Ross treated you like you mattered. Like he truly cared.
His arms supported the very weight of you, your steps easier with his guidance, as he led you straight to your bedroom. There, he helped you get undressed like he had so many times before, but this time was different. There was no urgency, no hunger in his actions, just a gentle care as he took off each article and placed it in your laundry hamper one at a time. You shared subtle glances, your eyes welling up with tears, but you shared no words. 
The silence between you was thick with unspoken fears as he disappeared into the bathroom, and it was then you finally crumbled. Falling down onto your bed, you pushed your face into your pillow to suffocate the sobs you'd been holding back. They tore up your throat as your pillow became hot and wet with tears. 
Your face remained buried there until you felt Ross’ gentle touch on your shoulder. You drew back slowly, taking long blinks to clear the blur of tears from your eyes. And when Ross came into focus you could see him gazing down at you with soft eyes and a hot wash cloth in hand. He dropped to his knees slowly before he reached out and gently wiped the remnants of tears and makeup from your face. 
“Thank you,” you breathed out when he was done. 
Ross said nothing. Instead. He sat down beside you at the edge of your bed. His presence was a comforting weight as you gathered your blankets and the courage to speak. 
“I messed up, Ross. I messed up so bad,” you whispered, your words barely audible. 
“It's going to be okay,” he promised, as he drew you into his arms, hugging you tightly to him. 
“I can't keep secrets anymore,” your voice broke as you nuzzled your face into the crook of his neck. 
Ross didn't press for more information. He didn't need to know – or didn't want to know what you were so desperate to confess.
“You need to get some rest,” Ross whispered into your hair, the heath of his breath washing over you in a warm comfort. “We can talk about this more in the morning, okay?”
Nodding slowly, you welcomed his kiss as it was placed on your forehead. His lips were warm, As was the stroke of his hand as he pushed your hair back away from your face. You nuzzled in close to his touch, your eyes falling shut as you marveled in the simple calmness he brought you. He  pulled you into his chest with ease and held you there, the steady beat of his heard the lullaby that brought you to sleep.  
The next morning, you found yourself in the only place that felt right: Jon Cooper's office. You sat on the floor, looking far from yourself in a pair of sweatpants and oversized sweatshirt. Your hair wasn't done, and you hadn't wasted your time with makeup knowing full well that you would cry. And you had when you had spilled every single one of your secrets - with selective animosity for the sake of the player’s - to the Tampa Bay Lightning coach with the intent of resigning when you were through with your confession. 
Cooper met you with an open mind, and a soft compassion that only a father of daughters could have. But before you could reach the finality of your resignation, the two of you had a plan and it started with meeting with the leadership core – but you couldn’t do it alone. 
Sitting behind you in one of the chairs, his legs the support against your back, was Ross. He sat arched over, his arms wrapped around you to keep you calm as each member of the membership team entered the room. Each time the door opened, you stilled, the tension in the room thickened. 
McDonagh, Hedman, Killorn, and finally Stamkos, they all gathered together and waited for Coach Cooper to announce what they had all been called there before their regularly scheduled practice for. 
“It’s been brought to my attention that some rules have been broken,” Cooper addressed the players with a calm, yet demanding tone. They cast glances towards you and Ross on the opposite side of the room, and you were only left to wonder what rules they thought you two had broken before Cooper was speaking again. “What they were exactly, your wife won’t disclose to me fully, nor has she told me who was involved. For some reason, she wants to protect you idiots. 
His words hung in the air, heavy with implication, “After great conversation, we determined the more reasonable thing for her to do would be to quit.”
“The playoffs–” Killorn began to cut in, but Cooper raised a hand, silencing him. 
The floor was his, and his alone. 
“Are right around the corner, I know.” Which is the only reason she is still here,” Cooper explained, “She cares about the team and doesn’t want to interfere with your chances at another cup. It’s also the reason I haven’t pressured her to tell me who was involved, because then, I’d have to tell the wives.”
You fought back tears as you glanced across the room and to leadership through tear-blurred vision. Each one of them left wondering just what happened, except the one of them that was guilty. A lump formed in the back of your throat as you watched Stamkos’ neck tense, a telltale sign of guilt or fear that was only noticed by you. He remained silent. 
“I will be handling her calendar going forward,” Cooper continued, “she will also report to me after each appointment to ensure no infractions are made. I will also be giving another speech to the entire team with limited information, inciting the strictness of her activities to the playoff and not what you’ve learned today. Anyone found abusing the contract set out by your wives going forward will be scratched for the following game. Understood?”
A chorus of “Yes, Coach,” echoed through the room. 
“Now,” Cooper sighed, “she will be taking leave until game one of the playoffs. I’ve instructed her to call me if any player contracted by their wives for her company tries to contact her during that time. Any player daring enough to do  so will face the same punishment. Don’t go ruining a good thing gentlemen. You are dismissed.”
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TAGLIST: @mp0625 , @wingedwheelprxncess, @starshine-hockey-girl , @kurlyteuvo , @couldawouldashoulda50 , @equallyshaw , @charles11700 , @swissboyhisch , @callsign-denmark , @fandomrejects , @luvmmarner , @misunderstoodwerewolf , @puckmaidens , @xcicix , @cixrosie
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claireelle18 · 10 months ago
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Everything Turns Out Right - Ross Colton
He’s out of surgery and she meets him in his room afterwards, telling him “you know, they almost didn’t let me in here. They said I had to wait until you were up and asking for me.” Her pointed look towards him.
“They only let me in because you had me listed on your paperwork as your wife. Though I had to convince them, due to us not having the same last name.” 
He put his hands up in a half-hearted attempt, “I’m trying to manifest the things I want by speaking them into the universe.” 
“And you want a wife?” A faked pointed look shot to him. 
“Only if it’s you.” A cocky grin spreading to show his pearly whites. 
“I think your meds are too strong. You, mister, are lucky. I was able to convince them we hadn’t agreed to us taking each other’s names yet and that we were waiting for my passport to be renewed before anything else.” 
He chuckles, “So you’re going along with this wifey?” Her heart racing hearing him jokingly call her that name she desperately wants him to actually mean. 
“Only because I wanted to be here,” she stuck out her tongue, settling next to his bedside. 
Hours must have passed before the next person visited. “Mr. Colton…” stated a middle aged nurse.
“Shhh…please. She is trying to sleep,” he motioned to her curled up in the corner of the hospital room couch. “Kept her up all night worried with the injury as she had to fly in before learning anything further.” 
“So sorry, Mr. Colton. I was trying to inform you that visiting hours are soon to be over.” 
“She’s my wife. She can stay.” 
“My bad sir.” The nurse ducked out of the doorway. She stirred soon after. Blinking around, searching to understand her surroundings. 
“Tony is on his way here with real food for you. You need to eat. I’m pretty sure you last ate that snack size bag of Cheez-Its before the airplane ride.” He said. She squinty-eyed him. “You know I’m right.” 
“You need to eat too, R,” she huffed. 
“Already ate. Hospital food. Not half bad,” he shrugged, motioning to the bed tray with the past dinner plate. 
“I can go down to the cafe and get something before they close for the night,” she started to protest. He shook his head. 
“Too late sweets. He’s on his way. Meantime I’ve been channel surfing and I found a Jurassic Park movie marathon.” 
Thanks to Tony coming in with true food for her before retreating back to the team’s hotel, she was left with him again. “Come here sweetheart,” he motioned to the slightly larger than a twin bed. 
“R…” she started to protest. 
“Nuh uh honey. Join me, I need you here to make sure no dinosaurs come to eat me.” She rolled her eyes. 
“You’re a dork.” 
“Yeah, yeah, but I’m your dork. Now get over here.” She gingerly climbed into the bed as best as she could to avoid bumping into his shoulder. 
Before the team jetted off to the next city for the next game in the road series, a few stopped by to check in. She had slipped out to grab a cup of coffee while the men all talked briefly. “Soooo Tony spilled the beans that you told the docs she’s your wife…” Patty joked. 
“Well I knew she would just be too anxious to sit in the hotel room with one of you guys. No offense,” he replied back.
“You must really love her to go that far to lie about her to a hospital,” Brayden chimed in. 
“And to have us use your card to buy her that emergency flight,” Steven commented. “Ross you have to just tell her the way you feel. Sandra tells me that the way she looks at you is the same way that all of our ladies look at us, but that there is that look of longing written deep in her expression. Hate to break it to you now, but do something about it. Seriously.” No one knew that she had returned from her coffee adventure to over hear the conversation. 
Steven was right. All the guys were. Sandra was, and she knew exactly her feelings towards the New Jersey native as it was a family common topic of discussion in the family box. “I want to give her the entire universe. I wasn’t really lying about the whole wife part, more just trying to actually speak what I want into existence with her. I know Tony knows this since he was there to help me pick it out, but I have the ring for her.” A ring?! So he had that planned out already. 
She burst into the already cramped hospital room, carefully flinging herself into the body of the man she loved so much. A couple of the guys chuckled at the scene in front of them. “I love you so much, R.” 
“So I am guessing you heard the conversation,” his laugh reverberating through her. 
“Every word.”
“Well fuck this wasn’t really the way I had thought it would happen,” he glanced around the room at the guys. “I don’t even have it with me. Didn’t expect to have you here with me, even if it is due to the unfortunate circumstance.” 
“I don’t care if you physically have it. You have known that items aren’t important to me.” Her eyes getting all teary.
“Sweetheart, it’s important as it’s my promise to you. You deserve to have a ring. It’s been in my nightstand drawer for months.” That was true. He bought the ring almost a year ago. She had left for a weekend to visit her family, which meant he was able to go pick out the right ring for her. He had been speaking with a local jeweler for a handful of weeks, and the designed ring finally came in. 
The team left, and the couple (well Ross) was discharged from the hospital. The flight back to Tampa was uneventful, except for the company of one of the trainers to make sure there were no unforeseen complications to the injured offensive. When the two arrived home, he pulled the velvet box from that back part of his nightstand. Her tears springing to blur her vision. “Again, not how I had imagined or planned to do this for you,” he started. 
She shook her head, a silent laugh shaking her body. “My love, you have been the best part of my life,” he continued on. “The nonstop love you have for everyone around you. How much you pour yourself into your life. I could not even imagine life without you in it. When you came into my life, the sunshine brightened the world even further. I saw it from a different outlook that only you could show me.” He watched her closely as he momentarily struggled with the small box. 
Pulling it open, revealing the large custom ring to her. “Will you do me the honor of continuing that life, and be my wife?” He asked her. 
“Absolutely yes! I would say yes in every life time to you Ross.” She couldn’t imagine her life without him in it, and was so glad he felt the same. Through it all, life would be amazing with each other by their sides. 
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hagelpoint-3821 · 2 months ago
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An Interesting Thanksgiving
Summary: Sydnee has not spoken to her family much since moving to Tampa with Brandon. A few days before Thanksgiving she gets a message on her phone saying that her family wants them to fly to Chicago for the holiday. Sydnee is hopeful things with her and her family will work out, but that isn’t the case. Word Count: 5028
Notes: This is something that has been in my drafts for a while, so if it isn’t the best work that I have ever done I do apologize. Also yes this is another Hagel x Sydnee fic. This couple is my comfort and peace. TW: Things get heated between Sydnee, her family and Brandon. Cuss words are thrown around and a verbal fight does happen.
Sydnee
“Hey Bran?”
“Hey yes?” He turns, smiling when our eyes meet, but it doesn’t settle my nerves at all.
“Um, my family, they want us to come over to thanksgiving.” I say softly. Almost not sure if he heard.
“They do? Since when? I mean that’s great that they want you there I’m just shocked they want us there. What changed?” He walks up and wraps his arms tightly around me.
“I’ve been talking to them a little bit here and there, and they promised this time will be different, that they want to make things work, I’m giving them one last chance to make things right. After what Jessica said about you she’s lucky she’s getting another chance at all.”
He sighs and rest his chin on my shoulder, running his hands over my back, “you’re more forgiving than move, more than I, and that’s one of the things that I love about you. I’ll happily go with you to your families home for thanksgiving.”
I twin my arms around his neck and pull him down, kissing him softly, “we can go whenever since you’re off for a couple days, we can stay in my old home.”
“You still have that?”
“Yes… I kept it… in case things between you and I didn’t work out. I wanted to have a place to go home too and couldn’t go back to my parents home.”
“Baby, sell that silly thing when we get back, you’re not going anywhere and I’m not going anywhere. I’m yours my love.”
Smiling softly I trace my fingers over the curves of his face, “you’re all I ever wanted in this life.”
“I’m here baby, I’m yours. I’m not going anywhere. Let go of your past, there’s no need to have that since we are happy here. It’s just a reminder of what was and we need to focus on us. The future we are building together.”
I sigh softly, resting my head against the strength of his shoulder, relaxing as I feel his arms wrap around my frame and pulling me in closer to him, “I’ll text them and tell them we are leaving tomorrow.”
He only nods and rest his chin on my shoulder, keeping a protective hold over me. 
The next morning rolls around all to quickly, the fear and anxiety settling into my skin as I realize I will soon have to face my family for thanksgiving dinner. After the events that happened over this past summer, this will be their final chance to make things right, but it still doesn’t ease the anxiety settling in at the pit of my stomach. 
Quietly, I sit on the end of our bed, holding my face in my hands and careful not to wake him, I am not sure how long I stayed that way until I feel his hand trace the small of my back, looking over my shoulder I see Brandon laid out on his back, curls splayed across the pillow, a gentle sleep filled smile on his face.
“What’s troubling you my love?”
“Just a little nervous, I’ll be okay.” I offer a small smile at him, “go back to sleep. I’m going to get packing.”
“Sydnee, we don’t even have that much to pack, we are only going to be there two nights max, come back to bed.”
“I can’t, I have to keep going or I’ll back out of going at all.”
He sighs, knowing I’m right and that he isn’t going to win this argument. “Fine, let me help you at least.”
“You want to help? Please start by making a pot of coffee.”
Brandon chuckles, his laughter pure and settles deep within my soul, “if I didn’t know any better I’d say you’re addicted to coffee.” 
I roll my eyes playfully, watching him as he gets out of bed.
“Liking the view?”
“More than you’ll ever know.” I feel the heat rise to my cheeks as I look over his sharp chest, down to his abs and then to his sweatpants that rest low on his hips.
“Keep looking like that, and we won’t make it out of this room, let alone on that flight.” Brandon says, leaning in and placing a gentle kiss on my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. “I’ll be up with your coffee shortly.”
As he walks out of our room, I quickly stand and grab a suitcase from the closet and lay it on the bed. As I go through the drawers of the dresser I start to pick out clothes, making sure that I pick nothing to revealing for my mother to nitpick me about. 
I’m pulled from my thoughts when I smell coffee filling the bedroom, I look over my shoulder to see Brandon setting my cup on the nightstand, offering me a small smile.
“You look troubled, what’s on your mind love?”
“Just trying to find clothes to wear over the holiday so my family won’t judge me.”
“Does your mind ever stop working?” Brandon laughs softly, pulling me into him. 
“No and I wish it did because it sucks constantly worrying about things. I just want this dinner to go smoothly and I know them, someone is going to say something out of line and cause a fight.”
“And if they do, then we leave, okay? If you feel uncomfortable or don’t want to be there anymore we don’t have to stay. We can come back home.”
“Home…” I repeat his words softly, knowing this is where I belong. Here with him.
“Now here, drink your coffee and get your mind right.”
“Can you get your clothes set out for me to pack up? And could you get tickets ordered for our flight?”
“You got it!” Brandon quickly goes over and finds a few things for me to pack, then gets on his laptop and ordered our tickets, “plane tickets are ordered for 7 tonight. Should be plenty of time to get there and boarded.”
I only nod and quickly pack away the rest of what we will need for our little trip, “shouldn’t seeing family be a happy and fun thing? All I feel is dread and anxiety.”
“Maybe this time will be different, they haven’t seen you in a long time.”
“Yeah… maybe.” I say softly, looking down at my feet. I’m pulled from my thoughts when I feel his hand gently cup the side of my cheek, no words need to be said between us as I lean into him, smiling softly into him.
The day goes by quicker than I was hoping it would and before I can think we are boarding our flight back home to Chicago. A pit settling into my stomach with each step drawing me closer to the plane. As Brandon and I settle into our seats, I lean against the window, taking a deep breath before speaking up. 
“I really hope this isn’t a mistake going back home.”
“Sydnee, please stop doubting yourself, everything is going to work out like it should. Okay?” Brandon places his hand on my knee, squeezing gently. “Come here.”
As he lifts the arm rest between us, I quickly nuzzle my face into the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply as his scent settles the pit in my stomach. “I love you.”
He smiles softly, kissing the top of my head, “I love you too, sleep if you want and I’ll wake you when we are about to land.”
Before I can argue, my body shuts down and I’m quickly asleep, falling into a dreamless sleep.
Brandon gently shifts under me, shaking me gently, “wake up love, we are about to land. Plus look at the city view is absolutely breathtaking.”
“If you want to live another five minutes you’ll let me sleep.” I grumble and push myself closer to him.
“Come on Sydnee, we are about to land and I want to share this view with you.” He pushes me off him gently. 
Huffing, I sit up in my seat and cross my arms over my chest, glaring at him only to find a cheeky grin plastered on his face, “you’re lucky you’re cute.”
“You know you love me, plus you’re cute when you’re angry.” Brandon chuckles, looking out the window, I match his gaze and a soft gasp falls from my lips.
“See aren’t you glad I woke you?” I can practically hear the teasing manner drip from his tone. 
I don’t answer, instead rolls my eyes and look out the window again, the city is alive, people everywhere, the skyline shining bright against the night sky. Home, my home. A pang in my chest takes over as I realize I haven’t even thought of home since moving to Florida with Brandon. 
As the plane lands and we unload our bags into our rental car, we drive to my old apartment, a silence falls over the car as I look out the window, taking in the city again.
“What’s going through your mind right now?” Brandon ask softly, looking over to me as we reach a red light.
“Just taking everything in, I haven’t been home since you were traded, I missed this. The city. The people. The culture here. My home.”
“Why didn’t you speak up during the summer, we could have come back baby.”
“Because I was with you, with your family, I was happy. I have nothing here. It’s my home yes and where I came from, but you are where I want to be.”
He smiles softly, grabbing my hand as he starts driving again. We reach my old apartment building quickly and as we lug our bag inside, everything in the building is the same. Nothing has changed, except for the person working the desk. As we reach the apartment door I pause for a minute. All the memories of my life flooding back quickly, the memories Jessica and I shared together in here, the good ones and the bad ones. Brandon places his hand on my shoulder and gives it a reassuring squeeze as I turn the door handle, walking inside.
