#jh10

You and James have been best friends since the very beginning of college. To some people, two years might not sound like much, but for the two of you, it feels like a lifetime.

It all started in that first Intro to Psych lecture during freshman year, you were already seated when he rushed in late and dropped into the chair next to yours with an apologetic grin and a whispered excuse about traffic.

You laughed quietly, surprised by how easy it felt, and that was all it took. From that moment on, you clicked instantly. Study sessions stretched into late nights in the library, shared playlists became a ritual, and the rule formed: wherever one of you went, the other was right there too.

You’ve always been each other’s automatic plus one for parties, family events, random campus outings, even awkward group dinners. Neither of you ever seriously tried dating anyone else. Why would you, when you already had this? The inside jokes no one else understood, the stolen glances across crowded rooms, the way you could communicate with just a raised eyebrow.

You’ve shared beds more times than you can count, crashing after movie nights, when one of you was too tired to walk back to your own dorm, or just because it felt normal.

Lately, though, something has changed. Those innocent moments like his arm slung over your shoulders, your head on his chest while you both scroll on your phones, waking up tangled in the same blankets don’t feel quite so innocent anymore. Your stomach flutters with butterflies you can’t ignore, a warmth that spreads through your chest whenever he laughs.

The truth is, the attraction has been there since day one. You noticed his eyes first, those beautiful blue ones that catch the light like they’re holding secrets and every time he looks at you a little too long, or brushes your hand “by accident,” it stirs something deep inside.

But you’ve never said a word about it. Not to him, not even to yourself most days because what if confessing changes everything? What if crossing that line ruins the one perfect thing in your life? James is your person, the one who knows your worst habits, your dumbest fears, the songs that make you cry for no reason. Losing that would break you in ways you’re not sure you could recover from.

So you keep it to yourself. You tell yourself the flirting is just how you are together, that the tension is one sided, or at least not strong enough to risk everything. You’ve listened to his stories about his exes from past and felt an ache, but you always pushed it down, reminding yourself that your friendship is more important than any fleeting crush. And James has also never pushed, it was like an invisible boundary you both respected.

And yet the feelings keep growing. Every late night talk, every time he saves the last slice of pizza for you even when he’s starving, every casual touch that lingers a second too long, it all adds up. You wonder if he feels it too. You wonder how much longer you can pretend you don’t.

That’s how it all led you here to another “casual” dinner that James insisted on, claiming it was just like other times. He picked you up in his car, windows down, your favorite playlist humming through the speakers, and took you to that little Italian place near campus you both love.

The conversation flowed easy as always: laughing about your professor’s latest rant, debating whether pineapple belongs on pizza, stealing bites from each other’s plates. Nothing felt different on the surface.

But tonight, James had a purpose. You could tell from the way his knee bounced under the table, the way he kept glancing at you like he was memorizing something. He didn’t say why but just smiled when you asked and said, “Can’t a guy take his best friend out without an agenda?”

After dinner, he drove you to the beach instead of back to campus. The sun was already low, painting the sky in soft pinks and golds. You kicked off your sandals, letting the warm sand sift between your toes as you walked toward the water. James spread his hoodie out on the ground like a blanket so your dress wouldn’t get sandy, then sat beside you.

The waves rolled in gently, and for a while you just talked about nothing and everything, the way you always do. Then he went quiet taking a breath in. “Y/n,” he said. “There’s a reason I took you out tonight.”

You turned to him. “Like what?”

He looked out at the horizon for a second, then back at you. “I’ve felt something for you since the day I saw you. That first lecture, you laughed at my dumb joke and.. I don’t know, something just clicked. And it never stopped, every late night, every inside joke, every time we crash in the same bed and I wake up with you curled against me, it doesn’t feel like just friends anymore. I think about kissing you all the time. I think about being more than this, and it scares me how much I want it.”

He paused, swallowing. “I don’t know how you feel about any of this. But I need to know, if you don’t feel the same, we can go back and pretend this night never happened. I’d rather have you as my best friend forever than not at all.”

Your chest tightened, the words you’d buried for years rose up. “I.. I’ve felt it too,” you admitted. “For a long time. The way my stomach flips when you smile at me, the way I notice everything about you: your laugh, your hands, the way you always make sure I’m okay. I want you.”

James’s face lit up, hopeful smile breaking across it. He looked like he couldn’t believe his luck.

