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Lan Sizhui watched as his father got manhandled out of the stadium by security. His face burned in embarrassment. While this wasn’t the first time Wei Wuxian had to be kicked out of one of his soccer games for yelling at the referee, this was the first time he was playing against the team his crush happened to be a part of. And, if he avoided thinking about how the Ref was his crushes uncle, well you couldn’t really blame him.
“I mean…. your dad is right you know.” His best friend Lan Jingyi said, standing beside him. “It was a shitty call.”
“He’s been to seven games already Jingyi. He should know the rules and the fact that you don’t challenge the ref.” Sizhui sighed, face still burning. Jingyi chuckled and elbowed him. Looking up Sizhui turned his gaze to where his friend was pointing.
Jin Ling was standing on the other side of the pitch, arms crossed, staring at them. Sizhui grabbed Jingyi’s arm, turned, and walked back to where the rest of his own team was standing.
“Why did you tell me he was looking at us?!” He hissed to Jingyi as he pulled them away.
“He didn’t look mad if that makes you feel any better”
“It doesn’t. Not at all.” Sizhui grumbled, rubbing his hands over his face. The game would be back on soon and he needed to get his face back to a normal colour.
Forty-five minutes later the game was over and by some miracle Sizhui’s team stood victorious. Sizhui may have a twisted ankle and had to sit out the last five minutes of the game but he had scored the goal that kept them in the lead, so he was pretty satisfied. He was currently sitting in the infirmary waiting for Jingyi to come and help him walk to the car.
Hearing the door open he pushed himself up off the bed, he didn’t want Jingyi to have to help him out of bed. Misjudging his own strength though, he pushed a bit too hard off the bed and tipped. He reached out blindly hoping to catch the bed frame to stop his fall, but it was in vain. He closed his eyes, waiting for the floor to meet him and was surprised when a pair of arms circled his waist and he fell against a warm chest instead. He sighed in relief.
“It’s no wonder your our goalkeeper Jingyi! Your reflexes are-“ Sizhui stopped talking as he turned, hand freezing where he had clutched the person's bicep for support. It wasn’t Jingyi that caught him, it was Jin Ling. He felt his face start to heat up again.
“T-thanks for catching me” he managed to choke out. Jin Ling smiled and Sizhui thought he might die there. His smile was breathtaking. Though, Jingyi would tell Sizhui that he was biased about that. Sizhui thought everything about Jin Ling was breathtaking.
“It’s no problem.” Jin Ling replied, scratching the back of his neck. “I just came by to see if maybe you needed some help? You know with your ankle and all.” He gestured vaguely towards Sizhui’s feet. Sizhui could feel his blush deepen but he also didn’t want to let this chance pass.
“If you’re willing… would you be able to help me get to the locker room so I can grab my bag?” he hated how unsure his voice sounded. Jin Ling flashed him another blinding smile though and nodded enthusiastically. He hooked his left arm around Sizhui’s waist, his hand resting on Sizhui’s hip, and pulled Sizhui’s own arm over his shoulders.
The walk from the infirmary to the locker room was done in awkward silence. Sizhui had trouble focusing on anything that wasn’t Jin Ling’s warm hand gripping his hip. When they got to the locker room, his bag was still there as was Jingyi’s. As he reached for his bag, Jin Ling reached over and grabbed it before he could, swinging it over his shoulder.
“I’ll carry it don’t worry” He flashed another smile. Sizhui’s brain stuttered and he managed a weak thank you. “Now, where to?” Jin Ling asked as they exited the locker room.
“Oh uh…. the north entrance? That’s where my dad usually parks anyways.” Jin Ling nodded in confirmation and the two set off. Another awkward silence fell over the pair.
As they reached the doors, Sizhui could see Wei Wuxian leaning against their white range rover. Face heating up even more he motioned towards Wei Wuxian.
“There’s my dad.” Jin Ling looked from Wei Wuxian to Sizhui and then back again.
“Isn’t that the guy who-“
“Yeah…. He gets kicked out almost every game” Sizhui chuckled nervously. “He’s very…. invested in the games.” Jin Ling looked at him for another second before bursting into laughter.
“Oh my god. He’s the one my Uncle and the other Refs complain about!” He laughed even harder. “I can’t wait to tell Uncle Zixun that I have a date with that man’s son!” Sizhui froze. Looking at Jin Ling laughing he could tell the other boy hadn’t realized what he had said.
“Date?” he asked hesitantly. Jin Ling froze, a blush covering his cheeks.
“Oh uh… yeah I guess I haven’t asked yet.” He adjusted his grip on Sizhui’s hip before continuing. “Did you want to catch a movie and maybe go for dinner this weekend?”
Sizhui’s heart stuttered and he flushed as well.
“Uh well…. with my ankle I don’t think I’ll be able to” Jin Ling’s smile faltered, and his grip tightened slightly on Sizhui’s hip. Sizhui quickly went on, “but, if we exchange numbers, I can let you know when I can walk again, and we can go then!” Jin Ling brightened once more and he nodded, pulling his phone out of his pocket. Sizhui’s blush deepened even more, which he thought would have been impossible.
“Would you be able to grab my phone for me? It’s in the outer pocket of my bag…” Jin Ling immediately reached down and fished Sizhui’s phone out. The two quickly exchanged numbers before they continued their trek outside.
Seeing Sizhui approaching, Wei Wuxian’s smile faltered as he ran over.
“A-Yuan! Are you okay?!” he looked his son up and down.
“I twisted my ankle in the game. Something you would know if you hadn’t antagonized the ref again.” Sizhui gently admonished. Wei Wuxian stuck out his tongue at his son.
“It was a stupid call. Someone had to fight him about it!” Jin Ling choked on his laughter and the sound made Wei Wuxian turn to him.
“You’re not on A-Yuan’s team…” he tilted his head, looking Jin Ling over.
“This is Jin Ling. He’s on the other team.” Sizhui supplied. “He was kind enough to help me get my bag and get outside. Jingyi has disappeared.” Wei Wuxian merely hummed in answer still staring at Jin Ling. Jin Ling flushed under his gaze. Sizhui stared at his father for a moment longer before sighing.
“Dad, we won by the way.” Wei Wuxian whooped and pulled his son from Jin Ling, hugging him.
“I knew you guys would! Oh! Lan Zhan is going to be so excited!” He let go of Sizhui, making sure he was balanced on his good foot before reaching out to take his bag from Jin Ling.
“Thanks for helping my A-Yuan!” Wei Wuxian said, taking up Jin Lings former position to help Sizhui to the car.
“It’s no problem.” Jin Ling paused for a second before looking at Sizhui and adding “Text me later?”
Sizhui smiled and nodded. With that, Jin Ling turned and headed back inside.
The ride home was filled with Wei Wuxian’s usual babble about how stupid the ref was, how he could definitely make better calls, and what Lan Zhan had put together for him to feed to his book club that night. Halfway home Sizhui’s phone buzzed, notifying him of a text. The text was from Jingyi. He had sent a photo and one line of text.
The photo was of him and Jin Ling standing at the northern entrance. Jin Ling obviously had his arm around Sizhui’s waist, and Sizhui had his arm around Jin Lings shoulder. The two were gazing into each other’s eyes, a shy smile adorned both their faces. All the message said was ‘You owe me’. Sizhui choked.