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“You should’ve seen him in an action!” Young, excited voice filled the room again, getting to everyone’s gathered here ears. “For a moment I felt kind of jealous over Bachira and others for having chance to play in the same team he plays.” Nostalgic sigh followed Isagi’s words, his gaze looked excited, yet slightly unfocused - as if he were still wandering between the buildings of Barcelona, never truly having returned to Japan.
“What about the food? Is it better than Japanese one?” Bachira casually asked as if he wasn’t even slightly interested or amazed by playing in the same team with this particular player. He looked more excited about learning everything regarding Spain itself, especially things like food, weather, stadiums and Spanish soccer teams. No wonder, since he suppositively will spend much more time in this country from now on.
“Food...? Well, it was pretty good.” Isagi gave himself a moment to think. “I don’t really recall all those dishes names.” He stroked his chin in thought, searching for the right words in the corners of his memory. “Something like... pa-pallala?
“I think you mean paella.” Reo interrupted him, stopping Isagi from butchering Spanish any further.
“Oh, you’re right, Reo. So, pa-” Isagi tried to speak this word properly this time which judging by the pause, must’ve been pretty challenging for him, and so, he just gave up. “So, this dish was really tasty, yeah.” Then immediately sparks of excitement again appeared inside his eyes “But this dish Bunny was eating and then recommended it to me? It actually was so good, really tasted amazing! This guy’s not only a top-notch player but also has excellent taste when it comes to food.” Just a mere mention of the Spanish U-20 player was enough to send Isagi rambling, still amazed by Bunny’s skills. “Have you seen his last action in that match? Like he was-”
“Okay, we get it.” This time Otoya was kind enough to cut him off, which was probably met with a silent gratitude from everyone present. That gratitude, however, quickly shifted into faint sighs the moment Otoya asked his question. “Better tell us about the girls out there. Are they pretty? Tall, tanned? Are their lips fuller, their shapes-”
“Damn, stop it already. You’re so bon.” Karasu, who until now hadn’t been particularly fascinated by the stories from Barcelona, jabbed him in the side with his elbow, shooting him a disgusted look. That, however, didn’t stop Otoya from bombarding Isagi with an expectant gaze, waiting for the answer.
“So, the girls, huh?” Isagi looked like he wasn’t willing to answer, but also unable to escape from this. “Well, they’re indeed pretty... I guess?”
Pretty girls?
Pretty girls in...
In Spain?!
“I’m going to Barcelona!” Until now, Sendou was just quietly listening to Isagi’s monologue about some guy called Bunny or something, sometimes slipping in more interesting tidbits about Spanish culture and stuff like that. But now, that the pretty girls were mentioned? The perfect plan had just formed in Sendou’s mind, and excitement took over the moment he decided to put it into action.
“And why do you want to go there so suddenly?” Niko was the only one to quickly catch up on Sendou’s exaggerated statement, definitely looking for a chance to throw a dig at him.
“That’s something kids wouldn’t get.” Sendou answered in a conspiratorial tone, obviously teasing the younger defender. Even though he was still crazy about beautiful girls, Shuto was aware that weeks of hard training in Blue Lock had toned down his lighthearted nature. That's why he might’ve actually stopped on walking around and yapping about his successes in flirting (which were, at best, only partly true).
Before Niko got a chance to snap back at him for the jab about his age, Sendou heard a deep voice right next to his ear.
“But I suppose grown-ups would.” Aiku, who wasn’t exactly surprised by Europe’s culture, just listened to whole conversation with a light smile on his face. Sendou felt shivers running down his spine caused by this unexpected presence of the older one next to his face.
“Even though some look grown-up, doesn’t mean they’re adults.” Shuto tried to take a revenge on his little heart attack’s culprit, even though he knew that Aiku is actually the last person you can use this tease on.
