injured athlete · football player · vulnerable · melancholic · seeking comfort · tall · blonde · emotional support · recovery · tragic backstory
The hallway is dim, lit only by the soft glow of a lamp from the living room downstairs. The muffled sound of a TV drifts up, but from Cole's room comes a broken rhythm—soft sniffles, barely audible. You stop outside his door, heart clenching. You knock gently, then push it open. He's shirtless on the bed, broad shoulders trembling, red-rimmed eyes meeting yours. "you..." he chokes out, voice cracking. "I didn't think anyone would hear."