The One Where They Agree To Make A Romcom

From today’s Gold Derby exclusive interview Link: https://youtu.be/PPBWgvvBK98

The Alumni Scrimmage

Pairings: Collegehockeycoach! Andy Barber x female college sweetheart reader

Warnings: college sweethearts, the one that got away, soulmates, sexually explicit content- more sex, getting caught, explicit language- Andy likes the word f*ck, a little playful teasing, a little angst, moving fast in a relationship, Andy being really soft for his girl (must be 18+)

Word Count: 3.2K

A/N: not beta read. All mistakes are my own.

Coach B x his sweetheart

Lucky Charms: hockey AU

Andy slammed the phone down with a curse. His day had gone by in a flash; appearance at the hockey booth with the underclassman, photo opportunity in the quad and mingling with the older alumni that weren't participating in the scrimmage, alumni lunch and in about 20 minutes he'd join his boys- playing opposite them in the annual alumni scrimmage. It was tradition to let the old guys win.

Andy should have been suited up with his skates on- probably warming up on the ice by now. But instead he had spent the last 30 minutes calling information in a 50 mile radius of campus, trying desperately to get your number.

Your number wasn't listed. Of course it wasn't listed. He spent the night having the best sex of his life and now you were gone.

Andy's heart jumped in his chest when a knock came at his office door, but it was only his assistant coach.

"We got about 20 minutes, Andy" Nick said, tapping his stick on the door frame, already dressed in his old jersey and skates, "I'm gonna go check in with the officials."

"I'll be right out" Andy grunted, shoving his office chair away from his desk as Nick gave him a nod and shut the door. Andy looked at his phone once more- still no missed calls or texts. Not even so much as an email.

He stood up, running his hands down his beard before stretching his arms up over his head with a grumble. Andy wasn't in the mood for this alumni scrimmage. Hadn't been in the mood for any of this all day. Not after those damn cupcakes this morning. All he could think about was you.

He crossed the room to the bench along his office wall and sat down with a frown. Andy took a deep breath, letting his head fall into his hands, rubbing over his beard with a grumble before bending over to riffle through his duffle bag for his skates.

The scrimmage was meant to be fun but casual, players wearing their old or current jerseys and team sweats. Gloves and pads were encouraged, helmets mandatory. Goalies were required to wear full pads. The scrimmage was open to the public, but usually only family or the die-hard fans showed up to the event.

There was another knock at the door as Andy was lacing up his second skate. He huffed, barking a "come in" but the door didn't budge.

"Nick... if you’re not gonna come in just gimme a minute, will ya?" Andy shouted as he pulled his laces taut.

The door pushed open and Andy heard the sound of boots drag across his office floor. His breath caught in the back of his throat when he looked up.

"Hey, Barber" you smirked, dressed in his home jersey and a familiar pair of black Doc Marten combat style boots with thick wool thigh high socks disappearing under the jersey that fit more like a dress. Your hair was reminiscent of how you wore it for Andy's college games.

"Y/N... you're...here..." Andy's stuttered as he stood up, a good 4 inches taller than he usually was-with his skates on.

Smiling shyly as you crossed the room, you placed your bag on his desk before coming to a stop in front of him. Andy's heart hammered in his chest as he smiled fondly down at you. He took a tentative step towards you, hand reaching up like he was going to caress your cheek, before hesitating. He wasn't sure how to greet you.

"I'm sorry... I didn't get your number. Then those damn..." Andy started as you tiptoed, catching his thick hoodie strings and pulling him down into your mouth to shut him up. Andy groaned his surprise.

"Shhhh" you murmured against his parted lips with a smirk.

"Sweetheart...I..." Andy's words were crushed against your lips as you pushed him backwards until his legs hit the bench. Andy went down with a grunt, smiling when you placed a hand to either shoulder, climbing into his lap and straddling him.

"Y/N... I'm trying to say I'm sorry..." he laughed as your tongue swept into his mouth with a soft moan. Andy groaned, abandoning his apology as he pulled you to his chest and devoured you with a toe curling kiss.

You made out on the bench like horny college kids until you were breathless, lips parting to catch your breath. Andy's wandering hands ran down the length of you, stopping at your boots. He smiled, tugging at the looped laces playfully as you kissed along his jaw.

"Missed these" he groaned with another tug, his head falling back against the wall, his eyes screwed shut when you rolled your hips over him, nipping just below his beard.

"Remember when you fucked me against the lockers after the championship game jr year?" you purred in his ear.

"Fuck… how could I forget?" he asked, "you were wearing nothing but these an' my jersey..." Andy groaned as you nodded, your breath hot against his skin.

"Ah huh" you confirmed, "and seeing as your type is still college girls...” you teased, “I figured... for old time sake..." you loved giving him a hard time.

