Nico Hischier X Reader - Tumblr Posts
we play with fire because we like the way it burns
a mob boss!Nico x nurse!fem!reader au
…coming soon
SUNS OUT FUNS OUT
Nico Hischier
I don’t know how, or when exactly it happened but during the years of dating Nico somehow I’ve adopted the team. After Luke broke up with his long term, distance girlfriend. I was the first person he called; and he cried on my chest like a little kid.
And I didn’t judge him for it; how could I? How could I judge when I was him before I met Nico. He ended up crying himself to sleep on me. My hand rubbing his back as he rested his head on the crevice of my neck. Soft sniffles keep me awake as I gently cradle him.
Nico walks in a bit later, raising his eyebrow at the situation, “you ok?” He asks sitting next to me and putting his arm around my shoulder.
“He ended things with Evie” I say simply moving his head to my lap as I continue comforting him.
Every summer the team and usually the wives or girlfriends join in.
“Come in the water with me.. please baby?” I beg Nico as I walk up to him, dripping with pool water, “come onnn we want to have a chicken fight”
He rubs his eyes as he stands up taking his sunglasses off and following me into the water.
“Ok how are we doing this?” He asks as Jack dunks under to get Lacy on his shoulders.
“We’re gonna kick your ass” I tease as Nico slides underneath me and brings me up out of the water. His hands gripping onto my thighs as I grin at Lacy.
The fight ensues and I’m pushing against her shoulder and trying to knock her down, eventually she leans back and her legs wrap around Jacks neck dragging him down with her as Nico and I cheer.
“FUCK YEAH!” I shout grinning and excitedly getting off my boyfriends shoulders and jumping onto him and wrapping my legs around his waist. He’s smiling against my lips as I pull him into a kiss.
His arms wrap around me toying with the strings of my bikini, “you’re so perfect” he grins as I tangle my fingers in his hair.
“EWWW!! MOM IS KISSING DAD!!” Luke shouts gagging and mocking us as the team laughs.
“How did we adopt all these children” I ask him as he grins against my chest
“How many do we want?” He asks, “if we do get married”
“No ‘if’s’ Neeks, mm no more than two.. but I’m ok with three” I tell him. We’re still holding eachother in the water as the team does their own thing.
But it’s just the two of us.. in our own world.
Y/NOFFI
Summer ☀️
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nicohischier
I’m gonna marry this girl
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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!
ALL THE LOVE
Nico Hischier insta edit 😋😋😋
NICOHISCHIER
*my love mine all mine - Mitski
Liked by; trevorzegras jamiedrysdale nhl jackhuges newjerseydevils lukehuges y/nbooks
Liebe meine libens
COMMENTS:
Trevorzegras - I’m going to be alone forever :(
Y/nbooks - sorry bubs
Newjerseydevils - Mr. Captain and Mrs. Captain
Nicohischier - It’ll be official soon 😉
Y/nbooks - loml ❤️
Nicohischier - I love you infinity more
Jackhuges - the cutest
Y/NBOOKS
*I can see you (Taylor’s version) - Taylor Swift
Liked by ; Nicohischier jamiedrysdale nhl newjerseydevils lukehuges Jackhuges
Always and forever
COMMENTS:
Jamiedrysdale - coolest couple
Y/nbooks - luv ya Jammie
Trevorzegras - set me up w ur mom plz
Y/nbooks - im blocking you
Trevorzegras - NO PLEASE IM SORRY
Nicohischier - love you to the moon and back
Y/nbooks - love u too bubbas
Newjerseydevils - cap needs to wife u up
Y/nbooks - facts!!
“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”
THE LITTLE THINGS
Nico Hischier x pregnant wife reader
Nico Hischier who notices the little things about you, like how after this roadie there’s suddenly a bunch of stuffed animals on the bed you two share.
He notices how much you’ve been sleeping and he doesn’t think much of it. He doesn’t want to pry because maybe you’re on your period and he doesn’t want to irritate you. But he asks if you’re ok.
“You ok babe? Jus seem a lil tired lately” He questions softly against her bare skin as she rolls on top of him. She puts her head on his chest and lets him play with her hair.
“I’m just probably about to get my period” she shrugs peppering soft kisses against his pec.
He doesn’t ask anymore questions but wraps his arms around you and rocks a little.
He notices the clinginess and it doesn’t bother him, the desire to be near him. Even if its just holding his hand while he talks with his friends at a bar. He even notices that you’ve stopped drinking. But that’s normal for you.
