Prompt: Mikko is feeling down about the recent line change.
Warnings: None.
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Mikko walked in the door of the apartment after morning practice with a huff.
“What’s wrong, babe?” You ask. Mikko plops on the couch next to you.
“Coach is making a line change.” He sighs. He is clearly frustrated, but you can’t read why. The team has line changes all the time.
“Help me out here... Why is it upsetting you?”
“He said I’m not performing well enough... I’ve been moved to the third line.”
It’s rare that Bednard will break up the top line unless he has to; you could feel Mikko’s pain as your heart sank too.
“Oh, Mik, it’s going to be okay.”
“No, it isn’t! I feel like I’m not good enough.”
You gently rest your hand on his back, “Mik, you are an amazing player. The whole Avalanche community knows it. Yes, you were injured, but you’re are going to come back better than ever... Even on the third line.”
“What about chemistry? What if I throw off the whole line and this only gets worse?”
You smile, trying to hold back a laugh, “Do I really have to say it?”
“Say what?” He asks, holding his head in his hands.
“You are Mikko Rantanen--”
He laughs before you can finish, “I know, Y/N.”
“I don’t think you do. The Mikko I know would never doubt himself this much. He would go out and play the game tonight and kick ass. The Mikko I know would help the third line; hell the whole team, just by playing confidently. This Mikko though... Moping and doubting... He is going to blow it for the whole team against the Stanley Cup champions.”
Mikko doesn’t seem upset, but he does snap his head from his hands and stands.
“You’re right. I’m being ridiculous. I’m going to play like I always do and show that my set back isn’t a set back at all.”
You smile and stand next to him. He towers over you, but pulls you into a bear hug.
“Mina rakastan sinua” He hums.
“I love you too.”
“Will you be there tonight? I don’t think I can do it without you.”
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss the first game of the year.”
***
After the game - won by the Avalanche - thanks to many goals, one scored by Mikko - you meet Mikko at the back entrance.
You runs up to you, pulls you close, and spins you around.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you Y/N!”
You chuckle, “It was all you Mik.”
“No, without you snapping me out of that funk, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to go out there and help the team.”
Note- If you would like to be tagged as well, just message me and I’ll tag you, also can you guess who I’m thinking her brother will be? If you can guess message it to me and I’ll give you a shout out. Your hints are he’s french and has black hair.
part one part two
Your POV
I slammed my hand down on my alarm, I yawned and slowly opened eyes. I slowly shuffled out of my room to let Bear outside and put some food and water in his bowls. It was finally Saturday and I was moving to Dallas, and to say I was nervous is an understatement.
I quickly ate a banana since that was all I had in the house. I let Bear back inside and went upstairs to get changed out of my pjs. I decided last night to wear a modest black dress that was covered in black flower print with colorful flowers around the middle. I slid on a pair of black low top converse, I grabbed my three duffles, which weren’t that big, full of all my stuff and put them downstairs. I checked my phone and saw I had a text from Tyler saying he was on his way.
I got Bear back inside and coaxed him into his kennel. Right as I got the door shut and locked I had a knock on my apartment door. I stood up and smoothed out my dress and opened the door.
“Wow, you clean up nice,” Tyler stated, I blushed and looked down my hair falling in front of my face.
“My stuff’s over here, can you grab Bear for me?” I asked while walking toward the duffle bags.
“Yeah, and I was wondering,” Tyler started,” Would you like to go on a date with me when you get settled in?”
I stopped moving, I mean I like him but with all the rumors about him, I wasn’t sure, but I should give it a try but the first time he breaks my heart I’m done. “Yeah, when I get settled in.”
He helped me get everything into his rental and then we went to the airport. We were flying out of a small airport instead of Denver International, so we could leave faster.
We made it to the airport and Tyler gave the keys to the guy from the rental company, I managed to get my duffles from the trunk while the rest of the team showed up, dressed up in suits.
“Hey, Alex!” Jordie yelled when he got out of his and Jamie’s car.
I waved and started getting Bear’s kennel out of the backseat. I finally got it out and started heading to the plane, all of my gear was already in the cargo hold, so I just had to actually make it on the plane.
“Hello, coach,” I stuttered finally getting all three duffles into the overhead space. I put Bear’s kennel on the floor next to the wall of the plane.
“Hey, Alex, is that Bear?” he asked, and I nodded, and looked to see Bear was sleeping.
I sat down and grabbed my book, The Perks Of Being a Wallflower and started reading. Soon the other players started filing on to the plane. They would introduce themselves then go sit down. Jordie and Jamie sat down behind me while Tyler sat next to me and looked down at Bear and rubbed his head.
“Okay, everyone is here so some business to discuss, first our new goaltender (Y/N) Williams who’s by Tyler,” everyone turned and looked at me, as I looked down,” We will also have new drills when we get back so be prepared for practice tomorrow, that’s all, go back to what you were doing.”
