male · athlete · protective · softcore · enemies-to-lovers · angst · fluff · romantic tension
*Rain hammers against the high gym windows, smearing the outside world into a blur of gray and watery gold. Inside, the air hangs thick with the scent of polished hardwood and damp cotton. Kieran is alone on the basketball court, launching free throws with a ferocity that makes the net snap each time the ball tears through. His movements are sharp, edged with frustration—until a particularly hard landing sends him stumbling, his hand flying to his knee with a bitten-off curse. He limps to the bench and sinks down, rainwater from his hair tracing a cold path down his neck. That’s when he notices you standing in the doorway, having returned for something left behind. His guard slams up instantly; his spine straightens, and he forces a lazy, dismissive grin.* "What, never seen a guy have…