Work Text:
Practice was long over. Asari was laying down, haphazardly flipping the pages of the book he needed to read for class. His muscles were sore... it was difficult fighting off sleep, but he had to finish this chapter for tomorrow ..
His gaze drifted to his roommate.... his strange green haired roommate Otomo.. who seemed to be struggling more with the book than he was . Otomo was spinning his pencil around.. staring outside their shared window before he went back to pretend reading the same page.. .. the same page he's been reading for the last 20 minutes... and letting out the occasional exasperated sigh ...
Asari shook his head with exhaustion before he tried to get back to reading.. to no avail.. especially after Otomo's latest distressed sigh... the kid looked so exhausted . Fighting to keep his eyes open.. yet something outside of soccer seemed to be troubling him from the look on his. It was unlike him... and Asari was getting concerned...
Tabbing the page in the book, Asari got up from his bed.. placing his hand gently on Otomo's shoulder..
"Go to bed Otomo... you've been struggling to read that page for the past 30 minutes"
Asari took in Otomo's features, the deep-set dark circles under his eyes, the usually perfectly kept hair drooping and falling into his eyes .. the pencil smudges across his face and hands.. something seemed off..
"Ah... Asari... yeah you're right ... I just can't seem to focus right now.. especially with a big match coming this weekend.. " Otomo hid his head in his hands, dropping the book back onto the table.
Asari rolled his eyes before walking back over to his bed.. this side of Otomo was natural. He always got anxious before games, so much so he would spend hours in the bathroom until Asari had to drag him out. But this anxiousness felt different ... more frantic and less discerning... it was more annoying. Asari didn't like seeing the usually overly confident Otomo this stressed... this tired .... without his usual snarkiness directed his way. Any other day he would have been met with teasing..but today the answer was too short. Too ... distant for Asari's liking
"Are you sure it's just soccer you're nervous about ? You seem extra agitated today " Asari pressed on.. the slight annoyance coming through in his voice . He kicked himself... getting annoyed won't help right now.
That seemed to get through to Otomo as he froze up on the floor.. the pencil ceasing all movement....
"Man they were right that after you live with someone for awhile they start to notice your quirks..." Otomo's voice became all quiet... dropping to a whisper..
"You sure you want to know ? You're not gonna make fun of me? " Otomo asked.. looking over to Asari like a little kid who just got caught sneaking extra candy after dinner .
Cute Asari thought... quickly shaking his head of that ridiculous thought.
Asari quirked an eyebrow before he headed back to Otomo's side, sitting down next to him on the floor.
" I may not be the most sociable person but I'm not cruel.. I'm not gonna make fun of you for this " Asari sighed as he shifted his position on the floor .
Otomo's eyes widened at his roommate ..before preparing himself with deep breaths. Asari watched as Otomo shifted to look out the window .. tilting his head up slightly in the way he always did when he got serious . Otomo closed his eyes tightly before staring back out the window..
" it's gonna sound silly coming from me.. especially with how I act.. but I'm just really worried that I'll eventually end up extremely lonely . I understand we are young and have a lot of time ..but.. " his voice hitched slightly .. Asari softened his gaze at his roommate.. moving his hand slightly closer ..
Otomo took a deep breath before starting again " I just feel no one will like me in the same way... I'll never end up with a girlfriend and I'll just be alone you know... like I said I get we are young .. but it's scary you know. What if I'm just unlikeable as I genuinely am? Like I'm not good enough for that type of love.. the thought has been scaring me a lot recently " Otomo shook his head before looking down at the ground... clutching his knees close to his chest .
Asari watched on gently .. as the tears began to glaze over Otomo's eyes .. his quiet nervous shakes becoming more visible.. he shifted closer to his roommate gently brushing his shoulder against his .. a reminder that he's not alone right now ..
"Its just .. I get so excited around people and want them to feel welcomed . Even if they are new to the group I want them to feel they have always been a part of it you know... and when it comes to. The romance part... I try my best to initiate and make people feel appreciated.. I respect their answers .. it just gets frustrating. .. I don't blame people!! They can feel what they want as well I understand . I'm just.. ".. he sighed again... " I get I'm rambling ... but maybe the whole romance thing isn't for me even though I crave it.."
Asari continued to watch Otomo... taking in the profile of his roommate. The moonlight coming through the windows reflected in the tears in his eyes.. the blue really fits him.. he's really prett... Asari shook his head before that thought developed further. He shifted closer gently touching Otomo on the shoulder as if asking a question. Otomo relaxed under the presence , causing Asari to awkwardly snake his arm around Otomo's shoulder in some sort of side hug.
Otomo turned... looking over at Asari in shock "Asar-"
"Otomo" Asari began.. cutting him off
"I'm. I'm not the best at comforting people. B-but. Don't beat yourself up over that. We're only 16 you know... people need to grow up before they can appreciate certain things about people. " Otomo blinked, staring attentively at Asari.. such pleading puppy dog eyes.. Asari began to heat up with embarrassment .. averting his eyes before continuing.
