Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Karasu Tabito

The first to notice this "attachment" of Nananse towards Rin was Karasu himself

Karasu was walking through the corridors of the PXG one evening because he wanted to get some water and passed by Rin's room which had the door half open 

Karasu thought of playing a prank on Rin, that is, scaring him, but when he was about to open the door in that small space he saw...

Nananse and Rin sitting on the bed, Nanase had his chin on Rin's shoulder and was hugging him from the hips while Rin was looking at the tablet while he was explaining something to him and he was listening, but Karasu noticed that Nananse was not interested in Rin's speech, but was looking at Rin like a boy in love

Karasu squinted several times, he thought he had seen wrong, after all Rin was not someone who liked physical affection and usually refused when someone tried to hug him or touch him in a friendly way but...Nananse hugged Rin in such a...intimate way...

—What the fuck am I seeing, is this a fucking dream?— Karasu whispered

Karasu checked again and saw Nanase very close to Rin only this time he moved his chin from his shoulder to place it near his neck as if he wanted to smell Rin 

And Rin?

Rin didn't do anything to push him away, he didn't even seem bothered by it, he just continued his explanation 

Karasu walked away from the scene as quickly as possible, it looked like he had witnessed a crime scene 

—I think Yukimiya should lend me his glasses...I need them more than he does!—

Tokimitsu Aoshi

The second to notice Nanase's strange behavior towards Rin was Tokimtsu

Tokimitsu was not a person who liked to be the center of attention and he was someone who did not create problems for Loki given his shy nature, so he observed everything in silence 

He had watched Rin being attacked by Nanase several times, but he thought it was something harmless, he simply thought Nanase was a close friend of Rin since he is the only one he can stand 

But he began to doubt it when one day, during training Loki gave a break for a few minutes and Tokimitsu sat on the bench to hydrate and dry the sweat and when he looked up he was surprised 

He saw Nanase and Rin sitting in front of each other, you might wonder what's strange, but Nanase's face was very close to Rin's and it looked like he was about to kiss him, and then Nanase's look...it was like...a boy in love while Rin's was normal, as if he didn't understand

Tokimitsu looked away immediately for fear of being discovered, but he peeked a little again to see and saw them still in the same position 

Tokimtsu turned red with embarrassment at having witnessed such an intimate scene, from his point of view 

—Did you also see Nanase particularly close to Rin?!— Tokimtsu looked up to see who had spoken, it was Karasu

—Don't you find them particularly close? — Karasu asked because he felt crazy to think so but Tokimitsu nodded, at least he wasn't the only one who thought so

Zantetsu Tsurugi

Strangely enough, Zantetsu also saw something strange in Nananse when he was with Rin 

Usually he always found Nanase attached to Rin like Reo did with Nagi and vice versa

And he knew that Reo and Nagi had mutual romantic feelings and knew that they were a couple 

What Zantetsu found strange was that Nanase behaved like Reo did with Nagi when he was still in their team: he saw Nanase as if he sometimes wanted to catch Rin's attention but only Rin doesn't realize it

Right at that moment he saw how Nanase was resting with his face always resting on Rin's shoulder and was hugging him from the hips, but Rin didn't pay attention to it and was eating his food normally 

—I miss Reo and Nagi too much— He muttered as he ate his food

Meanwhile, behind Rin and Nanase there was Karasu who was watching them while secretly taking pictures of them 

—Damn I can't miss this Japanese boys love in real life!— He said not enough to make him heard as he continued to snap

Meanwhile Tokimitsu was peeking in to see

Julian Loki and Charles Chevalier

Loki, despite being 17 years old, was already a coach of a very important team in football and for this reason he had to be careful with his other teammates

Because of this he realized what was happening with Nanase 

Both he and Charles had noticed Nanase's too intimate closeness towards Rin 

But they also realized how jealous Nanse could be for Rin 

In fact, once Loki hugged Rin out of happiness because he had scored a goal and saw Nanase behind Rin who was looking at him with a murderous look but didn't let it show that much 

Or like a few days ago when Charles went to Rin to ask him a question about the match and suddenly Nanase arrived and hugged Rin and then sent a look to Charles that gave him the shivers

—LOKI I DON'T WANT TO SLEEP ALONE, I'M AFRAID THAT NANASE WILL KILL ME WHILE I SLEEP!!— Charles said in his room, clinging to his shoulder and whimpering

—Please Nanase kill him before I do it— Loki thought exasperatedly

Meanwhile Karasu...

