My name is Erin and I'm an Aussie NHL fan. Welcome to my blog where I share the love for the sport and players.
I also have a discord for Tumblr Hockey fans. If you are interested in joining: https://discord.gg/24ZswxKuF9
SWISSBOYHISCH'S TAG LIST FORM
MASTERLISTS:
Swissboyhisch's Fic Masterlist
Swissboyhisch's NSFW A-Z Masterlist
Swissboyhisch's Social Media Fic Masterlist
Swissboyhisch's Rec List
DRAFTS & QUEUE:
Drafts: 7
Queue: 0
Inbox: 8
RECENTLY POSTED
New York Luck - Mat Barzal
Halloween Surprise - Matthew Knies
Insta: Canada VS Europe - Lemiuex!Reader
Insta: Hard Launch - Nico Hischier
WAG Meetings - Steven Stamkos
If you wish to be added to a tag list for all/team/player: SWISSBOYHISCH'S TAG LIST FORM
Summary: It turns out that it is possible to die of a broken heart
Warnings: sad sad sad, swearing,
Notes: I take it back. Kind of. I don't think my groove is entirely back, or maybe it was just the fics I was working on. I wrote this in four hours around midnight and this is my first attempt at writing something sad. I will say that it was hard to not cry writing this, so hopefully ๐ค you guys feel some emotions too. There isn't much dialogue in the beginning. Also, broken heart syndrome is in fact a real thing
masterlist โฅ navigation
Word Count: 3.7k
Nate is numb. Heโs been numb since about 10:30 last night, when the police knocked on his door. He had been home for 20 minutes max, having just gotten back from Caleโs house, supper with him and Gabe and Mikko. Tracey was up in Calgary for a few days. Y/N had dinner plans with her work friends, it was Shannonโs birthday. The world tilted on its axis as he was told that Y/N was killed. They soberly tell him what happened forty-five minutes ago. Hit-and-runโฆthey are looking for the driverโฆhappened in the restaurant parking lotโฆno, she was the only one. Nateโs pretty sure he stops breathing, because he feels a firm hand on his elbow guiding him back into his house, coaxing him to take deep breaths. Blood rushes in his ears like a wave, and he thinks, Australia, their honeymoon. He lifts a hand to wipe his face. When did he start crying?ย
The police stay for a while, watching him carefully until they are sure he wonโt spiral into a panic attack, ironic all things considered. When he is semi-into it, they explain everything again.ย
Ok,โ Nate says, โwould you...you mind, um, coming back in the morning? I need to hear this once some of the shock wears off.โ His voice is quiet and strained. He doesnโt fight the tears silently rolling down his cheeks. They agree to his request, leaving with a handshake and squeeze on the shoulder, hints of agony shining through their masks of professionalism.
Nate stays sitting at his kitchen table, head in his hands. Sobs shake his body, uncontrollable and awful. He cries so hard he thinks he might cry himself sick. Eventually, he leans back, face twisted with emotion and damp with tears. Slowly, he heads to bed. Each movement is mechanical. He tosses and turns, his sleep is plagued by once-sweet memories of Y/N turned into cruel reminders that she was ripped from him.
Eventually he gives up and moves to the guest bedroom. He cries more, more than he ever has. He wants Y/N, he wants to kiss her, and hold her, and take her to games and-.
-
Next thing Nate knows, he is waking up to the sun streaming through the curtains. He is confused at first, the stiffness of the bed isn't what his bed feels like. As he opens his eyes, last night comes rushing back. He doesnโt want to believe it. They had just started their life together, with promises of love and kids and 60 more years. The tears start again, slower than the previous night but no less gut-wrenching. Reluctantly he heads to the bathroom. He looks worse than imagined. Red and puffy eyes that unfortunately make the blue pop, pale skin and chapped lips. Nateโs hands shake as he splashes water on his face.ย
Taking a deep breath, he tries to get some semblance of a list to make sense in his mind. He shoots off a vague text to Bedsy, letting him know that he might be late for practice, not knowing how long the police will take.ย
It turns out that it only takes half an hour. The same officers from the night before knock on Nateโs door at 7:30, introducing themselves and Parker and Walker. They recount the night before in more detail. Y/N was killed at 9:48 pm, during a hit-and-run in the restaurant parking lot. She was the only one, none of her friends were even injured. They tell Nate that it was an instant death, painlessโฆthat she didnโt suffer. Nate is frozen in his chair, back ramrod straight and hands clasped tightly. Walker leaves a copy of his first report, and his phone number in case Nate has questions. He walks them out, shaking their hands and thanking them for coming over again.
Returning to the kitchen, he pulls out a notepad and pen. Nate lists off the things he needs to do. Call his parents. Call Y/Nโs parents. Call the funeral home. Talk to C-Mac and Bedsy and the team. Get through practice.ย
He decides to wait on calling his parents, saving that for the afternoon. Same with the funeral home. He is in a daze the whole time he prepares for practice. He makes his usual protein drink, but he thinks that he used orange juice instead of water. Nateโs not sure. He also isnโt entirely sure how he made it to the arena without running a red light.
His whole walk to Bedsyโs office is stressful. He dreads the thought of having to have this conversation more than once. He knocks on the open door, seeing C-Mac there as well.ย
โHey Nate, I got your text.โ Bedsy starts, looking at Nate, concerned, โYou ok? Respectfully, you look like shit.โ
โFeel like it too. Can uh, both of you come down to the dressing room? Like now? I have some, some uh,โ Nate stops, swallowing, โsome news, and I want to say it as few times as possible.โ
โSure, all right.โ Bednar and C-Mac glance at each other, worried. Theyโve seen Nate be not ok before, but this is new. Nate is silent during their trek to the dressing room, still holding his orange juice and green protein powder monstrosity. Bedsy opens the door, gesturing for Nate to go through first.
โHey Nate, you forgot your jacket at mine last night. You didnโt pick up when I called.โ Cale tells him. Nate is standing where Bedsy usually stands.
โUhโฆok thanks, Cale. I was umโฆI was a little preoccupied last night. Sorryโ He responds. His voice is shaking, his hands are shaking, Bedsy and C-Mac are getting increasingly concerned and Nate feels on the verge of a panic attack.
Cale grins suggestively at him, โOhhh, I see, I see how it is. Getting a little lovinโ on with Y/N I s-โ
Nate interrupts abruptly, cutting straight to the chase, โY/N is dead. Sheโs dead.โ
The whole locker room freezes. Caleโs jaw drops.ย Someone's water bottle hits the floor.
โHoly shit-โย
โOh my god.โ
โNate, you need to sit down.โ
The voices swirl and blend around him. Nateโs vision loses focus, and cotton balls are stuffed in his ears. Hands find his elbows, easing him into a stall. Someone kneels in front of him. Nate stares, glassy eyes unseeing.ย
Slowly, he comes back. His throat is raw and scratchy and he needs water. Mikko tosses over a water bottle and a clean, damp towel.
โStart from the beginning, Nate.โ Jo urges softly.
So Nate recounts the story. The entire team is close around him as he repeats what he was told this morning and last night. Their faces reflect the horror and agony Nate feels. Tears fall when he says that her death was instant. He hears sniffles from somewhere, and everyone else is crying now, too.
โItโs good,โ he says, โknowing that she wasnโt in pain, but it is awful knowing that there was no chance of saving her.โ His voice breaks, he covers his mouth with a hand sobs as quietly as he can. Cale hugs one side and Joโs on the other. Once the tears slow, he takes the towel that Mikkoโs holding.ย
โPractice is canceled, today and tomorrow.โ Bednar says, โI donโt want Nate to be left alone. Cale, Jo, Mikko, go with him and grab Gabe too. I will talk to the league, see about rescheduling the game tomorrow. I will have to tell them, Nate.โ
โNo, you guys play. Say Iโm out day to day or something. A practice muscle strain.โ Nate objects.
