#and andrei isn’t here

[roseg96]

I’m in my Josh Groban era and I will not apologise 🕺

On a serious note though the great comet of 1812 has touched my soul like no other musical has done before. And the staging is so interactive and alive especially with the audience sitting with the actors and the orchestra pit being centre stage and having the actors be part of the pit and stage. Ugh I’m obsessed. It’s honestly such a masterpiece of theatre.

“It seems to me/ That this comet/ Feels me/ Feels my softened and uplifted soul/ And my newly melted heart/ Now blossoming/ Into a new life” - Pierre, The Great Comet of 1812

[brush-tailed]

Great comet ceased to exist 7 years ago on bway! lmao! 😂drew this one last year but let’s share it today just because! 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔rip comet man

[notasimpleslater]

There’s a war going on on Ethan’s Wikipedia page. It changes 3 times a day!

[sydnikov]

Being Bold || S. Jarvis

Author: Sydney / @sydnikov

Pairing: Seth Jarvis / fem!Reader

Word Count: 7.4k

Summary: Seth has a crush on you. A bad one, and he makes it very obvious throughout the years he’s known you, though you’ve still never taken him seriously because of his immaturity and energetic personality. Much to his chagrin, you keep denying him—until one night, scorned by thoughts of your most recent ex who never knew how to touch you right, you give in to Seth’s advances.

Warnings: 18+ smut, unprotected p in v (birth control usage), oral (f receiving), very slight age gap (reader is 2 years older), alcohol mention, alcoholic consumption, minor mention of violence including blood, cursing

A/N: Wow. This one is something (it’s just smut with a small bit of plot don’t mind my dramatics). Here’s the jarvy debauchery as promised ✨ until the next, thanks for the support as always!

*Minors, you are responsible for your own media consumption. That being said, I will not block you for interacting with this fic or my blog, but always be aware of the content you choose to consume and the consequences it can have.

You’ve only seen Seth Jarvis as a kid.

Well, maybe ‘kid’ is too strong of a word to describe the immaturity gap. You’re only two years older than him, but it’s just that how he acts gives you the impression of a boy.

Not a man, but a boy. And it drives Seth absolutely insane.

He first meets you the year he joins the Hurricanes because you’re friends with the social media director (he later finds out you’re close to Lottie, Jesperi’s girlfriend, as well). He remembers the night vividly, what you were wearing, how soft your hand felt against the calluses on his own. How you looked at him, amusement and softness in the smile you flashed him.

Seth was smitten. Still is, actually, because you’re around more than ever. He sees you everywhere. After games, and even just around Raleigh because you live in the area.

He tries asking you out. Numerous times, but much to his chagrin you always turn him down.

“We just met, Seth.” A week after you first shake his hand.

“Don’t you have a girlfriend?” Well, he did. But, in his defense, he’d just broken up with her after he moved.

“I’m too old for you.” That one hurt, because that’s when he finds out you’re only two years older.

Seth is nothing if not persistent, though. He doesn’t give up even after all the rejections. He’s also pretty sure your reluctance is because you think he’s never touched a woman in his life.

Presumptuous, right? Andrei thinks so when Seth tells him after playing Call of Duty for several hours, but he recounts a conversation you had with Lottie (he still owes her and Jesperi a drink for that, actually) after Seth begged her to slide a good word in.

“You’re not into the mustache?” Lottie had giggled, taking a sip of her martini.

You were drinking a whiskey sour, which he knows because he bought it for you but had Lottie say it was from her. Your face burned red, either because of the alcohol or the question, he doesn’t know.

“No, no,” You laughed. “I like mustaches. And a nice stubble. They feel good on the thighs.”

“So what’s the problem? He’s in love with you, basically.”

“Isn’t he, like, I don’t know… Nineteen?” You had drawled, faking indifference while mixing around the olive in your drink with the little straw it came with.

“He’s twenty-two, babe.” She smirked. “Only two years younger.”

Lottie says she thinks you’re just wary of his immaturity. When he tries defending himself, Jesperi reminds him that he scored a goal the other night, pointed at you behind the glass where you sat with Lottie, and then proceeded to griddy.

Word on the street is that you weren’t impressed.

Nonetheless, Seth can’t change his personality for you, as much as he considers it. He thinks the sun rises and sets on you, but if you truly think you’re too good for him then he does have enough self respect to walk away and get over it.

But… He just doesn’t think that’s the case, here. You only seem reluctant—that’s it.

“You can’t force her to sleep with you, Jarvy.” Andrei tells him, breaking him out of his thoughts. 

“I know.” He groans, his chin falling into his hand. “What do I do, then?” And truly, he’s run out of ideas. He’s played silly, nice, gentleman… What else is there left for him to do, other than give up?

Seth thinks of your radiant smile, then groans to himself because fuck. He really doesn’t want to give up.

“Give her space?” Andrei suggests. “Have you tried, just… Going away?” He frowns for a moment, trying to think of the right words in English. “Not ‘going away’—”

“Space? You think she just needs space?”

“Well, not too much space—”

“Svechy you're a genius.” Seth interrupts, jumping out of his seat with renown vigor. “I’ll buy you a drink for this, remind me!” And then he’s springing up from the couch, grabbing his keys and sprinting out the front door.

Andrei blinks. Once, twice, then shakes his head with a laugh. He feels like he should warn you, then promptly decides this is not something he wants to get in the middle of.

Seth takes his teammate’s advice to heart, and gives you the space he thinks you need to process his zealous pursuit of you. He can tell it catches you off guard because he’s stopped following you around like a lost puppy, along with all of the antics normally associated with his creative flirting.

In fact, it’s such a sudden change from what you’re used to that it freaks you out. Hurts a little bit, too, because did he just wake up one day disgusted by the thought of you?

You tell yourself you’re disturbed because you miss the attention. It’s been a while since you’ve had a guy foam at the mouth for you, after all, so now that it’s gone you’re just going through withdrawals.

It’s more than that, though, and you won’t admit it to yourself but when you spy him chatting it up with other girls your stomach twists in a way that you know screams trouble.

Maybe it’s because you just ended things with your latest boyfriend - a bore of a man who couldn’t make time for you outside of his work - and the vulnerability of being alone yet again is getting to you.

Is Seth really so bad? You think about him sometimes, when you’re alone in your apartment or even right in front of him. You’ve always had a soft spot for him, sure, but nothing more than friendly affection.

You’re questioning this now, when his attention is no longer being directed at you, because you distinctly remember him getting into a fight with some other player on the ice, and that’s the first time you remember thinking man and not boy.

The team it was against escapes you, but you remember someone getting in Sebastian’s space with a raised arm, and then Seth came flying in with a fist to the opposing player’s face and a lot of colorful words. Your jaw had dropped as the referees tore them apart, his hair dripping with sweat and a cut welling with blood dripping down his forehead.

The moment forces you to think that maybe altogether, his energetic personality, a smile that never leaves his face, and the unwavering loyalty for his friends combined isn’t such a bad thing after all. The revelation leaves you shaking and feeling quite awkward when he’s around, or even just being brought up.

“Do you miss Scott?” Lottie asks you one day when you’re out for lunch at Perry’s - a steakhouse near her apartment in North Hills - referring to your aforementioned ex-boyfriend. Even his name is boring.

You laugh a little, unable to not roll your eyes though your ire isn’t directed at her. “No. I knew it wasn’t going to last when I got into it, anyways.”

“It’s been about two weeks since you broke up with him.” She says, a statement rather than a question. The look on her face tells you she’s trying to go somewhere with this. “Has anyone caught your eye lately? You’re too pretty to be single, you know.”

It’s obvious that Lottie is trying to ask if you’ve reconsidered Seth at all. It’s been the talk of your whole friend group, including the guys, that he’s suddenly stopped in his bold pursuit of you, though none of them think it’s because he’s lost interest.

“I don’t know.” You whine, begrudgingly stabbing a piece of potato with your fork. “I mean, he’s… Seth.”

“Seth, who has spent his entire time on the Hurricanes trying to win you over?” She says with a raised brow. “Just because he’s had his fun doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy.”

You don’t have a response to that, so instead you just nod. She is right, as much as you hate to admit it. Seth is a successful professional hockey player in his prime, of course he’s been with his fair share of women and will continue to do so as long as he’s single.

If that was your case you’d certainly be having fun, too.

“If his casualness towards dating really bothers you, you should just talk to him.” Lottie says after a moment. “He’s dying for you to speak to him, I swear it.”

You concede. “I’ll talk to him the next time I see him.”

Fortunately for you, that ‘next time’ doesn’t happen for quite a few more weeks, and when you do finally run into him again it’s when you’re slightly tipsy, drinking at a bar near to PNC Arena after the boys have won a game.

You don’t even take note of his presence at first, in the middle of gossiping with some of your friends who just so happen to know the players.

The gossip? Your ex-boyfriend, Scott, and his inability to make you come.

“I mean, he wasn’t bad or anything.” You say. “He had all the knowledge and stuff, just, like, couldn’t do anything. Y’know?” You’re slurring your words a little bit, but everyone around you nods like you’re making some big, important speech.

“So did you have to fake it?” Someone asks. You can’t even remember how Scott was brought up in the first place.

You giggle; you can’t help it. “Oh my god, yes, sometimes it was so bad I had to say I was cramping just to get him to stop trying.” That sends everyone into boisterous laughter, and in your slight drunkenness you can’t help but join in.

The song changes then, and it must be one everyone knows because it scatters you and the rest of the girls into smaller groups, some running to the dance floor while others wander back to the bar. You stay seated, however, content to watch as you sip your drink.

“Whiskey sour?” That’s when Seth makes his presence known. His voice murmured in your ear catches you off guard, and you jump a little as you turn to face him. “Seth.” You greet, not unkindly. “Yeah, but it’s only my second.”

Just as soon as he appeared, he’s jumping back up from his seat next to you. “I’ll get you a third.” You don’t have time to protest as he disappears, and your affection for this rambunctious man only continues to grow as he bounds back moments later, sliding you your drink with a smug grin.

“Thank you.” You smile, a little shy, a little bashful, as you take your first sip. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Anything for my girl.” Ah, there it is. You’re unable to hide the obvious roll of your eyes, but Seth’s smile doesn’t waver. “Not your girl, Seth. Just got out of a relationship, remember?”

“Oh, yeah.” He says. “Scott, right? Sounds like that was doomed from the start.”

You narrow your eyes, unsure of the knowing tone he’s taken on. “And how would you know?”

“He couldn’t make you come, yeah? What a tool.”

Suddenly, your throat is very dry, and you’re taking a very large sip of whiskey that has you wincing. So… He heard you say that, then. Is it hot in here? You have the sudden urge to fan yourself. Fuck fuck fuck. Seth, of all people, should not be making your thighs clench.

You don’t realize how silent you’ve gotten until he speaks up again. “I could make you, you know.”

That has you choking, and you quickly throw back the rest of your drink to soothe your throat. “What?” When you finally meet Seth’s eyes, he’s still grinning at you, though it’s more carnal. His eyes darken as he responds.

“Come. I could get you to come so hard you wouldn’t be able to walk the next day.”

Your reply is meek, knowing deep down inside you’re fighting a losing battle. “Have you even touched a girl before?” He scoffs, and you know as well as he does that he’s been with his fair share of women. It’s one of the reasons you’re so hesitant to take him seriously.

Seth is undeterred, though, as he slides even closer to you. You stare straight ahead, determined not to meet his eyes even though you’re positive there’s a red flush creeping up your neck as his breath tickles your ear.

He says your name, a low purr that’s almost mocking like he can see right through your bullshit because finally, he’s breaking through to you. “You know I have. None of them are you, though.”

You squirm in your seat as his hand creeps up your shoulders, grasping the back of your neck as he gently turns your head to face him. He squeezes reassuringly, and now you’re melting into his embrace as a gasp falls from your lips.

“I want you. You know that, baby.”

“Seth…”

“Let me show you, please?” Then those warm eyes are bearing into your own, and now you’re getting a glimpse of the boy you first met all over again. This time, though, instead of feeling innocent affection all you feel now is heat.

You were stupid to think the adoration he never hesitates to show for you wouldn’t win you over eventually.

Blinking owlishly, you move one of your hands to grip his arm, looking so dainty against the rugged muscle under his skin, and, well. You cave.

“Okay.”

Seth doesn’t expect you to give in so easily. He freezes, doesn’t move until you gain your wits back and pinch his thigh with a gentle roll of your eyes. “Are you just going to sit there or should I find someone else to entertain me?”

That gets him moving. It’s his turn to look anxious as he runs a hand through his hair, still processing the fact that he didn’t have to convince you more. He wasn’t actually expecting to get this far with you—quite literally, the woman of his dreams.

“Shit, okay.” He laughs, jumping out of his seat and lacing his fingers with yours. “You’re serious, then.”

“Somehow.” You deadpan. Somehow your legs are still clenching and your heart is beating a little too fast to be normal. “Don’t fuck it up.”

He looks to you, a little terrified, and you can’t help but break the irritated front and send him a small smile, squeezing his hand reassuringly even as your words are all snark. Truthfully, you’re also scared, but not of the sex, but rather the developing feelings that might grow deeper afterwards.

You just got out of yet another disappointing relationship. You don’t want whatever this is with Seth to end with the same result.

He does a good job of distracting you from your destructive thoughts, though, as he pulls you out of the bar like two teenagers trying to sneak away from their parents. You suppose it’s not unlike that same feeling because Jesperi catches your eye as you exit the doors, and he sends you such a shit-eating grin it has you ducking your head to avoid his obnoxious stare.

You suppose you do owe him a favor now after all.

For the first time ever, standing outside in the biting cold, Seth kisses you as you’re waiting for an Uber. You being busy trying to look like you’re not about to go hook up, he suddenly grabs you by the waist and smooths his lips against yours so good your toes curl.

“Fuck.” He murmurs into your mouth. “I can’t get enough of you.” His teeth catch your bottom lip, and you unabashedly moan. You run your hands up his chest, around his shoulders, and to the back of his neck where you card your fingers through thick strands of hair, tugging from the roots.

“Seth…” You gasp when he detaches his lips from your own only for him to smooth down your jawline, then down to your neck where he sucks wet kisses into your sensitive skin. “Fuck, we’re in public.” With a hiss, you pull him away from your neck and pointedly ignore the wetness in your panties when he groans at the loss of contact.

He looks at you like a baby getting its favorite toy taken away, and you can’t ignore how his desperation turns you on wildly. It takes everything in you to not let him go back to feasting on your neck.

“When’s the Uber getting here?” You ask after a moment. You’re both panting, tipsy from the taste of each other’s lips as you try to catch your breath.

Seth pulls out his phone, and as you admire the way the light illuminates his face you completely miss the words coming from his mouth.

You flush. “Say that again?” Seth grins wickedly, brings you in by the back of your neck and kisses you, then pulls away too soon for your liking. “The Uber. It’s right here.” He then wraps an arm around your waist, digging his fingers deliciously into your skin, and leads you into the Uber as it arrives right on time.

He rattles off his address to the driver, then settles back into the seats. His arm snakes around your shoulders, and you hum your appreciation as you sink into his chest. You feel him kiss the top of your head in response.

You could fall asleep, if you really wanted to. The sudden switch in mood from carnal desperation to gentle affection would give you whiplash if you weren’t so at ease resting against him like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

The drive passes fairly quickly, and Seth doesn’t stop touching you as you make your way up the elevator to his apartment. His hand sneaks to your ass, giving it a squeeze before you slap his arm away.

“Cameras!” You hiss, though it’s with little mirth as a small smile curves up your lips. Seth merely laughs, slides his hand back down to rest on your lower back. “They don’t care. Now c’mere.”

You make out until you can’t breathe, and as you pull away it’s just in time as the elevator doors open. Your heart rate picks up, and you hide your nerves as he grabs your hand and practically sprints out of the elevator with you.

“We have all night, you know.” You giggle, absentmindedly rubbing your thumb over the top of his hand. Seth groans playfully, but his words strike you as serious even as he masks it with a grin.

“Not long enough, babe.”

You don’t respond, partly because you don’t know how to and partly because he’s just unlocked his door, and you’re too busy taking in his apartment. You’ve been to Andrei’s house numerous times, Jesperi and Lottie's apartment, Jordan’s for his famous house parties… It’s just now that you’re realizing you don’t actually know Seth all that well.

What you do know, though, is that he’s eyeing you like he can’t wait to devour you, and the reminder that you don’t even know his favorite color exits your mind as you sidle up to his chest, grabbing him by the lapels of his suit to drag his lips down to yours.

“Time to impress me, lover boy.” You hum into his mouth, fighting a shiver when he nips at your bottom lip. Seth chuckles, one of his hands sliding down your back to squeeze your ass, the other tugging your hair back to expose your neck.

He kisses your cheek once, twice, mouths at your collarbone with teasing bites that have your eyes fluttering shut, and then it’s like he loses patience as suddenly his hands are picking you up by your thighs and curling your legs around his waist.

You squeak in surprise. “Seth!” You admonish, because of course it turns you on that he’s able to throw you around effortlessly. He seems to have that effect on you.

Seth maneuvers the two of you through his darkened apartment with ease, knowing the route to his bedroom like the back of his hand. Your attempts at distracting him include sucking a bright red hickey on his neck, fully intending it for it to be bright enough that his teammates give him hell for it the next day.

Once he pushes open the door with his foot, he brings you to the foot of his bed and unceremoniously drops you. You scoff with indignation at his manhandling, though you know he knows you like it if the smirk on his face is anything to go by.

A tiger stalking its prey, Seth crawls on top of you and meets your eager lips in another kiss. His hands smooth down the curves of your hips to your thighs, slowly spreading them open. He mumbles something, and you miss it completely.

“Hm?” You run your hands through his hair, enjoying the way the black strands are moussed from your touch. Your shirt is also already halfway up your torso as he helps you tear it off. “I said I’ll wear your marks proudly. My girl.” He coos, flicking open the clasp of your bra and immediately moving down to your chest.

“Fuck.” He groans. “They’re beautiful. You’re beautiful.”  Your laugh quickly turns to a gasp as he sucks your right nipple into his mouth.

Your other nipple is taken by his fore-finger and thumb, rolling the sensitive nub between the calloused pads. Between him sucking on one tit and playing with the other, you’re practically a whimpering mess, trying to simultaneously wiggle out of his grip yet get closer at the same time.

“Seth,” You whine. “I need you.” You’re admitting it openly, foregoing coyness in favor of your own pleasure. Yeah, so what? You like this overgrown puppy of a man, and you really want to fuck him. Pulling his head back by his hair, you eagerly slam your lips back together.

“Need me?” He grins against your lips. “Where do you need me? Gotta be specific, babe, because I can be here,” He emphasizes a quick squeeze to your tit. “Here,” The other hand smooths over your ass. “Or here...” He trails off into a low rumble, parting your eager thighs.

Based on the tortured groan he lets out, you assume he can probably feel the wetness that’s soaked through your jeans. You’re too turned on to be embarrassed, though.

“Damn it, Seth, just touch me.” You hiss, keeping his hand pressed between your thighs while the other is already working open the button of your jeans. “Fucking tease.” You mutter, though it’s light-hearted and he knows it based on his snicker.

He helps you peel off the rest of your jeans, throwing them somewhere behind you. It’ll be fun trying to hunt for those in the morning. When he sees the dainty white lace covering your pussy, he lets out his most needy sound yet.

“Shit.” He breathes. “Wore these for me? So pretty. My pretty baby.” He murmurs as he thumbs the lace, running two fingers over the soaked fabric. If you could see, you’d guarantee his pupils are blown wide.

Your hips rise at the friction, wanting more. And because you’re still hellbent on resisting him, apparently, you roll your eyes, spitting out your next words. “You knew I was coming home with you, didn’t you? Asshole.” Though your words are all snark, your tone screams laughter.

Strangely enough, the banter gets you off more than any dirty talk in the world. It’s familiar, relaxing, and Seth clearly doesn’t mind either as he merely chuckles. “I just know you that well, don't I?” The look on his face offers no room for argument.

And, well, you suppose he isn’t wrong. You are here in his bed at the end of the day, right?

You grumble something that to his ears sounds like ‘shut up’ and then you’re sliding your panties down your thighs, letting him take care of the rest as, like your other clothes, he tosses them somewhere behind him.

If you thought the sight of your covered pussy would get the best reaction from him, it’s nothing compared to the way his entire body freezes at seeing it bare.

You’d had a feeling something big was going to happen after Lottie's sly words, so you took the liberty of shaving everywhere just two nights before. You’re glad for that, as Seth is looking at the heat between your legs like he doesn’t know where to start.

Teasing him in a normal setting about not knowing how to touch a woman is one thing, but making a remark now as anxious anticipation is all over his face just feels wrong.

You do like him, after all—quite a bit, you’re coming to find.

Reaching out your hand, you wait for him to grasp it before you pull him down to hover over your awaiting form. “C’mere, baby.” The pet-name slips without thought, but you can’t make yourself regret it because the way his face lights up is a look you won’t forget any time soon.

He laughs a little as your eyes finally meet, like he can’t believe he’s actually about to fuck you and you’re going to let him. “Tell me how to touch you?” He asks, not a demand but more of a request.

Taking his right hand, you lead him down the length of your body, over your breasts and down your stomach until your hands are resting just below your navel. “You know how to find the clit?” You tease, partly joking and partly serious.

Seth scoffs like the very thought offends him, and the mild dig does its job of making him forget his earlier nervousness.

“Of course I know where the fucking clit is,” He replies, pointer and middle finger already sliding down and gathering the slickness lathered in your lower lips. “Scott is such a dumbass.”

Well, it seems the familiar, cocky Seth is back now.

