#mathew barzal x y/n

[prettytoxicrevolver]

Five Times You Almost Kissed Mat Barzal and The One Time You Did

Warnings: None, not proofread

Word Count: 3.4k

Five 

“Do something with it!!” you yell angrily at the screen and Mat laughs lightly next to you. 

You fall back into the couch with a huff, Mat still laughing next to you. You look up at your best friend, a light smile placed on his lips and you reflect it, before rolling your eyes at him. 

“Can I help you?” you ask and he shakes his head, his smile turning more into a mischievous grin. 

“Nope. Just enjoying knowing what you look like at my games,” he responds. 

You roll your eyes again but a hint of a smile forces its way onto your lips, your feelings wanting to escape every minute you were next to Mat. You push them back instead, snuggling next to Mat on the couch. Your hands find their way to his bicep, holding on lightly as your head falls to his shoulder. 

Mat moves one hand to the back of your thigh, pulling you closer to him while effectively sending your heart straight into the stratosphere. You lean into his side, but his hand doesn’t move from its place on your leg. You try to slow your heartbeat down as you relax into Mat’s warm figure but your focus falls from the game to the boy next to you. 

Your eyes trail over the time, seeing it’s nearing midnight and sudden tiredness takes over you. Mat’s warmth does nothing to help, only making your eyes flutter to a close with ease. 

Mat’s eyes are trained on the TV with an attempt to ignore the growing thump of his heart when he’s around you. He had claimed he didn’t want to watch the game with you, but in reality, he’d do anything if it meant he could be by your side. His eyes trail over to you, a soft smile crawling onto his lips. 

Mat nudges you awake and your eyes flutter back open, searching for a moment to look over the TV before turning to Mat. Your chin props on top of his shoulder and you look up at him through your eyelashes. 

“Stay awake, you’re the one who wanted to watch the game,” he reminds you and you smile tiredly. 

“Hush I know,” you say. 

You search his eyes, a steady silence falling around the two of you. Your heart beats rapidly against his arm, and you wonder if he can feel the shakiness of your touch. 

Mat is entranced by your gaze, wanting to look everywhere but your eyes but not being able to. He aches to close the distance between the two of you, to change your relationship status, and yet all he could do was look into your mesmerizing (y/e/c) eyes. 

“MacKinnon with the rebound and he shoots, scores!!” The announcers pull you both from your trance, scaring you off from the possibility. 

Four 

Your morning was seriously not going as planned. 

You had forgotten your textbooks for your class, forgotten your students' essays to grade, forgotten to make lunch or bring money for it, and basically forgot all important things for your school day. It was a nightmare, to say the least. All you could really do was chalk it up to it being the end of the school year and hope you make it through the day. 

Mat had noticed you left everything at home when he woke up. It was his day off, the coach giving them a break from practice and even though he would head to the gym later, he still decided to sleep in a little. When he entered your shared living room, he noticed your textbooks and the essays you were grading sprawled out on the coffee table. 

A frown burrowing on his face as he makes his way into the kitchen to find a half-made lunch and your lunch bag sitting on the counter. He pouts at the sight, knowing you must have been beyond stressed and frustrated that you left your things. 

He had seen you do this before, whenever the end of the school year came, or a stressful point happened in your life you were chronic at forgetting things. It was an unfortunate habit of your messy mind but it happened. However, Mat had always noticed and always made the attempt to bring you anything you needed. 

He pulls out his phone, not seeing any texts or notifications from you but shrugging it off. He gathers up your stuff as neatly as possible before heading back into his room to change into something somewhat appropriate to wear at your school. 

You hit fourth period, only feeling the day weigh on you more and more as you realize how frazzled the end of the year makes you. You were opening seven thousand different tabs, trying to grade student work, and pull up the content you would teach as your students waited patiently for you to give them instructions. 

“Okay guys,” you say, finally standing to start the class. 

Mat had the drive to your school memorized by now. He loved visiting you and seeing you working away as you got to see him so often. It was the cutest thing, your short self commanding a room of teenagers, some listening intently and asking questions, others not always taking you seriously. 

Today he approaches your classroom, the door swung wide open as your voice booms over the room. He relaxes into the doorway, head tilted as he looks at you, refusing to bother you just yet as you teach. His eyes trail your figure, a soft but proud smile resting on his lips. 

Your students had noticed him before you did, some smiling and waving at him. He waves back, recognizing some of your students who he’s met before. His head leans against the door, a lovestruck look in his eyes, and your students have completely lost the point of your lesson, watching a love story unfold before them. 

Finally, your eyes follow theirs, reaching the doorway to see Mat standing there. Your confusion turns partly to embarrassment and part to joy seeing your best friend there. 

“No, go back to teaching,” he waves your look off before you can even say anything. 

“What’s up?” you ask, ignoring his plea. 

You knew the minute you had become aware of Mat’s presence you wouldn’t be able to focus. Your thoughts go blank at his presence and narrowing on your shaky hands, rapidly beating heart. Mat crosses the room to you, handing you the things you forgot this morning. 

“I came to drop your stuff off and take you to lunch?” he questions and you grin. 

“Give me a few minutes? The bell’s gonna ring soon.” 

Mat nods telling you he’s gonna run to the bathroom and come back to grab you before he can take you to lunch. You watch his figure retreat, a dopey smile left on your lips and when you turn back to your students they grin at you. 

“Miss, are you guys finally dating?” Comes from one of your girls in the back. 

“Guys we’re just friends,” you tell them and your boys groan. 

“Does he say that or do you?” a boy in the back asks. 

“Well,” 

“Oh my god Miss,” they all groan and you laugh. 

You usher them back to learning but the bell rings and just as soon as Mat has left he’s back and saying goodbye to your students. Once they’re gone he makes his way to you, looking proud and mischievous all in one. 

“Hey you’re pretty good at this,” he says and you laugh. 

“Well thank you,” you say, moving around the room to clean up after your students. 

“Hey,” Mat says, grabbing your arm and pulling you closer. 

“I mean it. You’re a great teacher.” 

A blush covers your cheeks, a hand comes to rest on Mat’s side and he gazes down at you, your heart doing backflips as you look up at your best friend. His hand slides from your arm to your shoulder, pulling you flush against him. Your other hand lays on his chest, his heart slamming steadily against your fingertips.

Your eyes search each other’s hearts beating hard in anticipation. You stand on your tiptoes inching closer to Mat, he leans down, his forehead touching yours and for a moment you think everything might change. 

“Shit, sorry (y/n/n),” you hear, pulling you and Mat from each other. 

You look up to see one of your fellow teachers in the doorway, a blush covering his cheeks as he catches you and Mat together. You plop your head on Mat’s chest, chuckling lightly before pulling away and dragging him out the door with you.

Three

As weird as it sounded, you loved blasting music in your room, folding laundry, and dancing around like an absolute idiot. Mat was at practice leaving the apartment to you, and you were taking full advantage of it. Your favorite Bazzi album surrounds the room as you dance and work on folding all of yours and Mat’s laundry. 

Mat was somewhat grateful practice ended early. He felt like he hadn’t spent any time with you in ages and was missing your smile. He headed home instantly, declining to go out with his friends knowing you would be home. 

He raced home, dropping his stuff at the door and following the sound of your music playing loud in the apartment. He makes his way to your door, a dorky smile finding its way onto his lips as he watches you. 

You dance unknowingly around the room, singing quietly under your breath to whatever song had you entranced for the moment. Your music changed like your emotions and Mat had a special talent for knowing how you felt just from the song you were playing. 

You fold clothes mindlessly, throwing yours in one pile and his in the other. The tiny chore done for him makes his heart pound. It was simple and dumb but he loved your selflessness nonetheless. 

As one song ends, Mat decides to make his presence known, 

“Bravo!” he yells. 

You jump, ten feet in the air it feels like when you hear Mat’s voice come from behind you. You whip around, glaring at Mat before placing one hand on your knee, the other on your chest, clutching your heart as it pounds from the scare. 

“Mathew Barzal!” you yell employing your best friend’s full name. 

Mat cackles loudly, mimicking your movements as he bends over to laugh at his best friend. You pick up a piece of clothing, throwing it half-heartedly at him as your heart starts to slow down. As Mat watches you slowly gain your composure, an idea sparks, mischief behind his eyes forming. 

“Mat,” you warn, knowing the older boy has an idea planned. 

Mat rushes forward, hooking an arm around your waist and pulling you down onto the bed with him. You shriek loudly as your back hits the mattress with a thud, Mat landing on top of you. 

“Barzal!” you yell frustrated but there’s a hint of laughter in your annoyance and Mat can spot it, giggling quietly against you. 

“I thought I’d help,” he says, propping his chin up to look at you. 

You gaze down at him, grinning madly at the dumb but unbelievably lovable boy beneath you. Mat’s hair falls before his eyes and you lift one hand up to push it out of the way. Mat catches your hand as you card your fingers through his hair, pulling it to his lips to press a kiss to your fingers. 

You freeze at the contact, watching Mat’s every move. Your song changes into the background, one of the very few Bazzi love songs only making your heart float higher. Mat moves slightly, one of his hands resting next to your head, the other trailing up and down your side. Your breath hitches as he lowers to meet you, his nose brushing yours. 

The dryer sounds, beeping loud and scaring you both more than Mat did a few minutes ago. Mat jumps, dropping his head back down on your stomach and you feel the sigh he releases. 

Two

“One dance?” Noah begs and you roll your eyes. 

“Mat?” you ask, trying to get your best friend to help you. 

“Nope this is between you two,” he responds, taking a long sip of his drink. 

“You owe me,” Noah reminds you, and you nod before taking his outstretched hand. 

Noah leads you away, your only look back to your best friend is the wink he sends you and you flip him off but smile anyway. 

Noah sweeps you up, hands wrapped around your waist as you move around the room together. He had needed someone to dance with, part to make another girl jealous, part to get over another girl and you were reluctant but fine with helping out a friend as much as possible. You also owed Noah, him knowing about your massive crush on Barzy, had him covering for you and playing wingman in more ways than one. 

“Are you ever gonna tell him?” he asks as you sway slowly around the ballroom. 

“Are you ever going to tell her?” you turn it back on him and he nods, a blown-out smile in return. 

“Touche.” 

You dance for a bit longer in silence, but your gaze falls to Mat every so often. 

“See here’s the thing,” Noah says, pulling your attention back to him. You stare into his eyes, awaiting the wisdom the defenseman would drop onto you. “If you tell him, you could be dancing with him and not me.” 

“I think even if I was dating him I’d end up dancing with you Noah,” you joke and he laughs. 

“Yeah but it’s because you’re just so damn irresistible,” he jokes back, making you throw your head back in laughter. 

Mat hasn’t taken his eye off of you since you walked away with his teammate. His teammate knew his feelings for the girl and wondered why he would put him through the torture of this jealousy. He watches Noah hold the girl he loves the way he should, and his heart twists when her head is thrown back in laughter, the sound ringing in his head. 

He can’t help the movement in his legs when the song ends and another begins and Noah still has his hands on you. He marches up to the two of you, Noah noticing his presence first and nudging you to look over at him. 

“Mind if I cut in?” 

“All yours,” Noah says, handing your hand to him and Mat is happy to sweep you up into his arms. 

“Ah a much better dancer,” you say and Mat grins widely down at you. 

“What were you guys talking about?” 

“Oh, Noah’s just spilling all of your deep dark secrets,” you grin mischievously. 

“You mean all the things you already know?” 

“Exactly doll,” you joke and he chuckles and shakes his head. 

Mat’s heart was surprisingly calm dancing with you like this is where he’s supposed to be. With Noah, you looked everywhere, mostly trying to look at Mat, but now you couldn’t keep your eyes off the dance partner in front of you. The moment created before you, the two of you are the only ones in the world at this point. 

Your movements had slowed to barely a sway, entranced by each other. You can feel the two of you moving closer, the tension building and your heart slowing but your hands shaking. 

“Hey, can I-” 

You both pull back to see Noah grinning dorkily at the two of you. You don’t realize it but the middle man of your relationship receives the same look just as Noah takes your waist again, and Mat walks away both of you sad that your moment is ruined. 

One 

The slam of a puck against the boards makes you jump, instantly waking you up from your tired 6 am state. You pull your iced coffee to your chest and take a sip, propping a hand up to rest your cheek on it. 

You hadn’t been to an early practice in a while but wanted to surprise Mat with coffee and breakfast afterward. You also knew that if you woke up early and showed up at the rink you could get some work done as you listened to the boy’s practice. 

Mat didn’t notice you were in the stands at first. Noah was the one to nudge him till he lost his balance, and point up to the row where you sat. It was not unlike what you looked like at home, papers spread around you, head bent, lip tugged between your teeth, as you scribbled across the papers furiously. He pauses to focus on you and ends up with a check to his side by Pageau. 

“Come on man,” Mat groans, stumbling to catch himself. 

“Pay attention man,” he calls, and both he and Noah skate off laughing. 

The rest of practice is fast and hard, Mat’s attention splits between you and the tasks at hand, and when coach calls it to an end Mat has never felt more grateful. He skates off quickly, darting into the locker room. He showers and makes his way to where you sat in the arena. 

You sit blissfully unaware of what’s going on around you, not realizing practice has ended. Your head is still bent over your work and you miss Mat sneaking up behind you. 

“Authorized personnel only miss,” Mat jokes and your heart jumps for a moment but you hide it with a smile, lifting your head just barely and turning to meet his gaze. 

“Oh sorry I thought I had an in with a player,” you explain as he sits down next to you. 

“Really? Who?’ 

“Noah Dobson? He’s just so dreamy I’m pretty sure we’re gonna get married,” you continue the ruse and Mat shoves your head jokingly and you laugh loudly. 

“Seriously, what are you doing here so early?” 

“Wanted to get some work done. But I also wanted to take you out to breakfast. I feel like we haven’t seen each other in a while.” 

Mat grins as he leans over your work, his head replacing your previous view and you grin down at the older boy. Your eyes search his, joy radiating between the two of you as you fall quiet. You think about just closing the distance, finally breaking this growing tension. 

“Hey! Authorized people only!” A guard yells and you both giggle lightly as you pull away. 

You both hold bittersweetness in your heart but smile nonetheless as you walk away together and head to breakfast. 

And One 

“You have to pay attention to every second or else we’re no longer friends,” you tell Mat as he sits down and you throw your legs over his. 

He places the bowl of popcorn in your lap, your hands digging in instantly and Mat reaches for the remote pressing play in the comedy special. 

You insisted he watch Bo Burnham’s new special on netflix, the one that had you bawling by the end of it but meant the world to you. Mat had only agreed to watch because he knew you adored it. 

“Yup definitely paying attention,” he says, picking up his phone for a moment. 

You set the popcorn bowl down, reaching for Mat’s phone and he pouts at your action. You both end up giggling as your short arms try to reach his phone held into the air above you. 

You wiggle around moving so you’re practically straddling his lap as you grab his phone. When it’s in your hand, you smile widely claiming victory. 

You throw his phone to the side, finally looking down at Mat who’s had his eyes on you the entire time. Your hands fall to his chest, his heartbeat familiar under your fingertips. 

Mat’s hand comes up, his finger tilting your chin down to come closer and your foreheads press against each other. Your noses brush, breath mingling in wait. 

Mat’s other hand trails your waist, gripping it lightly while the other cups your cheek. He finally pulls you in, his lips pressing against yours firmly. You sink into the feeling letting out a sigh. 

The hype had definitely lived up, every inch of tension resolving and fizzling out in the kiss that was built since the day you met. You chase your feelings back and forth in the kiss not wanting to break thinking this would be the last time.

#mat barzal x reader #mat barzal fic #mat barzal imagine #mathew barzal imagine #mathew barzal x reader #mathew barzal x y/n #mathew barzal fic #new york islanders fanfic #new york islanders x reader #new york islanders fic #new york islanders imagine

[yelenasdog]

vibrant, saccharine, his ☼ (fwb!mat barzal x fwb!fem reader) 

genre: filthy smut, fluff, angst with happy ending

summary: pretending is getting harder, for both of them. and after a hard roadie, mat’s not sure if he wants to pretend anymore.

words: 8.7k (WOAH)

warnings: cursing, excessive use of parentheses, friends with benefits arrangement, smut, unprotected piv, oral (f and m receiving), fingering, blood (reader bit lip too hard oops!), pet names (baby, sweetheart, pretty boy), reader is described as having sisters and a dog, food mention, idiots to lovers, misunderstood situation, reader uses she/her pronouns, and i think that’s it.

a/n: when i started this, i originally was just writing a blurb and then it turned into a full ass fic with a plot?? and fwb??? idk man, im nervy to post this since ive never published for nhlers before but oh whale! and ty to @eminems-skittles for reading this for me and checking it over 🤍 love u

“You played so good, baby.” She breathed, welcoming him home with open arms.

