One Timers

“I’m so sorry Rei, I’m not going to be able to pick you up from the airport. I have to visit about a million places today to set shit up for tomorrow. I’m so sorry. My dad will be there when you land. I seriously hope you don’t hear this and get mad at me. You know I’d be there if I could. I’m sorry. I can’t wait to see you.”

I sigh, ending the voicemail and stepping off the plane. I’ve finally touched down in Sweden after almost twelve hours of travel, a long layover, and the rockiest flight of my life and Marcus isn’t even going to be here to pick me up. I blindly follow the people in front of me, hoping they’re going the right direction. It’s not like I would know which way to go. I’m grateful his dad is coming to pick me up, so I’m not stuck trying to find a way to get to his house in a country whose language I have an elementary understanding of. But at the same time, I’ve never even met his dad before. I know what he looks like, from pictures. But that does very little to calm my nerves.

I make it through customs with no problems, and am grateful for the English translations on all the signs. Standing next to a railing right outside of customs is a familiar man, who instantly beams at me the moment we make eye contact.

“Hello, Reilly.” Peter says, pulling me into a casual hug.
“Hello, Peter.” I greet him back in my very best (and totally not nervous at all) Swedish.
“How was your flight?” He asks warmly, taking my bag from me.
“It was good.” I respond, hoping I’m not butchering his language and following him into an elevator.
“Marcus is sorry he couldn’t be here to pick you up. He has a lot to do for tomorrow.” Peter explains slowly. I’m immediately relieved he’s slowed down, making the foreign words easier to understand.
“Yes. He tell me that. Not every day you celebrate the Stanley Cup.” I beam.
“We were upset we couldn’t be in Chicago with him, so tomorrow will be special for the whole family. We’re glad you were there with him.”

I’m glad I was there with him, too. Marcus has worked so hard and he deserved to have his own crowd of supporters, even if it was just me.

“It was a special night.” I agree.
“Your Swedish is very good.” He compliments me, tossing my bag into the back of a black car and gesturing me to get in.
“Thank you. Marcus and Johnny Oduya have been helping me. And some of wives.” I smile.
“Why did you want to learn?” He asks.
“I don’t really know.” I admit. “I-“ I groan a little, struggling to find the words in Swedish.
“You can tell me in English.” Peter says with a warm smile.
“Thanks. I guess I wanted to learn mainly because of Marcus. I’ve always wanted to learn something other than English. Then when we became friends and I was hanging out with him and Johnny and everyone else, I figured I had a reason to learn.”
“And you had a teacher.”
“Yeah.” I chuckle. “I had a couple good ones willing to help me.”
“Well it’s coming along nicely.”
“Thanks. I’m trying.”

The two of us are quiet for the next ten minutes, until we pull into the driveway of a cute two-story home. A Chicago Blackhawks flag waves proudly in the wind.

“My mother is here, but everyone else is out.” Peter tells me, grabbing my bag out of the back and gesturing to the front door.

As we reach the final step up to the door, it swings open and a small old lady comes out. She has a huge smile and pulls me into a surprised hug, squeezing all the air out of me and babbling rapid Swedish.

“I-I’m sorry, I-” I stumble. Peter cuts in with a quick note, and the old lady grins widely at me.
“I’m sorry.” She says, a lot slower but lacking no enthusiasm. “I got excited to finally meet Marcus’s Reilly and I forgot your Swedish isn’t fluent yet.”
“It’s okay.” I placate her.
“Marcus has told us so much about you. Please, come in. Peter, take her bags upstairs.” She leads me into the house and to the kitchen, where she offers me a mug of tea. “Marcus told me this is your favorite.” I take a cautious sip. It’s peppermint, which makes me smile.

“Thank you….”
“Call me Mormor.” She fills in for me. I know it’s the Swedish word for Grandmother, I’ve heard Marcus call her that before. “You have to be tired. Do you want to go take a nap?” She asks.

I think about it. I am a little exhausted from the flight. I left very early in the morning, and despite Marcus’s pleading I refused to let him upgrade my seat so I flew economy. I could use a short nap. I give a weak smile and nod, to which she leads me up the stairs and into a small room. I take a short glance around. I know he spends his off-season in his own apartment downtown, so it’s likely this room hasn’t changed much since he started playing professionally.

