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equallyshaw · 6 months

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star crossed lovers, pt 2 | connor bedard

↳ oc hughes sister x connor bedard x brendan brisson + blurb + tiny insta post

↳ au masterlist!

takes place in 2026 with a connor sighting!

warnings: swearing

word count: 4.7K

Two households, both alike in dignity...

oh that love story that was too good to be true, so beautiful and soft and wholesome; was never meant to last. romeo and juliet had truly run their course it seemed. though originally, weren't they destined to be together forever, and never see the fate that the original story predicted?

maybe her brothers were right, kailey thought as soon as it happened. he dug the sword deep into her heart, twisted, and then pulled away. it was if they'd never been together. as if they hadn't spent the last three years together.

but was it the end for miss hughes? was it the end of her journey in finding love with a powerful and notable name within the world of hockey?

◦

These violent delights have violent ends

And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which as they kiss consume.

kailey pushed jack a bit as soon as entered the kitchen in the townhouse her two brothers shared in jersey. she quickly made her way over to the coffee machine and put a nespresso pod in, smiling once the humming of the machine began. she pulled out her phone and opened connor's message that popped up, and she wished she hadn't. she stared at the screen, allowing it to fade to black. "kails!" jack said hurrying over and putting a towel down, as the expresso spilled over the too small cup. she didn't move. he looked down at her, not understanding why she wasn't moving. he sighed, wiping the counter in front of her, before he heard her whisper. "he broke up with me." jack thought his mind was playing tricks on him, "funny kails." he said turning around to finish making his breakfast. "he br-broke up with me." she said again, louder and more clear. he looked back at her before taking two steps to catch her as she fell backwards, out of shock. he quickly brought her to the ground, holding her closely as she sobbed.

24 hours ago, the two were planning on what they wanted to do for their almost 1 year anniversary.

how could things change in 24 hours?

luke rushed in as soon as he heard sobs, and the look that jack gave him was more than he needed, he knew exactly what happened. the three brothers couldn't have seen this coming from a mile away, they didn't see this happening. ever. they thought that connor was the one, that one that made it past their hard exteriors. the one that had made his way into all of the hughes hearts.

oh how the universe and shakespeare could be so cruel.

◦

thankfully, kailey was finished with school and had graduated a few weeks before the breakup. so she thought long and hard on where she wanted to be, and who she wanted to be. dawning a new hair color and a will to pull herself out of heartbreak, she settled on sunny california. she moved to redondo beach in los angeles county, moving in with her cousin maya - a longtime family friend of the hughes that dated back to her mom's hockey days at college. the three brothers were crushed to see her leaving so early in the summer, and forgoing the lake house in michigan but she knew she needed to go. or else she'd never leave.

it was around 3 months later, late july when kailey reunited with a very old family friend. brendan brisson, out of the blue showed up at her and maya's apartment for a sunday brunch they were throwing. he came with his brother, and at first they did not recognize her because of her new hair color. since she'd been in california, she hadn't had the inkling or draw to post anything on social media. hence, people were relatively concerned as to what she was up to. sure, her family knew through text messages and private snapchats, but other than that- she'd ghosted the world. she also got off Instagram and twitter, not relishing in the fact that connor was off seeing other people. mere carbon copies of the girl, pre brunette. she hated seeing people tag her in things, hated seeing it come up naturally because of how much she used to look up his name; for shits and giggles she used to say.

that sunday morning though, after grabbing a cup of coffee from redondo beach pier, and a walk up and down it- she retweeted something. which let me tell you, alerted the hockey world and hockey twitter. i mean, the sheer power they held when they were together was out of this world. two great hockey names - connected in a magical way, how could they not? people adored seeing them together and that retweet cemented the breakup, which people had been suspecting for some time. she redownloaded Instagram, archiving her pictures with connor, not able to part with them just yet. she then opened up her groupchat with the boys, ripping the canadian boy to shreds. she'd simply put him into an early grave, by her word choice. she woke up with a vengeance this morning, her brothers thought as 6 messages - paragraphs - came in. her brothers agreed with every last word she sent, they were absolutely dumbfounded and out of this world angry when connor broke up with her via text. and without cause. their original thoughts about guys came back in an instant. they would do everything in their power to steer away boys, if luck would have it. nobody would ever be good enough. though she was a california gal now, they couldn't protect her. though - as much as quinn hated to ask for a favor - the boys had asked trevor and alex keep tabs on her on that side of the coast. the two without hesitation agreed, with trevor making a joke at quinns expense.

they were hoping they could sleep a little easier at night.

but as soon as brendan saw her, he quickly pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. "oh my god - blondie! wait no." and kailey giggled, "you're good! i haven't really updated social media so you wouldn't have known." she smiled widely, before hugging jordan. "how do you know maya?" she asked, "new hampshire, remember?" jordan said and kailey grinned. "should have known. those were...uh the good days." she hummed, drinking her iced expresso. "let me show you to the kitchen." she said motioning for them to follow. they walked into the kitchen, the two looking at the buffet of food. "any coffee? i can make it right now." she smiled, and the two smiled. "im good, im gonna go find maya real quickly." he said walking away so now it was just jordan and the girl.

"how's school?" he asked, pulling her out of her trance. "great! i just graduated" she smiled, and he mirrored it. "congratulations, kails! what did you major in again?" he asked and she smiled, "child psychology." she hummed. his smile never faltered, "that would be you. i remember as kids how much you cared for kids on the lake, and they just flocked to you." he said and it was as if they were both brought back to that time when the days never seemed to end, and sunburns were a regular occurrence. "yeah..im very fortunate things worked out the way they did. gave me this wonderful opportunity to start fresh out here." she said sipping some more of her drink. "oh..yeah. totally understandable." he said picking up her drift, "you knew?" she asked and he nodded. "yeah...jack said something in the group chat when it happened. im sorry about everything, that was real shitty of him. you didnt deserve that." he said sweetly. she shrugged chugging down the rest of the coffee, "good thing I've got nobody watching my every move, anymore." she smirked, leaning closely towards brendan before sliding over the his cup of coffee.

◦

“Then I defy you, stars!”

jordan ended up leaving at some point in the afternoon, while brendan and kailey spent the day together catching up. the two had always been easy to get on with and used to be thick as thieves during the lake days. she'd never told any of her brothers - because god forbid if she did so - but she had had a crush on him for a few summers. it absolutely crushed her, when he got his first girlfriend in 8th grade and then they never came back to the lake house, so her crush disappeared. she'd never known this nor her brothers, but brendan too had had a crush on the girl.

the two sat on the white plush couch in the living room, as the sun was setting. maya had left some time ago to hang out with a friend and do some errands while kailey opted to stay in for the day. kailey and brendan were in the process of laughing, as kailey got a text message. she pulled up her phone from where it was laying on her thigh, and her demeanor visibly changed. it was a text from connor, asking why she retweeted the tweet this morning. brendan saw her eyebrows crease in confusion, before she shook her head and locked her phone. "let me guess..connor?" he questioned and she nodded. "the fucking nerve.." she sighed, pinching her nose. she stood up grabbing the two empty glasses from the coffee table, and made her way over to the kitchen. brendan followed, "the nerve he has! we've been broken up for three months already and he's upset i tweeted something about being respected by a significant other? whats so wrong about that? he's just upset because im calling him out for it, publicly at that." she said setting the cups in the sink. "don't i deserve respect?" she asked turning around to face the boy. he nodded, walking over to her and leaned against the counter. "you deserve that and so much more. he's got a stick up his ass, that's for sure." he began, "don't ever lower your standards because of him. he's an idiot. he's the one who did that, the one who double crossed you for no reason." he finished as kailey met his eye. "wish i heard that sooner." she hummed, crossing her arms over her chest. she looked down at the ground, "well...im saying it now. and i mean it." he said softly taking a step closer and lifted up her chin just a bit with his hand. she looked into his brown eyes. one's she adored as a kid, and now looking into his- something sparked within. a spark she hadn't felt for some time, long before connor. he took this as an invitation to close the gap between them.

oh, how the universe laughs. or hockey gods.

◦

it was now two weeks later, and brendan had kailey in his arms this early morning. the two had stayed up talking about anything and everything that came to their minds. they talked about their childhood, laughing over the fact that they both had crushes on one another but never suspected it. they smiled as the other one brought up conversations and significant memories, both happy that the other hadn't forgotten. this morning, she was savoring the warmth and comfort his body oozed, because he'd be starting back up early morning training again. he'd taken two weeks off due to a stress sprain, and now that it was fixed he would be resuming his schedule. "wanna see my parents today?" he softly asked, as he felt her beginning to hum from tiredness. she nodded her head, against his chest and he smiled. "they've been asking about you since i told them i was going to brunch." he hummed, and she slowly pulled her head up from his chest to look at him, "still the favorite hughes, eh?" she grinned before he leaned down to kiss her. his hand found the base of her neck, and the other found the base of her back. she wrapped her hands around his neck, getting as close as possible. they broke the kiss, resting their foreheads against one another.

kailey had a wave of deja vu, pass over her. making her nauseous.

she pulled away from brendan, pulling her phone to her chest, and saw a missed facetime from each of her brothers, and she sighed pressing quinns contact. she sat up, and inched away from brendan so he wouldn't be in the shot. "hey q, whats up?" she questioned, pulling him from whatever jack was saying. "hey uh, i take it you didn't see yet.." he said and that's when he heard jack yelling on the other end. "what do you mean q? why is jack yelling?" she said rubbing her eye, and quinn sighed sending her a screenshot of the instagram post. she clicked on his text and swallowed, anger seething from her. how could she betray her? her friend lisa from college in chicago was in connor's instagram post, somewhere in toronto. she quickly opened up instagram to lisa's page and she was even more angrier. she had been soft launching for almost 3 months already...that traitor. lisa was the one all along, the one that had been seen in pictures but kailey had never paid too much attention to the fact it was the same girl! she hung up on quinn, quickly locked her phone and turning on dnd. "whats wrong?" brendan asked, setting his phone down and pulling her into his chest as he sat up. "he-he's been seeing my friend from school." she said but she didn't cry. she was just angry, and disappointed. how naive she'd been. "im sorry kails." brendan said softly. he felt terrible for kailey, somebody he cared deeply about. and he knew she cared about him just as deeply. but maybe not in the way that he believed.

"lets just uh, lets get going. we should head over so were not late." she said pulling away and getting up to shower. she quickly took a body shower, hopping out to brush her teeth and moisturize before heading into her closet to find an outfit. brendan came up and wrapped his arms around her, as she inspected her outfit. they looked at one another in the mirror, as she finished inspecting, and she smiled once they found each other's gaze. "you ok?" he whispered, and she nodded giving him a small smile. "yes. thankyou for uh, being here with me these past two weeks. it means more than you'll ever know." she hummed, turning around in his arms. he grinned, leaning down and kissing her. deeply. she melted into his arms just a bit before pulling away. "lets get going b." she said pulling him out of her small walk in closet.

"kailey!" kim cheered, as the two walked through the doors of the brisson's manhattan beach mansion. "kim!" she smiled, disconnecting the twos hand as kim pulled her into a hug. kim swayed her just a bit, "oh my goodness! we've missed you so much sweetie, congratulations on graduating! i saw the pictures, they were just perfect." she said pulling back a bit and kailey smiled. "thankyou! had the best photographer." she hummed and kim smiled. "your mom has always been a fucking gem when it comes to pictures. they were just to die for and chicago being the backdrop? timeless." she fawned and kailey giggled. "thankyou!" she smiled, seeing mr brisson walk from the kitchen. "kiwi!" he yelled with a huge grin on his face, and kim let go of the girl. "pat! so good to see you." she smiled as he pulled her in for a hug. "you too! congrats on graduating, heard you finished with honors." he said pulling away, and kailey nodded. "yep! perfect 4.0. to which jack sent 4 dollars exactly, as his gift." she joked, causing the family to laugh. pat shook his head as he could just picture jack doing it, and so could kim. "your hair! oh my god! i love it, it looks so good." kim smiled, looking over the girl. kailey smiled, "thankyou! thought a little change could be good." she hummed and the brissons nodded. "well, breakfast just finished lets go eat!" pat offered and the three nodded. "good, im starvin!" kailey said rubbing her hands together, "good, we made your favorite!" kim said wrapping an arm around the girls shoulders, making her feel right at home. again.

Kailey and brendan ended up staying the full day at the brissons, catching up and reminiscing over the lake days. it was around 7 when jordan and brisson begged kailey to go get froyo and walk the pier at santa monica. "go! have fun, we'll get together soon." kim smiled, and kailey nodded hugging the two goodbye and then they were off. kailey got in the passenger side, and jordan got in the back. kailey quickly leaned into brendans shoulder, and there hands found each others as well. she looked back at jordan, and he quickly snapped a picture. she rolled her eyes with a small grin on her face. the three sat through traffic, singing loudly to whatever music she put on shuffle. a little bit of everything, which the boys loved. they finally made their way to santa monica and parked right in front of the frozen yogurt place. after that, they walked down to the pier and she stopped at one of the shops that was selling books and other knickknacks, getting a book to read at some point. they walked down the pier for the next hour, with brendan taking a sunset pic of the girl with her book who had the biggest smile of her face, at whatever dumb joke jordan had just said. on their way back to her apartment in redondo beach, she posted that sunset picture on her instagram story.

it broke hockey twitter.

"im gonna walk her in and then ill be out." brendan said to jordan who nodded, and the two got out. he walked her up to the townhouse, two blocks over from the pier. "thanks for today brendan, i had a lot of fun." she smiled, turning towards him at the door. "me too, thanks for being a trooper. i thought my parents would never stop talking." he joked, and she grinned. "no i loved it, it felt like home. like old times. it was comforting. with my parents being far, it's nice knowing that they are out here." she hummed and he nodded. "im glad." he smiled. she could tell he wanted to say more to her, but was fighting himself on how to begin. "just say whatever it is you want to say." she said grinning, pulling her free hand in his. he blushed, looking at the ground. "these past two weeks have been...everything i'd wanted since we were little younglings. and i don't want to go back to vegas in a few weeks, not knowing what we are or if we might have missed an opportunity....to see where things might go." he said looking up at her with hopeful eyes. she bit her lip, thinking hard. she liked brendan, and always had secretly; but was she ready to date again? she didn't want to become the laughingstock of the NHL family sphere. going from one player to the next, but shouldn't she at least attempt to move on? even if it was with another player?

brendan saw the hesitation in her features, and accepted defeat. he was about to say something but kailey spoke up. "i want nothing more than to say yes but what will my brothers say? what will the hockey world say? going from one guy to the next? i don't want to become the laughingstock, besides- my brothers don't deserve that. they don't deserve to take any heat from or about me. besides..i don't want to ruin our years-long friendship b." she said hoping he understood, and he did. "give me a few days, let me go take some time in chicago and ill let you know. ok?" she said with a pleading look. he nodded softly, "thankyou." she said pulling him in for a hug. her arms found his neck, his arms found her back; drawing her in as close as possible. incase, he'd never have her in his arms again.

◦

she arrived in chicago two days later, her best friend becca from college and lukas reichels' fiance, as well as alex vlasics wife tessa were waiting for her at the pickup area. she strolled her suitcase and carry on towards the arrivals area, and smiled widely when she saw the two holding a small bouquet of peonies and a dunkin coffee. they jumped up and down, as they saw her. she began to jog over towards them before they wrapped their arms around one another. "oh my god!!" kailey shrieked when they held out her iced americano and flowers towards her, while tessa took her bag and suitcase. "guyssss im gonna cry." she said with tears in her eyes. "we couldn't come empty handed." tessa cooed, as she wrapped an arm around the girl, with kailey taking the gifts from becca. the three girls walked out to the car that was waiting at the curb, that sat alex and lukas. "oh my god!" she said smiling widely when she saw the two leaning against the audi. "kails!" lukas said smiling and quickly hugging her, and then alex joined creating a group hug. tessa snapped a quick picture as kailey just laughed. "thankyou guys for coming to get me, i appreciate it very much." she smiled widely, as lukas opened the door for her and tessa. "you are very welcome hughesy." alex grinned as he opened the other door for becca. "where to first?" she quipped.

the three girls headed towards becca's and lukas' guest bedroom in their chicago townhouse, ready to bombard the girls with questions over her california life. kailey had been awfully quiet the past month and they were curious what had been going on. "girl! what have you been up to?? we wanna know everything!" tessa squeled as she shut the door behind them. kailey blushed while throwing a small smile towards her best friends. "did you meet a guy??" becca smirked, and kailey shrugged. "did he take the one sunset pic?" tessa joined in, sitting across from kailey on the bed. kailey grinned, "I've known him for sometime now....I've known him since we were kids." she began and the girls looked at one another. "who is it?" becca asked. "brendan brisson." she stated, and the two girls thought about who that could be. "wait! was he at usntp?" tessa questioned, and kailey nodded. "oh my god i remember him! isnt his dad like THE agent in hockey? doesn't he work with your dad?" tessa rambled and kailey giggled. "yes...we arent like officially together but somethings there. i just don't know if i want to pursue it. like, i don't want people to create narratives that were never true to begin with." she said putting her face in her hands, feeling defeated. "to hell with what everybody says. if you're happy and you see something with him, go for it." becca said and kailey shrugged. "but my brothers....what are they gonna think? they're gonna kill me." she said tessa forehead creased, "do they not know that you two have been spending time together?" tessa questioned and kailey shook her head. tessa and becca looked at one another, sharing silent words.

she spent the next week in chicago, reminiscing and growing fond of the memories she'd made the past four years. they caught up, spent quality time together and thankful that nothing from her past had shown up or crossed paths with the three girls. kailey did not need that, at all. she face timed nightly with brendan, him curious at to what shenanigans that three were getting up to. she'd been to 2 concerts, numerous museum trips, countless trips up and down the lakefront, and shopping galore. kailey woke up around 8 am, getting herself put together before heading down stairs. she jogged down the steps, and headed to the kitchen. it was too late, before she realized who was in the kitchen. lukas and connor were laughing at something, that happened at a gym session that morning.

connor caught the footsteps on the stairs first, and then the brunette hair second. he did a double-take, before realizing it was kailey. kailey was on the phone with brendan, before she spotted connor and froze. "ill uh, ill call you back." she said hanging up before brendan could respond. "morning kails." lukas said sipping some coffee, curious to see what was going to happen. "morning lukas." she hummed, heading to the fridge to grab a bottle of water, and her breakfast from the day before. she quietly worked as the two hockey players looked at each other, "ill be right back. im gonna take penny outside." lukas said calling for the small dog, and now it was just the two.

"how have you been?" connor asked as she put the food in the microwave. kailey took a few seconds to respond before turning around. oh, how good he looked. curse the hockey gods. his hair was still wet from the shower, his blue eyes meeting hers and what felt like a sense of deja vu washed over the girl. "I've been good. you?" she questioned, heading over to the expresso machine and began to mess around with the machine. she banged the expresso on the counter, before sliding it into the spot to pour over. "yeah real good. just got back to the city a week ago." he responded, and she nodded. "that's real nice." she hummed, as the microwave beeped. "hows california?" he asked and she sighed, pulling the container out. "its been nice. beautiful as always." she hummed, pulling a few pieces of hair behind her ear. she looked back up at him, "been doing everything i haven't been able to do for a few years." she said, a dig at the boy. he nodded feeling dread wash over him, as her phone began to ring again. she looked over at where it was on the counter, and she let it go to voice mail. she'd text brendan at some point. "hows lisa?" she quipped, biting into her burrito. connor swallowed tensely, "shes good. just started at lurie children's hospital." he said and hailey nodded. "that's nice." she hummed, walking over to the finished expresso and brought it back over to her food.

connor and kailey's tension could be cut through with a knife. even then, it might not even work. "when did you change your hair?" he asked, a few minutes later. "right after you texted me, I thought id try on a different personality." she said sarcastically, "apparently the last one wasn't good enough." she hummed, picking up her container, coffee and phone. connor sighed, "kails-" she cut him off, by turning back to him with a glare. "don't you ever call me that again, so help me god connor." she spat. he was defeated, he knew that much. she turned back and headed back upstairs.

oh how she loathed that boy, who threw away almost 2 years of pure bliss. pure romance. something out of this world. kailey did find out what changed, in those 24 hours and swore she'd place a dagger in their hearts at some point. his last words mere hours before, echoed his love, pure and committed adoration for the blonde. but like life, it can change in a mere moment.

“Do not swear by the moon, for she changes constantly. then your love would also change.”

◦

kailey sat down on the airplane, about to depart chicago and bring her to sunny los angeles. oh how she'd missed her home, and somebody that was waiting ever so patiently for her to return. she smiled, posting her photo dump from the summer. her first post since march. she deleted her instagram after responding to a few comments, allowing for the chaos to consume the hockey fandom. she turned her phone on airplane, drowning herself with music for the next 4 hours, not daring to look at the messages waiting for her when she landed.

“Don't waste your love on somebody, who doesn't value it.”

◦

oh, what the universe and all of its stars had instore for the young hughes and the bright superstar.

@kaileyclara: little bit of this, little bit of that.

tags: tessavlasic, beccamuprhy, jordanbrisson and laurenorlando

@trevorzegras: wait a min @jackhughes: wait a damn minute @kaileyclara: can yall leave @trevorzegras: no im too busy inspecting every single detail of this post

@_quinnhughes: hughes sighting! @kaileyclara: hehe

@lhughes_6: who gave u flowers @kaileyclara: idk @jackhughes: to the gc! @_quinnhughes: already there @kaileyclara: i hate yall

@tessavlasic: I loved having you here bestie, i need to come out soon! @kaileyclara: i second this!

@beccamurphy: loml returned ! @kaileyclara: i thought that was lukas? @beccamurphy: he's my second love @lukasreichel: alright.

