Work Text:
You exhaled as you flopped down on a bench, exhausted from the match you played with a couple of other people. Football was so amazing in your eyes. Although, you were a horrible player you enjoyed watching your friends around you being so dedicated while you did your part with supporting them. But it did feel good to win from time to time. Specifically when Bachira called you his best partner— that sadly was only once. You kind of wished to hear it more often.
“Exhausted already? But we didn't even smash them yet!” Bachira huffed while sitting down beside you and stealing your water bottle. His eyes wandered up to the sky, watching the clouds pass by slowly while the soft breeze hit your face. It was nice and fresh. “Give me a minute. Ive been running around like a mad man.” You reached with your hand towards your face, wiping away the sweat. God, you’ll definitely take a shower after this.
As you let Bachira sip on your water, both of you watched isagi and the rest talk to each other, giving each other nudges and probably, definitely there’s some rage baiting involved because Reo didn’t seem so happy after Nagi said something you weren't able to hear.
You loved moments like these specifically with Bachira by your side. He was such a kind and whimsy soul. For some reason you couldn't help but feel a slight spark within your heart..? Your gut..? Definitely something was trying to tell you something that you were thinking about him a bit too long or often. “You seem like you're in deep deep thoughts right now, Mr suddenly so quiet.” Bachira tilted his head to the side and gave you that big silly smile he always does. You glanced at his bottom bangs that were colored in a bright yellow color before humming. “Yeah, well Thats because i was. But uh- i dont think its a major issue. For now at least..” you mumbled the last part as if not quite sure yet of what to think or believe.
It seemed today that you slowly began to realize that you weren't so straight after all. Nothing that made you apprehensive, of course. Actually, you were curious. “Awww! Come on tell me, [name]~! You cant just say that without context, now i really wanna know.” He nudged you, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Right. How could he not. You huffed and rose from the bench. “Maybe later. How about we’ll join them? Or we’ll miss the next match.” You grinned while extending your hand for him to take. He pouted but didn’t repeat his request to bother you.
Without another word, you guys joined the rest and played some more matches. As always, you chose to be on the side with Bachira. Or at least hoped when somebody was picking a team. The sun slowly began to set and the people passing by who occasionally took a glance towards what the group of young boys were doing became less.
“Chigiri you really gotta tell me how you're able to run that fast!” You whined while catching your breath. You were absolutely obliterated. “My body physically cant do that i think.” You added, yanking your water bottle away into the grass after sipping on it. Chigiri raised his eyebrows. “For being so slow you've got quite the way with shortcuts tho.” He tried encouraging you. Even when thats the billionth time you heard that compliment from somebody. In your head it wasn't all that spectacular. After all, what does it really do? “Shortcuts this, shortcuts that. Lets go homeee!” Bachira jumped on you back and hugged you out of nowhere. “Uagh! Bachi!” You yelped surprised before slipping, losing you balance. You groaned as your upper body rose from the grass. “Be careful Bachira.” Chigiri crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. “Exactly Bachira, careful!” You added in a little bit of a mocking tone. “And Dont you start rage baiting!” The pink haired boy groaned before walking away from the both of you. The boy next to you chuckled, which you couldn’t help yourself but to join in. It was quite hard to be mad at somebody so joyous who meant no harm.
“Hmm thats strange, suddenly getting a bit of a bruise doesn't hurt so much.” You tilted your head while grinning at Bachira. “Sooorry~! I genuinely didn’t mean to make you slip.” He apologized. Bachira stood up and helped you up as well before grabbing his stuff. So, what now? You don’t want to just have this ‘thing’ floating in your mind constantly for the rest of your life!! Well, maybe not for your whole life. But its always better to let it out and accept whatever follows after, right? You unconsciously stared at your hand where he grabbed you to pull you up from the fake grass field.
