go for gold.

you know it's finn 🤙🏼

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie isn't...sure she knows what to say. This is the last thing she expected. She's happy? Don't get her wrong...but just. Shocked. That's the only thing she can really think right now--she's fucking surprised. She looks up when Finn comes in the room, putting their food down. Her stomach grumbles even though she feels slightly nauseous.

"Are you sure?"

Stella laughs, "Girl, yes. I wouldn't have called otherwise. I'll send you the details in an email. Enjoy your Sunday--we'll talk tomorrow, get everything situated."

"Okay." She chews on her lower lip, "Thanks Stel." She hangs up, leaning back against the pillows.

She looks over at her boyfriend, "That was Stella. I--I got a movie audition. Like..." She grins, "Just...they called her, Finn."

[finnpembroke]

Finn has a slow sip of his coffee, leaning to put it on the table. He takes the other container out of the bag as Rosie gets off the phone. For a moment, he can't tell what exactly is going on. It's like he can see a deck shuffling of emotions behind her eyes. Stella called, not out of the ordinary at all and Finn nods at that. It's everything Rosie says after that that has a grin spreading wide across his face.

"Rosie, that's amazing," he beams at her, shifting on the bed to face her. Finn leans over and presses a quick kiss. "I can see the shock in your eyes," he laughs gently at her, brushing her hair away from her face. "What do you think? Are you excited or nervous, both?"

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie hums lightly, her stomach rumbling at the concept of breakfast...even though she was perfectly satisfied with the Finn-like blanket she'd acquired after he brought them some coffee. She already misses the warmth of his body when he gets up and a soft giggle leaves her lips when he peppers her with kisses.

"Sure, coffee sounds good." She cups his cheek and steals one more kiss before watching him walk out of the room.

She looks over to her fish, "Quite the view, huh?" And she's not talking about Chicago.

Her phone vibrates and she wraps the sheet around her chest when she leans up to get it, a soft smile on her face when she picks up,

"Hey Stel."

"Hey stranger--I'd ask how it's going but I saw your insta story when you went to Columbus."

Rosie pinks, "Oh yeah. It was...something."

Stella hums sort of knowingly, but instead of grilling her on Finn, "You'll never believe who called me."

And that's when Rosie learns that she has an audition. For a movie. In LA.

"Wait," Rosie raises her eyebrows, "Seriously?"

Stella hums, "You've been making waves. These are the perks."

[finnpembroke]

Finn shuffles himself towards the kitchen, waiting for the coffee as he looks at a few emails on his phone. Nothing overly important, just a email about the upcoming away games, times, transportation, hotels. Finn sniffles and he hopes he's not getting sick but he's had this damn sniffle since Columbus. It's not the worst, he'll take a tablet or something.

Lucky for him, the food arrives way earlier too and he grabs it from the door then the coffee from the machine before walking back to the bedroom. He looks over at Rosie as she's on the phone, setting the bag of food down on the side table and opens it up, placing Rosie's container on the bed as he sits down.

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie is not going to look a gift horse in the mouth in terms of a lazy Sunday. Sometimes between Finn's games and his practices and travelling, she knows how much he craves just not going anywhere. He doesn't have any responsibilities or masks he has to put on...he can just be himself. With her.

Which is how she finds herself tucked into his bed, in just underwear, his body overtop of her own. She smiles, her arms wrapped around him, one of them drawing shapes with her finger along his arm while the other runs up and down his spine.

She's been spending so much time over here that she brought Gorgonzola from her apartment and set her on a table near the window. She thinks she likes her new spot.

She turns her head and presses a lazy kiss to Finn's temple.

[finnpembroke]

Finn thinks he could probably sleep all day. That wouldn't actually be a good thing but it's not even noon yet so he thinks this is fine. It also doesn't help that Rosie lazy drawing on his back has him drifting back to sleep. There's a few points throughout the season that it catches up to him, and this is an accurate time for it. He does grunt when his phone vibrates underneath the pillow, giving it another long minute before he peels himself from Rosie to grab it, squinting at the screen.

"They've picked up the food," he clears his throat, turning down the brightness. Finn stretches his legs out and his arms above his head, sighing softly as he rolls himself it sit. Gorg looks like she's having the time of her life with the view of Chicago in the corner, and Rosie looks mighty comfortable in his bed.

He needs to stop questioning why it all feels so normal.

Finn leans over to Rosie, pressing a couple of kisses to her face and one to her collarbone. "Do you want more coffee?"