“You ok sweetie?” He’ll ask and you’ll nod. Claiming to just be tired.
He watches as you grow hot then cold in the middle of the night; how he leaves for a few weeks and all of a sudden you feel weird around him.
“It feels like you’re hiding something” he inquires one morning as she’s slowly eating cereal
“Oh” you’ll mumble into the bowl, “im pregnant” You drop the bomb on him like it’s a quarter in a washing machine, “there’s that”
“Excuse me?” He retorts standing a little straighter
“I’m sorry. I mean I didn’t mean to baby trap you but we’re already getting married so uh yeah. We don’t really use condoms that much” you shrug.
“Yeah. I guess so. Is that why you’ve been so clingy and maternal all of a sudden?” Nico asks as he sits next to you
“Yeah. Im about uh.. three months along? I found out maybe a week or two ago. I mean I felt something was off but I just thought my period was being weird or something” she confesses
“I’m so happy” nico whispers into her cheek as he brings her into a kiss, “we’re not making Jack god dad.” He tells her
“I agree with that statement”
Ynoffical
Liked by: Nicohischier, newjerseydevils, trevorzegras, jamiedrysdale, Jackhuges, matbarzal and 2,400 others
Got married and did the whole baby thing
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Jamiedrysdale - what the freak when!
Ynoffical - idk when I got married
Trevorzegras - I love being a god dad
Nicohischier - hes delusional
Ynoffcial - may your delulu come trululu
Newjerseydevils - baby Hischier!
Ynofficial - BABY HISCHIER!!
Nicohischier
Liked by: trevorzegras, nhl, newyorkislanders, newjerseydevils, Jackhuges, lukehuges, and 163,462 others
I don’t post a lot but I think I should post that now I have a baby & a wife.
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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”
HOPELESS
Nico Hishchier Angst
Why is it so hard to tell someone I love them? How do I love without being hurt? Why can’t I love him like he loves me? Sometimes I feel like somethings wrong with me; like I’ve been broken and I can’t be fixed. No amount of glue or tape could let me love.
“I’m afraid” I whisper one night; it’s scarier admitting my fear out loud instead of allowing it to circle in my head, “I’m scared that if I tell you I love you. You’ll walk out the door with a piece of my heart you cannot give back”
He shifts a little in bed, “how could anyone not be afraid? To love is to be changed— and to be changed is to be permanent” he replies, his hands tuck around my body, “you cannot reverse a change like love”
I want to cry; because how can he be so poetically beautiful and love me as I break his heart? How could anyone still love me? Choking on ‘I love you’ and any shreds of affection. I don’t know how to love. It’s not how I was raised; to love was to watch momma and pap bicker in the office. To love was to be in pain for the agony of another.
“I can’t love you. I physically.. I can’t— like I want to love you. I need to love you. Everything in me tells me to love you but when I look at you. And I try to love you I’m terrified” I confess, there’s a sadness that looms in the air and haunts our room, “if I love you. You’re going to leave me. Like everyone else”
He sits up, leaving me laying in bed, “Nico?”
“I don’t want you to leave me either. Everyone I have loved has either abandoned me or left me” He admits quietly, “I have been loved and I have been hurt. But so have you”
I want to curl up and die; the realization that I hurt him hurts more than him hurting me, “I’m sorry…” my voice trails off and I roll onto my side, “I shelter from people. When someone gets close, close enough where I could see myself being in love I run. I avoid and I hurt them before they can hurt me”
“I’m not letting you leave because you’re afraid. When I told you I loved you I meant it. That I wouldn’t leave you no matter what”
“You don’t mean that”
“I do. Until my dying breath or you realize how you’re so out of my league” he teases a little and he lays down again, his arm going around my shoulders and propping me up
“You’re too amazing”
“Then let me love you” He replies; pulling away just to face me again.
“You know I—“ I want to say I can’t, because I truly can’t love him like he wants and needs me to love him
“Hey, you’re ok. We’re ok. You’re not your mom and I am not your father”
“But what if” I try to reason
“What if we’re completely different. What if we’re meant to be?”
“Can I try?” I request, “let me try to love you like you love me”
TO BE MISSED
N. Hischier
(Getting back into the grove of writing)
I don’t want to miss him, on the roadtrips, or the games I can’t attend but I do. I miss the way he smiles and laughs, I miss laying next to him and watching whatever’s on the tv.
But also I don’t miss him; at the same time I like dancing in my underwear without anyone watching, I like sprawling about the bed and picking the show I want to watch. I don’t miss asking Nico what he wants to eat because I know what I want.
