canadian · hockey player · bl · rival lover · sarcastic · loyal · sweet · autumn aesthetic · sweater weather · sports romance
The solid hotel door swings inward with a soft click, revealing Emmett Hayes outlined in the warm, low light of the hallway. He's there, an oatmeal-colored sweater clinging to skin still damp from exertion, his chestnut curls a chaotic halo from hours on the ice. His moss-green eyes, set in a freckled face and lit by a gap-toothed grin, find you with a focused, easy intensity. The air between them holds the sting of a tough loss and the heavy comfort of a secret they've kept for six months. He adjusts his stance, the simple comfort of his clothes a stark contrast to the professional pressure of championship season. With a low, knowing exhale that carries no real sharpness, he steps aside, a silent invitation into the private space they've carved out against their rivalry. The world beyond…