“Not good enough, apparently.” He responded, letting her fingers card through his raven locks. Soft, freshly cut. She loved when he grew it out, but yet again it was him, so anything worked.

She sighed, letting her thumb fall to his cheekbone, knowing what he was referring to. It had been the last stop of the road trip, he’d had a hatty and despite making it to OT, it wasn’t enough in the shootout.

He’d had to wait an entire flight and car ride afterwards to see her, only giving her a brief text when he got off the ice (“We lost. Had a hatty. Fucking Toronto.”) (like she hadn’t stayed up to watch the game) and another when he landed.

And after so long of whatever the two of them had going on, she’d known better than to try to send him some long and winded attempt at a pick me up message. She settled for just responding “I’ll be here.” She didn’t need to say it though, he knew she’d be there.

She always was.

To anyone else it would’ve been sad, how she waited up for him, late nights spent lonely with just her and her dog, as he jetted around North America. In her mind, he was no doubt giving himself away to whatever random puck bunny threw herself his way.

Despite this, she was loyal, even though she had her suspicions about what he did when they were apart. And frankly, it wasn’t a part of the “deal” that they had to be exclusive, and it was none of her business. But truthfully, after so long, she couldn’t count on some washed up juniors player to give her even a fraction of the satisfaction he had.

So, she did this whole routine, whatever this was. She stayed up late watching his games, sitting on her couch in his sweatshirt he left. She wouldn’t admit it out loud, but whenever she wore it, she liked to pretend.

Pretend that she was an obedient girlfriend wearing her loving boyfriends sweater. That as she sat curled up waiting on the corner of the beat up black sofa, 3 coffees in at approximately 1:37 am, she would be rewarded for her efforts come morning time.

That her and said loving boyfriend would lounge around together in bed (after he woke her up in the best way he knew how, showing her how grateful he was. Like I said, she loved when his hair was long enough to tug on, and even though she endlessly made fun of his patchy stubble, she couldn’t deny how delicious it felt burning between her thighs. Especially after they’d spent so long apart.) Then they’d go and grab late brunch, holding hands under the table as they sipped mimosas, which were Mat’s guilty pleasure only her and the waiter knew about, before heading home.

Maybe then they’d FaceTime his mom back in Coquitlam, an early riser with the 3 hour time difference. Mat had felt bad interrupting her morning routine, but she’d never pass up an opportunity to talk to her boy and the girl who she hoped was her future daughter in law.

After they got off the phone, she’d tell him how much she loved his mom, how her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. He’d tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, watching as she leaned into his touch.

“Missed you, Mat.” She’d say, closing her eyes.

“I missed you more.” He’d respond, his voice nearly a whisper. Her eyes would flutter open, and he’d recognize the look in them immediately. He felt his blood rush, and suddenly their proximity, which he’d never get used to, was very obvious.

“Oh yeah?” She asked. “I doubt that.”

He swallowed, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip. Her eyes hungrily swept over them, wanting nothing more than to lean forward and capture them with her own.

But patience is a virtue, she supposed.

“Want me to prove it, pretty boy?”

Words failed him, and all he could do was nod. He relaxed into the sofa, watching as she dropped to her knees in front of him. Her hands were on either thigh as he fought the urge to lay his tired head back onto the beat up pleather behind him. It had been too long, he thought. And he’d be damned if he was going to miss out on seeing her do what he’d only imagined in the shower, or over the phone for the past 16 days.

She reached her hands up from the muscle of his thigh up to his tummy, her cold hands shocking him as she reached under his sweatshirt- the same one she’d been wearing before.

Her hands drifted, down, down, down, to the waistband of those damn Lululemon shorts she’d got him for Christmas. He held his breath, watching as they danced around where he needed her most and then-

The doorknob turns, and she’s brought back to reality. Sleep had almost claimed her, iced coffee left abandoned on the coffee table, a ring of condensation already drying on the glass. She attempts to smooth out her hair, hoping that her brief almost-nap hadn’t left her too disheveled.

Not that he’d care.

She stood to greet him as he opened the door, hockey bag, and garment bag, and duffle bag, and backpack, and- God, did he really need all that- and suitcase, dropped unceremoniously as he entered the threshold. He kicked the huge bag to the side, and it landed right under where her keys and her leash for her old mutt, Warrior, hung from the wall.

Above the leash hung a picture of her and her sisters, with her running shoes on the floor beneath it for easy access. They were nearly squished by the gear, and if it had been anyone else’s shit crushing her 160 dollar sneakers, she’d be angry. But the sight of his bag near her shoes was so weirdly domestic, she could’ve cried.

She, yet again, was snapped out of her fantasy by the closing of the heavy door, watching as the man in front of her shuffled forward, immediately allowing himself to be held by her. His head fell to her shoulder, and rather than the usual clash of teeth and shoving to get to her room, (they never went to never his place after a roadie. He needed to be away from the constant reminders of it all for awhile, just to be surrounded by her) she simply dropped a chaste kiss to his temple, letting her arm drop from his hair to his broad shoulders, squeezing once, twice, three times, on either one.

He stood up, and she led him to her room, though he knew the way well enough. Her hand in his felt nice, comforting, even, and he wasn’t going to complain. In the beginning of the arrangement the two of them had, touches like that had been normal. But as time went on, the barely there brushes and gentle caresses stopped all together.

He wanted to say something, wanted to ask her what was wrong, if it was something he did. But when he was off the ice, Mathew Barzal was not a man who liked to push his luck. So he didn’t. He let the touches slip away, and took what he could get from her.

Which right now, was toeing off his shoes, and crawling onto the plush comforter of her bed. It smelled like that sparkly ”fairy dust” shit from Lush he saw sitting on her bathroom counter once, cotton candy and bubblegum infiltrating his senses. That, and her favorite floral perfume he was all too familiar with on her pillow. A combination of scents he usually would find too much, sickly-sweet. But it was her, and that alone made it the most soothing aroma he’d ever known.

Initially when he’d gotten off the ice, the adrenaline had been pumping, and his anger had been rampant. All he’d wanted was to get home to her, have his way with her. To have an outcome he could control.

He’d kept himself relatively calm in the locker room, not having any outbursts towards Ilya, or anyone for that matter. If any of the guys had noticed he was uncharacteristically quiet, they didn’t say anything.

That is, until the bus ride to the airport.

He had been typing out his text to her, (Hatty, lost in OT, Toronto, you know the one), when he had felt a pair of peering eyes. Sitting in the back of the bus, he’d thought he’d done well to avoid such glances, but apparently not.

“Y’know, you shouldn’t be sulking so much.” A certain French-Canadian spoke, the brunette man’s tired eyes lingering over Mat’s hunched over form.

If there was one thing he didn’t need right now, it was more pep talks from Tito. He’d had more than his fill in the locker room. And though he loved the guy, he didn’t need to be told again how he “did everything right” and had a ”killer game”.

Because he knows, and that’s partly why he’s so mad.

Partly. As the other part is the fact that he wants more than anything to come back to NY to her arms. He was exhausted at this point, and rather than having his way with her, he now just wanted to be welcomed home into those ridiculously cozy sheets. He wanted her to light up all those overpriced candles she loved so much from Bath and Bodyworks, and for Warrior to snuggle up by him, stinky dog breath be damned. He wanted her to turn on ”Miracle” in the back as white noise, and laugh as she repeated all the lines from memory. (He may be Canadian, but he can appreciate a heart warming story told by Kurt Russell when he sees one.)

More than anything, though, he wanted her. And not just for an hour or two before he inevitably dragged himself out of those silky sheets that felt heavenly on his back, leaving her sleeping beside him. She looked peaceful in those moments, and he often wondered what she dreamt of. If she was dreaming of him as he did of her.

Bottom line was, Mathew was the victim of a series of unfortunate events. And the man to his left could recognize that it wasn’t just the hockey that was bothering him. (Though, that whole situation did suck pretty bad, he’d admit.)

So when Anthony told him he shouldn’t be sulking, he flashed him a tight lipped smile and a nod, before looking out the window at the Toronto sunset. The oranges and pinks were stunning, and more than anything their vibrancy reminded him of her. The smile she’d give him in her post-orgasm glow, or of the orange blossom on the bottle of perfume on her vanity. Beauvillier’s gaze never faltered, though, recognizing the deep train of thought his close friend was experiencing.

The screen of his phone had begun to darken, the draft of his message just barely visible. Tito’s eyes quickly shifted from the screen and back up to Barzy, opening his mouth and pausing momentarily.

“Who’re you texting?”

Mat quickly turned off the device, the “click” sounding out in the quiet bus cabin, most of the Islanders players catching some shut eye or watching that new Game of Thrones spin off.

Personally, Mat didn’t get the appeal.

“Nobody, just… a friend I’m visiting tonight when we get back.”

Anthony’s eyebrows went up, making a face of understanding as he slowly nodded three times.

“A friend, huh?”

Mathew nods, taking his bottom lip between his teeth and letting it go. “Yup.” He adds softly for good measure, popping the p.

“You visiting a friend after a game like that, this late, hm?” Another pause. ”Must be an important friend.”

“Yeah.” His voice is soft again, compassion coming across his features and he thinks of her again.

“Well“, Anthony starts, popping in his earbuds and opening his phone to his Music app. “I’d say whatever’s going on with this friend seems worth talking to her about.”

Mat‘s head snaps up, and he scoffs, shaking his head.

“I didn’t say that it was a she-“

“You didn’t have to, buddy.” Tito winks in the most annoyingly-Tito way, and chuckles to himself. He then lays his head back onto the navy material behind him. Mat “hmph”s to himself, doing the same. He turns his phone back on again, going to the chat between the two of them. The still blinking cursor seems like it’s mocking him as he runs a hand over his face, hitting send.

If there’s gonna be any deep, emotional shit, it can wait until he’s not 2500 miles away.

7 hours later when he finally crashes through her front door, he swears the relief he feels mixed with the sense of dread it all might be over in an hour, gives him whiplash. But nonetheless, she welcomes him in, and she feels like home.

Warrior watches from the couch, his tail lazily wagging as he observes his owner greeting the man who occasionally slips him bacon from his Starbucks sandwich. His old man (old dog?) body doesn’t find the arrival of the hockey player worthy of leaving his nest on the sofa, as to him that’s all Mathew Barzal is. The bringer of bacon.

To Warrior’s owner, though, he was so much more.

The trek to the bedroom felt like it took an eternity, and as he laid on her bed, he couldn’t help but wonder if it would be a bad idea to push his luck for once. Risk ending it all to gain everything.

She laid down next to him, and he shifted, going from laying with his arms crossed under his head, to one next to her head, the other keeping him stable from his position on top of her.

Her hand crept up to push an unruly lock out of his eyes, and she leaned forward, and he met her halfway. They paused briefly, taking each other in after so long, before finally closing to distance.

He tasted warm, like cinnamon and something she couldn’t place, and she wondered if at the airport he’d gotten one of those pretzels she knew he liked so much. To compliment his psychopath reminiscent black coffee, of course.

His hand went from where it had been cradling her face down to rest on her hip. The soft touch elicited a whimper, and at that he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers.

She recognized that something was off, swimming around in that pretty little head of his. A small frown etched its way onto her face, and she lifted his chin up so he had no choice but to look at her.

“What’s wrong, Mat?”

He took in a shaky breath, looking over to his left, where the TV was on some random wallpaper, a sunset, he realizes. He scoffs, looking back at her.

“Can you just- can we- can I- fuck.” He mutters, slowly falling down so his body weight is nearly on top of her.

“Can you just… hold me?”

She swears she’s never heard him sound so broken.

“Yeah, baby, ’course. C’mere.” She replies softly, allowing him to fully rest on her. It was a miracle that he didn’t fully break down right there, at the feeling of her fingertips dancing over his skin, under his pushed up shirt. His nose was cold against her neck as he dragged it up against her to come to her cheek, pressing a kiss there. His eyes never opened, afraid that if they did, it would all just be another elaborate fantasy he’d created to pass the time.

“Is this a good idea?” Came her voice, cutting through the silence.

He sniffles. “What do you mean?”

“This. Us.” She says, not able to meet his gaze where he’s lifted his head.

“We’re going to get hurt. More than we already have.”

Oh. Oh, fuck this was happening right now. Mat sat up, feeling like a scared teenage boy. Damn you and the way you read people, Beauvillier. Maybe this would’ve been easier from 2500 miles away.

“We don’t have to.”

“What other option do we have?” She said, sounding defeated, like she already knows her answer and she doesn’t like it. “I-I can’t keep doing this no strings attached shit. Not when you do this. Not when you come here all beat up like some sad puppy.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. And he was.

“Don’t be. I should’ve known this would happen.” Her voice was soft, her eyes distant.

“That what would happen?” He questioned. She looked at him like he had two heads.

“That you’d leave, Mat. That this whole pretending bullshit wouldn’t be enough for me.”

He leaned forward again, catching her off guard.

“I’m not leaving you. I’d never leave you.”

She looked away briefly, mentally cursing herself for being so emotional as tears began to well up in her eyes. He fell to her side, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“Do you really want this?” She asked, the tears rolling down her face illuminated a hue of pink from the salt lamp on the bedside table. Mathew reached out a hand, dragging his thumb over the droplet. He hated that she was crying, but fuck, she sure looked pretty while doing it.

His answer came without thought, he’d done enough of that on his way over.

“Yes. I want you in every way, if you’ll have me.”

A small smile came onto the corners of her face, and she nodded, shortly at first, but more exaggerated as they started laughing, a small “yeah?” escaping from Mathew. She responded with the same, and he took that as his sign to reach forward, closing the distance between them.

And like all the times before, they fell into their routine, her hands going down to his hips, lifting the gray material of his shirt over his head. He returned the favor, the two of them moving in sync as she lifted her hips and he gently slid off her shorts. He ran his palms along her bare thighs and she shivered at the feeling, a reaction that didn’t go unnoticed by Mathew.

“I missed you, y/n.” He admitted, running a hand through his, now, unruly hair.

Another vibrant smile came across her face, easing whatever nerves Mat had left over from his confession.

“I missed you more, Mathew.”

He shook his head, dipping down to leave sloppy kisses on her neck. Taken aback, she let a shaky breath escape. He pulled back, satisfied with the response he’d pulled from her.

“Not possible.”

In a moment of boldness (and a slight hope to allow a fantasy to come to life) she challenged him.

“Prove it, then.”

His eyes darkened, then, and he surged forward. Her remaining clothes, which was just his sweatshirt and a flimsy cami, were gone in an instant. She was left in just a pair of black undies, Mat nearly cumming on the spot at the sight, like he’s some horny teenager. His apparel soon joined the growing pile on the floor, as she made a remark about how it wasn’t fair he was still so covered.

She shamelessly raked over his naked form, save for the black boxers, with his firm muscles, sore from the roadie, prominent as ever. She might’ve been drooling, she wasn’t sure. He smirked, the effect he had on her not lost to him.

The two began to kiss again, and there was no other way to describe it other than that it just felt right.

Mathew wasted no time, allowing his hand to trail down and cup her clothed heat, his thumb passing over her clit and past her entrance with a feather light touch. She shivered, her hips lifting up to chase the brief sensation. He pulled her panties to the side, teasing her entrance with his middle finger.

It was immediately covered in her slick, as was the black fabric he’d moved aside. It made him groan just from the sensation alone, making her chuckle at his behavior. Her laugh soon was cut off as he sunk the finger in, giving her no time to adjust, not that she needed it with how ready she was for it, before adding another.

His palm just barely grazed her begging clit as he pumped in and out slowly. And as she continued to lift her hips trying to feel him deeper, push his hand closer to her clit, she fully expected him to push her down and put her in her place.