"That's not..." he started to protest before his eyes snapped open. Andy looked you up-and-down, old memories of that championship night rushing back to him.

You bit your bottom lip waiting when Andy’s eyes went wide finally understanding, his Adam's apple bobbed as he slowly looked down at your lap.

Andy's large hands ran back up the length of your folded legs, taking a deep rumbling breath before his fingers trailed under your jersey to find you bare and so ready for him.

"Christ… that’s my good fucking girl" Andy's deep timbre was sinful. You chirped when he crashed his lips to yours, wrapping an arm around your waist and shifting your body as you worked his sweatpants and underwear down enough to free his cock.

You didn't even need to stroke him -Andy was rock hard- lining himself up at your entrance and sinking into you, your pussy made a shameless squelching sound as you swallowed him raw.

"Oh, god... Andy" you whimpered, eyes fluttering back as he held you there -stretching you open-while gripping your hips and pressing up firmly into your wanting hole.

You gasped, giggling blissfully when Andy rolled his hips forward, moving himself to the edge of the bench and leaning back against the wall. He let his thighs go slack before slamming up into you with purpose. You fell forward, hand catching on his chest as he fucked up relentlessly into your dripping cunt.

"Fuck, sweetheart..." Andy groaned, straining to keep his eyes open so he could watch your pretty face, "I... hate that fucking sorority house... if I knew it was in that neighborhood... I... fuck..." he grunted as you bounced on his hard cock, feral with want.

"Just shut up and make me cum... Barber" you goaded and then chirped when Andy lifted you from his lap with a growl, still connected as he stood, slamming you against the wall with a thud.

"Want me to fuck this needy little cunt?" Andy snarled, "been fucking you for the last 24 hours and it's still not enough?"

All you could do was whine as his cock pistoned into you, dragging over your sweet spots as he gripped bruises into the back of your thighs.

"Not gonna last much longer, sweetheart" he grunted, "gonna fill this little pussy so full... you're gonna be dripping with me while you watch me scoring like old times" Andy panted, his matted hair pressed to your glistening crown.

You cried out, eyes rolling to the back of your head as a final steely thrust punched the air from your lungs. Andy groaned your name when hot ropes of his spend spilled into you.

"Fuck... I love you..." Andy's voice was so low and gravely it had you gasping and clenching around him as you met your end.

You clawed at his sweatshirt, milking his cock dry when your bliss washed over you in waves, flooding every inch of your senses. Your toes curling in your boots painfully when your muscles went rigid before going pliant against him. You whimpered, sagging into Andy's chest as he held you.

Andy pulled away, searching your expression as he tried to read what you were thinking, you stared at him for a long moment, your eyes prickling with all those years of heartache.

Andy's chest felt impossibly tight. His eyebrows knit together in a frown as he tried to make sense of the whirlwind that was the last 24 hours. Why did he have to let that slip? So soon. Too soon.

"Andy... I..." your words were coming out shaky when the door to his office swung open.

"Hey... Coach B" Cappy said from behind Andy's broad shoulders. Steve's voice was cut off when he saw his coach, still pinning you to the wall as you squeaked, hiding your burning face in Andy's chest.

"Oh, shit... s-sorry, Coach... we... uh... we're starting in 5... but we can play without you... you're... busy" you could hear the smirk in Steve's voice as he slipped out of the office.

"You didn't lock the door?" Andy teased, carefully unwinding your legs and dropping you to your feet while you whined. Andy tucked himself back in his sweatpants with your face still pressed, completely mortified, into his hoodie.

"Hey... sweetheart. It's gonna be OK..." Andy voice was soft and reassuring, moving back towards the bench to sit down.

"You know how many times I've caught Cappy in the showers with a friend?" he shook his head, pulling you toward him.

"Oh, god" you whined, your face buried in your hands. Andy took your wrists and gave a gentle tug, pulling you even closer to him while his thick thighs caged you in.

"Sweetheart... look... I know this is all real fast... you don't have to say anything..." he started, taking your hands in his when you finally opened your eyes, blinking owlishly at him.

"No... it's not that..." you started.

"Cappy didn't see anything... and fuck those sorority girls... I've tried everything to discourage them..." he continued.

"Really?" you frowned, "I thought you liked this look" you motioned to your throwback outfit.

"I fucking love this look... I just..." his exhale was heavy, "I don't wanna scare you away... cause I'm fine with taking this slow... however slow you want...and..."

"Andy, I don't want..." a loud knock made you jump, catching your words at the back of your throat.

"Show time, Coach" Levs' voice came tentatively from the other side of the door, but this time it stayed closed.

Andy looked back at you, his expression pained before you ducked down, pressing your lips to his in a soft kiss.

