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Layer after layer the snow is slowly pilling up on the ground.
Eijun observes his footprints with interest as he makes his way to the vending machine, he wants to get his can of tea and go back to his room as soon as possible. With only his light t-shirt and sweatpants he can’t stop the shivers that run through his body from time to time.
He pushes some buttons and hides his hands away inside his pockets. The evening practice is already over, which means the place is mostly quiet. There only remain a few of his teammates who are still hanging out in the practice facilities nearby.
Eijun bends down to pick up the can of tea and sits down in the bench right next to the vending machine. He watches the few twinkling starts in the sky and blinks a couple of times trying to focus, but his mind still wanders and he spaces out for a while.
One of the memories he holds dear from his second year is their greatest accomplishment during the summer: their first time winning koshien after so long and what’s more with him in the lead as the ace.
Eijun giggles, content. He snaps open the can of tea and as he is taking his first sip someone walks in.
Eijun looks up.
It’s Koushuu with hair wind swept, indicating that he has been running. He’s wearing his usual grey hoodie and sweatpants for practice. This outfit is familiar to Eijun by now.
Koushuu speaks up first, “You…” He trails off midsentence and stays silent after that.
Eijun is curious, so he coaxes him to keep going with a tiny, “Hmm?”
Koushuu doesn’t reply however, and instead steps aside and sits beside him. His expression serious. There’s a frown marring his brows and he is pouting unconsciously too, but Eijun knows better than to comment on it.
“Turn this way,” Koushuu urges and Eijun complies.
The scarf that is wrapped around his neck surprises him, but he doesn’t move away. Koushuu’s gaze is intent and he doesn’t take his eyes off the scarf until he is sure that it is properly in place.
Koushuu chides in a gentle tone, “You are the ace, aren’t you? What are we going to do if you get sick now?”
Eijun is dumbfounded for a moment and snaps out of it once another wave of wind makes him shiver. That’s basically the same as admitting that Koushuu is right.
Eijun feels guilty and so he smiles and assures, “It’s alright. I won’t do something as reckless as this again.”
Koushuu acknowledges his words with a soft sound in his throat and seems hesitant for a minute before scooting closer. Eijun doesn’t know which one of them is more nervous, but it certainly feels like he has run a marathon with how loud his heartbeat gets once he senses that Koushuu is trying to put his arm over his shoulders.
It’s so awkward and both of them look off to the sides. Eijun can feel his ears burning and when he sneaks a glance in Koushuu’s direction it is obvious that he is struggling to hide his own embarrassment too.
Eijun coughs just to fill the silence, a forced chuckle leaves his lips as he closes his eyes. He takes in a couple of deep breathes before tightening his grip around the can of tea, but surprisingly the courageous one tonight isn’t him.
Koushuu says, with a pretense of nonchalance, “You can, uh, lean your head on my chest if you want to.”
Eijun doesn’t reply and simply does as he wishes.
Thump-thump the sound is loud beside his ear, but he isn’t sure if it’s his own heartbeat, Koushuu’s or maybe both. At this point it doesn’t matter anymore. He relaxes in the embrace and focuses on enjoying the warmth that envelopes him.
With a firm voice Koushuu reminds him, “If you are troubled by something you can talk to me.”
It’s a statement that leaves Eijun no room to run away. Koushuu must think he was worrying about his responsibilities as the ace on his own again, so he hurries to clear up the misunderstanding.
“I know, but really you shouldn’t think too much about it all the time,” Eijun smiles and continues, “I won’t hide anything from you anymore.”
Koushuu understands what he’s referring to and kisses the top of his head. Eijun is glad he doesn’t have to verbalize it. To be honest he still isn’t used to it. He’s often self-conscious now that he’s aware that Koushuu knows a lot about his past hardships.
“You can be a little selfish, I don’t mind it.”
Eijun’s eyes widen and he stares at Koushuu, as if he’s offering him the entire world instead of some comfort among all the pressure that come with being the number one guy.
Eijun laughs and whispers, “You really are something else.”
Koushuu asks, “Was that too much?”
Eijun shakes his head and can only respond with the same sincerity, “Keep holding on to me.”
Without warning Koushuu eases the can of tea out of his hands and puts it away on the bench.
Eijun is confused and looks at him with puzzlement. Koushuu stands up, gets a hold of his hand and pulls Eijun to his feet. He hugs Eijun with all his might and the awkwardness from before fades away when Eijun also circles his arms tightly around his waist.
It’s soft and calming. No matter how cold it’s outside Eijun isn’t trembling anymore.
Koushuu mumbles right next to his ear, “You don’t have to make that kind of face. It’s not like I ever plan on letting go of you.”
Not for the first time Eijun realizes that the trust he has on the person next him now is absolute.
Koushuu is willing to get through the difficult times together and what he says often carries out to actions too, always trying to not let anyone down. He has seen what anxiety can make of Eijun too. He accepts him with all the flaws there are to him and truly that’s admirable.
Eijun burst into a fit of laughter and pulls away from the hug unable to get himself together. His stomach starts hurting and he wipes the corner of his eyes. When he sees that Koushuu raises a brow at his actions he finally slows down.
Eijun hugs him again. Koushuu is startled and doesn’t move.
“Never change.”
“Wh-?”
Eijun doesn’t explain himself and instead cups Koushuu’s face in his hands, sweeps his thumbs along the skin of his cheeks playfully and declares, “let’s win the national championship title again this year.”
Koushuu pecks his lips and with a small smile promises, “Obviously.”
It’s only a single word, but it holds a lot of meaning. Eijun is sure that this promise too will be fulfilled.