But this whole thing was about showing him how much he missed her, how much he appreciated her. To show her that he was staying. And him staying meant that he’d have plenty of chances in the future to be an insufferable tease, but right now wasn’t one of those times.

“Matty, please-“ it was more of a breathy whine, not intelligible to an untrained ear. But thankfully for her, that wasn’t Mat.

“You want more, baby?” He questioned, knowing the answer. She nodded, hair splayed around her like a halo on the pillow. She was still illuminated from the TV screen and the salt lamp, making her look like an angel of sorts, not of this world.

“Look at me then, sweetheart. Wanna see that I’m makin’ you feel good.”

Her eyes that met his were glazed over and doe like, and it melted Mat’s insides at just one look. He did his best to push down the mushy feeling that arose, before realizing he didn’t have to anymore. He could feel as sickeningly in love as he wanted, no consequences.

“You’re so beautiful, baby. So needy, fuckin’ perfect girl.” He remarked, adding in a third finger. She let out a borderline pornographic cry, and Mat picked up his pace. His gaze only faltered from her face, contorting in pleasure, back to where he was pumping in and out of her, unable to resist the urge to watch in amazement.

Though her legs were flailing, going from propped up to sliding down and spread, rustling the comforter, she somehow had enough mind to reach a hand down. She attempted to run tight circles around her clit, but not before her hand was pinned to her side by the center above her,

“No, baby. Lemme.”

His range of motion was wider and his thrusts harder as he curled his fingers to perfectly hit that spot inside her that made her see stars, fully trailing his hand over her sex. He repeated the action again, and again, and again- and fuck, she didn’t know how long she’d go on like this but she never wanted the feeling to stop.

He felt her tighten around him, and he picked up his pace, knowing she was almost there.

“Mat!” she managed to get out between strangled moans and panting breaths. He leaned down, kissing below her ear on the one spot he knew drives her crazy. She was halfway thinking, well, less than halfway with her state at the moment, that he would cruelly pull his hand away as she reached her peak. So she clamped her thighs together in an attempt to trap him, subconsciously more than not.

It didn’t stop him from grinding his palm against her like he had been, leaning down to capture her lips with his in a searing kiss.

Everything at once was just so much, the obscene sounds coming from both their mouths and her wet heat, the feeling of Mathew’s bare skin on top of her, the feeling of warmth radiating from his body, and oh my God, after so long it’s fucking finally happening-

He felt as her chest seized and she pulled away from the kiss, her head slamming back before falling to the side. She cried out, her orgasm hitting her like nothing had before.

He found her lips in the chaos beneath him, his hand parting her thighs as she went lax, lazily pumping in and out as she rode out her high. Her slick coated the inside of her thighs, and Mat pulled away momentarily and she whined, like the little brat she was allowing herself to be.

He only smirked, leaning down to kiss on her collarbone, letting his tongue sweep over the seemingly shimmering expanse of skin before him. He moved further down, savoring the taste of her, how it felt to be so close to her. No guards up, no shields, no screening involved.

She moved her ring clad hands to run fingers through his locks, that fucking smile coming across her face. He looked up from where his hands were holding either side of her waist, his fingers digging into the soft flesh just enough to not make it hurt, but to say “I’m here. I’m not leaving.” His chin rested above her bellybutton, and he felt suddenly seen, bashful almost. He continued his trail down in a half assed attempt to hide his face, her breath hitching when he made it to her mound.

Her breath barely returned to her as he skipped over where she thought he was headed, instead opting to take her right leg over his shoulder, moving down the expanse of it to her ankle. He brought his eyes to meet hers, and a tender hand ran up and down the distance of it. He kissed the inside of her ankle, making his way up to the skin where her thigh met her already aching sex.

He lightly nudged his nose against the area, before attaching his lips. He started sucking on the skin there, licking her clean. Satisfied, he moved to the other side, beginning his good work.

“Mat,” she broke her silence, her voice splintered and low, “don’t tease. Please.”

He raised his eyebrows, seemingly in jest.

“I think we’re a little far gone from teasing, eh?” He asked, and truthfully, one mind blowing orgasm later, they were.

She chuckled, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever hotshot.”

“New nickname?” He questioned. “I like it.” He huffed, returning to his place between her legs. “But I fucking love this pussy, baby.”

And with that, he dove in. He immediately groaned at what he had found. (Which, obviously, caused her to tug at that perfect head of hair, eliciting another groan.)

If possible, she had become even wetter with the mix of his spit and her nectarine juices. It dripped down his chin, and he wanted to stay there forever. He’d found solace there, he thought. No Maple Leafs, no Tito, no hatty that meant jackshit in the end.

Just her and her consummate being. Vibrant, saccharine. His.

He wasn’t sure how long he spent drawing her closer and closer to the edge, but somewhere between repeated chants of praises and whatnot, he’d slipped.

“Fucking love this cunt, fucking love you-“

He hadn’t realized what he said, and if he had, he didn’t seem to care. But his words alone were enough to rip an unassuming orgasm from her. She didn’t allow herself long enough to think about if he meant to say it or not, or even to ride out the aftershocks rolling through her nerves. She grabbed him by the shoulders, forcing him away from her glistening cunt and up to where she connected their lips.

A small sound of surprise, not reluctance, escaped from where they were joined. Her hands came to cradle either side of his face, and Mat thinks that he might’ve cried from the tender action. He wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t going to ask. Hey, it’d been a long day.

“You mean it?”

He realized what he had said, then, eyes wide and somehow his face even more flushed than before. He considered lying, like when Tito had asked who he was texting and he’d said a friend.

But where would that leave him, he wondered?

“Yeah.”

��Yeah, I did.” He added after a beat of silence.

And in those few moments nothing had seemed scarier.

Not when he was 18, getting skipped over by teams in the draft, and that voice in the back of his head had told him that, somehow, everyone had collectively decided to skip Mathew Barzal. Not when he was 19 playing in his first game for the Isles, having to follow up Auston Matthews first NHL game where he had four goals. Four. Fuck.

No, all that was topped by this. By the same fear he’d had earlier when he’d been on the bus, or when he’d arrived at her apartment.

But all of that fear was dissolved in a second after her laugh sounded out in the small bedroom, her eyes crinkling at the edges. She pulled him down towards her, and the sound of her laughter pulled a radiant smile from the hockey player that he felt like hadn’t seen the light of day in a long time.

She rolled over on top of his chest, leaning forward and throwing her arms around his neck. His chain was glinting, now, in the light she had previously been bathed in, and it caught her eye as it rested against his milky complexion.

“You looooove me.” She regarded in a sing-song voice, and Mat rolled his eyes despite the smile growing on his face. She leaned down, and Mathew’s grip on her bare hips tightened, all too aware of the wet spot left on his stomach from her leaking sex.

She mirrored his previous movements down his chiseled body, a regular Adonis in his own right. She left open mouthed kisses, the wet patches from them adding to the thin sheen that covered his body. She made her way down to his boxers, the obvious tent making her stifle a laugh. He caught it though, of course, and rolled his eyes for what seemed like the millionth time.

“Laugh it up, babe. Laugh at my misery.” He commented, to which she only shook her head.

“Patience is a virtue, Mathew.”

“You’re one to talk.”

Well, he had a point there.

So rather than talk, she decided she’d put her mouth to good use. She pulled down his boxers at a painstakingly slow rate, watching as his cock slapped up against his stomach. Her mouth watered at the sight, the tip red and weeping, begging to be attended to. He kicked off the boxers, paying no mind to how they slipped onto the floor, forgotten. She didn’t either, as she was sure he had to have some extra in one of his gazillion bags sitting in her entry way.

Her nails scratched down his stomach, angry red lines puffing up and decorating around the expanse of his skin. They were accompanied by freckles and marks and scars that she could have mapped together with her eyes closed. She knew Mathew like the back of her hand. And with that, came knowing how to make him come undone in her hands.

She started leaving small kisses at the base of his shaft, before swiping the bead of precum from his head down to the rest of him. She pumped her hand a few times, and Mathew let out a strangled moan. She thought he couldn’t get any louder, feeling bad for her neighbors at whatever hour in the night it was, but she was quickly proven wrong.

She licked a long stripe from the bottom to his tip, before taking as much of him into her mouth as she could. She bobbed her head a few times, jacking off whatever she couldn’t fit with her hands. She hollowed her cheeks, and the rise and fall of Mathew’s chest quickened. The sound he let out was animalistic, and it sent another wave of arousal through her body. She moaned involuntarily, and the feeling caused Mathew to buck his hips.

“You’re doing so good, baby. ‘M not gonna last with you going at me- shit- like that.”

He brought a large hand down to the side of her face, lightly stroking her cheek. It was a moment of wholesomeness that reminded them what they were now, what he had said.

Mat could tell she was tired, her pace decreasing. The look in her eyes never changed, though. And as he went to speak to tell her it was okay, and she didn’t have to (and because since it had been so long, he was scared he’d bust his load if she wasn’t careful), she pulled off.

A string of saliva followed, and the sight looked like a thumbnail of a shitty porno. Her eyes were droopy and glazed over, and Mat’s hypothesis was proven correct.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. You don’t have to finish. Let me take care of you.” He repeated his sentiment from earlier. She only shook her head, continuing to jack him off with her hand. Oh. He thought. That’s not what I was expecting.

“S’okay, Matty. Wanna make you feel good.”

She ran her thumb over his tip again, her glassy and swollen bottom lip hanging ajar as she concentrated. The moans he was letting slip free could only be described as pathetic, the 190 pound hockey player putty in her hands.

“I’m gonna cum if you don’t, God, baby, shit! I-If you don’t stop.”

And then she pulled her hand off, and he let out a quick breath at the momentary relief, if that was even the right word. But it was short lived, and she managed to hoist herself up, dragging her folds along his cock, before stabilizing herself with hands on his chest. He slid inside of her, and the sounds they both let out echoed off her walls.

She started moving, and then it was “You’re fuckin’ amazing, you know that? So fuckin’ amazing. My girl, my perfect girl.” He rambled, the events of just that day alone scrambling his mind trying to keep up. Similarly to how she felt earlier, everything was just too much for the poor man. She felt like Heaven around him, and he watched in awe from below her as she moved, enamored by the woman he loves.

As she became more and more tired, her movement slowed, reduced to her grinding herself down on his cock. Mat was barely hanging on, trying to make it last as long as possible. He could tell she was close too, as she squeezed him like a vice, and put her energy into picking up her pace.

“Fuck, Matty. Feels s’good. Love you- shit! I love you so much, baby.” She told him, her eyes closed and her face screwed up as she chased her high. But something snapped in Mathew at her confession, and with a quick “fuck” under his breath, he flipped the two of them without ever leaving her.

He was relentless.

He slammed in and out, and at the sudden change in position and pace, she was blindsided. She thrashed around him, her hands everywhere at once. Her hair, his hair, grasping at his shoulders, scratching down his back. She settled for his biceps, as his hands were planted. One on the right side of her head, the other gripping her hip bone so hard, she was sure it’d bruise.

“It’s only ever been you, baby. I promise you.”

“Shit, Mat!” She cried, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She loosely draped her legs around his middle, allowing him to reach new depths within her. He was fucking her senseless, and they fucking loved it.

“It’ll only ever be you. I love you. Fuck, I love you so much, Y/n.” His hair hung in his eyes as he fought to keep them open. He shook it out of his eyes, wanting to see her as she came in all her glory.

“Love you, Mat. So much, baby. You have no idea.”

His pelvis snapped harder against her, just barely reaching up and grazing her clit in the most exquisite way. The rope in her stomach began to tighten for the third time that night, so close to breaking she could almost taste it.

Actually, she could taste it, she realized. She had been biting down so hard on her bottom lip she could taste the metallic tang on her tongue, and fuck, it was all the more delectable.

“Mat!” It was another exclamation, followed by more babbles. “‘S too much, Matty, can’t do it.” Her voice was small, and despite the nature of the statement, Mat felt his heart flutter.

He shook his head. “Yes, you can, baby. I know you’re tired, but you can do it, Y/n. You’ve got another one in you sweetheart, pull through for me. I’ve got you.”

And never one to disappoint, especially not her Mathew, she did.

She came, and she came hard. But it wasn’t dramatic the way you’d think it’d be, at least not outwardly. Her breathing stopped, her toes curled, and her nails dug into the skin on Barzy’s arms. It wasn’t accompanied by a loud scream, or a drawn out, high pitched moan. It was a breath of relief that left her when she came, her head falling to the side and her eyes closing. A quiet moan of Mat’s name, and she was clamping down on him.

The sweet way his name fell off her tongue, mixed with how she was so damn tight around him as she came, and he was done for. It triggered his own orgasm, and he felt the same feeling of peace wash over him that she had as he spilled into her. He fucked her through it, soft thrusts calming whatever aftershocks they both were experiencing. She had gone limp under him, her eyes opening as she gave him the sweetest smile he’d ever seen.

He stayed in her, lowering himself onto his side, then maneuvering them so she was laying on him. They were a cliché and they knew it, but they couldn’t seem to care. A few moments passed in comfortable silence, before it was broken by Mathew’s scratchy post-sex voice. Swoon.

“So,” he started. She raised a brow, wondering where he was going with this.

“You looooove me, too, then?” He mimicked her tone from earlier, and they broke out in a fit of laughter as she slapped his arm and rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. I guess you’re alright.” She feigned annoyance, propping herself up on her right arm as she faced the man she loved. Mat scoffed, blowing a strand of hair from his forehead. “Just alright? You’re crazy, lady.”

“But you love me.”

Not a beat passed before “I do.”

She smiled softly, lifting up a hand to run a finger along his jaw. He caught it with his own, never breaking eye contact as he kissed her palm. Again, swoon.

“I know.” She responded, wanting to stay in that moment forever. But, she knew that if she stayed where she was too long, she’d more than likely fall asleep in record time. So, she pressed a chaste kiss to the corner of his mouth, which he turned to catch before she could go, pulling her back for a “real” kiss at his protest.

A petulant child, that’s what he is.

She pressed one more to his lips for good measure, before pulling himself off of him. They both let out disgruntled sounds at the sudden losses, and it took all her energy to sit up on the edge of her bed. She felt a strong jaw on her shoulder, and she leaned into it.

“Where you goin’? Leaving me all alone isn’t very nice.” She could hear the frown in his voice, and even though she knew he was joking, it tugged on her heartstrings that little bit.

“Gotta pee.” She said, standing up and walking towards the connecting bathroom. “Sorry baby, no UTIs for me.”

The frown stayed cemented on his face.

“You should be grateful,” she threw over her shoulder, shutting the door. “No UTIs, more fucking, yeah?”

He chuckled at her bluntness, deciding to go and get her some water and maybe a snack. Shit, he didn’t know. What was he supposed to do? Usually when they fucked before, her or Mat would be out the door as soon as possible, still trying to ward off those pesky feelings. But now, he was allowed to feel said pesky feelings, and he’d be damned if he fucked it up.

So, snack. And water? Yeah, water, for sure. He was hungry and thirsty, why wouldn’t she be. He had no idea the way around her kitchen, nor how to, er, actually make anything, so this would be rough. But, first, a pit stop.

He would have walked butt-ass naked into her kitchen, really, but then he remembered Warrior was out there and he didn’t have a need to traumatize that dog any further than he already was.

(It was one time, okay? He didn’t know she had a dog, he’d been asleep on his bed by the TV when they’d gotten to her place. And at the time, Mat was too preoccupied to notice.)

He looked around on the floor for the offending clothing item, slightly grossed out when he did finally find them. It was only for a minute, tops, is what he told himself, as he pulled on the boxers from earlier in the night.

He tiptoed, for literally no apparent reason, through the dark apartment until he found the bag he was looking for. He grabbed what he needed from it, struggling with the zipper while trying to close it, before giving up. On his way back to her room, he gave Warrior a nod and smile, and he swore the mutt gave one back. Okay, actually, on second thought, he remembered the clock on her microwave saying it was 3:18 AM, so, maybe he didn’t.

It was late and he just had the best sex of his life with the woman he loves. Give him a break. So what if he’s delusional and thinks he can communicate with dogs? At least he’s pretty.

