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toasttt11 · 1 month ago

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sweet nothing

summary: five times jack knew she was the one and one time someone told him she was the one

jack hughes x reader

One

Jack walked around the corner heading to his favorite local cafe and his favorite place to get his morning coffee especially when he has practice as it is on the way to the rink but also close to his apartment that he can walk to get coffee on his days off.

Jack stumbled into someone feeling a hot liquid spill and his hands shot out to catch the women he stumbled into.

“I am so sorry.” Jack quickly apologized seeing he had ran into to her and her coffee is all over her now, She looked up shyly and Jack’s breath caught in his throat, he has seen many beautiful woman but the woman in front him right now was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.

“It’s okay.” She softly spoke sending the very attractive male a shy smile.

��At least let me make it up to you and buy you a coffee.” Jack quickly asked looking down at her hopefully, he didn’t want to part with her yet especially not even knowing her name yet.

She let out a shy sigh, “Oh you don’t have to.”

“I want to.” Jack sternly told her giving her puppy eyes making her look at him and reluctantly nod, Jack beamed and held out his hand, “I’m Jack.”

She softly grabbed his calloused hand shaking it softy smiling at him as she introduced herself.

Jack blinked at her very soft touch and hoped it wouldn’t be the last time he got to touch her.

“Come on i owe you a coffee.” Jack beamed and rested a light hand on her lower back as they walked back to the cafe.

She smiled softly thinking Jack reminded her of a puppy. Jack opened the door to the coffee shop and let her walk in first.

Jack happily followed her to the front counter where she ordered another coffee and than he ordered his own and paid for their drinks.

He grabbed napkins for her and helped her dried off her sweater making her flash him a sweet smile that just melted his heart.

The two walked over to the other counter waiting for their coffee once they finished drying off her sweater, “Thank you.” She softly spoke to Jack giving him an appreciate smile.

“Of course.” Jack beamed back at her.

They grabbed their coffees and Jack bit his lip not wanting to leave her yet, “Are you busy?” Jack blurted out making her turn to him, “I thought maybe we could talk.” Jack shrugged looking nervous but had a hopeful smile on his face.

“Sure.” She easily agreed making Jack’s smile widen, they walked over to an empty table and sat down.

“So what do you?” She asked curiously sipping on her warm coffee.

Jack blinked and realized she really didn’t know who he was and he smiled, “I uh play hockey.”

“Really that’s cool.” She smiled softly, “Do you like it?” She titled her head curiously.

Jack smiled enjoying the question she asked as it’s never a people ask genuinely, “I love it. My brothers both play too.”

She watched Jack’s smile get softer as he spoke about his brother’s, “Woah that’s awesome. Who do you play for?” She didn’t know a lot about sports as she has never been interested.

“I play for the New Jersey Devils.” Jack smiled telling her enjoying that she doesn’t know him as Jack Hughes alternate captain of the New Jersey Devils but as just Jack.

She furrowed her brows having heard that team and realized he played in the NHL, she doesn’t know much but living in Jersey she has learned a few of the team’s names, “For the NHL? that’s incredible.” She smiled softly at him.

Jack smiled in response, “What about you?” Jack leaned closed in curiosity wanting to learn everything and anything about her.

“Oh i’m a writer.” She softly anwsered his question, it was the reason she moved from sunny Florida to the New Jersey area when she started writing her first book with a publishing company and she has never left since.

“Really!” Jack exclaimed looking awed, “Oh! That’s why your name was familiar!” Jack realized why he thought her name was so familiar when she introduced her self, he has read all of her books and they are the few books he actually loves to reread.

“Your books are incredible.” Jack has started reading her books when the first one came out around his draft and he has loved every single one.

She shyly smiled, “Thank you.” She mumbled her cheeks bright red, no matter how many compliments she gets on her books she always flushes bright red every time.

Jack’s face softened seeing her shy smile and red cheeks and knew there was no way he was going to stop until he got to be her boyfriend, even if they just met a few minutes ago he knew something was special about her and had never felt this way from anyone else.

Jack knew she was the one and was sure they will be together one day.

Two

Jack rubbed his face as he sat down in his car after a long and exhausting game. The past few games have been terrible and all brutal loses and Jack feels as if they are never catching a break.

He was sore more than usual and just exhausted physically and mentally.

All he wanted was to see his little book warm and hopefully his future girlfriend. Jack has been talking to her everyday for the past two months since he met her at the coffee shop and every day he knows more and more that she’s it for him but all he needs to confess his feelings first for that to happen.

He has been at her place a few times and she has been at this place a face times so he hoped she wouldn’t mind him random showing up.

He drove the short drive to her apartment and nodded at the doorman as he walked in and took the elevator to her floor.

He ran a ran through his soaking wet hair and walked down the hallway quickly to her door, he knocked on the door and waited for her.

She looked up from her couch where she reading a book hearing a knock, she wasn’t expecting anyone. She stood up and walked to the door and peeked through seeing a tired Jack. She opened the door, “Jack?” She gently said.

Jack let out a long sigh seeing her, he stepped forward and just hugged her tightly and his head rested on her shoulder.

She only blinked and wrapped her arms around him tightly, she took a step back with him in her arms and shut her door.

She stood in her entrance holding him gently and rubbing his back just holding him with no questions asked.

Jack let out a soft breath as he felt himself relax more and more in her arms, her warm and comforting embrace. He’s never felt as comfortable as he does when he is in her arms.

Jack reluctantly lifted his head off her shoulder keeping his arms around her, “Hi.” Jack whispered tiredly.

“Hello.” She softly whispered back her thumb gently rubbing his cheek bone. “I missed you.” She whispered to him giving him a cute little smile. He had been on a few day road trip and when he got back they haven’t had time to see each other yet.

Jack’s face softened hearing her words, “I missed you too, so much.” Jack whispered back, “So much that i think i actually annoyed Nico about how much i talked about.” Jack admitted to her. He may of actually made Nico annoyed.

She blinked feeling her face soften even more, “You talk about me?” She was surprised, she didn’t know if Jack had say anything about her to anyone, not they she expected it but still.

“I can’t shut up about you.” Jack shrugged softly, he’s not stopped talked about her to anyone since the moment he met her.

She smiled softly feeling her cheeks burning, “Oh.” She mumbled.

Jack smiled softly as he saw how red her cheeks were getting, “I like talking about you.” He admitted to her, his hand going up to cup her cheek making her lean into his touch.

She smiled softly at his words, “Yeah?”

“Of course.” Jack nodded seriously, “I gotta talk about my girl.” Jack added with him a hint of nerves in his words.

She blinked her smile growing, “Your girl?” She asked hopefully, she’s been waiting for Jack to ask her out for a while now.

“If you let me.” Jack asked hopefully, “I would really like to be your boyfriend.”

She nodded with a beaming smile, “I liked that too.” Her words made Jack beam.

He brought his other hand up to her face so he cupped her face from both sides mad leaned down and finally pressed his lips softly to hers.

They both let out happy sighs as they finally kissed.

After a few moments they pulled away and kept their foreheads touching until Jack pulled away to yawn.

“Come on let’s get you to bed.” She grabbed his hand flashing him a soft smile as she pulled his through her apartment. He happily let her pull him anywhere.

Jack luckily had threw on a pair of sweatpants and t-shirt after his post game shower instead of his suit so he could got straight to bed.

She pulled him into her room and pulled back her covers and gently pushed Jack into her bed. She laid down next to him and opened her arm letting Jack cuddle and rest his head on her chest. She brought her hand up to his wet hair and gently ran her fingers through his hair.

“You’re the best.” Jack tiredly mumbled a he felt his eyes closing even quicker from her running her hands through his hair.

She smiled softly at his words and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, “Sleep baby.” She soothing mumbled watching as his eyes fluttered shut and stayed close.

Three

She walked through the hallways of the prudential center looking for the suite Jack told her to go to. She was wearing a pair of black leather pants with Jack’s black Devils jersey and a pair do black heeled boots.

Jack didn’t ask her to wear his jersey but he did leave out on the bed for her if she wanted to wear it. She knew he would be thrilled if she wore her jersey.

She walked into the suite and saw a lot of other woman and a few children and knew Jack put her in the suite with the other players families.

A blonde girl looked up and beamed seeing her walk in, “You must be me Jack’s girl.” She walked over to her, “I’m Nicole. I’m so glad you hear! Jack doesn’t stop talking about.” Nicole giggled as she shook hands with her.

Nicole has heard all about her from Jack and from Jesper telling her that Jack doesn’t shut up.

“It’s nice to meet you too.” She flashed a soft smile at Nicole.

“Come on i’ll introduce you to everyone.” Nicole smiled widely as she looped arms with her and took her around the suite introducing everyone to Jack’s girl.

She was finished getting introduced by the time the game started and she sat down watching Jack skate on to the ice.

This was her first time ever going to hockey game and she’s only started watching hockey when she met Jack and she only watches his games.

Jack looked at up at the family suite and beamed so brightly seeing his girl sitting in there and he could see his jersey on her which just made everything better. He waved getting her attention and he watched her smile once she saw him.

He blew her kiss and he wished he was close enough he could see her cheeks get rosy like they always do.

“She came?” Nico asked amused as he nudged Jack teasingly when he saw Jack starring at the suite with a very happy smile.

Jack proudly nodded. He skated away and grabbed a puck from warm up’s and handed it one of the equipment crew and asked them to hold it for him.

He got ready for the game to start.

She was blushing bright red by the attention on her from Jack blowing her a kiss.

“When did you meet?” Kristen Haula softly asked. Erik had told her all about the girl Jack has been talking about for months now, longer than he has ever talked about anyone ever.

“Almost five months ago.” She softly answered, she was glad she got hot coffee spilled on her that day because it gave her Jack.

“How long have you been together?” Cat Toffoli asked the girl softly, she could tell she was in the shyer side but incredibly sweet.

“Three months.” She told her, smiling as she spoke.

She answered a few more questions before the start of the game.

She softly cheered as Jack got a goal in the first period and she felt her face blush at Jack waving at her after his goal.

She loved watching Jack play in person for the first time, it was so much more than watching on the TV, it was like she got to see another side of Jack tonight and she loved it.

The second period started and within minutes Jack scored another goal and blew a kiss up at her that she softly catched and she knew Jack caught it because if it was even possible his grin got even brighter.

She shook her head incredibly fond as Jack scored his third goal and pointed at her, she blew him a tiny kiss for his amazing performance making him smile and his ears turn pink.