@brendanbrisson: im here for the hair @jordanbrisson: so am i @jackhughes: im not @kaileyclara: fuck off

@mayaaa: maybe u r a slut @kaileyclara: and that would be a fucking lie ! @mayaaa: 😚😚

@adamfantilli: orlando sighting? @kaileyclara: yes! toronto days hit hard @laurenorlando: still salty you guys moved @kaileyclara: me too @johnnyorlando: absolutely rude

hope you all enjoyed it, please like and reblog if you did-- id appreciate it very very much🥺 oh, and ofc i will have one more part to finish up this little series (:

mutuals from previous part : @privatemythss @boldysswld @trevorzegrizz @jayda12 @simp4hughes @skatesnstuff @slafgoalskybaby @cuttergauthier

#connor bedard #connor bedrd imagine #connor bedard blurb #nhl #hockey #nhl blurb #nhl imagine #hockey blurb #hockey imagine #chicago blackhawks #brendan brisson #umich hockey #umich wolverines #jack hughes #quinn hughes #luke hughes

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heavyhitterheaux · 2 years

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Don't Hurt Yourself

AN: All aboard the angst train!! I hope yall love this as much as I loved writing it ❤️❤️

Synopsis: You have evidence that your husband of three years is cheating on you with your best friend of twenty years

Pairing: Husband!Jack Harlow x Wife!Reader

Please do not repost my content anywhere

This was the third time this month Jack had canceled date night.

It had been a tradition that started when you two first got married that no matter what happened during the week, you two would make time for each other.

As of lately, that wasn’t the case.

You had your suspicions.

The late texts.

Lipstick on the collar of the shirt.

Smell of perfume that wasn’t yours.

It was cheap as hell too.

The way your best friend Melanie was dodging you and didn't want to hang out anymore.

The earring you found in the backseat of his jeep.

The earring that belonged to a pair you bought Melanie for her 21st birthday. You couldn't mistake them for someone else's since it had her first initial on them.

You were kind of at a loss.

You had all the evidence, you knew what you had to do but if you were going to do this the right way, you just needed to tell someone else so that they would be able to tell you that you weren't crazy.

That's where your other best friend Bianca came in.

You had told her about your suspicions and at first she believed there was no way in the world Jack would cheat on you especially with Melanie.

Your best friend for twenty fucking years.

Until you sent her pictures of the both of them out at dinner when it was supposed to be date night for the two of you.

The last one you sent off to her was Melanie kissing your husband and that was all the confirmation you needed.

Your best friend and husband had betrayed you.

You were the youngest of the friend group and Bianca was the mom of the group, and Melanie was well... Melanie.

You remember how your mom would spot your fake friends before you did and would let you know how they didn't have your best interests?

That was Melanie as of three years ago when you met Jack.

You brushed it off when she told you, but now it was obvious she had been right all along.

Ever since the first day of ballet class when you were three, it's been you, Bianca, and Melanie.

When you saw one, you saw the other two.

After graduating high school all three of you went to the same college, got an apartment together, cried over failed relationships, and picked each other back up when anyone needed a shoulder to cry on.

Well you didn't need a shoulder to cry on at this very moment.

You needed a jar of Vaseline and a ponytail holder to beat both of their asses.

But you were biding your time.

You wanted to embarrass them how they embarrassed you and you had blocked out the perfect time to do it.

In two weeks.

At your baby shower for your little girl.

The baby shower that Melanie was supposedly helping Bianca plan but she was probably too busy sucking your so called husband's face off.

The entire thought made your skin crawl.

Jack couldn't honestly think you were that stupid.

Like you wouldn't notice or catch on.

But you did and you were ready to make his life a living hell.

He was yours.

He married you.

You were pregnant with his kid for fucks sake.

But, that's okay.

He'll learn soon enough that he crossed you for the first and the last time.

You heard the door open and you were simply sitting in the living room looking for a crib for your little girl on your phone when he came and sat next to you.

"Hey, pretty girl." He greeted you and kissed your cheek before rubbing your belly and saying hi to his little one.

Did he call her pretty girl too?

"Hey, babe. How was the studio?"

You kissed him back and he pulled you into his lap as you nuzzle your face into his neck which was your favorite place to be since you liked playing with his beard so much.

He fucking smelled like her.

You knew for a fact that isn't where he was because Neelam told you. You didn't want to alert him that you were onto him so for right now you had to act the same as you always did.

"It was good. I'll let you listen to it when it's done. I think you'll like it."

"I'm sure I will. You never miss."

"What ya lookin at mamas?"

"A crib. I don't know which color we should get."

"Well we want her room pink and yellow, right? We could just do white."

"Yeah, but I still don't know. I like this one but it's blue."

"Let me show you the one I found earlier. I think it was pink."

Jack had pulled up the picture to show you and handed you the phone. You noticed his phone was on vibrate when a text came in.

Melanie- Thank you for spending time with me today. I can't wait until we can be together without Y/N getting in the way.

You read it and simply deleted it without Jack noticing since he was trying to find something on Hulu for you two to watch.

Patience, Y/N, patience

"What ya think mamas? This one would be perfect."

"Yeah, I like it. I'll order it now and we should be able to go and get it this weekend."

"Sounds like a plan. I can't wait till she's here."

"She's going to have the best set of parents any little girl could ask for. I have a feeling she's going to look like you."

"Why's that babe?"

"Did you not see her big ass head on the sonogram picture?"

"Oh, so you got jokes?"

"I'm just playing smush. But on a real note, I'm so proud of you and know you're going to be an amazing father to all our kids."

"Just seven more to go. And thank you mamas, there isn't anyone in this world I'd rather have them with either."

"Can you believe we are about to be responsible for another human?"

"No matter what happens, baby, we'll be fine."

"You say that now, but make sure you put Maggie on speed dial."

The day had finally arrived for your baby shower.

You were excited, nervous, and a little scared. But, you knew you had to do this. It was causing you more stress and that was the last thing you needed while being pregnant. You still had three more months to go.

You had Jack and Melanie to thank for that.

Urban had the job of keeping you company until everything was a go outside. At the moment he was trying to guess what his niece's name would be and failing terribly.

"Urb... no. That name makes her sound like a linebacker in the NFL. That isn’t girly at all."

"Okay... umm what about Ava?"

“No I'm not naming her that. There’s nothing wrong with that name, but no. We wanted it to be something unique and a name that isn’t very common."

"Well then give me a hint!"

"You had 3 tries and didn't get it so you have to wait until she's born like everyone else."

Urban rolled his eyes and let out a huff as you got a text on your phone from Jack letting you know everything was set up and that you and Urban can make your way outside to the backyard.

Once you saw it for yourself, you were in absolute awe. Bianca really outdid herself with all of the decorations and making sure everything was to your liking. She really did know you like the back of her hand. Melanie on the other hand... she probably bought the paper plates.

You and Jack made your way around the backyard to greet everyone and thank them for showing up for the celebration of your little girl being born. Everyone showed up for the big day. Your parents, Jack’s parents, all of PG, a few celebrity friends such as Megan Thee Stallion, and you could’ve swore you saw Normani talking to Ella Mai. They were definitely about to be in for a surprise later on when you blasted the fuck out of the two people who betrayed you.

Despite everything that was going on, you knew for a fact that she was going to be loved and blessed beyond measure because of the village of people that she was going to have surrounding her.

Druski came up to hug you and congratulate you as you were about to make your way over to your seat.

“Congrats, mamas. Never thought that my boy would be able to cuff you, but if he messes up you know where to find me.”

“Druski, shut up! We would be together forever if it was left up to me.”

Well, he cheated so that option was out the window but, everyone was going to find out soon enough.

“I’m just playing, but please tell me yall got some baby shower meatballs though.”

“Go over to where Bianca is and see for yourself. She made everything and all I’ll say is cooking has always been her specialty.”

“Ayeee, Ms. Bianca! Let me get a plate! And your number if you really feelin generous."

All you could do was laugh and shake your head. You then felt someone come up behind you and wrap their arms around your waist, well as far as his arms would allow. He placed a kiss on your temple before reaching down to whisper in your ear.

“Didn’t get a chance to tell you how gorgeous you looks mamas.”

“Why, thank you. I figured I should wear pink to stay with the theme.”

“I mean you could’ve walked out in nothing if it was left up to me.”

“And that sir is why I am pregnant now.” You responded while tilting your head up to look at him.

“I can’t help it if my wife looks good all the time and I can’t keep my hands off her.”

Apparently he couldn’t keep his hands off of Melanie either.

“It’s almost time to open the gifts, you ready?”

“Yes, that sounds good. It might take us hours to go through all of that.” You responded as you glanced over to the multiple tables where all of the gifts sat.

The day was winding down and you needed to do it before you backed out.

It was now or never.

This was going to hurt, but you were tired of suffering in silence and didn’t deserve a husband that wasn’t fully committed to you.

Here goes.

“Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate us welcoming this little girl into our lives. I just wanted to thank my best friends Bianca and Melanie for their time and effort with planning this. I promised that I was going to reveal who her godparents are going to be so I felt that this was a good a time as ever to do it. So first, as Jack’s best friend, Urban it would be an honor for us to have you as her godfather.”

You looked over at Urban to see him smiling while sitting with the other members of PG along with Clay, Maggie, and Brian. You glanced over at the table across from them to see your parents, grandparents, and your siblings.

You took in the sight in front of you because what you were about to say next was going to cause all hell to break loose.

And you didn’t give a flying fuck.

“As far as her godmother goes, we all know that I have had two best friends my entire life. Bianca and Melanie have always been there for me no matter what and never faltered ever since I was three years old. Through being in school, moving to a new city, and eventually marrying the love of my life, and even being the first two people to know I was pregnant, my girls have always been there. But something recently happened that influenced by decision to change who her original godmother was going to be...”

Now everyone was looking confused.

Jack included.

It was originally decided that Urban and Melanie would be her godparents by both of you and then you caught on as to why he chose her over Bianca.

Melanie looked as if she was starting to get nervous.

Well, that bitch should be.

“So, Bianca, I wanted to ask you to be her godmother since Melanie has been sleeping with my husband for the entire duration of my pregnancy.”

Silence.

More silence.

“Oh, shit.” You heard Clay say and knew there was no backing down now.

Now everyone was yelling.

“Mamas, I can explain.”

“Jackman, if you want to live to see your daughter being born, I suggest that you get the fuck away from me right now. I’m pregnant and only 5′4, but I will kick your 6′3 ass into the next century forget next week.”

“Y/N.. I..” Now she was trying to plead with you.

“Melanie, I saw the signs. I found your earring in the backseat of his truck that I gave you for your 21st birthday, the lipstick we bought together when we went to Sephora on his collar, you never wanting to hang out with me and Bianca anymore, and that disgusting cheap ass perfume you always wear was practically seeping through his clothes. Did you honestly think that you two would manage to get away with this and I wouldn’t figure it out?”

Melanie couldn’t do anything but stand there in silence as Bianca came to put an arm around you.

“Y/N, come on don’t stress yourself out more.” Bianca stated pleading with you to follow her into the house.

“Well they should’ve thought about that before they decided to fuck behind my back.”

“Now he know good and damn well Y/N looks better than Melanie, what did he see in that?” You couldn’t help but stifle a laugh when you heard Urban say that.

You glanced to see your mother shaking her head and it was almost as if you saw her mouth the words, ‘I knew it’.

You knew you couldn’t bear to look at Maggie because you knew you were going to cry if you did. She didn’t raise her son to be like this, and thought the world of you. The late night talks, surprising her with a sonogram picture and telling her you would be having her first grandchild, the endless advice she would give you concerning your marriage, and she was always there for you when you needed her.

You knew this was painful for her to watch too.

Jack was looking like a deer caught in headlights as he was running his hands through his hair.

“Well, I’m waiting for an answer.”

“I.. I don’t have one for you. I'm sorry, it was a mistake. I just..." Melanie’s eyes started to water and you couldn’t understand why. You were the one who got cheated on, not her.

“My mama always said you were a jealous ass bitch, but I would brush her off every single time and defend you. Do me a favor and never speak to me again for as long as you fucking live. Get the hell out of my backyard and out of my life.”

“And as for you..” You began to say while turning toward your cheating husband.

As much as you didn't want to cry in front of him your eyes began to water. All you could think about was your marriage to the love of your life crumbling before your eyes.

“I...how could you do this to us? Was I not enough? But it doesn’t matter anymore. Me and my baby are going to fine and live a good life and she isn’t going to want for anything.”

“Y/N, please baby, we need to talk about this.”

“No, there’s nothing to say. You have been sleeping with her for six months, blowing me off and acting like you were working when in fact, your tongue was down another bitch’s throat! And I have the pictures to prove it!" You replied while holding up your phone for him to see.

At this point, Jack knew better than try to plead with you.

You were too far gone.

You were done with him and there probably wasn’t any way in the world you would take him back.

"Jack, I still want to believe you're a good person after everything you've done to me. I know that you’re going to be a good father, but you have failed terribly at being my husband."

As much as you didn’t want to, you slid off your wedding ring and ripped off your necklace that had his initial ‘J’ on it that he gave to you while celebrating your first anniversary and threw them at him.

“I hope it was worth it, because you just lost your wife.”

Taglist: @harlowsbby

#jack harlow #jackman harlow #jackman thomas harlow #jack harlow x reader #jack harlow x you #jack harlow x y/n #jack harlow x black reader #jack harlow x fem!reader #jack harlow angst #jack harlow concept #jack harlow fic #jack harlow imagine #Spotify

1K notes · View notes

dotster001 · 2 years

Text

Twisted Wonderland

Masterlist 2

Return Home? Yes

Dot's friend code: Pn8CT4dH

Heartslaybul

Riddle

Soulmate Mark- Riddle x reader. Riddle has never met his soulmate, but he wishes it could be you.

Ace

The Shadow- Ace x reader. Ace tries to keep the student shadowing him away from you.

The Couch- Ace makes you sleep on the couch.

Mystery Date- ? X reader. The prefect is secretly dating someone, and Deuce and Ace have to figure out who.

Deuce

Mystery Date- ? X reader. The prefect is secretly dating someone, and Deuce and Ace have to figure out who.

Trey

On Love and War- Trey x Reader. Trey was a jerk on beans day. You get revenge.

QOUR-100- Trey x reader. While tutoring you in the language, Trey takes you to his family's bakery to practice.

Cater

Stay-yan!Cater x Reader. Fake dating to lovers trope but it ends badly.

Savannaclaw

Leona

When the Lion Disappears- Leona x reader. It's a bad sign when your boyfriend "vanishes"

Kitty Cat- Leona x reader. Leona didn't realize that a portal that could take you back and forth would mean he'd have another cat to compete with

Tsum Leona- Leona x reader. What happens when his tsum gives you a gift?

Ruggie

Soon

Jack

Soon

Octavinelle

Azul

Kiss the Shrimp- Azul x reader. You taught the twins "Kiss the Girl", and now they are adapting it for their own needs.

My Drowning Heart- Azul x reader. Azul helps you through a depressive episode

Elder God-Now bound to Azul, and given three days to get affairs in order, you turn to your neighbor Idia for help escaping Part Two Part Three Lore

Study Me- Azul x reader. Azul doesn't believe you when you confess

Floyd

The Other Shrimp- Floyd x reader. Floyd's ex is a shrimp mer, and you get jealous.

The Other...Goldfish?- Sequel to The Other Shrimp. You have a chat with a goldfish.

Floyd's Birthday Gift- Floyd x reader. Jade "asks" you to help with Floyd's present.

Message in a Bottle- Floyd x reader after Floyd's graduation, you are destined to be separated by the sea

Scientific- Floyd x reader Jade has caught a human to study in his lab. You only seem to react well to Floyd. Chapters One Two Three

Dilf Floyd Leech Universe Masterlist

Jade

Slippery Eel- Jade x reader. Jade plays hard to get and Floyd is his wingman

Leech Vs. Morality- Jade x reader. You debate the morality of love potions.

Scarabia

Kalim

Bad Boi- Kalim x gn!reader.Kalim becomes a bad boy to win your heart.

Jamil

Hidden Desire: Jamil x reader. Jamil thinks you are the key to restoring his reputation. Chapters: Prologue One Two Three Four Five Six

Pomefiore

Vil

Enemies to Lovers- Vil x reader An enemies to lovers route with Vil. Chapters: One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Epilogue

Of Lavender and Apples- Vil comforts you through a depressive episode.

Rook

A real Fairytale-MDNI Yan!rook x reader. A fairytale, and what actually happened

Lover- Rook x reader. It's time to break up with rook, for the sake of your heart

Beloved- happy ending to Lover

Le Chasseur d'Amour- Rook x Reader. You're transported back to earth, but Rook is still able to trace you with his SS. Chapters: One Two Three Four Five

The Guardian of Love- Rook x ace!reader Rook defends you from a toxic flirt

Does Teamwork make the dreamwork?- Rook x gn!reader You're getting too close to Rook. Malleus and Leona have to stop this before it's too late.

Epel

On my way to Somewhere- Epel x reader. After you break up with Vil, Epel takes you on a road trip to clear your head

Ignihyde

Idia

Idia with a Reader who is touchy and gives kisses as a cultural greeting

Ortho

Soon

Diasomnia

Malleus

How to Befriend a Demon King- yan!Malleus x reader. You didn't realize your coffee shop friend was a demon.

Ace's like Dragons- Malleus x Ace reader. You're asexual, and Malleus is a dragon.

Sugar Baby- Malleus x reader. Malleus doesn't understand how to use the term sugar baby.

Halloween Lovers- Malleus x reader Malleus wants to have a romantic Halloween with you.

And I would Walk 500 miles- Malleus x reader. Malleus is a tall fae who walks too fast for you.

Protective Charms- Malleus x reader. After an argument, you and Mal have fun with Fae lore.

Defense Against Overblot- Malleus x reader. You worry your boyfriend is the next one to overblot

The Ruler of the Abyss- sequel to Defence Against Overblot

From this Slumber You Shall Wake-part three in the overblot series

The Spell Shall Break-Part four/finale in the series

To Prove A point- Malleus x reader. You get him a cake for his birthday

Malleus x gn! Crow s/o HC's

Lilia

Single Parent- Lillia x Reader. Lillia has a son. 😱

Trick With Treat-Teaching Lilia an enstars song about bats was a wonderful idea.

A Feast for a Prefect and Belle- Lilia x reader and Clavis x au!reader. Ikemen Prince twisted wonderland crossover involving the culinary crucible... You're screwed.

Found- Lilia x reader. You've returned to him in every lifetime. Until now. Chapter Two

A Lesson in Humanity- Lilia x reader. Lovers to enemies

Lilia x clingy s/o head canons

Silver

Where Did I Come From- Silver x reader. After explaining his heritage to you, he finally wants to know where he came from.

Sebek

Pass the Test- Sebek x reader. Sebek wants you to prove that you are worthy of Malleus; you want to prove you're worthy of Sebek.

Ramshackle

Grim

Unresolved- You and Grim get stuck in a time loop. The question is why?

Staff

Crowley

Drunk Crowley Request - Crowley x reader. You need Crowley for something, but mans is plastered.

Crow(ley) Brain- Crowley x reader your love language is thievery, and guess who you love

Crewel

Courting HC'S for Crewel

Trein

HC's for if Trein Dated Your Mom- Fem! Reader

Sam

Sam x Reader: Romantic Headcanons

Vargas

Soon

Non NRC

Chen'ya

Soon

Neige

Soon

Rollo

Soon

Eric Venue

Eric Venue- Vil never realized he'd have to compete with his dilf of a dad. Technically, Vil x reader .

Galavant Au Masterlist

300 Followers Event Masterlist

500 Followers Event Masterlist

1k followers event

October Prompt list

Zodiac Series

Twisted Earth Literary Universe

Among Us

#masterlist #twisted wonderland

528 notes · View notes

baby-alien11 · 1 year

Text

Late Prom Night (Y/N Ulrich Universe)

This is long, so grab something to eat and drink and make yourselves comfortables

taglist: @volturi-girl-imagines @dessxoxsworld @aonungsgirlfriend @ethanlandryluver @wenvierismycomfort @aliciacat20 @gabbylovesreading @nikfigueiredo

Thanks to the fact that Jack just finished filming his new movie last week he was back in town, which meant make up for the time they were separated (except for the birthday weekend and the TS concert)

The gym dates every morning were also back, so after Jack picked you from your house in his car, both of you entered the gym greeting Josh, Hayley and baby Rogue to start streaching for the workout of the day

"Y/N, thirty minutes in the treadmill", Hayley instructed next to you, "The first ten minutes at velocity three, the next ten at five, and the last ten at seven, understood?"

"Absolutely", you nodded

Placing your phone, water bottle and towel in the small table next to you, you configured the treadmill to start with your workout, at the same time that yours and Jacks workout playlist started to sound throught the speakers

While you were focused on the first part of your routine, you couldn't ignore how your phone started to sound with a lot of notifications of messagges, which you asumed they were from the groupchat with Jakob and Naiia

After finishing with the treadmill, you took a big sip of water and grabed your phone to see a lot of messages from your old high school group

'This is weird', you though while frowned, the group was dead since the graduation

Openning the group chat, you were quick to notice a lot of excited text along with gifs, stickers and memes making you smile in fun, until you saw a flyer

"You've got to be kidding me", you murmured

"Are you okay?", Jack asked aproaching you

"Remember how I didn't had a prom because of covid and ended up graduating via zoom?", you asked at which Jack nodded in response, "Well, the school is making a dance for us in two weeks"

"I would say that sounds cool, but based on what you told me about your high school experience I don't know exactly what to say"

Smiling with sweetness bacause of what he said, you were quick to tangle your fingers in his hair, which caused Jack to put his head in your shoulder

"So, what are you going to do?", Jack questioned

"I don't know, I mean I hope the two years of quarantine helped some people to be better", you rambled, "But I still friends have from there who I rarely talk lately and it will be nice to see them in person again"

"In that case, what's the veredict?"

"We are going to that dance"

"Yes!", Jack exclaimed rasing his hand for a high five which you did, "Is there a theme?"

