This is the second part of widely requested Dylan Larkin imagine with flashbacks, hope you'll all enjoy it:)
~Dylan's POV~
Ever since that dinner when I saw Y/N again, I can't stop thinking about how much she has changed from the girl who I took rubber ducky away from to a wonderful young woman, who lights up a room with her confidence. Unintentionally I touch a piece of rubber, resting in a crook of my neck. It's weird how normal became for me to wear this necklace everyday. Normal to that point actually, I don't even feel it around my neck anymore, it seems like it became a part of me.
One day at the practice, one thing I have never imagined it would happen, happens. The string on which the little piece of rubber is, breaks. One of the guys hooked his stick behind it and when he pulled it away, the string tore. To make things even worse, the little piece of rubber fell down and I didn't even realize that until it was too late. Only later in the locker room I realize I am missing something.
"Larkin, what's wrong with you?" Tatar chuckles when he sees my face.
"I-I...Has anyone seen my rubber pendant?"
"The one you always wear?"
"Y-Yeah, that one. Has anyone seen it?"
"No. What's wrong?"
"Did I wear it before the practice?"
I look at Tatar, who slowly nods: "Yeah, you never put it down."
"I think I accidently tore it..." Tomas Jurco mumbles from his stall and I look at him. Only then I remember how something tightened around my neck for only a split second and how I thought the necklace was still there. Apparently, it wasn't. I quickly slip into sneakers and run back, hoping I'd find tiny black pendant. Unfortunately, the ice looks as clear as a mirror, meaning Zamboni has already done its job. And today I am meeting Y/N... Speaking of her...
"Dylan?"
I turn around and see her coming towards me in classic dark-blue jeans and purple tank top. She gives me a wide smile: "How are you?"
"G-Good...how are you? Didn't think you'd come here."
"Well, I wanted to see your practice, but I guess I am too late for that," she sounds somehow sad when she says that and my heart flutters. She came here to see our practice?
"I can tell you when the next practice is and you can come by," I suggest, offering her another smile. Her face lights up as she wraps her arms around my neck: "You would really do that?"
"If that would mean so much to you, then yes, of course I would do that."
"Thank you so much. So, are you ready to go?"
"Just give me ten minutes, okay? I have to change..."
"What were you doing here, actually?"
This is the right time to tell her I have lost her last birthday gift and I even open my mouth to admit, but no words come out.
"Just...chilling a little bit. And in case you came here, I didn't want you to see a bunch of old guys naked."
She looks at me a bit suspiciously before chuckling: "Oh, you can call them old guys, since you are the youngest one, eh?"
I chuckle as well before responding: "Yup. Well, not now when you are here, but still."
"Oh, how funny you are, Larkin," she snickers and punches my arm. I gently and playfully shove her away: "So are you, Y/L/N. Hey, ten minutes, okay?"
"I won't wait much longer," she punches my arm again and pushes me towards the locker room: "Go, Larkin. We don't have all day for your fancy ass to get changed."
Chuckling, I run back and quickly change into everyday clothes while trying to ignore comments like "Baby Larkin has a date." and such from my teammates.
"Hey, Mrazek, can you please take my gear and bring it tomorrow? Pretty please?"
Czech goalie exhales deeply and looks at me: "Fine. Only today, because your date."
"Thanks, man. See you tomorrow, guys!"
And with that I am gone. No doubt the will talk a lot about that, but once for a change, I don't care.
"Y/N!" I call out her name, hoping she didn't leave already. She peeks out from around the corner and smiles: "There you are. Come on, hurry up. I don't have all day."
Laughing, I run after her and out of the arena. As soon as we get out, she stops and takes few breaths. I stop next to her and put my hand on her back: "Someone is not in good condition."
"Shut up, I don't like running."
I am about to start laughing, but then I notice a black letter D right beneath her left earlobe. Underneath that there is a number 2007, probably a year we went separate ways. Before I can think of a possible explanation, she straightens up and turns to me: "Is everything okay?"
"Uh, yes. Come on, let's go."
I take her hand in mine and our gazes meet for a split second. "Just like in the old days," she smiles and squeaks when I give her hand a little squeeze.
"Just like in good old days," I nod and hand-in-hand we walk down the street.
Somehow we end up in one of the downtown bars, where we sit down with two large glasses of iced tea with extra ice.
"So, Y/N, how have you been? It has been so long since we last saw each other..."
"I know, Dy. I missed you so much, even though my mom thought I couldn't remember you. Funny thing is, my best memories are with you."
"Same here. It has been way too long, but I couldn't imagine in my wildest dreams to meet you in Detroit. And yes, best childhood memories were with you as well."
"I know, it's crazy we are in the same town again. Hey, you wouldn't believe it, but I will be an older sister."
"What? Y/M/N is pregnant? Are you serious?"
