Come on, bud.

all my love to this man

requested by @juliepiercyr

you'd known alex carrier since college. not the classic story of you met on campus or anything, but still in college, in your own little way.

you'd been in quebec for a research project, and your partner dragged you to a hockey game one night. what you didn't expect was to actually bump into one of the team's players after.

you'd never been one to believe in fate or destiny or love at first sight. but alex carrier had changed everything for you. the connection was instant.

it started as friendship first. even with the time difference between the two of you, you'd stay up all night talking. it was so easy to talk to him. and you couldn't help but fall for him.

when he started playing for the nashville predators; you decided to move to nashville with him. the two of you were best friends, and if he could have a familiar face around, he'd take it. you kind of took on the role of his assistant, too, always making sure you could make life easier for him.

you were in love with him. for years. but it seemed like he only ever saw you as a friend. he constantly brought home different girls; ones that were nothing like you. they wore short skirts, you wore t shirts. they wore high heels. you wore sneakers.

they didn't get his humor like you did. you make him laugh when he's about to cry. you understand him. you know his favourite songs. he's told you about his dreams. you know him better than that when he says he's fine. his worn out jeans, his smile that lights up the whole town. they'll never know his story like you do.

when he got traded to montreal, of course you came with him. he still brought girls home, and you tried to not let it bother you. it had been years. why couldn't he see that you've been here the whole time?

it's a typical tuesday night. you're in your room. alex is downstairs in the living room of the house you two share. he's on the phone with the latest girl he's been seeing. she's upset, going off about something that he said. you're trying to drown it out by listening to music she doesn't like.

as expected, when alex hung up from her, he came upstairs to talk to you, flopping on your bed like he owned the place. you didn't say anything. you couldn't. you're tired of it.

'why does this happen every time?' he asked.

'maybe you just keep choosing the wrong girls.' you said, not even looking at him.

he nudged your knee to get you to look at him.

'do you seriously not know, alex? can't you see it?' you asked.

he looked confused.

'have you ever thought... that maybe... you belong with me?' you said. 'i've been in love with you for years.'

you looked away, not wanting to face him. but he grabbed your chin in his hand and tilted your face up to him, gently placing his lips on yours in a kiss. you didn't kiss him back. what was he doing?

'you think i haven't had a thing for you all this time?' he asked when he pulled away. 'i just never thought...' he trailed off but you knew what he meant.

'we really wasted a lot of time, huh?' you said, smiling.

'we did, yeah.' he said. 'can i kiss you again? properly this time?' he asked.