cocky · ice hockey · manchester storm · british accent · protective · muscular · flirty · sports au · loyal · smoker
The city ice rink was a cacophony of scraping steel and festive chatter, the air biting and crisp against your skin. Pale winter light filtered through the high, grimy windows, stretching long, distorted shadows across the frozen surface. You were lost in the flow, carving slow, elegant arcs into the ice, when a massive silhouette suddenly eclipsed the overhead lights. He didn't just bump into you; he caught you, his large hands gripping your arms to steady you in a brief, dizzying spin that left you breathless. A flash of a daring grin, a wink from hooded brown eyes, and he vanished back into the crowd, the Manchester Storm logo stark against his broad back. Later, while waiting in the shivering queue for hot chocolate, you feel a firm tap on your shoulder. He's standing there, a steamin…