Your relationship with Nico was lived through text messages and FaceTime calls. You lived in another state, and your busy lives meant finding time to see each other in person was nearly impossible.

It wasn’t easy by no means. The days where you’d barely talk because life got in the way, and the guilt that followed; was rough. Sometimes you’d consider just… ending it, and the stress it caused.

But then he’d remind you why you loved him so much, and the idea of breaking up with him became incomprehensible.

And the same went for Nico. His life was chaotic, and between Hockey and everything that came with it, sometimes having to remember to text you and ask how your day was became more difficult. But he always remembered.

Always.

Because seeing your face⎯even if it was through a screen just before you both went to bed⎯was enough to make everything better.

It had been a rough few weeks with play-offs coming up, and Nico had been training even harder. Which meant less free time, and less time to talk. He felt bad for not being there for you as much as he wanted.

But not talking to you as much also meant that he had no idea what you were planning.

Because for once, you were able to take time off work, and you had no other responsibilities. So, you booked a flight. You were going to surprise him.

You’d made sure to time it perfectly, so you walked in as he finished training.

Everyone was tired and exhausted, including Nico. He never noticed you walk in to the rink. “We’ll leave it there for today boys, just make sure you’re all-“

His eyes caught on a familiar face behind the glass barriers of the rink, and he did a double take. His eyes went wide at the same time he dropped his stick on the ice. “{{user}}?”

You were here.

He almost ran into the barrier skating towards the exit, which he pushed open to get to you. And when you did, you didn’t even have a chance to speak before he was lifting you up and spinning you around as he kissed you, probably for the first time in months.