"Hollywood Extravaganza", you responded looking at the flyer, "Babe, this is our theme"

"We are going to be the best dressed", Jack nodded

"Guys, we are happy that you're having a prom night", Josh interrupted, "But we still have to finish the training"

Laughing a little, you and Jack shared a small kiss before continuing with your routines

When Jack said to be the best dressed, you didn't expected to see two designers from the Armani team in your doorway, and even more surprised when they started to fill the dinner table with books with designs and fabric samples

"Dad, what the hell is happening?", you murmured next to him, both with cups full of coffee

"First, don't say bad words in my presence", Skeet said in the same low tone making you smile in fun, "Second, I don't know"

"Y/N", one of them called interrupting the little conversation, "We are ready to start"

Sharing a glance with your dad you aproach the table to sit in front of them, while Skeet went to his office

"We can see the confussion in your eyes, so here it goes the explanation", the other one spoke, "First, we loved to work with you and Jack for the looks for the LA premier of Avatar, and his stylist called us a few days ago about asking for some options of suits for a prom dance, and we instantly asked for you, about what you were going to wear"

"That explains why the other day Jack called me for a second asking me that", you joked making them laugh

"After he told us that you didn't even started to look for outfits, we decided to pay you a surprise visit", the first one continued, "Armani is going to dress you both, so, is there a theme?"

"Hollywood Extravaganza", you nodded

"This is perfect", one of them commented, "You are a legacy child and VFX artist in the making and Jack is a rising star"

Starting with the meeting, they show you some haute couture and ready to wear which none of them catched your attention even if they were beautiful, so the next option was to do something custom made

During the next hour, the three of you spend the time making different designs acording to the theme and looking at the fabric samples, until one of them was the chosen one

"You are going to shine with this dress", one of the designers commented making you smile, "Before we start taking your measurements, we need to disscus the shoes for the lenght of the dress, do you have any that can go with the dress, if isn't the case we can also provide them?"

"I have a pair of black Aevitas that Camila Mendes and Lili Reinhart gave me this Christmas", you answered, "The ones with the 15.5 cm heels"

"They perfect, those are kinda like universal shoes, they go with everything", the other designer said, "Can you bring them so that way we can start with the measurements?"

Nodding, you were quick to go to your room and take the shoes and return to the living room to continue with the dress making process

When the day of the dance arrived, your living room was full since early in the morning with your dads stylist who were also yours arrived to get you ready for the night, starting with some facials to get your skin ready and get your nails done during noon

At lunch time, Jakob and Naiia arrived with food for everyone before starting with the hair and make up

"Look at you, getting all glamed for your prom dance", Naiia joked sitting next to you while the team started with their work, "By the way, the dress is beautiful"

"Thank you", you smiled in response

"So, how do you feel going this late to your prom?", Jakob asked eating french fries

"It's only like year and a half later but a little nervous", you answered with sincerity, "I don't know, I haven't seen any of them in person since the pandemic started"

"And now you are returning in your way to be succesful, and with a boyfriend that we all love, and both dressed in Armani", Jakob said, "Let's hope that that girl Kira has changed in these years"

"Amen", you and Naiia exclaimed

A few minutes later, the front door was knocked which made Skeet leave his spot on the dinning room to attend, returning two minutes later with a big floral arragement

"Tornado, this is for you", Skeet announced leaving it in the center of the dinning table

"Oh my God, they are so beautiful", you exclaimed streching your hand to take the note attached to them reading the envelope, "It's from Jack"

Happy prom night gorgeous! I'm so happy that we get to do this together

I can't wait to see you in a few hours

Love, Jack

Smiling because of the sweetness of his words, you took your phone to send him a text thanking him the flowers, before taking a photo of them and uploading it to your instagram stories tagging him

"I don't know where are going to put them", Jakob commented, "This isn't the Kardashians household"

Thanks to that comment, you, Naiia, Skeet and the rest of the glam team started to laugh

"We are not the Kardashians", Naiia said still laughing

"We should have our own reality show", you joked, "Keeping up with the Ulrichs"

"Screaming with the Ulrichs sound better", Skeet pointed

Keeping with the little jokes and conversations, the hours spend quickly until the front door was knocked again, when your make up in dark blue and silver colors with your nude lipstick and hair styled like Gigi Hadid in the 2018 MET Gala were ready, and again, Skeet went to answer the door this time returning with Jack (who was completely ready) and Anna

"Hi, beautiful", Jack greeted sitting next to you taking your hand, "You look absolutely gorgeous"

"You look handsome as well", you responded smiling, "I love the flowers, they're beautiful"

"I'm glad you loved them"

"Guys, sorry for interrupting the moment", one of the stylist spoke, "But we have to get you dressed right know, but the shoes are going first"

"Okay", you nodded

With the help of the girl who did your nails, you put on the high heels adjusting the straps in your ankles in a way that they don't feel loose before walking to the makeshift dresser in the living room with Naiia and two more styilist to help with the dress and gloves

Once everything was put in place with the outfit, you along with the little crew came out of the makeshift dresser getting instant reactions for everyone

While the glam team put the silver earings and a small and simple silver chain style choker (one of Bailey's gifts for your birthday), the Armani photographers started to take photos of Jack to post later on Instagram, then it was your turn with the whole outfit, and last of both of you, and they were lucky to have two serious photos because after that, the rest were doing funny faces and silly poses

Lastly, before leaving, family photos were taken which ended up being funny because your dad and siblings were basically in pajamas

After a twenty minute car ride, your old school was in sight, also noticing some students of your generation in the entrance

"I haven't been here since march 2020", you sighed while Jack drove towards the entrance were a red carpet was placed, "It feels weird and nostalgic"

"Are you comfortable with this?", Jack asked before stepping out of the car

"Totally", you nodded, "Besides, as you said, we are the best dressed"

Kissing your gloved hand, Jack got out of the car which caused a reaction in some of the ex-students because they didn't expected to see one of the young actors of the moment in there, and they were more surprised when he opened the passenger side streching his hand to help you get out of the car and helping to fix your dress, while one valet went to park the car

Interwining hands, both of you started walking throught the carpet to the inside of the school towards the gym

"Y/N!"

You heard someone screaming your name, which caused both of you to turn in that direction

"Sarah!", you exclaimed with excitement

Happy to see one of your friends in person after months, you almost run towards her which ended up in a hug, while Jack stayed a few steps behind smiling

"I thought that you wouldn't come", Sarah said breaking the hug but still holding your hands, "That dress is amazing"

"I contemplate about coming or not, believe me", you laughed, "Your dress is also amazing, and I want to introduce you to someone"

Being his cue, Jack stepped closer taking your waist

"This is Jack, my boyfriend", you introduced proudly, "Jack, this is my high school best friend Sarah"

"Nice to meet you", Jack smiled with a hand shake

"It's nice to see my best friend happy", Sarah responded watching your face, "Let's go to the gym, almost all our group is in there"

Interwining your free arm with hers and Jack now holding your small purse, the three of you walked towards the gym now decorated as if it was from an award ceremony

"This remind me of the Critics Choice", Jack commented

"But with more space between tables", you joked remembering how small the space was

"One of you has to invite me to a future premiere or event", Sarah spoked with fun, "I want to experience that world"

"Dude, you went with me and my dad to the season one premiere of Riverdale", you pointed with fun

"Yeah, in 2017", she reminded

Laughing, the three of you continue walking throught the gym until a table with familiar faces for you and Sarah, ending in an excited reunion with hugs and meetings, before taking seats

"Dude, I'm going to be honest with you", Noah, another friend of the group spoke towards Jack, "I was scared of you in Scream"

"Thanks, I guess", Jack laughed with his arm in the back of your chair

"You went all psycho killer", Abby, one of the girls of the group said, "Y/N, you nailed your five second cameo, I actually went to see the movie multiple times just to spot you"

"Abby, I love you, you are the sweetest", you said with sincerity, "So, what is everyone doing?"

"Studying fashion design in New York", Scott said

"Training to be a cast member at Disneyland", Abby continued

"Studying law at Standford", Sarah spoke

"Gamer in twitch", Noah finished, "What about you?"

"Practicing to be a VFX make up artist", you answered proudly

"She is awesome at that", Jack exclaimed showing some of your early works making you blush, "Like, this looks so real"

Before anyone of your friends could say something, one of your former classmates stopped by the table interrupting the conversation

"Y/N, hi!", Diana greeted at what you get up from your chair to hug her since she was polite and friendly during your school years, "I'm so happy you are here"

"I'm also happy to be here, I missed you girl", you responded breaking the hug

"Me too, I'm glad that you changed your mind and actually came", Diana smiled making confussion in you and your group, "See you around"

Waiting until she was far, you turned facing your group

"First Sarah told me something similar, now Diana", you pointed taking a seat in your chair, "What the hell is happening?"

With a hand signal from Scott everyone inclined in a way to be closer and listen

"I heard from Irma, who heard it from Daniel, who heard it from Bethany, that Kira said that fame just got to your head and you felt superior to any of us", Scott explained leaving you shocked, "Kira actually tweeted it"

"Is she fucking for real?", you yelled-murmured, "I'm not the egocentric one, she is"

"She has always been ridiculous and jealous of you", Abby pointed, "Like, starting rumours about you is pathetic"

"Here is the tweet", Noah gave you his phone with the tweet on screen

Recieving the phone you read the tweet that only had two likes, but what caught your attention was the username

Leaving the phone on the table you reached your phone which was on one of Jack's jacket pockets unlocking it to enter to your saved tweets

"I thought you quit them for there", Jack frowned looking at the hate tweets from two months ago

"I forgot to do it", you responded finding the ones with the user name, "For context, two months ago I found hate tweets towards me, some of them were from the user name ReginaGeorgeHeir"

"That's Kira's username", Sarah exclaimed

"Yeah, two of them were 'she isn't that pretty' and 'she's a nepo baby, you know how they are'", you read with anger in your voice

"Fucking bitch", Noah exclaimed noticing movement at the entrance, "Speaking of the devil"

Hearing that sentence, the six of you turned towards the entrance of the gym to watch how Kira and her minion Bethany entering

"Wait, that dress looks familiar", you pointed with narrow eyes

"I think is the same one that you wore to the Los Angeles premier of Avatar", Jack said remebering were he had seen it

"More like a dupe", Abby commented

"Girl, if you want to let go your Billy Loomis side on her we won't blame you", Sarah spoke in your direction, "We will help you hide the body and be your alibis"

"And if they ask where we were, let's say we where at econ", Jack joked, "It worked for me"

After that reference joke, your whole table started to laugh incontrolable gaining the attention of people next to you, including from the mean duo

"I give you an advice", Scott talked after the laughs calmed, "First, what are you wearing?"

"Custom Armani", you answered

"Girl, you already won the one sided battle", Scott continued, "I mean, your dad is an icon, you are starting to gain more fame of your own, you are wearing Armani to your prom, you and Jack are the IT young couple of the moment, Kira is the girl who peaked at high school and stayed mean because is everything she has"

"Scott, is right", Sarah nodded, "So let's forget about her and have some fucking fun!"

Agreeing with her, the six of you continued to talk and update about everything, taking pictures, even the boys imitated Jacks "chad face" for some pictures, doing tik toks and sharing the snacks the school provided

When people started to fill the asignated dance floor, your group did the same founding a spot for the six of you

During the next hour and a half, the time was spent dancing the popular songs of the moment that the DJ played and having fun with each other, until a slow song "Love On The Brain" by Rihanna started to sound causing the couples in there to start dancing slowly

"Are you having fun?", Jack asked with his arms circling your waist

"Lots", you smiled with your arms around his neck, "I'm glad that we came"

"Me too", Jack smiled in returned, "And your friends are really cool"

"I think they like you more than they like me", you joked making him laugh

"I actually think that they are testing me to see if I'm good for you"

"You are perfect for me"

Following that small conversation, both of you shared a small kiss that was followed with smaller ones accompanied with giggles from both of you

A few more slow songs followed after the music was stopped causing everyone to look at the stage were Kira was taking a microphone and Bethany was standing in the corner behind her

"Don't tell me she's going to do a speech", Noah groaned

"Hi everyone!", Kira exclaimed

Hearing her voice made your group (and some other people in there) groan in silence

"It's so nice to see everyone here in person", Kira continued with a fake smile, "Like we all look so expensive with our dresses and suits, so as former student president I'm honnored to give a little speech, first of all, I'm so happy to see that every one of you is being succesful, some in college, some working, some having personal bussiness, others taking advantage of parents fame"

"Someone shut her up", you murmured making your group to hold back the laughs

Unfortunately, she heard that thanks to the silence in the room noticing your group a few meters from the stage

"Y/N Ulrich!", Kira exclaimed which made all the heads to turn in your direction including a light from the stage focusing in the six of you almost blinding your group, "So happy to see that your fame didn't stop you from being here with your friends and your famous boyfriend"

"Yeah, I'm not happy to see you ReginaGeorgeHeir", at the moment you said that phrase her face fell, "I know you were one of the people who send hate tweets towards me two months ago"

"I don't know what your talking about", Kira laughed nervously

"Wasn't you the one who tweeted 'she isn't that pretty'?", Abby exclaimed reading her phone

"Or 'she's a nepo baby, we know how they are'?", Scott continued

"It was a little joke", she tried to minimized the situation but you already were walking to the stage with Jack behind you

"It's not funny to bully someone, online or in person", you replied starting to climb the stairs with the help of Jacks hand on your waist and holding one of your hands, "Thanks babe"

"Anytime, gorgeous", Jack nodded staying in the gym floor

"Okey, I tweeted that", Kira admited rolling her eyes, "But everyone was doing it, I just jumped in"

"It's wrong to do that", you claimed, "You bullied me for years in person until you knew who my dad was, and it was because you saw him on Riverdale, and tried to be my friend after years of torture, that's hypocrite, and you and Bethany also torture a lot of us during school years, and know you claim to be happy to see us?"

"You need to chill", Kira replied not knowing what to say, "And if I were you, I would use my dad connections to be succesful as an actress, not singer because your voice is horrible"

"There is the bitch, and your voice is also horrible, well, all your personality is horrible", you spoked causing all the ex-students to cheer, "Fuck, it feels good to finally say this!"

"You know all this that you said people are going to twisted make you seem like the bully, right?", Kira tried to intimidate

"Actually not, I'm live on instagram!", one of your former classmates yelled with his phone up, "1,504 people are seeing this"

"See, I'm not the only one in here that you bullied", you shrugged

"So what, you are going all ghostface on me?", Kira joked

"I mean, people callme the 'Ghostface Princess', my dad was a ghostface, my uncle Matthew was a ghostface, my boyfriend was a ghostface, it wouldn't be weird", you threatened now close to her face, "Boo"

Even if that was a whispered word, she still jumped in fear a little causing everyone to laugh at her

Smiling because she now felt how it was, you started to walk to the stairs taking the hand that Jack was holding to help you

"Oh", you exclaimed turning to look at her, "Nice dupe dress"

"It's original, idiot", Kira argued trying to gain the situation

"It isn't, I know it because I wear the same dress in december, to the Los Angeles premier of Avatar", you smiled, "The original has higher neckline"

"I had it to do some changes"

"It's actually a 2009 Giorgio Armani, basically an archive piece, those are only borrowed, which means no drastical changes can be done"

Smiling and feeling powerful, you and Jack walked with your hands interwined followed by your friends who soon joined you while the rest of ex-students laughed at Kira and Bethany

jackchampion, naiia, madelyncline, and 97, 216 more

yn.ulrich succesful prom night

tagged jackchampion, sarah_woods, abbycutie, not.scott.disick, noahtwitch

jackchampion I said it before, but I'm glad we get to do this together

› yn.ulrich I love you

› jackchampion I love you more

not.scott.disick thank you mom and dad for taking us for a snack after prom

› jackchampion anytime my child

madelame shine my baby, you deserve it

› yn.ulrich thank you favourite red

#baby alien creations #y/n ulrich universe #jack champion #jack champion imagine #jack champion scream #jack champion x reader #jack champion x you #scream #jack champion fanfic #ethan landry x reader #jack champion fluff

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thehorrorsoftheblackbunnymask · 1 year

Note

hi hi ❤️ I hope your doing well and happy New Years! Love the Highschool au i have a tiny request if it’s possible, like head-canons or a one shot of reader n eyeless jack how would they be together n how the Proxies would react to that.

Something Short

Author's Note: Sure!

TW: Red Flags, Implied Rape, Abuse, Manipulation, Guilt Tripping, Stealing Organs, Drugging, Drugs, Horny High schoolers, EJ being kinda creepy, and medical stuff.

EJ isn't the most talkative guy. He normally keeps to himself and has the reputation of the mysterious hot guy. People automatically assumed he was hot because of his mask.

You definitely heard of him before but you didn't actually meet him until you forced into the proxies group.

Toby had sent you to talk to Ben and pick up a "special device" for him, which you agreed to because you had no choice.

When you got in, you were treated with the smell of weed and laughter. Ben was laughing with a controller in his hands, sitting on a bean bag chair, Jeff was yelling at Ben with a rolled up piece of paper emitting smoke in his hand, and EJ was smoking with his mask next to him with his hood down.

As Ben ignored Jeff and walked to you, you couldn't take your eyes off of EJ. He was surprisingly handsome, but the lack of eyes somewhat scared you.

After you got Toby's order, you walked up to EJ and said hi. EJ didn't seem to care or be interested in you at the time and he just ignored you, mostly because he was as high as a kite but that besides the point.

After EJ sobers up when he got home, he kinda couldn't forget about you, but more specifically your voice. I say in this AU EJ is like, somewhat blind. Like, he can see but not the best, it's bad to the point glasses can't fix it. So, he spent the entire school day listening at the voices and waiting to find yours, and when he did he walked up to you.

The two of you talked about you classes, interest, what you planning to do after you graduated and so on. The Proxies have an ok relationship with EJ, going to him for injuries and medical supplies but no more. So when they saw him flirting and taking to their new toy, they were pissed.

They told you to not talk to EJ, or what they called the Eyeless freak, but you didn't listen. Over time you and EJ talked more and eventually went on dates. EJ was really kind and always made sure you were ok and safe, but he's also be flirtatious with you and dragging you into alleyways to kiss you and pin you to the wall or floor. His red flags didn't show to you yet, EJ is extremely good at hiding them.

The more attached you grow to him, the more they start to come out. EJ would make you spend time with mostly him and he'd keep you at his house for hours, even when it was past your curfew. You would tell him that you had to go and he'd get mad. He'd tell you how lonely it is to live alone and how he just wants you to stay a little longer. If you keep refusing, he'll go deadly quiet. The moment you turn your back, tentacles would grab you and drag you towards him. He'd tell you to be quiet so you don't alert the neighbors before knocking you out.

You'd wake up in your room with a different set of clothes and no recollection of what happened the day prior.

EJ 's knowledge on drugs makes it extremely easy for him to have you develop memory loss with minor things. So you and his relationship can stay as "wholesome and sweet" as possible.

The Proxies would eventually tell EJ to back off because they don't like to share, but EJ wouldn't just tell them that they were jealous that you preferred him over them, and how'd they should find a different victim, because you were his now.

Ej starts off really kind and sweet, but his true nature will show over time, so be careful. He's still really caring though and will do anything to keep you safe, even if he holds you captive for hours and possibly steals an extremely minor organ when your passed out or fucks your sleeping body, but hey! He's a sadistic cannibalistic doctor, you thought he'd be all loving and sweet?

#creepypasta x reader #creepypasta x y/n #yandere creepypasta #ej x reader #yandere eyeless jack #eyeless jack x reader #eyeless jack x y/n #eyeless jack x you #yandere creepypasta x reader #Something Short Series

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sweatersinthesummer · 6 months

Text

Winter fic roundup

Well, considering I live in a place that barely has a winter, it's a miracle I even have any to list here! Thank goodness for holiday fests.

Stickers of old men and a thousand yen (Schitt's Creek) not gonna lie, the title of this is one of my favorite things i've ever written.

The birthday kiss between David and Patrick didn't happen, and now it's Christmas. What are they going to do when they draw each other in the town Secret Santa gift exchange?

As long as you love me so (Check Please) oh hey I wrote something! A Zimbits future fic.

It's the first Christmas since Jack retired, and it's not going as smoothly as he'd hoped it would.

[Podfic] Merry Christmas, I'm Yours (Check Please) this fic by @doggernaut is so so so good, I beg you to read it or listen. It's so lovely and angsty with a happy ending.

It takes Jack only a couple months after graduation to realize he's in love with Bitty.

It takes him almost 20 years to actually do something about it.

(Or, five Christmases Jack and Bitty spend together.)

[Podfic] snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes (Schitt's Creek) A little wintery bit of fluff.

david slips on a patch of ice and falls in the snow outside the store. patrick comes outside to comfort (and tease) him as he sulks.

The Call of Sweet Things [PODFIC] (in progress) (Harry Potter)

Draco's happy with his quiet, lonely life in Woolbury, spending his days working at Pen Pals and keeping his already tidy flat spotless. But when Harry Potter shows up with pink hair and secrets about his magic, Draco’s carefully upheld balance falls apart. He doesn’t quite know how he ends up decorating Harry's cottage, drinking unreasonable amounts of cocoa, and laughing more than he’s laughed in years, but it's Christmas, after all– and he finally has a chance to set things right.

All I Want For Christmas (Is For You To Stop Talking) [PODFIC] (Harry Potter)

The Niffler's Garden is the most prestigious wizarding nursery school in England and has been for the last century or more. Harry Potter's boys are both enrolled as pupils at the Garden. When he volunteers to assist with the Yule pageant, he has no idea that he'll be working closely with another parent, Draco Malfoy. Although they haven't seen each other much since their own school days, Harry faults Malfoy for not being a hands-on dad to little Scorpius. Will the intense weeks of preparation fan the fires of enmity or something else entirely?

Thanks for tagging me, @doggernaut! Who else wrote some winter fics? Post 'em!

#winter fics #holiday fics #drarry fanfic #schitt's creek fanfic #check please fanfic #zimbits #drarry #david x patrick

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ruisversion · 5 months

Text

Safe || Matt Murdock x f!reader

plot: being unable to sleep from the recurring nightmares that loves to haunt you

masterlist

(nightmare/memory)

"Y/n?" Ana asks me.

"Yeah?" I ask her.

"Where are we going?" she asks.

"I don't know, Anastasia. I'm sorry,"

"Mama Katrina said we were going home but we were already home, in New York," she says.