She walked with Nicole down to the locker room once the game was over and the Devils had won and Jack had gotten a hat trick.

She talked a bit more with Nicole as she waited for Jack.

Jack was the first one out of the locker room and immediately went straight to his girl. He grinned as he walked to her and could read his name on her back as he snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her from behind and spun her around twice making her giggle.

He set her back down and spun her around his arms so she was facing him, “Hi.” Jack leaned his face closer to hers and whispered softly.

“Hi.” She softly whispered back as she brushed back down of his wet hair off his forehead, “You played incredibly.” She praised him making his perk up, he gets compliments all the time on his hockey but coming from her it meant the world to him.

“Thank you” Jack fondly smiled and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, “I got you something.” Jack mischievously told her as he grabbed something out of his suit pocket ask handed it to her.

She smiled softly as she took the puck from his hand seeing he had wrote the date on the side, “Thank you.” She softly told and kissed his cheek gently making him smile happily. She tucked the puck into her pocket.

“Jacky boy!” Nate beamed as he walked over with Nico, he shook Jack’s shoulders grinning mischievously as he looked at the girl in front of Jack, “Are you going to introduce us?” Nate beamed excitedly he has heard all about her from Jack.

“Baby this is Nico and Bast.” Jack introduced them to her wrapping his arm around her waist.

“Hi.” She softly spoke to them, “I’ve heard a lot about you both.” She loves hearing Jack talk about his teammates and with how much he talks about them she feels like she knows all of them personally.

“He talks about you all the time.” Nico calmly told her but grinning teasingly at Jack.

She blushed and smiled up at Jack slightly teasing, in a way only Jack can get her to tease.

Jack fondly rolled his eyes, “So i like talking about my girl.” Jack doesn’t care he would happily talk about her anytime.

She just smiled at him making Nate and Nico share a look and had a feeling that Jack has found his a good one and someone who they would be seeing from now on.

She waved bye to Jack’s teammates before Jack led her out of the arena.

His eyes glanced to her back and looked at how his name was across her back and all he wanted to was make that her name too.

Jack wasn’t going to stop until he got her to be his wife even if they have only been dating for three months, Jack knew she was the one.

Four

Luke has just gotten into New Jersey a few days ago and had just gotten back from his first game.

He was staying with Jack and of course he knew all about Jack’s girlfriend and he noticed how much Jack is on his phone and how smiley is he when he is on his phone.

Luke was chilling on the couch after the game in a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie when Jack came down the hallway and into the living room, “You hungry?” Jack raised an eyebrow in question.

“I could eat.” Luke answered back.

“Come on there’s someone i want you to meet and you’ll get food.” Jack fondly rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his excitement to where he was going making Luke realize he was most likely going to meet Jack’s girlfriend.

Luke nodded and slid a pair of shoes on and followed Jack out do the apartment and into the car.

Jack drove them only a few minutes away and into an another apartment building.

Luke followed Jack through the lobby and he noticed how the workers all seemed to know Jack and followed him into the elevator.

“I’m meeting your girlfriend.” Luke bluntly stated not asking because he knew.

“You are.” Jack nodded, “She won’t be able to meet mom and dad during playoffs and i want her to meet a piece of my family.” Jack told Luke truthfully.

Jack was disappointed she won’t be able to go to playoff games as she is going on a book tour for her new book but he was proud of her and would never ask her to cancel something in her career for his career.

Luke nodded and decided to not tease his brother for once sensing that Jack just genuinely her to meet his family.

Jack walked up to a door and pulled out a key and unlocked the door and that made Luke raise an eyebrow, Jack had a key.

Luke followed Jack into the apartment and made a sound smelling something amazing.

Jack chuckled hearing the sound and knowing Luke smelt the food, “Trust me it tastes even better.” Jack has had a lot of people cook for him but no one has ever been better than her.

Once she found out Jack has a strict diet she made sure to make foods that follow his diet but they still taste so good and she’s always making him some type of healthy dessert that still tastes insanely good and he can eat as many as he wants.

“Jack?” She called out from the kitchen hearing the door unlocked, she took a deep breath feeling slightly nervous as she was about meet Jack’s brother.

“Hey you.” Jack softly spoke as he walked into the kitchen and wrapped his arm around her from behind in and kissed her cheek.

“Baby this is Luke.” Jack proudly introduced two of his favorite people to one another.

“Hi!” She smiled softly and shook Luke’s hand, “I’ve heard a lot about you from Jack.”

Luke smiled at the and shook her hand gently back, “Hi, i think i might of heard more about you from Jack.” Luke teased his brother.

She smiled and chuckled softly at Luke’s teasing and Jack’s fond eye roll.

“Do you need any help?” Jack asked her sweetly still holding her from behind.

“No i finished everything.” She set her hands over Jack’s hands and squeezed his hands softly, “Luke do you like spaghetti and meatballs?” She asked hopefully.

Luke nodded quickly, spaghetti is one of his favorite meals.

Luke watched as the twi interaction and smiled softly being able to see immediately how in love Jack really is and Luke has never seen Jack this in love. He also saw how calm she makes Jack, the second Jack stepped into the apartment it was like all of his stress and worries just went away.

“Good.” She smiled and walked to the stove and Jack reluctantly let go of her to grab three plates and he handed one to Luke.

They all platted up their plates and headed to her dinning room sitting around the table.

Luke took a bite and made a sound, “Oh my god.” Luke looked over at her in awe, he had never had such amazing spaghetti, “Jack you are not allowed to ever let her go.” Luke declared making her laugh and Jack smile and roll his eyes.

“That is the best spaghetti i have ever had.” Luke told her the second he was done, he had scrapped everything it off his plate within in minutes.

“Thank you.” She flushed at the compliment as it always means a lot when someone likes her cooking, “If you’re still hungry please have seconds.” She encouraged Luke and she knew it was the right thing to say as Luke lite up and got up immediately and headed into the kitchen.

Jack grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, “You know he adores you already.” Jack told her, He knew the easiest way to wins Luke heart is food and he knew having them meet like this would be perfect for them both.

She let out a small sigh of relief her shoulders releasing some tension, “I hope so.” She softly admitted.

Jack fondly smiled and he felt so warm seeing her care so much about what her family thinks about her and how much she wants to have the approval of his whole family.

It means the world to Jack knowing she cares that much and that’s another reason he knew he picked the right one.

Five

Jack looked out the plane window as the plane started to descend down as they were almost in Michigan.

His arm was around her shoulders as she rested her head on his shoulder and his hand was playing with her hair as she slept peaceful on him.

Jack frowned slightly knowing he would have to wake her up but he didn’t want to as he loves how peaceful she looks when she sleep.

“My sweet girl.” Jack softly cooed rubbing her shoulder watching as she groaned softly and her eyes starts fluttering open, “There’s those beautiful eyes.” Jack cooed as she opened her eyes to look up at him. He smiled at her little sleepy smile and blush and how she leaned closer to him her nose nudging his neck.

“How was your nap baby?” Jack gently asked his girlfriend.

“Comfy.” She mumbled pressing a kiss to his neck before lifting her head up and resting her chin on his shoulder.

He pressed a kiss to her nose making her nose scrunch and he smiled.

Once the plane landed they got up and Jack grabbed their bags for them and they got off the plane and walked through the airport. Jack never lets her carry her bags anymore even her purse.

They walked out of the airport and Jack saw Quinn waiting by the car and he guided her over to Quinn and the car.

Jack dropped the bags by the car and hugged his brother and Quinn hugged him tightly back.

Quinn looked over once they stopped hugging and saw her and smiled gently having heard the most about her that anyone and he already knew she is perfect for Jack by how happy she makes her brother.

“Hi.” Quinn spoke softly and usually he doesn’t hug new people but with how kick Jack talks about her Quinn feels as if he knows her and hugged her gently.

“Hi.” She gently spoke back with a small sense of relief realizing Quinn had to like her a bit to her hug and she was glad because he’s very important to Jack.

Jack loaded the car while he let the two talk and get to know each other better.

Quinn got into the drivers seat and he couldn’t help but smile realizing that Jack got into the backseat so he could sit with his girlfriend.

The three talked most of the drive back to the lake house and she fit extremely well with Quinn.

Quinn offered to get theirs bags and bring them up to Jack’s room to let Jack go introduce her to everyone.

Jack had a bounce in his step as he held her hand and brought her through his lake house and to the backyard seeing his parents and Luke.

Luke looked up and smiled seeing the two and he got up walking right to his future sister in law ignoring Jack completely and hugged her. Jack just fondly rolled his eyes.

Ellen raised an eyebrow and smiled softly seeing that Luke obviously cares a lot about Jack’s girlfriend.

Ellen has never seen Jack talk about anyone the way he talks about her and in Ellen’s book she already approves because of that and she can see how happier Jack is now and that’s all she wants is for her children to be happy.

Ellen and Jim got up and walked over to them and they hugged Jack first having missed their middle child as Luke talked with her.

“Hi.” She spoke slightly nervous as Ellen and Jim turned their attention to her and she wanted to make a good first impression.

Jack held her hand softly rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, something that Ellen didn’t miss and she smiled wider.

“It is so good to finally meet you!” Ellen beamed and pulled her into soft hug and she was even more surprised here Ellen let go that Jim pulled her into a hug too.

“It’s really nice to meet you both.” She softly but honestly told them as she leaned back into Jack’s side.

“Are you guys hungry?” Ellen asked in a motherly tone she watched as they shared a look and Jack nodded.

“Starving.” Jack answered as they had an early flight and slept most of the flight so they are hungry.

“Why don’t we go to the country club and get some food?” Ellen offered and the two nodded.

“Give us a few minutes and get out of our airport clothes?” Jack asked his mom knowing his girlfriend hated sitting in clothes she wore to the airport.

Ellen nodded and watched as the two walked away and headed inside.

Jack lead her to his room well their room now.

“See it went well.” Jack softly said as he closed the door behind them, his hands rested on her arms giving her a smile. Jack knew how nervous she was to meet his parents and Quinn as she wanted to make a good impression.

Jack has always known his family gets along with others well but they have never all liked someone as quick as they just did with her, She fit into his family immediately and no one ever has fit in like that.

She smiled and nodded relaxing more now and Jack pressed a kiss to her cheek and let her get dressed.

She got ready in the bathroom and when she stepped out in a white sundress Jack groaned, “Baby you are killing me.” Jack didn’t want to leave the room with her looking this beautiful he didn’t want to share.

