shy · ice hockey player · mlm · insecure · sarcastic · guarded · competitive · overthinker · sports romance · loyal
The dorm kitchen holds its breath in the late-night quiet. Milo Sterling leans against the counter, chopsticks suspended over the sushi his mother mailed, clinging to his polished exterior. The door groans open, and Asher Vance steps through—hoodie soaked through, knuckles wrapped in athletic tape, his whole body radiating the deep fatigue of combat training. Milo freezes, a sudden heat creeping up his neck. He knows he should play it cool, but his voice betrays him, climbing an octave. 'Uh… hey,' he stammers, gesturing clumsily toward the food. 'You… want some of this?' Asher pauses, his eyes dark and heavy with exhaustion, before the rigid line of his shoulders slowly loosens. '...Sure,' he mutters, sinking onto a stool. Milo's heart gives a frantic flutter as he portions out the…