"She was silly. Just remember, wherever we end up, you must stay strong," I tell her.

"Okay," she smiles. I do know where we are going, we are going to hell. And these are probably my last moments with her so I want them to be happy. That day, they seperated us.

The next time I saw her, was her dead body. It was her final test before 'graduation' except she failed so they killed her. They showed me her body to prove that I can be replaced anytime.

Everytime I think of the moment I lied in the moving crate, I think of how I should have ran away with her the moment we stepped into New York. Ask the Murdocks for help. Make sure that Anastasia was safe.

(real life)

I jolted awake, breathing heavily. I couldn't sleep. I'm not scared of much, I've seen pretty much all but the nightmares, they scare me.

They are real, the 'nightmares', my own memories, the ones I hate, infiltrating my mind, telling me that I will always be the trained killer.

Sometimes, its all I can think about. Matt would have to snap me out of it before I go into a void I'm afraid I would never be able to come out from.

The nightmares would come at me, just randomly popping up. The most common were the victims who were at the wrong place, wrong time. Or kids who were just curious.

Also, of course real life and memories they planted in my brain is hard to differentiate. I got caught up with my own thinking, I didn't realize Matt was back.

"Hey, what are you doing awake?" he asks, sliding open the door.

"I can't sleep," I tell him.

"Nightmares?"

"Yeah," he takes off the blazer and hangs it up.

"Same one?" he asks, sitting on the bedside.

"Always," I mumble. "Do you have nightmares?"

"Mhm," he nods his head.

"But they're very vague. Sometimes, I see you dead because I couldn't save you but I doubt that's what you actually look like,"

"What do you think I look like?" I ask, now curious.

"Well, I know you're beautiful. I know that you have long, soft hair. You're tall compared to the other women I've met. Your lips are thin and you have big eyes. Yeah,"

"Accurate," I smile.

"Try not to think about the nightmares. I need to go change then I will be back, right by your side. Just remember that you are free, no one controls your movements but you. Think about something happy. I love you," he kisses my forehead while I mumble 'I love you too' back. Happy thoughts I guess.

---

(Dream)

"Jack! Where are you?" I ask, searching for my son.

"Boo!" he comes out from behind the couch. I fake getting scared.

"You scared me!" I pick him up.

"What is happening here? I hear a lot of laughter," Matt opens the door.

"I scared Mama!" Jack says, so proud of himself.

"You did? Good job! I could never scare Mama. Always knew where I was," he takes his son from my arms.

#matt murdock imagine #matt murdock #daredevil #marvel

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zablife · 2 years

Text

My Best Girl

Jack Nelson x Katie (OC- Jack Nelson's daughter)

Summary: Jack's oldest daughter, Katie, is the apple of his eye and the feeling is mutual. However, a chance encounter forever changes her opinion of her father.

Author's Note: Requested by a lovely anon who wanted to know what would happen if Jack's daughter caught him cheating.

Warnings: mentions of cheating, angst

Katie admired herself in the boutique's full length mirror. She felt so grown up in the blush pink dress she’d chosen and couldn’t wait to show her father later. He had insisted she choose something special for her upcoming graduation. He was proud of his eldest daughter, the child with whom he’d always shared the closest bond. He told her to spare no expense in treating herself, his “best girl”, and she beamed with adoration.

As she took her place on the raised platform waiting for the seamstress to finish pinning the hem, she heard two women talking loudly from the adjoining dressing rooms. They seemed to be discussing expensive purchases and a man who would be paying for everything. “This one’s divine! And the fur too? You’re so lucky, Marie!”

The ladies helping Katie rolled their eyes. She heard one whisper to the other, “I hate it when the mistresses have a line of credit. They spend all day in here drinking up the champagne and giggling like frivolous schoolgirls.”

As she handed the measuring tape to her colleague the other woman replied, “Don’t I know! I spent two hours with that one last week choosing lingerie to match his ties.” Jerking her chin toward the noisy women behind the stall door she added, “Such a crass woman! The things she told me about their love life.”

Before she could continue, a woman burst forth from the dressing room. Without any concern for the saleswoman or the seamstress, she heaped clothing on top of them demanding, “I want all of this wrapped while I have lunch.” She began to walk away, heels clacking against the polished floor before she turned suddenly to add, “And charge it to Jack Nelson.”

“You’re so lucky!” her friend swooned once more, grabbing her arm.

“Course I am. I’m his best girl!” Marie replied loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Yes, Miss Williams,” the saleswoman called after her with a small sigh, digging herself out from underneath the pile. She began folding the items to take them to the sales counter when she noticed Katie’s quivering lip. “Are you alright, dear?”

Katie nodded quickly. “Yes, I’m fine. I’m fine," she kept repeating, hurrying down from the pedestal to change.

“But I haven’t finished yet!” The seamstress called after her.

“I’m sorry, I have to go,” Katie said wiping the tears away before anyone could see them. She changed quickly, leaving the pink dress in a crumpled heap on the floor.

She made it to the street just as the hot tears began to spill over her cheeks. Feeling angry and confused, she leaned against a building and sobbed quietly for some time. She’d never felt like crying like this before. As she glimpsed herself in a store window she hated how the sudden force of her emotions had turned her face red and puffy.

She couldn’t go home like this she thought. She remembered what her mother always told her about how important appearances were and she reached into her handbag for a handkerchief and compact to make herself presentable again.

----------------------------------------

When Katie returned home that evening her father greeted her warmly, but she couldn't bring herself to go to him and kiss him on the cheek the way she normally did. "Did you buy something today, sweetheart?" he asked with a smile.

"No," she said drawing her lips into a tight line.

"My best girl needs a new dress, doesn't she?" he asked crossing the room to see what was wrong.

"I don't know, dad. Why don't you ask her?" she snapped at him.

Jack furrowed his brow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean Marie Williams. I know!" she said standing in front of her father defiantly.

Jack didn't make a single movement. His eyes were the only part of his face that gave away any indication he had heard what his daughter said. Katie watched as they flooded with pain. He didn't have to answer for her to know it was true.

"How could you do that to mom? How could you do that to me?" she asked, voice beginning to shake. All the emotion she'd felt earlier in the day rushing back to her. She wondered how he could sit next to them in church on Sundays and talk with them so casually every night at the dinner table knowing he was betraying them.

Jack opened his mouth to speak, but Katie interrupted. "I'm not sure I want to hear the justification actually."

"Please don't say anything to your mother about this, Katie. It would only embarrass her," Jack said. He was trying to take a firm tone with her, but it came out as a desperate plea.

Katie looked at him incredulously. "Embarrass her?" she said with a scoff. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't tell her you're having an affair?," she challenged him folding her arms over her chest.

Jack dropped his head into his hands not wanting to watch the sparkle in her eye dull forever. In an almost inaudible voice he whispered, "Because she already knows."

Katie's eyes darted back and forth over her father studying him carefully. She'd learn all the signs his body showed when he lied. How he would twist his wedding ring or stare at the floor. He didn't do either tonight and her heart sank knowing her mother must have been helping him hide his infidelity all these years. She felt her world shatter a bit more at the discovery.

"If you say something to your mother and she knows you know, it'll take a little piece of her dignity. You understand?" he said eyeing her to see if she was listening.

Katie nodded slowly, looking him in the eye. "I do. I understand you've taken enough of her dignity," she said inhaling sharply. The pain in her chest was becoming overwhelming as she struggled to grasp his illogical way of thinking.

Seeing her distress Jack placed a hand to his daughter's forearm. "Katie, please...One day you'll see. Marriage is complicated..." he started to explain. She jerked her arm away in disgust before he could continue.

"Whatever mom has chosen to live with is up to her, but I don't think I can. You're not the person I thought you were, dad. Do you love us at all?" she asked tears pricking her eyes.

Jack felt tears welling in his eyes knowing he'd let his little girl down. "I love my family very much, especially you, sweetheart."

Katie shook her head, brushing a tear away. "I'm sorry, but I just don't believe you anymore. I can't trust you."

Jack gripped the back of the chair tightly stressing his words, "Of course you can. I'm always gonna be there for you, honey. No one is more important than my best girl, huh?" he tried to make the last part sound cheerful like he had when she was little and needed reassurance.

Katie's head snapped up at the mention of the nickname he was using for her and his mistress and she thought about how inappropriate it all was. Feeling nauseous she replied with resolve, "You're a liar and I don't want anything from you. When I graduate next week, I'm leaving for good." Unable to bear the heartache any longer, she ran from his grasp barreling out the front door and down the front steps to her best friend's house. This place no longer felt like home.

------------------------------

Tag list:

@peakyswritings

@tommydoesntpayforsuits

@shelbydelrey

@alanadetigy

@wandawiccan60

@easilyobessedbutflighty

@lovemissyhoneybee

@theshelbyslimited

@kittycatcait219

@peakyrogers

@christinasyellowflowers

@retromafia

@notyour-valentine

@jackiekae

@peaky-cillian

@kpopgirlbtssvt

@celticmelody

@renderedspeechless

@slytherisstuff

@watercolorskyy

@cillmequick

@l1-14

#Peaky Blinders fanfic #Peaky Blinders imagine #Jack Nelson fanfic #Jack Nelson imagine

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mysoftboybensolo · 8 months

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My Headcanons for Jack Seward (BBC Dracula)

He's an only child, and never really seemed to connect with the other kids, despite his efforts to join in their games. He was often bullied as a child and had no friends, which left him with feelings of unworthiness and insecurity that follows him through adulthood.

His home life was...not great. Despite his family being wealthy and the ability to have anything they want, his parents were very unhappy. His mother suffered from depression and anxiety, and even though she cared for Jack, she had a hard time connecting to him because of her mental illness. She eventually commits suicide when Jack is six years old.

The event really shook Jack to the core, even prompting him as an adult to become a doctor and specializing in mental health. His mother's death made him a target for kids, saying that his mom was a nutjob and he maybe should follow in her footsteps.

Jack's dad was an overbearing, mean, and snobbish man, who put too much expectation on his son. He was disappointed that Jack was not more "manly" and was too sensitive for his father's taste. Jack always tried to gain his father's approval, but after graduating high school, he realized it was never going to happen, so after a big argument of what career Jack wanted to go into, he leaves for good and his father cuts him off.

Getting into college on a scholarship, Jack meets Zoe Van Helsing, who sees how quiet but hardworking he is, and decides to take him under her wing. Jack sees her as a substitute parent, even at times the older sister he never had. She tells him about the Harker Foundation, and how joining is easy money, knowing that he is struggling now being cut off, and it is a life saver for Jack.

He also signed up for tutoring for the extra money, and that is how he meets Lucy Westenra. She went to college for Liberal Arts, but was struggling and her mom insisted she get a tutor. Jack was very shy around her at first, but her open personality made it easier for him to open up and he starts to fall for her. He knew Lucy could be vain, cold, and mean, but he still loved her because she made him feel seen and needed, which is something no one else had ever made him feel.

When she decided to leave college, Jack was devastated as he was certain he'd never see her again, but she called him one day (having his number to contact him for tutoring sessions) and asked him to join her at the club. He was so happy to be able to be with her outside of school, and that night, she suggest that they go back to her place, which they then sleep together that night.

Jack never kissed anyone before Lucy and, even though he knew she didn't feel the same way as he did, he accepted her offer, certain this was the most love he'd ever get. It broke his heart to see her with other people, but he's never dare to share what his feelings for her are, seeing it as his problem and not hers.

When he hears that he lost two of the most important people in one day, with him killing vampire Lucy and Zoe dies while taking Dracula with her, he feels totally lost, and almost ready to end his life, but decides to push forward, seeing that Zoe left him everything, with a note saying how proud she is of him and is certain he'll be a great doctor.

Some years later, now a doctor who has helped many patients, he has at last made peace with the deaths of Lucy and Zoe, and with a newfound confidence and acceptance of himself, he is able to lead a full and happy life with new friends and learn to love once more.

#dracula #bbc dracula #dracula 2020 #jack seward #matthew beard

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bedsyandco · 9 months

Text

yours | Q. Hughes

note: I don't know what this is...it just happened. Quinn hughes x fem!reader, Quinn hughes x norris!sister. Takes place in summer '23. Reader is the same age as Jack.

summary: in which Josh's little sister goes to the Hughes Lake house with him, where two years ago Quinn and her had a one night stand.

cw: slight smut?🫣 allusions to sex, some touching...no actual sex

You sigh in relief when the car finally pulls into the driveway of the lakehouse. It wasn’t that long of a trip but it was extremely hot and you didn’t want to be stuffed in the car longer than you needed to. A small smile forms on your face as you set your eyes on the familiar house. You hadn’t been here the last two years but when Josh heard you didn’t have any plans this summer, he insisted you come along.

“I’m gonna unload our stuff, mind going inside and getting Quinn to come help me…” your brother says and you agree.

As soon as you walk into the house you’re met with various forms of greetings.

“Little Josh!” says Trevor

“The prodigal daughter returns,” from Jack

“Welcome home,” says Cole

“Look who it is, the little traitor herself,” Quinn says and that’s the only greeting you reply to.

“You’re still calling me that?”

“Are you still going to Ohio State?” he replies

“No actually, I just graduated, remember?” you ask knowing the answer. Quinn had sent you flowers as congratulations, so of course he remembers.

“That’s even worse, graduating from there. Actually I don’t know if I can allow you to stay here anymore,” he says and you hit him on the arm as he laughs. Quinn didn’t smile often, so each time he laughed at something you said or did, you got this proud little feeling in your gut. You earned that smile.

He pulls you into his chest, squeezing tight, and your eyes close as you inhale his familiar scent. Jack, Trevor and Cole all exchange awkward glances when a solid two minutes goes by and you guys are still hugging.

“Are we all getting hugs, or are those reserved for huggy bear only?” Trevor teases and you and Quinn break apart from your hug, his hands lingering on your waist as you move to pull the other guys into much shorter hugs.

“Where’s Luke?” you ask, noting his absence.

"We sent him, Dylan and Tyler to the store," Quinn says

"You trusted them to get everything you needed?" you ask amused

"It's better than sending those three," Quinn says referring to Jack, Trevor and Cole, who all look very offended and you laugh.

"Thanks for sending Quinn out to help me," Josh says dryly, walking in with 4 bags in his hands, and you wince.

"Sorry, I got distracted," you reply apologetically.

"You know where your room is, give me her bags and I'll take them to hers," Quinn says to Josh who hands him your bags.

You follow Quinn up the stairs, and linger awkwardly by the entrance of the room. Your gaze lands on the bed and instantly flashbacks appear of when you were last in this room.

"God, you feel so fucking good."

"Open your legs for me, baby. I wanna see you."

"Don't close your eyes. Look at me."

Your cheeks heat up and you swallow thickly before looking back at Quinn who just gives you a little smirk, knowing that you're also thinking about that night. The next morning you both agreed to forget it ever happened, but it was the best sex you've ever had and you'd be lying if you said you haven't thought about it constantly over the past 2 years.

"What?" You ask when you find him staring at you.

"I just didn't realise how much I missed you." he says

"I missed you too,"

"You wouldn't have had to miss me if you hadn't been avoiding me for two years," he says

"I haven't been avoiding you, I was just busy," you argue

"Either way, I'm glad you're here," he says and lays a kiss on your head before exiting the room.

You take a deep breath before laying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. You had hoped that your crush on your brother's best friend would have faded at least a little by now, but it's still the same, if not worse.

☆

A few days later you and the guys were out on the boat. Quinn was steering while the rest of the guys were wake surfing.

You could feel Quinn's eyes on you as you spoke to Tyler.

"I'm so glad you're here, I would've actually feared for my life if I was here alone with all these Michigan guys," you say and Tyler chuckles with a little wince.

"Yeah…I transferred to Michigan, remember?" he asks

"Oh my God…I totally forgot. Now I wish I had gone to Michigan instead,"you say bummed that everyone had gone there except you. Well and Jack, Trevor and Cole but it's not like you were trying to follow in their footsteps.

"I was so heartbroken that you graduated, I needed a change of scenery, you know?" Tyler says with a little grin and you shake your head. He was such a shameless flirt.

"Sure."

"I for one am glad you didn't go to Michigan," Tyler says

"Why's that?" you ask

"Cause red is definitely your colour," he says, dragging his gaze up and down your body that is clad in a red bikini.

"Tyler, you're up!" Quinn barks at him and walks over, handing you his hoodie.

"Thanks" you say, putting it on and he just nods.

☆

That night you were laying in bed, unable to sleep, when the bedroom door opened.

"Quinn? What are you doing here?" you ask

"I couldn't sleep, I kept thinking about…tell me you didn't sleep with him." Quinn says a little erratically and you stand up to make your way over to him, clad in only a T Shirt, his shirt, and panties.

"Sleep with who?" you ask confused

"Tyler" he grits out

"What? No, of course not," you say appalled that he would even think that, and he lets out a relieved sigh.

"Are you jealous?" you ask a little amused and Quinn glares at you.

"It's not funny," Quinn says and your eyes widen slightly.

"You are jealous. You have no reason to be jealous, Quinn. I'm not yours, and we're not together." you say and his jaw clenches.

He steps closer, lifting the hem of your shirt and putting one hand on your bare waist, pulling you closer to him. The other hand delves into your hair, tipping your head back as Quinn lowers his mouth to yours, lightly dragging his lips over yours in a whisper of a kiss before moving down laying open mouth kisses on your neck. You shudder when he sucks on a particular sensitive spot, knowing it will leave a mark.

"Quinn," you gasp

"No one else can make you feel like this and no one else touches you like I do. We may not be together but we both know you're mine." he says and moves the hand on your waist upwards to cup your breast, lightly running his thumb over your nipple, hardening it and you whimper.

"Please," you say and he smirks

"Please what?"

"Please touch me," you beg

"You have to say it first baby," he says and you whine knowing what he wants.

"I'm yours, all yours, only yours. Now please touch me," you say

Quinn takes off his clothes, leaving him in only his boxers before removing your shirt, picking you up and carrying you to the bed, gently laying you down.

"You have to be quiet, okay? As much as I'd love for Tyler to hear how good I make you feel, we don't want Josh to hear…right?" Quinn asks laying kisses from your breasts down to your stomach and you nod.

"Words baby," he says

"I'll be quiet," you say and he smiles

"Good girl," he says.

☆

The next morning you leave Quinn in your bed, and make your way downstairs to the kitchen, where you find Jack, Luke and Trevor sitting at the counter, whispering quietly.

"Morning," you say

"Morning," Jack replies

"Sleep well?" Luke asks with a little smile.

"Yeah, I slept great,"

"I bet you did," Trevor says with a smirk but before you can ask Quinn enters the room.

"How did you sleep Quinn?" Trevor asks

"I slept great, better than I have in a while," he says looking at you.

Trevor, Jack and Luke all exchange amused looks. Maybe you weren't as quiet as you thought last night

Before you can interrogate them, Josh enters the room, grumbling a "good morning" and making his way to the coffee machine.

"What the fuck is that?" Josh yells, striding over to you and moving your hair to the side, bending your neck in an awkward position, inspecting the hickey on your neck.

"Ow! Josh!" you exclaim swatting his hands away,

"Which one of you fuckers did it? Trevor?" Josh asks threateningly and Trevor holds his hands up.

"It wasn't me I swear. I mean I wish it was, but it wasn't." he says and both Quinn and Josh glare at him.

"Tyler!" Josh yells, running up the stairs to Tyler's room, making the same assumption Quinn almost did yesterday,

"Are you guys gonna come clean or are you gonna let him kill Tyler?" Luke asks

"Nah, we'll wait a little." Quinn says and you smile, knowing it's Quinn's way of making Tyler pay for flirting with you yesterday.

"Wanna go get breakfast?" You ask Quinn, not wanting to be here when Josh eventually connects the dots.

"Absolutely," Quinn says, grabbing the keys.

#⇢ ˗ˏˋ 📂 bedsyandco works!#⇢ ˗ˏˋ 📜 cam's fics #hockey fic #nhl fic #hockey blurb #hockey imagine #nhl blurb #nhl fanfiction #nhl imagine #quinn hughes fanfiction #quinn hughes x reader #quinn hughes blurb #quinn hughes imagine #quinn hughes #quinn hughes x y/n #🌶

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crazyyanderefangirlfan · 2 years

Note

Hey, how did the Kemonohito boys and their girls started dating/met?

A/N: Sorry f or the late reply, I've been busy today and different time zones. Also under the cut cause it's long

Jack and Joe are the childhood friends to lovers trope.

Jack met Roxy on his first day of school in America. He was wary of strangers, especially when they talk about their family. She tried to be as friendly as possible and make him see that she wanted to be his friend. It took time but they managed to be two peas in a pod.

Joe met Misty after a few months of getting used to his new home. He and his siblings were walking home when Zuri noticed following them, when she said that Misty ran away.

This continued for a few days before she managed take Joe away from his siblings. She demanded to switch places with him but he shoved her off and called her weirdo but she was persistent. Before long they were on the ground and misty breaking down yelling that she hates her sisters and would rather be in his family.

This made him stop and listened to her family plight, they became friends after that.

As they grew up the girls realize their feelings for them and get heartbroken and sad every time they watch them date and get their hearts shattered afterward. They tried their best to comfort them and be their best friends but it wasn't enough.

By the time Joe realized his feelings for Misty, she was already with another guy. He tried to be happy for her, but couldn't so he ended up avoiding her, it made her upset and tried to reach out for him causing her to make her boyfriend think she was cheating on him.

This made them argue a lot and caused a mar in their relationship, despite her constant assurance she'd never, he never believed her.

Finally it all came down when Misty caught him with the girl who hated her. She was so distraught that she went to Joe and told him what she saw, Joe was pissed but he needed to comfort her first.

The next day, Joe sent her now ex to the hospital and was never caught.

He helped her heal her whilst becoming closer again, during one night Misty finally revealed her feelings for him, making Joe reveal his feelings too when she started dating him.

She questioned on why he didn't say anything, making reply that he wanted her to be happy, she just kissed his lips and said he makes her happy.

Jack and Roxy ended up revealing their feelings for each other at their high school graduation and have been going strong since.

