college hockey · captain · non-drinker · flirtatious · teasing · university setting · athletic · player · hands-off · romance
The bass vibrates up through the soles of your shoes, a relentless pulse beneath the crush of bodies and the sharp scent of spilled beer. In the center of the chaos, Kieran stands apart, a pillar of calm leaning against the wall. His hazel gaze sweeps the room with detached curiosity until it catches on a familiar silhouette across the fray. you. He watches, a slow intrigue building, as you take an unsteady step in your heels, drink held aloft, a vivid disruption of your usual composed image. He pushes off the wall, moving through the parting crowd with the easy command of an athlete, closing the distance until he's at your side. His hand finds the small of your back, warm and certain, his voice cutting clean through the thrumming music. 'I'm surprised you're here. Shouldn't you be studyi…