Habs: Cole finally introduces Nick to the "family" at the Hughes lake house.
(i took some liberties bc im not well versed in the hughes lore but anyway thank you @lavendergaia for the prompt)
āCome ooooonā said Cole for what felt like the hundredth time, tugging at Nickās wrist to get him out of the car. āStop making this weirdāĀ
āIām not !ā protested Nick, frowning. āBut this is a big deal and I donāt know if-ā he started, getting interrupted by Cole who rolled his eyes teasingly.Ā
āStop. Youāve been trying to think of every scenario possible for days, Nick. I swear itās going to be okay.āĀ
Sighing loudly, Nick tilted his head to the side and looked at his boyfriend with attention, considering his options. Cole had been so happy when Nick finally caved and agreed to come to the summer vacation at the Hughesā lake house. But while for Nick this felt like a giant step in their relationship, Cole seemed to think it was nothing. And yeah, to Cole this was almost family. But to Nick they were practically strangers, and the prospect of having them bear witness to his and Coleās relationship felt terrifying, vulnerable even.Ā
āAnd Quinn is gonna love you, Iām sureā added Cole, noticing the way Nick was zoning out again. He leaned forward and kissed Nick sweetly when finally his captain stepped out of the car, inhaling deeply.Ā
āAnd if they hate me ?ā Nick asked, his hand in Cole, his skin hot and clammy because itās the hottest day of the summer yet but also because Nick is more stressed than he was during the playoffs. āWho did you say was here ?ā he asked again.
āJack, Quinn, Luke, Trevor and Jamie.ā
āTrevor Zegras ?ā asked Nick, choking on the name, eyes wide as he stopped dead in his tracks. āYou didnāt tell me-ā started Nick, before he closed his mouth when he saw the look on Coleās face. There was something in his boyfriendās eyes, a light that flickered every time Nick doubted his decision. And Nick hated it, hated seeing Cole think he didnāt care enough to try. So he took the decision not to voice his concerns anymore and just get on with it, if only for Coleās sake.
āCan you please just trust me ?ā asked Cole softly, his curious eyes searching Nickās. āI promise it will be alright. And Jamie is also Canadian so youāll have an ally.āĀ
And how could Nick disagree with this ridiculous argument when suddenly Coleās hands were on his face, pulling him in for a deep kiss. Coleās lips tasted like the iced coffee he had just drank, and salt because they were sweating under the baking sun, making it the perfect balance of sweet and justā¦Cole. Somehow, this was everything Nick needed to feel better, his hands coming to rest on Coleās waist, pulling him forward. He chased after Coleās mouth, making his boyfriend chuckle with amusement at the eagerness. But Cole didnāt shy away, he would never, instead he matched every movement, every flick of Nickās tongue, every bite. And only when he was sure Nick wasnāt about to bolt anymore did he take a step back and raised an eyebrow at his captain.Ā
āGood ?ā he asked softly, earning a sincere nod from Nick who then pressed a tender kiss on Cole's cheek, taking his hand back and intertwining their fingers for just a little extra comfort.Ā
It felt very strange to be the one reassuring Nick, the one being steady and calm as they faced something new. Cole loved it. Having Nick trust him filled him with a giddy happiness he was pretty sure he had never experienced before.
āOkay letās goā he said, licking his lips as Cole took them to the front door, ringing the bell before he pushed the door open and shouted for anyone close by:Ā
And the house erupted in noises and shouts, Jack being the first to arrive at the door, dressed in only swim trunks, his skin already a little burnt, his hair fluffy and clearly not fully dry yet. He took one look at Nick and then hugged Cole.Ā
āI cannot believe he dragged you hereā Jack teased Nick, squeezing his shoulder. āItās good to have you here, man !āĀ
Nick nodded, clearly a little overwhelmed by the fact that Trevor, Jamie, Luke and Quinn had arrived too and were staring at him with great curiosity.Ā
āGuys stop, he was already stressed out, donāt make it worse," joked Cole, pushing Trevor away with a huge grin on his lips.Ā
Nick took the time to observe his boyfriend and noticed the way the tension had finally left his shoulders, the grin on his lips, the laugh that spilled out of his lips. Smiling, he felt his own heart settle in his chest at the thought that maybe he had made the right choice by coming here with Cole.Ā
āHiā greeted Jamie when the others started to make their way out to the front deck. āIt can be a lot, but you get used to itā he said with a small chuckle.Ā
āYeah ?ā Nick asked, relieved to find in Jamie a calmer energy than in the rest of the guys. It felt reassuring to know he wouldnāt be the only one not jumping around like an over-caffeinated squirrel (as Cole tended to do every time Jack was around.) Because as much as he loved it, Nick longed for a bit of peace and quiet after this never ending season.
āYeah, youāll see. This is going to be a great summerā
Nick and Jamie made their way outside, Cole tugging at Nickās wrist for him to sit next to him, Coleās legs on Nickās lap as soon as he was seated. Smiling to himself, Nick started to massage Coleās calves, thinking that Jamie had been right.
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