—I mean fuck Yukki, Toya, you saw, you saw how fucking close Rin and Nanase are, Hiori you saw! Literally Nanase was going to kill Charles for getting close to Rin! THEY ARE A FUCKING GAY COUPLE ARGHJH— Karasu yelled in a room of Bastard Munchen showing the secretly taken photos with Tokimitsu and Zantetsu who were nodding even though Zantetsu was nodding because he saw Tokimitsu do it

Shidou Ryusei

Shidou was the person who joked the most in PXG and most of them were jokes, comments or gestures about sex, but he could understand when someone was serious 

In fact he had seen Nanase too many times being close to Rin but not in a friendly way

There was a scene that was not really between friends and that had surprised Shidou a lot because he would not have expected it from the boy with the bandana and the good boy face 

He was walking down the halls to go to the bathroom when he saw Rin sitting on the sink with his legs open and Nanase standing in front of him between his legs and very close to his face 

Shidou thought that if he pushed them they would kiss, and he could finally say

Then Shidou saw how Nanase's hands went to Rin's hips and thighs, was he groping them? Rin looked slightly uncomfortable though, as if wondering what the hell was going on 

But Shidou understood that Rin was uncomfortable but not in the sense that he was totally disgusted by the thing because he knows that he has the strength to reject him but he simply seemed confused by too much closeness

Shidou decided not to go into the bathroom and leave them alone, even though he wanted to go in there and make them kiss. In the meantime he took a picture (more than one) of them

—Ah~ I think Sae wouldn't be happy about this, oh well I'll send them to her anyway, it would be fun— He said as he pressed send on the photos in the chat with Sae

Meanwhile in Spain it was already early morning and Sae was still sleeping when he heard the message notification ringtone 

—Which lukewarm person dares to disturb me at this hour— He said as he reluctantly got up to take the phone, when he saw Shidou's name he grimaced

—Let's see what bullshit he sent me this time— He said opening the chat to see a picture of his beloved younger brother (don't tell Rin he said beloved younger brother) sitting on a sink with his legs inexplicably spread with a guy, who he doesn't know exists, between Rin's legs while hugging him from the hips and his face too close to his. And under the photos it said: little eyelashes is leaving the nest, with some emojis 

Obviously Sae's reaction wasn't the best...

—SHIDOU, YOU DAMNED FUCKING ASSHOLE, WHAT THE FUCK DOES THIS MEAN, WHO THE FUCK IS THAT GUY, SHIDOU GIVE ME SOME FUCKING EXPLANATIONS OR I'M COMING TO JAPAN TO KILL YOU AND THIS GUY, LOKI WHY THE FUCK DOESN'T HE DO HIS DAMN JOB!— He said sending a voice message to Shidou, poor ears, meanwhile his voice was heard outside his apartment scaring even the birds

Chapter Text

Rin watched as Nanase got up from his seat to go to the bathroom, leaving him alone with his lunch

Rin touched his neck remembering the kiss Nanase had given him earlier feeling his cheeks warm

He knew that Nanase was a rather affectionate and sociable person with others but...lately he has been much more affectionate than usual

He kissed him on the cheek, helped him with his training, gave him water when he forgot, hugged him and even gave him paper flowers

He likes all this attention from him, it's been a long time since he's had it, but it was also strange at the same time

Rin was confused and couldn't understand

And he knew well who could answer these questions 

Rin got up from his seat and headed towards the table where Karasu, Shidou and Charles were happily talking about their own business

—Oh! Rinnie! What are you doing here!— Charles asked cheerfully, smiling as always. Rin sat down in front of them, banging his fists on the table

—I have to ask you something— Rin got straight to the point, he needed answers since curiosity was killing him

—Oooh~ little eyelashes wants to know something from us, it's very rare! Come on, we're all ears— Rin already regretted going there but now there was no turning back 