“And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t go to your Barcelona alone.” Oliver’s satisfied smirk widened the moment he caught sight of the irritation on Sendou’s face, as if it was an open invitation to tease the striker even more. However, former U-20's ace couldn’t shake off the impression that behind the teasing tone in Aiku’s voice, a hint of something else was hidden. Something like... Concern?
No, like, why would he?
“Huh?! Are you suggesting that I can’t make it alone in a different country?” Now, that was the point of conversation where Sendou didn’t care about people around anymore, focused only on showing Aiku, that he can’t just silence Sendou with his lame digs.
“No, I’m suggesting that I’ll go with you.”
Well, again Aiku was the one to win this battle, leaving Sendou speechless for a moment, before he managed to gather himself.
“Fine, whatever. Just don’t even think about stealing my girls!” Saying this Sendou pointed an accusing finger just in the middle of Oliver’s chest. Not only Sendou stopped caring about anyone else here, but also, he didn’t give a damn about what others think of their conversation anymore.
“First you need to get some girls, before I could’ve even tried stealing them from you, Sendou.” Aiku gave him a playful wink, grinning innocently, as if it were a piece of valuable advice rather than yet another tease.
This bastard.
Despite Sendou being unable to understand why the hell Aiku would insist on going with him to Barcelona, they decided that they’d go there once U-20 World Cup will end. Yeah, this trip will be their well-deserved vacation.
And when that day finally came, Sendou was still packing his stuff, wondering how some people manage to fit all their belongings into just a single backpack. Like all the clothes, shoes, shampoo, conditioner number one, conditioner number two, body lotion, tonic, sunscreen, hairdryer... He had problem with putting all of this in his suitcase!
Just as Sendou was in the middle of making a difficult choice - which pair of colorful shorts should he give up on - a knock echoed from the door to his room. Before he was able to answer, a person behind the door didn’t bother to just come in without an asking.
“Sendou, we should be leaving in five minutes and...” Aiku started from the entrance with his sight buried in his phone’s screen, when he shifted his gaze to Sendou. Then to younger’s still open suitcase. Then to Sendou again. “Really?” In response, Oliver received only confused look. A quiet sigh escaped his lips, before he started explaining like you’d to a kid. “You were supposed to be already prepared and packed up. We really should be heading to the airport in a moment. And what’s the big deal with those pants over there?” Aiku waved his hand to point at colorful pieces of clothing laying on Sendou’s bed.
“Hey! It's not my fault that you booked our trip right after the last match and I didn’t even have time to go back to my home for more of my stuff. You think, how many things I was able to bring to this facility?” Aiku’s unconvinced gaze only fueled his irritation already stirred up by packing, and so Sendou kept going. “You might be okay with only two outfits for the whole week, but I want to always look fresh and good for... Umm, to post some photos on my Insta!”
Sendou would probably continue his speech if it wasn’t for Aiku who stepped in action. He got closer to the very reason for all the commotion and at the same time their delay. “Listen, I bet you already took enough clothes to change like twice a day.” Shuto opened his mouth to protest, but Oliver shushed him, keeping his judgmental stare on exposed shorts. “Besides, you’ll look good, no matter what you’ll wear, Sendou.” Aiku finally grabbed the first pair and holding it in front of his eyes, defender addressed Sendou directly, as if he hadn’t noticed the way his companion’s eyes had widened. “Are these okay?”
Such compliments were normal between friends, right? Right?
It wasn’t a big deal. Sendou was perfectly aware of his good-looking. But hearing nice words from someone like Aiku was... something else.
Damn. Sendou felt his cheeks start to burn. He couldn’t wait to meet some nice girls once they’ll land in Barcelona.
“Yeah.”
“Hey, wake up. We're landing in a moment.”
Before Sendou could’ve opened his eyes, he felt one of his earbuds being pulled out, and instead of a music, a husky, sleepy voice reached him. As soon as a bit of clarity returned to Shuto’s mind, he realized Aiku have slept through most of the long flight as well. Sendou cracked his eyes open slightly, only to meet a pair of heterochromatic eyes that were already little more awake than his own.
