#neveragodau!!

🐞- request a blurb and i’ll write it for you!! here’s a little prompt list if you want some inspo (link here)

🍉- Request a mood board!! Give me a prompt and i’ll make a little board and give you some thoughts!

🌿- Request an insta edit!! Give me a prompt, and I'll make you an edit

🫧- Request a summer-themed childhood memory of either an au oc’s or the player!!

🐚- Request a summer-themed question for an au that you'd like me to answer!!

Requests open— May 12th, 2025

Celly ends— May 25th, 2025

"Black hole opened in the kitchen, every clock's a different time. It would only take the energy to fix it, I don't know why I am"

“She’s the glue,” Jack grinned and looked over to Cole who smiled back at him, “every team has that person who keeps the group together, and for us, she’s that person.” “She’s our everything really” Trevor interjected as the interviewer nodded her head.

The woman wore a red blazer, in her hands were a few cue cards, messy handwriting full of questions covered the tiny pieces of paper as she grinned at the boys sitting on the couch in front of her.

“How about her game? Explain it to me,” she smiled as Alex sat up. “She’s electric, elegant almost with how agile she is,” the other boys nodded, “her IQ is above all, and her playmaking is so effortless.”

“We wouldn’t be half the team without her,” Cole added. “These accomplishments are because of her, none of these records or wins would’ve happened if she wasn’t in that locker room,” Jack finishes off the interview with a grin as the camera shuts off and the industrial lighting goes out.

“That was an amazing boys, thank you,” the cameraman and director said as he shooed the boys out of the room.

★★

"The way I am, not strong enough to be your man, I try, I can't stop staring at the ceiling fan and, spinning out about things that haven't happened. Breathing in and out"

Y/n watched her interview with tears, a huff leaving her lips as she stared at the ceiling in defeat. “What about the boys? You find them cute?” The woman in the red blazer said with a chuckle.

The cue cards of in-depth questions were nowhere to be seen as the teenage girl sat on the couch in her Team USA jersey. Embarrassment filled her face as she looked behind the camera to see the direct, wondering how on earth this question was even real.

“These boys are like my brothers,” she smiled, tone a little peeved as she stared at her hands, “they are my team, the ones I go to battle for.” A semi smile worked its way into her face as she thought back to the past years with the boys, and how life-changing this team has been for her and for her game, “on the ice we are dynamic, and off the ice, they are my best friends,” she answered honestly

That’s about as far as she could make it into the video before having to turn it off.

The boys received such beautiful questions and were given the opportunity to share such meaningful words. While on the other hand, she was painted out to be some narrative

It was total bullshit.

★★

"Drag racing through the canyon, singing "Boys Don't Cry" Do you see us getting scraped up off the pavement? I don't know why I am"

“Give ‘em hell my girl,” was always Ellen’s words to the teen before she stepped on any ice, whether it be a game or a practice. It held such a strong sentiment, and Ellen was such a strong role model in her life.

They were also the first words said to her the moment she got the call inviting her out to the draft combine in Buffalo, her billet mother pulling her into her arms hug as she cried into Ellen’s arms “I’m so proud of you y/n,” she whispered as the tears subsided with the entrance of the boys who had been waiting for this moment.

“Are those good tears or bad tears?” Alex asked as y/n wiped them away. “Good ones,” she croaked as both Jack and Alex lunged at her.

Not only was this the biggest moment of her life, but this was also one of the biggest moments in female hockey history. The first-ever teenage girl prospect in an all-male league, it was overwhelming, but it was the first step in the direction of change.

★★

"The way I am, not strong enough to be your man, I lie, I am just lowering your expectations. Half a mind that keeps the other second-guessing, close my eyes and count"

“A female prospect?” The interviewer mumbled as he looked through his list of draftees. “It’s progressive,” another man with a clipboard mumbled with a shrug as he sipped his coffee.

“It’s unorthodox,” another person mumbled as one of the interns left to go and fetch the girl from the next room over, “politics and sports don’t coexist,” he added causing a few chuckles around the table.

The only female interviewer tapped her pen on the wooden table, her brows raised and her anger levels starting to rise as she looked at all of the men in the room. “You are making decisions for a billion-dollar company, every single decision and movement you make is due to the outcome of the political climate,” she said hastily before the door opened and all of the people in the room stood to greet the young prospect

The older woman’s hand was the first one out for the young girl to shake as she greeted her with a warm smile and a firm handshake. “Please take a seat, we’re so glad to get the chance to sit down with you!”

★★

"Always an angel, never a god. Always an angel, never a god"

Draft day had to of been the most stressful day ever, the NHL reached out a few weeks prior hoping to include her in their “Welcome to NHL” mini-documentary about her experience on the draft day.

Her hand shook as she stared at herself in the mirror, a small smile on her lips as she looked towards the camera. “Ready to make history?” She mumbled as she looked back at herself she fixed her lavender suit jacket.

"Always an angel, never a god. Always an angel, never a god"

Jack pulled her in for a hug as she got down to the bus, his hand cradling the back of her head as he held her tightly, “I can’t believe this is real,” he mumbled as she pulled away with a proud smile.

The second her heels hit that red carpet she was immediately anxious, she spun the gold ring on her thumb as Quinn and her older brother each patted her on the shoulder and sought out to find their designated entrance as she went through the carpet and the media.

“This colour is beautiful,” the interviewer said as she took in the bold outfit. “The man who designed the suit was very adamant that it was my colour,” she mumbled as she unbuttoned the loose-fitting Jacket.

The interviewer grinned, “As most draftees do, are there any little things about this suit that make it personal?” The girl opened her blazer to showcase a listen of names written in a deep shade of violet on the inside of her suit lining, “these are all of the women in my life who have pushed and haven’t received the recognition that they deserve,” her fingers ran over the writing as she smiled.

“These are the women and the role models who have fought for me to be in this place today, and have given me this opportunity to make history,” she nodded and unveiled the other side. A tiny embroidered quote that said “give ‘em hell,” was sewn into the other side, little flowers decorating the message as the interviewer grinned.

“And this is an ode to the woman who went above and beyond, and fought for me to be in this position,” she smiled as the interviewer wished her luck and sent her on her way

"Always an angel, never a god. Always an angel, never a god"

“Hold my hand,” she whispered to her dad, the man pulling the cell phone out of her hand to get her off Twitter for a moment, “people hate me,” she frowned as she looked at her father who shook her head. “People are afraid of change, you are strong you have worked harder than any of the boys in this room,” he whispered as her eyes filled with tears, nodding slowly as she leaned her head against his shoulder, “you are so worthy of greatness, and it'll come when the time is right,” he finished as her attention turned to Gary Bettman who was beginning to walk across the stage.