“This is Marcus’s room.” She smiles, taking the mug from my hand and putting it on the table by the bed. “My son already put your bag in here, so you go ahead and take a nap. I’ll have Marcus wake you up when he gets home.”
“Thank you.”

I slip my shoes off and take a closer look around the room. It’s like a mini-shrine to Marcus’s younger self, photos and hockey-relics littering the walls. He’s got three medals hanging off the side of the shelf over his desk, two silvers and a bronze. It’s a shame they’re just sitting there. I wonder if his mom would mind me taking them and getting them framed or something for him. Turning a puck over in my hand, I wonder which important memory I’m getting the opportunity to experience at the moment. Now that I’m settled, I find my eyes slipping slightly. I forgo changing out of my yoga pants and t-shirt, sliding into the bed with the puck still in my grasp.

The next thing I know, a soft voice is calling me out of my sleep. I roll towards it subconsciously and open my eyes.

“Hey, älskling.” Marcus smiles, sitting on the bed next to me.
“Hey.” I croak.
“You wanna get up or you wanna sleep a little longer?” He chuckles.
“I’ll get up.” I agree, but my body declares otherwise. I lay my head on his leg and hold tight. He pokes my nose after a second, causing both of us to laugh. “Okay, okay… I’m getting up.”

I sit up and take in the sight of my best friend for the first time since I dropped him off at the airport a couple weeks ago. The summer is already treating him well. He looks happy. Relaxed. And he’s already put back on a little bit of the weight that he lost throughout the long season and grueling post-season, no doubt his mom and grandmother have been feeding him well.

“What?” He asks, catching me giving him the once-over.
“Nothing.” I smirk and shake my head. “You look good.”

He blushes and nudges me with his elbow, nodding to the door.

“The bathroom is across the hall. I’m gonna go help my mom and Mormor start dinner. Måns should be here soon, too.”
“Okay. I’ll join you in a few?”
“Yeah.” He pauses, running his hand along my calf. “Hey, I’m happy you’re here.”
“Me too.” I smile. “You know I wouldn’t miss your Cup day for the world.”
“I wouldn’t want you anywhere else.” Marcus leans over and kisses the side of my head before standing up. “Oh, and when you’re done cuddling my first national team goal puck can you put it back on the shelf?”

He gives me a wink and slips out of the room before I have a chance to really blush. I don’t know why I’m embarrassed, but I guess I got caught doing something.

I drag myself out of Marcus’s childhood bed and stretch out my limbs. My bag has been placed next to the desk, so I dig through it for my makeup bag. While I’m in there, I also grab a pair of jean shorts and a nicer shirt to change into. I head over to the bathroom and spend about two minutes trying to control my hair before I give up, letting my curls fall naturally. I touch up my makeup and make sure I look presentable for his family. For some reason, I feel like this is a really important moment. I put my makeup back in my bag in Marcus’s room and slide my sandals on.

I make my way quietly down the stairs, taking the opportunity to enjoy looking at all the photos of the family along the walls. When I get to the bottom of the stairs, I head towards the kitchen where I hear Marcus and Mormor talking. Their conversation is a little faster than what I’m comfortable with, but I’m able to piece it together.

“I like her.” Mormor is saying.
“She’s pretty great.” Marcus agrees. “I’m lucky to have her in my life.”
“She would make a great wife one day. You would be beautiful together.”
“I don’t know.” Marcus laughs a little, though it doesn’t have heart behind it. His laugh is followed by a heavy sigh. “I don’t think she’s interested like that.”
“She isn’t stupid, Marcus. She might not know it, but she feels the same way you do. I can tell.”
“You’ve hardly even spoken to her.” Marcus argues. I hear a smack and he lets out a little yelp.
“Don’t argue with me, boy.” She scolds him, her voice changing abruptly. “I know well enough. She flew half way across the world to see you. Didn’t care when you weren’t there to pick her up. I saw the way she looked around your room. And your dad told me about the way she talked about you. She loves you as much more than just a friend.”

