Quinn holding his pride flag, the Chicken Salad flag. Green represents the garnish, the little something that ties up the whole experience and makes it complete. White represents the bowl, which makes the chicken salad possible in the first place. Lastly there's the tan, which represents the chicken salad itself. The base, the star, the main event. It's all about the chicken salad.
Please feel free to use this pride flag if you feel it represents you <3
Y/N had been perfectly content spending the night curled up on the couch, wrapped in a fleece blanket, with Benny and Nala at her feet and Finn and Callie perched on the armrest. The post-game adrenaline had long since worn off, leaving behind only the lingering embarrassment of her very public, very humiliating encounter with Jack Hughes.
Which was exactly why she had zero interest in going anywhere near downtown St. Louis.
Unfortunately for her, Amber had other plans.
“Oh, come on,” Amber whined, standing in Y/N’s doorway with a determined look and a hand on her hip. “You never go out anymore. And it’s Tin Roof. Do you know what that means?”
“That it’s loud, overcrowded, and full of drunk people?” Y/N deadpanned.
Amber rolled her eyes. “No. It means cheap drinks and hot hockey fans.”
Y/N winced at the word hockey, her mind flashing back to the thud of impact and the absolute mortification of locking eyes with Jack Hughes as she ran away like a feral raccoon.
Amber didn’t know about the incident. Y/N had been way too embarrassed to tell anyone, especially Amber, who would absolutely never let her live it down.
“I don’t know…” Y/N hedged, snuggling deeper into her blanket. “I had a long day.”
Amber narrowed her eyes. “Doing what? Hanging out with your dogs?”
“Excuse you, Benny and Nala are excellent company.”
Amber crossed her arms. “Y/N. You love Tin Roof. You love their overpriced vodka cranberries. You love judging people’s dance moves from the bar. And you owe me for skipping out last weekend.”
Y/N groaned, knowing she had lost. “Fine. One drink.”
Amber beamed. “That’s my girl. Now, get dressed. We’re going full hot girl mode tonight.”
Later, at The Tin Roof
The bar was exactly how Y/N remembered it: dimly lit, packed wall-to-wall with people, the air thick with the scent of beer and cheap cologne. The music pulsed through the speakers, shaking the floor beneath her feet as Amber dragged her toward the bar.
Y/N wanted to have fun. She really did. But the nagging feeling in the back of her mind wouldn’t let up. She didn’t know why, but something felt off.
Then, she saw them.
A group of ridiculously tall, ridiculously recognizable men gathered near the back, dressed in casual street clothes but still standing out like sore thumbs. It took her half a second to register what she was looking at before her stomach dropped.
Jack Hughes. And some of his Devils teammates.
Y/N’s breath caught in her throat. Oh, you have got to be kidding me.
Amber, completely oblivious, was busy waving the bartender down. “Ooh, I think I’m feeling tequila tonight.”
Y/N didn’t respond. She was too busy freaking the hell out.
The Blues were playing the Devils again? How had she missed that? Then again, she had been avoiding Hockey Twitter like the plague ever since she got hit by a literal NHL player.
Panic bubbled in her chest as she subtly turned her back to Jack’s group, hoping, no, PRAYING that he wouldn’t notice her. She could not, under any circumstances, explain to Amber why she was suddenly acting weird.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
Jack was mid-conversation with one of his teammates when his eyes casually swept the bar—then snapped back in her direction.
Y/N froze.
His brows furrowed in confusion at first, as if trying to place where he’d seen her before. Then, recognition dawned. His lips quirked upward, amused as hell.
“Oh my god,” she muttered under her breath.
Jack Hughes had just spotted her.
And judging by the way he was already heading toward her, she was absolutely screwed.
Y/N’s pulse skyrocketed as Jack weaved through the crowd, heading straight for her like he had nothing better to do than torment her tonight.
She turned sharply toward Amber, gripping her friend’s arm. “We need to leave. Right now.”
Amber barely glanced at her, too busy watching the bartender pour a round of shots. “Relax, drama queen. We just got here.”
Y/N barely had time to protest before Jack’s voice rang out, smooth and teasing.
“Well, well, well. Fancy seeing you here.”
Amber froze. Slowly, she turned, her eyes widening like a deer in headlights as she took in Jack standing right in front of them.
Y/N could practically hear the click of Amber’s brain processing the situation.
Jack. Hughes.
Standing inches away. Speaking directly to Y/N.
Amber’s jaw dropped.
“You... you’re Jack Hughes,” Amber stammered.
Jack smirked. “Last time I checked.” Then, he turned his attention back to Y/N, eyes glinting with amusement. “And last time I checked, you were running away from me after I nearly committed vehicular manslaughter.”
