Mat Barzal Imagines

Little Black Dress

A/N: This is set during the 2017-18 season.

Warnings: Feelings of insecurity

Tonight was your first casino night with your boyfriend, Mat, and your nerves were at an all-time high.

You met Mat two years ago when you were a senior in high school and he was playing for the Seattle Thunderbirds, and your relationship was rock solid from the start. You supported his hockey career, and he was there for you every step of the way during the college admissions process. You ended up going to the University of Washington but you didn't like it, so you transferred to NYU for your sophomore year, knowing that Mat was going to make the New York Islanders' roster. Mat took the league by storm after his five-assist game versus the Avalanche in early November, and now, in March, Mat was pretty much a lock to win the Calder Trophy for best rookie. You were so proud of Mat; he had worked so hard and sacrificed a lot to get to this point.

But there was a downside to achieving such success: the attention. Mat was not only one of the most talented young players, but also one of the most attractive players in the entire National Hockey League, and both girls and guys pursued him even though he was taken. The blogs hadn't managed to identify you yet at this point, but by being Mat's date to casino night, you were going to effectively declare your relationship to the world. You knew the reception would be far from kind because you didn't even remotely look like a typical WAG: your hair wasn't blonde, you were a size eight, and you only started wearing makeup after one of your NYU classmates taught you how. So to say you were nervous was an understatement.

You finished putting the final touches of mascara on your eyelashes and reached for your dress. When choosing what to wear tonight, you had settled on a little black dress, figuring you couldn't go wrong with that. Black was always in style and the empire waist was particularly flattering for your figure. You slipped on the dress and opened the door, exiting the bathroom.

Mat wasn't in the bedroom, so after you put on your shoes and took your phone out of its charger, you called out: "Babe? Where are you?"

"In the kitchen!" Mat hollered, and you heard his heavy footsteps approach the bedroom. When he came through the doorway, though, he stopped moving and started staring at you.

"Mat? Are you alright?" You crossed the room to meet him in the doorway.

"I'm sorry, but it's very hard to focus when you're dressed like that," Mat replied while snaking his arms around your waist, never taking his eyes off you.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"It's a very good thing," he said, the ghost of a smile appearing on his face. "I'm going to have a hard time keeping my hands to myself tonight."

"Mat!" you giggled.

"I'm serious! How did I get so lucky to have such a gorgeous girlfriend?"

"Um, I should be the one asking that question."

"That you have a girlfriend? Are you cheating on me?" Mat joked, and you couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, fine, you got me there," you managed to say through your laughter.

"Seriously, though, I love that little black dress. You need to wear it more often."

"Oh my God, Mat, get your mind out of the gutter!" you laughed.

"Sorry, sorry. Are you ready to go?" Mat asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be," you replied, taking a deep breath.

"Hey, look at me," Mat said, cupping your face with his hands. "You're going to be fine. Everyone's going to love you."

"You think so?"

"I know so. Let's hit the road, good lookin'."

You burst into yet another fit of laughter. Mat always knew how to make you feel better and quell your nerves.