HOW YOU GET THE GIRL

HOW YOU GET THE GIRL

Mat Barzal x fem!original character

SERIES MASTERLIST

In which, Mat Barzal falls hopelessly in love with the girl who works the weekend closing shifts at his favorite bookstore and his attempts at getting her to say yes to a date.

CHAPTERS

PROLOGUE

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

“I NEED MY GIRLFRIEND”

My baby Nico my poor baby 🥲🥲🥲

(Throw back to when neeks got hit in the junk:| )

I flinch against my seat as I watch Nico go down, “that was a dirty shot” I tell Emma as she nods, “am I allowed to go see if he’s ok?”

“Yea, comon- I’ll take you to him” She says taking my hand and leading me to the lockers. Nico is laying on the ground with an ice pack on his junk, “I’m gonna go save our seats” she tells me brushing her short blonde hair behind her ears and closing the door.

“Hi handsome” I whisper softly as I go and sit next to him

“Can I put my head on your lap?” He asks sheepishly and I nod and he moves to put his head on my thighs, “that really hurt” he groans out.

“I know baby; do you want some pain killers?” I ask him, threading my fingers through his hair

“No, I can’t. Unfair advantage or something like that. I’d be benched for the rest of the game” he defeatedly sighs rolling slightly and burying his head in my thighs

“Bubs maybe you should. You seem like you’re in pain” I tell him; shrugging softly. He sighs against my skin

“Maybe, but I should also go to a doctor probably”

“Yes. You should”

Driving Nico home after he goes to the doctor is always fun; because he’s either really happy or sometimes. Like today really high. He didn’t go in-depth about what they had to do and I’m a little nervous.

He’s all giggly then suddenly turns nervous like a train wreck, “would you leave me if I can’t have kids?” He asks. Leaning against the head rest, “can we get McDonald’s”

I sigh and tap my fingers against the steering wheel; not sure how I want to answer those questions, “sure baby. Let’s just go home and we can order something” I rub his shoulder and squeeze softly

He stares at me with those big eyes and nods slowly, blinking slowly like a reptile. I let him lean on me as I unlock the door and move him into the kitchen, “bed or sofa?”

“Bed”

And so we march our way to the bedroom, “bathroom?” I ask him and he shakes is head in a no. Laying back down on our bed.

“Can I get an ice pack for my balls?” He asks rubbing his eyes and I put a blanket on him, “pretty please”

“Sure baby, how about some pain killers?”

“Please and thank you” he slurs slightly nodding off. I come back and find him asleep, mostly.

“Neeks, Neeks baby” I whisper, gently shaking his shoulder

“Ja, meine Frau?” He murmurs softly rolling his head over to face me.

“Ice”

He doesn’t say thank you, but nods and tugs at my arm, “I want my girlfriend”

“I know sweetie, I’m here”

He lets me lay with him as he starts to fall asleep, his hand wraps around my back, “that was a mean move”

“It was”

“I love you”

“I love you too”

WIN

Nico Hischier my beloved

I know the win was a tough one, fighting for the puck, when the horns blow. I’m jumping out of my seat grasping onto Jacks girlfriend as we scream at eachother in excitement, “LETS FUCKING GO!!” I shout out as lilly and I shake eachothers shoulders in pure joy.

The two of us excitedly wait by the locker rooms; Nico comes our first. Sweeping his hair out of his eyes as we lock eyes, “you played so well baby” I grin excitedly speed walking over to him but he jogs over to me and scoops me into his arms.

My legs instinctively wrap around his waist as he smothers me in kisses and affection, “you’re the only voice I could hear” he admits. We don’t pay attention to Jack and Lilly as they share a sweet kiss.

The media manager takes a little photo of us to celebrate the win, we do this silly thing where we hide my face with a glove; Nico’s arm wrapped around my shoulders. His hand covering my face because I like my privacy as a nurse.

When we finally get home we celebrate in the same ways; popping a bottle of wine and watching the NJD highlights. My legs tossed over his lap as he fidgets with the skin around my knee.

Usually he stops drinking halfway through his glass so I pour it into mine and he gets into the shower after I bug him about smelling like sweat and grossness.

Nico lays in bed; arms stretched over his head as I clean up the Mcdonalds we had ordered as a post game dinner.

“Is your alarm off?” I ask as I walk back into the bedroom and shimmy out of my leggings and croptop. Sometimes I walk around the bedroom half naked like this as I leave my bra on the floor looking around for a shirt to wear.

