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If anyone was to be hurt on the field, Hyouma was certainly the most likely candidate. The teen had all, but destroyed his ACL in his younger years. Reinjury was always a possibility looming on the horizon. His year of rehabilitation and therapy for the tear couldn’t guarantee him a safety net.
For that very reason, it was a shock to the red head that he wasn’t the one to be hurt in a game, it was someone he once held dear to his heart. Someone who he still held in a high regard, even though it was unlikely it was reciprocated.
Chigiri had the date of the game against Bastard München circled in red marker, it was something he constantly thought about. Seeing his hero again made his mind alight, it kept him training to be at his peak performance. He needed Kunigami to notice him, he wanted to exude the traits of what the other teen once possessed, that of a true hero.
Hyoma’s heart leaped into his throat as he saw the ginger, he tied his laces as his face flushed. He cursed himself mentally, he had a job to do and goals to score. Once he glanced up from his shoes he felt eyes on him, he flicked his eyes towards Rensuke. The taller teen turned his head quickly, he had caught him and Chigiri felt a wave of contentment wash over him.
The princess was still in the mind of the hero, an unwavering presence. Even if the hero would never admit to it, it still held true.
After warming up with Manshine and listening to Nagi and Reo chat with each other it was kickoff. Chigiri knew he needed to make his statement quick, so he called for a clean game. Kunigami’s face held no expression at the remark, Hyoma’s chest ached.
Hyoma turned his pain into fuel and speed quickly towards Bastard’s goal, he got his feet on the ball and ran as if he were on fire. Nobody could compare to the speedster as he made his goal. Nagi and Reo gave him a group hug as they cheered, Chigiri noted how they only looked at each other. The teen wished he could find that type of relationship with another.
Kunigami stared at the trio, not even being subtle. Chigiri smiled at him, as if the goal was why the game was so special while knowing he wanted to score it to get Rensuke’s attention. Kunigami grabbed the base of his jersey and rubbed his sweaty face with it, but he was too slow in his motion. Chigiri caught the flush on his face, he was jealous of the couple’s attention on Hyoma.
The speedster also noticed the brief area that showed by his hips when his shirt was up, at the fine trail of hair that led into his shorts. Hyoma bit the inside of his cheek and Rensuke dropped his shirt, his body was covered once again.
“That wasn’t subtle at all,” Reo spoke.
“What are you talking about?” Hyoma asked while definitely knowing he’d been caught.
“Even I noticed it, and I wasn’t even trying,” Nagi replied, his voice bored.
Hyoma mentally chastised himself as the game resumed, ogling other people wasn’t very heroic. Bastard made the next goal which had the two teams tied, Hyoma’s goal was short lived. Still the teen tried to represent the morals of a hero, attempting to encourage his team and gain Rensuke’s attention.
Chigiri ended his short team speech and backed up, his body met a much more toned body. Kunigami was looking down at him once he turned around, his amber eyes highlighted by dark circles. He was handsome, but he lacked the warm expression he once wore when the other boy was around.
“Sorry hero, I didn’t see you there,” Hyoma looked up at him.
“I know what you’re trying to do,” Kunigami replied.
Chigiri batted his eyes innocently, “And what could that possibly be?”.
“Just be yourself princess it suits you, acting like a hero is for children,” Kunigami walked off.
Hyoma’s face heated, was Kunigami complimenting him? It was now his turn to cover his face with his jersey as he pretended to wipe off the sweat. He thought of Rensuke denouncing heroism, it hurt him to hear him speak in that way.
The Wildcard had changed Kunigami, he truly behaved like a black-sheep. He was no longer a moral leader on the field, he seemed to be looking out only for himself. He made reckless plays and steals he wouldn’t have used pre-lockoff. Rensuke used his large body as a weapon, bullying those of Manshine who came into his space.
Once when Hyoma received the ball Kunigami leaned to the smaller man. He pressured Hyoma to pass it, his bergamot scent rubbed onto the material of his blue jersey. Chigiri couldn’t help but notice that the taller boy was much more gentle with him, never threatening to foul or knock him over in the exchange of power.
The moment that changed the fate of the game happened when Kunigami’s foot touched the ball. Hyoma ran towards him, knowing he was within kicking distance of the goal, so did most of his team. Driver, however, made it to the striker first. He slid low on the grass attempting to stop Rensuke from scoring, he missed however and his metal cleat made its way into the thin flesh of the boy’s shin.
