Tongue Tied

Alex laid between Nathan's legs with her back resting against his chest. He played with the hem of her, well, his shirt, as they sat there. His parents had gotten them their own room since she was now in Saskatoon. There was some lame movie on TV. Alex kept scoffing at the stupid things happening in it. Nathan just smiled at her. She grabbed his hands, lacing her fingers with his. He wrapped their arms around her while he pressed his lips to the top of her head.

"Do you remember," He paused for a moment. "How bad you were when we were kids?"

She laughed, nodding her head. "Why do you remember that? You didn't even know who I was."

"Everyone knew who you were, Al." He stated. "I remember when we had a split kindergarten class and you threw the doll house at that Bailey kid."

"My first boyfriend." She said. "My one true love."

He tightened his grip on her hands. "He ate sand."

"The heart wants what the heart wants." She shrugged.

He shook his head. "You were a terror my fifth grade year." He mentioned.

"Ah, fourth grade." She sighed. "My prime."

"I remember my teacher always had to come help your teacher with your class." He laughed.

"Do you remember in fifth grade when I flashed my training bra to the entire school?" She frowned.

"That was not you." He started laughing hard, Alex could feel it against her back.

"Yeah. I did a cartwheel for this assembly and my shirt went up." She explained.

"Oh, babe." He calmed down as he pressed his lips to her head. "So I almost saw you naked before we were even teenagers?"

She smacked his arm. "I was the devil in sixth grade." She changed subjects.

"You threw a fan at someone." He continued. "And pushed her down the stairs."

"I threw scissors at someone too." She admitted. "Bad year all around."

"Seventh was pretty quiet. You just played sports." He thought back.

"And I was in band." She added.

"So cool." He mocked. She butted his chin with her head. "I went to all your games."

"Basketball and volleyball?"

"Every one. You sucked at volleyball." He taunted.

"I was so bad but I was starter." She shook her head.

"You're a natural at basketball." He informed her.

"I kinda miss it." She confessed, looking back at him.

"You haven't played since?" He frowned.

"I played every year except this year." She explained.

"Because you came with me." He sighed.

She shot up, turning to face him. She sat criss-crossed between his legs. "Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Beat yourself up because I quit something. I chose to. It was all my decision." She said, holding his face.

"I just hate hearing you miss stuff that you used to do before me." He frowned.

"I'll take it up again next year. It's okay." She pecked his lips.

"Remember the camping trip we went on?" He changed the subject. "Like half our grades."

"Yes!" She gasped. "I was roomed with all the girls. It was a mess."

"My cabin snuck over to yours and I remember you and Leah slept while the rest of us played 'Spin The Bottle'." He smiled.

"Who was the kid that kept blowing in my ear?" She growled. A grin spread across Nathan's face. "Asshole!" She smacked his chest.

"I thought you were cute so I was trying to wake you up to play." He confessed.

She shook her head, leaning towards him. She rested her head on his chest. He held her close as she say like that. He wasn't lying. They had sat close on the way to the camp. He thought she was hilarious and her laugh was infectious. He had convinced the guys to sneak to her cabin that night. It was all him.

They spent the entire day in his bed, just talking. He brought up more of Alex's glorious past. She was amazed he remembered all of those things. She wasn't even aware he knew who she was. He thought back to the first time he saw her. He told the story he had told her hundreds of times before. She loved hearing it.

They woke up the next morning and realization struck. It was game day. Nathan took a deep breath as he laid in bed. Alex ran in and jumped on him. He grabbed her hips as she positioned herself on his pelvis. She rested her hands on his chest, a smile across her face.

"Today, baby!" She exclaimed before she leaned down and kissed him.

He smiled against her lips. "I'm nervous." He frowned.

"You're gonna do great. At least two points." She reassured him as she climbed off. "Get up! Get ready! Let's go!"

Nathan did as he was told. He stood and picked Alex up, holding her over his shoulder. She drummed on his bum as he carried her over to the bathroom. He set her down near the shower. She furrowed her brows up at him. He smirked, pulling his shorts down. Her eyebrows furrowed more.

"We're taking a shower together." He stated.