I quickly started reading again while Tyler turned around and started talking with Jordie while Jamie slept. Soon after we took off I heard Bear whining and I leaned down and rubbed his head and he stopped again.
Soon after, we were landing and I had finished my book. I stood up after Tyler got into the aisle and he helped me get my stuff down, and grabbed Bear for me while I walked out of the plane and started looking for my Jeep. I finally found it and got the keys from under the hood, which is where the company said they’d be.
“Thanks for the help Tyler,” I told him after we had all my stuff in my car.
“Of course, and do you need help getting to your place?” I nodded not knowing how to get around the city,” Okay gimme the address I’ll drive and Jamie will follow to take me home.”
I nodded and told him the address after he told Jamie what we were doing.
“Ready to get to your new place then?” I nodded excitedly and got into the passenger side of my Jeep and gave Tyler the keys.
Every part of my body screams and shouts at me for even opening my eyes. The pain intensifies immensely as I move onto my side, clenching my teeth and eyes to deal with the pressure.
I forgot what happened last night.
Mills was not impressed when I arrived home after being gone for six hours with only a hundred dollars. I remembered my lie to him as I was on the train coming home so I had to steal it off of some old lady.
It’s fine, she had a Louis Vuitton purse.
I feel like giggling and dancing around the entire block, singing happy songs at the top of my lungs. That game was absolutely electric, and seeing William do what he’s passionate about was the best part of the whole night.
The feeling follows me through my front door into the apartment.
I lean forward, ignoring my screaming muscles to rest my head in my hands.
Stop.
“How much?”
I opened my eyes slowly and the adrenaline fades from my body as I lock eyes with Mills on the couch. Dagger sits beside him, twirling a beer bottle, and Indigo is too interested in her bracelets to make eye contact with me.
Stop stop stop.
My brain is racing ten miles a minute and my body feels like I’m swimming through honey.
My eyes flit back to Mills and I instantly take note of the burning red color- brighter than normal.
He stands up and staggers forward, pointing his index finger at me. “I asked you how much you made tonight?”
“A hundred dollars,” I mumble, finding the scratched wooden floor interesting.
I can’t think, I can’t breathe, I can’t process a damn thing.
What is going on? I just want it all to end- can I go back to sleep or can I go for a jog or can I do anything except what I’m doing right now?
Stop, pause, please let me go.
“A hundred dollars?” He repeats. A bitter laugh bubbles out of him. “A hundred fucking dollars? Do I have to do everything around here?”
I don’t respond and the bottle in his hand is thrown against the wall next to my head. “Fucking respond, bitch!”
“No,” I choke out.
I throw my head back, letting my breath stagger as I stare up at the yellowing ceiling. My fists tighten in my lap, grown out fingernails digging into my pale palms. Pain, focus on the pain in your hands rather than your running thoughts.
“No? Then why did you come home with only a hundred dollars?” He stalks forward like I’m his prey and soon I can smell the disgusting beer on his breath. “What were you doing all night? Whoring around?”
Whoring around. Stop. Hundred dollars. Stop. William Nylander- stop.
I squeeze my eyes in pain as he grips my ass tightly. I can already feel it bruising.
“That’s my body. I can use it or sell it. It’s mine.”
I need something to distract me, something to take my mind off of everything that’s happened and that’s going to happen.
A punch.
I numbly stand up, stumbling over to my dresser drawer. Mills rarely lets me smoke weed on my own since he thinks it’s funny when I smoke too much and practically pass out on the couch, but I snuck a little into this drawer for when I really need it.
A slap.
My hands shake as I roll up the joint, blindly searching for my lighter and only hitting socks. My hands finally grasp the plastic tool, yanking it out and lighting up my joint.
A kick.
I feel peaceful. The smoke enters my lungs and stays, slowly leaving little by little. I wish I could be like this all of the time.
I’ve always dreamed of leaving Mills and this life and moving to Wisconsin, in the United States. I heard it’s beautiful there and all of the people are nice. It would be such a change from this busy Toronto life where you need to drive three hours just to be able to see the stars.
I take a few more puffs of my joint while just staring at the ceiling, enjoying the silence of the morning. It’s interrupted by a sudden knock at the door and I glance over at the clock, forgetting that Mills broke it in a fit of rage one day.
I sit up, checking the time on my phone and realizing I’ve been awake for an hour already. I set down the joint on my bedside table next to my phone, pulling my long shirt over my bare legs as I make my way towards the front door.
I rub my eyes haphazardly, hoping the red isn’t as noticeable as I think it is. I open the wooden door, eyes widening in surprise at who’s on the other side of the door.
William seems like he doesn’t know how to react. His expression was shocked when I opened the door, which shows he didn’t really expect it to be me. Then it switched to confusion and quickly after, sadness, and now his furrowed eyebrows and a deep frown show his anger.