They have been dating for seven months now and yet Jack still makes her blush just as easily.

“Absolutely beautiful.” Jack mumbled against her lips making her smile and her blush deepen even more.

Jack wrapped an arm around her waist and they walked out of his room and downstairs where they saw his family waiting.

“Ready?” Ellen asked as she looked up and then coming down the stairs. Jack nodded and everyone got up and headed outside into the car.

“Woah what do you think you’re doing?” Jack incredulously scoffed as he saw Luke stealing the spot next to his girlfriend.

“What. I haven’t seen her in a month!” Luke protested wanting to spend time with his friend. Luke really contacted well when he first met her and they became really good friends and text each other daily.

“Here scoot over Luke, i’ll sit in the middle.” She easily told the boys as they didn’t even think of her just sitting in the middle of them.

Ellen watched as who she knew would become her daughter in law one day easily break up an argument between Luke and Jack before it became one, something that is very hard with the two stubborn boys.

Jack slid next to his girl immediately and held her hand and let her lean her head on his shoulder as she chatted with Luke as Jim drove them.

Ellen and Jim shared a look hearing how easily she got Luke to talk a lot.

Jim pulled into the parking lot and they all walked into the country club and got a table outside looking out at the water.

Ellen and Jim took the chance to start asking a few questions about her even if Jack probably already told them all the answers.

Jack had his arm around the back of her chair and watched with a content face watching his girl and future wife get along with each of his family members perfectly.

Jack smiled and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

+One

Jack and her have been in Michigan for almost three months and Jack was pretty sure his entire family adores her more than they do him which Jack completely understood and he was glad they all love her so much.

She became the only person that Jim let touch his grill and he taught her how to cook on the grill and how to catch a fish and how to prepare the fish to cook it.

Jack knew his mom is just so happy to have another girl around and just absolutely adores her. He remembered the happy tears his mom shed when he showed her the ring he had bought.

Quinn loves reading and has been trying to get into it more lately and she helped him figure out what exactly he likes to read and they went to many library’s to get books for Quinn to read. Now Quinn and her will sit together and read in silence. Jack has never seen Quinn warm up that fast to anyone but her.

And Luke, Jack already knows Luke loves like a sister since the first time he met her and he made her food. But the two have spent a lot of time in the kitchen and her teaching Luke how to cook better and Luke gets to taste everything which makes him happy.

Jack just adored having her at the lake house, getting to cuddle on the boat, seeing her wakeboard, watching the sunrises and sunsets, sitting around the fire. Jack loved being able to have her with him the entire summer.

Jack got the chance a few weeks before they headed back to New Jersey with Luke to let her meet the rest of his extended family at a wedding and just as Jack expected she was adored within in seconds.

“You have got a good one Jacky.” Ellen told her son watching her laugh with all the little kids and saw how lovesick Jack is.

“I know.” Jack proudly nodded with a happy smile.

Ellen smiled softly and patted his shoulder, “She’s perfect for you and i can’t wait until she is in the family officially.” Ellen encouraged her son giving him a proud smile and she knew sooner than later Jack would be proposing.

Jack had barely gotten any attention from because all his little cousins have stolen his girl the entire day and during the wedding but when they were taken to bed and he finished his conversation with his mother he was finally able to sweep his girl onto the dance floor.

“Hello my sweet girl.” Jack lovingly mumbled as he wrapped his arms around her and they slow danced together.

“Hi.” She smiled back and her fingers fiddled with the nape of his hair.

“Have you ever thought about our wedding?” Jack asked curiously as they were coming up on eleven months being together and he was completely certain he will ask within the next year. Some may say that’s too soon but when you know, you know.

She blinked looking thoughtful and her cheeks flushed pink, “Yeah.” She sheepishly whispered, it doesn’t help that Jack looks so good in a suit and she thinks about him wearing a suit on their wedding day.

Jack perked up, “Yeah?” He asked happily when he realized she thought about their future.

“Yeah.” She whispered earnestly back, “I would love to be your wife one day.” She admitted to her boyfriend.

Jack beamed brighter than ever and pressed his forehead to her forehead, “I can not wait until i make you my wife, future Mrs Hughes.” Jack whispered to her already waiting for the day he finely gets to marry her.

She smiled content and nudged her nose to his gently.

He was very glad he spilled that cup of coffee on her.

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dejavuestateliquidator · 1 year ago

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Estate Liquidation Auctions: Everything You Need to Know

An estate liquidation auction is a sale of all or part of the contents of an estate, typically held after the death of the owner. Estate liquidation auctions can also be held to downsize an estate, settle a divorce, or simply to sell off unwanted items.

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misshoneyimhome · 4 months ago

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500 FOLLOWERS FESTIVAL

“So you think my legs are going to magically spread for you?” I Matthew Tkachuk

Summary; Despite your mutual disinterest, as the younger sister of a Florida Panthers player, it was inevitable that you would cross paths with Matthew Tkachuk at the celebration party.

Tropes & warnings; Matthew Tkachuk x reader, enemies to lovers, player's younger sister, Stanley Cup celebration, alcohol consumption, language

Other notes; So, lovely babes, this is my first time writing for Matthew Tkachuk, so I'm beyond excited to hear what you think of it 🙏🏼 Also, this idea has been on my mind for a while, so hopefully it turned out well ✨ I really hope you enjoy it 🌺

Word count; 4.2K

Taglist; @couldawouldashoulda50 @findapenny@justwanderingbutneverlost @cixrosie

➼｡ﾟ

The Florida sun slowly sank behind the streets of Miami, casting a golden light over the lively chaos following the Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup victory. The city was buzzing with joy, fans filling the streets, waving banners, and chanting team chants.

And as a guest at the team's exclusive post-championship party, you navigated through a sea of ecstatic family members and hockey players; the venue was a swanky club, decorated in gold and red, resembling the team’s colours.

Being the younger sister of a Panthers defensemen had its perks, but tonight, it mostly meant being pulled into conversations with unfamiliar faces. You spent the evening listening to hockey tales and politely acknowledging jokes you didn’t quite get. The loud music and constant chatter were starting to give you a headache, and you yearned for some peace.

So, leaning against the bar, you nursed a drink and tried to fade into the background. And sensing your need for a break, the bartender handed you a fresh cocktail with a sympathetic smile. You took a sip, the cool liquid a relief from the heat and noise.

However, just as you began to relax, a familiar voice broke your reverie. "Well, if it isn't y/n y/l/n," Matthew Tkachuk drawled, his smirk as irritatingly charming as ever, leaning beside you at the bar, his gaze meeting yours.

You rolled your eyes. "Tkachuk," you replied, your tone dripping with the disdain that had characterised your interactions from the start. He was a forward for the team, undeniably talented, though you’d never admit it aloud.

And even worse, he looked effortlessly handsome in a well-tailored suit that managed to be both relaxed and expensive; his tousled hair and that trademark smirk were frustratingly perfect.

"So, enjoying the party?" he asked casually, mischief glinting in his eyes.

You shrugged, trying to seem indifferent. "It's okay. More my brother’s thing than mine."

Matthew chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "Yeah, I can see that. But you have to admit, it’s a pretty epic celebration."

You glanced around at the crowd, the dazzling lights, and the palpable excitement. "I suppose," you conceded. "But I’d prefer somewhere quieter."

But his smirk just simply widened. "Really? I would’ve thought you were someone who enjoys being right in the middle of everything."

You raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think that?"

Unexpectedly, Matthew leaned in closer, his voice lowering to a confidential tone. "Because no matter where I go, you always seem to be there."

Your eyes narrowed. "Maybe that’s because you always manage to show up where you’re not wanted."

Matthew laughed, a genuine sound that briefly eased your annoyance. "Fair point. But you know, sometimes the best things happen in unexpected places."

You scoffed, rolling your eyes once more. "Yeah, well, I’m not holding my breath for that."

Matthew had always managed to get under your skin. Whether it was his smug grin on that annoyingly handsome face or his undeniable skills on the ice, he exuded confidence without apology. He was the type of guy who knew his worth and flaunted it freely.

To put it bluntly, you had never particularly liked Matthew Tkachuk - well, at least, that’s what you thought. While he hadn’t directly wronged you, he was simply too much—too loud, too cocky, too... everything. His presence could dominate a room, sucking out all the air and attention effortlessly.

If you were to compare him to a fictional character, Matthew could easily pass for Prince Charming from the Shrek movies: overly self-assured, possessing a strong ego, and strikingly handsome in every way. His eyes were magnetic, his smile infectious, and his physique impeccable. He walked with a swagger that bordered on

arrogance, and it drove you mad.

Oh, that body...

There was this one time you inadvertently caught sight of it after a training session while meeting your brother, and the image had unfortunately burned itself into your memory. He had emerged from the locker room, shirtless and still gleaming with sweat, his muscles flexing with every move.

It even intruded into your private moments, alone in your bed, right when you were on the brink of climax. The memory of his sculpted abs and the way his shorts hung low on his hips invaded your thoughts at the most inconvenient times.

You were of course incredibly embarrassed about it, not wanting to admit to anyone that you had briefly fantasised about Matthew Tkachuk. And even worse, you had to acknowledge to yourself that you had enjoyed it. The fantasy of him, his strong hands on your body, his lips against your skin, had led you to that intense pleasure that left you breathless and somewhat ashamed.

Him. Of all people.

Naturally, you tried to convince yourself it was solely the work of your vibrator. Yet, you couldn’t shake the fact that he had crossed your mind. Every time you saw him, that memory lingered in the depths of your thoughts, causing you to blush and feel a mixture of irritation and something else you weren’t ready to acknowledge.

As you stood there, amidst the lively atmosphere of the Stanley Cup celebration, you had to clench your thighs together and banish all lingering thoughts of him. The vibrant energy of the party coursed through your veins, yet the memory of Matthew's teasing smirk and his lingering touch persisted.

But it seemed as though he could sense your unspoken resistance. And Matthew was the type who thrived on challenges; and you were a challenge he wasn't about to shy away from. So suddenly, he was closely beside you, his breath warm against your ear, cutting through the room's clamour. "Well, I must say I didn't expect to find you here, princess. I thought you didn’t like partying with your brother's teammates?"

Your eyes narrowed. "I don’t. I'm only here for the free drinks." You tried to sound nonchalant, but deep down, you couldn’t deny the thrill his proximity brought.

