Habs: Cole finally introduces Nick to the "family" at the Hughes lake house.
(i took some liberties bc im not well versed in the hughes lore but anyway thank you @lavendergaia for the prompt)
‘Come ooooon’ said Cole for what felt like the hundredth time, tugging at Nick’s wrist to get him out of the car. ‘Stop making this weird’
‘I’m not !’ protested Nick, frowning. ‘But this is a big deal and I don’t know if-’ he started, getting interrupted by Cole who rolled his eyes teasingly.
‘Stop. You’ve been trying to think of every scenario possible for days, Nick. I swear it’s going to be okay.’
Sighing loudly, Nick tilted his head to the side and looked at his boyfriend with attention, considering his options. Cole had been so happy when Nick finally caved and agreed to come to the summer vacation at the Hughes’ lake house. But while for Nick this felt like a giant step in their relationship, Cole seemed to think it was nothing. And yeah, to Cole this was almost family. But to Nick they were practically strangers, and the prospect of having them bear witness to his and Cole’s relationship felt terrifying, vulnerable even.
‘And Quinn is gonna love you, I’m sure’ added Cole, noticing the way Nick was zoning out again. He leaned forward and kissed Nick sweetly when finally his captain stepped out of the car, inhaling deeply.
‘And if they hate me ?’ Nick asked, his hand in Cole, his skin hot and clammy because it’s the hottest day of the summer yet but also because Nick is more stressed than he was during the playoffs. ‘Who did you say was here ?’ he asked again.
‘Jack, Quinn, Luke, Trevor and Jamie.’
‘Trevor Zegras ?’ asked Nick, choking on the name, eyes wide as he stopped dead in his tracks. ‘You didn’t tell me-’ started Nick, before he closed his mouth when he saw the look on Cole’s face. There was something in his boyfriend’s eyes, a light that flickered every time Nick doubted his decision. And Nick hated it, hated seeing Cole think he didn’t care enough to try. So he took the decision not to voice his concerns anymore and just get on with it, if only for Cole’s sake.
‘Can you please just trust me ?’ asked Cole softly, his curious eyes searching Nick’s. ‘I promise it will be alright. And Jamie is also Canadian so you’ll have an ally.’
And how could Nick disagree with this ridiculous argument when suddenly Cole’s hands were on his face, pulling him in for a deep kiss. Cole’s lips tasted like the iced coffee he had just drank, and salt because they were sweating under the baking sun, making it the perfect balance of sweet and just…Cole. Somehow, this was everything Nick needed to feel better, his hands coming to rest on Cole’s waist, pulling him forward. He chased after Cole’s mouth, making his boyfriend chuckle with amusement at the eagerness. But Cole didn’t shy away, he would never, instead he matched every movement, every flick of Nick’s tongue, every bite. And only when he was sure Nick wasn’t about to bolt anymore did he take a step back and raised an eyebrow at his captain.
‘Good ?’ he asked softly, earning a sincere nod from Nick who then pressed a tender kiss on Cole's cheek, taking his hand back and intertwining their fingers for just a little extra comfort.
It felt very strange to be the one reassuring Nick, the one being steady and calm as they faced something new. Cole loved it. Having Nick trust him filled him with a giddy happiness he was pretty sure he had never experienced before.
‘Okay let’s go’ he said, licking his lips as Cole took them to the front door, ringing the bell before he pushed the door open and shouted for anyone close by:
And the house erupted in noises and shouts, Jack being the first to arrive at the door, dressed in only swim trunks, his skin already a little burnt, his hair fluffy and clearly not fully dry yet. He took one look at Nick and then hugged Cole.
‘I cannot believe he dragged you here’ Jack teased Nick, squeezing his shoulder. ‘It’s good to have you here, man !’
Nick nodded, clearly a little overwhelmed by the fact that Trevor, Jamie, Luke and Quinn had arrived too and were staring at him with great curiosity.
‘Guys stop, he was already stressed out, don’t make it worse," joked Cole, pushing Trevor away with a huge grin on his lips.
Nick took the time to observe his boyfriend and noticed the way the tension had finally left his shoulders, the grin on his lips, the laugh that spilled out of his lips. Smiling, he felt his own heart settle in his chest at the thought that maybe he had made the right choice by coming here with Cole.
‘Hi’ greeted Jamie when the others started to make their way out to the front deck. ‘It can be a lot, but you get used to it’ he said with a small chuckle.
‘Yeah ?’ Nick asked, relieved to find in Jamie a calmer energy than in the rest of the guys. It felt reassuring to know he wouldn’t be the only one not jumping around like an over-caffeinated squirrel (as Cole tended to do every time Jack was around.) Because as much as he loved it, Nick longed for a bit of peace and quiet after this never ending season.
‘Yeah, you’ll see. This is going to be a great summer’
Nick and Jamie made their way outside, Cole tugging at Nick’s wrist for him to sit next to him, Cole’s legs on Nick’s lap as soon as he was seated. Smiling to himself, Nick started to massage Cole’s calves, thinking that Jamie had been right.
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