“God the memories this place holds, I don’t know how to feel about it all.”
“If you want to stay somewhere else, we don’t have to stay here we can find somewhere else Sydnee.” Brandon says, walking in behind me.
“No. I need to do this for myself, I need to let this part of my past go.” As I start walking around, all the pictures were still on the walls, everything in place as it was when Jessica and I lived here together, just an empty fridge and cabinets which is fine with me. I walk to the hallway, tracing my fingers over the picture frames, a ghost of a smile on my face, recalling each picture and the memories that went along with them.
As I reach my bedroom door I freeze in the doorway, the room nothing as I remember it since all my stuff has now been moved to Florida, the only thing the same was the paint on the walls. 
“Brandon! Come here for a minute.” I quickly walk to the middle of the room.
“Yes? Wow, this is so different than the first time I was in here.” Brandon says as he leans against the doorway. 
“I know, I haven’t seen it since everything got moved out here, there’s so many memories that happened in this place, the laughs, crying, the fights between Jess and I. But there’s one that ranks above them all.”
He cocks his head to the side, “and what is that?”
I hold my hand out and he walks to me, lacing our fingers together, “when you kissed me for the first time, told me you never were leaving. That you wouldn’t let me struggle alone anymore, I knew in that moment, in this exact spot that I loved you.”
He smiles gently, dropping his hands to my hips and I lay my arms around his neck gently, “I knew from the moment I saw you, Sydnee, that I wanted you. That I was drawn to you, and when I seen how broken you were from your past and from your family, I knew I couldn’t leave you. I loved you from the start.”
“Stop talking and kiss me.” I chuckle softly and stand on my toes, kissing him gently, “you’ve been the best thing to happen to me, definitely the best thing that has happened in this apartment.”
Brandon smiles softly, pulling me into him and rest his chin on my shoulder, “we should get some sleep before spending the day with your tomorrow. It’s late.”
I sigh and push my face into the crook of his neck, “don’t remind me, I don’t know why I agreed to come home.”
“Because they are your family, and in your heart you still love them no matter what. Because your heart is pure and gentle.”
Pulling back I sit on the edge of the bed, pulling him to me, “come on you sap, it’s late.” A smile teasing on my lips as I use his words against him.
Brandon carefully crawls into bed neck to me, wrapping his arms around my waist as he cradles my body against his own, his warmth taking over my senses as I slowly drift to sleep. 
In the morning, we get up, take our showers, and get ready for the day, I finish the look with a simple pair of black pants and a dark sweater to match. Making sure to keep everything covered and nothing exposed. Hair straightened and very minimal makeup on. As I look at myself in the hallway mirror, I pick at the ends on my sleeves of my sweater. Feeling the most self conscious than I have in a while. 
Just get through today Sydnee, then you can go home with the love of your life.
“You okay?” Brandon asked, propping himself against the wall by his shoulder.
His words cause me to jump, pulling me from my thoughts, “um yeah. I’m fine.”
His face hardens as he walks up to where I’m standing, “we don’t have to go. I can see on your face you don’t even want to go.”
“No no no. We are going, I want to see if they changed like they said they did.”
“Okay… okay.” He sighs, grabbing my hand gently.
“If you don’t want to go you don’t have to, I’m not forcing you to go Brandon.”
“And leave you alone with your toxic family who already doesn’t like me? Yeah I don’t think so love.”
I smile softly before placing a gentle kiss against his cheek, then walking down the hall to get my shoes on, black Vans to tie the look together.
As we drive to my parents, the ride is quiet, the memories made in the city fill my head, growing up in Chicago was amazing. I do miss my home, but I wouldn’t trade living with Brandon. Before I realize, we are pulling up to my parents home, Jess’s car is already in the drive. As we pull in the drive the pit in my stomach returns and my grip on the door handle tightens.
“You okay?” Brandon ask softly.
“Let’s just get this dinner over with.”
Brandon jumps out quickly and before I can open my car door he opens it, holding his hand out for me to take, “such a gentleman.”
“You know it love.” He grins brightly.
“You’re such a dork.”
I pull my sweater closer to me as the cold Chicago wind blows against my skin, one thing I don’t miss about home is the cold. We make our way to my parents front door and as I reach up to knock Brandon stops me.
“You can’t just walk in?”
“Well I don’t want to be rude.”
“It’s not being rude, it’s your parents house you should just be able to walk in if they know you’re coming over. That’s how it should be.”
“Well you know my family isn’t normal.”
“That is… unfortunately true.”
A best of silence falls over us before I knock on the door, the longer we wait the more uneasy on my feet I feel. I look to Brandon after a few seconds and as I about to speak the door opens, my mom standing there, kitchen apron on, loose curls framing her face and a warm smile on her face.
“Sydnee! Brandon! Didn’t think you’d make it.”
“Oh course mom. We wouldn’t miss this, plus you guys haven’t really met Brandon before.”
“It’s so nice to meet you Mrs. Mitchell.” Brandon says softly, holding his hand out for her. She quickly shakes it.
“It’s nice to meet you too Brandon, come on in guys, it’s cold outside.”
She turns on her heels and goes deeper into the house, Brandon gives me a nod before falling in stride behind me. Inside it’s how I remember every thanksgiving being. A big table set up in the middle of the living room, food scattered all through the kitchen and waiting for us to dig in. My stomach growls at the thought of it. Leading up to the holiday with my family this year I tried not to eat anything so I wouldn’t eat much today. 
I hear Jess and my dad’s laugh coming from the family room and not heard rams in my chest, so loud I’m surprised Brandon can’t hear it. Taking a deep breath I grab his hand and start walking towards the family room, looking at my mom in the kitchen, “I’ll come back in a moment and help.”
She nods and offers a small smile before going back to what she was cooking. When I step into the family room, I pop my head around the corner and wait to be noticed, my dad sees my first and offers a smile and stands up, wrapping me in a hug and holds me tightly against him, shocked I wrap my arms around his middle, something he hasn’t done in so long. 
“H-hi daddy..”
“Hi kiddo. Who’s this?” He pulls back, looking back at Brandon.
“This is Brandon, my boyfriend.”
Brandon nods and holds his hand out again. “It’s nice to meet you Mr. Mitchell.”
“You too son.”
Brandon offers him a small smile and quickly wraps his arm around me, pulling me close into him. 
“I missed you guys so much.” I say softly.
“Well you could have come home you know.” Dad looks at me, smiling gently.
Shrugging softly I look at him, “I didn’t feel like I was wanted here, so I stayed away.” I take a deep breath, “I’m going to see if mom needs help in the kitchen.”
Before either dad or Brandon could speak I slip out from under Brandon’s arm and quickly walk into the kitchen. Leaning against the kitchen counter.
“Mom? Do you need help with anything?”
“Oh hey Syd, if you could get the ham out of the oven and start the mashed potatoes that would help a ton.”
Nodding softly, I slip on the oven mits and get to the work on the chores she has in place for me, as I’m cutting the potatoes and placing them in the water I hear my mom speak up, “so Brandon, he really loves you doesn't he?”
“More than anyone has, he has become my rock, my confident, he is like that missing puzzle piece I was missing in my life. I feel whole when I’m around him.”
“Takes an awful lot to just up and move across the country with someone like you did.” She says as she grabs a knife and helps me cut the potatoes. “I mean you weren’t even together what? A week? And you moved?”
“Well I wasn’t in a good mental space back then, and I needed to get out of the city. Away from the depression I was running from. I love it in Florida though mom, the beautiful beaches, the warmth of the sun on my skin, the community they have built there is amazing, the Bolts have been nothing but welcoming since we arrived.”
“Well that’s good that you like it there, I’m happy for you. Keep Brandon around, he is a good.”
“You know he saved me right?”
“Saved you?” She looks at me, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, saved me as in literally saved my life. Not long before the trade deadline Jess had just gotten home from a trip with her friends, I was staying with Brandon for the time being because I didn’t want to be alone. Anyways I went home to see her and to let her know what was going on and Brandon that morning had asked me to move in with him so I said yes. This life is too short to live it in fear. So as I’m telling her this she gets all pissy and shitty with me telling me it’ll never work. We had a big fight and I was so depressed back then that those words from my own sister completely broke me down into nothing. I went back to Brandon’s while he was at practice and I tried to commit suicide, I didn’t want to be here anymore if I didn’t even have the support of my own family. He found me after practice and saved me, from then on I knew I loved him and I wanted to be his forever.”
“Sydnee, why didn’t you ever tell me?” Her face changes, saddens overcoming her.
“Because I tried for years, cried to you and daddy, you guys never wanted to hear me, you said I was being dramatic and annoying just to get attention from Jessica. Brandon was the first one to see through all of that and wanted me for who I was, and he didn’t run at the first sign of trouble. He is so special mom.”
“I’m so sorry we never believed you.” She hugs me tightly, at first I keep my arms tightly to my side, not sure what to do, then slowly I wrap my arms around her.
“I just wanted my family, I went to Florida barely knowing him, and knowing absolutely no one there. The first few weeks there were hell, all I had was him, but it was better than feeling alone in a crowded place.”
“I’m sorry Sydnee, I believe you know.”
I sigh and pull back, “I would say it’s okay but it isn’t, but it’s the past, all we can do now is learn from it. Let’s finish dinner.”
Before long dinner is ready and I walk into the living room where Brandon, my dad and sister are, walking up behind the cough I rest my chin on Brandon’s shoulder, “just have to wait for grandma and grandpa to get here and we can start eating. Can I get anyone anything?”
“No we are okay.” Brandon reaches his hand behind him and rest is gently against my hand.
“You need to bring him around more often, his jokes are worse than yours.” Jessics laughs, looking around at Brandon and I.
“Oh god, it’s a little early for jokes don’t you think?” Chuckling, I come around the couch and sit next to him.
“Nope, never to early for jokes.” He grins, that boyish smile across his face makes my heart thump harder in my chest.
As we wait for my grandparents to get here, the house is filled with small talk, laughter and playful screaming at each other, for the first time in years I feel my family being complete again. 
Once grandma and grandpa get here, and I introduce Brandon to them and they loved him right off the bat.  we all grab our plates to get our food, everyone else gets in line before me, as we have tables set in the kitchen like a buffet style for our food. Everyone piles their plates full, I walk through and grab a little piece of ham, a little spoonful of mashed potatoes and a little bowl of chicken noodles. My stomach aches for more but I push those thoughts away as I sit next to Brandon at the dinner table. Before sitting I grab a water bottle from the fridge and a Corona for Brandon, keeping my head down I walk back to the table, sitting quietly.
“That’s all you’re eating?” Brandon ask quietly, keeping his voice low.
“I don’t want to make anyone mad.” I whisper, scooting my chair up.
Silence falls over us as we all eat peacefully before I hear Jess whisper to mom. “Well we know she has to watch her figure otherwise her superstar hockey player will leave her.” She snickers, taking a drink from her wine glass.
“I heard that.” I snip back.
“Well you know it’s true, you know at any given moment he can and will leave you and you’ll come back here all depressed and sad again.
She looks at mom and mom nods in agreement.
“Some family.” I push my plate away, standing up from the table, barely touching anything on it. “It was a mistake coming home.”
“Baby where are you going?” Brandon reaches up and grabs my hand as I step away from the table.
“Outside. I need a minute.” I slip out of his hands and quickly make it outside before the tears burn my eyes and start falling. I sit on the front steps and pull my knees tightly to my chest, coming home was a mistake. A beat of silence passed before I hear yelling coming from inside.
“No! You’re not going to treat my girlfriend that way! All she wants is to be happy and to be accepted by her own family and she can’t get that! You three should be so happy that she’s found someone who loves her as much as I do. You’re a piss poor excuse for a family.” I hear Brandon above anyone else. 
“Brandon! Now how can you say that to people you’ve just met? That’s a bit rude don’t you think?” Jessica speaks up, making my eyes roll out of my head. Bitch. 
He chuckles deeply and speaks again, “oh you don’t even know what I want to say to you missy. This is me being nice. Sydnee almost died in my arms after I met her because she was so over how you three treated her. She just wants to be loved by you. But no, you are to busy caught up on the “perfect daughter” Jessica while Sydnee worked her ass off to get where she is and she couldn’t even a congratulations. No wonder she dreaded coming back. I don’t blame her but I told her ‘maybe it’ll be different.’ She deserves so much more than what you have provided for her. You don’t have to love her because I do. I love her so much it hurts. My family absolutely adores her, already treats her like one of their own.”
I hear him walking towards the door and grab his shoes, before my mother speaks up, “Brandon, she’s lying to you. She did this to herself. We treated her the same as Jessica. She distanced herself from us. Please stay. She’ll get over herself and come back inside. She’s just being dramatic, always has been.”
Brandon snickers, almost evilly, “I have a real hard believing you over her, because ever since she’s moved to Florida she’s been a different person. So full of life, happiness, so joyful. We are done here.”
Before they can say anything Brandon walks outside, slamming the door behind him, quickly sitting on the steps next to me and pulls me into his lap, “baby I am so sorry.”
“You… you stood up for me?” I look at him, tears threatening to fall again.
“I did, and I’ll do it again. They piss me off with how they treat you, you are the last person on this earth that needs to be treated like that. You have a heart of gold and they don’t see that.”
Leaning up, I place a gentle kiss against his skin along his jaw, “I love you so much.”
“I love you too baby. I’m never going to let them hurt you again.”
We stay like that, myself curled into his lap, for a few minutes before we hear the front door open again, peaking over his shoulder I see my grandparents walking outside.
“Memaw? Pops? Why aren’t you inside eating dinner?” I stand up and look at them.
“We didn’t realize how horribly they were treating you, and that isn’t okay with us. So if you’re leaving then we are too. It’s ridiculous how they acted towards you. You’re a good kid.” Grandma pulls me into a tight hug, “just know we love you so much.”
Grandpa joins in on the hug, hugging me tightly, “Sydnee you didn’t eat anything at dinner, why don’t you and Brandon jump in the car with us and we will find a place to eat, okay?”
“Oh pops, it’s okay, really I’m okay. I don’t want to take time out of your holiday with memaw.”
“Sydnee, kiddo it’s okay. Please?”
I look over to Brandon over my shoulder and he nods softly, agreeing with my grandparents.
“Fine.” I huff and cross my arms over my chest. “But we should just follow you, I don’t want to leave the car here and we aren’t staying here anyways.”
Grandma gives us a big grin, almost childlike, “That’s fine, I think the little diner that you always loved as a kid is open tonight. We will meet you there.”
Smiling softly I step back and into Brandon’s arms, “we will meet you there.”
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devilsupdates · 10 months ago
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Games on tonight and tomorrow
East Round 1 game 4- maple leafs and bruins @8pm est
West round 1 game 3- golden knights vs stars @1030pm est
East round 1 game 4- hurricanes vs islanders @2pm est
East round 1 game 4- panthers vs lightning @5pm est
 you also have the oilers,kings , predators
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swissboyhisch · 2 years ago
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Imma be annoying and do an little post about the server. I love the server. My people. All my friends. People from all over the world! It’s so fun.
It’s great way to learn more if you’re new to hockey or hockey tumblr. We’ve got some great writers throughout the group. Plenty of readers and people who love to help.
We also have watch parties when we can. Watch streams and discuss the games. Especially since it’s playoffs! At the moment we even have a Playoff bracket challenge within the group.
If you can’t find the invite link on my blog, you are more than welcome to message me for the link.
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cellythefloshie · 2 years ago
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;; Falling - Ross’ Perspective A Honey Magnolia Prequel
Summary: Seeking your independence after having to rely on your father and step-mother after a series injury, you let yourself do the simplest of things: shower. But even that comes with its risks after having limited mobility. And when it comes down to needing help, there is only one other person at home: your annoying step brother Ross. Read the Honey Magnolia Collection. Notes: “you” was written as an athlete (softball) recovering from an undisclosed injury that needed surgery to recover from, it left a scar. You can read from the readers perspective here.  Kinks & TW: future stepcest, sexual attraction, sexual frustration, sex toys, ross realizes how attractive you are, implied masturbation, there is no actual smut in this chapter. Word Count: 3410
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While Ross very much lived and breathed hockey, and he was forever grateful for the opportunities he had been given to be able to play professionally, he often looked forward to the off-season. It gave him his time to train, to improve for the season to come, and it gave him time with his family. The family that he didn’t get to see often enough when he was busy flying from one city to the next, so busy that even a phone call home to his mother seemed impossible. However, going home for the summer also had its downsides. Especially since his mother had married your dad because it meant spending the summer at the family's summer home also meant seeing you. 
The two of you had never really gotten along, especially when you were competitive teenagers forced to live under the same roof, and he had hoped you would become more tolerable with time. He was wrong. You had only become even more insufferable, especially since you had gotten injured on the field and had required surgery. 
Ross didn’t know what was more annoying, you fully healthy and challenging him every opportunity you got, or you hurt and frequently needing help with the simplest of things. Worst of all, your father and his mother expected him to cater to you too. He wasn’t expected to do much, your dad almost always had it covered, but as you healed and improved his mother and your father wanted their freedoms back too and left you both home alone on a Saturday afternoon. 
You had both been in your respective bedrooms when they had left, Ross in a Call of Duty lobby with his teammates and you - hell, he didn’t know what you were doing and he didn’t care either. Yet, he played with his headset half-off and his phone nearby on the off chance that you may need something from him. 
As time passed, he was consumed by the game, and he thought he might be able to go the afternoon without having to do a damn thing for you - and he quickly found himself regretting even thinking it when he heard a loud thud down the hall. “Fuck,” he cursed, his hand reaching up to pull his headset from his head, “I’ll be right back-”
Tossing the controller down onto his bed, Ross stood up and reached for a nearby t-shirt that was probably due for a wash. He pulled it on over his head, and down over his body with ease as he made his way out into the hallway. Quick strides carried him down the hall to the door of your bedroom, where he found the door wide open. He peaked his head inside and you were nowhere to be found. Your name was a whisper on his lips as he looked up the hall and to the bathroom door. Ross could hear the tattooing of the water against the floor of the tub and knew in an instant what had happened. His steps hastened as he moved down the hall, and to the bathroom door. His hand was reaching for the handle before he could reach it, only or it to be locked when he tried to give it a twist. 
“For fuck’s sake,” he cursed your name as his hand left the handle and raised to pound against the door in frustration. What were you thinking? Going in there and locking the door when you struggled to do something so simple as going up and down the stairs on your own. 