The boos began, and so did the anxiety.

"Always an angel, never a god. Always an angel, never a god"

One by one her teammates were picked off, proud smiles on her face as they each stopped by her to thank her for everything.

She sent each one of them off with a hug and some choked-up words as they made their way to the stage to live out their dreams. And one by one her dream slowly crumbled, like a glass castle that had been shattered, as the Blues picked their final pick on the second day in the seventh round Y/n felt the emotion rip through her. But instead of cracking, she held her head high and walked out of the arena with the entirety of her family behind her.

The second she was away from the cameras and the fresh air hit her lungs she began to crack.

A sob ripped through her as she sat on the curb, her hands pulling at the roots of her hair, “I was supposed to- I was supposed to make a difference,” she cried as a hand ran over her back. “I'm sorry sweet girl,” Ellen's soft voice sounded as the tears kept coming.

“I worked so much harder than the boys, I trained my ass off, I sat through the sexist interviews, but none of it will ever be enough,” the cries grew louder and louder as she leaned against the woman. “I did everything I could, and I will never meet my dreams,” she said defeated as Ellen held her tightly.

“I know baby, it's unfair, you deserve it just as much as the boys” she whispered, tears staring in her own eyes as she watched the girl who had been a daughter to her shake with a look of distraught on her face.

The girl wiped the underneath of her eyes, her fist finally unclenching as she sniffled, “I will never be enough,” she whispered and looked up to see the photographer taking a photo from across the street too which she just shook her head and sighed.

★★

"I don't know why I am the way I am, there's something in the static, I think I've been having revelations. Comin' to, in the front seat, nearly empty skip the exit to our old street and go home"

The draft had come and gone, and the boys each headed off to the new destinations in their lives. She ended up in Minnesota, as a freshman on the women's hockey team. Division one college hockey had always been on her list of things she wanted to experience, and it was everything she imagined.

It was slow, life slowed right down when she stopped putting that pressure on herself to always be the very best. The girls were sweet, but they knew what she had gone through during the summer, some a little envious, some a little sorrowful to know the struggles that she'd endured in the pursuit of her possible professional career.

The boys called often, to tell her about the little things, shared what their lives now entitled, whether it be in the league, or in university, wanting their favourite girl to know that they were always thinking of her.

Jack was a constant call in her life, a rookie who now carried the burden of being one of the potential greats. "It's really not all as great as they paint it out to be," he mumbled tiredly. It kind of felt like a stab in the heart sometimes, for him to be so ignorant to the pressure she had been other previously and then tell her that maybe she was lucky she would never get to experience the so-called 'torture' he was experiencing.

"Jack, do you know how badly I would kill to be in your shoes right now, to be worthy enough to prove myself to an entire league," she scoffed as the tears started, "do you know how much I wanted that, do you know how much I pushed myself to make it to that draft and then to be turned away after all of that work?" "I know," he sighed. "I don't think you do, 'cause at the end of the day you're calling me to complain about an amazing opportunity," she huffed as she heard the sniffles on the other end, heart squeezing a bit knowing that she was being hard on him.

"I'm sorry, it's just you have such talent, you're just in a slump J," he hummed in agreeance on the other end, "and you're gonna do such amazing things, you just need to push through it." "Should I give 'em hell?" "You need to raise Hell J," she finished her pep talk as he whispered a quiet Thank you and then hung up.

★★

"Go home alone"

She remembers the phone call so clearly, sitting in her dorm in her junior year, moving in only a few days prior as she started to get ready for her classes.

the phone rang twice before she answered the call, and an unknown number appeared on the screen as she stared at the random digits. "Hello?" "Is this Y/n L/n?" "This her," she said with a clear voice, brows furrowed as she held the phone a little away from her face to see if maybe she now recognized the number.

"Great! This is Tom Fitzgerald, GM of the New Jersey Devils," her heart dropped, and she sat up quickly as she looked at her roommate with wide eyes, "we would like to invite you to Jersey for the weekend, Lindy Ruff would like to meet you and have a chat about some sort of deal!" "Of course, I'm free whenever," her hand covered her mouth in shock as she felt the slight tremor of her hands, "thank you for this opportunity Sir," the man hung up the phone as she stared at her screen with wide eyes.

A smile rested on her face as a notification popped up.

My turn to tell you to raise hell! 😈❤️

Jack's number appeared just above the message as she looked up to her roommate. "Holy shit"

-

-

-

"I'm so sunburnt" Angie mumbled into the lips of Nico as they walked into the lively street, the sun was beginning to set on the island of Mallorca all the while the nightlife was awakening. "I'll rub aloe on you when we get back to the room," he said teasingly as his hand intertwined with hers before they navigated their way through the busy streets and back to their hotel. "Is that a promise?"

The tension between them had been simmering since the moment they woke up. The day had been fuelled with sun, swimming, and much teasing as they spent hours with their best friends on a boat they had rented, basking in the warm weather. This is what led them to this moment, standing in the street right out front of their hotel room, the night air heavy with anticipation.

Nico couldn't help but steal glances at Angie, her sun-kissed skin glowing in the sunlight, her laughter carrying over the sounds of the bustling streets. She could feel the heat of his gaze, a constant reminder of the unspoken desire between them.

The night air had a certain magic, a warm, sultry quality that seemed to wrap around them as they reached the door of their room. His hand squeezed hers as the door closed softly behind them, shutting out the world before she pressed a kiss to his shoulder and removed herself from his hold to rid herself of her heels.

The room was bathed in the soft glow of the bedside lamps, the bed inviting as Nico walked over, turned down the covers, and sat on the edge, waiting for her to get comfortable before ravishing her. Angie toed off her shoes, sighing with relief as her feet touched the cool, tiled floor before making her way in front of her boyfriend, his fingers brushing lightly against her arms as he stood up to be face to face with her.

"You looked stunning tonight," he murmured, his breath warm against her neck as his fingers fixed the strap of her dress that had draped over her shoulder, Angie shivered slightly, her body responding to his touch. "You're just trying to get me into bed," she replied, her voice a teasing whisper as he dipped down to press a short kiss to her lips.

