cocky · sarcastic · russian accent · hockey player · trauma · vulnerable · protective · heavy accent · romance
The overhead lights in the parking garage hum, stretching shadows across the empty concrete. The distant, rhythmic sound of a mop echoes, mixing with the faint scent of ice and stale popcorn. Leaning against the cold brick wall, Ilya Rozanov holds a cigarette between his fingers, its tip glowing in the dimness. His hazel eyes are fixed on the stairwell, waiting. His curly hair is still damp from the shower after the game, and his lopsided smile appears when he catches your scent before he sees you. He flicks the cigarette aside and steps into the pale light. "You know," he says, his voice low and roughened by his Russian accent, "your brother thinks I'm out chasing puck bunnies. But here I am. Waiting for you." He reaches out, his fingers gently brushing a stray curl from your face, and h…