“What?”
“We’ll be landing in a moment. Look through the window.” Aiku repeated himself calmly, nodding toward mentioned window. Oliver watched with a gentle, amused smile as his words registered in Sendou’s still-drowsy mind.
But once they sank in, Shuto sprang up from his seat and pressed his face against the window (not sure if Aiku was being nice or if he just knew he’d lose the fight for the window seat to an overly excited Sendou), eager to catch his first breathtaking glimpse of Spain. He immediately pulled out his second earbud too, taking away words of next song that just started to play.
‘Sometimes I wish that I could just quit,
But then the other times...’
“Want me to take a photo of you? Gotta have your first picture from this trip already during the flight, don’t you think?” Aiku interrupted Sendou’s admiring of the views, holding his phone already prepared, a cheeky smile on his face.
‘There's nobody better than this.’
It was as if something struck him. Sendou gave himself a moment before answering. He stared for a moment into the now fully awake eyes, then let his gaze drift lower to the corners of lips curved upward, framed by the faint outline of Aiku’s stubble.
Why would Aiku bother with the whole idea of traveling to another country with him? Surely he had other, more interesting things to do right after the World Cup - maybe a trip back home?
Is it what friends do with each other? Travelling together?
Yeah, you could call them friends. From being just teammates in the former U20, they came through a lot together in Blue Lock. Maybe it’s possible for them to share a friendship outside of a field?
Whatever. Aiku will stay in Ubers for good, Sendou will play for Napolin from now on. Still the same country, but...
It'll be nice to spend some time with his captain before they would go their separate ways.
“Okay, but wait. Have you forgotten who’s master of making the best selfies?” Sendou grabbed Aiku’s phone, letting it unlock by owner’s face and chose the camera app from all icons. He wasn’t just showing off – Shuto had really perfected the art of taking flawless selfies, and he proved it by holding a few of their freshly taken pictures right up to Aiku’s face.
“Perfect.” Aiku flipped through a few photos, lingering on the last one a little longer. “Guess you’ve got the job of recording our journey.”
Sendou would be more than happy to fill his entire gallery - pictures of the views, the food, the drinks.
Their photos together, too. As keepsakes.
Of course, as long as Aiku won’t steal his girls.
“Woah! It’s much bigger up close.” Aiku wasn’t surprised when he couldn’t find Sendou next to him once again this hour, only to see the younger one five meters behind him, admiring another (Aiku had to admit that indeed beautiful) attraction welcoming them in Barcelona. This time, it was the Sagrada Família that sparked little flames of amazement in salmon-pink eyes. Oliver wouldn’t mind too much if it wasn’t for the luggage they’re caring, their already long enough route to the hotel and clothes that would’ve felt better taken off him, then changed for some more adjusted to Spain sun ones. “Wait, I’ll just take a photo real quick.”
“Good to see you’re really dedicated to your role, but how about we check into the hotel first? Trust me, Sagrada Familia isn’t going anywhere.” Aiku laughed slightly amused, purposely using a voice that made almost every player in his team – or every child – listen to him. He knew that irritating Sendou by treating him like a child will immediately bring him back down to earth. And save them some time.
“I know, I-” embarrassment showed up on Sendou’s face, then after a moment of hesitation, he put his phone back to a pocket. “Every time I’m in a new country I... It’s just so exciting.” Not that Aiku was an expert in reading people’s face expressions, but right now Sendou looked as if he understood the reason why the captain insisted on going with him here. As if he regretted his behavior, making Aiku take care of him like some damn child.
Which wasn’t true.
Oliver, despite spending a lot of time in Europe, really wanted to see Spain, whenever opportunity would show itself. Working on his soccer career drained him of any free time, then Blue Lock and U20 World Cup consumed even more of it. And yeah, Aiku could’ve actually joined Isagi on his trip, and it would probably encourage others to join, but nah. It just wouldn’t work.