Matthew chuckled, and despite your efforts, a small smile tugged at your lips. There was an undeniable magnetism in his confidence, his playful demeanour contrasting sharply with the intensity he showed on the ice. But shaking your head, you reminded yourself of all the reasons why you shouldn’t like him. He was arrogant, overly self-assured, and absolutely the last person you should find intriguing.

Yet, his husky voice once again brushed against your ear, sending a shiver down your spine. “Or maybe you’re just here to have a good time?”

Raising an eyebrow, you met his gaze with a defiant stare. “So you think my legs are going to magically spread for you just because we're at the same party?" you retorted, trying to regain your composure and create some distance between you.

You felt assured by your words. Maybe it was the outfit you'd chosen that gave you that extra boost of confidence — something you'd been very mindful of when putting it together; the sleek black dress you'd opted for hugged your curves perfectly. Its smooth silhouette highlighted your figure with undeniable allure, while the low neckline offered a subtle hint of cleavage, adding a touch of charm suitable for the occasion. Under the soft lights, the dress shimmered elegantly, catching the eye as you moved and subtly drawing attention.

Despite its form-fitting design, the dress fell just above the knee, striking a balance between sophistication and allure. It was a choice that exuded confidence, commanding attention without overshadowing the celebratory atmosphere of the evening. Plus, the drinks you'd been sipping for the past few hours had added to your courage.

Matthew simply raised an eyebrow, his blue-grey eyes twinkling with amusement. "Who said anything about magic?" he teased, his voice low. "But I wouldn't mind if it happened."

Your cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "You're unbelievable." The heat of the moment and his proximity made it difficult to think clearly, but you were determined not to let him get to you.

Matthew then leaned back, his expression turning more serious. "Look, y/n, I know we've had our differences—"

"You mean you've been a prick," you interjected, unable to hold back. It was instinctive, a defence mechanism kicking in to shield yourself from the unexpected vulnerability his seriousness revealed.

But Matthew just sighed, running a hand through his curly hair, styled into a soft, modern mullet. His eyes softened momentarily, revealing a glimpse of the person beyond the bravado. Yet, before he could say anything more, you were both pulled away to rejoin some of the others, their laughter and high spirits drawing you back into the celebration.

As the night wore on, both you and Matthew kept your distance, focusing on simply enjoying the party. You laughed, danced, and chatted with others, trying to push the encounter from your mind. Yet, every so often, you caught him glancing your way, his gaze thoughtful and intense, making your heart race all over again.

Despite your best efforts, you couldn't help but be aware of him, his presence a constant hum at the back of your mind. Though the celebration continued around you, a whirlwind of joy and excitement, there was an undercurrent of something else, something that left you wondering just what Matthew Tkachuk's intentions were, and whether you were ready to find out.

It was a huge win for the Panthers. The air crackled with excitement, a chorus of cheers and celebratory shouts echoing through the room. Drinks flowed freely, and the players, including Matthew, were eager to shed the weight of the season's training rules and simply revel in their victory.

Despite their attempts to keep the celebration controlled, the intensity of the moment quickly swept everyone up. Laughter filled the air as families began to depart, leaving behind only the players and their younger siblings at the lively gathering. And in the midst of it all, Matthew felt a surge of confidence building within him.

And that’s when his eyes landed on you once again.

From across the room, he observed you with a mix of curiosity and admiration. Your laughter resonated, adding to the jubilant atmosphere as you engaged in conversation with some of the other players' siblings. Matthew couldn’t deny that there was something distinctly captivating about you tonight, a subtle allure that drew his attention and held it.

“You should hit that,” Brady, Matthew's younger brother, interjected abruptly, breaking through his thoughts.

“What?” Matthew replied, caught off guard by Brady's blunt statement.

“Go for it,” the Ottawa player teased, a mischievous glint in his eye and a slight slur to his words. “You’ve been staring at her all night. Just go for it! You know you want to.”

Matthew chuckled dismissively, shaking his head. “I haven’t been staring at her all night. I’ve barely spoken to her.”

But Brady's lips just curled into a smirk, his confidence buoyed by the alcohol swirling through his veins, amplifying his bravado as he leaned in towards Matthew. His words dripped with sarcasm, each syllable a challenge meant to goad his older brother into action.

"Sure," he scoffed, the hint of a dare in his voice. "Come on, I dare you to go ask her for a dance."

Matthew's brows furrowed slightly, his eyes narrowing in playful disbelief at Brady's persistence. A chuckle escaped his lips, a mix of amusement and mild protest.

"No way, man," Matthew replied, shaking his head with a wry grin. His brother's teasing was nothing new, but tonight, under the influence of celebration and camaraderie, it almost struck a chord.

Brady, undeterred by Matthew's initial refusal, pressed on with the banter, his voice carrying a playful challenge underscored by the sibling rivalry that defined their relationship.

"Alright, I guess if you don't want to, it’s cool," he taunted, his words tinged with mock disappointment. “I mean bro, you can be a chicken if you want to, but don't tell me you're afraid. After winning the Cup, this should be a piece of cake. Unless you're scared she'll turn you down?”

And the barb hit its mark, stirring something within Matthew's competitive spirit. His jaw set with determination; he couldn't let Brady's jibes go unanswered. As athletes, the Tkachuk brothers were no strangers to challenges and dares—each one a gauntlet thrown down, impossible to ignore.

In that moment, Matthew's resolve solidified. He couldn't allow his younger brother to mock him for shying away from a simple act like asking someone to dance. After all, he was Matthew Tkachuk, a Stanley Cup champion—this should be effortless.

So, as mature as ever, Matthew raised an eyebrow. “Fine, you want a show? Watch this.”

Brady's eyes tracked his movements with a mixture of amusement and curiosity as his older brother weaved through the jubilant crowd. The room buzzed with excitement, cheers reverberating off the walls, and the beat of celebratory music filled the air. Despite the festive atmosphere, Matthew's attention honed in on your distinct presence across the room, a singular figure amidst the sea of revelry.

However, with each deliberate step toward you, Matthew felt a peculiar weight settle on his shoulders. His heart suddenly thudded loudly in his chest, a blend of nerves and adrenaline pulsing through his veins like a current.

Wait, what? Why? he silently questioned himself, puzzled by the sudden intensity of his emotions. It was just you, after all—a person he didn't need to impress or prove himself to.

Yet, there was an undeniable pull, an intrigue that had always lurked beneath the surface, even if Matthew had never outwardly acknowledged it. Unlike other women in his life, you exuded a unique aura that captivated him. Whether at the rink before or after training sessions, patiently waiting for your brother, you seemed to radiate an effortless calm and genuine happiness. Your vibrant smile lit up the room, your spirit almost ethereal in its positivity. But it was your sharp wit, akin to a sailor's banter, and your quick-fire comebacks that left an indelible impression on Matthew.

And perhaps it was precisely this multifaceted charm that intrigued the Arizona forward more than he cared to admit.

So, as Matthew closed the gap, he mentally bolstered his confidence, preparing to gently interrupt the small talk surrounding you.

"Hey," he said, tapping you lightly on the shoulder.

You turned, surprise flickering in your eyes before masking it with a smirk. "Back for more, Tkachuk?"

But he just grinned, leaning casually against the wall beside you. "Couldn't stay away."

"Of course not," you replied simply, rolling your eyes playfully as you tried to hide the slight flutter in your stomach that his presence stirred.

There was a brief moment of silence, a hint of awkwardness settling between you, as you both seemed unsure why Matthew had suddenly returned to talk to you. But then he broke the silence with a proposition that caught you off guard.

“How about a dance?”

“What?” you replied, genuinely baffled by his unexpected request.

“How about a dance?” Matthew repeated, his voice more confident this time, his gaze steady on yours.

You blinked in surprise, momentarily at a loss for words. This was not the Matthew Tkachuk you were used to—the cocky, overconfident player who always seemed to know how to push your buttons. This Matthew seemed... different.

Still, you weren’t about to let him off that easily. "You’re joking, right?" you replied, your tone laced with a mix of incredulity and sarcasm.

His smirk widened slightly, yet there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—determination, perhaps a hint of vulnerability. "No, I'm serious. One dance. Unless you're too scared to be seen with me."

And that did it. You never backed down from a challenge, especially not from Matthew Tkachuk. "Scared? Of you? Please."

"So, prove it," he challenged, extending his hand towards you.

With a light huff, you placed your hand in his, feeling a rush of adrenaline as he led you confidently to the centre of the makeshift dance floor. The crowd around you seemed to part, creating a space where only the pulsing beat of the music and the heat between you two existed. The deep bass reverberated through your chest, setting a rhythm that seemed to sync effortlessly with your movements alongside Matthew.

As you danced, the initial tension between you began to melt away. There was an undeniable chemistry, an unspoken understanding that drew you closer despite your history of mutual animosity. Matthew's hand on your waist guided you with a firm yet gentle touch, each step bringing you closer together physically and emotionally. The energy between you was palpable, a magnetic pull that neither of you could resist.

Despite your best efforts to maintain a facade of indifference, you suddenly found yourself swept up in the moment. The barriers you had carefully erected seemed to crumble in the face of this unexpected connection, leaving you both vulnerable yet exhilarated.

Then, as the song drew to an end, Matthew's breath warmed your ear again as he leaned in closer, his voice tinged with a hint of mischief and genuine warmth. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"

You pulled back slightly, your eyes locking onto his with a mixture of defiance and something deeper—a flicker of unspoken emotions stirring within you. "I suppose not," you admitted begrudgingly, unable to ignore the rush of exhilaration that his proximity brought.

"Maybe we should do this more often," Matthew suggested, his tone playful yet his eyes revealing a sincerity that surprised you.

But you just raised an eyebrow, your guard instinctively rising. "Don't push your luck, Tkachuk."

He chuckled softly, "fair enough, y/n. Fair enough."

As you then turned to leave the dance floor, determined to regain your composure amidst the fluttering in your stomach—just like when you felt your very first crush—fate decided to intervene in the form of a clumsy collision. Another large body bumped into you, causing their drink to spill onto your dress, and you stumbled backwards, only to find yourself caught by Matthew's quick reflexes.

"Whoa there," Matthew's voice was calm, his arms wrapped securely around you. "Are you alright?"

Once again you met his blue-grey eyes, and you felt your heart racing as you momentarily lost yourself in their depths. "Yeah, I'm fine," you managed to say, your voice revealing a breathlessness you couldn't conceal. "Thanks."