[finnpembroke]

perks.

Anytime Finn has a Sunday off, he takes advantage of it. Sleeping in, a good breakfast, a whole reset day before diving back into another busy week and for it'll be a travel one towards the end. Not to mention, Rosie's been staying over too so waking up with her next to him isn't something he's mad about either. They lay in bed today, lazy morning with a show on the TV as they go in and out of sleep, kisses in between and maybe some coffee.

Finn stretches out his legs under the blankets, resting against Rosie and almost blanketing her with himself too. He's ordered breakfast, about twenty minutes until it arrives so he's completely in the camp of still not getting out of bed yet.

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie's inner voice goes completely silent when Finn kisses her again. When he thanks her. There's something so intimate about that that heat pools between her legs and she can't stop the soft sound from leaving her lips again, emptying right into Finn's mouth. She knows that there's so much to talk about but maybe...maybe words aren't needed right now.

Maybe her and Finn have been on the same wavelength this entire time. Which is why when he picks her up into his arms and walks towards the bed...she is more than eager to be there with him.

Clothes are removed and bodies are explored with hands and mouths and...Rosie is pretty sure she could never get used to how good Finn is able to make her feel.

When they're lying next to one another afterwards, Rosie turns on her side, smiling. She presses a kiss to his shoulder, "This might need to become part of the good luck routine," She teases, "I've heard hockey players can be a little superstitious."

[finnpembroke]

Rosie is very beautiful, every part of her inside and out.

He loves her laugh and her little nose crinkles. Finn likes how she makes him feel which is about five hundred emotions in one but they're all good. Rosie compliments him in a way he didn't know he needed or even seek. It makes him wonder if he's ever felt truly like himself before Rosie, and Finn's not sure if he can answer that.

Kissing Rosie is mesmerizing, and he memorizes every part of her body, including the ticklish spots. The duvet and pillows are lived in, legs intertwined as be lays with her in the hotel king bed. Finn laughs lightly as he adjusts his chain around his neck, gently kicking at he bottom of the duvet to uncover his feet. "Not wrong," he tells her, turning his head to look at Luci. "I'm not opposed to any kind of routine either."

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie remembers to text Rowan in the elevator that she got in okay and that everything turned out fine. With lots of smiley face emojis. She then pockets her phone, taking a look around the place as Finn unlocks the door. It's a damn nice room, small kitchenette and everything. She chews on her lower lip, turning to say something to him--

and it seems like Finn has a one-track mind. Which is great, because it's one of the only things she's been able to think about since he left.

She wraps her arms around him, smiling against his lips as he kisses her. As he tells her the truth. It means everything to her that he does give an explanation about that photo, even though she never asked him for one. Even though she wasn't going to make him tell her.

"Me neither," She whispers, kissing him back. A small sound leaves her lips as he backs her into the closed door, "And just--for the record," She adds, his lips finding her neck, "I was never upset with you." She closes her eyes, "I trust you."

[finnpembroke]

Finn tells himself not to get carried away here. Sure, they've stepped over a line but there's probably seven more that are part of this PR relationship their in the middle of. At the same time, Finn doesn't care about that anymore. He care about Rosie, he's got real feelings towards her and maybe it's something he should admit to her. Finn pauses for a moment, exhaling long as he leans back to look at Rosie for a moment.

It means everything to him that she trusts him, and it's something he didn't realize he needed to hear. Every article about him that said he was a 'player' or has anger problems, that he was one the messing around and hurting people... it had broken his spirit.

Rosie's repaired a lot of it.

Finn breathes in, nodding as he kisses Rosie again. "Thank you."

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie grins when Finn laughs because yeah, she knows, it sounds really fucking silly. And yet here she is--ticket that she bought with the help of Henry and her brother. Honestly, it's getting to the point where she doesn't like being away from him anyways and she...really knows how that sounds. And yet.

"Oh yeah?" She asks teasingly but then she can't help but laugh when he squeezes her cheeks before kissing her. She wraps her arms lazily around his waist, keeping him close and kissing him back.

There's some whooping in the background and playful cheers and when she pulls back, some teammates are clapping Finn on the shoulder before saying hello to her in passing. She grins, looking back up at Finn. She nuzzles their noses in a bunny kiss.

"Glad to confirm you're happy to see me."