Nico's hands found her waist, pulling her closer, a smug smile growing on his lips as he came to the realization that she was exactly where he wanted her, like putty in his hands. She could feel the heat of his body through the thin fabric of her dress, Angie tilted her head up, her lips parting slightly as she leaned into him.

Nico's hands slid up her sides, his fingers tracing the outline of her curves before reaching the tie at the back of her dress. He pulled it slowly, and the sound of the fabric gently fell to the floor in the quiet room. She stood before him in her almost bare, mesh and lace hiding the most vulnerable parts of her as the cool air on her exposed self made her skin prickle with anticipation.

“You are so-” she looked up at him with lust-blown eyes, “so fucking perfect.”

Angie blushed, her cheeks flushed with heat before her concentration fell to the few buttons on his shirt. Her fingers trembled slightly as she worked to unfasten them, each button revealing more of his tanned skin. The anticipation was a sweet ache, her heart pounding in her chest. Nico watched her with intense eyes, his breath quickening as her hands moved lower.

His skin was warm under her hands, muscles rippling as he shrugged off the cotton fabric. Angie leaned in, pressing kisses to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heartbeat beneath her lips. Nico's hands were at her back, unhooking her bra and letting it fall to the floor, he cupped her breasts, his thumbs brushing over her nipples, making her gasp as he smirked at the way she reacted to his touch.

Angie fell back onto the mattress, her hair fanning out around her as Nico followed, his body covering hers, their skin melding together. His lips traced a path from her collarbone to her breasts, his tongue flicking over her nipples, free hand moving up to brush over them as she moaned before he began moving lower.

Angie arched her back, her hands tangling in his hair as he whispered sweet nothings into her skin, the sensation of his lips and tongue on her skin sent waves of pleasure through her, her breath coming in short gasps. She tugged at his hair, pulling him back up to her lips, their mouths meeting in a sloppy kiss.

Nico's hands moved to her hips, hooking his fingers into the waistband of her panties and pulling them down. She lifted her hips to help him, her pulse quickening with anticipation as she laid completely bare, he pressed a gentle kiss to her hip before shedding himself of the rest of his clothes.

Their movements were urgent now, a desperate need to be as close as possible. Angie wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer, feeling the weight of him against her as his eyes locked onto hers, a silent question in their depths. Angie nodded, her voice a breathless whisper, "Yes, Nico. Please."

With a groan, Nico entered her, filling her completely, her breath caught in her throat as her nails dug into his sun-kissed skin as they moved together. Each thrust sent a shockwave of pleasure through her, building and building until she thought she might shatter.

"Need more," she mumbled as Nico's pace quickened, his breath hot against her ear as he whispered her name. "What more do you need?" he said sincerely, breathlessly as he fought off moans, trying to give her his full attention. She found his free hand, bringing it up to her mouth before sucking his thumb into her mouth before sliding his hand between them and placing his thumb on her clit, drawing slow and tight circles, causing her to bury her face in the crook of his neck

The world outside their room ceased to exist, the only sounds were their mingled moans and the rhythm of their bodies moving in perfect harmony. Angie felt herself climbing higher and higher, the edge of release tantalizingly close.

With a cry, Angie tumbled over the edge, her body shaking with the force of her orgasm. Nico followed seconds later, his release a breathless gasp against her neck. They clung to each other, their bodies slick with sweat, hearts pounding in unison as he collapsed into her arms.

As the aftershocks of pleasure subsided, they lay tangled together, the cool night air soothing their heated skin. Nico pressed a tender kiss to Angie's lips, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face as she smiled at the soft moment following the release of pent-up sexual tension throughout the day.

"Ich liebe dich," he murmured into her skin, Angie smiled, her heart swelling with love as she cupped his face and pulled it closer to hers, pressing another sloppy kiss on his lips before he rested his face in the crook of her neck. "I love you too," she mumbled, and in the quiet of their hotel room, under the spell of a perfect night, they tiredly held each other close, and basked in this unfiltered emotion, not having to keep up the facade of their platonic persona and instead savouring this lovesick feeling.

-

-

-

Angie was practically vibrating in her car seat as she waited for Nico just outside the Detroit airport. Her hands absentmindedly white-knuckling the steering wheel with nerves as she waited for the man she hadn't seen in nearly two months.

She had been itching to get her lips on his for the past few weeks, the distance unbearable as the excitement of their trip crept up on them. And finally, it was time, they were to be reunited in just under fifteen minutes as she waited for him at the arrivals door, waiting for him to grab his luggage and gear before finally seeing each other again.

It wasn't hard convincing Jack to let her have a mysterious guest for the rest of the summer until she and the man would do a little road trip back to Jersey.

Jack was a bit clueless about the whole affair, despite a few near slips—texts he shouldn’t have seen, conversations he overheard when she snuck off to call Nico. But even with the hints, Jack hadn’t pieced together that the man on the other end of the line was Nico.

A gentle tap on the passenger seat window pulled her from her thoughts. There stood Nico in his tanned glory, dimples on display as she unbuckled and hopped out of the car to get her hands on the man she had been aching to see for weeks upon weeks.

She shoved her face into the crook of his neck as he pulled her flush against his chest.

"I missed you so much," she mumbled into his skin as his hands travelled up her back, gripping her shirt and the other cradling the back of her head before he pulled away to look at her. He quietly admired her freckled skin and the slight sunburn that blessed her cheeks before he laid a gentle kiss on her lips.

She melted into him as she felt his lips pull into a smile. The two of them attempted to fight off their grins in hopes of deepening the kiss, but their smiles were too wide as they both pulled away. Cheeks tinted pink as they stared at each other, laughter broke out as they came to realize how dramatic the two of them must look to the strangers passing by.

“I missed you too,” Nico chuckled, pulling her back into his chest. Angie buried her face in his shirt again, savouring the feeling of his arms around her. His cheek pressed against the top of her head, and they stood there momentarily, just soaking in the warmth of each other’s presence.

It wasn't long before they were both back in her car, a tired Nico to her right as she drove along the highway. He spent a while telling her all about training, how his mom was, and what Luca and Nina would be doing for the rest of the summer before he asked about her trip back to Dallas to visit her parents and brother, which had been good but nothing too exciting to report back about.

"So, I was thinking we just get the whole were dating thing out of the way today," she said shyly as she looked over to Nico, whose hand was intertwined with hers. "Whatever you're comfortable with," he shrugged, "if you're ready to tell them, then I am too."