Matthew steadied you, his hands lingering on your waist a fraction longer than necessary, stirring a warmth that spread through you. "No worries," he replied softly, his gaze holding yours with a gentle intensity. "But you can always just say it if you can't resist me."

Rolling your eyes in mock exasperation to hide the blush creeping up your cheeks, you teased back, "Don't flatter yourself, Tkachuk. It was just an accident."

His grin widened, mischief glinting in his eyes. "Sure, sure," he responded, his playful manner unwavering. "But accidents can lead to interesting places."

Unable to stifle a laugh at his persistence, you shook your head with amusement. "You're impossible."

"And yet, here we are," Matthew countered, his tone light but his eyes holding a sincerity that made your heart skip a beat.

But before you could reply, your brother appeared, slightly tipsy and curious. "Hey y/n, everything alright here?" he asked, eyeing you and Matthew with interest.

"Yeah, all good," you replied quickly, stepping back from Matthew's embrace. "Just a minor collision."

Your brother raised an eyebrow but chose not to press further. "Alright, just checking. You know how wild these parties can get."

"Yeah, I know," you agreed, grateful for the interruption. "Thanks."

As your brother then wandered off, Matthew turned to you with a more serious expression. "How about we leave?"

"What?" you asked, surprised by his sudden suggestion.

"Let's get out of here," he repeated, his voice soft but resolute.

Confusion mixed with a touch of curiosity as Matthew took your hand, leading you away from the bustling crowd. Despite your uncertainty, you were drawn to his calm assurance, ready to follow wherever this unexpected night might lead.

Matthew guided you out of the noisy room, his hand warm and firm in yours, fingers intertwined as if they naturally belonged that way. The sounds of the party gradually faded as you stepped into the cool night air, a refreshing change from the warmth and noise inside. You followed him down a path that veered away from the venue, guided by the gentle moonlight casting soft shadows around you.

"Where are we heading?"

He glanced back at you, a mischievous yet reassuring smile playing on his lips. "Just trust me. It’s… quieter."

You walked together in comfortable silence, the lively sounds of the city night slowly giving way to the distant crash of waves. After a few minutes, you arrived at a secluded spot overlooking the beach, the peaceful scene illuminated by the moon's soft glow. The rhythmic sound of waves brushing against the shore provided a soothing backdrop, while stars sparkled brightly above, mirroring the newfound excitement in your heart.

"This is... nice," you confessed softly, taking in the tranquil beauty surrounding you.

Matthew shrugged casually, his eyes fixed on the horizon where the sea met the sky. "Sometimes it's good to escape all the noise. Clears the mind."

You nodded in agreement, savouring the calmness that enveloped both of you. "Yeah, it does."

Standing side by side, immersed in the serene atmosphere, you sensed a shift in the air. It was a moment suspended in time, where words felt unnecessary yet emotions spoke volumes. Despite the unexpectedness of being alone with Matthew Tkachuk, someone you often clashed with, there was an unspoken understanding between you now.

Then, almost as if to break the tension or perhaps to fully embrace it, you spoke up, your voice teasing yet tinged with uncertainty. "Listen, Tkachuk, if you're planning to kidnap me —"

"Then what?" Matthew interrupted, a playful smirk dancing on his lips as he turned and closed the distance between you, his tall figure towering over you. "What would you do if I did kidnap you, huh?" he challenged, his tone teasing yet carrying a hint of something deeper.

You were momentarily stunned into silence, caught off guard by his unexpected boldness.

"Lost for words?" Matthew teased further, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he observed your reaction, his presence exerting a magnetic pull that left you slightly breathless.

"N-no," you managed to stammer out, your mind racing to process the whirlwind of emotions. "I'm just... not sure why you suddenly wanted to be alone with me like this."

Matthew paused, pressing his lips together and his expression softening as he considered his response, his gaze unwaveringly locked with yours.

"Lost for words?" you teased back gently. "I mean, you could have just—"

Before you could finish your sentence, Matthew leaned in and kissed you, a sudden gesture that completely took you by surprise yet somehow felt inevitable. The abruptness made your knees weaken momentarily, leaving you stunned. But then, driven by a newfound desire, you found yourself responding to the kiss, your hands instinctively gripping the front of his shirt.

Matthew cupped your face tenderly with his hands, sending a rush of warmth through you. The kiss was filled with urgency, conveying emotions that words had failed to capture. It was everything unexpected yet strangely fitting.

And when he then pulled back, both of you were breathless, chests rising and falling together. His forehead rested gently against yours, and as you looked into his eyes, you saw a mix of vulnerability and determination that mirrored your own inner turmoil.

"I wanted to be alone with you because... I can't get you out of my head," Matthew confessed softly, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to shatter the fragile moment between you. "You drive me crazy in ways I can't explain. I just... needed you to know that."

Your heart raced at his honesty, a swirl of emotions overwhelming you. This was Matthew Tkachuk—the guy who always managed to push your buttons—now standing before you with a vulnerability that felt disarmingly real.

"I..." you began, struggling to find words that matched the intensity of the moment. "I've been thinking about you too. More than I'd like to admit."

His eyes brightened with hope and relief upon hearing your confession, a gentle smile forming at the corners of his lips. "So, what do we do now?" he asked softly, his thumb delicately caressing your cheek, anchoring you in the present moment.

You returned his smile, genuine joy spreading across your face. "I suppose we see where this takes us. No more arguing, no more games. Just... us."

Matthew's grin widened, his eyes sparkling with happiness and anticipation. "I like the sound of that."

He then kissed you again, slower this time, his lips conveying a promise of newfound connection and unspoken possibilities. When you finally pulled away, the world around you felt different—brighter, filled with potential.

And as you walked hand in hand back towards the distant sounds of music and laughter, there was a renewed energy crackling between you. You knew your brother would notice the change immediately. Always protective, he might initially confront Matthew, but you trusted him to ultimately understand.

#500 followers festival #mt19 #matthew tkachuk x reader #matthew tkachuk imagine #florida panthers imagine #nhl imagine #nhl fanfiction #nhl hockey imagine

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thefirsthogokage · 1 year ago

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Very helpful thread made for those walking the picket lines by an EMT in Florida:

(screen shots from here on out. Too many images to put in one post. Sorry for the dark mode switch ahead of time)

[Image ID: a tweet thread made by @TheMaryGirls on July 18th, 2023 that reads in its entirety (though combined where appropriate and tweet numbers removed for condensing):

This is for the strikers everywhere since I'm nowhere near a picket line. This is the least I can do:

I am an EMT in Florida, one of the hottest states in the country on a regular basis. These are things you can do to protect yourself from the heat

1. Water

Water is great, your body needs it to live. You can go longer without food than you can without water. It's vital. If you become too dehydrated you can lapse into something called Hypovolemic shock which is the most dangerous form of shock because, usually, by the time you realize something is wrong, you're already in a bad position.

When you sweat, you're not just losing water. You're also losing salt, potassium, chloride, magnesium, & calcium. To combat this, you should drink something with electrolytes.

You can also eat a banana in order to avoid cramping that can occur with the loss of potassium. You don't want to be the one doing the Charley Horse Hustle on the line when people have phone cameras. You can also eat fruit and veg with high water content. They helps.

A word of caution about ice water. I know the idea of a big bottle of ice water sounds great when you're sweating your balls off on the line but NO! That can be dangerous. Your body temperature is up due to the heat. You chug a bottle of ice water like you used to do with Smirnoff Ice in college, you'll regret it. Ice water will cause your body temperature to drop which fraks up your homeostasis. You can experience stomach craps, fainting, and, on some weird occasions, cardiac arrest. Face planting on the pavement isn't cute.

One way you CAN use ice water safely is by soaking a t-shirt or towel and putting it on your head to help cool you off. Also, cold rags around the wrists can also cool you down. You've seen construction workers with the t-shirts on their heads? This is why.

2. Whole body

If you get blisters on your feet, you need to treat them. Also, don't force pop them, you're just asking for trouble. When they rupture, they need to be cleaned with soap and water (no alcohol or peroxide) and protected. Band-Aids won't really help here.

Band-Aids can easily slip off and give bacteria a chance to move in and really get gross. Liquid bandage is the better option. It's waterproof but it does sting when you put it on so be warned.

If you experience muscle cramps on the line, you need to deal with them. This is your bodies way of telling you something is wrong. Sit down, drink something. Stretching before picketing can also help prevent them. Let's be honest, as writers, we sit. A LOT.

Going from a cave dwelling hermit to bright sunlight and exercise is going to piss your entire system off. Icy Hot and hot baths will be your friend.

3. Dehydration warning signs.

Muscle cramps

light headed

headaches

feeling very thirsty

dark urine

urinating less often

feeling tired

dry mouth, lips, or tongue

skin tenting

confusion

That's all that I can think of at the moment.

GO FUCK EM UP!!!!!!!

/End ID]

Bonus:

[Image ID: Tweeted comment on the thread from @/sardoniccomment that reads:

Every word of this is good advice, but, as a former desert-dweller, there’s something I need to add: dehydration makes you stupid. It can literally prevent you from being able to figure out the source of your problems is dehydration.

/End ID]

#medical advice #surviving heat #wga strike #sag aftra strike #double strike 2023

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platycryptus · 2 years ago

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Eyed Elaters (Alaus)

eyed elater click beetles, like this Alaus oculatus from Florida, are the biggest click beetles (Elateridae) found in temperate North America.

Click beetles are best known for their eponymous clicking ability- a sort of elastic locking mechanism on their thorax can snap open with a loud clicking sound, which helps them startle or escape the grasp of predators and allows them to launch themselves into the air when overturned (you can see that in slow motion at the end of the video)

(more elating click beetle trivia below!)

They live around decaying trees and logs, the adults feeding on sap flows and other sugary liquids while the predatory grubs use their powerful jaws to tunnel in search of other wood-dwelling insect larvae to devour (by contrast many smaller click beetle larvae, often called wireworms, feed on rotting wood itself or other plant matter). To rear these beetles in captivity it’s necessary to keep the larvae in containers made of a hard material like glass, as they’ll chew through plastic and escape (I learned this the hard way the first time I found and attempted to raise a grub).

There are 6 Alaus species in the US, the largest of which can be over 5 cm long. Two are found in forests along the east coast- A. oculatus, the eastern eyed elater (below, left) and its smaller relative A. myops, the blind elater (right).

Even though the larvae don't feed directly on decaying wood, different Alaus species prefer different trees- oculatus breeds in dead oaks and other hardwoods, while myops found in the same habitats only use well-rotted pines.

