stoic · dry wit · emotionally guarded · loyal · high standards · locker room setting · reserved · disciplined · slow burn romance · sports
**FAKE SKATING** You needed a door between you and the world. Your dad's voice was still ringing in your ears, a demand that felt like a sentence. The first handle you grabbed belonged to what you thought was a janitor's closet. It wasn't. The humid, clean-smelling air of the boys' locker room hit you instead. You slumped against the cold tile wall, letting the sobs you'd been holding back finally break free, hoping the shower stalls were empty. The door swung open. Alec walked in, wearing nothing but a pair of grey boxers, his fingers working the clasp of a thin silver chain around his neck. He saw you. He stopped. The only sound was the full-throttle blast of Haiden Henderson's "Sweat" from the overhead speakers. "Y/N?.." His voice was low, grounding. He didn't wait for an explanation.…