Ross practically jogged down the length of the hallway to the linen closet where your dad likes to store some of his tools so he wouldn’t have to go all the way downstairs. A large hand rummaged through the small toolbox to retrieve a flat screwdriver before he was moving back to the bathroom door. Thankfully, it didn’t take much work to flick the locking mechanism free, but it wasn’t the only resistance he would face when opening the door. Behind it, you had piled your clothes and the heap was getting caught between the door and the floor. He let out a low groan as he pressed his hand flat against the door, and pushed it hard. The force sent it back with ease, and it did not stop until the clothes were trapped between it, the wall, and the door stop that prevented the handle from creating a hole in the wall. 
From the doorway, Ross could see everything - even through the plumes of steam that had made the room look more like a sauna than the bathroom. You had somehow ended up sprawled out on the floor of the tub, the naked curves of your body obscured by the sheer shower curtain. His bright eyes were quick to dart up and down the length of the tub, looking for blood or any sign of injury but only found more of you. 
You and that stupid deer-in-the-headlights expression on your face as you so slowly moved to drape your arms over your chest to hide your body from his gaze and pressed your legs together. It had been your desperate effort to conceal yourself from him, to bring yourself a semblance of modesty, but the movement only attracted his gaze. Ross watched as your arms folded into one another, amplifying your cleavage and leaving his mouth dry. It earned a frustrated sigh from his lips and sent his mind into a frenzy. He shouldn’t be looking at you like that. 
Quickly Ross cast his gaze on everything but you in the tiny room. The floor, the ceiling, the soap by the sink, and the condensation that dripped down the length of the mirror. He took in every detail to force back the impeding thoughts of your perfect body that kept him standing frozen in the doorway. It took him a moment, but he was able to find his composure, or just enough of it, to take quick strides into the bathroom. He moved straight for the towel rack and gripped at the towel so hard his knuckles went white. He held it for a moment, gripping it tighter and tighter as he groaned out; “You couldn’t have waited until your dad got home, could you?”
“Obviously not,” you met him with such an attitude that Ross was ready to turn around and leave you there, but instead he threw the towel at you. 
Ross knew he shouldn’t have been watching you when he had thrown it at you, but you made no attempt to reach out and grab it anyway. You exposed nothing to him, and instead, you let it fall over your body. The fabric became heavy with water, and you dragged it over your flesh to cover yourself up just right. It covered you up just enough. 
The moment Ross saw you cast a glance in his direction, he averted his gaze up to the ceiling and muttered, “you covered up yet?” He knew you were, but he couldn’t have you know that. 
“Yeah, yeah,” you sighed, “I’m covered.”
“Good,” Ross bit out, “nobody wants to fucking see that.” 
His words were a lie, but he needed to say them. Ross needed to hear the words leave his lips so that his cock could hear the logic of his brain. He knew it wasn’t right, to even have to tell himself not to be indulging in the curves of your body, you were his step-sister after all, but he was just a man. A man with eyes and there was no ignoring how enticing the curves of your body were now that he had seen you naked for the first time. 
Reaching out, Ross took a firm grasp of the shower curtain and drew it away from the wall. The tile was hot to the touch beneath his clammy hands as he leaned in and branched himself against it. He made sure to wet his hands as he reached in and turned the faucet off. It brought silence to the air, or rather a semblance of it as he was consumed by the sound of his own strong heartbeat in his ears. 
With the water off, Ross pulled back the shower curtain fully and let his eyes return to you as you lay still on the bottom of the tub. Your hair had splayed out over its surface, and you had made your body small, bringing your limbs in close to your chest, but not even that could hide what was so clear for him to see. The towel was plastered to your body, draped over your curves and sitting just low enough on your chest to take in the swells of the top of your breasts and high enough on your legs for him to know that if he wasn’t careful about how he picked you up, he’d be seeing a lot more than you both would be comfortable with. Worst of all, he could see that pained expression on your face. You were hurt, and helpless, but worst of all you were embarrassed. 
Silently, Ross dropped down to one knee alongside the tub and reached in with both arms to take hold of you. One arm coasted over the back of your thighs, brushing over the supple skin that was still slick with water and grasping at it firmly, and he reached beneath you with the other so that it stretched across the breadth of your back. He paused there for a moment, taking in and letting out a heavy breath as his hands were splayed out over your skin. Ross couldn’t recall a time he had ever touched at all, never mind being able to feel your bare skin beneath his touch. 
The two of you, you had never really accepted the other as siblings - maybe you had been too old for that when your parents had married. You had never hugged, never done any of the affectionate ship birth siblings might have done to show their love for one another. The closest the two of you had really come to contact beyond something incidental was when you were sixteen ad had pushed him mid-argument. It had been something he had long forgotten, but now as he was touching you all he could think about was how your hands had felt pressed up against his chest all those years ago. The raging of his thoughts only intensified as you reached up, and linked your hands behind his neck carefully. 
As accidental as they may have been, Ross could feel every graze of your fingers against the back of his neck and against his hairline as he hoisted you up with little effort and carried you out into the hallway. With each of his strides, the friction between the towel and his body caused it to slip. More and more of your cleavage was being bared to him, and it left him choked by any complaint or insult he could have thrown at you for soaking his t-shirt right through with water. The careful jiggle of your breasts, while he walked, kept him reduced to silence until the two of you had come to your bedroom and he could place you down onto the plush surface of your mattress. 
Ross knew the smart thing to do would have been to abandon you there, to go back to his room and try to forget that this has all happened, but he couldn’t just leave you sitting there in nothing. Turning his back to you, Ross moved through the room and towards the dresser. He wasn’t entirely sure how you kept your clothes organized, but he was sure he could find something, anything, to cover you up properly. He rummaged through the draws with desperate hands, pushing aside each article until he could find what he was looking for. 
A large t-shirt? Yeah, that would cover you up. 
Sweatpants? Perfect. 
But then he came to the final drawer, your panty drawer. His mouth went dry in an instant, a lump forming in the back of his throat. He should have known what to expect, a pair or two had ended up in his laundry once or twice before, but seeing them all in one place had his heart hammering. There was lace, so much lace, and tongs, and sexy little pieces of fabric that would cover nothing - you’d be better off not wearing any at all. He wanted to deny that these were the kind of panties you wore and convince himself that you wore those hideous, oversized cotton that looked flattering on no one - but there was no denying what was so clearly in front of him. Worst of all, your drawer wasn’t filled with panties alone, but a vibrator as well. If he had been quick, he wouldn’t have seen it at all, but he had been left frozen, staring down into the depths of the drawer with his hand at his side in a firm fist of restraint.  
Reaching into the drawer, Ross carefully picked a pair of panties from the top, but his eyes never once left the vibrator until the drawer was closed. It was all he could think about as he moved back towards the bed. Why you had one was clear, but it begged questions in the back of his mind. 
How frequently did you use it? 
Did you have any other toys hidden in the rest of your room? 
What did you sound like when you came? 
Each question left him holding his breath as he reached the bed. Your clothes fell from his grasp and down into your lap as he opened his arms, but he wasn’t done with you yet. Ross wasn’t about to help you put your clothes on when all he could think about was what you did with your clothes off, but he needed to make sure you were okay. 
Sighing, Ross dropped down to his knees in front of you and tried to ignore just how much of your thighs he could see. 
“Ross-” came your voice, it was laced with concern - maybe even a hint of curiosity. 
“Did you hit your head?” Ross kept his words strong as he dragged them up and over the curves of your body on their journey up to your face. It was flushed as you sat in front of him, your lips slightly parted as you let out an uneasy breath that could be felt against his own face as he leaned in close. 
“No,” you answered him simply, your heavy breathing making your breasts even more eye-catching as Ross reached out to you with both hands. 
Ross told hold of you on each side of your face, feeling its soft skin for the first time. He stoked it slowly and guided it carefully as he looked for any sign of injury. When he found nothing on your face, his touch found your hair, running through the wet strands and along your scalp as he felt for a bump from an impact or blood. He almost smiled, relieved that you hadn’t lied to him. However, Ross didn’t stop at your head and let his touch carefully drag down your shoulders and the length of your arms. He watched your features closely as he did so, looking for any change in your expression - any wincing, any discomfort, or maybe an indication that you may be enjoying his touch as much as he found himself liking to touch you. 
Ross’ thumb stroked over your right elbow slowly, and he watched as you winced and tried to pull away from the pain. This was the arm you had used to brace your fall, he recalled and gave it all of his attention. 
“Does it hurt?”
“A little.”
“Looks like it’s going to bruise,” he hummed and pressed his thumb against it slowly - maybe a little harder than he should have.
“Yeah, no shit,” you countered him, tugging your arm from his hold. 
“And your stitches-”
“They took those out weeks ago,” you rolled your eyes at him, coaxing the careful shake of his head as you moved just enough to show him the scar on your body. It was prominent on your otherwise flawless flesh, but healing, “see?”
Reaching out, Ross took hold of you a little more carefully this time. He stroked two fingers over your flesh carefully, his jaw slacking slightly as he traced beside your scar as if he had some kind of medical expertise outside of dealing with teeth getting knocked out during a game or getting hit too hard out on the ice - but in reality, he was looking for more excuses to touch your body. After a moment, he retracted and took a heavy breath when he realized the horrible situation he had put himself in. His cock was hard, or rather, getting hard, and once he hit a full erection there would be no hiding it from you. He needed to get out of there, and fast. 
Standing up slowly, Ross stuffed his fist into the pocket of his sweatpants. If his fist was there, maybe it would draw your eyes there instead of his cock that threatened to tent against the grey fabric. 
“Good,” he managed to find his words, but he was near choking on them, “be more fucking careful.”
His own words brought him a semblance of comfort as his brashness painted a look of annoyance across your features. 
“Fuck you,” you bit out at him. 
Please do. 
“And get out!”
Ross didn’t think twice once your demand had left your lips and it had him turning on his heels and moving towards the door. He couldn’t retreat fast enough, literally. His swollen cock knocking against his inner thigh made it all the more uncomfortable and slowed his every stride, but he could take care of that soon. 
When he hit the hallway, he thought he had managed to get away with it all, but then he heard you. Your beckoning voice was calling after him, “Ross, wait!”
Ross stood frozen in the hallway, halfway between your room and his own with his cock at full attention now. Letting out a low, guttural groan as Ross reached his hand down into his pants and grasped at his cock. He fixed it just right, tucking it up against his waistband so that it wasn’t too obvious to you as he backtracked to stand in your doorway. He stood there in the frame, reaching up with one hand to brace himself against the header in a desperate attempt to draw your eyes up to his face, or at the very least to his wet, white t-shirt that still clung to every toned muscle of his chest. 
You had abandoned the towel now, and wore nothing more than the t-shirt he had grabbed you as the sweatpants and panties still sat on the bed at your side. His eyes dragged over you slowly, admiring how the loose fabric hung off your frame and hid just enough from him to keep yourself modest as he spoke out in a firm, annoyed tone, “what do you want now?”
He watched as your body was consumed by a sigh, and as you stroked your wet hair out of your face as you found just the right words to say, “I just want to say thank you…”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ross was quick to cut you off as you hesitated, “just don’t ever do that again, got it?”
“Got it.”
“Good,” Ross muttered to himself as he pushed off the support of the door frame and continued down the hall. 
When he reached his room, he shut his door firmly behind him and made sure to lock the door. His eyes fell on his controller and headset on the bed, but he had little interest in gaming now. He turned off the system with the single press of a button before snatching up his phone. It only took a second to shoot a quick message the teammates he had been gaming with, gotta take care of something, to excuse his disappearance before he was tucking his phone away too. He didn’t need the distraction of his teammates or a desperate, potential Tinder booty call when he had his throbbing cock to address. Not when the quickest way to deal with it would be thinking of you. 
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claireelle18 · 2 years ago
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Long Live - Ross Colton
A/N: I wrote this up after hearing the news about Colton going to the Avs and also blasting Taylor Swift. I felt like it just made sense in this situation.
“And the Tampa Bay Lightning are your 2021 Stanley Cup Champions! Back to back!” The announcement shook through the arena. Air thick with electricity as realization kicked in. The team had done it. A back to back Stanley Cup run. Kings of NHL - a powerhouse of a team. Photographs snapped in every direction, smiles bright, whole body shaking with the adrenaline, as everyone tried to capture the moment. As fans started to exit into the downtown area, the team welcomed their families onto the ice to soak in the moment of what just became reality. 
After coming off of last years run, the team had been determined to make another run for this years cup, holding the reins. Once a dream, Lord Stanley hoisted by team captain Steven Stamkos. “Remember this moment, here and now. Soak it all in babe,” she remarked to her boyfriend. He stood like a deer when caught in the headlights of a car, wide eye. By morning, if not earlier due to social media, the pictures would be on every major local tabloid. 
“We are going down in franchise history as the team who brought back to back cups,” one of the guys chirped. “We will be remembered.” 
Flash forward to the post season of the 2022-2023 season. Passing pictures around of that time as it came time to say goodbye to the town that created the player he was today tugged on his heart strings a bit more. All those years of work for him, his family cheering him on. She stood by his side, on the sidelines - whether that was physically or following along over social media, for every little victory, including a third Stanley Cup Final and then being kicked out in round one of the next year’s playoffs. 
He never dreamt that he’d trade in his minor jerseys years ago to earning his NHL branded one. 
Memories that were embedded into those walls, into the city, photographed and tucked away into an album to look back on years later. Waiting for those who asked the stories behind each photo. Looking at the boxes stacked containing those years in their city, ready to be unpacked in the coming week. Into a new place. In a new city, across the country.
She sat in a corner with the album. Small salty drops dripped onto the protective plastic. “Loves what is it?” he asked, concerned. 
“I’ve had the time of my life, watching as you built your career, cheering you on. It’s just wild to think of the start of it all to now.” Not long after he came to Tampa is when the two met. She was the one to ask him for his number, but he asked for the date. 
“Are you worried about the move?” 
“More worried about the change for us.” News came a few days prior to Draft Day. Tampa couldn’t keep him, and the Colorado Avs offered a trade deal to acquire him. Moving away from the city that brought them together, onto the next adventure. “I know it’s not ideal, but I’m scared that if fate steps in, forcing a goodbye between us,” a hushed voice followed by a small sob explained. That fear of the change to come would tear the couple apart. She’d help him move, then tie up her part in Tampa, before coming out to Colorado, joining him. 
His heart ached for her. “It’s not gonna happen. No goodbyes, a few see ya laters just like always. Just like this is an away game trip hunny. When our children point to the pictures - you’re going to explain the love story we created, and then explain it to our grandchildren.” 
She questioned, “Children?” He nodded his head, scooting to rest on one knee. 
“Ideally, this would have been more planned, but I think we need some magic and we need to create a happy memory in our new home.” The new home that she helped pick out, because even with this upside-down shock, he wanted…needed her there. In their home. A black velvet box appears from his pants pocket. “Marry me.” Not a question, a statement because he was so sure of his future with her, no matter where the two went or the universe threw in their direction.
Nodding, more tears cascading down her face, pulling him in for a kiss. She noticed the uniqueness of the glittering ring that adorned her ring finger. “What’s the story behind it?” 
“I know you prefer an older style for jewelry, so I had a stone that was in my family cut into that pear shape, the outside adorned with sapphires to represent where we met and fell in love. Long live us, our relationship - no matter what is thrown our way.” 
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hanaaishi · 11 months ago
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Thank you so much for writing this, Mara!
This was a genuine surprise because I had to withdraw from the Luck of the Puck exchange due to health reasons, so I wasn't expecting to get a story.
I was also not expecting to get Vasilevskiy. I cannot even begin to describe how much he means to me. But because few people write for him, I never would have imagined that you would use him as your muse for the story. I am eternally grateful that you took the risk to write for him.
I love the idea of Andrei and the reader going on a romantic date on St. Patrick's Day because he would probably enjoy an intimate social engagement more than drinking with the team, for example.
It was super cute.
@aqueersouthofthemasondixonline
Svyatoy Patrik
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Taglist. Masterlist.
Andrei Vasilevskiy x reader
Hopefully this finally posts correctly, from it deleting half of it from my google doc, and not letting me copy it onto my tumblr, then tumblr deleting it from my tumblr last night. This fic has been through a lot, this fic is for @lila-rose for @callsign-denmark ‘s Luck of the puck fic exchange. It was so fun to write for you!! And getting to write for Andrei, I love getting to watch stuff about him. Sorry about the last scene it was my first time writing a bar scene.
Also: I did not Specify the reader's role in the team.
Warning: Google Translate Russian
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When you picked up the phone to start the call that you were dreading, you could feel the nerves all over your body. Once you got up the nerves to call after the first ring he picked up immediately.
“Hey Andrei.”
“Hey Y/N, what’s up?”
“Have you looked at the schedule lately?”
“No, why?”
“We play y’all on the Saturday before St Patrick’s day and we aren’t flying out until Monday.”
“Ahh so you’ll be here for Den’ Svyatogo Patrika”
“Yeah.”
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As the plane touches down in beautiful Florida you turn your phone off airplane mode and start texting Andrei. “Hey I know you have already started your pre game nap so you don’t have to respond, but we just landed and are taxing to the gate.” You follow it up with a second quick text. “I’ll see you tonight.”
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As Tampa got a second goal behind Andersen, Carolina came back and did the same thing for Vasilevskiy. But when one of the canes gets hurt and has to come off the ice, the Lightning take advantage of it and come out strong for the third. As the clock runs out the canes lose by two but it was just what the Lightning was needing after a horrible loss to the Devils on Thursday. After the game, and the team has came off the ice and started to pack up. Andrei came walking up from the home locker rooms. “Hey, Y/N since you don’t fly out until Monday do you want to go out tomorrow night for Den’ Svyatogo Patrika?”
“Sure, pick me up at my hotel.”
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“This is a nice place you picked out.”
“Yeah, it’s one of my favorites.”
As the night went on and y’all both had more drinks, the two of you started moving closer together, until you moved over to ask him if he wanted another drink or not when he captured your lips.