“...didn’t even realize what a bombshell he had right in front of him.” You miss the first part of his sentence because he did, in fact, find your clit, and unlike your ex, knows exactly how to touch it.

Your mouth opens into an ‘o’, and Seth hums a pleased noise as his fingers work your sensitive clit into a swollen, throbbing mess. Your hips move in time with the flicks of his fingers and you don’t even realize you’re panting until Seth leans forward and licks a stripe all the way from your navel down to your soaked opening.

When you start bucking into his mouth, he grabs your hips and holds them down to the bed, forcing you to take it. You whine, hands finding purchase in his hair as his tongue laps at you like you’re his favorite meal. He dips into your entrance in time with the quick circles he’s drawing over your clit, and oh, suddenly you’re much closer than you thought.

“Tastes so good.” You hear him grunt. “Can’t get enough of you.”

“Seth,” Gasping, you can’t decide if you want to keep him close or shove him away. “Shit. Seth, fuck, I’m close.”

“Yeah? Already?” Your confession only seems to reinvigorate his efforts, and the next thing you know two long fingers are sliding their way into your cunt. “Gonna come for me?”

Quicker than you expect he finds the sensitive wall of flesh inside you, and his fingers curl up against it which sends you keening. Loudly. You slap a hand over your mouth, but Seth quickly tears it away.

“Nobody here but me and you.” He grins, and just to rub it in, presses a hot kiss to your clit. “I wanna hear you scream.”

“What a gentleman.” You manage to squeeze out, and in revenge for your snark he immediately sucks your clit between his lips and rapidly curls his fingers inside you.

Seth watches with hooded eyes as your own squeeze shut, teeth biting into your kiss-swollen lips while your hands tug at his hair. Your thighs are shaking on each side of his head, and suddenly he wants you to come for him like his life depends on it.

“You gonna come?” He asks. Your walls clamp around his fingers and he knows you’re close. “Yeah? Can you come for me? I know you want to.”

Your entire body shakes all while he keeps you tethered to the bed. Your mind, though, is floating, and you can practically see white as his lips don’t stop sucking, his fingers don’t stop curling, and it’s too much but also not enough and you want to shove him away yet demand he never stops touching you.

And your high is right there, you can practically taste it, but your body is wound so tight and you can’t remember the last time you’ve let go that you remain stuck right on the edge.

There are tears leaking from the corners of your eyes as you tug at his hair. Seth meets your eyes, looks a little concerned after reading the desperation on your face, and then understands when a broken moan tumbles past your lips.

Seth, a little shit as always, brings you back to the edge with his words alone. “It’s been so long, hasn’t it?” He slips in a third finger. “Bet you haven’t had anyone make you feel like this. Just me. Hopefully always me.”

“Seth,” You croak. “Please.”

“I’ve got you.” He urges. “Let go for me. You’re right there, I know it. You’re so tight, fuck, there you go.”

His mocking words echo in your mind with the low drawl of his voice, dark eyes staring at you like you’re a feast, and his damn fingers curling just right against your spongy wall.

His free hand suddenly moves, presses down over your lower abdomen, and oh. “Such a good girl.” Seth croons as you fall apart.

It’s the last thing you hear as your vision goes white, and the heat in your body explodes with wave after wave of ecstasy pumping from the tips of your toes all the way to the hair on your head. Your eyes squeeze shut, and you’re pretty sure you’re making some sort of strangled noise as you ride your high that seems to go on forever.

By the time you come back, your legs are still shaking and Seth is still gently stroking your inner walls with careful circles around your clit. He's my gazing up at you with pure, unbridled adoration and the emotion in his eyes makes your heart thump.

You don’t even realize your fingers are still tangled in his hair until you have to let go because they’re cramping, and then Seth finally removes his fingers and slowly crawls back up your body.

You’re still catching your breath when he presses a long, soft kiss to your lips. “How was that?” He questions almost shyly. His need for reassurance might have had a past you rolling your eyes, but right now all you want to do is hold him and thank him for making you feel so good.

Especially after Scott. Asshole.

You shudder, clit still throbbing as you wrap your arms around his heavy shoulders and bring his weight down on top of you. His very hard cock brushes against your hip with the movement, and you’re reminded that he hasn’t had any semblance of relief yet.

“Thank you.” You whisper. It’s definitely weird to thank someone after they eat you out, right? Probably, but you don’t really care.

His lips brush against your cheek in response, heart swelling at the gentle vulnerability you’re showing him. He’s planning on running to the bathroom to get you a towel, but freezes when he feels your hands peeling off the suit he totally forgot he was wearing.

“Babe?” He mumbles, a little confusingly, but all you do is kiss him and that shuts him up. He doesn’t break contact even as he shrugs off the rest of his suit, peeling off his undershirt until he’s more than halfway bare. Your hands carve lines over the hard planes of muscle on his chest, scratching lightly with your nails over his nipples which has him flinching into your mouth. Snickering, you make your way down the rest of his chest, past his waist, under his boxers, and then you’re wrapping your hand around his hot, pulsating dick.

Seth groans, almost collapsing on top of you as you squeeze lightly. It’s a dream come true, him touching you and now you touching him. He wants to close his eyes at the feeling of your gentle strokes, but he insists on keeping them open to watch the enraptured look on your face.

Then your other hand moves, unbuttoning his slacks and sliding them over his hips and that’s when he jerks back to the present. “Sweetheart,” He gasps. “You… You don’t have to.”

You smile at his breathlessness. “You don’t want to fuck me?” You pout, though it quickly turns back into a grin when his eyes widen in panic. Another day you’d blow him, when you aren’t so desperate to get him inside you.

Seth briefly removed himself from on top of you to lean over his bed, rifling through his nightstand drawer. You assume he’s looking for a condom and that his efforts fail when he eventually closes the drawer with a curse.

He looks back to you, all messy hair, swollen lips, and glistening eyes. “I don’t have a condom.” He informs regretfully.

“I’m on the pill, if you’re…” You trail off, unsure. “If you’re okay with that. And I’m clean.”

“Hell yes I’m okay with that.” He breathes. His cock hardens even more at the thought of feeling you raw, if even possible. “I’m clean too.” And then he’s kissing you again, long and slow and deep, and you’re happy to let him take the lead as your brain is still trying to play catch-up from your orgasm.

Seth eventually breaks away only to reattach to your neck, nipping at the skin likely already covered in his marks, hands now making their way back down your body. He playfully flicks your nipple as he does so, grins when you flinch upwards.

“Have I told you how much I love your body?” He says in-between kisses, almost like an afterthought. He’s in the middle of spreading your thighs open, fingers slipping through your leftover wetness and brushing your clit when you respond.

You help in his endeavors, raising your legs to curl over his hips as he situates himself on top of you. “You’ve mentioned it a few times, I think.” You reply, breath hitching when his cock presses against you.

“It’s perfect.” He continues, like he didn’t even hear you. “You’re perfect.” He wraps his hand around his dick, guides the head to your entrance and pushes in. All words escape you, and your head falls back with a moan.

He sinks into you with a pleasurable sound of his own, eyes squeezing shut as your warmth envelops him. Sucking in a breath through his teeth, he thrusts slowly into you, bottoming out. “So tight.” He hisses.

“Oh, fuck,” You whimper, digging your nails into his back. Seth stills, thinking he's hurting you. “Shit, am I—”

“Don’t you dare stop.” You quickly interrupt, crying out when his tip rubs against your sensitive inner walls just right. Seth relaxes at your words, a cocky grin spreading over his face. “Sorry, sorry.” He chuckles, picking up the speed of his thrusts.

Like before when his tongue was in you, it doesn’t take you long before noises are escaping your throat uncontrollably or for your legs to tremble from where they’re wrapped around his waist. The sensations are more because you’re already so sensitive, so strung-up, and so eager for another release that you give up any pretenses of trying to play cool.

Your head lolls back onto the bed, all strength leaving your body as Seth happily does all the work on top. Quick, short pants are coming from his mouth, and his chest is heavy where it presses down against yours. With every thrust his pelvis is rocking into your clit, sending sparks up your body as you clench rhythmically around his cock. It’s burning you from the inside-out in the best way possible, and very quickly you’re already approaching the edge.

You try to express your impending release, but all that’s able to come from your mouth is one long moan. Seth, somehow, knows exactly what that noise means, and is suddenly pulling out. “What the fuck?” You practically shout with indignation, glaring at the man on top of you with squinted eyes.

Ever the comedian, he only laughs at your irritation. “Hold on, bear with me.” His hands grab your waist, then rolls you over onto your stomach. He raises your hips, pushing down on your lower back into an arch, and all previous complaints leave you as he’s unable to help himself and runs his hands over your ass.

You’ll think later on why him being unfazed with your attitude makes your heart warm.

“Spread your legs for me.” He murmurs, tapping at the junction between your thighs. You do as he says, and shiver when his fingers go to part your cunt once you’re open. You can’t see his face, but imagine the look on it to be one of enrapturement. You turn your head finally, pressing your hips down onto his hand where it remains touching you.

Your earlier guess was right; his pupils are blown wide, jaw hung open just a little bit at having this view of you from behind. Meeting his eyes, you stare imploringly.

While the sudden need for him scares you, you don’t shy away. Rather, you meet his desires head-on in the form of pushing your hips back against him when he finally pushes in, smothering a whimper as his body looms over yours.

Neither of you talk in favor of letting your pleasure speak for you. The new position feels more intimate, oddly enough; his chest presses onto you from every angle, and you can feel his breath every time he pants into your ear. At the same time his arms are wrapped around your waist, hands kneading at the flesh of your hips while he thrusts into you from behind.

All too soon you’re reaching your peak just like before, and the buildup feels so sweet because he’s hitting you deeper, unrelenting in his thrusts despite how your arms collapse from underneath you. Seth doesn’t flinch, merely picks you back up and presses a hand to your abdomen to keep you there.

With your arms free, you realize that your clit is feeling neglected, and as you sneak your right hand in-between your legs he’s suddenly beating you to it, slapping your own hand away and replacing it with his own.

When it’s all said and done, you don’t think you’ll ever forget the feeling of his fingers circling your sensitive nub so deliciously. Between his dick rutting into your sweet spot mercilessly and the rough pads of fingers stimulating your clit, your eyes are slamming shut with your mouth opening in a silent scream as for the second time that night, Seth is sending you into release.

He carries you through it with noncommittal praise while you’re lost in white noise and starry vision. The sight of you crumbling beneath him sends sparks throughout his body, and it doesn’t take long between the rhythmic clenching of your cunt and the pleasured sounds falling from your lips for him to flood your insides with his cum.

“Oh, fuck—fuck, fuck, fuck.” Seth loses any semblance of restraint of trying to be gentle, as his last thrusts rattle your frame and have you whimpering by the time he’s done releasing, your overstimulated clit throbbing in time with the slow rocks of your calming bodies. “So good. You did so good, yeah?” Seth is rumbling into your ear, voice hoarse and tired as he carefully slides out of you. Eyes still closed, you flinch at your sensitivity. “Sorry, babe.” He whispers, having to regroup for a moment as his softening cock meets cool air after being buried inside you.

You attempt to speak, but the only sound that leaves your mouth is a groan as your aching limbs stretch. You don’t bother opening your eyes yet, either, perfectly content to lay in your post-orgasmic pleasure and not think about the future.

Seth doesn’t let you wallow for long, however, as he’s suddenly leaning over you again. “Can you turn over? I have a towel, it’s warm.” He asks, back to shy and unsure. Now that you’re not caught up in the throes of sex, he’s not quite sure how you’re going to act. “You also need to go pee.”

Your default moods of snarky and mildly irritated is what he gets. “No.” You grumble, though it’s not mean as you bury your head in his pillow, still flat on your stomach. Having no energy to move, you don’t expect Seth to do anything about it, either.

He raises a brow at your sass, not quite sure if he should be relieved or concerned. Huffing, he makes a grab for your hips. “Guess I’m carrying you to the bathroom, then.”

“Seth!” You shriek as he attempts to manhandle you, a burst of energy fueling your efforts in trying to get away. “You little shit, no, fine, fine!” And Seth wins just like that, as you concede the battle and roll from your stomach onto your back. You glare as he leans over your torso, bringing the towel down to clean up the mess in-between your thighs.

His confidence comes back, little by little, as the banter returns naturally and your dynamic doesn’t change despite indulging in your bodies’ most primal desires. “You’ll thank me in the morning.” He grins when he finishes, sliding off the bed to bring it back to the bathroom. You follow, doing your business so quickly you leave before he’s done with his own.

When he comes back you’re in the same position he left you in, like you never left. “So I’m staying the night, then?” You prompt as he goes to sit next to you, a little teasing, a little serious. Where do you stand with him now?

He shrugs, masking his nervousness. “If you want to.” He sinks his teeth into his lip, eyeing you from where he sits. He can’t tell what you’re thinking, and it slightly unnerves him.

Your mysteriousness is also what captivated him about you in the first place too, though. With that, he realizes he wouldn’t have gotten this far if you hadn’t liked him at least a little bit. Taking a deep breath, he takes the bold route, grabs your hand, and does what he does best:

Be bold.

“I want you to stay though, like, really badly.” He admits, meeting your curious eyes. You suck in a breath at his words, and Seth continues. “You know I like you. A lot. And I think you like me too.”

As if knowing he’s waiting for your reassurance, you reply quietly. “A little presumptuous of you, yeah?”

Seth grins, and you can’t help but wonder how you were able to resist it for so long.

“So… You’ll stay?” He tilts his head, reminding you of a puppy. You go to respond, maybe with another sarcastic reply, and he seems to know this even before you do. “Please?”

And, well, you can’t deny him when he’s looking at you like that; soft, brown eyes full of adoration gazing at you like you’ve hung the stars and the moon. “Okay.” You relent, grinning happily as he mouths something like ‘fuck yeah’ and rolls over next to you.

“Do you want to shower?” He suddenly asks, after you’ve already curled underneath his sheets with your body pressed against his. He makes a nice furnace, and you’re mad at yourself for not indulging in him sooner. “Because I have a big one. It has these jets that spray from different angles, and you can go alone or I can join or—”

“Seth.” You interrupt, poking his chest to get his attention. He gulps at the amused expression on your face. “Stop talking.”

“Okay.”

It’s silent for several minutes, and you’re almost asleep until he speaks up again.

“Can I be your boyfriend now?”

“Oh my god.” You hiss. “If I say yes will you let me go to sleep?”

You can’t see his face but you know for a fact there’s a stupid grin on it. “You know, I think you’re gonna fall in love with me one day.”

“Keep dreaming, babe.” You say.

But you both know he won’t be dreaming for long.

A/N: I like this one a lot tbh. But my lord I didn't realize how repetitive writing smut is so I need to have at least a little plot established before I can just jump into it 😭 regardless, I hope this is everything y’all wanted in terms of me writing for him and more! Please be sure to reblog and comment, thank youuuuu

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[sc0tters]

Little Flame | Quinn Hughes

summary: when the flames came to visit it brought back old memories, including why you hated quinn.

pairing: quinn hughes x andrei kuzmenko’s fuck buddy

trope: division rivals

warnings: sexual themes, p in v (unprotected), oral (fem receiving), degradation, slight choking, slight spit play? swearing.

word count: 6.51k

authors note: this was a long one so strap in! it’s hot and about time for us to all get our inner sluts out and we have @sweetestdesire to thank for helping get this one started! Kinda tried something different so let’s see if that paid off!

Quinn always seemed to dislike you.

From the moment you met him you were both constantly against each other. It all started during your time at UMich, you were both in the same class and from the moment you met you weren’t meant to get on.

Constantly arguing as you were forced into the same friend group, due to your position as the student physio on the hockey team. The two of you were at odds “you got a problem?” You scoffed furrowing your eyebrows as you felt him staring at you.

It was any standard Friday night with a party at one of the frats “just wondering where on the invite came the costume theme?” He joked gripping at the neck of his beer bottle.

You were in a sequin crop top with a denim skirt and cowgirl boots “you jealous I’m getting the only attention between the two of us?” You scoffed as he was in a basic tee and shorts.

The comment made him let out a dry laugh “I think you’re the only one who isn’t giving me attention.” It was no secret just how much most girls liked him, and that the only attention he got from you were threats of ramming your foot up his ass.

There was a gleam in his eyes “but here you still are stood in front of me so.” He trailed off letting a smirk form on his lips.

Your hands formed fists by your sides “in your dreams Hughes.” You grumbled ignoring how your cheeks went red when you pushed past him to leave “you wouldn’t as argumentative in those!” Quinn grunted watching you walk back to your friends.

The way your hands moved around made it clear that you were visibly angry “hey he’s probably leaving at the end of the season anyways.” One of your friends sighed as she placed a comforting hand in your shoulder wanting to comfort you.

That all took place over five years ago and you hadn’t seen Quinn since. Sure you heard all about his achievements and accomplishments as he made captain of the Canucks. But you were able to avoid him whenever it was possible that your paths would cross.

Working for the Flames left only a handful of occasions where you could have seen him and each time you managed to be the secondary physio leaving you inside the locker rooms “please do it for me?” Andrei whined as he pulled you into his lap after he heard that you tried getting secondary for the Canuck game again.

You pushed your lips into a fine line as placed your hands on his shoulders to steady yourself “I can make it worth your while.” He trailed off as he ran his fingers up your torso under your shirt “shouldn’t you always be doing that.” You teased holding back a smile as you grazed your lips over his pulling away from him the moment he leaned in for more like you were taunting him.

Andrei let his eyes sharpen into yours “you know I always play better when you are around the night before.” It was a new known thing between the two of you that since you started sleeping together the night before a game, Andrei started playing much better.

His efforts made you laugh “want to show you my old city.” He explained kissing your neck as he smiled looking up at you. You had been assigned as his tour guide when he was traded from the Canucks. It seemed like you both hit it off as the tour ended up in the back of his car and before you knew it, you were in his bed a lot.

It was sweet being with him but your favourite part was that you constantly had someone to fulfil your sexual needs. All it took was one message to Andrei and he was on his way to your place. There were never any labels on the relationship and that was what made it so easy.

Andrei kept his promise as he showed you parts of Vancouver that you never had the chance to see prior to the trip as you guys had a free afternoon. You had to admit that the trip was kind of fun. It was enjoyable being with him as he showed you the city he loved “and your good day isn’t over yet.” He teased you as he wrapped his hands around your shoulders.

It made a laugh leave your lips “careful on setting my expectations too high now.” You fiddled with his hat as you each had lousy disguises.

Before he had the chance to respond, something else caught his eyes “Quinn?” A gasp left Andrei’s lips as he stopped walking seeing someone in front of you two.

You froze fearing that it was the Quinn “hey Kuzy!” It was. Your body tensed as you physically cringed feeling Andrei leave your side to embrace his old teammates.

Quinn smirked as he saw your awkward effort to hide yourself. He knew it was you from the UMich cap you wore and how you hadn’t changed your hair since you saw him “Y/n?” He furrowed his eyebrows turning his attention to you.

Andrei was left confused “you never told me you knew him.” He pointed out as his eyes followed Quinn’s “not everyone from college needs to be spoken about.” You pointed out causing the American to place his hand on his chest.

The captain was quick to act offended “did our time on the team mean nothing to you for two years?” He did little to hide his smirk as your cheeks turned red “well then why don’t you join us for lunch?” Andrei looked to his watch to see that it was getting to time for lunch.

In that moment you swore you wanted to kill both boys “give you two time to catch up too.” He added as he remained oblivious to the death stare that you sent Quinn, wishing that daggers hit the boy.

Lunch felt painful as you were reminded of all of the reasons why you disliked Quinn so much “I need to go to the bathroom.” Andrei announced and you were close to following him as you didn’t want to be left alone with the Hughes boy.

You grew tired after biting your tongue so hard that it drew blood “I’ll be back soon.” The Russian laughed as he furrowed his eyebrows, he squeezed your shoulder before he left.

Quinn let his eyes watch his old teammates until he was out of his view “so how long have you two been sleeping together?” Quinn interlaced his fingers as he watched you sip at your drink.

A cough left your lips “that’s none of your business!” You gasped acting the same way your mom would if she had to hear about your sex life “c’mon he can’t be that disappointing that you now aren’t willing to share.” It reminded you of the time that he walked in a girls night that involved his girlfriend.

You girls had been talking about your worst experiences with guys and of course you had the worst luck as Quinn got to walk in and hear the entire story about the football players that couldn’t even get you to reach your high. The boy constantly reminded you of it up until he left.

It made you scoff “not surprising to see that not all of us grew up after college.” You snapped squeezing your straw between your fingers “thought someone would have fucked you into being not this uptight but here we are.” He matched your tone as he mirrored your glare.

As you saw Andrei come back into your sights all you could do was deliver a quick kick to Quinn’s shin “ahh!” He winced reached down to massage his leg as he sent you a glare “you two good?” Poor Andrei still remained oblivious to what had gone on.

For the first time that day you didn’t need to force a smile onto your lips as you nodded “so great.” You let your foot run up Quinn leg as a reminder of what you could do the other “perfect.” Quinn gritted the words out still making sure to glare at you along the way.

Hours had passed as the night air was cold over Vancouver when you stared out of your hotel window struggling to avoid the image of Quinn. It brought up all of those memories of the arguments you two had and how he knew exactly how to get under your skin in ways that made you squirm. It clogged your mind to the point where you told Andrei that you were sick.

The white lie came from the fact that you couldn’t let yourself drop to your knees for a guy when someone else was on your mind.

You were confused as you heard the sound of music echo in your ears “hi pretty girl.” His words were soft in your ears “hi-Quinn?” You pulled your attention to him as your eyes went wide.

He cupped your cheeks as he dropped his head to kiss your lips “fucking hell.” He mumbled running his fingers down your body as you were in your lacy slip that you had slept in.

