Archive of Our Own

Jack knocked on Nico´s door with a plan.

It wasn´t a good plan, per se. He didn´t want to do it, but he knew that he has to. He has to break up with Nico in order for the team to make it to the Play Offs. Jack felt like he was dragging Nico down, like he was the solo cause why the team has been playing so awful lately.

“Hey, Jack. What are you doing here?” Nico asked as he opened the door.

Jack forced a weak smile, attempting to mask the turmoil churning inside him. He took a moment to steady himself, gathering his thoughts before speaking.

“Hey, Nico,” Jack began, his voice sounding more strained than he had intended. “Can we talk for a minute?”

Nico´s brow furrowed in concern as he stepped aside to let Jack enter. They moved to the living room, the weight of impending conversation hanging heavily in the air.

“Sure, what´s on your mind?” Nico asked, his tone laced with apprehension.

Jack hesitated, his plan suddenly feeling flimsy and inadequate in the face of Nico´s genuine concern. But he knew he had to follow through, for the sake of both their futures.

“I... I´ve been doing a lot of thinking lately,” Jack started, his words coming out in a rush. “About us, and... about the team.”

Nico´s expression shifted to one of confusion, his eyes searching Jack´s face for clarity.

“What do you mean?” Nico asked, his voice tinged with unease.

Jack took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. He knew there was no easy way to say it, no way to soften the blow.

“I think... I think we need to take a break,” Jack confessed, the words tasting bitter on his tongue.

Nico´s eyes widened, in disbelief, his heart sinking as the weight of Jack´s words settled over him like a heavy shroud.

“A break?” Nico echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. “Why?”

Jack hesitated, his throat constricting with guilt. He knew the real reason behind his decision, but he couldn´t bring himself to say it out loud.

“I just think... it´s for the best,” Jack replied evasively, unable to meet Nico´s gaze.

Nico´s expression darkened with hurt and confusion, his hand clenching into fists at his sides.

“You´re not even going to give me a real reason?” Nico demanded, his voice tinged with anger.

Jack flinched at the accusation in Nico´s tone, the guilt weighing heavily on his conscience.

“I´m sorry, Nico,” Jack whispered, his voice barely audible above the pounding of his own heart. “I just... I need some time to figure things out.”

“Do you... do you not like me anymore?” Nico whispered, his voice trembling with vulnerability.

When the tears started spilling out of Nico´s eyes, a wave of realization washed over him. This wasn´t the Nico he was accustomed to seeing, the one who always seemed to hold his emotions close to his chest, hidden beneath a veneer of strength and composure. This was Nico stripped bare, vulnerable and raw, his heart laid bare for Jack to see.

“No, Nico, it´s not that,” Jack replied softly, his voice choked with emotion. “I don´t think I could ever stop loving you. You´re the best thing that ever happened to me, but I don´t think it´s possible for us to make it until the end.”

“How can you say that? How can you know that? We made it three years, why can´t we make it until the end? Why can´t we get engaged, eventually married and then die together? What makes you say that? What?” Nico asked and walked closer to Jack, taking his hands into his own.

Jack´s heart ached at the raw emotion in Nico´s voice, the sheer force of his love and longing almost overwhelming in its intensity. He struggled to find the words to explain, to articulate the doubts and fears that had plagued him for so long.

“I... I don't know if I´m enough for you, Nico,” Jack confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don't know if I can give you everything you deserve.”

Nico´s eyes widened in disbelief, his grip on Jack's hands faltering for a moment before tightening once more.

“But you are, Schätzli,” Nico insisted, his voice unwavering. “You´re more than enough. You´re everything to me. I would love you in every universe, it doesn´t matter what you look like or who you are. You are the one person for me, and I don´t want to lose you.”

Nico reached out and pulled Jack into a desperate embrace, his arms wrapping tightly around him as if trying to hold onto something that was slipping away.

Feeling Nico´s warm breath against his cheek, Jack´s resolve wavered. He closed his eyes, his own tears threatening to spill over as he struggled to find the words to ease Nico´s pain.

Before he could speak, Nico's lips crashed against his, a desperate plea for reassurance and affection. The kiss was filled with a raw intensity, a silent plea for Jack to stay, to reconsider his decision.

The knowledge that this kiss could potentially be their last, was what drove Jack crazy.

Jack´s hands found their way to Nico´s waist, pulling him closer as if trying to bridge the ever- widening chasm between them. Nico responded eagerly, his arms wrapping around Jack´s neck, fingers tangling in the soft strands of his hair.

Their kiss deepened, becoming more fervent with each passing moment. They explored each other with a hunger born of desperation, seeking solace in the warmth of each other´s embrace. It was a kiss that spoke volumes, a silent affirmation of their love and devotion despite the circumstanced that threatened to tear them apart.

As their kiss lingered, Nico slowly pulled away, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he searched Jack´s eyes for an answer to the unspoken questions hanging between them.

“Jack,” Nico whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. “If this is it. If this is you breaking up with me, can I at least have you one last time?

Jack´s heart clenched at Nico´s request, the weight of their impending goodbye pressing down on his like heavy burden. He hesitated, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions as he struggled to find the right words.

“I... I don´t know, Nico,” Jack replied, his voice thick with uncertainty. “I don´t think it´s a good idea.”

Nico´s expression feel, disappointment flickering across his features as he withdrew slightly, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.

“Please, just one last time. To say goodbye. And I promise I won´t bother you ever again.”

“Okay,” Jack relented, his voice barely above a whisper. “One last time.”

With a mixture of relief and gratitude, Nico reached out to take Jack´s hand, his touch a silent testament to the depth of his love. And as they made their way to the bedroom, they found solace in the bittersweet embrace of their final night together.

1.

Jack´s eyes fluttered open, the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains to cast a gentle glow over the room. As he shifted slightly, his hand brushed against the form lying next to him, and he froze.

Confusion flooded through him as he turned to see the figure beside him. But instead of Nico´s familiar face, he found himself staring at a young woman, her features soft and a bit familiar. He couldn´t quite place why and how, though.

Heart pounding with disbelief, Jack stumbled out of bed, his mind racing with confusion. After a lot of crying and a night of exploring each other's body for the last time, he fell asleep in Nico´s familiar sheets.

He made his way to the bathroom, his steps unsteady as he tried to make sense of the surreal situation unfolding around him.

As he gazed into the mirror, his breath caught in his throat. Staring back at him was not his own reflection, but that of a woman, with long brown hair and delicate features. Panic surged through him as he reached up to touch his face, feeling the unfamiliar contours beneath his fingertips.

With trembling hands, Jack splashed water on his face, hoping to wake himself from the bizarre dream he found himself trapped in. But as he looked back into the mirror, the image remained unchanged, a stark reminder of the reality of his situation.

Fighting back a surge of panic, Jack struggled to make sense of what had happened. How had he ended up in this strange new universe, and what had caused him to undergo such a drastic transformation overnight?

As the weight of the unknown settled over him like a heavy blanket, Jack knew that he had to find a way to navigate this unfamiliar world. But as he took as shaky breath and stepped out of the bathroom, uncertainty hung heavy in the air.

The first thing he planned to do, was find out who the girl lying next to him is.

With hesitant steps, Jack approached the bed where the unfamiliar girl lay sleeping. He leaned over the sheets, his heart pounding in his chest as he studied her features in the soft morning light.

As he gazed down at her, a flood of questions raced through his mind. Who was she? Why was the face familiar but still unfamiliar?

Carefully, Jack reached out to gently shake her shoulder, his touch light and tentative. “Hey,” he murmured softly, his voice filled with uncertainty. “Wake up.”

The girl stirred at his touch, her eyelids fluttering open to reveal a pair of sleepy eyes.

“What the fuck Jacky?” The girl said.

As Jack looked into the girl´s eyes, a flicker of recognition sparked within him. Despite the unfamiliarity of her appearance, there was something in the depths of those eyes that resonated with him on a fundamental level.

“Nico?” Jack breathed, disbelief colouring his tone.

The girl – Nico - nodded slowly, her own expression mirroring Jack´s mix of astonishment and confusion. “Who else did you think it was?”

“Do you know how this happened? Not that I´m complaining but I would rather get back into my own body again.” Jack asked.

“What the fuck are you talking about Jack?”

As Jack grappled with the revelation that he was the only one out of place in this switched-gender universe, a sense of disorientation washed over him. He struggled to maintain his composure, knowing that the girl Nico - his counterpart in this reality - didn´t understand the turmoil churning within him.

“Are you okay, Jack?” Girl Nico asked, concern etched into her features as she reached out to gently touch his arm.

Jack forced a tight-lipped smile, attempting to mask the inner turmoil threatening to consume him. “Yeah, I´m fine,” he replied, his voice strained with uncertainty.

But Girl Nico wasn´t convinced, her eyes searching his face for answers. “You´re acting weird,” she observed, her brow furrowing with concern. “Is there something bothering you?”

Jack´s mind raced as he tried to come up with an explanation that wouldn´t sound completely absurd. How could he possibly explain to girl Nico that he wasn´t supposed to be here, that he was anomaly in this universe where everything was reversed?

“I... I´m just feeling a little off today,” Jack replied, his words carefully chosen. “Maybe I didn´t sleep well or something.”