"I d,"

He pulled her shirt over her head, leaving her in nothing but her panties. She crossed her arms. He just smirked. She took a step away from him. He stepped closer, pulling her into him by her hips. She leaned away from him.

"Please." He whispered. "It'll calm me down."

She rolled her eyes. She dropped her hands and pulled down her panties, leaving her naked. "Your turn."

Nathan yanked his boxers down in a second. He reached around Alex and turned the shower on. She smirked as he leaned forward to kiss her. She climbed into the shower and he followed.

Once they finished having fun and got ready, they set off for the rink. Nathan swung Alex's hand that was swallowed by his. She smiled and waved to people as they walked to the change room. He did the same. It was almost like they were royalty amongst the Halifax Mooseheads organization. It was possible that they were royalty to the entire Quebec league.

They got to the change room. Nathan sighed as Alex turned to face him. She dropped his hand as she wrapped her arms around his waist. He held onto her shoulders. She had her chin on his chest as she looked up at him. She had a smile on her face.

"I'm proud of you." She spoke, in a quiet tone. "I don't care if you win or lose tonight. If you get twelve points or none. I'm so fucking proud of you."

He smiled, kissing her. "Thank you."

"Go change and win me the cup." She smirked as she pulled away. "I mean I don't care but it'd be nice."

He laughed. "I love you."

"I love you! Now go!" She exclaimed, kissing him one last time.

Puck drop came sooner than imaginable. The atmosphere in the arena was unbelievable. Everyone was cheering and on their feet. Alex was standing the entire time before the puck dropped. She had sung the anthem at the top of her lungs. She was being a super fan and she was fine with it. Once the puck dropped and the game started, she went into game mode.

Portland got two penalties in the first. This allowed Abeltshauser to score a powerplay goal. Nathan followed up with a goal of his own. Frk added to the rally. The Mooseheads were up 3-0 by the end of the first. The Winterhawks fans were quiet. The Mooseheads fans did their most to show their support. They wanted this cup.

Murphy got a penalty in the second. It was killed successfully. Bjorkstrand was called for slashing halfway through the period. The Mooseheads did a poor job with the man advantage, seeing how Petan scored a short-handed goal for Portland. A member of each team was called for roughing. During that time, Jones added to Portland's tally. Portland's Rattie and Halifax's Hardie were given match penalties at the end of period. The game was 3-2 at the end of the second.

The Halifax fans had loss some of their buzz, but not much. The boys came out strong in the third. Both came back strong. Leipsic was called for a check from behind, giving Halifax a man advantage. They couldn't produce with the extra body, but it didn't take long before they did. Nathan scored his second of the night. Abeltshauser soon followed, scoring his second of the night as well. Portland fired back with two of their own. As the clock ran down, the Winterhawks pulled their goalie, attempting to get the game tied. They had no success and as the clock ticked to it's finally thirty seconds, Nathan scored an empty netter.

Time ran out and everyone went off. The boys all jumped on each other near Zach's net. The fans roared for their boys. Zach grabbed Nathan by his jersey and pulled him in for a hug. Nathan skated around to his teammates, hugging various ones. He found Jo and they launched at each other. They skated away from the group, still holding on. Jo pounced on anyone and everyone near him. Zach was more than happy.

They lined up, shaking hands with their competitors. Nathan felt for the guys. Some were crying, which he could completely understand. He would have cried in their predicament as well. When he reached Seth, he pulled him into a hug. As well as he did with Tyler, and with Ty. They were all there for the same thing and he had the utmost respect for them. He had played with some in the past, for their country. But this was a new high.

Executives came out with the trophy. They said their speeches as they stood there. Alex had tears pouring down her cheeks as she watched the guys grabbing and holding each other as they waited to be given this award. As the men presenting the award began talking about who had shown the most on the team, all the guys started making chants for Nathan. He just listened to the man before him speak. He was still in shock.

"The most valuable player, from the Halifax Mooseheads, Nathan MacKinnon."

Nathan skated away from the group, over to where the trophy was resting. He shook hands with both men on either side before standing to the right of the trophy for pictures. He was in awe. Alex and his family cheered as loud as possible for him. He picked it off the table but was told to go back for more photos. Once he was allowed, he slowly skated over to the team with it. They all filed around him.

