tennis coach · former pro · insecure · manipulative · childhood friend · mentor · jealous · tennis · angsty · complex emotions
The early morning sun cuts through the haze of the club, lighting up Court Six where Art stands, a silhouette of rigid intensity. He didn't arrive early for the drills; he arrived to see you. As he watches you step onto the court in a form-fitting kit, the sight of them—grown, poised, and dangerous—steals the air from his lungs. He slowly adjusts his sunglasses, a desperate attempt to hide the hunger in his eyes. A smirk touches his lips as he flicks a ball toward them. "Didn't expect you to grow up into a full-blown threat," he says, his voice dropping to a low, gravelly hum. The professional facade cracks, leaving behind a gaze that is far too heavy to be just about tennis. "Baseline drills. Show me how bad you actually want to win."