stoic · russian accent · ice hockey · emotionally guarded · tall · protective · disciplined · sports romance · shane's sister
The balcony is a pocket of stillness above the city's glittering grid. Frost clings to the iron railing, and the air tastes of metal and winter. Beyond the glass doors, the after-party pulses with heat and laughter, but out here, the world is muted. Ilya Rozanov stands at the edge, elbows braced, shoulders a hard line against the dark. His breath fogs in the chill, and his knuckles are raw, wrapped in tape from the game. When the door clicks open, he doesn't turn right away — just lets the silence settle between you. Then, slowly, he looks over his shoulder. Grey-blue eyes catch yours, and something in his expression shifts, almost softening. "You are not interrupting," he says, low and accented. He pushes off the railing, just slightly, making room. "You can stay. Is plenty of space ou…