His hands pushed you back onto your bed “just want to make you feel good.” The hockey player explained as he helped you spread your legs “mhm Quinn.” You moaned feeling him kiss at your thighs.

Like a cold shower in the winter, your alarm practically hit you as your torso shot out of bed. You ripped the sheets off of you as your eyes went wide “fuck!” You groaned realizing that you had just had a dream about Quinn “Y/n are you okay?” Andrei’s voice came from your door as he knocked.

You were quick to panic as you hit snooze on your alarm and ran to the door “hey.” You made the effort to hide yourself behind your door “just thought I would let you know that you’re gonna be late for breakfast.” Andrei explained as he held out a togo cup of coffee.

The gesture made you smile “thanks Drei.” You tipped the coffee as a thank you “I should get dressed then.” It quickly became apparent that you needed to get a move on after sleeping through your alarm.

He watched you shut your door before he had the chance to utter another word “someone is acting weird.” Andrei mumbled to himself as he walked back to the team.

It seemed like al of your attention was crowded by the Hughes boy as you even struggled to do your job. Constantly avoiding parts of the Rogers Arena that you were concerned about seeing him in. But that only got you so far as the time came for you to finally sit by the bench.

Quinn’s eyes were already on you as you sat down “hi.” He mouthed with a smirk as he watched you freeze. Elias watched his line of sight following it you. The Swede laughed as he knocked Quinn off of his feet leaving the blonde to send you a wink.

The game had been chaotic but the Canucks barely edged the Flames, with the captain scoring the OT winning goal. Fans cheered as the stadium roared leaving the Fames players heartbroken. You sent Andrei a frown as he walked over to you post game.

You were stood in the locker area “I am sorry.” You apologized as he hugged you letting his head fall onto your shoulder “I didn’t think it would hurt so much to lose to them.” He felt stupid letting the confession leave his lips.

But even still you wanted to comfort him “you played really well though.” You confessed pressing a kiss to his temple as your fingers ran through his hair. A cough came from behind you both causing you to drop his arms.

Quinn stood there as he scratched the back of his neck “I wanted to say bye before you left.” He explained locking his eyes with yours “I am gonna leave you two to it.” Andrei nodded leaving you alone with Quinn once more.

The boy towered over you as he watched you cringe stood there in silence “you are looking really good.” He confessed with a soft smile “what is it that you are playing at?” You snapped as you clenched your fists.

He furrowed his eyebrows as he watched your little outburst “Jesus I was just trying to be nice!” He groaned pulling you into a corner hall as he didn’t want everyone to have to hear it go down.

Your hands tugged at your hair as you were visibly agitated feeling like if you were a cartoon you’d have smoke oozing from your ears “why?” You scoffed as you pushed your lips into a fine line “you’ve been nothing but insufferable the entire time I knew you.’ Your finger pushed into his chest as you cocked your head.

Those words made him roll his eyes “you know, Kuzy is gonna wake up one day and see that you’re just as much of a pain in my ass, as you are everyone else’s.” The dig was sharp as venom rolled off of his tongue “fuck you Hughes.” You spat as you pushed past him leaving the boy alone to process what had happened.

You were still somehow so angry as you got back to the hotel. Silently fearing that there was no real cure to help you calm down “he’s such a fucking ass.” You grumbled as you shook your head, even as your feet brought you to Andrei’s door.

Before you knew what you were doing you knocked at dark wood “hey?” Andrei smiled answering the door in nothing more than his grey sweatpants “I need to ask you for a favour.” You began causing him to nod as he motioned to you to come in.

Your palms were sweaty as you looked for apartment 227. The crumpled napkin was in your hands with his address scribbled out on it after Andrei thought you were in a rush. You might as well have been on your seventh cup of coffee as nerves ran through your body.

Practically bouncing off of the walls as you found his door. You stopped to take a breath as you brought your hand up to knock at the door.

But instead you were beat to it as the door whipped open leaving you faced with his bare chest “Jesus what is it with you men and opening your doors shirtless?” You groaned as you sent him a loom of disgust “I’m sorry?” Quinn didn’t know what else to say as he grabbed his hoodie from the rack next to his door.

You shook your head seeing him stare you down as he pulled the hood off of his head “now can tell me why you are at my door?” The hockey player trailed off reminding you why you were there “you are such an asshole!” You scoffed pushing into the apartment.

It was an open planned space that screamed decorated by a man in his twenties “I think you’ve told me that more than once before.” Quinn pointed out as he crossed his arms letting the door shut behind him.

His comment only irritated you more “you just make me so angry.” You squeezed your hands together trying to remain calm “but somehow I can’t get you out of my mind.” You rambled on only stopping when he laughed.

Your head snapped to stare him down “never would have thought you would have a crush on me.” Quinn smirked as he ran his fingers through his hair as you scoffed “always knew you had a soft spot f’me.” The boy walked over to you.

He watched your face scrunch in disgust “i knew that this was a mistake.” You sighed going to leave him alone for the second time that night.

But Quinn had other ideas as he wrapped his hand around your wrist just as you walked past him “god you are insufferable.” Quinn rolled his eyes pulling you closer to him. He didn’t give you a chance to respond as he cupped your cheek.

His lips were rough against yours making you take a second before you responded. Bringing your hands to his waist “fuck.” He muttered acknowledging the taste of your cherry lipgloss as it made him go lightheaded.

If someone didn’t know any better they would say that you two had done this before as your hands moved in unison like clockwork “jump.” Quinn didn’t want to let your lips leave his for long as you listened feeling his hands cup your ass.

Helping you lift your legs up as you interlocked your ankles behind him wrapping your hands around his neck before you let your teeth sink down at his lower lip. It made him hiss out in that fine line between pain and pleasure.

You didn’t know when you two started walking but before you knew it you in a room as you heard the door creak shortly before your back hit a mattress. Quinn looked at the sight of you lying there in all of your flames gear. He took the moment to take you in before he smiled settling himself on the edge of his bed in his knees “I think it is sweet you went through all of this trouble to get my attention.” He mumbled pissing you off once more as you went to chew him out but instead he placed his finger on your lips.

Your eyes pushed into a glare “I can still leave y’know?” You knew you weren’t in any positions to be making demands but somehow that didn’t stop you from mouthing off.

A dry laugh fell from his lips “then what was the whole point of coming all this way?” He clicked his tongue practically hanging the bait in front of you “because I think you came so that someone could properly fuck you.” The boy added making you gulp.

The new found silence showed him that he was on the right track as you nodded “now you do not know how excited I am to get you out of this.” He mum urged the words to himself with some level of distaste as he locked eyes with the Flames emblem that was printed onto your leggings.

As his fingers hooked into the waistband of them he couldn’t help but plot all of the possible ways he could burn them “then hurry up.” You whined taking him by surprise as you reminded him that you wanted this just as much as he truly did “since you asked so nicely.” Quinn teased helping you kick your shoes off before he pulled your leggings off as well.

The sight of your lacey white panties was going to be imprinted in his mind forever “fucking hell Rocky.” He gave you the nickname in your freshman year after you punched him.

It was something he fully knew he deserved at the time which is why he was able to find the humor in your ability to give him a black eye “you been thinking about me a lot or something?” The comment originally came off as a tease but as he watched the colour drain from your face he realised that he was actually right.

This time a laugh in actual amusement left his lips “so what am I doing during this?” Quinn enquired as he let his hands massage soft circles into the inner parts of your thighs “you were.” You trailed off struggling to find the words to tell him.

He caught his lower lip between his teeth trying to stop himself from smiling “c’mon pretty girl I know you can get your words out f’me.” The boy began wanting to hurry you along as he felt his cock throb in his pants “if I’m gonna be left in the fucking quiet I will leave you here.” Quinn warned letting his hands softly hit your thigh.

Your eyes went wide considering that his threat was serious “I don’t know because it was a dream that I fucking woke up from!” You yelled watching him freeze causing embarrassment to run through your veins.

Your back lifted from his mattress as you went to apologise “look Quinn maybe-” you weren’t given the chance to say much more as his lips caught yours again.

Sucking the air from your lips as he let his hand claw at the fabric of your polo keeping you close to him “that’s fucking hot that you been dreaming about me.” He couldn’t hide how this made his ego float “what did you want me to do?” He asked licking his lips as he let his hand drop to your panties.

His fingers grazed over your clothed clit “fuck Quinn.” You let out a grunt as your thighs squirmed “say the words and I’ll do it.” He nodded not ready to take no as an answer.

You swallowed hard at the sensations “use your tongue.” You confessed making him smirk “lay back down then.” His voice was soft as you listened lying flat on your back.

Quinn hooked his fingers into the waistband of your panties pulling them down the length of your legs “fuck you’re soaked.” He mewled at the sight of your glistening cunt “please.” You cried out finally making the boy nod as he gave you what you wanted.

His lips pecked at the insides of your thighs making sure that he divided his attention between both parts equally “you smell so sweet.” The boy confessed letting his face settle millimetres from your core.

He saw how your eyes studied his, watching him place a kiss on her clit “so responsive too.” A smirk formed on his lips when latched his lips around the sensitive bud.

You pushed your chest into the air as your back arched “fucking hell.” You whined bringing your hand to his hair as you tugged at his brown locks.

It acted like encouragement for him as he wrapped his arms around your thighs keeping you close to him as you tried to grind your cunt against his face. Quinn dropped his tongue to your core letting his tongue lay flat as he thrusted it into you.

The feeling made you squirm as you clenched around him when his nose grazed your clit “god you’re good at this.” You moaned lifting your legs to rest your heels on his shoulder blades “who would have thought all I would need to do was fuck you to get you to behave.” Quinn was amused as his words sent shivers through your body.

If you weren’t in this sensual state, you would have snapped at him “don’t stop.” You begged feeling his tongue lap at you like a starved man. He watched your free hand run up your shirt letting your bra go free.

He grinded his hips against the duvet beneath him swearing that he was going to ruin his sheets before he even got a chance to fuck you “Quinn.” Your voice sounded like honey as your face scrunched up in pleasure “you wanna cum pretty girl?” His question made you whimper as his thumb grazed over your clit in these tight circular motions.

The room grew hot as your lips remained screwed shut “need you to tell me-” the Hughes boy couldn’t get his threat out before you cut him off “please let me cum all over your tongue.” You begged making him nod as he let his mouth replace his fingers where it only then took him a few minor thrusts of his tongue to have you chanting his name out in pleasure.

Your legs shook as you struggled to keep them open trying not to crush the captains head as he continued to lap at your release sending you into a state of mind fog. Your body began to tense again and that was when you found the strength to pull Quinn off of you “you taste so fucking sweet.” He groaned kissing you again as if he hadn’t seen his lover in years.

The taste of your release was salty on his tongue and it made you moan as it mixed with your spit “off.” He mumbled tugging at your shirt.

You pulled away as you shook your head “‘s not fair you’re still fully clothed.” You complained making him smirk “if you wanted to see me again all you had to do was ask.” Within seconds his hoodie was off and was added to the pile of clothing that by the foot of his bed.

See his bare chest again filled you with this soft sense of confidence. So as you took a deep breath watching him begin to undo his pants you finally pulled your polo off of your body, leaving you in nothing but your white bra “if I knew you had a body like this under your clothes I would have been nicer.” Quinn let the words slip from his lips.

It made you scoff as you sent him a glare “doesn’t mean you would have been able to fuck me.” You snapped trying your best to let your eyes not drop to the bulge in his boxers.

A laugh roared from his lips “there’s the brat I knew you still had in ya.” It took him little strength to pull you to your feet “so now I’m gonna fuck you like a slut.” His hand pinched at your jaw making you whimper in response.

His eyes scanned yours to see if you were scared but instead all he saw was lust “but that’s probably what you wanted.” Quinn chirped making you softly nod “well sluts get fucked against the wall.” He motioned to where his wall mirror was making you unclip your bra before you walked to it.

You watched in the reflection how he stared back at you taking in the sight of how your naked body looked, from your perky breasts to your lower lip that you chewed at in anticipation. Quinn was calculated as he kicked his boxers off “condom?” He asked as he was prepared to grab one from his drawer.

Your head shook “on the pill.” You explained making him wonder just how many times that you let Andrei fuck you raw.

But for how the captain let his thoughts fall to the back of his mind when he saw you spread your legs “look at you so desperate for a good fuck.” Quinn smirked as he taunted you “even after you already came.” His words barely reached a whisper.

His hand gripped at his aching cock as he slotted between your legs. Dragging the head of his cock over your slit as he began to tease your cunt. His precum spread over your clit bringing a moan from your lips as your hands lay flat against the wall.

The boy watched you in awe “such a good girl getting ready f’me.” He cooed brushing your hair to the side “fuck your cunt is heaven.” Quinn let out a grunt as he thrusted his cock into your core as his hips lay flat against yours.

His lips nipped at your neck as he settled into his position “please move.” You begged clenching around his cock “and you’re gonna leave a mark!” You complained making him glare at you.

He scoffed bringing his hand to slap at your ass “you think I fucking give a shit?” Quinn laughed as his hips snapped into yours as he began to fuck you at a pace that was painful “answer me you slut!” He spat making you wince.

Your head dropped as your breasts bounced with each thrust of his cock “n-no.” You shook your head feeling tears form in your eyes “then I’m gonna use you how I want okay.” His words weren’t even in the form of a question as he let his hands punch at your hips.

The sound of skin slapping against each other was ringing in your ears “sorry.” Your words were soft as he nipped at your skin “wanna say that a little louder f’me?” Quinn teased seeing your legs begin to shake.

He made sure to keep you upright before you fell “if you aren’t gonna be a brat then I need you to answer me.” His hand gripped at your hair tugging your head upright “I’m sorry!” You moaned feeling your head rest against his shoulder.

It made him smirk as felt you clench around his cock “f’what?” He asked bringing his hand over to your clit letting his fingers rub at your sensitive nub “for being a brat.” You sputtered out the words making him internally cheer for you finally listening to him.

He watched your eyes flutter “just a brat?” He taunted making you squirm “and a slut f’you.” You added letting the tears stream down your face as you felt yourself growing closer to your orgasm.

Quinn let his chin rest on your shoulder “be a good girl for me and watch my dick fuck your pussy.” You nodded at his order watching how your cunt swallowed his cock with each thrust before he would pull away letting the cream of your first orgasm look like a ring around his cock “I’m gonna-” your eyes began to roll back into your sockets.

It made him nod as your cunt clenched around him “think you need to beg for this one.” His voice was soft in your ear as he sucked at your lobe.

The feeling of his cock inside of you as it throbbed made you desperate “wanna make a mess on your cock so bad!” You begged trying to use your hands to keep you up “go make a mess pretty girl.” With that your head rested on his shoulder as your cunt clamped around his cock.

Chants of his name spewed from your lips helping to push him over the edge “milk my cock doll.” Quinn cooed softly shuddering at how your cunt sucked him dry “there we go.” His voice was soft as he let his limp cock slide out of you “holy fuck.” You gasped turning around to kiss him “you’re so gorgeous.” Quinn mumbled as he let his thumbs graze over your nipples.

The room was hot as his hands were all over you like he was scared he’d lose you if he let you go. You pushed him back to the bed letting him sit on the mattress “is my little slut still not satisfied?” Quinn smirked running his hand over your stomach “still not full of my cum?” He added making you whimper as you went to cover your face.

He stopped you as he clicked his tongue “all you gotta do is ask me nicely.” The captain brought his hands to your cheeks pulling your face up to stare at his “make me cum again Quinny?” You begged as he pecked at your lips.

It was softer as he spun you two around laying you down on the bed “I get to see you this time doll.” His words were innocent as he pumped his cock a few times to get you hard all over again “you’re such a pretty girl.” His body hovered over yours as his chain rested on your chin.

This time it was easier for him to thrust into her as their releases acted like the perfect lube for you both “still just as perfect.” He laughed feeling your legs wrap around him “you are such a gorgeous girl.” Quinn mumbled as he kissed you.

The two of you practically moulded into each other “mhm Quinn.” You moaned feeling his pelvis against your clit “like the sound of my name on your tongue.” The Hughes boy smiled as your hands went to claw at his back.

He couldn’t help but notice the little Daisy necklace you had resting on your collarbone and it made him wonder just how many times must Kuzy have seen it before when you were under him “did he fuck you like this?” Quinn let the question come out with little thought before his eyes went wide.

Your silence made him scoff “so he fucks you better than me?” He clicked his tongue as he shook his head “just when I thought you were done being a brat.” Quinn spat as he picked up his pace again.

Cries echoed from your lips “you fuck me better!” You announced making him smirk “couldn’t hear ya princess.” He did it to tease you expecting some kind of push back from you.

But instead you just glared “could get off alone.” You grumbled making him stop his cock was half way inside of you as he stared down at you “you really think you could made yourself feel better than I do?” Quinn let his hand wrap around your throat.

You brought your hand up to wrap around his as you softly nodded “so you aren’t a cumslut feeling me in here.” His free hand pressed against your stomach as he could feel his cock hit your g-spot with each thrust “s-so full.” You whimpered feeling your breasts bounce with each creek of his bed.

The boy let his mouth drop to your breasts “fuck Quinn!” You kicked your legs as you felt your head go light with the new amount of pleasure you felt.

It had you whimpering as he divided his attention as well as he thought he could with his fingers rolling the nipple into a peak “not such a mouthy girl anymore now are ya?” His words were barely audible as he didn’t lift his lips from your nipple.

You cried as you shook your head “please let me cum.” You pleaded feeling your eyes begin to flutter “open your mouth f’me.” He pulled his attention away from your nipples as he looked at you.

Your mouth was centimetres away from his as you followed his instructions letting your tongue roll out of your mouth “now keep it like this until I cum okay?” He asked letting his saliva push out of his mouth in this line of spit only breaking once it landed on your tongue.

He watched your lips shut as smirked “you’re such a pretty fucking girl.” Quinn confessed letting your one leg go over his shoulder so that he could fuck you an entirely different angle “you keep clenching like that and I’m gonna cum.” He warned making you nod.

His fingers around your throat made you drive your hips towards his “I’m gonna cum.” You announced kissing his lips as your legs shook from his sides “let the floor know how good I make you feel.” He placed a closed mouth kiss to your lips as you finally watched your face scrunch up.

Your mouth fell open “don’t stop fucking me Quinn!” You begged feeling your body writhe against him. He watched pleasure wash over you as you came.

Quinn was close to you as he fucked you through your orgasm “there we go.” He gritted out coating your cunt for the second time of the night with his release “holy fuck.” The boy looked down to see that your release had soaked his bed.

You looked down to see what he was talking about “I’m so fucking sorry.” You went to apologise but he shook his head “that’s was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” He confessed with a smile.

He watched your redden cheeks calm down “did you know you could do that?” The boy asked as you sat up to look at him “n-no.” You shook your head pushing your hair out of your face.

Quinn watched you stare down at where your mess was “hey.” He frowned hooking his fingers under your jaw “why don’t we get you into the bath?” Quinn’s offer was innocent and even as you knew you needed to go back to the hotel, you couldn’t say no.

And that’s how you landed up with your hair in a bun sat in his bath. Ellen had left bath salts and bubbles under his sink and that’s how you landed up smelling like roses “you okay?” Quinn asked watching you stare at him.

You smiled as you held your hand over the bubbles “come in here.” You mumbled motioning to him to join.

He got off of the edge of the tub going to sit across from you “want you here.” You explained pointing behind you “can’t say no when you look at me like that.” Quinn sighed as he motioned to you to shift over.

The water sloshed around your body as you leaned forward “you feeling better?” He cocked his head as he wrapped his hands around your waist.

His lips kissed at your shoulder feeling the softness of your skin against his lips “so much better.” You nodded laying your head on his shoulder “wait Quinny.” You spoke up as you looked up at him.

You were quick to decide that it was easier to turn around to look at him “I don’t think you’re a total pain in the ass.” You confessed making him smile “I don’t think you are one either.” This was the first time you two had a normal conversation where you guys were making actual grounds worth of progress.

Quinn didn’t want to ruin the moment but he dropped his head to kiss your lips. You straddled him in response as you melted into the kiss. Your hips grinded against his making his cock grow hard all over again “you happy to see me or?” You teased smiling as your forehead rested against his.

The boy shook his head “I’m sorry, we don’t have to.” He watched as your hand dropped below the water “I want to.” You confessed with a smile.

Your hand gripped at his cock pumping it a few times “you like that don’t ya?” You teased letting your grin remain evident “you fucking tease me and I’ll make sure you never squirt again.” Quinn warned showing you that he was being serious.

A giggle left your lips as you sunk down on his cock “never the fun one are ya?” You settled into a slow rhythm letting your hips brush against his “you and I know that I am plenty fun.” Quinn rolled eyes as he used his energy to pick you up and push you to the other side of the bath letting water slosh around you both.

So maybe things were always going to be a competitions between you two. But one thing that you both knew for sure was that nights in Vancouver or Calgary weren’t going to be spent in hotel rooms. They would be spent in each others arms desperate to not let this dream end.

[thewintersoldierdisaster]

a/n: hope this scratches the fluff itch, anon 🥰 not much to say except i was hoping the opener would’ve gone in a different way while i was writing this whoops

word count: 1.5k

tw: implied oral (f and m receiving)

summary: the night before the season opener, you and andrei spend some quality time together

The night before the first game of the season always has a Christmas Eve sort of feeling. There’s giddy childish excitement for a new season, the blank slate of the standings. A whole eighty two games of possibility. Eighty two games to get it right.

There’s anxiety for a new season, the blank slate of the standings. Eighty two games to get it wrong.

If you’re feeling that level of jittery, anxious excitement, you can only imagine how Andrei’s feeling. He’s quiet though, getting in his workout and puttering around the house to burn off some of his nervous energy.

