Work Text:
With the sounds of players conversing and showers running, the locker area was alive with post-game energy. With his elbows resting on his knees, Charles sat on a bench and cautiously looked at his phone. Ever since the match against Ubers, he had developed a crush on Niko and had been for weeks. After that game, he had tried to talk to Niko, but the conversation ended awkwardly, leaving him more unsure than ever.
Now, with the upcoming team against FC Barcha, he finally decided he needed help. But none of the usual suspects were available. Nanase was too nice to burden, Tokimitsu always seemed flustered when Charles asked for advice, Zantetsu was, well, completely clueless, and Karasu was busy with… something involving Otoya… or Hiori, he didn’t remember the name.
Ever perceptive and full of chaos, Ryuusei noticed Charles was distracted. He nudged Rin, who was nearby toweling off his hair, with a cheeky smile.
“Hey, Rinrin, check out our little buddy over there,” Ryuusei said, indicating to Charles. “Looks like he’s about to confess to a murder or something.”
Rin maintained his normal grim face as he followed Ryuusei’s gaze. He sighed and shrugged, obviously not interested about the drama that was playing out. However, Ryuusei, who was always up to stir things up, approached the younger player and dragged Rin with him.
“Yo, Charboy!” The sound of Ryuusei’s call echoed throughout the tiled space. “What’s up? Lose a bet or something?”
Suddenly jolted out of his thoughts, Charles looked up. He shook his head immediately, blushing slightly in the process.
He murmured, “No, nothing like that,” and turned his head away.
Ryuusei settled upon the bench next to him and relaxedly leaned back. Rin was a few feet away, staring at Charles with his arms crossed and a neutral expression on his face.
“Come on, just spill it,” Ryuusei said, his smile growing. “We don’t bite. Well, maybe Rin does, but only if you annoy him.”
Rin gave Ryuusei a glaring glance, which the latter ignored entirely. Charles paused, obviously uneasy with their close inspection. But he didn’t really want to talk about this with Loki. At last, he inhaled deeply and blurted out,
“It’s... it’s about Niko. From Ubers.”
There was a moment of silence. Rin’s eyes narrowed slightly, while Ryuusei’s grin somehow grew even wider.
“Ah, a crush!” Ryuusei declared triumphantly. “Should’ve known. So, what’s the problem? You worried he’s too cool for you?”
Charles looked down, fidgeting with his hands.
“He’s just... so calm and composed,” he confessed. “I don’t even know how to talk to him without making a fool of myself. I’ve never liked a Japanese boy before.”
Rin’s gaze softened, just a fraction. Ryuusei leaned in closer, pretending to be lost in thought.
“Hmm, well, lucky for you, you’ve got two experts right here,” Ryuusei said, patting Rin’s arm. “One of us is great at being straightforward, and the other... well, he’s great at being Rin.”
Rin rubbed his temples, as though he was trying to relieve a headache. With a startlingly soft voice, he turned to face Charles.
“Just be honest,” Rin advised. “Show it if you like him. Avoid thinking too much about it. Niko seems like the type who’d appreciate someone being genuine.”
Looking up, Charles was taken aback by Rin’s genuine tone. With great enthusiasm, Ryuusei nodded, obviously enjoying their rare moment of peace. Charles felt the sudden need to do the contrary, even in spite of Rin’s direct advice and Ryuusei’s cheeky grin. He decided to approach Niko in his own manner, even if it meant making mistakes, rather than immediately taking their advice.
“Exactly! Just be yourself,” Ryuusei added, then grinned mischievously. “Unless yourself is a total idiot, in which case... maybe tone it down a bit.”
Rin glared at Ryuusei, but there was a hint of delight in his eyes. Charles laughed, a little more relaxed.
He got to his feet and said, “Thanks, both of you. I’ll... I’ll try my best.”
˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖
Ubers’ training grounds were bathed in a warm glow as the sun descended. The majority of the players had already left, their footsteps vanishing into the distance, as the vivid hues of twilight illuminated the sky. Charles trailed along behind, looking around for Niko. He saw him sitting there on the grass, taking in his surroundings in silence and wearing a pleased face. Charles, being the fun spirit, viewed this as an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
Charles jumped at the chance to talk to Niko. As he made his way over, he called out, “Hey, Niko! Practicing your brooding skills again?”
With a subtle smile, Niko raised his gaze. “Just enjoying the quiet. Nice after a long day.”
Charles took a seat next to Niko and fidgeted a little while he settled in. They struck up a lighthearted conversation, with Charles's excitement and Niko's cool head coming into sharp contrast. Charles leaned back on his hands, grinning as he teased, “You know, you’re like a wise old man trapped in a teenager’s body. Always so cool and collected.”
