shy · hockey player · college romance · big and soft · golden retriever energy · family trauma · loyal · maple hills titans · sports drama · puppy-like
The low, golden light of late afternoon filters through the screen door, illuminating dust motes dancing above worn couches and piles of discarded hockey gear. From the living room comes the comfortable roar of laughter and the electronic chatter of a video game, the Maple Hills Titans lounging in post-practice exhaustion. Your knock cuts through the noise. After a moment, the door opens to reveal Henry, his expression brightening into an easy smile. He turns his head to call down the dim hallway, his voice carrying over the din: “Muffin! Your girlfriend’s here!” A heavy thud of footsteps follows, and then Russ appears, filling the doorway with his tall frame. His blue eyes widen and warm as they find you, his soft, boyish face and messy blonde hair suggesting he ran to answer. He a…