#nhl devils

“You’re having fun, huh, baby?” he murmured, adjusting his grip on her as he skated around effortlessly.

Your daughter giggled in response, her tiny fingers reaching for his face. She loved the feeling of gliding across the ice, even if she wasn’t doing much of the skating herself. Jack had been excited about this family skate for weeks—ever since the Devils set up a special event where players could bring their families onto the ice. You were skating beside them, laughing as you tried to capture the moment on your phone.

“She’s a natural,” you teased, watching as your daughter babbled something that sounded a lot like “dada” again.

Jack grinned. “Of course, she is. She’s got Hughes blood in her.”

Just as he said that, one of the Devils' media team members approached with a camera crew in tow. “Jack, Y/N, do you mind if we grab a quick interview?”

You nodded with a smile, gliding over beside Jack as the camera focused on the three of you. Your daughter squirmed slightly in his arms, her big eyes staring curiously at the microphone being held out toward him.

“Alright, we’re here with Jack Hughes, his wife Y/N, and their little one,” the interviewer began, smiling at the sight of your baby girl chewing on her sleeve. “Jack, how does it feel having your daughter out here for family skate?”

Jack’s eyes softened as he looked down at his daughter. “Oh, it’s the best. I mean, I spend so much time at the rink, and to be able to share this with her and Y/N… it’s special.” He bounced your daughter slightly in his arms, making her giggle. “She loves it. Might have a future hockey player here.”

You laughed. “I don’t know, Jack. I think she just likes being carried around while you do all the work.”

Your daughter let out an excited squeal, reaching out toward the microphone. The interviewer chuckled and held it closer, and your little girl immediately started babbling into it.

Jack’s face lit up with pure adoration. “Got something to say, baby?”

Your daughter smacked the mic with her tiny palm, her unintelligible babble filling the speakers. Everyone around you laughed as she continued, her little voice enthusiastic and full of energy.

“She’s stealing the show,” the interviewer said with a grin. “What do you think she’s saying, Jack?”

Jack hummed, pretending to interpret her baby talk. “She’s saying, ‘My dad is the best hockey player ever, and I love him so much.’”

You playfully rolled your eyes. “I think she’s saying, ‘My mom is the best, and I want a snack.’”

At the word “snack,” your daughter’s eyes widened, and she immediately reached for you, making grabby hands. “Mama!”

The entire crew melted at the sound, and Jack pouted dramatically. “Oh, come on! I was carrying you this whole time, and now you want Mom?”

Your daughter was relentless, though, so you took her from Jack’s arms, pressing a kiss to her chubby cheek. She settled against you, thumb in her mouth as she stared curiously at the camera.

“I think that means this interview is over,” you joked.

Jack wrapped an arm around you, leaning in to press a kiss to the top of your head before turning back to the camera. “She runs the show, what can we do?”

The interviewer laughed. “Well, I think we got the cutest interview ever. Thanks for your time, Hughes family.”

As the camera crew walked away, Jack turned to you, his eyes shining with love. “That was adorable.”

You nodded, rocking your daughter gently. “She’s got your spotlight charm already.”

jack gets up to store his leftovers in the fridge, deciding to do what luke suggested, and go see whats going on next door. he slides on his sneakers, grabbing his keys and walking out of the door without a word.

the door to the neighbors apartment is open and he frowns, knocking on the open door. his heart pounds as he waits for a response, looking at all the empty boxes that are scattered across the apartment. the sound of rushing feet coming down the hallway catches his attention, and he looks to the left.

there she is, a girl in shorts and a tshirt, looking messy but somehow, still beautiful. shes breathing a little heavy, but walks over with a smile. "can i help you?" she asks, her voice kind and welcoming.

he stays in awed silent for so long that she raises her eyebrows, waving her hand infront of his face. he snaps out of it eventually, "oh uh, im jack. i live next door."

she smiles softly, her eyes warm with a hint of amusement as she sticks out her hand and tells him her name. "im just moving in. sorry for all the clatter, some of this stuff is not as easy to put up as they make it look on youtube..." she laughs akwardly.