Girl Nico studied him for a moment, her expression softening with understanding. “Well, if you need anything, just let me know,” she offered, her voice gentle and reassuring.

Jack nodded gratefully, the weight of his secret pressing down on him like a lead weight. He knew that he couldn´t burden girl Nico with the truth of his situation, not when she had her own concerns to contend with.

While Nico stepped into the bathroom to start her day, Jack grabbed his phone to call his brothers. Or maybe sisters in this universe? He had no idea.

His lock screen was a picture of him and Nico. They were in the middle of an ice rink, fully clothed in hockey gear while kissing. To be honest it was a cute picture, you can see them both smiling into the kiss.

As he scrolled a bit more through the phone, he realized, that in fact everybody had switched genders. The pictures of his family that he had on his phone confused Jack the most. In this universe Ellen his mother, is now his father and his father Jim, is now his mother.

He pulled up Quinn´s contact, hoping he or maybe she, would be some help for him.

After a few rings, Quinn´s voice crackled through the line. “Hey, Jacky, what´s up?” she greeted cheerfully.

“Quinn, it´s me,” Jack began, his voice trembling with urgency. “I... I need your help. Something really weird is happening.”

Quinn´s tone shifted to one of concern. “What do you mean, something weird?” she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

“It´s... hard to explain,” Jack admitted, struggling to find the right words. “But somehow, I´ve ended up in this universe where everything is the same, but genders are switched. I´m not supposed to be here Quinn. I need to find a way back.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of line, followed by a burst of laughter so loud that Jack had to hold the phone away from his ear.

“You´re joking, right?” Quinn exclaimed between giggles. “That´s the most ridiculous thing I´ve ever heard!”

Jack´s heart sank at her response, a knot of frustration forming in the pit of his stomach. He had hoped that his brother/sister would take time seriously, but instead, she seemed to think he was joking.

“I´m serious Quinn,” Jack insisted, his voice tinged with desperation. “This is real. I need your help.”

But Quinn´s laughter only continued, her disbelief palpable even through the phone line. “Sorry, Jack,” she said, still chuckling. “But I think you might need to lay off the sci-fi movies for a while.”

With a heavy heart, Jack hung up the phone, feeling more alone and lost than ever. He knew that he couldn´t rely on Quinn for help, not when she didn´t believe him. But as he looked around the unfamiliar surroundings of this universe, he knew that he couldn´t give up hope. Somehow, someway, he would find a way back home.

A few moments later, Nico emerged from the bathroom, her short brown hair tousled from the shower, strands falling in loose waves to frame her face. The ends barely grazed her chin, giving her a youthful and playful appearance.

Her features were soft yet defined, with gentle curves that hinted at her femininity. Her almond-shaped eyes were a warm shade of brown, the same Nico had in Jack original universe. The ones he could recognized everywhere. Long lashes framed her eyes, casting delicate shadows on her cheeks as she moved.

As she moved around the room, her slender figure was accentuated by the simple devils branded t-shirt and sweatpants she wore, the fabric draping gracefully over her frame.

If Jack wasn´t gay, girl Nico would be exactly the type of girls he would be attracted to.

“Hey, you okay?” she asked, her voice soft with concern.

Jack forced a tight smile, trying to push aside the turmoil churning within him. “Yeah, just not feeling great,” he replied, his voice strained.

Nico´s brow furrowed further, her concern deepening. Ridiculously girl Nico had the same extreme eyebrows as his Nico. “Is it your stomach again?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Jack hesitated, not wanting to burden Nico with the truth of his situation. “Yeah, something like that,” he muttered, avoiding her gaze.

Nico´s expression softened, sympathy shining in her eyes. “Okay, well, we have practice in half an hour,” she said gently. “But if you´re not feeling up to it, you should stay here and rest.”

Jack nodded gratefully, relief flooding through him at the prospect of avoiding practice. “Thanks, Nico,” he murmured.

Nico gave him a reassuring smile and pressed a quick kiss to his cheeks before disappearing into the kitchen to eat something before leaving for practice.

Knowing that, even though they are women in this universe, they still played ice hockey and were dating each other made Jack smile. If all gender were switched in this universe, it would mean that women playing hockey is the standard. At least they get some more representation in other universes.

He walked into the kitchen to see Nico drink a cup of coffee while reading the paper, something his Nico does too.

As he poured himself a cup of coffee and settled into the seat across from her, Jack couldn't help but marvel at the strange symmetry of their lived. Despite the countless variables that had changed in his switched-gender universe, some things remained the same, including their shared love for quiet morning spent together over a cup of coffee and the morning paper.

With a gentle smile, Nico rose from the table, setting down her coffee cup as she prepared to leave for practice. As she approached Jack, she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Jack´s lips.

“I´m gonna leave now. If your stomach hurts too bad, you know where the pain meds are. Also, could you please take the trash out while I´m gone?” Nico asked as she pulled away.

“Yeah,” Jack nodded, surprised by the kiss. They are a couple in this universe, so why wouldn´t Nico kiss Jack?

“I´ll be back in a few hours. I love you” Nico said as she grabbed her car keys and headed to the door.

“Love you too”.

As Nico departed for practice, Jack remained in the kitchen, the warmth of her kiss lingering on his lips. With a wistful sigh, he glanced around the room, his gaze falling upon various photographs scattered throughout the space.

Moving closer to the refrigerator, Jack reached out to trace the edges of a picture, his fingertips lingering over the smiling faces captured within. In the photo, Nico stood arm in arm with Jack, their faced illuminated by the soft glow of the setting sun. They looked in love.

Jack´s heart swelled within a mixture of fondness and longing as he studied the other pictures adorning the walls. Here they were at a hockey game, celebrating a hard-fought victory with teammates. On the other picture they were on vacation, arms wrapped around each other as they laughed in the sunshine.

Walking back into the living room, Jack studied the pictures there. There was one of Nico at his draft, where she obviously also went first overall. Next to him was a girl that could only be Nolan Patrick. It´s the exact same picture, the Nico in his universe had in his living room. The two of them posing in their respective jerseys and hats, while holding up one and two fingers. The only difference is that in the picture Jack is looking at right now, they are girls. Girl Nolan tough had the same red cheeks as the Nolan in his universe.

Before Jack could continue looking at the various photographs around the room, his phone rung.

With a furrowed brow, he reached for the device, his heart skipping a beat when he saw Trevor´s name flashing on the screen.

“Hello?” Jack answered, his voice tinged with curiosity.

“Hey, Jack, it´s Trevor,” came the voice on the other end of the line, sounding bright and cheerful as always.

Jack´s breath caught in his throat at the sound of Trevor´s voice, a rush of happiness flooding through him. Despite the switch in their gender, their friendship remained unchanged.

“Trevor, hey!” Jack exclaimed, unable to suppress the smile that tugged at his lips. “How is it going?”

Trevor launched into a lively recounting of his latest progress at getting Jamie to like him back. Which obviously, was the same in Jack´s own universe. Trevor has been trying to get Jamie to like him back for a while now.

As Trevor´s animated storytelling came to a lull, Jack found himself hesitating before speaking, the wight of his unusual situation pressing down on him like a heavy burden.

“Trevor, there´s something I need to tell you,” Jack began, his voice serious.

Maybe Quinn didn´t believe him, but if there´s one person who Jack could trust and believe anything he says, it would be Trevor.

Trevor´s tone softened, sensing the gravity of Jack´s words. “What is it, Jack? You sound serious.”

Jack took a deep breath, steeling himself for Trevor´s reaction. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but... I think I´ve somehow ended up in a different universe.” he confessed, his words tumbling out in a rush.

There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end of the line, broken on by the sound of Trevor´s sharp intake of breath. “Wait, what?” she exclaimed, disbelief evident in her tone.

Jack quickly recounted the bizarre events that had led him to this point, from waking up in Girl Nico´s apartment to the switch in the genders. He braced himself for Trevor´s scepticism, fully expecting her to dismiss his story as absurd.

“Wait, so you´re trying to tell me that in your universe we are guys? I bet I´m so hot.” Trevor laughed over the phone line.

Okay... Jack should have expected Trevor to say something like that.

“Yeah, something like that” he replied with a wry grin.

“I have one more question before we get back to your problem. Do I have a Jamie in your universe?”

“Yes, and it´s the same over there. You´re hopeless in love with him. And he is too” Jack confirmed, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

Trevor let out a dramatic sigh, her tone playful yet tinged with a hint of longing. “Ah, Jamie. What a dreamboat,” she mused, a note of wistfulness colouring her words.

Jack couldn´t help but laugh at Trevor´s antics, their banter serving as a welcome distraction from the complexities of his situation. “Well, as much as I´d love to continue discussing your love life, I think we´ve got bigger fish to fry,” he remarked, his tone turning more serious.

Trevor´s laughter faded, replaced by a sense of determination. “Right, your universe-hopping adventure,” she said, her voice sobering. “If you´ve only been in this universe for a day, how would you know if you´re still here tomorrow?”

“So, you're saying I should sleep on it?”

“Yeah, like maybe you have to do something in this universe to get back to your own. Or maybe you will just wake up in a different one again tomorrow.”

“Yeah, whatever, let´s just hope I get back to my universe tomorrow.” Jack muttered to himself. The weight of his situation pressing down on him like a heavy blanket.