โNate, your wife died less than twelve hours ago. We will not be playing hockey. Iโll phone in and say we forfeit. I will tell Bettman that the news doesnโt go out until you, me, and C-Mac give an interview.โ
โOk.โ
-
The afternoon follows a similar pattern. Cale drives Nate home, Jo phones Gabe. Mel brings soup when she comes with Gabe. She folds Nate into a hug as he cries. He makes the excruciating phone call to his parents and hers. Cale smartly suggests doing a triple call so thereโs only one conversation.ย
โWhere should I bury her?โ Nate asks, โHere, or should she be back home?โ
โNate, her home has been with you for years. Keep her close to you.โ Y/Nโs dad tells him. Nate nods forgetting that they canโt actually see him. Gabe takes notes while they discuss the funeral over the phone. Granite headstone, brown casket, service at St. Andrewโs and burial in the graveyard nearby. The reception will be held in the hall near Nateโs house. He doesnโt want people in his house. The date is set for March 5th.ย
The media has a field day upon the announcement that the Avs have forfeited their game against the Stars. Sid calls him within a minute.
Nate forces the team to play their next game three days later on February 28th. Itโs at home against Buffalo. They lose in an uncharacteristic fashion, so much so that the Buffalo players notice something is really wrong.
Gabe takes care of most of the funeral arrangements, and Nate is forever grateful. He meets with the funeral director, sending with him the clothes he picked out for Y/N to be buried in. Before he leaves, he hands Nate a box.
Opening it, Nate finds her purse. Her phone. A box with her wedding rings. Jo finds him with shaking shoulders and his head in his hands.
On March 2nd, a week after Y/N died, Nate asks for a press conference. The Avs lost both games they played in that week, with Nate a very conspicuous absence. Bedsy asks over and over if Nate is sure that he wants to go through with it.
โIโm sure. It wonโt be a secret for much longer.โ Nate says. Bedsy just nods. The trio of Nate, Bedsy, and C-Mac file into the media room.
Nate starts, wanting to get this over with as fast as possible. โIโm aware you all have been wondering where I have been this past week.โ
The reporters nod. Nate takes a deep breath.
โOn February 23rd, I received news. News that my wife was killed in a hit and run accident. It happened in a restaurant parking lot as she was heading to her car.โ He stops as hands fly up. C-Mac picks someone.
โNate, I am very sorry for your loss. Is this why the game was forfeited last week?โ
โYes, it was. It was a shock to all of us, and none of us were in any condition or mental state to play.โ
โHow is this going to affect the rest of your season?โ
Nate scoffs quietly. His wife is dead and they are concerned with hockey. โI have decided to take an extended leave of absence from the team. I wonโt be playing in the game tomorrow night, nor will I be for the rest of the season. My life was completely torn apart a week ago, I have more important things right now. I do ask that I be left alone right now, no reporters at my house or on the street. I want privacy.โ
With that, Nate walks out. Cale is waiting to drive him home and he takes one look at Nate and pulls him in for a hug. He is tired of crying and tired of people saying they are sorry and tired of missing Y/N and tired of being tired.
-
No. 1ย
February 24, 9:09 pm
Nate: Hey guys, I have some news.ย
Davo: Period at the end of the sentence. This wonโt be good
Nate: Y/N was killed last night, hit and run
Sid: Oh my god, Nate
Sid: Are you ok? Were you hurt?
Davo: Oh shit
Nate: Iโm fine, but I guess thatโs relative right now
Nate: I wasnโt there. She went to dinner with friends. It happened in the parking lot
Auston: I am so sorry, man. I realize that that is probably not what you want or need to hear, but I donโt know what else to say
Nate: No no, it's ok. I appreciate it. I think Iโm still in shock, so not much room for anything other that devastated right now
Ryan: Is there anything we can do?
Nate: No, not right now. Funeralโs on the 5th, if anyone wants to come. My place is full, but any of the guys would let you stay with them
Sid: Of course we want to come, it's just a matter of whether we can
Ryan: Even if any of us play, once the news is out most teams will probably want a player there for support
Davo: I checked and it's in the middle of a break for us. Ryan and I will be there, Leon too probably
Jack: Weโre out west on a road trip, but I could try and pull some strings to come. Nico will try to be there too
Owen: We are at the end of a homestand that day, but Iโll probably get to come. Canโt do much worse than we already are
Owen: That was bad, sorry. Lame-ass excuse for a joke
Nate: Donโt be. It almost made me not frown. Thank you
Juraj: Iโll be there. We are in LA the day before. Newy will want to come
Baby Connor: Iโve got a break before our trip down there. Iโll be there. Dammit why am I baby Connor again?
Nate: Cause you are a baby. I really appreciate it, guys. Thank you
Baby Connor: Dude obviously. You canโt just drop the worst news of your life and not expect your number 1 buddies to rally the troops and support you
Nate: The kidโs gonna kill us all. I didnโt need to cry again but everything makes me cry now, I guess
Baby Connor: Oh my god, Iโm sorry. I didnโt mean to
Nate: I know, just messing with you
-
The funeral goes perfectly. Nateโs and Y/Nโs parents arrived a few days ago and have been staying with him. Itโs a comfort to have them there, though most days he feels like heโs wading through quicksand. There is usually a teammate there, or two. Sid flies in the day before, same with all the guys from the groupchat. Naz comes from Calgary. EJ and Tyson come, and Josty and Bo make the trip out with Owen. Alex comes with Juraj. Nate spends the day crying silent tears and hugging more people than he cares to remember. Mikko, Cale, EJ, Jo, Tyson, and Sid are pallbearers at the funeral. He gives a speech, short as he can get away with. His voice breaks and wavers the whole time. Y/Nโs parents and Nateโs say a few words, and the priest reads the eulogy.ย
The weather is mild for the burial, Nate almost wishes it was miserable. The day passes in a daze, making awkward small talk with people he barely knows, Thankfully they leave within an hour. The rest of the people there manage to lift the mood a little and Nate moves from crying to barely frowning. Connor Bedard sticks close to him most of the time. Nate is grateful for him, heโs a good kid with a good heart. He hugs Connor extra hard before he leaves to catch his flight to Utah.
-
โNate!โ Cale calls, knocking on his door again. Heโs normally never late, but things still arenโt normal. Nate was the one who suggested that they go skate, not practice, but just to skate. A change of scenery. Cale finally gives up and digs his key out of his pocket. Heโs a little confused when he sees that none of the lights are on. Nate hasnโt been himself, but this is weird. Nateโs dog Aspen appears from the hallway.ย
โHey buddy, whereโs Nate?โ Cale asks him. Aspen circles Cale once before heading back towards Nateโs bedroom. Cale follows him. Nateโs door is shut tight and Aspen has his nose shoved in the corner. Opening the door, Aspen bounds to Nateโs side, where he looks to be still asleep.ย He whines, getting his nose under Nateโs hand.
โOh my god.โ Cale whispers. Nate is a shade of gray no living person should ever be. โOh my god.โ He moves to the bed. Nate is cool when Cale touches his wrist. He fumbles for his phone, dialing 911ย when he doesnโt find a pulse.
-
โSidโฆโ Kathy calls up the stairs, โGet down here, you have to see this.โ
Sidney hustles down at the tone of her voice. Kathy is standing behind the couch, remote gripped in one hand. He stands behind her, hand on her waist. Her hand drops the remote, coming up to cover her mouth as they hear the news.