Marcus and Mormor are both quiet for a moment, and I decide to use the break in conversation to make my appearance without interrupting.

“Hey.” I say, walking into the kitchen with a smile.
“Hey. You actually got up!” Marcus teases, his face a little panicked for a moment before dropping into an easy, relaxed state.
“Of course.” I hip-check him. “Is there anything I can help with?”
“Absolutely not, you’re the guest.” Mormor says.
“Are you sure?” I double check.
“Don’t fight her.” Marcus advises lightly.

Before I get the chance to say anything else, I hear the sound of a sliding door opening behind me. I turn and see Marcus’s mother coming in from what looks like their back deck with a bowl in her hand.

“Hey mom, this is Reilly.” Marcus says when she reaches the threshold to the kitchen.
“Hi Reilly.” She says, putting the bowl down and coming over to me. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you too.” I say, my gut clenching. Why is my gut clenching? Why am I so nervous right now? It’s just Marcus’s family.
“Marcus said you are beautiful but he didn’t tell me how beautiful you are.” She says, giving me a quick once-over.
“Oh.” I blush. “Thank you.”
“Mom!” Marcus protests.
“Hush. Welcome to our home, Reilly. Marcus, start taking the food out to the table.” She orders.

Marcus grabs a bowl and hands it to me, immediately catching eyes of fury from Mormor.

“She’s going to insist on helping so just let it happen.” He placates her, grabbing the largest plate and nodding me towards the door his mother just came through.

I lead the way and pull open the door, following Marcus outside.

“I’m sorry about them.” He says as soon as the door is shut behind us.
“No, don’t be.” I chuckle.
“My mom doesn’t know when to shut up.” He mumbles.

I choose to pretend not to have heard him, instead placing the bowl on the large table in the middle of the deck and taking in the Krugers’ back yard. There’s a large tree in the back left corner, a hammock hanging between it and the fence. In the right corner, there’s a hockey net and a shed.

“Let me guess, there’s a whole bunch of hockey gear in the shed.” I joke.
“Sticks, pucks, balls, gloves. You name it and Måns and I probably have it out there. We even built a huge board when we were younger that we lay over the grass so we can shoot pucks in the summer.”
“Crosby’s dryer has nothing on you guys.” I tease him.

He’s about to respond when the door opens again, drawing in our attention.

“Brother!” The man waking out yells, attacking Marcus in a hug.
“Måns, you saw me a couple hours ago.” Marcus’s voice is quite unamused.
“Yes, yes. But I just miss you so much! And I hear your girl is here. I must meet her.” Marcus groans and gives me a look, but steps aside to let his brother see me.
“Måns, this is my best friend Reilly. Rei, this tool is unfortunately my brother.”

Måns gives me a very long once-over before pulling me into a giant bear hug. Despite the already obvious personality differences, it’s a lot like hugging Marcus.

“I’m so happy to finally meet the girl my brother never stops talking about.” He says, causing Marcus to go bright red.
“Måns shut up.” Marcus mutters in Swedish.
“I can see why. You are beautiful!”
“Thank you.” Now it’s my turn to blush. He is the second Kruger to tell me how beautiful I am in the last ten minutes, and truthfully I’m amazed they think that way about me.

The rest of the family saves Marcus and I both from our slight embarrassment, coming out with the rest of the food and beckoning us to the dinner table.

Throughout dinner, conversation flows with little issues, Marcus serving as an interpreter whenever I need him. The Kruger family is exactly what I expected them to be, sweet and welcoming and easy to talk to. It’s simple for me to see how Marcus has become the respectful, intelligent, and amazing man that I know. At the end of dinner they let me help clear the table, though Mormor still insists on doing the dishes herself, practically pushing Marcus and me back outside by ourselves.

As the two of us are lying in the hammock in the back yard and staring up at the stars, I remember something I wanted to tell him about. Something that happened with my best friend at work.