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Taglist: @studioreader @honethatty12 @slafgoalskybaby @swissboyhisch @wondershells @cixrosie
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jackhghes · 2 years ago
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The Masterlist
my hockey boys ✷
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Hello! Welcome to my Masterlist this Masterlist will consist of only hockey players. It'll be much appreciated if you call me JJ. I write both smut-angst. If I do make smut works it'll be for 18+ if you're a minor DNI. If you'd like to request then shoot me a message or press the button on my profile that says "Request Here"Please choose from my prompt list. Blurbs Series NSFW Alphabet Request Here
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jack hughes coming soon
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mitch marner coming soon
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pierre-luc dubois coming soon
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ross colton coming soon
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matthew tkachuk coming soon
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hagelpoint-3821 · 9 months ago
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Summary: Sydnee has been in a long term relationship with her boyfriend Brandon Hagel. While Hagel and the Tampa Bay Lightning were on their longest road trip of the season, Sydnee slips into a deep depression, as mental health has been a problem with her ever since she was little. When Brandon gets back from the trip, he realizes she does something she knows better than to do. A verbal fight breaks out between the couple and Sydnee finds her way to Jon Cooper’s house who ends up becoming a father figure to her when she needed him the most.
Word Count: 13,605
Notes: ‘It’s Over Isn’t It’ is a fic that is not meant to be light and fun. It is meant to bring light to mental health and to reach out to people when you are in that dark place. In honor of Mental Health Month, I felt that this was fitting to write and post. Remember, your mental health matters, and people care. You are not alone, no matter what your mind is telling you. Coming from mental health issues myself, I know the feeling when your mind gets so dark and lonely you feel as if you have nothing left, but never give up that fight. One day it does get better. I promise.
TW: Self Harm, Verbal Fighting, Bringing up Mental Issues.
P.S.: This fic is written is multiple POVs. As there is a POV change there is a page break marker as well as the person's name in Bold lettering to let you know who's POV it is written in.
Sydnee
The bolts were in the middle of their longest road trip of the season, leaving me alone to my own devices for the time being. Brandon wanted me to tag along but the other girls weren’t going so I felt as though I would be in the way of everyone.
As I sit outside on our porch, the warm Florida air fills my lungs and I sigh deeply, as much as I love being in a relationship with Brandon and supporting him, these times alone are the worst part about it.
I pull my phone from my pocket, half expecting a message or a call from Brandon but knowing their schedules and how tight they run that ship over there I’m not completely surprised, though it would be nice to be able to call him and hear his voice.
Sighing, I tuck my phone away and walk back inside, the house seems more quiet than normal, and eerie feeling comes over me as it starts to feel empty without Brandon being home. Not being able to cuddle up to him in the night, to be able to protest waking up in the mornings, his smell on the pillows slowly fading away.
Brandon, please come home soon.
As the day goes by, I fall into my normal routine, make myself some lunch, sit back outside, read some of my book, go inside, take a nap on the couch, wake up and watch their game, make dinner, shower, and go to bed in one of his hoodies. It’s been the same thing for two weeks now since they have been gone and while I like routines, I like having him home more. Just a few more days until he is home, I can do this.
The next morning rolls around quickly, the sun shining brightly into the windows of the bedroom and across my face, I look over at my phone to see it’s already 9:30 in the morning and still no text or calls. Strange. I’ve usually heard something by now. So I send him a quick text and toss my phone back on the bed. Normally I’d get up and go outside but I don’t feel like it today, my mental health says we need to stay in bed, and I think I’m just going to listen and rest.
The day goes by slower than normal, no calls, no text. Doubt starts creeping in that he will never come home and he doesn’t want me anymore but I quickly push those thoughts away.
“No. He wouldn’t do that, he loves me too much.” I say as I reach over and grab a picture of us off the nightstand and gently brush my fingers over the frame, “I just wish you would call home. I miss you.”
I hug the frame tightly to my chest before placing it back on the nightstand and roll to his side of the bed, wrapping my arms tightly around his pillow and softly cry into it, letting my thoughts wander to all the things he could be doing at the moment. Is he just with Brayden and the guys? Is he skating or at the gym? Is he out partying, getting drunk and taking some pretty blonde back to the hotel to hook up with her?
Sydnee stop it, he wouldn’t do those things to you!
All the negative thoughts cloud my head and make my stomach churn, I quickly push myself off the bed and run into the bathroom, throwing up what little things I had left in my stomach now into the toilet.
“He wouldn’t leave me… would he?” Pulling myself from the bathroom floor, I splash some water onto my face and take a few shaky breaths and lean against the sink, looking in the mirror.
That’s when I notice all my flaws, my nose is slightly crooked, I don’t have bright blue eyes, instead I’m stuck with these stupid brown ones, dark brown hair instead of puck bunny blonde, my smile isn’t big and full like the others, sunk in cheeks. I lift my sweater and look at myself, slowly becoming more and more disgusted with myself.
“Maybe if you weren’t so fat and covered in scars he would love you still.” I whisper to myself, tears threatening to fall.
Sliding down the bathroom wall, pulling my knees into my chest, I let them fall silently. “It all makes sense now, I knew loving him was too good to be true. No one can ever love this mess of a person that I have become.”
Silent cries escape my chest as the silence around me gets too loud to handle, the pain in my chest too much to handle. Slowly I pick myself up off the ground and splash some water on my face and grip the sink, “it just needs to stop. The pain. It hurts too much to handle right now. Brandon I’m so sorry I am not what you think I am.”
I slowly reach into the bathroom drawer of the sink, grabbing a razor blade and holding it in my hands. Sitting back on the bathroom floor.
Sydnee you’ve come this far, don’t let it take over.
“I’m so sorry.” Slipping my sweatpants down and let the cool blade trail down the top of my thigh. As I rest my head against the bathroom wall, I sigh deeply, “t-there it is.”
As I watch the blood pool onto my leg I bit my lip to fight the tears, adding more cuts across my skin before finally taking a breath and tossing the blade into the sink. Taking a towel and wrapping my leg up before grabbing the medicine and bandages from the cabinet.
“At least he won’t be able to see these here, not like he would want to touch me anymore anyways. Good for nothing, a waste of space.”
After I clean my leg up and make sure the blood covered towel is thrown in the garbage I carefully crawl into bed and wrap myself into the blankets. Checking my phone and seeing if I had any messages. To my surprise there was a few texts from Brandon on there.
B 💙 - hey love! I miss you lots. Sorry I haven’t called, b2b games and travels. I can’t keep it straight. Cal me soon
B 💙 - darling answer me. I’m bored in the hotel, brayden is being a turd and went to sleep.
B 💙 - I love you 💕
I scuff and look at my phone for a minute, strongly debating if I should even call him. Signing deeply I decide against my thoughts and call him, half expecting to not get an answer from him.
The phone only rang once before he picks up, “Sydnee! My god I’ve missed you.”
“Hi Brandon, it’s been awful quiet around here without you.”
“I bet. How are you?”
“Oh I’m okay, just waiting for you to come home.” If only you knew.
“I know, just a couple more days. I promise. And when I get home I’m taking you out to dinner and spoiling the hell out of you.”
“I’ll be waiting.” I smile softly and trace over the marks on my leg, “so, how’s the road life treating you?”
“Good! Different city every night it feels like but good, they’ve been keeping me busy.”
I huff under my breath, yeah I bet they’ve been keeping you busy.
“You’ve been playing great though! What is it, third most goals on the team during the road trip?”
“Well I gotta keep my girl impressed.” I practically hear him smiling through the phone.
“Well impressed I am.”
“What have you been up too since I’ve been gone?”
“Oh you know, just hanging out, wake up and sit around. Take a nap and eat lunch, clean the house and then cook dinner while watching the game and then off to bed. Pretty much the same thing every day since you left. Pretty boring I know but there isn’t much to do since you’ve been gone. Just don’t feel the need to go anywhere or do anything.”
He chuckles, “I’ll be home within a few days baby, I promise.”
I sigh and curl deeper into the blankets, “hurry, I don’t want to be alone anymore.”
“I’m hurrying. Every sleep is getting closer.”
“Speaking of sleep, don’t you have to sleep for your game tomorrow?”
“Well yes. But you’re more important to talk too than sleep.”
“Brandon. Go to bed. I’ll be here when you get home. Just don’t forget to text every once in a while.” I force a laugh which causes him to laugh.
“How could I ever forget you, love.”
“I don’t know, you’re a busy man.”
“Just wait till I get home. You’ll see how busy I really can be.” His smirk can be felt through the phone.
“Brandon! God you’re such a flirt.”
“And you love it.”
“Yes. I do. Now go to bed so I can see you sooner.”
“Goodnight my love, I’ll see you soon.”
“Goodnight. I love you.”
“I love you too, forever.” I whisper softly.
“And always.” He says softly before hanging up the phone.
I quickly toss my phone away and cry softly into the pillows, the day quickly becoming overwhelming and too much to handle. Sleep feeling like the only option to control it. I pull the blankets tightly around my frame and softly cry myself to sleep.
The next couple days go by in a blur, my mind mostly being numb to the world, I barely get out of bed. Haven’t showered, hardly slept, haven’t eaten. I’m either asleep or curled on the couch, watching the world outside. Getting an occasional text from Brandon but I haven’t called him since the night he wanted me to call him.
I’m drifting off to sleep on the couch when I hear the front door open and someone step inside, slowly I peak over the couch and see Brandon in the doorway and taking his shoes off. I shoot off the couch and sprint up to him, ignoring the pain in my leg as I jump into his arms and hide my face into his neck.
“Don’t you ever leave me for that long again”
He sighs and wraps his arms tightly around me, pulling me as close as he can into his chest, “never my love, I promise you I’m not going anywhere without you.”
Carefully he sets me back on the ground but still keeping a firm hold around my middle, planting a soft kiss to my lips as I grab onto his shirt for balance.
“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you Brandon.”
“I know love, I know. I missed you too. This two weeks has been hell without you.” His arms wrap tighter around me.
“Why don’t you go unpack and settled. I’ll get dinner started.” I give him a soft smile and trail my fingers gently over his jaw.
“I was hoping you would cook tonight, I’ve missed your cooking and I’m starving.” He beams brightly and grabs my hand, placing a gentle kiss against my palm, causing my stomach to flip and the thoughts of him actually leaving fade into the shadows of my mind.
“No rush Brandon, we have all night.”
“I was away from you for 2 weeks, I’m not going to miss a minute away from you.”
I smile softly and step back, giving him room to step around me and watch him walk off into the bedroom. As he walks away I run my fingers over the fabric covering the cuts on my leg, instantly regretting what I did. He is going to kill me if he sees these.
As I get set to work into the kitchen I zone out, not hearing anything go on around me, getting lost in the cooking. I’m only pulled from mt thoughts when I feel arms around me and pulling me into him.
Shyly I look over my shoulder, humming, “mmm hi baby.”
Brandon rests his head on my shoulder, his scent filling my nose, “you need help with anything?”
“No. Please just stay here, I missed you and missed your gentle touch”
“As you wish, my love.” He trails off quietly, brushing the hair off my neck and leaving soft, open mouthed kisses against the exposed skin.
“You want to know the worst part about not having you here?” I say as I place the knife down that I was using to cut the vegetables, head starting to spin.
“Mm go on.” He says deeply, pulling me closer to his sharp and chiseled chest.
My body feeling like it’s on fire from him, “t-this. The tenderness you have, how my heart races when you touch me. A simple look from you has me falling in love with you all over again.”
He chuckles and it vibrates through my whole body, shaking me down to my core, “I too missed this, how one word, one touch…” he sighs deeply and digs his fingers into my hips, causing a soft moan to fall involuntarily, “has this effect on you.”
I watch him carefully as he picks up the knife from the counter as he chops the rest of the vegetables, me being caged between him and the counter. As I watch his fingers quickly go to work on dinner, I can’t help but let my mind wonder, the way his rough hands are working, the way they feel on me.
Sydnee enough. You need to let your cuts heal.
I clear my throat and wiggle out from in front of him, internally groaning at the loss of his body heat against my own but I had to stop before I did anything. He looks over and cocks his head to the side.
“Well that was a tad rude, thought you didn’t want me to move?
“I didn’t, I don’t trust me, but the chicken is ready to go in the oven and I wanna eat soon.” I make up a lie quick enough and give him a smile, he smiles back before going back to work. Thank god he bought it.
“B, if you want I can finish dinner. Go relax, you haven’t been home in two weeks. Go sit on the couch.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind helping.”
“Yes.” I offer a small smile, “go sit. Take a nap, something. You’ve been gone forever and not able to sleep in your home. I’ll wake you when dinner is ready.”
He walks up and presses a kiss to my forehead before walking into the living room and sinking into the couch, smiling softly to myself as I lean against the counter, my heart slowly healing as he is back in our home. This house is feeling like home again.
Before I know it, the oven timer is going off and I pull chicken out of the oven, quickly plating it with I the other veggies and sides, I place the plates on the kitchen table and walk into the living room. Leaning against the couch I pear over and see he is asleep, carefully I trace my fingers over his nose down to his cheek bones, to his jaw. Causing a smile to appear on his face.
Brandon slowly opens his eyes as I pull my hand away, “Syd, why did you stop?”
“Because you’re waking up and dinner is ready.” I say softly before he pulls my hand back to his face.
“Just a couple more minutes, please don’t stop.”
I smile softly to myself and let the pads of my fingers dance gently across his face, “come on B, food is gonna get cold soon.”
He sighs deeply and pushes himself off the cough, “okay okay, I’m up you win.”
I giggle softly, “don’t I always?”
“Yes, yes you do.”
Before I can think, he scoops me up and goes into the kitchen.
“Brandon! Put me down!” I giggle loudly and playfully hit him on the chest.
“As you wish.” He sets me down in the chair and pushes me to the table, “my goodness it smells good.”
“Well we haven’t tasted it yet so let’s not get too excited.”
“Oh come on, every time you make something it turns out way better than you expect it to be.”
I roll my eyes playfully and sit across from him, as he sits my eyes travel over the soft features of his face, getting lost in the darkness that his eyes bring.
“So,” he speaks up and bring me out of my trance, “what did you do while I was gone?”
“Oh… you know just stayed home mostly, read a few books and watched your games when they were on, it kind of became a monotonous routine after a bit. Eat, read, watch hockey and go back to sleep.” I sigh, running my fingers along my thigh. “It was lonely and quiet without you here.”
“Well, next road trip, you are coming with us, I don’t care if the other WAGs do not go, I want you there.”
A soft smile creeps up my face as I look at him, “I’d like that a lot.”
We eat out dinner in a relatively quiet fashion, face the simple glances and light chuckles.
As I stand to take the dishes into the kitchen Brandon grabs my hand, “darling, you cooked dinner, I’ll clean, you look more worn out than I did and you’ve been home for two weeks.”
“Well it wasn’t the highlight of my life, not being with you, sleeping was rough and I didn’t get much sound sleep while you were away.”
“Why don’t you go get a bath started and when I am done here I’ll come join you, that way we can start relaxing, together.”
I pause for a moment before looking up at him, maybe I can explain what happened before he get too mad, one can only hope, “sure, I’d like that a lot.”
He pecks my lips softly before taking the dishes into the kitchen and I quickly turn and go to the bathroom, fuck fuck fuck what am I going to do? How am I going to get out of this? I can’t just hide my leg, FUCK. Why did I agree to letting him take a bath with me?
A million and one thoughts are running through my mind as I turn the water on. I scan the bathroom in hopes to come up with an idea, when I see my bubble bath sitting on the side of the tub.
“Perfect. Now as long as my leg doesn’t come out of the water he won’t see it.” I say to myself as I pour it into the water.
I shed my clothes and sink into the bubbles and hot water, a sharp breath escaped my lips as the water makes contact with the exposed cuts. Relaxing into the warmth of the water, I close my eyes and sink down deeper so only my head is exposed. The room quickly is filled with a jasmine scent and quietly the bathroom door opens, I roll my head to the side and see Brandon leaning against the doorframe.
“Look Mr. Hagel, either in or out, you’re letting the heat out.”
He shakes his head and chuckles, closing the door behind him, “sorry, I just get lost at how beautiful you are, and moments like this make you even more beautiful. Plus it’s been two weeks since I’ve seen your pretty face, let me enjoy it.”
“Look all you want B, just don’t let my heat escape.” I laugh softly and sit up in the tub a bit, making sure my legs still stay covered, “so are you just going to stand there or see you going to join in? Come on, the water is perfect.”
“Are the bubbles really necessary?”
My breath hitches in my chest before I look up at him, “you wanted me to relax, didn’t you? These help me relax.”
“You always are something special.”
I gasp playfully and splash water at him, “look if you’re just going to be rude you can go back on the road.”
“Oh not the shirt! Come on!” He laughs and takes it off, “you know, if you wanted the shirt off that’s all you had to say.”
Shaking my head, I look over at him, “how I have missed those stupid jokes of yours, now come on and get in here.”
Brandon quickly takes the rest of his clothes off and sinks into the water behind me, wring his arms around my midsection and placing a gentle kiss on my shoulder, “I promise to you darling, I’m never leaving you for that long again.”
I rest my head against his chest, “I know Brandon, I know.”
As my eyes start to feel heavy, I rest my body against his, his fingers tracing different shapes down my arms and across my hips, as they make their way down to my legs I quickly move from him, causing water to splash over the sides.
“What was that all about? You never act like that when I touch you.” His eyes full with worry that he did something wrong.
“No it’s— you didn’t—,”I stumble trying to find the right words, “you just startled me is all, I was falling asleep and I got scared, I wasn’t expecting you to do that.”
He sighs and pulls me back in, “you silly little thing, you know I would never hurt you.”
Just wait till you find out. I think to myself before laying back against him. “I know you wouldn’t.”
As I lean back against him, his fingers go back to where they were on my leg, and this time I don’t stop him.
I feel his fingers trace up my right thigh and over the fairly fresh cups across my skin, his body going rigid behind me, “Sydnee, what the hell is that on your leg.”
My blood runs cold and I do not dare to look at him, “I-I’m s-sorry.”
His grip tightens around my leg, “why? Why did you do it?”
I try to pull away but his hands on my wrist and leg make it near impossible, “I don’t know, I was stupid and shouldn’t have done it.”
“ ‘I don’t know’ isn’t a good answer Sydnee. Why did you do it?!” His anger becoming clear in his voice.
“Because I thought you were cheating on me and didn’t want me anymore since you didn’t answer my calls or anything while you were on the road!” I wiggle out of his grip and quickly get out of the tub, throwing a robe on and he follows behind.
“You can not be serious right now. If you really think I would cheat on you, well you clearly don’t know me.”
“I told you I was sorry! You know I have separation issues and you know how hard it is for me to try and get through the days when you’re not here. While you were on the road having a blast with the guys, I was here alone. I hardly heard anything from you. I get it that you’re busy and you were in a different city almost every night but it takes two seconds to send a quick “hey I love you” text so I didn’t feel alone.”