Upon the gentle footsteps coming back towards you, snapped back out of your daze and turned to the boy who was waiting patiently for you. “Gotcha stuff? Or are you gonna stand here for the rest of the day?” Bachira raised his eyebrows. Oh. Were you that unaware currently? You didn't even notice the rest of your teammates leaving. You blinked. “Ah uhm- wait!” You hastily grabbed your jacket and put it on so you'd have to carry less before grabbing you bag. The air felt colder than before and the stars slowly Became visible in the sky. You inhaled the coldness and let it dive into your lungs before following Bachira towards the street. Both of you stayed quiet for a bit, glancing. His hands were in his jacket pockets and he was humming happily, some tune you didn't know.. You bit your lip. Would it be weird to just talk about your thoughts straight away?
“I think…” you started very hesitantly before pausing. Fuck, fuck, fuck. You're doomed. You're screwed!!! “Hm? Watcha thinking Mr detective?” He joked while that small smile was tugging at the left corner of his mouth. Suddenly your cheeks felt a bit warmer. “Ahh..” You regretted speaking in the first place.
For a second you paused in your steps and stood still, sighing. Bachira was concerned over you and gently squeezed your shoulders. “Whats up dude? You know if it-“ “I think, well I believe, its my gut its not me, its my mind and my head and my brain. Ahhhhh I kinda like you..” you mumbled shy at the last part before staring down to the pavement like an idiot. The floor had never seemed so interesting before. Not to mention, Bachira went quiet for a hot second.
He smiled softly, gently ruffling your hair to get your gaze back at him. “Yeah~? You do?” He said kind and warmheartedly. You blushed and your heart began to race at the sight. So was this the end of your issue? Will he reject you and all this is gonna be over? For some reason, it did hurt a bit imagining a rejection. But that wasn't exactly in your hand. You shook your hair after he let go of your head and tried fixing your messed up hair, hoping to calm down your nerves in some sort of way.
“Honestly, i really like you too.”
You held in your breath and turned to him with wide surprised eyes. God fuck, you hoped your mind wasn't playing tricks on you. “You're always fun to play soccer with. And honestly I’m glad you're usually always by my side. It makes me happy.” He mumbled, his cheeks noticeably turning slightly warmer. Your heart fluttered excitedly. Geez, so thats who you fell in for, huh. Not some pretty girl in school. No, your friend from your damn soccer team. “Thats..- I'm glad.” You gently clutched your shirt. Given that the truth is fully out now.
What now???
Silence fell between the two of you and you decided to continue walking and he mimicked you.
As both of you walked along next to each other, your eyes followed the lights that lit up the street. One, two, three.. And couple more houses to pass and you're home.
Something warm touches your fingertips before slipping between your fingers. Oh… OH. It was Bachira’s hand. He’s holding your hand. You tensed up, unconsciously squeezing his hand. “Is it okay if i..”
“totally! Totally..” you babbled nervously and gave him a nervous smile. You were never this worked up over anything. There were multiple things you could handle with ease. But this was driving you mad!
Snort. And then an amused sounding laugh came from the boy next to you. “Oh geez [Name] i didn't know a confident guy like you could melt into a puddle by one affectionate gesture.” His damn infecting smile plastering all over his face, once again. “Come on Bachi! Im trying!” You stammered, embarrassed from losing composure. How were you meant to react? Usually Bachira is the one who’d be overly energetic in a joyous kind of way. Why was he suddenly much more.. gentler? It made you nervous.
As the both of you stopped at your house, you couldn’t help but hesitate for a moment. Was there anything else you could do to wrap it up? What if thats only as far he’s comfortable with?
Many conflicting thoughts run through the absolute void that your mind currently was. Why were you suddenly overthinking so much? Holy crap, you’re waisting a shit ton of time!!! You hesitantly took a glance at Bachira and then back at the floor. You opened your mouth to say something but before you even had the energy to say anything you felt a small peck on the cheek. “There..uhm..”
You raised your eyebrows in shock, lightly touching the spot he kissed you on. He smiled nervously, his fingers unconsciously fiddling with the hem of his shirt. Your heart was fluttering so much, it felt like it was about to explode.
“What now..?”
You mumbled your thought out loud.