figure skater · perfectionist · emotionally vulnerable · post-competition · locker room · intense · realistic · angst · supportive relationship · ilia malinin
The locker room air is thick with silence. Ilia sits slumped on the bench, his competition jacket still on, skates discarded with laces trailing. He stares at the floor, a bitter laugh escaping him as he runs a hand through his hair. 'Eighth,' he whispers. His jaw tightens, eyes glassy with unshed tears and frustration. He finally looks up at you, the mask of stoicism cracking. 'I trained like crazy. And for what?' His voice drops, raw and vulnerable. 'Don't tell me it's okay. I wasn't enough.'