“Sydnee, listen to yourself right now! You’re being ridiculous, and dramatic! I have given you everything I can possibly think of for you to realize that you aren’t alone in this piss poor world and this is how I get treated? I leave for two weeks for my job, the thing that brings us money, so you can stay here and not go back home to your parents and that shit hole you call a home. Come on now Syd, use your fucking head.” He pinches the bridge of his nose before looking at him, “when the hell have I ever even hinted that I wanted to leave you?”
“Y-you haven’t, but you don’t know what it’s like in my head. Like I said it was fucking stupid and I regret it.”
“Yeah. You’re damn right it’s stupid. Of all the god given things that you could have done, that’s the dumb thing you did. Let me guess, you’ve been starving yourself again haven’t you?”
I stare blankly at him, body threatening to start shaking but I stand solid in my place, “so what if I did? Doesn’t make any difference now.”
“Fucking Christ. When are you going to learn that I love you for you, I wouldn’t leave you?”
“I get it! Okay Brandon I fucking get it, I was stupid and I fucked things up.”
He shakes his head and looks at the ceiling before back to me, “normally I would disagree, but yeah, you’re stupid for this.”
“Fuck you.” My eyes burn with tears, his words feel like a knife in my chest before I turn and storm off into the closet and grab a bag. I hear his footsteps come into the bedroom behind me.
“Now where the hell do you think you’re going?”
“I don’t know. I’m to stupid to know what I’m doing, remember? But I’m going. I can’t stay here.”
He doesn’t say anything else as he groans deeply and walks towards the closet, resting his hand on top of mine.
“Don’t fucking touch me!” I spin away quickly, “first you criticize me for what I did, when you call me stupid right to my face knowing I have my mental issues, now you think some simple touch is going to fix it all? Don’t touch me right now.” My lip trembles as I watch him walk away.
“That still doesn’t answer my question, where are you going?”
“I don’t know. Anywhere sounds better than fucking being here right now, if you’re going to belittle me for letting my darkest thoughts win, then I can’t stay here.”
“Yes, I’m going to be pissed, Sydnee, because A) you were doing so much better. Things were finally looking up for you and you were starting to come around to the person I know you can be. And B) because I never once even had a thought of cheating on you and leaving you. You were my world the moment I met you in Chicago, that first time I saw you, I was drawn to you, there was 20,000 other people in that rink that night and you were the one that I noticed. No your sister. Not anyone else. YOU, and if you can’t see that, then I don’t know what to do. I have loved you through your good times and bad, the days where you didn’t want to live anymore, I was right there at your side, the times where you felt like you had nothing left to give, I was there. Not anyone else. I don’t want anyone else. But you have it in your thick head of yours that I would leave you, this isn’t a me problem anymore. It’s you.”
I wipe a tear from my face, “well thanks for saying how you really feel.” I don’t say anything else as I quickly throw a bag together and throw some clothes on. As I walk out of the bedroom, Brandon is sitting on the bed with his back to me, the tears start falling and this time I don’t fight them. As I walk towards the front and slip my shoes on, I only hope to hear him walk out of the bedroom to stop me, but the house is quiet. The deafening silence make my ears ring loudly as I grab my car keys from the counter and slip outside into the cool Florida night.
As I throw my bag into the front seat of my car, I look back at the house, part of me wishing I would see Brandon come running out of the front door and begging me to leave, but it’s only silence. The sky is clear and there’s a light breeze, I stay there for a couple seconds longer before getting in my car and driving off, not knowing where to go or what to do, so I just drive.
Before I realize where I’ve gone, I’m at the River Walk, the first place Brandon and I went to after we got settled in the Bay Area. I quietly get out of the car and sit on an empty bench, looking at the water. A thousand memories are running through my mind, as I hug my knees to my chest I let out a deep breath, not realizing I was even holding one.
“I just want to be numb again. I went from feeling nothing to feeling everything and it hurts.” I say to myself, as there is no one else around today, almost like I was supposed to be alone here.
Hope fills me as I pull my phone from my pocket, nothing. No call, no text, nothing from him. I feel my heart sink in my chest. I know that I shouldn’t do this, but I start scrolling through old pictures of him and I together. A soft smile comes across my face as I look through them, memories surfacing as I flip through. Until I get to one. We just had gotten home from a day at the beach in Miami, sun kissed skin and bright eyes, I was under a blanket with my head laying on Brandon’s chest, I didn’t want him to take a picture but he insisted. So I let him, after he took the picture and set his phone down he started playing with my hands, particularly my left. That is when my heart stopped after he said “one day I am going to marry you. I can’t wait to marry you.”
Now, that day feels like a lifetime ago. Tears silently fall down my cheeks and I do not bother to stop them. I bit my lip to keep quiet, as I stand and walk back to my car. I can’t stay out here where someone can see me. I sit there and rest my head against the headrest, still not knowing where I’m going to go. More driving it is.
I wonder if Jon is up? No, don't go to him. He won’t want to deal with your issues. You’re just a wreck who needs to get it together.
I ask myself as I put my car in drive, starting the drive to Jon’s house. Part of me wants to go, and another part is screaming to turn back around and go home, but I can’t go home. He doesn’t want me anymore. I don’t have much of a choice in the matter.
As I pull into his drive, taking a deep breath before grabbing my bag and stepping out of the car and quietly walking up to his front door.
There’s still time to turn back, go somewhere else. He won’t want to deal with your issues.
I contemplate turning back and leaving, but my heart can’t take anymore for the night, I just need a place to go and I don’t know where else to go.
Reaching his front steps, I knock quietly on the front door, hugging my back tightly to my chest as my heart feels like it’s going through my chest, “come on Coop, answer before I leave.”
A couple seconds tick by and no answer, so I knock again, this time a little louder, maybe he didn’t hear me the first time. I no sooner take a step back and he opens the door with a wide smile on his face but it quickly fades as he sees the bag in my hand and the broken look on my face.
“Sydnee? What are you doing here? What happened?”
“I-I, me and Brandon,” the words come out broken as the tears fall down my face and my heart starts splintering off into a million pieces, “Jon I have n-nowhere to g-go.”
He doesn’t say anything as he wraps me in a tight hug, stroking my back gently, “come inside and you can talk when you’re ready.”
I wrap my arms around him tightly and cry softly into his chest, “I just really need this right now. I have nothing left. No family. He hates me.”
Jon takes a small step back and grabs one of my shoulders, “Oh now I’m sure that isn’t the case Syd, he loves you. Let’s get inside and out of the cool weather, you can tell me what happened, come on.”
He opens the door to his home and I follow him inside quietly, “make yourself comfortable, I’ll get you some tissues and a glass of water, okay?”
He offers me a soft smile and I nod softly, sitting on the couch and still holding my bag close to me. Jon comes back a few moments later he comes back with a blanket, box of tissues and a glass of water. Before he sits next to me, he wraps the blanket around me.
“Now, what’s going on? It’s like 1 in the morning and you’re usually not out without Brandon.”
“That’s the problem, we had a huge fight after dinner, a-and I just threw this bag together, thinking it would make him snap out of the anger he was in, but it didn’t. I’ve never seen him this way, he had anger in his eyes, it was like he hated me. Not even in the playoffs could compare to what happened.” I shiver and wrap the blanket around me tighter.
Jon gives my hand a gentle squeeze, “do you mind telling me how this fight started? You do not have to if you do not want to of course. You tell me what you’re comfortable telling me.”
“Well, I have nothing left to lose so why not. It started with the road trip you guys were just on, I know he was busy but I was alone, I didn’t hear from him in quite some time and, as you learn from his time here, I’m not always mental stable and I get these doubts in my head, I had it in my head that he was cheating on me even though in my heart I know he would never actually do that. It got to the point where… where I self harmed again because my mind was going nuts. It hurt. I hurt. I needed a relief from what was going on. So I cut. My thigh looks a mess right now but that’s besides the point. The next morning when I woke up I regretted it. After he came home everything was great. He fell asleep on the couch while I was making dinner. I let him sleep because I knew he was tired from the trip. So after dinner I was going to take a bath and he wanted to join, naturally I let him and I wasn’t thinking. I wouldn’t have. Because it was in the bath that he found my cuts on my leg, that’s what caused the fight. It's my fault. It’s all my fault. Instead of trusting him I let my thoughts win and I should’ve known better.” I sniffle and wipe my face. “I packed this, hoping he would stop me but he let me leave without stopping me. I haven’t heard from him since it happened. I’m sorry I showed up so late, I just didn’t know where to go.”
Jon doesn’t say anything, just pulls me into another tight hug, “Sydnee, you’re like my daughter, you’re always going to be welcome here, and for as long as you need, you can stay here. I’m not going to make you leave when you’re going through this.”
I sniffle and rest my head against his shoulder, “thank you Jon, I’ll be out in the morning that way I don’t inconvenience you anymore than I already have.”
“Sydnee,” he trails off as he wraps his around me, “I promise you that you are not bothering me, while I do not know exactly what you’re going through, I’m not going to shove you aside. I would much rather you be here where I know you’re safe instead of some cheap hotel where you can get hurt.”
I curl up into a ball next to him, “can I ask you something?”
“Of course, speak your mind kid.”
“Can you stay with me? Just until I fall asleep? As bad as it sounds, I didn’t have a father who cared enough about me growing up, so the welcoming touch of a father figure is much appreciated right now.” I say quietly, already fearing his rejection.
To my surprise, he says nothing as he pulls the blanket over me and pulls me a little closer, “again kiddo, you’re like a daughter to me, and I will do everything I can to help you and be a father to you since you didn’t have one.”
I smile softly and look up at him, “thank you Coop.”
He places a gentle kiss on top of my head before speaking, “you’re welcome. Now get some rest, you look worn out, we can talk more in the morning when you’re thinking a little clearer, okay?”
I nod before closing my eyes, wrapping the blanket tighter around me and fall into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, I’m woken up to the sound of cooking coming from the kitchen. I open my eyes slowly, adjusting to the sunlight that is shining through the window. Slowly coming to my senses as to where I’m at, my heart sinks in my chest as I remember I am not at home and what happened the night before comes flooding back.
I sit up slowly and rub my eyes, wanting to go back to bed and forget that the past 24 hours didn’t happen. Jon looks up from the stove in the kitchen and smiles at me.
“Good morning, how’d you sleep?”
“I don’t know if it would have been better for me to stay up all night with how much I tossed and turned, at least I had a comfy place to do so. Thank you again for letting me stay here.” I yawn and stand up, stretching out my tired limbs. They feel ten times heavier than they have ever felt before. “I will get going so I don’t bother you or your wife.”
“Sydnee, she knows you are here and she also agrees that you are more than welcome to stay here until everything between you and Brandon settles down. Please stay, I don’t want you leaving when your mind is as clouded as it is right now.”
I look around, trying to avoid eye contact with him because I know he is right, I can’t go out right now, my mind hasn’t stopped racing since the fight and I have nowhere to go. “Can I please use the bathroom?” I say quietly as I cross my arms over my stomach.
“Sure, it is the first door on your right just through the kitchen.” he stands and hugs me tightly, “Lets get some breakfast in you also. Okay?”
I only nod as I shuffle to the bathroom, when I am done I stand in front of the mirror hanging above the sink. I have never looked worse in my life, hair looks like it hasn’t been brushed in days, dark circles under my eyes. God why was I so stupid to throw away the best thing that has ever happened to me?
After splashing some cool water on my face, I walk back into the kitchen and sit at the bar across the room when I hear Jon yell for his wife that breakfast is ready.
She quickly pops into the kitchen with a bright smile on her face and pecks him on the cheek, “after all those days on the road you still know how to bring a smile to my face.”
“Well we also have our very important guest and I want to make sure that she is taken care of properly.”
I offer them a small nod as I see their interaction and my heart grows colder in my chest, I should be at home right now with Brandon, bickering to him that he didn’t add enough water to the pancake mix, now I am here, alone in a home that isn’t mine. In a place here I am welcomed, yes. But I can’t allow myself to stay here for more than a couple days at the max.
Jon brings over the plates that are piled full of bacon, sausage, waffles, toast and a plate full of fruit, “Here you go kiddo, eat up.”
Jon and Mrs. Cooper sit across from me and fill their plates, I am so hungry my stomach hurts, but I can’t bring myself to eat. I know I need to, but I am numb. I feel like I am just going through the motions of life right now. I have no purpose anymore.
Mrs. Cooper sees the empty look in my eyes as she stands and gets a small plate made for me and puts it in the fridge before walking over to me and puts her hand across mine, “You don’t have to eat right now. We know you are going through a lot, go lay down if you need to, I have a plate in the fridge for you okay?”
Wiping my eyes with my other hand I look up at her. “Thank you ma’am, you both are too kind to me. You don’t have to do all this.”
“Hunny, please call me Jessie, it is okay I promise.” She give my hand a gentle squeeze.
“Oh Sydnee please, you have become like a daughter to me and my wife here. It is okay. We promise.” Jon gives me a sad smile.
“I am going to lay down for a little longer if that is okay?” I look back at the couch and sigh, not knowing what else to do.
“If that is what you need to help yourself start healing then by all means, rest all that you need. You aren’t bothering us and it is an off day so I will be home today if you need to talk.”
“Yes Sydnee, please do stay and rest.” Jessie smiles softly. “It is okay.”
I shuffle back to the couch and curl back up with my back to them, I pull the blanket tightly around me and quietly cry until I fall asleep again.
--------------
Jon
“That poor girl is so broken, she loved him more than life itself. My heart is so broken for her.” Jon looks over and sighs.
Jessie matches his gaze and bites her bottom lip, “she seems like such a sweet girl from what you have been telling me, I hope that they can work it out. I can tell she has a big heart and can see how much she cares about that boy.”
“You should see them Jess, the way that they are with each other. He looks at her like she is the only girl in the world. She is all he will talk about when we aren’t on the ice or if we are on the road. I hope they can make this work out. She doesn’t have much.”
“Help clean up this breakfast mess and you can tell me more about her.” Jessie motions to the table where their breakfast plates are all piled together.
“Well for starts, when they first came to Tampa after the trade, they hadn’t been together but maybe a couple months. If that, she wanted out of Chicago and he wanted her with him. From what she has told me and what has been mentioned between the two, she doesn’t have a family back home that supports her. Her parents mentally abused her and her sister always looked down on her. She was passed over all the time and living in the shadow of her sister. When Brandon came along, ironically they met at a game, he instantly became the light in her life. She was depressed before she came here with him and she was doing better but she still struggles with depression and abandonment issues. Can’t say that I blame the poor thing either. She never had a father figure, so I stepped up and I try to help her when and where I can.”
Jessie turns as she is placing the dishes in the sink and takes the pile Jon had in his hands, “you are a good man for taking her in Jon.”
“When she showed up at our doorstep last night, it broke my heart to see her like that. She is always this bright and bubbly person and seeing her whole world shatter absolutely crushed me in ways I didn’t even think were possible. Sydnee is like a daughter Jessie, I can’t let her walk away. She doesn’t have anywhere else to go or friends. I will not let her go back to her family because they will break her soul even more than they already have.”
A small smile tugs at her lips, “you always were the protective type. Glad to know that hasn’t changed through the years.”
Jon kisses her on the temple before walking into the living room and sits on a chair across from Sydnee.
------------------------------------------
Sydnee
A few hours later and I feel more rested than I thought I would. As I slowly roll over, I grab my phone, the slightest hope that Brandon has called or texted, but nothing was there. No calls, no text, just the reminder of what he and I use to have.
I sit up and keep the blanket wrapped around me as I look around and take in the cozy living room. There is pictures on the walls and on the coffee table. Little trinkets that Mrs. Cooper collected through the years, a nice love seat and a big tv over the fireplace. All the things making this feel like a home, a home I wish I could have grown up in.
Jon makes a move from his seat and I am so out of it I didn’t even see him sitting there, “hey kiddo, you need anything?”
“Um,” I sit and think for a second, “can I take a shower please?”
“Of course.” He stands and quickly grabs my bag off the floor. “Follow me.”
He takes me down a hallway and I assume what is past their children’s rooms, “Where are your kids?” I was so caught up last night I didn’t even realize that this might not be okay with their kids, I have to get out of here as quick as I can.
“The girls went to their friends house and my son is away at hockey camp for the week.” He opens the door to the bathroom and sets my bag on the counter, then reaches into the cabinet and grabs a fresh towel and wash rag.
“Just set the towels outside the bathroom once you are finished and Jessie will come by later and pick them up.” Jon smiles at me before walking out and closing the door behind him.
I simply nod and lock the door behind him, I turn on the water and let the steam fill the bathroom before stripping down and stepping inside, hissing through my teeth as the water hits my leg. ‘Such an idiot Sydnee, if only you hadn’t gotten in your head then you wouldn’t be in this shower, in this house. You should be back home in the loving arms of Brandon, who loved you more than the whole world. You did this. You ruined everything good that you had going for you.’
My mind is a contact battle field right now, every way I turn I get knocked down again, I just want to go home. But I don’t even know where home is now.
The rest of my shower goes by in a blur, I wash my hair and body and then stay under the heavy beating from the shower head until the water goes cold. I step out and wrap myself in the towel while grabbing my clothes from the back and everything still smells like him. The hints of his cologne flood my senses and causes another wave of emotion to flood through me.
As I slip on my hoodie and leggings, I fold the towel and place it outside the door neatly before quietly walking back into the living room. There, sitting on the table, is the plate Mrs. Cooper saved from breakfast and a glass of water, ‘okay, one meal, help clean up the mess and then out the door you go. They have a life to live also and you can’t be here interrupting the lives that they already have.’
“Hey Jon! I am going to run out and grab some groceries, if you need anything while I’m gone let me know.” Jessie says from the opposite side of the house before she slips out the back door.
“You guys are seriously so sweet, I can not thank you enough for letting me stay here last night. I promise to be gone though by the time your girls get back. I know having me here would be a shock to them.
“Sydnee, you’re not going anywhere. They are going to be fine, they are sweet and caring, they will love you.”
“It isn’t right or fair to them for having me here messing up your everyday lives.” I fire back while chewing on a piece of bacon.
“Sydnee, I have been a hockey coach all of their lives, what is crazy for everyone else is normal for this family. I care to much about you to just let you go off on your own right now. And you’re over thinking, it is okay, you can let your guard down here. I promise you it is okay.”
