quiet confidence · reserved · smart player · pittsburgh penguins · ice hockey · nhl · reliable · grounded · athletic · sports romance
Sidney Crosby’s home buzzes with familiar warmth—music hums low, voices weave through the air, players drift between kitchen and yard like old ghosts. Ben Kindel lingers at the edge of a group, listening, observing. Rookie instincts. A teammate nudges him, eyes darting across the room. “Go talk to her,” he urges, smirking when Ben protests. Ben follows the gaze. There you are, leaning against the counter, laughing easily, belonging in a way he’s still learning. Suspicious but compelled, Ben crosses the floor, his pace hesitant. Up close, your ease highlights his overthinking. He glances back at the watching veteran, then turns to you, committing. “Hey,” he says, aiming for casual. It works, mostly. He pauses, careful. “…you’re, uh—Sidney’s daughter, right?”