Vince and Malachite are different.

Vince meet Stephanie when the whole family was going on a camping trip, he was tasked to get firewood when he heard noises. Investigating, he found a man punching a girl tied to a tree, Vince rushed in and knock the man cold.

He quickly, untied her and took her back to camp. Everyone was panicking when they saw her, Vince explained what happened and they quickly packed up, tied the guy up and took her to the hospital.

It took an hour but she woke up, she was naturally scared but relaxed when she was in the hospital and given an explanation.

The police arrived shortly after and began to ask questions.

"My name is Stephanie Grimm and well..."

She explained how her ex tried to ask money from her, when she said she had none he became violent and kidnapped her, thinking she was lying.

Soon after that, her father and brothers came worried out of their minds. Her father thanked Vince repeatedly, and her brothers called him a hero.

Vince visited her as much as possible, his siblings teased him that he fell in love with her but he retorted that he was simply worried.

Then one day during his weekly visits, her ex broke into the hospital, demanding where she was and she was a lying whore. Like before he knocked him out in one punch.

When she was released from the hospital after few days, they went to court. Her ex tried to turn things into his favor but thankfully there were many witnesses and evidence against him.

Her ex got twenty years of prison and a restraining order against him to not get close to her within thirty feet.

After that Stephanie was sent to therapy after the whole ordeal. Her father asked Vince to take her there if he was busy and he agreed.

So almost a year, Vince drove Stephanie to her therapy sessions whenever her father was busy, and even hang out with him after those sessions.

It wasn't long before they fell in love with each other. At the end of her final session, he took her to the park and confessed to her which she happily accepted.

Elodie meet Malachite at on of the concerts they preform. She just became friends with Roxy, Misty and Stephanie who were already dating.

She was nervous because it as her first concert and wondered if the music won't hurt her head. When it began everything turned to white noise as she stared at Malachite.

In her eyes he was breathtaking and she couldn't help but go near. She couldn't take her eyes off of him through the duration of the concert and had to be snapped awake by her friends.

At the end, the girls began to say their good-byes to their respective bfs when Elodie sneezed, starting to feel cold. She rubbed her arms, regretting to not brining a jacket when one wrapped around her.

She was surprised it was Malachite's, he smiled and said she needed it more than him.

Elodie internally fangirled and thanked him ad walked home with her friends.

They began to hang out more, and Elodie loved his personality. Shamefully, she did stalked him a little, she just wanted to know who the girls in the band are and was relieved to be his sisters.

Unaware to her, Malachite was beginning to fall in love as well.

One day, Elodie didn't come to on of their concerts, which worried him. His siblings try to reassure him that maybe she was busy, but he argued if she was she would have texted him. He visited her apartment one day and saw her with her parents and overhearing that she was to be engaged.

Elodie tried to argue with them, but her father said that their decision was final.

Long story short (mostly cause I'm running out of ideas), the engagement as off cause the company of Elodie's fiancee had a scandal thanks to Cece leaking some information to the news. Malachite and Elodie celebrated her ex-fiancee's downfall with a kiss

#disney villain recruiters #villain recruiters #malachite kemonohito #vince kemonohito #joe kemonohito #jack kemonohito #elodie perrault #stephanie grimm #misty andersen #roxy carrol

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broodinglitanies · 20 days

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2.15 & 2.16 - A Free Agent | Firebomb

The ones where Christian Slater is a special guest star, Sloane works with Kabir who later has Sydney in his custody, a specific bomb that raises heat in human body at the certain proximity of that very device and makes people combust (great, majestically filmed, Rambaldi-amplified moment in the church), Sark and Sloane working together, this time also kidnapping a mathematician (Caplan, played by Slater) and his family. Wife and son get rescued by Sydney in Switzerland and that's where all the major action takes place. Sydney faces Sloane in person for the first time since his disappearance prior to Alliance takedown, having him at gunpoint, but unfortunately, he's got the place rigged with C-4, and not just the bank they're in, but the block as well, with a secondary detonator being on a remote location, surveillance over the scene by Sloane's team, but not the CIA since they obviously didn't reprioritise well enough. Sydney graduates, finds bugs in her apartment, Weiss continues being endearing as ever, Jack and Irina all have their own, but different views on Sydney's option to leave the CIA.

Of course, non-courtesy of Sloane and some of the aforementioned stuff, she cannot leave, willingly stays, even Dixon joins in after stating boldly that he's not interested in being recruited, the deceit and lies and on and on... Sloane left the bank with Sydney as his hostage and she was driving him and just as she tells him that she wouldn't even be breaking the law if she killed him. He gets saved by Sark and the rest of Sloane's team, with Syd left frustrated and upset in her half-demolished car. There was also speeding through the streets of Zurich as Syd was rushing to get to the bank with Vaughn on time, so much of it was brilliantly done, including the fight scene in front of a rotorcraft propeller (or?).

Episode 15 - the one being excellent and near perfect with suspense, "soothing anxiety", action, some sweetness, swift script-to-screen ricocheting of scenes. Episode 16 slows down a bit, but the atmosphere it's gunning for is achieved, although it does feel a bit less organised and perhaps noticeably slower (unnecessarily) in comparison with some of the episodes that precede it, including A Free Agent. Alison maintains her cover as she sets up someone else. Jack is of course aware of both possibilities (except for Francie not being Francie). Alison is still creepy as hell, the way she touches Syd's hair and expresses her desire for them to communicate more (???) even saying they used to be good friends (???). Syd is noticing her unusual mannerisms (or whatever the word is) and body language and expressions being off, but for a trained agent who should be good at this type of stuff and on top of that, aware of project Helix, she seems out-of-character with her ongoing naivety. CIA gets the extremely dangerous device back, Vaughn and Dixon rescue Syd from Kabir just as he was about to permanently damage her kneecap. Sloane was there a little while ago and asked Syd to cooperate, told her he often considers her his greatest accomplishment and even kissed her on the head (eww...). They're both convincing, unsettling and phenomenal. Dixon comes to terms with everything that's happened and now understands Sydney's silence about the real truth about SD-6 for two years. Sloane smashes the gift he received from Kabir - and the toy surprise is - why of course, a piece of another Rambaldi puzzle. Now he owns the missing part of the page and looks at the completed piece in front of him, Sark just kinda being there confounded, firm and succinct. He was boring for most of the episode. Anyways…

A Free Agent

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ 𓆩ᥫ᭡𓆪

Firebomb

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ 𓆩ᥫ᭡𓆪

#alias #tv shows #sydney bristow #alias s2 #reviews #misc #alias rewatch #alias 2x15 #alias 2x16 #9/10 #10/10 #8/10

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cwwwriting · 2 years

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Double Exposure

By Clinton W. Waters

The night of our senior prom, Kyle was standing next to me on the stairs. I didn’t know that, of course, until we had the pictures developed. My dad said it was a “double exposure”. He initially didn’t want to show me, but he thought it would be for the best. Even if it hurt. The photo wasn’t particularly special if you didn't know any better. A little grainy, some bright colored dots floating in the air from the dust. I promise I’m not crazy. I know film does weird, but totally explainable, stuff sometimes.

The Kyle in the picture was not a double exposure.

It was brand new film I watched my mom open and put into the camera, though she came to deny that. There I was in the photo, standing on the stairs, looking down at my mom, who had some very specific artistic direction she wanted to follow. My suit was too big on my narrow shoulders and I had too much gel in my hair. I was smiling the way I did for mom-enforced shots. The kind she had taken of me and Kyle everytime she took us somewhere.

Behind me, stooping down to place his head on my padded shoulder, was Kyle’s face. He was kissing me on the cheek, his lips somewhere between a pucker and a grin. The way he kissed me when no one was looking. When we knew no one else was in the gym, or after our parents had gone to sleep. When I was mad or sad, he would whisper against my neck, something as simple as “Hey,”, and it would send chills down over my entire body. I pretended to hate it, but he knew I didn’t. “Hey. Hey, what’s the matter with the baby?” he’d ask until I laughed so hard I forgot.

The picture did upset me. But in a way I found hard to describe, that I’m still going to struggle with telling you. I felt so guilty when I realized the frantic rush of prom and finals had distracted me from the Kyle-shaped void in my life. The picture was a neon sign in the shape of his silhouette. Like the chalk on the road that had taken weeks to wash away.

In the photo, Kyle looked just like the last time I saw him. It was the end of October then and his cheeks were red from the cold. We had been walking through my neighborhood, admiring the jack-o-lanterns and fake bones scattered across yards that still clung to green life, but were nearly all withered and brown. A big hole opened up in my stomach, knowing he never made it home that night.

I was mad, too. The kind of mad that sends fireworks down your nerves. The anger that would make you try to squeeze blood from a stone and still do it, despite knowing the outcome. There were so many times in those months since it happened that I tried to picture his face. And here it was, here he was, hamming it up in my prom picture. If he were alive, I wouldn’t know whether to choke him or kiss him.

The library had a few books on what my mom would call witchcraft in a blanket term pulled from the Satanic Panic handbook. There were histories about the Fox Sisters and seances held around wealthy dining tables. It took me days to find out that none of it was practical, though. I skipped out on plans with the other seniors. The computer lab at school let me look up some webpages. Pixelated images of circles drawn on the floor surrounded by candles. I ate dinner as quickly as possible to avoid talking to my folks.

When graduation came, I posed for every photo my mom wanted me to, urged my mom to use the entire roll. Instead of going to a party, I made her go and get them developed immediately. I was drawn and pale in my black robes and square hat. I could see the hope in my eyes and felt it fizzle out when Kyle was nowhere to be found in the pictures.

I spent the summer trying to make contact. I got a ouija board and a Polaroid camera with my graduation money. It all amounted to nothing, though. I just sat there feeling stupid, my hand on the magnifying glass thing. He didn’t have anything to say.

Or maybe I was the problem. Kyle didn’t appear in any of the black and white tongues that shot out of the camera. Every once in a while, my door would creak open or a light would dim, and I just knew it was him. His footsteps would come down the hall and stop, my heart thumping and breaking simultaneously. But that was the extent of it.

So in the end, I was left with a stupid board game that I ripped in half and a pile of Polaroids of my room, inside my closet, around the house. All empty. Even on the stairs, trying to recreate the photo of us from prom night. No sign of him. I cried myself to sleep most nights, wondering if he was right there with me and I just couldn’t feel him. I couldn’t work out what I was doing wrong. There were times I missed him so bad I couldn’t breathe. My mom would have to hold me close and rock me like a little kid.

My parents worked out pretty quickly that I hadn’t applied to any colleges. They were furious when they confronted me about it. But I had no intention of leaving the house where Kyle’s spirit resided. And no intention of telling them that was the case. There was no way I could make them understand.

I told them I was depressed. They sent me to a shrink. A guy with a bad comb-over and an office that smelled like mothballs. Even without telling him about my endeavors to reach Kyle (I really didn’t want to be institutionalized), he confirmed what I had been telling them all along. Grief hung around my neck and weighed me down, he said. He said I needed to get more sunshine, more exercise. He gave me pills that put a sealed dome over my brain. I still felt so much, but those emotions never made it past the glass. Mom stood at the sink every morning and made sure I took them. Checked under my tongue and told me it was good for me. At least I didn’t cry my eyes out anymore. The nudged cabinets and flickering lights went away, too.

The prom picture went in a drawer with the others of me and Kyle. The therapist suggested this as an “out of sight, out of mind” tactic. He instructed me to look at it one last time and appreciate that a quirk of photography had given us one last snapshot together. The therapist, in his monotone, said to say, "I know this isn't real," out loud. I'd bite my tongue off before I'd say that. But for my parents' sake, I hid us away in the drawer and didn't look while they were home.

All of the pictures were crystal clear in my head, so it didn’t do any good for me. They went as far back as kindergarten. Even the most recent felt like I was a little kid. The me that I saw in the mirror now wasn’t that happy boy anymore, hugging his friend tight, so tight he'd never be able to go anywhere. My life would forever be separated into with him and without him. I was a skeleton, tired of being upright. I felt like the double exposure, both things at once, the eaten apple core and the ripe fruit it was just moments before.

My dad made me get a job. He said he had lost friends, too. In much worse ways in the war. But you didn’t see him moping around. So instead of laying in bed, I stood in a drive-thru for 8 hours at a time, letting my mind wander. In this half-asleep haze, just setting my body through the motions of being a living boy, I stumbled through life until I looked up and realized it was fall. My coworkers tried to make friends with me, but I kept them all at arm’s length. They invited me to their party, said I didn’t have to dress up if I didn’t want to. I said my parents needed me back home. The truth was this: I was the living dead. How could anyone be friends with a mindless monster?

I thought stupid things sometimes.

Like would it be better to check out? Become the actually dead dead? There were a couple different ways I could do it. Maybe Kyle would be waiting for me, so ecstatic I had figured it all out. We could go on and haunt the world until the end of time.

Wouldn’t that be nice?

Autumn and Halloween just made me think about him more. His one year anniversary was coming up. How many costumes had we cooked up? How many wrappers were flayed and picked clean over the 12 Halloweens we had had together? Wasn’t it Megan’s Halloween party in 10th grade when we finally got drunk enough to admit how we felt? Didn’t we wander out into the dark, impervious to the chill, and shove each other into piles of leaves? Weren’t there still Halloween decorations everywhere when we drove out to the cemetery after his service? Didn’t red and orange leaves fall down into the hole that they lowered him into? It was so hard to remember what was real anymore.

When I got home from work, reeking of old oil and a few days without a shower, my parents were gone. They had left a bowl full of candy on the porch that was mostly picked through. I kicked it out into the yard, so angry at being alive. I went in the house and slammed the door. I went upstairs and pulled the pictures out of their drawer, feeling like I was disturbing a holy relic. Hot tears fell onto the prom picture and I hurriedly swiped them away. With no one in the house, I yelled out loud. I begged him to give me some kind of sign.

I sat in the silence so long it hurt my ears. I looked out my window and saw parents steering their kids away from our porch.

I felt bad and went back out to pick up the candy that I had scattered out into the yard. A shadow came down the driveway. “Sorry, just one second,” I said. “I dropped the bowl.” I waited for a kid or their parent to say something, but there was no reply. I looked up and didn’t see anyone.

I sat down on the porch and watched the sky. The moon was caught in the branches of a tree that had already shed its leaves. I knew it was something Kyle would have appreciated. I missed him. I missed him every day, but in that moment, truly alone and without anyone to monitor my moods, I felt his absence like one might miss a vital organ. “I’m sorry,” I said to the night. To him, if he was listening. I knew what I wanted to do and felt so disgusted by it. I buried my face in my hands and tried to push the tears back into my eyes. I took a shuddering breath and let it out as slowly as I could.

I had to give up. On Kyle and ever seeing him again. One day I'd wake up and it wouldn't hurt so bad. One day I'd realize I hadn't thought of him in a while. And I would sit and reminisce.

The hair on the back of my neck bristled and chills ran down my back.

“Hey,” a familiar voice whispered from behind me. “What’s the matter with the baby?”

#fiction #gay #short fiction #short story #story #ghost #ghosts #ghost stories #ghost story #90s #film photography #double exposure #spooky #halloween #gay fiction #queer fiction

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iphoenixrising · 4 years

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Check, Please WIP: Part 1-4

AHL!Bitty

I’m going to hell, but… Parse, Bitty, and Jack or PB&J as I’ve seen it, have some wonderful stories in the fandom, and tbh I’ve come to look at Kent Parsons very differently thanks to a few. You can probably check them out on my Ao3 bookmarks and such.

Notes:

I know shit all about hockey but damn if I don’t love Check, Please! Not everything is accurate and some details are mine. Like, I’m just going to pretend the Bruins aren’t in Providence, and the Pawtucket Rebels are the AHL team.

But then, what if Jack and Bits didn’t get that kiss at the end of Jack’s graduation? What if they just stayed the best of friends, pining away at one another until Kent Parson comes back into Jack’s life. Now it’s not just Jack pining, it’s Kent too :D

And, well, after winning the Championship his senior year, bringing that back to Samwell, Eric Bittle might just think he hasn’t had enough Hockey after all.

Really, it’s time to put up or shut up.

** Pro

Of all the things on Kent Parson’s Wish List (winning the Stanley Cup, being on a team he loves, playing hockey for the rest of his life, having a pet and Kit meets all those criteria for so much cute and cuddly), getting his friendship back on track with Jack Zimmermann hadn’t moved down from number 1, ever.

Things changed after that disaster at his college frat house, then later in Zimm’s first season with the Falconers, Kent wasn’t sure it could even be a wish.

When it came to hockey, things were always too easy. They never had to talk about it, about what they were doing on the ice. All of that just came like breathing. Parse and Zimms, Zimms and Parse. The whole Zimmermann-Parson No-Look One-Timer was never something they discussed, it was something that just happened.

On the ice, they were unbeatable, just like in Juniors.

Off the ice...was a different story.

(Sometimes he dreams about it, finding Jack passed out on the bathroom floor of the hotel, foaming at the mouth, panic and adrenaline hitting Kent hard when he’s pretty sure his best friend, the man he almost-kind of-sometimes loves, is going to die on this floor.)

Jack’s problem with pills started early, around the time he and Kent got serious enough to play for scouts that started coming around with the promise of watching the son of Bad Bob.

(He was always partially to blame for Jack’s downfall. Kent had been the closest to Jack back then, had seen the signs, had tried to pull him back whenever he could, had been the one to ease Zimms down before every game, to be the one sitting in a corner with the bigger Canadian, running his hands over Jack’s shoulders and holding his hands, checking his breathing, helping him work through the anxiety.)

But, but!

That’s all old history, something Jack probably never wants to revisit ever again (because he cut you out of his life so well–), even when he makes it to the Falconers.

(After that disaster at his school, well, no wonder.)

And Kent just has to deal with that, has to accept it finally, and just move on.

(He could have been an Ace, just that fast, playing with Kent’s team of awesome guys. And fuck did it hurt when Jack turned him down flat...)

Until this little shit came along.

** 1

Eric Bittle realizes he’s severely messed up when he doesn’t kiss Jack Zimmermann at graduation.

For two years, they’ve played hard hockey for Samwell, have gotten close, becoming best friends. They’ve held checking clinics, hugged tightly in cellys, watched boring as hell history documentaries on that god-awful green couch, and pulled each other back from the brink of insanity during midterms and finals. They’ve spent time in the kitchen with Bitty cooking and Jack working at the table. They’ve spent time outside in the quad, bullshittin’ like the oldest friends, chirpin’ back n’ forth like they’re two peas in a pod.

Jack somehow started being his best friend without even trying.

The last game showed him how close they’d become when he’s going through the empty rink, making it to the loading dock, just a flash of jersey leading him to Jack hunched over, tears in his eyes.

The utter agony right there had gone through Bitty like lightning, driving him forward to hop up on the pallets Jack was sitting on, and wrap both arms around those wide shoulders, hold on to ‘im as tight as he can.

“It ain’t your fault, Jack. You did so good with us. I’m so proud of you, honey, you have no idea. You worked so hard, so hard, Jack.”

“Bits,” is soft and sad, Jack choking a little, but those big arms come around him, crush him against Jack’s chest and the pads he’s still wearing.

“I know, I know. Sometimes it just isn’t in the cards, no matter how hard we fight. You get that, don’t you? Sometimes it just is what it is.”

“I can’t–” accept that is what Jack wants to say.

“I know it’s hard, but sometimes all the trainin’ and plannin’ and best of intentions just aren’t enough to tip the scales in your favor.”

And Jack seems to get something there, tightens his arms a little more, and holds on.

It’s a little while later when Jack’s stopped shaking like a leaf, “I wanted to bring home a Championship. Wanted to make my mark on Samwell.”

“Of course you did–”

“Thought after all this time, everything I owe Samwell and the team, bringing me here, giving me this second chance–”

“Oh Jack,” at this juncture, Bittle’s head is under Jack’s chin.

“I finally felt like I’d stopped fucking up,” is rough and dark in the quiet of the rink. “I thought coming to Samwell was a...a punishment. I dealt with it because I thought my life was going to start after, when I finished up my degree and got back into the Draft. But that’s...that’s not how it happened. My life started the minute I met you and the team and I remembered why the hell I love hockey so damn much in the first place.”

And if maybe a few slow, shameful tears escaped Bitty, well, no one would ever know.

But they got even closer as Jack’s graduation loomed, and Eric Bittle stayed in his own personal hell of loving Jack so much it ached, but helpless to stay away to protect himself.

Instead, when Jack pauses at his door, Bits knows what he needs and finds space to lounge on Jack’s bed, scrolling through Twitter while Jack talks about the negotiations with NHL teams or works on his last assignments.

Watching Jack pack his things, preparing for the Falconer’s training camp, getting ready for the next stage of his life, all of it makes Bits so dang proud and so sad at the same time.

But, well, nothin’ lasts forever, now does it.

When Jack ran all the way back to the Haus just to see him, just to pull him in hard for a desperate last hold, it was all Bits could do to stop from sobbing his heart out.

“–and you’re coming to Providence this summer to stay with me for a while, and-and I’ll be down when I can. You’re going to Skype me all the time. Bits, promise me. All the time.”

“Okay, Jack. Okay.”

Something soft in French that he has no idea what it could possibly mean, but he absolutely imagines Jack pressing a kiss in his hair.

“I’m sorry, Bits, but I have to go. I...I’ll text you, okay?”

“Okay,” is more watery than he’d like, but he can look up in Jack’s blue, blue eyes and at least feel warm that he’s had this man for as long as he has. When Jack’s hands slide out of his, he somehow doesn’t feel like he’s losing anything at all.

** 2

And just like that, Jack takes a step in his life he never could have predicted. Like an hour away instead of across the hall is enough to keep holding on, enough that Jack comes to Madison over the summer, enough that he asks Bitty to show him how to use FaceTime and SnapChat.

It’s enough for Jack to pick him up off his feet every time they meet up and bury his face in Bitty’s hair. It’s enough for Jack to Skype almost nightly while he’s tuckered out in his bed, talking about the joys and pitfalls of being a professional athlete.