—In your opinion...— Rin began, fiddling with his fingers

—In our opinion...?— Karasu continued looking at Rin who was looking at the table

—Do you think...Nanase is in love with me...?— Rin said with warm cheeks, seconds passed where there was silence except for the voices of other players in the room busy eating and unaware of what was happening

Rin hearing the silence looked up seeing Shidou and Charles looking at him with amused looks and Karasu looking at him as if he was the biggest idiot in the world

Rin thought he had said the stupidest thing in the world thinking he had misunderstood Nanase's intentions, until Karasu started speaking

—Do you want me to lend you Yukimiya's glasses?— He said sarcastically but Rin didn't understand

—If after months and months you only realize it now, it means that if a big blind Rin— Karasu concluded, putting a piece of chicken in his mouth

—So that means...—

—Well Rinnie, that was pretty obvious— Charles said as Rin's cheeks turned redder

—TOKIMITSU, ZANTETSU, COME HERE WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT CAT AND DOG— Karasu shouted with the fork in his hand, Tokimitsu and Zantetsu heard and came there sitting next to them

—Tell them too— Karasu said as he put another piece of chicken in his mouth, Rin knew Karasu liked to eat and would kill anyone who dared to steal his food, after all it's the only thing that keeps him sane in a team where there's him and the cockroach

—Do you think...Nanase is in love with me...— He asked again. The two of them looked at him with a look as if it was the most obvious thing in the entire universe 

—Well you literally look like Reo and Nagi— Said Zantetsu

—Zantetsu is right, Nanase seems very much in love with you Rin-kun— Tokimitsu said in a low voice

—You see, even Zantetsu understood Rin, it's obvious. Even a 1 month old baby would understand—

Rin covered his face which had become red from embarrassment, he honestly expected that answer but still...

Rin looked through his fingers at Shidou who didn't say anything but was smiling a lot, with a mischievous look as if he already knew

—And you? Aren't you saying anything?— Rin asked, he thought it was strange that Shidou wasn't making fun of him 

—Hmmm~ what should I say little eyelashes? After all the truth is so obvious— Shidou said raising his hands and enjoying Rin's reaction

—You seriously didn't notice?— Karasu asked, raising an eyebrow 

—I've been wondering about it but...I didn't expect it— Rin at that moment wanted to bury himself in the ground

He had never thought of Nanase that way, he had never thought of love in general. He had always thought of soccer and of crushing Itoshi Sae and Isagi and becoming the number 1 striker in the world. So the idea of ​​falling in love had never occurred to him, soccer was his whole life and he had never thought of anything else, he didn't even have a social life, he didn't have friends and he wasn't even interested in having one, the only friend he had was his nii-chan, but he became Itoshi Sae and he has to destroy him, his nii-chan doesn't exist anymore

—Rin, are you serious? He literally kisses your neck and cheeks, once he was even about to kiss you on the mouth!— Karasu said exasperatedly

—I thought he was doing it as a joke! — Rin defended himself, but hearing it sounded strange but he had never had friends but he saw dome friends do it with each other and then no one hugged or kissed him, except his nii-chan, so he thought it was harmless

—Rin-kun...there's a difference in playful flirting and real flirting— Tokimitsu said fearfully, he didn't want to say it but at the same time he wanted to help his friend with his feelings

—For example I kiss Shidou on the cheek or do the ruffle to him, but we both know we're joking okay? While Nanase doesn't do it as a joke because he has that look where he says he's serious, you know?— Karasu said while Rin remembered the times he saw Karasu and Shidou joking about being a couple and stuff like that (he also remembered Otoya pushing Shidou away from Karasu by acting jealous but playful, but he knew he was really jealous) and he remembered the times Nanase would hit on him. There was a big difference...