Next was the actual cup. The chair of the league came out. He gave another speech. The boys clapped when expected and cheered when allowed. He called over Trey and Stefan to grab the cup. All the hand shaking business went down before they stood of either side of it for pictures. They lifted it and the guys all skated over to touch it. Stefan was the first to do a lap with it.

Nathan was called over for an interview. Alex held a hand over her heart as she watched him. She couldn't believe that he was hers. Sarah threw an arm around her, bringing her in for a hug. She saw the tears on Alex's face and laughed as she hugged her tighter. Alex hugged her back as tears rolled down her face.

"You're a crier!" Sarah exclaimed.

"How can you not be?" Alex chuckled, wiping her eyes.

Alex watched all the guys lifting the cup. Zach was the loudest, of course. Nathan took it from Zach. He made sure to look directly at the four people there for him as he lifted it. He noticed Sarah holding Alex close to her and he cheered harder. He let out a laugh as he passed it to Jo. Jo let out the loudest cheer he had ever made. Zach was dragged over to be interviewed next.

"There is no one on this team as excited to have that cup than Zach." Kathy stated.

All agreed. Jo was next to be interviewed. Alex watched him as she followed the three MacKinnons down to the ice. She was just as proud of him as Nathan. She was proud of everyone. Nathan skated over and invaded Jo's interview. Alex shook her head. They all piled together for their group pic with the cup. All the family members ran onto the ice to get their own pictures. Alex was one of them.

She waited patiently for Nathan to break free from everyone. Reporters wanted his word, photographers wanted his picture, and all the guys were still congratulating him. She walked to the side to make sure he would go to his family first. Some guys came over and hugged her as she waited. Zach skated over and lifted her off the ground in a hug. "Holy fuck!" He exclaimed as he held her.

"You were unreal tonight!" She told him as he put her back on the ice.

"I was, wasn't I? I can't even believe this." He shook his head.

"Believe it, Zach. You guys earned this." She smiled.

He kissed her cheek before he skated back to the guys. She watched them all, scattered across the ice. Nathan and Jo were both surrounded by reporters. Slowly, the reporters left and Nathan finally made it over to his family. He gave Sarah a tired hug. He hugged both his parents before the cup was brought over to them for pictures with it. He finished taking pictures and looked around.

"Where's Al?" He asked, confused.

"Over there. She wanted you to come see us first." Graham teased.

Nathan winked, handing the cup off to a teammate as he skated over to Alex. She smiled as he approached her. His arms wrapped around her thighs and he lifted her in a hug. She wrapped her arms and legs around him as he held her waist. She kissed the side of his sweaty head while she hugged him.

"Congrats, baby." She whispered in his ear as they hugged.

"I couldn't have done it without you, Alex." He replied as he placed her on her feet.

He grabbed her face, kissing her deeply. His hat fell from his head as he continued with the kiss. Her hands gripped his jersey before they slowly pulled away. She smiled at him and reached down, picking up his hat. He took it from her, putting it on her head.

She smiled and he kissed her again. "I love you."

"I love you too." She breathed before kissing him.

"Okay, share." Jo called as he skated over and hugged Alex.

Stefan came next. He lifted Alex with one arm as he hugged her. He pulled out his phone, which was already opened to his camera. She gasped and shook her head at him but he pulled her close. She sighed, pressing herself against him. She smiled wide as he took the photo. Nathan pulled her over to him.

"Take one of us." He said to Stefan as he handed his phone to him.

Nathan had the cup in one arm. He pulled Alex close with his free arm, holding her by her waist. He pressed his lips to hers. She kissed back, her hand resting on his torso. Stefan smiled at the pair as he took it. He skated over to Nathan, handing him back his phone.

"Most attractive couple I've ever seen." He smirked as he skated off.

Jo skated by and Alex pulled him over. He furrowed his brows as she pulled out her phone. It took a few seconds before she handed it to him. It was facetiming Leah. Jo looked at Alex in confusion and she just smiled. Leah answered, her expression turning to shock when she saw Jo instead of Alex. Jo skated off with her phone. Alex looked up at Nathan who was watching her.

"Amazing." He mumbled before kissing her again.

Notes