Mat Barzal Imagines

Late Nights

Warnings: Two swear words

It was another sleepless night in your apartment. You were sitting in your living room in the dark, the TV playing an old episode of Friends the only source of light in the room when your phone buzzed on the table next to the couch.

You leaned over and grabbed the phone. On the screen was a text from Mat: "I know it's 2AM but can I come over?"

You chuckled to yourself and wrote, "Sure :)" before hitting the pause button on the episode.

You and Mat had been dating for the past three months, but you first met over a year ago at a bar in the Village after he played in (and won, as usual) a game against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Neither of you were particularly drunk that night, so as you talked more, you each recognized the other as a kindred spirit. Mat shared your witty and sarcastic humor, while your parents raised you as a fan of not just the Islanders, but also the game of hockey itself. While you didn't play (you were extremely uncoordinated), you understood the game on an intellectual level, and Mat gravitated towards that. So instead of hooking up, you exchanged numbers and became close friends. Your friendship inevitably grew into a relationship, but it was still in the early stages.

You heard a knock on the door, so you got up off the couch and went to the front door. When you opened the door, it revealed an exhausted-looking Mat.

"Couldn't sleep, huh?" you said, a statement instead of a question. Another thing you had in common: you were insomniacs. Mat had come to your apartment late at night before when he had trouble sleeping.

"Yup. Is that my hoodie?" he asked, pointing at the grey sweatshirt with the words "Islanders Hockey" written on it.

"Guilty," you sighed, "I'm sorry: I should've asked before taking it. But it's so comfy..."

"It's fine, (Y/N), it actually looks real good on you," he replied, and you blushed.

"Well, don't just stand there, come on in!" you said, and he followed you into your apartment and closed the door.

"Jesus, (Y/N), why is it so fucking dark in here?" Mat asked.

"I was trying to relax and watch TV, and having the lights on would've been counterproductive. Why?"

Mat grimaced. "You're going to think I'm really weird, but...I don't like the dark."

You laughed, thinking that he was joking, but you realized he was serious when you saw the look on his face. "Oh shit, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh."

"It's fine," he replied, "Everyone does."

You felt bad now. "No, it's not fine, I'm sorry I laughed. Here, I'll turn the lights on..."

"You don't have to do that, it's fine, seriously!" he said, cutting you off. "Maybe you can help me get over my fear. Cuddle with me?"

You chuckled. "Sure."

The two of you walked over to the couch, and the moment you sat down, he pulled you into his side, wrapping his arms around you in a bear hug. He rested his chin on your head.

"Comfy now?" you asked.

"Very," he replied. "What were you watching?"

"Friends," you said, "But I don't know where the clicker is. Is it by you?"

Although you had paused the TV, the light illuminated Mat's face enough to betray a grin. "I might be sitting on it."

"Okay, can I please have it?"

He didn't answer right away, instead pretending to think it over. You rolled your eyes, and he finally answered you: "Okay, but first, kiss me."

You let out an exasperated sigh. "You are such a piece of work, Barzal, you know that?"

"Yes, I do," he replied before leaning in to close the distance between you and connect your lips in a kiss.

"You know I love you, right?" Mat said after you both pulled away to get some air.

Your eyes widened in surprise. This was the first time he said those three little words you'd been dying to hear since you first met him. You were on cloud nine.

"I'm sorry, maybe it was too soon..."

"I love you, too, Mat," you cut him off, leaning in to kiss him again.