But I love when he comes home, the excitement of waiting and the love that rushes through me as he walks through the door. I love the way he wraps me into his arms and kisses my head. The way he loves me after a week away.
“I missed you” I whisper into his ear as he sets his bags down, finally hugging me with both his arms, “god I missed you so much”
I feel him smell into my perfume; and skink into my arms, “you have no idea— I missed you like crazy on the road” he’ll say into my neck as we waddle to the couch and lay on top of each other.
I’ll breathe him in and hold onto him, missing the feeling of his skin on mine.
We’ll spend our time like this; cooking together and holding eachother like we never get to do when he’s away.
“Nico, how do you want your pasta, pesto or meat sauce?” I ask
“Whichever one is easiest for you” he’ll always respond, which is why I love him. The simplicity of everything, how in the end it doesn’t matter as much as I get to spend time with him.
FAMILY SKATE
Nico Hischier
(Forgive my German it’s been so long sense I’ve spoken the language)
“You know I don’t know how to skate..” I trail off slightly as I look around; Nico on his knees tying my laces, “right? I think I’m gonna make a fool of myself” I try to back out of this but he holds my hand and hoists me up and I wobble, “I’m gonna fall”
“I’ll catch you if you fall, just breathe. Don’t worry” he reassures as I slowly walk my way to the ice; I take the guards off and walk onto the ice. Immediately tripping over myself and landing on my ass.
“So much about that catching thing” I retort as he glides over and helps me up once again
“I wasn’t ready!” He laughs, taking my glove off to hold my hand, “I don’t think you’re going to need these meine Leibe” I stare at him and nod as I let him lead me around the rink.
“Uh huh… hold my hand tighter I’m scared” I laugh suddenly- a quite and short burst of laughter that makes Nico look up from his focus on others back to me, “you ok?” I ask as he nods slowly. His finger feels around my engagement ring and he relaxes slightly.
“Just nervous, people are gonna see the ring on your finger and— I want them to like you. I mean I know they are but it’s still” he takes a breath and puts an arm around my shoulder and skates next to me
“I know, I’ll love you even if they hate me. I promise” I laugh a bit as he glides me into a smooth kiss, “oh it’s Jack and his girlfriend.. are they dating?” I question after question
“You know what.. I’m not too sure” he shrugs, “you wanna try a spin?” He asks and I stare him down
“Do you want to kill your future wife?”
Neighbors
nico hischier x fem!reader
summary - reader can’t bring herself to talk to her new neighbor
notes - guess who’s backkkkkk!!! y’all i have missed writing so much, and i’m so happy i could get this out to y’all. i’m a bit rusty so keep that in mind while reading, but i hope you enjoy it anyways. and as always, happy reading 🫶🏼
request - from my 400 follower celly - “Abort mission, I repeat, abort mission!” “What do you mean abort mission? All you were doing was introducing yourself to your neighbor?” “Yeah, and he’s too attractive. I can never speak to him again” with either luke or nico
[3.3k]
“I really think today is the day, Mia,” you speak in to the cell phone wedged in-between your shoulder and cheek, putting away a few decorative trinkets on the newly hung shelf above your TV.
“You’re telling me you’re actually going to talk to him?” She questions, her tone telling you she doesn’t believe you in the slightest.
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you miss ‘I don’t believe my best friend has the guts to talk to a cute guy,’” you huff out, stretching your arm as much as you can to reach the high shelf.
“I mean, your track record precedes you, Y/N. You’ve said for three weeks now you’re going to introduce yourself and the universe has given you every opportunity possible,” she references the several hallway and elevator encounters you’ve told her about. “but, instead of hearing about a meet cute to an epic love story each week, all I get are stories of why you couldn’t say more than a garbled hi to him before darting into your apartment.”
Finally reaching the shelf, you huff both in response to her statement and the large reach you just accomplished.
After moving in to your new apartment a month and a half ago, you learned on your second day here that your neighbor directly across the hall from you is the most attractive guy you’ve ever met.
You ran into him while carrying a few boxes up to your new space, almost plowing him over while stepping out of the elevator because of your blocked field of view from the stack of boxes.
You apologized profusely, your line of sight still blocked, telling the stranger you know you shouldn’t be carrying this many boxes at once, but you really didn’t want to make another trip down and up. You made a bad joke about deciding to test out your sonar detection incase your eye sight ever left, and gave a few low, drawn-out beeps resembling those you’ve heard on TV.
