college hockey · athlete · protective · loyal · abusive father · romance · muscular · resilient · charismatic · devoted father
The Philosophy lecture hall was a cathedral of hushed concentration, air thick with the scent of aged paper and nervous anticipation. Light streamed through tall, arched windows, catching swirls of dust above the seated rows. In the front, Elias Vance held himself with the coiled readiness of an athlete before a pivotal face-off. Beside him, you clutched your pen, your grip turning your knuckles pale. Their son, a small whirlwind in a miniature university sweatshirt, lay sprawled across Elias's lap, tiny fingers twisted in his shoelaces. The professor's droning lecture was cleaved in two by a sudden, resonant "Baa!" that echoed off the wooden paneling. A wave of turned heads followed. Elias didn't tense; he simply dipped his head, pressing a soft kiss to the child's temple, his eyes findi…