It’s always one of Nicos shirts that I throw over my head and shimmy into, then I crawl into the fluffy duvet and scootch over to Nicos warmth.

He wraps his arms around me as I throw my leg over his waist, “you did so well today neeks” I smile kissing his cheek and laying my head on the crevice to his neck and shoulder.

“It was such a tough play” he confesses; sliding his hands underneath the shirt and starts drawing circles on my shoulder blades, “I’m glad you were finally able to come and watch a game” he whispers into my ear, “I love you so much”

“I love you too, I’m sorry it took me so long.. I’m just scared that someone will recognize me and— I just don’t want to seem like a bad girlfriend” I admit against his skin. His hands coarse over my tough skin and the little bumps that pepper across my back.

“You could never be a bad girlfriend, ever. You’re the best for so many reasons.. our post game rituals, the ice baths you set up after practice. Jesus you learned German for me” We laugh a little at that admission as he rolls onto his side instead of his back, “you are the best thing, that’s ever been mine”

If you liked this lmk if you’d want a part 2!

VOLLEYBALL SZN

Heavily inspired by @brokenanxiety headcannons of mat barzal dating a vball player ‼️

Mat Barzal x fem reader (volleyball player)

Im a senior in collage. #87 on NYU’s volleyball team for varsity. My boyfriend does his own thing, hockey for the islanders.

Usually our schedules don’t line up, I’ll have a game and he has training. He has a game and I have training. The only time they’ve ever lined up is during training camps. But even then we can barely see each other. And even then our training camps have a no fraternization rule.

The islanders have never been too fond of sharing facilities with a collage v ball team.

“We had a game forfeit so are you still good with me coming to see you play” he whispers into my ear as I rub lotion onto my forearms in preparation for the bruises.

“Mm, if you want too. Usually they make you practice instead right?” I ask as Mat watches me braid my hair and raise it into a ponytail.

“Yeahh.. but I told the guys about this and they wanted me to come.. they’ll probably show up halfway through and bring the team out for pizza” he tells me as his hands rub up and down my thighs.

“Really? You’re willing to feed a group of starved varsity volleyball players after the biggest tournament of the season?” I inquire turning my head around to face him. He’s still all smiles and giggles with his head laid into my neck.

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Never”

Games are always fairly similar; the same nervous buzz that leads into the locker rooms. We all have matching hair.

“You nervous?” Astrid asks as we stretch out and set and serve eachother for our warmups.

“Always, but mat is here for like the first time ever and I’m so nervous” I grin a little bit

“Isn’t he the one you hooked up with junior year? At the training camp?” She gasps out, “holy shit you’re dating?” She whisper shouts which attracts the attention of our other teammates

I nod, “but Shh. We need to win this tournament”

The blonde nods as she puts on her knee guards.

It always feels cheesy when I say that Mat’s cheers are the only ones I can hear against the roar of the crowd. I feel like I’m gasping for breath as I’m diving and saving.

I’m knocking my head sometimes; scrambling for the ball and using my arms to save it.

We end the game in overtime, winning barely with a 2 to 1 score.

I change back into a baggy shirt instead of my uniform but I don’t have the care to change out of my shorts, “Do y’all want pizza?” I ask as we gather up our bags and let our hair out.

“Yess, but who’s buying?” Ella asks as she cracks her knuckles

“Mat, and his team. They said they were gonna take us out for dinner” I inform and Ella grins before rattling out the most Ella like sentence I’ve ever heard

“Do they now how much we can eat?”

“No. No they do not”

There’s six girls, plus six other 6’+ hockey players. It’s a bit of a feast, “fuck are we starved” Abby smiles as the majority of the girls eat.

I’m happily seated next to mat with his hand on my thigh as we eat, “did you have fun?” I ask him

“Yeah, the moms weren’t too thrilled seeing a hoard of hockey players screaming about volleyball” he laughs softly and I smile at him

“Im still really happy you came”

“Me too”

It’s a laughter seeing the team astonished at how much a group of girls can eat after four games and the final five to win.

Mat drives me home and I’m falling asleep in the car ride home, “you must be tired, huh pretty girl?” He smiles against my skin as he brings me up into our room

“So tired”

(Idk how to end it l o l )

I rly hope you like it

HOW YOU GET THE GIRL

Mat Barzal x fem!oc

Series Masterlist

(TW: drinking)

Three

I don’t like going out often, going out is a once in a blue moon occasion. I’m scared; but also nervous. Nervous because what if— if he is the one who unravels my plans. Makes me want to fall in love again. I’m so focused on the what ifs as I stare at myself in the mirror, wondering if the baggy jeans look good with this white cropped tee.

