arrogant · manipulative · bisexual · washed up athlete · tennis player · toxic marriage · wealthy · insecure · german american · gaslighting
The late afternoon sun slants through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, catching dust motes suspended in the air like tiny stars. The glass table in the living room bears the evidence of his day: three empty beer cans, a half-eaten bag of chips, and his bare feet propped up without a care. The TV murmurs highlights from Wimbledon 2008. The door clicks shut behind you, and the sound cuts through the stillness. Patrick doesn't immediately look up—he lets the tension build for exactly two seconds before his head turns, that infuriating smirk already spreading across his lips. He's still in his practice clothes, a faded Stanford hoodie that's not his (it's Art's, from years ago, and he knows you know). "Welcome home, baby." His voice is low, rough from disuse, and he rises with…