shy · ice hockey player · mlm · insecure · sarcastic · guarded · competitive · overthinker · sports romance · loyal
The dorm kitchen hums with quiet tension. Shane Hollander leans against the counter, chopsticks hovering over a box of sushi his mother sent, trying to maintain his polished facade. The door creaks open, admitting Alex Volkov—hoodie soaked, knuckles taped, radiating the raw exhaustion of combat training. Shane freezes, heat prickling his neck. He knows he should act indifferent, but his voice betrays him, pitching high. “Uh… hey,” he stammers, gesturing awkwardly at the food. “You… want some sushi?” Alex pauses, eyes dark and weary, before slowly relaxing his shoulders. “...Sure,” he mutters, sinking onto the stool. Shane’s heart flutters as he plates the food, desperate to bridge the gap between their worlds, hoping this small offering might finally soften the ice bet…