When he gets to her room, he pulls on the newer, clean, pair of boxers, setting the other pair he grabbed from his bag on the bed for her when she got out of the bathroom, along with an Islanders shirt that he’d secretly always wanted to see her in. Too soon? Maybe. But after so long yearning for everything domestic and wholesome and good that he was convinced he didn’t deserve with her, he was indulging a little bit. So sue him.

His next stop, snacks. And water, can’t forget the water.

The water was easy enough, he got lucky. He grabbed her “emotional support cup” as she’d called it before when she thought he wasn’t listening, and went over to the fridge. He got a few ice cubes and put them in, and then went over to her Brita. He stood there, pressing down on the little lever, watching the steady stream of water into the cup. It was almost laughable, how he stood there in the dead silence, concentrating so hard. He was determined not to somehow do something wrong, even though it was just pouring a cup of water. Cute.

He checked the pantry once the cup was full, with the lid safely screwed on top. The rustling about caught the attention of Warrior, who hopped down from where he’d been on the couch, moseying on over.

Mat, who still was slightly wary of Warrior, despite the fact the dog would cause him no harm, shook his head at the mutt.

“Sorry, buddy. I don’t have anything for you.”

He turned his head and gave him puppy dog eyes, pulling out all the stops. Mat sighed, looking back to the pantry. He saw a box of Milkbones, and looked back to Warrior, who was egging him on. (They’re telepathically connected, remember?)

He reached in the box, pulling one out, and tossing it down. Warrior gratefully accepted, taking his treat and waltzing off to his bed to chow down. Mat looked in the pantry, going to close the box, when he sees it, his saving grace.

White bread, hallelujah.

He can do toast. Mathew Barzal is a totally capable 25 year old man who can make toast. So, he takes the bag, going over to the toaster. And-

One look at all those fancy buttons, and he’s tapped out.

Okay, it’s okay, he can remember seeing a vending machine on his way into her apartment. Yeah, he remembers her telling him about having to sign off on some HOA form for it, even though she was just renting. Apparently, her landlord hadn’t signed, which made it her job. Whatever, that’s irrelevant.

He figured that there wouldn’t be anybody out in her hallway at 3:23 AM, so he grabbed his coat with his wallet, shrugging it on over his bare back. His slides were somewhere in his hockey bag and the last thing he wanted to do was stink up her whole place by opening that Pandora’s box. So, barefoot it is.

He does his best to sneak out the apartment, leaving the door ajar as he makes the short walk to the vending machine, grateful his search was over. He let out a long sigh as he stood, wondering what to get her.

For himself he decided on a bag of cool ranch Doritos, and a bag of those tiny cookies. For her, he racked every corner of his brain for potential options, before realizing how long he’s taking, and how long he’d been gone. So, not wanting to waste any more time, he elected for one of everything.

He punched in the numbers and paid, attempting to grab them from the machine. Trying to pick up the few that had fallen, he leaned down. His attention was called elsewhere by the ”click!” of a door a few units down. His head snapped to the source of the sound.

“You’ve got to be shitting me.” He muttered under his breath upon what he saw.

A man probably not much older than himself, suitcase and backpack in tow, donned in, you guessed it, a New York Islanders hoodie a lá number 13.

The man had yet to notice the star player down the hall from him, and Mat was considering just making a run for Y/n’s place. But either way, he would have to go past the man, or the man would have to go past Mat to get to the elevator. Maybe he’d take the stairs? He hoped. Shit, who was he kidding, he’s not taking the stairs.

Starting his walk over, the unnamed Islanders fan lifted his head, stopping in his tracks. His jaw dropped, and if it wasn’t purely because of being in the presence of Mat Barzal, he had a hunch what it was.

Said hunch, was that it was due to the fact Mat Barzal was standing in front of him, in an apartment complex definitely not boujee enough for him to be living in, at 3:25 in the morning, naked, except for boxers and some fancy trench coat, holding several bags of snacks.

Mat would’ve laughed at the guys face, but he thought he wasn’t quite in the position to do so.

“Hey, man. How’s it going?” And a stupid bro nod, was all Mathew could manage.

-

While he was facing that debacle, Y/n was having one of her own.

After she’d gone to the bathroom, she decided to try to do her nighttime routine, too. She put on her robe from where it had been hanging in her bathroom, beginning her little routine.

When she emerged 10 minutes later, Mat was nowhere to be seen.

His bags were still by the door, albeit one of them hastily thrown open. Was he leaving and had gotten some clothes and an Uber? Did he have last minute regrets? The door to her place was left open, and an overwhelming sadness began to take over her system. As the tears began to well up, she looked over to Warrior, only to notice him chewing on… a milkbone? How the hell did he get a milkbone?

She sniffled, wiping her sleeve under her nose. She sat down on her couch, looking at where her iced coffee from earlier was still sitting, ¾ of the way empty. The tears started to flow freely again after that, and she stood up, deciding that she should at least shut the door. She didn’t need to deal with a robbery, too.

As she stood and turned, she was met with a very discombobulated and very underdressed Mat trying to shove his way through the door.

“Have a good flight, man. Enjoy Miami!” Mat called over his shoulder to what sounded like her neighbor Gian, based off of the “Thanks bro, good luck this season!” she heard back.

She slapped a hand over her mouth, trying to not bust out laughing at the sight in front of her. Hearing her snickering, he looked up gesturing to the bags in his arms.

“Hungry?” He asked, the smile on his face falling when he saw the red around her eyes. He dropped all the snacks on the couch to his right, making his way over to where she stood.

“Hey, hey, why’re you crying? What’s wrong sweetheart?” He questioned, and his sincerity made her smile widely.

“Nah, I’m all good, don’t worry about it. Just thought you’d left, that’s all…” A pause. “But I see now that you just had a case of munchies, apparently.”

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders pulling her towards his chest. His chin rested on her head, and she closed her eyes, inhaling his scent.

“No, baby. God, no, I’m not leaving. I just wanted to do this whole thing right, and I thought you might be hungry, and I tried to make toast- your toaster is really complex by the way,”

She pulled away from him as he rambled, her smile reaching her eyes.

“And I filled your water and set out clothes for you and I really did try, baby. I didn’t mean to fuck anything up, really.”

She giggled again, taking hold of the shoulders of his jacket, shrugging it off. She folded it over the back of a barstool, then turned back towards Mat.

“And Gian?”

“Oh yeah, he’s cool. Ran into him in the hallway and introduced myself. Going to visit some family in Miami.”

She raised an eyebrow, nodding her head in understanding. She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his middle.

“So, am I gonna have to compete with him for your attention now whenever you come over?”

He reciprocated the action, one hand coming up to rest on her chin.

“I mean, he’s gonna be gone for two weeks, but after that…” he shrugged, trailing off. She hummed, and he smiled at her, leaning forward. He searched her eyes for any remaining upset, unable to find any, before he pressed his lips to hers. It was sweet and gentle, with not a hint of rush or fervor.

When they pulled apart, she was smiling again. Her hands found their way back to his neck.

“And baby, you’re amazing. You didn’t fuck up anything at all, I promise.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.” She whispered, leaning in again to connect their lips. She let her tongue sweep over his bottom lip, biting down just barely before pulling away. She pushed down the sleeves of her robe just a bit, exposing her shoulders. Y/n took his hand, and started walking backwards, letting it slowly slip out of hers as she did.

“Come on, hotshot. Come to bed. Snacks will still be there in the morning.”

She smiled again briefly, before walking towards her room, the robe slipping down as she went. Mat stood watching her in total awe, glued in place, until he was knocked out of his trance.

“Hurry up! And lock the door, too, please!”

He had never obliged to anything quicker in his life.

(And as for the snacks, they were not still there in the morning, thanks to a certain mutt who managed to rip open all the packets on the couch. The next morning was spent at the vet, who had told them Warrior would be fine, just fat. The vet had only said this, though, after Mat had consoled a crying Y/n, who was under the impression he was going to be poisoned.

The rest of the day after that? Making up for lost time.)

FIN.

YO idk if that was good or not i kind of feel like i imagined writing the entire thing and it was a fever dream. but. anyway! if you liked it, be sure to reblog <3 thank u i love u! go eat some protein and drink some water. 

xx, hj

#mat barzal x reader #mat barzal smut #mat barzal imagine #mat barzal x reader smut #mat barzal fluff #mat barzal comfort #mat barzal x reader fluff #mat barzal x fem reader #mat barzal x y/n #mathew barzal x reader #mathew barzal imagine #mat barzal fic #mat barzal fanfiction #mat barzal fan fiction #nhl x reader #nhl imagine #nhl smut #bro i fr fr projected abt my ex bf in this SO HARD #LMFAOAOOA #but. anyway.

[abilouwrites]

WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE

Mat Barzal

I love writing angst and I haven’t done it in so long

“You pick her every time” I exclaim, throwing my hands in the air from my frustrations, “it will never be me! Will it? It won’t!”

“Would you just listen?” He asks, reaching for my hand and I pull away again, “fucking listen to me!” He shouts, “it is you, but you act so jealous all the god damn time”

“Me? Jealous? Well of fucking corse!” I groan, pacing around the living room, “you’re surrounded by these women who are obviously better than me and Sarah” her name comes out as a whisper against my breath. Like a word that can’t be spoken. A name that shouldn’t be said.

“Sarah? This is all about Sarah?” He doesn’t treat her name with the same weight I do.

“Yes! You didn’t come home until morning because you were busy with her! Not me. Her! You text her good morning not me! On Roadies and shit I feel like is her you talk to not me” I cry out, thick hot tears fall down my face. He reaches for me and I pull away again.

“What the hell does that even mean?” He asks, “you think I should just date her? Instead of you?”

“The way you act right now Mat? Yeah I think you should” I choke out, I don’t wait for his response

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” He asks, he doesn’t block my path but he tries to

“Im going to Nico’s” I respond dryly as I grab my overnight bag and stuff some clothes in quickly.

“You accuse me of cheating and then you go to Nico’s?” He retorts; scoffing a little

“Don’t start with this right now!” I shout out, “at least I haven’t been caught with him this fucking close to my face like we’re kissing!”

He sighs and I drop my ring by the key bowl, “I need to get out”

New Jersey isn’t much of a drive but I end up there in morning. “What’s wrong?” Nico asks as he lets me inside

“Mat. He I think he’s cheating on me and I asked him about it and he kept denying it and then he accused me of cheating on him with you” I hiccup out

“I told you he was an ass” Nico says as I flop onto his couch, “but I don’t know.. why would he go through the trouble of proposing then cheating on you?” He reasons

“I just…” I lay down, “why am I so insecure? Why does it always feel that he picks her?” I ask

“Because he does”

I sigh, and roll onto my back, “I want to keep loving him. I want to always love him. But each time I keep getting hurt”

“Maybe you’re not meant to be”

Another tear sheds, “don’t say that Nico”

“Ok” he sighs softly

I spend the weekend there and the door rings and I really don’t want to answer it, “mat” I whisper

“I’m sorry, don’t let this be the end of us. I fucked up and I’m sorry I cheated”

The words barely register in my brain, “so you did cheat”

“I did”

“Leave”

“Y/n”

“Wait-“

“Get the fuck out right now”

“She told you to leave mat”

“Stay out of this Hischier!”

“Get out of my house Barzal”

#hockey #nhl #nhl fanfiction #nhl blurb #mat barzal #mat barzal my beloved #mat barzal x reader #mathew barzal #nico hischer x reader #new jersey devils nico hischier x reader #nico hischier x y/n #nico hischier x reader #nico hischier imagine #mathew barzal imagine #angst #no happy ending #mat Barzal Angst

[adorethedistance]

Black and White - Mat Barzal x Reader

Hockey Masterlist

Warnings: Swearing, mentions anxiety, almost pg13

Words: 1385

Summary: After attending one of the isles’ many fundraising events, a simple walk in the park turns into a moment the two of you will never forget.

A/n: I’m like 90% done with finals and so I’m filling this anonymous request  as a result. I hope y’all like this quick little fic and as an update there’s a fluffy Zegras fic in the works. 

“Thank you for coming with me tonight,” Mat says from behind a fleeting scoop of bubblegum ice cream. The Islanders fundraising gala was fun and all but Mat and I dipped out before closing remarks in favor of grabbing ice cream before Baskin Robbins closed. So now we’re walking around a random park, black tie attire, in the cold Long Island night.

“You don’t have to thank me, I’m your girlfriend. Being your plus one is part of the gig, and I’m more than happy to do it.” Mat lets go of my hand to lift his arm and gesture me over. I gladly accept the warmth as I’m nearly freezing from walking around at night in a light coat while eating ice cream. He hugs me into his side and kisses my cheek gently. I breathe a small laugh as his lips are still cold.

“How do you know if you want to marry someone?” Mat asks out of nowhere. I hesitate for a second, jarred by his candidness.

“Are you asking me specifically or like the general ‘you’?”

“I’m asking you specifically.” I pause to collect my thoughts and Mat watches me carefully.

“...Well…I think for me specifically…I want an equal relationship where I feel like I lean on them as much as they lean on me for support. I want someone who respects my boundaries and knows I’m their partner and not their therapist. Whoever it is will get along with my family and at the very least tolerate my friends,” we share a small laugh amidst the tense moment. “I want someone who understands how I give love and helps me understand how to give them love and- why are you looking at me like that?” Mat barks out a nervous laugh. He takes his arm off of my shoulders and messes with his hair a bit. One of his nervous habits that I’m not sure he realizes he has.

“Do you think… I meet those requirements?” I hesitate but only because I’m trying to remember everything that I said.

“Yes, I think you do.” Mat smiles relieved before taking my hand in his own once more, placing a kiss on the top of it. We continue through the park, heading back to the car when a sudden flash of light catches our attention. Looking to the source, we see that a gazebo covered in christmas lights had previously not been lit. I snap my head around to look at Mat and the look on his face tells me he already knows just how excited I am about it.

“I don’t know how I didn’t notice this before!” I say as I’m pulling Mat along with me. His pace was too casual for the kind of urgency this sight has instilled in me. As we get closer, someone stands up and I stop in my place. I don’t want to impose on someone else’s time with the pretty lights. Opening my mouth to speak, I immediately cut myself off when I recognize the not so unfamiliar stranger.

“Beau?” I ask when he turns around. He looks at me, slightly panicked. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh my god, no way!” I hear a woman’s voice from behind me and Mat. I turn around to see it’s Emma emerging from a weird angle. She’s coming at us from behind rather than from the parking lot or from the shops.

“Long time no see,” I joke, happy to see our friends despite just spending the last three hours with them. “What’s up? Are you guys also on a walk… at the same park?” Beau and Emma share a look before she gestures him over to where she’s standing.

“Yeah, I was telling him about this gazebo because I drove by one night and the lights were just so pretty I wanted to show him.”

“Gotcha. Well if you want, I can take some cute pictures of the two of you!” I offer happily and Emma and Beau share another look.

“That… would be great, thank you! Beau?” She looks at him and nods over to the gazebo. He looks at Mat with the most confused look I’ve ever seen.

“You okay?” I ask as Emma hands me her phone. She has to physically walk over and grab Beau which snaps him back into reality.

“Yeah I’m good,” he replies quietly and walks into the gazebo. Emma barely poses and I’m about to snap the third photo when she breaks away and walks over to get her phone from me.

“That should be good, thank you.”

“Are you sure? I only took like three-”

“Yeah, no, we’re good! Your turn!” She says urgently and nudges me toward the gazebo. I decide not to push back and when I turn to beckon Mat over, he doesn’t follow.

“I’ll hold your coat so you can get outfit pictures first.” I reluctantly nod and then shrug off my jacket. Why is everyone being so weird?

“You gotta hurry because I am FREEZING!” I instruct Emma and she laughs before nodding.

“Copy that.”

“Okay, I want full fit and shoes for some and then just waist up in the others,” I speak quickly before posing and trying not to shiver violently. “Fuuuuuucckk it’s so cold.” All three of them laugh at my dramatics. Mat shakes his head amusedly and then hands my coat to Beau so he can get in the pictures. He wraps an arm around my waist for a few pictures and Emma snaps approximately two before putting on her director hat.

“Okay, Y/n stay where you are. Mat can I have you stand to the side of her but take a tiny little step back?”

