The Starbucks inside of the hotel the team was staying at was pretty run of the mill, nothing very special about it. But it felt much more special with Kike sitting there in front of him. Spending time with a teammate outside of the stadium was a big deal for Yoshi. Yama had never really taken the time to get a full look at Kike, Enrique was at the pickup desk taking both drinks in his hands. Even though he was dressed in a blank white t shirt and training sweats with highlight yellow slides on his feet, he looked so presentable the word handsome slipped into Yama's mind without him realizing. He quickly pushed it out his head before Kike sat across from him. With the infield player right in front of him Yama noticed how the tight that shirt was, and how it hugged his shoulders.Â
As Kike settled into his chair he let himself be in the moment, taking in the aroma of coffee, cream and awkwardness that was in the air. Neither of the two have actually ever had a conversation together that lasted longer than short wave or “good game” that ended with a pat on the back. But the best time to do something was right now. Always was.
“How does your arm feel? Used to pitching in America by now?” Kike started in an effort to get the ball rolling.Â
“The ball is heavier, so I don’t throw as fast. But that isn’t a priority. Just making sure the ball goes where I want it to.”Â
“Mhm, and did you want the ball to go in the stands? Or was that just because the ball was too heavy?” Kike had said playfully, Yama knew that much but the reminder of his poor performance made his shoulders slump and head feel heavy
“Listen I don’t mean to make you feel like shit, we all have bad games, it's normal even expected.”
Yoshi had heard that same old spiel from Shohei and some coaches, it didn’t comfort yoshi then and it doesn’t comfort him now
“But your letting a couple of bad games define you, I don’t just mean the nerves but your changing everything about how you pitch, your mechanics, your velo, even the way you launch off your leg has even changed”
With every example that escaped Kike’s lips the more shocked Yamamoto was, He never would have thought that his teammate was paying such close attention to him. It honestly made him feel…Flustered?
Kike layed his hands on top of Yoshi’s and gripped his knuckle gently
“I’m not saying don’t adjust and tweak some things here and there, just don’t do a complete overhaul. This organization gave you that contract for the pitcher that you were because you already are the greatest pitcher in the world”
(this is how baseball players flirt)
If Yamamoto wasn’t flustered before then he definitely is now. He could feel his ears burn red hot, this was silly, his teammate was reassuring him. So why was Yoshi reacting like it was a confession? Why was his own heart beating so fast?
The two sat in silence for awhile, Yamamoto deep in though going over the meaning of Kike’s words, contemplating his current methods. Hearing a teammate being so sure of the his old techniques inspired a brand new confidence and resolve in him, a confidence he didn’t have in himself before.Â
“Just pitch like you always have I guess is what I’m trying to say.” Kike said trying to fill the silence but his words hang in the awkwardness.Â
“Thank you, I will have more confidence in my capabilities.” Yoshi said at last, “Losing won’t be an option for me anymore “Â
The pitcher’s final words sent goosebumps along Kike’s arms and neck, something about how he had spoken with such resolve made him feel hot nd intense, it was then when he realized the two still had their hands atop each others. Yama’s hands weren’t very soft, the edge of knuckles rough but the rest of the hand was soft and incredibly warm.Â
When Kike finally pulled his hands away, he hound that his hands felt empty without Yoshi’s warmth.Â
“I’m glad, because if we’re gonna make it to the World Series we’ll need you.” Kike meant to sound more confident as per usual but the words came out more awkward and inconsistent in volume. The absence of the other man’s touch left him more of a mess then he’d like to admit.
With that Yoshinobu got up from the table, and patted Kike on the shoulder before making his way out of the Starbucks into the main lobby, eyes straight ahead to the elevator. The entire way his legs felt shaky and his heart beat so heavy against chest that it caused him pain. Once the metallic doors had shut behind him, Yoshi put his right palm over his chest in an effort to steady his racing heart. Why did Kike have this effect on him?