“So Annie ran into Jake the other day.” I break the comfortable silence, causing him to stiffen beside me. “At the grocery store.”
“And?” I can hear the nervousness in his voice.
“I realized I’m over him.” I say the words out loud for the first time. “Completely.”
“Good.” He responds, a little aggressively. “Very good."
“Yeah.”
“He doesn’t deserve your thoughts. Your worry.”
“No. He doesn’t.” I agree. “I-I have you to thank, you know.”
“You don’t have to thank me.” He whispers softly.
“I do, though.” I argue. “You took me in. You protected me. You made me forget about the things he did to me… You made me happy again, Marcus.”

We both get very quiet, my words hanging in the air between us. Marcus’s heavy sigh is the only sound, causing me to look up at him. He’s staring at me intently.

“What?” I ask.
“Nothing.” He responds with a sad smile. “I… I like making you happy.”

There’s a moment where my breath stutters a bit in my lungs. I can’t tear my eyes away from his, warm brown and sincere. His thumb rubs lightly against the skin of my back, under my shirt. I can no longer hold back. I surge forward, pressing my lips to his. He immediately presses back, taking control of the kiss. I give it to him easily. It feels as though my entire body has been shocked with a low-level taser gun. His lips are soft and on the outside he kisses me as though he’s afraid I might break. But I can feel the underlying thrum of desire pulsing between us, and I know he’s trying his hardest to remain a gentleman. He carefully parts my lips with a tongue and I feel more than hear him moan when I give him full access. He closes what little space is left between us by pulling me flush with his body. I’m so overwhelmed by emotions I feel like I might cry right now. All I know is that I just want more. More of his mouth on mine, more of his hands grasping at my hips and lower back, more of the distinct combination of Tide laundry detergent, Head and Shoulders shampoo, and Ralph Lauren Double Black filling my senses. I just want more of Marcus.

“I told you she isn’t stupid!” I hear from the kitchen window, causing both of us to laugh awkwardly and break apart.
“Apparently there’s no such thing as respecting privacy in this house.” Marcus chuckles. I have to bury my face in his shoulder.
“Somehow I doubt we ever really had any to be respected.” He kisses my forehead, and this time it feels so much more meaningful than it ever has.
“If I go in there and tell her you aren’t mine, hearts will be broken.” Marcus tries for joking, but I can hear the sincerity in his voice. I know he isn’t just talking about Mormor’s heart.
“Good thing I’m not in the heart-breaking business.” I let my hands emphasize my words, holding him in place against my body and letting my fingers trace the hard plane of his back. He brings a hand up to cup my jaw.
“I need to hear you say the words.” He says, nosing along my cheek. His heart is racing beneath his skin, and I’m sure mine is beating just as fast. “Älskling. Tell me you’re mine.”

“I’m yours.” I rush out, faster than a speeding bullet. “Marcus, I’m yours.”

His mouth claims mine immediately, teeth nipping at my lips and tongue fighting its way in. It’s everything I never let myself realize I wanted. I get so sucked into Marcus’s mouth that I can’t comprehend the flurry of Swedish that Måns sends out the window. But Marcus obviously hears it, and starts laughing before shouting back a couple curse words that Niklas Hjalmarsson taught me.

“What did he say?” I ask.
“Something very inappropriate.” Marcus chuckles lowly, the vibrations making their way through my body. “Especially considering you’re sleeping in my childhood bed in my parents’ house tonight.”

He weaves his fingers into my hair and brings our lips together softly. I feel him exhale fully, his entire body going pliant against mine. My eyes are drooping and despite my brief nap earlier, I’m feeling the effects of my extensive international travel.

“It might be time to go inside.” Marcus suggests. “You’re tired, it’s getting late, and we have a long day tomorrow.”
“Okay.” I nuzzle along his jawline.

The two of us reluctantly climb out of the hammock together and head back inside the house, where everyone else seems to be getting ready for bed as well.

“So? Was I right?” Mormor asks, a smile playing on her lips. “Are you going to be making me a great grandmother soon?”

Marcus chokes and blushes while I have to hide a shocked smile against his shoulder.

“No.” Marcus is able to stutter out. “That’s- no.”
“Why not, brother?” Måns chuckles, not-so-silently making fun of us from his perch on the back of the couch.
“Shut up.” Marcus hisses at him. “Mormor, Reilly only just agreed to be my girlfriend five minutes ago.”
“Well I’m not getting any younger, and your brother is a lost cause. So don’t wait too long, okay?”