“I just miss him,” my bottom lip quivers, “I don’t know what to do or who I am without him now. He saved me from myself, only to be the one to break me in every way possible. But on the other hand, he has every right to be upset with me, what I did was selfish and stupid. I shouldn’t have done what I did. It is my fault. It is always my fault.”
He notices the tears quickly falling down my cheeks and grabs a tissue before sitting at my side, “Sydnee hunny,” Jon wraps his arm around my shoulder and rests his chin on the top of my head, “it is not in any way your fault. You were scared and didn’t know what to do. No one is blaming either of you right now, and it isn’t your fault you had a bad past to cause this type of reaction. Plus being in a new relationship is hard enough, adding in the travel that it takes to be a hockey player makes it that much more difficult. But this isn’t your fault, I know you think that it is but I promise you that it isn’t.”
I sniffle and lean into him, “I messed everything up, I had the best thing in the world taken from me all because I was stupid and emotional. I thought by now I would have heard something from him, but I haven’t heard a single thing since I left.”
“I am going to play devil's advocate here for a second,” Jon sits up and holds me up as my shoulders, “think about what he is feeling right now, you both were in a fit of rage last night. I’m sure he is going through something similar too. Or he is letting himself cool off before he tries to make contact with you. You are both young and the emotions last night were really high for the both of you. You know better than anyone that Brandon is an emotional guy. Should he have reacted the way that he did? Of course not, but sometimes when people get scared they get angry. I’m sure he is trying to find a way to get back in touch with you all while being careful.”
“But that is just it, he shouldn’t have freaked out the way that he did, he knows my past and he knows I can’t handle going through things like this on my own but he didn’t even fight when I left. He just watched me walk out and didn’t try to stop me.”
“Hey, I am on your side, I completely agree with you that he shouldn’t have done what he did, just try to think how he felt in that moment when he found out. I am sure he was just scared he was going to lose you.”
I sit back on the couch and wrap up again, Jon’s words swirling around in my head as I mindlessly finish my plate of food. I hadn’t even realize I spaced out until I hear the back door open and little feet run into the living room. Two blond hair, blue eyed girls come into the livingroom.
“Dad! We are back - who are you?” They both stop in their tracks and look at me.
I take in their features quickly, blond hair, blue eyes, looking like the perfect mix between Jon and his wife.
“Girls, this is Sydnee, Brandon Hagel’s girlfriend. They are going through a bit of a rough patch right now and she didn’t have anywhere else to go so your mom and I are letting her stay here for a couple days until they get everything sorted out.” he motions to come into the living room and sit.
“Girls, I want you to meet Sydnee. Sydnee, these are my twins Julia and Josie.”
I look over at them and offer them a small smile, “Hi.”
“So you are the one I hear my parents talking about every once in a while.” Julia smiles back at me, “it is nice to finally meet you.”
I cock my head in Jon's direction, “you’ve talked about me before?”
“I told you, you are like another daughter to me. You remind me a lot of my girls. Just older of course.” He chuckles and stands up before kissing the twins on the tops of their heads, “I am going to get dinner started if anyone needs me. Stay and talk, get to know each other.”
The girls watch as their father leaves the room and I curl deeper into the couch, wanting to disappear.
“So, not trying to sound rude, but what caused you to end up at our house?” Josie ask once Jon is out of the room.
“Well Brandon, my boyfriend, and I had a really big fight over… personal matters. I was upset and when I threatened to leave he didn’t try to stop me. I have no friends here in the Tampa area, and your father and I had become close since Brandon got traded here back in March of 2022. I had only planned to stay here for the night and be out of the house before you two got back but your father insisted that I stay for a while longer until everything settles.”
Julia’s face softens and she gives a soft and sad smile, “I am so sorry. That sounds horrible. But my dad is right, you can stay here as long as you like. It really isn’t a problem. Right Jo?” She looks over at her sister.
“No not at all, plus if my dad likes you then you must be okay. And by the way, you are so pretty.”
My heart swells in my chest at their kind words, “You girls are so sweet. Your parents have done a good job raising you.”
They both smile brightly before getting up and walking to the kitchen to help their dad.
The day quickly turns to night and before I realize, it is late and I still haven’t heard from Brandon. I replay the conversation with Jon from earlier and my mind relaxes a little.
Jessie walks into the living room wrapped in her night robe, “we are turning in for the night, do you need anything?”
“No ma’am. I am okay, thank you though.”
“Sydnee please call me Jessie,” she smiles, “but if you need anything or you get hungry, by all means help yourself. There’s plenty to eat in this house.”
“Will do Jessie. Thank you. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she turns on her heel and walks off down a hall to where I assume is her and Jon’s bedroom.
The hours roll on and I am still wide awake, mindlessly scrolling through my phone when I hear a door close from the opposite side of the house, I look around to see Julia walking into the kitchen.
“Sydnee? What are you doing up?”
“Haven’t been able to fall asleep, it’s late though. Why are you awake? I wasn’t keeping you up was I?”
“Oh gosh you worry to much. No, you didn’t wake me up, didn’t even hear you until I walked out of my room and seen you sitting on the couch. I just needed a drink.”
I stand and go to the kitchen with her, reaching for two glasses, “do you mind filling me a glass since you are going to the fridge already?”
“Not at all,” she has a sweet smile on her face before filling both glasses and handing me one. “Now what is the real reason you’re not asleep?” she asks as she leans against the counter.
“My mind is a very loud place right now and I can’t help but worry about Brandon. I haven't heard from him in over 24 hours, we haven’t spent this much time apart since we first started dating and when he was on his road trips. And even then we would still check in on each other.”
“I’m sure that he is okay, I mean you both went through a lot together and this is just another bump in the road. But at the end of the day if he really loves you like he says he does, then he will find a way to make all of this right.”
“Are you sure you are only 16?” I chuckle and look over at her.
“I may or may not have watched too many Hallmark movies growing up with my mom,” She laughs and finishes her water, “I am going to go back to sleep, you should try getting some rest too.”
“Yeah,” I say softly, “goodnight Julia.”
“Goodnight Sydnee.”
Julia walks back to her bedroom and I curl back up in my spot on the couch, letting my mind wander to Brandon as I fall into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning I am woken again to the smell of food cooking in the kitchen, this time it is filled with laughter as Julia, Josie, Jessie and Jon make their way around each other to finish breakfast.
I walk in quietly and fill my water glass from last night, making sure to stay out of the way of the crew that is already filling the kitchen.
“Sydnee you’re awake! Just in time too, breakfast is almost ready.” Jon smiles as we piles pancakes onto a plate and sets them on the counter.
“Oh that is okay, I am not hungry.” I say quietly.
“Sydnee I know you have to be, I haven’t seen you eat anything since breakfast yesterday before I left for the grocery store. We always have more than enough to eat.” Jessie says from the coffee pot, “I even made sure to get your favorite coffee ground, Jon made sure I knew which one that you liked the most.”
“Jon… Jessie, you didn’t have to do all that for me. It is a gift enough that you are letting me stay here.”
“But we wanted too,” she offers a sweet smile and hands me a cup of coffee, “Now go sit at the table with the girls and we will have breakfast ready in a couple more minutes.”
I turn and go sit at the table where Julia and Josie finish getting the plates and silverware set up, “Do you guys have breakfast like this every morning?”
“If dad is home, yes. He loves to cook and be able to eat as a family. When he is on the road we kinda just eat whenever we aren’t bust but when he is home we eat at least one meal together. Keep us close and connected.” Josie says with a beaming smile on her face.
“I wish I had a family this close growing up, the only one I had for the longest time was my sister Jessica, but now she won’t even talk to me.”
“Well why doesn’t she talk to you?” Julia asks as she takes a sip of her orange juice.
“Because I fell in love with Brandon quicker than she thought I should have, and when I said I was moving down here with him when he got traded I lost all connection with her.”
“Well…” Josie trails off and looks at her sister before looking back at me, “we could be your sisters and family now! I know we haven’t really known each other real long, but if my parents like you enough to let you stay here and be welcomed in the way my dad then you must be a pretty decent person.”
I smile. A real smile. For the first time in days. My heart swells in my chest before I get up and hug them both. I relax when I feel them pull me into a deep and much needed hug, “I’m glad you girls accepted me. I know having a stranger in your home.”
Jon and Jessie walk in with food in their hands and even bigger smiles on their faces, “Well if this isn’t a sight to see. I was hoping you girls would, I know I don’t mind at all.” Jon smiles brightly as he sets the plates down on the table.
---------------------------------------
Jon
The rest of breakfast goes off without a hitch, the girls welcomed Sydnee with open arms, literally, and for the first time since Sydnee has been here I seen her smile. Her real smile and not the fake one she throws out there trying to trick her.
After we all get breakfast cleaned up, I head to the bedroom, shower and get dressed to go to the rink for the day. As I slip my shoes on I walk to all four of the girls in the living room, “I am heading to the rink for morning skate tonight before the game, if you need anything while I am out let me know and I will grab it on my way home.”
“Be careful hun, I will see you soon.” Jessie offers me the same loving and sweet smile that I fell in love with all those years ago.
I slip on my shoes and out the door before I can hear what the four are gossiping about. It warms my heart to know my family took to Sydnee the same way I did when I first met her.
Normally I am looking forward to going to the rink, seeing all the guys and always coming up with new strategies to win. The rink has become my second home, and those players have become like my second family. But today there is going to be unease as I see Brandon for the first time since the fight that the couple has had. I know better than to get involved in a players personal business but this one I don’t know if I can just let it slide. But I will keep my mouth shut as long as I can.
As I pull up to the players lot, I can see some of the guys already here. Brandon usually beats me here and his car is nowhere in sight. This is going to be the start of a long day already.
I head inside, throw on my skates and head out to the ice as the players slowly start trickling down there, I spot Brayden as he is one of the first on the ice. “Brayden, good morning.”
“Morning Coach, how was the day off yesterday.”
“It was great, much needed after the long road trip, just spent the day at home with the wife and the girls. How was yours?”
“Pretty good, mostly relaxed. Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Sure, what’s on your mind?”
“It’s about Hags, he is off. Last night he wanted me to meet him at the bar and he never drinks unless Sydnee is around, and even then he doesn’t drink the night before a game. Something isn’t right.”
I shrug and pretend like I am unaware of what is really going on, I don’t want their relationship out there for the world to know if they haven’t told anyone else yet.
“Hmm, I don’t know Pointers, I will talk to him today and see if I can get anything out of him. Thanks for letting me know though.”
Brayden gives me a nod before he skates off, about 15 minutes later, practice is about to start and just as I am about to close the bench door I see Brandon walking up the tunnel with bags under his eyes and sleep showing on his face.
“Nice of you to join us Hagel.”
“Whatever.” he grumbles and goes off to do his stretches.
“Hot laps, 10 of them lets go!” I give Brandon a quick glance and skate to the middle, “better shape up Hagel or it’ll be a long day for you. You know I don’t like players being late.”
“I’m not late Coop. Practice hasn’t started yet. Relax.”
“You know if it’s ‘on time’ then it’s late. Step it up.”
I hear him mumble under his breath but do not question him, he is already annoyed.
As practice goes on, I keep Brayden’s words in my head and everything that he says couldn’t be more true. Brandon is not himself at all, usually I have to get him to relax while the other guys are catching their breath and today it looks like he has cement in his skates.
I take one last look at the guys before I blow the whistle, “alright, good work today boys, everyone hit the showers, Hagel meet me in my office when you are done.”
“Oh someone is in trouble!” Anthony teases him only to be met with a scowl from Brandon.”
“Why don’t you mind your own business.”
“Well someone is a dang grouch.”
“C, leave it alone okay?” I pat Anthony on the shoulder and whisper, “he and Sydnee are going through a rough patch right now and neither of them are taking it well.”
Anthony’s face softens and looks back at Brandon as he makes his way down the hall, “Oh shoot I’m sorry Coop. I didn’t know.”
“You’re alright son, but you didn’t hear that from me. Got it?”
He gives a curt nod before going down the tunnel himself.
As the boys all file into the locker room, I am quick to take my skates off and go into my office, firing up my computer and waiting for Brandon to come in.
About 15 minutes later there is a soft knock on my door and my head pops up from being the computer screen, “come in.”
Brandon opens the door, somehow looking worse than before the practice started, “can we make this quick? I want to get going.”
“Go where exactly? The bar? Brayden told me you drank last night.”
“Well I wish he would keep his damn mouth shut.”
“Brandon… I know what happened between you and Sydnee.”
His spine goes ramrod straight and his face turns white, “how do you know about that? I didn’t think she would go telling anyone what happened.”
“Because she came to me the night it happened Brandon. She was lost and had nowhere else to go. She is alone and scared and you haven’t even checked in on her. She could have ended up in a bad place or side of town and you wouldn’t have had the slightest clue.”
“Well I’m glad she’s okay but it was her fault we had the fight in the first place?”
“Her fault huh? To me both of you are at fault. But it is by far not just her fault. She knocked on my door shaking and scared. The poor thing has hardly slept since the has been there, and you want to say it is only her fault? Brandon I know you better than this. You gotta grow up here.”
“But she started the whole thing by getting depressed and cutting herself while I was gone. Saying I was goin–”
I hold my hand up to stop him, “listen to yourself Brandon. ‘She started the whole thing by getting depressed’. Did those words really just fall out of your mouth? I thought you were better than that. You should know first hand what it is like to deal with depression, and you know her past better than anyone. You know she gets scared when she is left alone for to long from what her parents did to her. She was scared Brandon, now was she right to harm herself? No. But her mind is constantly attacking itself and she didn’t know what to do.”
“She could have called or something! Instead she took matters into her own hands and now look at where we are!”
“Be lucky she isn’t dead Brandon!” I feel my anger getting the best of me and I take a deep breath before continuing, “be lucky she is even still here. She has been sleeping on my couch waiting just to hear if you are okay. She is broken, and so are you. I have seen what you are like with her and what you are like without her. And right now Brandon, you are a mess. I don’t like seeing you this way. You are a much better guy than this and I know you can be. Come on man you gotta at least try to work this out with her. I am worried about both of you.”
“I just… I know you’re right coach, but I don’t know. When I found those cuts on her legs, I panicked. All I could see was my two uncles headstones because,” he posses for a minute before continuing, “well you know what happened. And sometimes I struggle myself. I freaked out, I was scared, I was angry. I know what I did was wrong but I figured she would have at least tried to contact me by now.”
“And I understand where you’re coming from Brandon, I do. But think about the whole situation from her end, growing up she was basically forgotten about with her family right?”
“Yes sir.”
“Alright, and she would try to be in their lives but they pushed her away? That is what was going through her mind when you weren’t answering, now I am no medical profesional, but she suffers from PTSD, she was also scared. She did what her body knew what to do and that was to protect her mind in any way that it could, which was causing physical harm to take away the mental harm that was already done in her head.”
As I speak I see his face changing, finally softening after coming in with an attitude, “Hags, you know I don’t like being hard on you, you’re one of my top guys, but I will also protect her like another daughter of mine. I am not trying to get in the middle of your relationship, but there this is a time I had to.”
“I understand Jon, I guess, I never was thinking about how she was feeling in that moment, all I felt was my own emotions that I wasn’t thinking about her. How is she? Is she okay?”
“She’s okay all things considering, shes been glued to the couch. My wife finally got her to eat a little and when I left Josie and Julia were getting her to talk a little more. But she’s doing okay.”
“I don’t even know what I would say to her if I seen her right now.” he whispers and finally lets his shoulders relax, a sign he is finally ready to listen.
“Well, I’m sorry would be a start. But don’t think about that right now. There is a time and a place for that and on game day isn’t it. I know you want to see her and tell her everyting but the emotions are high, on game days it is even worse. Let’s get through tonights game and you can try to contact her, okay?”
He nods and stands and I match his movement, “thank you Jon, I think I needed this reality check more than I realized.”
“That is what makes the difference between a coach and a leader, my door here and at home are always open if you need advice, okay?”
“I will keep that in mind for the future, thanks again coach. I will see you tonight.”
I give him a slight smile before returning to my work.
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Sydnee
Before I know it, it is game time and Julia and Josie are sitting on the flor while Jessie is sitting on the couch with the Lightning pre game on, Jessie looks over at me as the camera pans to Brandon and his pre game warm ups.
“Sydnee we don’t have to watch this, we can change the channel.”
“No Jessie, I already said it is okay, I want you guys to go on living as if I am not here. There is no need to cater towards my needs when this is your home.”
“I know you have said that, but it can’t be easy watching the game and seeing him.” She gives me a soft smile.
“Well, no ma’am it isn’t but I still have friends on the team as well, I still want to see the team do well even if Brandon and I aren’t speaking.”
“You are a strong girl you know? I wouldn’t be able to watch if I was in your shoes.”
I chuckle softly and curl up into the blanket, this thing has been like my life line over the last couple days.
The Lightning go on to win 3-1 over the leafs, Brandon recording a fight and an assist. So many parts wanted to cheer for him, especially after completely manhandling the fight, but many parts made my heart ache, not knowing where we stand with each other.
Julia, Josey, and Jessie all turn in for the night after the game is over and post game interviews are shown. Jon walks in about an hour after the girls all go to their rooms.
“Nice win tonight Jon,” I say softly from my spot on the couch, I swear I am going to leave a permanent butt print behind once I figure out where I am going next.
“Thanks kid, full team effort tonight that is for sure. No win against Toronto is ever easy.”
Chuckling softly I push myself deeper into the couch, “everyone went to their rooms for the night, I was going to turn the lights out and go to sleep myself but didn’t want you coming home to a dark house.”
“Oh Sydnee you could have, I know this place like the back of my hand, but I am glad you’re awake still. Someone is here to see you.”
My blood runs cold and I freeze, “I don’t want to talk to him.”
“Syd, just hear him out. I promise you it’ll be worth it.”
I huff and stand, “fine, but I am taking the blanket with me.”
“If that is what it takes to get you to talk to him then by all means, he is waiting outside on the porch, I will be just on the other side of the door if you need me okay?”
“I can’t believe you’re making me do this..” I whisper and walk quietly towards the door.
As I open the door, Brandon is standing there in a all black suit and tie, dressed to the nines. An odd sight for it being as late as it is and standing on his coaches front porch. In his hand is a dozen black roses. My favorite. The fact that he found them makes my heart beat harder in my chest.
I pull my blanket tighter around me before stepping onto the porch and facing him for the first time since our fight. It is taking everything in my power to hold myself back from running into his arms and breaking down.
“Baby…” his voice cracks when he finally meets my eyes.
Stay strong Sydnee, you got this.
“Don’t ‘baby’ me Brandon. Not until you explain everything.”