For the first time since waking up in this switched-gender universe, Jack´s thoughts turned to the counterpart he had left behind. The girl Jack from this universe, now inhabiting his own body, would be facing the aftermath of his breakup with Nico. The thought filled him with a sense of unease, a pang of guilt gnawing at his conscience.

As if sensing his inner turmoil, Trevor´s voice broke through the silence, her tone gentle yet probing. “Are you and Nico dating in your universe too?” she asked, her words carrying a weight of curiosity and concern.

Jack hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal about his relationship with Nico in his own universe. But in the end, he decided that it didn´t matter because it is not like Trevor in this universe can tell anyone that mattered.

“Yeah, we were,” Jack admitted, his voice tinged with sadness. “But we just broke up before... all of this happened.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, broken only by the soft sound of Trevor´s breathing. “I´m sorry, Jack,” she murmured, her voice filled with empathy. “I couldn´t even imagine the Jack and Nico in this universe ever breaking up.”

Jack thought about what Trevor said for a while. Was his relationship with Nico in this universe different to his own?

“Can you tell me about their relationship?” Jack asked curiously.

“Sure. I remember the first time Jack met Nico, she called me straight afterwards to tell me about how beautiful she is and how she wanted to have her children. Ever since then she was obsessed with her. Nico was obsessed with her too, by the way, they just didn´t realize it from the other end.” Trevor chuckled.

Jack just thought how similar to Trevor´s own situation it is.

“After lots of pining and miscommunication they finally started dating. They just... have this connection. Like they are always on the same wavelength, you know? It´s pretty amazing to see.

As Trevor spoke, Jack couldn´t help but feel a pang of longing for the relationship he had left behind in his own universe. Though the parallels were evident, there was a sense of bittersweetness in hearing about the bond between Girl Jack and Nico, a reminder of what he had lost and what he longed to reclaim.

“Thanks, Trev,” Jack said quietly. “That... that actually helps.”

After bidding Trevor goodbye and ending the call, Jack set his phone aside and allowed himself to relax for a moment. With a deep breath, he turned his attention to the PlayStation sitting nearby, the familiar hum of the console a comforting presence in the otherwise silent room.

As he navigated the virtual world before him, Jack found solace in the mindless distraction of the game, the immersive experience serving as a welcome respite from the weight of his situation. With each button press and joystick movement, he felt the tension in his muscles slowly begin to ease, replaced by a sense of calm and focus.

As the door creaked open, announcing Nico´s return, Jack felt a surge of anticipation mingled with apprehension. He sat aside the video game controller and rose from his seat, turning to greet her with a tentative smile.

Nico entered the room, her presence filling the space with a sense of warmth and familiarity. She glanced at Jack, her hazel eyes brightening with a smile as she took in his expression.

“Hey, Jack,” she greeted, her voice soft yet filled with warmth. “How was your day?”

“Good. Called Quinn and Trevor” Jack replied.

Nico´s expression softened, a flicker of curiosity dancing in her eyes as she took in Jack´s response. “Oh, nice. How are they?” she asked, her tone gentle yet filled with genuine interest.

“They´re... good,” Jack answered, his words trailing off as he struggled to find the right words to convey the complexities of his conversation with Trevor. “We... we talked about some things.”

Nico nodded understandingly, sensing Jack´s reluctance to delve into the details of his conversation with his friends. “Well, I´m glad you had the chance to catch up with them,” she remarked, her voice warm with affection. “What do you wanna do today?”

“Stay in? We could order some food?” Jack suggested.

So that´s what they did.

2.

Jack´s eyes fluttered open, the soft light filtering through the curtains casting a warm glow across the room. For a moment, he lay still, blinking away the remnants of sleep as he surveys his surroundings.

Beside him, Nico slept peacefully, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Relief washed over Jack as he took in his familiar form, a sense of comfort settling over him at the sight of him.

But as he shifted in bed, preparing to rise for the day, Jack´s attention was drawn to a movement at the foot of the bed. His heart skipped a beat as he caught sight of a small figure standing there, watching him with wide eyes.

“Good morning, daddy,” the boy said, his voice soft yet filled with excitement.

Jack´s breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight of the boy, his mind reeling with confusion. He looked like an exact mix between Jack and Nico, with tousled brown hair and blue eyes and eyebrows that are definitely too big for a kid this age.

“Daddy?” Jack echoed, his voice barely above a whisper as realization dawned on him.

Trevor might have been joking about waking up in different universes every day, but she was right.

And in this universe, he apparently had a kid with Nico. Jack isn't complaining, he always wanted to have children, but he´s surprised.

“Daddy?” the boy repeated, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he watched Jack closely.

Jack swallowed hard, his throat feeling suddenly dry as he struggled to find his voice. “Yes,” he managed to say, his tone gentle yet tinged with disbelief.

The boy, Kilian as written on his shirt, tilted his head curiously, his blue eyes searching Jack´s face for reassurance. “Are you okay, Daddy?” he asked, his brow furrowing in concern.

Jack forced a small smile, his heart aching with a mixture of love and longing. “I´m... I´m fine, Kilian,” he replied, his voice trembling slightly. “Just... just a little surprised, that´s all.”

Kilian seemed to accept Jack´s explanation, a bright smile spreading across his face one more. “Okay, Daddy,” he said cheerfully, before bounding out of the room with the energy only a child could possess.

As Jack trailed after Kilian, his mind still reeling from the realization of his situation, he couldn´t help but take in the details of the house around him. The rustic charm of the wooden interior, with its warm hues of cozy atmosphere, seemed to envelop him in a sense of homeliness.

Following his sons' energetic footsteps, Jack found himself led trough the corridors of the house, each turn revealing another glimpse of the breathtaking mountain scenery beyond the windows. The majestic peaks towered in the distance, their snow-capped summits glistering in the morning sunlight.

It looks just like the photos Nico showed him of Switzerland. He has tried to convince Jack to move there after they would finish their hockey careers, but Jack has been suspicious.

As they reached the living room, Kilian bounded over to a collection of toys scattered across the floor, his laughter filling the room with joy. Jack watched him for a moment, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips as he marvelled at the simple innocence of childhood.

“Hey, can I join you?” Jack asked as he sat down next to the mini version of himself and Nico.

Kilian glanced up at Jack with a bright smile, his eyes alight with excitement. “Sure, Daddy! Let´s play together!” he exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious.

With a smile of his own, Jack reached for a nearby toy.

They raced the toy cars for a while, Kilian mentioning something about wanting to be like Vettel, Jack had no idea who he was talking about.

Before he could dwell on his confusion, Nico's voice broke through the haze, drawing Jack´s attention to the doorway where his partner stood, a fond smile playing on his lips.

“Hey, look at you guys,” Nico said, his tone filled with affection as he watched Jack and Kilian play. “Having fun?”

Jack offered Nico a sheepish grin, a sense of warmth spreading through him at the sight of his partner. “Yeah, we´re having a blast,” he replied, his voice tinged with amusement.

“You can continue after getting Nolan, I will start on breakfast.”

Nolan? Nolan Patrick? Jack didn´t know any other Nolan´s? Why would he be here?

“What is Nolan Patrick doing in our house?” he asked confused.

“Nolan as in our son?”

“Oh, right. Our son,” he replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “Of course.”

Nico regarded him with a quizzical expression, a hint of concern flickering in his eyes. “Is everything okay, Jack?” he asked.

Jack forced a reassuring grin, his mind racing to keep up with the charade. “Yeah, yeah, everything´s fine,” he replied, hoping his words sounded convincing enough. “Just... a bit tired, I guess.”

As Nico headed off to the kitchen to start breakfast, Jack turned his attention to Kilian, who was already engrossed in his toys once more. With a gentle pat on the shoulder, Jack rose from the floor and made his way out of the living room.

While he climbed the stairs to Nolan´s room, Jack thought about why they named one of their kids after Nolan Patrick. Yeah, he maybe was one of Nico´s closest friends but not important enough to name a son after him...

Reaching the door with the name Nolan across the wood, Jack hesitated for a moment before pushing it open, uncertain of what he would find on the other side. But as he stepped into the room, his breath caught in his throat at the sight before him.

Twins... Nico and Jack had twins.

Nolan lay sound asleep in his bed, his tousled hair framing his peaceful face. He looked so much like Kilian, the only difference being their hair. While Kilian had hair similar to Jack, light brown with some light waves, Nolan´s hair was more like Nico´s. The same chestnut brown colour and pin straight.

With a sense of wonder, Jack approached the bed and gently shook Nolan awake. The boy stirred, blinking sleepily as he looked up at Jack with bleary eyes. Eyes just like Nico´s. Brown.

“Good morning, Nolan,” Jack said softly, his voice filled with warmth. “It´s time to wake up.”

Nolan blinked up at Jack, his sleepy expression melting into a small smile as he recognized his father's face. “Morning, Dad,” He mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep.

With a sense of wonder, Jack reached out and ruffled Nolan´s hair affectionately, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Come on, buddy,” he said, his voice gentle yet filled with affection. “Breakfast is waiting.”

As Jack made his way downstairs with Nolan trailing behind him, a thought crossed his mind.

Kilian, with his boundless energy and early risings, seemed to take after Jack himself. The boy´s boisterous laughter and eager enthusiasm mirrored Jack´s own nature, and the realization brought a small smile to his lips.