You’d cooked dinner together - chicken, pasta, and vegetables that are the staple of his diet during the season. Elena had been over too, keeping Andrei occupied during the day since there was no practice, and joining you for dinner and a movie before heading up to her room for the night.

None of you had really watched the movie, some Russian thriller that Andrei’s seen a million times and you were only half understanding from the speed of the dialogue. Andrei’s arm had been wrapped around your shoulders and his fingers had been tapping out a nonsense pattern on your upper arm, so clearly distracted by the start of the season.

It’s just around nine and the TV is playing one of the Hangover movies, the channel chosen at random. You’ve got your legs draped over Andrei’s lap and the hand that isn’t over your shoulder is resting on your shin, his thumb stroking back and forth.

“Ready for bed?” You ask, studying his side profile and the tense set of his jaw. Andrei’s eyes flicker down to look at you and you can see the fire of impending competition burning in the warm brown.

“Mhm,” he hums, fingers dancing over your shoulder and against your neck. They tickle lightly and your lips curl up in a smile. “No, I don’t know, solnyshka.”

His face twitches into a strangled looking smile and you tap at his thigh with your toes. The muscle doesn’t give and you tamp down the urge to sit on him. This is not about you.

“Tired, but wired, right?” You say quietly and Andrei nods. You smooth your hand over his side and press out the wrinkles on his shirt, just feeling his side rise and fall with his breathing. “Want to talk about it?”

Andrei shrugs and you let a little, amused huff escape your nose. “You’re so Russian,” you murmur fondly. Tapping his side, you swing your legs off his lap and say, “let’s go to bed and I’ll rub your back and tell you all about my boring day so you can get a good night’s sleep.”

“I’m not tired, not enough to sleep,” Andrei protests, still sitting on the couch. You stand in between his legs with your hands on your hips and raise your eyebrow at him.

“Okay, that’s fine. We don’t have to sleep yet, but doing the same thing we’re doing down here except cozy in bed is my vote,” you lean in and rest your hands on his thighs. “You can join me or sit down here with your thoughts.”

His gaze drops from your face to look down your shirt and you grin when he smirks a little, his hands reaching for your hips. “I’ll join you,” he replies, standing in one quick move and hauling you over his shoulder in a fireman carry that has you shrieking at the sudden flip in perspective. His laugh vibrates through your body and you brace your hands on his lower back to keep from bouncing too much.

“Caveman,” you grumble, delighted. Andrei’s arms are secure around your thighs and he gives them a little squeeze, trying his best to keep you from being too jostled as he climbs the stairs to the second floor.

“Had to do it,” he counters. “You were in perfect position.”

“What other positions do you want me in?” You tease, knowing Andrei could go either way on pre-game sex. Sometimes he needs it, other times he’s superstitious about his on-ice performance. You’re not sure what to expect tonight.

You get flipped right side up, landing on the bed with a soft ‘oof’ and a little bounce. Andrei smiles at you from the foot of the bed, reaching for your ankle and tugging you gently until your ass is at the edge of the bed. He lifts your foot and presses a kiss to the inside of your ankle. “Just…stay there. Need to relax and I want to kiss you,” he says, adjusting himself in his shorts with his other hand. You nod and melt back into the mattress, savoring the way he kisses his way up your leg.

You hadn’t had many boyfriends before Andrei, but none of them would’ve ever eaten you out as a form of relaxation. Now, he falls to his knees and buries his face between your legs, stopping any thoughts you might have before they form.

After he makes you come, you drag him up onto the bed so you can wrap your mouth around his cock and take care of him too. Once you’re both showered and in pajamas, you can see the slope of Andrei’s shoulders relax, tension seeping from his frame.

“Sleepy?” You murmur, curling up against his side, one leg thrown over his. Your body is tucked up under his arm, cheek resting on his chest. Andrei’s hand is warm where it rests on your side, his breathing steady and rhythmic.

“More than before, yes,” he answers with a faint huff of laughter.

“Good,” you chirp, dipping your hand under his shirt and letting your palm splay over his stomach. He’s so warm and solid, the sparse hair under his belly button tickling your fingers. “That was the plan.”

Andrei hums and you trace your fingers over his skin, lazily lines and nonsense patterns. His body relaxes further as you trail up the center of his chest, tapping lightly at the hard bone of his sternum before dragging your fingers over his nipples and back down again.

He’s quiet for so long you think he’s fallen asleep, but then his chest hitches and his voice vibrates through your body. “Big season, solnyshka,” he murmurs.

“No bigger than the rest of them,” you reply softly, afraid that he’ll clam up again.

“Feels important,” he tightens his arm around you, holding you closer. “One year older, I’m veteran now. After my knee, injuries last year…” he trails off.

You keep tracing over his stomach and press a kiss to his chest. He’s feeling the pressure to have to perform at a higher level, to reach a next level now that he’s fully healthy. It makes sense to you, his worries and the pressure, but you also want to make sure he’s still having fun.

“You’re going to take the ice tomorrow and you’re going to have fun and be spectacular, Drei,” you prop you chin on his pec so you can look into his eyes as you speak. You want him to see how serious you are. “I can’t wait to see you back in your element.”

The corner of his mouth ticks up, lip curling back to expose his missing tooth. His hand smooths over your hip and cups your ass, fingers flexing absently.

“I am glad you’ll be there,” he says. “I play better when you watch.”

Your mouth starts to form a denial, to say that it isn’t true, but Andrei leans up and captures the words right out of your mouth with a sweet kiss. His tongue traces your lower lip and you shift to straddle his thigh, your chest pressed against his. Your hand is trapped between your bodies and starts to go numb while you kiss lazily, rolling your hips absently against Andrei’s. His cock twitches against your thigh, but neither of you make a move to go any further.

“I know,” Andrei says, slightly breathless and through swollen lips, when you break apart, “you don’t wear jersey usually, but tomorrow will you? I want to see my name on your back.”

His request is quiet and a little shy and you’re nodding before he’s even finished his sentence.

“Anything for you, Drei,” you grin, pressing a kiss to the point of his chin. “Should I wear any other lucky clothing? Hat? Socks? Bra and panties?

His eyes twinkle and he massages your ass with both hands. “I am sure you will think of something, solnyshka,” he replies, smiling.

“I have a few ideas,” you tease, rolling off of his chest and tucking yourself back up against his side. “You’ll just have to see tomorrow.”

Andrei shifts and his lips land on the crown of your head, lingering. Heat radiates off of his body and you feel your eyes drifting shut, finally sleepy. You hope the Sandman is hitting Andrei with some sleep dust too.

After all, it’s Christmas morning tomorrow.

[theemporium]

Green Eyed Mojito, Andrei Svechnikov, “you’re naive if you think he just wants to be your friend” 🥺🫶🏻

thank you for requesting!🫶🏽

4. “You’re naive if you think he just wants to be your friend.”

.

“I don’t like him.”

You turned your head to look at your boyfriend, your brows furrowing together in confusion. “What?” 

“I don’t like him,” Andrei repeated as he watched the topic of conversation—a man called Thomas that recently started at your workplace—wander towards the bar to grab another drink. “He isn't nice.” 

“What did he do to you?” You questioned, baffled on how your boyfriend could have something against a man he had just met and a man you had barely known for more than a month. “He was nice to us just there.” 

Andrei frowned. “Well, it isn’t nice to stare at someone else’s girlfriend like you want to fuck them.” 

You blinked. “You think he wants to fuck me?” 

“I know he does,” Andrei corrected, puffing his chest out a little. “It’s not nice. I don’t like it. I don’t like him.” 

“You’re being ridiculous, babe,” you snorted, shaking your head in disbelief. “He’s just new to town and wants to make some friends. That’s literally all there is.” 

“You’re naive if you think he just wants to be your friend,” Andrie scoffed. “He wants to fuck you and he doesn’t care that I am standing right here.” 

“Even if he did,” you started. “I would never. I am very happy with just being fucked by you.” 

“I know,” Andrei retorted, his lips twitching upwards into a smug smile. “But I still don’t like the fact he thinks he has a chance.” 

“What are you going to do? Scare him off?” You teased, nudging your boyfriend playfully with your elbow. 

But Andrei just stared back.

Your face fell. “Baby, no.”

He frowned. “Why not?” 

“Because I like this job and I would rather not be fired because my guard dog hockey boyfriend decided to try and intimidate someone four inches shorter than him and half his weight,” you snapped back at him.

“I wouldn’t hurt him too bad,” Andrei insisted with an innocent smile.

“Behave,” was all you said before you saw Thomas returning to where the two of you were standing.

“Only if he stops staring at you like that,” Andrei grumbled under his breath.

.

[samuelandthesun]

Everything about Great Comet is great, but it’s the small details that make it the absolute MASTERPIECE it is. Like, in “Natasha & Anatole”, how Natasha starts enumerating Anatole’s qualities at first sight, but the last one, the one she repeats, the one that MATTERS THE MOST, it’s that he’s “as handsome as close as at a distance”, with her voice breaking at the second “distance”. Because that’s what Anatole has that no one else does: he is here. Andrei isn’t. God it’s so good

[willowsnook]

Eyes Up Here, Babe

Roast beef, salami, EXTRA meet, wheat bread

andrei iosivas x bsf!reader

i wanted it to be you she isn’t you

—————————————————————-

It was a hot summer day, and you were driving to Joe’s house, doing everything you could not to turn around and go home. You were the only one in your friend group with the day off from work besides Joe, Ja’Marr, and Andrei, so the boys insisted you spend it with them. First up on their agenda was getting a good workout in.

Dressed in a cute matching set from GymShark, you begrudgingly entered the house, finding the boys in the kitchen eating a little pre-workout snack. Joe glanced at you for a second, but Andrei’s eyes lingered; something you had noticed had been happening more than usual recently.

“Ready?” Joe asked, and you gave him a look, making the corners of his mouth twitch.

Following the boys into his home gym, you laid down your stuff and started to stretch in front of the mirror. Joe went to get some equipment and Andrei set his own stuff down before turning to watch you.

“Like what you see?” You teased and he smirked.

Andrei’s smirk widened as he stepped closer to you, his gaze never leaving your figure. You could feel the heat rising to your cheeks as his eyes roamed over you, taking in every inch of your body.

“How can I not?” He finally replied, causing your heart to skip a beat.

You cleared your throat and turned away from him, trying to focus on your stretches. But with Andrei so close behind you, it was hard to concentrate on anything else.

“What’s with you today?” You asked, trying to break the tension.

Andrei shrugged nonchalantly, “Nothing, just enjoying the view.”

You rolled your eyes at his response but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at the corners of your lips. The truth was, you had been feeling something between you and Andrei for a while now, but you didn’t want to risk making things weird in the friend group.

“Ready to work out?” Joe’s voice interrupted your thoughts as he walked back into the room.

Andrei took a step back from you and grabbed his equipment, leaving you slightly disappointed that the moment had passed.

The four of you spent the next hour working out together, with Joe acting as your personal trainer. As much as you hated working out, having these two by your side made it more enjoyable.

After showering and getting dressed, you sat in Joe’s living room, sipping on some protein shakes.

“What are your plans for the rest of the day?” Andrei asked and you looked over at him thoughtfully.

“I need to run a couple of errands, want to come?” You asked and he nodded. Joe and Ja'Marr had a couple of meetings to attend so you left him behind and headed out.

You dragged Andrei around the mall for an hour or so, amused at his complaints and whining.

“Can we please go now? I’m starving,” Andrei groaned as you browsed through the racks of clothes.

“I need to pick up a few things first,” you replied with a laugh.

Andrei let out another exaggerated sigh and leaned against a nearby wall, crossing his arms over his chest. You lost sight of him for 10 minutes before he found you again with a cheeky grin.

“I picked something out,” he said and you turned to look at him. Your eyes settled on the Bengals’ orange corset top that left little to the imagination. You knew he was messing around but feeling bold, you decided to take it a step further.

“I’ll have to try it on, come on,” you said and his eyes widened as you pulled him towards the dressing room.

Your heart raced as you pulled Andrei into the small dressing room. You could see the surprise and excitement in his eyes as you closed the door behind you.

"Turn around," you commanded softly, and he obeyed, facing the wall.

You quickly stripped off your shirt and slipped on the corset top, struggling a bit with the laces in the back. "Can you help me?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

Andrei turned slowly, his breath catching as he took in the sight of you in the revealing top. His hands trembled slightly as he reached for the laces, gently tightening them.

"Is that okay?" he asked, his voice husky.

You nodded, unable to speak as you felt the heat of his body so close to yours. You turned to face him, your eyes meeting his in the mirror.

"What?”

“Nothing,” he said strained. “It looks good.”

You smirked at the reaction from him, turning around so that you were now face to face. His eyes instantly dropped to your chest and you giggled.

“Eyes up here, babe,” you teased, and his cheeks flushed.

“You are torturing me,” he said, leaning closer to you. Your heart fluttered as you looked down at his lips and you started to lean in until you were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Everything okay in there?” A saleswoman called out and you moved backwards quickly before replying.

“We should probably go,” you mumbled and he nodded, not saying anything and following you out.

The rest of your friends met up at Joe’s later that night to hang out by his pool and you were laying back on a lounger when Andrei came out. You shamelessly checked him out, admiring his sculpted figure due to clear dedication to the sport. He smirked as he caught you, sauntering over cockily.

“Eyes up here, babe,” he mocked, and you rolled your eyes as he plopped down next to you. The two of you sat silently for a moment, watching your other friends splash around in the pool. The tension from earlier in the day still lingered between you, like an unspoken promise of something more.

"So, about earlier..." Andrei began, his voice low and serious.

Your heart rate quickened as you turned to face him. "Yeah?"

He opened his mouth to continue but was interrupted by Joe calling out to you both. "Hey, lovebirds! Are you going to join us or what?"

You felt your cheeks flush at Joe's comment, and you also noticed Andrei's ears turning red. He stood up quickly, offering you his hand. You joined the rest of your friends in the pool, lazily swimming around while talking to people.

“Are you still taking that one chick to the season opener gala next week?” You heard Ja’Marr ask, and you turned to see that he was talking to Andrei. Joe shot you a nervous look and your heart sank. Andrei followed Joe’s line of sight to you and stumbled in his reply.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, watching you make your way to the stairs of the pool. He followed after you grabbing your arm as he made it out.

“Y/n,” he said and you turned to him with a coldness in your eyes, refusing to let him know that you were upset.

“What?” you said impatiently.

“I’m sorry,” he said and you huffed.

“About what?” You asked sarcastically. “About leading me on for the past month just to go out with someone else?”

“It’s not like that,” he defended.

“You’re right. We aren’t dating. You’re allowed to fuck whoever you want and I’ll do the same,” you said angrily and his eyes darkened with irritation at your words.

As you turned to leave, Andrei stepped in front of you, blocking your path. His eyes were filled with a mix of desperation and determination.

"I didn't make a choice," he said firmly. "I agreed to take her weeks ago, before... before things changed between us."

You crossed your arms, trying to maintain your composure. "And what exactly has changed between us, Andrei? Because from where I'm standing, it seems like nothing has."

He flinched at your words and you moved past him, heading into the house and change back into your clothes.

————————————————————

Joe had ended up asking you to be his date to the gala and you had happily accepted. You and Andrei hadn’t spoken since that night a week ago. Fiddling with your bag, Joe glanced over at you from the driver’s seat.

“You look good y/n. It’s going to drive him crazy,” he said and your head snapped over to him and he gave you a knowing look. “What? Think I’ve been oblivious to you two making heart eyes at each other and then not speaking after Ja’Marr mentioned his date? Why do you think I asked you to be mine?”

“Because you love my company,” you said pouting and he laughed.

“I do, but I also love Andrei and want him to pull his head out of his ass,” he said and you sighed, turning to look out the window.

“Might be too late for that,” you said and you felt Joe roll his eyes at you.

“Whatever, you’re just as lovesick as he is,” he said. Pulling up to the Bengals’ facility, you slipped your arm through Joe’s following him in. He garnered a lot of attention in his entrance and you chatted with familiar faces, stuck to his side.

As you and Joe made your way through the crowded gala, you couldn't help but scan the room for Andrei. Your heart raced when you finally spotted him looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored suit across the room. He was standing next to a beautiful blonde woman, who you assumed was his date, but his eyes were fixed on you.

Joe leaned in close to whisper in your ear, "He hasn't taken his eyes off you since we walked in."

You tried to ignore the flutter in your stomach at Joe's words, instead focusing on the conversation around you. But you could feel Andrei's gaze burning into you, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

As the night wore on, you found yourself constantly aware of Andrei's presence in the room. You caught him looking your way more times than you could count, and each time your eyes met, the tension between you seemed to get closer and closer to boiling over.

Eventually he caught you alone as you were grabbing a drink.

“Andrei,” you said greeting him with a neutral expression.

“Y/n,” he replied and you looked over to where his date was sitting, talking to another player.

“She’s gorgeous,” you commented.

“She isn’t you,” he replied and you met his gaze once again and he held his hand out. “Come outside with me?”

Sighing, you took it, following him out to get some fresh air. You didn’t say anything as he turned to face you and his hand came out instinctively to brush a piece of hair from your face.

“I wanted it to be you with me tonight,” he said and your lips pressed into a thin line.

“Then why wasn’t it?” You questioned and he sighed, looking away.

“Because I was scared I would mess up,” he admitted.

You felt your resolve beginning to crumble as you looked into Andrei's earnest eyes. The cool night air swirled around you both, carrying the faint sounds of the gala inside.

"Mess up what exactly?" you asked softly, needing to hear him say it.

Andrei took a deep breath, his hand reaching out to gently grasp yours. "Us. This thing between us. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and it terrifies me."

Your heart raced at his words, but you held back, still guarding yourself. "So instead of talking to me about it, you decided to bring someone else?"

He winced, looking genuinely remorseful. "I know. It was stupid. I thought maybe if I tried to move on, these feelings would go away. But they didn't. And then things started shifting between us and it was already too late.”

You stood there, processing his words. The tension between you was palpable, electric in the cool night air. You wanted to believe him, to let your guard down, but the hurt from the past week still lingered.

"Andrei," you started, your voice barely above a whisper. "I can't just forget how I felt seeing you with her tonight."

He stepped closer, his eyes pleading. "I know, and I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. All I could think about the whole time I was in there was you. How I wished it was you by my side."

Your breath hitched as he reached up to cup your cheek, his touch sending shivers down your spine.

"I want you, Y/N. Only you," he said, his voice low and intense. "I was an idiot for not realizing it sooner, for not acting on it. Please give me a chance.”

“Okay,” you whispered and a grin broke out on his face.

“Can I kiss you?”

Your heart raced as you nodded, barely able to breathe out a soft "Yes" before Andrei's lips were on yours. The kiss was tentative at first, as if he was afraid you might change your mind. But as you melted into him, wrapping your arms around his neck, the kiss deepened, becoming more passionate and urgent.

Andrei's hands found your waist, pulling you closer as he poured months of pent-up emotion into the kiss. You could feel the electricity coursing through your body, every nerve ending alive with sensation.

When you finally broke apart, both of you were breathless. Andrei rested his forehead against yours, a smile playing on his lips.

"I've been wanting to do that for so long," he murmured, his thumb tracing small circles.

“You weren't the only one,” you replied, settling your head into his chest.

[nightcolorz]

The parallels between Marius forcing all the boys to call him Master and changing Armand's name to Amadeo (literally the beloved one) and Daniel deciding to call Armand Boss sometimes and Armand calling Daniel Beloved but also calling him by his name

THE PARALLELS

THEY ARE KILLING ME

(all it's needed to complete the circle is Armand using Molloy as a last name)

I LOVE ARMAND AND HIS CONNECTION WITH BEING NAMED!!! I think it’s so significant that Daniels pet name for Armand is “boss”, like it’s both an admission of a power dynamic Armand isn’t often granted and it’s also affectionate and playful. Both “armand ur in charge and u have the power here but it’s not that serious and it’s playful and I’m teasing u lovingly while still offering u this validation of agency and respect” like woooow that’s big for him I feel.

I’ve seen the take before that it’s unfortunate that in the book series Armand never changes his name or goes back to Andrei from Armand bcus Armand is like a name given to him in a traumatic way and to go along with his pattern he should complete the cycle positively by naming himself. And on one hand yes I like that, but on the other, I think it’s more impactful that Armand keeps his name as Armand bcus Armand doesn’t need to change himself again to fit a new role. Armand can just be what people call him, he doesn’t need to bend himself backwards to mold into smth new whenever the era changes. And with that, taking the last name molloy is so perfect. I’m Armand, I’ve been Armand for centuries, I don’t need someone to give me a new name to tell me what I am now, I don’t need to change myself, but I’m Armand molloy, bcus I love Daniel molloy and hes my family and I’m choosing that. He’s not my identity and he’s not naming me to make me into smth new, he’s my family and I’m choosing him. It’s soooo goood.

[hockeyboistrash]

the plan | s.j

here's another jarvy fic the idea i had was too cute not to use for seth. could be seen as a continuation as my previous fic but also could be read alone. im also making up names for the partners in the fic

summary: no matter how much you plan, something will go wrong. seth finds that out when he proposes to you, well tries to.

Ever since Seb's wedding Seth knew he wanted that with you. He wanted to watch you walk down the aisle, to dance with you, to spend the rest of his life with you. You were it for him which is why, on a roadie in the middle of November, Seth went to the jewelers to buy a ring.

It didn't take long for his teammates to find out. All it took was a poorly hidden box and a curious roommate for everyone to be privy to Seth’s plan. They were invested in the proposal, thinking the two of you were made for each other, and wanted to make it perfect so they decided to help Seth, whether he wanted their help or not. They would give ideas while they changed, on the ice during practice, even texting him at random times. Seth tried to play it off as nothing but one thing you’ve learned over the years is that your boyfriend was terrible at keeping secrets.