#beetles #elateridae #click beetle #coleoptera #Alaus #eyed elater #Alaus oculatus #Alaus myops #bugs #bugblr #entomology #insects

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1d1195 · 8 months ago

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My Friend's Toyota IV

Read the rest here: My Friend's Toyota

~6.2k words

Warnings: fluff, some angst, some 18+ escapades mentioned/described but nothing over the top, virgin reader/experienced H (semi-spoiler: you will not be reading about their first time in this one) I'm sure we all know I do 3rd POV typically, but I think this will also feel like it's rapidly switching between our characters within that lens, so just keep that in mind. Also I think this part is really... complex if you will. Think coming of age, trying to figure out life kind of stuff. It's not easy and I wrote it randomly in a way, because I don't think you can wrap all this stuff up in a neat little bow the way you expect to. There are curveballs in life and especially in sex. There are difficult conversations to be had and things that are hard to explain; this is just the way I chose to portray such a relationship. I kind of left this open-ended in a way that I could come back to it for follow-ups. I hope that doesn't detract from the story.

Sorry for the long note; here is the last part. Thank you for reading it. I hope you enjoy 💕

Harry wondered if he kissed her would his lips stick to hers.

He kind of hoped they would.

She’s not ready for the air to get colder / ‘Cause she’s so used to living on the beach down in Florida / Wanna take her to the mountains / We can take my friend’s Toyota / But the heat don’t work so when the air gets colder / I can hold ya

Harry was going to kill Mitch. When they stopped for gas, he texted him while she ran in to the station to grab some extra snacks. How come the heat isn’t working?

Whoops. I forgot about that...

Mitchell. She is FREEZING.

Sarah says it’s an excuse to snuggle.

Honestly, Harry had already thought of that. But he wanted her to be whole and warm when they made it to the cabin. It made him so anxious that he was ruining their weekend getaway before it barely started. But she returned chipper as ever, four cups of hot liquid in a little cardboard tray. He smirked, raising his eyebrows suspiciously at the copious number of drinks.

She smiled shyly. “It’ll be warm,” she shrugged.

He chuckled as she settled the drinks in the middle of the bench seat and made sure they wouldn’t spill while Harry drove. It was only another hour to the cabin. It was freezing. Truly, freezing didn’t even justify the cold temperature she was feeling. It felt like there was ice in the bottom of her shoes—she contemplated spilling one of the cups of hot chocolate she purchased into her boots just for warmth. “M’so sorry about the heat, kitten. I didn’t know.”

Despite her jaw silently chattering (she hid the sound of it from Harry by pulling her lower lip into her mouth ever so slightly) she smiled at him. “I’m fine,” she promised. Really, she was. It wasn’t like she was going to get hypothermia or anything, it was just cold. The hot liquid helped though, the cup warmed her gloved hands and melted her insides as she drank it. Harry also provided her with two warm, fuzzy blankets to snuggle under during the ride. It wasn’t too late—but winter up North anything past four PM was late. The sky was nearly black, only stars and stray wispy clouds. It didn’t help the chill in the cab of the truck. She packed an overnight bag of her regular belongings with clothes and toiletries, her backpack (because it was really hard for her to part from her schoolwork when school was in session), and plenty of jackets and sweatshirts. Harry packed about the same and all their bags were piled into the thin backseat of the cab of the truck as well. In the bed of the truck was an assortment of drinks and food items they might need as general basics when they got to the cabin. They would still need to go to the grocery store.

The prospect of playing house with her was very exciting.

Harry thought she was the cutest little ad for ski gear with a little knit headband around her ears and matching mittens. She was so pretty it made him feel dizzy. “Do you want some?” She asked, grabbing a second cup from the tray. He smiled, taking it with one hand and sipping it. He popped out the cupholder that resided within the dash and slid it in.

His mum always warned him that driving at dusk and dawn were the two hardest times to drive. Between the animals and other drivers struggling to see in the fading or growing light he wasn’t surprised.

Add in snow coming off the mountain? It was another added distraction.

But she had never seen snow. “Oh my God,” she whispered.

He smiled silently at her awed expression, keeping his eyes on the road, the wiper blades pushing the fluffy squall of flakes off the glass. She shifted in her seat edging closer to the dashboard, the seatbelt stretching to accommodate her closeness. “Is it always sparkly like that?” Her voice was reverent. Soft and warm despite how icy she must have felt. Harry was focused on not skidding on what could be an icy cold road. Maybe he should have waited until the morning to start driving but he wanted to milk every possible second of the weekend with her without interruption from anyone. A two-night, and two-and-a-half-day stay was hardly enough so he wasn’t going to lose that half a day for nothing.

“I’ve never noticed it sparkling,” he admitted. She used her teeth to pull her glove off before she reached for the windshield. With one finger on it, the heat from her finger creating a little halo of steam on the glass, her eyes scanned the fluttering snow as it fell in front of the headlights.

“It’s like glitter,” she murmured. “It’s so pretty; I don’t think I’ve ever seen something this pretty…can we stop?”

It was fortunate they were coming to a rest stop—Harry had only been to Mitch’s cabin a few times but when they travelled in from their hometown, it was a much longer journey, and the rest stop was always needed. Pulling off the highway, she got out of the car quickly. Harry followed suit, locking the vehicle and fell into step beside her. She was so bright-eyed. The chill in the air didn’t seem to bother her, although Harry was sure it had to because it almost bothered him.

There was a thin layer of snow coating the ground. If he had a measuring tape, it wouldn’t even read a millimeter. She stood still gazing upward, the fluffy flakes caught on her little headband, in her hair. They melted as they hit her face, making her cheeks spotted with a little drop of moisture.

But what had him falling further in love with her was the way they fell on her eyelashes and clung to them for a moment before turning into water again. Her cheeks pinked in the chilly air and Harry wondered if he kissed her would his lips stick to hers.

He kind of hoped they would.

Without warning, she hurried to the picnic table that was also covered in snow and laid across it, stretching her arms out and sighing deeply. “I know I’m always cold, but I do love it. It’s so much better than the heat,” she looked so gorgeous, Harry could hardly breathe. She turned her head and smiled at him. “You think I’m crazy,” she giggled.

He nodded. “I do,” he sounded so serious, but his smile was so enticing it made her stomach hurt.

“You know, this is where you would murder me,” she told him.

He snorted and shook his head at her. “Oh?”

“Yup. You kill me here, abandoned rest stop, closed for the season. No one finds me till spring. You have your nice long weekend alone.”

He rolled his eyes. “You think Allie wouldn’t hunt me down?”

“You stole my phone tell her I couldn’t be here anymore, too cold. Move back south.”

“Your parents?”

“They haven’t a clue,” she shrugged.

“No more podcasts, kitten.”

She turned her attention back to the sky, the falling flakes making her look like a literal snow angel, speckling her hair. “It’s beautiful,” her voice was so soft. Harry smiled and moved to lay beside her. She shifted, allowing space on the creaky table. He let one leg dangle off the side, propped up by the bench seat. He tried to see it the way she saw it. It had been so long since he had stopped and watched the snow fall. He knew it was beautiful. There were reasons people visited the mountains to ski and have romantic, chilly getaways. But he could hardly tear his eyes away from her to look at the beauty she saw that wasn’t her own reflection. “Do you even like snow?” She asked.

He nodded. “When I was younger,” he started. “I was the only boy,” he smiled fondly. “Mum and Gemma were adamant that I do what was proper and right. But it was more than that. I wanted t’be a gentleman t’them, y’know?” She didn’t obviously, not exactly, but she nodded. “I actually liked shoveling. Our neighbors paid me t’shovel their drives as well,” he explained. “It was so quiet. Y’can’t really tell right now,” he gestured toward the highway that had cars singing down the road to their destinations. “Snow absorbs the sound of everything else, traps it in the flakes and carries it t’the ground like s’tucking a kid into bed,” he shook his head with a smile. “S’the only way I can describe it. Felt like when Mum would carry me t’bed when I was sick,” he paused. “You must think I’m crazy,” he smiled.

She shook her head eagerly. “No,” she promised. “I mean, it’s a weird way to say no one will hear me scream when you murder me,” she shrugged and Harry laughed, rolling his eyes again. Seriousness came over her features again and she turned on her side to face him. “Tell me more,” she whispered. “It’s quiet,” she reminded him, encouraging him to continue his story. “You liked shoveling?”

He kissed the middle of her forehead and took a deep breath inhaling her perfume and the smell of her laundry detergent that mixed together to create this amazing scent that was entirely her. “My mum and Gemma did so much for me,” he explained. “I’d do anything for them. So...I like the snow a lot. S’peaceful.”

She looked back up and watched the flakes fall and land on Harry’s skin without any pattern. It made his skin dewey and somehow more beautiful. She brushed her glove thumb on his eyebrow, brushing the flakes that landed there before they froze. “It is peaceful.”

“We should go before we freeze.”

“Eager to kill me in private, I see.”

“There’s something wrong with you.”

“You picked me,” she giggled getting off the table and right as she stepped away, Harry grabbed her hand, pulled her back so she was between his legs, arms pressed to the front of his body and his arms circled around her waist.

“I’d pick you, again and again,” he promised before kissing her sweetly on the lips. Fortunately (or unfortunately, for Harry), their lips didn’t stick together.

Harry forgot how much warmth was produced to melt any hope of staying stuck to her.

“Can I do something?” She asked about ten minutes longer into the drive.

“Of course,” he chuckled.

She unbuckled herself, scooted to the middle seat, replacing her old spot with the warm drinks ensuring once more they wouldn’t spill while driving. She leaned toward him, her body snug against his side. His hand fell to her thigh wrapped in at least two layers and he still thought she wouldn’t have looked sexier in lingerie. Carefully, she draped her blankets across Harry’s lap as well. “This is much better,” she sighed.

Harry couldn’t have agreed more. He squeezed her thigh and kissed the top of her head without moving his gaze from the road. “Warm?” He asked.

She nodded. “Very.”

His heart was in his throat because the snow was getting a little heavier as he creeped further north to the little mountain town. Her sweet voice was going on and on about how pretty the snow was, what she was looking forward to this weekend, and how not even their upcoming finals had her in a bad mood.

It took every ounce of self-control to focus on the road and not her. When she started pointing at how fluffy the flakes were once more Harry cleared his throat. “Kitten,” his voice was soft. She could hear the warning tone. A frown graced her lips in his peripheral.

“Yeah?”

“I love your voice,” he began.