"I don't want to take this slow, Andy... and... I love you too" you murmured against his lips as tears welled in your eyes, blinking them back, you giggled when Andy jumped from the bench, wrapping you in his arms and lifting you clear off the floor.

"Oh, thank fuck..." he sighed with relief, "I mean... fuck... I was so scared I said too much... I love you so much, y/n" he was blinking back his own tears when he set you down, framing your face and capturing your lips in a slow deliberate kiss.

"Um... Coach?" Ari cleared his voice, tapping from the other side of the door again.

"Better get out there, Coach B" you smiled.

"Right... let's go" his smile made your heart ache as he reached for your hand, "oh... wait... aren't you..." Andy hesitated for a moment, "gonna get cold" his cheeks flushed pink knowing you didn't have any panties on.

"Are you blushing, Andy Barber?" you teased, "weren't you just talking about filling me up so full that I'd be drippin' with you all game?"

A growl rumbled low in Andy's chest when he leaned in, pressing a kiss to your crown.

"Come on... I can show you the women's faculty bathroom on the way out" he said, taking his stick from behind his door as you grabbed your bag.

You couldn't possibly make eye contact with his players when you stepped through his doorway and into the locker room, but it didn't matter. The entire team was standing in a row outside Andy's office to high-five and congratulate their coach.

"Way to go, Coach B and Coach B’s Vixen” Steve clapped Andy on the back before Andy gave him a look and Ari shoved the other captain out of the way.

"Nice to you see you again" Ari smiled down at you, smirking when you startled at his sheer size on skates. There was a knowing twinkle in Ari's eye, but at least he wasn't giving you a hard time about not being able to keep your hands off Andy.

"Nice to see you too" you managed as Andy tucked you to his side and walked out of the locker room, the rest of the team following you out.

Andy waited for you outside the faculty bathroom, offering to walk you to the stands, but you told him you wanted to walk him to the ice. As you were pressing a kiss to his cheek a streak of pale flesh caught in your peripheral vision.

Your jaw dropped as you watched a hockey player in nothing but a pair of skates, white and green boxers and the mascot head run past you and jump onto the ice.

To the crowd’s amusement the player did a lap before dropping a few pucks and shooting at the open nets.

"What the hell... Storm?" Andy bellowed as a few alumni started snickering.

"It's not me, Coach" Storm called from behind Andy.

"Shea?" Andy barked as the team and alumni watched the officials skate after the perpetrator.

"Nope" Shea called, "fully dressed, sir."

"Barnesy?" Andy almost choked on his tongue as the ref skated over with Bucky, shoving him through the gates as Andy shook his head.

"I'm gonna have to let the president know about this, Coach Barber" the ref shook his head.

"Yeah, I get it" Andy sighed, nodding apologetically.

"He's not even naked" Cappy protested with a shrug as the alumni members and the team were ushered out on the ice for warm-ups.

"What do ya want me to do with him?" Coach Vaughan asked Andy. Andy blew out a heavy exhale, glaring at Bucky for a minute before speaking again.

"Suit up, Barnes" Andy shouted at his nearly naked player as Barnesy gave him a sheepish nod, flashing a glance into the stands before hightailing it back to the locker room.

"Damnit" Andy huffed when you were alone, "the president is gonna have my ass for this..."

"The president’s gonna have to get in line" you smirked, taking a handful of Andy's ass in your palm.

"Y/N" Andy's warning was half-hearted.

"He did it for a girl" you smiled softly up at Andy.

"What?” he smirked, narrowing his eyes at you as he remembered how observant you always were, “It doesn't matter" Andy huffed, but some of his annoyance had already bled from his tone.

"It's gonna be OK" you gave him a sympathetic smile, patting his forearm reassuringly.

"I could lose my job" Andy's brow furrowed.

"You won't..." your smile was shy, "you're the best coach the school's had in nearly 50 years"

"How do you know that?" he cocked his head, smirking down at you.

"You don't think I've been keeping' tabs on you, Barber?" you teased as he ducked down, pecking your lips.

A buzzer sounding had Andy straightening to his full height and putting his helmet on.

"Gotta go, sweetheart" he smiled as you held up your hand, fingers splayed and waiting.

Andy didn't say a word as he pressed his palm to yours, lacing your fingers together and twisting your hand up to his lips. He pressed three kisses along your knuckles for good luck before pressing a final kiss to the crown of your head. His ritual before every game all those years ago.

"Missed my good luck charm" his voice cracked with emotion, "I love you" he whispered, kissing your forehead again before putting his gloves on and joining the teams on the ice for the coin toss.

The scrimmage was over before you knew it. Watching Andy on the ice again brought back so many memories, it made your heart bloom to see him so happy and in his element.

He'd find you every so often in the stands, winking at you like no time had passed at all.