Angie's eyes softened as she looked over to him, words of love danced on her tongue but dared not to leave her mouth as she brought his hand up to her mouth and pressed a kiss to his knuckles.

"You're perfect, did you know that?" She watched as his grin grew, "I try," he said smugly before her eyes returned to the road.

As she pulled into the driveway, a wave of nerves hit her. Telling Jack, Luke, and the rest of the boys about her relationship with Nico had seemed simple in theory, but now, as they were about to walk through that door and face the boys, the reality of it settled in. Angie squeezed Nico’s hand, drawing strength from his calm presence, and took a deep breath.

It was time to let the secret out.

“You ready?” Nico asked, his voice soft as he squeezed her hand gently. Angie nodded, her heart pounding in her chest, “Yeah, let’s get this over with,” she mumbled, leaning over to press a short kiss to his lips.

They stepped out of the car, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the yard. Nico grabbed his suitcase from the trunk, and together, they walked toward the front door. The sound of laughter drifted from inside the lakehouse, a reminder of the easygoing atmosphere they were about to disrupt.

Angie hesitated for a split second before opening the door, Jack and Quinn were in the living room, engrossed in some old footage of a devil's games on the big-screen TV. The clatter of the door closing behind them caught their attention, and both boys turned to look, expecting to see Angie returning from her trip to the airport.

“Hey, you’re back!” Jack called out, pausing the game, “How was the drive?” “Not too bad,” Angie replied, her voice a little higher than usual as Luke and a few of his college friends pilled into the living room along with some of Jack and Quinn's friends.

She stepped aside, revealing Nico standing just behind her, his dimples deepening as he smiled at the boys.

“Nico?” Luke said, surprise lighting up his features. “What are you doing here?” Angie's eye travelled over to Quinn, who was watching the whole encounter with a knowing look. Nico shrugged, trying to play it casually, “figured I’d crash your summer for a bit if that’s cool.”

Jack’s eyes widened in realization, his mind quickly connecting the dots, “wait, is Nico the ‘mysterious guest’ you mentioned?” Angie bit her lip, nodding as she looked between Jack and Quinn. “Yeah, he is. I, uh, I wanted to keep it a surprise.”

Jack got up to hug Nico, "No need to keep it a surprise, of course, we want him here!" Luke's brows slowly began to furrow as he watched Angie's face, a look of nerves on her expression as Jack and Nico dapped each other up.

Oblivious to the growing awkwardness, Jack continued speaking as he moved around the room. “Anyway, we’ll have to rearrange the sleeping situation. I thought Angie was inviting her boyfriend, so we didn’t prepare anything, but—” "You really don't have to!" Angie said, cheeks a deep red. Jack waved off her concern, scoffing at her suggestion, "I'm not making him sleep on the couch with Luca and Adam. We can figure something-" "No, Jack, we want to share a room," Angie finally spoke up as the room went silent.

Everything was tense for a second, the only one who looked unphased was Quinn, who had been quietly observing from the back of the room and struggled to suppress his laughter, knowing full well how this revelation was about to land. Meanwhile, the other boys stood wide-eyed, jaws dropped, processing what Angie had just said.

A loud laugh left Josh's mouth as he collapsed on the couch beside Quinn, which gained him a glare from Angie and a smack from Quinn.

Jack blinked, taking a second to register the statement. Then, to Angie’s surprise, he simply nodded and returned to the couch.

“Okay,” he said, with no further comment or outburst.

He picked up the remote and pressed play, resuming the game as if nothing had happened. Angie, still standing, watched him in disbelief, “You don’t have any questions?” she asked, trailing after him, trying to gauge his reaction. Jack shook his head, eyes fixed on the TV. “Nope,” he replied, completely tuning out the conversation.

"I have questions," Luke mumbled with his hand in the air as Nico grinned at him and shrugged at the tension that seemed to overtake the room. "We can talk about it later, Lu, I'm gonna bring Nico upstairs," she said with a little heartbreak in her voice as she turned to lead Nico out of the room.

She couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions—relief that the secret was out, but also a bit of heartbreak at how nonchalantly it had been received. It wasn’t that she wanted a dramatic reaction, but she had hoped for a little more acknowledgment of what this meant for her and Nico.

The door to her bedroom shut behind them as Nico pulled her into his chest and crashed onto her soft mattress, ruining the freshly made bed she had done up for him. Nico’s lips found the frown that had settled on her face, kissing it away gently, then trailing down her neck in a series of soft, tender pecks.

Each kiss was a quiet reassurance, a wordless promise that everything was okay. His touch was soothing, a deliberate distraction from the worries that had been gnawing at her since they walked into the house.

"You okay," he mumbled against her skin as he laid down beside her, the jetlag slowly taking over as he looked at her with tired eyes. "It's fine," she shrugged and rolled on top of him to rest her head on his chest, her fingers drawing little circles onto his forearm as she held him closely.

Nico's hand ran down her back, pulling her closer as he spoke, "Don’t let it get to you. He'll come around, it’s just a lot to process.” Angie nodded, feeling a little foolish for letting it bother her so much. “I know. I just… wanted it to be more of a moment, you know?” Nico smiled as he brought her hand up to his lips to place a kiss on her wrist, “It is a moment. Our moment. And it doesn’t matter how anyone else reacts as long as we’re happy.”

Angie opened her eyes, meeting his gaze as her fingers gently ran over his bearded jaw. The sincerity in his eyes made her heart swell, and she felt a wave of affection wash over her. “You always know exactly what to say,” she whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips. “That’s my job,” Nico teased, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “now, let’s just enjoy this time together, okay? The rest will work itself out.”

Within a few moments, Nico’s breathing slowed, his body relaxing into the bed as sleep overtook him. She listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear, her own eyes growing heavy as the comfort of his presence lulled her toward sleep.

★★★★

Luke gently knocked on the door and cracked it open, not looking inside at the half-awake couple who leaned against one another at the boy in the door with his eyes covered and facing away just in case. "Quinn and Dalton made dinner, yours is on the table"

Angie sat up slowly, careful not to disturb Nico as she rubbed her eyes of any remaining sleep. His hand instinctively tightened around her waist as she moved around on the bed, a sleepy mumble escaping his lips, but he didn’t fully wake up.

“Thanks, Luke,” she said softly, trying not to wake Nico. She could see Luke’s awkward stance at the door, hands covering his eyes like he expected to walk in on something.