"... and now we have saddening news coming from Denver, Colorado. It is with our deepest condolences that we announce the death of NHL star, Nathan MacKinnon. He was found early this morning after failing to meet teammate Cale Makar, for morning skate. Makar called 911 when he found MacKinnon in bed after he didnโt answer the door. According to law enforcement agencies, MacKinnon died peacefully at home overnight, but suddenly, with no chance of resuscitation once they arrived on the scene. His death comes just weeks after the death of his wife, Y/N. What this means for the Avalanche and the rest of the season, we donโt know. More, after the break.โย
Sid thumbs open his phone to the news app. Every headline is the same variation of announcing Nateโs death. Tears fall on the screen.
Colorado Avalanche teammates of Nathan MacKinnon, coach Jared Bednar, yet to speak on the starโs sudden death.
Breaking News: NHL Superstar Nathan MacKinnon, dead at 29. What does this mean for the Avalanche?
โThe NHL offers its deepest sympathies and condolences to Nathan and Y/N MacKinnonโs families during this time of tragedy.โ
โNathan MacKinnon, announced dead this morning weeks after his wife, Y/N MacKinnon, was tragically killedโฆโ
Details about Nathan MacKinnonโs death are expected soon.
-
THE COLORADO SUN
Details emerge on the death of Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon
J.P Burrow, 12:00 pm March 30th, 2025
Four weeks ago, the hockey world was shocked when Nathan MacKinnon, 29, appeared in a press conference after being notably and unusually absent from two home games, both lost in depressing fashion to weaker teams. What he revealed that day was the furthest thing from what anybody expected.
We were told that a week prior, MacKinnonโs wife Y/N, 27, was killed in a hit-and-run car accident. Her funeral was three days later. Understandably, MacKinnon withdrew from the public. His teammates were a constant source of support, but that only goes so far when grieving your spouse. He decided to take the rest of the season off.
MacKinnon and Y/N were married for three years, and together for nearly ten. They were fan-favorites throughout the league, despite them being notoriously private. MacKinnon never smiled as much as he did when he was talking about his wife.ย
Now, thirteen days ago, the world was rocked again when it was announced that MacKinnon was dead. Details surrounding his death have been revealed after an autopsy. The report revealed that his heart sustained damage after Y/Nโs death, caused by a sudden, constant surge of adrenaline in the days following. This causes a disruption of blood flow in the heart, similar to a heart attack. It is fittingly called Broken heart syndrome, where the death of a loved one can trigger the condition. Death is rare, but it happens.
We reached out to friends of MacKinnonโs across the league, his own teammates commented in a press conference earlier today.
Connor Bedard: Nate was a close friend of mine, he helped me a lot when I first got into the league. I looked up to him a lot. Once I got to know him outside of hockey, I learned just how amazing of a person he isโ was. I was shocked to learn that he died. We had just landed in Denver for our game against them when Cale [Makar] called me.
Sidney Crosby: It was a lot for all of us, the whole month. Iโve been close with Nate for ten years, he's my best friend, so to say that Iโm going to miss him is an understatement. I saw how much Y/N dying crushed him, they were made for each other.ย Hockey was his first love, but Y/N was his true love.
Gabe Landeskog: The season changed for all of us after Y/N died and Nate took time off. There will be no replacing Nate, his skill, his passionโฆit left a hole. Iโm not going to sugarcoat things. This will be really difficult to come back from. It wonโt be this season, maybe not even next season, but we are going to fight, for Nate. He would want us to.
-
โHe really died of a broken heart.โ Cale says before turning to bury his face in his wifeโs hair, crying silently. He hasnโt been the same since finding Nate, taking his own leave from the team.
For the second time in a month, the Avalanche and company are reunited, standing in black around a grave beside the one they stood around three and a half weeks earlier, but another person short. Y/Nโs headstone will be put in the same day as Nateโs. EJ is holding Aspenโs leash, who took him in when Nate died. Heโs retiring, he told everybody when they gathered the second time. The past month reminded him that life is short. He is moving back to Denver to take over Nateโs house. They had found a notebook in his bedside table that had the beginnings of a will written in it. He wanted EJ to have Aspen, and the house if he wanted it. Pictures, his suits, and Y/N's wedding dress were to go to his parents, donate his and Y/N's clothes, and box away his Avalanche gear and ship it to Sid in Nova Scotia. Their wedding rings go to Sid too.
โBut now they are together again.โ Jo says, smiling through his tears. The thought brings some comfort to them, knowing that Nate has been reunited with the love of his life, and wonโt spend the rest of his life missing Y/N.
summary: your best friend matthew brings you home to celebrate the holidays with his family. their only christmas wish is for the two of you to finally get together
warnings: mentions of drinking, use of y/n like twice? (this is my first time including the whole tkachuk fam in a fic and iโm not super confident with it so please take it easy on me)
i hope you all enjoy the fic! happy holidays๐ฒโฅ๏ธโ๏ธ
word count: 2.8k
you smiled at the familiar house that came into view as matthew pulled the car into the driveway. you had spent so much time here growing up with the tkachuks that it was almost a second home, welcoming you back with open arms as you stepped out of the car, a thin crust of snow crunching beneath your boots. matthew sniffled as he walked up the driveway next to you, and you laughed, watching as he struggled to carry all of the gifts that he insisted to bring all in one trip from the car.
โcalm down, florida. itโs not that cold,โ you laughed, careful not to drop the tin of christmas cookies your mitten covered hands held tightly. you and matthew had traveled from the sunshine-state to st.louis, where you had grown up together. whenever you came back to visit, despite all the years he spent living in calgary, it always took him a day to get used to the snow again.
โshut up,โ he pouted, but even he couldnโt contain the smile that spread across his lips. even with his hands full of gifts, matthew held the outside door for you, and before you could even raise a hand to knock the inside door opened, revealing taryns smiling face.
โhey! took you guys long enough to get here,โ she laughed, and matt sent her a mocking glare. โlet me take that from youโ, she offered, grabbing the cookie tin from your hands as you and matthew walked inside. you shook off the light dusting of snow that had gathered on your shoulders, before you felt matthews hands slide your jacket off your arms, hanging it up in the closet for you. keith stood up from the couch and walked over to greet the two of you as you dusted a few snowflakes out of mattโs hair. keith embraced his eldest son in a hug, which matthew happily returned, before he gave you one as well.
โwe almost thought you two werenโt coming. did matthew forget how to drive in snow?โ keith asked, causing you and taryn to laugh, and matthew to roll his eyes.
โi havenโt been here 2 minutes and thatโs two florida jokes,โ he raised his hands in disbelief.
โi didnโt hear dad say that word, did you?โ taryn asked you, and you shook your head, and matthew narrowed his eyes at you playfully.
โwhy is avery one ganging up on me?โ he asked, and you heard the thump of footsteps coming down the stairs behind him, as brady and his wife emma appeared.
โthatโs what happens when you show up late, buddy,โ the younger tkachuk brother teased, and matthew grabbed him in a headlock in response, but it quickly turned into a friendly hug.
โy/n got here at the same time as me,โ matt argued, and you raised your hands in mock surrender, as chantal walked into the living room to see what all the commotion was.
โwe donโt pick on our guests, thatโs the rule. itโs so nice to see you!โ she smiled, and gave you a warm hug.
โmom!โ matt protested, and she walked over to hug him too.
โoh, relax. come here,โ she pulled him into her arms.
taryn brought you into the kitchen, and after each of you washed your hands, she helped you take the cookies out of the tin and put them out into a festive plate.
