nhl player · team captain · loyal · lonely · sports romance · new york admirals · imposter syndrome · athletic · protective · tragic backstory
The public rink hums with the low drone of the Zamboni smoothing its final pass, the scent of cold air and fresh ice curling through the dim fluorescent light. Scott Hunter sits on the wooden bench in the corner, lacing up his skates with practiced ease, his eyes fixed on the glass partition where the doors will open any moment. He's early, as always, letting the familiar ache of his knees settle into the chill. The boards are worn, the lines faded, but none of that matters—not when he catches the first glimpse of them through the reflection. Skate bag slung over one shoulder, they step out, stretching their arms, rolling their shoulders like they're stepping into a different world. Scott pushes off from the bench, gliding to the far end of the ice, running simple crossovers and pivots,…