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The rain pelted against his back, hitting him continuously. Its heaviness reminded him of the weight of his responsibility as the team captain. The early fall weather made the air humid and sticky. His jersey sticking to every crevice of his skin, sweat dropping from the sharp edges of his bangs, his black hair pointing in every direction. His prayers from earlier went unheard as the cloudburst had come before overtime started.
The game had been brutal so far. The cheers occupied the field with a booming echo that rivaled thunderclap from the skies.
“Pond,” the assistant coach’s voice was sharp, cutting through his thoughts, pulling him back to reality. The team had gathered together, towels were being passed around, bottles of water being thrown in the air, while they tried to catch their breath. “You good?”
Pond straightened his back and took one deep breath. The familiar scent of petrichor hit him all at once, clearing his head. Right. Focus. Head in the game. Yet, his body wanted to protest. He’d been put through the ringer. He’d been beaten and bruised throughout the whole ordeal. As the rain hit his skin, stinging the small wound he’d gotten on his knee after a fall during the first half of the game.
They only had ten minutes left and no one had gotten past both goalkeepers. The wind had picked up, whipping his hair. Around them, debris from the stands started flying around, the tarpaulin from the cheer team had started flapping and Pond tried his best not to glance at the group of dancers and drummers hype up the crowd.
That’s right, the cheer team was here for this game. A high-stake game that could grant their soccer team a spot for the finals.
“Hey.” It was Gemini. His hand on Pond’s shoulder, breath heavy, nose flared from exhaustion. “We got this, Captain. All right?” They’ve been playing hard, yet they can’t lose now. Not when everything was on the line.
The referee whistled afterwards. The team broke off, running back to their positions. From the sidelines, as the drums thumped louder and louder, he could hear the cheer team’s voices screaming words of encouragement. The star of the show was front and center. The brown hair slicked back, long legs kicking as he shouted. They were several feet apart, the rain dropping relentlessly, almost obscuring his view of the field, but Pond could see him with utmost clarity. Phuwin’s cheeks were pink from jumping around and despite the distance, Pond could not help but feel his eyes were trained on him. His smile, bright, eyes crescent from grinning, making Pond’s heart drum against his ribcage.
Everything was definitely on the damn line tonight.
“Stop staring. Go over and talk to him” Gemini snorted, completely sober. His drink remained untouched which wasn’t new for their resident health junky. Gemini only accepted the drink out of courtesy from one of the frat dudes who was hosting the hockey team’s party. The ice hockey team was already off to finals while the soccer team was still tethering between a yes or a no. A do or die game before the week ended and all Pond could think about was some guy’s pretty smile.
He almost stood up, both feet on the ground bracing himself, but hesitated a second later. He broke his gaze away from the man who was chortling loudly at the fiasco that was happening on the dining table.
“Come on, man.” Pond didn’t fail to catch the disbelief in his teammate’s tone of voice. He sighed, Gemini was never letting this down. Ever since he discovered who Pond’s crush was, it had been a never ending question of when and how.
Pond sighed, taking a swig from his bottle. “I’ll do it. After the big game.”
Gemini shook his head, eyes squinting at his friend before his eyes traveled across the room to the man himself. Gemini laughed to himself, watching Phuwin shoot another ball in a red cup. The students cheered, too sloshed to even care if they’re being too loud or to notice their drinks spilling on the wooden floors of the frat house. The intense game of beer pong that had been happening for an hour or so now. The match had ended with Fourth and Phuwin as finalists. The price? More booze to send someone’s liver into the grave.
“What’s your plan of attack?” At this point, Gemini was simply indulging him. Pigs flying in the sky was more possible than Pond confessing.
“This isn’t a game, Gem.” Pond rolled his eyes, shoving Gemini almost pushing off of the counter they were sitting on.
Gemini laughed louder, head thrown back. “You don’t have the balls to do it.”
“I—” Pond followed Gemini’s gaze. Phuwin was smiling. His cheeks completely flushed from the alcohol he’d been downing. He was jousting Fourth to drink the cup in one go after failing to shoot. Pond couldn’t help but grin as he watched the two of them. Fourth was part of the soccer team. Their golden boy who was definitely going to inherit the captaincy from Pond. Being his protege had brought them closer, his little supporter. Hours of gruelling practice hadn’t been torturous with Fourth’s bright personality and optimism.
