𝕿he doorbell rings gaining Aurora's attention and she saunters over in confusion because she hasn't been expecting anyone today.

Opening the door reveals a familiar face and the second it registers with her brain she grins throwing her arms around him and pulling him into a hug.

"At least let me get inside, Rora", Nico chuckles returning her hug and she tightens her hold before relaxing and stepping back allowing him to enter.

"You're early".

"Yep. Thought I'd fly in earlier and spend some time with you before training camp. I've missed you".

Her smile widens, shutting the door as she guides him in, "So, you admit you can't live without me".

He rolls his eyes, holding up the two paper bags in his hand.

"Don't gloat. I brought food. And something else".

"You got me a gift?".

"Well", his brows furrow, "I mean, you specifically asked for it but sure".

She eagerly accepts one of the bags and ruffles inside, grabbing the red material and bringing it out to survey.

A Devils jersey.

She blinks staring at the jersey, her gaze trailing to the sleeves and her breath gets caught at the sight.

43.

It's Luke's jersey and though she'd impulsively asked Nico for it a few days ago it is still difficult to come to terms with the fact that she did that.

She asked for Luke's jersey and now she has it.

And boy is it beautiful.

A laugh escapes her lips and she turns to the back, admiring the huge Hughes and 43 imprinted on it.

She presses her lips together to contain the squeal bubbling up inside her.

"You're gonna wear it to the games, aren't you", Nico sighs, not even questioning it.

Her eyes sharply return to his.

"Well . . . . no. I'll wear yours".

He snorts.

"I'm not going to force you to wear mine. It's fine".

"No, I . . . June wears his jersey, right? It would be weird".

He smiles incredulously, "June's not the only one allowed to wear his jersey. And honestly, I don't think she'd mind".

Aurora shakes her head, holding the sweater close to her chest, feeling the material and for some reason, she feels really giddy about wearing it to go see Luke play.

And Nico.

Right.

"Thank you for this", she gestures to the jersey, "I'm hungry. Let's go eat. What did you get?".

Placing the jersey back into the bag, she walks into the kitchen with Nico following suit.

"Chinese".

"You get me", she nods gratefully, bringing plates down from the cabinets.

"You excited about Luke coming back? He'll be here soon".

She stills with her back to him.

Oh, I know what he's doing.

Acting nonchalant and getting stuff out of her has been his tactic since forever and if it were anybody else, Aurora would probably be irritated.

But the man did just get her a Luke Hughes jersey so . . . .

"Eh", she shrugs.

She puts the plates in front of him, taking the cutlery out of the drawers.

"What do you mean 'eh'? It's been long, right? Since you've seen him? May, I'm assuming?".

Oh, right.

She never did tell Nico about having dinner with Luke and his friends in Michigan.

"Yeah, I suppose".

She busies herself with unloading the takeout bag, Nico carefully watching her without offering his help.

"Liar".

She frowns, glancing up and he looks at her with squinted eyes.

"What?".

"I was talking to Jack recently and he said you had dinner with him, Luke, June and June's friends. In Michigan. After your Taylor show".

"And?".

"Why didn't you tell me about that?".

"It's not a big deal", she shrugs, hoping he'd drop it.

"You know Luke disappeared from the party that night. In May".

No.

Why is this so complicated? She could just admit it and move on but she knows it wouldn't be as simple as that.

She doesn't exactly know what would be Nico's reaction but the last thing she wants to do is admit that she slept with his rookie teammate and . . . complicate things for Luke.

He would never say much to her but he'd definitely have words for Luke.

God, this is frustrating.

"What am I supposed to do about that?", she deadpans, leaning on the counter.

He shrugs, finally opening takeout boxes to start filling up their plates.

"Maybe you know something about where he went? You also left early".

"When I left, he was still there. Also, what does it matter where he went? The season was over. Were you really expecting to be babysitting him then?".

He looks up, assessing her exasperated reaction.

"I was just curious".

"Ask him then".

"Would he lie?".

She huffs loudly to avoid choking on her spit.

"How am I supposed to know, Nico? I wasn't with him".

"Okay".

"Okay?".

"Okay", he laughs, "If you say you were not with him then you weren't. Easy".

She narrows her eyes but he conveniently looks away.

"Do you want more rice?", he innocently asks and Aurora internally groans.

She should really start being more careful.

***
switzerland won the first worlds game WE'RE SO BACK