“I don’t even know where to start, but first I want to say that I love you, more than anything else in the world and what I did was incredibly stupid and wrong. I should have listened to you and try to understand where you were coming from.”
“You’re damn right Brandon, your words. They cut deeper than any knife that could have been used, I thought I was going to die right then and there when you didn’t even fight to keep me from leaving. You always fight, and it wasn’t there.”
“And if I could take all of those mean and hurtful things back I would, in a heartbeat I would do it. You know the last thing that I want in life is to hurt you.”
“Really? Because right now, that’s all I feel from you is hurt, hurt in ways I have never felt before. So let me ask you, why did you do it? Say all those words if you didn’t mean them?”
“Because, when I felt your leg, and your cuts. I panicked.” He looks away and bites his lips, storm clouds building in his brown eyes, “I freaked out because I know if I didn’t come home when I did I could have lost you forever, I know how bad your depression can be, and I know how serious it is, you know I lost people to it in the past. I was scared baby.”
“Well you had a real funny way of showing it.” I hug the blanket closer to my body, suddenly feeling very small and fragile.
“Sydnee if there is any way in the world I can make this up to you, tell me and I will find a way to make it happen. But baby I promise you I can’t go on knowing you’re not home with me.”
“Why didn’t you check in. I get it you were mad, fine whatever, but if you care so much like you say you do, why didn’t you care enough to at least text me to see if I was okay? I could have been robbed and left on the street if I didn’t have the right mind to come here.”
“Because I wasn’t myself. I wasn’t in my right mind. I went on a two day bender and have hardly slept. Coming home to an empty house made me realize how much I screwed up and I thought you hated me after what I said.”
“Brandon..” I whisper, “no force on this earth could ever get me to hate you. I might be super mad at you yes, but I could never hate you. Come on now, you’re smarter than that.”
“I know, that is why I said I wasn’t in my right mind. Baby please, I’m begging for forgiveness. I am so incredibly sorry for everything I said to hurt you.” Tears spill from his eyes and he doesn’t stop them, this is how I know he means what he says.
My mind tells me to stay strong, let him feel the pain that I felt since the fight happened, but my body betrays me and my feet close the gap between us and I wrap my arms tightly around his middle, “Don’t you ever make me feel like I am worth less than what I am. Got it?” I burry my face into his chest and cry softly.
“I won’t baby, I’m here.” I feel him leave a gentle kiss to the top of my head, “I’m here and I am not going anywhere. I promise. But please promise me one thing.”
I look up at him and wait for him to continue.
“Whenever you’re feeling like that, talk to me okay? You know I will do anything in my power to help you. I love you and I don’t want you feeling alone like that ever again.”
“I promise Brandon.”
I stand on my toes and kiss his cheek gently, “now how on earth did you find black roses at this time of night? And the black suit is stunning on you.”
He offers a small chuckle, “let me grab your bag and I will explain in the car on the way home.”
14 notes · View notes
luvmmarner · 2 years ago
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TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
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This is the list of ONLY the Tampa Bay Lightning players' imagines/fics.
✶ = smut
♡ = fluff
✰ = angst
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ANTHONY CIRELLI ➮ i hate you not ✶ together ROSS COLTON (coming soon)
10 notes · View notes
misshoneyimhome · 10 months ago
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But with three of us, honey, it's a sideshow I William Nylander & Matthew Knies - Part two
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Summary; A quote by Hector Urquhart goes "One man's rubbish may be another's treasure" - however, what happens, when the first man realises that it wasn't rubbish after all?
Other notes: Alrighty babes, so here's the continuation (yes, there will be a part three) of the threesome drama I've been imagining 🙃 And if you notice me alternating between the good guy and the bad guy, it's because I'm debating with myself along the way 😉 Anyway, I hope you still find it enjoyable 🤍
Tropes & Warnings; William Nylander x Matthew Knies x reader, Friends to lovers; jealousy; 18+ smut; fingering, protected penetrative sex (p in v); bloody nose, mild "fighting";
Word count; 6.2K+
Taglist; @couldawouldashoulda50 @findapenny @justwanderingbutneverlost @Fortheloveofnylander
➼。゚
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The game against the Tampa Bay Lightning turned out to be incredibly frustrating and verging on awful for the Leafs. They just didn’t perform at their best, and the Lightning quickly gained the upper hand. Only Auston’s power play goals offered a glimmer of hope for the team, but it was short-lived as they struggled to coordinate effectively.
And what was particularly evident to everyone, especially the team's coaching staff, was the lack of teamwork between players 88 and 23. So, as the game ended with a 4-1 loss for the Leafs, Coach Keefe wasted no time in pulling the two players aside in the corridor.
“I don’t know what the fuck is going on between you two… but whatever it is, you better fucking sort it out and stop behaving like spoiled kids.”
“Yes coach…” 
“Sorry, coach…”
It was a stern reprimand, but a necessary one. While neither player had intentionally avoided each other on the ice, their subconscious actions had influenced their performance, which was unacceptable at their level of play.
So, as they stood there in the Scotiabank Arena corridor, exchanging glances, they understood that they had to address the issue. Their focus had to be on the game, and no personal matters should interfere. However, putting this into practice would prove to be much easier said than done.
Once both lads had changed into their regular attire and left the locker room to greet the gathered family and friends, they purposefully avoided you. Not out of desire, but out of necessity.
You seemed to be a source of disruption for both of them, and at that moment, they needed to clear their minds and concentrate on hockey. With the playoffs looming closer, both of them had much to demonstrate.
And in truth, you didn’t mind the avoidance. You weren’t inclined to confront either of them, so the lingering silence among the three of you created a strangely calming atmosphere for the already lacklustre evening.
Even in the subsequent two days, there was minimal communication from both players, leaving you feeling somewhat unsettled. Unsure of the nature of their exchange, you contemplated initiating a conversation, but instead, you welcomed the drama-free days, immersing yourself in work and sidestepping your own conflicting emotions.
However, that all changed when you were picking up your favourite coffee at the quaint nearby café you frequented, and you turned around only to find William's handsome face before you.
“Willy,” you gasped, feeling a sense of déjà vu as if history were repeating itself with his unexpected appearance.
“Hey y/n,” he spoke softly, a charming smile playing on his lips.
“What are you doing here?” you asked tentatively, aware that this wasn’t exactly his usual haunt, though close enough for him to drop by easily.
William chuckled lightly, shrugging as he gestured towards his hands in his pockets. “Just passing by, taking the dogs for a walk,” he nodded towards the window, where you spotted Pablo and Banksy tied up outside, patiently awaiting their owner.
“Oh,” you simply replied, surprised by the slight prickle of disappointment that flickered in your heart.
“And... I sort of... was hoping to bump into you,” William admitted nervously, rubbing the back of his neck as he avoided meeting your gaze.
And just like that, the disappointment swiftly faded, replaced by a small smile that crept onto your lips. You couldn’t quite pinpoint why this moment held such significance for you, but seeing William here, making an effort to find you on a Tuesday before the match later, warmed something inside you.
“Oh,” you responded with a gentle smile, still standing amidst the quiet of the small coffee shop. Fortunately, there were few people around, given that it was just before the afternoon rush. “Why... why were you hoping to see me?” you asked softly, the curiosity evident in your voice.
“Well, uh... I mean... I think I just... I just wanted to apologise... for being distant and all...” William began, his tone hesitant as he tried to collect his thoughts and find the best way to express himself. Then taking a deep breath, he timidly continued, “Listen, y/n... I know you’ve started something with Kniesy, and... that you’re happy, but... I’ve come to realise that lately, I’ve just been missing you a lot, and, I know, it’s a pretty mad and shitty thing to do, but... I just know that I really like you  - and I’d hate myself if I didn’t tell you that… I guess I’m sort of... maybe, in love or something…” William released a heavy sigh of relief. “I’m not trying to come between you two, but... at least now you know... sorry.”
You couldn’t believe it. Was he truly serious right now? Just when you were finally making an effort to move on from him, to try and bury the wonderful moments you’d shared, he drops this bombshell.
Lost for words, your eyes nearly glistened as your mind waged an internal battle between wanting to punch him and wanting to kiss him. But instead, you remained still, managing only a soft voice.
“Yeah... this is a pretty shitty thing to do, Willy,” you said, mustering half a smile. “Where was all of this last year?”
“I’m sorry,” he repeated, his apology sincere. “I guess I was just so focused on hockey that... I didn’t want to risk, you know, feelings messing with it…” he admitted with another sigh. “But as it turns out, they did anyway... and now I fear I’ve lost you for good.”
You had to swallow hard as you noticed the sincerity in his eyes, and you couldn’t deny that his words made your heart sink in your chest. Taking a deep breath, you tried to find the best words to navigate this difficult situation.
“Willy, you could never lose me for good,” you whispered. “But... I didn’t need to see you with someone else to know I liked you... and now, I’m just worried that the only reason you feel this way is because of Kniesy…”
A part of you resisted believing that this was true, but you’d been hurt enough times before to know this seemed like the most likely explanation.
“Y/n, I swear... I mean, seeing you with him did make me realise it, but…” William struggled to find the right words. “It’s not about him... it’s about you. And the other night, when you called me because you were scared... it just hit me how much you really mean to me… But if you say you don’t feel anything for me and you want me to stay away…. Then I promise I will…”
Once again, you found yourself unable to reply, your breath caught in your throat as he left you breathless. His hold over you was a mystery, and you knew he was tearing you apart. Yet, your heart raced as his mesmerising eyes locked with yours and his smile erased all logic in an instant.
“Anyway… I just, uh... I guess I just wanted to tell you that… so, I’ll see you around…”
And with that, he left you in turmoil, your thoughts swirling as you remained breathless and undone. “Fuck...” you muttered under your breath as you watched him casually stroll away with his doodles by his side.
_
William Nylander had you completely captivated, and no amount of work could distract you from thoughts of him. His name and face seemed to follow you everywhere, whether on the street, social media, or the radio. And it made sense—he was a hockey star in Toronto, having one of the best seasons of his career, and naturally, he was receiving all the attention he deserved.
And every time you caught sight of his handsome Swedish face; a quiet ‘fuck’ would escape your lips.
But what truly caused the ache was the fact that your heart was torn in two, and you knew you had to confront it. Ignoring it wouldn't make it disappear, especially since both William and Matthew were part of your inner circle of friends, and you would soon see them both again.
And with the playoffs drawing nearer, the players' focus would soon be solely on that, and for good reason. While they had almost secured their spot to advance, the real challenge lay ahead.
So, as you headed to Matthew’s apartment on a fateful Friday evening for a casual dinner and a movie, your hidden agenda was to resolve things. At least within yourself. You knew you had feelings for him, but a part of you couldn’t let go of William either, and you didn’t want to be unfair to Matthew. In your mind, he deserved only the best, and right now, you couldn’t provide that.
“Hey,” he greeted you with a broad smile as he opened the front door, and immediately, you couldn’t help but return the smile. Despite rehearsing how you would approach the situation on your way there, he completely flipped the script as you stepped into his cosy apartment and saw that he had already prepared, or attempted to prepare, dinner. The dining table was set with a cloth and fake candle lights, almost like the most romantic gesture a man had ever made for you. And your heart swelled in that moment.
“Matts…” you breathed softly, wide-eyed, and breathless as you stood frozen in place. “You didn’t have to do this…”
You were taken aback. He was being so sweet that suddenly, all the rational thoughts about ending things slowly faded into the background of your mind.
“I know I didn’t…” Matthew chuckled lightly as he came to stand gently behind you, softly caressing your arms as he smoothly helped you out of your coat. “But I wanted to.”
Matthew Knies wasn’t particularly an expert about romance. In fact, he was a rather typical young boyish lad, with hockey and hanging out with his teammates occupying his thoughts. However, ever since you’d entered the picture, a small part of him wanted to explore the realm of romance. You seemed more mature, with your life seemingly in order and possessing a strong mind - and he wanted to impress you.
So, drawing from his limited experience in past relationships, he saw the chance to woo you in a way he believed William wouldn’t. Recognising that his Swedish teammate had already captured your affection with his sexual talents, charming personality, and grounded demeanour, Matthew decided to take a different approach. He thought that his own mix of youthful innocence yet mature demeanour could work in his favour—romantic gestures with a hint of flirtation.
And it was working.
As the evening slowly unfolded, you found yourself swiftly enchanted by Matthew's charm as you savoured the delightful dinner. Sure, perhaps the culinary skills could have been improved, but that wasn’t the crux of the matter. The important part of the evening lay in the effort Matthew had invested in it all.
And soon, both of you were immersed in hearty laughter, exchanging jokes and interests as you had done countless times before. In that very moment, he was the most important person in your life—someone with whom you could truly be yourself and unwind. His company required little social energy, and it suited you perfectly.
However, as you finished dining and began to clear the table together, what should have been a simple and innocent task took on a more sensual tone. With gentle touches as you manoeuvred around the small kitchen, occasionally brushing against each other and sharing giggles, it was inevitable that the movie night would carry a certain level of sexual tension. 
You tried to maintain your composure, really, you did. However, as Matthew tenderly enveloped you in his strong arm, drawing you nearer to his large, comforting frame while lounging on the sofa, you couldn’t resist the yearning inside you.
The memory of the pleasurable sensation of his lips was all too vivid, and soon enough, you found yourself back in his embrace, your mouths meeting as your fingers tangled in his hair and your tongues intertwined.
It was intense and brimming with desire as you straddled his lap, your body moving against his in a sensual rhythm as his hands explored your form.
Matthew was undeniably attractive, that much was certain. But this wasn’t part of the plan. You weren’t supposed to feel this exhilarated with his chest against yours, your hips moving against him as if your primal instincts had taken control.
No, you were supposed to end things. To explain to him that he deserved someone fully committed to him, not torn in two.
Yet, as you delved deeper into the passionate kiss, there was no room for such thoughts.
Instead, you were consumed by pleasure, gripping his brown locks tighter as he nibbled your lower lip and sighed softly into the kiss.
To be fair, this hadn’t been Matthew’s plan either. He had simply wanted to impress you with a romantic dinner. Yet he didn’t exactly protest when he felt you responding to him. In fact, he felt rather pleased about it, sensing your longing for him as much as he longed for you. Perhaps he had secretly hoped for this to happen, yet he didn’t want to get his hopes up too high, knowing you still had feelings for someone else.
But the moment your lips were locked in a passionate kiss, Matthew’s worries about William faded into insignificance, and his sole desire was for you.
The sensation of your body pressed against his surpassed anything he had imagined. And though he had experienced a glimpse of it before, tonight, he yearned for more, his hard member, evident in the bulge in his trousers, betrayed his most fervent desires.
The small living room was growing warmer with each passing moment, almost overwhelming you as your body yearned for more than just his lips. And when you finally pulled apart to catch your breath, your eyes locked in a lustful gaze, both exhaling deeply as you contemplated what would happen next.
You couldn’t resist the pull towards him. With your core throbbing between your legs and feeling his bulge pressing against you, you lacked the willpower to resist the situation.
And while Matthew took a moment to think it over as well before proceeding, there was no doubt about his desires.
So, summoning the courage, he had gathered from their romantic dinner, he gently tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear as he spoke softly.
“Want to… go upstairs?”
His voice remained steady, devoid of any trace of insecurity, which only fuelled your desire for him. And with a soft smile and a teasing bite to your lower lip, you nodded, encouraging him to effortlessly lift you into his arms and carry you upstairs to his bedroom.
The touch of the younger hockey player was nothing short of exquisite. The way his lips lingered on yours as he eased you onto the mattress was pure bliss. His hands on your curves were both firm and gentle as he explored every contour, slowly undressing you.
In return, you took the initiative to remove his t-shirt, unbuckle his belt, and slide down his jeans. Matthew's physique was simply impressive. His toned torso resembled that of a Greek god, with broad shoulders and hips that were nothing short of captivating.
Likewise, he admired your body as you lounged before him in your underwear. The light blue lace complemented your skin beautifully, while your bra provided just the right amount of support without distorting the natural size of your breasts. Your hips formed a graceful curve, your thighs exuding strength. And as his gaze devoured every inch of you, he couldn't help but lick his lips in anticipation.
Then with a playful smirk, Matthew leaned in for a quick kiss before kneeling back and slowly pulling down your panties, revealing your core to him. And it was a delightful surprise for him to feel your wetness, as he wasted no time in stroking his thick fingers along your folds, preparing you for the pleasure to come.
And it felt good. A soft gasp then escaped your lips as Matthew allowed his fingers to gently penetrate you, stretching you slowly, while your toes curled into the sheets beneath you, and soft moans spilled from your lips as ecstasy washed over you.
The hockey player was utterly captivated by the array of expressions crossing your face as he skilfully massaged your inner walls, surprised by how much pleasure it brought him to please you. Yet, beneath it all, he felt a deeper longing to feel his own length buried within you. The mere sensation of his fingers enveloped by your tightness and warmth caused him to already drip with pre-cum in his boxers. So, with gentle care, he withdrew his fingers before discarding his final piece of clothing.
Matthew was a big boy, much as you had anticipated even before seeing him naked. And as you saw his long and thick member, hard and proud, you were relieved he had used his fingers first. In comparison to William, his proportions were likely similar in scale, but Matthew stood a little taller and broader, so his member naturally slightly larger.
Then rising from the mattress, you couldn’t tear your eyes away from him as he carefully rolled a condom onto his shaft, your anticipation nearly palpable as you longed to be filled and stimulated. And fortunately, you didn’t have to wait long.
Drawing you into another kiss, Matthew reignited the fire between you, gently parting your legs as he removed your bra, his hands tenderly exploring your rounded breasts. Meanwhile, your fingers threaded through his hair as you pulled him in for a deeper kiss, the mutual longing for the final act palpable between you.
And then, a surge of confidence coursed through you. Biting his lip, you signalled for him to lie back, to which he complied. You weren’t typically the dominant type in bed, but given that Matthew entirely wasn’t either, at least not with you, you seized the opportunity to take control.
So, straddling his hips, you gently guided his cock between your folds, riding it a few times while supporting yourself on his chest. Then, with careful precision, you positioned the tip at your entrance and pressed it in slowly. Gasping, you allowed him to stretch you as you relied on your legs for support, sinking down a little before rising back up, repeating the motion until he was fully inside you.
“Oh, fuck, Matts,” you cried as he filled you completely. He was definitely bigger than William, although lacking the slight curve that would hit your sensitive spot every time.