Then there’s Phuwin. Just the thought of him was enough to get Pond’s throat constricted, unable to utter even a single syllable to save his life. Phuwin was a member of the cheer squad. A music major who at first was supposed to be part of the drumline but was goaded into joining the dance team after a video of him dancing went viral on social media. Now he was a common sight on the field. Whenever they had a big game Phuwin would be there, front and center. But right now, in the dim lights, his brown hair curled against his nape, fluffy bangs sat right above his eyes, and his smile. Goodness. Nothing could ever top the way they turn into crescents, cheeks puffing, and his lips lusciously pink.
It wasn't Phuwin’s fault that he was pretty. Nature had simply decided that Pond would notice him every time they were in the same party, the same library hall or even on the field during practice.
“I’ll confess once we win” He crushed the cup between his fingers, determined. For so long he had been eyeing Phuwin from afar. Always longing but never putting the feelings into action.
The team hadn’t been able to make it to finals last year. But this time, they actually have a chance and Pond wasn’t letting it slip through his fingers. Not in his last year in university.
Beside him Gemini rolled his eyes, shoving him in return. “Right, now we really have to win. No take backs, captain”
The ball had hit Pond’s forehead, striking it towards Fourth’s direction, and without looking if Fourth had scored, he fell onto the grass. Uniform muddied and soiled from the impact, but he didn't care once he heard the loud roaring of the crowd as the lighting crackled in the skies. He couldn't sit up. His body felt like lead and his lungs were burning. He’d taken deep breaths, letting the oxygen enter his system. To calm himself down, he watched the streaks of lighting painted the heavy gray skies. The rain was still relentless. Hitting his body and his face continuously, soaking his entire body.
Someone ran up to him, dragging him up to his feet, screaming in his ear before lunging for a tight hug. Seconds later, his teammates surrounded him, shouting and cheering. They actually did it. They managed to defeat all odds and they were going to the finals. Beside him Gemini had been recounting what he had seen across the field. After Pond had successfully passed the ball towards Fourth, the kid immediately went zooming across the field, feet moving seamlessly and when he finally found an open spot, he kicked the ball and earned them the golden goal.
Pond could not believe it. The ache in his body disappeared for a moment. Adrenaline shooting through the roof. A bunch of his teammates managed to carry Fourth on their shoulders while they repeated their team’s popular cheer in tune with the drumline’s beat.
As the team led Fourth into the middle of the field, Pond took one longing glance at the scoreboard. He could almost cry. They really won. Moments later, the cheer squad had surrounded them, dancing and cheering along, singing praises to the team. No one cared if the rain had continued falling harder. Everyone was too excited, too high on the win that it didn't matter how exhausted they all were.
“Pond!” Even with the loud rain fall, the thunder booming, and buzzing voices of the crowd retreating from their seats, Pond would recognize that voice in an instant.
Phuwin.
He was looking at Pond with so much excitement, eyes sparkling despite the gloomy skies. His brown fluffy hair now sticking onto his cheeks and nape, his cheer uniform drenched, sticking to every inch of his body, but he didn't seem to mind as he ran towards Pond, arms wide open.
Pond had released a gasp of air as soon as their bodies hit. Phuwin squeezed both arms around his waist and looked up at him, long eyelashes fluttering, droplets getting caught, and Pond instinctively reached out, gently swiping it away.
“Hey,” Phuwin breathed. A wide grin still on his face. Pond’s fingers found the arch of Phuwin’s lower back, ghosting his fingers slightly, feeling the cheerleader shiver against his hold. Pond wasn't sure if it was because of the cold torrential rain or his touch.
“Congratulations, captain.”
Again, his throat was tightening. This time he fought the nervousness that was simmering in his body. He immediately found his voice, unable to look away from Phuwin’s glistening face. “Thank you.”
“Come, we must celebrate! Besides, can’t have my favorite player catch a cold. It’s freezing,” said Phuwin, but he wasn’t letting go, arms still around Pond’s torso, holding closer.
“I’m your favorite player?” Pond squeaked. Phuwin simply laughed in response, nose crinkling, his eyes disappearing. Pond wanted nothing more than to pinch his cheeks and peck them quickly.
