Chapter Text
Eijun is fidgeting. He shuffles the ball in his hand as if it's made of lava, too scorching to be steadily held. His brows are Knit, eyes dully searching beyond the confines of the vacant locker room, not at all present as he should be.
Chris knows, but he asks anyway. "What's wrong?"
Eijun is quick to confide in Chris, he always is. "I'm nervous," he admits with a sigh.
Chris knows, but he asks anyway. “Why?”
Eijun tightens his grip on the baseball, finally stills it in his hold. "I know we've practiced this a thousand times — and I know I can pull it off... I just..." Eijun makes a frustrated noise before giving up.
“There’s nothing to worry about. I don’t doubt your ability to perform, and you shouldn’t either.”
The pitcher sneaks a glance at Chris before redirecting his eyes to the floor. “I know that — I do!” he whines. “But I can’t shake this weird feeling that something will go wrong,” he mumbles, begrudgingly.
"Eijun," Chris calls.
Before he can fully face him, Chris' hands are already cupping his cheeks, guiding Eijun to face him. He places a chaste, yet lingering kiss on Eijun's lips. He can only hope it’s long enough to convey his feeling — his unwavering faith in his beloved recipient. In his hold, all that stored tension seems to melt away, and Chris feels that it’s safe to part then.
Chris leans to the side, lips grazing the tip of Eijun’s ear. "You can do it," he whispers.
When Chris backs away, he finds that Eijun's eyes are wide. He stands stock-still, mouth parted and cheeks lightly flushed.
“Repeat it,” Chris demands.
Eijun struggles to get his words out amidst his shock. He makes a few soundless motions with his mouth before managing a single syllable. “I… I…”
"Can do it," Chris repeats slowly, guiding him.
"I can do it," Eijun says with reinstilled confidence. Then he chants it repeatedly, each time increasing in volume. All until his usual spunk resurfaces, and the Eijun Chris knows returns to him once more.
"Good boy," Chris coos, a smile threatening to spread across his face. "Now, hurry and get on the field."
"Y-yes, sir!"