“And... so what? you’re just a hyperactive puppy. Always bouncing around.”
With a giggle, Charles was obviously enjoying their casual banter. He selected a blade of grass and spun it around in his hands, peeking from time to time at Niko. “Well, someone has to keep things interesting here. You might all turn into statues if I wasn’t here to shake things up.”
Niko gave a quiet nod. “True. You do have a way of making things... interesting.”
Charles was both excited and nervous at the same time. He was left feeling more uncertain than certain by the guidance he had received from Ryuusei and Rin. Rin had emphasized sincerity and honesty, while Ryuusei had urged him to be himself (should he be playful..?). Recalling Rin's uncommonly direct advice and Ryuusei's playful tone, Charles couldn't help but laugh to himself at the thought of their reactions should they discover he was genuinely attempting to follow their advice.
Ryuusei would certainly laugh his head off if he knew that I am about to asked Niko out on a date, Charles thought to himself. And Rin... he'd probably just roll his eyes.
Determined to combine their advice, Charles decided to be himself while being honest about his feelings. He turned to face Niko, showing a mixture of nervousness and resolve as he worked up the guts to say anything.
Ryuusei and Rin ducked behind a nearby storage shed, partially concealed by its shadow. They were watching Charles and Niko from a distance, their faces softly lit by the stadium lights. Ryuusei smiled mischievously, obviously enjoying the undercover activity. Rin, less amused but still curious, leaned closer, arms crossed.
Ryuusei whispered, “Look at them. Charles is actually pulling it off. Who knew the kid had it in him?”
Rin murmured, “It’s not over yet. Let's see if he doesn't screw it up.”
As Charles spoke, it was evident how nervous he was; he spoke softly but clearly enough for Ryuusei and Rin to understand. “So, uh, speaking of interesting... There’s this thing I’ve been wanting to ask you.”
Niko tilted his head slightly, his patient gaze on Charles. The air was tense with expectancy as Charles blurted out his next few words, which were obviously nervous but sincere. “Do you... ever feel like we’re missing out on something? Like, we’re missing out on... you know, normal stuff, while we’re busy being the best on the field?”
Niko nodded carefully as his expression softened. Ryuusei and Rin glanced at each other, curious about where the talk was going.
“Normal stuff, like what?” Niko asked.
Charles staggered a little but got back up fast. “Hanging out, being silly, maybe going on adventures? I dunno. Stuff normal fifteen-year-olds do.”
Ryuusei bit his lip to contain a laugh, while Rin’s eyes narrowed, examining the sincerity in Charles’s words. Niko gave Charles’s question careful thought. “I think... what we do is our own kind of adventure. I understand your point, though. It’s easy to forget we’re still kids, sometimes.”
The two boys continued to talk, the conversation flowing more naturally now. Behind the storage shed, Ryuusei nudged Rin, holding back a giggle.
“Think he’s gonna actually confess?” Ryuusei murmured.
Rin scowled a little. “He better not. Not like this, anyway. He’s too... awkward.”
Ryuusei grinned. “Uh, but the way you confess is more weird, though.”
Rin cast a sidelong glance. “Shut up.”
Ryuusei’s smile widened. “But I ain’t complaining, though. You’re adorable."
Rin felt a flush rise up his neck, but he kept his gaze fixed on Charles and Niko, refusing to give Ryuusei any satisfaction with a reaction. Ryuusei knew how difficult it must be to manage emotions in such a high-stakes environment, so even though Ryuusei was making fun of Charles, he had a hint of concern for him.
Charles and Niko’s conversation opened up the possibility of a closer relationship as they went on. From the shed, Ryuusei and Rin observed with a feeling of mutual satisfaction. Despite their differences, Ryuusei and Rin had each had a part in helping Charles take this step, and he was managing the issue just fine on his own.
“Well, that was fun,” Ryuusei smiled. “Think we should leave them to it?”
Rin gave a nod. “Yeah. Let’s go before we get caught.”
With a final glance at Charles and Niko, Ryuusei and Rin quietly slipped away, their banter echoing softly in the night as they walked off.
Charles’s face brightened at Niko’s understanding tone. Feeling more confident, he leaned in a little. “Yes! Exactly! Like, we should do something fun sometime. Something that is unrelated to soccer.”
Niko arched an eyebrow, his eyes shining with playful light. “Are you asking me on a date, Charles?”
Charles’s eyes grew wide as a flush started to appear on his neck. “What—no! Not unless you want it to be, is what I mean? I just meant... you know, as friends!”
Charles was calmed by Niko’s gentle laugh, which was warm and sincere. “Relax, I was just teasing. I’d like that, actually. Something fun. Just... normal.”