Mat Barzal sent you a text !

I click my phone open and read through the message

Mat Barzal

Hey; I know I said I would pick you up and I’m so sorry that I can’t tn. My friends girlfriend said she was willing to bring you. She’s super nice I promise. I’ll meet up with you as soon as I can. Pinky swear ❤️

Emma Miller

No yeah that’s alr

What do I talk to her about tho…

Mat Barzal

She likes books!! She’s the one I got Romeo and Juliet for!

It was her bday!!

That and I needed a reason to talk to you

Emma Miller

K, does she have my info?

Mat Barzal

Yeah I can send it to her rn; are you cool wearing my jersey?

Emma Miller

I’ll wear it, as long as it’s clean?

Mat Barzal

Ofc it’s clean, I gtg but I can’t wait to see you.

I feel a little bad for leaving him on seen but I did get his message; I go back to curling my hair and doing my makeup. I feel a brush of butterflies in my stomach.

I need to shut that down ASAP, but I really want to enjoy this. Because I know how it’s going to end.

607-914-9290

Hey Emma, I’m mats teammates girlfriend; what’s ur address so I can come pick u up 😨😨 also my name is Kasra

Emma Miller changed 607-914-9290 name to Kasra

Emma Miller

Yeah! Ok

Emma Miller shared her address

Kasra Bahman

Ok ok!! Can’t wait to see you 😍

I like her, she seems nice. I apply a little more blush before putting in my gold hoops before doing a little spin in the mirror. Af1s and a white leather backpack to carry some essentials in. Tampons, gum, tiny mascara, brush, perfume. Pepper spray. Everything a girl could ever need.

My phone buzzes and I do one last check in the mirror before walking out of my apartment and smiling as I see a girl wave at me. Her dark hair set into waves, wide eyes and those perfect eyebrows.

“Hey hey” Kasra smiles, “it’s so nice to finally meet you. Don’t tell anyone but Mat talks about you quite a bit”

I laugh and buckle myself up as we start the drive to the arena, “don’t take this as rude— but why are you picking me up instead of Mat?”

“Oh, yeah.. sometimes at home games the islanders have the team like do media management and walk ins. He was bummed not being able to pick you up” She says, leaning back a bit, “Bo was bummed out too; because usually he picks me up but I don’t mind driving you!” She clarifies looking at my unease

“Ohh, he must be your boyfriend?” I inquire as I apply some lipgloss to my lips

“Yeah” She grins; blushing and tapping her left foot against the footwell, “hes so perfect for me”

I smile at her, “your last name is Bahman right?”

“Yeah”

“Are You— Persian?”

“Yes! I am, are you?”

“Yes!” I cheer out, “my moms name is Amira! My dads white though”

“Oh how amazing is that”

I catch up to Mat fairly quickly, “hey, here’s one of my jerseys, it’s clean. Don’t worry” he smiles at me then quickly wrapping me into a hug after I put his jersey on, “this is so embarrassing to admit out loud” he whispers into my ear

“What is?” I whisper back, wrapping my arms around his neck

“How glad I am that you’re here… and how good you look in my jersey” he is soft to admit it and I allow myself a moment to run my fingers through his hair.

“Mm, I like this too..” I reply as his hands hold my back into him.

“I’ll see you after”

I kiss his cheek and push a bit of his hair out of his face, “good luck.. be safe”

I feel so cheesy; how blushy I am. How much I want to keep my fingers in his hair and hold him forever. How well I fit into him. How my heart jumps a little every time he gets slammed into the shields.

Kasra rubs my knee, “it doesn’t get easier. If that’s what you’re thinking. But it lessens.. the anxiety” she informs, gently patting before she moves to holding my hand again

“I just— ah I don’t want him to get hurt” I confess, “this is all so new to me”

She smiles, “drink. Oh baby drink like a fish” she laughs a little and I watch as Mat almost zooms past. I’d like to thing he caught a glimpse of me and that’s why he tripped over his own skates. But I think his laces were undone.

I’m sipping my second beer when the game ends, isles winning 4 to 3. I would feel bad for the Devils as they’re my home team but.. I’m proud of mat.