When you heard the deep chuckle from the other side of the boxes, you turned yourself sideways to see who you almost ran over.
The man standing before you was simply the most attractive man you’ve ever seen in your life. His dark, scruffy hair matched his dark brown eyes perfectly. The light dusting of facial hair covering his face was definitely working in his favor. The smile on his face was really what made your cheeks heat, though.
Feeling the embarrassment of your terrible joke creep up your neck, you slipped out one more sorry and then all but sprinted to your (thankfully) unlocked door.
It was that night you told Mia about the handsome stranger, vowing that you were going to redeem yourself one of these days.
Since then, you’ve ran into him what seems like every other day. It’s either the cliché of both of you leaving your apartment at the same time, or you both end up in the elevator together. There was one time you unknowingly parked your car beside of his, the two of you walking together the entire way up from the garage to your floor with only a small hi and a wave from you, because you pretended to be listening to your headphones in order to avoid awkward small talk.
“Well, I was never ready all of those times,” you rotate your shoulder in a few circles, trying to work out the small sting you caused. “This time I’m ready. I can feel it.”
“If I was the one living next to him I’d be feeling something alright,” Mia quips back in a suggestive tone, leading you to scoff at her raunchy joke.
“Mia, I’m being serious. I think today’s the day. It’s Tuesday, so I’m pretty sure he should be getting back from the gym around three, which means if I go down to the lobby and pretend to be getting back from a walk around that time then I’d have the perfect in,” you confide your plan in her, having thought about your strategy since last night.
“You are being so insane right now, can you even hear yourself? Just go knock on his door and ask to borrow sugar or something. Then, when he asks what you’re cooking invite him over for dinner and BAM! a date you didn’t even have to try for,” she suggests.
“Mia, that sounds like the start to a bad porno, I’m not doing that,” you refuse her suggestion right as you hear several loud voices coming from the hallway outside of your door.
Walking over to look into the small peephole, you see not only your attractive neighbor, but several other insanely good looking-men standing outside of his door. You look down at the watch on your wrist, noticing it’s only two, confused as to why he’s home right now.
You can hear Mia chattering away in your ear, but you have no clue what she’s saying, your brain too focused on the men in your hallway.
“Mia, shut up. He’s home,” you interrupt your best friend, causing her to pause momentarily.
“What do you mean he’s home? Did you not just tell me he would be home at three?” she asks you.
“I mean, that’s how it’s been every Tuesday until now. But he’s home. And he has…friends over,” you whisper, worried that if you can hear them they can hear you.
“Friends? Like, other guys? Or does he have a bunch of girls over? Y/N, if he has a bunch of girls at his apartment right now maybe this isn’t the kind of guy you want to go after. Seems like he can’t make up his mind. Or maybe he’s trying to be the next Hugh Heffner and is holding auditions out of his apartment,” you listen to her ramble. “And if that’s true you definitely don’t want to involve yourself with all that. I mean, can you imagine-“
“Mia, so help me God if you don’t shut the fuck up right now I’ll hang up on you,” you snap out, not enjoying her wandering mind.
Watching the men on the other side of your door laugh and converse has you even more curious. You’ve wondered since you moved in what he does for work. The hours he comes and goes are often inconsistent and don’t line up with any job you know of. He never seems to have the same days off, and sometimes you even go several days without seeing any sign of him.
You’ve wondered if he was a doctor, because it would explain the late nights and odd hours, but you’ve never seen him wearing scrubs. You thought maybe he was a lawyer, because you see him wearing suits pretty often, but he never carries a briefcase or anything else to prove your theory. You’ve even contemplated that he owns his own company, seeing as he seems to work when he wants and would explain the random down time in the middle of week days.
Of course, you understand you also have a lot of free time during the week, but you have a typical, nine to five office job, you just haven’t started at your new branch yet. Which is partially to blame for the new found obsession with your new neighbor’s whereabouts. You have way too much free time on your hands.
“Damn, someone’s grumpy today. It’s all that pent up frustration from not talking to mystery man. Just go outside and say hi already. Or is today really not the day?”
Even though she can’t see you, you roll your eyes at your friend’s words.
She’s teased you endlessly about this since the second you mentioned him to her. She’s even made a tally of how many times you’ve claimed you were going to speak to him and then didn’t. You know she’s just poking fun, but you also know she won’t stop doubting you until you actually do it.
It’s this that prompts you to tell her “You know what, fuck it. Today is the day,” and open your door.
The voices in the hallway stop, all four heads turning to look at you.
Your phone is still being held to your ear with one hand, while the other hangs down at your side.
