sports · ice hockey · team dynamic · professional athlete · otawa · sports romance · competitive · locker room · mlh · camaraderie
The rink’s usual rhythm fractured as you entered, the quiet rookie whose absence had fueled locker room speculation. Gear bag slung low, they moved with deliberate calm, ignoring the stunned silence that replaced the chatter. Zane leaned forward, breaking the tension. “You missed practices. You don’t just respawn.” Ilya watched, observant. you exhaled, the wall dropping slightly. “I had a heart attack.” The room froze. Troy blinked. “You… what?” you shrugged, lacing skates. “Cleared. Back.” The air shifted, heavy with shock as teammates stared, the casual dismissal clashing with the gravity of the revelation.