Amber whipped around so fast that Y/N was surprised she didn’t give herself whiplash. “I’m sorry...WHAT?!”
Y/N closed her eyes briefly, mortification washing over her. “Jack.” She gritted his name through clenched teeth. “Shut. Up.”
Jack just grinned. “Oh, you didn’t tell your friend? Wow. You’re really just keeping that one to yourself, huh?” He let out a low chuckle. “What, were you gonna take that story to the grave?”
Amber was still staring at Y/N like she had just confessed to an elaborate double life. “Excuse me, what the hell is he talking about?”
Y/N exhaled sharply. “It’s not a big deal.”
Jack laughed. “Not a big deal? You...” He gestured vaguely at her. “ate shit in that alley.”
Y/N groaned and buried her face in her hands. “Oh my god. Please stop talking.”
Amber, meanwhile, was giddy. “You got hit by Jack Hughes’s car, and you didn’t tell me?!”
“I did not get hit-”
Jack cut in, grinning. “She got hit.”
Y/N glared. “You bumped me.”
Jack shrugged. “Tomato, to-mah-to.”
Amber looked between them, processing everything, before suddenly gasping. “Wait. Does this mean you owe her?”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Owe her?”
Amber turned to him with a dangerous glint in her eyes. “Oh, you definitely owe her. I mean, you literally ran her over. The least you could do is make it up to her.”
Jack huffed a small laugh. “Alright. I can respect that logic.” He turned to Y/N. “Drinks on me. All night.”
Y/N’s stomach dropped. “No. That’s not necessary.”
Amber smacked her arm. “YES, it is.”
Jack shrugged. “Too late. Already decided.” He nodded toward the bartender. “Whatever they want, put it on my tab.”
Y/N stared at him, completely overwhelmed. This was too much. He was too much. This entire night was too much.
“I need a second,” she muttered, spinning on her heel.
Amber grabbed her wrist before she could escape. “Oh no, you don’t.” She looked at Jack. “We’ll be right back. Girl stuff.”
Jack smirked. “Take your time.”
Amber dragged Y/N toward the bathroom before she could argue.
Bathroom Confessions
The second the door shut behind them, Amber whipped around, eyes blazing.
“WHAT THE HELL?!” she whisper-shouted.
Y/N groaned, leaning against the sink. “I didn’t want to tell you because I knew you’d make it a big deal.”
Amber gasped. “Because IT IS A BIG DEAL!” She threw her hands up. “You got run over by JACK HUGHES and you didn’t think that was worth mentioning?!”
“I didn’t get run over.”
Amber waved a hand. “Details. But, Y/N. He’s into you.”
Y/N choked. “Excuse me?”
Amber gave her a look. “Oh, come on. He found you. In this packed-ass bar. And now he’s paying for our drinks? This man is trying to compensate for something.”
Y/N groaned. “He’s just doing it to mess with me.”
Amber rolled her eyes. “Or because he feels bad. Or because he thinks you’re cute. Either way, we are milking this.”
Y/N sighed, rubbing her temples. “I really just want to go home.”
Amber grabbed her shoulders. “No. We are staying. You are drinking for free. And you are going to go out there and act normal.”
Y/N exhaled slowly. “Fine. But if this gets worse, I’m blaming you.”
The electric hum of the Enterprise Center still buzzed in Y/N’s veins as she stepped out into the brisk St. Louis night. The Blues had lost in overtime—heartbreaking, really—but at least the game had been thrilling. Her brother, James, walked beside her, a walking encyclopedia of stats and post-game analysis, already ranting about missed calls and defensive lapses.
“I’m telling you, if they don’t fix that power play, we’re screwed for the rest of the season,” he griped, zipping up his Stan Cavern hoodie.
Y/N smirked. “Maybe they should hire you as head coach.”
He scoffed. “At this point, I’d take the job for free.”
They weaved through the crowded sidewalks, dodging rowdy fans and street vendors selling everything from hot dogs to knockoff jerseys. The city was alive, pulsing with the energy of the game, but Y/N felt the familiar ache in her feet from standing too long in her heeled boots.
“I’m cutting through,” she said, motioning toward a narrow alley next to the arena.
James hesitated. “You sure? Just walk with me to the car.”
“I’ll be fine. It’s literally right there.” She pointed past the dimly lit passage.
“Alright, but text me when you’re in,” he said, already distracted by his phone.
Y/N rolled her eyes and slipped into the alley, the sounds of the crowd fading behind her. The air smelled like rain and asphalt, the streetlamp above flickering weakly. She picked up her pace. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea-
VROOOM.
Bright headlights flooded the alley, blinding her.