Meanwhile, Nolan, with his calm demeanour and preference of sleeping in, bore a striking resemblance to Nico. The boy´s quiet disposition and relaxed attitude were reminiscent of Nico´s own laid-back demeanour, and Jack couldn´t help but notice the similarities between father and son.

As Jack and Nolan entered the kitchen, the warm aroma of breakfast greeted them. Nico stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with practiced ease, while Kilian sat at the table, his eyes alight with excitement as he chattered animatedly about his dream.

“Hey, Nolan. Did you sleep well?” Nico asked while putting some batter for the next pancake in the pan.

“Morning, Papa. Yeah, was fine.”

Nico turned around, a warm smile gracing his features as he caught sight of his son. “Glad to hear it,” he replied, his voice tender with paternal affection. “Breakfast will be ready soon.”

“Can we go to play hockey today, papa?” Kilian asked excitedly.

“Yeah, remember you have practice today with Uncle Timo.”

Nico´s reminder about practice with Timo sparked a sense of excitement in Kilian´s eyes. “Oh, right!” he exclaimed.

So, in this universe Timo is a hockey coach for kids? Interesting. But the fact made Jack wonder what his other teammates could be doing in this universe, if none of them play in the NHL.

Dawson Mercer always talked about his dog, so maybe he could be a vet in this universe? And Alex Holtz a bakery owner?

“That´s even better!” Jack chimed in, a smile spreading across his face at the prospect of a day filled with hockey. “We always have a blast with Uncle Timo, don´t we boys?”

The boys nodded enthusiastically, his excitement reignited as they envisioned the day ahead. “Yeah! Uncle Timo is the best,” Nolan agreed, his voice filled with anticipation.

Nico chuckled softly at the twins enthusiasm, a fond smile gracing his lips. “Well, then it´s settled,” he said his tone filled with warmth. “I will call Uncle Timo later and ask if you can play before the other kids arrive.”

When they arrived at the rink a few hours later, Timo was already there. He greeted Nico in Swiss German and told the boys to head to the locker room.

“Thanks for making some more time for them. Kilian begs to play hockey every morning” Nico laughed.

“Anything for my favourite nephews”

As Nico and Timo slipped back into Swiss German and engaged in conversation about something that Jack couldn´t quiet grasp, he decided to take the opportunity to head into the locker room and assist the boys with changing into their hockey gear.

Entering the locker room, Jack was greeted by the sound of excited chatter as Kilian and Nolan eagerly prepared for practice. They chattered animatedly about their favourite players and the moves they hoped to perfect on the ice, their enthusiasm contagious.

“Alright, boys, let´s get you geared up,” Jack said with a smile, his heart swelling with pride at the sight of his sons´ passion for the sport.

Together, they worked quickly to lace up skates, don helmets, and strap on pads, Jack actually doing most of the work. As he watched them don their gear with determined focus, Jack couldn´t help but feel a swell of pride in his chest.

In a universe where neither he nor Nico had any direct involvement with hockey, the fact that their sons still embraced he sport with such enthusiasm was a testament to the enduring legacy of their family´s love for the game.

When they finally finished putting on the gear, Jack led them out to the ice where he spotted Timo putting up some things for an exercise.

As Timo guided Nolan and Kilian through their hockey drills, Jack settled onto the bench beside Nico, their eyes following the boys´ movements with pride and admiration.

“Look at them go,” Jack remarked, a smile tugging at his lips as he watched his sons skate across the ice with determination.

Nico nodded in agreement, his gaze filled with affection as he observed the boys´ progress. “They´re getting better every day,” he replied, his voice filled with pride. “I´m so proud of them.”

“Yeah, me too” Jack said.

He is proud of Nolan and Kilian, as much as he is proud of the Nico and Jack in this universe. He knows that the boys´ skating on the ice are not really is own but knowing what the Nico and Jack in this universe accomplished, made him smile.

Jack never believed in alternate universes but now that he knows they exist, he wonders what other universes there are. If there are any universes where they don't know each other.

Jack´s heart skipped a beat as he pressed a kiss onto Nico´s hand, his lips lingering on the smooth surface of the wedding ring that adorned his finger. The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning: they were married in this universe.

They were married, had kids and lived in a beautiful house somewhere in the Swiss Alps, it´s like a dream. Exactly what the Nico in his universe always told him. How the Nico in his universe wanted to spend his days after they would retire.

Thinking about his life here, made Jack realize what he lost. By breaking up with Nico, he lost the one person who meant everything to him. The one person he could always trust. The one person who would love him if no one else would.

“I love you. I love you more than anyone else in the world. I want you to know that and never forget it.” Jack said while squeezing Nico´s hand.

“I love you too.” Nico laughed. “You´re acting off today, though. Are you okay?”

“I´m fine. Just happy to have you and the boys.”

Nico leaned forward and pressed their lips together. There´s not any tongue, there´s still kids in the room. But the quick press of their lips together is more than enough for Jack to know what Nico wanted to say. “Me too.”

3.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Jack glanced around the room, taking in the sparse furnishings and the faint smell of sweat lingering in the air. There are a few UMich posters on his wall, so Jack suspects in this universe he goes to college.

Before Jack went to sleep yesterday, he spent minutes hugging the twins, knowing he wouldn´t see them again. Knowing he would wake up in another universe, once again.

This is the third time that Jack woke up in unfamiliar surroundings, only this time he didn´t have Nico by his side.

With a heavy sigh, Jack pushed back the covers and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his mind racing with a flurry of questions and concerns. Where was Nico in this universe? Did they know each other here?

One look at his phone screen answers his question to if he knew Nico in this universe. Because yes. He does.

As Jack unlocked his phone, he was greeted by a snapshot of him and Nico on an ice rink, both sporting wide, goofy grins that stretched from ear to ear. In the photo, Jack´s arm was wrapped securely around Nico´s waist, holding him upright as they glided across the ice together.

He probably shouldn´t go through phones that aren´t his, but this technically is his phone, and he wants to find out more about his life here.

Looking through the camera roll, he finds out that all his friends from the USNTDP time are on the UMich hockey team, Jack too, obviously.

It´s been a long time since they all played together, so Jack hoped that they have practice today, so he could finally play with them again.

While scrolling through the camera roll some more, Jack mostly saw pictures of the hockey team and pictures of him with Nico. Some, that should never be seen by anyone except himself and Nico. Like actually, who takes pictures or videos in the middle of having sex???

Jack´s heart leaped with excitement as he opened his calendar and confirmed that practice was indeed scheduled for today, and it was coming up soon. The prospect of hitting the ice with his old teammates filled him with a sense of anticipation and eagerness.

Before getting ready though, he checked his messages. There is one from Nico, telling him good morning and asking if he should pick him up after practice. Jack answered quickly, before looking through the rest.

Some from his brothers, in the family group chat. Some in the hockey group chat and one from Cole asking if he´s still on for the party tonight. Jack doesn´t bother responding to these, he will see Cole at practice anyway.

As Jack entered the locker room, the familiar chatter of his teammates filled the air, their voices mingling in animated conversation. Among them were Cole, Trevor, Alex, Cam and surprisingly Jamie Drysdale.

“Hey, guys” Jack said and sat down in his stall. “What´s going on?”

“We´re talking about the party tonight. You coming?” Cole asked him.

Jack remembered all their night outs during their time at the Development Program, that was probably the best time of his life. Well close behind getting drafted first overall, but nothing could probably top that.

“Sure. Can´t think of anything better I have to do tonight.”

“Are you sure? Won´t your little whore complain again?” Trevor said in a voice that doesn´t sound like he´s kidding, but actually making fun of him.

“What?”

“Don´t act all innocent now. Your boyfriend is the biggest slut around. He used to go to all these parties and let randoms fuck him or fucks them and then doesn´t even let you go to any parties.” Trevor said while lacing up his skates.

Jack´s jaw tightened, his hands clenching into fists at his sides as anger flared within him. How dare Trevor speak about Nico in such a disrespectful manner. Nico was more than just his boyfriend – he was Jack´s rock, the one person who had always been there for him through thick and thin.

What the fuck was wrong with the Trevor in this universe?

As Jack pondered Trevor´s behaviour and the lack of presence in his life in this universe, a sense of unease settled over him. It was clear that something had shifted between them, a distance that Jack couldn´t quite understand but felt keenly, nonetheless.

Perhaps in this alternate reality, Trevor and Jack had never forged the same close bond that they had in Jack´s original universe. Maybe their paths had diverged early on, leading to a strained relationship that left Jack feeling isolated and unsure of where he stood.

The absence of messages and photos with Trevor, Jack discovered this morning only underscore the growing divide between them, leaving Jack to wonder what had caused their friendship to falter in this alternate reality. Had there been a falling out that Jack had no idea about? Or had their relationship simple never been as strong as Jack had believed it to be?

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Jack said and got up.

“Nothing I just think it´s funny. You know that Nico sleeps with Nolan Patrick and Taylor Hall, right? The two of them aren't juts his best friends, he fucks them too.” Trevor laughed and got up too, pushing Jack slightly, so he stumbled a few steps back.

Jack´s fists clenched at his sides again, his entire body trembling with a mix of anger and despair. Jack knows that Trevor is lying. Jack might not now the Nico in this universe very well, but he knows his Nico and he would never do something like that. And no other version of Nico in some other universe would ever cheat.

