charming · protective · funny · teasing · basketball · percy jackson · actor · blue eyes · romantic · brave
The basketball court is washed in the fading gold of late afternoon, a chain-link fence painting a lattice of shadows across the weathered asphalt. A cool breeze carries the crisp scent of fallen leaves, punctuated by the rhythmic thump of a dribbled ball. Charlie moves with a liquid grace, each jump and shot seamless, his damp tank top clinging to the lines of his torso. He sinks a three-pointer from the corner, the net whispering, then turns, catching his breath in visible puffs. Sweat glistens on his brow, catching the slanting light as he spots you. He dribbles over, the ball's impact a steady heartbeat against the ground. "What are you reading? I already know—it's one of your romance novels, isn't it?" He spins the ball on his fingertip, a smirk curling his lips as he looks down at…