He should go alone or with a friend.
And here comes Sendou, with his spontaneous idea.
Well, Aiku would lie saying, that keeping an eye on his younger teammate wasn’t one of minor reasons to go with him. But it’s only because Oliver was aware how much Sendou might be desperate to find himself a girl, and it might’ve end up with some unpleasant incident. Except for that, it wasn’t that he didn’t trust Shuto or found him irresponsible.
Aiku was really willing to go, because he simply wanted to.
And since Sendou was his friend...
“C’mon, you should’ve seen me the first time I arrived in Japan.” Aiku snorted, waiting for Sendou to catch up. According to the navigation in his phone, they had only seven minutes left to the place they’ll stay in for next four nights. Because as well as Aiku knew Sendou, it’d be hard to bring him back from the city, except from getting some sleep. “I was so overwhelmed by literally everything, I barely made it to my first apartment and got lost on my way.” With the corner of his eye, Oliver noticed an amused smirk, a sign that Sendou was preparing to make a comeback with teasing riposte. Not that he’ll let him do it. “That’s why, since I’m more experienced one, Sendou-kun can count on me when it comes to moving around a new city.” To end his motivational speech, Aiku smiled innocently to Sendou, winking at the striker, at the same time making sure that no iron grip of arms was waiting to half-choke him as punishment for his teasing.
“Yeah, someone’s big mouth, but keeps walking with his navigation open.” Shuto continued quietly under his nose, receiving a judgmental stare from Aiku. “It’s not my fault, that my phone’s battery is almost dead because Otoya video called me right after we landed, just to see if girls in here are indeed so pretty.”
“Oh, and what do you think? Are they indeed so pretty? Compared to a Hollywood actress?”
Sendou couldn’t hide his blushed cheeks – a typical reaction from him whenever someone brings up the topic of his memorable statement during that Blue Lock vs U20 match. “Of course, they’re so beautiful. I bet they’ll be interested in a pro soccer player from aboard like me!”
Aiku only nodded leniently, yet something still pricked at him deep inside.
Sendou was really desperate.
“Here we are.” Oliver suddenly stopped in front of a building typical to Barcelona’s architecture. While he quickly took his wallet from his backpack to be already prepared, Aiku turned directly to Sendou. “Do you want me to check us in? Or-”
“They’ve got a pool on a rooftop, right?!” Aiku didn’t get a chance to end his question, before Sendou stormed into the entrance, leaving Oliver standing in front of it far behind. All Aiku could do was sigh and shake his head in amusement. And check them in, of course.
After all formalities were taken care of, and two cards to room number 05 were given to them (to Aiku), the captain met Sendou running down the stairs (where have his luggage even been?).
“This pool is quite big! I want to swim in it, but well, we’ve got a beach like ten minutes walking from here, so um, I don’t know.” Sendou blurted it out in one breath, with the kind of intensity that made it seem like this was the most important issue of their whole trip.
“Hey, hey. How about we’ll skip both of them today? I mean, the walk around the beach sounds good to me, but it’ll be pretty late before we’ll unpack our stuff.” Aiku spaced out for a moment, leading them to their room at the same time. Then he added. “How about we’ll take a walk in the nearby area, look for something to eat and then maybe the beach? Does it work to you?” Oliver tapped the card against the reader of the right door and let Sendou who was dragging his suitcase behind (oh, there it is), step in first.
“Fine. Yeah, we can go to some clubs tonight!” Excitement again appeared in Shuto’s voice again, telling Aiku that there’s no way to disagree with this idea. Actually, maybe it’s not that bad, they’ll just look around and drink a shot or two... “Oh.”
“What is it?”
“There’s only one bed.”
Aiku turned back toward the room after he made sure that doors are closed, and the sight welcoming him was indeed one king-sized bed in the middle of their room. “It seems that the staff made a mistake with our booking.” Oliver put down his backpack and looked around to find any other sleeping place. “Should we ask them to change our room?” He asked, at the same time trying to check their reservation on his phone, when he saw Sendou stretching out across the whole width of the bed.
