NHL imagines

#9 Dylan Strome - part 2

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I got a request for a second part on Tumblr and kinda went a bit overboard. (mostly writing at 2am)
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1400 words
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You felt like you were dying. Your head was throbbing and you could barely move.
"Good morning sunshine."
His voice was too loud and made your head hurt even more, burying your head under your pillow didn't help either. At least it was Dylan and not some stranger. You saw a pale hand offer you something that looked like painkillers and a bottle of water so you took them and immediately hid under your blanket again. The bed dipped down a bit and your blanket was lifted. A warm body slipped in next to you but at the moment you couldn't care less and curled towards the warmth. You really hoped you'd fall asleep soon.
~~
When you woke up the throbbing had become bearable but still painful. You didn't want to open your eyes in case the brightness of the room would hurt your eyes again so you cuddled closer to Dylan with your eyes closed. In the last few months you had snuggled up with Dylan in front of the tv enough to know when he was next to you. His warm arms tightened around you and he sighed.
"You awake?"
You hummed in response, not feeling ready to talk yet.
"Does it still hurt when I talk?"
He whispered and it didn't hurt so you shook your head a little.
"You really had me worried last night. You didn't text or call only to come stumbling in at 3 in the morning sucking faces with some random asshole."
His arms around you tightened some more. Dylan usually only became possessive when he was drunk or the Otters lost a game and he was blaming himself. You secretly prided yourself on the fact that you were the person that gave him comfort. Being roommates with a guy had its perks, but being roommates with a guy you liked... It wasn't always easy.
"Did we...?"
"Yeah. Very loudly if I may add. He left around 9am said he had somewhere to be. His number is on the fridge if you want to call him."
You groaned and buried your head further into Dylan's shirt. By now you had no idea why there was still any room between you two.
" 'm not gonna do that. And I'm never going out ever again either."
"Was he that bad?"
He started petting your hair and you wanted to cry. Why would he ask you about this.
"I can't remember. And i really don't want to to be honest."
Dylan could feel your tears hit his shirt and pulled you fully into him. He curled up around you but in this moment you really didn't want him to. He's the reason this even happened.
"Are you hungry? Want to watch Netflix or something?"
"I think I've had enough of Netflix and chill."
Dylan started laughing loudly. His chest shook and so did your head but it hurt less.
"Can I ask you something? Why did you go out last night?"
"To get over someone. I thought drinking and hooking up with a random guy would help but it didn't and now I just feel like shit."
Dylan took your head between his hands and lifted your head high enough to look him in the eyes.
"Do I need to punch someone? I can get the guys and we'll go hurt whoever hurt you. Connor would kill me if you'd get hurt physically or emotionally."
"Everything is okay, or at least it will be. Can you just cuddle me some more?"
~~
The next morning Dylan made breakfast which in itself is a rarety but it was actually eateble. You were glad that it was Sunday so you didn't have school. Dylan had planned to go out with some guys from the team today so you thought you had the afternoon to yourself until Dylan walked in with several plastic bags.
"I've got ice cream, some chick flicks, and chocolate. I also picked up groceries."
Who the hell was that and what did he do to the real Dylan. He would never do the shopping. Or willingly watch anything romcom related. You must have looked at him weirdly because he continued.
"The guys' girlfriends said it helps with broken hearts."
"Dyl-pickle."
If only he knew he was trying to fix the damage he left.
~~
"Really, three weeks?"
Y/F/N looked at you like you were crazy while sipping on her coffee.
"I swear. No puckbunny, no random girl from a club, nothing. That's completely unlike him."
Dylan had been acting strange since your little breakdown. He hadn't hooked up, always cleaned up after himself and made up a mandatory roommate movie night on Saturdays instead of going out with the boys. It's like his personality flipped 180°.
"Maybe he's feeling bad for me. All the things he's doing are to make my life easier somehow. Do you think he knows and feels bad for me?"
"I don't know honey. Maybe you should just talk to him, you know, communication and all that stuff."
You thought about it but if it doesn't work out you'd have to find another place to live and you simply couldn't afford it.
~~
Cursing you made your way through the arena. Dylan somehow got you a pass that lets you go nearly everywhere. You waved to some of the workers in the arena before making your way to the locker room. Dylan had forgotten his phone at home so you decided to bring it to him after practice in case he needed it after. You stopped in front of the door and knocked. Behind the door you could hear shuffling before it was opened and Alex DeBrincat stuck his head out. He saw you and ducked back inside.
"Everybody get decent! Captain's girl coming through!"
He grabbed your arm and you had just time enough to close your eyes before he walked you through the room. He stopped and disappeared from your side but you could feel another hand on your arms.
"Is it safe to look?"
Dylan laughed but you kept your eyes shut.
"What are you doing here?"
"You forgot your phone at home."
Searching through your bag with your eyes closed was a bit difficult but you managed to find it.
"Thank you."
The team around you started to whisper as Dylan took your hand.
"I'll walk you out."
Once you were outside again Dylan squeezed your hand.
"It's okay, you can open your eyes now."
His face was right in front of yours.
"Thank you for coming here, really. I'll see you tonight."
His disappeared back inside leaving you to wonder if you imagined him kissing your cheek or if it really happened.
~~
"Connor, bro, I'm fucked."
You weren't one to secretly listen to conversations but if Dylan was having problems... you stopped behind Dylan's door. You had just wanted to say hi to Connor during his and Dylan's Skype session.
"I like her. I really like her. I know you said you'd beat me up if I ever made a move on her but... I tried, I really tried to get over her but I can't. The other night she brought home a guy and it just hurt so much man. I don't know how I'm just supposed to be here and watch her pine after some asshole that doesn't deserve her anyway."
Behind the door you had to try real hard to keep your composure. Was this some kind of sick joke?
"Sorry to break it to you buddy but that asshole is you."
Connor's voice was muffled through the screen.
"What?!"
"She has been pining after you for months. I know she's trying to hide it but we grew up together and I can see when she's not being honest. I was scared that you would hurt her because I know how you are and I know how hockey players are but ... I think this is only hurting both of you. So if you love her, and I mean love and not like, then tell her. And just so we're clear I'm not giving you permission to do anything because I'm in no position to do so and she's probably punch everyone that would even suggest it."
Dylan was gaping at the screen and you couldn't help but laugh. Classic Connor. Dylan whipped around and saw you standing in the doorway. His eyes went wide and you could see that they were red rimmed.
"You are an idiot."
Dylan sadly smiled as if he had already given up.
"I know."
"But for some stupid reason I love you so..."
"Thank god."
He jumped up from his bed a sprinted across the room before pulling you into him and pressing his lips against yours.