โhave you been home from school very long?โ you asked, and taryn shook her head.
โjust a few days. how was the drive from the airport?โ she asked.
โit was pretty good,โ you said. there wasnโt too much snow this year so driving conditions were good. โmy driver wasnโt great, but he was cheap so i canโt complain-โ you teased as matthew walked into the kitchen and within earshot.
โi heard that,โ he smiled.
โgood,โ you smiled back, scrunching your nose up as he stuck his tongue out at you.
โyou two should take your bags upstairs to matthews room. thereโs a little early christmas present for each of you up there,โ chantal instructed, and you smiled, laughing as matthew stole a cookie off the plate on his way past. you followed after him, protesting as he grabbed both his bag and yours from by the front door, before heading up the stairs.
you knew this house like the back of your hand, and you smiled as the familiar scent of the tkachuk family home mixing with the smell of christmas cooking and baking filling your nose. you turned the corner and saw matt already sitting in his bed, your bags placed on the floor neatly as he read the tags on two gift bags that sat next to him on the bed.
โthis one is for you,โ he said, holding out the green gift bag to you, keeping the red one for himself. you opened them together, each pulling out flannel pyjama pants, yours green with a plaid pattern and his red, just like the bags had been. it had become a tradition for chantal and keith to buy christmas pyjamas for each of their kids every year, and then for emma as well, and you felt honoured each time you were included.
โwe get to match this year,โ he smiled, and you set the pants on top of your bag to wear later, and looked around matthews room. while his decorating had changed since you were younger, there were things that remained the same; the small dent in the ceiling from when matthew and brady had decided to play hockey inside and sent a puck flying up into the plaster. there were pencil marks on the door frame with the three siblings initials next to them, even a few with yours.
you walked over to desk and admired the bulletin board with pictures push-pinned to it, most of them containing the two of you, ranging from when you were kids until last time you had visited his parents with him for his birthday a few years ago.
โis it weird being back here?โ matthew asked, coming over to look at the pictures with you. his hand rested half on top of your as you leaned on the desk, and you smiled, shaking your head.
โno,โ you answered. โit kinda takes you back in time though, doesnโt it? like nothings changed?โ you asked, and he turned his head to look at you.
โyeah. i feel like iโm a kid again whenever iโm here with everyone.โ
โthank you for inviting me,โ you leaned against his shoulder, and you felt him rest his head on yours.
โof course. it wouldnโt be the same without you here,โ he replied, and you hummed contently in response.
โhey, dinners almost ready,โ you heard tarynโs voice from the doorway, neither of you having noticed her come up the stairs to find you. you turned towards her, a smile on her face as she looked at you and matthew standing together. it had come up a few times between her and mattโs family if the two of you were ever going to realize you were in love with eachother, and as the years went by, taryn was convinced the two of you would never figure it out.
โokay, weโll be right there,โ matthews arm had snaked around your waist at some point, and he pushed you towards the door after taryn, following his younger sister downstairs to eat.
-๐งฃ๐งฆ๐ฒโ๏ธ-
after dinner, keith and chantal watched as โthe kidsโ, meaning the three tkachuk siblings along with you and emma, decorated the tree. the lights had already been strung a few weeks before, but it was a family tradition to hang the ornaments on christmas eve. chantel had requested everyone get changed into their pyjamas for pictures, and you noticed that the pattern on brady and emmaโs matched, as well as hers and keithโs having a matching design. still, neither you or your best friend figured out that they were in fact meant to be couples pyjamas.
โthis oneโs yours, brady,โ matthew said, handing his brother an ornament with his name on it.
โwhat movie are we thinking this year?โ keith asked from his recliner, holding a few dvds in his hand. โhome alone, the grinch, elfโฆโ
โi like home alone,โ emma offered, and brady and taryn agreed.
โany of those are fine with me,โ you smiled, choosing an ornament and hanging it on the tree.
โsweetheart, why donโt you put the star on the tree this year,โ chantal suggested, passing you the tree topper. โyouโre the guest after all.โ
โare you sure?โ you asked, and she nodded with a warm smile. carefully, you stepped up onto the small wooden stool next to the tree so you could reach the top, and you were relieved to feel matthews hands on your waist, gently steadying you so you wouldnโt fall. keith looked at chantal with a knowing glance, watching matt take your hand to help you down from the stool after you had successfully placed the star on top of the tree.
โokay, i want a picture of all you kids by the tree, while itโs still snowing outside. it will look really pretty in the window behind everyone,โ chantal said, getting her phone camera ready.
taryn stood in the middle, while brady had one arm over her shoulder and the other arm holding emma close to his side. matt stood behind you with his arms hugging you and his chin on your shoulder as you all smiled for the photo. you and emma made the siblings and their parents take a photo together as well, before taryn put the movie in, home alone winning the vote. keith was sat in his recliner, while taryn and chantal sat on the loveseat. emma and brady sat on one end of the large couch while you sat in the middle of it and matthew leaned against the armrest at the other end.
maybe it was the flight from florida, or the spiked eggnog youโd had after dinner, but you began to feel sleepy about an hour in to the movie, and tried not to make it too obvious that you were yawning as not to be rude. matthew still noticed however, and he gently placed a blanket over your legs, stealing some of it for himself as you curled up under the warm material. while you appreciated the gesture, the added warmth only made you more tired, and you soon drifted off, matthew catching your head just in time as it fell to the side. he rested it safely in his shoulder, and smiled down at you as you snuggled into him.
emma elbowed brady in the side gently, pointing at the two of you, completely in your own little world. chantal glanced over, her eyes meeting emmaโs with a quiet laugh before she watched her eldest son place a gentle kiss on the top of your head, oblivious to the two women watching him. the movie ended with you still fast asleep, and as it neared midnight, everyone said goodnight and went off to bed, leaving you and matthew alone on the couch.
โhey, sleepyhead. time to get up,โ he shook you gently, and you mumbled incoherently in protest, your fingers digging into the material of his hoodie as you snuggled impossibly closer. โunless you want to sleep down here, but i warn you - dad wakes up at like 6 am,โ he laughed, and the sound pulled you out of your slumber.
โwhy didnโt you wake me up sooner? i feel bad for falling asleep.โ
โdonโt feel bad,โ he laughed again. โyou could probably set the house on fire and my family would forgive you, they love you so much. but maybe donโt- i kinda like it here,โ he teased.
โi promise not to set the house on fire,โ you mocked him playfully, and his hands tickled your ribs, causing you to fall backwards onto the couch with him on top of you. โplease, iโm sorry, please stop-โ you pleased through tears of laughter.
โfine, but only because itโs christmas and you asked nicely. lets go up to bed, mom will want us up early to open presents,โ he surrendered, getting up off the couch and extending a hand to help you up.
matthew didnโt let go of your hand as you both walked into his room, only letting go of it to go into the attached bathroom to brush his teeth. you did the same after him, walking out to see him already under the blankets.
โcome here,โ he held his arms open for you to crawl into, his hoodie discarded in a pile on the floor, leaving him in just the flannel pyjama pants. it wasnโt an unusual sleeping arrangement; having shared a bed with him many times when you were kids, and anytime you came to visit his family. you switched off the bathroom light and laid down, curling up next to him as his arms pulled you close, tucking you securely under his chin. the soft facial hair on his chin tickled your forehead as you wrapped your arms around him, his body invitingly warm as you felt yourself getting sleepy again.
matt squinted his eyes, looking at the clock on the nightstand that read 12:03am.
โmerry christmas, bug,โ he mumbled softly, and you hummed in response.
