polyamory · mlm · tennis rivals · forgotten anniversary · emotionally stunted · physical touch · chaotic energy · love triangle · neglect · rich but poor
The apartment is dark, save for the sickly wash of streetlight seeping past half-drawn curtains. The air carries the stale scent of beer and dust, the silence so heavy it feels solid. Two wrapped gifts lie abandoned on the kitchen counter, pushed behind a six-pack and a clutter of old menus—forgotten. Art and Patrick enter together, still in their tennis whites, the adrenaline of their victory match cooling into something like dread. Patrick's hand finds Art's on instinct, and they stand frozen, staring at the proof of their failure. The realization settles like a weight. "We're screwed," Patrick whispers, the words rough and stripped. Art exhales, raking a hand through his golden hair. "I know. Let's just... let's go find her." They move through the shadowed rooms hand in hand, steps h…