You were at brunch with some of the girls but your mind kept wandering. Seth was acting stranger than usual this morning, practically pushing you out of the door to go and hang out with the girls.

"Earth to Y/N." Elsie said, breaking you out of your thought spiral. Everyone was looking at you expectantly, waiting for an answer to a question you didn’t even hear. "Whats going on?"

You bit your lip, contemplating if you should reveal your inner turmoil or keep it to yourself. "It’s stupid." You tried to dismiss it but Elsie quirked her eyebrow, not taking that as an answer. "I think Seth is hiding something. He’s been acting strange lately." While you were admitting what’s been plaguing your mind, you missed the glances the girls made to each other, knowing your boyfriend’s plan. A perfect proposal wasn’t going to happen without your friends knowing. "I can’t help but think he’s going to break up with me." You said, your voice small as your greatest fear was let out into the world.

"You’re right, that is stupid. Seth is in love with you." Elsie assured you. "He never shuts up about you, constantly talking about you to whoever listens. He’s not going to break up with you. I can promise you that."

You were about to reply when a member of the Canes team was at the counter picking up an order. "I thought the guys had practice." You rushed out, any reassurance quickly disappearing.

"Where are you going?" Elsie asked, panicking that it wasn’t going according to plan.

"To the rink." You told her grabbing your bag and leaving the restaurant, the girls following you. They knew there was no way to stop you so all they could do was send a text and hope the guys did their part.

Meanwhile at the rink Seth was panicking. He dropped the ring and now he can’t find it. "What do you mean you lost the ring?" Sebastian asked, watching on as his teammate ran his hand through his hand, something Seth did when he was nervous.

"I don’t know. It was in my pocket and now it isn’t." Seth exclaimed. It wasn’t aimed at anyone in particular, he was just frustrated that nothing was going right.

"You didn’t have it in the box?" Andrei asked with a slight laugh, earning a glare from Seth. Looking back, Seth probably should’ve kept it in its original box but he was worried that you’d see it straight away. That didn’t matter now.

"It’s gotta be around here somewhere, we'll find it." Sebastian tried assuring him. Seth looked at the ice and groaned, knowing if it fell out while he was on there it’d be like finding a needle in a haystack. They didn’t even have a chance to start looking before your voice echoed down the hallway along with the girls closely following you behind.

"Seth!" You shouted. Your boyfriend glanced at his teammates, eyes full of panic. All they could do was shrug not knowing what was happening, clearly having not received the text their girlfriends tried to send.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Seth asked, trying to come across that nothing is happening.

"Please just tell me the truth. Are you breaking up with me?" Your eyes brimmed with tears. You wanted to stay strong but you’d be lying if you said the thought of not being with Seth anymore broke your heart.

This was the last thing Seth wanted to hear. He was so in his head about the whole thing that he forgot the most important part, you. He hated that he made you feel like this. "Y/N, I am so sorry I made you feel this way." Seth said, cupping your cheeks to wipe away the silent tears that fell. "I don’t wanna break up with you. Quite the opposite actually. I just- I wanted everything to be perfect, to give you everything you deserve but I messed up. I neglected you, the restaurant was closed due to a birthday, and I lost the ring."

"Seth what are you talking about?" You asked interrupting his rambling. You weren’t sure if you heard correctly but you thought you heard 'ring'.

"I want to marry you, Y/N." Seth told you, looking up and smiling. His smile was one of your favourite things in the world. "I was going to propose, planned it all out."

"Oh Seth, I love you but I don’t need some fancy plan." You said, your smile matching his. "I would be happy with us in our pyjamas on a Sunday morning making pancakes because I would still get to marry my best friend, to spend the rest of my life with you. So yes, Seth Jarvis, I will marry you." Seth kissed you, his hands resting on your waist as yours snake around his neck.

[0sincerelyella]

Request: Hey can I request one where Joe burrow cheat on the reader and after some time he wants to be back with her

Drunk and Stupid - Joe Burrow

Summary: joe gets drunk, and stupid. losing his only and every thing

notes: this is going to be very cheesy and cliche but i love angst so let’s go

the ending is so trash i’m so sorry

an idiot. only an idiot would get black out drunk after a game when he has a wife to go home too. only an idiot would follow a girl, not his wife, up the stairs of this strangers house and into a bedroom

he couldn’t even walk up the stairs

he was dizzy

he was disoriented, sick, confused

she looked just like his wife

but she wasn’t his wife.

if was only a kiss, a kiss interrupted by shrimp he had hours ago. but he still kissed her

and her, wasn’t his, her.

the next day, he woke up in a haze. his head hurt, and his heart hurt even worse. his head rested in the lap of his wife, a cold rag in her hand dabbing against his forehead. “good morning” she said, her eyes had bags under them, dark circles, and they were swollen. her nose was red. he knew that look all too well

she was crying

he leaned up to kiss her lips but y/n turned her head. “no, i’m sorry” she sat his head on the pillow gently and stood to walk into the kitchen.

joe sat up, adjusting his eyes to the sight around him. the closet was open, and only joes stuff was left. junk was thrown all over the floor, glass shattered, wedding pictures torn. her suitcase was missing, her shoes, her clothes, all her belongings were just gone

he stood up, his head spinning in circles. he made his way to the kitchen where y/n stood, her head rested on the counter, she was sobbing uncontrollably. “y/n? honey what’s wrong” his hand landed on her should, she slapped it away.

“don’t touch me joe” she said, standing up and wiping her tears. “don’t touch me again” she stepped back, only then did joe notice the suitcases stacked by the door.

then he remembered last night. the night of his stupid, idiotic, drunken decisions. “y/n,” he reached out to grab her like if he didn’t she’d slip away. “no, joe. i’m not doing this” she stepped back

she was slipping away.

“you said in our vows that it was me and you against the world” she was crying more, and pushing him away more. “i guess it’s you, and her now isn’t it joe”

“i don’t even know her name” y/n shook her head. “that makes it worse”

she grabbed the wedding picture off the counter, pointing to it. “4 years of marriage, and you threw it all out the window for a girl at a party you don’t even know”

she slammed the picture down

“just yesterday morning you talked about us starting a family” joe was stunned

his head hurt too much to even think and his heart hurt to much to beg

“goodbye joe” she said, looking into his eyes, seeing her reflection in the color. in that face she married, and loved so much.

she walked out the door and out of her future forever.

—

y/n stepped out of her small cincinnati apartment, taking the elevator down to the first floor. the sun was bright and beautiful. she’d moved into this new apartment three years ago, nine months of living with her parents after her divorce.

she opened up her car door, and drove to her destination. she had taken these three years to focus on herself, sorta.

but she was very happy and health in her own skin compared to the moment she had gotten her heart crushed.

y/n parked her car, stepping out of it and walking towards the practice field. she took a deep breath, she figured it would only be her old friends, tee higgins, andrei iosivas, tyler boyd and jam’arr, considering it was a wide receiver camp for kids. but she was still scared.

as she walked onto the field, she was met with her sister, and her sisters son. “hi!” she grabbed her nephew into a tight hug. “hi auntie-“

“y/n?” y/n stood at the voice she knew all too well.

“joe” she said, taking a hitched breath. he smiled at her “how have you been? what are you doing here?”

y/n turned her head towards a small, three year old boy running towards her. “momma!” the boy called, hugging her leg. “hi jay jay” she said with a smile, “whose this?” joe asked, his face wore a surprised look

“my son, jeremy” she stated, picking the boy up in one swift motion. joe smiled again, this smile was sad. “where’s his dad?” joe asked, causing the boy to look at him with sad eyes

sad, blue eyes

“i don’t got one” he said, looking back at his mom

something in joes mind clicked then

“how old is he?”

y/n knew he knew at this point. she couldn’t hide it anymore. “i’m this many” he held up three fingers

“he’s mine isn’t he?”

y/n tried her hardest to hold back the tears as she nodded.

joe dropped everything in that moment to hug them.

he’s wanted nothing more than her back for the past three years, nothing more than his girl. and now he knows they have a child together

he can’t stay away for her sake now.

“joe, i want us to be a family i do” her eyes filled with tears just as the did almost four years ago

“i don’t think i can ever look at you the same again”

[senditcolton]

So Tragic and Rare

"Meet in the Middle" (pt. 13)

a/n: hello again! another fic added to the universe. this one is not as wild and crazy as the last but a nice little look in at where Andrei and Keely's relationship might go.

word count: 5.2k warnings: none! previous part 🧡 next part masterlist

When Andrei’s phone buzzes, he is in the middle of untying his skates after practice, the laces tight in his hands. His eyes glance over, the text message preview shining brightly on the screen and Andrei’s movements stop when he registers the name of his agent. And his heartrate increases when he reads the three-word message.

Mark Call me asap.

Andrei can’t stop his mind from spiraling. There was absolutely no reason his agent should be texting him, especially not with that cryptic message that conveyed a dire sense of urgency. He wasn’t in danger of being traded or put on waivers or anything else that would prompt this text from Mark. Unless, it was something else; an outside source implicating Andrei in something that could be damaging to his career.

The confusion and small hint of fear coursing through him causes Andrei to finish his post-practice routine in record time, racing back to his car before calling Mark back. The nerves do not settle when his agents voice comes through the speakers of his phone.

“What have you gotten yourself into, Andrei?”

The question catches him off-guard even more that his agent’s previous text, something that Andrei expresses with a vocal bewildered ‘what?’

“I received a very interesting phone call today from one Heather Griffith,” Mark explains. “Do you know she is?”

“No,” Andrei answers, the name not pulling any image into his mind, the hesitancy painting the single syllable response.

“She is a publicist, known in music circles. And today, she reached out to our office on behalf of Keely Halloran. Do you know her? She performed at the All-Star Game last month.”

As if Andrei could forget about Keely Halloran. As if he hadn’t spent the last month gathering every scrap of information that he could about the rockstar that had crashed into his life that weekend in Toronto. As if he still didn’t see her face and hear her voice in his dreams and feel her touch in his dreams.

Of course, he doesn’t say any of that to his agent. Instead, he just responds with a small affirmative hum, enough for Mark to continue.

“Well, apparently Halloran was wondering if there was a time that the two of you could get together during the Canes upcoming northeast road trip.”

“The New Jersey, New York, Boston trip?”

“Yep, that’s the one,” Mark responds. Through the speakers, Andrei can hear him flipping through some papers before he speaks again. “She says that she could either have you meet her at her recording studio in New York City or at her apartment in Boston; whatever works best for your schedule.”

There is a beat of silence as Andrei takes in the information. In the month after Toronto and he hadn’t heard anything from Keely. Her social media hadn’t even updated and any news stories that she was involved in had either been rumors or old new. There were moments when he wasn’t even sure that she would ever reach out to him. He had been – still was – willing to wait for her, just like he promised. But the complete radio silence had him wondering how long he was supposed to wait. A month? Six? A year?

That question was clearly irrelevant, now that his agent was telling him that she wanted to see him.

“Andrei, you still there?”

Mark’s voice breaks him out of his reverie and he clears his throat before responding.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m here. Um, New York would be better since the travel between Jersey and the city isn’t as much as New York to Boston. I mean, I could do Boston also but I’m not sure.”

“Let’s just stick with New York. I’ll reach out to her publicist to confirm and we’ll work out details from there.”

Andrei continues to sit in stunned silence, listening to the clack of a keyboard and more flipping pages until Mark sighs again.

“What have you gotten yourself into, Andrei?” he asks, his voice haggard as he repeats the question posed at the very beginning of their phone call.

“What do you mean?”

“Why do I have a rockstar’s publicist on my answering machine? How did this even happen?”

Andrei can understand both his agent’s confusion and his concern. He knows that he should tell Mark everything, give him all the information he could because that was Mark’s job. His agent didn’t only help Andrei navigate contracts but also navigate the world as someone with a spotlight on him. And news like this, his connection with an insanely popular musician, would just draw more eyes to him.

But something stops him from telling Mark exactly what happened – what was happening – between him and Keely. Perhaps he wanted to keep Keely safe, protect her as much as he could. Maybe it was the fact that he wasn’t exactly sure what he and Keely shared.

“I don’t know,” Andrei replies, choosing to give Mark an abridged version that still had glimmers of the truth. “We connected at the All-Star game and I asked to keep in touch. Now, this.”

“Fine,” Mark says, a defeated sound coming from his chest and Andrei can picture the shake of his head. “Just, whenever you know, please tell me. Might need to high more PR or at least a crisis consultant.”

The last sentence is more muttered than spoken but Andrei hears it all the same before the line goes dead. Mark’s concern digs into Andrei, making him think deeper about his agent’s questions.

He didn’t really know where this – whatever he shared with Keely Halloran – was going. He initially thought it might have ended a month ago. He didn’t know if it would last past this next week. It was tenuous, delicate. And he knew that fragility wouldn’t disappear even if their bond strengthened.

That was just what happened, considering who she was. Who he was.

But he tries to let those concerns roll off him, like water off a duck wing. There was no point worrying about a future when that wasn’t even certain. That mindset made him a good hockey player and he knew that mindset would make him good for Keely.

If she wanted him.

~*~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~*~

The electronic voice of Andrei’s Google Maps directs him to turn off 17th, down Greenwich Ave. His legs may have been a little sore from the morning skate plus the 30-minutes he had been walking but Andrei could easily count the positives.

Like the fact that no one had stopped him since leaving the hotel, or that it was a pleasantly warm day, or that he had almost arrived at the studio, or that he was about to see Keely again.

His app tells him the Electric Lady Studios is coming up on his left and Andrei takes out his headphones. He looks ahead on the sidewalk for a sign or anything other identifiers. He doesn’t expect for his identifier to be the small group of men with cameras lingering outside but Keely did warn him about the possibility.

The sight of them gives Andrei pause, his steps slowing. He’s sure that he is unworthy of getting a phot taken, the men most likely looking for higher list celebrities. But just to be safe, Andrei adjusts his sunglasses and pulls his baseball cap a little lower. With a deep breath, he walks up to the front door and pulls it open with as much casualness as he can muster, hoping that the paparazzi thought he was just another worker or security guard.

The sound clicking camera shutters do not hit his ears and a sigh of relief flows through him. Quickly taking off his meager disguise, smoothing his hair with his hands, he walks up to the front desk where serious woman sits, typing on a computer.

“Hello,” he says, causing the woman’s eyes to look up at him over her horn-rimmed glasses, her eyebrows raising. Andrei tries not to let himself falter under her stare, taking a deep breath before continuing. “I’m here to see Keely Halloran.”

“Name.”

“Andrei Svechnikov,” he replies, waiting to see if any form of recognition crosses over her face. But the receptionist, unfazed, simply picks up the landline, tapping a few numbers before murmuring Andrei’s information to the person on the other end. Andrei watches the small nod of her head before she is placing the phone back down and fixing her eyes on him once again.

“Studio D. Down the hall to the left.”

Andrei leaves her with a polite thank you, receiving only a hum in response. He walks across the plush carpet, following the receptionist’s directions as well the signs hanging on the walls until he arrives at the recording studio labeled with the letter D. After another slow deep breath, he pulls open the door.

It is nearly silent when he steps into the room but he can hear the soft somewhat muffled sound of Keely’s singing. The room is on the smaller size, the main attraction being the giant switchboard facing a huge window. Two men were standing in front of the board, giant headphones on their ears and he could see their fingers moving. Andrei looks past them, through the window, and sees Keely.

After a month of only seeing her through a phone or computer screen, the sight of her in front of him takes his breath away. She was beautiful – no photos could compare seeing her in person. Photographs could never capture the beauty of her entire essence: sitting in the live studio, her own headphones perched on her head as she sings into a microphone, her eyes almost closed, her hands emoting with every word.

Andrei just stands back, not wanting to disturb the moment, content to watch Keely in her element. She pauses, looking back towards the window and it is then do her eyes flit up to Andrei. The skip of his heart is noticeable when her smile grows exponentially at the sight of him. She sends a soft wave in his direction as a silent hello, before her fingers curl to indicate ‘one moment.’ He just nods, patiently waiting as she does a few more takes before she takes off her headphones.

Keely gets up from the chair she was perched in and walks through the connecting door, smiling at Andrei before turning her attention to her producers.

It is fascinating, watching her work. He assumes that this is how people felt watching him skate.

Keely looked so in her element, leaning over the switchboard, her hands holding her headphones in place, her head moving with the beat. He watches how she talks to her producers, humming and singing, brainstorming ideas about the music and lyrics. Her smile never leaves her face, not even when a soft thank you fall from her lips. Her producers get up from their seats, receiving a warm hug from Keely before they depart. And then, finally, she turns her attention to Andrei.

“Hi,” she says, the lingering happiness painting her words.

“Hey.”

It’s one of the only words Andrei can say, still in shock that he was able to see her again. Still surprised that she reached out to him after a month of silence.

“Sorry again about the whole fiasco of setting this up,” Keely laughs, pushing the door open to the other side of the recording studio, holding it in a silent invitation for Andrei to follow behind. “I hope you were able to get here okay.”

“It was fine. New York is beautiful so it’s nice to walk around.”

Andrei’s words slightly trail off as he walks into the live room. He wasn’t able to see the entirety of it until now. It is cozy; the warm paneling, a myriad of couches and chairs, and even plants sitting on many surfaces. But it is also so obviously a recording studio with every different type of instrument placed along almost every wall. He watches Keely sink down onto one of the couches, her blue eyes looking up at him, the excitement of seeing him and having him here, in her world, evident. Andrei returns her smile as he sinks into the cushions opposite her before continuing.

“And don’t apologize. I’m honestly just happy you reached out,” he continues, letting his smile widen ever so slightly. “Never thought I’d see you again.”

“Grow tired of waiting for me?”

“Never,” he responds immediately with a sharp sincerity. “Although, if I got your number back in Toronto, it might have been easier to remind you that I was here.”

Keely laughs, her head tilt indicating he made a good point but her laughter fades as she looks back at him with that genuine expression that made the temperature of his body increase.

“I wouldn’t need a reminder,” she softly says. “I never forgot about you.”

This woman. A part of Andrei wondered if she’d ever stop making his heart do flips in his chest.

“Really?” he asks, the question lifted with an air of uncertainty. His shock is once again noticed by Keely who only laughs that bright laugh in response.

“Of course. You think I let any random guy I met once into my recording studio?”

Andrei shares in her laughter, never ceasing to love how confident and carefree she was.

“It is a beautiful studio.”

“Thank you,” Keely replies, looking around the space before training her blue eyes back to Andrei. “I hope this isn’t too weird but I was wondering if you’d be comfortable having lunch with me in here? There’s a mini fridge that I keep stocked with food or we could order in.”

“You have a fully stocked mini-fridge?”

“Never know how long I’ll be working. Don’t want to interrupt the creative process by having to walk outside and grab a bite to eat, y’know?”

Andrei replies with a soft chuckle of understand because he did get it. There were moments in practice where he did not want to leave the ice until he perfected a specific technique or a specific play and then repeated it until it became muscle memory. He could imagine writing a song might operate the same way.

“I’m fine with whatever,” he says, his shoulder shrugging, leaving the decision entirely up to her.

“Cool. I think I’ll order some food then. There’s this Italian place a few blocks away that to die for,” Keely replies, lifting herself up and grabbing her cell-phone before turning to Andrei. “Chicken and pasta, right?”

“Yeah,” Andrei confirms, his smile growing on his face. “How’d you remember?”

“Like I said, it was hard to forget about you.”

Andrei leans back and lets Keely type their order into her phone (although he does offer his own card to pay but she shoos his request away, saying she invited him). She settles back down on the couch and while they wait for the delivery, they talk, catching each other up on what had been happening in their lives.

It was surface level stuff at first: how the season was going for Carolina, how many times Keely had been in the studio. When their food arrives, their conversation turns more intimate, talking about smaller, non-headline items. Keely shows him videos of her dog Gigi and some other photos of Boston from her point of view. Andrei recounts the absolute freak-out that Seth Jarvis had when Andrei sent him the video they shot up in Toronto. He can’t contain his laughter, even going to show the all-capital multi exclamation point text messages that he received, causing Keely to laugh as well.

“Well, if that’s how he reacts to a video, I can only imagine what he’d be like if I ever meet him.”

“Do you want to meet him?”

“Maybe. You think I will?” Keely says, responding with her own question and Andrei can see both the gentle tease in her eyes as well as the sincere hope. The hope that maybe meeting each other’s friends was were this could be heading, growing from a chance meeting to something real.  

“I guess we’ll find out,” he replies, his own eyes surely sparkling with that same hope.  

“Guess we will.”

“You look great by the way. I’m not sure if I’d told you that yet.”

“If you did, I wouldn’t be opposed to hearing it again.”

“Well, you do,” Andrei compliments, his gaze darting down her body.

She always did look fantastic but this felt different. Her outfit matched her demeanor: casual and relaxed. Another monochrome outfit of a tank top, pants, boots, her hair in two braids, that made her seem so effortlessly cool. His eyes trace the lines of her necklaces and down to the bracelets adorning her wrists before noticing the ring on her middle finger. He recognizes it as the same one from her jewelry tray in her hotel bathroom.

“I like your ring,” he says, gesturing. “I saw it… well, that night. It’s very unique.”

Keely’s eyes follow his gesture, her right hand lifting as she takes in the jewelry, a small chuckle falling from her lips.

“It’s actually one of the most common rings you’ll see in Boston. Especially South Boston.”

“Really? What is it?”

“It’s called a Claddagh ring. Old Irish tradition,” she explains.

She holds her hand out and Andrei doesn’t hesitate to take a hold of it. There is a notable shiver that runs through Keely at his touch, a smile appearing on her face – one that Andrei matches, his thumb running over her knuckles. She lets out a small shaky breath before continuing.

