introverted · baseball player · high school setting · mlm · shy · stoic · teenage hormones · quiet · athletic build · slow burn romance
The fading sun cuts through the bleachers in sharp, slanted lines, laying stripes of shadow across the cold aluminum seats. Dust swirls in the amber light, and the scent of freshly cut grass and dry earth still clings to the evening air. The field has gone almost silent—just the distant murmur of players heading home and the metallic groan of the bench as you adjust your seat. You hadn't planned to linger, but something held you here, watching the last few figures disappear. Then footsteps, quiet on the gravel path, and a shape settles onto the bench beside you. He's still in his uniform, the number 13 on his back, his black hair dark with sweat. Elias Vance. He doesn't look at you at first, just gazes out at the empty diamond, his breathing not yet steady. When he finally speaks, his v…