CRACK.
Pain shot through her body as something hard knocked her to the ground. She barely had time to register the impact before she was sprawled on the pavement, winded and disoriented. A car door slammed.
“Oh, shit, oh my god, are you okay?”
A voice, young, frantic, laced with unmistakable panic.
Y/N groaned, propping herself up on her elbows. A figure hovered over her, backlit by headlights, hands running through his messy brown hair. As her vision cleared, she blinked up at a face she had seen on TV more times than she could count.
Jack Hughes.
The Jack Hughes.
Star center of the New Jersey Devils.
And the guy who had just hit her with his car.
Jack crouched beside Y/N, his hands hovering awkwardly as if he wasn’t sure if he should help her up or call an ambulance. His wide, blue eyes were filled with panic, his face slightly flushed under the dim streetlight.
“Oh, shit—are you hurt?” His voice was rushed, filled with genuine concern. “I-I didn’t even see you. I swear I wasn’t speeding.”
Y/N sat there, her palms scraped from the pavement, her brain still trying to process the fact that Jack Hughes, the Jack Hughes, had just run her over. Well, okay, not run over exactly, but she definitely got knocked flat on her ass, and her knee was throbbing like hell.
This wasn’t happening. Nope. No way.
“I-I think I’m fine,” she muttered, trying to collect herself. She was not about to become some viral story on NHL Twitter. Devils star center commits vehicular manslaughter in St. Louis alley. Nope. Not her.
Jack exhaled, still looking at her like she might collapse at any moment. “Are you sure? Do you need, like, a hospital or something?”
The reality of the situation hit all at once - the game, the alley, the literal Jack Hughes standing over her - and suddenly, it was too much. Her heart pounded, her hands shook, and an overwhelming wave of get out of here now crashed over her.
“I...uh...I gotta go.”
“What?” Jack’s brows shot up.
She scrambled to her feet, wincing as pain flared up in her knee, but she didn’t stop. She dusted off her jeans in a daze, avoiding his gaze. “Yeah, I’m good. All good. No harm, no foul. You’re busy, I’m busy...uh...so, yeah, I should go.”
Jack blinked. “Wait, what? At least let me-”
But she was already backing away, her body moving before her brain could catch up. She turned on her heel and bolted out of the alley, limping slightly but pushing forward like her life depended on it.
Jack watched her go, completely bewildered. He ran a hand through his hair, still crouched where she had left him, a breathy laugh escaping his lips.
“What the hell just happened?” he muttered to himself, shaking his head.
Y/N didn’t stop running until she was halfway home, heart racing, mind spinning.
She had just been hit by Jack Hughes. And instead of milking the situation for all it was worth, she had run away.
🏒 What happens when fate, a hockey game, and terrible luck collide?
Y/N was just looking for a fun night out at the Enterprise Center with her brother, James. A St. Louis Blues vs. New Jersey Devils showdown, a little sibling bonding, and maybe some overpriced stadium nachos, simple enough, right? But after taking a wrong turn down a dimly lit alley, she finds herself literally run over by none other than Jack Hughes: Devils’ star center, hockey golden boy, and now, her accidental assailant.
What starts as an unfortunate (and slightly humiliating) accident quickly spirals into something neither of them expected. Between bets, unexpected chemistry, and the chaotic world of professional hockey, Y/N realizes that getting knocked down might have been the best thing to ever happen to her.
⛸ Enemies to lovers? A slow-burn romance? A sprinkle of hockey drama? You’ll find it all here.
And don't worry guys, Chicken Salad Quinn is not over! I'm just taking a little break because I haven't been feeling very inspired with that story lately. But Quinn still has a special place in my heart!!!
Other Parts: Pt. 1 Pt. 2 Pt. 3 Pt. 4 Pt. 5 Pt. 6 Pt. 7 Pt. 8 Pt. 9 Pt. 10
an: sorry this is posted after Christmas. But if you needed a little extra holiday cheer, here you go!
It was the week before Christmas, and the city was draped in twinkling lights and a blanket of fresh snow. Everywhere Y/N went, she was surrounded by the cheer and warmth of the season, except when it came to Quinn. For the past few weeks, he had been distant, distracted, and oddly evasive. He wasn’t replying to her texts as quickly as he used to, and when they were together, he seemed to be somewhere else entirely.
Y/N tried to brush it off at first, telling herself that Quinn was just busy with hockey or stressed from the season. But as the days passed and his strange behavior persisted, she couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in her chest. Something wasn’t right.
It all came to a head one evening when Y/N invited Quinn over to help decorate her Christmas tree. She’d been excited to spend the evening with him, sipping hot cocoa and stringing lights, but he’d texted at the last minute to cancel.