She crosses the room, patting Marcus on the arm and leaning in to kiss me on the cheek.

“Don’t make us all wait forever.” She whispers to me, disappearing into her room.

As soon as the door shuts, Måns starts cackling maniacally. Marcus huffs and storms the couple feet between them, shoving his brother tumbling backwards. The laughter doesn’t stop, though.

“We’re going to bed.” He declares.
“Yes, of course. Don’t be too loud, okay?” He pops up from the floor.

Marcus punches his brother for good measure before herding me up to his room. We dance around each other silently, getting ready for bed. My limbs are starting to feel like lead and I’m ready to crash hard. Both of us are in our pjs and ready to sleep when he grabs my arm, rubbing small circles with his thumb.

“So, um. I was originally going to sleep downstairs on the couch and give you my bed-” Marcus starts.
“-No, you don’t have to sleep down there.” I interrupt. He wraps an arm around my waist, contentment written all over his face.
“I was kinda hoping maybe you’d be okay with me snuggling up with you tonight.”

I hum my approval, pulling back the sheets and nudging him into them. Marcus spreads out on his back and lifts his arm so I can curl up under it. He’s easy to relax into, his body familiar from the many times we’ve done this before as friends. I feel myself slipping farther into unconsciousness. His fingers start combing through my hair and I know there’s no way I’m going to last much longer.

“Good night, älskling.” He mumbles.
“Good night.” I’m able to manage, though I’m not sure he understands me.

The alarm goes off a lot earlier than I normally would have liked, especially considering how comfortable I am with the living pillow next to me. But I feel well rested and the prospect of spending the entire day with the Stanley Cup has my eyes open in a matter of seconds.

“Time to get up.” I pat Marcus lightly on the chest.
“Five more minutes.” He mumbles into my hair, making me laugh.
“I’ll give you a choice. You can either sleep five more minutes, or you can spend five minutes kissing me.”

Just as I expected, his eyes are open immediately and his mouth is finding it’s way to mine. I don’t even care that we both have morning breath, I’m still reeling in the fact that I actually get to kiss him now. He pulls my one leg over and situates me on top of him, running his hands up and down my sides.

Marcus’s lips start traveling along my jaw line and down my neck, causing my entire body to shiver. He bites down lightly and I can’t hold back a small moan. I grind my hips down into his and- oh my god. Oh my god I want him so badly. I can feel he wants me just as much. But-

“Marcus.” I gasp, pulling away.

He pulls me down to him again and I give in easily, letting him roll us over so he’s on top. This time his lips don’t wander from mine, though I let his hands do whatever they want. I feel him press against me, chubbed up, and really wish we were anywhere else but in his childhood bedroom. If we were, I would let Marcus celebrate the start of his Stanley Cup day the way I know he really wants to. I would let him have me any way he wants. Every way he wants. But I know I’m making the right call by keeping him in control.

“Mom says no sex in the house!” Måns yells, banging on the door and startling us apart.
“Fuck off!” Marcus yells back at his brother, making him laugh. He ducks his head back down to press light kisses to my face.
“Time to get up.” I say, pushing up on my elbows. Marcus groans, but I can feel him smile against my shoulder anyway.
“The Stanley Cup.” He says, shaking his head slightly.
“This isn’t your first rodeo, Marcus.” I chuckle.
“But it’s the Cup!”

He basically jumps out of bed and I can’t help but laugh at his quick change in attitude. He’s so excited to celebrate his day, and he has the right to be. He deserves this day.

I take the shower first, being quick so he can get in after me. By the time he’s done, I’ve pulled on a pair of white shorts and a light gray tank top. My red Vans complete the look.

Marcus comes back into his room just as I’m pulling my shoes on, and it’s all I can do to keep myself from literally drooling over him. He’s wrapped a towel around his waist, but he’s still dripping wet from the shower. I follow a drop of water with my eyes down his chest until it disappears into the cut of his hip.

“See something you like, älskling?” He asks, his voice low and laced with intention. He boxes me in with the back of my thighs against the bed.
“Definitely.” I respond, tracing the path of another drop of water with my finger. “Too bad you have to cover it all up now.”