It’s enough that he gets to meet the Falconers long before preseason starts, and the amount of pies he brings is literally obscene.

(It all works out just fine in the end because he goes home with the empty pans. Not a single slice left.)

It’s enough when Jack talks more about life than hockey sometimes, and Bitty is utterly helpless to stop any of it. And it’s funny, he thinks, how he was sure Jack would just flitter out of his life after a while. That they would be reduced to a Skype call once a week maybe when they find the time, then once a month, then not at all, moving into texting once and a while until Jack would be nothing more than one of his best memories of Samwell.

It’s funny how he thought Jack moving into the NHL, moving to Providence, moving out of the Haus, moving on with his life, would mean also moving on from Eric Bittle.

And my, how wrong he was about all that.

Watching Jack play with the Falconers from the stands with the Stanley Cup on the line is not really where he’d thought he’d be once Jack had graduated.

But, if anything else, they’ve gotten even closer than before.

And when the buzzer finally sounds and the Falconers win it, he’s among the crowd running out on the ice for the biggest celly of the year.

Jack spots him immediately, grabs him up with a victorious roar, and skates around people holding Bitty like a favorite toy until Tater scoops him up from Jack yelling about “Nook pies!”

Marty skates by him, ruffling his hair with something twinkling in his eye. Thirdy hauls him up, too, though Bitty has no idea why all these hockey players are just throwing him around when they’ve just won the Stanley Cup, but he still thinks it’s awful nice of them to include him in their celebration.

He doesn’t go back to Georgia for the summer after all or the next one before he starts his senior year, but goes between staying in Jack’s guest room and the Haus instead. His Mama’s not happy about it at all, but he’s a grown man, so that’s all she can say about that.

So Bitty passes the summer of his Senior year training with Jack or at Faber when the ice is up for grabs, works on some chapters for his someday cookbook, and continues his vlog so everyone can see how superior filo is to choux in the right circumstances.

With the season over after winning the Cup, Jack is over at the Haus more than ever if Bitty’s not in Providence already staying in his guest room.

It should be strange to answer the door at the Haus on Saturday morning during the summer and see Jack there in his trainers, sweats, and t-shirt, wanting to hang out for the day after he’d put in a few hours at the Falc’s stadium already.

(“C’mon, Bits. Can’t slack during the summer. You’re the captain. Set an example.”

“Jack, it’s summer. Leave me alone until at least nine am for goodness sake!”

“Not going to happen, bud.”)

It should be strange riding the train or in the passenger seat of Jack’s SUV on their way to Providence while he fiddles with the music and Jack doesn’t complain about the selection.

It should be strange to wake up on Jack’s couch, laying on a broad shoulder with a heavy arm flopped around Bitty’s waist and logs being sawed in his ear.

It should be strange to know Jack’s kitchen better than the back of his hand, and to be giddy every time there’s a new utensil bought with him in mind.

(“Jack, why in the world would you need a dough scraper of all things?” “Not for me, Bits.”

“O-Oh!”

“Yeah. Thank Tater. He went with me this time. He held up that and said, ‘oh does B have one of these? It looks important.’ I didn’t know so I bought it in case.”)

It should be strange to see Jack’s Skype requests almost every night before bed, or have his former captain sprawled out in Bitty’s full sized bed once Lardo, Ransom, and Holster are already moved out and the new Waffles are well into the first semester of his senior year.

(“Good Lord, Jack, scoot over!”

“Mm.” Jack scootches maybe a foot more so Bitty can climb in beside him, already yawning. “Comfy, bud?”

“Gettin’ there,” and he absolutely ignores how much easier he falls asleep when Jack throws a heavy arm over him.)

It should be strange for Jack to whip him on up in a big hug when he admits the boys voted him as the Captain, and Jack breathes out, “damn right,” too close to his ear.

(“I don’t know if I can do this, Jack.”

“Too bad, Bits. Looks like you’re already doing it.”)

It should be strange for Jack to chirp him about his thesis, about his struggle with Whiskey, about why this darn strudel just won’t turn out right.

(“Jaques Laurant Zimmermann, do not make me ground you from pie.”

“Haha. I know you wouldn’t do that, bud.”

“Oh? Don’t be so sure, Mister.”)

It should be strange to get an earful when his new video comes out and Jack had no idea the jam war was that serious while Bitty has been supplying the Falconers for nearly a year.

(“Are you kidding? Aunt Judy is really that upset?”

“You have no idea, honey. It’s almost World War III down there.”

“Good thing you’re stuck at Samwell.”

“Good thing is right! I don’t want any part of that mess.”)

But somehow it never is. Strange, that is, to have Jack so much. Even though nothing could happen between them (“Never fall for a straight boy.”), Bitty still can’t let go of Jack, can’t deny him, can’t tell him no, can’t be the one that fails to respond when Jack reaches out for him.

Even when Kent Parson shows up at a Falcs game and cheers himself hoarse, screams for Jack right there on live TV.

And while trying to get through his dang senior year, trying to get his team to the Eastern Conference, he watches how Jack and Kent start to move back in one another’s orbit.

...which is probably why he doesn’t tell Jack anything about the scouts from the AHL coming to see him after the game with Princeton.

** 3

The Pawtucket Rebels manager, Michael McLean, is the one that meets Bitty with a Standard Player Contract the morning he gets back from Jack’s place when they’re going to be starting in the Frozen Four if they win the next two games.

The weekend away was nice, but he hadn’t been expecting Jack’s intention to introduce him to Kent Parson of the Las Vegas Aces.

“We’ve already met,” Bitty had filled in, still shaking Kent’s hand with a distant smile on his face, “at the Haus party when he swung on by.”

“Not my best moment,” the Captain admits sheepishly, eyes not meeting Bitty’s, and dang it if the boy ain’t at least a little bit cute.

“I suppose we all have our days,” Bits just drawls out and gives him a wink. He holds out the plate of fresh cookies as some kind of peace offering.

The weekend was still nice, being caught up in Kent’s manic energy and Jack’s easy acceptance. But, he starts seeing the signs pretty easily, when Jack’s hand goes to Kent’s shoulder after a good joke, the exchanged glances that linger, the slowly dwindling personal space that used to be there for them. How they start finishing each other’s sentences, and oh, doesn’t it just make his heart give a little beat when he sees them both happy.

(But doesn’t that just break it at the same dang time. Not only does Jack like men, but he’s already got his sights set on his old boyfriend. It’s almost enough to make a grown man cry. Bitty consoles himself after breaking down in his room on Sunday when Jack and Kent dropped him off at the Haus. Only Senor Bun knew how much he’d ugly cried himself out that night.)

When Mr. McLean gives him the contract to peruse and a business card with his information circled in blue pen, Bitty almost picks up his phone to call Jack, talk about what he would need other than a lawyer to go over this thing.

He thinks about Kent and calls Coach and Mama the next morning instead, promises to send scanned copies of the contract. Mama asks if this is something he really wants to think about doing after graduation.

“It’s money, Mama, a lot of money, and who knows? Hockey might not be outta my heart just yet. I’ll still have time for everything else.”

He only feels a little bit bad when Jack Skypes him on a roadie, set-up in a hotel, asks how his darn thesis is going, and promises to be at the next home game.

Kent joins the call while Bits is slid down all snug and sleepy-eyed, kids around with him by making kissy faces.

“College is brutal, Bits. You aren’t sleeping enough.”

“Well, now that’s life, ain’t it?”

Bitty knows something’s going on between them because Kent is shaking a finger at the screen and lecturing him about procrastination while Kit snoozes on. He’d only known if Jack told him about it.

“Bits, your thesis is basically about baking. Baking is the thing you love that isn’t hockey.”

“That doesn’t make it any easier,” Bitty slurs tiredly, wondering how he’s talking to the man that’s swiping his unrequited crush right out from under him even though he doesn’t even feel too bad about it. Not when he sees how good Kent is for Jack now, even if that hadn’t always been the case.

(Long as it makes Jack happy, I can endure it. It’s tough, but I’m tougher.)

But really. Kent Parson is so different from his image as the Captain of the Aces, Bitty can’t help but genuinely like the man.

“I’m so jealous. I love peppermint cookies and I’ve never gotten any sent to me!”

Sleepy time Bitty makes a note of that even when the world fuzzes out a little bit more.

“God, he’s so cute, Zimms.”

“Euh. He really is, Kenny. We should hang-up and let him sleep.”

Or he might of just dreamed that part.

The Aces have a hard game coming up, and he’s got his outline done, so the Haus is finally going to let him alone long enough to bake one single, solitary pie. In the middle of it, he certainly doesn’t expect Jack to show up with a six pack of Molson Blue, apparently assuming they’re going to watch it together and cheer on Kent.

“But I expect you to cheer for the Falcs when it comes down to us and the Aces, Bits.”

“Oh honey, I always root for the underdog anyhow.”

The chirp makes Jack flop back on his bed and laugh hard enough for tears to be in his eyes. Bitty just goes back to the Aces on his laptop and drinks Jack’s awful beer with a smirk.

He stirs a little from sleep to Jack talking softly beside him in bed since “It’s too late to drive back to Providence tonight. Move over, bud.”

He mutters something maybe, sighing instead when fingers comb through his hair.

“That W was perfection, Parse. You were skating your best life out there, eh?...sleeping right now. Yeah, senior year is a pain in the ass...you bet I miss you. Three weeks, we’ll be close enough to Vegas...yeah, I’ll try to get him to come along, but the Wellies are getting closer to the Championship...he would kill to bring it home for the boys.”

But he probably imagined all that, too.

Still, he’s got a short break before the next round of games, and just five days until his deadline to let Mr. McLean have his answer when Jack shows up at the Haus and is apparently confused why Bitty isn’t packed for Vegas.

“What do you mean we’re going to Las Vegas, Jack?!” Because this is the first he’s heard about it, and how does Jack already have a plane ticket for him?

“Come off it, bud. If I go there without you, Kenny will never forgive me.”

“How does he even know I don’t have a game?” He frets while putting sleep shorts in a suitcase, wonders if he should bring one of his suits since Jack is already wearing one.

Jack’s brows scrunch together, “Don’t you talk to him on that–that bird one? All the time? He says he always reads your updates.”

He pauses with a pair of boxer briefs and gives Jack his very best unimpressed expression, “Jack, sweet pea, please tell me you didn’t just refer to Twitter as that bird one?” He carefully does not say anything about Kent Parson checking his Twitter updates.

The soft smile and shrug in reply answers that now doesn’t it.

“I swear, what would you do without me,” he sighs, a little throb of love getting caught in his chest, and he just busies himself right on past it, going for at least one pair of flip flops probably buried under mounds of winter gear.

“Honestly? If I didn’t have you these last few years, maybe it would have been like what happened when I was in the Q,” Jack leans back on his elbows on Bitty’s bed, right beside the suitcase he’s quickly trying to pack. Being stuck between two button-ups, biting his bottom lip because he’s already bringing so much takes a backseat when Jack mentions the days he was in Juniors, and Bitty feels his eyebrows raise.

“When we started checking clinics, you and me, that was the most...balanced I ever started feeling after all that. The, ah, overdose. That...that might have been where I ended up if it hadn’t been for you and Samwell.”

With a breath (because Lord, here was Jack finally talking about it, in such a soft tone, his eyes so very blue, and just! Well, he’s not made of stone and this is Jack), he scoots the suitcase back and plops right down on the bed, reaching for Jack’s hand. He carefully looks at the closed door and rubs those big fingers with his thumb.

“You honestly think you would have made those same mistakes without me, Jack?” He tries to be nice about it, “because I sure as heck don’t.”

His fingers tighten around Bitty’s, a squeeze, a soft thank-you.

“I mean, I didn’t know you back then, so I can’t say who you were, but there are some parts of that Jack left in the one I know now. And the Jack I know now is someone that knows how to lead his team, and takes care of them, who knows how to inspire them. The Jack I know got up extra early just to help this hopeless case learn to overcome his fear and be able to play hockey better than he ever could have before. You helped me not just be able to take the check, but I’m a captain, a center, and I earned it because of you. The Jack I know is selfless in so many ways and selfish in just the right ones, and dang it, he’s my best friend, so you better not say anything else like that about him again.”

The bed shifts under him when Jack sits up, a big hand coming up to palm the side of Bitty’s face so Jack can lean his forehead in, look straight at him from just inches away with those stupidly big blue eyes, and be so warm and just Jack.

“You were never hopeless, Bits,” and with his voice that low, being this close, Bitty feels his cheeks getting warm, his eyes helplessly sliding down to Jack’s mouth.

The errant thought Vegas, we’re going to Vegas shakes him out of the moment, and he pats Jack’s forearm, gently pulling back from the very intense, heart-stopping moment where his brain almost killed him when it told him to just go on and kiss Jack.

But his brain also knows it would probably be the last thing he’d ever do with Jack because Jack has Kent for that now, doesn’t he?

Mentally shaking himself, Bitty stands quickly, goes back to his suitcase, “All right, now for heaven’s sake, Jack, help me here. I’ve never been to Las Vegas–”

And it’s not nearly as hot in Georgia as it is in Las Vegas when they get off the plane, but everything else about it is incredible.

(He doesn’t think about how nice it was to ride next to Jack on the plane, talking strategy and the team, the upcoming games and new plays they might bring to the ice. It’s nice to hear about the Falcs eating his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with hollers for more. The pies never last long and cookies are always a favorite.)

He might have worried for about a minute, fiddling with the Uber app on his phone to update his location, but Jack just lays a hand on his back and guides him out of the terminal.

“Don’t worry about it, Bits, we’ve got a ride.”

And standing by a stunning red Ferrari is Kent Parson himself, grinning wide under his sunglasses.

“Oh my,” even if it’s a little breathless, he gives himself an out here because wow, it’s a nice car.

(And he is not at all looking at Kent’s bare arms or muscled calves. Absolutely not. He’s already got one heartache, thank-you very much.)

He still squeaks a little when Kent literally picks him up off his feet and swings him around.

“There’s my guys! Falconers and Rebels!” Kent yells for half the airport to hear.

Jack blinks and Bitty groans softly.

Those blue eyes aren’t accusing him of anything, but it’s that same confused look when he tries to figure out if the next song is Destiny’s Child or Queen Bey herself.

“Rebels?”

He doesn’t wince, but it’s a close thing.

“I’ll...tell you about it later.” He waves off, deflecting perfectly, and snaps up his luggage again now that he’s on his feet.

“Oh,” Kent looks from him to Jack and back to him, and his mouth opens probably to say something else no one else needs to hear.

“Thank-you for coming to pick us up, by the way,” he starts rambling right on, “I’ve never been to Las Vegas before. And we’re even going to watch a game? How exciting! Should I make something for your team? A good luck something maybe? Is there a grocery store close to your house? Can we stop? Maybe I could do a few apple pies and a strawberry one...?”

“You can make me food all day, B,” Kent smiles so wide and white down at him and just swipes his bag right up out of Bitty’s hand like it weighs nothing at all. “My favorite pie is peach, just in case you were wondering.”

Bitty slaps him right on the arm, absolutely offended. “Kenneth Virgil Parson the Third, like I wouldn’t already know what your favorite pie is! Why of all the nerve!”

And that is how Bitty talked himself right out of the AHL conversation with Jack. At least, for the time being.

In the end, he makes two apples, two strawberries, and three peach pies, one for Kenny to keep at home.

Jack mutters under his breath about the Falcs needing a peach pie, and Bitty can absolutely do that once they get back home.

The boys are wonderful at keeping him company in Kent’s big kitchen while he works, staying out of his way unless he directs them.

“It’s not going to be a super exciting game. The Schooners are old rivals since before I came to the Aces,” Kenny shrugs, fish oven mitts on, and his own apron is really just Kit’s face blown up on a white background.

But the man’s fish oven mitt is–

Wait for it

– named Fish.

Because Kent is a master at naming things, obviously.

Kit Puurson is laying on the kitchen table from where Bitty banished her from walking along the counters while he’s baking.

“Now, don’t sell it short, sugar pie,” Bitty replies absently, makes the lattice on the last pie perfect. The A in the center is going to be great once the pie finishes baking. “It’s going to be exciting to see you play live no matter what.”

“Aw,” and Kent is smiling all nice at him now that he probably knows Bitty’s not gunning for his boyfr- for Jack, “you’re just saying that because it’s true.”

“Of course I am, Kent. It is true.”

“Any time you get bored of watching the Falcs, all you have to do is call me, Bits. I’ll have you on a plane in a hot minute,” and Bitty has to look over at him for that because it might have been a chirp at Jack, but the tone was a lil’ too serious for his taste.

“Who knows, Mister Parson, I might take you up on that someday.”

(When hell freezes over.)

“I hope so, Bits,” Kent’s eyes go to the masterpieces on the counter waiting for their turn in the oven, “I really hope so.”

At the game later that night, before the Aces take the ice, Bitty gets a Snap from Kent Parson.

All the pie pans are licked clean. Not a crumb in sight.

Bitty sighs in unmitigated relief.

Even though he feels strange not wearing a Falconers or Samwell jersey when he’s at a hockey game, he can’t blame Jack for leaving their home team merchandise back in Providence.

Earlier, Kent had tugged an Ace's jersey over his head and landed a cap as the cherry on top, winking at him while Jack was busy grumbling to himself about something or other.

It feels odd to have someone’s name across his back other than his own (or frankly Zimmermann because Jack already gave him two hoodies and several other Falcs shirts, which was real kind of him, and they’re such nice clothes!), but his Mama would fly up from Georgia and whoop his butt good if she knew he’d refused a gift from a celebrity.

So, even with Jack scowling, he accepts the jersey and hat for the game tonight.

He and Jack find their seats, right behind the bench, and it looks like they can finally settle in.

Jack keeps a running monologue of stats and predictions, leaning in to Bitty while eating the carrot sticks they'd packed in so Jack wouldn't be tempted with junk food.

This boy and his rigid schedule of cheat days. Honestly.

And Bitty is content to talk hockey and the upcoming season, is content to talk about the Samwell team and the next game coming up.

He gets to watch Kent and the Aces make an opening lap around the rink to wave at their fans, laughs at the finger guns right in their direction.

He settles on in to watch what will probably be a good game no matter what Kent said earlier, and of course, Jack chooses then to bring it up.

"Are you going to tell me about the Rebels anytime soon?” Jack is watching the game when he finally says it, something in his tone of voice that sounds a little closer to mad.

Bitty looks over, guilty as sin, and Jack looks back, all kind of calm.

“I...I didn’t make a decision or anything–” he starts then turns away from those blue eyes. “I-I should go get us something to drink! Jack, what do you want to–”

He’s halfway out of his chair, but Jack’s hand on his wrist stops him, pulls him back down to his seat.

“Don’t be mad!” Bitty sighs, loud and long, “I didn’t even know what to do when Mr. McLean came to see me.”

Jack hums, “You could have called your best friend who happens to be a professional hockey player.”

“That will be enough chirps outta you, Mister Zimmermann. You were already having a time with the changes to your medication, and I didn’t want to add anything else to your list.”

Jack guffaws at him, “that was two months ago, Bits, and my anxiety is under control. You could have told me anytime since then.”

“Well, I–” and Bitty has a moment where his mouth almost runs right away with him, and he almost tells Jack they ain’t datin’ so not everything has to be out in the open.

“You?”

And even though Kent has the puck, Jack’s eyes are all for Bitty.

“Jack,” he sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“You can tell me anything. You know that, right bud?” And that line between his eyebrows lets Bitty know Jack is actually concerned.

“Of course, Jack, I...I just. I don’t know, you’ve got your own career to worry about, and I don’t even know if I still want to play hockey after graduation, nonetheless with a team in the AHL.” He shrugs lamely, pretty sure Jack probably thinks he’s an idiot.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, Bits. You don’t have to make a decision right away.”

“Well, I’ve got about five days until he wants to know if I accept their offer,” Bitty rubs the back of his neck, cheeks pink.

“Oh. Well, you should let me read the contract anyway, eh? At the very least, it could help you make a decision if the offer isn’t for much.”

“If– I mean, if you want to? That would be real nice.”

“Euh. Tomorrow morning after my run, we’ll look at it.” Jack gives a sharp nod like he’s accomplished something, pats Bitty on the shoulder, and goes back to the game, just as pleased as pie.

The win was really something for the Aces, and he gets to meet Swoops, Poots, Scrappy, and Gopher when Kent tells them the baker of the pies is at the game.

“Oh my God, I ate like three pieces,” Swoops pats him on the shoulder and laughs.

“I’m so glad you enjoyed it!”

“Oh totally. Gopher can’t help himself around sweets, so you might get a marriage proposal if you aren’t careful.”

“O-oh my! That’s mighty sweet, but I would hate to have to break his poor heart.” Bitty laughs a little and doesn’t notice how Jack’s eyes narrow.

It’s entertaining as all get out when Jack groans at the amount of chirps he’s already gotten for being a Falc instead of an Ace.

“He’s got important...things in Rhode Island,” Kent had finally said to his team, which Bitty did not understand at all.

(But, it does make sense. Jack wants to stay close to Shitty and everyone from Samwell. He couldn’t be part of their nearly everyday lives if he had joined the Aces.)

They drop by Kent’s house to change clothes, and head out to celebrate the victory with the team, and all that fluttering around his room at the Haus is suddenly worth it when he looks damn good in his button-up with a black tank top underneath and a pair of shorts that look like they’ve been painted on his ass.

When he comes downstairs, Kent wolf whistles and Jack gets red in the face.

“Are you sure–” Jack starts, a little stuttery that makes Bitty preen.

“Mister Zimmermann, it’s best you do not finish that sentence,” Bitty snipes with his nose in the air.

It’s absolutely satisfying when two very cute boys dance with him at the club, grinding on him and having a heck of a good time.

He doesn’t notice Jack’s sour face until the third or fourth song in, and by then, Kent is making his way through the crowd.

The hand on his arm pulls him out from between two different boys, and Bitty is just about to give whoever it is what for, but Kent just shifts to grip his hips and pulls him in, back-to-chest.

And Lord help him, Kent is an amazing dancer. How does he even get himself into these things?