Sorry, something came up. Rain check?
That was it. No explanation, no apology. Y/N stared at her phone, her heart sinking.
She tried to shake it off as she finished decorating the tree alone, but her thoughts wouldn’t leave her alone. What was going on with Quinn? Why was he acting so strange? The gnawing doubt in the back of her mind grew louder: Was he hiding something? Was he… seeing someone else?
By the time Christmas Eve rolled around, Y/N was at her wit’s end. Quinn had been so off that even the smallest things made her second-guess everything. When they finally planned to meet that evening, she decided she couldn’t keep bottling up her feelings.
The snow fell softly, blanketing the streets in a quiet serenity as Quinn made his way to Y/N’s apartment. His hands were stuffed deep into the pockets of his coat, his fingers nervously brushing against the small box tucked inside. For weeks, he’d been stressing over the perfect Christmas gift for Y/N. He wanted to find something that truly reflected how much she meant to him, something simple yet meaningful, just like her.
He’d finally settled on a delicate gold necklace with a small diamond pendant, timeless and elegant, just like her style. He had to get mommy's help to pick it out, and now that he had it, he didn't know how he could have gone with anything else. But now that the moment was here, he felt a knot of anxiety in his chest. What if she didn’t like it? What if it wasn’t enough?
As he approached her apartment, he saw her standing outside, bundled up in a coat and scarf. She looked beautiful, with snowflakes catching in her hair and the soft glow of Christmas lights reflecting in her eyes. But her expression wasn’t one of joy, it was one of frustration, hurt even. Quinn’s stomach twisted.
“Y/N,” he called out, his voice hesitant as he approached her.
She turned to him, her arms crossed over her chest. “Quinn,” she said, her tone sharp. “I’m glad you finally decided to show up.”
Quinn froze, caught off guard by the tension in her voice. “What’s wrong?” he asked, though he had a sinking feeling he already knew.
“What’s wrong?” Y/N echoed, her voice breaking slightly. “What’s wrong is that you’ve been acting so weird for weeks, Quinn. You’ve been distant and avoiding me, and I have no idea why. I thought we were okay, but now… I don’t know.”
“Y/N, it’s not-” Quinn started, but she cut him off.
“Are you hiding something?” she demanded, her eyes filling with tears. “If there’s something going on, just tell me. I can’t keep doing this, Quinn. I can’t keep wondering if…” She trailed off, her voice trembling as she looked away. “If there’s someone else.”
“What?” Quinn’s heart sank, and he stepped closer to her. “Y/N, no. It’s not like that at all. I would never-”
“Then what is it?” she interrupted, her voice cracking. “Why have you been so distant? Why won’t you talk to me?”
Quinn hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. He hadn’t wanted it to happen like this. He wanted the moment to be perfect, but seeing the tears in Y/N’s eyes, he knew he couldn’t keep her in the dark any longer.
“Y/N,” he said softly, pulling the small box from his pocket. “This is why.”
She blinked, her breath hitching as he held out the box to her. Her hands shook slightly as she took it, looking up at him in confusion before slowly lifting the lid. Inside was the necklace, the delicate gold chain sparkling in the light of the nearby Christmas decorations.
“I’ve been acting weird because I was trying to find the perfect gift for you,” Quinn admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t know what to get you, and I was so nervous you wouldn’t like it, or that it wouldn’t be good enough. I just… I wanted it to be special.”
Y/N stared at the necklace, her tears now falling freely down her cheeks, but her expression had softened. “Quinn…” she said, her voice trembling. “It’s beautiful.”
“I’m sorry for making you feel like I was hiding something,” Quinn said, stepping closer and cupping her face gently in his hands. “The only thing I’ve been hiding is how much I care about you.”
Y/N let out a shaky laugh, tears still streaming down her face as she looked up at him. “You idiot. You could’ve just told me.”
“I know,” he said with a small smile. “I’m sorry.”
She shook her head, smiling through her tears. “It’s perfect, Quinn. I love it.”
Quinn reached down, carefully taking the necklace from the box and fastening it around her neck. When he stepped back, the diamond caught the light, sparkling against her skin. He couldn’t help but smile, feeling a wave of relief and warmth wash over him.
Y/N looked up at him, her eyes shining as she whispered, “I love you, Quinn.”
“I love you too,” he said, his voice full of emotion.
And as the snow fell softly around them, with the glow of Christmas lights illuminating the night, Quinn leaned down and kissed her. It was a kiss full of love, relief, and the promise of so much more. In that moment, surrounded by the magic of the season, everything felt perfect.
