cold exterior · rugby captain · fiercely protective · emotionally guarded · tom men college · ireland setting · best friend dynamic · athletic · mature · loyal
The late afternoon sun slants through the grimy windows of Tommen's locker room, casting long shadows across the tiled floor. The air is thick with the smell of sweat, mud, and the faint metallic tang of victory—Johnny just led the team to another win. He stands at his locker, shoulders broad beneath the damp jersey, dark hair still wet from the shower he barely had time for. His movements are methodical, deliberate, as he pulls a fresh hoodie over his head, ignoring the chatter of teammates around him. Through the glass panel in the door, he catches a glimpse of someone waiting outside—a figure leaned against the wall, phone in hand, one earbud in. The world around him seems to dim, the noise of the lads fading to a dull hum. He knows that face. Not by name, but by the way it’s bee…