Archive of Our Own ^beta

Their dynamic has always been clear. Easy.

Nico was the calm, stable one. The rock that the whole team leaned on.

And Jack, Jack was the storm washing over the coastline and bringing chaos and turmoil. They balance each other out and that's why they work together so well, on the ice and off of it.

1.

When the final goal horn sounds, Jack can't even really hear it over the sound of blood rushing through his ears. White hot anger coursing through his veins - at the other team who was better than them, at the refs for missing that one crucial penalty, but most of all at himself. 

First Over All. Franchise saviour. Face of the Devils.

Jack can still hear the voices inside his head and he knows exactly what they will say now. 

Washed up. Pretty Boy Hockey Player. Flashy but not talented enough.

In a sudden rush of emotion he swings his stick down, towards the ice. Once, twice. Again and again until the carbon fiber is broken and bent, almost unrecognisable. 

Too emotional. Hot head, the voices add.

But then a body crashes into him, arms wrapped around his waist so tight that he can still feel the warmth through all his layers of armor.

“Hey”, Nico whispers into his ear, “you good, Jacky?”

The rushing sound evaporates and Jack can feel himself relax into his Captain's hold. He nods.

“Yeah. I'm good now, Schao.”

2.

Jack doesn't even know how their argument started. Because living with your little brother comes with all sorts of small annoyances and disagreements. Since they are together pretty much 24/7 nowadays there are bound to be some squabbles and usually they are good with the whole forgive and forget thing.

Lately though, Jack has been feeling restless. The Devils are doing well for once, winning more than they are losing and for now sitting firmly in a Playoff spot, so it's not that. The media is annoying like always but that's nothing Jack hasn't learned to handle over the years. The boys, on the team or spread out over the continent, are fine, texting and meeting up when there is time. Only one thing in Jack's life is decidedly not in order. The Nico Thing (yes, it needs capitalization because it's a big thing). Luke knows about the Nico Thing. Kind of everyone does because Jack is a lot of things but subtle isn't one of them. 

But because Luke knows, it hurts so much more when he, in the middle of their argument, throws out a frustrated “Goddamnnit, Jack, maybe if you weren't such a nitpicky freak, Nico would actually like you back!”

For a moment Jack is so stunned that he can't move. Just standing there, frozen with his mouth slightly open in surprise and hurt. He can feel his eyes burning as he stares at Luke. His little-big brother already looks like he wants to apologise, to take back his words but- they are out there now, formed by his tongue, spoken out loud and heard by Jack's ears.

Jack knows that he is a lot sometimes, with his strict way of organising things, every bit in its own place, constantly cleaning up small messes or straightening out pillows. He knows that it can irritate people, even other hockey players (who are all kind of OCD, thank you very much). It just hurts to get it thrown back into his face from one of the people he loves most in this world.

Jack swallows down his tears, do not cry, he tells himself, turns around on his heels and marches straight out of their apartment, sock footed and key-less.

Nico doesn't ask questions when he opens the door to him standing there in his old ratty t-shirt and joggers, face frozen in a terrifyingly neutral mask. He simply steps back and lets Jack in.

That's what Jack likes the most about Nico, he thinks later, when they are curled up on the couch together, half-watching some mindless show, half-dosing off on each other's shoulder. Nico doesn't pry. He doesn't ask any questions or forces Jack to talk before he is ready. He is simply there.

3. 

If the hockey gods hadn't blessed Trevor Zegras with undeniable talent, he would have made a great surfer. Always tan, his skin golden from the California sun, blonde hair curled in the ends and just so laid back, no stress, dude, just chill. Jack thinks of all these things as he stares at the snap his oldest friend just sent him.

A quick pic of Z with his arm around Jamie's shoulders, a seemingly permanent, sunny smile on his face.

Yeah, Jack thinks, so fucking laid back that he forgets about his best friend. Again.

Because they may be in different states for most of the year but Trevor and Jack always made sure to call and check up on each other. Today should have been a ‘game and talk’ as Trevor calls their yapping sessions over Chel.

Instead Jack got the snap and a half-assed apology “Jamie wanted to go to the beach with me, talk soon?”

