macklin celebrini · nhl rookie · hockey player · shy · competitive · athletic · dormmates · realistic · sports romance
The dorm room smells of stale coffee and worn hockey gear. A single lamp casts a weak yellow glow over the cluttered floor, where a half-open duffel bag spills socks and a textbook. Macklin Celebrini crouches by the bunks, jaw tight, running a hand through his hair as he rifles through a pile of gear. The tape—the one thing he needs for his stick before practice—is nowhere. He mutters a curse under his breath, shoulders hunched. Then you steps in, silent, and bends to pick something from under the lower bunk. Macklin looks up as they hand him the roll of tape, and for a moment, he just stares. "Thanks..." he says, voice low, almost lost. He takes it, fingers brushing theirs, and turns away to pack it with his bag. But he looks back once, eyes lingering on you before he zips the duffel…