“Nah. Whatever, let it be.” Sendou sighed deeply, visible tired and making Aiku wonder if their plans to go out at night are still valid. “I’m not planning to bring any girls here anyway.”
Yeah, so their plans are still valid.
“You don’t even need to bring any girls, there’s no place for me anyway.” Aiku laughed, waving his hand toward the occupied bed’s direction. Even though he was sprawled across the entire bed, at least Sendou hadn’t made a mess of the neatly arranged sheets yet.
Though, I wouldn’t be mad if he’d made a mess of the sheets.
They really should go to those clubs already. To get rid of these thoughts.
“Hey, I’m just warming your spot.” Sendou stifled a yawn, stretching out on the bed, causing a mini heart attack for Aiku in the process. A tired but satisfied smile on younger’s face, probably caused by new experiences awaiting for them in Barcelona, didn’t make Aiku’s situation any better.
“So, we’re not going out tonight, after all?” Oliver wouldn’t expect that from Shuto, but who knows, maybe he really got tired, and they’ll just spend this evening in their hotel room. Maybe Aiku would’ve felt a little disappointed, because he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t already set his mind on some kind of night out. He might’ve been a responsible adult, but Aiku had no intention of sleeping through the best years of his life.
“No, we’re going, of course!” Sendou exclaimed suddenly, just as if all his strength got back to him. He jumped off the bed and dashed toward the bathroom, grabbing a towel and a fresh set of clothes from his suitcase on the way. To Aiku’s delight, Sendou picked out an outfit in no time, saving their night out from being delayed by another half hour of him agonizing over what to wear.
“Just make it quickly, I want to take a shower, too.” Aiku spoke toward the bathroom door that had already closed behind him. The only reply he got was the sound of running water and a song blasting from inside, letting Oliver know he’d definitely have enough time to unpack (and that Sendou’s phone battery clearly wasn’t nearly as low as he’d claimed). Aiku started pulling clothes out of his suitcase one by one, humming along to the song coming from behind the door.
‘Even though you never listen,
And you're always right.
And I guess I would've never fit your type.’
They were standing outside a plain, almost unremarkable-looking building, now just next in the long line waiting to be checked by the club’s security.
Just in the thick of Barcelona nightlife.
Neon lights glowing from the inside and the glowing Bling Bling sign reflecting off the mirrored walls of the hallway, the thrum of bass spilling into the street, groups of people laughing in different languages.
There were so many people. On Thursday night.
Aiku didn’t even want to know what kind of crowd gathered here on Friday or Saturday.
“This is it, my hunting ground. First round’s mine.” Oliver was snapped out of his thoughts by Sendou’s voice, quietly hyping himself up and eyes already following girls exiting the club to smoke. “Maybe not those ones.” Now these words made Aiku smirk, watching Shuto as he grimaced. Of course, a sportsman like Sendou wouldn’t approve smoking.
Once their tickets check and security control went without any problems, and they entered the building itself, Aiku understood what ‘many people’ really stood for. He watched with amusement as Sendou was getting more and more excited about everything in this club, even though they didn’t even make it to the main dancefloor. Aiku also knew that the spark of excitement must’ve been visible in his own eyes, too. But as they were walking deeper into the crowd, Oliver’s hand lingered closer to Shuto’s back with their every step.
And when they found themselves in front of the bar, where people bumping into them every second were unavoidable, Aiku finally subtly placed a steadying hand on Sendou’s back.
“Shall we drink something first?” Aiku asked literally screaming into Sendou’s ear to get through the noisy music playing from every side of the hall.
“You know it!” Oliver tried to convince himself that it was just the heavy bass reverberating through the walls and floor - not Sendou bringing his face so close to his own to shout into his ear - that shook his heart like that. “Oh, let me order in Spanish!” Shuto exclaimed to him before turning to the bartender already waiting for them to order.