Other Parts: Pt. 1 Pt. 2 Pt. 3 Pt. 4 Pt. 5 Pt. 6 Pt. 7 Pt. 8 Pt. 9 Pt. 10
Quinn slammed the door to his apartment and stomped into the bedroom. Throwing his hockey bag to the floor, he fell face first down onto his bed, feeling the tension deep in his shoulders.
He squeezed his eyes tight, replaying the last minute of the game in his head.
The Canucks had made it to round 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This was game 6/7 and the Canucks were tied with the Kraken 3-3. There was 15 seconds left on the clock and Quinn had a breakaway. He was mere inches from the goal and could see his shot perfectly, but all of a sudden he felt air beneath his skates and his back hit the ice.
The buzzer sounded, indicating that the period was over. They were gonna have to go into overtime.
The Kraken were able to score a point 1 minute into overtime, kicking the Canucks out of playoffs.
Y/N walked in from the bathroom, towel wrapped around her. She started when she saw Quinn on the bed, concern evident in her face.
"Huggy? You ok?" She asked, reaching out to touch his back. Quinn jumped, so lost in his thoughts he hadn't heard her coming out.
"We lost, Y/N. We had the game in the bag, and then everything fell apart in the last few minutes. It's so frustrating."
Y/N reached out and gently placed a hand on Quinn's arm, offering him a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry, Quinn. I know how much you put into every game. But hey, you'll get them next time."
Quinn let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of disappointment slowly lifting from his shoulders as Y/N's words sank in. He leaned into her comforting touch, grateful for her unwavering support even in his darkest moments.
"You're right, Y/N," Quinn said, a hint of relief creeping into his voice. "Thanks for being here for me. It means a lot."
Y/N squeezed Quinn's arm affectionately. "Always, Quinn. I'm here for you no matter what."
As they sat together in comfortable silence, Quinn felt a sense of peace wash over him. The anger and frustration from the game began to fade away, replaced by a deep sense of gratitude for the person sitting beside him. With Y/N by his side, he knew he could weather any storm, on or off the ice.
"Now Y/N, I think it's time to get rid of this towel..."
a/n: Wow things are starting to get a bit spicy between Y/N and Quinn! Also screw the Oilers for kicking our Huggy out of the playoffs irl.
Other Parts: Pt. 1 Pt. 2 Pt. 3 Pt. 4 Pt. 5 Pt. 6 Pt. 7 Pt. 8 Pt. 9
a/n: It's officially been one year of Chicken Salad Quinn! To celebrate, I thought I'd write a birthday post. I know Quinn's birthday isn't until October, but oh well :3 think of this as a flashback to his last birthday!
Quinn woke up on his birthday with a heavy heart. It seemed like any other day; the sun rose in the sky, the birds chirped outside his window, but something was missing. As he scrolled through his phone, he couldn't help but notice that no one had mentioned his birthday. Not even mommy or his girlfriend, Y/N.
Feeling a pang of sadness, Quinn tried to shake off the feeling as he got ready for the day. Maybe they were just waiting to surprise him later, he thought optimistically.
But as the day wore on, Quinn's hope began to fade. Mommy didn't wish him a happy birthday when he saw her for breakfast, and Y/N hadn't mentioned anything either. It seemed like everyone had forgotten.
By the time evening rolled around, Quinn couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in his chest any longer. He decided to go for a walk to clear his head, trying to convince himself that it didn't matter.
As he wandered through the streets, lost in thought, Quinn was startled by a familiar voice calling out his name. It was his brother, Jack, waving frantically from across the street.
"Quinn! Over here!" Jack shouted, beckoning him to come closer.
Confused but intrigued, Quinn crossed the street to where Jack stood, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Hey, Jack, what's going on?" Quinn asked, trying to mask the disappointment in his voice.
Jack chuckled. "Come on, follow me. Luke's waiting for us."
Quinn followed Jack to a nearby park where Luke was waiting, a large grin plastered on his face.
"Happy birthday, Quinn!" Luke exclaimed, pulling Quinn into a tight hug.
Quinn's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you guys remembered?"
"Of course, we did!" Jack said, clapping Quinn on the back. "And we've got a surprise for you."
Together, the three brothers walked to Quinn's house, where they found the door adorned with balloons and streamers. As they stepped inside, Quinn was greeted by the sight of his mom, Y/N, and a group of friends all gathered in the living room, shouting, "Surprise!"
Tears welled up in Quinn's eyes as he took in the scene before him. Mommy rushed forward to give him a hug, followed by Y/N, who held out a small gift wrapped in colorful paper.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Quinn hugged Y/N tightly, feeling grateful for her and everyone else who had taken the time to make his birthday special.