[finnpembroke]

Finn pulls away from the kiss, turning briefly to get some of his teammates to relax. How embarrassing, even though his smirking about it. He slips Rosie's hand into his, eventually getting his room assigned to him. Finn picks up his bag and takes Rosie's as well, heading towards the elevator up to the fifteenth floor. It's a nice room, he has no idea who his neighbours are but it's he doesn't really care either.

He places his bag and Rosie's bags on a dressing bench in the room. Turning back around, he smiles at Rosie, shaking his head. "I am sorry about the picture," he tells her. "Bachelorette party," Finn says and maybe that's enough of an explanation. He walks towards her again, tipping his head to the side and touches her cheek while tugging on her sweater to bring her close to him.

"But I'm definitely not sorry it brought you here," Finn whispers, pressing a firm kiss to Rosie's lips, holding her to his chest. His hand slides to rest on her back, deepening the kiss as he presses her back against the door.

[rosieoconnell]

rosieoconnell posted a new insta story

↓ story replies

-cartercastle: that's a really nice cutting board 👀 -thehenryclarke: incredible, no notes -finnisherfan: no fucking way, ICONIC QUEEN -blackhawks73: you dropped this 👑 -finnpembroke: i know that's right 🫖 -finnsnumberonefan: girl whatever 🙂‍↕️ -pembrokeupdates: we love to see it rosie!! 💖💖💖

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie closes her eyes at the kiss, leaning into Finn's form. She's more than aware that people's gazes are on them, a lot of players grinning and playfully calling out Finn's name. She doesn't care though. She got her response about whether or not Finn would be happy to see her.

And he is.

She breathes in, her cheeks heating and staying pink, "What picture?" She asks but her voice is slightly teasing before nodding, "Uh, yeah. Yeah, I saw it. One of the comments said I should come get my man, so. That's what I was doing."

Her heart flip-flops in her chest. She is well-aware of how silly this is. For her to be jealous. Over a so-called 'fake' relationship. But being with Finn feels real. It's so real to her,

"That okay with you?"

[finnpembroke]

Finn's got his explanation ready to go because if Rosie is upset about the picture, he understands. He hopes it doesn't come across as a cop out putting it on Danny but it is his fault and all of that. And truthfully, he girls weren't too flirty and Finn was not interested in any of it to begin with. He's got all that to say and yet Rosie baffles him by one upping some random Instagram comment.

"What," he begins to laugh a little bit, his face twisting but he's so amused by it. That is... yeah, that is what Rosie has done showing up in Ohio and making her own statement. Another day of Rosie being absolutely unbelievable in the best way Finn can think of.

He cups her cheeks with his hands, playfully squeezing before kissing her properly for a long moment. "Perfectly fine with me."

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie tells herself that whatever reaction Finn is going to have, she'll understand. She knows that it's possibly so ridiculous for her to be here that she'll have to explain everything or...she just really hopes he's not upset she didn't mention it before just doing it. But she was trying to be....well, romantic.

She draws in a breath, putting her phone away as Finn sits up straight, pulls his hood back and looks around. And smiles as he spots her. She lifts her hand to wave but then suddenly Finn is moving, a squeaked laugh as she wraps her arms around his shoulders as he spins her in a tight hug.

She grins up at him when he puts her down, her cheeks pink.

"Hi."

[finnpembroke]

Out of all the places that maybe Rosie would turn up to, he didn't expect it to be Columbus. Not exactly the most thrilling city of those in the league. It's close to Chicago, sure but...

He sets her back down on the ground, grateful to see her. He's missed her and he's ecstatic that she's here. Finn leans down and presses a light kiss to her lips, breathing in a moment later. "You saw the picture?" He asks because it's the only really logical thing he can think of to answer his curiosity.

There no way she hadn't because for whatever damn reason he saw it three times before he could get through five scrolls. So of course she probably had and he feels annoyed about all of that, people taking pictures and twisting it to their own narrative. This is what happened with Lindsay.

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie tugs her a little bag behind her as she approaches the hotel, her gaze stuck on a travel bus that she knows is the team's. Oh man, she really timed this sort of perfectly. Now hopefully Finn's happy to see her, that he totally doesn't think she's an idiot for doing this. She breathes in through her nose as she gets the text from Finn.

A small smile and excitement fills her ribcage with butterflies.

She looks up as she enters the lobby and sees that most of the team is milling around, waiting for room assignments. And she spots Finn, settled into one of the cushioned chairs near the small minimart. She tugs the bow out of her pocket, the lucky one and holds it up in his direction.

She snaps a pic and texts it to him.