She smiled at his awkwardness as she told him that he could look in the room, his face slightly red and embarrassed as he smiled at the sight of Angie wrapped up in Nico's hold. A little in awe of how natural they looked together, even in their tired states.

“Uhh, no problem,” Luke replied, “just wanted to make sure you both ate, Quinn doesn't want it to get cold before you come down.” “We’ll be down in a few,” she assured him, glancing back at Nico’s peaceful expression.

Luke nodded, backing out of the room quickly. Once the door clicked shut, Angie turned her attention back to Nico, who blinked awake, groggy but smiling up at her.

“Dinner’s ready,” she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead as his brows furrowed with a dazed look. Nico stretched, his arms lazily wrapping as tight as possible around her, pulling her back down into his chest as he rolled over to secure her in place, “let’s skip it, I just want to stay here with you.” She laughed softly, resting her forehead against his. “We can’t hide up here forever. Come on, food will help with the jetlag.”

Nico groaned but reluctantly let her slip out of his hold, “fine, but only because Jack wasn't the one who cooked,” he said, his voice still heavy with sleep as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

Angie smiled as she pulled her hair back into a loose bun, watching him slowly get to his feet and make his way to her side, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. Despite her lingering nerves about the reveal to Jack and the others, she felt a sense of calm wash over her, his hands squeezing the plush of her hips as he once again pressed a reassuring kiss to her neck.

Being with Nico made everything seem a little more manageable, and she couldn’t help but feel lucky to have him by her side.

"Ready?" she asked, extending her hand to him. Nico took it, lacing his fingers through hers as they headed downstairs together, ready to face the boys once more.

As they got down to the dining room, all the boys crowded around the table and yelled out in cheers at the sleepy-looking couple, who looked half awake and a little giddy at the newfound excitement.

Angie smiled as she maneuvered her way around the kitchen, Nico trailing close behind, hand in hers, as she led him around and helped get both of them plates of dinner.

The tension was still very palpable in the room, her eyes trailing over to Jack, who was staring at the two, silently watching before he gently shook his head and looked down at his plate.

Angie let out a soft huff, feeling the weight of Jack's silent stare. She knew he was processing everything, but the tension was still there, lingering in the air like a heavy cloud. Nico, ever attuned to her emotions, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as he pulled her flush against his chest before he smoothly grabbed their plates from the counter and followed her to the table.

They sat down, and the conversation in the room resumed, though it was clear Jack's mood had shifted. Angie tried to focus on the food and the laughter of the other boys, but she couldn’t shake the unease that came with Jack’s quiet reaction.

Nico leaned in, his voice low and in her ear, “Give him some time, you know he’ll come around.” Angie nodded, grateful for Nico’s understanding, as she leaned into his frame. She glanced at Jack again, who was now pushing food around his plate, lost in thought.

Quinn, noticing the tension, spoke up, trying to diffuse the situation, “So, Nico, how long are you staying?” Quinn asked, his tone light and casual, steering the conversation into safer territory. Nico smiled, glancing at Angie before answering she plastered a smile on her face and watched as he interacted with the boys, “We've got a little before training camp, so I’ll be here for a week or so, and then she thought we’d do a little road trip after, maybe head back to Jersey.”

Luke, ever the instigator, chimed in with a grin. “A road trip, huh? Sounds like an adventure. You guys gonna let Jack and me tag along?” Angie laughed, shaking her head. “Sorry, Luke, I think this one’s just for us,” she reached over the table and ruffled his messy curls and flicking him in the forehead.

The table erupted in playful banter again, but Jack remained quiet, his silence louder than the conversation around them. As the meal wound down, Angie decided she couldn’t leave things unresolved with Jack. She stood, squeezing Nico’s shoulder, pressing a sneaky kiss to his jaw as a silent promise before walking over to Jack, who was still sitting at the table.

“Can we talk?” she asked softly. Jack looked up at her, his expression unreadable as gave her a look that resembled somewhat disinterest.

After a moment, he nodded and stood up from the table to follow her out onto the back porch, where the evening air was cool and quiet. Angie turned to face him, her hands fidgeting as she tried to find the right words. “I know this is a lot, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. But, Jack, I’m happy, he makes me happy.”

Jack leaned against the porch railing, not looking at her while running a hand through his hair, “I know he does,” he said quietly as he finally looked at her for a second, her eyes kinda glossed over as she waited for any sign of forgiveness.

"I'm tired, Ange," he said, shutting down the conversation before it had even started, her eyes full of hurt as she leaned against the railing next to him, "let's save this for the morning."

She nodded shortly, her eyes welling with tears as she let him return to the boys, taking a deep breath, she rubbed her eyes and slowly made her way back into the house. Everyone was still gathered around the table and living room, laughter and conversation continuing as if nothing had happened.

She spotted Luke sitting a little off to the side, quietly talking to one of his friends, he looked up at the girl, who looked visibly upset as she made her way over to him. Luke noticed her approaching and immediately gave her a knowing look, excusing himself from the conversation and patting the spot on the couch next to him.

"Hey," he said softly, his eyes scanning her face with concern, "You okay?" Angie shook her head, “I tried talking to Jack,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“He just... shut me down. Told me he was tired and didn’t want to talk until the morning.” Luke frowned, his brows knitting together in concern, “what did you say to him?” “I told him how happy Nico makes me, that I’m sorry I didn’t tell him sooner.”

She sniffled, wiping her eyes quickly, embarrassment filling her face as she looked around to make sure no one was watching her emotional breakdown, “he barely looked at me." Luke sighed, leaning in closer to be quieter and crossing his arms, “Jack cares. A lot. You know how he is— he’s just not great with emotions, especially when it comes to big changes. This is probably a lot for him to process.” “I get that, but...” Angie’s voice cracked again, “It still hurts me, you know? I thought he’d at least try to understand.”

Luke nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at her, arm now wrapping around her shoulders, “I know it does. But you’re like his sister, Ange, and Nico is his friend, so it's probably confusing. He’ll come around, it's not like we never noticed something was going on, he probably just thought you didn't reciprocate the feelings.”

Angie wiped another tear from her cheek, feeling a small wave of relief wash over her at Luke’s words as she leaned into his comforting side. For the first time ever, she could admit that Luke was being rational. Jack wasn’t one to handle change easily, especially when it involved someone he cared about so deeply. She just wished he would’ve given her a little more than silence.

