still gets nervous - juraj slafkovský x gn!reader
word count: 715
summary: Losing Juraj in a crowded charity gala leads to you grabbing his tie to keep him close—only for a teasing teammate, a loosened knot, and a private moment to remind him that no matter how long you’ve been together, he still gets adorably nervous around you. [ requested ]
warnings: teasing from cole
The ballroom buzzed with laughter, clinking glasses, and the low hum of conversations layered over soft music. The Montreal Canadiens charity event was in full swing—players in tailored suits, wags in gowns, cameras flashing every few seconds.
And somehow… you’d lost Juraj.
Again.
You stood on your toes, scanning the crowd of well-wishers and sponsors until finally—there. A head of dark curls towering above everyone else, shoulders hunched slightly as he nodded along to someone talking at him far too enthusiastically.
Before he could disappear again, you slipped through the crowd and grabbed him by the tie.
“Hey—!” Juraj startled as you tugged him back toward you, nearly knocking him off balance.
“Don’t move,” you said, already walking, fingers curled firmly around the cloth. “I lose you for two seconds and you’re gone.”
He let himself be pulled without protest, cheeks warming as he followed obediently behind you. “I was just talking to—”
“I know,” you said lightly. “And now you’re talking to me.”
You didn’t let go. Not even when you stopped. Not even when his tie was a little crooked. Or when the knot loosened just enough that it dipped lower on his collar.
Juraj noticed. His hand hovered near his chest, uncertain, but before he could fix it—
“Ohhh,” Cole’s voice cut in, far too amused. “Didn’t realize this was that kind of charity event.”
You turned, arching a brow. Cole stood a few feet away with a drink in hand, eyes flicking pointedly to Juraj’s half-undone tie. “You two need a room? Or at least a warning label.”
Juraj’s face went bright red. “Cole—”
“Relax,” Cole laughed. “I support whatever… this is.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Very generous of you, actually.”
“That’s enough,” you said sweetly, tightening your grip on Juraj’s tie again.
You tugged once.
Juraj yelped softly as you pulled him away from the crowd, following you down a quiet hallway before he even had time to think. The moment you found a small, empty side area, you stopped and turned to face him.
Only then did you release his tie.
Silence settled between you.
“Sorry,” you said, eyes dropping to the crooked knot. “I didn’t mean to—well. I kind of did. But your tie’s a mess.”
“Oh,” he said quickly. “It’s—yeah. It’s fine. I can—”
“Hold still.”
You stepped closer, fingers lifting to his collar. The second you touched the fabric, he froze.
Like, fully froze.
His shoulders stiffened, his breath went shallow, and his eyes flicked anywhere but your face.
You paused. “Juraj?”
“I’m fine,” he said immediately. Too immediately.
You smiled, fingers still resting against his chest. “You just went statue-mode. What’s wrong?”
He swallowed. “Nothing. I’m just—uh. Concentrating.”
“On what?”
“You,” he muttered before he could stop himself.
That did it. You bit back a grin and gently straightened the collar of his shirt, carefully redoing the knot of his tie. He watched your hands like they were doing something illegal. His own resting on your hips.
“You know,” you teased softly, “we’ve been together for a while now.”
“I know,” he said.
“And yet,” you continued, tightening the knot just right, “you still get nervous when I touch you.”
“I don’t—” He stopped, sighed. “Okay. Maybe a little.”
You looked up at him then, meeting his eyes. “Why?”
He shrugged, helpless. “Because it’s you.”
Your heart melted instantly.
You smoothed the tie flat against his chest and gave a satisfied nod. “There. All fixed.”
Before he could respond, you leaned up and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
“ You’re cute when you’re nervous,” you murmured.
Juraj short-circuited.
His ears burned, lips parting in stunned silence as you stepped back like nothing monumental had just happened. When he finally found his voice, it came out quiet.
“You can’t just… do that.”
You smiled innocently. “I can. I did.”
You took his hand this time—no tie, no dragging—and started back toward the ballroom. He followed, still dazed, thumb brushing over your knuckles like he needed to ground himself.
As you reentered the crowd, Cole spotted you immediately.
“Hey!” he called. “Tie looks much better.”
Juraj groaned.
You squeezed his hand. “Told you I’d take care of you.”
And despite the noise, the lights, and the chaos around him, Juraj smiled—soft, shy, and completely yours.
The Request:
