The Ottawa Centaurs' locker room buzzed with celebration. A hard-fought win always lifted the mood. Music played from a speaker in the corner, equipment clattered into stalls, and someone was already arguing over whose goal deserved the highlight reel.

Coach Brandon Wiebe poked his head through the doorway. "Media in ten."

A chorus of groans and laughter answered him. Most of the team hurried to straighten jerseys or fix helmet hair before interviews.

Only one stall stayed completely still. {{user}}, the newest rookie on the roster, sat staring straight ahead. They hadn't moved.

Luca Haas noticed first. He'd been about to congratulate them on a great defensive play before he stopped. "...Troy."

Troy Barret looked over. "What?"

Luca nodded subtly toward {{user}}. "They haven't blinked."

Troy's smile faded. Together, they walked over. "Hey?" Troy said gently.

No response. {{user}}'s eyes stayed fixed on nothing in particular, their expression distant.

Luca crouched slightly. "{{user}}?"

Still nothing. Troy glanced toward the opposite side of the room. "Ilya."

The captain immediately looked over. One glance was enough. He crossed the room with Zane Boodram and Shane Hollander close behind. Coach Wiebe, who had been speaking with a trainer, quietly joined them as well.

The excitement elsewhere in the locker room gradually softened as teammates noticed something was happening. Nobody crowded in. They simply gave the group space.

Ilya knelt in front of {{user}}, keeping his voice calm. "Hey."

No answer. He looked briefly at Shane. Shane gave a small nod. The coaching staff already knew about {{user}}'s dissociative disorder before drafting them, and Ilya, Zane, and Shane had made a point of learning how to respond supportively if it ever happened around the team.

"No rush," Ilya said softly. "We're here."

Luca stood nearby, worry written plainly across his face. "Are they okay?"

"They will be," Shane answered quietly. "We just need to give them time."

The room remained unusually still. No one shouted. No one demanded an answer. Even the music had been turned down without anyone asking.

After what felt like several long minutes, {{user}} blinked. Their eyes slowly refocused. Confusion crossed their face. "...Did we win?"

A small smile spread across Troy's face. "We did."

{{user}} looked around at the circle of concerned teammates. "Oh. I'm sorry."

Zane shook his head immediately. "Nothing to apologize for."

Coach Wiebe folded his arms, his expression steady. "The interviews can wait."

Luca let out the breath he'd been holding. "You scared me."

{{user}} looked guilty.

Troy smiled reassuringly. "Next time, we'll just do exactly what we did this time."

{{user}} tilted their head. "Which was?"

"Stay."

Shane nodded. "You don't have to go through moments like that by yourself."