When the final buzzer sounded it was Alumni 2 - school team 1. Cappy and the boys didn't even have to give the old guys the win. Coach B was on fire- scoring both of his team's goals easily.

After the teams shook hands and the stands started to clear out, the alumni took a moment to congratulate Coach B for his great record since taking the position of head coach. Andy's players began slapping their sticks on the ice and chanting "Coach B... Coach B" but soon enough the chant morphed into "Coach B, hat trick... Coach B, hat trick..." to the confusion of the alumni.

After the players made it to the locker room and Andy pulled you back in his office to wait while he showered, you walked around his office looking at the achievement plaques on his wall. Andy joined you, toweling off his damp hair in jeans and a zip-up sweatshirt. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling your back into his chest as he leaned in and kissed your temple.

"Ready to go grab dinner?" he asked as you turned around in his arms.

"Yes" you sighed, pressing a kiss to his lips, "good game."

"Thank you" he smiled, his large hands running down your backside and cupping your ass. He frowned when he felt your panties through his jersey.

You smirked, rolling your eyes as you pressed your palms to his chest, pushing off playfully and catching his hand in yours, twirling on your toes and tugging him towards the door.

"If you wanna go somewhere nice I'm gonna have to change" Andy said.

"Me too" you smirked.

"Why would you change?" Andy questioned.

"I'm not exactly dressed appropriately" you bit your lip suggestively.

"I think you look great" Andy smiled, pulling you to his side as he turned to lock his office door.

"Hey... why were the players chanting hat trick" you asked, "you only scored twice... right?"

"Twice on the ice... once in my office" Andy waggled his eyebrows as you hit his chest with a groan.

"Hey... how about we get takeout instead?" Andy suggested, laughing.

"Yes!" you cheered, "from that good Chinese place on the corner of campus... are they still there?" you asked hopeful.

"They are" Andy confirmed with a warm exhale, this is all he's ever wanted.

"You remember what I used to promise you after every win?" you smiled, coyly.

"I do" Andy said, tugging you a little closer to him as you walked out the locker room doors.

"Hope you had a banana, Barber... think it's gonna be another long night" you teased, but Andy stopped dead in his tracks, as you stumbled to stay upright.

"Andy!” you squeaked, turning around with a frown.

"I want it to be a long night... and a long morning" Andy said, smiling down at you, "I want all your days and nights, y/n... move in with me?"

The hockey dividers were made by the lovely and talented @firefly-graphics ❤️

This is the original Coach B from my Lucky Charms: hockey AU even though someone tried to plagiarize it. Thanks for supporting original fanfic content ❤️

A/N: I don’t have any issue with sororities- it was just part of the storyline.

Picture from a Fila photoshoot.

As always, thank you for all the love and support. Please check out my archive blog where I only post new fics @drabblewithfrannybarnesfics ❤️

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! LITERALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yenzy’s ~Fucking~ Shirt (3/?)

(Edit was made by @nixakimbo)

Pairings: collegehockeygoalie!jake jensen x female reader (Yenzy x y/n)

Warnings: idiots in like, friends to lovers, slow burn, excessive legal age drinking, possible poor decision making when drunk, nakedness, banter- all the banter, reader coming on to Yenzy, Yenzy being a lovable dork, explicit language, explicit sexual content implied, all the tooth rotting cuteness (must be 18+)

Word Count: 1.3K

A/N: I love him, your honor 🥹

not beta read. All mistakes are my own.

Yenzy x y/n

Lucky Charms: hockey AU

You shivered, groaning when you felt the floor creaking as someone walked towards you down the hall.

Yenzy sighed, running his hands down his face and frowning as he stood barefoot in a pair of gray sweatpants that hung long on his hips. The obstacle in his direct path to the bathroom another passed out coed.

"Jesus... Cap" Yenzy grumbled, rolling his eyes as he bent down, trying to stretch the sweatshirt over your shivering body, before noticing his name scrawled in cursive across the chest.

"Y/N?" he asked, gently lifting your arm from your face, "what are you doing out here?"

"Yenzy?" you croaked, throat dry from a night of drinking, "why are you in my room? I'm really cold" you whined.

"Come here" Yenzy said, helping you to your feet as he walked you back to his room, "why were you on the floor in the hallway?" he asked, helping you to his bed as you felt him tug your heels from your feet. They fell to the floor with a soft thunk.

"I..." you started, sleepy gaze trailing him across the room, shielding your eyes with a groan when he flipped on his desk lamp with no warning.

"Fuck... I'm at the barn" you remembered, "all those bitches ditched me and I didn't want to walk home by myself... but the couches downstairs were taken... I was gonna take Cappy's bed... but then he came home with Nikki or Nicole... and kicked me out" you breathed out an exhale, squinting while watching appreciatively as a bare chested Yenzy rummaging around his dresser.