Jack presses the power button with more force than necessary and then ignores the ‘Do you want to restart your device?’ message on the screen in favour of letting the phone fall onto the mattress next to him, face down.

He stares at his ceiling for a moment before he takes a deep breath and swings his legs onto the ground.

Half an hour later his feet hit the pavement in a comfortable rhythm, his breath evened out. 

From next to him Nico hums happily, as he keeps Jack's running pace, “this was a good idea, Schätzli, I love this trail.”

Jack smiles, “thank you for coming with me.”

“Always”, Nico gently nudges his side without breaking their synchronised stride.

4.

At first, Jack didn't notice. It is the last stretch before the Christmas break after all, everyone is exhausted and ready for the five days off they are getting.

But then, he sees it. 

Everyone is in the locker room, changing, showering, snacking after their morning ice time. Jack himself just got out of the shower and is on his way to get dressed. Nico, their stalls next to each other, like they have been since his rookie year, is still half dressed in gear, his elbows resting on his knees, head in his hand while he stares blankly at his phone. 

Nobody else seems to find anything wrong with it. 

The team moves around their Captain like he's frozen in time.

Jack frowns. He crosses the room, quickly pulling on his sweats and a Devils shirt before he crouches down in front of Nico.

“Neeks?”, his voice is low, private, even though the others aren't paying attention anyway.

Nico blinks, pulling himself back to reality. His eyes focus on Jack but he looks so tired that they still seem glassy. That's when Jack notices the dark purple circles under his eyes, the ashen tone of his skin, the way exhaustion is basically dripping out of his every pore.

He is just about to open his mouth, not totally sure what to say, when a hand is clapping onto his back heavily.

“Hischier, Hughes, you're still here. Good.”, Coach Keefe, looming over Jack, says.

“You've both been tapped for media tonight after the game. And Cap? The socials team needs you for a few videos before you go home. Shower first.”

Nico seems to deflate even more. He looks bone-tired. But of course, he nods dutifully. "Of course, I'll be right out.”

Keefe nods, already turned halfway to leave when Jack's frustration finally bubbles over. He stands up.

“No.”

Keefe turns around, stares at him as if he's grown a second head. The room is quiet all of a sudden.

“What did you just say, Hughesy?”

Jack straightens himself out, standing directly in front of Nico now.

“I said no. Can't you see how tired Nico is?”, he turns towards their teammates, “can't you? He does so much for us, for this team. He is the first on the ice and the last one off it. Always helping everyone to be better, to achieve their goals. Interviews, social media, events - can't you see that he needs a break?”

Jack feels a hand reach for his, “it's okay Schätzli, I don't mind”, Nico whispers, but Jack shakes his head. “no, enough is enough. I wear a letter too so I have a say in this. And I am telling you what we will do: Merc, Nemo, Luke - go do whatever stupid trend social media wants to film now. Bratter and I will take the interviews tonight. And you”, Jack finally turns around and looks down at his Captain, “you will let me drive you home, buy you lunch and take a nice long nap so you don't collapse on the ice tonight.”

Nico's big brown eyes have gotten even larger than normal during Jack's speech but the fact that he doesn't protest against Jack taking charge, only nodding along slowly, is testament to the extent of his exhaustion. 

“Yeah, sounds good, Sternli. Give me five and we can go.” With a last, tired smile he shuffles off towards the showers. 

Somebody coughs.

Jack slowly turns back to face the room. Coach Keefe is staring at him. Contemplating. Then he nods. “Alright Hughes. Good call.” He claps Jack on the back again and then exits the room. 

“Way to go, Hughesy”, Timo grins as he walks past, the team's stupor seemingly broken as the guys start talking and moving again. 

“Yeah, Sternli”, Jonas adds, laughter in his voice. 

“Wait, what does that even mean?”

5.

His whole life people told Jack what he couldn't do.

Climb that tree. 

Jump off that cliff. 

Play Hockey. 

Too young, too small, not old enough, not the right built. 

His whole life Jack has been proving those people wrong.