Watching his favorite person, favorite people, dance is giving Jack too many Ideas.

He already has plenty when it comes to Bits. Even more when it comes to Kenny since they have history to fall back on, but for Kenny and Bits? His brain might shut down because Jack is even more invested in that.

(Kenny hasn’t said anything, but Jack knows him, knows what the look in those eyes means when he watches Bitty. Instead of Kenny trying to talk him into asking Bitty for a date, maybe Jack should be trying to do the same. Or-or talking about if all three of them…?)

As is, Jack has a lot more thinking to do after this trip.

“I swear I take care of him as much as he lets me,” Jeff is saying, “it’s not like it’s his first year anymore. He’s way past all that, Jack.”

“I know,” Jack downs his beer, tries not to be too irritated at Swoops because of the attitude. Since he and Kenny have been talking again, he knows more about that first year with the Aces and Kenny’s struggles after the Draft than he’d wanted to know at the time. He hadn’t wanted to focus on the difficulties his best friend was having with a new career as a professional athlete, was more concerned about getting himself through rehab.

He’s been finding out about those struggles and bad times, feels better knowing about all the things he’d missed out on back then because that means Kenny is talking to him again.

(“You cut me out!” Still haunts Jack sometimes when he thinks about how he did that to his best friend, his other half. At the time, it had seemed like a trade he didn’t have any other choice but to make, give up his best friend for the chance to get better.)

Jeff was the Ace Kenny billeted with his first year, and the two are close. Maybe even closer than Jack and Kenny had been in the Q.

He doesn’t deserve to be jealous of that, but somehow, he still is.

“I did him wrong when he was in the Draft,” Jack finally admits to Swoops, “and I’m glad he had you and the team there when he needed you. I just...I just want to make sure he’s okay. Kenny means a lot to me.”

Swoops raises a brow over the beer he’s drinking. “He was pretty torn up over you that first year, Zimmermann. If I could have, I would have found you and punched you right in the nose for that kid.”

Jack shrugs a shoulder, “would have deserved it.”

“Yeah, yeah you would have,” but it seems like the salt has gone out of Jeff’s spine, and he slumps down in his seat across from Jack. “I had to tell the team not to mention your name for a long time. Not gonna lie, when you got picked for the Falcs, I drove over to his place and stayed the night in case he had a breakdown.”

And oh does that hit Jack right in the heart.

“But, he was...not okay but okay? He was happy for you, is the point.”

Jack’s heart twists painfully at that, “Euh. He’s a better friend than I deserve.”

“You know, he told me about going to your college, right?”

Jack looks Swoops in the face, thinks he might get a little more clarity about that night of the Epikegster.

“Yeah, he did,” because Jeff can read the tell me more on Jack’s face, “and he beat himself up about it for months. Told me he ran off at the mouth because he was angry at you. Hell, you weren’t even happy to see him.”

At the time, no. No, he wasn’t.

“It was...a shock. We both said some pretty harsh things, I think. But, we’ve come a long way since then.”

“I’d say so. He can say your name without looking like he’s going to start crying now at least.”

Kenny…

“I’m not going to do that again,” Jack feels like he needs Jeff to know this. “He’s stuck with me this time, eh?”

Swoops laughs and raises his glass for Jack to tap with his own, “here’s hoping, Zimmermann. Here’s hoping. But hey, at least he has someone to help pick-up the pieces.”

Kent manages to get them through the throng of people at the bar and get them bottles of water, bracketing Bitty in with his arms to keep people around from jostling them.

They’re both sweaty and panting after the last song, and Bitty doesn’t even know how he managed to survive pretty much humping a professional hockey player on the dance floor without embarrassing himself.

“That was so fun,” Kent leans down to talk in his ear since they’re so close to the music, “can we dance some more?”

“Of course we can, honey,” Bitty tilts so he’s talking in Kent’s ear, and it presses them closer together, “but do you need to check in with your team?”

The laugh is low against his neck and Bitty almost, almost shudders.

“My guys are big boys, Bits. They’ll be fine without me mother-henning them to death.”

“Well, all right then, handsome. You’d better get me on out on that dance floor before someone else does!”

And it’s another song or so before they get a slow one. Kent manages to maneuver them into a corner, and pulls Bits in for a slow dance.

“Lord, that was fun,” Bitty doesn’t think much of it, his hands around Kent’s neck. “I don’t think I’ve had this much fun in a while.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” and Kent gives him that big ole’ smile that makes his whole face light up, and Bitty can’t really blame just one bit for just how cute Kent is in that moment. “I’m glad you came with Jack, Bits.”

“Me too. I had reservations with how close we’re getting to playoffs, but I’m glad I could take the time.”

The hands on his hips squeeze once, and Kent’s face falls, his eyes darting away.

Bitty moves a hand from around his neck to his face and turns him right on back. “Hey, what is it? Should we go?”

“N-no, no. I was just–” and Kent looks back at him with a frown, leans in a little to talk quieter. “Do you still hate me? From when I came to your college?”

And oh. Oh my.

Well, looks like they’re going to have this talk, aren’t they?

“I mean, it’s okay if you do. I was...a dick, okay? I was a complete and total dick. Zimms and I talked about it some, so-so he gets why I said some of the things I said because I mean, he just–and-and I… There’s a lot is all I’m saying. It was awful, not-not all of it, but therapy kind of helps a little? Sometimes it helps I mean, dealing with it when I found him like that, and then later when Big Bob–”

Bitty gently puts a hand over Kent’s mouth to shush him on up.

“Kent, honey,” he tries softly, misses how those eyes get wide above his hand, “I understand how someone can say mean things when feelings are hurt, and it seems like you and Jack have mended fences since then, right?”

Kent nods without dislodging his hand, but his eyes are shiny and just oh, that poor boy. Jack had talked to him about those days back in Quebec with Kent Parson as his right-hand man, Bitty knows Kent is the one that saved Jack’s life during that overdose. He knows how quiet and strained Jack’s voice gets when he talks about it, can only imagine how terrified Kent had been finding him, performing CPR, getting him to the hospital in Bad Bob Zimmermann’s car.

He can’t touch that painful past for either of them, wishes sometimes he can give that back when he hears how wistful Jack sounds, sees how Kent sometimes looks like he has regrets. No, Bitty can’t fix their past for them, give them back their innocent days, but he can help the people they are in the here and now, can’t he?

“Well, that’s good to hear. What’s really important is that you don’t do that again, all right? Don’t take your anger out on Jack even if he might deserve it sometimes, and don’t ever say those horrible things to him again. Okay?”

Kent blinks at him and his eyes go softly half-mast. He finally nods with Bitty’s hand still over his mouth.

“Good. Then, we’re all fine, right?”

Another nod and a squeeze to his hips.

“Wonderful. Now Mister Parson, we are going to finish this song and then go back to your boys to celebrate. Maybe if we’re lucky, they’ll play ‘Crazy in Love’ later because that is one of my favorites.” He takes his hand away and grins up at Kent while his heart beats harder at the soft smile looking down on him.

“Good plan, B. If they play it, you can only dance with me, okay?”

“Well, when you put it like that, how can I refuse?”

Sure enough, the DJ plays ‘Crazy in Love’ and Bitty is pretty sure Kent’s the one that asked for it. That absolutely doesn’t mean he gives it any less ass shaking than it rightfully deserves.

He’s happy to see Jack laughing with Swoops and Poots when they finally tear themselves away from dancing, and Bitty absolutely refuses to drink whatever fruity thing Kent offers him because he’s not twenty-one quite yet, thank-you very much Mister Parson.

But the Aces are so nice when they leave, thanking Bitty again for his victory pies. He waves them off and doesn’t mind Jack’s hand at the small of his back when Kent guides them out.

(Later that night, he pretends he doesn’t hear Jack get up off the couch and walk down the hall to Kent’s room and softly close the door. But at that point, he’s not sure if he’s still a little jealous, or even who he’s really jealous of if he’s honest with himself.)

He eventually gets a few hours of sleep, and still wakes up god-awful early anyhow.

Since he’s been in this kitchen for three days already, he automatically puts on coffee and pulls out what he’s going to need to feed two big hockey players.

He doesn’t even register Kent in the doorway watching him until the first cup of coffee is gone and the second is on the way there.

“Oh my Lord!” He fairly screams when he notices Kent watching.

“Sorry,” is totally unrepentant, the ass.

“You sure look it!” Bitty chirps back after his heart has climbed down out of his throat. “Goodness sakes, were you trying to give me a heart attack?”

“Nah, you just look cute in my kitchen, all busy and stuff. I like it.”

And well, that just takes the words right out of his mouth, so he goes back to make sure the bacon doesn’t burn while the quiche cools.

“Bits?!”

Jack is flustered and drenched from the shower, skittering almost right on the ground. He’s only got a towel around his waist and his hair is all over the place.

Bitty can resolutely say it’s the best morning in the history of mornings because that towel is awful short and Jack’s legs are awful long.

“I’m sorry! He just surprised me, we’re fine!” Bitty flaps his hands to shoo Jack out of the doorway. “Go on now and finish your shower. Breakfast is almost ready.”

Jack wipes water out of his eyes from his dripping hair and looks down at him silently.

“I promise, Jack. Go on now. Shoo! Naked is for the bathroom and the locker room.”

The slow grin is really just the nail in the coffin because no man should be that beautiful, it’s really not fair to the gay population.

A glance at Kent’s shit-eating grin and he has to silently amend that statement. No men should be this beautiful.

While Jack trucks back down the hall, Bitty grabs paper towels to sop up the water he’d trailed, giving them up to Kent when he gets a frown for trying to clean up.

He tisks to himself and pours Kent a cup of coffee, mixing in the right amounts of cream and sugar, hands it to him when he throws away the wet paper towels.

He puts the bacon on another paper towel to get some of the grease while Kent sits down with his coffee.

“I had so much fun last night. I can’t thank-you enough for taking us.” As he puts the quiche in the middle of the table.

“I had fun, too, B. Most the guys won’t dance no matter what, and you are awesome.”

“You’re not so bad yourself, sugar pie.”

Kent laughs at him, but reaches out to grip Bitty’s wrist before he can go back to the stove, “but, just so I know...you really don’t hate me anymore, right? We’re friends now?”

Oh, this must be the I need to tell you as Jack’s friend that me and him are datin’ talk. Lord, help him get through this conversation.

“Now, Kent. I already told you last night as long as you don’t hurt Jack like that again and have significantly groveled, we’re all fine.”

“Yeah, I know, but I mean, you and me. We’re fine, too, right?”

“Why of course we are.”

“Okay. Okay, good. I just wanted to make sure.”

Bitty pats Kent’s hand with the free one, “and you already know you can talk to me about anything, right? If things like that are bothering you, you can talk them out with me before you go and say something like that again, okay?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Bits.”

“You’re welcome, Kent.”

He retracts his hand with another pat and goes back for the bacon, waiting for the something else that might be on Mr. Parson’s mind.

“Bits?”

Mmhm. There is it. “Yes, Kent?”

“You...can call me Kenny, too...I mean, if you want.”

The bacon plate in hand, and Bitty turns to look at the pink cheeks on Kent Parson, the way he doesn’t meet Bitty’s surprised eye.

(Even with all his team and the press coverage, he’s only ever heard Jack call Kent ‘Kenny.’)

“All right then, Kenny,” and oh is he grinning, thinking about chirping him just for fun. “I think we’re just about ready for breakfast.”

Nothing else comes of it, and Bitty’s not sure if he’s relieved or not.

Jack slowly, methodically reads through the scans of the Rebels contract he’s got back at Samwell. Kent reads over his shoulder, eyebrows squinty in concentration.

Lord, they look so cute like that. It’s really surprising no one else has picked up on the dating yet because these two are absolutely transparent.

“So–”

He gets twin wait a minute fingers.

“Well fine then,” and he meanders in the kitchen to see if maybe he should make those peppermint cookies after all.

A batch later and both boys come on in and sit at the table with the tablet between them.

Bitty absolutely puts the cookies in the middle and pours glasses of milk. Kent looks from the plate to him with wide eyes.

Two seconds later, he’s already demolishing his third.

Boys.

“All right, you two. Give me the low-down.” Bitty waves a hand over his shoulder and starts washing up dishes.

Jack tells him how it seems to be a right fair offer for a rookie hockey player. The money could be better, but well, it ain’t too shabby.

Bitty sighs because the money is utterly obscene. More than his scholarship to Samwell for all four years.

Kent has no problem finishing Jack’s thoughts when he trails off, longer in the profession than Jack. He gives more examples of what bad contracts would probably be and makes Bitty wonder if this isn’t his first time helping with these sorts of things.

Well, as Captain of the Aces, he probably has. Not to mention how he babies his rookies.

“So,” Bitty finally bites on his lip, looking down at the tablet, “so if...if I wanted to keep playing hockey after graduation. This is a good opportunity, is what you’re tellin’ me.”

Both Jack and Kent nod at him, serious as a heart attack.

“This is a good opportunity, Bits.”

“But,” Kent looks at him seriously, “we aren’t agents, either. This is from our experience. For a professional opinion, I can suggest some guys, so can Jack, that can haggle the contract for you.”

He stands at the sink with soapy hands braced on the edges, just looking out the window into Kent’s nice backyard.

Kit is lounging on a dishtowel right there on the ledge to get some sun.

And just like his worst tendency, Jack stands up with a cookie and saunters over to stand beside him, back against the counter.

“It’s a lot to take in, bud,” is all growly and soft.

“I never imagined playing hockey after this year,” he admits, “buying a bakery, sure. Learning under other chefs, maybe taking a turn in another culinary art, yes. But, professional hockey? Hell, I couldn’t take a check without passin’ out a few years ago, Jack.”

Jack munches on his cookie, watching Bitty’s profile with soft eyes. “True. But, couple years ago, you wouldn’t have thought you’d end up Captain, and be on your way to the Frozen Four, eh?”

Kent shuffles his feet a little but boosts himself up on the counter beside Jack. “The AHL is like, our version of boot camp, you know? The kiddie pool before you hit the NHL. And there’s a four-season standard for that reason, B. You’ve got four seasons to play your best game and see if the Scouts are interested. I mean, a lot of guys that get a bad break and don’t make it, they can renew their contracts every four years or join the practice teams. Guys that still want to play hockey, like a lot of the guys on the Rebs.”

“That offer is for one season, though.”

“Sure,” Jack fills in, meandering back for another, handing one off to Kent. “It’s a chance to get your feet wet, Bits, see if you can make the first year. I didn’t get a four-year from the Falcs until I got through the probationary period.”

“Lucky they didn’t make you billet, Jack. That’s usually a requirement.”

“Nah, I was old enough. Marty and Tater kept up with me, though. And I had Bits,” Jack shrugs and promises himself this is the last one even as he eyes the full plate.

He glances over at the serious expression on Bitty’s face, thoughts turning behind his eyes because now he’s thinking about it. On one hand, yes, he wants his bud to stay close, be on their sister team’s roster. Pawtucket is only twenty minutes or so from Providence, even closer than Samwell.

(Jack wouldn’t have to lose him if Bits accepts the offer, keeps playing hockey. Jack thinks he’s terrible for wanting that as much as he does.)

For Bitty, the eminent future is looking closer and closer as this year draws to a close. Getting this offer was terrifying because of all those what if’s?

Kent hums around a mouthful, leans around Jack to look at him. “Sure, but you never know, B. You take Samwell to the ECAC, and there might be more people coming to talk to you.”

“Sugar pie, I’ve seen what you and Jack are up against. If there’s one thing I’m absolutely sure of, it’s that I’m not ready for the NHL, no matter how far we go this year. But–” he sighs a little.

“But what, bud?”

“...the real question is, what if I’m not ready to give it up once the season’s over?”

Kent chuckles at him around the last bite, “then you’ll have a year with the Rebels to figure out if you’re done with hockey, or not.”

He catches his breath a little (could it really be as simple as that?).

“...that’s what I needed to know, thank-you boys.” He pats Kent on the leg and Jack on the arm, taking up the tablet, swinging right around to go back to the stove and wait for the next batch, hip hitched on the cabinets while he reads all over again.

He’s going to call Coach and Mama when he gets back to Samwell. Then on Monday morning, he’s going to call Mr. McLean and accept the offer.

It’s not his fault most the people he’s friends with are so much taller than him.

Really, it’s not.

So when Kent just grabs him up before he and Jack get on the plane and hugs him tight for long minutes, Bitty’s feet dangle off the ground, but he’s pretty much used to it by now. Shitty broke him of it first, Holster helped.

“I’m going to miss you,” is said against his shoulder because he thinks Kent might just be tearing up.

Because of Jack.

Because Jack’s leaving.

Right?

With his feet still dangling, he pats the back of Kent’s head soothingly. “I’ll miss you too, honey. But, it’s not forever, right? We’ll see you again.”

Kent eventually put him down when Jack laid a hand to his shoulder and turned him in for a hug, and Bitty looks away when Kent wraps himself around Jack like an octopus, shoulders shaking just a little.

Jack makes soothing circles on Kent’s back, talks softly in French, and just holds on for a few long minutes. Bitty makes himself busy by checking their luggage tags and slips away to get them some coffee from one of the twelve Starbucks in the airport.

A caramel frappuccino helps a little, and Kent just sweeps him on up again.

Jack keeps a hand on the back of Kent’s neck until the very last second, and something in Bitty’s chest tightens a little, but for the very first time, he’s not sure if it’s for Jack touching Kent like that or if it’s for Kent being all upset they’re leaving.

Something to think about another day.

As is, he’s got a thesis to write, a team to take care of, and a pair of professional hockey players that need fresh baked goods. His plate is pretty much full.

** 4

His vlog has always been somewhere to vent when he needed to, and even if he doesn’t have a huge following with millions of subscribers (yet), he didn’t think things would turn out this way.

But, the school newspaper he usually ignores puts it right out there for everyone to read.

Eric Bittle of Samwell’s Own Hockey Team is the First Out Captain in the NCAA

Dex is there to put a hand on his shoulder when he feels like he suddenly can’t breathe.

Someone watched his vlog and picked up on a few things apparently (“Never fall for a straight boy.” Those words are going to haunt him forever).

He’s out to the team, but not the rest of campus. Good Lord. Hopefully no one pays it any mind, and they can just ride right along to the next game.

It does not go away.

Instead, the news catches fire, and before he knows it, his face is on ESPN as the first out NCAA captain. The rainbow background isn’t doing him any favors, but in between the panic in his brain, he thinks the yellow of the spectrum looks real nice with those shorts.

Chowder is the one that calls him in to look at the breaking story, looking over the couch to take note of Bitty’s face.

He shows how much his reflexes have improved when he throws himself over the couch and latches on when Bitty’s knees fail and he almost sprawls himself all over the floor.

His phone is in his hand, and Chowder is talking, saying something. He didn’t know when Ollie and Wicks, Dex and Nursey, Tango and Whiskey and Foxtrot, River, Hops, and Louis all got there crowded around him, but he just seems to blink and there they all are.

“I,” he starts loudly, immediately quieting everyone with a single word, “am going to make a pie. Everyone is welcome to hang out while I am doing so.”

So, he makes a pie and while he does, he makes a plan.

He talks out how this could affect the team’s chances of getting to the Championship, how this could affect how they play, how they plan to win the next few games. Bitty thinks it might be smart to step down as captain, being pragmatic as possible now that he’s not panicking about finishing the season and his senior year at Samwell.

Whiskey, who he hadn’t been able to connect with all darn season (more n’ likely because he found Whiskey at that party kissing the Lax bro), smashes his fist on the table and says that’s a whole lotta bull. Bitty’s the one that got them this far, and he’ll take them the rest of the way.

(Bitty still has several talks in the next few days. With the coaching staff, with Samwell administration, with the entire gathered team. He gives all of them the same option. He’ll give up being captain or all out quit the team if this would hurt their changes to go to the Frozen Four. He gets the same denial, loud and belligerent from his whole team –which warms his heart, honestly. They’re all such good boys.)

They decide to handle it one game at a time, and break for the night. In his room with coppery fear still in the back of his mouth, he holds his phone and stares at the contact information for Home.

He’s almost pressed it when a FaceTime request comes from Kent.

Almost at the same time Jack doesn’t bother to knock, but just throws his bedroom door open, looking like he’d run miles.

Throwing himself to his feet, both hands up, he probably looks terrified because Jack scared the absolute heck out of him.

“Bits,” and now it’s Jack that’s got both hands up, coming at him, “Bits, it’s okay. It’s okay, bud.” And he really means to say something, but he’s just all caught up in Jack. He smells so good and feels so nice, he’s strong when Bitty feels weak and shaky, picking him right on up and sitting down to fold over him like a big Canadian blanket.

“What a horrible way to be outed,” he laughs through the shakes, but his voice is hoarse. “This is absolutely awful, Jack.”

“God, it really is. I’m so sorry this is happening to you, Bits.”

“Lord, I’m making a fool of myself. What’s done is done, I suppose.”

“Still, I want to be here for you.”

“Oh, honey. I appreciate it.”

And he just lets himself sink into Jack a little, burying his face in Jack’s neck, just tries to breathe.

His phone goes off again, and this time Jack picks it up, sees who it is, and taps the top of Bitty’s head with it.

He thumbs the request without looking, just keeping his face right where it is. This is the best he’s felt since that awful ticker tape just laid out his biggest secret, and put a big ole’ target right on his back.

“Hi Kenny,” and he’s proud his voice sounds as steady as it does.

“Hey B,” is so soft and concerned, his heart gives a little patter.

Jack holds the phone for him with one hand, and squeezes him tight with the other.

“This sucks so hard, B. I’m so sorry ESPN gives a fuck about college sports enough to do something shitty like this.”

He raises his face just enough for Kent to see half his face out of Jack’s bulk. “One of those silly human interest stories, I guess. Too bad they got a little too interested, huh?”

“You can totally sue the shit out of them, okay? B, I know a guy. He could get you millions.”

“That won’t make everything right, Kenny, but thank-you for being here with me.” He gives a shuddering sigh, “I’m still going to have to deal with the backlash, and as much as I hate it, so will the team. I haven’t talked to the administration or the coaches, but it might be smart if I step down for the rest of the season, maybe quit outright. Then the boys might still be able to make it to the Frozen Four…”

“You’re two games away, B. You can’t give up now!”

