NHL x READER

Autumn leaves and heartstrings- jack hughes

The crisp autumn air was settling over the New Jersey landscape, the trees painting the town in shades of red, orange, and gold. You and Jack Hughes had always loved the fallâ€"when the days became shorter, the evenings grew colder, and every breath you took outside felt fresh and full of possibility. It was the season of your lifelong friendship, the one time of year when you could spend hours together, walking through the colorful streets, sipping on hot drinks, and simply enjoying each other's company.

You and Jack had known each other for as long as you could remember. Growing up just a few houses apart in your quiet neighborhood, you had spent every autumn jumping into leaf piles, carving pumpkins, and watching Halloween movies. Even now, as you both stood on the brink of adulthood, with Jack thriving in his NHL career and you navigating your own path, that childhood bond had never broken. If anything, it had grown stronger over the years.

But lately, something had changed between you and Jack. You couldn't quite put your finger on it, but it was there, lingering in the air between you. Maybe it was the way Jack's smiles seemed softer when he looked at you or how his touches lingered just a little longer than they used to. Maybe it was the way your heart fluttered whenever you saw him now, a feeling that had been creeping up on you since the summer. Whatever it was, you couldn't deny it anymore: Jack was no longer just your best friend.

He had become something more. You just weren't sure if he felt the same way.

"Y/N, you coming?" Jack's voice called out, breaking you from your thoughts.

You blinked and realized you were standing on the porch of Jack's house, staring out at the falling leaves while Jack, his brothers Luke and Quinn, and a few of their friends were gathering inside for a cozy autumn evening together. Jack was holding the door open, grinning at you with that easy charm that always made your stomach do flips.

"Yeah, sorry! I was just admiring the leaves," you said, stepping inside and shaking off the slight chill from the evening air.

"It's beautiful out there, isn't it?" Jack said, handing you a mug of hot apple cider. "Perfect night for some fun."

You took the warm mug gratefully, your fingers brushing against Jack's as he passed it to you. A spark shot through you, and you quickly looked down, hoping he didn't notice the flush creeping up your neck.

"Thanks," you murmured, taking a sip and letting the sweet, spiced cider soothe your nerves.

Luke and Quinn were already lounging on the couch, arguing over some old Halloween movie they wanted to watch. You laughed at their banter, settling into the familiar rhythm of being with the Hughes brothers. It always felt like home with them, especially Jack. But tonight, that feeling was tinged with something deeper, something you weren't ready to admit out loud.

As the evening went on, the group sat around in the cozy living room, playing card games, laughing over silly stories, and reminiscing about your childhood. The house smelled like cinnamon and apples, and the fire crackled softly in the background. It was the perfect fall night.

"Hey, Y/N," Jack said suddenly, nudging you with his elbow as everyone else got distracted with their conversation. "Wanna go for a walk? Just like old times?"

Your heart skipped a beat, but you nodded, trying to keep your cool. "Sure, I'd love that."

He grabbed his jacket, and the two of you slipped out of the house, leaving the warmth and noise behind. Outside, the cool autumn breeze rustled the leaves around you as you walked side by side down the quiet streets, just like you had done countless times before. But this time, it felt different.

There was a comfortable silence between you, broken only by the crunch of leaves underfoot. Jack kept glancing at you from the corner of his eye, as if he wanted to say something but didn't know how. You could feel your own nerves buzzing, the unspoken tension building with every step.