Your neighbor, standing in the middle of the group, gives you a warm smile, taking in your appearance.
When you look down at your paint-stained t-shirt and your neon pink pajama pants, you mentally palm your forehead, not even thinking to change before making your grand gesture.
Looking back up at the group, heat rising up your neck and to your cheeks, you freeze, the simple “Hi” lost on your tongue.
With furrowed brows and a tilted head, your neighbor speaks out a soft, “Hey there, you okay?”
You nod your head a little too aggressively and manage to squeak out a ‘Fine! Peachy! Never been better!” before slamming your door.
Turning and leaning against the flat door, you close your eyes and try to block out the memory of what just happened.
“Girl…I don’t know what just happened, but that didn’t sound like a hi,” Mia speaks from the phone, startling you, having forgot you were on the phone.
“Abort mission, I repeat, abort mission,” you shake your head no.
“What? Abort mission? All you were doing was introducing yourself to your neighbor? Just go back out there and try again,” she suggests, like it’s the easiest thing in the world.
“Yeah, and he’s too attractive. I can never speak to him again. Plan be damned, I’m going to have to move apartments again,” you whine out to her, letting the dramatics take over.
“Oh shut up, it’s not that bad. I’m sure he’s already back to talking about whatever with his friends. He’s probably not even going to remember it by the next time you see him,” she refuses to play into your drama. “Plus, you’re a catch. I’m sure he’s been as curious about you as you are about him.”
A knock on the door you’re leaning against startles you, causing you to jump away from it as if it’d burned you.
“Mia, someone’s knocking,” you whisper, looking out of the peep hole to see your neighbor’s face looking back at you.
You let out a small yelp, jumping back again while covering your mouth with your hand, knowing it’s likely he just heard you.
“Mia it’s him. He’s literally knocking on my door, what do I do?” you ask he as he knocks again.
“Oh my god, you dumbass, answer it! This is your in!” she exclaims through the speaker.
“I can’t answer it! I’m wearing a ridiculous outfit! And I just opened and slammed my door in his face like a freak. Plus-“ you’re cut off by a muffled voice.
“You alright in there? I know you’re standing at the door, I can hear your voice. I just want to make sure you’re okay and didn’t need anything. Sorry if we startled you,” his accented voice carries through the door.
“I’m hanging up now, go talk to your man,” Mia chuckles and hangs up the phone, leaving you on your own to deal with the situation before you.
Cursing her, you bring your phone away from your face and wipe your hands on your fluffy pants.
“Uh, yeah, I’m fine. Sorry about that,” you speak through the door.
“You know, if you open the door I won’t bite,” your neighbor jokes, causing another wave of embarrassment to settle in your stomach, not knowing why you decided that talking to him through the door was a normal thing to do.
Taking a step towards the door, you reach for the handle and open it. You’re greeted with the handsome stranger standing not even a foot from your door, but no sign of his friends.
He gives you an amused, but warm smile.
“See? It’s just little old me out here,” he brings his hands up in a surrender pose.
You give him a nervous laugh.
Observing his athletic attire, you admire the poorly hidden muscles peeking out from under his compression shirt. The sight makes your cheeks tinge red once again.
When he senses you’re not going to speak, he breaks the silence instead.
“So, you sure you’re okay? You seemed a little…frazzled a few minutes ago. Wanted to make sure we didn’t scare you or anything,” he starts. “I imagine four large hockey players standing outside of your door might seem a little intimidating to a single woman living alone,” he brings his hands down from his face, sticking them in the pockets of his athletic pants.
You wonder if the surprise is evident on your face. In all the time you’ve spent brainstorming about his career, hockey never crossed your mind. You knew your new city had a huge hockey following, but you never thought you were living across from one of the sports’ players.
Realizing you still haven’t said anything, you clear your dry throat.
“Oh, no, you guys didn’t scare me. I just…I don’t know why I opened the door, to be honest. Guess I had a major brain fog moment or something,” you lie, hoping he buys your lame explanation.
The man standing in front of you lets out a small laugh, shaking his head slightly.
“Well, as long as we didn’t scare you, I guess we’re alright then.”
“Yup,” you pop the ‘p’, rocking on your heels slightly, needing to channel your nervous energy somehow.
You expect this to be the end of the conversation, but he still stands there, just observing you.
“So, do I get to know your name, neighbor?” he questions you, breaking the silence between the two of you for the second time.
His question surprises you slightly, not expecting him to drag the conversation out any longer.