"I should go home" you closed your eyes with a groan as the room began to spin a little.

"You're not going anywhere" he snorted, kneeling down in front of you and placing a neatly folded t-shirt and sweatpants in your lap, "you coulda called me... you know" he smiled softly up at you, "what are special friends for?" he smirked with a shy laugh.

You slit one eyes open to look down at him, groaning when he flashed you the prettiest smile you've ever seen.

"Special friends are for making out... and seeing naked..." you smirked, taking the hem of your dress and lifting it up over your head. You reached around to unhook your bra, but Yenzy stopped you before you could figure out the clasp.

"Y/N..." he warned, lifting the shirt he grabbed you from his dresser and bringing it down gently over your head, helping you dress.

You rolled your eyes but fed your arms through the sleeves as you glared down at him.

"Why are you always putting clothes on me instead of taking them off?" you questioned.

"Because... that's what friends do..." he smiled, standing up and pulling his comforter away as he arranged the bed.

"I don't want your shirt... friend" you began tugging it up over your head, your protests dying out when you realized it smelled like him.

"Come on...” he laughed, “I gave you my best shirt... that one's really soft... I like to wear it when I... fuuuuuck" Yenzy cursed when he turned around to find you pulling the shirt off, your nipples on full display through your sheer bra.

"You wear it when you fuck?" you started giggling uncontrollably, not even fighting him when he yanked the shirt back into place, "like every time you fuck?” you snorted, “will you wear it now?"

Yenzy rolled his eyes before giving in to your contagious giggles, fisting the pink shirt and yanking it to him to capturing your lips in a soft kiss.

You sighed into his warm lips, carding your fingers through the short hair at the back of his neck. Yenzy groaned when you licked into his mouth, releasing his hold on your shirt and gently taking your wrists in his large hands.

"No, I won’t be wearing it now…” Yenzy laughed against your lips, breaking the kiss to get back to rearranging his bed.

"So we're gonna fuck in your... flower shirt?" you goaded, looking down at the pink t-shirt with Go Petunia’s scrawled across the front.

"Nope" his smile was so soft and sweet that it made your belly flutter despite his rejection.

"Yenzy... do you even like me?" you asked, watching him make a pillow wall through the middle of his bed.

"Yes" he snorted like it was the dumbest question ever, "I like you..."

"No... I mean... I didn't want to leave for the bars tonight -like you-…” you confessed, "and here you are making a pillow fort so we can sleep platonically in the same bed..."

"Then why did you?" he asked, looking up from his bed, genuinely curious, "leave, I mean?"

"Cause I'm not sure if you like me..." you emphasized again, watching him cross the room to the mini fridge next to his desk.

Jake grabbed a bottled water before opening his desk drawer to fish around for something. He returned to the bed handing you the water before popping the lid off a pain pill bottle.

"Here" he said, offering you two tablets as you opened the water, "for your head..."

"Thanks" you murmured, taking the pills will a sip of water.

"You're a sweet girl" he said, watching you drink and you almost choked on your water before swallowing with a shake of your head.

"I'm not sweet" you corrected him.

"Well... I think you're sweet... and I consider you a friend" he smiled, helping you climb into his bed. Jake continued to tuck you in, pulling the oversized pink t-shirt down over your thighs before lifting the comforter up to your chin. You watched him move around to the other side of the bed before he climbed in, sighing as he got comfortable.

"Just a friend?" you asked, propping your head in your hand as you rested on your elbow to look at him over the fort.

"I guess..." he said, rolling over to face you.

"And if I wanted more?" you probed, chewing your bottom lip, your stomach doing a flip.

"It's your senior year, y/n" Yenzy reminded you.

"So?" you frowned, not needing the reminder that you have no clue what you would be doing after graduation.

"I got a whole 'nother year” he said.

"Jesus, Yenzy" you snorted, "I'm not proposing..." you teased.

"Go to bed, y/n" Yenzy laughed, rolling his eyes as he laid back down on his pillow, "I gotta get up soon..."

You watched him for a long silent minute, feeling your face flush with embarrassment as you recalled that night.

"I know why you don't like me" you said, rolling back over on your pillow and staring up at his ceiling.

"What?" he murmured, halfway to sleep.

"It's because of that night..." you continued, ignoring that he was half asleep, "we were both so stupid drunk and you thought it sucked... and now..."

"Well... to be fair... you did suck" Yenzy's voice was thick with sleep, it was quiet for a beat before you both burst into laughter.

"Can I keep your fucking shirt?" you sighed, wiping the tears from your eyes.

"Why would you want to keep that shirt?" he asked, rolling over and pulling the pillow wall down so he could see you properly.

"So you can't wear your fucking shirt with any other girls..." you smirked, stifling a yawn with the back of your hand.