“As you wish.” Aiku laughed more to himself, noticing two pretty girls standing next to the striker and observing two of them rather bolder than shyly.
Defender only realized he’d been staring at them when the girls suddenly started laughing, their eyes fixed solely on Sendou this time. So, he also looked toward younger’s direction.
The sigh welcoming him was pretty funny actually. Shuto’s cheeks were colored red and nor neon’s blue light nor his face trying to keep some leftovers of his pride couldn’t hide it. He peeked at Aiku with the corner of his eye helplessly, but only bartender’s noisy voice directed toward them laid out the full picture for Oliver.
“Una vez más, ¿qué quieren ustedes?”
“Umm... What did she...” Sendou quickly turned to Aiku, before trying to repeat himself with much less confidence right now. “Dose beces... te-tequila con coke.”
Bartender’s confusion written all over her face with a hint of irritation, completely shattered Sendou’s confidence to pieces. One of girls couldn’t hide a laugh, even when trying to cover her mouth. Her friend – the blond and shorter one – just watched slightly amused.
Then Aiku decided to take matters into his own hands and save his friend’s face from a reputational disaster during their very first night out, which hadn’t even properly begun yet. He leaned closer to Sendou’s side, their arms brushing against each other.
“Para nosotros, dos tequilas con cola.” Aiku repeated striker’s order to waiting bartender, with his face maybe too close to Sendou’s one. Oliver tried his hardest to suppress the very childish urge to impress Shuto with his knowledge of that language. He knew it was stupid.
The girl from the other side of a bar counter only nodded her head and started preparing their drinks.
“How... How do you...?” After Sendou managed to gather a bit of his pride back, he turned to Aiku again (was it only Oliver’s imagination or Shuto’s cheeks were covered with even darker shade of red?). For a moment the younger one seemed to completely forget about girls standing next to him. Could it be that Sendou was indeed... No, no.
Impressed?
“I learned a little back in old days.” Aiku answered shortly, since explaining where his Spanish skills came from would require screaming into the other’s ear. At the same time, he kept observing the process of making their cocktails until they were given to them straight to hands. Better safe than sorry.
“Are you this good? Would you mind teaching me a little?” Sendou asked, when he noticed Aiku pulling a credit card out of his wallet to pay for their order. Aiku’s wrist got quickly grabbed by Sendou’s hand before his card touched a terminal’s screen. Shuto explained to Oliver’s confused look. “First round on me!” He let go of defender’s hand to grab his own credit card. “Barcelona’s full of girls waiting for me. Better keep up, captain.” Sendou ended with a nonchalant smile, watching expectantly until Aiku picked up his glass.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on you.”
“To girls hotter than Hollywood actresses!” Sendou toasted loudly at the same time, covering Aiku’s words completely and unable to process their double meaning. Oliver only smiled, but something bitter coiled in his chest.
They clinked their glasses and barely managed to take a sip before the girls who’d been lurking at the sidelines finally made their move. The taller, tattooed brunette stepped into Oliver’s line of sight, closing the distance with bold, rhythmic dance moves. At the same time, just over her shoulder, he caught sight of her friend slipping an arm through Sendou’s, whispering something in his ear that clearly tempted the boy onto the dancefloor.
Aiku watched as Shuto was swallowed up by the crowd, ending up in the middle of a larger group of girls. He only stopped looking in that direction when a slender hand landed on his arm. Oliver now fixed his gaze on a pretty face that very quickly found itself close to his own.
“¿Quieres continuar en español o en inglés?” The girl asked as her hand wandered closer and closer to Aiku’s neck, her painted lips curled into a teasing smile.
Aiku took a sip of his drink. Then looked toward the dancefloor. And to her again.
“En inglés.”
It kept going like this.
Sendou would come back to get another drink, mostly with Aiku. Then it was Aiku who got pulled onto the dancefloor. Not before getting another drink, of course.