“Yes! We should celebrate. Frat house later?” Phuwin shouted. His voice rose as the rain poured loudly. Pond knew they should probably find shelter but right now, the roar of the crowd and his teammates seemed to happen in another dimension, miles beneath the surface of where they stood. Around them, the stadium dissolved into a blur of gray shadows and distorted light. But in the eye of the storm, the world shrank perfectly to the space between their bodies. He could feel the frantic, steady thumping of Phuwin’s heart against his chest, and for a fleeting second, the universe held only the rhythm of his shivering breath.
“I…” Pond hesitated. In all honestly, as he pulled Phuwin closer, his body feeling the heat of Phuwin’s body, comforting in some way, all he wanted to do was wrap Phuwin into a hug and take him to his dorm, order from the local Chinese takeaway, and cuddle till they pass out.
Phuwin must’ve picked up on his hesitation as he immediately spoke, “or we can table the idea of partying for later? What’s on your mind, Pond?”
Gemini said he didn't have the balls and sure, that was true. But everything was on the line and they had won. The team had successfully made it to the top inch by inch and Pond had never felt so high in adrenaline, he believed anything was possible. Even if it meant embarrassing himself in front of the one guy he really liked.
“Would you kiss me?”
Phuwin blinked, silent for what felt like a good solid minute. Pond almost stepped back, hands almost releasing Phuwin’s waist when Phuwin tightened his grip.
“A kiss. Out here in the rain?”
Pond looked away. Fear slowly creeped in as the seconds ticked. “I guess that sounds bad. We’re both cold, drenched and this was probably a very very bad idea.”
Phuwin lifted a hand, cupping Pond’s jaw. His fingers were cool against Pond’s skin, but his touch was incredibly tender as he brushed away a stream of water pooling on his cheeks. “If my favorite player wants a kiss. I can give him a kiss.”
“W-Wha—”
“Pond,” Phuwin’s voice was stern, but his lips curved into a smile, then crashing his lips against Pond. He smelled like wet grass and a hint of strawberry, his presence warm despite the cold rain. Phuwin’s lips were soft but insistent against Pond’s, as he dragged his fingers through Pond’s wet hair, tugging gently. They tasted like clean, metallic fresh rainwater mixed in with what seemed to be a fruity aftertaste.
For those few suspended moments, the downpour wasn't an inconvenience; it was a sanctuary, washing away everything else until there was only the press of their lips and the fierce, quiet certainty that they were exactly where they both belonged.
Gently, Phuwin pulled back, catching his breath, cheeks a darker shade of pink.
“How was it?” asked Phuwin, eyelashes fluttering shyly.
Pond chuckled, brushing a strand of hair away from Phuwin’s face. “I should be the one asking that.”
“But you’re the one who requested a kiss.”
Phuwin’s tongue darted out to lick his lips as if tasting the kiss. Pond’s knees almost weakened at the sight. Pond mirrored his action, dragging his tongue along his bottom lip, heart spiking at the realization, the lingering taste of cherry was there. Yeah, no frat party after this. There was no way in hell he’d be able to survive the night without tasting Phuwin once more.
Pond pulled closely, hugging him tightly, his cheeks pressed against Phuwin’s soaked hair. “It was good.”
“That’s nice,” Phuwin murmured against Pond’s chest, hiding his face.
“Hey! Lovebirds!” Gemini’s voice called from the doorway. “We can’t have you guys getting sick just because you wanted to recreate that Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams moment. We have a game to win next week.”
Pond chuckled, “we should probably listen to him.” He finally pulled away, missing the way Phuwin felt in his arms.
Phuwin grinned, almost cat-like and for once, Pond let himself nuzzle Phuwin’s cheek. Instead of pushing him away, Phuwin surprisingly intertwined their fingers together. The simple action tugged on Pond’s heartstrings.
As they made their way towards the doorway, Phuwin could not help but wonder, “Don't tell me it took your team making it to finals for you to ask me to kiss you.”
Pond avoided eye contact. Hands stopping from opening the door. “Uhm, yes?”
The laughter that followed would forever be etched in Pond’s mind.
“You know, you don’t have to win a game just to kiss me or ask me on a date,” Phuwin said, cheekily. He winked before grabbing and twisting the doorknob.
“Wait! Phuwin what do you mea—”
The door clicked shut and Pond stood there, heart crashing against his chest. A realization dawned upon him.
Tonight he had won twice.