I brush by him, grabbing my hair dryer and makeup and heading back over to the bathroom to finish getting ready. My hair takes about five minutes, one of the many benefits of cutting it short, but I decide to spend a couple extra minutes on my makeup. I know there will be hundreds of photos taken today, and I want to look the best I can.

“You look beautiful.” Marcus says from the doorway, reading my mind.
“Good enough to be a Stanley Cup champion’s girlfriend?” I ask, slightly teasing though I know he can hear the sincerity in my question.
“Every man in the world will be jealous of me today. And not because of the Cup.”

When we get downstairs, breakfast is ready and the family eats quickly, chattering about the excitement for the day ahead of us. And then Marcus gets the call. The Stanley Cup is a minute away. They’ve managed to keep the press away for it’s arrival, just inviting the photographer who will be following us around for the day.

It’s just as beautiful as I remembered.

Marcus lifts it up out of it’s case, giving it a couple kisses. The photographer snaps away as he gives each of his family members a moment with it, even helping Mormor hold it up over her head. And then he turns to me.

“So we meet again, my friend.” I chuckle, running my hand down it’s sleek side.
“It’s pretty fucking cool, huh?”
“Yeah. It really is. I’m so proud of you, Marcus. You have no idea.”
“You know, I was so upset when we realized that my family wasn’t going to be able to be in Chicago this year.” He mutters softly, as though he’s sharing a secret between just the two of us. “I wanted them to be there when I won the Cup again. It sucked, and yeah- I missed having them there on the ice after we won. But then I saw you smiling at me and it didn’t sting as much. You were there for me and that’s all that mattered at the time. And today, there’s absolutely no one else in the world I’d rather have here celebrating this with me. My parents, my brother, Mormor, and you. That’s all I need.”
“Marcus…”
“What I’m trying to say is that I love you, Reilly.” I take a sharp breath, hearing those words come from his mouth. “I realize most people are usually together for at least a whole day before they say that, but I don’t care. I am in love with you and I want the entire world to know it."
“I love you too.” I say without hesitation. I see the joy spark in his eyes, similar to the way he looked on the ice just a couple weeks ago. I can’t help but smile up at him. “I love you, and… I think I have for a while.”

He beams and leans down to press a sweet kiss to my lips, the Cup still between us.

“Marcus?” A voice cuts our kiss short. “Sorry to interrupt, but we’ve got to get over to the children’s hospital soon.”
“Yeah, of course.” Marcus responds to a man I’ve definitely seen before, but I can’t place him at the moment. He’s someone within the Hawks organization.

Marcus and I get into the car with the man and Philip Pritchard, the keeper of the Cup, while the rest of the family gets into another car with the photographer. Marcus buckles the Cup in between the two of us and we head out to the hospital.

“Hey, so I took a couple photos but I want your approval before I post anything.” Pritchard says, turning around in the passenger’s seat to talk to us.

He passes back his phone, and I see a photo of Marcus and I from our moment earlier. Our hands are touching, both of us holding the Cup, and we’re smiling at each other like two idiots in love. Marcus swipes to the next photo, and it’s a small cap of our kiss.

“I like this one.” Marcus says, smiling at me.
“Me too.” I agree.

Pritchard takes his phone back and types up a quick tweet and gets Marcus’s approval before posting it.

“Hey, can you-?” Marcus asks, passing his own phone up and nodding at me.

Pritchard takes it and the two of us lean in against the Cup. He takes a couple of us smiling, making goofy faces, and eventually kissing either side of the Cup.

“Thanks.” Marcus says, flipping through them and finally settling on one of us smiling.

“@keeperofthecup: @mkruger16 and his girlfriend Reilly sharing a moment to themselves before the day gets started. #stanleycup @NHLBlackhawks”

Notes

This has taken me so long to write because I wanted it to be semi-decent. So I hope you all like it. I totally have a thing in my head where Oduya texts him like "wtf you couldn't have waited a couple more weeks?" and then they find out that the Swedes had a bet going about when they were gonna get together.

Anyway. Like it? If so, comment. If not, keep it to yourself :)