“The heart represents love, the crown loyalty, and the hands friendship,” Keely says, pointing to each element of the ring. “Most girls get one when they turn seventeen or eighteen. It’s actually a way to show relationship status. When it’s on the right hand – like mine – and the bottom of the heart is pointing out – like mine – it means that your heart is open to love. If the heart is pointed towards the wearer, it means they’re in a relationship. And then on the left hand, pointed out means engaged, pointed in means married.”

“Sounds complicated,” Andrei laughs, making sure his voice stays light as to not offend.  

“Only if you don’t know the traditions,” she teases back, taking his jest in stride.

“You wore it the other way for a while,” he comments. There is a silence that falls and Andrei’s eyes dart up to see Keely staring at her ring, her eyebrows furrowed.

“Tan line is still there,” Andrei explains, his thumb running over the ring, pulling it slightly to the side to show the – albeit very faint – tan line. Keely’s hand slips from his as she brings it closer to her own eyes, taking in the lighter skin.

“You think it would’ve faded by now,” she sighs, rubbing the finger, the ring twisting as she looks away, her eyes distant.

Andrei just sits there, taking in the sight of the vulnerable woman sitting in front of him. It still hurt him, how much pain that she had obviously gone through. But it also made his heart soft that she was this open and trusting with him after only a few interactions.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I’m sure you know the story,” she says with a humorless chuckle, her eyes darting over to him.

He didn’t want to tell her that yes, he did. After he left Toronto, he looked up as much as he could about her, trying to understand who Keely Halloran was. There was a lot of noise to dig through: internet trolls, overly critical journalists, people who had nothing to say but still said it as loud as possible. But he did know the story of her recent breakup and the fallout that followed.

“I haven’t heard it from you.”

Her blue eyes dart up to him and he hopes she understands that he wanted to hear about what happened from her perspective; the perspective of the person who lived through it all. Not to satiate some sick hunger to get information from superstar Keely Halloran but because he cared about her.

It seems as if his expression conveys enough because that self-deprecating smile softens. She lets out a small sigh before speaking.

“The short of it… is that he cheated on me. The long of it is that he cheated on me multiple times, in multiple places, in the five years we were together. Told me everything after we broke up. I wrote a song about it, got crucified for writing said song, disappeared for a few months, and now – here I am.”

“Multiple times in multiple places?” he repeats, shocked that there was a guy out there that was just plain stupid. Keely just shrugs.

“The danger of dating someone who travels for their job. It’s pretty easy to hide infidelity when you’re in different cities.”

“But he told you?”

“Yeah,” Keely chuckles, her eyes rolling. “Wrote me a letter, in fact.”

“The Late-Night performance,” Andrei whispers, remembering the messy scrawl that was projected across the soundstage.

“Yep. I don’t know if he was asking for forgiveness or wanted to cleanse his soul or some other bullshit,” she scoffs, shaking her head. “The funny thing is, him doing that is what caused everything else to happen. He could’ve gotten off scot-free if he just kept his mouth shut. But then again, I suppose I didn’t have to write a song attacking him.”

“No,” Andrei says. Keely glances back over at him, her eyebrows furrowed in a silent question. “If he didn’t want you – a singer – to write a song about how he hurt you, he shouldn’t have hurt you.”

 He can see Keely blink a few times, her body shifting, leaning back in surprise at his words and the conviction in his voice. Another sly smile tugs at her lips, her blue eyes fixed on him.

“Where were you a year ago?” she asks, her voice lilting in a gentle tease.

Andrei responds with a chuckle of his own, blushing as his head ducks down, scratching the back of his neck. He glances back up at Keely, her gaze taking him in, that cool casual demeanor thrown over her again like a security blanket.

“What about you, Andrei? Any past relationship drama I should know about?”

“No, not really,” he replies, gently laughing off her question.

“Really? No gossip that I can dig up on social media or through Google,” she says, relaxing him by gently poking fun at herself and her fishbowl life.

“Nah, there’s not much to say. My job and all… it – it keeps me busy. I only have summer really to date. But then hockey starts again and I’m travelling and… yeah,” he explains with a shrug. “Most of my problems have been physical: injuries. Missed last year’s playoffs because of my knee.”

“I’m sorry. I mean, that’s gotta suck.”

“It’s fine. Well, it wasn’t but… I’m all good now.”

“Back and better than ever?” she muses, that bright smile returning to her face.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Something we both can relate to.”

Andrei matches her grin as the two of them sit in that comfortable silence of a deeper understanding. Their worlds, while slightly different, were oddly similar as well. They had outside eyes on them, unsolicited opinions on their careers coming from every direction. But they both loved what they did. It was an intrinsic part of them, something that they couldn’t suppress even if it might be easier for them if they did.

“What were you working on? When I showed up?” Andrei asks, moving the conversation to what he hoped was lighter subject matter. His heart flips when he sees Keely’s eyes light up, the expression so like the joy he expressed on the ice.

“Just a new song. I’m not sure what I’m gonna do with it yet. Might be scrapped, might be on the next album. We’ll see,” she explains.

“Can I hear it?”

“For you? Of course.”

Keely jumps up from the couch, careful not to knock over any of their empty takeout containers. She tells him to wait as she disappears into the control room. Andrei can still see her from the other side of the window fiddling with the control board. The instrumental somewhat startles him when it starts playing through the speakers. He can tell that it is a work in progress, not as completed as the songs that he hears on the radio. But he sits and listens to the snippet played.

Tuck a knife with my heart up my sleeve and fuck like a demon. Do it like nothing, I am disgusting, I’ve been corrupted and by now I don’t need no help to be destructive. I’ve been gone. Yeah, I’ve been on this road too long.

The track stops and Andrei looks back at Keely through the window. She smiles, giving him a questioning thumbs up to which he responds to with one of his own. He watches as she practically bounds back in and sits down in her previous spot.

“Yeah, no idea what it’s going to turn into, if it’s going to be anything. One idea that I had that I’m really attached to is adding this cool skip effect to the word ‘corrupted’ just to emphasize that meaning. But any way… what do you think? Honest opinion.”

“I, um, I don’t know a lot about music. I don’t want to offend,” Andrei slowly replies. Keely just playfully scoffs at his explanation, rolling her eyes in a teasing jest.   

“Please, you know my life. It’ll take a lot to offend me,” she laughs. Andrei replies with a tilt of his head, silently telling her that she made an excellent point.  

“I like the music. I’m not sure about the lyrics. They’re a little… dark?”

“Dark?”

“Yeah. Doesn’t seem like you. But maybe I’m seeing a different side of you that makes me feel like that,” Andrei explains, looking up at Keely with shy brown eyes. This time, it’s Keely that tilts her head in agreement to his statement.

“You might be right. Well, maybe you’ll like these lyrics a little better.”

Keely once again pops up from her sitting position, walking swiftly over to the wall of guitars, and grabs one without hesitation. He watches as she gently sets it down on the couch across from him, before taking one of the smaller amps and bringing it up. With a practiced ease, she connects the instrument, pulling it into her lap and tuning it.

She strums a few notes, making sure everything was correct before she starts playing an upbeat chord progression, her foot tapping to the beat. The melody of the guitar already makes a smile appear on Andrei’s face, one that only widens when she starts singing.

“You should take it as a compliment that I got drunk and made fun of the way you talk. You should think about the consequence of your magnetic field being a little too strong. And I had a boyfriend who’s older than us. I haven’t seen him in a couple of months. I go through phases when it comes to love. I’m nothing that you want but I must say:

You’re so gorgeous, and I ain’t just talking about your face but look at your face. (ah-huh-ah) And I’m so curious. Your mind got me feeling some type of way. What can I say? You’re gorgeous. (huh, huh, ah-huh-ah)”

If there was one thing that was for certain, it was that Keely Halloran would never cease to surprise him. That was the thought repeating in Andrei’s mind as he watched her sing. She was so at ease, the weight that had been so evident on her shoulders seemingly vanished and all that was left was the music. The soft smile on his face remains even as she stops playing, her bright blue eyes looking up at him.

“I’m still not sure how I feel about that one,” she says, shrugging her shoulders as she rests the guitar against the couch cushions. “I think if I figure out the lyrics, I might send it off to another artist.”

“I like that one,” Andrei says, his voice painted with soft admiration.

“Well, I hope so. It’s about you after all.”

Those electric blue eyes seem to sparkle with the intensity of a million stars at the quiet confession. Andrei was slightly taken aback, not fully realizing how much he impacted this woman’s life until now. They only interacted with each other a minimum of three separate times, not including this one. What did she see in him? How had he not messed this up already?

“Well, I love it,” he says.

“I wrote another song about you,” Keely says, dropping the information so casually as if discussing the weather. Andrei wasn’t sure if she was emboldened by his sincerity or just liked to see him flail but whatever the reason, Andrei loved the way that it looked on her.

“Really?”

“Yeah. But I already sent it off to my friend Damiano. The moment I wrote it I knew it would fit perfectly on his band’s new album.”

“Can I still hear it?”

“You’ll have to wait for it to come out, just like everybody else. Besides, you already got enough of a sneak peek.”

The comfortable silence falls again as Andrei watches Keely return the guitar and amp to their homes. It’s almost perfect, a glimpse into what a potential future with her would look like. That is, until the sound of an alert shatters the peace. Andrei recognizes it as his alarm tone and he fishes out his cellphone from his pocket. The alert on his screen makes his heart slightly drop that it was that time already.

“Sorry, it’s an alarm I set,” he explains gently, turning off the noise and shoving the phone back in his pocket before lifting himself off the couch cushions. “I’ve gotta head back to the hotel.”

“Hey, I understand,” Keely says, walking with him out of the recording room, back into the control room and the door to the studio. Andrei stops, turning back to Keely, his hat and sunglasses in his hands.

“Are you coming to the game tomorrow?”

“No. I planned on staying in the city for the rest of the night, have some dinner with my friends, before heading back to Boston. Plus, me, at a Rangers game? Can you imagine?”

“Well, the Bruins game, then.”

“So confident,” she smiles, the words a glimmer of those exchanged in Toronto. “I think that is a definite possibility. I’m planning on going to TD Garden for a friend’s concert the night before the game anyway so, I’ll be in the area.”

“Would you be rooting for me?” he asks, a playful tease painting his words, one that makes Keely’s lips twist in her own mischievous grin.

“I don’t know, Svechnikov. You’ve gotta be pretty amazing for me to forsake a lifetime of hockey loyalty.”

“I’ll make sure to play my best game just for you.”

“Just for me?”

“You’ve written two songs about me. I’ve gotta catch up.”

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[hockeyboysimagines]

I’ve loved you three

Summers

Chapter 5

Warnings: Angst, implied sex, language.

Long overdue!

To be read with @cellythefloshie “Cool for the summer”

Enjoy🤍

“You look cute!” Maddie commented as she and Harper made their way to her jeep in the driveway.

Harper glanced down and then back at her “Are you sure? I-“

Maddie nodded and smiled “Positive. It’s nice to see you in something besides running clothing for a change.”

“Sorry about this week. I’ve just been having a tough time.” Harper said quietly as she reached for the drivers side door handle.

“Don’t apologize. Just pick yourself back up is all. Everyone’s allowed a bad day now and again Harper. But don’t let the bad days outnumber the good ones.”

Harper managed a smile and a nod and hopped in next to her, tossing her phone in the cup holder.

Maddie wanted to tell her about Seth, but she didn’t want to overload Harper’s already overloaded brain. She would tell her eventually, unless Harper figured it out on her own, which was very possible. She had practically raised them, and she knew something was up per their conversation the week prior. It certainly wouldn’t take her very long to notice the change.

Right now though, Maddie had something other than Seth on her mind.

Right now, her heart was bursting with the idea that they were sisters again. They chatted with eachother as they buckled in the jeep and rolled down the windows, cranking the volume on the radio. Maddie remembered when Harper first got her license and they used to drive all over the place singing at the top of their lungs. They hadn’t done that in a long time.

It was so nice.

The lights were on at the Jarvis house, and Seth’s car was still there, and Maddie assumed he and Andrei would be leaving soon to meet them at the carnival but she hadn’t talked with him in a few hours so she wasn’t sure. As Harper backed out of the driveway and turned down the road, Maddie thought back to another summer evening some years ago.

“Are you two gonna sit out here all day?” Madison and Seth, both 14, glanced up to see Harper making her way across the lawn.

It was brutally hot outside and Madison was seated under the umbrella by the pool while Seth, waist deep was skimming it with the pool cleaning net. Harper was still in work clothing, hair pulled back from her face, sweat already forming on her forehead.

“It’s too hot to do anything else. The water isn’t even cool anymore.” Maddie said shifting in her lounge chair and wiping her forehead.

Harper seated herself on the other chair and blew out a breath “It is hot. So who’s the new pool boy?” She nodded at Seth who made a face.

“Ha ha.” He guffawed eyeing Harper over the pool net. He lowered it under the water and cracked an evil grin.

“Seth I swear if you-NO!”

Seth swung the net and a tidal wave of water flew out of the pool hitting Harper square in the chest and face. With a shrill scream she stood, water pouring down her pants and forming a puddle on the sidewalk around the pool. Madison watched open mouthed as she shook herself and Seth made to climb out of the pool and run across the yard but Harper took off after him and caught him. Madison followed and the three of them went down in a tangle of arms and legs which Seth unfortunately ended up on the bottom of. Madison had him by arms as Harper started pinching him making him scream so loud he would have woke. The neighborhood had anyone been home at the odd hour in the afternoon.

“What the hell are you idiots doing?”

They paused their fighting and looked up to find their dad and and Mr. Jarvis looking at them amused. They were all wet, disheveled and covered in grass clippings from rolling around wrestling on the ground. Harper cleared her throat from her spot sitting on top of Seth “Seth started it.”

“And I helped Harper beat him up.” Madison said from her right. She was still holding both of Seth’s arms to the side so he couldn’t defend himself.

“And I-I hit Harper with pool water.” Seth said muffled from underneath her.

Mr.Jarvis and their dad shared a look and shrugged “He asked for it. You want a beer?”

Harper resumed her punching as they made their way inside the house. After several seconds Seth flipped her and Madison off of him, sending them rolling into one another and made his way to his feet and took off across the lawn, the girls following behind.

Inside the kitchen Mr. Jarvis watched and shook his head.

“I hope they beat him when they catch him.”

***********

The carnival was large and loud, packed with people. The air was thick and sticky, but the sun had started to go down by the time they’d parked and started walking. They’d intercepted Maddie’s friends and they had begun to make their way through when Harper turned to ask Maddie a question.

“Hey Mads I- what is this?” Harper said letting out a long breath and deflating. Annoyance crossed her face as Seth, Andrei and two other people who Maddie wasn’t familiar with made their way towards them.

Seth grinned and raised his eyebrows, holding his hand up in fake surprise “Oh my god, how funny it is to see you guys here! That’s so weird.” He said winking at Maddie.

Harper folded her arms and pursed her lips, foot tapping on the ground as he neared her still grinning “Yeah.” She scoffed “Definitely weird.”

Seth swung an arm around her shoulders and gave her a small shake “Love you Harper.”

She looked away from him pointedly, looking around at anything that wasn’t in Andreis general direction but because Harper was polite she was forced to when he introduced them to his brother and his girlfriend.

They made small talk, even Harper for a few minutes before Seth made mention of beer and the group dissolved leaving her with her sister. Maddie looked slowly over at her sister trying to gauge how mad she was. And judging by her crossed arms and sour expression she would say on a scale of 1 to 10 it was like a 4.

“Madison.”

“Harper.”

“Why are you doing this to me.”

“I don’t-what do you mean?”

Though she still looked annoyed, a ghost of a smile crossed her face and she sighed glancing upwards “I’m going pee.” She squeezed through people and was gone just as Seth and Andrei returned.

Convenient.

“Beer.” Seth said holding the plastic cup out to her, eyes moving down her bare legs like he wanted to rub it all over her exposed skin.

Andrei was glancing around over the top of her head, and gave her an absent smile.

“She’s in the bathroom.” Maddie said from beside him, eyes twinkling as she sipped from the cup.

“Who?” Seth asked from behind her, hand braced on her hip.

“My sister of course. He looooooves her.” Maddie said with a small giggle and a wink. She gave Andrei a playful tap on the bicep and even though he felt hopeless he chuckled “My brother does not think it’s a good idea.” Andrei said with a shrug.

Seth frowned “Why not?”

“Because she just got out of a relationship and well be leaving at the end of the summer.”

“Tell him to stop being a buzzkill.” Maddie said completely ignoring the “leaving at the end of the summer” comment. That was the last thing she wanted to think about.

Regardless of what, if anything happened with Harper and Andrei today or any other day before the end of August, she would still have to contend with Seth packing up and leaving then too. It always sucked when summer ended and he left to play wherever it was he was playing at, this summer would be particularly hard. She tried not to think about it, but it was already mid June and she felt like the days moved by faster than ever.

Andrei chuckled and shrugged “I don’t think she likes me that way anyways.” Though he’d fished for information on the golf course and Maddie hadn’t given him any, he wondered if it would be the same result now that she had sipped away half that cup of beer.

But she still wasn’t budging.

“I can’t speak to that, but what I can speak to is I’ve never seen Harper go out of her way to be this rude to someone ever. So either your extremely unlikeable or your too likeable.”

“Don’t tell him that. It’ll go straight to his head.”

Harper returned a moment later and the group moved through the fair, Andreis brother and his girlfriend in front, and Maddie’s friends in the back leaving the four of them in the middle. Harper looked uncomfortable as Andrei spoke with her as they walked, and it would have been cute but Maddie was distracted by the loud conversation her friends were having behind her.

“Look at the way he’s following her around, so cute. Like a puppy-“

Maddie spun around and glared at them from under her bangs and they both stopped talking. If she could hear them, so could Harper and she had finally gotten her out of the basement and these two weren’t about to ruin it.

She turned back to Seth and he frowned “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing I’ll tell you later.” She gave them another irritated glance as the line moved up a little bit.

“Mads?” He asked leaning over “What’s wrong?”

“These dumb bitches behind me keep making comments about Harper and Andrei and it’s pissing me off. They should really mind their own business.” She said the last part loudly so they could hear her. They were both silent and slowly melted away into the crowd of the carnival.

Seth sighed and smiled at her dreamily “Your so mean. I love y-it. I love it.”

Madison clammed up a split second as he coughed and looked ahead of him, sucking in a breath. The air turned awkward as they moved up in line looking away from each other pointedly. As the ride came to a stop, Seth pulled Maddie forward amidst Harper’s protest and sent her a little wave and a smile as she got on the next cart with Andrei.

She glared at him and shook her head.

“They look cozy.” He remarked giving Maddie a nudge.

“What? Oh yeah.” She chuckled and looked at her feet.

Seth knew why she was suddenly quiet of course. He had almost said it and she knew it. Though he knew it was too soon for him to be talking about Love, it was true. He had always loved Madison, but it had hit him like a freight train and his feelings were growing stronger everyday. But telling her he loved her, that he was in love with her was difficult and scary.

If things didn’t work between them, she would always be here. For the rest of his life as long as he came home to Winnipeg she would be there. Right next door. He could keep it to himself for now, but he wasn’t sure how much longer he could contain himself.

She didn’t say anything as the ride started, merely gripped his hand as it spun them, and held it as they exited. Soon after she, Seth and Harper split from Andrei and his brother and Harper held up a hand and announced she needed a drink.

Once they got to the beer gardens and sat down, Harper started complaining to Seth and Madison, which brought the mood back, and Seth was relieved to see Madison back to her old self.

“Okay but why does he have to like me? Why couldn’t he like literally anyone else.” She moaned holding out a hand exasperatedly looking at Seth for help.

“Well he’s certainly not gonna be into me.” Seth said gesturing at himself “He likes mean women.”

“And he’s from another country. You’ve got that whole foreign exotic thing going for you.” Maddie said with a wink.

“Oh PLEASE.” Harper groaned “There is nothing exotic about being Canadian.”

“Okay well he obviously doesn’t know that.” Maddie said waving her off as Seth picked up the sentence “Your like a shiny new-“

“If you compare me to a new toy Seth Jarvis I’ll slit your tires.” Harper said cutting him off, and pointing at him.

Maddie burst out laughing and Seth scoffed at her eyebrows raised. Harper didn’t usually get sassy like that but when she did, Seth remembered where Maddie got it from.

“Okay then your like the shiny old-“

“Hey.”

They stopped bickering to find Andrei standing there eyes moving between them.

“Oh.” Harper chuckled “oh. Uh. Hi Andrei” She glanced down at the bear in his hands and went cold with dread.

“For you if you want it.” He extended the bear “I won’t it and thought of you.”

They waited with baited breath as Harper looked between Andrei and the bear for several seconds before she took it slowly and gave him a small unsure smile.

It made Maddie wanna cry.

The air was awkward a second before, to Maddie’s dismay, her friends returned and broke up the moment.

*************

Maddie was deep in thought for the remainder of the carnival. She was having fun, and engaged in conversation with the others but she was thinking about Seth.

He almost said he loved her.

The idea made her happy but also a little bit nauseous. The L word was terrifying and no one had ever said it to her before. Not in a serious way, or that wasn’t from her dad or her sister. Maddie had never been “in love” so she wasn’t even sure what it felt like. But the more she thought, the more she realized that her feelings could be the beginnings of Love.

She walked along with her sister in search of the boys when she felt Harper lean in.”

“What the hell is he doing?” Harper asked with an eye roll as she and Maddie made their way to where he was speaking animatedly with the attendant.

Maddie was brought out of her thoughts and sighed “I’ve learned to just not ask questions.” She said shaking her head with a small smile.