“How should I pose without him…?” I ask skeptically. I don’t think I can see the creative vision and I hope Mat is also a little lost so I don’t just look like an idiot. When I turn to see if he’s also puzzled, I don’t get the moment I’m hoping for. Rather than sharing a confused look and laughing about it, I find him placed just out of my line of sight on one knee with one hand tucked into his jacket pocket.

My eyes go wide for a millisecond before welling up so full of tears that I can no longer see. I hold my right hand over my mouth to keep myself from crying harder. Mat has small tears in his eyes as he holds a small velvet box the color of the Isles signature blue.

“Y/n… you are the love of my life. I remember the first time you came over to my apartment. It was date number four. I made us dinner and you went to the bathroom and when you came back you were very anxious.” I laugh through my tears as I recall the evening and how the story went.

“You were acting weird the entire night and when I asked what was wrong, you were silent for a minute before asking if I “actually” used 3-in-1 shampoo. I laughed so hard I nearly cried and from that moment on, I knew you were endgame.” His simple word choice makes me laugh and the swelling of emotions in my chest makes me forget just how cold I was before.

“Y/n Y/l/n, will you marry me?” I begin to sob so uncontrollably that I can’t speak so I just nod an emphatic yes. Mat smiles brightly before taking the ring out of the box and sliding it onto it’s permanent spot on my left hand.

I don’t even wait for him to stand up before grabbing his face and kissing him with the passion only two people madly in love could ever know. He kisses me back and places his hands on my waist. Emma and Beau cheer and I remember they’ve been here the whole time.

“You motherfuckers! You knew, didn’t you?” They laugh at my outburst and confirm my suspicion. Mat rises to his full height and when he’s standing I playfully shove his chest. “That’s why you were being so weird today!”

“How does it feel to be engaged, man?” Beau asks and Mat huffs a long sigh.

“I don’t know, I think I blacked out.”

#NHL imagine #NHL hockey #NHL x reader #nhl fanfiction #Mat Barzal #Mat Barzal fanfiction #Mat Barzal fanfic #Mat Barzal fic #Mat Barzal writing #Mat Barzal imagine #Mat Barzal oneshot #Mat Barzal one shot #Mat Barzal fluff #Mat Barzal smut #Mat Barzal angst #Mat Barzal x reader #Mat Barzal x y/n #Mathew Barzal #Mathew Barzal fanfiction #Mathew Barzal fanfic #Mathew Barzal fic #Mathew Barzal writing #Mathew Barzal imagine #Mathew Barzal oneshot #Mathew Barzal one shot #Mathew Barzal x reader #Mathew Barzal x y/n #Mathew Barzal fluff #Mathew Barzal smut #Mathew Barzal angst

[writing-realityawayfromreality]

Little Update

Alright y’all, i have so many thoughts in my head lately I’ve been walking 3 miles a day to clear my mind and get the writing juices flowing onto paper. Now of course the idea’s have been about Mr. Matty Healy because... why not and also have a few about Pedro. Also have some very very old drafts of Harry and Luke hemmings and some hockey/ football players that I’d like to post just they aren’t done yet. 

I have a massive story i think coming about Matty. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and well... just know its coming. I right now just got back from goat yoga and do i have a sweet blurb about that?  yes, yes I do. Might come out this weekend might come out tonight depending on how my night goes.  please send in your thoughts and feedback, I’m always looking on ways to improve my writing and outlook on things. 

As always, all the love,

-K.  

#Matty Healy #matty healy 1975 #matty healy fanfic #Matthew timothy healy #matty healy x reader #matty healy x y/n #Pedro pascal #pedro pascal imagines #pedro pascal fanfic #Harry styles #harry styles fanfic #harry styles imagine #Luke hemmings #Luke hemmings imagine #luke hemmings x reader #Harry styles x reader #mathew barzal #joe burrow #mat barzal imagine #mat barzal #joe burrow imagine

[starry-hughes]

gingerbread house (mat barzal)

day 3 of star’s ficmas event!

mat barzal x teacher!gf

“What is this all for?” Mat questioned, shoving a piece of gingerbread into his mouth. “Mathew!” you scolded your boyfriend. “What?” he asked as crumbs fell from his mouth. “I’m building a gingerbread house for my classroom, stop eating my roof!” 

He grinned, grabbing the frosting bag and squeezing some onto his finger. “Are the kids decorating their own gingerbread houses?” he questioned. “I didn’t have it in my budget to buy some for the whole class, and I wanted to get some other things for my students who don’t want to decorate gingerbread houses or don’t celebrate Christmas.” 

Mat frowned, “You know I would happily get all the stuff for you guys.” Mat truly cared for your students, he knew all their names and had done a lot for the kids in your class. You shrugged, continuing to place gumdrops onto your gingerbread house. “You really don’t have to Mat, they have plenty to do for the holiday party.” 

Mat pulled up a chair next to you and attempted to help you with decorating the gingerbread house. Soon after, you ended up sitting in his lap, Mat’s hands on your waist as you giggled whenever he would give you a squeeze, just to distract you a little. 

It was a pretty gingerbread house at the end, despite Mat eating a gumdrop off the pathway portion. “I gotta go shower and grade some spelling tests,” you kissed Mat softly. He nodded, “‘m gonna run down to the gym, pick up some dinner for us too.” 

Mat didn’t go to the gym though, he raided the shelves of the nearby store, buying any gingerbread houses he could find, extra sprinkles, frosting, food dye, anything to make sure he could include all your students. Mat didn’t bat at eye at the price of his slightly over-the-board shopping trip. 

By the time he got home, he hid the shopping bags in his extra hockey bag, somewhere you’d never look. You were grading tests at the dinner table. “How was the gym?” you smiled as he placed down some take out food on the table. “It was productive.” 

The next morning, you were dressed festively, it was your class holiday party and you were extra excited. “Mat honey, I’m going to school early, have a good practice,” you kissed his cheek as you got up to leave. “Love you,” he mumbled into his pillow. “Love you too.” 

You carefully got your gingerbread house to school and began setting up the winter wonderland in your classroom. Mat timed it just right, he knew every morning you would leave fifteen minutes before the first bell to stop by the library to greet the librarian and then pick up your students from morning care. 

He walked into the office, flashing a smile at the secretary. “Oh, Mat, (Y/N) didn’t let us know you were coming, let me call her,” the school secretary said. “Oh no! It’s a surprise, just some extra goodies for her class party.” 

He got into your classroom swiftly and began unloading all the things he bought on your reading center table. He worked quickly and couldn’t stop smiling as he felt like Santa in the moment. Mat heard you outside your classroom, instructing the students to hang their coats up and gentle reminders about behavior for the holiday party and festivities. 

“Mat!” you jumped, a little surprised. “Hi Mr. Mat,” your students greeted as they entered and went to their desks. Your eyes landed on the table and all the new items there, the gingerbread house kits, enough for everyone. “Mat,” you cooed, you felt yourself falling in love all over again with Mat. 

“Just thought you needed some extra things.” 

The students had a blast, Mat stayed the whole day, decorating gingerbread houses with your students and talking about your own gingerbread house the two of you decorated last night. You let one of your students turn on the light for another menorah candle. At the end of the short halfday for your students, you sent them all home with goodie bags and well wishes for the winter break. 

Mat helped you clean up, and by clean up, he was eating the leftover sweets and snacks. “Mathew,” you said gently as he tied up another trash bag. “Yeah?” 

“Thank you, you really made the holidays special for them.”

#star’s ficmas #mat barzal #mat barzal imagine #mat barzal x reader #mathew barzal #mathew barzal imagine #ny islanders imagine #hockey imagine #hockey fic #bf!mat x teacher!gf

[midnightsnyx]

girl at home | mat barzal | part 1

pairing: mat barzal x fem!reader summary: you're eighteen when you find yourself pregnant after Mat leaves for hockey. nearly eight years later, Mat finds out about your daughter and you have to deal with the consequences of not telling him about her.

warnings: mentions of pregnancy & not really edited word count: 1.3k authors note p1: don't mind me starting a new series when i have four other wips on the go :):) i love kid fics and this idea was stuck in my head so i wrote & decided to give it a go and post it. if this does well and you guys are interested, i'll do more. authors note p2: so notes about the series: i gave the readers daughter a name because i hate writing y/d/n lol of course you can change it in your head to something else if you want :) also the last name johnson is just there so i could have a full name but we all know she'll be a barzal also thank u @multifandombabes for giving me the push to post this!! happy reading & let me know what you guys think!

masterpost

In hindsight, you should have realized that it was bound to happen sooner rather than later. You did your best to avoid places you knew he would be when he was home, going to visit your grandparents or other family. Anywhere that would give you the opportunity to not be seen by him, because then you’d have to explain your brown haired, green eyed, seven year old. 

You weren’t proud of your choice to keep Nora a secret from Mat but you did what you thought was right when you were eighteen, sitting on the floor of your best friend’s bathroom four weeks after you had said goodbye to Mat and staring at three positive pregnancy tests. He had just left for hockey and you didn’t want to be what held him back and as time went on, it got harder to pick up the phone so a few months after Nora was born, you erased Mathew Barzal from your life. You deleted the photos, phone numbers, social media, with the only reminder being the little girl.

And it worked fine. Until now.

Nora usually didn’t come grocery shopping with you because you always ended up taking three times as long as you normally would. Except, your sitter fell through and your mom couldn’t watch her so you had to bring her along. Which is totally fine until you run into Mat. Who has a girl with him. 

So yeah, everything was fine until now.

It’s kind of comical the way his panicked eyes dart between the three of the girls standing around him. A quick glance at Nora confirms that she’s two seconds away from saying something to Mat which will not go well since the kid has zero filter.

“Hey, you’re that hockey player mama and grandma watch on TV!” she exclaims and you want to melt straight through the floor when Mat looks at you with one eyebrow raised. 

“Yeah?” he asks, kneeling down so he’s at her level.

“Yeah,” she confirms, and then loudly whispers: “I’m not supposed to watch ‘cause some games are past my bedtime but sometimes I’ll sneak out.” 

He offers his hand and smiles. “Well, it’s nice to meet you…” he trails off, clearly hoping she’ll offer her name. You hope she just says her first name instead of announcing her full name which she tends to do lately.

“Nora,” she tells him, shaking his hand and then to your unsurprised horror, she proudly tells him her full name. “Nora Nadia Johnson.” 

He keeps the smile on his face but stiffens and gently drops her hand. 

“Cool name,” he says, still smiling but you can see the tension in his shoulders. 

“Thanks! My first name means light and my middle name-”

She doesn’t get a chance to finish her sentence because you grab her hand, abandon your shopping cart and high tail it out of the store. She grumbles while trying to keep up with your pace and eventually you just pick her up and carry her to the car.

“What did we say about talking to strangers?” you ask while buckling her seatbelt, ignoring her annoyed sighs. 

“He wasn’t a stranger, you watch him on the TV all the time.”

“Have you ever met him?” you ask, raising an eyebrow and she mumbles something under her breath.

“What was that?”

“No,” she mumbles, crossing her arms over her chest and giving you a look that is so Mathew that you could laugh.

“Well then, he’s a stranger.” 

You leave it at that because she starts talking about the summer camp she’s starting next week. You’re only half listening, trying to get over the shock of seeing Mat and knowing he realizes that he probably has a kid you never told him about. If you were in his shoes, you would be angry so you are expecting him to show up on your doorstep later that evening but he doesn’t. Part of you wonders if the reason he doesn’t come is because of that girl he had with him but you figure if he really wanted answers, he would come regardless. 

What you’re not expecting, is a text from his sister Liana. You still see his family from time to time out in public but after you essentially ghosted Mat, they didn’t really want anything to do with you. When everybody found out you were pregnant, you lied and said it wasn’t Mat’s which nobody really believed but they couldn’t prove it and you’d used your mothers maiden name as Nora’s last name so there were no ties. You were surprised that his family didn’t tell him anyways, but you thought that perhaps they didn’t for the same reason you didn’t.

To give Mat no reason to stay here and instead, pursue his dreams and go play in the NHL. 

So a text from his sister is unexpected. 

Liana: hey, are you free for lunch tmw?

You almost delete it at first and pretend she never messaged you, but you know that there’s no going back now that Mat saw Nora. He’s not stupid. He probably went home and asked his parents about her. So you text her back a reluctant yes and agree on a spot to meet up the next day.

Nora goes to your moms house because you’re unsure if it will just be Liana who shows up, or if anyone else does. You meet up at a Starbucks and aside from the initial tension, it melts almost immediately and the two of you go back to the big sister/little sister relationship you had when you and Mat were dating. Except now, she’s all grown up.

After some catching up, the conversation turns to the reason she asked to see you. She hesitates, picking at her nails - a nervous tick you know she does - before sighing. 

“Look, everybody kind of turned their head with ‘The Nora Situation’ because it was clearly what you wanted, and it was probably what was best for Mat,” she says. “But he knows now, and he’s got questions that we can’t and won’t answer. Dad had to talk him down last night and his girlfriend went back to New York this morning.”

You wince at that, not liking that the reason his girlfriend left is because of Nora but Liana must notice because she shrugs, taking a sip of her drink.

“Honestly, she wasn’t very nice. I’m not broken up over it and Mat didn’t seem to be either.” 

Okay, that is interesting. 

“Anyway,” she continues, “this is Mat’s new number.” She slides a small piece of paper across the table and you gingerly take it. “I know you didn’t want to tell him, and I understand but he knows. So give him a chance, okay?”

You manage a nod and let her leave with the final word. All you want to do is take Nora and leave, to get as far away as you can but something inside you stops you from doing it because maybe Liana is right, and you should give Mat a choice. After all, you were the one who decided to take it away from him in the beginning. 

So later that night, after Nora is asleep, you curl up on your couch with the piece of paper and stare at it for a good fifteen minutes. Regardless of whether or not you text him, you will have to deal with this and you’d rather it be on your terms. You reluctantly type his new number in your phone and hesitate, trying to think of what to even say. This isn’t a conversation you were expecting to have with him. You type and delete a dozen messages before deciding on something simple.

To Mathew: Hey, I guess we should talk.

You take a deep breath, and hit send.

#hockey imagines #allies writing #nhl fanfiction #hockey fanfiction #nhl imagines #hockey imagine #mat barzal x reader #mat barzal imagine #mat barzal fanfiction #mat barzal fic

[drewsbuzzcut]

Right Where You Left Me

mat barzal x model!fem!reader

a visceral in doses fic

warnings: angst, self inflicted doubts, slight jealousy, lack of communication, age gaps, break ups, alcohol consumption, and I think that’s all

this takes place when they were just dating

You sit in your bedroom, trying to stop your tears from falling as you look out your window. It’s to no avail.

How could a perfect night end up so terribly wrong? You were meant to celebrate your latest magazine cover with Mat in attendance. Now you’re crying your eyes out, wishing you never invited him along.

The night started off great. You and Mat walked around, socializing with everyone there. You both had a couple drinks and Mat quite literally never left your side. He was proud of you and wanted to see how appreciated you are. You’re the one who left his side. Never in your life have you been the jealous type, but when you walked back to Mat after getting you and him drinks from the bar, you weren’t expecting to see him so enthusiastically talking to another woman. His smile is wide to the point you can see his dimples. His body language is relaxed and her’s is laced with interest. Why wouldn’t she be?

You linger back, halting your steps in favor of letting the crowd drown you out from where you’re witnessing Mat and the woman’s conversation. Deciding to avoid them, you turn and find someone to talk to. Your conversation is only a distraction especially when you can hear the distinct sound of your boyfriend’s laughter. You peek over your shoulder only to regret it the second you catch a glance at the woman he’s talking to. She’s a woman. In every sense. Her makeup is so elegant and light. Her hair is perfectly curled and pinned, and her outfit looks like it was designed just for her. She’s everything you’re insecure about- especially in regard to your relationship and age gap with Mat.

You bite the bullet and excuse yourself from who you were talking to, making your way to the person you wish you didn’t want to avoid.

“Hi,” you mumble and mentally slap yourself for coming off as shy or intimidated.

“Y/n! Hi, honey. Your cover is fantastic! For a young model you sure do have an amazing resume,” she compliments you, her words have a way of punching your gut.

“Thank you! That means a lot,” you try to fake a smile and she buys it, but you can see Mat look at you from the corner of your eye.