But then the fear crashed in, the same fear that had kept you silent all these two years. “But..” you continued, looking down at the sand. “I don’t think we can be together.”

His smile faltered. “Why not? I want to see if it works, Y/n. Come on, we’ve literally slept in the same bed a thousand times. We act like a couple half the time already, that’s not what best friends do and then pretend nothing’s changed.”

“You want to just try and see if it works?” Your voice cracked a little. “What if it ruins our friendship? What if we break up and can’t even look at each other? Is our friendship not important enough for you?”

He stared at you, hurt flickering in his eyes. “You think I don’t know how much this could cost? You’re the most important person in my life and that’s why I’m terrified too. But I’m more scared of spending the rest of my life wondering ‘what if’ than I am of trying and maybe failing.”

You shook your head, tears pricking. “I can’t risk losing you, James. Not even for a chance at something more. You’re my safe place and if this goes wrong, I don’t know who I’d be without you.”

The back and forth went on: him gently pushing, reminding you of all the ways you already blurred the lines, you pulling back, repeating that the friendship was everything.

Finally, James looked down at his hands, fingers twisting together in the sand. His shoulders sagged. “Okay,” he said quietly. “If that’s what you need.. then we can stay friends.”

The words sounded like they cost him something. He didn’t look at you right away, he just stared at the waves, jaw tight. Deep down, he knew why he was agreeing. Because losing you completely would destroy him more than unreturned feelings ever could. Even if the rejection stung twice as hard knowing you felt the same, knowing you were choosing safety over the possibility of us.

The silence stretched. The sunset glowed around you both, beautiful and bittersweet.

When you parted ways that night, walking back to your separate dorms under the quiet streetlights, the air felt heavier than it should have. You said goodnight like always exchanging quick hugs but the space between you stretched wider than the sidewalk.

In your room, you lay awake, staring at the ceiling, the conversation replayed on loop. Tears slipped down your cheeks before you even realized they were there, silent and hot. You wiped them away, but more came. Had you just thrown away the one thing you’d wanted most? Or had you saved the only thing that truly mattered?

The next few days, you and James were the same as ever, inside jokes, late night texts, casual shoulder bumps in the hallway. Nothing changed on the surface, and you clung to that gratitude like a lifeline.

But every night, the what ifs kept you awake. And you knew, deep down, they probably kept you awake more than it kept him awake.

Two weeks later, you found yourself back at the beach with James, watching the sunset the way you’d started doing almost every clear evening. It had quietly become one of your favorite things. Neither of you had mentioned the confession again, but the memory sat between you like a third person.

When you arrived, James spread his hoodie out on the sand just like always, patting it so you could sit without getting your jeans dirty. “Can’t have you complaining about sand in your pockets later,” he teased.

You settled side by side, the sun hung low, spilling light across his face. He started talking about the upcoming game, how practice had been brutal but good, how the new plays were finally clicking, how Coach actually smiled.

His hands moved as he spoke, animated, eyes bright with that quiet excitement he only let out when he was really happy. He looked so.. pretty. The way the golden light caught in his lashes, the easy curve of his smile, the way he laughed at his own story about almost face planting during drills. You watched him, heart full and aching all at once.

And then the other night came rushing back, the way he’d looked at you on this same stretch of sand, open and hopeful, the way you’d pushed him away even though every part of you had wanted to pull him closer. Regret hit you like a wave.

You didn’t know why it chose this exact second, but suddenly you couldn’t stand another moment of pretending. “You talk so much,” you interrupted jokingly.

Before he could respond, your hand found his jaw, fingers gentle against the warm skin there. You pulled him in and kissed him.

For two heartbeats he froze, his lips still, breath caught. Then he melted into it, his hand came up to cup the back of your neck, fingers in your hair and he kissed you back like he’d been waiting his whole life for permission.

When you finally pulled away, both of you were breathing hard together. Laughter bubbled up at the same time, giddy and a little disbelieving.

“Wow,” James said, voice shy, cheeks flushed. He ducked his head, rubbing his neck.

You grinned, reaching out to touch his hair. “Don’t get shy on me now, Hagens.”

He looked up at you through his lashes, that familiar spark back in his eyes. “What about the friendship?” he asked quietly.

You tilted your head, still playing with the soft strands at the nape of his neck. “Hm. I don’t know.” Your thumb traced the line of his jaw. “Kissing you did feel pretty amazing. What do you think?”