[finnpembroke]

Finn rubs his forehead, adjusting his hood. All he wants to do is lay down and he's not understanding what Rosie means. Maybe he's just tried. But he also wants to ask her if she had seen that picture or maybe she really doesn't care about it. His brain feels like it's in a blender right now. He waits for her to reply, staring at their texts and it takes a couple of moments before the bubbles pop up then disappear, then reappear a moment later.

Wait–

Finn's brows crinkle, confusion swirling in his but then this anticipation buzzing in him. He turns around quickly, removing the hood and spots Rosie right at the entrance of the lobby. Bow in hand, a small bag. Finn stands, leaving his own bag by his chair and begins to walk over to her.

"Rosie," Finn pockets his phone and when he's close enough envelopes his arms around her, lifting her up a few inches from the ground.

[rosieoconnell]

She doesn't actually think Henry is...altogether serious. But...then he grabs her phone from her hand and looks up flights for her, leaning into Rowan's shoulder. She lets out a soft laugh as they talk about when she could make it out to Columbus and it'd work out to be the day right before his game. She could surprise him...even though that feels totally crazy.

And yet...even if the picture is totally innocent, which she's sure it is...Finn would want to see her, right?

And she feels like she needs to make a statement.

"Okay, let's do it." She grins and twenty minutes later, her flight to Columbus is booked.

And so she goes. She feels a little insane doing it but you know what? Feels like something her mom would do, and Rowan supported so. She holds onto that feeling. She hadn't texted Finn back, just hearted his message from the night he went to the bar.

It's not until she arrives at his hotel that she sends a text back,

Rosie: so I may have...brought a little good luck right to you.

[finnpembroke]

Finn's not in the best mood.

Firstly, he's a little passive to Danny as they board the plane to go to Columbus. He's still high on life and apparently one of the girls in the bachelorette party game him her number. Great, good for him. For Finn? There's pictures on the stupid internet insinuating that he's being an asshole hockey player, tagging Rosie in posts.

She's seen it, he knows it and she hasn't replied to him. He doesn't even have time before they take off to go to Columbus. Finn sleeps on the plane, pulling the hood of his hoodie over his head on the bus ride to the hotel and in the lobby while they wait for their room assignments.

Finn sniffles softly, cold in Ohio as he looks at his phone. Once he gets into his room he's going to call Rosie, he needs to. But Rosie's name drops down on his screen before he can process it, and her message.

Finn: what do you mean?

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie feels her cheeks flush as Rowan takes her phone and looks at the photo she keeps getting tagged in. She rubs the back of her neck, nodding. Her brother has always been the voice of reason--he's grounded and practical, like their dad. She knows what he's saying and yet...

Henry leans up and looks at the photo too, crinkling his nose, "If I know Finn, he didn't even want to be in that picture anyways." He nods about what Ro is saying too, reaching over to squeeze her knee, "Don't worry too much, most of those comments are probably just trying to rile you up."

Rosie hums lightly, chewing on the inside of her cheek, "Well, it's working."

Henry leans back into the cushion and shrugs his one shoulder, a small smile pulling the corners of his mouth, "So do what that one comment says, go get your man."

[finnpembroke]

Rowan lets out a little bit of a laugh. He's a bit annoyed that the people tagging Rosie are making her feel upset. He knows that has to be hard, fake relationship or not, it still not great feeling. But maybe, just maybe, Henry is onto something. Rowan looks to his sister again and nods, "When's the next flight to Columbus?"

Finn leaves the bar after later than he would like. He blames Danny fully and by the time he gets back to his room, he's exhausted, could have already been asleep. He sighs, looking at his phone and taps on Rosie's name.

Finn: i'm sorry for not calling, got dragged out for a drink. call you tomorrow? ❤️

He's certain Rosie is sleeping which is fine, he expects it. Even as he gets into bed and lays down, Finn passes out shortly after.

[rosieoconnell]

The Blackhawks absolutely crush it and she's so happy for Finn and his team. She beams ridiculously over the bow emoji, hearting it before texting back proud of you 😘 before settling into the couch. Henry and Rowan decide to stick around for a movie after the game, so Rosie declares she's going to bake cookies. She figures her and Finn will Facetime later tonight, maybe before she sleeps, so she's not too worried about that.

She puts a batch in the oven and clasps her hands together as she comes back out to plop onto the couch,

"Got about fifteen minutes for those."

Henry groans, "Hopefully I can wait that long."

She grins, "The O'Connell cookie recipe usually guarantees that reaction. Finn will be disappointed he missed out on them."