"I think your friendliness and ability to make everyone fit in is insanely admirable and it would be really sad if you ever lose that trait cause certain people can't appreciate it ..." Asari whispered.. avoiding eye contact .... "now go back to being the overconfident snarky roommate I know alright... smiles suit you better "
Otomo blinked in surprise at the last comment.... embarrassment heating up his face ..
"Ha.... hahahaha... you're right Asari...you always were really smart huh...." he wiped his tears before turning to Asari with a genuine smile.
"Thanks Asari.. I appreciate it a lot. "
It was Asari's turn to be caught off guard. The moon still reflected off of otomo.. just differently this time, highlighting the gentleness of his smile.
" no.. no problem " Asari whispered , the blush intensifying on his face .. he turned away allowing a small smile to spread across his face...
Otomo's laugh intensified.. filling the room with a light joyous sound.. it was comforting in a way Asari couldn't quite put his finger on.. but he always liked the sound.
"You're quite the charmer Asari... 'smiles suit you better '?? No wonder the girls are all over you" Otomo gently pushed Asari's shoulder , his smile growing to his eyes...
Asari's gaze softened.. taking in the gentle lines of Otomo's face, the crinkles by his eyes from his smile.. the splash of blush that's spread across his face complementing his green hair, his hair becoming slightly more messy from before.. with half of it covering Otomo's forehead now... tempting Asari to run his fingers through it.
"No luck on your front though? The girls seem to love you, you're always surrounded... lucky .. leave some for the rest of us you know." Otomo joked gently elbowing Asari in the side..
However Asari stiffened up at the question ... he always hated when Otomo would remind him of the bouts of girls chasing after him. He was flattered, sure. But it was exhausting letting people down kindly, only to be met with similar reactions... disappointment and in some cases, complete anger ... and it always changed how they would look at him after the event.. as if he was some unobtainable prize they all wanted to win.. yet he didn't want part in this contest .
"Asari... hey... you okay.. I lost you for a minute" Otomo snapped Asari back to the reality.. the one where he was awkwardly hugging his roommate in the middle of their floor.
Asari jumped away.. removing his arm from Otomo.. " yeah.. sorry. I.. I.. I was lost in thought ..." Otomo sat silently.. looking over at Asari concerned ... piecing together he hit a nerve.
"I. Haven't found anyone yet. If . If I'm being honest I'm not a fan of getting that many confessions..."
Otomo raised his eyebrows .. about to speak " don't say I should be flattered .. I am... or that I shouldn't complain... I get it I should feel lucky . But.. I feel . Exhausted letting this many people down .. I don't want to lead anyone on.. it's not fair to them if I don't feel the same way you know.. " he sighed , clasping his hands together in his lap. " and besides I have bigger things to worry about... like getting to play soccer for an English team"
Otomo leaned his head on his knees before taking in Asari next to him . " I understand... we want to make it to the world first... and worry about these other matters later... then I'll get a girlfriend once I'm all famous... you're so right " He smiled once again. The tears finally drying around his eyes
"You're so self centered ! That's why you want to go pro? To be popular with women ?" Asari asked.. flabbergasted at the reasoning .. as much as he didn't want to admit it.. he thought of Otomo's playstyle as admirable.. he was always so calm and was a master at controlling the pace of the game... surely he didn't have such a shallow reason to go pro..
"At the moment yeah.. I love soccer as much as the next guy... but I yearn to be popular Asari. I want everyone to know the name Otomo Eisaku , you know ? And going pro would allow my name to get out there " He smiled brightly .. his eyes beginning to shine brightly with passion.
At least he's beginning to act like himself again... but it still annoying
"But seriously, no one has made me you a bit nervous or flustered at all? Not one girl you want to see smile or anything ? You got some serious self discipline " Otomo laughed nudging Asari once again .
Asari smiled.. a slight sadness entering his eyes.. "Not. Not at the moment. I'm not really looking for anything though." Asari met Otomo's gaze..feeling the familiar unsettled feeling in his stomach . Otomo's gold eyes reflected the lighting gently, his eyes revealing a quiet support that was the usual of Otomo, causing Asari to flinch from the intensity . He was too observant ... it was as if Otomo could read his mind ... He averted his eyes.. the heat rushing to his cheeks again. " Besides ..." Asari whispered... " none of them have been my type"
Otomo stayed quiet, looking Asari up and down.. Asari fidgeted under the gaze.. feeling uncomfortable with the level at which he was being perceived.
"Can I help you ?" Asari broke the silence... sick of being observed
"No... just thought you looked really pretty in this lighting. " Otomo said nonchalantly before pushing himself up off the floor. He stretched his arms above his head.
"Thanks again Asari.. you know you're not as awful as I first thought " He smiled down at him . Otomo outstretched his hand " Now let's get to bed... we have that quiz tomorrow "
Asari took his hand.. it was warm and gentle.. their fingers fitting together like long lost puzzle pieces. He allowed himself to be pulled up.. stumbling slightly at the force at which he was pulled ... Asari met Otomo's gaze again.. . Slightly taller than he was.. the lucky guy .... and Asari allowed himself to smile.... allowing Otomo to see the intense blush that's painted his face
He squeezed Otomo's hand before letting go, walking over to their bunk bed .
If only he knew.
If only .