requested by

you were travelling to pittsburgh to go and stay with your favorite cousin kasperi kapanen.

you were getting ready to move to pittsburgh for college.

"kas!" you exclaimed and gave him a hug as he opened the door for you.

"hi y/n. i missed you." he said and stepped aside so you could get into his apartment.

"you're living big." you chuckled, looking at his penthouse.

kasperi laughed and nodded, "if that's what you would like to say."

both of you sat on the couch for a while together and just caught up with all the new news in each other's life.

"i have practice in a little bit. would you like to come?" kasperi asked.

you shrugged and then nodded, "yeah. i don't have anything better to do."

kasperi nodded, "very true. you have no car." he chuckled.

you nodded, "i would rather watch you than stay here and do nothing."

you found a hoodie and jacket to put on before stepping out of the apartment with kasperi.

you arrived at the pittsburgh penguins practice complex and kappy guided you over to the stands where you could watch.

you sat happily there and waited for your cousin to come out of the locker room and begin practice. it was quite interesting to watch all the players.

at the end of practice, kasperi waved you over and you went and stepped onto the ice with just your shoes on.

"nice practice kap." you said with a smile.

"thanks y/n."

"girlfriend, kappy?" a mysterious face asked as he skated by.

kasperi face twisted in disgust and shook his head, "cousin." he responded.

the man smiled and chuckled, "my bad."

he stopped in front of you and kasperi.

"i'm john." he introduced himself as he took off his glove to shake your hand.

you smiled, "y/n."

"what brings you to pittsburgh?" john asked.

"school. i'm going to college here."

he nodded, "alright i have to get going, but i'll see you later." john said.

he sent a smile your way before climbing off the ice and going in the direction of the locker rooms.

"he's coming over tonight for dinner. i think you would really get along with him. you need more friends than just me here." kasperi chuckled.

he was right about needing more friends and the fact that you two would get along fabulously.

a few months later, school was in full blast and you were best friends with john marino. you tried to spend as much time with him as possible.

"y/n, what about movie night tonight?" john asked.

you nodded, "sounds good to me, but you have to pick because you're the picky one."

he nodded and sighed, "fine."

you continued to do your homework as you heard john quietly typing on his phone. he knew when it was best to leave you alone.

you finished homework after a while and climbed into his arms.

"i'm tired." you whined and put your head in the crook of his neck.

"too much schoolwork?" he asked.

you nodded as he rubbed your back.

you felt most comfortable in john's arms. he was a comfortable face and he always had time for you no matter how busy he was. he was the best friend ever.

"can we watch a movie now?" you asked gently.

he nodded and you moved over to set your head in his lap.

he picked out a movie and you watched the screen intently. you couldn't help but feel a lingering set of eyes on you.

you looked up to see that john's eyes were studying each curve of your face.

"why are you staring at me?" you asked with chuckle.

"i think i'm in love with you." he blurted out.

you sat up out of his lap and paused the movie so there was silence.

"what?" you asked.

"i'm in love with you." he said more confidently.

"okay i did hear you right then." you sighed and looked into his eyes.

"i'm really in love with you y/n." john repeated, "i want to love, kiss, and cuddle you all the time."

all you could do was stare at john for a while, feeling as if your throat had entirely dried out and you couldn't even croak a word out.

you swallowed thickly and nodded, "i feel the same way." you admitted.

john's eyes glowed and he brought you into the biggest hug of your lifetime.

"oh thank god." he said.

john kissed your lips for a while and pulled away.

all he did was smile and nod with a sweet hum.