But before Jack could muster a response, Alex intervened, his voice cutting through the tension with a sense of calm. “Just because you have some problems in your own love life, doesn´t mean you can let your anger out on any of the people who are in healthy and steady relationships.”

With a firm grip on Trevor´s arm, Alex ushered him out of the room, leaving Jack in the locker room with the rest of the guys. As the door swung shut behind them, Jack sank to the bench, his mind reeling with the aftermath of Trevor´s cruel words.

“Hey, Jack, don´t listen to Trevor,” Cole spoke up, his voice steady with conviction. “He´s just spouting off nonsense. We all know how much you and Nico mean to each other. Nothing Trevor says can change that.”

“Yeah, man, Trevor´s just bitter because Jamie rejected him,” Cam chimed in, his tone laced with sympathy. “He´s taking it out on you, because he can´t handle his own issues. It´s got nothing to do with you or Nico. And also, there´s no way Nico is cheating on you with Nolan or Taylor, he loves you more than anything else on earth.”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the group as they rallied around Jack, offering words of encouragement and solidarity. Even Jamie, who had been the target of Trevor´s anger, stepped forward, his expression contrite as he offered an apology.

“Sorry about all this, Jack,” Jamie said, his voice tinged with remorse. “I should´ve shut Trevor down sooner. He´s been acting out ever since I turned him down. But there´s no excuse for him to take it out on you or Nico.”

That´s definitely something Jack won´t tell the Trevor in his universe about the other. He would freak up if he found out Jamie rejected him.

It´s weird though, in the other universe the relationships seemed very similar, the ones dating in his universe, also dated in the other. So why doesn´t Jamie like Trevor back here?

The answer came during practice. Normally Trevor and Jamie were always close to each other during warmups but here Jamie only has eyes for Cam. Doesn´t matter what the ginger is doing, Jamie´s eyes followed him like he was his prey.

After practice wrapped up and Jack stepped out of the locker room, the weight of Trevor´s words still heavy on his shoulders, he was greeted by the sight of Nico waiting for him in the parking lot.

Nico´s expression softened as he took in Jack´s weary demeanour, his eyes filled with concern and affection. Without a word, he closed the distance between them, wrapping Jack in a warm embrace and pressed a kiss to the side of his head.

“Hey,” Nico murmured, his voice soft and soothing against Jack´s ear. “How was practice?”

Jack sighed, leaning into Nico´s embrace as he breathed in the familiar scent of his cologne. “It was... rough,” he admitted, his voice tinged with exhaustion. “But seeing you makes it better.”

A smile tugged at the corners of Nico´s lips as he pulled back slightly, his gaze meeting Jack´s unwavering warmth. “I´m glad you think so,” he replied, his tone filled with genuine affection. “C´mon let´s go to my dorm and then we can cuddle.”

“Yeah, that sounds perfect,” Jack replied, his own smile mirroring Nico´s as he reached out to take his hand. “I could definitely use some cuddle time with you.”

Together, they made their way across the parking lot, their fingers intertwined as they walked side by side, Nico telling him about something his professor told them class today.

As soon as they reached Nico´s dorm, Jack wasted no time shedding his clothes, the weight of the practice falling away with each discarded garment. With practiced ease, he slipped beneath the covers, clad only in his boxers, the cool fabric a welcome relief against his heated skin.

Nico watched him with a soft smile, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes as he followed suit, quickly divesting himself of his own clothing before joining Jack in bed. As he settled beside him, the warmth of his own body seeping into Jack´s side, a sense of peace washed over them both.

“Can you tell me the story of how we met?” Jack asked, his voice laced with curiosity as he gazed up at Nico, hoping to hear a tale that would shed light on the beginnings of their relationship.

“Again?” Nico chuckled, a hint of amusement in his tone as he settled back against the pillows, his eyes twinkling with affection.

Jack´s heart skipped a beat at Nico´s response, a surge of relief flooding through him at the prospect of hearing the story. It was a risky move, hoping Nico wouldn´t catch on to the fact that he had no recollection of their first meeting, but Jack was willing to take the chance if it meant he could learn more about their shared history.

“Yeah, again,” Jack replied, his smile widening as he propped himself up on one elbow eager to hear Nico´s version of events.

Nico´s voice warm as he recounted their first meeting, his eyes alight with fond memories as he painted a vivid picture of their first meeting.

“It all started at a party,” Nico began, a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips. “You were there with your teammates, and I remember seeing you across the room, all confident and charming. I thought you were the most beautiful person ever, the why the whole room seemed brighter when you smiled.”

Jack listened intently, hanging on Nico´s every word as he described the scene.

“I remember trying to play it cool,” Nico continued, a hint of amusement in his voice. “But you kept finding excuses to talk to me. Offering to get me a drink, asking me where I´m from because of my accent. Asking me about my favourite music... You were persistent, I´ll give you that.”

Jack grinned, moving so he was laying with his head on Nico´s chest, tracing circles onto his boyfriend's stomach.

“But every time you asked me out, I said no,” Nico confessed, a touch of regret in his tone. “I had my reason, you know? Too many bad experiences with jocks in the past. I didn´t want to get hurt again.”

Jack´s heart sank at Nico´s words, a pang of guilt tugging at his chest as he realized the pain he must have caused Nico with his persistent advances.

“But you didn´t give up,” Nico continued, his gaze meeting Jack with unwavering warmth. “You kept trying, showing me that you were different. And eventually, I couldn´t resist anymore. I finally said yes and for our first date you took me out to your favourite Italian restaurant, then we went to see a movie and then we went for a walk. You brought me back to my dorm and asked me out on another date. I said yes and kissed you on the cheek. Afterwards I walked to my room and looked out of the window to see you still on the same spot, with a hand on your cheek where I just kissed you. Then you turned around to look up to my window waved at me, blew me a kiss and walked away.”

Jack´s heart swelled with warmth as Nico recounted their first date, the details of which were unfamiliar yet strangely comforting to him.

“You really remember all the little details, huh?” Jack replied, his voice filled with admiration and pressed his lips onto Nico´s.

Nico´s eyes sparkled with fondness as he nodded, a soft smile playing at his lips. “Yeah, it´s one of those memories that just sticks with you, you know?”

Jack couldn´t help but smile at Nico´s words, a sense of wonder washing over him as he marvelled at the depth of their connection in this universe.

“I love you” Jack said.

It felt weird to say it, this is not his Nico. But Jack doesn´t think that there is any version of Nico in these universes which he wouldn´t love. It´s Nico after all.

“I love you too,” Nico replied and pressed a kiss onto Jack's forehead. “Let's take a nap though. Big party tonight.”

4.

As Jack´s eyes fluttered open, he once again found himself in a bed that was unfamiliar, but strangely luxurious. The room around him was sparse, yet elegant, with ornate furnishings and regal decor adorning the walls.

Confusion washed over him as he sat up, his gaze darting around the room in search of answers. He has woken up in a few different beds in the past few days and he knew he would wake up in another bed today, but he didn´t expect something like this.

With a sense of trepidation, Jack swung his legs over the edge of the bed, in which Nico was still sleeping soundless, and made his way to the window, his heart pounding in his chest as he peered out into the unknown.

To his astonishment, the view that greeted him was nothing short of breathtaking. Stretching out before him was a sprawling landscape of lush greenery, mountains and majestic architecture, with towering and grand palaces dotting the horizon.

Jack´s eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the sight, his mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of his surroundings. This wasn´t just any ordinary house – it was a royal palace, fit for a king.

There was a knock on the door which was quickly followed by a voice telling them that breakfast is being served.

The voice is familiar to Jack, he just can't quite place it, so while Nico groaned in bed, complaining about not getting enough sleep – apparently that man is a morning muffle in every universe – Jack opened the door.

With a quick twist of the handle, Jack swung the door open to reveal a figure standing in the hallway, their features bathed in the soft glow of morning light. As the figure turned to face him, Jack´s eyes widened in surprise, a smile spreading across his face as he finally placed the voice.

“Curtis? Is that really you?” Jack exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief as he pulled him into a tight embrace.

As Jack pulled back from the hug, his expression shifted from happiness to confusion as he noticed the puzzled looks on Curtis and Nico´s faces. It dawned on his that in this universe, Curtis wasn´t a close friend of his, but apparently someone who worked for the palace.

“Uh, sorry about that,” Jack stammered, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. “I guess I got a little carried away. It´s just... nice to see a familiar face, you know?”

Curtis and Nico exchanged a bemused glance before Curtis chuckled softly. “No, worries, Jack. It´s good to see you too,” he said, clapping Jack on the shoulder. “Just wanted to let you know that breakfast is being served in the dining area. You have a big day ahead of you, you better get to start eating.”

“Thank you, Curtis. We will be out in a minute” Nico said and got out of bed.

Jack closed the door and walked over to Nico, stopping when he stood in between Nico´s legs.

“What was that about, Schätzli?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Jack shrugged, a playful grin spreading across his face. “I don´t know, just felt like we should appreciate Curtis´s work a bit more,” he replied with a chuckle.

Nico shook his head, still smiling as he paced his hands on Jack´s waist. “Well, I´m sure he appreciates the sentiment,” he said, pulling on his shirt. “But let´s not keep the rest waiting too long for breakfast.”