โmerry christmas matty.โ
-๐งฃ๐งฆ๐ฒโ๏ธ-
you woke up to the sound of the alarm matthew had set on his phone going off at 8am, the time chantal had requested everyone be up for presents and then breakfast. you tried to get out of bed but matt refused to let go of you, his arms holding you tight as you tried to squirm out of his grip.
โcome on, before brady eats all the cookies,โ you argued, and that woke matt up, but he still grumbled and groaned as he finally let you of you and rolled out of bed. he pulled a t-shirt over his head, tossing you one from his dresser to throw over your tank-top. running a hand through his messy curls to tame them as best he could, and you rubbed your eyes as you followed him towards the hallway. you bumped into his muscular frame, not realizing he had stopped in the doorway, and you looked at him with confusion, realization flooding over you as he pointed upwards.
โoh-โ you breathed, looking at the small green bundle of mistletoe that had been hung from the doorframe while you were sleeping.
โthat wasnโt there before, was it?โ matt asked, looking down at you, and you shook your head, your eyes meeting his.
โwhy would someone hang it there?โ you asked, and he laughed, finally getting it.
โi think maybe my family is trying to tell us something,โ he said, reaching for your hand with his.
โmatty-โ you mumbled, your voice barely above a whisper as you looked at your lips, and then up to your eyes again.
โcan i kiss you?โ he whispered, stepping closer in the small doorway, leaving almost no space between your bodies. you mind was racing a mile a minute, unable to form words as you nodded, and he leaned forward, pressing his mouth against yours so softly, his lips only ghosting yours before he pulled back, waiting for a reaction.
โdo that again,โ you smiled, and his hands went to your hips this time to pull your body flush against his, as he kissed you again. his lips lingered on yours longer this time, and your hands rested against his broad chest as you kissed him back, never wanting to let go.
like all good things, the moment had to end, as you heard taryn call from downstairs.
โare you guys awake?โ
โyeah, be right there,โ matt called back, his eyes never leaving you as you stared up at him, everything making sense as you both put the pieces together.
โi love you, matthew.โ
he smiled warmly, and kissed you once more, like he was making up for all the times he should have done it before.
โi love you.โ
โi think weโre the last to know,โ you admitted, looking down at the matching pyjamas, and up at the mistletoe, before looking back at him, a smile permanently plastered on his face.
โi think youโre right,โ he laughed. โcome on, before they send a search party.โ he dragged you gently by your hand down the stairs, taking a seat on the couch and pulling you to sit in his lap.
taryn and chantal each looked at you with a raised eyebrow, and you had a sneaking suspicion they were behind the mistletoe. taryn watched matty place a kiss on your cheek, and she sent you a wink.
maybe it was the warmth from the fireplace, or matthews arms around your waist holding you close to him, but your heart felt warmer than you could ever remember. brady and emma began passing out the gifts, and you took one for matt from her hands.
โyou go first,โ he said, gesturing with a nod for you to set it on the coffee table. emma placed a present with your name on the tag in your hands, as matthew whispered in your ear.
โi already have everything i want.โ
disclaimer: all screenshots, events, and/or interactions depicted in this are a work of fiction. i have no association with any parties mentioned
Just a question: why is Liam's dream about driving for a top team more important than Yuki's?
Objectively Yuki deserved that seat more - I'm saying in term of performance and race craft alone.
Liam did nothing to prove he was the better option and I get that logic is hard for fans sometimes but just look at any stats comparing Liam's and Yuki's performance and see for yourself who had more chance at being good in the car.
Don't say it's hate when it's just saying what the facts say. People saying Yuki deserves the seat more is not hate, them calling out RBR for making the wrong decision is not hate - let people be angry and feel what they feel, I'm sure your reaction would be similar if your driver was treated that way.
And no, I don't condone hate (and by that I mean wishing something bad to happen to Liam, calling him names or sending threats on social media) but please don't try to make him the victim of this situation. He is not. And no matter how many times you repeat 'it's just his dream, leave him alone' it won't change that.
Also, it's sounds kind of ridiculous to try and swing the situation that way, Yuki faced racism, discrimination and being called 'unstable' just to get that chance at RBR and it was his dream too. Why should Liam's be more important? One week of facing upset fans is nothing compared to 4 years being belittled and lied to by your team. If you don't want to read people being rightfully angry then just don't read the posts and stop trying to make it about Liam. It's not about him at all.
Okay Iโm sick of getting shit for that post. I wasnโt taking a dig a Yuki, I like him. Iโm just saying when people are saying Yuki deserved the seat, they usually say bad things about Liam. You can feel bad and be upset about Yuki not getting the seat without saying nasty stuff about Liam.
And for your information, I think Yuki deserved the seat as well. Heโs worked hard and has been deserving of the promotion for years. But I was sick of people being unnecessarily nasty towards Liam.
Summary: Your students badger you about your relationship status and you let slip you're dating a hockey player who plays for the Vancouver Canucks. They don't believe you, you're petty enough to arrange a school trip to Rogers Arena just to prove your point.
Notes: Very self-indulgent of me as someone who teaches teenagers for a living and regularly gets questioned on my relationship status. They really do bully you (affectionately).
Totally happy to take requests/ideas/prompts at the moment in my ask box :)
Writing Masterlist
You're in the middle of teaching your high schoolers about the fur trade in colonial Canada, mid-speech, arms spread wide as you gesture to your powerpoint when a teenage voice interrupts you.
"Miss, are you married?" It's David, sat at the back, legs stretched out as far as he can reach them. He's ironically enough wearing a Canucks jersey, specifically Number 43...a very, very familiar number to you. As is the question. In your years of teaching this isn't the first time you've been interrupted to be questioned on your relationship status, in fact it happens multiple times a year. Each set of students eager to know why you're a miss and if you'll be a mrs soon and are going to be leaving them to have a baby. When you were single, the questions were usually why?
"No." You've gotten rather good at deflecting or at least not letting slip the reality of your relationship, usually finding out you're not single is enough for them, but there's something about David's attitude that screams persistant curiosity. It makes you wonder why you bother teaching your subject at all when he's more curious about your love life than History itself
"Do you have boyfriend?"
"Yes, does this have anything to do with British colonisation or the fur trade or....?" You lean back on your desk, board pen landing gently on the surface, knowing that you're not going to be free of this conversation for at least another 2 minutes.
"What's your boyfriend do?" You breathe a deep sigh and look around the room, you don't want to get into who your boyfriend is. It's not like its a well known fact that you're dating the captain of the Vancouver Canucks and you try to keep it that way. Not because you're ashamed but because its your private life, school and home, those are as separate as you can make them. It would be impossible to do that if everyone was talking about your relationship, although you know eventually it'll become more public.
Stacy from one of the desk by the windows chimes in this time, curiosity peaked, dragging her away from her current hobby of staring out the window in boredom, "C'mon, miss, it can't be that bad? What? Is he like unemployed or something?" She says while chewing loudly on a wad of gum.
"Gum in the bin, Stacy." Her chewing stops and she slumps as she stomps her way to your classroom bin, spitting the gum in with a roll of her eyes.
"So? Is he unemployed?" You decide to answer the question, only because Stacy actually did what you said this time. You hated gum in the classroom, mostly because it always ended up on the bottom of your shoes and made them stick to the floor as you walked. You wouldn't mind it so much if they could all just throw it away normally.
"No. He's got a job, a good job." A really good job, a ridiculously good job actually. You didn't talk money with Quinn much, but the reality was that he made an amount in a year that you would never make in a life time as a teacher.
"Sooo???" David interjects, leaning forward now in his seat, clearly not happy enough to just know your boyfriend isn't some unemployed bum.
"He's a hockey player."
"Like beer league?"