—Or take Reo and Nagi for example, you do exactly the same things because you both are in love!— Karasu said taking the phone

—Exactly or like me and Sae~— He said as Rin glared at him

—Naaah you're right, Sae and I are much more unique with our beautiful love filled with wild sex— Shidou said dramatically while Charles pretended to vomit, Tokimitsu and Zantetsu made disgusted faces and Rin was angry with a nerve that was about to explode. But before he could do anything Karasu slapped the phone in his face

—Look! Anyway Shidou, that's disgusting, I'd still be eating and I don't want to think about you with your crooked dick—

Rin rubbed his nose and picked up his phone looking at the screen...there was a picture of him and Nanase very close together. Charles peeked in 

—Ah! I get it! I was playing there and when I looked up I lost a year of my life because I saw you two so close that I thought you were about to kiss!— Charles said sitting back down in his seat

Rin scrolls to see the other photos, and there were always him and Nanase but at different times but they had one thing in common: they were very close intimately. Rin seeing those photos from that perspective had to admit that it was a bit strange and that someone could misunderstand a lot

—Are you taking pictures of us...?— Rin asked while still looking at all the photos

—Karasu always takes pictures of you, but also videos. He literally made an album just for you two—Shidou said as he put a piece of rare cow meat in his mouth

—Do...do you ship us...?— Rin asked, it seemed like he and Nanase were a couple from a k-drama or a thai-drama while Karasu and the others were the fandom that shipped them

—Even Loki ships you— Karasu said

—The whole PXG is waiting for you two to declare and kiss each other— Charles said smiling

—Oh~ your prince charming has arrived little eyelashes— Shidou whispered with an amused face as Rin felt someone hug him from behind

—Sorry I'm late Rin-san! But Loki called me for something— Rin had butterflies in his stomach, he could feel Nanase's breathing against his neck

—What are you talking about? — Nanase asked the rest of the group

—Ah we...ehhh we were talking about Otoya and Karasu!— Zantetsu said pointing to Karasu who was eating peacefully, Rin was surprised that he hadn't told the truth

—Yeah, we were talking about these two lovebirds and we asked Rin what he thought about them— Shidou defended himself by leaning on Karasu's shoulder while he had a piece of chicken in his mouth and didn't understand why they used him as an excuse, what traitors they are

—Oh, are you trying to figure out if Otoya is in love with you or is he just kidding?— Nanase asked smiling still clinging to Rin who seemed to be thinking about something else

—Oh...yeah hehehe, I'm very confused...— Karasu said embarrassed that the attention was now on him and his problem: Otoya Eita; he liked Otoya, but he didn't know if the feeling was reciprocated because Otoya always joked about these things and he knew that he was straight and only had eyes for beautiful women, but he is not a woman...Otoya once confessed to Karasu and he thought it was true but to be sure he asked if he was serious or not, but Otoya first avoided the question and then answered saying he was just joking (he remembered how Karasu cried that day and how he tried to console him, but he didn't know how to do it, it was nii-chan who consoled him)

—I'm sorry Karasu, you know how I feel, Otoya may be in love with you but maybe he himself is confused— Nanase said smiling sadly as he took Rin's hand

—Rin-san, shall we go?— He said pulling his hand. Rin stood up and looked at the group, he had a mix of emotions like embarrassment for everything that happened, frustration for not understanding it before, confusion because it all happened so fast but also sadness because he felt guilty for Karasu, who had a strange look, ot looked like he was still thinking about Otoya

Karasu noticed Rin looking at him and so he smiled at him giving him a wink and a thumbs up, he hoped that at least they were together

—Let's continue later ok little eyelashes?—Shidou said massaging Karasu's shoulder as a sort of comfort waving Rin goodbye, Charles did the same

Rin heard Zantetsu apologizing to Karasu from behind and Karasu forgiving him

He sighed entirely, the dramas of life

Chapter Text

Loki was tired

And not in the sense that he's a seventeen-year-old master who has to look after a group of hormonal and schizophrenic players almost older than him, actually even, but he was tired of all this tension 

All this tension regarding...Nanase and Rin

He can't live with Nanase rubbing against Rin and not knowing if Nanase is in love with Rin or not. He might explode 

It's strange of him since he usually doesn't meddle in other people's business, after all this concerns the two of them, just the two of them...but fuck! He and the others are dying to know the truth

Snuffy taught him that you should always give people time if they're not ready, but damn! He thinks they're waiting a bit too long, Rin more than anyone. At this rate they'll find out during their funeral