With a shared laugh, Jack and Nico finished getting ready and headed out of the room, eager to join their families for breakfast.

At breakfast, Jack picks up some interesting revelations about his life in this universe. Jack comes from a prestigious family in the US. Meanwhile, Nico´s parents are the king and queen of Switzerland, and his older brother Luca has stepped down from his position as crown prince, making Nico the new heir to the throne. Jack had no idea why they skipped Nina, Nico´s older sister. With this newfound responsibility, Nico is preparing to take on his role as crown prince while also planning his engagement to Jack, wedding is set to happen in the summer.

They also discuss their engagement party tonight, which is expected to be visited by some other princes of European countries and also some from North America.

Following breakfast, Jack takes a moment to catch up with his brothers, relishing the rare opportunity to spend time togther. Yes, sure he sees Luke all the time during their season, but it´s still nice knowing that in every universe he has his brothers and that they are close.

Jack also learns that Quinn is dating some girl from Denmark, who sadly couldn´t make it here, because a relative of hers died. Luke though, doesn´t tell him anything about his private life. Just like in their universe.

As the rest of the day flies by, Jack found himself being torn from one place to another. He has to look at the big ball room and approve the decorations and seating chart. Interestingly, John Marino is going to be sitting right next to Luke on their family table.

He spots a few more familiar names too. Trevor, who he hopefully gets along better here than the last universe. His name is on a cart next to Jamie´s, obviously. There´s also a lot of his teammate's names of the nametags.

Then he has to taste test the food their personal chefs are gonna serve, has to get his tux looked over again and lots of other things. If Jack thought his life as a hockey player was stressful, he hasn´t lived this life yet. It´s a thousand times more stressful.

But before Jack can even look at the clock again, it´s time for the party.

As Jack navigated through the lively crowd at the engagement party, Trevor´s voice rang out acrooss the room, catching his attention.

“Jack, over here!” Trevor called out, waving enthusiastically as he spotted his friend weaving through the guests.

Looks like Jack and Trevor are friends in this universe, good.

Also, only Trevor could shout through a crowd filled with important peoplen and not be embarrassed by it.

“Hey, Jack! It´s been long, man. How´ve you been?” Trevor asked, his tone filled with genuine interest.

Jack shook Trevor´s hand firmly, returning the warm greeting. “I´ve been great, thanks! And yourself?” he replied, curiosity colouring his words.

As annoying as these whole different universes experience were, Jack actually enjoys finding out how his and his friends lives differ from his original.

“You know the same old. I love being Jamie´s trophy wife. Following him around these balls and parties, getting to drink as much as I want.” Trevor laughed and grabbed another glass of champagne from one of the servers. “But let´s not talk about me. Congratulations on the engagement, man. I know I already told you but not in person. Why did you have to move all the way to the other side of the earth?”

“Switzerland is not on the other side of the earth, Trevor” Jamie said as he appeared behind Trevor, putting one of his hands on his lower back.

Trevor turned around, a surprised expression crossing his face as he caught sight of Jamie standing behind him. “Oh, hey Jamie! Didn´t see you there,” he exclaimed, a sheepish grin spreading across his features.

Jamie chuckled, shaking his head in amusement as he leaned in closer to Trevor, his hand still resting on his lower back. “Yeah, I gathered that,” he replied, a loving glint in his eye. “But come one, you moved to Canada for me, why wouldn´t Jack move to Switzerland for Nico?”

Trevor´s grin widened and turned back to Jack. “Yeah, but the US and Canada are right next to each other, and Switzerland is on a whole other continent.”

Jack chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Fair point,” he replied, amusement colouring his tone as he watched the playful banter between Trevor and Jamie unfold before him.

Jack is thanking the gods of this universe that Trevor and Jamie are together here. They are so different but for some reason it just works for them.

As Nina approached, her expression serious, Jack and the others fell into a hushed silence, sensing the urgency in her demeanour. “Sorry to interrupt, but Jack, can I speak with you for a moment? It´s urgent,” she said, her tone grave.

Jack exchanged a quick glance with Trevor and Jamie before nodding in agreement. “Of course, Nina. Lead the way,” he replied, his voice calm despite the unease gnawing at his insides.

Together, they made their way to a quieter corner of the room, away from the prying eyes and ears of the other guests. On the way Jack spotted Alex Holtz and Dawson Mercer dancing relatively close to each other. Aswell as his little brother leaning closer so he could listen to something John Marino was telling him. Interesting.

Once they were alone, Nina turned to Jack, her expression serious. “This might sound stupid, but who the fuck are you?”

Jack´s heart skipped a beat at Nina´s unexpected question, his mind scrambling for a plausible explanation. He opened his mouth to respond, but found himself at a loss for words, the weight of Nina´s suspicion bearing down on him like a leaden weight.

“I-I´m Jack. Jack Hughes,” he stammered, his voice faltering as he struggled to maintain his composure. “I-I´m Nico´s fiancé. You know me.”

Nina´s brow furrowed in disbelief, her gaze piercing as she scrutinized him intently. “I know Jack,” she replied, her voice laced with scepticism. “You might look like him, sound like him and act like him, but you are not Jack.”

Jack should have known that if one person can see through his act, it would be Nina. She´s always been the smart one.

“I... I swear, Nina, I´m not trying to deceive anyone,” Jack insisted, his voice tinged with desperation. “I-I just... I don´t know how to explain it, but I am Jack. Please, you have to believe me.”

“I know you´re not the Jack I know. Or the Jack that my brother is engaged to.” Nina said, an earnest look on her face. “You´ve been acting strange the entire day. You didn´t even know where your bedroom was, you´ve been living here for 3 years.”

Maybe Jack should just tell her. He won´t lose anything if he does.

“I can tell you what´s going on, but not in here. Show me to the garden and I will tell you.”

Together, they slipped out of the bustling party and into the tranquil serenity of the garden, where the soft glow of moonlight cast a gentle radiance over the lush foliage. Jack took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts as he prepared to reveal the truth.

“Nina,” he began, his voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions swirling within him. “I´m not... from this universe. I know it sounds crazy, but... I´ve been traveling through different realities, different versions of... myself.”

Nina´s eyes widened in astonishment, her disbelief mirrored in the furrow of her brow. “What do you mean, traveling through realities?” she asked, her voice tinged with incredulity.

Jack took a deep breath, steeling himself for the incredulous reaction he knew his words would evoke. “I know it sounds insane,” he admitted, his gaze never wavering from Nina´s. “I´m from a universe where Nico and I are hockey players, we both play in the NHL. Not just us but most of the people who work for you, like Curtis, Timo and Jonas. Also, Trevor, Jamie, my brothers and a few others.”

Nina listened in stunned silence as he told her about his relationship with Nico in his universe and how he broke up with him.

“Ever since that night I´ve been waking up in different universes. In one everybody was gender-switched, meaning me and Nico were girls, and you were a guy. You looked a lot like your brothers by the way.” Jack laughed. “Then in another one we were married with twins and living in Switzerland. And in the last one we were in college, and this one Nico is royalty. These universes are all completely different but in each one I´m dating Nico.”

Nina listened intently as Jack recounted his incredible journey through alternate realities, her eyes widening in astonishment with each passing revelation.

“You know from what you´ve told me I think the reason why this is happening is because you broke up with my brother.”

Jack´s eyes widened in surprise at Nina´s suggestion, her words resonating with a curious sense of possibility. Why hadn´t he thought about that, it all made sense.

“You´re so smart, Nina. What would I do without you?” Jack admitted. “But why would breaking up with Nico lead to me hopping through different universes?”

Nina shrugged, her expression thoughtful as she considered the implications of her hypothesis. “Maybe it´s some kind of cosmic consequence,” she mused. “A way for the universe to show you the impact of your choices, to make you understand the gravity of what you´ve done.”

“Yes and maybe that´s why in every universe me and Nico were a happy couple, even if others weren´t. It´s all about the relationship between us. I knew I shouldn´t have broken up with him. I love him.”

“I know that the version of you in this universe would never break up with my brother. You love him more than anything else in the world and he does too.” Nina said. “I remember when he told me about you. It was at a gala your parents hosted, Nico came up to me and told me about this cute guy on the dance floor dancing horribly. He thought it was the cutest thing ever and wanted to go up to you and talk to you, but he was too nervous because he thought maybe you were dating Trevor.”

“He thought I was dating Trevor? Ew, not even in a thousand years.” Jack laughed and pretended to gag.

“Yeah, but then Jamie showed up and Trevor only had eyes for him so eventually he was convinced that you were not dating. I told him to just go up to you and that he should just shoot his shot. He did, and it obviously worked because now you´re engaged. You guys did go through some rough patches, but it only made your love stronger.”

It was as Nina said, each universe itself was offering him a lesson, a series of glimpses into the complicated path that love could take.

“It´s like the universe is trying to tell my something,” Jack mused, his voice tinged with wonder. “That no matter the obstacle or challenges we face, love has a way of finding its way back to us.”

Nina smiled in understanding, her eyes genuine, “It doesn´t matter what you and Nico are going through in your universe, you guys are made for each other. Nico doesn´t work without you and you don´t work without him. So, when you wake up in your own universe, you better take my brother back.”

