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Ainosuke wasn’t jealous.
He wasn’t .
He was simply annoyed that he had to fight for the time and attention of someone who’s time and attention was guaranteed to him. Ainosuke didn’t do jealousy within the walls of S, the entire concept was laughable, and anyone who said he did was simply lying because who could he possibly have a need to be jealous of? Certainly not Tadashi’s ever growing fanclub.
They didn’t matter enough to be jealous of.
Ainosuke took a drag from his cigarette, ignored the way something that definitely wasn’t jealously unfurled in his chest, and let his gaze return to the spectacle below him: Tadashi, Snake as they all called him, bashfully holding conversation with several excited teenagers as they fawned over his most recent performance.
It wasn’t as if his popularity was a surprise, it would have been more perplexing if people hadn’t clamored for him after his performance in the tournament, but that didn’t mean he had to like sharing. As if Tadashi could sense that he was being watched he lifted his gaze to the catwalk and offered an apologetic smile; Ainosuke shrugged back and tapped his cigarette with his finger, watching the ash drift away on a breeze as he let out a disgruntled sigh. They had talked about this as it had been Ainosuke who had encouraged it; Tadashi spent too much time focused on him, on working, and had done so for far too many years.
It’s why it definitely wasn’t jealousy kicking around inside of him; that would be childish and counterproductive. He wanted Tadashi to make friends. He wanted to see him smile and laugh, to enjoy himself on a skateboard again. But it would be a lie to say part of him didn’t hate it, to pretend that part of him didn't hate that he had to share even for this short amount of time.
As Ainosuke finished his cigarette, dropping it to the floor of the catwalk to be stubbed out by his boot, he watched Tadashi finally escape from the gaggle of teeangers only to make it about four steps before Miya and Reki intercepted him. Miya with big eyes and excited gestures and Reki snatching up Tadashi’s board to make sure it hadn’t gotten too banged up - having taken over design control when it was clear Tadashi couldn’t keep skating on such an old board if he intended to remain competitive.
Tadashi had barely managed to pry his board away from Reki, the perpetually annoying redhead literally pouting at Tadashi’s retreating form, and quite literally crashed straight into Joe. Then came Shadow. Then Cherry. Then several people Ainosuke had never seen before. By the time Tadashi made it to the catwalk it had been almost an hour since his race had ended and Ainsouke could feel the frustration, the exhaustion, rolling off him.
His poor puppy really wasn’t a people person.
Leaning his hip against the railing, Ainosuke tilted his head to the side and let a smirk curve up the corner of his mouth. “You’re very popular these days.”
Tadashi’s usually passive face contorted, nose wrinkling as if he’d smelt something terrible. He came to stand beside Ainosuke, letting their shoulders brush together lightly. “I don’t understand how you deal with this, it’s draining.”
Ainosuke let his gaze return to the crowd of people thrumming with energy, all eyes on the starting line as Joe and Cherry took their places.
“You don't love your adoring fan club?” he asked innocently, felt Tadashi’s glare in response before he turned to look at him again, his own teasing smirk melting into a genuine smile. “You deserve the attention, even if you don’t like it. Even if I don’t love sharing you with them.”
The blush that dusted Tadashi’s cheeks pink smothered the last flickering flames of jealousy Ainosuke, allegedly , had and replaced it with sparks of pride.
“I think they’re just easily impressed by something new.” Tadashi replied softly.
“Hardly.” He scoffed before lifting his hand to start counting off on his fingers. “You still have the track record, you haven’t lost a race yet since the tournament forfeit, they all know you help keep things functioning around here, and you're one of the most requested for a beef.” He pointed the end of his cigarette at him, a farce of a threat. “Take the compliment, you know I don’t like repeating myself.”
Just as he’d hoped the blush on Tadashi’s cheeks darkened from a light pink to a lovely shade of red; lifting a hand he let his knuckles brush lightly against Tadashi’s cheek, his smirk softening into a smile. “This is a good look on you, reminds me of how you look when you're begging to cum.”
“ Ainosuke-sama .” If possible Tadashi’s cheeks burned even brighter.
“As if anyone down there can hear anything we’re saying. Don’t fret puppy, your modesty is safe for another day.” Tadashi keeps his gaze forward, ignoring Ainosuke as best he can, and that just won't do at all.