"There isn't any other girls" Yenzy snorted as you tossed the pillows away and moved closer to him, making yourself comfortable against his bare chest.

"There could be one girl..." you whispered as he wrapped his arm around you, softly running his  knuckles up and down your back. Yenzy turned into you, humming when his pressed his lips to your crown.

"You know I don't wear that shirt when I'm having sex right?" he asked as you giggled against his chest, sighing into a peaceful sleep while you cuddled with the cutest and most infuriating boy on the hockey team.

The hockey divider was made by the lovely and talented @firefly-graphics ❤️

As always, thank you for all the love and support. Please check out my archive blog where I only post new fics @drabblewithfrannybarnesfics ❤️

✨Sebastian Stan manspreading appreciation post✨

Did it Ever Really Matter? (3/?)

Pairings: collegehockeyplayer!Ari Levinson x female reader (Levs x itty bitty)

Warnings: ANGST- so much angst (I’m sorry!), explicit language, mean girls, feelings of low self esteem, broken heart, mention of physical violence (female against male), Cappy being an ass, flashback scenes (must be 18+)

Word Count: 2.6K

A/N: angst was not my intent for these two- well not this much angst. I’m sorry!

This is not beta read. All mistakes are my own.

Levs x itty bitty: hockey AU

Lucky Charms: hockey AU

"Yeah, I kinda just snapped" you grimaced before taking the to-go cup from the barista and nodding a thank you, "I just..." you blew out a heavy exhale.

"Well you are my new favorite person and I'm just sorry I missed it" bug beamed from ear-to-ear, "it's about time somebody gave that doofus a black eye," she almost looked giddy as she accepted her drink before stepping away from the coffee cart in the direction of the arena.

"I've never punched anyone before... well... other than Levs and it was always playful and he's a brick house" you smiled, gaze dropping to the ground as you felt your cheeks heat.

"Um... right?" Bug giggled, I thought Barnesy was a beefcake... but Levs? Holy hell. What's that like?" She raised her eyebrow suggestively.

"I wouldn't know" you sighed, shoulders slumping a little as you took a sip of the coffee bug offered to buy you after finding out about your tipsy tussle with the hockey captain.

"What?" bug stopped dead in her tracks as she arm barred you, "I thought you and Ari were... dating?"

"No" you felt a lump building in your throat, "we... I don't really know what we are... we've been friends forever and we made this stupid deal to take it a step further... to... you know... when he scores on the ice. But he hasn't since... and Cappy thinks it's my fault."

"What?" bug made a face, "oh, that fucking meatball..." she grumbled to herself, shaking her head.

"Ari's just so superstitious and I..." your voice cracked with emotion.

"Hey... no... y/n... stop!" bug said, pulling you in for an awkward side hug, "I know we haven't known each other long, but even I can tell how head-over-heels that slab of beef is for you. And he actually seems like one of the good ones."

"I guess" you sniffled as you continued on towards the arena.

"Oh... before I forget" bug reached into her bag, pulling out a folded up t-shirt, "it's to promote the adoption drive and the calendar... it has Lev's number on the back… he already paid for it… he wants you wearing his number, that’s gotta say something…” she wagged her eyebrows at you and you took it, rolling your eyes with a warm laugh.

“So… you wearing Cappy’s?” you asked bug.

“Not exactly” she smirked, holding open her coat to reveal the “Team Cappy Team Literally Anyone Else” shirt she was wearing.

“Oh my god” you snorted, shaking your coffee a little too hard as it spilled over the rim, “that’s amazing! Did you have that made?” you asked, sipping the spilled coffee off the lid.

“No” bug tried biting back her smile, “Crappy had it made for me.”

“You like him” you smiled softly at your new friend.

“I’m really trying not to…” bug frowned, apologetically.

“Don’t” you reassured her, “he’s actually a good guy… or he used to be at least.”

“I don’t know” bug shook her head, taking another sip of her coffee.

“I think you’re good for him” you offered, “maybe he’ll stop being such an ass with you…”

“Well if he’s an ass again you have my full support in giving him another black eye” bug giggled as she nudged you with her shoulder.

"Thanks” you smirked with a playful eye roll, “when is the calendar shoot, anyway?" you asked nodding to the adoption drive t-shirt in your hand.

"Next week" bug sighed, "and everything has to go just right... we won't have enough time to redo any shots before the photos have to go to the printer..."

"I'm sure it will be fine" you smiled, "do you need any help?"

"Thank you" bug smiled at you, "I think we’re OK... clover will be there and the photographer has 2 assistants that are amazing... Cappy said he would be on his best behavior and the rest of the guys are being surprisingly cooperative."

"Even Shea and Storm?" you couldn't believe it.

"Even Shea and Storm" bug smirked.