Jack couldn´t help but smile at Nina´s words, her sincerity washing over him like a warm embrace. In her simple yet profound statement, he found a sense of reassurance, a reminder of the unwavering bond he shared with Nico.

“You´re right, Nina,” Jack replied, his voice filled with determination. “No matter what challenges we face, Nico and I belong together. And when I wake up in my own universe, I´ll make sure to set things right.”

Nina returned his smile, her expression one of quiet approval. “I have no doubt that you will,” she said, her voice filled with confidence. “Just remember that love always finds a way.”

With a nod of gratitude, Jack took a moment to absorb Nina´s words. Whatever trials awaited him in his own universe, he knew that with Nico by his side, they could overcome anything. It will be Nico who will be leading the team to the Stanley Cup, Jack helping him wherever he could.

“Thank you, Nina,” Jack said sincerely. “For everything.”

As they made their way back to the party, Jack knew that he was gonna give the Nina in his universe a big hug the next time he sees her, even if she doesn´t know why.

5.

As Jack slowly emerged from the depths of sleep, he found himself in a room that was both familiar and yet entirely foreign. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room´s furnishings, which seemed subtly altered, as if touched by the passage of time.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Jack sat up in bed, his gaze drifting to the figure lying beside him. It was Nico, not like Jack suspected anyone else, but there was something different about him. He looked older, had crinkles and a few grey hairs.

As realization slowly dawned, Jack´s heart began to race. This wasn´t just another universe, this was his own universe, but some years into the future and judging by the ring on their fingers, they were married.

While Jack´s mind whirled with questions and anticipation, he slipped out of bed with the careful quiet of someone not wanting to disturb a sleeping partner. His heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation as he made his way to the bathroom.

Entering the bathroom, he flicked on the light, illuminating the space with a soft, warm glow. Stepping in front of the mirror, he gazed at his reflection, his breath catching in his throat at the sight before him.

The face that stared back at him was unmistakably his own, yet subtly altered by the passage of time, he looks just like his dad. Lines of experience and wisdom etched themselves into his features, lending him an air of maturity and gravitas that he hadn´t possessed before.

As he took in his reflection, Jack couldn´t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the journey that had brought him to this moment.

With a newfound sense of curiosity, Jack decided to explore their apartment, eager to uncover glimpses of the life they share in the years leading up to this moment. Leaving the bathroom behind, he padded through the familiar space.

It´s nice knowing that they stayed in New Jersey even if they didn´t play anymore.

Jack isn´t really a person who prints out pictures and puts them up in the house but he´s thankful that Nico is, because it helps him figure out some things.

Like the fact that they have twins, again. And apparently their names are Kilian and Nolan, as pictured on the fridge.

Jack couldn´t suppress a smile as he noticed the names written beneath the photo on the fridge. It seems that some things were meant to stay constant across universes, including the joy of raising twins. The realization filled him with warmth, knowing that in every iteration of their lives, Kilian and Nolan were destined to be a cherished part of their family.

“Jack, what are you doing?” Nico asked as he appeared in the door.

Jack jumped slightly at Nico´s sudden appearance, his hand instinctively releasing the photograph he had been holding. He turned to face Nico, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.

“Fuck, you scared me.” Jack laughed.

“I can´t believe they never wanted to follow through with hockey. They would have been so good.” Nico said and took the picture out of Jack´s hand.

Their kids don´t play hockey in the future? Why? They enjoyed it in the other universe, why not here?

“Yeah,” Jack agreed, a touch of disappointment in his voice. “It´s strange to think about, they could have been so good, right?”

Nico´s laughter filled the room, his amusement echoing off the walls as Jack watched on, utterly perplexed by his reaction. “I knew it,” Nico finally managed to say between breaths, his laughter still bubbling beneath the surface.

Jack´s confusion only deepened at Nico´s cryptic response. “Did I say something funny?” he ventured, his brows furrowing in bemusement.

Nico waved a hand dismissively, a mischievous twinkle dancing in his eyes as he regained his composure. “Oh, it´s nothing,” he replied, his tone teasing. “Just a little inside joke between us, I suppose.”

Jack´s curiosity was piqued, but before he could press Nico for more information, he was already on the move. “Wait here,” Nico instructed, flashing Jack a playful grin. “I´ll grab some more pictures for you to look at, Jacky,” He punctuated the nickname with air quotes, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips as he disappeared from the room.

Nico returned to the room, a stack of photo albums cradles in his arms, each one filled to the brim with pictures. He deposited them on the kitchen island next to Jack, a warm smile gracing his features as he settled beside him.

“Here we go,” Nico announced, his voice tinged with excitement as he flipped open the nearest album. “My Jack told me this was probably gonna happen one day, but I didn´t really know when.”

Jack just looked at Nico with his mouth wide open. “What are you talking about?”

“You waking up in different universes and now somehow landing in the future.” Nico said as he traced his finger over a selfie of the two of them. “The same thing happened to my Jack. He broke up with me and travelled through different universes where in all we were dating, it made him realize how stupid he was and when he was back in our universe he came crawling back to me.”

Jack listened intently as Nico spoke, his heart heavy with the weight of realization. So, this wasn't just a random occurrence, it was pattern, a cosmic dance orchestrated by forces beyond their comprehension.

As Nico´s words washed over him, Jack couldn´t help but feel a pang of guilt gnawing at his insides. He had never intended to hurt Nico, never mean to cause him pain. Yes, this Nico is not his, but it is his future Nico.

“I´m sorry, Nico,” Jack murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “I never meant to hurt you. I never realized...”

Nico placed a gentle hand on Jack's shoulder, his touch a soothing balm against the turmoil raging within him. “It´s okay, Jack,” he said softly, his gaze filled with understanding. “I´m not the Nico you should apologize to. When tomorrow you wake up in your universe, I want you to buy your Nico lots of chocolate and take him back.”

“Thank you, Nico,” Jack said, his voice thick with emotion. “I promise I´ll do everything in my power to make things right with my Nico. He means everything to me, and I can´t bear the thought of losing him.”

Nico offered him a warm smile, his eyes shining with unspoken gratitude. “I know you will, Jack,” he replied, his voice brimming with confidence, “But now I wanna show you what your next few years will be like.”

“Wait, are you sure I should know so much about my future? I don´t want to end up like Marty McFly.” Jack asked.

Nico chuckled at Jack´s reference, understanding the sentiment behind his question. “Don´t worry, Jack,” he reassured him, his tone light-hearted yet sincere. “I think knowing a little about the future won´t cause any paradoxes. Besides, it´s not like you´re going to use this knowledge to change anything major. It´s more about gaining insight and understanding into the journey that lies ahead.”

Jack nodded, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Yeah, I guess you're right,” he conceded.

Nico put his hand on top of all the albums on the island. “My Jack prepared these for you. There aren´t any specific dates in there, because we didn´t want you know too much but he thought it would be good for you to know.”

Nico flipped the first page and the first few pictures that followed were just some random ones of him with either Nico, teammates, his brothers or his friends.

Nico explained each picture, but he stopped when they reached a picture of the two of them standing across from each other, dressed in tuxedos. Quinn and Luke are standing behind Jack, and Timo and Nolan were standing behind Nico.

Their wedding.

“This was one of the happiest days of our lives,” he remarked, his voice soft with emotion. “I remember it like it was yesterday.”

Jack studied the picture intently, taking in the joy radiating from their smiles, the love evident in their eyes.

“It must have been incredible,” Jack murmured, his own heart swelling with emotion as he imagined the significance of the day.

“It was,” Nico agreed, his voice barely above a whisper. “You know what else was incredible?”

Nico flipped the page to a picture of him and Jack holding the Stanely Cup above their head, kissing underneath it.

“This,” he murmured, his tone filled with awe and gratitude, “winning the Stanley Cup with you by my side – it was beyond words.”

Jack´s breath caught in his throat as he took in the scene captured in the photograph, the sheer magnitude of the moment washing over him. “We did it. We actually did it.”

As he stared at the image of them clutching the Stanely Cup, a surge of emotions threatened to overwhelm him. The countless hours of practice, the wins, the loses, the battles fought – all culminating in this singular, unforgettable moment of triumph.

Nico flipped the pages slowly, more images of the win appeared. The whole team celebrating their win, teammates hugging, Jack and Luke holding the cup together.

In the background you could see the orange jerseys of the Flyers.

“We were unstoppable,” Nico whispered, his eyes shining with pride and admiration. “The team fought and worked hard, and in the end we all won the cup together.”

After they finished with that album, Nico gently lifted the next one, cradling it in his hands with a tender reverence. He glanced at Jack, “Are you ready for his one?” he asked softly, his voice tinged with warmth.

Jack nodded, “Yeah,” he replied, his voice filled with a quiet determination. “Let´s see it.”

With a gentle flick of his wrist, Nico opened the album, revealing a treasure trove of memories captured in the pages before them. Images of their sons – Kilian and Nolan – filled the album.

Nico´s voice was soft as he began to narrate the story behind each picture, his words laced with pride and affection. He spoke of the moment they had decided to start a family, of the excitement and uncertainty that had accompanied their journey to parenthood.

“How did you convince me to name one of our sons after Nolan Patrick?” Jack laughed as he looked at the picture of Nolan holding baby Nolan.