“I am so sorry. Where are my manners? This is Mathew Barzal, he’s a hockey player. I don’t know how he ended up at an event like this, but we were just talking about hockey. As an older Canadian who grew up around hockey, I was attempting to school him. I wanted to see if he knew his own game as well as I do,” the woman says, cocking her head to the side in utter confidence.

You knew she was older.

You give her another faint smile before responding.

“He’s a great hockey player. Mat’s my boyfriend,” you state and watch as realization crosses her facial features.

“My goodness, sorry. He didn’t mention he was here with his girlfriend, but I guess it never really came up. Wow! How did a man like you end up with a girl like Y/n? I would’ve expected you to be with someone around your age and not as busy,” she has the audacity to say to your face.

“I can keep up with him just fine, thanks for your concern,” you bite, smiling sarcastically.

“She’s the best girlfriend,” Mat finally decided to contribute to the conversation. He throws an arm over your shoulders, but you quickly remove yourself after bidding a quick goodbye to the woman whose name you’re glad you didn’t learn.

You never wanted to see her again.

“Are you okay?” Mat asks, catching up to you and resting a hand on your arm.

“I’m fine,” you say stoically.

“No you’re not,” he points out.

“Then why’d you ask?” You snap, still facing away from him.

“What the hell is going on?” He grabs your shoulders and turns you towards him.

“What the hell is going on with you and that lady?” You question.

Mat looks confused because why are you angry about him talking to someone else. Mat looks confused because why are you tearing up and not making eye contact with him?

“What are you talking about?” He tries to reach for your hands, but you pull them away from him before he can touch you.

“Stop doing that,” he whispers.

His veins on his neck are already starting to pop out and his face is getting flushed. He’s having a hard time being patient with you.

“Can you take me home?” You ask silently.

“Can you answer my question?”

“No, because if I do, we’re just going to fight,” you answer.

“Why would you, answering my question, make us fight? If anything, you not answering my question and ignoring me is what’s pissing me off,” he claims, a warning in his tone.

You drag your fingers through your hair and turn away from him again. You can feel your chest heave even though you’re trying to hide it. You face him again, your teary eyes flashing up at him. The crinkle in between your eyebrows gets Mat to close the distance and smooth out the skin with his thumb. You hold onto his wrist and push his hand away.

“You looked like you were really enjoying your conversation with her. Like I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so animated, not even with me,” you whisper and shut your eyes.

Mat’s eyebrows turn down in a frown and his lips form into a semi-frown.

“That can’t be true, and we were just talking about hockey. You know I love hockey,” he says.

“You never talk with me about hockey, besides game details. I know you know that hockey isn’t my favorite, but when it comes to you I’d talk about anything.”

“I don’t mean to not talk about hockey with you. I can change that, though, easily,” he tries to calm your worries, but you can’t stop the thoughts in your head.

“The thing is that you can find it so easy to talk to another woman about something that you find hard to talk about with me,” you counter. Your face pinches up in discomfort.

“You can’t place all of that blame on me,” he responds.

“I’m not trying to blame just you. She just seemed really interested in you and what she said was bitchy. She made it seem like you both were flirting,” you stress.

“That wasn’t my case. I was just talking to her about hockey,” Mat defends himself. You believe him but those damn thoughts in your head can’t be silenced.

“I just can’t get over the vibe I got from the way you looked so cozy.”

“I don’t know what to tell you to make you believe me. I’m telling the truth that nothing was or is going on with that woman. It was just a conversation. I don’t know how to get through to you,” he says through clenched teeth.

You grab onto his hand for the first time since you started this conversation. You squeeze them gently before looking into Mat’s eyes.

“That’s my fault. I just- I thought maybe you didn’t know how to handle me, but maybe I don’t know how to handle you. You and all that you come with. Maybe you should be with someone older and not some little girl who doesn’t know what she’s dealing with,” you admit through soft cracks of your voice.

Mat wipes away your tears, looking down at you with a saddened expression.

“No. No, please don’t do this. You are perfect for me. I don’t want a girlfriend if it’s not you, you know me,” he argues, shaking his head repeatedly and continuously wiping away your tears.

“We’re at different stages in life. You need someone older. Someone who isn’t me! I’m not right for you and clearly that’s noticeable to everyone except us,” you explain, flitting your eyes up to his only to regret it once you see nothing but pain in them.

“Why are you doing this? Why are you giving up on us? You’re the love of my life, that much I’m sure of. It’s only 5 years. We’re both adults,” he states, holding onto your face even though it’s no use.

“Can you please just take me home?”

Mat doesn’t say anything. He bitterly nods his head and moves away from you, begrudgingly walking to his car.

The car ride is quiet and tense. The air condition isn’t enough to drown out the silence or your sniffles. Each time Mat hears you, he flinches and recoils his hands before he can fully reach out to touch you.

When he parks outside of your apartment, he hastily gets out to open your door for you. Your heart twists in an ache that seems like it’ll be a permanent visitor. You’re going to miss him so much.

“I can get up by myself,” you mutter when you realize he’s following you inside.

“Please, Y/n. I love you,” he pulls you back by your hand, a hand going to your waist because he physically can’t let go of you.

“And I love you. That’s why we can’t be together. You deserve someone better,” you stress.

“You don’t get it. There is no one better. There is just you. You, Y/n L/n, the love of my life. What do I need to do to make you believe that? What have I done to make you doubt me?”

“Nothing. Follow me or don’t follow me up, but we’re done, okay?” You pull out of his grasp, hoping and begging that he doesn’t follow you.

When you get to your door, your shaking hands fumble the keys and struggle to unlock your door. You can feel his presence behind you and it makes you feel worse. You rip the door open, hoping that behind it there’s fresh air. You turn to close it, rapidly blinking your tears away as you stare into Mat’s eyes. You see his red rimmed eyes and the defeated gaze in his face, but you don’t have it in yourself to say anything. You close the door in his face and wait a few minutes for him to leave so you can break down completely. You had no idea that he spent the entire night outside your front door, hearing you sob and fighting with himself to find a way to comfort you.

a/n: Enjoy some Mat and model!reader angst!

#mat barzal #mat barzal fanfiction #mat barzal fic #mat barzal fluff #mat barzal angst #mat barzal blurb #mat barzal x reader #mat barzal smut #mat barzal imagine #nhl imagine #nhl fic #new york islanders #visceral in doses

[orphicdreamers-wp]

Girl Of My Dreams — Mat Barzal

Summary: In which Mat Barzal inadvertently falls for the oldest Hughes sibling and her brothers aren’t happy.

Content Warning; Taylor swift 1989 isn’t by Tay(its by reader) Mentions of University of Alabama (reader went there) Trevor Zegras being hopelessly in love with reader. Readers social media face claim is Addison Rae bc idc she’d clear as a WAG for a athlete.

Pairing: Mat Barzal x Hughes! Reader.

Mat would be lying if he said he didn’t sneak glances at the announcers box after meeting you. You had been carrying a plate of food and two margaritas to your booth where your friends sat. Tito had made a joke about you seeming familiar then the pair heard your voice and knew, “Alright now, eat up because y’all are bumming me out.” Mat’s jaw slacked, “He’d known that the Islanders had gotten a new game announcer who was a girl but he wouldn’t have known it was you. You were effortlessly stunning, you had captivated the attention of every straight man in the bar. Mat had approached you as you sat at the bar, “I’m Mat, can I buy you a drink?”

You grinned and spoke, southern accent slipping out, “I’m Y/N, I mean Barzy after the way you played last game? You better buy me a drink. ‘Yknow how many hate comments my broadcast got?” Mat grinned as the bartender approached you, “Another Corona Light and whatever she’s having on me.” You grinned sheepishly, “I’m fucking with you. I’ve heard worse.” Mat grinned, “So now would probably be a shitty time to ask you out?” You smiled at him, “Maybe not.” Mat smiled, “If I may, your not from New York are you? Where are you from?” You grinned, “I grew up in Toronto with my 3 younger brothers and moved to Alabama for college and been in New York for a few months now.” Mat grinned, “Well welcome to New York beautiful.” That was a year and a half ago. You still hadn’t told your brothers who your boyfriend was, just that his name was Mathew. Until your album release came creeping in and you wanted to go public with Mat.

Instagram

ynhughes; my album ‘1997’ is now streaming! thank you for all your support(especially the bf, ‘slut’ and ‘suburban legends’ are 4 us)

barzal97: celebrating you is my favorite pastime. i have never met someone who people gravitate towards more than you. you are by far the most wonderfully amazing woman i know. it is a privilege to say i love you🤎 this past year or so has changed my life. you make living easy and so so much better. i can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.

trevorzegras: alexa play that should be me💔💔

ynhughes: forever in awe of you mathew barzal. amazed a gal like me is lucky enough to be adored by you🤎

oliviarodrigo; THEY HIT THE PENTAGON!! @conangray

>conangray; told you it was them i saw at radio music hall!

ny_islanders; our roman empire is all the sweet posts for to y/n today🥹🥹

sydneyemartin: brb crying. the purest people in the world. so grateful my girls get to grow up seeing a love this pure that isn’t their parents.

>ynhughes: we adore your girls more than words can express.

_quinnhughes: my biggest inspiration is out here killing it. in awe of you everyday sissy🥹 thank you for being my best friend from day 1

ynhughes: in a puddle of tears quinny. thank you for always being on my side, even when im wrong.

sabrinacarpenter; hockey players making me ugly sob wasn’t on my 2023 bingo card

elhughes; my first babies🥹 extremely emotional over you all today

>_quinnhughes: we love you momma💕

jackhughes: 1997 reasons to love my meanie head sister, i guess her bf’s alright

ynhughes: i love you little brat, come visit me and mat!!

>jackhughes: will do, sissy🫡

trevorzegras: i can’t believe she won’t date me 😞😞

>ynhughes: buck up z, your way too young for me. perfect age for @sabrinacarpenter tho!

lukehughes: the worlds best big sister came out with the best album to date

ynhughes; really feeling the hughes love train today, i need to plan for all of us to be together soon! so y’all can meet Mat!

etnow; this just in; the Hughes brothers have brought tears to my eyes supporting their sister

barzal97: the third picture is actually the most accurate representation of your sister now

>lukehughes; always messing with those darn cats! even if they are on the side of the street.

#hockey player x reader #fanfic #hockey #nhl #nhl fanfiction #social media #jack hughes x reader #jack x reader #mat barzal x reader #mat barzal #hughes sister #1989 taylor's version #music #addison rae

[bordysbae]

Can you please do 47. "have you seen my hoodie?" with mat barzal?

“the blue hoodie”

mathew barzal x reader

your boyfriend of two and half years is way taller than you are. he’s over six foot and incredibly built, so his clothes don’t fit you even remotely close. this makes for the best cuddles, and the best warmth during the winter.

his favorite hoodie happens to also be your favorite, meaning you wear it more than he ever gets the chance to. today he’s going out with some of his teammates, while you’re staying in to clean the apartment. you’re scrubbing the kitchen sink while wearing his (basically yours) blue hoodie that falls down to your knees. the sleeves are rolled up above your elbows, and your bare legs are barely peeking through the bottom.

“hey babe have you seen my hoodie? the blue one i alw-“ mat looks up and pauses. he sees you in the hoodie, still facing towards the sink with your back turned to him.

you slowly turn around to face him, a shy smile beaming across your cheeks. “what hoodie?” you ask, despite you and mat both knowing that you know exactly what hoodie. the one covering your body.

“hmm, i don’t know. maybe the one you’re wearing?” he chuckles as he walks over to you. before you can get a word out he picks you up and throws you over his shoulder.

“mat! put me down!” you squirm around, trying to free yourself even though you know you won’t be able to.

“not until you give me my hoodie!” he says as he walks into your guys’ bedroom.

“mathew barzal! put me downnn” you say dragging out the n, while hitting the back of his gray tee with your hands. suddenly he throws you onto the bed and pins you down by your shoulders.

“take it off please. you can wear it the second i get back, i promise” he smiles down at you, kissing your forehead gently.

“but i don’t have anything besides boxers on under this” you shrug, still putting up a fight for shits and giggles.

“well, that doesn’t sound too bad does it darling?” he jokes, making you roll your eyes.

“since you’re being rude and stealing my favorite hoodie from me, i’m going to change in the bathroom.” you say as you wiggle out of his grasp and get off of the bed. he chuckles at your antics as you grab a different one of his hoodies and lock yourself in the bathroom.

“you’re no fun y/n! what if it was my dying wish to see you change?” he says through the door.

“you see me change like everyday barzal. what if it was my dying wish to wear this hoodie, on this exact day, in this exact moment?”

“i don’t think you’re dying, you’ll be alright” he says, right as you exit the bathroom and hand him the blue hoodie.

“well, we don’t get everything we want now do we?” you say, as you cross your arms across your chest. he the wraps his arm around you and kisses the top of your head.

“i’ll be back later okay? i promise you can wear the hoodie when i get back. bye y/n i love you” he smiles as he starts walking towards the front door.

“i love you more babe, have fun!” you wave him off, as he walks down the hallway towards the elevator. about an hour later you’re checking the islanders instagram page, and see they’ve posted a few photos from the ‘team bonding’ hangout being held today. in one of the photos you see mat, and he’s no longer wearing the hoodie. it’s resting in his lap, and you audibly gasp. instantly you rush to text your boyfriend about his betrayal.

to: matty

mathew barzal you took off the hoodie!!!

i could be wearing that right now but NOO someone insisted that he “needs it”

to: you

i got a little hot.. sorry babe

to: matty

oh you’re gonna GET IT when you get home

i’m angry with you!!!

to: you

gonna get what?? ;)

to: matty

i’m blocking you.

#mat barzal #mat barzal x reader #mathew barzal #mathew barzal x reader #mathew barzal imagine #mathew barzal fluff #mat barzal imagine #mat barzal fluff #ny islanders #hockey blurb #hockey imagine

[prettytoxicrevolver]

Fall | Mat Barzal

wc. 730

A beautiful fall day with Mat Barzal

This was your favorite type of day. 

The kind of day where it’s the end of summer, and the weather is starting to cool but you still have a choice of shorts to wear if you wanted to. The air is crisp, with a hint of fall and all things good. It reminds you of the first day of school when you were a kid, rushing into the new classroom and heading straight towards your friends, with absolutely no care in the world. 

As you grew up you found the beauty of days like this and relished it. You always ended up at a nearby dog park, your tiny pup running around and playing with other dogs. You sat at a bench nearby, reading whatever novel caught your attention this week. 

It was peaceful, not many people were at the park today helping you focus more on the book before you. You had read pretty much half the novel, extremely invested in the story before you. Suddenly you hear a dog bark loudly, and you look up just as he comes tumbling towards you. He didn’t have any malice in his eyes, only pure happiness as he bounded towards you excited to meet another person. 

When the dog reaches your feet you hold out a hand, smiling fondly at the husky. He lets you draw your hand over his head, scratching lightly behind his ears. You’re grinning at the friendly pup so much you don’t even notice the out of breath boy before you. 

“I’m so sorry,” he says, causing you to look up. 

For a second you’re struck by his features, his brown hair flops across his forehead, a genuine smile braced on his lips. Your heart skips a beat before dropping down between your feet and rolling to a stop. 

“You’re all good,” you finally choke out. 

“Belle really likes people,” he continues with a gesture towards the husky still happily panting at your feet. 

“She’s adorable,” you say, smiling up at him. 

“Uhm, Mat,” he says, sticking out his hand awkwardly. 

You take it in your hand, offering your name in response and he smiles. He looks around, spotting your dachshund slowly but surely making his way over to you. 

“Awe is he yours?” Mat asks cooing at your tiny pet. 

“He is. His name is oliver or ollie,” you respond. 

He leans down, running a hand over your panting dog before scooping him up into his arms. Your dog leans his head on Mat’s chest, similar to the way he does to you and your face immediately softens. 

“He’s precious,” Mat says, smiling at you. 

“He likes you. He doesn’t like many people.” 

Mat grins widely at that, eventually putting Ollie down and the dog sits next to him still seemingly smiling at the boy before you. 

“Can I sit?” Mat asks and you nod, moving your bag to the ground next to you. 

By now both your dogs have bound off again, running and chasing each other causing a giggle to erupt from you at the size difference of the dogs. 

“What are you reading?” Mat asks, tipping your book up to see the cover. 

