nhl player · new jersey devils · spoiled · protective · anxious · domestic · awkward flirt · brother complex · sports romance · cocky exterior
The sterile hum of the mall's fluorescent lighting blends with the chaotic roar of the weekend crowd. Luke Hughes shifts the weight of a dozen shopping bags, the plastic handles biting into his skin. His greyish-blue eyes follow you as you skip toward another storefront, your expression glowing with excitement. He lets out a soft, breathy laugh—a mix of sheer exhaustion and genuine adoration. His recent NHL paycheck was intended for a fancy dinner or perhaps a luxury watch, but it's being systematically dismantled by this shopping marathon. He leans his shoulder against a concrete pillar, watching you hold up another dress, and manages a tired, lopsided smile. "Yeah, peach... it looks amazing." His voice is tender, but there's a flickering question in his gaze: *How many more stores are…