But as soon as you had adjusted to his size, you gently began to rock your hips, his shaft sliding in and out of your moist cunt with each sensual movement.
Moans filled the room as pleasure engulfed both of you, Matthew's hands finding your hips for support as your tightness brought him a little closer to climax sooner than he expected. But he couldn’t resist the intense sensations. You felt incredible around him, and the faster you rode him, the louder his moans grew, and the nearer he came to the edge.
And it was gratifying to watch him pant beneath you, his eyes occasionally fluttering shut and his breath erratic as he struggled to maintain composure. You sensed his climax approaching, mirroring the impending arrival of your own.
So, with the orgasm building in your stomach, you increased your pace, your fingers digging into his chest while your breaths mimicked his—panting and gasping in unison.
Though it didn’t flow as smoothly and naturally as it had with William, it was still pleasurable. Matthew felt good inside you, and his physique was impressive. Yet, you couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. With William, there had been a sense of fluidity, effortlessly moving around and smiling as he brought you to climax.
With Matthew, it required more effort. You had to focus on riding him and bringing yourself closer to orgasm. Even his thumb on your clit didn’t quite get you there, and after a short while, you started to worry that you wouldn’t reach the peak you desired.
However, everything changed when Matthew grew more eager, suddenly flipping you over into missionary position. With his hands on either side of your head, he picked up a faster and harder pace, thrusting into you deeply.
And at this point, the intensity was overwhelming. His large cock overstimulated your walls as he pounded into you with quick and passionate motions. Your hands instinctively grasped the back of his shoulders, your legs wrapping around his lower back as euphoria consumed you entirely. Your eyes nearly rolled back in your head, your nails digging deep into his shoulder blades as your climax now quickly approached.
It was more fervent and eager than it had been with William, perhaps a bit less refined compared to the older hockey player's skill and experience, yet it felt surprisingly satisfying. Your moans were loud cries mixed with whines of pleasure, and you found your fingers digging deeper than you intended.
But in that moment, neither of you cared. Matthew's mind was entirely consumed by the intensity of the moment, his deep gasps punctuating each eager thrust as he knew he was nearing climax. Despite his desire for a more romantic encounter, your tightness around him was too much to resist.
And with a few final hard pounds, he let out a deep grunt as he released himself, thrusting one last time and pushing you over the edge as well. Loud moans, almost screams, filled the room as both of you reached your peaks, yet the rush of orgasm didn’t linger as long as it had after your encounters with William.
Stop it, you reminded yourself. You couldn’t keep comparing the two.
You had to push every thought of William out of your head as you slowly came down from the high, your mind emerging from the blur as Matthew gently withdrew from you. And despite feeling a twinge of guilt when Matthew returned from the bathroom and pulled you in for a cuddle on the warm, steamed mattress, you pushed it aside.
The fervent and intense sex had shifted back to the romantic and sweet atmosphere that had characterised the beginning of your evening, with Matthew turning to face you, gently stroking your features as he admired your beauty.
Lying on your sides, you let the soft moment linger, the scent of sweat and sex filling the bedroom as you simply enjoyed his tender touches and the comforting atmosphere. And though you had briefly felt guilty, Matthew had a knack for washing away all concerns. In his arms, you felt safe and content, and there was no reason to feel guilty about that. Especially not considering the outcome of your casual relationship with William Nylander, who, for the record, had been the one to avoid any progression into a more serious relationship, and then had the audacity to confess his feelings for you months later, when it was too late.
No, Matthew Knies was different. He was sweet, kind, gentle, and caring. He showed his emotions openly, despite the looming playoffs. He wasn’t afraid of love like William had been, and since you weren’t either, being with him felt incredibly fulfilling.
It should have been a no-brainer.
Matthew embodied everything desirable in a potential partner, despite his younger age. While he may have been slightly less mature, it wasn’t as pronounced as many would assume.
But William had left his mark on you so deeply. It felt as if he had poisoned your mind and heart, his influence spreading through your veins like venom. So, despite the comfort and warmth Matthew provided, you chose not to stay the night after your intimacy, as you reasoned with an early morning and the need for him to focus on the upcoming game. And though being with him felt incredible, you had to admit to yourself that your heart still wasn’t fully committed.
Naturally, he was disappointed, but he understood your reasoning. Part of him knew that the rational and sensible choice would be to let you go and simply focus on hockey and his career. Yet, as you left his apartment, a sense of emptiness lingered. It felt as though you were the missing piece in his otherwise hectic yet successful life.
_
As the morning skate approached, Matthew felt like a renewed person. The night with you had been nothing short of wonderful, and as he prepared for the game day, he couldn’t help but smile.
Matthew understood that you weren’t completely devoted to him, at least not yet. However, he was confident that you felt something for him, something deep and profound. In the time he had spent getting to know you, he had learned that you weren’t malicious or intentionally trying to hurt him. You were simply torn between two men you cared for deeply, unable to make a choice.
And he tried to empathise with your dilemma. While he wished you would declare that you had forgotten about his Swedish teammate, he recognised that pressuring you to make a decision would only exacerbate the situation. So, for now, he accepted the situation as it was. Even as he arrived at the training centre, his lips still curved in happiness, and his demeanour did not go unnoticed by his teammates.
“Woohooo,” Auston whistled. “You seem a little too happy over there, Kniesy!”
“What’s brought such a smile to your handsome face?” Gio added, joining in the laughter.
“Or more like who?” Max chimed in with a grin.
It was nothing but the typical banter among teammates that filled the locker room as they all undressed to change into their gear. However, something more profound caught their attention this time, prompting a need for answers.
"Whoa, hold up there, beasty!" Auston nearly shouted, noticing the scratch marks on his fellow Arizona teammate's back. "Who the fuck has been doing some artwork on you?"
"And more importantly," Max chuckled deeply, "what did you do to deserve it?"
Dark chuckles filled the room as more players gathered to admire the nail scratches left from your intense night with the forward the night before.
"Looks like someone got laid last night!" Reaves added with a loud, deep grin. "And who's the lucky girl?"
"Or guy?" Mitch playfully joked.
Matthew took a small breath, glancing over to the empty stall where William would have been sitting if he hadn't been perpetually late, before deciding to speak up. "Her name is y/n," he spoke proudly, perhaps slightly boasting, though it lacked the same satisfaction without William in the room.
"Wait, you mean Willy's y/n?" Auston raised a brow, a light grin playing on his lips.
"Well..." Matthew began to respond, but then Max interjected.
"Oh, she's not Willy's girl anymore, man! Did you see those marks? Seems like our freshman here really showed her what a real man can do!"
Matthew felt a twinge of embarrassment at the words, but it was quickly overshadowed by the pride he felt. He had given you a good time, and the marks you left showcased the pleasure he had provided you.
And he couldn’t help it as his eyes gleamed with pride and he chuckled along with the other players. However, as the door then swung open, the laughter faded into a subdued murmur as William walked in, fashionably late as usual.
"What?" he asked, noticing the not-so-subtle change in atmosphere.
But the boys simply muttered 'nothing' before returning to gearing up for practice before the crucial match. They all sensed it was better to keep things low-key before the match that could either propel them into the playoffs or have them fighting for a few more games.
And it almost worked, until the practice games had William and Matthew facing off on opposite teams.
Initially, it hadn’t been a problem. William had resolved to act maturely about the situation, acknowledging his own villain role in it and allowing you to make your own decisions about how you felt toward each of them.
But as training progressed and he and Matthew found themselves in continuous physical battles on the ice, tension began to mount. What started as friendly hockey banter, suddenly changed when Max couldn't keep his mouth shut, and the atmosphere shifted.
"Looks like Kniesy isn’t just stealing Willy’s girl – he’s also beating his ass on the ice!"
Those words set William's mind spinning. What did Max mean by that?
Yet trying to shake it off, the Swedish forward focused on the training match, but to his frustration, he missed a crucial opportunity for a goal.
“Fucking hell!” he shouted loudly, banging his stick against the boards in frustration.
“Hey,” Auston came over, lightly chuckling. “Just because Kniesy’s sleeping with your girl, you don’t need to take it out on your stick, man.”
It was meant to be nothing but a playful remark, a joke among teammates, but William didn’t find it amusing at all.
“What did you just say?” he asked with a serious tone, more serious than Auston had expected.
"We- well… you know… Kniesy and y/n…" Auston stuttered, realising he might have just sparked something more serious.
“They what?” William asked again, his tone stern as his eyes fixed on the smiling freshman on the ice.
Matthew hadn’t intended to taunt William about his success in winning over a girl, but as the Swede took to the ice once more, an urge within him rose to showcase his newfound confidence and dominance.
As the two players were positioned in front of each other, they were ready to face off. And that's when William couldn’t maintain his composure any longer.
“You slept with her?” His eyes bore deeply into his teammate's, who simply nodded.
“Last night,” Matthew confirmed, prompting William to nod, his throat tightening as he imagined his teammate's hands on you.
“Hmm…” he muttered under his breath, unsure of how to react.
But before he could respond further, Matthew, perhaps emboldened by his newfound confidence, spoke again. “Guess I won her after all.”
And those were the wrong words to utter in William’s presence. Straightening his back, he halted the game and skated closely to Matthew’s face. “She’s not a prize to be won.”
The Swede asserted his dominance over his teammate, causing everyone to pause and observe the unfolding confrontation.
“Come on, Willy,” Matthew huffed, giving his shorter teammate a little push. “You’re just angry because you were the one who treated her like shit... and now she doesn’t want to be with you.”
“Fuck you, Kniesy!” William shot back, but Matthew was ready to defend himself.
“Oh yeah? Well, she did!”
And this had William push back, both physically and verbally, relinquishing the control he had been determined to maintain.
“Well, at least I know I won’t always be her second choice!”
What transpired between the first punch and the two boys ending up in the locker room with ice packs on their faces and towels containing the blood streaming from their noses was a blur to most. It happened so quickly, both players taking swings at each other in a fight far more intense and serious than any on-ice altercation. The coaches naturally intervened, while Tavares and Morgan pulled them apart, and with Reaves and other players chuckling in the background.
It was a coincidence that you had been nearby, as Stephanie had invited you to join her and some of the girls for preparations in case the Leafs continued into the playoffs. But the joy you had felt among the girls froze when you heard what had happened at training, prompting you to swiftly make your way to the Ford Performance Center.
Walking through the halls, your heart pounded in your chest, uncertain of what to expect when you faced the two boys who had torn your heart in two and claimed a part each.
And as you entered the locker room, you couldn't help but mutter, "Shit…" under your breath. Yet, other than your soft curse, there was silence. The tension filled the air as the three of you stood and sat frozen, no one wanting to take the first step and potentially worsen the situation.
It was as if all three of you were silently expressing the guilt you felt toward one another. 
William for dismissing you and then trying to reclaim your deep feelings for him and acting aggressively toward his teammate. 
Matthew for attempting to win you over despite knowing your feelings for his teammate, and then wanting to boast about his success. 
And you, for leading Matthew on while being unable to let go of William, unwilling to accept that Matthew might be the better choice, yet not fully believing it, as William still held a grip on your heart.
It was anything but an easy situation. And sensing your inner panic, the turmoil you were feeling as he saw your concerned expression shifting between him and his teammate, William chose to be the one to act.
Rising from his seat, the Swede let out a deep sigh, his eyes meeting yours in a heartfelt gaze. And without a word, he decided to be the one to walk away. He didn’t want to be the cause of your pain anymore, so he stepped down.
“Willy…” you softly gasped as your heart felt like it was being ripped out of your chest, a tear forming in the corner of your eye as you followed his movement.
You were on the verge of breaking, tears pressing on, yet you managed to focus on controlling your breathing. In the corner of your eye, you noticed Matthew’s intense stare as he watched your reaction, curious to see whether you would stop William or let him go.
And as it turned out, William walked out of the locker room, leaving you alone with Matthew.
Your heart pounded faster than ever before; palms sweaty as a tear trailed down your cheek. Breathing felt almost impossible in the moment, and your mind, soul, and body felt torn apart. You had never expected a heartbreak to hurt this much, and never had you expected it would be William to be the one to cause it.
The air felt thick, and though a small part of you felt relieved that now you didn’t have to make the hard choice between them, another part didn’t want that to be the case. So, without even consciously acknowledging your next move, you suddenly found yourself moving out of your frozen position and making your way with fast steps out of the locker room, following William.
“Willy, wait!” you heard yourself shout. But he didn’t stop. Instead, he just kept on walking, so you picked up your pace. “Willy, please!”
“What for?” he suddenly responded, halting in the middle of the corridor as he turned to face you. He didn’t shout, yet his facial expression conveyed signs of defeat and hurt.
“Because I don’t want you to leave…” you tried to argue, but it came out vague.
“Of course, you do, y/n… you can’t choose between me and Kniesy, so I’m deciding for you…”
“Willy,” you softly cried. “Please don’t do this…”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re too important to me…”
“That’s not enough, y/n… I promised I’d stay away if you didn’t feel anything for me, so that’s what I’m doing…”
You held your breath for a moment, torn between your emotions and rationality. “But I do feel something for you, Willy…” you admitted softly under your breath.
And in a swift motion, William's hands cupped your face, as he pressed his lips onto yours.
It was the familiar warmth coursing through your body as you felt his touch once again. The intoxicating sensation had your mind in bliss as his mouth melted with yours, lips moving in perfect sync as your hands instinctively reached to palm his chest.
Time seemed to stand still. The world stopped turning as you connected with the one who had captured your heart from the start. And though a part of you wanted to feel guilty for leaving Matthew in the locker room, it slowly washed away under William’s touch.
And as you then pulled apart to catch your breath, you shared a tender moment of gazing into each other's eyes. William's thumb gently wiped away the tear that trailed down your cheek before you managed to flash him a timid and soft smile.
“Please don’t leave…” you whispered.
“I won’t…” he spoke gently in return.
There was another moment of silence as you stayed connected. 
“I’m so sorry, Willy…”
“I know,” he simply responded, gently placing a kiss on your forehead before pulling you into a tight hug. Your body immediately responded to his, wrapping your arms around his warm body as you relished your re-found connection.
“I’m in love with you…” you sobbed into his shirt, tightening your arms around him.
William let out a deep sigh as he held you close, finally feeling the happiness that only you could bring him. But then, pulling back slightly, he looked down at you with a soft, concerned expression.
“But you’re in love with him too…” he stated softly, finally acknowledging the truth of the situation.
And you could only nod in response. “I am…”
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sergeifyodorov · 7 months ago
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Hi cody which of the big names (or lesser known guys that are your blorbos) do u think will play for their team for their entire career and who do u think will leave? Tampa bay is on my hit list for dropping stamkos like that
ohoho this one is FUN... everyone is my blorbo im gonna go through every team and See...
the biggest difficulty in making this list is that like inevitably b/c of the Inevitable Passage Of Time the babies grow up and sometimes they grow up into like. diff ppl... like i imagine rn the sharks and hawks respectively want mack and bedsy to be with them for life... but is that Happening? it's too early to say ... bedsy seems like he might though. he's goodcanadianboy enough.
boston bruins: marchand and pasta are 100% lifers... mcavoy seems like they want him to be a lifer but he hasn't made up his mind yet.
buffalo sabres: if they make the playoffs within the next five years (BIG IF) then i can see one of power or dahlin sticking it out. but at this point i'm pretty sure the only thing that can save the sabres is a serious exorcism and i mean a SERIOUS one so i doubt this'll happen in truth
detroit red wings: larkin. duh.
florida panthers: barkov
montreal canadiens: n/a. see buffalo sabres but replace "power" with "caufield" and "dahlin" with "slafkovsky" . i mean i guess you can put arber on that list but mostly because his career isn't gonna be that long probably
ottawa senators: the one and only THOMAS CHABOT
tampa bay lightning: i WOULD have said stamkos until this offseason... fucking crasy... ok anyway here's my juice: vasy's back injury/surgery have meant he is no longer the goalie he was and i doubt he'll command much after this contract is over. i say 50-50 he leaves vs stays as a reasonable backup/tandem guy. kucherov Wants 2 Win and has a much lower tolerance for Bullshit than stamkos, which means if a competitive price is not being paid for him he will Just Leave. victor hedman is going to be a lifer though
toronto maple leafs: morgan rielly is the only one i know in my heart is a lifer, but only because a) jt was already an islander and b) willy and auston will probably play most of their reasonable careers as leafs and then have like 1-3 seasons somewhere else as ancient old men to Cup Chase One Last Time. don't ask about the other guy you know how i feel about jinxes
carolina hurricanes: n/a
columbus blue jackets: n/a
new jersey devils: n/a... they will try to keep at least 1 hughes but i think we have seen so little of the current devils era (hischier/hughes) that it's hard to say anything about their future atm. can you believe nico was only drafted the year after auston like they haven't gotten off the ground at ALL.
new york islanders: [squints in trying to name islanders]... actually a bunch of lifers looking at it. sorokin. anders lee. barzal if you're nasty. brock nelson. etc
new york rangers: chris kreider FER SURE, igor shesterkin FER MAYBE
philadelphia flyers: see devils re: brink of something new. they're going to try and keep tk forever though
pittsburgh penguins: do i REALLY have to say anything here
washington capitals: Do I Really Have To Say Anything Here
chicago blackhawks: was about to make another bad seth jones contract joke here before remembering he's already played on a different team. no further comment
colorado avalanche: natemac has made it pretty damn clear he wants to stay an av forever, because sidcros stayed a penguin forever. do what you will with that information
dallas stars: jamie benn definitely, but everyone else is too young to say something about or has been on other teams already. good luck with your jrob21 contract negotiations stars front office You Will Need It
minnesota wild: ...jared spurgeon...?
nashville predators: did you guys know puckpedia has the preds abbreviated as NAS and they're ahead of the devils. crazy. anyway roman josi and juuse saros are gonna be preds for life, and probably filip forsberg too
st louis blues: vlad tarasenko IN MY HEART...
winnipeg jets: hellebuyck and schiefele fer sure
anaheim ducks: because they've been trying to trade him for a decade and have been unsuccessful yet: john gibson
calgary flames: n/a
edmonton oilers: nuge + mcdrai also
la kings: doughty + kopi
seattle kraken: n/a
san jose sharks: logan couture
vancouver canucks: my hot take is nobody because quinn hughes is going to pull a mark giordano or jason spezza or perhaps even a chris tanev and play the last couple years of his career as a leaf. petey is gonna slut it up somewhere else later, brock is straight up going to leave as a ufa OR sign a short bridge and then leave as a ufa, and jt miller was a ranger
vegas golden knights: n/a
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