"no, its alright. uh...do you need any help?" jack asks, his voice shaky.

"oh, no no. i couldnt bother you." she waves her hands dismissively, "im sure youre busy with something."

"no!" jack answers, almost too quickly. "ah, sorry. i mean, no, im not busy at all. unless you just don't want help?"

"well, i guess if youre not busy..." she steps aside, gesturing for him to come inside. "i was just in my bedroom trying to put together this bedframe. its decently easy, so if you want to start putting together my dresser, that would be such a big help."

he follows her to her bedroom, looking around the messy apartment. "yeah, i can do that. also, my brother isn't busy so if you want an extra set of hands, i can make him help us."

"actually...that would probably be great. i have an entertainment center in my living room that also needs to be put together." she smiles, sitting back down on the floor.

jack pulls out his phone to text luke, telling him to come over. in the meantime, he sits down on the floor and opens up the box of parts for the dresser. he hears the sound of footsteps a few minutes later, then lukes voice calling out his name.

he walks into the bedroom after a little direction, stopping in his tracks when he sees our new neighbor. "uh, hey. im luke." he says, shoving his hands in his pockets, "my brother said you needed my help?"

she nods, getting up and leading him back to the living room, the sound of laughter fills the hallway as she walks back a few minutes later. she sits back down, picking up the instruction manual for the bedframe shes almost done with.

jack tries to focus on the dresser, but his eyes cant help but wander over to her often. he breaks the silence, "so, where are you from?" his voice fills the quiet room.

"a small town in georgia, atlanta area. got a job here, so i kinda had to move..." she answers, screwing in some screws to the frame. "long drive, but i think it'll be worth it."

"what kind of job?" his tone is full of interest, "are you in college?

she laughs softly, "im in online school. but i got a job as a sports photographer for a hockey team. the...devils? i don't know much about hockey so this will surely be interesting."

jacks heart skips a beat at the mention of his team, his head lifting to look at her. "the new jersey devils? the nhl team?" he asks, voice full of disbelief.

"yeah, you a fan? maybe you can tell me about them. i was gonna start researching tonight but maybe you can tell me all i need to know!" she smiles, looking back up at jack. she stands, walking over and sitting down beside him. "i finished the bedframe. need some help with this?"

"yeah, sure." he scoots the instruction manual towards her. "well, the devils are...an interesting team. they've got an amazing captain, his name is nico. they also great goaltending and coaching." he begins, wondering how to tell her he plays for them. "when do you start?"

"taking photos? well, tomorrow after i meet the team. the coach said they have a practice tomorrow morning so i can start then." she says, picking up some boards.

tomorrow? oh, he's done for. it's not like jack can keep his job a secret forever. he sits in silence as they work together on the dresser, trying to calm his racing nerves. her voice cuts through the silence, "what kind of job do you have?' she asks curiosly. if she told him her job, why can't she know his?

jack swears he stopped breathing, looking over at her. she's completely oblivious, screwing some boards together. "i uh...i play hockey." jack answers, hoping she wont dig any deeper.

except she does. her eyes widen and her head lifts to look at him, "really? who for?" she asks excitedly.

jack swallows, "the devils..." he answers, hoping she won't put two and two together. and yet again, she does.

a smile graces her face, "are you serious? why didn't you say anything sooner?" she shifts to sit facing his direction more, turning her attention to him. "i would've found out eventually, you know."

jack laughs awkwardly, also turning to face her. "well, i didn't know if you'd believe me." he smiles.

"why wouldn't i believe you?" she tilts her head in question, "well, i guess its common sense to not believe everything someone says, especially if you've first met them."

jack laughs a little more casually, visibly relaxing at how casual she is about all this. "well, luke plays for the devils too." he says, pulling out his phone and showing her some pictures.

"wow!" her eyes widen in excitement, "that's a lot of players. its hard to tell who is who because of the helmets, though. is that one you?" she asks, pointing to a player. jack nods, smiling.