But there is one thing Jack can't conquer through sheer stubbornness and force of will alone. Because right now, there is no denying it. His body is giving up on him.

The doctor's pitying face said it all when he told Jack the verdict.

Torn ligament. Surgery. Again. Out for the rest of the season, possibly playoffs too. Again.

Jack hadn't bothered to stop and pick up his prescription at the front desk, he just walked straight out, past his car, down the street, just away from this place.

He finally stops walking when the pain in his shoulder from moving around too much becomes unbearable. 

The neighbourhood of the special clinic that the Devils use for consultations like this is pretty rural, not many shops or cafés, almost no people on the streets during mid-day.

Jack spots a small park across the street and starts moving again.

He collapses onto a bench, letting out a small frustrated growl as the movement jostles his shoulder sling.

His eyes burn again and here, with no one around to see, Jack allows himself a moment to cry.

When he returns to his building, the sun has already started to set. He climbs out of his car and takes the elevator to his apartment, too exhausted to even think about the stairs.

As soon as he puts his keys into the lock, ready to open the door, it gets ripped away from him, revealing his younger brother in the doorframe.

“Where the fuck have you been?”, Luke's voice swings between relief and anger. “I've tried calling you like a million times, dude. Nico and Bratter too. We thought you were dead in a ditch somewhere. I was so close to calling Quinn!”

Jack's heart squeezes painfully, not just because he made his brother worry, but because even now, after all of them are adults, their default when things go wrong is still calling Quinn.

He swallows down a fresh wave of emotion before he sighs.

“Sorry Lukey, I needed a minute.” He shuffles into the hallway, toeing his shoes off, dropping his keys into the bowl on their shoe cabinet.

“A minute?!”, Luke's voice still goes up a bit when he gets worked up, “you were gone for hours Jack. We were supposed to have dinner with some of the guys and now they think we ditched them. Not cool!”

Jack can feel his weariness transform back into familiar anger.

“Not cool? You know what else is not cool? Finding out that everyone was right about me after all. Turns out, I am too soft for hockey. I am out, Luke. You get that? Leaving the team hanging again. So sorry I couldn't be your fucking chauffeur tonight but I really have bigger problems right now.”

With that Jack turns around and flees into his room. Slamming the door feels a bit childish but mostly invigorating. 

And then he does the same thing he always does when he can't handle life. He calls Quinn.

Half an hour later, having retold the entire story, Jack already feels better. Quinn always has that effect on him, even if he (like right now) hasn't even said much yet. 

“I am sorry, Jacky”, his older brother's voice crackles slightly and his face is too dark (damn time zones) but he sounds calm and rational, ready to fix things. That fact alone makes Jack's heart feel lighter.

“I know how hard it is to be on the sidelines when your team needs you”, he does. Quinn missed ten games with an injured hand last season and the Canucks were decidedly off worse than the Devils are right now, “but you know Dr. Millett will do a good job. Your other shoulder has been doing fine, right?”

Jack nods and Quinn sends him a reassuring smile.

“You will give your best, like always, doing your PT and resting and you will see, come playoffs you're back on the ice and better than ever.”

“Thanks Quinny”, Jack finally smiles back, “you always know what to say. Must be a Captain thing”, he muses, “Neeks gives the best advice too!”

Quinn lets out a small offended noise but then a sly glint appears in his eyes. “Neeks huh? Never heard that nickname for Hischier anywhere...”

Jack groans, already regretting his slip off.

“Quinn, please don't tease, I just had a terrible day.” Quinn's laughter echoes through the speakers.

“Alright, alright, I won't say anything. Just think you should know that Neeks texted me today. Wanted to know where you are... he sounded quite worried.” 

Jack whines, he can feel the embarrassment colouring his ears red, “Q please!”

Quinn laughs again. “No, really, let him know that you're okay?”

“Okay. I can do that. Love you.”

“I love you too, dude. Now let me get some sleep and for God's sake, please let Luke in so he stops blowing up my phone because he upset you.”

They hang up and Jack, his eyes set on his closed door, calls out: “Lukey? Can you get in here?”

