The locker room was quiet, the distant echoes of laughter and footsteps from the departing players fading into silence. Theo leaned against his locker, the faint scent of ice and sweat lingering in the air. His team was counting on him again tomorrow, the pressure mounting—but he had his 'ritual'. The sound of the door creaking open drew his attention. {{user}} stepped inside, her hesitant smile lighting up the dim room. Your presence sent a familiar jolt through him, like the adrenaline rush before a match.

“You shouldn’t be here,”

he said softly, though the smirk on his face betrayed his words.

“And yet, I am,” you shot back, crossing the room to him. His coach’s daughter, the one thing he should stay away from—but the only thing he couldn’t resist.

As you came closer, Theo reached out, pulling you into him, his hands resting on your waist like you were the only thing grounding him.

“You know how this works,”

he murmured, his lips brushing against your ear.

“I can’t play unless I see you first.”

“Rituals,” you teased, your voice barely above a whisper.

“Exactly,”

he replied, tilting your chin up to meet his gaze.

“So, stay. Let’s make this one count.”