"if you want, i can give you a basic rundown of all my teammates?" jack suggests, beginning to point out players and tell her about them after she nods. he gives her a basic rundown of positions and rules, then about different teams.

the furniture sits for a while, still in pieces. luke walks in on them talking, but doesn't say anything. he watches them discuss hockey, noticing how comfortable jack seems with her. he stays quiet, amused at how easily they get along.

-

time passes by and soon days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months. jack and y/n haven't stopped talking once, always having something to discuss.

whether it be hockey, basketball, golf, food, work, whatever they can think of, they talk about. the words flow easily out of their mouths, and their actions are the same.

they hug, hold hands and even hold each other sometimes when the other has a rough day. nothing seemed any different, just the fact that they've both been holding back on their feelings.

jack knew from the moment y/n walked up to the open door and smiled at him. the way her eyes glistened and her cheeks chubbed from how happy she seemed to have the opportunity to make a new friend. her personality beamed with joy and pure, untamed rowdiness, like something he could definitely get along easily with.

y/n knew from the moment she walked up to the open door to she jack standing there awkwardly, his words coming out in stutters but his eyes full of kindness and warmth. the kind of warmth she had a deep longing for, the kind only one person sees.

neither of them knew it, but the flame lit right then and there, the flame of a candle untouched and left unopened. when it burns, it's unmanageable, filling the air with the scent of long awaited love.

and it stayed that way for months.

until luke had to open his stupid mouth.

jack was sent into a spiral, overthinking every action and word exchanged between the two of them.

every time she held his hand, was that a sign?

all the cuddles and late night conversations, was that a sign?

all the times they had comforted each other, was that a sign?

was it all a sign?

indeed it was.

jacks knuckles hit the wood of her apartment door, his heart beating and his mind racing with thoughts of what could possibly be happening. he's interrupted by the door swinging open, and the sweet sound of her voice.

"jack? it's 2:34 in the morning...what's the matter?" she asks, her eyes sleep ridden as she stands there awkwardly in her favorite pajamas. theres a line on her cheek from the pillow, must've been sleeping hard.

he pushes past her and into her apartment, turning around to look at her. "i don't know why i'm here. all i know is that i need you in my life. in more ways than just friends. i didn't even realize it until luke said something to me earlier, and i know it's early but y/n, i love you."

"jack, it's too late for this-" she begins, only to be cut off.

"no, it's not. because i haven't slept. and i know you were sleeping, but i need you to know this. every moment with you is one i won't ever forget. you're amazing. everything you do inspires me to be a better person and you are the person i want by side. i want to be with you, and i want to spend the rest of my life with you."

jacks words hang in the air, silent and tense. she takes a step forward, eyes wide and any traces of sleepiness gone. her words are soft,

"i love you too, jack." she says, having felt a little spark at the beginning, but having pushed it down in fear he didn't feel the same.

and the dam of jacks eyes breaks loose, tears flowing down his cheeks like they never have before. the weight of finding the one missing piece of the puzzle finally found, the complicated jigsaw puzzle of his life completed. he takes another step forward, wrapping his arms around her and holding onto her like his life depends on it.

After a while of you and the other women helping you while taking breaks so you can be introduced to their kids, husbands, and pets. You all take a break and you hang around your front yard while talking and getting to know each other more. While taking a break you notice a man walking towards you all, and god was he handsome. Not too tall and well built, and the way he carried himself… but of course he looked familiar, pretty much everyone who watched hockey knew who he was. But why was he living in this neighborhood? Was he dating someone here? But, you try to push all those thoughts out of your head because you didn’t want it to seem that you were fangirling.

Jack asks if we need help moving anything while going to look in the u-haul to see if he can find any heavy boxes. You mention to him that while there is nothing left in the u-haul there is a heavy box inside that you would like to have moved upstairs. So you let him in and you show him the box and once he has it secure in his grasp you show him upstairs. Unbeknownst to you while you went downstairs to grab another box while you have help, Jack wandered around a little bit to get a sense for the house layout. After he’s peaked behind a few doors he heads back downstairs to help with anything else.