Charles let out a sigh as a wave of relief passed through him. With a smile, he let the mischievous side of him come back. “Great! So, it’s a plan. I’ll think of something awesome."
Niko smiled gently and nodded. “I’m sure you will.”
The two sat in comfortable silence as the sun sank below the horizon. There was a sense of something fresh and thrilling between them. Despite their different personalities—Charles’s playful energy and Niko’s mature calm—they found a common ground, hinting at the potential for a deeper bond.
˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖
After slipping away from their covert observation of Charles and Niko, Ryuusei and Rin found themselves wandering aimlessly before heading back to the PXG spectrum. The chilly, still night air was sometimes broken by the far-off yells of the players who were still on the field. With his hands tucked into his pockets, Ryuusei strolled with his usual free posture, while Rin walked at a more deliberate pace beside him.
Ryuusei smiled, breaking the hush. “Man, that was entertaining. Charles is pretty smooth for a kid. Perhaps he learned it from me.”
Rin rolled his eyes and gave Ryuusei a confused, amused, frustrated look. “Doubt it. He was just being himself, not some overconfident flirt.”
With a laugh, Ryuusei gave Rin an affectionate elbow shove. Not the one that they did while fighting. “Aw, come on, stop acting like this. You know you love my overconfident flirting.”
Rin felt a blush creeping up but managed to keep his expression neutral. “That irritates me.”
Ryuusei’s smile widened, clearly enjoying the banter. “Well, it can’t be that bad since you still hang around,”
Rin didn’t respond right away, his gaze shifting to the ground as they walked. Despite Ryuusei’s constant teasing and unpredictable behavior, there was something inherently appealing about him. Rin’s own reserve contrasted dramatically with Ryuusei’s energy and boldness, and it was this contrast that captivated his interest.
For a short while, they wandered in pleasant silence, the cold night air wrapping around them like a soft blanket. Ryuusei found a nearby bench and motioned for Rin to join him. Ryuusei leaned back as they sat, gazing up at the starry sky, while Rin looked ahead, lost in thought. There was an unanticipated quiet moment between them as the night's calm contrasted with their heated conversation.
With a gentler tone, Ryuusei broke the silence once more. “You know, you were kinda cute earlier. Worrying about Charles messing things up.”
Rin took a look at him, eyebrows raised. “I wasn’t worried. I just didn't want him to embarrass himself."
Ryuusei grinned. “Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
They sat together with the stars glittering overhead for a time of comfortable silence. As Ryuusei looked at Rin’s profile, his teasing smirk turned into a more sincere smile.
At last, Rin uttered a hushed voice. “You know... you’re not as annoying as you used to be.”
Faking shock, Ryuusei turned to face him. “Wow, high praise coming from you, Mr. Lickyrin. I’m touched.”
Rin rolled his eyes once more, but he couldn’t resist grinning a little. Ryuusei had a way of making him smile even when he didn’t want to.
Trying to seem serious, Rin added, “Just... don’t push your luck.”
Ryuusei let out a big, pleased chuckle. It echoed through the silent night, a sharp contrast to Rin’s typically serene and peaceful demeanor. Ryuusei leaned forward, narrowing the gap that separated them.
“Come on, Rinrin. You already know that you like me exactly as I am.”
Rin’s heart skipped a beat, a chill running down his back at Ryuusei’s close proximity and teasing tone. He slightly raised his head to look at Ryuusei. Unspoken between them was a mixture of tenderness and challenge, as if they were challenging one other to tear down the comfortable shell they had created.
The surroundings felt different, and Rin wondered if Ryuusei would push further. But then, Ryuusei leaned back again, a satisfied grin on his face, as if content with the impact he’d had.
Ryuusei stated, “Anyway, we should probably head back before someone catches us out here.”
Rin got up and nodded. Ryuusei stretched out and lightly stroked Rin’s hair as they began their trek back, a casual gesture that seemed strangely intimate. Rin shot him a look, half-annoyed, half-amused.
“Cut that out,” Rin said, trying to sound firm.
With a laugh, Ryuusei withdrew his hand but allowed it to stay there for a little longer than necessary. “Alright, alright. But seriously, Rin, you’re sooo cute when you’re flustered.”
Huffing, Rin tried to cover away the slight flush that was creeping up his cheeks. He increased his pace, eager to escape Ryuusei’s teasing, but the smile on his face betrayed his true feelings. There was a warmth in their conversations despite their constant teasing and arguing, a bond that neither of them really acknowledged but felt strongly.
As they walked back together, side by side, it was clear that their relationship was more than just rivalry. It was a complex emotional dance that they both approached with prudence and passion. And in that dance, perhaps they would find something… (un)expected.