"No. Like NHL." You watch your classes faces in what feels like slow motion, the series of disbelieving looks, wide eyes and raised eyebrows that are quickly followed by a chorus of objections and claims that you can't be telling the truth.
"Nah, no way! You're not here, teaching us, and dating a guy who makes millions, nah." It's actually frustrating, it shouldn't be. You've literally had students throw tables at you and yet, the idea that they think you are a liar is what makes you frustrated. Is it really that hard to believe that you enjoy your job and don't want to scrounge off of your pro-athlete boyfriend? Or that hard to believe that you managed to snag a pro-athlete in the first place?
"You don't believe me?"
"Nah, like if you are, he's gotta be in some really bad team in the US." You're already formulating a plan to prove to your students that you're not lying and not dating a shit NHL player. Sure, the plan involves a lot more work for you, but the idea is in your head and you can't help but think that it'll be worth it.
"He's a Canuck." You smirk a little, knowing the mention of the local team would get a response. Most of the kids you teach go to at least one game a year or watch it on TV. Some have even seen you at the games, but you always sit in the stands like a regular fan. Mostly because Quinn can't really talk to you anyway when he's locked into a game. You'd serve as more of a distraction if you sat front and centre every game.
"No, no way!" David stands, slamming his hands on his desk, "You're lying!" Half the class echo his claims that you must be lying and it makes you even more determined to prove them wrong. Do you really need to prove to a bunch of teenagers that you're dating an NHL player? No, do you want to? Absolutely.
"Fine, don't believe me, but i'm not lying. I'm dating a Vancouver Canuck."
It takes a little to get them all back on track with the lesson but you manage it. Although you're just as distracted. The moment the bell goes to signal lunch break and your classroom empties, you're on your phone calling your boyfriend, even though you know he's probably in the middle of practice.
He answers on the second ring, the sound of the rink in the background loud and clear as pucks hit the sideboards and skates scratch up the ice.
"Hey, baby, everything okay?" It's unusual for you to call him in the work day and you can hear the worry in his voice, even if he'll pretend he's not worried at seeing your name pop up when you should be working.
"Hey, I'm fine, don't worry...but...you know how you love me?" You fiddle with a little wooden bear that sits on your desk. Quinn bought you it after finding out your favourite animals were any type of bear, it's left ear is broken off and it's got a little bit of red paint where it fell on a floor one time, but you love it anyway.
"Uh huh?" The worry in his voice gives out to amusement at realising you're after something. On his end Quinn is stood at the bench watching the guys run drills, Tocc giving him a look as if to say 'hurry up'.
"And you know how you want to always make me happy?" He smiles at the faux innocent voice you put on, as if he'd deny you anything.
"What do you need me to do, baby?" There's zero hesitation, typical Quinn really, if you want something you've got it, if you need him to do something he's agreeing before all the terms are laid out. He's lucky you don't abuse that sort of power really, he'd spoil you completely if you let him.
"I need you to help me organise a school trip to see you guys practice and meet you all, so that I can prove to my students that I am actually dating an NHL player because they're calling me a liar and I will not be called a liar by teenagers who gaslight me all the time!" The faux innocent voice gives way to your rapid ramble, annoyance riding your tone as you pace across the front of your classroom.
You're greeted firstly by his loud and genuine laugh, so loud that it makes you pull the phone away from your ear. It takes a solid minute for Quinn to stop laughing, and he can see the looks he's getting from the ice, Brock throws him a questioning eyebrow raise, Petey perks his head up at the sound of his captain actually laughing that hard.
It's the dead silence on your end that makes him stop, "Wait, are you serious?"
"Yes! They're telling me i'm lying and I will not be called a liar!"
"Okay, so let me get this straight." He runs a hand through his hair, before leaning against the side of the bench, "Your students don't believe you're dating a canuck, so you need me to help you organise a school trip-"
"For free!" You interrupt, knowing you won't get permission for a trip that costs the school anything more than a few buses and fuel costs, school funding being what it is.
"For free, to prove that you're dating me?" There are easier ways, Quinn thinks, to prove this. Like, him posting a picture of you together on the internet or him kissing you in front of the arena at a game, but it's kind of cute how much you're affronted by your students calling you a liar. It also sounds way more fun.
"Yup, is that...is that too much to ask? I'm being silly aren't I?" He hears it in your tone, the way you seem to start second guessing yourself, can hear you tapping a fingernail against your desk, probably messing with the little bear figurine he got you all those years ago.
"A little silly, but for you? I think I can pull some strings, honey."
You know Quinn will say yes to most things you ask, but you hadn't actually expected him to agree this time. It had felt too big, too much. Your normal requests were small, something like asking if he could get you a doughnut on his way home or could he put the dishes in the dishwasher.
"You serious?"
"Yeah, i'm serious." It takes a beat before your almost squealing in delight down the phone at him, the realisation that he's actually saying yes hitting and he can't help but laugh even as he pulls the phone away from his ear.
"I love you! Have I told you that today?" Your voice is sweet and happy, brighter than it was before. It makes him want to always say yes to you, the way you light up like a christmas tree.
"Mmm, not since 6am this morning."
"Well, I love you and you are the absolute best boyfriend I've ever had and I will never take you for granted."
He can see Tocc motioning him over, telling him without words that its time for the call to end and get back to being captain. Part of him just wants to keep talking with you, rare as it is to get to do during a working day, but he has responsibilities just like you do.
"I have to go, baby, I have practice...but we'll talk about this later, okay?"
He knows his evening is going to be spent planning out what you want this trip to look like before he goes away and tries to make it happen, but he doesn't mind. Anything to make his baby happy. Even if that is trying to prove a bunch of teenagers wrong.
Between the two of you it takes about 2 months to organise the trip. A lot of that time simply spent getting risk assessments done, approval from your administration sorted and organising parental consent. It also takes you getting the sports teacher on side because it was becoming difficult to find a justification as a History teacher for why you wanted to take kids to meet some hockey players. By the time you've organised it, most of your students have forgotten your claims. You have not forgotten their belief that you are a liar, however.
"I can't believe you managed to get us a trip to Rogers Arena! To meet the Canucks! Best teacher ever!" The hockey boys in your class are especially stoked, many of them playing in junior teams and following the Canucks closely as their team of choice. David is no exception to that rule, arriving to the school bus in so many bits of Vancouver merchandise that you're unsure how he's managing to walk weighed down as he is.
"I told you, my boyfriend plays for them." You remind him, ticking him off the register of kids and ushering him up into the bus.
"Miss, we all know that's not true." He turns to you just as he's about to dispear to find his seat. The scepticism written all over his face.
It makes you shake your head, waiting for the moment the puck drops.
The entire ride to the stadium features your students making fun of you for saying your boyfriend was a canuck, you let it slide simply because you're looking forward to seeing them eat their words. They think its funny right now, but you know you're getting the last and final laugh.
You're met at the entrance by, surprisingly, Tocc, who greets you with a warm hug, "Hey, how you doing?"
"I'm good, thank you for having us, Tocc." You like Tocc, he's a good coach and you like that he cares about how the guys are as people not just how they perform. You also can see how much Quinn appreciates him as coach, so you have a soft spot for the scary looking guy.
"No problem," You can feel the weight of 50 eyes on you, all varying shades of disbelief as they realise you seem a little too familiar when interacting with the Head Coach and its only the beginning. You can't help but smile simply because they're starting to realise that maybe they fucked up. Maybe their doubt was misplaced, maybe you actually were telling the truth all along.
"Are Quinn and the guys on the rink or in the locker room?"