Now it was Oliver’s turn to occupy the bar with a girl he just danced with. Even though the amount of alcohol he had downed, the loud tracks blasting from the speakers, and the club lights blurring his vision were already messing with his head, he still kept a watchful eye on Sendou.
The striker just joined another dancing group of girls and seemingly tried to flirt with them. Judging by girls’ laugh, which also caused awkwardness appearing on Shuto’s face, the boy must’ve again tried his strengths in Spanish. Watching the whole scene made Aiku amused, though he decided not to interfere and save Sendou’s ass again.
Or maybe he’ll have to after all.
Another person stepped into his line of sight - and into the Shuto’s personal space.
Way too close.
At the sight of the boy flashing Sendou a sweet smile, Oliver’s brow twitched and a bitter feeling spread through his chest. But it wasn’t until the stranger’s hand reached for younger one’s waist and his face leaned in to say something in Sendou’s ear that Aiku finally moved from his spot.
He gently put a hand on girl’s shoulder and leaned in closer. “I’ll be right back.” Then, not waiting for her answer, Aiku moved to the dancefloor, pushing his way through a crowd even denser than an hour ago.
Before he could even grasp the sense of his own actions, Oliver was already at his ace’s side, completely ignoring the irritated stare of the stranger burning a hole in his back.
“Oh, Aiku!” Salmon eyes widened on this sudden change of a company, but so after followed cheerful smile. “What’s up?” Sendou asked while his hips still kept moving to the rhythm of the music.
Aiku couldn’t hold back the spark of contentment - even that stupid satisfaction - at seeing such a reaction from Shuto to him joining.
“Wanna dance?” Playfully, Oliver offered his hand for a dance in front of the other’s face. What he didn’t expect was how eagerly it would be taken by Sendou, pulling him along toward the center of the dance floor. And also, completely ignoring the guy that just tried to talk to him.
“Thought you would never ask!” Sendou exclaimed when he turned his head back as if to make sure the other boy was following him. Just as if their hands weren’t still connected between the crowd.
Aiku had to firmly keep his heart in check, as it was beating far too fast for the effort, he was actually putting into his dance moves.
Their movements had been confident from the start, fueled by the alcohol running through their veins. There was no room for hesitation in the smooth spins or the brush of shoulders, and soon there was no room left for innocence either. Sendou, amused by the way Aiku slipped on spilled alcohol on the floor, leaned against the older one, throwing his arms around his neck and laughing loudly into his ear.
As if that alone hadn’t already set Olivier’s heart ablaze, the fact that Sendou kept dancing with him in that position only fanned the flames higher.
The crowd around them faded from Aiku’s awareness, his senses sharpening instead on the shape of the body in front of him - the salmon-colored hair clinging with drops of sweat along Sendou’s temples, the two extra buttons undone at the top of his dark shirt as if to let the heat escape from his chest, the lips curved in a dreamy smile that sometimes moved to the words of the song.
The only thing reaching him from the outside world was that very music pouring from the speakers.
‘Except for that first night,
We're two kids under that moonlight...’
Maybe not the moonlight but flashing lights would work too.
As they kept on dancing, Aiku could’ve felt Sendou’s moves becoming more chaotic or maybe they’ve become bolder. He didn’t know what’s inside his ace’s mind, but as for Oliver, it wasn’t about girls anymore. It was about the rhythm, about how close they were. Not their shoulders anymore – now those were their hips that kept brushing against each other.
They were both drunk. That’s only why Aiku dared to do something more.
He leaned in, lips brushing Sendou’s ear. “Relax. Just follow my lead.” Oliver teased him, almost as if trying to distract himself from the fact that he was the aroused one and needed to calm down.
Sendou only rolled his eyes, but in a few moments when he let Aiku lead him, the striker seemed to match his captain’s movements anyway. And so, the teasing turned into something else – slower, heavier and more sensual.
