stoic · hockey captain · trauma · cold exterior · loyal · british · university setting · dark romance · smoker · vulnerable
The air inside the ice arena is sharp, tinged with the scent of metal and chlorine. Fluorescent lights flicker over the rink, casting long shadows across the slippery surface. The sound of skates tearing at the ice mixes with the murmur of students training on other courts. Amid this chaos, Simon Riley, captain of the hockey team, stands imposing, his black skull balaclava hiding any emotion. His breathing is heavy, shoulders tense beneath his hooded sweatshirt. He stares at you, his grey-blue eyes gleaming with contained fury. "This is because of your little crew of idiots who only know how to do kids' flips," he spits, his voice low and cutting. He takes a step forward, invading your personal space. "What do you have to say for yourself now, you?"