“And look!” He reached out and grabbed Andrei by the sleeve, hauling him over “I brought my Russian friend too, Andrei Svechnikov.. How does pictures and autographs sound? Eh?”

It was then that it seemed to dawn on the attendant and the crowd around who they were and Maddie and Harper could see realization ripple across faces.

After autographs and pictures, the four of them shuffled into the small Ferris wheel cart and the slow ride to the top began. Seth rocked the cart, Harper yelled at him, Andrei laughed, and Maddie slapped him because she was the closest.

Harper earlier icyness had seemed to melt away a bit and she was smiling genuinely at Maddie across from her. Just a half an hour ago Harper had been complaining about Andre liking her and now she looked so relaxed and natural sitting there next to him. Like they belonged together. Maddie felt Seth’s arm circle around her shoulders give her a small squeeze. They hadn’t done much talking since the near L word drop earlier but Maddie leaned into his touch. Last summer they’d been here on this very same Ferris wheel, but things had still been just friendly. H

How things had changed.

When they reached the top the ride slowed and halted.

“So this is what you paid the guy for?” Harper questioned peering over the side.

Seth had a hand on Maddie’s knee and grinned “Yep. 20 bucks and some pictures of Svechy and he was sold.”

Andrei rolled his eyes and waved him off moving closer to Harper in the small confines of the cart. A sudden loud screech started all of them as a bright blue firework soared upwards and exploded across the night sky. They watched as more followed, filling the sky with purples, green, yellows and reds that crackled and fizzled through the air before disappearing. Maddie turned to find Seth already looking at her.

She was beautifully illuminated and then shrouded in darkness, the colors of the fireworks reflecting off her eyes. And suddenly Harper and Andrei weren’t there, the carnival wasn’t there, the fireworks melted away and he was all she could see.

This was definitely love.

She let her eyes slide closed as he leaned in and pressed his lips sweetly to hers. They broke apart after a few moments and she felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment at the realization that they weren’t alone in the cart.

“Sorry” She mouthed at Harper, who smiled and shook her head a little. Andrei aimed a kick at Seth, who kicked back as the fireworks ended and the Ferris wheel began a slow descent back down. Maddie pushed her earlier thoughts out of her head, deciding to sort through them by herself when she was alone, or maybe even discuss them with Harper.

As they exited the cart Maddie yawned and stretched. There had been way too many emotions running through her in the last 24 hours and it had mentally wiped her out. She needed a long, hot shower and a good sleep to fix it.

“I’m ready to go home.” She said shoulder bumping against Andreis, and glancing at Harper. He looked at her incredulously and then grinned.

“What? Go home? thought you were buckets of fun you said no? It’s only 10pm!”

Maddie sighed but chuckled “I am tired, I am buzzed, and I-“

“Seth?”

The four of them stopped and turned to find the girl from last summer standing with her friends a few feet away.

“Omg hi!” She squeaked hurrying forward pushing right past Maddie to throw her arms around his shoulders. He held his hands out, not hugging her back, looking at Madison over her shoulder apologetically.

Maddie was frozen, arms hanging by her sides as she watched it unfold. She was completely blank, words had escaped her and she felt her heart slide down her chest and into her stomach, where it curled up and began to weep.

“Are you okay?” Madison turned to find Harper behind her looking at her with concern, and Andrei behind Harper looking at her with confusion.

Madison couldn’t even formulate words but shook her head.

“Who is that?” Harper looked between her and the scene behind her, eyebrows low over her eyes. She looked annoyed, and Maddie was thankful for it on her behalf.

She swallowed thickly “That’s the girl from last summer.” She said looking at her feet. Maddie wasn’t used to feeling small, but right then she felt like she was an ant waiting to be stepped on.

Harper pursed her lips in understanding but Andrei was looking between them confused “What girl?” He asked leaning over to look at Harper, who opened her mouth to respond but closed it as Seth, who looked so uncomfortable, tried to maneuver his way around her without touching her, and reached out to put a hand on Madison’s arm. The girl, noticed Madison for what seemed to be the first time and her smile faded a little.

“Oh you two?” She looked uncomfortable “I kind of figured.” She laughed it off and crossed her arms.

Seth wrapped an arm around Madison’s waist but she was stiff as a board, and he knew the damage was already done as she took a small step away from him. The girl continued to stare at her before Harper cleared her throat and intervened.

“Well it was good seeing you, whoever you are, but I need to get these lovebirds home.” She said with a small sneer, and turned Seth completely by the shoulders and steered him forward and away from the group Maddie and Andrei following behind. He gave her a sympathetic touch on the arm and a smile, which she returned barely but he didn’t say anything.

Truthfully because he had no idea what had just happened.

The ride home was quiet, and Madison was as far away from Seth in the backseat as she could get. Andrei glanced over at Harper who looked back and pursed her lips, glancing in the mirror at them as they pulled into the driveway and got out.

Seth hurried out, and rounded the back of the jeep making his way to where she was “Mads-“ he started.

“I’m going to bed.” She turned on her heel and walked up the driveway past Andrei and into the house, slamming the door behind her.

He looked a little hurt as Harper came up behind him “That was,” Harper nudged Seth as she couldn’t quite find the right word to describe what had happened, “Awkward. You okay?”

He opened his mouth and closed it still staring at the door she’d just disappeared through “She’s upset because-“

“I know about last summer.”

He looked at her surprised. She’d only ever talked about it with him one time so he’d assumed that she kept it to herself with everyone else but he was wrong wrong.

Apparently he’d been wrong about a lot.

“I feel really bad.” He mumbled looking at the ground before he looked back at Harper and then Andrei “But I don’t know then. And I didn’t know how much it bothered her.”

Harper shook her head “I’ll make sure she’s doing okay. Get it all figured out.” She gave him a small smile.

“Don’t worry buddy. It’ll be okay. Let’s go inside, we’ll talk about it.” Andrei patted him on the arm and steered him to the house sending Harper a smile, who felt the tiniest butterfly in her stomach as she made her way through the front door.

She found Maddie upstairs sitting on her bed in the dark, arms crossed.

“Talk to me, Mads.” She said softly as she sat next to her.

A single tear fell down Maddie’s cheek and she sniffled “This is harder than I thought it would be.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Being with someone. With Seth.”

“Mads,” she sighed, “Relationships aren’t easy. Nobody ever said they were, and I’d say dating anyone with any kind of celebrity status only complicates this more. You do have a choice to make. You can decide against the idea of being anything but friends with Seth, or you accept that dating him also means having to deal with trashy fangirls who think they have a chance at an NHL player. And whichever you decide, you have to tell him how you feel. He’s not a mind reader… hell, we know he’s not a strong reader, period.” Harper grinned a little bit and nudged her.

Madison swiped at the tear and let out a chuckle smiling at her sister “I know I’m just-struggling , I guess. It’s been a really long time since I’ve been with someone, like you know…that and I think I’m riding an emotional high. I was in this little bubble for a whole 24 hours and it just got popped and I’m having a really hard time.”

“I get it, but you and Seth have always been able to talk about anything. Just because your relationship has changed it doesn’t mean your communication with each other has to. Communication is an important part of a successful relationship.”

Madison shrugged “I don’t know how to have a relationship really and they scare me. Especially after seeing what happened to yours and how destroyed dad was after….” Maddie froze and her eyes swiveled to Harper “Mom.” She said softly.

It got quiet a second.

Maddie and Harper had spoken only a few times about their mom since she’d passed. It had been hard on all of them, but it destroyed their dad. He was never really the same after that and for that exact reason they avoided talking about her all together.

Harper spoke slowly “Seth isn’t Darren. And Dad, he’s done his best trying to get us ready for all of this dating shit. He loved mom more than anything. He misses her every day, and if we even find a fraction of the love he had for mom in a relationship it’d be a miracle. I wish I could have set a better example for you with Darren. With literally any other relationship that I could. But I failed you too, and I’m sorry. But you’ve got a chance to have something good Maddie. Seth is such a good kid, he always has been, but it’s going to take both of you working together to get this all worked out.”

“You didn’t fail me Harper. Your relationship with Darren just showed me the kind of person to stay away from is all. Don’t make this your problem. I’ll be okay.”

Harper smiled at her and then cleared her throat “So did you and Seth-?”

Maddie nodded and bit her lip “We did.”

Harper made a face “You remembered a condom, right?”

Maddie turned fully to look at her and frowned “Harper you know that I haven’t been a virgin for like a long time right?”

Harper looked horrified for a good 10 seconds before Maddie burst out laughing so hard she started to cry.

“Ew! I did not need to know that. I sometimes forget your not a little girl anymore.”

“Me too sometimes.” Maddie accepted a tight embrace from her sister and let out a sigh.

“Talk to him Mads. I promise you’ll feel better.”

Harper left, making her way downstairs leaving Maddie there in the dark.

Across the yard Seth was slouched on the sofa, arms crossed. Andrei handed him a beer and sat in the arm chair across from him.

“Explain to me what is going on?”

Seth sighed and his head fell back “Remember when I told you last summer that things got weird? That’s the girl I was hanging out with when we got in that fight I told you about . That fight happened because of her but I didn’t know it then.”

“Ah. I see. But you didn’t do anything. The girl came up to you. I understand why she’s upset but I don’t think she’s upset with you.”

“Sure seems that way.”

“Listen I don’t know her that well. Either of them really. Harper seems complicated, but maybe Maddie is more than she seems as well. Some people are better at hiding it.”

Seth picked at the label on the beer bottle and nodded “Maybe. I never-I never really thought about her like this until now. She was always just my friend and I never imagined that she’d see me this way.”

Andrei nodded “I understand. But maybe she needs to hear that. This is new territory to her too.”

“True I guess. So I should go talk to her?”

“You two can talk about anything yes?”

“We used to be able to.”

“Why not now? She’s still Madison and your still Seth right?”

***********

Maddie was laying across her bed with her eyes closed when she heard a hollow tap and a soft tink!

She frowned and sat up looking around. It was until she heard another sharper impact and saw something ricochet off her window that she stood and made her way across the room and opened it.

Seth was in the backyard looking up at her, and cleared his throat moving the rocks to his left hand and placed his right one on his chest over his heart “Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your long hair, so that I can come up and apologize for being a dumbass last summer. Please?” He added the last part with a hopeful smile.

Maddie wanted to be mad, but she couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face and rolled her eyes with a sigh “Seth-“

“I was going to stand out here with a boombox like that cheesy movie you like so much, but we have a noise ordinance and it would have been really embarrassing if your dad had to arrest me in his own backyard.”

Maddie started laughing and waved him up “Come on.”

She heard Harper and Seth encounter each other somewhere downstairs and then his footsteps making their way to her room. She flipped on a lamp as he apprehensively stepped inside the doorway and shut it behind him, turning to look at her before he sighed “Maddie. I’m-I’m sorry.”

Maddie shrugged and sat down heavily “Seth I’m not mad at you.”

He looked relieved and moved to sit next to her. Just 24 hours prior they’d been twisted together in bedsheets and here they were having what most would call their first fight.

“I’m just-uncomfortable I guess. It’s hard to explain..” she trailed off.

He reached across and held her hand, letting it rest on her thigh “Try. I don’t ever want to be the reason your upset about something.”

“Last summer after that argument I kind of told myself that nothing was ever going to happen with us because you had interest in other prettier girls like her, and now it has and my emotions are just all over the place. Seeing her just kind of brought it all back I guess.”

“Mads.” He was shaking his head “You are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known. And the reason I had interest in other girls is because I never ever thought that you would like me this way. I mean I’m still wondering if this is all a hallucination.” She rolled her eyes as he continued “I was an idiot last summer, and I’m still one now but I don’t ever want you to think that your less than anyone else. I think we need to get away for a day.”

“What do you mean?”

“A day trip or something. Like get out of Winnipeg for a bit.”

Maddie laughed “Seth you just got back.”

“And you’ve been here this whole time. Come on. It’ll be fun.”

Maddie thought it over a second “Okay. That sounds really nice.”

“Yeah? Great.”

“Road trip to where?”

“It’s a surprise. Just promise me you’ll pretend to have fun even if it sucks.”

“Okay deal.”

He kissed her cheek and stood “I better get home before you dad finds me in here and kills me.”

“Dads on nightshift. He won’t be home for like 6 hours.” Maddie stretched back on her bed motioning for him to follow her.

“6 hours? That’s a long time.”

“Hmmm if only we had something we could do till then.” She said softly as he hovered over her. He pushed her hair over her shoulder.

“I think I have an idea.” He whispered leaning across her to flip the lamp off.

[pardonmydelays]

you don't understand: balaga is fun, bolkonsky is crazy, mary is plain, dolokhov is fierce, helene is a slut, anatole is hot, marya is old school, sonya is good, natasha is young and andrey isn’t here

[thewintersoldierdisaster]

a/n: anon(s)! baby fic is here!! apologies for the wait but it’s long and i hope it’s worth it ☺️ honestly this fic feels like total chaos but i kind of love the vibes. not too much to say other than this was fun to write and i think we’re done on svechnikov baby birth fics lol

word count: 6.4k

tw: mentions of labor, brief innuendo, post partum anxiety (not diagnosed in fic)

summary: it’s time for baby svechnikov number four to make their entrance into the world and of course it’s chaos in the best possible way

“Mama!” Alina shrieks for your attention and your heart skips a beat at her volume, mild fight or flight kicking in before you catch sight of her in the doorway and see that she’s fine.

“Christ,” you mutter to yourself, heartbeat returning to normal. The baby gives a violent kick to your kidney and you wince. “Sorry, bub,” you pat the side of your stomach, “that hit of adrenaline couldn’t have been fun.”

Alina shouts for you again and you level her with a stern look, “hey, what did Mama tell you about shouting like that?”

You’re too pregnant to be gentle parenting, but if you don’t remind Alina about her indoor voice, she’ll just run rampant over the next few months while you’re completely distracted with the new baby. She shuffles her feet and pulls at the little ruffles on the sides of her bathing suit.

“No shoutin’ unless someone’s bleeding or really, really sick,” she sighs and when you nod, she perks up with a toothy little grin. “But I had to shout ‘cause Papa says your frone is ready!”

“My frone?” You repeat, brows scrunched together in confusion. You repeat the word a few times under your breath until it clicks. “Oh! My throne?”

Alina nods and does a little wiggle, bouncing on her feet. “Come on, mama! We wanna show you!” She’s definitely still shouting, but your middle daughter has never understood the concept of an inside voice.

You smile at her and laugh, “okay, mama’s coming, Alya. Remember I’m very slow.” You brace one hand at your lower back, the other hand rubbing at the side of your distended belly. As scary as it is, you’re glad that you’re being induced tomorrow - your entire body is sore and your back and hips are killing you from carrying around this giant Svechnikov baby. Your actual due date isn’t for another week, but since baby’s measuring so big, your ob/gyn made the call for a scheduled induction.

“Mama’s like a tuuuurtle,” she grins slyly, skipping back to the yard and leaving you shaking your head.

As soon as you get to the back door, you can feel the mid-August Raleigh heat and humidity, sweat already prickling at your hairline and armpits. You frown, already uncomfortable and not really in the mood to go outside. Leaving the air conditioning is going to be miserable, but the girls were begging you to join them and Andrei outside, so how could you resist. You scrape your hair back into a knot on top of your head, trying to keep as much of it off your neck as possible. Little pieces fall out anyway and curl with the humidity.

You wedge your feet into the pair of Adidas slides at the back door and step carefully over the lip onto the back patio. The heat hits instantly and you frown, cranky. The baby jabs an elbow into your side and you wince - there’s absolutely no room left in your stomach and every time the baby moves, you’re painfully reminded of that. You hadn’t even realized your stomach could stretch this much, but baby number four is testing the limits.

“Maaaaamaaaaa!” Alina and Kira shriek for you in stereo and you wave from the door, reluctant to go outside into the heat.

“Mama’s coming,” you call back, bracing a hand under the curve of your belly and waddling farther out onto the patio. The air feels like soup and you have no idea how Andrei and the girls are so energetic. Before you can make it a handful of feet, Andrei’s at your side, kissing your temple and wrapping an arm around your waist. “Hi,” you murmur.

“Hi,” he smiles down at you, looking a little tired. His face is bright pink too, which you had warned him would happen. “Off to your throne, solnyshka.”

You let him guide you over the grass, avoiding the lawn toys and stray Barbie dolls that litter the ground. You’re perfectly capable of walking on your own, but it’s nice to lean your weight against Andrei’s side and have him help you. “Did you reapply sunscreen?” You ask, knowing the answer. Besides his face, his shoulders, chest, and arms are all tinged pink too.

He wrinkles his face at you. “I think once? I’m fine,” he shrugs and stops in front of your throne.

It’s one of your beach chairs settled in front of the girls’ old baby pool, an umbrella stuck in the grass behind the chair.

You grin at Andrei as the girls sprint up and dance around you.

“Do you love it, Mom?” Evie bounces excitedly on her toes. “That way you can watch us play!”

“I love it!” You cup Evie’s cheek in one hand, ruffling Alina’s hair with the other. “This is the best throne ever, you guys are making me feel so special.”

“Only the best for our koroleva,” Andrei winks at you, hoisting Kira up onto his hip when she starts tugging at the hem of his swim trunks. She grins her little toddler grin at you and then whispers in Andrei’s ear, a chubby little hand splayed on his cheek. He nods seriously and says, “yes, Mama will watch you go down the slide.”

You laugh and lower yourself into the chair, your lower back popping and protesting. A little groan slips past your lips and all four of your watchdogs whip their heads in your direction. The girls have wide eyed looks on their faces and you offer up a comforting smile, “sorry, girls. Mama’s okay, remember it’s hard for me to sit so low.”

A brief bout of Braxton Hicks two weeks earlier had taken you by surprise and your startled yelp and the way you had doubled over from the shock had scared the girls a little, so they’re insanely keyed into any weird noise you make lately.

“Why don’t you get Mama’s drink?” Andrei sets Kira back on her feet and nudges the three of them off with his hands. After they skip off, Andrei helps you swing your legs up and over so your feet kick in the cool water in the baby pool.

You sigh happily, dropping your head back, “oh god, that feels good. It’s hotter than Satan’s ass crack out here.”

The baby kicks, the outline of a little foot visible through the taut skin on your stomach, as if agreeing with you.

Andrei scratches at his jaw, rasping his fingers through a couple of days’ worth of stubble. “It’s not so bad, when you have the girls spraying you with the hose every two minutes,” he laughs a little, squatting down next to you and shaking his head so stray droplets of water fly off of his hair. Your face crinkles up and you swat at him, giggling. He taps at the side of your stomach, hand warm against your skin. “The little one is behaving?”

“In the loosest sense of the word,” you sigh, shifting in the chair, trying to get comfortable. “I’m kind of ready to get my lung capacity back.”

His hands stroke over the swell of your stomach, the baby’s arms and legs following Andrei’s touch. You pluck at the white linen fabric of your dress where it’s stuck to your skin with sweat, regretting the choice of clothing. “Tell me when you want to go inside,” Andrei says. “Girls will be fine if you’re not watching the water war.”

You hum, swishing your feet in the water. “A little vitamin D is probably good for me,” your smirk matches Andrei’s when the double entendre is out in the air. It’s been a minute since you had Andrei inside of you, too uncomfortable for the exertion, and you miss having him that way. The horny days of your second trimester are long in the rearview mirror.

Before he can say anything, the girls come running from the house, ice rattling around in the Stanley that Evie’s got clutched in her arms. You grin at the sight - your oldest leading the charge with her younger sisters following dutifully behind. Evie unceremoniously drops the cup on your lap with a chirpy, “here, Mama! Daddy even added lemon for you.”

“Oh, my favorite,” you reach out to tug on one of Evie’s braided pigtails and she beams at you before dancing away, Alina hot on her heels. Kira presses her little body up against your thigh and looks at you with puppy eyes. “What’s the matter, Kiry?”

“I have?” She asks, pointing at your Stanley.

You nod and hold the cup out for her, straw pointed in her direction. She plants her hands on the metal and chews a little on the straw while she sucks back more water than you expected. Andrei laughs a little when she gulps down the water, releasing the straw with a heavy sigh and then runs off, shrieking for her sisters.

“Adding another one to this chaos is going to be wild,” he comments, leaning back and splashing his hand in the pool water, hitting your shins with little droplets.

“Poor number four is either going to be the loudest to be heard or the quietest with three big sisters talking for them,” you giggle, tracing your fingers over the engraved 37 on the Stanley - the WAG Christmas gift that keeps on giving. You get a particularly painful kick to the ribs and wince, muttering, “maybe that first option.”

“Dadddeeeeeee!” A trio of shrieks echo across the yard, the girls calling for Andrei to rejoin them. He stands up and presses a kiss to the crown of your head.

“Duty calls,” he gives you a little salute and jogs off, leaving you to enjoy the way his ass fills out his bathing suit. It’s a view that never gets old, but even better is watching Andrei chase the girls around and play with them, matching grins on all four of their faces. He chases them through the sprinklers - if those have been on all morning, your water bill is going to be through the roof - and lets them splash him, pretending to get scared. He watches while the two older girls clamber up the side of the small inflatable water slide you’d ordered back in June when it was obvious that the majority of the summer was going to be spent in Raleigh, with the girls running loose in the backyard.

Kira stays at the bottom, in the splash zone, shrieking happily when Evie and Alina zip down the slide and hit her with water.

It’s honestly the best thing you’ve ever bought - the Nečas kids have been over for play dates at least once a week to run wild in the water and you’ve had a ton of the other guys and their families over for barbecues and parties. Now, you’re just glad it’ll keep your girls occupied while you relax.

After you’ve been outside for an hour or so, you call them all back so you and Andrei can reapply sunscreen to the girls’ pink little faces and shoulders. Andrei gets his own healthy dose of sunscreen, even though it’s too late for him to avoid the sunburn on his face, chest, and shoulders. You make a mental note to throw a bottle of aloe into the fridge when you get inside.

