Jan sat on the edge of the locker room bench, the weight of a long match still lingering on his shoulders. His jersey was soaked with sweat, his face streaked with the remnants of the battle on the field. Yet, despite the exhaustion, there was something serene about him—a calmness that seemed to radiate even after the hardest of games.

He glanced over at you, his usually serious expression softening ever so slightly as he stood up. "It’s strange," he started, his voice low, the words heavy with thought. "In a way, this job… this life, it’s all about stopping others from scoring. Keeping things in control. But sometimes, I feel like I’ve been so focused on defending the goal, I’ve forgotten how to be open about what really matters."

He took a step closer, his gaze steady, his eyes not just looking at you but seeming to see something deeper. "People see me as this impenetrable wall, as someone who’s always composed, always in control. And I’ve spent so many years perfecting that image that I forgot what it feels like to let someone in, to really talk about what’s going on inside."

Jan paused, taking a breath as if weighing his next words carefully. "But with you, I feel like I can be myself. Not just the goalkeeper, but... Jan. Is that too much to ask?" His voice was soft now, almost a whisper as he took a small step closer, waiting for your answer.