"How?" you wanted to know what sorcery bug held over these guys.

"Told them they'd get to see boobs" bug laughed.

"You're showing them your boobs?" you snorted with laughter.

"Hell no!" bug laughed, "I'm going to have Cappy do it... he's got a good set of man boobs..."

You shook your head laughing as you pushed the door to the arena open.

"I gotta go find Levs" you told bug, "save me a seat?"

"Sure" bug smiled, waving as she turned in the direction of the stands.

"Hey, bit" Levs called out as he hockey stopped in front of the boards, taking his helmet off and ducking to press a soft kiss to your forehead.

"How's your hand, slugger?" he teased. You brought your hand up with a cringe, the small knuckles littered with bruises from last night.

"I... I'm sorry" you couldn't meet his gaze, totally mortified, "he just... god... he's such a fucking asshole, ya know?"

"Trust me... I know" Ari's exhale was heavy as he gently took your hand, bringing it to his mouth and ghosting his lips over the knuckles with soft kisses.

"How ya feeling?" you asked, changing the subject as you tugged your hand away, still embarrassed at last night’s outburst as a kaleidoscope of butterflies bloomed in your belly.

Another 3 games had passed leaving Ari scoreless and cranky.

"Good... I think" he shrugged just as a puck banked off the boards and slide in his direction. Levs turned and lobbed the puck back towards the net- missing by several inches.

"He was making 'em before you showed up" number seven said, sporting a dark shiner.

"Fuck off, Crappy" you grumbled.

"Yeah... whatcha gonna do? Give me another black eye?" Cappy snorted.

“You see bug’s shirt yet?” you goaded.

Steve narrowed his eyes at you before he turned in the direction of student seating- scanning the stands for bug.

"Enough, Cap" Ari warned as Cappy shook his head, skating away.

"Don't let him get to you" Ari said, turning back to you with a smile. But you’ve known Levs long enough to know that the smile was forced. Ari was in his head and Crappy was making it worse.

"But what if he's right?" your voice cracked with emotion.

Levs shook his head, putting his helmet back on and skating towards the goal. He whistled to Barnesy, signaling for a puck and Bucky shot one to him.

Levs turned back, making sure you were watching as he angled his stick back, a slap shot cracking over the ice when the puck sailed towards the empty warm up net. The puck pinged off the post and missed.

Your eyes prickled as you watched Ari miss two more times. Blinking back the tears you left without saying goodbye- trying to make your way to the bathroom before you burst out in tears.

You stood sniffling in a stall when you heard them. Straining to listen as your heart hammered in your chest.

"I knew it... the entire time" Kimmy insisted. You could see her through the crack in the stall, she was leaning into the mirror while putting on lipgloss.

"You think they were fucking the whole time?" another girl asked.

"Oh, I know they were" Kimmy scoffed.

Wrong.

"What a slut" her friend said, "she probably fucks the whole team..."

Wrong. They were all wrong. You hadn't slept with anyone on the team. Not even Ari.

"Well... take him back" another friend said, "he wasn't hers to begin with... and besides you're hotter."

A fresh wave of tears spilled as the mean girls cackled, leaving the bathroom and no doubt going to find Ari.

You pulled another handful of tissue from the toilet paper roll, feeling sick to your stomach and utterly sorry for yourself. You should just leave. How stupid could you be... if Levs hadn't scored yet did he actually really want to?

And what had Crappy say last night?

"You took one of the top scorers on the team and nutured him. Give him his balls back, tt!"

That's when you punched the smirk right off his stupid face.

What did Steve Rogers know? You mattered. Levs told you so himself.

After taking a few more minutes to compose yourself, you sucked it up and made you way back towards the ice- knowing that Ari would want your usual send off for good luck.

You stopped dead in your tracks when you saw him skating around carefree on the ice as Kimmy and her friends cheered him on. Ari came to a stop in front of Kimmy as she reached out grabby hands and he dropped a puck to her.

You rolled your eyes when she kissed it for good luck and tossed it back on the ice. Your chest tightened as you watched Ari reach out with his stick and take the puck.

You silently chastised yourself for hoping he'd miss as he lined the shot up, his stick cracking over the puck as it zipped across the ice- practically burning a hole through the net.

"Gooooooooaaaaaaaaaal" Cappy cheered obnoxiously as Kimmy and her friends bounced and clapped. Steve hooked the puck from the net and shot it back to Ari, he moved to shoot it again before Kimmy said something. Ari hesitated for a moment before picking it back up and handing it to her.

You couldn't hear what Kimmy was saying but saw the way her friends giggled as Ari leaned in, Kimmy holding the puck up to his lips before pulling it away and pressing a kiss to his mouth at the last second.

Your heart sank, the instant bitter taste of bile rising up your throat as you blinked back a fresh wave of tears.