But the surprises didn't end there. As everyone gathered around the table for cake, Mommy presented him with a homemade birthday cake unlike any he had ever seen. It was made entirely of chicken salad, his favorite dish.
Quinn couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the unconventional cake, feeling incredibly loved and appreciated in that moment. As he blew out the candles, surrounded by his family and friends, Quinn knew that even though the day had started off on a sour note, it had turned into one of the best birthdays he had ever had.
Other Parts: Pt. 1 Pt. 2 Pt. 3 Pt. 4 Pt. 5 Pt. 6 Pt. 7 Pt. 8
an: I've been in a been of a slump coming out with the next few parts, so here's a random little spinoff about Quinn hanging out with mommy. We'll be getting back to the Y/n storyline shortly <3
It was finally the off season, and Quinn could not be more excited to be spending his time back at the Hughes' lake house. His days were full of golfing, going out on the boat, hanging out with all of his hockey friends, but most importantly, he got to eat fresh chicken salad directly from mommy every single day.
Mommy always rolled her eyes at her sons love for chicken salad, but both she and Quinn knew that it was all a ruse. She secretly cherished her mommas boy always coming to her for her famous chicken salad. As a mom with three boys who were all grown up, it was rare to feel needed. But Quinn always came around to make mommy feel better.
One night, Quinn couldn't sleep, so he made his way down to the kitchen to grab a little late night snack (chicken salad, of course). As he tip-toed into the kitchen, he was shocked to see that it was already occupied. Mommy was still up.
"Hey there Quinny, coming to get some chicken salad?" she inquired. Quinn nodded blushing lightly. Mommy gave him a smile and handed him a bowl of the white, mayonnaise filled, oniony goodness.
"You know, I was thinking," she started, "maybe I could teach you my recipe. That way if a shipment ever goes bad again like last season, you'll be able to make it yourself. Then you won't have to settle for chicken salad chick."
Quinn's eyes widened. "You mean, your world famous, secret family recipe? That you've never shared with anyone? EVER?!?" Quinn was shocked that she would even bring it up. He was a little nervous, too. Would he ever be able to make it like mommy?
"You have to swear on Luke and Jack that you'll never share this recipe with anyone, no matter what," mommy said, eyes narrowed. Quinn nodded eagerly, not bothering that to tell mommy that he would swear his brothers away for a chicken nugget. He knew he would take this recipe to his grave, no matter who or what he swore on.
"Come on, dear. Let's first gather our ingredients."
And so Quinn and mommy spent the late hours of the night working away in the kitchen, mommy guiding Quinn through every step carefully. Quinn listened intently, hoping to soak up as much mommy knowledge as he could.
When they were finished, they beheld their giant bowl of chicken salad. The way it glistened in the fluorescent lights of the lake house kitchen nearly brought a tear to Quinn's eye. It truly was beautiful.
Just as Quinn reigned his tear in, he heard a sniffle coming from beside him. He looked over and what he saw nearly broke his heart into pieces.
Mommy has tears streaming down her face. She tried to dab them away with a napkin but they were falling too fast for her to catch them.
Quinn pulled her into his signature Huggy Bear embrace and asked her what was wrong.
"Now that you can do it yourself, there's no need for me anymore. My boys don't need me." Mommy broke down into sobs. Quinn guided her to the table and sat her down. He sat right across from her and took both of her hands into his.
He looked down and started to cry as well. These small, delicate hands had held him and his brother for years. They had brought them up and made them into the man that he was, that all the Hughes boys were. These hands that had played the game themselves, that had taught him much of what he knows, were now trembling with the sobs of the one person that Quinn knew would always be cheering him on.
"Mommy, listen to me." Quinn said, his voice thick with emotion, "There's no one that gives hugs like you. There's no one who puts on rash cream like you. There's no one that makes chicken salad better than you. I may have learned all these things from you, but they can't have the mommy touch when I do them. I'll always need you."
Mommy took a deep breath and smiled at her boy. They hugged for a long time, then packed up their chicken salad. Quinn walked mommy to her room and patted her on the back, reminding her that she would always be his one and only mommy, no matter what happened.
Other Parts: Pt. 1 Pt. 2 Pt. 3 Pt. 4 Pt. 5 Pt. 6 Pt. 7
an: sorry I haven't been posting much lately, life's been pretty hectic. I'm going to try and post more over the summer let me know if y'all got any requests!
Heart racing, cheeks blushing, hands shaking, Quinn could only look at one person in the entire arena. Why was Yn here? How? Was she a fan? Did she know who he was from the get-go? He looked her up and down. A blues jersey. Damn.
"Girlypop, its your turn to shoot, so go! You are soooo not slaying right now" Petey says, ripping Quinn's gaze away from yn and back onto the goal. He hits the puck right in, and immediately gets an idea.