[finnpembroke]

Finn does stay for a beer, socials with his teammates. They don't really talk about hockey which is kind of nice, it's just some time to decompress. He looks at the time every now and thing, wondering if he'll have time to call Rosie later or if she'll be in bed. Then Danny buys him another beer and Finn accepts it. Alright, two beers then that's it. He doesn't really drink too much on away games.

Across the bar there's quite the elaborate bachelorette party. Cowboys hats, boots, bride sash, matching shirts, the whole get up. Finn gets into a conversation with Danny until one of the girls, the maid of honour, comes over and taps on their shoulders.

"Are you guys on the Blackhawks?" She asks, bright eyed.

Finn hums and Danny says yes, yes they are. That causes a chain of events, not bad ones but suddenly there's about ten girls circling them and chatting, asking about shots. Finn doesn't take part in the shots, the hotel sounding more appealing by the literal second.

"Can we get a picture? Please?" The bride asks. And once again, Danny obliges for them to all take a picture together.

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie reaches in the fridge for a lemonade, something Finn started to keep around for her because she liked it. She smiles to herself, her heart thumping ridiculously against her chest. She chews on her lower lip and looks back at her messages, making a mental note that 15 is in fact 'Karlsson'. Hmm.

Rosie: good luck! i'm practically there cheering on in spirit, i'll be watching 💖

She nods to herself and makes her way back out towards the couch to sit with Henry and Rowan to watch the rest of the game...crossing her fingers.

[finnpembroke]

Rosie's lucky bow once again proves its worth as Finn and his team come out with a 2-0 win over Nashville. It's a good win, Nashville a great team. Finn sends Rosie a 🎀 emoji before he steps into the shower and packs up his equipment for the equipment team to take with them for the next city. He grabs a gatorade on his way out, a few other teammates linger around.

"Pemmy, we're gonna go get a drink," one of them says. "You coming?"

Finn looks at the time and it's not too late, their flight isn't until ten tomorrow so, "Yeah. I'll come for one," he nods, joining the group. They grab an Uber and make their way to the bar central area in Nashville. This place is lively as hell. Music, lights, people. He follows his friends towards one of the bars, heading inside.

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie pulls her phone from her sweatpants as she sets her empty glass into the sink, a small smile on her face as she sees it's Finn. She breathes in, hearting the message before glancing through the kitchen towards the big TV and Henry and Rowan. They sneak a quick kiss which makes Rosie's heart flutter.

She's so happy for her brother. They're so cute.

She looks down at her phone...yearning for the same thing. She's got that, doesn't she? In a way, so far...

Rosie: we can put it under your helmet next time Rosie: but hey, the spirit of the lucky bow is still there! you're doing great. just a take a deep breath and recenter, okay? Rosie: also number 15 is now on the /list/, you know the one 😤

[finnpembroke]

Finn stretches out his legs, tugging back on his shoulder pads and his jersey. There's a faint laugh at Rosie's replies. He appreciates two things, the first being that he enjoys her humour about this bow with him. And that second is that Rosie taking notes about his games is something he did not except and yet fascinates him every single time. She cares, he never asked her to and yet she does.

Finn: yeah, Karlsson's a piece of work

"Let's go, let's go, let's go!" The captain of the team claps to get everyone riled up. There's only a few minutes until the second period starts. Finn sighs, standing and grabs his gloves. Finn: gotta get back out there ❤️

[rosieoconnell]

On the one hand, Rosie doesn't know why she's dragging her feet on speaking up but...at the end of the day, she knows it's because she's scared. What if Finn feels the same way but isn't ready to date again so soon after Lindsay (at least for real)? What if he's just having a good time and doesn't want anything serious? What if he's just enjoying getting along under the terms of the contract? There's so many what-ifs that it keeps her utterly petrified.

She breathes out.

"It's on the to-do list," She smiles, "Trust me."

She takes a picture of the three of them to put on her insta story, along with a good-luck wish for Finn.

[finnpembroke]

The first period of the game was a bit dreadful, at least for Finn it is. He's playing fine but there's being a couple of ridiculous calls again that land him in the penalty box twice. Alright, one of them maybe he did deserve it but whatever. There's no score so that's fine. Finn recentres himself during intermission, a little snack and some water in his system.

He looks at his phone with the picture Rosie had sent him of her lucky bow in her hair. Finn smiles to himself, finishing his granola bar.

Finn: beginning to think i really should have worn the bow.