And into something that made Aiku really hard to control himself.
But the song kept on playing as their movements lead them closer and closer to one of the club’s walls.
‘I remember our first time in Barcelona,
That morning I was so hungover.’
If he was supposed to be hungover after all... Wasn’t it a perfect time to do something you might regret?
Or maybe... Even not regret?
“Bet you can’t make this night unforgettable.” Sendou’s words felt distant, as if they were coming from the speakers rather than his lips. Rationality told Aiku that the alcohol he’d drank wasn’t a good enough excuse to make this night truly unforgettable. Even if it was something he’d wanted to do for a long time.
Olivier tried to meet his eyes, expecting that the other’s gaze would still be wandering around the club. And yet, the moment he looked at Sendou’s face, he found himself lost in those pink eyes also looking at him with...
Just simply looking back at him.
Out of everyone in the crowd, he was the only one Sendou was looking at.
‘I never thought that all roads led to this,
So give me a kiss.’
Was it a song? Or Sendou’s words?
A smirk appeared on his face. Then he cupped Shuto’s cheeks since they were so close to his own face. And then, kissed him.
If Sendou didn’t expect the kiss at first, he really quickly adapted to the new situation and after remaining motionless for a second or two, he started matching the movements of Aiku’s lips, just as he did with captain’s dancing moves before. A slow, deliberate rhythm quickly grew in intensity and hunger, while escaping gasps blended into the sound of the loud surroundings.
Sendou’s hand which rested on Aiku’s shoulders till now, started searching for a point of support on his neck, until they began to tangle in the green roots of his hair. Oliver, on the other hand, couldn’t stop himself from pulling smaller body even closer, so their hips wouldn’t touch just accidentally anymore, like they did during a dance.
Aiku, encouraged by the lack of resistance or hesitation from Shuto’s side, deepened the kiss. Sendou kissed back like he’s starved.
Until their lungs quickly made it clear that it was time for a brief pause.
Even though Aiku felt that he could continue this forever.
Forced to pull apart, they looked at each other. Both of them breathless, forehead against forehead.
‘...Give me a kiss.’
“...We’re supposed to be here for girls, you idiot.” Sendou muttered loud enough for Aiku to hear. Oliver ran his thumb from Shuto’s cheek to his damp lip.
“Guess I found someone better.”
The sunlight filtering through his eyelids was what first began to pull him out of sleep. Then came the realization that the surface beneath him was a bit too hard, and a faint chill was rising from it. It wasn’t until, in search of his pillow, Sendou buried his face instead in sand that his mind began to clear (at least as much as it could with a hangover).
Not particularly bothered by the grains between his teeth, he rolled over, still half-asleep, in search of warmth.
And he found it - against someone’s chest.
The owner of said chest instinctively wrapped an arm around him, still lost in a sleepy haze.
“...Aiku?” Only a big yawn and some murmuring answered him. “What are we doing... on the beach?”
“Hm?” Oliver opened his eyes to look at Sendou and then at a sunrise spreading behind the boy’s back. And so, he closed his eyes again to run a hand through his face. “I think... we drank a bit too much last night.”
“Did we just spend our first night in Barcelona, outside of our hotel room?” Sendou wondered, trying to remember what happened after their first kiss. Or was it the third kiss already?
“Looks like it.” Aiku didn’t seem to bother with any more overthinking and just buried his face in Sendou’s hair. “Were you smoking?”
“Are you crazy?” Shuto tried to break free from Oliver’s embrace when he heard such a ridiculous question, but steady arm kept him in place. Instead, he only asked with an offended voice. “Why would you say that?”
“Nah. Just your hair’s smell.” Even though he said so, Aiku didn’t move his face from them.
“Maybe because of people around me smoking last night.” After a short pause, he added. “Besides, you would feel a taste of cigarettes when you were kissing me.”
Aiku moved his face closer to Sendou’s.
“Then let me check it again.”