Ari pulled away instantly, frowning at Kimmy as he spoke until his gaze caught yours standing about 6 feet behind them.

The shirt with Ari's number for the adoption drive fell from your hand as tears streamed freely down your face. Shaking your head at him, it was as if you were having a silent conversation, Ari's expression looked pained- his eyes pleading as you shook your head, turning on your heels and walking away.

"Bit... don't" you heard him call as you weaved through the packed arena, fans filling the stands for the game.

The lump in your throat burned as you wiped your tears with the sleeve of Ari's oversized hoodie, hurrying towards the front door as you tried like hell to hold it together.

"Bit....stop!" you heard Ari's voice boom down the long hallway, pausing only briefly you saw the giant, lumbering after you, still on his skates, as the crowd of people parted like the Red Sea for him.

You chirped, turning back around and pushing your way through the swarm of fans with more urgency. You couldn't do this anymore. Not while your heart was breaking.

"Bit.... Fuck! Y/N... stop... please" his voice was fading into the noise of the arena the more distance you put between you.

No doubt Ari was getting swarmed by now. Always a fan favorite and for once it was working in your favor.

You made it to the door, gripping the handle and letting out a trembling breath you didn't even realize you were holding. Your lungs burned, chest ached and you knew you shouldn't but you turned back for one last look.

You couldn't help smiling as the sob choked up your throat. Ari, surrounded by a sea of his young fans. A gentle giant, still trying to push through the throng of people as he looked up, locking eyes with you where you stood, hesitating at the entrance.

"Please" he mouthed, still about 20 feet away from you, even from this distance you could tell his eyes were watery and it made you want to run to him. Want to make it all better.

"I'm sorry" you murmured, pushing the door open and slipping though without looking back. The door slammed shut behind you with a finality you weren't ready for, but even then, you wouldn't let yourself turn back.

You walked across campus, trying to steady your breathing, at least until you made it to your car- parked in the big lot across campus.

You half expected him to come chasing after you. If you were being honest- you wanted him to chase after you. But it was time. This will-they, won't-they over the past 2 years was slowly eating you alive. It wasn't good for either of you.

You had been right there all along and he never made it happen. He never sealed the deal. And you had tried. You told him what you wanted the end of your sophomore year.

He had said it mattered. It was supposed to matter.

A sob bubbled up your throat, painful and hot as tears blurred your vision. You were about 10 minutes from your car. Damn this large campus.

When Ari left for summer break you lasted a week. One agonizing week without him. You decided you were going to go- surprise him in Canada. He had always said he wanted to take you- wanted you to meet his Mom and the small town he grew up in. He wanted to show you the lake where he learned how to skate and where his junior team won their first championship.

But the night before you were set to leave, you saw it. A seven second video, playing on a loop. You probably watched it 20 times.

Ari with his on-again-off-again high school sweetheart- kissing outside a bar.

She posted it. Levs didn't even have a social media. You were sure he didn't even know about it. But that's what made it so damning. That and the fact that he was wearing a tournament tshirt Coach V had made only a few weeks back.

Oh, how you wanted to convince yourself it was an old video.

You leaned against you car, sighing with a heavy kind of temporary relief. You were glad to be back at your car- but not sure what the hell you were going to do now. You couldn't be here.

Gripping the handle and yanking the door open you sat in your car, holding the steering wheel as you finally let yourself feel. The tears were coming fast as you sobbed, sobbed so hard it made your chest ache and your head throb.

You cried for all the time you spent pining for him. For all the hopeful moments spent in his arms thinking someday. Someday this would happen for you. Someday you would matter enough. But it didn't. You didn't.

And now that you saw it from the other side you still couldn't understand why that someday never came.

When Ari came back after that summer, you acted like nothing happened. You didn't tell him that you saw the kiss. You just dove into your school work, dated a handful of other guys unsuccessfully and continued to be Ari's good friend. His itty bitty. Hoping that one day he would figure it out. That he would truly see that it did matter.

You stayed in your car the duration of the game- only realizing it when you saw people start to funnel out in the direction of the arena. The crowd looked happy which meant the boys won. You hoped Ari scored. But not for you this time. For him.

You took a deep clarifying breath, easing the car out of the parking lot and turning away from campus. You knew what you needed to do and for once, it didn't involve Ari.

Turns out, even after all this time, it didn't actually matter after all.

Check out bug’s Team Literally Anyone Else t-shirt made by the lovely and talented @justalonelyslytherin ❤️

The hockey dividers were made by the lovely and talented @firefly-graphics ❤️

As always, thank you for all the love and support. Please check out my archive blog where I only post new fics @drabblewithfrannybarnesfics ❤️

Chris Evans as Frank Adler in Gifted (2017)

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