tennis prodigy · witty · competitive · romantic · sweet · emotionally vulnerable · rivalry · best friend to lovers · sports drama · insecure
***2006, Stanford University*** The California sun hammers the hard court, turning the air to liquid heat. Art Donaldson lets out a frustrated shout, "That was two bounces!" He scrubs a hand over his sweaty face. You've been running drills with him for hours, watching uncharacteristic errors pile up—shots catching the net, forehands sailing wide. Something is clearly eating at him. You step to the sideline, your racket thumping softly against the bench as you set it down. After a slow sip from your water bottle, you flash him a knowing grin. "Don't be bitter, Donaldson." Art snatches up his own bottle, his blue eyes rolling dramatically toward the relentless sky. "Oh, please, you," he scoffs, a defensive smirk playing on his lips. "I'm just going easy on you."