I follow Kasra as she greets her boyfriend; wrapping him up in a swift kiss and looking him over for cuts and bruises, “hey” Mat speaks out from behind me, “how was the game? Did you have fun?” He asks as I turn around and smile at him

“Yes, yes it was fun. You got slammed hard are you like uh— ok?” I ask him as he puts a arm around my shoulders.

“Yeah; I’m fine. Can I still take you out to dinner?”

“Mmh” I hum, “I don’t really feeling like going out out if you wanted to order in or something?”

“Yeah, honestly me too. We could go to my house and watch a movie. Get pizza? I have wine” He offers

“I don’t say no to wine”

By late late into the night I’m laid on Mat’s couch fairly drunk and absolutely rounchousing half of a pizza. He’s drinking wine and we’re talking and drinking, “so you work an office job” he asks; almost astonished at my confession

“Yeah, managing market sales. It’s alright. Not anything I’m too passionate about” I admit, allowing myself a moment to lean into him, “you don’t eat the crust?” I ask. Giving him that same wide eyed look he gave me

“No. Of-course not”

“You’re insane” I gasp out taking the crust off the box and dipping it into ranch

“Ok what’s even more insane is that you eat pizza with ranch!”

I laugh; that hearty deep soul laughter that has you rolling and wheezing. It’s probably the two glasses of wine I’ve had and the shitty beer during the game but I’m laughing. Laugh so hard I can’t breathe.

Even Mat’s laughing. The kind of laugh that’s deep and makes you stare with those kind of heart eyes.

He leans in a little, his ears turned pink a little. Hand nervously getting closer to mine. I can smell the wine on his breath and my heart speeds up, “I really.. really want to kiss you”

A little nob lodges into my throat. And I’m finding myself pulling away, “I can’t date you” I whisper out his eyebrows quirk, “because you’re going to want to get married and I can’t get married”

“Why.. Are you already married?” He asks. Sitting back

“No. It’s such a long story. I’m scared to get married. And you seem like the guy who wants to get married”

He nods slowly, “I do. But I also really like you” he admits, “I’ve come into that bookstore like seventeen times hoping to see you”

“I-“ I put my heads in my hands

“Emma. I really want you to be my girlfriend. And if that’s something you don’t do then I guess that’s ok”

“I- but what if you want to get married” I ask him, looking up at him

“I don’t need to be married. I don’t even know if I want to get married” he admits, “but if I do. I’m mature enough to communicate that. And I don’t expect to change your mind or anything”

I lean back, “I’m scared I’m going to fall so in love with you and you’re going to break my heart. Shatter it right into bits”

“I’m already in love with you, I’ll try not to. I will” He says, “and you can be my girlfriend forever. You never have to be my wife unless that’s something you want”

“I..” I nervously pick at my fingers, “I can try— I’ve been told I’m not the best girlfriend”

“Can I Kiss You?”

“Yeah. Yes you can kiss me”

I WANT YOU

Jamie Drysdale

Me when Mitski 😭😭

It’s him. It’s always been him, no matter the circumstance or the choices I’ve made. Everything I’ve wanted and everything I needed has always been him.

He’s standing there, looking at me like he always looked at me. Soft and kindly a little wobbly like a newborn deer. Standing in the doorway, the light cascades over him. Painting him in this angelic light.

I want to go to him, a string that tugs at my heart and pulls with the strength of a thousand men. I want him so badly. To go to him and be in that warmth he provides me.

I’m stuck in the car, unmoving. My hands feel like their glued to the steering wheel. My lungs can barely function and I don’t know what to do. Nothing could’ve ever prepared me for this.

I want to scream and shout, run up to him and kiss him. Scream in his face and hit him; kiss his face as I tell him how much I love him.

I drag myself out of the car. I walk slowly as I keep eye-contact with him. Finally he engulfs me in a hug.

The door closes and I slide to the floor. A heap of sobs, clutching onto his arms as I cry.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know why!” I cry out as he wraps himself around me. Holding me like this, this is why I fell in love with him. Even though I knew it could never work out with us.

“I love you” he tells me

“It’ll never work with us, Jamie please. My heart, it can’t” I whisper against his lips, “Jamie..”

He closes the gap between us and I crawl onto him, his hands rake through my hair gripping onto my scalp in a needful desire for each other.

“It’s always been you Jamie” I finally confess, the words choke out in this sad little mess of gasps and sobs.

“I know”