She shakes her head, smiling widely. I remember how much she wanted to be an older sister when she was younger and now it seems she will be.
"That's awesome! You are finally going to be an older sister."
"I know, I can't wait. So, what about you? Any news?"
"Nope. I am just playing hockey in the NHL..."
"'Just playing hockey'? Are you serious? You have thousands of fans dying to talk to you."
"That's mostly because of what I am, not because of who I am."
She nods and takes a sip of her iced tea. One of the things about her is how she always, and I mean always, understands what's on my mind or what am I trying to say, even when I am not sure what is on my mind.
"You want to be seen as Dylan Larkin, not Dylan Larkin of Detroit. You want to be considered as a person, not an athlete who earns superstar money, am I right?"
"Yeah. And being with you right now...it seems like we are kids again."
She starts playing with a leather band around her wrist: "Those were days, weren't they? Remember that one time when you nearly sliced my fingers of while we were skating at that pond?"
"Hey, you didn't wear gloves!" I contradict her and grin at her expression. "You told me I didn't have to wear them!"
"I know, I know and I am sorry. But do you remember that one time when you thought we got lost on our way back home when we were playing in the forest?"
"That shortened my life for a decay. Thank god you don't get lost on your way here, Mr. Navigator."
"It wasn't that bad... hey, want something to eat?"
"I don't want you to spend..."
"I'll take that as a yes," I wave my hand and soon the waitress appears.
"What can I get you?"
"Two pieces of chocolate cake with whipped cream, please," I order her favorite cake. As soon as the waitress is gone, she murmurs: "You didn't have to do that. And chocolate cake? You think I need it?"
I look at her: "Don't start. You are..." shit, what can I say? I can't say she is perfect, what if she has a boyfriend or would think I am weird.
"Perfect," word slips out of my mouth before I can even think about it. But her face lights up: "You think I am perfect?"
"Uh, um, yeah, I mean... Doesn't matter."
When our desserts are nearly finished, she notices something I hoped she wouldn't: "Where is your necklace?"
"Sorry?"
"The necklace you had it on yesterday."
I close my eyes and let out deep sigh: "Y/N, I never put it down...and one of the guys tore the string and..."
I look up at her with sorry eyes: "I am so sorry, I shouldn't have had it on while playing hockey."
Her eyes become soft: "You never put it off ever since I gave it to you? Not once?"
"Nope. Never. It was my lucky charm."
"Oh, Dy! And I was worried you wouldn't like it because it was Panthers' logo and you are playing for Detroit now and-"
I don't know what happened, I only know I cut her babbling by leaning over and pressing my lips against hers. She goes silent instantly and her eyes get bigger, but she doesn't pull away. I am the one to cut the kiss short: "I am sorry."
"I-I...Don't be. I-I just didn't expect that."
"Sorry, it just happened."
She flashes me another smile: "Maybe we both wanted that... Dylan, I am going to Montreal for a month...we are visiting our friends and..."
"When?"
"Tomorrow. That's why I said I don't have much time."
"Will you come back?"
"That's one thing I will do for sure. And we will talk about us, okay?"
"Now when you are finally here, I don't want to lose you. ever again."
"You won't. That's my promise," she whispers and pulls down the leather band from her wrist. She passes it to me over the table: "Have this. As my promise."
Soon after that, we go our separate ways, but I can't forget that kiss I gave her and how she didn't freak out. Maybe, just maybe there is a chance for us.
Two weeks later before the practice, Henrik brings a tiny parcel to my stall: "Hey, Larkin, this has just gotten here. It's no return address and the security has already checked it. It's safe, just it's kinda odd..."
"Thanks, Henrik," I take the parcel out of his hands and unwrap it. There, on a pillow, on which jewelry usually rests is a tiny black pendant with beautifully carved Montreal Canadiens logo on it. Beneath it, there is a puck with a small piece missing. That small piece happens to match the shape of tiny pendant. Before I notice a small note, I know who the sender is. Y/N.
"Dy!
I bought this puck just to cut a piece of it. I know how much that pendant meant to you and that's why I sent you another one. I still remember how your face lit up when you unwrapped that birthday present in a distant year of 2001 and I hope this cheap replacement brought the same smile on your cheeks. Also, we will be coming back earlier and I was wondering...what do you think about going out? It's my time to buy you a chocolate cake J.
Let me know, you have my number.
With love,
Y/N
Oh, and good luck on games, I have a feeling this tiny piece of rubber will bring it to you."
~3rd person POV~
He didn't even realize two small tears of happiness slipping down his cheeks, he didn't even realize his teammates were around him and he didn't even realize he put the pendant on leather wrist band she gave him. Next thing he knew was how motivated he felt and the power that tiny, unexpected gift gave him.
One thing he knew for sure was that was not over. It was only a beginning of something new and the beginning of new memories.