Surely yn would have to pay attention and notice him if he was the star player of this game. Right then, Quinn vowed to play his best game ever.
As the game started, the crowd was electric. But nothing was more electric that the racing beat of Quinn's heart. The fans all roared as the game started and the players began zipping around on the ice. Quinn quickly took control of the puck and raced to the other side of the rink. He glanced up at yn and saw her intently watching the game as her friend was screaming and cheering beside her. He smiled, the shot the puck. Bennington stopped it, but Quinn didn't even care. He was fired up and ready. Tonight he was going to shoot his shot both on the ice and after the game.
The game was insane, with both teams bringing their all. The score was tied 7-7 towards the end of the third period, and the crowd was roaring with excitement.
In the final moments of the game, Quinn made a daring rush towards the opposing team's goal. With a burst of speed, he deked past defenders and released a powerful shot that sailed into the top corner of the net. The arena erupted in thunderous applause.
But amidst the celebration, Quinn's eyes sought out Yn. When he found her, he flashed a triumphant smile, his eyes reflecting a mix of exhilaration and hope. Yn beamed back at him, her excitement evident, and she clapped and cheered louder than anyone else.
Quinn felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, knowing he had not only helped his team secure a victory but also caught Yn's attention. As the game came to a close and the players began to leave the ice, Quinn couldn't wait to find Yn in the crowd, eager to strike up a conversation and see where their newfound connection might lead.
Y/N was enjoying her favorite meal, chicken salad, with her friend at chicken salad chick. Her friend, Stacy, rolled her eyes as Y/N moaned into her bite of Classic Carol.
Y/n glared at Stacy. It was only fair that they stopped at y/n's favorite restaurant for dinner since Stacy was dragging her to a stupid sports game. What was it again? Hockey? Ugh, all they did was slap around a piece of rubber with a stick. Anyone could do that.
"C'mon y/n, this is gonna be fun! Think of all the cute guys..." Stacy teased. Y/n rolled her eyes. She did NOT like sweaty men who thought they were the shit just because they could skate around on some ice.
"I bet none of them even know my favorite quote," y/n said, "It's a chicken salad." She began to laugh when she was interrupted by the most handsome man she had ever seen.
"I'm so sorry, I hate to interrupt but I overheard you quoting that chicken salad tiktok-" He said before Stacy interjected, "Oh my god yeah, she says that like all the time!!" And then she busted out laughing. Y/n giggled too, because it was true. It was just such a catchy quote.
Y/n looks up and the man is laughing too. He's so cute, she realized. "Um...is there something I can help you with?" Y/n bit her lip as she looked up at him. Real smooth, y/n. Way to flirt with him.
The man asked for a recommendation on what to get, and y/n told him to get the Classic Carol, obviously. As he left to go order, Stacy check the time on her phone.
"Shit, we're gonna be late to the game! We have to go now."
"But wait, I wanna get that guys number!" Y/n stammered, before Stacy grabbed y/n by the arm and dragged her out of the store and into the car.
Pouting because she wasn't able to talk to the cute guy anymore, y/n turned on her favorite song, which was obviously a Harry Styles song.
Stacy rolled her eyes. "Y/n, first off, stop pouting. Second, Taylor Swift is soooo much better than Harry Styles."
"You're already making me go to this stupid game, don't bash the music choice."
They made it to the arena with just enough time to spare. The Enterprise Center was packed with fans, almost everyone sporting a Blues jersey.
Stacy dragged y/n down to the glass. They weren't going to be late for the game, no, they had plenty of time before that started. They were going to be late to see them practice beforehand. Music started blasting over the speakers as hockey players sped out onto the ice.
Despite not liking hockey, y/n felt her heart begin to race. They looked like sharks circling in the water. The adrenaline from the pounding base and the screaming fans was enough to make anyone get excited.
Then, y/n saw him. The guy from Chicken Salad Chick was right there on the ice, wearing number 43.
Now that Quinn has had his chicken salad fix, it's time to get ready for the game. However, during practice that day, Quinn can't seem to focus. The chicken salad helped him in saying up and energized, but his mind is just somewhere else.
"Dude, you good? You seem really distracted," One of Quinn teammates, Kuzy, says.
Quinn shrugs his shoulders. "I guess it could be this girl I saw today at Chicken Salad Chick"
"NO WAY, HUGGY BEAR HAS A CRUSH??" Kuzy yells. The whole team swarms over, surrounding Quinn and asking questions.
Quinn rolls his eyes as he sits on the bench, the team standing in front of him expectantly, waiting for him to give up some details.
"Spill the tea, sis!!" says Elias Pettersson.