Note from author: Hi thank you for reading, as you can see the story is slowly getting gayer. The fan fic is heavily inspired from an interview where Yoshi spoke on how Kike helped get him out his slump.
Kike recently found himself completely ogling the newest starting pitcher for the Dodgers. Yamamoto. At first Kike was captivated by Yama’s looks alone, his sculpted face complimented by his slender figure and the cute highlights in his hair that Kike only got to see in the locker room. But then he actually saw Yamamoto pitch. Yamamoto didn’t throw the fastest in the league, only really hitting 97 mph on his best day. It was his command and mechanics that made him special to watch. Kike spent many games at dodger stadium admiring that cute little hop Yoshi did after throwing a pitch.Â
Kike really did appreciate whenever the new pitcher started a game. Usually he’d spend his time in the dugout making a fool of himself to get other players to laugh. But when Yoshi was in the mound he was completely captivated.Â
Which is why he’s the only one that noticed that as of recently Yoshi has been off his game. Constantly making unnecessary changes to his game. It was showing in his stats too, his ERA getting higher, the amount of base on balls he was letting through. It’s to be expected for a foreign pitcher to struggle when coming to America. But this seemed different. This wasn’t due to a late adjustment to rules changed or ball weight. Kike hadn’t really talked to Yoshi. But maybe this can be his chance.Â
The hotel fitness center wasn’t as pleasant compared to the gym at dodger stadium. Where it didn’t smell like what one might expect it to, the stench of sweat and metal was replaced with a faint smell of fresh laundry. That wasn’t the case in San Diego, the smell wasn’t too terrible, if anything it might have smell too sanitized. If Yoshi was being honest with himself the facilities at Dodger Stadium went beyond his expectations, the air conditioning never faltered. The soap in the bathroom regularly reinstalled and his yoga Matts seemed brand new everyday. He’s glad most everything he could need was taken care of. But it all made him feel even more guilty over his recent performance. The Dodger Organization had been so accommodating, and how had he repaid them? By blowing games and letting home runs fly over the field. He needed to be better. He needed to train more. That’s why he was in the weight room when he should be resting. Yamamoto was in the middle of a handstand position when he heard a suddenÂ
“Ahem!”
Yamamoto craned his neck upwards so he could see whoever it was trying to get his attention. It was Kike Hernandez, Yamamoto didn’t know too much about the utility player. He didn’t know much about any of his teammates. Socializing with his teammates in America wasn’t easy. Even with the language barrier closing thanks to how dedicated he’s been in his English classes. I’m not giving enough effort. Again.Â
Yamamoto caught his teammates eyes move from his midriff to Yoshi’s own eyes. Now very aware of the cold air touching his stomach, his cheeks got hot being so exposed. He transfers the weight to his body from his hands to his legs as he gathers himself in a sitting position on the cold floor.Â
“Intense game today huh?” Kike said with in a kidful tone that carried no judgement. “They really kicked our ass today” a laugh escaped Kike’s mouth as he spoke.Â
Yamamoto didn’t know how to respond, players here were very blunt. He knew his teammate didn’t mean to tease Yama about letting 5 runs in just 1 inning. So he just nodded in agreeance.Â
“Yeah well I was thinking to myself that we haven’t really talked much throughout the season.” Kike said as he put his hands in his sweatpants pockets while looking up at the ceiling. “Whenever you’re free meet me at the Starbucks here in the hotel. I want to get to know you”Â
Kike turned his heel and began walking toward the door. “I’m ready now, if it works for you” Yoshi didn’t expect to sound so eager. His loneliness was getting the better of him. But this was a good opportunity to actually get to know someone on the team besides Shohei.Â
Kike turned around with a warm smile on his face waiting for Yoshi.Â
Note from "Author"
Hey thank you for reading, I really hoped you enjoyed yourself C: . This is my first time uploading on tumblr despite lurking on here for years. I'm also new to writing, just wanted to have some fun writing about my Favorite players. Kinda shocked there isn't any fanfic about them. I think they have a cute dynamic
