Work Text:
David Pastrnak knew what he was getting into when he started dating Hampus Lindholm. He knew the man loved adventure, trying new things, playing hockey, and loved dogs. He knew after they moved in together that, Hampus would start asking to get a dog; it was only a matter of time before that happened.
Whenever the two of them passed a dog on the street, Hampus bent over, petting it, and nagging the owner for information on the breeder. Whenever one of the Charlies brought up their respective dogs in the locker room, his eyes would go wide, and his entire face would light up like Sway and Ully going in for their goalie hug. At the end of the story, he glances over at David, only for David to look away and shake his head.
It wasn’t that David didn’t like dogs; the opposite was that he loved them. However, he and Hampus had just begun training camp for the new season. Did they really need the additional responsibility? Could they handle the extra responsibility? They haven’t even adjusted to sharing a space with one another, let alone a four-legged puppy that needs food, water, love, and attention. I mean, they’re professional athletes who were traveling across the United States and Canada every week for most of the year. Lindy was usually the planner, figuring out the logistics, but when it came to getting a puppy, he was blinded by thoughts of cuddles and a fluffy puppy in his tattooed boyfriend’s arms.
After a long day of camp and meetings, David was far too exhausted to deny his pretty blonde boyfriend of a puppy again as he sat in their car’s passenger seat, silently hoping he wouldn’t initiate the conversation.
By 10 o’clock, when Hampus hadn’t initiated the conversation, David started to get worried. His breathing hitched, and his heart pounded in his chest as anxiety plagued his mind. He was lying in his boyfriend’s arms while his hands gently ran through his curls. They were sitting in a comfortable silence; David was overtaken with anxiety and overthinking whether Hampus even wanted him anymore.
Hampus knows his boyfriend inside and out. He could tell something was on his mind by how his eyebrows furrowed and his lips pursed. “Käraste,” Hampus asked, his voice deep with concern, “Is everything okay?”
“Just thinking,” David spoke, his voice so small and barely above a whisper. He couldn’t bring himself to look up at his boyfriend’s deep blue eyes filled with concern. He knew he had no reason to be anxious, and he knew that Hampus loved him. He knew there was absolutely nothing in the world that could come between them.
“Go on, tell me what you’re thinking about,” Hampus gently pressured as he brushed his fingertips up and down David’s tattooed arm. “Your worries are my worries, and you know that.”
David sighed, he didn’t even want to look up at Hampus as he began to open his mouth, I mean, how was he supposed to tell his perfect boyfriend he was worried he wouldn’t be enough for him. Still, his voice broke with tears, “I don’t know, it’s stupid really….”
“Käraste, nothing in that beautiful head of yours could ever be stupid, you know that.” at that moment, Hampus had to interrupt him. He knew David was prone to anxiety and insecurity and that his love language was words of affirmation, and he needed to provide him with some validation and support so he would feel comfortable being completely honest.
David just pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes, trying to stop the tears swelling up in his tear ducts. His voice shook as he spoke, “I know you really want a dog, and I see the way your entire face lights up when you see or hear about one or even when your parents send pictures of the pups back in Sweden, but I just can’t see a good time for us to get one. I’m worried that I’m not enough, that what if the timing never works and we never get a dog. Will you be happy just the two of us?”
Hampus pulled David in closer, kissed the top of his head, and wiped the tear from his eyes. He let out a warm, little laugh and cracked a smile as he said, “I already have my golden retriever right here, you will always be more than enough for me. My life would never be complete if I didn’t have you, I absolutely promise that. If you don’t think we are ready for a dog, now or ever that’s okay.”
David just looked up at Hampus and a warm smile formed on his face as he snuggled into his boyfriend even closer and planted a gentle kiss under his jaw. In that moment, words weren’t necessary. He felt complete. He felt whole. He felt loved.
…
Hampus had been incredible the past few months. From surprise candlelit dinners to loving letters left in his stall on game days, any remaining insecurity had left David’s body. He was noticeably happier with a newfound confidence on and off the ice. It was as if he dedicated all his time off the ice to making David feel loved and valued in their relationship.