And so now, he will follow another teaching from Snuffy; communicate

—Loki-san...did you call me?— Nanase asked, timidly entering Loki's room 

—Yes, yes, come in and sit down— Loki said smiling and making room on the bed

Nanase, with small and quick steps sits on Loki's bed, facing him 

—Did something serious happen? — Nanase asked worriedly, he was afraid that something had happened to him, in reality he expected it, he had never been a good player 

—Oh! No, no, don't worry, nothing happened! I just wanted to talk! You know, I'm your coach and I would like to know how you are doing in the PXG— Loki said smiling and tilting his head, it was the only excuse he had found since he couldn't directly tell him "Nanase, do you like Rin?!", it would have been stupid (Charles could have done it and in the meantime Karasu would have scolded him, strangely Karasu is one of the few responsible people in the team)

—Oh— Nanase said —I like this team because it's very beautiful!— Loki wanted to hit him, that's a cliché

—And how do you get along with your companions, both from the Blue Lock and the PXG?— Loki this time tried to get straight to the heart of the most important issue 

—Oh, some may seem forward but I found out that they are kind! I made friends with Karasu, Tokimitsu, Zantetsu, Charles, Shidou and Rin, and of course you too!— Nanase said smiling as always

Aww, I'm so happy about that! And is there anyone you've become very close to, like...closely?— Loki was a little anxious to know, it was weird and not like him to do these things, but Rin was his friend...friend?

The word friend sounded strange to him, he never had friends and maybe the only person he could call a friend was Charles, but he didn't know it either. He was used to being alone and independent, not even his parents could help him much, and with his tongue, and with little money, he always had to get by on his own but he thanks his parents for at least trying 

Can he call Rin, Nanase and his other friends? Loki wondered 

—Hmmm, I've become very close to Rin!— Loki came out of his thoughts hearing Nanase's answer, he expected this answer

—I saw you know? You would be a great duo—

—Shidou and Rin are a good duo...I think I'm just a burden to them— Nanase said with her smile fading a little

Loki was perplexed, okay, he didn't expect this answer from Nanase, and at that moment he made him feel tender

—Why do you say this?—

—Shidou and Rin make a good duo together, they are both strong and Rin wants someone strong, not weak like me— Nanase lowered his head, Loki had never seen him insecure and he bet he didn't talk about soccer

—Rin must be very dear and important to you—Loki said approaching him to touch his shoulder as a sign of comfort. Nananse just nodded

—Nanase, do you like Rin?—He finally asked this million-euro question

—What!— Nanase turned sharply towards him, startling him a little 

—Um, do you like Rin? I ask because I see you very close to him...— Loki was embarrassed, it seemed like he had asked a stupid question

Nanase remained silent, making Loki anxious, it seemed like he had declared at him!

—Yes...— Loki hearing this question felt some weights he didn't think he had go away, he was enjoying that answer so much

—But...— Loki slapped himself mentally, he should have known there was a but, he hopes it's nothing serious because he's not competent in those things, only Snuffy knows what to do in those cases

—I don't know if Rin likes me...— Oh, Oh! Now he understands why Snuffy tells him that communication is important

—So...declare yourself to him— Loki said, after all it was a given

—But I'm afraid...I don't want to lose his friendship...— Nanase felt a lump in his throat and Loki felt sorry for him and considered himself lucky that he wasn't in love, and hopes that he will never be in love

—If you don't try you'll never know. If you confess to him you'll finally know what he feels for you, obviously he won't always accept as he won't always refuse. And then you'll feel a weight less on your shoulders— Loki tried to say what he could about Snuffy, he thanks him for his psychology and sociology lessons, he still wonders why that good man finds himself in this mass of human cases and isn't a psychologist

Nanase remained silent, he had thought about this so many times

—Go to the lunch now and clear your head. This is up to you two after all— Loki gave a quick hug and a gorgeous smile that Chris had taught him to do (Loki tried to make it look decent)

Nanase nodded and thanked him for the conversation, rushing to the cafeteria to go see Rin and the others 

Loki will thank Snuffy and Chris later for their teachings, now he has some gossip to tell his gang