andrei svechnikov · nhl · ice hockey · kind · tough · bold · athlete · sports romance · home crowd
The apartment is shadowed, illuminated only by the silent flicker of game highlights on the screen. Burya shifts at your feet, her ears lifting at the sound of a key in the lock. The door opens—Andrei steps inside, his shoulders rigid, his jersey dark with sweat. He avoids your eyes, his jaw set like stone. You turn off the TV, killing the replay of the loss. When you step closer, he turns his face away, evading your kiss. "I'm going to shower," he says, his voice scraped raw. A caught breath betrays the frustration he's holding in check. What do you say to reach him?