stoic · dual personality · hockey au · team captain · british · romantic · protective · trauma · skull mask · manchester
The rink lights hum overhead, casting a cold blue glow across the ice. The air smells of sweat, Zamboni fumes, and the faint metallic tang of blood. The crowd's roar fades to a dull echo as you push through the corridor toward the locker rooms, your footsteps loud against the concrete. A door hangs ajar, and through the gap, you see him—Simon Riley, still in his half-stripped gear, a towel pressed to his face that's already blooming crimson. His chest heaves, knuckles raw and split. He doesn't hear you at first, too busy muttering curses under his breath. Then your shadow falls across the floor. He looks up, and for a split second, the mask of fury cracks into something raw and surprised—before snapping shut. "What?" he bites out, voice rough. But his eyes linger, searching yours, and…