The momentum of his slide knocked Rensuke back, he flopped with his head hitting the faux grass. There was a sharp silence from the crowd, nobody seemed to breathe. Hyoma ran faster than he ever had before, Reo and Nagi grabbed him to make him take a knee.
Hyoma felt his eyes burn as he strained against the couple before he was forced to kneel. He needed to see Kunigami, he needed to make sure he was alright. His legs shook as he held his position in respect.
Driver looked horrified, he had not meant to foul the other boy. He was given a flag and took it with grace. Hyoma noticed his cleat still had Kunigami’s blood on it, he wanted to take the cleat and hit him across the head for one wild moment.
Two people dressed in medical uniforms came to inspect Rensuke’s condition. At that point Hyoma didn’t care what anyone said, he stood up and neared the other boy. The staff only glanced at him for a moment before they continued their examination. They shined a light into the boy’s eye and then looked at each other.
Hyoma knew very little, but he knew pupils were supposed to constrict when light hit them. Kunigami’s eyes stayed dilated and that’s when an inhuman sound escaped Hyoma. Kunigami stirred slightly at the noise before the medics constrained him.
The orange haired boy was escorted off the field via a stretcher leaving Hyoma a mess on his knees. Chigiri was subbed out for the rest of the game and he couldn’t find it in himself to care, why should he? He thought of Kunigami’s pale face and his heart ached. By the end of the game Hyoma didn’t even know who had won and who had scored what goals.
It was all null to him, it was just a game. Kunigami was hurt and the game just continued on as if nothing had happened. Chigiri didn’t know if the foul shot was made. He knew nothing, but Kunigami.
As soon as the match ended Chigiri fled to the medical tent and was shocked to find Rensuke not there. He was informed that he was taken to a hospital, the name of which the medics wouldn’t oblige to him. Hyoma’s jaw clenched, he needed to see Kunigami.
After speaking to the blonde who scored Bastards first goal Chigiri made the discovery of where Rensuke was taken to. The red haired teen stopped by a florist before he made his way into the hospital. Hyoma found the other boy in a room by himself with only a nurse for company.
“I’m sorry, if you’re not family you can’t be here now. It’s against our protocol,” the nurse spoke to Chigiri.
“Oh I just wanted to give him these,” Hyoma held out the flowers.
“I’ll be sure to le–” the nurse was cut off.
“Chigiri?” Kunigami spoke from his bed.
“Kunigami!” Hyoma went past the nurse to the hospital bed.
“Sir you can’t be in here,” the nurse frowned.
“This is my husband,” Kunigami replied, his voice slurred.
“Oh, I had no idea. My apologies,” the nurse sounded sheepish.
The nurse left the room after checking a few more of Rensuke’s vitals. Hyoma read what was written on the eraser board for Kunigmai’s condition; he had suffered trauma to both his shin and head.
“How are you feeling?” Hyoma asked.
“Better now, they won’t let me take a nap though. They think I had a concussion,” Kunigami gestured for Hyoma to sit beside him in the bed.
Hyoma slipped his way into the slender bed, he was pressed right against the bigger man. He could feel Kunigami’s muscles rub his slender frame.
“I was worried about you,” Chigiri admitted.
“Shh, it’s okay. Spouses are supposed to worry about one another,” Kunigami replied.
Hyoma whipped his head around, “You know we aren’t really married right?”.
Kunigami drew his eyebrows together in a confused expression.
“You really do have a concussion,” Hyouma cupped his face.
“So…we aren’t married?” Rensuke asked.
“No, we don’t really talk too much lately,” Chigiri confided in him.
“That doesn’t make sense,” Rensuke frowned.
“The second stage really changed us, but it never changed how I felt for you,” Chigiri lightly ran a hand through Kunigami’s short hair.
“I tried to make a goal to get your attention,” Kunigami replied, his words partially running together.
“I was doing the same exact thing,” Chigiri smiled.
Their words felt like an admission of affection. Kunigami lowered his chin and kissed Hyoma softly. The kiss was delicate and sweet, their bodies smushed together on the slight bed.
“So about you being my spouse,” Kunigami spoke once their lips broke apart.