"Rink, easier to fit all the kids, but we've got to get them booted up first." The famililarity with which you refer to Quinn and the guys, does not go past David and Stacy both of whom share a look that screams 'don't tell me that she actually knows them...'.
It takes a bit of time to get all 50 kids in skates, although at least 20 of them bring their own, as do you. You're not much of a skater, but dating Quinn meant you couldn't avoid him buying you a decent pair for family skate and the few times he manages to drag you on the ice each year.
You're about to put your own on when Quinn makes his way over to you clearly having just come off the ice, guards on his skates and hair messy from his helmet. He waves briefly at some of the kids before reaching you, taking your skates in hand without hesitation.
"Y'know I can do it myself, right?"
"When have I ever let you do your own skates? Besides, I thought you wanted the last laugh?" He nods his head in the direction of your students who stand gaping at the Captain of the Vancouver Canucks putting your foot in a skate and putting said skate between his thighs to help him tighten the laces with care. Not something one does for a strange teacher they don't know.
"I'm really enjoying myself already. The whole ride they were giving me all sorts of hell about it, and now I can see their little brains working hard to figure out if I was actually telling the truth or not."
You watch Quinn work, finishing tying off your first skate before reaching for the other, his hands are sure on your calf as he slips your foot into it. "The guys are looking forward to it, think this might be their favourite practice of the year. You might be their favourite WAG now."
"All I had to do was bring a bunch of teenagers to the rink to get them to love me?" Quinn stops mid lace pull, smirk firmly in place as he looks at you from underneath his eyelashes.
"Y'know they loved you already, right? Pretty sure Petey is your number one fan."
"That's because I bribe him with sweets." Specifically his favourite sour candy which makes his eyes water. The more sour the better.
Quinn huffs out a laugh, tying off your laces before patting your foot and setting it back on the ground. His hands reach out to help you to your feet and linger on yours a little longer than is strictly necessary.
"You ready for this?"
"Can't back out now, so I guess I have to be." There's a slight bubbling of nerves under your skin, the sense that your students might not think this is cool and instead think that you're undeserving of your relationship, but you shrug it off. After all, they're kids, their opinion on your relationship is genuinely not important.
"See you on the rink?"
"See you there." You watch him walk away and try to ignore the buzz of chatter you can hear from students, commenting on the fact that Quinn did your skates for you.
You get them registered, orderly and help them file onto the rink, the less sure of the bunch buddied up with someone who had more experience skating to avoid 50 kids bowling each other over on the ice. You did not want to deal with a pile of kids flat on the ice after knocking each other over, the paper work would be ridiculous.
You stand back and just watch. The clear awe on their faces as they step out onto the ice, the large rink impressive any day let alone for kids who had never stepped foot on a rink that size. It makes you smile, knowing you're contributing to their memories, providing something great even if it all started out of petty spite. Even if they don't believe you, you feel good knowing they're getting to enjoy this experience.
You skate nearer to the front, Brock and Petey giving you a bright smile and wave, a variety of nods of recognition from the others. Little things that once again tell your students you know these men better than they expected you to.
"Hey, guys. Welcome to Rogers Arena, it's great to have you here," Quinn starts the introduction, smoothly sliding forward on his skates and gesturing to the line of players as he proceeds to introduce each them by name and position, before finally getting to himself, "And i'm Quinn Hughes, Captain of the team,"
"And Norris trophy winner" You chime in, arms crossed as you watch your boyfriend do what he's best at. He's good with fans especially kids, even if he's terrible with the after game reporters.
He turns to you with a bright grin, "Hi, baby," You can see the twinkle in his eye as he drops the petname, you know he does it on purpose to get the reaction that he does from your students as a wave of muttering and murmuring goes through the little crowd.
"Hi, honey, thanks for having us." You throw it right back, more sickly sweet than you'd usually be, playing up to your little audience who practically gasp.
"Anything for my girl."
"No fucking way!" "What the hell?!" You watch each face drop, mouths open, eyes wide. Watch David as he swears loudly face aghast, almost horrified at the realisation that he might have been making fun of Quinn Hughes' girlfriend the entire time he'd been calling his teacher a liar.
"Language, David!" You tell him off even as you smirk, watching the murmurs die off as Quinn and Boeser talk the kids through skating techniques and how best to shoot the puck, the different techniques and ways to hit the puck with the stick. Half of it makes little sense to you but its nice to watch how the kids get engaged, how Quinn takes over a leadership and teaching role.
You mostly take a step back throughout, watching your students learn from Quinn and the guys, but every now and then Quinn finds you under the pretense of fixing your stance or giving you a tip or piece of advice.
Like now, as his hands reach out, fixing how you hold the hockey stick, foot kicking yours just slightly further apart to adjust your stance.
"So, think they believe you now?" You look over at your students, the joy they're having learning hockey from some of the best, but also at the looks they keep sending your way. You're certain they've learnt their lesson, the teacher is always right, at least when it comes to her own love life.
"I think I am offically the coolest teacher in school, so thanks for that." You reach up and kiss Quinn on the cheek, quick and chaste, nothing inappropriate considering you're both at work and surrounded by kids, but it's enough to make his cheeks flush red.
He rubs the back of his neck with that boyish smile of his and it makes you want to kiss him all over again, "Well, I couldn't have a bunch of teenagers calling my girlfriend a liar."
You're so stuck in the moment with him that you don't notice David and his friends until they're upon you and calling out to Quinn. The picture of respect when talking to who might just be their new favourite NHL star.
"Hey, Mr Hughes?" Conveniently half the kids surrounding you are the ones who claimed you must have been dating some beer league level player or some guy from the Chicago Blackhawks.
"You can call me Quinn, Mr Hughes is my dad. What's up, dude?"
"So when are we going to be calling teach Mrs Hughes?" It's your turn to flush, face warming harshly as Quinn's practically asked when he's proposing to you by a spotty 15 year old.
"David!" You might never be able to call your future child David at this rate, far too familiar with calling the name in admonishment. Definitely no David's in your future. Add that name to the list of names you can't use.
David looks at you with a wide grin, braces on full display. "What? I'm tryin' a help you get that bank!" It's actually mortifying, you thank your lucky stars that Quinn knows you're not actually after his money because if a 15 year old were to ruin your relationship you might actually become a super villain.
"I do not need a 15 year old wingman!"
"Baby, it's alright." Quinn wraps an arm around your shoulders, tugging you into his side as if that will sooth the embarrassment of having a 15 year old try to help you get a rich husband, "Uh, to answer your question, it won't be too long now, bud."
"So, like 6 months? A year? Next week?"
"Oh my god..." You turn your face into Quinn's shoulder, your groan muffled by his jersey. You're certain you might actually pass away from embarrassment, even if deep down there's a little thrill in your stomach that Quinn basically just said he's going to propose to you sooner rather than later.
"I gotta keep it a secret, sorry, man! Gotta keep Mrs Hughes on her toes." Your toes curl at the way he calls you Mrs Hughes, a small smile on your face hidden by his jersey.
A little back and forth is exchanged before David and his friends decide their bored and skate off towards Boeser who's going over the finer points of 'get to the net' and 'just shoot the puck'.
You mumble into Quinn's shoulder as his hands run up and down your back in soothing strokes, "Are you really ganging up on me with a bunch of teenagers?"
"Hey, I just told you that I want to marry you and you're mad at me?" He's not serious though, grinning as pushes you back to look at him. It's adorable, the pout on your face as you glare up at him for making fun of you. Although, you're always adorable to him, so maybe he's biased,
"Correction, you told a 15 year old that you wanted to marry me."
"Okay, okay, I see the problem." He shakes his head solemnly, hands on your shoulders as he lowers his voice just a touch, "Baby, just so you know I want to marry you."