“Misery,” you respond sheepishly. 

“You’re a writer,” he states like you just said it yourself. 

You tilt your head at the essential stranger, wondering how he knew that quickly. He smiles sheepishly, shrugging as if he can feel your confusion. 

“My friend is a writer. Always has their head in a book. Not sure why though,” he explains, and you grin. 

“Gotta get the good ideas from the best.” 

Mat nods like this makes perfect sense to him and you smile, slowly shutting your book to turn to him. 

“And what do you do for a living?” 

You’re surprisingly shocked when the sun starts to set and your dog has been next to your side laying down for the past half hour. You had been smiling and laughing for nearly two hours getting to know Mat. 

“Uh so I’m late to practice,” he says and you nod. “But can I get your number?” 

He slides you his phone and you’re quick to type your number in. When you hand it back to him he’s grinning widely as he slides his phone into his pocket before calling his dog back over. 

“I’ll see you soon,” he says, winking before walking away. 

#mat barzal fic #mat barzal x reader #mat barzal drabble #mat barzal imagine #mathew barzal x y/n #mathew barzal fluff #mathew barzal fic #mathew barzal x reader #mathew barzal imagine #prettytoxicrevolver fic #new york islanders fic #new york islanders x reader #new york islanders fanfic #new york islanders imagine

[barzysunflower]

posting this again bc I finally have a title & release date lol

SEE IT WITH THE LIGHTS OUT

coming august 11th

friends to lovers

hockey x f1 (mat barzal, lando norris)

4 part limited series based on the song ‘you’re in love’ by taylor swift

insta edits accompanying every part

teaser:

TSN NEWS

Sports Worlds Collide as NHL New York Islanders Mathew Barzal Makes Appearance at Formula One Monaco Grand Prix

The Islanders forward whose season just came to an end made his first appearance at the Monaco Grand Prix alongside his longtime friend, (y/n) (y/l/n), who is in a relationship with McLaren race driver Lando Norris. Barzal got the full experience from walking the track, meeting the drivers, and watching the race from the McLaren garage. The hockey star has been enjoying his summer break and birthday thoroughly in the streets and clubs of Monaco.

#mat barzal #lando norris #see it with the lights out #nhl imagine #nhl fics #nhl x f1 #f1 fics #new york islanders #f1 mclaren

[ohmyeyesmyeyes]

fourth anniversary

mat barzal x famous f!reader

summary: your annual 'soft launch' post comes around, only this time fans get a little more than they bargained for

warnings: swearing, soft launch, hints at sex, let's ignore the misspelling of 'anniversary' at the beginning, reader has tats

i'm a sucker for soft launches guys i'm sorry but i have no range on social media au's 🤷

liked by glenpowell, camilamorrone and 962,851 others

ynofficial: "flowers? linen? fruit? silk? I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE TRADITIONAL THEME IS FOR A FOURTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY IS AND ALEXA IS TELLING ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO GOOGLE AND GOOGLE IS TELLING ME DIFFERENT THINGS!!!! WHY IS THIS SO HARD?" - M

view all comments

fan1: YOU'RE MARRIED????? WTF

fan2: so those soft launches were wedding anniversary posts? i'm unwell babe

fan3: i think i just shat my heart out in mcdonalds

fan4: damn

fan5: so we got marriage??? and a full post??? with a caption??? that proves he has personality??? and three full photos???

fan6: fr we're getting fed

fan7: I DONT EVEN KNOW WHO HE IS OR WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE BUT I JUST KNOW HE'S DELICIOUSLY DISGUSTINGLY GORGEOUS

ynofficial: i can confirm this, yes 🙋

fan8: have you not seen her track record of partners? the girl's got taste

fan9: PREACH SHE DOES

fan10: LMAO HER ANSWER 💀💀💀

fan: THIS IS SOFT LAUNCH 5 BUT THEIR ANNIVERSARY IS 4???

liked by titobeauvi91, noahschnapp aand 135,861 others

barzal97: happy 4th 💐🍉

view all comments

fan11: barzy hasn't posted since october and then he slams this

fan12: so many hearts broke today 💔💔 (mine did)

fan13: babe i thought we agreed not today!!

fan14: this better be an april fools joke or something

fan15: it's march?????

fan16: that cake was from barzy to me, sorry guys

fan17: THE TATS OH MY GOD

fan18: they look so familiar

fan19: that's because ynofficial has the exact same ones

fan20: wtf

fan21: holy shit she does

fan22: this is 4 years too bro

fan23: are they????

fan24: I THINK SO

liked by taylorswift, alexachung and 991,286 others

ynofficial: i get mystified by how this city screams your name 🌸🚏

view all comments

fan25: i came from stalking twitter and i don't think it's talked about enough that her husband might be mat barzal

fan26: we love us some taylor swift love songs 💜

fan27: i'm dying over here

fan28: GIVE ME SIGNNNNN

comments on this post have been restricted

liked by nhl, trevorzegras and 74,813 others

barzal97: he shoots and he scores

view all comments

fan29: you didn't this weekend bro

fan30: shrieking bc of this

fan31: i spy an innuendo 👀

fan32: i think i burnt my eyes this is too hot

fan33: y'all mind if my boy slays real quick?

fan34: islanders and yankees don't add up

fan35: Y/N POSTED ONE LITERALLY SIMILAR TEN MINUTES AGO

ynofficial posted to their story...

liked by ynofficial, titobeauvi91 and 231,286 others

barzal97: she keeps calling me bro, like, my dude, we've been hitched 4 years

view all comments

fan36: I DID NOT EXPECT BARZY TO BE THE ONE TO SOFT LAUNCH THIS RELATIONSHIP WHAT

fan37: was this intentional?

fan38: holy fuck my god are you two attractive

fan39: i'm crying does mat not tan or something??

ynofficial: baffled. offended. insulted. TILL DEATH DO US APART, MY FRIEND. THERE IS NO RETURN POLICY. THE RETURN POLICY IS THE D-WORD.

barzal97: death?

ynofficial: (divorce)

fan40: what was that?

fan41: that was morbid

fan42: nah they're actually so gorgeous together

fan43: fr i think they suit each other so well

liked by barzal97, pierrgasly and 999,135 others

ynofficial: the man, the myth, the legend, the husband, the broski, the gremlin, the hottie...i give you my husband AKA mathew barzal AKA #13

view all comments

fan44: husband first hockey player second. fair dos.

fan45: i'm jealous of both of you

fan46: why the look of disapproval in the first pic?

barzal97: she called me buddy 😔

fan47: yeah you win. idk what the competition was, but you win it

fan48: he looks completely different in all of these 😭

fan49: how did you guys keep your entire relationship a secret?? between you you're practically wanted by the entire state of new york

ynofficial: hush money

barzal97: blackmail

titobeauvi91: they're spies

fan50: forget ny they're now wanted by the fbi

fan51: if you ever have kids the rest of the world ain't gonna stand a chance

ynofficial: 👀

barzal97: wdym 👀?

fan52: 👀

ynofficial: 👀

fan53: WHAT IS GOING ON RN??? IS THERE A BABY???

ynofficial: nugget

barzal97 just posted to their story...

[caption: fyi, THIS is nugget]

#mat barzal x reader #mat barzal social media au #nhl social media au #nhl imagine #mat barzal imagine #nhl fic #hockey fic #hockey imagine

[adorethedistance]

He’s An Idiot - Mat Barzal x Reader

Hockey Masterlist

Warnings: Swearing (?), angst, anxiety/panic

Words: 2063

Summary: When Mat unceremoniously reveals he’s had a girlfriend for two months without telling you, something goes terribly wrong as you turn toward a good friend for comfort.

A/n: Hi. this is old. and self indulgent. and garbage. Please enjoy!

How I ended up in the passenger’s seat of Tito’s car in an almost completely empty parking garage, is a story that will be a lot funnier in retrospect than in the moment.

Tonight the Isles were playing the Flyers, an ‘easy win’ according to Mat, and it was to a certain degree. The score finished 3-2 Isles and in a celebratory haze I barrelled through the Coliseum to greet my best friend. I congratulated the baby Isles and their elders alike as they came out to greet their respective parties.

The younger guys had an assortment of friends to meet them; the older guys were met with bright smiles from their wives and children. Mat, Tito, and I were kind of in that middle range where you’re no longer living the bachelor life and trying to pursue serious relationships, but not quite entering the engagement process either. The arrival of the younger Isles ushered them into the middle category, and the prospect of Mat looking into something serious excited me to say the least.

I’m fully head over heels for my best friend. And that’s why it hurt so bad tonight when he didn’t even spare me a single glance as he was rushing over to bear hug this girl who I was surprised to find out wasn’t a supermodel. She was absolutely gorgeous by all conventional beauty standards. Hell, I’d pick her too.

As he effortlessly lifted her from the ground to spin around in excitement, I figured maybe they’re just super close friends. Mat and I are as close as close gets, and he’s done that to me a fair amount of times. ‘It’s no big deal’ is what I told myself. That is, until I watched him lean down to passionately kiss this girl on the lips. My heart sinks to the deepest pit of my stomach; it feels like a javelin has landed right in the center of my chest. Mat and I tell each other everything, how come I didn’t have the slightest clue that this girl existed until right this very moment?

I must’ve not been hiding my heartbreak well, as Tito approached me like I was a wild horse that’s easily spooked. He gently placed a hand on my shoulder blade, careful not to scare me, but I jumped anyway. I was hoping he wouldn’t realize what was going on, but the sympathetic look in his eyes told me that there was no use in trying to deny it.

“You guys played a great game tonight.” My head whipped around to find that it’s Mat’s girl who’s complimenting Tito, and my sadness slowly became something resembling panic. Mat smiled dumbly at the beautiful girl and I surprised myself with my ability to speak without letting my voice crack.

“Who’s this?” I asked and Mat looked at me in amusement and confusion before his face dropped slightly.

“Did I not tell you about Caitlyn?” Caitlyn. “I could’ve sworn I did.”

“Um, no. You didn’t,” I laughed awkwardly. Don’t cry don’t cry don’t cry don’t cry.

“Oh, well, this is my girlfriend. Y/n, Caitlyn. Caitlyn, Y/n.” Girlfriend.

“I’m Caitlyn.”

“Y/n.” She giggled adorably at our additions to the redundancy.

“Girlfriend?” Tito asked, but not nearly as surprised as I was.

“Yeah, we decided to make it official on our one month anniversary.” Anniversary.

“You’ve been together for a month?”

“Two, actually.” Two?! I decided I deperately wanted to get the fuck out of dodge, and made an effort to try and draw the conversation to a close.

“We should probably get going since I gotta get home to feed Luna. It was nice meeting you, Caitlyn.” I was ready to go and ushering Mat to do the same, but he just looked at me in mild shock.

“Oh, fuck, I completely forgot I was giving you a ride.”

“Oh.” Ouch.

“Beau, can you take Y/n home? Caitie and I were gonna go back to my place.” Tito gave Mat a look that, had I been in my right state of mind, I could’ve figured out; he agreed nonetheless. At that, Mat and Caitlyn went to leave; Caitlyn called out a polite ‘nice to meet you’ behind her as they left.

He didn’t even turn around to say goodbye.

I felt like there was a holed burned into the center of my chest by radioactive acid. Tito noticed my state of shock and sympathetically took my hand to lead me out of the rink.

My trance wasn’t broken until we had reached Tito’s car; it wasn’t until Beau uttered a soft “hey, hey woah” and pulled me in for a hug that I even noticed I was crying. It wasn’t a sob, or even a weep. Just a numb, empty stare and a stream of tears rolling down the expanse of my cheeks.

“I didn’t even know she existed until tonight, and they’ve been dating for two months?”

“I knew he was talking to someone but, because I thought you already knew, I didn’t bring it up because I didn’t want you to feel bad. I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t need to be sorry. You didn’t know.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” I pondered the offer for a moment before nodding a heartfelt ‘yes’. Beau opened the door for me to climb into the passenger seat and instead of turning on the car and driving away, we sat there for ‘as long as I needed’ as Beau put it.

So that’s how I ended up in the passenger’s seat of Tito’s car in an almost completely empty parking garage.

We’ve been sitting here for a solid hour, just the two of us, although it’s mostly just me talking and Beau doing anything he can to comfort me. He’s known about my thing for Mat for a little while now, and though we’re not as close and Mat and I are, after tonight’s incident, I’d say we’re on the way to becoming really good friends. If not, that’d be awkward since I’ve spent the last 30 minutes crying off my mascara onto his game-day dress shirt.

“I just feel like such an idiot for falling for him. And now he loves someone else and I have no other option but to find a way to live with that if I still want to have some kind of relationship with him.” I’m fiddling with my phone to distract myself from crying. It’s somewhat working, but every now and then I feel more and more of my guard crumble. I open my messages to my conversation with Mat before the game, and reread the very clear ‘you’re taking me home after the game right?’ and ‘ya just get an Uber and then I’ll drive you back’. He probably said the exact same thing to Caitlyn after, forgetting about me in the process.

“You’re not an idiot. If anything, he’s an idiot for not seeing the beautiful girl right in front of him.”

“...It just-” my voice cracks as a fresh wave of tears blur my vision “It just really fucking sucks that I have to accept that I’ll never be good enough for him. Like, I feel a certain way with him that I don’t feel with anyone else. I think I’m in love with him, Beau. And now that he has a girlfriend there’s no chance in hell I could ever tell him that.”

Swoosh

Confused by the sound effect of my phone that had the volume cranked up in the arena, I look down at the illuminated screen and feel that familiar burning in my chest.

“No. No no no no no, NO!” I sit upright in my seat and immediately begin typing, the keyboard click sound effects rapidly firing beneath my fingertips. After a very clear DO NOT PLAY THAT text, I hit play on the audio recording I’d just sent to Mathew.

‘-sucks that I have to accept that I’ll never be good enough for him. Like, I feel a certain way with him that I don’t feel with anyone else. I think I’m in love with him, Beau. And now that he has a girlfriend there’s n-’

Is the only sound that fills the dormant vehicle. Beau looks just as horrified as I feel, and I begin hyperventilating.

Please Mathew I am begging you do not listen to that audio

Please don’t play that audio

I know Mat, and I know that no amount of pleading texts will stop him from listening to that audio. If anything, my stark reaction might encourage him to listen to it. When I look up and meet Beau’s eyes, I immediately start bawling, wailing as if I’d just watched my cat Luna get bulldozed in the street. That’s it. It’s over. As soon as he hears that message, he’s going to distance himself from me and then he’ll be gone for good.

“He’s gonna listen to it- he’s gonna listen to that an-” I choke on my words as my own sobs suffocate me and Tito simply holds me as tight as he can without hurting me. He keeps my head pressed tightly against his chest, cradling my face as we both suspend our disbelief of the inevitable. My thoughts continue to spiral and I can physically feel all of my anxiety congregating at the forefront of my mind.

“I’m such a fuck up, Beau. I don’t know what to do.”

“You’re not a fuck up.” I’m surprised he could understand a word I’m saying based on how strangled my words are by my sobs. “Shhh. You’re okay. It’s gonna be okay. You know Barzy, he…” His trailing off in uncertainty is the straw that breaks my back and I feel the world around me collapse. I can’t ever face him again.

“What am I going to do?”

“We’ll figure something out, okay?”

“He’s going to listen to it. I’ll never be able to face him again.”

__________________________

Rolando is here with your food, my phone pings.

Three days later and I’m laying in bed staring at the ceiling, numb, as tears slide down my temples.

He’s listened to it. I know he has. There’s no way in hell he hasn’t. Mathew Barzal is a nosy son of a bitch and I’d be a fool to think for one second that he wouldn’t listen to an audio message that was sent with a pleading ‘please don’t listen’ text attached. Truth be told I didn’t think he’d wait this long to form a reply.

I mean, how hard is it to send a quick ‘I’m sorry but I’m not in love with you and I’m in a serious committed relationship’ text?

The anxiety that’s been brewing inside me for the last few days has been more than enough to keep me from leaving the house. I’ve isolated myself in totality, only accepting the occasional FaceTime from Beau where he’d call just to ensure I was alive.