“Thanks, Luke,” she said softly, managing a weak smile. “I just hate feeling like I’ve upset him.” Luke smiled back, reaching out to give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “You haven’t. Trust me. He's weird, you know that, he’ll come around," he poked her side as she grinned at him.

Angie nodded, feeling a little lighter as she took in Luke’s reassurance, watching his grin turn cheeky as she finally gave him a smile, “I hope so. I just don’t want things to be weird between us.” “They won’t be,” Luke assured her, “Once he’s had time to process, he’ll feel like such a dick. You two are close, that’s not going to change.”

"Thank you." He shrugged nonchalantly, "Just doing my job as the chill younger brother, I guess.” She laughed softly as she awkwardly hugged him from her spot on the couch, "Well, you’re pretty good at it.”

★★★★

Nico found himself sitting next to Quinn in the pool room after dinner, watching the others as they played a round, but the two sat in comfortable silence. Jack had retreated to his room, clearly needing space, and Angie was talking to Luke in the living room, so the air seemed thick with a mix of excitement and tension, but Nico couldn’t ignore the weight of his own thoughts.

Quinn, always observant, noticed Nico’s quiet demeanour and tilted his head toward the back porch, “need some air?” he asked. Nico nodded, appreciating the subtle invitation to talk before they stepped outside, the cool night breeze offering a much-needed reprieve from the crowded house.

For a few moments, they stood in silence, just listening to the rustling of the trees and the distant laughter inside.

Finally, Quinn broke the silence. “So… you and Angie.” He said it calmly, but there was a hint of something deeper in his voice, a protectiveness Nico had come to expect from the eldest Hughes brother. Angie Chandler was an honourary Hughes in the eyes of the brothers, which had been clear to anyone who witnessed the dynamic between the four of them.

“Yeah,” Nico replied with a small smile, glancing at Quinn, who looked pleased, “It’s been a while now. We just wanted to make sure it was the right time to tell everyone.” Quinn nodded, his hand in his pockets, and the other held a beer close to his chest as he looked at the gentle ripples on the water just in their backyard.

“I knew, Angie told me, Jack’s not the best at picking up on those things, but I saw it.” Nico chuckled softly. “Yeah, I figured she had said something to you, but Jack’s… Jack.” his voice grew more serious as he continued, “I know this is probably a lot to take in. Angie means a lot to me, and I want you to know that I’m serious about her.”

Quinn stayed quiet for a moment, processing Nico’s words, “She means a lot to all of us,” he finally said, pointing in the window at his brother but also to his friends, past teammates, and a found family that had been formed in the heart of Michigan and continued to grow, his tone steady but laced with concern.

“You make her happy, I can see that. But I also know how hard it’s been for her, you know?” Nico’s brow furrowed, sensing where Quinn was going with this. “I know she went through a lot before,” he said softly, thinking of all the conversations he and Angie had shared about her struggles. “And I’d never do anything to hurt her.”

Quinn’s gaze turned sharper, though not unkind, “I believe you. But you didn’t see her after she didn’t get drafted. She was in a rough place for a long time. It wasn’t just disappointment, it was like… she lost herself for a while.” His voice softened as he continued, “We were all worried about her. I don’t want to see her like that again.”

Nico’s heart tightened at Quinn’s words, understanding the depth of the concern behind them.

“I’ve heard about some of it,” he admitted, “she’s talked to me about how hard that time was for her. And trust me, Quinn, I’m not here to add to her pain. Angie’s strong, but she’s also been through more than most people realize. That’s part of why I love her.” Quinn’s eyes flickered with surprise at Nico’s honesty. The sincerity in his words seemed to reach him, and he gave a small nod of approval.

“I can see you’re good for her,” Quinn said quietly, “and she’s good for you, too. I’m not trying to scare you off. I just needed to know you understand what you’re getting into.” Nico let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, grateful for Quinn’s words. “I do. And I’m not going anywhere.” He paused, then added, “Angie… she brings out the best in me. I’m a better person when I’m with her. I think we balance each other in a way that makes sense.” Quinn nodded again, his usual stoic expression softening just a bit. “That’s what matters. As long as she’s happy, and you’re both good for each other… that’s all I care about.”

He leaned back against the porch railing, the tension between them easing, “I guess I’m just being overprotective. It’s hard not to be, after everything.” Nico smiled faintly, understanding exactly where Quinn was coming from, “I get it. You’re looking out for her, just like you always have. I would do the same for my sister.”

Quinn glanced at him, his lips twitching upward in the faintest hint of a smile. “Well, then we are on the same page,” he muttered, the smallest trace of humour in his voice, “just… don’t mess this up.” “I won’t,” Nico said, his tone serious again. “I care about her too much to let that happen.” The eldest Hughes nodded, seemingly satisfied with that answer.

For a moment, they stood in comfortable silence again, the tension from earlier now replaced with a quiet understanding. Nico felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing that he had Quinn’s cautious but genuine approval.

★★★★

Later that night, after the house had quieted down and everyone had retreated to their rooms, Nico and Angie found themselves back in her room, the air between them buzzing with a mixture of emotions. The conversations with both Jack and Quinn had taken a toll on Angie, and Nico could sense the weight of the day still lingering in her tense shoulders.

Nico closed the door softly behind them, locking the rest of the world out. He stepped toward her, his fingers brushing the soft skin of her arm. “You okay?” he asked quietly, his voice gentle as his eyes searched hers for any sign of discomfort.

Angie turned toward him, her eyes filled with exhaustion and longing. “Yeah,” she whispered, leaning into his touch. “It’s just been a long day.” She pouted slightly as he nodded along with her words. The doings of the day were emotionally draining, and that isn't even taking into consideration the flight he had taken just the night before to make his return to the States.

Nico wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and then one to the supple skin of her cheek. “I know,” he murmured, “but we’re here now. Just us.”

His words hung in the air, and Angie found herself relaxing in his embrace. She tilted her head up to look at him, her eyes tracing the familiar lines of his face, admiring the deep dimples that were poking at his cheeks as he smiled fondly at her, and finally. Landing on the soft curve of his lips. She rose up on her toes and kissed him softly, her lips lingering against his as a quiet sigh escaped her.

Nico responded with a gentle intensity, his hands sliding to her waist, pulling her even closer as he walked them further into the room and closer to the end of the bed. The kiss deepened as their bodies pressed together, the day’s tension melting away with each passing second. Angie’s fingers found their way into his hair, tugging lightly at the strands on the back of his neck as she lost herself in the feeling of him, the warmth of his body grounding her in the moment.