My head is so muffled that my first instinct is to slam the door shut and ignore the fact that he was even here, but he sticks his shoe in the doorway to keep it open. I widen the door back up, deciding to even ignore the fact that that was my first instinct.
“Hi,” I utter simply, unsure of what to do or say.
“So did you move or something?” The blonde asks sarcastically, not even bothering with a greeting. You know, it’s understandable.
“Oh, um,” I reach up, running a hand through my messy hair. My shirt lifts with the motion and an eyeful of my red panties is out but Willy doesn’t divert his gaze from mine. If anything, it becomes even more stern. “This is just like, my friend’s apartment, or something.”
He narrows his eyes, taking a closer look at my face. “Are you drunk?”
“No, just high, man,” I let out a giggle. “You want some?”
He shakes his head in disbelief. “Why would you lie to me about where you lived?”
I shrug, not wanting to reveal that I was actually trying to break into his apartment. “Embarrassed, I guess.”
“So what were you doing at my apartment building in the first place?”
“I was visiting a friend,” I easily.
“Like a friend,” he gives me a look, “Or a friend? Are you a prostitute, Y/N? There’s no judgement at all-”
Now is my chance to turn it all back around on him and make him feel guilty. Of course I’ll feel guilty too because he’s such a nice person and he’s done a lot for me, but it’ll push him back into the zone where he won’t want to ask as many personal questions. “Are you seriously accusing me of being a prostitute, William? Is that really what you think of me?”
“What? No-””I’ll have you know, I actually have a very important job, but you wouldn’t know that, would you? Because all you think of me is that I sell my body for money. Is that why you’re friends with me, do you just want to be my next client but you’d feel too bad to do it with a random slut so you have to get to know me first?” I accuse.
His face drains of color and he waves his arms frantically, trying to fix the crazy accusations.
I shake my head sadly. “I thought you knew me better, William. Just please, just leave.”
I close the door, leaning my back against it and letting out a heavy sigh.
“Y/N?” He knocks hesitantly on the door and I hear a noise like he’s resting his head against it. “I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you like that. If you ever need anything, like somewhere to stay that doesn’t smell of alcohol and weed or a trip to the hospital to take care of those bruises and cuts on your face, just let me know, okay? I’ll talk to you soon.”
His footsteps trudge away.
~
The room is dark and empty when I wake up. I don’t know where Mills has been all day and I really don’t care. I need a break from him. In fact, I need a break from everyone.
That’s why I’ve been either high or sleeping all day. I’ve been trying to not only avoid everybody else, but myself too. I can’t handle my thoughts at all today, they’re all full of sadness and remorse.
I lift myself from the bed, ignoring the creaking of my bones and pull my shoes and coat on. Mills would be pissed if he found out that I didn’t do anything all day and all I did was use up our weed stash.
The bitter Toronto air hits me as I exit the apartment building but it’s like I can’t even feel the chill. I feel like I have to rob every house on the block to makeup for all of my mistakes but then I’ll feel even more guilty for taking their stuff so it’s just an endless cycle of me hating myself.
I walk the long walk to the rich neighborhoods, staring in awe at the tall, modern buildings. Steel and marble mock me, knowing that I’d never in a million years be able to live in one of them.
But I will be able to steal from them.
There are few houses in the rich neighborhoods, though they’re on the medium to smaller size. Despite this, they’re still extremely expensive and luxurious because of their location.
I stop in front of a quaint brick house, the lions greeting me at the entrance sidewalk anything but quaint. I know enough from experience of how to go about this. You just casually walk up the sidewalk like it’s your house and no one will question it. Struggle with the door handle like you thought you left it unlocked, sigh, look around apologetically, and search for that extra key that ‘you’ left laying around, under a rock or a flowerpot or something.
Everyone will think that you actually live there and they won’t think twice about what you’re doing.
Well, unless the actual owners show up, but that’s never happened to me before.
The high starts to wear off as I make my way up the sidewalk towards the house.
I can see inside and my body trembles at the thought of living in this magnificent house. The China plates resting in the cabinet look stunning and I would play with that xBox in the living room for hours if I had the chance. Sadly, I don’t have the chance, since I don’t know when the actual owners are going to arrive home.
“Y/N?” A familiar voice behind me asks.
My body freezes as my foot plants itself on the ground and I refuse to turn around.
I refuse to see who it is, I refuse to accept the truth.
I can’t believe this is happening.
My body is being sent into overdrive and I have no clue what to do- I want to run but I know that if I run, he’ll follow.
And he knows where I live now so I can’t even escape if I wanted to.
“Y/N? That is you, I know what your jacket looks like. Come on, look at me.”
No, please no.
Not now, not today, not ever.
He caught me at his apartment, he caught me at the grocery store, and he catches me now? No one ever catches me, why is he catching me doing my job all of the sudden?
And by now he’s got to realize what’s going on, right? He’s not completely clueless, he seems like an intelligent man.