Looking away briefly she turned and nuzzled her face against his jacketed arm. “I’m talking too much, aren’t I?” She asked quietly.

“God, no,” he shook his head, it seemed horrible to face forward and not look at her while he reassured her. “I’d listen t’you for hours jus’ t’hear y’read the ingredients in m’shampoo,” he promised. “But you are the most precious cargo I’ve ever driven—”

Immediately, she turned her face toward his arm, still pressed to his side. Like she was embarrassed over the notion. “That’s the sweetest—”

“—and I want t’stare at you, and talk t’you about the snow, finals, everything, love. But I want t’get you to the cabin safely. Your sweet voice is so distracting. S’not your fault at all. S’mine. I jus’ want t’look at you.”

“I’ll be quieter,” she promised, but there was a smile in her voice as she murmured quietly into his arm again.

“You’re not mad, no?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. I’ve never driven in the snow. Forgot it might be scary. Even for a veteran driver like you,” she nosed at his arm again. She let all the air escape her in a long sigh. “I’ll let you focus,” her voice wasn’t as exuberant, but Harry glanced at her briefly to see a content smile on her face. Her eyes facing forward as she admired the snowy road. Relief coursed through him that she didn’t hate him for basically telling her to shut up. Quietly she hummed to the music playing through the speakers.

Harry was a believer in some kind of heaven beyond.

But driving along a cold snowy road, with the girl of his dreams on his arm, he stopped believing.

There was no way heaven could exist if she was right beside him.

The cabin was the stuff of dreams. It was secluded, but honestly not in the serial killer way she kept mocking Harry about. From the little perch of land, she could see down to the town nearby. Not quite rural but not urban either. It was perfect. They stopped at the grocery store on the way in and she caught sight of an old bookstore and a little boutique that she wanted to go to tomorrow.

“I honestly hadn’t considered killing you till now, kitten,” Harry was grumbling as they carried the groceries in first, then their other bags. When Harry glanced away very briefly to check nothing was left in their cart, she paid for the groceries with a tap of her debit card.

“I knew it,” she whispered to mostly herself with a smile.

“Supposed t’be treating you,” he continued grumbling.

“Harry, you treat me literally all the time. You worked so many extra shifts this week to make up for missing the weekend ones. Just let me,” she assured him putting the perishables in the fridge and freezer. He still felt guilty, and she could see his mind spinning with ways to make up for the “atrocity.”

“D’you want anything t’eat or drink?” He asked.

“How about the pizza?” She suggested. It was quick and easy and didn’t require a lot of thought to make. It would be easy for their first night here. “I got it,” she offered, and Harry went to set up the fireplace. While he worked on the fire, she meandered around the cabin. It was warm and cozy but also extremely open. Pictures of Mitch and Harry were strewn about table surfaces. Vacations from their school days. Other pictures of whom she assumed was the rest of Mitch’s family. Sarah was even in a few, too. The décor was perfect for a cabin. Like it had been crocheted a giant sweater to sit on the walls with a variety of little inspirational ski quotes like “skiing is the next best thing to having wings.” It was toasty without the fireplace going just because it was everything a mountain cabin should be.

The beautiful stone fireplace cracked now that Harry had fed it enough firewood. It was along the back wall set between windows that let the sunlight in each morning (she wasn’t positive on that, but assumed it was built so the bedrooms wouldn’t be in direct sunlight while waking up), and the coziest looking couches she had seen. They fit the room perfectly. All they needed was a sweet, chocolate labrador to play fetch with and this could be home.

She pulled the knit headband off her head, finally warming from the heat and the fireplace. Harry brought her a glass of wine. It felt like they were real adults on a trip. Harry almost immediately stripped of his outdoor gear when they arrived, but it took a while for her southern blood to warm. Eventually she slid her coat off. Harry hung it on the back of a chair while he found plates in the cabinet and finished with the remainder of the groceries: things for the bathroom that weren’t regularly stored in the little getaway. She was inspecting the bookshelf reading the back of covers that were old and well-loved. “Anything good?”

She smiled. “I think all books are good.”

He chuckled, grabbed their overnight bags by the front door and went off to another room. Her heart pounded with the realization they were on a trip together and it wasn’t just Harry’s suite like she had gotten used to over the last month and a half.

All week she had been nervous. Allie could tell it reached a breaking point on Thursday when she was packing. Harry was at work, unaware of her troubles. She knew she was being ridiculous. Harry had been nothing but kind since she met him. But when he brought their bags to the other room, all the anxiety she had squashed down came flooding back to her.

“Are you excited?” Allie’s voice was gentle when she asked while she finished zipping her bag. All she needed were the toiletries that she would pack once she used them in the morning.

“Yes,” she murmured.

“Oh, that’s assuring,” Allie hopped onto her bed and patted the seat beside her as if it were her room. “C’mon, sweetie,” she encouraged with a sweet smile. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

She shook her head, cheeks flaming, unable to put it into words because she felt so embarrassed. Even in front of someone who was very much her best friend. “It’s nothing.”

“I’ll tickle it out of you,” she warned.

“Oh my God,” she sat beside her and looked at her hands in her lap. It was extremely quiet in her room. “I’ve never had sex,” she mumbled.

“What?!” She gasped.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” she groaned. “I knew it was weird,” she covered her face with her hands.

“No, shit,” Allie put a comforting hand on her arm. “No, it’s not weird. It’s not anything,” she said reassuringly.

“Allie, Harry has definitely had sex, yes?” Allie was silent. “Right,” tears welled in her eyes. “It’s just this element of our relationship that’s so...” she shook her head. “Unequal.”

“Sweetie, Harry is not going to care about that at all.”

“I know, but I do,” she admitted, her voice cracking. “I feel so...lame. So immature. How is that possible?”

“I really don’t know because you are way more mature than I am, and it’s got nothing to do with sex.”

She ignored that comment because she knew it was supposed to help but everything felt awful. Her body was overheating with shame and awkwardness she had never felt before. “What if I’m bad at it?”

Allie snorted and patted her arm again. “Impossible.”

“Allie...” she whined, tears still filling her vision. “I...” she swallowed, took a deep breath. “I think I love him. If I’m not good at it... then... I’m just a waste of his time—”

Allie shook her head immediately. “Stop, stop, stop,” she hushed. “You are not a waste of time. If you and Harry stopped seeing each other tomorrow, I would expect him to write you a thank you note for being with him for the past few months.”

“You think I’m an idiot. A prude.”

“No, of course not! I’m surprised. You’re hot as fuck, babe,” she rolled her eyes. “You didn’t have anyone you wanted to...?” she trailed off with the question lending itself to the silence.

“No,” she shook her head. “You have to understand, my parents are so in love with each other. Sometimes it’s nauseating. It’s not like I didn’t want to just get it out of the way. I wish I did. I wish I just... God, it’s so lame sounding. I just think it’s supposed to be special. It’s an important part of a relationship, but I didn’t want it to be the only thing,” her voice cracked more times than she could count. The words came out in a sad whisper. But she left the story about studying for physics in her junior year that she had told Harry unsaid. Allie nodded understandingly.

“That’s not lame, sweetie,” she promised. “There’s no right or wrong to it. It just is.”

“I literally Googled how not to be bad in bed.”

Allie laughed despite herself. “Of course you would do research.”

“Al,” she whined again.

“I’m not trying to pry, sweetie... have you... done anything precursory with Harry?” She asked.

Her face warmed and she nodded. It wasn’t every night they slept together or anything, but Harry’s fingers and tongue were no stranger to her body. Her mouth honestly ached to have him in her just as much as her body seemed to ache recently for more than what they were currently doing.

Allie sighed. “Look, I said it before, I’ll say it again. If Harry tries anything shady with you, I will cut his dick off, no questions asked. Honestly, he would probably appreciate the gesture on your behalf,” she shrugged. When she didn’t hear a flicker of laughter she continued, gentler than the previous sentence. “Sweetie, I know you love him,” it was a little weird to hear her best friend say it without the word think or feel in it the way she had said it, thought it, and voiced it out loud. “But God, if he doesn’t love you too,” she promised. “It doesn’t have to happen. I know I was a little wary of him at first, but I can tell that Harry would do anything to make you happy,” she promised. “You probably wouldn’t need to have sex with him ever if you didn’t want to.”

“I think I want to.”

“Okay, well,” Allie turned, waiting for her to look at her. Gather all the attention with focused eye contact with the utmost seriousness she had ever seen on her free-spirited friend’s face. “Until that’s an ‘I know’ you’re not to do anything you don’t want to. Do you understand? I have a mind to tell Harry myself because you’re too kind to say it.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea Allie,” she grumbled sarcastically. “Tell my boyfriend I’m too scared to go away with him because I think I’ll be bad at sex?”

Allie didn’t even flinch and the preposterousness of it all. “I literally do not care,” she shrugged.

A beat of silence ensued. “I won’t,” she mumbled. It wasn’t like Allie was wrong in her line of thinking. It did sound like something she would do to appease Harry. “I won’t,” she repeated more for herself than for Allie.

When Harry returned from putting their bags away, she was still pretending to read the back of book covers while she reminisced about the conversation she had with Allie. “I think this is where Mitch’s mum puts all the books they no longer read, kind of thing,” he explained, entering the room, and pulling her from her thoughts.

She hoped her smile wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable looking. “Yeah, some old ones here,” she affirmed and brought one of the books and her glass of wine to the sofa, she settled both on the coffee table and looked at the fire again. “This is perfect, Harry,” she smiled. Her heart felt whole, despite all the anxiety she also felt. He sighed nearly with relief.

“Good,” he fell beside her and pressed a hand to the side of her face. “M’glad,” he kissed her forehead effectively turning her insides to liquid. “Pizza’s almost ready. Did y’want t’study for a bit before we... watch a movie or something?”

Her heart felt so much gratitude for him. “Really? On a Friday night? A weekend getaway?” She wondered.

“I mean... if y’don’t want to, then of course not. But I know y’well enough t’know y’kind of want to. Because y’don’t want t’fall behind—which I do think is impossible... but I know it’ll make y’feel better t’turn your brain off tomorrow and Sunday,” he shrugged with a smile that was so easy and lovely she really believed Sarah for a moment that he wouldn’t have sex if she asked.

But there was no way she was going to ruin a romantic weekend away. “I have Monday,” she said firmly.

“Are y’sure? I really don’t mind. M’behind myself, a bit because of the extra shifts,” he explained.