Having brothers is awesome, Jack thinks to himself; he sends Quinn the picture he just took, him propped up halfway against a mountain of pillows, Luke asleep next to him, one long arm slung over Jack's body as if to protect him.

He also sent Nico a short text.

sorry about dinner, wasn't feelin it after doc's news

He hasn't even exited the chat when Nico's answer comes through. 

Here if you need to talk. ❤️

+1

Jack doesn't know if it's the new season, the home crowd or just the fact that his body finally, finally! feels like his own again.

Whatever it is, the energy inside the Rock is off the charts tonight.

The game is tied 2:2 and the Capitals are starting to get nervous, he can feel it in the aggression of their passes and checks. The Devils are holding their own so far but Jack is determined to win tonight, so when his line is called again, he jumps onto the ice and immediately gets a breakaway, two Caps players hot on his heels. In the offensive zone he suddenly feels someone pull on his jersey throwing him off the puck. “Too slow”, a grinning Dubois pushes past Jack, shoving him into the boards.

There isn't even a moment to panic about his shoulder (it has been good, really good, but still...) when suddenly Nico appears, shoving Dubois away from him, already swinging.

Jack looks around as one of the Protas brothers appears to help Dubois out, ready to jump into the fight.

Another red jersey pushes him back.

“Oh no, you don't”, Nemo simply says before he dives in to help their Captain himself.

In the end it doesn't last long, doesn't even turn into a real fight. It's still preseason after all.

Nico and Dubois get sent to the box anyway and Jack can see them chirping at each other. Nico spits out something, raking his fingers through already tousled hair and Jack suddenly feels hot under all his gear, in a way that has nothing to do with the game.

Later, after they lost in the shootout, the Prudential Center is quiet again.

Fans, staff and players gone. Almost everyone at least.

Jack shuffles through the empty hallway, he always liked his peace and quiet after a game and the ice bath gave him the perfect excuse to wait out his teammates. 

When he enters the locker room though, he is not as alone as he thought.

“Neeks? What are you still doing here?”

Nico, already dressed in his street clothes, looks up from his phone and smiles at him.

“Luke was tired of waiting and took your car. I'm your ride.”

That's right. They drove to the arena together today.

“Thanks, Schao, I'll be quick.”

With that Jack starts throwing stuff into his duffle, no time for order now, not with the way he can feel Nico's eyes on his back the whole time.

It's only when they are inside of Nico's Mercedes, doors closing without a sound, that Jack can relax again. He leans back into the soft leather seat, letting out a content sigh as he closes his eyes.

“Comfy, Schätzli?”, Nico sounds amused. 

“Mhm”, Jack hums, “your seats are so much better than mine. It's kind of unfair.”

“Only the best for my passenger princess”, yep, that's definitely amusement. 

“What does that mean, by the way?”

“What?”

“What you just called me. Schätzli. Or... what was the other one? Sternli?”

Nico doesn't answer immediately and so Jack opens his eyes again, turning his head to look at him.

“Neeks?”

A faint blush is spreading over Nico's cheeks as he sighs. “Sorry, yes. It's swiss. Like... a nickname?”

“yes”, Jack can't help but feel like he is missing something and he's getting impatient, “but what do they mean, Nico?”

“Well, Sternli means ‘Little Star'”, Nico finally continues, “and Schätzli is... like, I guess in English you would say darling or treasure?” His cheeks are fully red by now and his eyes stay firmly locked onto the steering wheel he keeps in a grip so tight, his knuckles are turning white.

Jack blinks. 

"But Nico. You calling me darling-”

“I know!”, Nico groans, “please, Jack, I already get enough shit about how obvious my stupid crush is from Timo and Jo. Please just tell me to stop now so I can start to get over it.”

“What if... what if I don't want you to get over it?”

Nico's head swivels so fast, Jack can almost hear the joints creak.

His eyes are wide as he whispers, “do you know what you are saying, Schätzli?”

Jack only grins and leans over the middle console. 

“Just come over here and kiss me, Neeks.”

Yeah, their dynamic is still pretty clear. Nico is the rock Jack can lean on, the one who will protect him on and off the ice. And Jack's storm? Gets just a bit quieter around him.