“I hate this, Mama!” Alina whines, bouncing from foot to foot while you try to cover her face in Baby Coppertone. “It’s yucky and sticky and I don’t want it!”

“If you don’t let me reapply,” you huff, out of breath from trying to keep her still between your knees and your severely diminished lung capacity, “your skin is going to turn pink and hurt.”

“I want pink skiiiin!” Alina howls, dodging your sunscreen covered hands and running off, her face a little mask of white from the lotion you hadn’t been able to rub in properly. She disappears into the playhouse and you roll your eyes, giving up completely. You’re too exhausted to fight her and tomorrow’s sunburn will be a problem for the babysitting grandparents while you push out the bowling ball baby laying on your bladder.

Behind you, Andrei laughs and teases you, “just like her Mama, that one.”

“Absolutely not,” you grumble, holding out your hands to him so he can pull you to your feet. “I’m literally so quiet and agreeable.”

“Maybe when you’re sleeping,” Andrei scoffs, helping you step out of the pool. His palm finds the side of your stomach like a magnet, fingers spread over the swell protectively. “Otherwise, you’re stubborn like a bull.” He pauses, smirks. “And loud.”

“You’re terrible,” you mutter, waddling as fast as you can to the bathroom. “Bullying the woman who’s carrying your fourth giant baby.”

Andrei’s voice carries through the bathroom door as you shut it behind you, “this is only the second big baby! The other two were normal sized.”

Later, when it’s far past your bedtime and you still can’t sleep with excitement and nerves swirling low in your belly, you whisper into the dark of your bedroom, “Drei? Are you awake?”

It takes a second, but eventually he replies, “depends.”

“On what?” You reply quietly, shifting and bending your leg so you can open up your hip a little and relieve some of the uncomfortableness. Kira curls closer to you, one arm draped over your stomach, the thumb of her other hand wedged firmly in between her lips. She looks even more like a baby while she sleeps, long eyelashes fluttering against the tops of her cheeks, and you start to feel emotion clogging your throat. Her last night of being the family’s baby. You hadn’t had the heart to put her back in her own bed when she came wandering in a few hours ago.

“On what you need from me,” Andrei’s voice is clouded with sleep, but you see and feel him roll onto his side so he’s facing you.

You stick your tongue out at him lightly. “Last night as a family of five,” you murmur. “Any final guesses - fourth girl or first boy?”

“Girl,” Andrei replies on a yawn, reaching his hand out and over Kira to rub at your belly. “Belly looks the same as it did with all three, just bigger.”

He’s not wrong, but, “agreed. But only because I think my nose spread out again like with the girls.”

“You’re just as beautiful as always,” Andrei says.“Your nose looks the same too.”

You’re convinced he’s lying, but there’s no point in arguing now.

“Think we’ll see bub tomorrow or will it be a couple of days?” You yawn, exhausted but wired. You can’t decide if you have to pee or if it’s just the pressure of the baby.

“Tomorrow,” Andrei laughs a little, “if the kid knows what’s good for her.”

You yawn again and Andrei tells you to get some rest, “it’s going to be a busy few days, solnyshka.”

Somehow you manage to fall asleep and then it’s induction day, a hectic morning consisting of four grandparents showing up and three little girls bouncing around asking if their baby is coming yet. You’re overwhelmed by the time Andrei helps you into the passenger seat of the Navigator, kissing you gently.

“Calm, my love,” he murmurs against your lips, rubbing at your stomach. “We know what to do, right?”

You nod, “right.” Wrapping your fingers in the neck of his t-shirt, you tug Andrei back in for another kiss. “Let’s go have a baby!”

Twelve hours later, you’re dripping in sweat, contractions gripping your stomach every thirty seconds with regularity. Andrei’s eaten lunch, dinner, and then a second dinner around 8:30. You, on the other hand, are on your ninth cup of ice chips and are dying for something that will actually fill you up.

You hold out your hand for Andrei’s when another contraction starts and he lets you crunch his fingers together while you breathe through it. “More ice?” He asks, brushing frizzy, damp strands of hair off your forehead.

“No,” you huff, slumping back against the pillows. “I never want to see an ice chip again. The second this kid pops out, I need you to get me a party platter of sushi, I don’t care what time it is.”

Andrei laughs and promises that he’ll get you whatever you want.

After that, it’s a blur. The contractions are nonstop, your ob/gyn between your legs encouraging you to push, and Andrei’s arm braced around your upper back to give you some leverage.

“Okay, I see some hair,” your doctor says. “Big head, but one push and it should be out. Then we’ve got a baby!”

Andrei murmurs encouraging words in your ear that you barely hear over the rush of blood in your head and the guttural scream that forces out of your throat. You scream and cry and there’s pressure and then release as the baby slides out.

You’re allowed to slump back against the pillows, tears streaming down your face while you crane your neck to see the baby, “is the baby healthy? Is she okay?”

“He’s just perfect,” your doctor beams, holding the baby up. “It’s a boy, mom and dad!”

Her words sink in and you start sobbing - a little boy!

Your husband’s big hand is cradled over your head and the baby’s on your chest, bloody and scrunched up and crying. Your own hands automatically come up to cradle him, your lips pressing against the top of his head. “A boy! Oh my god, Drei, a little boy,” you sob to him, laughing into Andrei’s mouth when he kisses you.

“I’m so proud of you,” he says shakily, his cheeks wet. “A son. Solnyshka, thank you. He’s - thank you. Fuck, I love you so much.”

Andrei’s hand comes up to cover yours on the baby’s back and you’re jolted by how warm his hand is compared to yours, you’re shaking and freezing, but all you can focus on is how happy you are.

The baby’s cries taper off and he nuzzles against your chest, your heart melting at how perfect and adorable he is.

“He looks like the girls,” Andrei comments, unable to stop staring. His fingers stroke over the baby’s back, your own trembling with the adrenaline come down.

You laugh. “They all look like you, babe. My genes never stood a chance,” you can’t stop smiling, pressing your lips all over the baby’s head. He’s so warm against your chest.

You’re not sure how long you get to keep the baby on your chest, but the next thing you know, you’re in recovery, dozing while you watch Andrei hold his son. The baby is a big one, like you’d expected, weighing in at a sold nine pounds, eleven ounces. Your entire lower body is still throbbing with pain, but it’s all so worth it to see Andrei with the baby cradled in his arms.

“Four kids and I still can’t believe he’s real,” Andrei chuckles hoarsely, gazing down at the baby with shiny eyes.

“Oh, I can believe it,” you reply dryly, shifting with a wince. “I feel like we should’ve been more prepared with boy names.”

You’d run through the list of the few that you had liked, but none seem right. His middle name will be for Andrei, but the first name is stumping you both.

“We’ll figure it out,” Andrei looks up at you with a grin. “I love you so much, I said that, right?”

“Several times,” you hold out your arms and wiggle your fingers at him. “Give me back my baby, Drei.”

Andrei transfers the baby to you with the ease of a practiced parent, taking a seat on the edge of your bed. You’re both exhausted and it’s so early in the morning the sun isn’t even up yet. You’ll have to pass out soon, but right now you can’t get enough of the infant. He looks so much smaller when he was in Andrei’s arms. You trace over the slope of his nose with the tip of your index finger, seeing so much of the girls and Andrei in his features. “You sure you don’t want to name him after your dad?” You ask, double checking.

“No, no,” Andrei shakes his head. “Geno has that covered. Besides,” his lips twist up in an impish little smile, “Igor’s not my favorite name.”

You know he’s thinking about the Canes’ most recent loss to the Rangers in the second round of the playoffs. The Rangers getting swept in the ECF had been extremely satisfying in your house.

You giggle a little and watch as the baby yawns. He’s been quiet, sleeping on and off, so much more peaceful than his older sisters. “Okay, I get it. You know, my grandfather, his name was Demetrius. A few letter changes…Dimitri?”

Andrei’s knuckle brushes against the soft pudge of the baby’s cheeks and murmurs the name. “Dimitri,” it sounds so different, so much better in his accent, “Dimka.”

He yawns in your arms and it feels like something clicks into place in your chest. You nod at Andrei, “that’s it. That’s his name.”

“Dimitri Andreievich,” Andrei laughs as he says the name. “Big name for a little boy.”

“He’s almost ten pounds,” you scoff. “This is a gift from the Big Boy genes, oh husband of mine.”

He smirks at you, leaning in for a kiss and your poor battered vagina gives a weak throb of pain. It’s too soon for him to be this adorable.

After a solid three hours of sleep, broken up once so you can try feeding Dimitri, you start pestering Andrei for your sushi. It’s nearing eight in the morning on the nineteenth, making it nearly twenty-four hours since you had breakfast with the girls before coming to the hospital.

“What about anything else?” He frowns at you. “Sushi for breakfast is…” He trails off, wrinkling his face in disgust.

With the baby latched to a nipple, you pout at him. “Did I or did I not push your giant child out of my body?” You pause to inhale and then continue, “And! Since it was already this morning before someone thought to feed me, all I’ve eaten in twenty four hours is ice chips and a peanut butter sandwich. I am starving!”

Andrei laughs at you, but before he can answer, gets distracted by his phone vibrating in his pocket. It’s probably Elena, looking for an update since you hadn’t called anyone in the early hours after Dimitri had been born, exhausted and looking to soak in the time as a trio. You turn your attention to the baby while Andrei chats in Russian on the phone. He hangs up and sits down on the edge of the bed, wrapping his hand around your knee. “Mama says the girls are going wild, waiting to hear about their new baby,” he grins toothily. “Can sushi wait? I think maybe I’ll go get the girls to introduce them to their brother.”

“Natives are restless?” You ask, the guilt of being away from the girls, even for a day, even to literally give birth, starting to creep in. Tears well in your eyes and you don’t bother to do anything about it, knowing you’re going to be a weepy mess for the foreseeable future. “How do you feel about meeting the big sisters, D?”

Dimitri lets out a soft little baby squeak and you give Andrei a watery grin. “I think he likes that plan. Bring me my girls.”

In the time that Andrei’s gone, Dimitri naps in his little plastic bassinet and you get helped into the bathroom by your nurse, ready to sit with the girls as long as their attention spans can handle it. You brush your hair back into a neater braid and wash your face clean of sweat. By the time that Andrei texts that he’s parking, you feel a little more human.

You can hear little footsteps running down the hall and you rub a hand over Dimitri’s belly, “get ready for Hurricane Svechnikova, bub.”

“Mama!” Evie bursts through the door first, hair in two pigtails on the top of her head and a bright red tutu around her waist. You beam at the sight of her and open your arms.

“Hi, bunny,” you coo, emotions clogging up your throat. “Come give me a hug!”

She dances over to your side and clambers up on the bed, nearly smacking you in the face with a piece of construction paper and jostling you a little painfully. You wrap her up in a tight hug, inhaling her little-kid scent of markers and Johnson and Johnson shampoo. Over her shoulder, you see Alina skip into the room and you hold open one arm.

“My Alya,” you grin. “Come join Mama.”

She’s in a Canes giveaway t-shirt that you’d cut down so it wasn’t a literal dress on her and you briefly wonder how wild they were being if this is how they ended up dressed. Alina needs a little help getting up on the bed and as Evie is pulling at the back of her shirt, Andrei appears at the door, Kira on his hip and an exasperated frown on his face.

“Didn’t Papa tell you not to run?” He raises an eyebrow at the older girls cuddled against your sides.

“We missed Mama,” Evie replies, pouting. You smooth a hand over her hair and shake your head at Andrei. They don’t need a parenting moment right now. Kira wiggles in his arms and reaches for you until Andrei relents and settles her on your lap in a way that doesn’t cause you pain. None of the girls have even so much as looked at the baby, but you’re not rushing them, knowing it’s a big change for them.

Andrei settles on the little couch while the girls fill you in on all the fun they had with the grandparents yesterday. They make Andrei bring you the bag of pictures they drew for you and the baby and that seems to trigger them. “Oh! Wait, Mama,” Evie perks up and looks around, “where’s the baby?”

You laugh and point at the plastic bassinet, “your little brother is right there. Just waiting to meet you three.”

Like it was rehearsed, all three of them scramble to the side of the bed to get a good look at Dimitri.

“He’s a boy?” Alina asks, squinting down at him.

“We have a brother? Not a sister?” Evie carefully reaches a hand into the bassinet to touch one of Dimitri’s tiny feet. “I thought it was a sister.”

“Baby!” Kira pats the edge of the plastic. “Baby in Mama’s belly?”

You kiss the back of her head. “Yeah, this is the baby that was in Mama’s tummy. His name is Dimitri.”

Andrei comes over to lift Kira and Alina into his arms so they can get a better look at the baby. “It’s different, right, to have a brother?” He asks, looking at you softly. You know he wouldn’t have cared if the baby were a girl, but there’s something about men and their sons, and you’re beyond happy that you were able to give him that.

“He’s not going to do much for a while,” you say. “But when he gets moving, I bet you’re all going to have a lot of fun.”

“Mmm,” Evie hums thoughtfully. “Boys are kinda yucky.”

“I’m a boy!” Andrei gasps, mock offended. “Am I yucky?”

You shoot him a wicked smile over Evie’s head and mouth ‘filthy’ at him, surprised that you even have it in you to flirt with him. Andrei laughs, his eyes sparkling, and you both nearly miss it when Evie chirps, “yeah, ‘cause sometimes you’re smelly after hockey.”

You snort a laugh and then, sensing that he’s missing some kind of party, Dimitri stirs, making little noises and wiggling his arms and legs. The girls watch, fascinated, and you skirt around Evie so you can pick him up. You glance at the clock on the wall and it’s been close to two and a half hours since you fed him, so he’s probably hungry. He starts to fuss more and the girls look a little disgruntled by the noise, so before they start complaining, you pucker up and plant a smacking kiss to Evie’s cheek, making her giggle. “How about Papa brings you guys back home so you can play and don’t have to watch me change any stinky diapers? Then you can come back later with Nana and Pop and Babu and Dedu? You can introduce them all to your new brother,” you grin, adding more excitement and animation to your tone so they’ll get excited too.

“You’re sure?” Andrei asks, even as your two middle kids are fighting in his arms, chattering at each other over who touched who. He’d scooped them off the bed as soon as Alina started poking at Kira to see how close she could get the former baby of the family to the edge of the bed without pushing her off. The noise they’re making is starting to agitate Dimitri and you’re very sure. Andrei himself looks a little frazzled with the girls practically shrieking in his ears.

“Go ahead,” you widen your eyes at him. “We’ll, ah, we’ll do a little more sibling bonding later in the day. D and I aren’t going anywhere.”

Andrei looks conflicted about leaving you, but honestly, Alina and Kira’s fighting is starting to give you a little bit of a headache. Dimitri is fussing more and you don’t want to start feeding him with the girls in the room because that opens up all the “whys” and “what are you doings” that the girls are so prone to these days.

Evie’s tucked against your side, looking down at the baby. She sighs and looks up at Andrei, “he’s so loud. Let’s come back when he’s quiet.”

Andrei’s mouth tips up in a half smile and you manage a weak laugh, reflexively holding out a hand to guide Evie when she half rolls, half climbs off the bed and beelines for the door. She waves over her shoulder and chirps a blithe, “bye Mommy, bye baby brother.”

“I think she’s expecting you to follow her,” you say to Andrei, a little wide eyed at your oldest’s actions. Securing Dimitri in one arm, you wave the other at the door, “go, please! Before she gets kidnapped!”

“Right, yeah,” Andrei nods and bounces the girls in his arms, “say bye to Mama. We’ll see her later, okay?”

Taking a little break from fighting, Alina and Kira wave at you over Andrei’s shoulders, blowing kisses. You wave back and then practically deflate when the door shuts behind Andrei and you’re left alone with the now opening crying Dimitri. You sigh and get him adjusted on your breast, quieting him immediately. You rub tiredly at your eyes, frustrated and exhausted. Maybe you’d underestimated the chaos four kids are going to be.

Once Dimitri is finished eating, you call for a nurse to bring him back to the nursery so you can get some much needed sleep. “I always feel bad sending them to the nursery,” you confess to the nurse, Jenna. “It makes me feel like a bad mom.”

“Sweetheart,” she laughs warmly, “I saw that husband of yours head out of here with your little girls. Sleep as much as you can before going home to that chaos.”

“They’re usually much better behaved,” you say wryly. “New sibling apparently throws off the routine.”

She tucks Dimitri into a swaddle and says, “oh, they get used to it. You two are old pros at this, so I think you know what you’re doing.”

You smile warily at her, a nervous pit in your stomach that you hadn’t felt after any of the girls’ births. You’re not sure why you feel so unsettled now, raising a boy in the early infancy stage isn’t any different than raising daughters. When Jenna takes Dimitri back to the nursery, you slide down on the bed, pulling the blankets up to your chin and getting as comfortable as possible to take a nap. A few tears leak out of the corners of your eyes, dripping down your temples and into your hair and you take a deep breath. It catches in your throat a little and you hiccup, covering your eyes with a cold, shaky palm.

Somehow, you manage to nap on and off, dozing in that weird limbo where you can hear most of what’s happening around you, but time passes faster than you think. After what feels like two minutes, but is actually closer to two hours, you give up on the nap and find your phone in the mess on the bedside table. You busy yourself with responding to texts and scrolling through social media, zoning out to a video of a woman making homemade pop tarts when Andrei appears at the door.

“Delivery,” he announces, your head shooting up at the sound of his voice. In his hand is an obscenely large paper bag with the name of your favorite sushi place stamped on the side. He catches your gaze and shakes it enticingly. “Husband of the year, yes?”

“If there’s spicy tuna in there, I’ll get the trophy engraved now,” you tease, a small, but genuine smile on your face. Andrei kisses the corner of your mouth and sets the bag on the rolling table.

“Two spicy tuna and plenty of miso soup,” he promises, sitting down on the mattress and helping you unpack the plastic containers.

You rub your chopsticks together and ask, “how are the girls? Everything okay at home?”

Andrei’s in different clothes than when he left and he smells like soap and cologne, so you know he at least showered when he got home.

“They’re good, don’t worry about them,” he reassures you, passing over a container of seaweed salad. “Kir was down for a nap when I left and our moms were playing Barbies with the older two.”

You nod, poking at the seaweed with a lazy motion. Andrei’s gaze is steady on your bent head, you can feel his eyes studying you and so you eat a mouthful of the seaweed, chewing slowly. As hungry as you had been earlier, it’s hard to swallow now. Andrei’s knee bumps yours and you look up at him, worried brown eyes on yours.

“What’s going on, solnyshka? Are you okay?” He ducks his head so he can maintain eye contact. One of his hands comes up and cups your cheek. You lean into his touch and shrug.

“I’m okay,” you sigh. “Just…”

Andrei’s quiet while you try and find the words. You’re not even sure what you’re feeling, why you’re so overly emotional.

“I missed the girls,” you say quietly. “But, four kids? It just…this isn’t going to be easy at all, Drei. They all started chattering and Dimitri was crying and I just wanted to cry too.”

“He’s not even a day old,” Andrei says gently. “It’s okay you’re emotional. I’ll tell you a secret,” he laughs under his breath, “I cried in the car when I went to get the girls.”

“Yeah?” You raise an eyebrow, setting your chopsticks down. Andrei’s not usually one to admit to crying.

“Yeah,” he nods. “Probably more because we have a son, but still. I cried.” Andrei winks at you, smiling warmly.

A little laugh slips past your lips and you tug at the end of your braid. “I think I’ll be okay once I get into a routine. But I’m glad the moms are staying until the season starts, we’re going to need all the help we can get.”

Andrei scoffs and moves to sit next to you and wrap his arm around your shoulders so you can burrow against his side. “You’re the rock, koroleva. If anyone can handle me, four kids, and the hockey season, it’s you,” he praises you, mouth pressed against your temple. “Just tell me if you’re overwhelmed, okay? We figure it out as a team.”

You nod against his side, the knot in your chest loosening a bit. Your arm rests on his stomach and Andrei keeps you as close as possible, knowing you need the physical comfort right now. “We’re so done having kids, by the way,” you mutter into his shirt.

Andrei laughs and your whole body vibrates with the sound. He rubs his hand up and down your arm, teasing, “Dimka and I are still outnumbered.”

“Oh, that is not something I care about,” you laugh in response, snaking your hand out to pluck a piece of sushi out of its container. “We’re closed for business down there.” You pause and then continue, knowing Andrei will have a retort. “For baby making business. Other fun activities will be reevaluated at six weeks.”

Your husband gives you a mock little salute, amusement written plainly on his face. He picks up his own piece of sushi with his free hand, popping the piece in his mouth and chewing before he says, quietly and totally sincerely, “you’re the best mom the kids could’ve asked for, you know that, right?”

“You’re going to make me cry again, you big jerk,” you sniffle, pressing a hand to your mouth. “I just finished crying!”

“I’m sorry,” Andrei cuddles you closer. “Eat and rest, because the moms are not going to want to wait too much long to meet the little guy.”

You pull back a little so look up at Andrei’s face and he has a slightly dopey look in his eyes, a little upturn to his lips like he’s trying to fight off a smile. “You want to go get him, don’t you?” You ask, exhaling a little laugh through your nose.

Andrei nods eagerly, unable to hide his excitement. “Yeah,” he admits, “I know we should rest, but I really want to keep holding him.”

“Go get him,” you say, “I kind of want to get a hit of that newborn smell.”

“Weirdo,” Andrei captures your chin in his fingers and tilts your head up to kiss you sweetly.

You grin against his mouth, “your weirdo and mother to your weird children too.”

Andrei’s laugh follows him all the way out the door.