"Okay."
"Okay?" You watch as he stands, mouth agape at your casual response. You're sure he was expecting you to giggle or squeal, but you're determined to mess with him a little.
"That's...nice to know?" You grin at him even as internally you're screaming because your boyfriend wants to marry you and you definitely want to marry him.
"You're such a fucking nerd."
"You're dating a teacher, that's like my whole thing. I'm a professional nerd."
"Yeah... it's cute. It's why I want to marry you."
"Quinn!" You shove him away with a laugh. Maybe your students won't be embarrassing you anymore, but you think you might have a lifetime of Quinn doing it instead. Somehow that doesn't seem like the worst idea.
note, this is dedicated to @comphyjost. i'm sad, you're sad, we're all sad. also, this fic is part of the "life with the johnsons" series. check out this masterlist for more.
pair, erik johnson x reader
summary, for the first time in 13 years, erik johnson is playing against the colorado avalanche.
warnings, kids/children, pain
word count, 1516 words
(gif not mine. by @mattymartin <3)
The entire flight back to Colorado, you felt like your heart was going to beat out of your chest. It was more of an excited/nervous. You were excited to be back and see all your friends.
Out of all three kids, only one wanted to come back to Colorado with you. Zach was the only one out of the three who wanted to come back, so you decided to let him miss two days of school and fly with you to Colorado.
When the Landeskogs heard you were coming with Erik, they insisted on picking you up from the airport. You still had your house in Colorado, but
You made your way out of the airport, one hand holding your suitcase and the other holding Zach's hand. You easily spotted the Landeskog's car. When the kids saw each other, they ran to greet each other, leaving their parents in the dust.
Melissa did the same and ran over to you, wrapping you in a hug, "All feels right in the world." She laughed.
"I've missed you guys so much." You squeezed her before pulling away and hugging Gabe, "Missed you, too," You smiled.
"How's Buffalo treating you?"
"Cold, but it's good." You smiled, looking back over to your kids, who were talking a million miles a minute as if no time had passed, "It's not here."
"That's for sure." Melissa looped an arm through yours, leaving Gabe to deal with the bags, as she led you over to the car and began catching you up on everything.
You weren't in Colorado for very long, so you spent the day catching up with old friends and doing everything you missed and couldn't do in Buffalo. You had lunch at your favorite restaurant with a few of the other girls, you visited some old coworkers and by that time, it was time to get ready for the game.
When you got home, Erik was also home and getting ready for the game. You smiled at the scene in front of you. It felt like old times, "This feels familiar." You hummed.
"Doesn't it." He smiled, "It's weird, isn't it?"
"A little. I've only been here for a day and it feels strange." You admitted, wrapping your arms around his waist and leaning your head on his back, "You ready for tonight?"
"No." He admitted, "But it's a game, just like any other game." He shrugged with a sigh.
"It is, but it's not." You shook your head, spinning him around so he was facing it, "Have fun tonight, enjoy yourself." You told him, helping him tie his tie.
"I will." He nodded, a smile on his face as he watched you, "You have fun tonight, too." He nudged you.
"I will. In between all the crying and cheering." You joked, wrapping him in a hug, "I'm so proud of you, EJ."
"None of this would be possible without you." He hummed happily.
Later that night, walking back into Ball Arena, you were having an intense sense of deja vu. Everything was exactly the same but felt new at the same time.
You made your way down to the ice with the Landeskog family, who had made a sign for Erik, which made you cry the first time you saw it. After Zach saw it, he decided he wanted to make one too, so you quickly bought supplies and made a simple sign that read 'We love you, dad' and had his number on it.
You waited by the glass, Zach standing in front of you, bouncing on the balls of his feet, the Landeskog family on either side of you with their own signs.
Zach looked up at you, gesturing for you to bend down to his level, "I miss it here." Zach whispered.
You pulled away and smiled sadly, pressing a kiss to his head and hugging him, "I miss it here, too." You hummed, hugging him. You danced around with Zach, waiting for warmups to start.
A cameraman stopped beside you and Gabe, asking if you wanted to be on the jumbotron, and before you could respond, Zach spoke up before you, "Yes!" So, before you knew it, the four of you were on the jumbotron, showing off your signs.
You heard the crowd's reaction to seeing their captain, but then also to seeing Zach Johnson and Linnea Landeskog in the arena. you kept your kids' lives private but not a secret so people knew about them.
You looked around the Sabres side of the warmup ice and saw a good amount of people with signs for Erik, which warmed your heart and brought a few tears to your eyes, "Oh no, it's starting." Gabe teased.
When the guys skated out, you easily spotted Erik. There was a loud cheer that you knew would only get louder as the arena filled with more people. He skated a few laps, spotting you on the 3rd go-around.
He skated up to the ice with a few pucks. He handed one to Linnea through the photo hole and gave Lucas a few fistbumps, then handed one to Zach and two more to you, which you would pack in your suitcase and bring back to Lila and Ivy.
He gave Zach and fistbump and blew a few kisses before skating off. You wiped a few tears as you watched him skate off, "Don't cry." Melissa pulled you in for a hug.
"It's only going downhill from here." You laughed, knowing that the tribute video was coming up later. You stayed for all of the warmups, watching and marveling at all the people.
You made your way up to your seats, where a few of the other girls were sitting. They greeted you the same way Melissa had, with big hugs. You took your seat and took everything in. There was a buzz in the air. It felt like home.
A little through the first period, the tribute video played. The video had barely started, and you were already crying. The video started and played the videos of him getting drafts, his best goals, winning the cup, everything. You were surprised to see a clip of you and him in the montage.
It was a short clip of you running up to him after they had won the cup and let all the families on the ice. You found him in the sea of people and jumped into his arms, hugging him. The audio in the video was a little busy due to the commotion around you, but your voices were clear.
"You did it!" You said, your voice muffled due to you shoving your face into his neck, but the microphone he was wearing caught it.
"We did it, baby.โ He corrected you, squeezing you tighter and pressing a kiss to your head before shoving his head in your neck.
The montage ended with a video of celly's and the interview he did with Emily Kaplan after winning the cup and talking about how he thought he would have to retire and how proud he was of the team.
After the 'Thank you Erik Johnson' picture flashed on the screen, he skated away from the bench and skated around, raising an appreciative hand to the crowd, a thankful and proud smile on his face as he looked out into the sea of people.
Your phone was out the entire time, taking a shaky video as your hands shook. You couldn't stop smiling and only cried more when the crowd started chanting, "EJ, EJ, EJ!"
After the game, you made your way down to the locker room with Zach, who had fallen asleep halfway through the third period. You could see his eyes closing and then shooting open every few seconds before he finally crashed and fell asleep, his head in your lap.
You carried him to the best of your ability down to the locker room and waited for Erik. A few of the Avs (7 guys) came down to the guest dressing room to talk to Erik, but when they saw you, they changed directions and made their way over to you.
Eventually, Erik came out, and when he did, they all cheered and clapped for him. He smiled, setting his stuff down and hugging every single one of them. He talked with them for a few minutes before they all said their goodbyes and made him promise he would get lunch with them before he left.
Once they were gone, it left you and Erik alone. You stared at him, an overwhelmed look on your face as you thought about the events of the night, "They're letting me stay at home tonight again."
"Good." You nodded, wanting to spend a night with him before he would be gone again. You wrapped your arms around him the best you could without jostling Zach too much, "I'm so proud of you." You whispered.
"I love you." He mumbled into your hair, pressing a kiss to your hair.
"I love you, too." You pulled away with a smile on your face.
