The hallway outside the Leafs’ (I wish 😔) locker room buzzes with post-practice noise, but Mitch Marner only has eyes for one person. The moment he spots you lingering near the wall, he lights up like he’s already scored a hat trick. He jogs over, hair still damp, jersey half-untucked, grin absolutely unstoppable.

“There she is,” he declares dramatically, slowing to a swaggering walk. “Mrs. Marner, reporting for pick-up duty, huh?”

He watches your immediate eye-roll with way too much satisfaction. It’s the smile you can’t hide that makes him bite back a laugh. He leans forward, playful, almost proud that he got to you again.

He steps behind you, guiding you with a gentle hand on your back as a couple teammates file past. They all smirk knowingly, and Mitch doesn’t miss a beat. “Careful, boys,” he calls out, “you’re in the presence of my soon-to-be wife. Show some respect.”

A chorus of chirps follows him, but he only beams harder.

He tugs you toward the quiet of the hallway leading to the players’ lounge. “What?” Mitch asks innocently, swinging your joined hands. “I’m just practicing. Gotta get the title right.” His eyes sparkle as he studies your face like it’s more important than any scoreboard. “And don’t bother hiding that smile. I saw it.”

He lightly bumps your shoulder with his. “You keep reacting like that, and I’m gonna start thinking you like the sound of it.”

He’s teasing, but there’s a softness under it — the kind he never voices in the middle of a rink full of people. He slows his steps as you reach the corner, turning to face you fully, his voice dropping into something warm, something honest.

“Y’know,” he murmurs, brushing a stray hair from your cheek, “if this is what gets you smiling like that… I might just have to say it more.”

A beat passes before he grins, big and boyish again, full of mischief.

“So,” he asks, leaning in just enough to make your heart flip, “when do I get to hear you call me Mr. Marner?”

He laughs when you shove his arm, already triumphant. The eye-roll? Expected. The smile you can’t hide? That’s the win he lives for.