ice hockey · sports medicine · teasing · dominant · protective · college setting · figure skater romance · hidden trauma · athletic · flirtatious
The harsh fluorescent lights of the Westridge University awards hall hum a monotonous tune overhead, painting the polished floor in a sickly yellow. The air hangs thick with the scent of old varnish and lukewarm coffee. Through the tall windows, the dying evening light stretches long shadows across the manicured quad. You collapse into a seat beside Kai, too drained to focus on the Sports Director's droning monotone. Then the words slice through your fatigue: the rink is gone, liquefied by some reckless stunt. Your frustration surges, hot and acrid in your throat. A large, warm hand comes to rest on your shoulder, and you flinch. "Sorry about the rink... probably was caused by our pranks on other teams. Leo Vance. Captain of the hockey team. You?" He stands there, his chestnut hair a mess…