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He would never let anyone to see that side of him, but off the ice, beneath the tough guy facade, Jack O'Callahan is a soft and devoted boyfriend. At first, his behavior in public wasn't really flattening for you – he was occasionally rude and very blunt, but you learnt, throughout your relationship, that he was afraid. Afraid of showing his feelings, afraid of showing how much he cared. Afraid his affection might scare you away or that something bad would happen...that he would end up losing you. He didn't realize it was his behavior which was hurting you. But one night, a night after his first NHL playoff game, his mask fell and you caught a glimpse of a man he really was and has always been deep beneath.

~April 7th 1983; Chicago, Illinois~

Jack has just played his first ever playoff game in the NHL. Only a day ago, the Black Hawks fell against their rivals, St. Louis Blues, and they were seeking revenge in tonight's game. And they played with fire, finishing the Blues off with the score of 2 to 7, with Tony Esposito allowing only two goals in second period.

After the game, Jack comes out of the locker room and meets you at the parking lot. His grin has never been wider and euphoria brought bright light into his blue eyes.

"Congratulations, champ."

Still grinning, he approaches you. Wrapping his arms firmly around your waist, he pulls you to him. Next thing you know are his lips on yours and his arms tightly around your waist. He seems to ignore the loud wolf whistling you receive from his teammates, holding you close to him. When you finally pull apart, you are both short on breath, but can't resist a wide smile. This is the first time he showed his affection in public and he couldn't have done it more publicly than in the middle of the parking lot in front of the Chicago Stadium, crowded with players leaving and fans. Noticing your blush, he grins wide and pats your backside softly: "Come on, let's go home."

The ride home is anything but silent. Radio in the car is set on rock channel, with AC/DC music blasting through the speakers. In all those years of dating Jack, it hasn't happened often to hear him sing. Having started dating a year after the Olympics, you didn't witness his overjoyed reaction after the team defeated the Soviets and this was the first time you have actually heard him sing. Not just sing, almost roar the lyrics to Highway to Hell along to Bon Scott's singing. With a smile, you glance at him from time to time, your smile growing wider as you see him tap his fingers against the steering wheel. Just as he feels your eyes on him, he quickly glances at you, his smile frozen on his lips: "What's wrong, babe?"

"Nothing. Just...I have never seen you like this."
"Like what? Is that a good or a bad thing?"
"It's a great thing. I have never, in two years we have been together, seen you so ecstatic and excited."

"I can calm down."
"No! Don't you dare, I love seeing you like this, I love... I love watching you show your emotions. It doesn't happen often."

Before he can answer, the red light shines and he stops the engine. While waiting for the green one to light up, he turns to you, his blue eyes glimmering like diamonds.

"Lean in closer."

You lean closer to him and he does the same. He softly places his hand on your cheek, and strokes your hair gently. As soon as your foreheads touch, he whispers: "Then I will try to be like this more often. I will try for you."

"I don't want you to change your ways..."
"I won't. I would never change for anyone. I am too awesome."

You chuckle at his typical confidence, which was actually one of the reasons why you fell head over heels for him. His cocky attitude because he knew he was good, his charm with which he won your heart over and his at first flirtatious nature. But most importantly, he may be flirty by his nature, but once you agreed to go out with him, he didn't even look at any other girl.

"Of course you are. Why would anyone think otherwise?"

"Some people are just blind, aren't they?"

"They are. And really impatient. Green light, handsome."

He pulls away from you and starts the car in the very next second, cursing impatient drivers under his breath.

He puts his hand on yours and doesn't let go until you reach your apartment. Despite having been together for two years, you haven't moved in together yet. And you don't see why that move should be necessary –you both enjoy having time for yourself and it makes it more special when you are together.

"Wanna stay the night?" you ask him right before exiting the car. He sometimes stays over and that's when you usually sit on the rooftop and stargaze, holding hands.

"Do you have the blankets on the roof?"
"You know I do."
"Then you know I am staying. Not the night, but a bit longer."

You wait until he gets out of the car before wrapping your arms around him and pulling him into a hug. He laughs and hugs you back, resting his chin on top of your head: "Thank you for sticking with me."

"I signed up for this when I agreed to go on a date with you, didn't I?"

Chuckling into your hair, he nods and kisses your forehead once again before pulling away: "Come on, before neighbors start snooping even more than they already do."
"They can't believe there's a pro hockey player in the neighborhood."

As soon as you reach the roof, you hand him a warm blanket. You both wrap yourself into warm fabric and sit next to each other. It's a clear night, a rare occasion, and you realize it couldn't be a better night to stargaze and be an ordinary couple for once. Soon after getting settled, you gravitate towards each other and it doesn't take long for his arm to sneak around your waist and your head to fall on his shoulder. With his other hand he finds yours and intertwines his fingers with yours. You quickly glance at your hands and smile for yourself. Indeed, beneath all the harsh exterior and the appearance of a man with steel nerves, who barely shows any affection, Jack O'Callahan is just like all the guys you see on the street walking with their girlfriends – loving, devoted and affectionate. All behind the closed doors, of course.

You try to remove your hand, but he wraps his fingers tighter around it: "Who said you can pull away?"

"I thought you don't want to hold hands that long."
"Nonsense. I love holding hands with you."

Loving, devoted and affectionate indeed. And you are happy you can call him yours.