Nico chuckled softly, a fond smile playing at the corners of his lips as he reminisced about the decision behind their son´s name. “Well, you lost a bet to him,” he admitted, his voice tinged with amusement.

Jack´s eyes widened in surprise as he processed Nico´s words. “I lost a bet?” he repeated, a bemused grin spreading across his face.

Nico laughed, a melodic sound that filled the room with warmth. “Oh, you definitely did,” he replied, his voice filled with mirth. “It was during one of our late-night poker games with the guys. You were so confident that you had the winning hand, but Nolan called your bluff and ended up taking the pot.”

“I´ll remember that and never play poker with Nolan ever again.”

Suddenly Jack remembered that he had no idea how Nico knew it wasn´t actually his husband in his body. “Nico, I just realized something,” he began, his voice tinged with curiosity, “How did you know I wasn´t actually your Jack earlier?”

Nico´s expression softened, a knowing smile gracing his features as he met Jack´s gaze. “It wasn´t hard to figure out,” he replied, his tone gentle. “First of all, my Jack never leaves the bed before giving me a kiss. And also because of this...”

He flipped the pages of the album again and the one he stopped on was a family picture of them. They were all dressed in suits, and it looked like they were at a draft.

“Wait, they got drafted? Both of them?” Jack whispered, too stunned to speak normally. “I knew we wouldn´t raise kids who didn´t want to play hockey. It´s in their genes.”

Nico nodded, a proud smile gracing his lips as he traced a finger along the edge of the photograph. “Yes, they both got drafted,” he confirmed, his voice filed with pride. “First overall by the way. And before you ask, they were drafted in different years. They knew that it would only cause a stupide media rivalry so Kilian said he will wait one year longer and only then join the draft.”

Jack´s eyes widened in surprise at Nico´s revelation, a sense of admiration washing over him. “First overall? That´s incredible,” he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine pride. “And Kilian´s decision shows real maturity. I´m impressed.”

Nico nodded, a font smile playing at the corners of his lips. “They both grown into remarkable young men,” he remarked, his gaze lingering on the photograph. “And they´ve worked hard to achieve their dreams.”

“I´m so proud of them. A family consisted of only first overall NHL picks. That´s insane.”

Nico chuckled warmly, his eyes reflecting pride and affection. “It´s pretty amazing, isn´t it?” he agreed, his voice tinged with admiration. “But more than their achievements on the ice, I´m proud of the kind, compassionate young men they´ve become.”

Jack always knew that Nico would be an amazing father. He has seen him interact with kids a ton and he´s always had a big smile on his face and helped them improve their hockey skills, so he isn´t surprised that they´ve raised two amazing young men.

“You guys did a great job with them. I can only hope that my Nico will take me back after the shit I´ve pulled.” Jack said and sighed.

How could he be so stupid and break up with Nico, only because he was stressed that they wouldn´t make it to the Playoffs?

All these universes he travelled to show him that their relationship will survive anything and that they can do everything if they just have each other. Nico is the one person for him, and Jack is the one person for Nico.

Nico´s expression softened with understanding as he listened to Jack´s words. “He will, trust me.” he reassured, his voice gentle yet firm. “I am him, so I know he will. He loves you more than anything else in the world. He would give up hockey if it would mean that he gets to have you.”

Jack´s eyed widened in surprise at Nics words, a wave of emotion washing over him. “You really think so?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, touched by Nico´s unwavering faith in their love.

Nico nodded, his gaze filled with certainty. “I know so,” he affirmed, his voice resonating with confidence. “Your Nico may be hurt right now, but deep down, he still loves you as much as ever. I´m sure that if you just tell him the truth about everything, he will understand why you did it.”

“Thank you, Nico.”

They spent the rest of their day together talking about raising twins and other thing that Jack should avoid doing in the future.

When it was time to go to sleep, Jack couldn´t. He was way too nervous, he had no idea if he would wake up in his own universe tomorrow or somewhere else. It took him hours but eventually he fell asleep.

+1

Even before opening his eyes Jack knew that he was back in his universe. There´s just something in the air which made everything feel normal and steady.

Jack opened his eyes and did what he planned to do.

Go to Nico, apologize and ask him to get back together.

With a determined resolve, Jack rose from his bed and made his way to Nico´s apartment. Each step felt like a leap of faith, his heart pounding with anticipation as he approached the door. With a steady hand, he knocked, the sound echoing through the hallway like a drumbeat of possibility.

Seconds stretched into eternity as Jack waited, his nerves coiled tight with anticipation. Then finally, the door swung open, revealing Nico standing on the threshold, his expression a mix of surprise and pain.

But the Nico standing in front of him didn´t look like he normally would. His usually vibrant eyes dulled with the evidence of tears, his clothes worn and frayed, his hair dishevelled as if he hadn´t bothered to tame it in days.

“What do you want? Are you here to get your stuff?” Nico asked with a slightly annoyed tone.

Jack felt a pang of hurt at Nico´s words, the weight of their implication sinking heavy in his chest. He took a step back, his heart heavy with the realization of the pain he had caused.

Nico told him he didn´t want to break up, that he believed in them, and Jack threw it all away. He broke Nico´s heart because he thought it would be the best for them.

“No, Nico,” Jack replied, his voice soft but firm as he met Nico´s gaze with sincerity. “I´m not here because of that. I realized that I made a mistake. I shouldn´t have broken up with you in the first place.”

“Oh” Nico sighed and grabbed Jack by the arm to pull him into his apartment to get some privacy. “That´s it? You didn't think? You decided to break up because you didn´t think we could make it to the end and now, one month later you come crawling back.”

One month? The time must have been going slower in the different universes, because for Jack it has only been five days.

“I know, Nico. I know I messed up,” Jack admitted, his voice tinged with regret. “I was scared, and I thought breaking up was the right thing to do. But I was wrong. I see that now.”

Nico turned to face Jack, his expression a mixture of frustration and hurt as he searched for Jack's eyes for sincerity. “Do you, Jack? Do you really understand what you put me through?” He asked, his voice trembling with emotion. “I haven´t told my parents that we broke up. We were supposed to go to Switzerland when our season finished and the only reason why I didn't go back home yet is because I would need to tell my parents about us. You know how much my mother loves you, I couldn´t do that to her. It was better not seeing them if it would mean that they wouldn´t find out.”

Jack´s heart clenched at Nico´s words, the depth of his own thoughtless actions laid bare before him in Nico´s raw honesty. He reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he gently cupped Nico´s cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray of tear.

“There is something I have to tell you. Something happened to me, and you probably wouldn't believe me, but I need you to.” Jack said, remembering the future Nico telling him about his breakup with his Jack. That honesty will fix everything.

“I don´t need your excuses. You broke up with me because you didn´t want to spend the rest of your life with me, I understand that and...”

“That´s not why I did it” Jack interrupted him. “I thought I was distracting you. I was concerned that I was the reason why we played so bad this year. I thought that if I wasn´t with you anymore, we both could concentrate more on the thing that we wanted so badly. Which is to win the Stanley Cup.”

“You broke up with me because you didn´t think we could win the Cup if we were dating? That´s what happened to you, and I wouldn't believe you if you told me?” Nico asked confused.

Jack shook his head, took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. Steeling himself for Nico's reaction. “No, that´s something different,” he began, his words hesitant as he struggled to find the right way to explain. “The day after I broke up with you, I woke up somewhere else. In another universe, different universes actually. Every day I woke up in another universe, but in every single one we were dating or even married.”

Nico´s eyes widened in disbelief, his mind struggling to comprehend the enormity of what Jack was saying. “Different universes?” he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. “With me?”

Jack nodded, his gaze unwavering as he met Nico´s incredulous stare. “I know it sounds insane, but it´s true,” he insisted, the weight of his confession heavy upon him. “And in each universe, I´ve learned something new about us, about our love. And I realized that I made a mistake, Nico. I shouldn´t have let you go.”

For a long moment silence hung heavy between them as Nico processed Jack´s words. Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“I don´t know if I believe you but even if the story is made up, I wanna hear more about these different universes.” Nico admitted.

Jack nodded, understanding Nico´s scepticism but grateful for his openness to listen. “I´ll tell you everything,” he promised, his voice filled with sincerity.

And so, Jack began to recount his experiences, describing the different universes he had visited, the variations of their lives he had witnessed, and the lessons he had learned along the way.

“I´ll promise to you that we will never name one of our kids Nolan. He would probably brag way too much about it.” Nico laughed as Jack told him the story of their kids in the universes.

“Does that mean you take me back?” Jack asked serious.

“I´ll admit. I was hurt when you broke up with me, I didn´t understand why and I kept asking myself what I did wrong” Nico sighed and pulled and the skin between his fingers. “But I still love you, obviously. We´ve been together for three years and it´s only been one month since the breakup, I don't think someone can fall out of love this fast.”

“That´s what future Nico also told me.” Jack said and reached for Nico´s hands.

“If I´m being honest, this shit really creeps me out. But good to know that future me thinks the same as me.” Nico said and pressed a quick kiss to Jack temples.

“I love you” Jack said and gazed up to Nico. “I´m so sorry for what I did. With everything I learned, I now know that we can accomplish everything if we have each other.”

“I love you too” Nico said and pulled Jack onto the couch with him.

Yes, this universe is by far his favourite.