First Skates-Matthew tkachuk
Matthew tkachuk x reader
Masterlist
It was a crisp winter morning when Matthew and Y/N Tkachuk decided it was time for their son Nate to learn how to skate. The sky outside was a pale blue, and the snow had fallen thick the night before, covering the driveway and the world beyond in a soft, fluffy blanket. Inside their house, the air smelled faintly of pancakes and maple syrup as Y/N finished breakfast.
Nate, barely able to contain his excitement, was bouncing around in his pajamas, clutching his little skates like they were the most precious thing in the world. “Mommy! Daddy! When are we going to the rink? I wanna skate!”
Matthew, standing by the counter with a cup of coffee, smiled at the sight of his eager son. “We’re leaving soon, buddy. But first, we’ve gotta make sure you’re all ready,” he said, adjusting Nate’s little hockey helmet.
Nate, with his dark hair still messy from sleep, looked like a miniature version of Matthew. He wore a tiny black and red jersey with a Tkachuk jersey number on the back and hockey pants that were just a bit too big for him. His excitement was contagious, and Y/N found herself smiling, her heart swelling with love for her two boys.
“Do you think I can skate like Daddy?” Nate asked, his eyes wide with admiration.
Matthew crouched down, meeting his son’s gaze. “I think you’re going to be even better than me one day.”
Y/N chuckled, shaking her head as she finished packing up the bag with extra gloves, water, and a towel. “I don’t know, Matty. He might need a few years to catch up to you.”
Matthew shrugged with a playful grin. “I’m just saying, he’s got my genes.”
---
At the rink, the cold air hit them as they walked through the doors, and Nate’s face lit up. The ice was pristine, with freshly painted lines and the hum of the Zamboni still lingering in the air. He took a few tentative steps onto the ice, but the surface was slippery and unfamiliar, and he froze in place.
Y/N kneeled beside him, her hands resting gently on his shoulders. “It’s okay, Nate. You’ve got this. Mommy and Daddy will help you.”
Nate bit his lip nervously, looking up at his parents with big eyes. “I’m scared, Mommy.”
Matthew knelt down next to them, putting his hand on Nate’s back. “Hey, it’s totally normal to be scared at first. But I promise, once you start skating, you’ll love it. And we’ll be right here with you the whole time.”
Nate nodded slowly, still unsure, but his little face set with determination. “Okay, Daddy. I’m gonna skate.”
“Atta boy,” Matthew said, ruffling his hair before standing up and taking Nate’s hands.
“Here we go, little buddy.” Y/N stood beside them, holding Nate’s other hand as they slowly moved toward the ice. Nate’s skates were sharp, but he was so small that his movements were more like tiny steps than the graceful glides he’d eventually master.
At first, he wobbled uncontrollably, his legs flailing as he tried to keep his balance. “Whoa!” Nate giggled, his feet sliding out from under him. He fell backward, landing softly on his padded bottom with a small grunt.
“Good job, Nate!” Y/N cheered. “You got back up so fast!”
Nate looked up at her, a smile breaking out on his face. “I fell! That was fun!”
Matthew laughed, his heart swelling at his son’s excitement. “That’s the spirit. Falling is part of learning. Let’s try again.” He gently helped Nate back to his feet and steadied him.
They spent the next hour on the ice, with Matthew and Y/N holding Nate’s hands as he took slow, wobbly steps. Every time Nate fell, he popped right back up, determined to keep going. His parents cheered him on with every step, praising his perseverance.
“Look, buddy! You’re doing it!” Matthew said as Nate, with a concentrated expression, managed to glide a few feet on his own before stumbling again.
“I did it! I did it!” Nate shouted, his face lighting up. “Did you see, Mommy? Did you see, Daddy?”
“I saw!” Y/N exclaimed. “You’re skating! You’re already better than me!”
Matthew laughed, shaking his head. “No way. No one can skate better than Mom. You should see her back in the day. She was a pro.”
Y/N rolled her eyes. “That was before you, Matty.” She turned to Nate. “You’re doing great, honey. You’ll be skating like your daddy in no time.”
---
As the lesson continued, Nate’s confidence grew. With every step, he was more sure of himself. He stopped looking at his parents for support and started holding onto the edge of the rink, his little legs pushing him farther across the ice. His giggles echoed through the rink every time he made a successful push forward.
“I’m doing it! I’m skating like Daddy!” Nate shouted, beaming.
Matthew, standing next to Y/N, watched with pride as their son gained more and more confidence. “He’s a natural,” he said, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Y/N smiled back, her heart full. “You think? I think he’s got a long way to go before he catches up to his old man.”
“Well, we’ll have to get him a stick soon, huh?” Matthew mused, eyes glinting with excitement.
Before Y/N could reply, Nate skated toward them, his face flushed with excitement. “Look, Mommy! Daddy! I’m a real skater now!”
Y/N’s heart melted. “You sure are, sweetheart,” she said, bending down to give him a hug.
Matthew joined them, lifting Nate up in the air and spinning him around. Nate squealed with laughter, his arms and legs flailing in delight. “You’re a little hockey player now!” Matthew said, his voice full of pride.
As they continued to skate, Matthew held Nate’s hands and guided him around the rink. They went around the track a few times, and soon Nate was gliding on his own, though he needed the occasional steadying hand.
“Look at you go, buddy,” Matthew said, his voice full of admiration. “Next time, we’ll work on stopping, alright?”
Nate’s eyes were bright with excitement. “I can stop! Watch!” He bent his knees and tried to slow down, but ended up wobbling and falling. He landed softly on his bottom again, giggling.
“See? You’re already better than me,” Y/N teased, ruffling his hair.
Nate’s laugh was infectious, and the family continued skating around the rink, soaking in the special moment.
As they left the ice hours later, Matthew hoisted Nate up onto his shoulders, and the little boy’s tired but happy face was the picture of contentment.
“Can we come back tomorrow?” Nate asked, his eyes wide with excitement.
Matthew grinned. “We can come back as many times as you want, buddy. We’re just getting started.”
Y/N smiled at the sight of her two boys, her heart swelling with love. “I think this is the start of something really special.”
“Definitely,” Matthew agreed, looking down at Nate with a soft, loving smile. “We’ve got a little hockey player on our hands.”
“Yeah!” Nate chirped, his voice filled with joy. “I’m gonna be like Daddy!”
And just like that, the Tkachuks had a new family tradition—skating together, laughing, falling, and learning. The rink would always be a place of fun and memories for their little boy, and Matthew and Y/N couldn’t wait to see what the future held for their young skater.