An hour or two later the other wives had to leave to either go get their children or go and start dinner which left Jack and you alone. By that time all the boxes had been moved into the correct rooms and most boxes had been unboxed and most things were either in the correct spot or put somewhere randomly to be put up somewhere else. 

While moving around in either comfortable silence with the occasional question on where you want certain things to be placed or full blown conversations of both of you being nosey about each other's lives, Jack would start to get a little touchy. Not too much, just a slight touch on your lower back to manuver you out of his way or pushing up behind you to help you put some tupperware up in a cabinet where you had to get on your tip-toes to reach. 

He was still being a gentleman but every touch gave you butterflies, and to say that you havent felt this way in a while would be an understatement. Eventually one thing led to another and somehow he ended up kissing you, which you weren’t exactly mad about. He had you pressed up against the kitchen counter, one arm wrapped around your waist and resting on the counter behind you and the other hand on the side of your face. Occasionally the hand around your waist slides up and down your side and under your left breast. Suddenly he picks you up which makes you wrap your arms and legs around him and he takes you upstairs (that snooping did him good).

He lays you on your bed (That he helped carry up the stairs and put together) and after getting your consent he starts to undress both himself and you. He works his kisses down your body focusing on your tits before continuing down your stomach and to your pussy. He gives your pussy a couple of light licks to test the waters then he starts to suck and work his tounge into your pussy. After a while he starts to gently ease a finger into you which brings you to your first orgasm. He slowly works his finger into you while you ride your high, when you start to come down from your first orgasm he starts to move his fingers, angling them just right to hit your g-spot. Once he thinks you can take his cock, he flips you over onto your stomach and he manhandles you just enough to get your hips to lift off the bed.

Once he gets you situated he gets himself ready to push into you, slowly, he’s still a gentleman and he doesn’t want to hurt you. Once he’s balls deep inside you he stills to compose himself and to make sure you’re good before he starts moving. He thrusts in and out of you at a steady pace and eventually he lets your body bounce back onto him from the force of his thrusts. 

When he starts getting close his pace falters and he starts to speed up, gripping onto your right hip has his thrusts get harsher. When he cums he grabs onto both of your hips and pushes himself all the way into you (use protection). You collapse on the bed, your body giving out from the multiple orgasms he had just given you and Jack is not far behind you.

In the aftermath, you and Jack lay together, still catching your breath. Your bodies are pressed closely together, your bare skin against his. The room is warm and the sheets are soft as you lie there in the comfortable silence.

Jack wraps his arms around you, pulling you closer to him. He nuzzles his face into the crook of your neck, leaving a soft kiss there. "That was amazing," he whispers, his voice low and gentle. You hum in agreement, your heart still racing from the intense pleasure you just experienced. You bury your face into his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. After a moment, Jack pulls back slightly to look down at you. He brushes a strand of hair away from your face, his expression tender. "You okay?" he asks, a hint of concern in his voice.