Her guilt flew out of her system. “Oh, okay, if you’re sure.”

He shook his head with a smirk. “Kitten,” he cooed. “M’not gonna be upset if y’want t’study...if it’ll help y’relax and—”

“I just really don’t want you to think I’m lame,” she hurried looking away as she interrupted him.

He frowned. “M’not being a very good boyfriend if y’think m’gonna say you’re lame for wanting t’do well and get good grades,” he tugged her backpack over the back of the couch and settled it in front of her. “I don’t know why y’think m’not going t’like y’suddenly,” he pouted.

She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and bit her lip. “I know you like me because I’m me, but I’ve never had the best self-esteem and I know that’s not good in itself, but I do pride myself as a really hard worker. I want to do well and get good grades, but I know it’s not...” she sighed and put a hand on her forehead. “I’m not making sense,” the frustration evident in her voice.

“Kitten,” Harry’s voice was so gentle but in one word he sounded so encouraging as well. It was like magic. “I want you t’do whatever makes y’happiest; whatever makes you the most successful. M’supporting you fully. One hundred percent,” he shrugged, grabbing his own backpack and pulling out a folder of papers. “If that means we are studying for a bit, then I want t’study.”

She was lucky she didn’t shout that she loved him from the top of her lungs right then.

At some point, her worksheets were set aside. The pizza was gone, her wine glass and a second one drained. The fire crackled in the background while Harry kissed her so deeply, she felt it in every cell of her skin. Part of her wanted to run outside and lay in the snow just to cool off how warm she felt from having Harry’s hands all over her body, under her shirt, in her pants.

Harry’s hands slid just an inch lower. “Kitten,” he hummed. He wasn’t trying anything it was just the way his hands shifted. The memory of that afternoon. Studying for physics. It wasn’t the same, not even a little. She felt so safe with Harry and yet her brain wouldn’t turn off. The way he touched her the last few months felt different than the way he touched her then.

She ripped away from him, falling to the floor beside the couch. Before he could utter a syllable or help her back up to the sofa, she choked out a gasp of surprise. “I’m sorry!” she cried. “I can’t. I’m sorry. I just don’t think—” She had a hand on her chest and Harry thought she was hyperventilating. He felt so horrible.

“Kitten,” he cooed gently reaching for her. “I’m—”

“No! Please don’t apologize, it will just make me feel even worse!” She croaked and covered her face briefly pushing the tears to either side of her cheeks. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You have been so patient, so—” she swallowed. “I’m just so stupid and I feel so horrible. I want to, I want to so bad but I don’t—”

“Oh my God,” Harry whispered. His voice was filled with shock piecing together what she thought he was going to do or say. The poor, sweet thing. “Baby,” he reached for her again.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me!” She sobbed. “It’s so stupid—I’m so stupid!”

“Kitten,” he tried once more wishing she would stop insulting herself. It only made him feel more terrible. He couldn’t imagine how she felt. “My love, please stop,” he begged very gently and grabbed her arms as softly as possible but firmly, so she stopped moving.

“I’m sorry,” she sniffled. She was even beautiful when she cried. Harry couldn’t imagine his expression. It felt like a cross between a frown and sad smile. “I’m sorry,” she repeated.

“Please stop apologizing,” he brought his hands to her cheeks and pushed her tears away. “M’not mad or disappointed with anything,” he promised.

The silence was thundering loud. Eventually, when she uttered one syllable, her voice was so quiet he almost missed it. “No?”

It felt like she punched him right in the stomach. A single word question that broke his heart. “Of course not, kitten.”

She swallowed, swiped her tears away. “Oh,” she whispered. “Then... what—”

“I was going to tell you I love you,” he smiled at her. “A lot, really. ’Ve told y’before. ‘Ve never felt this way ‘bout someone the way I feel ‘bout you. I’ve been waiting for you for...” he shook his head. “Years. The second I bumped into you. I jus’ knew. M’so in love with you. It’s been very hard t’keep it t’myself all this time. M’sorry y’thought this weekend was something t’pressure you—kitten,” he stopped abruptly, looked her in the eyes and held her gaze so she would understand the sincerity of his next words. “We could never have sex a day in our life, and I would continue t’love you as much as I did the day I met you.”

Her jaw trembled like it did on the ride in that freezing truck parked outside. “You love me?” She whispered.

“Of course I do, kitten. What’s not to love?”

I made us have homework time on a weekend getaway, I don’t like drinking from red solo cups, I’ve never been drunk in my life, I haven’t had sex with you. But she kept all these thoughts to herself. “You really love me?” She repeated.

His smile was still sad, but he chuckled ever so lightly. “Yes, baby. I love you very much.”

“I love you too,” she whispered.

His face melted into a lazy smile. “Yeah?” He asked, completely awestruck. She nodded quickly, feeling at a loss for words. The fast beating of her heart made her woozy. “You’re sure? Not jus’ saying that because y’feel bad or... I know y’said you’ve never been in love before—”

“I’m very sure,” she promised. “I think I’ve loved you since you showed me where my class was,” she looked at him nervously. Like he would somehow take it back for how she fell in love so quickly after hardly knowing him. Instead, his already gentle gaze softened even more, and he kissed her softly, his lips brushing so gently against hers. It made her mouth tingle with wanting more but she wasn’t sure she could breathe properly to tell him that. They had kissed a lot in those three months but somehow this one made her unsure—as if he suddenly made her forget how to kiss. When he pulled away, she felt an ache in her chest like she wasn’t close enough to Harry. “Again,” she whispered. He smiled and slotted his mouth back between hers kissing her, almost harder, deeper. He pulled away carefully, cupping the back of her neck. “Again,” her voice was sure, but she looked flushed, nervous.

“Kitten,” he whispered, his face a little disapproving.

“I want to,” she promised.

“Kitten,” he repeated, stronger this time. Allie had texted him the previous night and all it said was Delete this after reading: you BETTER be good to her, or I will rip your throat out without an ounce of remorse. At the time he had wondered what prompted such an aggressive message. Things with Allie had been good. He felt he had her trust after all she knew about his past relationships. Maybe that was why she felt so at ease to send him the threat. In a way he was kind of grateful for it. Like a final note that she accepted him.

Of course, Allie.

Have a great weekend 😇

He laughed at the time, the duality of her best friend’s messages. But the previous one was gone, deleted and part of him wished he could show someone (not that he would) only because it made him smile.

All of it made sense now and he was not smiling. She shook her head, shame filling her entire body and promptly appearing all over her features. “I promise, I’ll stop if I don’t want to,” she swore. “Do you not want to?”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” he whispered so softly she barely noticed the curse in his phrase—like he had whispered I love you again. “Of course I want you, kitten,” he promised. “But we don’t have to. M’happy t’do whatever y’want for the rest of our lives,” he vowed. “Y’told me y’wanted a relationship. I told you I waited a really long time for you,” he reminded her. “M’not worried about any progression in our relationship except making sure you’re comfortable,” he promised. “You,” he held her face between his hands. Like she was made of something rarer and more fragile than glass. It made her stomach flip, her heart hammered in her chest, and she felt so adored in that moment, it felt indescribable. “You are perfect,” he murmured. “Completely. Just want t’keep y’warm,” he smiled.

There were a hundred reasons she didn’t feel good enough for Harry. But he was warm and safe. Regardless of what anyone had to say about him. “Harry?” She asked.

“Yes, kitten?”

“Have you ever... brought anyone here?”

“Only when I drive Mitch and Sarah.”

“So this is a first?” Her voice was stronger.

Harry felt his face contort into a smile of total admiration for her. “Yes. S’a first, love.”

“Okay.”

“Okay what, kitten?”

She shook her head. “Nothing, just... thinking about how much I love you,” she promised. “It’s a lot,” she admitted. “Kind of weird I’ve dreamed and dreamed about love and after so many years without it while all my friends fell in love... It’s...freeing.”

Harry sighed, wishing he could fully articulate how much adoration he had for her. “M’never letting you go,” he murmured, kissed her, and kissed her, and kissed her,

And kissed her,

And kissed her.

She was wrong about the sun. It was warm in the chilly bedroom. They were dressed again, but her body was entwined with Harry’s closely. It wasn’t normal to sleep like this, but she wanted to be close. Probably closer than she was with the clothes in the way. But a winter cabin, even with heat and a fireplace, was simply too chilly.

Plus, the sun streaming through the windows seemed to be magnified, warming the bed and sheets that Harry had the pair of them snuggled under. His finger drew imaginary lines up and down her back over her shirt. He kissed her forehead and sighed. “Good morning, love,” he murmured against her hairline. “Want some French toast?” He asked. She nodded. “Y’feel okay?” He wondered. She nodded again. “Tired?” A third nod, but a more decided one. He kissed the top of her head again. “Y’want t’stay here?” She shook her head this time.

“No m’awake.”

“Y’sound awake,” he teased.

She sighed and rolled onto her back creating a rift of coolness to spread over him. He frowned, wishing he hadn’t teased her at all as this wasn’t preferable at all. “Do we have plans for today?”

He shrugged. “Had some ideas. But no. We can do nothing all weekend if y’want,” he promised.

Turning back to him, her smile was lazy, warm, and beautiful. “We better get started then.”

“Oh?” He smirked.

“Mmm,” she flung the covers back and reached back for him with an outstretched hand.

“Hey, kitten?”

“Yes’m?”

“I love you.”

Her shy grin was enough to make him thaw in the chilly cabin. His heart leapt to his throat while he watched her drop the outstretched hand. Instead, she crawled back across the bed so she could kiss him sweetly. “I love you, too,” she whispered. Finally, they meandered out of bed and she gazed out the window over the coating of freshly fallen snow. Not quite thick as a blanket, but beautifully undisturbed in the same way. “Do you think I’ll need a thicker coat while we’re out?” She asked looking at the battle of the clouds hiding the sun now and again. Harry walked up behind her after fixing up the fireplace for the morning.

He pecked her cheek, thinking about how she told him he had never been in love before. He wondered if he had ever been in love before her. “If y’don’t, I’ll keep y’warm.”

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I'm sorry if I missed anyone in the taglist. Please let me know if you'd like to join, if it didn't work, if you no longer want to be included, etc. :)

If you like this, check out my masterlist for more of my writing.

#harry #harry styles #harry styles imagine #harry styles blurb #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles x reader #harry styles fluff #harry styles writing #harry styles angst #harry styles blurbs #harry styles imagines #harry styles x y/n #one direction #one direction writing #my friend's toyota

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