A hopeful smile spread across his face. “I think..” He leaned in again, voice dropping against your lips. “I’ll need to kiss you again to decide.”

This time the kiss was slower and deeper with less surprise, and more certainty. His hand slid to your waist, pulling you closer until there was no space left between you. When you broke apart, noses brushing, he let out a soft laugh.

“Definitely nicer,” he murmured, eyes shining.

The kisses slowed, but neither of you pulled away completely. “So..” he murmured, “what does this mean now?”

You smiled against his lips, pulling back just enough to meet his eyes. “What do you want it to mean? Do you still like me.. more than a friend?”

He laughed quietly, the sound relieved. “Of course I do. You rejecting me didn’t change a single thing. I’ve liked you like this for two years. And yeah, I’d definitely want us to be more if you do.”

Your fingers tightened gently in his hair. “I do too.”

TAGLIST: @celebrinigf, @postgamevibes.

She groaned covering her head hearing a knock on her door of her dorm room, “Go away!” She croaked out and immediately started coughing harshly making her eyes water from the coughs.

She made a sound hearing her dorm open and she weekly lifted her beds seeing her teammates Ryan, Gabe and James walk in, she didn’t even want to know how they got in.

“Why are you here?” She covered her face with her blanket and her voice was very raspy. She coughed again and whined a bit at how much pain she was in.

“Because you’re sick doofus.” Ryan sniped back as he started cleaning up some of her trash on her nightstand and grabbing her diffuser to fill it back up.

James sat at the side of her bed setting a hand of her back softly rubbing over the blankets as she coughed.

Gabe shot Ryan a a look before turning to his rookie teammate, “Because you didn’t show up to class or practice and you never skip practice.” Also she has been looking like she was getting sick the last few days so the team expected for her to get sick.

“Now sit up i got you a medicine ball.” Gabe said softly but slowly firmly knowing she probably hasn’t had much to drink or eat all day.

She slowly peeked out from under the blankets, “Medicine ball?” She asked with a hopeful look having told Gabe once that the tea is the one to ever help her when she is sick and he remembered.

Gabe hummed back in reply and James held her hand helping her sit with her chest and stomach being sore from all the coughing. James fluffed the pillows against her headboard for her lean back against.

Gabe handed her the tea and she immediately took a sip sighing in relief.

“Thank you.” She very quietly whispered out looking at all three of them as Ryan turned her diffuser on with peppermint to help her sinuses.

Gabe handed her the next dose of her medication and watched making sure she took the medicine.

“We got you soup!” James gave her a gentle grin and a very soft nudge, “Have you eaten?” He looked concerned.

She softly shook her head no talking another sip of her tea.

“Then you will be taking at least a few bites.” Ryan gave her a look just like a protective older brother, an annoying but protective one.

“Yes Dad.” She softly quipped her voice still voice hoarse, her nose red and raw, her under eyes dark and her hair in a messy braid.

Ryan just leaned over flicking her forehead a lot gentler than usually.

Gabe smacked Ryan’s hand away making Ryan give Gabe an offended look, “No hitting the sick rookie.” Gabe said firmly making her share a smile with James.

“j, you’re getting water on me,” she complained and shrieked when all he did was shake his hair out. even more water flew everywhere. “sorry, babe. kind of inevitable when you’re sitting by the pool though,” he smirked. 

hannah rolled her eyes, moving her legs so he could sit down. his lap became the new perch and he happily let her rest there. “how’s your book?” his gaze swept across the cover. we were liars. 

“it’s good. i’m almost to the part about figuring out what really happened to cady,” hannah explained. she didn’t protest when james took the book from her hands to read the back summary. “hm. seems interesting.” 

“how was your swim?” she poked his thigh with her foot and he flushed, eyes drifting back up to hers. “it was good. refreshing. i’m so glad it’s finally summer.” 

“me too. no school work or practice to worry about for three whole months,” the brunette grinned, stretching back against the chair again. james shifted so he could lay on the chair too even though it definitely wasn’t big enough for both of them. 