…
David was ecstatic as the end of the regular season drew to a close and the Bruins were closing out a historic season. He and Hampus were both having record seasons of their own and the Bruins were in for one hell of a playoff run if they could avoid injuries and the “President’s Cup curse” which none of them really bought into.
However, there was another thing on David’s mind: he and Hampus would celebrate their 1st anniversary in July. He has been racking his brain for ideas since the day after Hampus’ birthday in January. Initially, he thought about surprising him with a trip home to Sweden for midsummer in June, but of course Hampus had booked and planned the trip for the two of them before he could even look at his calendar. That was probably for the best though, David doesn’t know Sweden and midsummer traditions like Hampus does.
That’s when the idea settled in David’s mind like a puck in the back of the net after his signature one timer. A puppy. I mean their anniversary would be the perfect time to get one, right? It would be early July, the weather would be right, the hockey season will be over, and they would be home to take care of a dog.
David felt ready for a puppy, they had been living together for several months and their relationship was better than ever. David decided this would be the absolute best surprise for Hampus, especially after how amazing Hampus has been to him.
David knew breeders had long waiting lists and if he was going to get this puppy on their anniversary, he had to start his research now. It was convenient that Hampus ran to the store, and he was alone to open his laptop and kickback on the couch. He knew what breeds he and Hampus both loved but knew relatively nothing about their temperaments, so he started there. He counted out some larger breeds right away, while their two-bedroom apartment was a good size it was not going to be enough space for a dog that fills up their whole couch.
He was currently leaning towards breeds he had spent the most time around like Golden Retrievers, French Bulldogs, and Labs. He smiled as he recalled the memory of Hampus calling him his Golden Retriever.
It wasn’t too long before Hampus was home again, and David had to discreetly sneak his laptop behind the couch cushion to greet his boyfriend at the door. To be continued.
The next day, David cautiously pulled aside both Charlie McAvoy and Charlie Coyle to talk about their respective dog breeds and his plans to surprise Hampus. Otto was always so cute and well-behaved around David he began to consider a French Bulldog. After hearing about the snoring and daily wrinkle care though, David decided to pass. He had one snoring boyfriend; he didn’t need a snoring dog too. Knowing CC had well behaved Golden Retrievers moved them to the top of his list.
That night while Hampus made dinner, David continued to research dog breeds. He narrowed it down to a golden or a lab. He fell in love with American Labrador Retrievers and their sweet faces and chocolate brown eyes that could make anyone melt. When he saw a yellow lab puppy, he saw his boyfriend. Not only does Hampus give extremely strong yellow lab energy, but envisioning his tan, shirtless boyfriend holding a little lab puppy was enough to make his heart melt.
…
David was grateful after practice the following day that Hampus wanted to stay and lift a bit longer, it gave him the perfect opportunity to slip off to the lounge, laptop in hand and contact some reputable and responsible breeders in the area, set to have litters ready to go in early July.
He was just hanging up the phone when Hampus slipped into the lounge, “Käraste, I’m going to hit the showers and then we can leave, alright?” David nodded and gave his boyfriend a warm smile before returning his gaze to his computer screen.
The breeder he spoke with said they had one puppy left for the litter, but there was no guarantee the puppy would be yellow. They ensured him that if the application was submitted ASAP and he venmo’d them the deposit that day, the puppy would be reserved for him. He quickly filled out the application on the website and made his Venmo private as he sent over the deposit.
Hampus didn’t miss the glow of excitement on his boyfriends face as they left Warrior that day. Still, he didn’t question it; he just chalked it up to playoffs starting tomorrow and the general excitement and nerves circulating the locker room all week.
…
How David managed to make it through winning the Stanley Cup and a trip to Sweden where he fell even deeper in love with Hampus and his family without spilling his surprise was a miracle. Seriously, he almost just blurted it out a few times. First, when he got a text from the breeder sharing a picture of their puppy, a pale male yellow lab with massive paws. The next time being seeing Hampus play hockey with his dogs back in Sweden as David sat on the gravel in awe. Finally, when he got a text confirming the date and time for the pickup.
He also managed to forge an airtight plan to pick up the puppy on their anniversary without alerting Hampus by booking him an 80-minute-deep tissue massage fronted as his gift.