“Agree. You got them here, they’ll have your back, Bits.”

“Kenny, Jack this is hockey. Everyone we go against from here on out is going to be gunning for us. The things they’re going to say to the boys–”

“They’ll handle it. Trust me,” Jack soothes, “they won’t let you give up either.”

“Well, I suppose we’ll see come Monday,” he’s tired, but there’s no slowing down right now, even if Kent is petting Kit and Jack’s lap is absurdly comfortable.

“Besides,” Kent continues, “you’re not alone, B. Plenty of us in the NHL. We’re just not like, out out. Maybe to our teams and stuff, not like, outed on ESPN or anything, fuck those guys. You seriously don’t want me to contact my guy for you? He got 6.8 million dollars for a celebrity case–”

“So you’re out to your team then, Captain Parson?” He blinks because the way Kent just came out with it, not a stutter one, shakes him.

“Huh? Well, yeah, of course I am. I’ve been on the Aces for years, Bits. These guys are like my family, so yeah, they know.”

“O-oh.”

Kent blinks at him, pauses. “Ah, I didn’t come right out and tell you, but yeah. Me too, so it’s okay, B. You’re not alone.”

It’s that moment when Jack leans down, shifting so Bitty’s looking up at him. “You’re not alone,” Jack repeats softly, “I kiss boys sometimes, too. None of that changes how good you are at hockey, and none of that changes you, okay Bits?”

And Lord above help him. He throws both arms around Jack, biting his lower lip between his teeth, and shaking like a leaf in a wind storm.

“Jack...Kenny…thank-you, boys. Just when I need you, and there you are.” He chokes a little, and there’s Jack folding down around him, there’s Kent holding Kit closer to the phone, sending virtual purrs and cuddles.

He doesn’t feel that bad wrapping his legs around Jack’s waist shamelessly, locking his ankles in the back, and just not facing the world for a while.

It gets a little better when Jack tries to squeeze into a pair of his shorts while Kenny is brushing his teeth and talking about the camp they had at a local rink, running drills and plays with some of the high school kids from around the area.

But everything in the world absolutely pauses when Jack clears his throat awkwardly

And really, God Bless Canada.

The little sigh that comes out of him is echoed from his phone, and yes Kenny, they do have good taste.

“I can’t sleep in these, Bits, ah, sorry.”

But that color blue stretched taunt against Jack’s big thigh is just the best sight he’s probably ever seen.

“I’m sorry, but that’s all I’ve got to offer. I can go talk to Dex?” Because Chowder has wider shoulders like Jack, but is about a foot shorter.

“Eh, not necessary.”

And well, yes. Bitty knows Jack wears cute little briefs. They were on a team together, have spent time in the locker room, have seen the occasional moment before towels go on. It’s men’s sports for crying out loud.

But none of that, absolutely none of that, prepares him for Jack shimmying out of those shorts for black briefs that absolutely mold to his behind and cup the front of him. The real coup de gras is that t-shirt coming off, and heaven help him, it’s muscles for miles.

Only those little briefs between Bitty and what the Good Lord gave Jack, the definition of fine walking across the room like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.

Bitty unabashedly watches, lips parted, cheeks a soft shade of pink.

Jack closes the bathroom door, smirking where Bits can’t see, muffled noises as he roots around in the bathroom for a spare toothbrush. It gives Bitty can just take a second to himself to take in this whole situation.

He’s been outed on a national sports network that may or may not take the question of the Rebels right out of the equation

Chances of going all the way to the finals is looking slimmer and slimmer the more he thinks about it

Jack and Kenny confirmed some of his suspicions and it’s an absolute crime and a blessing that they’ve found each other again

Jack has gotten bulkier than Bitty realized in the last year and a half playing for the NHL and his ass should be marked as a dangerous weapon

He hasn’t answered any of the phone calls from home

Still, Coach sent him a text, Call your mother. She’s worried about you.

And top of the list, Jack Zimmermann is in his bathroom, shirtless, barefoot, after just having verbally come out to him.

If there was ever anyone that deserves to be up for Sainthood, it’s this good ole’ Georgia boy Right. Here.

With his head in his hands, he groans softly, and scurries to throw on his own sleep clothes, stripping down without a thought more than those short on Jack and those shorts off Jack.

“I absolutely feel you,” a breathy chirp, and he forgot Kenny probably saw the entire thing.

Bitty spins, almost ready to start getting on a boat down that river called denial when he realizes Kenny is giving him the most devilish looking smile.

“It’s really unfair that he’s a hockey God and blisteringly hot to boot.”

“We are the best of friends, I’ll have you know Mister Parson. Jack doesn’t even see me that way, even after tonight. Besides, I’m pretty sure he’s got his eye set on someone prettier than little ole’ me.”

He throws the covers back to busy his hands, but can spare a second to put some charm into it and look back at Kenny with a wink.

It’s either the best or the worst timing because Kenny gets this look on his face, opening his mouth for something that might have been good or bad, when Jack comes out of the bathroom smelling like mint and looking like a touch could burn you down to the ground.

Kenny looks at him for a few long seconds while they’re climbing into bed, and chirps them about hands above the comforter and hockey bros cuddle like champs before he yawns and finally hangs up for the night.

The sheet gets maneuvered between them so he’s not going to be tortured most of the night with only his sleep shirt and pants between them–

(and those sinful underwear, he’s never going to forget those)

–so it’s suspiciously easy to drop off with Jack’s arm around him and snoring in his ear.

The next two games are utterly brutal.

Ice bags are wrapped around his shoulder while he sits in his spot in the locker room, forearms on his knees to just hurt while Chowder is talking at his right and Dex at his left.

The bruises tomorrow are going to be beautiful, but heck, what’s some bruises when Samwell is officially in the Frozen Four.

Lord, they made it.

And he will start celebrating, right after he can raise up his arm again.

Oh, that’s going to be sore tomorrow. Making pies for the campus captain club is going to be awful, isn’t it?

He manages to get the ice bags off in time to walk with the boys back to the Haus, Ollie already scooping up his bag and Chowder, bless his heart, hovering anxiously right by him the whole walk there.

They don’t make him do a keg stand this time, thank goodness, but the party celebrating their win is well underway in less than an hour.

It’s real nice when the Lax bros bring in a stack of pizzas and slap him on the back in congratulations, like he hadn’t just been outed on national television. (He loves Samwell so much.) Chad L. says a whole bunch of something that Bitty tries to follow and ends up handing him a plate with pizza and accepting a piece of pie in exchange.

The fire extinguisher is in plain sight to remind the footballers what could happen if they don’t behave, and at least two of his boys hang around him most the night, bracketing him on both sides to keep an eye on him. Ollie and Wicks pop around the corner periodically anyhow.

He catches Chowder taking a picture for social media, has a second of panic, almost tells his sweet son not to do that because everyone knows, but shuts his mouth last minute and straightens up to grin for the next one.

The night the news came out, Bitty changed his social media to private, hoping to avoid some of the homophobic comments. Since the morning after (and it’s a crying shame he missed seeing those little black briefs again since Jack was already dressed by the time he got up), he’s been talking to pretty much everyone.

Most of all, his Mama and Coach...and Mr. McLean.

Jack squeezes his hand, and Bitty bites his lip, but still, “I’m afraid I don’t think I should accept your offer after all. This isn’t going to blow over any time soon.”

“Mr. Bittle. I’m interested because you’re fast, you’ve got soft hand, and you’re a good fit for the Rebels. As far as I understand, this isn’t going to change any of that.”

“O-oh!”

“If you want to play hockey, Mr. Bittle, you can do that with us.”

And it’s there when he looks in Jack’s blue, blue eyes, when he thinks about Ollie and Wicks, when he thinks about Shitty being so kind when he’d come out to the first person on the team. It’s there when he thinks about being terrified at that first check practice, when he thinks about how dang far he’s come in four years.

(It’s tough, but you’re tougher.)

“I want to play hockey, Mr. McLean.”

“That’s the spirit Mr. Bittle. I’ll send you training camp information in the next week or so. Welcome to the Pawtucket Rebels.”

If Jack holds him tight while he almost shakes apart once he hangs up the phone, well, only Chowder and Dex will ever tell a soul because they fell on him and Jack like a ton of bricks, hugging him and laughing.

Shitty, Ranson, Holster, and Lardo make the trip from Boston to show up on the Haus doorstep before they’ve even finished clean-up from the party the night before.

Before he knows it, he’s got Shitty crying all over him, telling him he’s so proud and Bitty’s just the best little captain there ever was.

It’s so nice because Shitty is silly as hell, but he’s an amazing friend in times of need.

And he can’t say it isn’t nice when Shitty picks up the loud speaker and starts shooing the rest of the hanger-oners out.

“Frozen Four!” Ransom crows, “our guys are going to kick some ass.”

“You said it, bro,” Holster warmly pats Bitty on the shoulder with one of those big hands while this pie is just coming along easily enough.

The flinch when the bruises ache is enough for more ice bags to get wrapped around him, and Shitty to shake a finger in his face, talking about taking care of himself. It might not be a concussion, but they’ve got serious games coming up, and he needs to be tip top if he’s going to take them all the way.

Bitty takes it to heart and lets them baby him for a few hours.

It does get worse when Dex and Chowder see Holster pulling the neck of his shirt up a little to check how bad it is, and then he’s got more hockey players in his kitchen butting in. Luckily, Dex is getting just as good at making pie as Bitty, and finishes up the lattice work perfectly.

He talks strategy with Ransom and Holster at the kitchen table while Lardo makes another pot of coffee, and Chowder subtly slips the bottle of ibuprofen next to him. Whiskey listen to them strategize for the upcoming games, and my, don’t it feel so normal.

He hugs Shitty again, holds on just as tight as he can, and thanks the Good Lord for such amazing friends.

Mama and Coach are more understanding than he ever would have imagined, taken in account what a shock it is just to come across the television like that.

“Dickey, honey, now you know,” and she has to pause because Lord, his Mama is crying, “you know you can always come home. Always. No matter what. We love you. We love you and everything else, we can figure all that out.”

And so, since he’s never said it, only thought about what could happen, he tells her, “Mama… I’m gay.”

“I know, sweetheart. I know and that’s-that’s fine. We can figure it all out. But, you can come home sometime before the semester ends, can’t you?”

“N-not while we’re close to the Championships, Mama. I-I can’t–”

“Junior.”

And now he’s glad he just called instead of trying to FaceTime. So glad he doesn’t have to look Coach in the face right now.

“You’ve done a heck of a job this year. Been a good captain. You know me and your mama are proud, don’t you Junior?”

And there goes his lip all trembling, his eyes getting hot. Only Jack squeezing his hand keeps him together at all.

“Y-yes, Daddy.”

“Good. You just keep fighting. We’ll be here cheering you on, all right?”

His breath hitches in his chest, “yes, Daddy.”

“That’s my boy. You can do it, Junior. They’re tough–”

“–but I’m tougher,” and he’s covering his eyes, shoulder hunching down. Jack goes from holding his hand to pretty much lifting him up enough to slide on Jack’s lap.

“That’s right, son. You sure as hell are.”

He sighs out, a soft noise. “I am, Daddy. We made the Frozen Four.”

“Go get ‘im. Me and your Mama are behind you all the way.”

And even if Coach gets squicky when it’s time for I love you, Bitty manages to get it out anyhow.

“Love you too, son. Now you gotta stop, or else your mama’s gonna drown me.”

The thick laugh is so much better than crying. Jack thinks so too apparently, squeezing tight while Bitty’s sitting on his thighs.

If he thinks there’s a kiss pressed to the top of his head, well, he’s just going to blame it on being emotionally overwrought and leave it at that.

He didn’t bother with pads, just pants, sweatshirt, gloves, stick, helmet, and skates. The ice is quiet as can be in the morning light bouncing off Faber, making it beautiful.

Kenny’s far enough ahead of them that he’s on a break from practice, already home making brunch. “Big Red is going to be killer, B. Cornell is ruthless. Fighting Hawks from North Dakota.”

His skates cut through the ice until he’s gliding, hitting the long stretch, pumping as fast as his legs can take him, cycling the puck.

He doesn’t reply to Kenny, just listens while his muscles burn, his mind works, he sees the next move like a playbook.

Over the past four years, he’s gotten stronger, faster. Sure, he’s smaller than the average hockey player, but that don’t mean weak. Everyone they’ve played already figured that one out now didn’t they?

His arms and shoulders burn when he swings high, throws some muscle in it when he slaps the puck right in the sweet spot of the net.

“No fair, B. I want to watch!”

“I’d have to set my phone in the stands, sugar pie.”

“If that means I get to watch you do suicides, I’m on board.”

Bitty laughs out loud because Lord, he sounds like Jack.

“Trying to kill me before practice?”

“Captain’s prerogative, babe.”

Obligingly, Bitty sets up his helmet, laying on it’s side, throws a t-shirt in it to hold the phone up, and FaceTimes Kenny.

He gives the captain of the Aces a wink and then takes off to the blue line. He’s got his game face on, stick balanced perfectly, moving like his ass is on fire.

After a good turn out, he skates back to the stands where Kenny is very close to the screen.

“Well, there you go, Captain,” he snickers, scooping up the whole thing so Kent goes around the rink for some easy, cool-down laps with him before the boys start meandering in for practice. “That what you wanted to see?”

“You? Are fast, B. That was incredible.”

“Oh, sugar pie,” he grins down at Kent’s face in his helmet, “you say the nicest things.”

“Hey, I’m not being nice, Bits. I’m saying as a professional hockey player that you? Are fast.”

“Well, so are you. Short guys like us have a tendency to out-maneuver the big guys.”

“I’ve based most of my career on being the fast guy on the team, B, but I don’t know how I’d hold up against you.”

“Mmhm. I also haven’t been playing professionally for the last few years, tearing the fire out of my knee, Kent.” Very serious because he’s counted how many nights he’s seen ice bags over that knee in the last few weeks.

“Also true. It might be surgery for me this summer, but that should do a lot. I’ll have maybe ten years instead of five.”

“So you said. Your doctor is talking about it again?”

“...yeah. He says it should do wonders for where I’m at right now, and this might be the year to just do it and get it over with.”

“Three-time Stanley Cup winner is where you’re at right now, sugar pie.”

The laugh is nice, but now he’s wondering if he can convince Kenny to come to Providence and stay with Jack during his recovery. That’ll let Bitty be close enough to come over and take care of him while his knee heals. He’s already thinking it over when his third lap is coming up.

“B.” Startles him right out of his thoughts.

“Kenny?”

And something is there in the way Kenny is looking at him from the screen. “Be careful at the game tonight. Watch out for the Minnesota D-Men, okay?”

“Thank-you, sugar. You watch on out for those Rangers.”

“I will. Just send me a text when the game is over, even if I’m in overtime, okay?”

“You know it, honey. Now go on and get a nap. We’ve both got a busy night tonight.”

This could be the last time he steps out on the ice. This could be it. All of it could end right here right now.

They’ve got to play their hearts out. He’s got to give it everything he’s got. For himself, for the boys, for Samwell.

It comes down to this, facing Minnesota’s line like there ain’t no going back.

He sits on his bed, faggot and fairy in his head from the game earlier. He doesn’t accept Jack’s call because his face is a mess.

Well, serves him right because Jack just shows up at the Haus an hour later when Bitty has finally got it together.

The check is absolutely brutal.

He used to be floored by it, curled up in a little ball on the ice, couldn’t move, couldn’t think, could barely breathe.

But not this damn time. Oh hell no.

It’s fast when he’s back up on his feet, shoving his way through bigger men than him and stealing that puck right on out from under them.

He feels like he’s got wings on his feet when he glides by them like they’re just standing still.

Mama and Coach are here because they’ve come down to the last stand.

This is it.

Jack and Kenny are both there and where in the world they got #15 Bittle jerseys, he will never know.

Number #82 has already been gunning for him, but the last one is the very last of Eric Bittle’s patience running right on out.

His heart is racing, his legs burning, skates cutting ice as he steers around players, gritting his teeth against the ache, and for the first time, he’s gonna stand up, holler out that no, he’s not gonna take that nonsense lying down.

The moment slows down for long enough that he feels weightless when he pushes off, is airborn, shoving all his weight right into #82 just as they’re at the Samwell bench and shove the both of them right in with the boys.

It’s a tangle of arms and legs and skates and sputtering.

“Try me again, asshole,” Bitty sneers in #82’s face with the face guards the only thing between them.

“Homophobic prick!” One of his boys shouts.

Coach and the boys pick him up (shocked because he doesn’t usually have a need for potty mouth thank-you very much), want him to go get checked out while the ref blows the whistle just after Whiskey gets the puck, and now it’s all on Samwell.

He doesn’t get a penalty, thank goodness, and argues loudly with Coach to let him back in the game, he needs to get back. It’s not like he lost a tooth, just some scratches from going over. It’s a long look in his eyes before Coach just throws up his hands and shoos him back.

And Bitty’s not thinking about Jack and Kenny and Shitty and Lardo and Ransom and Holster and Mama and Daddy and everyone else up in those stands screaming for them when he hits the ice again. He’s not thinking about how badly he hurts or the scratches on his face. He’s not thinking about his thesis or graduation or his spot in Jack’s guest room.

He’s only thinking about the tied score, the next play, and how they’re going to show these away boys exactly who’s house this is.

And his arms strain when his stick comes back, when he slams that puck with every ounce of strength he has left. His heart thuds hard in the back of his mouth when their goalie’s hand shoots out, tries to catch the puck, just the tips of his gloves skimming the surface.

The alarm blares and the scoreboard changes so fast, Bitty’s not really sure what happened until his boys slam into him, gather all around him, screaming.

He’s dazed, fingers limply holding his stick, eyes still stuck on the scoreboard even when they lift him up, stick and all.

The crowd takes to the ice, and he gets his helmet off in time to get hugs from Mama and Coach, in time to accept the huge trophy, him and Coach and Dex holding it up with all the boys around them just a hooting and a hollering all over the place.

Ransom and Holster catch him right up off his feet, crying all over him when they tell him how proud they are.

The interviews shake him out of the daze and he tells the viewers at home that the team fought hard for this and earned it all themselves. He’s proud to be their teammate and captain, he’s proud to be a Wellie, and darn it, their hard work paid off.

Just as he turns, sees Chowder going past with three of their guys behind him, singing the Samwell song at the top of their lungs, he catches Jack and Kenny standing on the ice by the boards, watching him with soft smiles on their faces, and his eyes get hot abruptly, get full as can be.

Center ice, just like with the Stanley Cup. And this ain’t that now. This? This one is all his.

He feels his lower lip tremble just a little, puts his hand up to stop it, but dang it if Jack and Kenny aren’t just easing across the ice toward him with those smiles and his name across the back of their shoulders.

He gets a hand on the back of his neck and a shoulder to hide his face while the whooping and celebrating gets loud, loud, loud.

Lord, he’s going to vlog the hell out of this tomorrow.

Shitty is naked.

While it’s not new (they’ve been to Haus 2.0, and yes, Shitty was naked there too. Good times, really), Bitty has always had reservations about him being skin-to-fabric on that dang couch. Who knows what he might get. Well, all that spilled tub juice probably goes a long way to sanitize. Or so he says to keep his revolution to a minimum.

Watching Kenny get his ass handed to him from Lardo is hilarious. Watching Jack give in and have a chugging competition is even better.

He’s lucky the ECAC playoffs beat the NHL by almost a month. Jack and Kenny have another week before they start getting serious.

Ransom and Holster are talking animatedly with the Waffles, back slaps all around. He’s pleased as can be when Shruti, Sharon, Edgar, Chad L., and some other captains drop by to say congratulations and have a piece of pie. He doesn’t see Jack pause over his shoulder while he talks up a storm, doesn’t see the considering look on Jack’s face.

Something about this Bitty hits him harder than the last four years, makes that perpetual tightness in his chest mean something completely different than anxiety.

He should have realized it long before his graduation, should have been terrified of it all happening again.

Bitty affects him in so many of the same ways Kenny does, and it’s an amazing yet terrifying thing for Jack Zimmermann. Feeling like this person you’re looking at is literally made for you.

And just as he starts taking a step forward, pushing himself in to stand at Bitty’s side like he’s done the majority of their friendship, Kenny ducks out of nowhere and takes him by both biceps. His expression is desperate.

“You’ve got to stop her. Zimms. Zimms, be on my team. Right now.”

It’s so absurd because it’s Kenny and also because he knows no one is beating Lardo.

Ever.

Anything else is wishful thinking.

He casts a wistful look at Bitty, animated with his big win, and if Jack literally has his heart in his eyes until they’re out of sight, then only Chad L. from would have seen it.

Later on after the captains have said good night and some of their...guests have started staggering out, cheering for Samwell, for hockey, for tub juice, and for pie.

For this one, Bits really couldn’t take credit because Dex really made most of them, bless his heart.

Moving around the party-goers with a spare trash bag to pick up a bit, he spots someone sneaking upstairs, pauses to squint up in case he needs to charge on up there and firmly remind people the upstairs is off limits.

Or break out the fire extinguisher.

Either way.

...but he knows that ass in those jeans, and gasps softly as Jack’s plaid is bouncing up the steps ahead of Kenny.

And, he can let out a sigh, catch just a little bit of bittersweet. But, if there is anything Eric Richard Bittle prides himself on, it’s being a good friend. If Jack and Kenny needed a-a wingman or whatever, then he’s just going to dang well be that.

He keeps an eye on the stairs for the rest of the night for more than one reason. No one, no one, is going to disturb them when they’ve finally come this far, and even if he silently dreads it, hopes they at least used his room instead of a bathroom for heaven’s sake.

#check!please #wip #pimbits #eric bittle #jack zimmermann #kent parson #i'm going to hell #but i love this southern child #canon divergence #what if #that kiss at Jack's graduation didn't happen #but still #AHL!Bitty #eric x jack x kent #will eventually happen #work in progress #don't judge me #my fic #My writing

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