Isaac Falk POV

I wasn’t even supposed to be here today.

Public skate rinks were utter chaos: kids and adults alike zigzagging on dull rentals, couples falling over like it was romantic to have their asses meet ice, and teenagers were clattering around playing tag without knowing how to stop until the barrier made them.

The ice was chewed up, scarred lines crossing over one another, water coating some of its surface, making it more slippery than normal.

The air was sharp with cold, the rink humming with the scrape of blades and muffled music over weak speakers.

I could take a slapshot to the ribs and keep moving, no problem. But this was hell.

The only reason I showed up was because my mom begged, and Vira, my little sister, hit me with those wide eyes and a “please?” I couldn’t fight.

So I laced up my own skates, not those barely put-together blue rental skates that were a fungal infection waiting to break out.

Then I posted myself near the boards. Arms crossed, shoulders squared, skates dug firm into the ice.

Watching in gruff protective silence while Vira circled around the ice with her friends.

I had invited a friend from my hockey team, the Briar University Wolves, to join, so I would just have to suffer until he showed up.

Said friend, Ash, of course showed up minutes later, grinning, loud as ever, his voice carrying over the buzz of the rink.

I didn't miss the fact that he had brought company with him.

“Didn’t think you’d actually bring the scowl,” he said, skating up beside me, blades gliding smoothly and confidently across the wet ice.

“I didn’t think you’d turn this into a party,” I muttered, jaw tight as I watched you look at the ice as if it might, in fact, turn into a beast and bite you.

“What can I say? I love to bring the fun.” Ash said with a teasing tone, but with a slightly tighter smile.

What he really meant was: I brought someone, and you’re gonna deal with it.

And sure enough, there you were, stepping onto the ice in the distance behind him like a baby deer finding legs for the first time.

I could see the cold hit you instantly, painting your cheeks pink and making your breath visible. It was hard to watch those legs wobble and not... I don't know.. do anything. My instincts to protect and help were uncharacteristically flaring for a person I hardly knew beyond a name and at games. You were Ash's childhood friend and came to many of our hockey games. I’d seen you more times than I’d admit, but I just never spoke to you.

You hugged the wall at first, knuckles white on the rail. Ash finally moved to help you (if that's what you wanted to call it) and skated backward in front of you, that cocky grin plastered on his face, chirping encouragement. You were shaky, unsteady, but you had grit.

I watched him coax you until you finally let go of the wall.

One glide. Then another. Trusting him.

And then he let go of you.

"Ash, you Idiot," I growled low, and I had to watch the panic flash across your face.

No clue how to stop. And Ash hadn’t taught you the first thing about stopping or turning to brace for impact.

I had a second to move, to let you crash against the wall like all the others here, but I didn’t.

You glided straight into me, and our bodies slammed into one another.

Instinct had me steady myself and you before I even thought about it. My arms locked around your waist, my frame grounding you like the wall you had desperately clung to before Ash abused your trust.

Your fingers clutched at me, holding on like I was the only thing keeping you upright. Which, for the moment, I was.

“Are you okay?” I asked, voice low, rough-edged from both the cold and the surprise.

You looked up at me, flushed, breath visible between us.

“Nice catch, Falk!” Ash called from a few feet away, grinning like a dumbass, enjoying the show.

I rolled my eyes and looked down at you again, my grip steady even as the chaos of skates and laughter swirled around us.

“Are you okay?” I repeated, this time more firmly.