He pulled back just enough to catch his breath, his forehead resting against hers as he whispered, “I love you, Ange.” His words were a quiet promise, filled with all the care and affection he felt for her. “I love you too, Nico,” she breathed, her voice soft but certain.

Without another word, he backed her up to the exact edge of the bed, his hands gently sliding down to the hem of her shirt, lifting it slowly as his eyes met hers in a silent question. Angie nodded, giving him permission as she raised her arms, allowing him to pull the fabric over her head. "You're beautiful," he mumbled to himself as his hands found their way to her hips again, his thumbs tracing gentle circles against her skin as he kissed her once more, slower this time, savouring the moment before lowering her onto the mattress.

Angie’s fingers worked at the buttons of her shorts and then back up to pull his shirt over his head, her hands moving with a newfound urgency as she pulled the fabric over his head to give her a clear view of his broad shoulders and toned chest, letting it fall out of sight and out of mind. Their movements were fluid and unhurried, Nico laid down on the mattress beside her and flipped her over her to be on top.

Their bodies tangled together on the sheets, there was no more hesitation as she pressed a multitude of kisses to his stubble-covered jaw, never getting enough of the summer beard. A laugh left his lips as he pinched her side, which caused her to jump a little, her eyes a little hazy as she pulled away to let him examine her slightly bruised lips. Their touches became more deliberate as his thumb ran over her bottom lips to remind her of where she was before she leaned in once again to press a gentle kiss to his lips.

This moment had been one the two had been dreaming of since she left him in Switzerland a few months back. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she took in just how lucky she was to have him back in her arms and under her.

Nico’s hands roamed over her body, every touch sending sparks of warmth through her as she arched her back at the sensation of her hands on her skin, pulling him closer with each passing second.

"What do you need?"

Angie’s breath hitched as Nico’s quiet question washed over her, his hands still tracing the soft lines of her back. She bit her lip, her heart swelling with emotion, feeling the full weight of his affection and care. For a moment, she couldn’t speak—couldn’t quite find the words to express the overwhelming mix of love and relief she felt having him so close again.

This feeling of bliss was something she had been yearning for, and it all hit her at once how lucky she was to be loved by someone like Nico Hishcier.

"I need you," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with certainty as her hands ran over the slightly sweaty skin of his shoulders, "just you."

Her tears had slowed, but the emotion still welled up inside her, raw and real, as she raked her teeth over his skin before pressing a sloppy kiss to his collarbone before he flipped them over so he hovered over her. Nico gently wiped a stray tear from her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin tenderly as he gazed at her, his own eyes full of understanding.

He kissed her again, slowly, and it was as if time itself slowed to match the rhythm of the moment they were sharing. There was nothing rushed about their movements—just a shared intimacy that had been building for so long.

Both of them just relished in the feeling of the other, uncensored love that had been building up for the past few weeks.

Angie’s fingers traced the lines of his jaw, memorizing the familiar contours as if seeing them for the first time again. Nico’s body responded to her in kind, his hands exploring her skin as if reassuring her that this moment was real.

His whispered reassurances—his soft, almost breathless declarations of love—filled the quiet room, surrounding her like a protective blanket as he unclipped her bra and pressed gentle kisses to her exposed breasts. Grinning up at her at every noise that dared leave her lips.

He strategically pressed kisses down the plumpness of her breast, not being too afraid to tease her before the kisses dispersed down her abdomen. With each gentle kiss came a quiet gasp, her fingers roughly pulling at his hair for any sort of grounding that she could find before his lips travelled lower while whispering her name in between kisses.

Nico’s eyes met hers once more, dark with affection and need, and he hovered above her for just a second, his thumb tracing a line along her cheek. "You’re everything to me," he whispered, his voice husky yet filled with certainty as he got off the bed and kneeled at the edge, pulling her gently closer till one of her legs rested over his shoulder.

"What are you-" she propped herself up on her elbows, aching for his to be closer before she felt him nudge her back down and cut off her question to lay on her back before he gently bit into the skin of her tanned thigh. "Shh, just let me love you," he mumbled into her skin before his finger hooked around her lace panties and slowly removed them before licking a single strip up her core, eliciting a moan from her as she gave up any argument that remained on her tongue.

He smirked into her before continuing his movements, his hands moved higher, brushing against her hips as he pressed deeper until she interlocked one of hers with his, his soft groans vibrating against her skin, causing her to cry out in pleasure. His pace quickened his determination to make her come completely undone, clear in every calculated move as he focused on bringing her to the height of her orgasm.

Angie’s free hand flew to his hair, pulling at the strands as she felt the tension in her core tighten, her breath catching in her throat. "Nico," she whimpered, her voice breathless and needy.

He hummed in response, his free hand moved to pin her hips down to stop her restless movements as he pushed her further toward the brink. His name became a chant on her lips, a stream of pleas and praises danced on the tip of her tongue.

And then, as he pulled away slightly and continued making steady circles with his thumb, she shattered beneath him, her body trembling with release. Nico pressed a soft kiss to the inside of her thigh, his smile wide and satisfied as he slowly made his way back up her body as she slowly came back to reality. He brushed a few strands of hair from her sweat-dampened forehead, his lips meeting hers in a tender kiss that tasted of love and worship.

Angie, still breathless and trembling from the intensity of the moment, pulled him down into her arms, kissing him back with as much passion as she could muster. "You... are incredible," she murmured, her voice shaky but filled with admiration. Nico grinned, pressing his forehead to hers. "I just want to make you happy," he whispered. "You do," Angie replied, her fingers tracing the outline of his jaw once more. "More than you know."

She sat up a little as he left the room to get her a cloth and some new clothes to replace the ones currently on the floor, "do you want anything in return?" she asked with wide eyes as she watched his dot after her. He shook his head gently as he returned from the bathroom and handed her a glass of water, "maybe just some sleep," he said coyly as she nodded. “Sleep sounds perfect,” she murmured, her voice soft and laced with gratitude.

She shifted in bed, pulling the fresh clothes he had brought her over her body with a sense of comfort that only Nico seemed to bring her. Nico climbed back into bed beside her, the quiet rustle of the sheets the only sound in the peaceful room as he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close as they settled under the blankets.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her fingers tracing small patterns on his chest as her eyes began to flutter closed, “for everything." Nico pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. “Always, Ange. I’m not going anywhere.”