He moves before Tadashi can; when they both settle, Ainosuke has ended up behind Tadashi with his arms bracketed on either side of the older man and his hands gripping the railing in front of him so that Tadashi is trapped between it and his chest - his smug smile back in place as he settles his chin onto Tadashi’s shoulder.
“We’re still in public, Ainosuke-sama.”
The buzzer sounds but Ainosuke doesn’t spare the race or its contestants a second of his time.
“I hadn’t realized.” He shifts his weight forward, lets his hips press into Tadashi’s ass, and laughs softly into the older man's ear when he feels him shiver in response. “Do you think they can tell from down there?”
“Tell?” His voice sounds strained and that just improves Ainosuke’s mood even more.
“How badly you want to grind back into me, obviously.”
There’s silence in the wake of his comments and then. “You’re an asshole.”
It makes Ainosuke laugh, no longer teasing but simply genuine enjoyment, and he lifts his face from its resting spot to brush a kiss to Tadashi’s temple as he stands back up to his full height, though he doesn’t pull his hips back. “I might be, but that doesn’t change anything I said. Joking aside, I'm willing to bet that there are several people out there that aren’t paying any attention to the race, much like us, and instead have their eyes trained on you.”
“It’s much more likely that they're watching you.”
Ainosuke’s hand comes up in a flash, catches Tadashi by the jaw and forcibly turns his head so that they can look each other in the face. “What did I say about taking compliments?”
“I - sorry, Ainosuke-sama.”
“Do you still not understand how good you are, puppy?” His fingers flex on Tadashi’s jaw before sliding down to curve around his throat, an imitation of a collar. “How proud I am of you?”
Tadashi’s eyes widen, mouth falling open before he quickly snaps it shut, and gently shakes his head no. “You doubt me?”
“ No , it’s not - It’s that - Ainosuke, I am not deserving of such comments.”
Ainosuke didn’t miss the lack of an honorific, it was a testament to how flustered Tadashi was. He could be nice, could take pity on the older man, but that had never really been his style.
“What a stupid sentiment to express when I’m telling you otherwise. I pay you a compliment and you toss it aside so casually. Telling me my efforts are wasted .”
“That’s not what I sa-”
He interrupts with a dismissive flick of his hand. “Insulting, that’s what it is.”
“Aino-”
“There’s only one way to deal with this.” He pushed away from Tadashi, stepped away from him completely and moved to the back of the catwalk to pick up his board and then began to descend the steps leaving Tadashi to hurry after him.
“Sir?”
When he reached the bottom of the steps he whirled around to poke a finger into Tadashi’s chest, his secretary blinking at him in confusion. He dropped his board to the ground with a clatter and as expected the people nearby turned at the commotion. Ainosuke’s smile grew larger, thriving on being the center of attention. “You’ve insulted me, Snake .”
“Ain-” he caught himself, remembering they were no longer alone. “ Adam , that wasn’t my intent-”
“And you know how we solve disagreements around here, I’ll see you at the starting line. Unless of course you’re nothing but a scared little pup.” He popped the p at the end to make the statement more dramatic. Preened, not because the crowd had reacted with the expected excitement, but because Tadashi’s eyes had started to narrow.
He didn’t wait for Tadashi’s response, just waved his fingers at him and turned to weave his way towards the starting line. As he busied himself with lighting a cigarette he could hear the way the whispers rippled through the crowd as word of the challenge spread quickly and so didn’t have to wait very long for Tadashi to appear from the crowd himself, annoyed frown still etched across his handsome face.
“Don’t look so sour, it’s going to be fun.”
He sounds sulky. “This is just going to get me even more attention.”
Which is exactly what Ainosuke had intended. “I am aw-”
“Especially once I win.” There's a brief pause and then there's Ainosuke's laughter ringing out into the night, delighted and soft.
He doesn’t stop laughing until the countdown starts; then he smirks, kicks his board up into his hand, and takes his position on the starting line, let's his eyes flicker over to Tadashi as the older man falls in line beside him. “I’m going to have so much fun making you eat those words, Tadashi.”
Tadashi just smiles, pulls his cap down lower over his eyes, and keeps his attention in front of him but as the starting buzzer trumpts Ainosuke hears his quiet whisper. “You’re welcome to try, Ainosuke-sama.”