#7394

my mattgabe fic is here!!!

gabe perreault/matt rempe | 3,375 words | T | gift fic for @chief-weasel

can I introduce the agenda of like Gabe having eating problems?? Because I’m writing a fanfic abt like Gabe’s first time being called up to the NHL after being put in the AHL for so long and the whole aespect is about him overworking himself constantly bc he hates himself and wants to prove himself to the rangers. Which causes him to develop eating problems due to how he skips meals to practice more, and bc he finds himself having an ugly body. Like also since he was drafted below top twenty while his bff’s Ryan and will for drafted top ten so like he just thought he wasn’t that good?? and like also if his father was always hard on him as a kid maybe. Obv Matt notices since he’s there and as their friendship progresses into something more, he sees the signs and finds out more about it.

idk does anyone wanna see this as a fic?? im lowkey just self-projecting on Gabe tbh bc that way i can write the feelings really well😭🫰

wrote this when i woke up at 3am the other day (lol). i'm afraid the perrempe agenda has worked on me.

[#98] BULLFROG (Doechii)

Left, right, uppercut, punchlines make 'em duck / Write hooks, up the cut, platinum hits, fuck is up?

They both have each other by the collar. Xhekaj is landing a few good blows, but Matt isn't swayed. He still has a black eye from the Reaves fight on Tuesday, and it's the shade of victory. He responds with a few quick punches to Xhekaj's cheek, fisting his jersey as he spins them both around. The crowd is on their feet, undoubtedly, though no one on the bench wants to take their eyes off the action to check.

The thing is, Gabe never used to have a taste for fighting. He doesn't have the stature for it, and when one misstep can send him back to Hartford, he doesn't want to risk anything that'd give him unwanted attention. It wasn't like his dad was much a fighter either; he only dropped the gloves maybe twice in his whole career. And Gabe knew the point of fighting when it came down to it: defending your teammate's honor and riling up the bench. But he still always sorta thought it was a waste of time—losing a guy for five whole minutes and having to reshuffle the lines because of it.

But watching Matt fight made him rethink his whole outlook. He doesn't just throw nonsensical punches—there's strategy and respect for his opponents. It's sort of like a dance—half skill and half spectacle. Knowing when to hit, when to block, when to give it up, and when to keep going until the refs break you apart. And he's just so sure of himself, going after vets like Reaves and Olivier without any fear—smile on his face like this is what he loves, and playing hockey is just an added bonus.

But Gabe has to be real here, too. Even when he doesn't fight, he always enjoys watching Matt. Ever since he met him—towering over Gabe on the ice, cute smirk on his handsome face—Matt has had a hold on Gabe he still can't quite explain. They've established a nice friendship over the last several months they've been playing (on-and-off) with each other. But this doesn't feel like Gabe's friendships with Will or Leno. There's a heat to it, one that neither of them have really acknowledged yet—not to each other, at least. It started that first practice, Matt teasing him with his hands on his shoulders, and Gabe grabbing him by the waist so he wouldn't drift away. They got dinner afterwards, and it was such easy conversation. They had a lot more in common than Gabe thought, and when Matt's smile under the dim lighting made Gabe's belly pull, he tried to ignore it to no avail.

It only got stronger when they met up again for the junior coaching gig in April, Matt always finding excuses to touch and grab him, faking a fight for the kids as Gabe had to hold back his laughter. He was a complete chatterbox, too, talking Gabe's ear off about his fantasy team and his sister's trip to Indio for Coachella.

Spending most of his time in Hartford, Gabe hasn't gotten the chance to get close to any of the Rangers guys, so it's nice when Matt includes him in a round of sewer, or sits next to him during tape review to talk about their PK. There's a strange dissonance for sure, though—the nice, laid-back funny guy off the ice, and the mean, provocative bull that is the "Rempire State Building" on the ice. It's strange, but it's also kinda hot, which brings him back to his initial issue.

Gabe doesn't think Matt's into him... But he also doesn't think Matt isn't into him. (There are only so many times a man can put his hands on your hips until you get suspicious.) But Gabe has no idea what Matt wants from him—something physical? It isn't like Matt has to look far to find action—Gabe certainly isn't the only person in New York City who finds Matt Rempe attractive—but from what he witnesses, and from talk in the locker room he's overheard, Matt isn't the type to pick up often. So what, then? Is he holding out for Gabe? Matt is a pretty confident guy—if Gabe was someone he really wanted, wouldn't he have spoken up by now? He just wishes he could get some kind of sign, insight that would give him absolute certainly as to what Matt's intentions are.

A shout from Zibanejad startles Gabe from his thoughts, pulling him back into the fight. He shakes his head to clear his thoughts; now is not the time to speculate whether Matt wants to get into his pants or not.

Xhekaj looks tired, his movements sloppy, though Matt looks as invigorated as ever. With a smooth move, he dekes Xhekaj with a swing next to his head, only to curl his hand and rip his helmet off from the back. He lands a few more jabs before the refs breaks them apart, Xhekaj getting stick taps from the Habs bench while the home crowd cheers for their own.

The ref unhands Matt and he goes to the penalty box, skating smoothly past the Rangers bench. His face isn't much worse for wear, though he's got some minor cuts on his nose and lips and a bruise already blooming on his chin. He's unclipping his helmet when he catches Gabe's eye... and winks.

Gabe feels his cheeks heat up immediately, lips quirking into an awkward smile. But he doesn't even have time to recover before Matt skates closer and says, voice low enough for only Gabe to hear:

"Liked what you saw out there, 'Ro?

Gabe's mouth opens and closes like a fish, his brain stalled like a poor transmission. Matt grins like the cat that got the cream, and continues:

"I was gonna tackle Xhekaj to the ice, but I'd really rather have someone else under me tonight."