You nod, a small smile on your face. "More than okay," you reply softly, running your fingers lightly over his chest. Jack relaxes a bit at your answer, his gaze roaming over your face as he traces a finger down your jawline. "I'm glad," he murmurs, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The two of you lie there in comfortable quiet for a few moments, both still basking in the aftermath of your intimate moment.

~~~~~~~~~~

My face drops as he sits at the station next to me, “excuse me?” I raise an eyebrow, “that’s. What the fuck dude”

He still looks self fulfilled by his remarks and I roll my eyes, “so you’re my lab partner for this semester” he states, “I think we can understand that you’re attracted to me and while blondes are usually my type I’m not into the whole. Science geek thing”

My eyes shoot open and I- burst out laughing. The cockiness of this guy oh my god, “you. Think” I wheeze slightly- snorting as I laugh, “oh you’re funny” I can tell by his face he’s a little hurt, truthfully I don’t care that much to apologize sincerely, “I’m sorry Jack. Just. I’ve known you for what? Three minutes? I’m definitely not. Into you. Like” I shake my head and cross my arms, “at all”

He too rolls his eyes, “I think you are going to fall in love with me” He opens his laptop and I; once again. Huff in disbelief, “what you think I’m joking”

“I think you better pray I’m good at chemistry because. You need this class to graduate and make the Devils team. An uh. Last time I checked? I don’t” I state as I type in my passcode and start working on our lab experiment. Mostly the thesis right now.

His eyes open, “you know?” And I look at him with a smirk on my lips, “you’re wicked”

“My dad’s from New Jersey. Therefore, I know all the inner workings” I shrug shyly and go back to typing, “how good at chemistry are you actually”

I’ve caught him off guard. But somehow he’s still stupidly fixated on the fact that I proclaim I won’t fall in love with him, “how much money?”

“Excuse me? Do your own work asshole” I state defensively

“No. I think you are going to fall in love with me once the project is over. Maybe before then actually” God he really is a cocky asshole.

“I won’t. I can always get a new partner” I tilt my head, “I don’t need this class to graduate. I graduate early Hughesy”

Now he’s panicked, “no. Please I need this to graduate.”

“Oh. I know”

I come home late from the lab, eager to shower and wash the grime and irritation off my skin and hair. Stella is working on an assignment; red hair all tied up and bags circulating under her eyes. Gracie’s gone. Supposedly out drinking in need of some space.

“Becca” Stella greets as she looks up from her desk, “when do you wanna go to the dining hall?”

“Uh. Give me an hour. I want to shower and change from my chem clothes” I pull my hair from the bun and shake it out.

“Ok. I gotta finish my homework super quick”

Stella and I eat dinner, sat across from each other as I pick at a salad. My head resting on my hands, “have you met Jack Hughes?” I ask.

“Uh. I met the youngest one. Luke? Very briefly though” she shakes her head and cuts her chicken to eat, “not Jack. I thought he graduated last year”

“No. He needs a final chem class. The one I’m taking for extra credit” I roll my eyes in frustration, “y’know he said ‘I know you’re attracted to me and that I usually like blondes but the whole science geek you have going on isn’t working for me’ isn’t that like. So baffling”

Stella laughs, “god I knew he was cocky but wow. That is truly wow. Such an ass. ‘I know you’re into me and I usually like blondes’” she repeats in a mocking tone. I then slam my fists on the table

“And then. He started saying that I was going to fall in love with me! The nerve of this guy. And now I still have to help him in this class” My eyes are closed and my entire self is irritated once again.

“See you even talk about me to your friends” it’s Jack.

Oh my fucking god. Seriously?

I turn to face him, his hair is damp and I will admit he does look quite good, “simply to show how self obsessed and boyish you are”

He smirks, a stupid. Stupid adorably handsome smirk, “you see, most girls like that side of me” I bite my laughter back and share a look with Stella

Then. Pretending he was no longer there, “see what I’m talking about?”

“For sure. What movie are we watching tonight?” She asks, going back to eating her dinner

“You still haven’t seen pitch perfect, so I vote we watch that”

Jack huffs behind me. His fingers glide on my shoulders to warp my attention back to him, “come to my hockey game Bethany. Come on now”

I pause, “don’t call me Bethany” I shake my head, “I’m not coming to your game. I’m not going to fall in love with you. I’ll help you pass your chemistry class but I’ll remind you. I don’t need it to graduate” I turn to face him, “you need me to graduate. Don’t fuck it up”

That’s all it takes for him to straighten back up and walk off. I know he’s saying something, probably insulting me. But. I truthfully don’t care all that much. He’s not my problem. I don’t need him.

I like the power of him needing me. Maybe I am a little vain.

It’s something that I think about early into the morning. Gracie snoring softly above me, her leg is dangling off the edge. I’m staring up at the latticing.