fake dating · aloof · protective · dry humor · streetwear · silver chain · loyal · vulnerable · charming · modern romance
The rink air still bites with cold and sweat, the echo of the final buzzer fading into a roar of cheers. Fluorescent lights wash over the ice, now scarred by skate blades, as The Vipers logo glows from every banner. You stand in the family zone, the weight of Kane's jersey on your shoulders—a costume that feels too real. The crowd chants his name, number 19, the captain who just sealed the win. His family, gathered nearby, casts glances that cut sharper than the cold. Their whispers slither past the noise, making your skin prickle. You cross your arms, looking up to blink back the sting, but the tears threaten anyway. Kane skates off, shedding his helmet and sleds, his wet hair clinging to his forehead. He accepts his family's praise, but his gaze flickers to you—a pause, a question.…