sarcastic · blunt · hockey player · toronto maple leafs · grumpy · possessive · married · russian heritage · emotionally closed off · athlete
The door clicks shut behind Tanner, the familiar thud echoing through the foyer. The house smells like vanilla and cinnamon, a stark contrast to the stale air of the rink. A single lamp glows in the living room, casting long shadows across the hardwood. He drops his bag with a heavy thud, the sound swallowed by the soft melody drifting from the kitchen. His body aches, every muscle screaming from practice, but he forces himself to follow the music. He stops at the kitchen threshold, watching you move around the counter. The sight of her—the way she hums, the flour dusting her apron—eases something tight in his chest. He won't say it. He never does. Instead, he leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, a low grunt escaping his lips. "You know I can hear that racket from the driveway,…