At this point, the exhaustion of laying around and doing nothing has consumed me beyond the ability of addressing my basic necessities. I’d neglected myself for a good chunk of these last few days; rather than letting myself continue to starve, I figured I’d order myself some pity sushi. Because a 3PM dinner is better than no dinner.

Mustering the strength to roll out of bed, I trudge my way through my pad to the front door. A brown paper bag of sushi and my favorite drink sits prettily on my doorstep, and I sigh at the realization that I finally have food.

I look up to find Rolando as he walks away to thank him for his service, but my throat closes at the sight of Mat being a mere ten feet away from my front door. He smiles at me with a soft smile that indicates no sign of having learned that I’m in love with him. It’s the same one he gave me when I invited him to my work one day and he got to see me in my element. It’s the same one he gave me when I picked him up from the airport for the very first time. And it’s the same one he gave Caitlyn when his two worlds collided as the two of us met.

“Hey, Mat.”

“Hey… Can we talk?”

***

A/n: I know this is low quality but I wanted to get something out before I start classes up really soon. hope yall like it 

#NHL imagine #NHL hockey #NHL x reader #Mat Barzal #Mat Barzal fanfiction #Mat Barzal fanfic #Mat Barzal fic #Mat Barzal writing #Mat Barzal imagine #Mat Barzal oneshot #Mat Barzal one shot #Mat Barzal fluff #Mat Barzal smut #Mat Barzal angst #Mat Barzal x reader #Mat Barzal x y/n #Mathew Barzal #Mathew Barzal fanfiction #Mathew Barzal fanfic #Mathew Barzal fic #Mathew Barzal writing #Mathew Barzal imagine #Mathew Barzal oneshot #Mathew Barzal one shot #Mathew Barzal x reader #Mathew Barzal x y/n #Mathew Barzal fluff #Mathew Barzal smut #Mathew Barzal angst

[lonelyreputation]

omg i saw ur writing for barzal !!! ‘how about a hug, hm?’ seems so cute <3

Ahh yes I’m gonna try!!! Also probably going to re-post it on my hockey blog (@matwith1t) so !!! Let’s give it a whirl! First Mat with one t writing! Woot!

Post-Grad Uncertainties 

Prompt: “how about a hug, hm?” // prompt list // Fluff, brief mention of anxiety 

Mat Barzal x Reader // WC: 1.5k

You were trying your hardest to enjoy your last few months of university. Trying to savor all of the “free time” you had before that time would eventually be taken up by a nine to five job with an hour for lunch. Trying to enjoy midnight study sessions in the library with your friends, as you all laughed and reminisced about sophomore year instead of actually studying. And trying to enjoy attending your boyfriend’s hockey games while wearing his New York Islanders sweatshirt––your lucky charm––in hopes he scored a goal.

You were trying really hard to enjoy the good times. But the looming thought of post-grad employment always lingered in the back of your head. 

It was there when you went to a coffee shop with Mat early in the morning before his practice. There when you were in the library with your friends, being sushed by other students for laughing too loud. And there when Mat had scored a goal and pointed up at you in the stands.

Over winter break, when you went home to visit for a bit before returning to New York, it had been the first question everyone asked you when they found out you were about to be a second semester senior. So, they would hesitantly start out, what are your plans for after graduation? 

Who was even hiring? When did you have to have applications in by? Where would that career take you? What job?

With your laptop open and notebooks spread out across Mat’s kitchen table, you were at a loss. You decided to take a study break and search for jobs on LinkedIn, contact people who you met by networking to see if they knew any companies hiring, and even stooped as low as to calling your stringent dad for advice. But nothing was proving helpful and you buried your face in your hands, prepared to have a break down.

You were about to give up and get back to taking notes when you heard the jingle of keys from outside and then saw the door open. And in the midst of feeling an abundance of anxiety, you smiled as Mat awkwardly maneuvered through the door clutching his keys, phone, and bulky practice bag. He kicked the door shut with his foot and dropped his bag with a heavy sigh.

Without a care, he threw his keys on top of his practice bag––no matter how many times you told him it would just be easier to hang them up right when he walked through the door––and looked up from his phone. A smile instantly stretched across his face as he walked into the kitchen.

“I didn’t know you’d be here,” he said to you as he pulled two glasses from a cabinet and filled them up with water.

You smiled appreciatively as he came over and set a water down in front of you and took the seat next to you, “Couldn’t concentrate anywhere,” you nervously tapped your index finger on the table, “I can leave if you want to be alone––”

Mat's laugh calmed down every nerve you felt before he had arrived. “I gave you a key, remember?” He said with a smirk as he took a sip of water.

Bashfully, you tucked your chin down into your chest as you felt the same butterflies reappear in your stomach like they had two weeks ago when Mat gave you a key to his apartment. 

“What’re you studying now?” Mat picked up one of your textbooks and flipped through the pages, making sure he marked the page you were on with his thumb so he wouldn’t lose your place, “Always too smart for me. Everyone will want you after you graduate.”

You tried letting out laugh, tried to see the humor behind his encouraging comment, but all it did was bring up every insecurity you had about not finding a job.

The breathy laugh you tried to let out ended up getting caught in your throat. The prickling behind your eyes became too strong. And with the scratchiness you felt on the back of your throat…You knew what was about to happen.

Screwing your eyes shut tight, you brought a hand up to cover your mouth as you hiccuped. 

“Y/n?” Mat softly cooed your name as he placed a gentle hand on your forearm, “Hey, what’s up?”

And that’s all it took for your composure to come undone. The tears broke their dam and flowed as if there was nothing that could stop them. Your shoulders slightly shook as you openly cried in front of your boyfriend into the palms of your hands. Mat had said nothing wrong, he was just being the encouraging boyfriend he promised to be since day one, but his soft words and caring tone of voice somehow triggered a switch.

Not saying a thing, Mat moved his chair right up next to yours. He had one hand gently rubbing up and down your back, and the other hand was still on your forearm; his fingertips softly drawing patterns on your arm. He let you get all of your emotions out, because he knew from previous experience that if you were to explain yourself, it would come out in choppy phrases between your cries.

“Deep breaths,” he whispered in your ear as you felt him rest his chin on your shoulder, “In, one…two…three…Out, four…five…six…” He guided you through a few more breathing exercises until your cries were nonexistent.

He sat there, chin still comfortably resting on your shoulder, for a few more minutes of silence. You appreciated that he didn’t try to remove your hands from your face since you still had a few more silent tears leaking from the corners of your eyes.

“Talk to me,” Mat whispered.

With one last shaky breath, you lifted your head up from your hands and ripped away the last of your tears with the heels of your palm, “Do you really think everyone will want to hire me after I graduate?”

Mat lifted his chin from your shoulder and tilted his head with furrowed eyebrows, “Uh, yeah,” he said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, “You’re perfect.”

With a small laugh, you swatted his chest, but he caught your hand in his before it could fall into your lap. You avoided his gaze as you looked down at the keyboard of your laptop, “Everything is just so hard,” you said in a quiet voice, “Making sure you have the right experience, making sure you have the right connections, having the job pay decently, trying not to hate it, checking the location of the job––And did you know that some companies will just ghost you––”

“Whoa, whoa,” Mat calmly said when he noticed you starting to get worked up again. You took a deep breath and he smiled at you, “Everything will work out.”

You felt your shoulders drop, “But what if it doesn’t,” your voice cracked, “My internship hasn’t mentioned anything about it potentially rolling into full time. And what if I––”

“Whether your internship offers you a job, whether you find a job and they want you right after you graduate, or you find a job six months or even a year after you graduate,” You slowly picked your head up to see Mat with the most hopeful look in his eyes, “It’ll be just what you want because you know not to settle for anything less than you deserve.” He wiggled his eyebrows at you and he triumphantly smiled when he saw a smile tug at the corners of your lips, “Whatever the job may be, whenever the job comes, it’ll all work out.”

You took a sip of water before looking at Mat and sniffling, “You think so?” 

He squeezed your hand, “I know so.”

Nodding your head, you let out a deep breath and finally showed Mat a real smile, “You’re the best.”

Mat rolled his eyes, “I know.” You let out a scoff, but before you could pull your hand away from his, he stood up and tugged you up with him, “How about a hug, hm?”

Without any hesitation, you fell into his chest and leaned your head on the soft material of his sweatshirt. Like he had done earlier, his hands reassuringly rubbed up and down your back, causing you to let up on all of the pent up anxiety you felt about searching for jobs. 

You felt Mat press a kiss to the top of your head as he mumbled, “How about a movie and some cuddling?"

"I could use a study break,” you nodded into his chest.

Mat’s arms dropped from around you, as he picked up your hand, and dragged you into the living room. You plopped down on the couch as he grabbed the remote off the coffee table, and soon enough, there was a movie from Netflix that neither of you cared about as you rested your head on Mat’s chest and easily fell asleep to the steady beating of his heart.

#Mat Barzal Fic #Mat Barzal x Reader #Mat Barzal fluff #Mat Barzal imagine #Mat Barzal writing #May Barzal x y/n #Mat Barzal #Mathew Barzal #New York Islanders #Isles #Mat Barzal 13 #how do you even tag hockey fics I feel so out of the loop #ask #matsbarzals

[starry-hughes]

need you now

mat barzal x reader

summary: mat is injured and stuck at home with the memories of your relationship

warnings: angst, mention of a breakup

inspired by the song need you now by lady a

italicized portions of this fic indicate flashbacks

Picture perfect memories Scattered all around the floor Reaching for the phone cause I can't fight it anymore

“Mat? Honey, do you want us to take this box of stuff back home with us?” his mom, Nadia, asked. His parents were in town when he got hurt at the game the other night. It was technically just the Dad's trip, but his mom had also come to see her son. “No, mom, I gotta have Noah drop it off at (Y/N)’s place,” Mat spoke quietly. His mom gave him a soft look. Both of his parents knew how hard he took the break up.

His parents left soon after that, taking a taxi to the airport since they didn’t want Mat to strain his knee more. His parents were departing since he wouldn’t be playing for a little bit now. Mat glanced at the shoe box his mom had asked about. He knew he shouldn’t open it, but what else was he doing tonight besides reminiscing on memories? The shoe box lid was flipped open as Mat sat on the couch. He was met with multiple photos of the two of you and random trinkets you left at his place. It was weird calling it his place. “Our place” always fell off his tongue better. 

Combing through the box, he felt his mood saddened as he found more photos and little things that used to belong to you. Random photo booth photo strips from Coney Island and polaroids from house parties. Your house key and the ring box. Mat felt like he had forgotten what you looked like, but it was all coming back to him. 

“Where do you want this box?” Mat questioned. “I think that’s more of my clothes, so in the bedroom,” you said. “You would think you would have enough clothes, eh?” Mat teased as he walked in the direction of the bedroom. He had asked you three weeks ago to move in with him, and now you were. “Really Mathew?” you laughed as you followed him into the bedroom. “I’m just saying, babe. We both know that you usually just end up wearing my clothes most of the time,” Mat placed the box down on the ground. 

“You’re just upset you’re losing closet space,” you leaned against his dresser. Mat moved in front of you, slotting himself between your legs. “But now I have you next to me all the time,” his head dipped down, his lips finding your neck. You sighed happily before remembering you still had boxes to move in. “Mat, we still have boxes from your car to move into the house,” you said. 

Mat groaned, “Do you really need more stuff?” You playfully pushed him back, “The faster we get the boxes into the house, the faster we can finally shower and get all this sweat from moving off of us in the shower.” 

“Yes, ma’am.” 

Mat glanced at his phone. He thought about calling you. He craved to hear your voice. He could use the excuse as a butt dial or a stupid question like the name of those sleep aid gummies he liked to steal from you. He felt like he hadn’t heard your voice in so long. In reality, it had only been three months. Three months since the two of you broke up. 

And I wonder if I ever cross your mind. For me it happens all the time

Mat was on your mind more often than you would like to admit. You tried to get over him. You really tried. Tinder hookups, Bumble dates, Hinge likes. But you just couldn’t seem to get him off your mind. Over the last three months, there had been multiple nights when your friends had to rip the phone out of your hand to make sure you didn’t drunk text Mat. 

The closest contact to Mat you had was when someone from the team would drop off boxes at your apartment. It was always awkward. Not to mention the text you sent to Anthony Beauvillier when he was traded and moving off to Vancouver. You had almost texted Mat just to check up on him that night, but you decided not to. 

You weren’t watching the game when Mat got injured on his first shift in Boston. Only getting wind of it on social media the next day, seeing the headlines that he was injured. You had a text drafted for him, just a simple, “hope you feel better” text. But you never got the courage up to send it. Multiple times since your break up, you were questioning yourself if Mat was thinking about you. Was he back out on the dating market? Was he missing you like you were missing him? 

“When we get married, we should have it in Vancouver,” Mat simply stated one night. The two of you were laid up in bed together. “Thinking about our wedding Barzy?” you questioned with a smile on your face, propping your head up on your hand to look at him. “Just thinking about the future in general.” 

“Well, if we are going to talk about marriage, then you have to buy a ring since my hand is missing one,” you teased him. “Already on my mind,” Mat cupped your face before leaning in and kissing you. “What colors are we thinking for our wedding? It’s going to have to be in the summer for the off-season,” you pondered. 

“I don’t care what colors we have, the flowers, or anything. As long as you’re there, that’s all I need.” 

It's a quarter after one I'm all alone and I need you now. Said I wouldn't call, but I lost all control

Mat was dying in the house alone. He was tired of watching hockey highlights on the TV and ordering crappy pizza to the house. He hated going to the arena to have the trainers look at his injury since he couldn’t get onto the ice. He was itching to call you. Being stuck in the house was killing him. 

He could only swipe through social media so many times before getting tired. Mat’s thumb hovered over your contact name once more that afternoon. He was trying to guess what you were doing at the moment. He assumed you were at work, talking to your coworkers and smiling. God, he missed your smile. Mat was envious of how other people got to see you every day. 

Mat thinks he must be holding himself back from calling you because of the words he spoke the day he left. He knew he was at fault for the reason you left. You begged him when you were packing a bag not to call you or ask you to come back. 

“I can’t do this anymore!” you shouted at Mat as you yanked out a duffle bag from under the bed. “C’mon! We can talk about this!” Mat begged. You were pacing around the room, your hands running through your hair out of anger. “No! We can’t fix this. You’re always going to choose hockey above me!” 

You shoved as many clothes into the bag as you could. Mat was following you around, “It’s my career. You need to realize how important my job is, how hard I worked for this!” You scoffed, “Your job is more important than starting a family? Getting married? You can’t even say that you love me in front of your friends.” 

Mat followed you out to your car. He was still begging you to stay. Stay with him. “No, don’t call me. Please. I’m not coming back no matter what you say,” you were taking off the house key from your key ring and placing it into his hand. Mat silently watched your car roll away from the house. He didn’t know how long he stood there before walking back into the house. He clutched the key in his hand, walked into the bedroom, and slid it into his nightstand drawer, right next to the blue velvet ring box he was saving. 

And I need you now. 

You were tired from work, kicking off your shoes as soon as you got home. You didn’t know what you were doing as you put on the sports channel. Maybe it was out of habit from being with Mat for so long. They were talking about his injury, no one knowing how long he would be out. You bit your lip, unlocking your phone. Your friends would kill you if they saw you on the verge of texting him. You missed Mat so much. You missed how he would tuck his face into the nape of your neck when he was needy and cuddly. You missed that he would leave random drawings around the house when he was out of town, just a reminder that he was thinking of you. You missed the way his lips felt on yours. You needed him so much. 

Mat was staring at his phone. Your contact photo is still a photo of you and him in the car. He was leaning over and kissing your cheek when you took the selfie. He loved the photo. Mat had called Anders out in need of advice from his captain. “I want to call her. I need her,” Mat admitted. 

“If you need her, call her.” 

Mat was still hemming and hawing over whether or not to call you. You were pouring yourself a glass of wine when your phone buzzed with a call on the counter. Intuition told you it was him before you even looked at the name. When Mat finally decided, he picked up his phone, eventually finding the courage to hit the call button. 

“Hello?” you answered. 

“Hi.” It was a voice you missed so much and didn’t even know it until that moment.

#mat barzal #mat barzal imagine #mat barzal x reader #hockey imagine #hockey fic #nhl imagine #mat barzal fic #islanders imagine #ny islanders imagine #mat barzal fanfiction