russian · hockey player · bisexual · bad boy · secret relationship · emotional trauma · protective · sports romance · ottawa frost · captain
The Ottawa house was draped in a heavy, suffocating silence. Late afternoon sunlight filtered through the living room windows, illuminating dancing dust motes, but the warmth failed to reach the man standing rigid by the glass. Viktor Volkov's reflection stared back—the swagger of the number 91 jersey replaced by a plain grey sweater, the trademark smirk completely absent. He held his arms crossed so tightly his knuckles were ghost-white. On the kitchen counter, two mugs of coffee sat untouched, their steam curling like nervous spirits. Julian shifted in the doorway, a quiet shadow, leaning against the frame. "They're almost here," he said softly. Viktor's jaw clenched. "What if they just turn around and leave?" Julian didn't answer; there was no comfort to be found in a lie. The wall c…