★★★★

The soft morning filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over Angie's face, which caused her to slowly stir awake, still tucked against Nico’s side. She blinked a few times, the warmth of his body next to hers reminding her of the night before as her hand softly splayed over his chest before she pressed a kiss to his skin.

Nico stretched beside her, his arm lazily draping over her waist as he blinked at her with a sleepy smile. "Morning," he whispered, his voice thick with sleep. "Morning," Angie replied, smiling back at him.

"I’m going to make breakfast. You want to help?" she sat up slowly and shivered at the loss of warmth from his skin. Nico grinned, sitting up beside her and running a hand through his bed head, "of course."

They made their way to the surprisingly clean kitchen together, the house still quiet, with everyone else still asleep after the night of drinking most of them had done. Angie moved around the kitchen, pulling out ingredients while Nico stayed close, helping her with anything she needed.

She quietly hummed and danced around the kitchen, Nico quietly watching her in awe as she swayed her hips to the music in her head, grinning widely as she caught his stare and grew bashful at his loving attention. As they continued to move around the kitchen, Nico’s hand would occasionally brush against hers, and they’d exchange small, playful smiles, completely wrapped up in their own little world.

From the stairs, Jack watched them.

His arms were crossed over his chest, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the two of them and how naturally they interacted with one another. He wasn’t sure how he felt about it all—their closeness, the way Angie smiled around Nico, how Nico looked at her like she was the only person in the room.

It was almost offputting to see, especially knowing that he hadn't suspected a thing.

Angie caught sight of Jack out of the corner of her eye as she flipped a pancake. She tensed for a moment but tried to focus on finishing breakfast. Jack didn’t move, but his stare felt heavy, and Angie could feel the tension building in the room again.

Once Nico stepped away to grab a plate from the other side of the kitchen, Jack took his chance. He walked down the stairs, his footsteps heavy as he approached Angie.

"Morning, Jack," she greeted him warmly, wiping her hands on a towel. "Want some breakfast?" He didn’t respond immediately, his eyes flickering from the food to her before he cleared his throat, "actually… can we talk for a second?"

Angie paused, her brow furrowing slightly in concern as she set the towel down and wiped any remaining wetness from her palms on her pyjama pants, "yeah, of course." She glanced around to make sure no one else was around before following him to the boot room just off the kitchen, where they could have a little more privacy.

Jack leaned against the wall, arms crossed, but his posture was more thoughtful than defensive. Angie stood across from him, waiting patiently, sensing he was trying to figure out how to start.

After a few seconds, Jack finally spoke. "Look, I’m really happy for you and Nico," he began, his voice steady but a little hesitant. "But… I’m also kind of worried. About us." Angie blinked in surprise, but she didn’t interrupt, letting him continue.

"You’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember," Jack went on, his blue eyes meeting hers, "you get me better than anyone else. And I guess… I’m scared that now that you’re with Nico, things are gonna change between us." He gave a small, almost self-deprecating laugh, but there was a seriousness in his words. "And… what if things don’t work out with you and him? I know how these things can go, and if it does, I’m gonna have to pick sides. And you know I’m always gonna choose you, Ange. Every time."

Angie felt a lump form in her throat as she listened to him. She hadn’t fully realized how much Jack had been holding in, they had been through nearly everuthing togetehr in the past seven years, and the thought that a relationship would cost them this closeness was enough to make her cry.

She stepped closer, reaching out to place a hand on his arm, "Jack," she started softly, her voice full of emotion, "nothing is going to change between us. You are my best friend, and you always will be. Nico or no Nico." She gave his arm a gentle squeeze, "I’m always going to be here for you, and I’m not going anywhere. I can love Nico and still be your best friend."

Jack looked down at her hand, then back up to her face, his expression softening a little.

"And as for the other stuff," Angie continued, "I get it. I get why you're worried. But Nico and I… we’re really good together. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but we’re happy. And even if something were to happen… you wouldn’t have to choose sides. It wouldn’t be like that." Jack uncrossed his arms, running a hand through his messy hair with a sigh. "I just don’t want to lose you again, Ange, especially if it's because of a boy." "You won’t," she promised, her voice firm. "Not now, not ever."

There was a beat of silence between them before Jack finally nodded, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Okay," he said quietly, "Good."

Jack quietly peaked his head around the corner of the room to the kitchen, laughing at the awkwardness of Nico as he stood in the kitchen, aimlessly waiting for Angie to return and eat with him.

"cap looks a little lost in there without you," he said smugly as she smiled, cheeks a pink colour as she peaked around the corner to see exactly what he had seen. "Be ready, you would all be lost without me," she laughed and patted his shoulder while looking back at her best friend.

His face softened as he looked back at her, the edges of a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, you’re probably right," Jack admitted, the tension between them dissolving into something more familiar, more comfortable. He reached out, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I guess we all need you more than we’d like to admit."

She looked at him with a pout at his moment of kind words before she pulled him in for a hug, "now go enjoy breakfast with him," she pulled away with a grin that soon dropped as he finished their emotional moment with a "and just an FYI, we share a wall," Jack said, smirking mischievously as he raised an eyebrow.

Angie's cheeks immediately flushed with embarrassment, "Jack!" she hissed, giving him a shove as she hid her face in hands. He laughed, clearly enjoying her reaction, before throwing his hands up in mock surrender, "Just saying! Maybe keep the volume down next time."

She shook her head, trying to hide her mortification behind a smile, "You’re the worst." "Yeah, but I’m still your best friend," he shot back with a grin, already turning to head toward the dining room, "now, go make sure he doesn’t burn the eggs or something."

Angie rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the fond smile that tugged at her lips as she made her way back to Nico. She was still a little flustered from Jack’s teasing, but the warmth of his reassurance—and his relentless humor—had done wonders to calm her nerves.

As she entered the kitchen, Nico looked up, instantly sensing the shift in her mood. "Everything okay?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concern. "Yeah," she said, a soft laugh escaping her. "Just Jack being… well, Jack."

Nico chuckled, clearly familiar with Jack’s antics. "What did he say?" "He heard us last night," she whispered, her face a bright pink as she leaned into his shoulder, earning an amused grin from Nico. He leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to her temple, “Noted."

And with that, they focused back on breakfast, the embarrassment withered away as she relaxed at the thought that for now everything was okay!

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