“you’re gonna mess up my tanning,” hannah mumbled but made no move to push her boyfriend away as he laid his hand against her chest, basically covering her body from the sun. he was cool though from the pool which helped make her skin feel less hot. “you’ll just have a boyfriend shaped tan later,” james chuckled. 

the gymnast smiled, pulling her hand through his hair that was already drying off. for a moment, the couple let the silence take over as they just enjoyed each other’s presence and the nice weather. it was still early so everyone else was inside still asleep or just waking up. hannah and james tended to be early risers though and decided to take advantage of the empty pool before everyone else came jumping in. 

“your heart’s beating fast. what are you thinking about?” the hockey player mumbled, shifting his glance up to his girlfriend’s. hannah flushed, not realizing he noticed. she pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head while a tiny sigh escaped her lips. “i don’t know. like everything?” 

“wanna talk about it?” 

james perched his chin up patiently waiting for hannah to talk. 

“well..first i guess i’m kind of scared i’m gonna like..completely flunk my internship,” hannah admitted and her boyfriend frowned. “why? you’re gonna be perfect at it. marketing and pr is like your favorite.” 

“i i know. i know. i guess i’m nervous to like be by myself for 6 weeks in a city i’m not that familiar with. new york is so fucking huge,” the brunette chuckled. 

“i get it. the city can be really intimidating. i’ll be there a few times though and i can help you figure out the train the first weekend. once you get the hang of it, it gets really easy to navigate to other places,” james assured and hannah appreciated the reassurance. she ran her hand down his bicep, squeezing lightly. “i guess i’m also nervous because i usually spend every summer here or at home, so being somewhere my friends won’t be kind of makes me sad because we don’t get to see much of one another to begin with.” 

“yeah, it is really becoming far and few between that we see each other. i think that’s what makes the summer and being here so special though because we get to see each other and catch up with everything we’ve missed. distance makes the heart grow fonder,” james poked her side making her squirm. when he saw her little smile, he smiled too. 

“you know how change makes me feel.” 

“i know, baby. it’s hard at first.” 

hannah breathed out another sigh. the bruins rookie rubbed soft circles into her skin and placed gentle kisses along her collarbone. “and if anything, you can always take the train to hang out with my parents and michael. you know they love you.” 

“have we reached that stage where i can hang out with your parents without you?” the younger duke sister giggled. james shrugged, “i don’t see why not. my mom asks about you everyday.” 

“how are you feeling about officially being a rookie next season?” hannah changed the subject knowing she didn’t like talking about herself for too long. now it was james’ turn to grow with hesitancy. “like good i think, but i’m just worried they’re gonna drill me into the ground. i’m only 19 still and these vets have been around.” 

“just play how you know and you’ll be perfect. people are probably gonna push you around, but don’t let them get to you. plus, mack is 19 still and look how he’s doing.”

“yeah that’s because he was 1st overall and he’s mack. he’s technical. he knows exactly what he’s doing.” 

“and that means you don’t? you went 7th. you know your shit too,” hannah said a matter of factly. james blushed, ducking his head down so it wasn’t so obvious that she made him blush so easily like that. 

“okay, let’s make a summer resolution to not be so hard on ourselves and just live in the moment,” the boy proposed. 

“a summer resolution?” 

“i think it will help us ease off ourselves and be less critical. if we’re critical of ourselves for no reason then we have to buy the other ice cream.” 

a little laugh escaped the gymnast’s lips. “okay, deal. i have so much cash saved from serving this semester.” 

“i’m getting hot again,” james complained when he felt the sun burning down his back. he probably should’ve reapplied his sunscreen. “it’s called tanning, babe,” hannah hummed. 

“you know what would help me cool off? another jump in the pool,” james smirked. 

“that’s all you. i’ll stay here.” 

james had other plans. he got to his feet and in one quick motion, he lifted hannah into his arms. she shrieked, trying to get away from his hold but her boyfriend was obviously way stronger than her. “j, don’t,” she warned. 

“you promised you’d swim with me anyway,” the boy grinned before jumping in. 

the two were submerged in seconds. hannah swam up, shaking the water from her eyes and immediately kicked james when he came back up. he laughed. “i hate you.” 

“you love me. you secretly wanted me to do that.”

“whatever,” hannah rolled her eyes and when james grabbed her by the waist to pull her closer she didn’t protest. she also didn’t protest when he leaned in and connected their lips into a sweet kiss. 

“i love you,”  james hummed. 

“i love you,” hannah splashed water in his face as revenge for throwing her into the pool. 

he pretended to look offended as he splashed water back. “hey!”