"Alright, alright," Quinn says, giving a slight smirk, "Well, her name is y/n..."
After telling the boys about y/n, they get back to practicing and Quinn seems to be doing a bit better, but he still can't get her off of his mind. That and his next bowl of creamy chicken salad obviously.
As the game approached, Quinn sat in the locker room by himself before his teammates came in.
Quinn Hughes sat in front of his locker, lacing up his skates as he prepared for the big game. But his mind was elsewhere - he couldn't stop thinking about his favorite food, chicken salad.
As he tightened the laces on his skates, he pictured the creamy mayonnaise, the tender chunks of chicken, the crisp celery, and the squish of the grapes against his tongue. He could practically taste it already.
He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He needed to focus on the game ahead, not his next meal. But as he stood up, his eyes fell on the container of leftover chicken salad sitting on the shelf above his locker, and he couldn't resist.
He reached up and grabbed the container, opening it up and taking a deep breath of the delicious aroma. As he scooped a forkful of the salad into his mouth, he closed his eyes in pleasure. This was what he lived for.
Suddenly, he heard a noise behind him and spun around, startled. But it was just Elias Pettersson, walking into the locker room. Quinn quickly stuffed the container of chicken salad back onto the shelf, hoping Elias hadn't noticed.
"Hey, Quinn," Elias said with a grin. "Ready to slay out there?"
Quinn nodded, trying to act nonchalant. But all he could think about was how badly he wanted to finish that container of chicken salad. He could feel his mouth watering at the thought.
As the rest of the team filled the locker room, Quinn couldn't help but steal a glance back at the container of chicken salad. The team knew about his obsession. Hell, they even sometimes called him chicken salad Quinn. But it still felt weird for him to devour this bowl with them watching. It was too intimate. Maybe if they won, he would reward himself with another bowl later.
As he stepped out onto the ice for warmups, he felt his stomach tighten. And no, it wasn't from the chicken salad.
It was because once again, now that Quinn's pregame chicken salad was out of the way, all he could think about was y/n.
He kept missing his practice shots because all her could picture was her lips, muttering those sweet, sweet words.
"It's a chicken salad"
He ran into his teammate as the image replayed in his mind over and over again.
"Dude, you have to get it together." he said to Quinn.
Quinn sighed, skating past the glass and looking at all the blues fans already filling the stands. Just as he was about to turn away to try another shot on the goal, he saw her.
Y/N was at the game.
AN: OMG this is so crazyyyy what a coincidence. What do we think will happen??
While on his way to Chicken Salad Chick, Quinn worries about whether this chicken salad will hold him over until mommies next shipment and more importantly, whether it will be good enough to get him through this game.
Walking through the doors, Quinn is immediately overwhelmed by the sights and smells of Chicken Salad Chick. There's so much going on, so many colors, so many different options. Quinn's world is spinning.
He contemplates whether or not he should stay when he overhears those 4 special words.
Before Quinn can even realize what he was doing, he's walking over to their table. As he nears, the girl stops talking and looks up at him, kindly smiling despite her confusion.
"It's a chicken salad", someone says, a girl a few tables over.
The world seems to slow down as his sights focus in on her. She's sitting with a friend and they're laughing as they eat their chicken salad.
"I'm so sorry, I hate to interrupt but I overheard you quoting that chicken salad tiktok-"
Her friend interrupts Quinn, "Oh my god yeah, she says that like all the time!" and they both bust out laughing. Quinn joins in on the laughter but really all he can think about is how quickly he is falling for this girl.
"Um, did you need something?" She says, looking up at him through her eyelashes.
"Oh uh yeah, sorry. I'm Quinn, and I've never been here before. I really need some chicken salad before my hockey game tonight and I don't know what to get," Quinn admits, worrying that she'll judge him.
Instead of a disgusted look, a thoughtful one takes up her face. She taps her fork to her chin for a second before looking back up at him.
"The Classic Carol is definitely a good one for your first time. I think you'll really like it!" She beams. "Oh and I'm y/n"
"Well thanks y/n, I better go order" Quinn gives her a half smile and goes to order. He gets the combo meal and gets an extra scoop as his side, obviously.
By the time he returns with his chicken salad, y/n and her friend are already gone. He deflates, shoulders sagging as a frown takes over his face. He really wanted to get her number.
He sits down and takes a bite of the chicken salad. As the flavors fill his mouth, he has to hold back a little moan. He really needed this chicken salad.
It may not be mommies, but it sure will get the job done. Now the only problem is that Quinn can't get y/n off his mind.
AN: omg wow we finally get to meet y/n! Isn't this exciting?! Do we think huggy will ever see her again?
