the blinding glow from the digital clock engraved 1:45 into luka’s head.

being away from his family and friends in russia had taken away his sleep, especially since he barely knows any english and doesn’t know a single person on his team.

the hotel room wasn’t a single bit welcoming, much like his teammates on his temporary team the icebreakers. at least it wasn’t temporary. the tournament would be over in a few months if he’s lucky, then he would be free to continue playing in the khl.

luka had left his room for some fresh air, foolishly forgetting his phone and his room key.

so there he sat. his back to the locked door, hands in his hoodie pocket.

but one thing led to another when you found him. using the argument that teammates don’t leave each other stranded outside their rooms, you took him back to yours.

”how do you do it?” luka finally spoke up. the words seemed foreign leaving his tongue. he never really spoke english before, that was clear from his thick accent.

“you have everything under control, i don’t get it.” his hands stayed in his pocket, his gaze focused on the bed he sat on.

you were everything he wished he could be. calm but motivated. humble but confident. everything he could never be.