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Sometimes you know you’re seconds away from hurting someone you love very badly.
The autumn came to Strikaland faster than usual. Tiger’s trench coat was hanging in the hallway of Rasta’s house. The red-haired player was sitting in the kitchen, curled nervously on a chair. He is going to hurt his captain very badly right now.
The peace is illusive. His cat, Béchamel, is watching them from affair. The taller man in front of him is finishing the tiramisu by sprinkling the last layer of ladyfingers with cocoa. There is a pre-game studio playing in the background. Nakama vs. Invincible United. Live from the Gasshuku Stadium. The moment Mac started speaking, Tiger broke the silence.
„I got an offer from Nakama.”
Rasta nods, not looking at him, visibly amused by finishing the dish. But then, he quickly touches his love necklace - the one he wears outside the games, instead of the bracelets. It lasts maybe a second. He wants Simone there, in front of him, for some kind of emotional support. Tiger touches his lucky charm when in distress too. The silence isn’t long, even though he sees the gears in his mind shifting.
„Like, da matrimonial one?” The man jokes, and the Japanese is staring at him, visibly shocked. „Mi jus’ kiddin. Tell mi more ’bout dat.”
The game begins and Tiger can’t seem to focus. Oh my God. How do I talk to him about this?
They know each other very well, maybe even better than Tiger wants to admit. Of course, Rasta was his captain, but he always stuck to his side, during the highs and lows. Homesickness, injuries, relationship problems weren’t something that he could consider serious enough, to ever leave Tiger alone. They shared an unique bond. Rasta knew everything about him, yet, he seemed to know nothing about his captain. There was no reason for him to be afraid of this conversation, well, maybe despite that it’s another time the taller man is losing a teammate so important to him and TigerKnowsThat .
„Uh.” He smiles awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. „I’m homesick.”
„Mi know’ dat.” Rasta smiles warmly, handing his guest a mug. „An yuh relationship wid Miko isn’t di greatest. Or is dat?”
Rasta is picking up the cat from the floor, laying it softly on his arm. He protective wraps his hand around Tiger’s waist, leading them both in front of TV. From all of Strikas, Rasta is the last person he wants to hurt. They’re watching the game, eyes focused on Nakama’s players. Miko Chen, his fiancé, is gently persuading him to make the first step; to leave Supa Strikas.
The coach is not Ura Giri anymore. His name is Kang-hee Choi. He’s smart and last year, under his guidance, the team almost won the championship. His friends told him already that he’s qualified and kind. Not abusive in any way. Tiger feels unhappy. The homesickness, an unhealed wound in him. His relationship, being in shambles. They wanted to get married, but it’s a conflict between the sides, is that not? And also, the loyalty was a matter. You should remain faithful to the team you won numerous championships with, right?
„I am sorry, Rasta, I haven’t decided yet. I don’t know which decision is good. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
Rasta is smiling at him and he had seen this smile already. The day Jomo died. The day Automatic left.
Your feelings are valid too, Tiger. You shouldn’t put his feelings above yours.
„Mi nuh di person tuh’ make di choice fi ya, ya kno’ dat?” He squeezes his hand reassuringly, just like he did with Klaus and Shakes and North and… With all of them, thousands of times. „Whateva ya choose mi ago bi supporting ya decision, man. Mi kno it nuh easy.”
„It’s supposed to be.” Tiger says with resignation in his voice. „I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt Miko. I want… to get married. To settle down. To have a family, I don’t know, maybe just a cat. Or a chinchilla.”
„Lemme take da cups really fast.” His captain smiles once again. Few moments later, he returns with a plate of tiramisu and for a moment, Tiger feels like everything is going to be fine. It seems like it’s going to be fine.
„Mmm, good.” He smiles, chewing the cake. „If I leave, will the locker be waiting for me still? In case, you know. One day I change my mind.”
„Sure thing, man. Da locker’s yours.”