Once Hampus had left the apartment, David scrambled for his keys and ran to his car in the garage. He had been hoarding all the dog necessities in their including a memory foam bed, leashes, and collars with all sorts of fun prints (this is David Pastrnak we’re talking about of course the dog needs to have stylish accessories), toys, food, and more toys. He quickly loaded his arms full and set them up in their bedroom, figuring it’d be easier now than when the puppy was here. He shut the door and ran back down to his car; he blacked out the entire 30-minute drive to the breeder.
When he was welcomed inside his eyes immediately landed on the chunky, pale yellow lab puppy jumping and barking behind its playpen. Tears pooled in his eyes as he picked up the little dog nipping at his ankles wearing a blue collar with “Pastrnak” written in sharpie. He held him close to his chest as he signed the remaining paperwork and passed along a check with the remaining cost.
In this moment David wished he brought someone with him so he could hold the puppy the entire car ride back to the apartment. It was so hard for David not to pull over and climb in the backseat to comfort the crying puppy. He was happy he lined the kennel with pee pads as he glanced in his rear-view mirror and saw the accident unfold. He made a mental note to call Gryz and Cmac and get their advice on potty training.
He was relieved he set up the bedroom for the surprise before he left once he saw how close Hampus’ location was. He cuddled the puppy close to his chest during the elevator ride and swiftly entered the bedroom knowing his boyfriend was right behind him. He needed to get the puppy situated and comfortable if the surprise was going to pan out like he wanted.
When Hampus arrived home a few minutes later with flowers and a card in hand David slipped out of the bedroom closing the door behind him to meet him. He promptly greeted his boyfriend with an excited hug and kiss letting his fingers linger a little longer on his waist and his eyes flutter close as he deepened the kiss.
“Well, that was quite the greeting,” Hampus smiled pulling away from his boyfriend running his hands down David’s sides and pulling him close again.
“How was your massage?” David mumbled into his chest, not listening to Hampus’s response as he waited for another opening.
When Hampus was finally done rambling on about how it was the best massage ever and how he was so grateful for David, he pulled away and passed him the flowers and card. David blushed accepting them, slowly looking up to his boyfriends eyes an excited smile crept to his face as he placed the gift on the island and grabbed Hampus’ hand and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek saying, “I have another surprise in the bedroom.”
“Mhmm, I like the sound of that.” Hampus smirked as he delivered a smack on the ass to his boyfriend and closely followed him to their bedroom door. Hampus was not expecting to see a chunky yellow lab barreling across the room jumping and scratching at his tanned legs.
He looked at David stunned as he reached down, picked up the puppy, and held it to eye level. Hampus nearly melted inside as he opened his mouth to let out a big yawn and wiggled his little legs.
“Awww big yawn from the little guy,” Hampus was absolutely beaming his eyes drifting between his boyfriend and the puppy nestled close to his chest.
It was David’s turn to melt as Hampus held the small puppy in one hand and pulled him to the couch and into his side. Hampus had settled the puppy in between their laps who nestled snuggly, rolling onto his back, and accepting all his tummy rubs before jumping off them and zooming around the living room and kitchen.
Hampus just laughed as he held David closer and pressed a kiss to his temple, silently thanking him. He mumbled into his hair, “Thank you Käraste, I love you so much. I hope this was for us, and not just me.”
David pulled away and smiled, “Of course it was, it was the only thing missing in our lives.” He beamed as he pressed a kissed to his boyfriend’s lips and slipped a hand behind his neck. The kiss was short-lived due to a puppy pawing at their legs trying to return to their laps. “You know, he needs a name.” David giggled, pulling him up to the couch.
“I was actually thinking Beacon," Hampus smiled at the little puppy resting in his boyfriend’s lap, “you know, since we had our first date in Beacon Hill.”
“Beacon,” David repeated back, “I love it.”
They shared a quick kiss before Hampus swiftly got up and headed for the kitchen. He smiled as he turned to see his boyfriend playing a game of tug-of-war on the couch. He continued to sneak glances at them as he prepared their anniversary dinner. He didn’t care how stupid he looked smiling down at the potatoes he was preparing, he was excited for this new chapter with his little family.