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Vance leaned against the building, looking at the school's exit. Students were leaving the school, laughing and jumping for joy—the school hell was finally over, at least for today. And then Vance saw the person he was waiting for—Bruce Yamada. He stopped near the entrance, swaying slightly. Yamada adjusted his bag strap, and Vance approached him. He cleared his throat.
– Hey, Bruce, hi. Um, I wanted to ask you for advice.
Vance scratched the back of his neck, and Bruce blinked in surprise at the sudden uncertainty of the older boy.
– Hey, Vance. Is something wrong? Do you need help with a class again?
Hopper snorted and shook his head. No, he needed more personal advice today.
– No, it’s not about school, – Vance cleared his throat.– So, I know that you and Finney are together. Well, like a couple.
Yamada's eyes widened, and he started coughing. For a moment, the bully even worried that the younger boy was having a seizure, as his face turned red and he continued coughing. After coughing for about three minutes and noticing that Vance hadn't disappeared, Bruce gave one final cough and straightened up again.
– Ahem.... I don't understand why you're think so. Just because Finney and I are often together and spend a lot of time together doesn't mean we're dating or anything like that. We're just discussing our studies, baseball, or whatever else.
Yamada's face was flushed, and he fought the urge to slap his cheeks, hoping that his coughing would cover up the awkwardness. Vance raised an eyebrow, not believing the lackluster excuse. He might not be a genius at studying, but it's easy to notice the way they look at each other.
– Yeah, so I'm the Queen of England, – Vance chuckled. – I saw you kissing in the school toilet.
– What?! We... I... never! That's a disgusting and unhygienic place, I would never kiss there, and...
Bruce stops mid-protest, staring at the smirking bully, and clenches his fists to keep from snapping. What Vance was good at was getting the truth out of his friends. He muttered:
– All right, you've got me. What do you want, Vance?
– I told you, I need advice. I have someone I like...
– Robin, is it?
It was Vance's turn to cough and blush. It took him a few months to figure out that Bruce and Finney were holding hands not just because they were really close, but how did Yamada figure out who Vance liked in a few seconds?
– No! Not Robin. It's... a girl.
– Okay, fine. And what are you interested in about this 'not-Robin'?
Bruce stifled a chuckle, and Vance rolled his eyes in annoyance.
– Okay, okay, smart guy. Just give me some advice. Basically, I want to get closer to him...her. I want to know how to show that I, well, care about him...her... well, in general, I want to make this person feel good and show that I care.
– Well, I'm not exactly an expert in love affairs. – Yamada shrugs his shoulders, – but I think it's important that you have something in common. For example, Finney and I share an interest in baseball...how to say it..the trick of our couple. What interests us both is what we associate with each other.
Vance thought about it. Finney and Bruce are united by baseball, so… His thoughts were interrupted by a breathless Finney, who ran up to them and muttered something like a greeting, and then looked at Bruce in a way that made Vance feel sick to his stomach with the tenderness in his gaze.
– Okay, I’m going. Thanks, Bruce. I’ll see you later.
***
Vance tried to swing the baseball bat, but he almost dropped it. His hands were sweaty. Hopper snorted, not because he was worried, but because he didn't want to accidentally break something for Robin again. Fucking again.
Why did Vance think that playing baseball would help him get closer to Robin? He wasn't a fan of the game himself, and he wasn't interested, but he figured that if Robin was friends with Finney, who was into baseball, then Arellano might be interested in this. And maybe he'll like it if Vance shows interest too.
Vance had begged (or rather, he had demanded) the bat and ball from Bruce, who looked like he was ready to smash Hopper's face in with that bat. But apparently, he can't, because he had Finney on a visit, and Vance took advantage of it. The guy tries to swing a few times, practicing his hit. He's never played baseball and barely watched any games, preferring pinball. But both words end in "ball," so there's a chance that in five minutes, Hopper could become an ace player. For now, Vance swings without a ball, afraid of hitting too hard and sending it flying far away. He's confident that at least the ball will go over Arellano's head, so he doesn't have to worry.
The gate clanks, and Vance sees Robin enter the field. He quickly drops the bat on the grass, a nervous smile on his face as Robin approaches him. The Mexican snorts, examining Vance, who hides his hands behind his back, trying to stop sweating.
– What's today, Pinball? Did you come up with some crazy idea? Are we going to throw bats at each other? If you don't catch it, you're out with a concussion?
Robin says with a slight jokingness.Despite the fact that all their dates end the same way (in the emergency room), Robin hopes every time that this time it will be without broken bones.
– Pft, no, no. It's just, you know, I'm like, well..I'm secretly into baseball. - Vance lies unconvincingly even to himself, but he ignores it. – You know, I've been secretly training. Do you want to see my skills?
Hopper winks and smiles, and Robin chuckles and steps back.
– Okay, surprise me, gringo.
Arellano shrugs, and Vance picks up the bat and ball. His hands are still wet with sweat, but he ignores it. Damn, how do he need throw a baseball? He probably have to throw it up and try to hit it. Damn, he should have asked Bruce how to do it instead of running away.
Hopper sighs and throws the ball up, focusing on it. You have to hit the ball. What's so hard about that?
– Hey, Vance, are you sure that's how to play—
Robin doesn't have time to finish his sentence before the ball hits him in the face, knocking him to the ground. Vance freezes, but then drops his bat and rushes to his boyfriend's side. Damn it, again...
***
Robin winces as he presses ice from the emergency room to his black eye. Neither the nurses nor the doctor seem surprised to see them, as this is the third time this week. Last time, Vance dislocated his knee trying to hold Robin back.
Hopper plops down next to him on the couch, looking like a beaten puppy (or like he was the one who got hit in the face with a baseball).
– I'm sorry, Robin. I didn't think the ball would hit you in the face like that, – Vance says with an apologetic smile. – But at least it probably means I'm good at aiming, right?
– Oh, yeah, you're really good at aiming, – Robin rolls his eyes, wincing. – In my face, as I noticed. Is there a target painted on my face? Why do you always hit it? Damn, I think my nose is broken. – He sighs. – Thank you for not blowing my brains out.
– Well, actually, the bat could have slipped out of my hands. They were... slippery. – Vance shrugs and Arellano shudders at the thought of a bat coming at his face.
– You know, you probably shouldn't get too close to balls, glass, or rivers. In fact, I'm not sure you should leave the house.
Robin's words take on a playful tone. After all, what did he expect? Their dates always ended in disaster. Of all the injuries they've endured, a black eye and a broken nose are probably was the sweetest ending to their date than usual. But Robin wouldn't trade it for anything. It was Vance, and his awkward attempts to impress were...cute. And in this relationship, it's not just him who gets injured, but also the bully himself. So even if every date ends in the emergency room, Arellano doesn't mind as long as Hopper is by his side.
– Maybe baseball isn't my thing.
Vance sighs, and Robin chuckles, shaking his head.
– How did you guess?
He leans forward slightly, and a playful twinkle flashes in his eyes.
— Can we try something easier? – Robin suggests. — For example, chess or reading aloud. I'm sure you'll like it.
Vance pokes him weakly in the side, but smiles back. Even if disaster followed them at every turn, Robin seemed pleased. Just like Vance himself.