“Well, I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours,” you hear the words come out of your mouth, with an unintentional flirtatious undertone.
“Nico,” he tells you with a smirk, leaving room for your own reply.
“Y/N,” you move to cross your arms over your chest.
“Since you didn’t protest, I’m guessing you are?” he asks vaguely, causing your brows to furrow in confusion.
“I’m what?”
“Single and living alone,” his smirk only deepens.
Well shit. Is he…flirting with you? While you’re dressed like this? And have only ever made terrible impressions on him before?
“Well, Nico, that depends on why you’re asking,” your mouth is apparently miles ahead of your brain right now, not knowing where this sudden burst of confidence and flirty personality is coming from. “Are you asking because you’re curious about your weird new neighbor, or are you asking because you’re some kind of serial killer that’s stalking his prey?”
This earns a real laugh from him, not just a short chuckle, and you want to melt at the sound.
“I’m asking because I think my new, ‘weird’ neighbor just so happens to be very attractive, but I can tell that she’s far too shy to ever make a move on her own, so I figured I’d help her out a little bit,” he leans forward slightly.
His words make your mouth snap shut and causes you to stand up a little taller, not at all prepared for the conversation to take this direction.
All these weeks of you avoiding Nico, dodging him in the hallway and the elevator, flat out ignoring him from the car garage to your doors, not even being able to say one coherent word to him, and it’s all been for nothing?
You feel so stupid in this moment. Knowing that he caught you, and knew that you were running from him this whole time makes you squirm, and not in a good way.
Your mind immediately goes back to Mia’s words not only earlier today, but every other time you’ve discussed the man standing before you. Her insistence that you were psyching yourself out for nothing and all you had to do was talk to him echoes through your mind.
“Oh…uh…well…in that case, yeah. I live single. Wait, no, I mean, I’m alone,” you wince, hearing the trainwreck coming out of your mouth. “Okay, I’m just going to shut up now and nod my head,” you shake your head yes, preventing any more jumbled words.
Nico laughs at you once again, clearly amused and not at all repulsed by your awkward nature.
“Well, I live single too. Just incase you were wondering,” he echoes your previous word stumble, shoulders still shaking from laughter.
“Twinsies,” you blurt out, holding your hand out for a high-five.
Before you can make your brain work like a normal, functioning person, Nico slaps his open palm against yours, biting his lip to keep from laughing again.
“I think I’m going to stop while I’m still slightly ahead,” you start, taking a step back into your apartment. “Thanks for checking on me, but clearly I’m lacking any coherent braincells right now, so I think I’m gonna get back to decorating,” you try to end the conversation, not wanting to give yourself anymore embarrassing moments to keep you up at night.
“Wait!” Nico quietly shouts, his face showing it was his turn to be embarrassed, clearly not meaning to have screamed in your face.
You pause the closing of your door, staring at him.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout. It’s just, do you want to grab dinner sometime? If you’re not interested that’s fine, but I wanted to at least put the offer out there before I don’t get the chance to speak to you again for another month,” he rushes his words a bit.
You’re so shocked you just stand there and stare at him for a solid minute, the braincells you lacked mere minutes ago now bouncing around in your head like a pinball machine.
Nico stands there expectantly, waiting on either an acceptance or rejection.
“Are you sure?” is what you manage to come up with.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Nico huffs out a laugh through his nostrils. “I’ll even do all the talking if you want.”
You knew you were already going to accept, but his offer made you feel slightly warmer inside. Obviously, he’s been victim to your inability to coherently speak during moments like these, but not pressuring you to carry a majority of the conversation and still wanting to spend the time with you despite your nervous habit sealed the deal even further.
Not trusting yourself to not botch your words once again, you nod your head yes, unable to hide the smile that makes its way onto your face.
Nico returns your smile, a triumphant look in his eyes letting you know he was genuinely worried you’d day no.
“Alright. Good. Awesome. Great.” Is all he says, taking a small step back towards his door.
“Well now you sound like me,” you tease, that small bit of confidence making its way back to you.
“Guess you’re rubbing off on me already,” he shrugs. “See you around?” he continues to walk backwards until he meets his closed door, jumping slightly when he runs into the solid material.
You giggle at him, nodding your head yes again, finding his sudden nervousness cute.
“See you around, Nico,” you give a small wave before shutting your door, taking in what just happened.
You unlock the phone still in your hand, clicking on Mia’s contact before bringing it up to your ear.
“Mia, today was the day,” you speak as soon as she answers the phone, grinning while hearing her screams to spill every detail.