[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

“Honestly, I’m just glad Ryou is opening up some. I trust Kuramochi, whatever happens, he’ll do his best not to hurt him. Baseball is important but…it can’t be everything.” Haru looked up at Chris. “If one day you can’t play whether for reasons in your control or not, what would you do if you pushed everything else away?”

Haru shuddered. “Don’t remind me of that. My call was…I should’ve let you fight him the way you wanted. I won’t make the same mistake twice.” He looked back at the screen. “I trust you too, you know?”

     Chris took the remote to pause the video.

     “I think you’re being somewhat overdramatic with your brother’s situation”, he said as he looked back at the catcher. “He’s not as open and easy going as you. But I don’t think he’s necessarily been pushing everything else away. I actually think he’s overly focusing on protecting what’s important to him while figuring out… things.” He crossed his arms, his eyes warm as they lingered, only to change mood at the thought of last season.

     He didn’t say anything while he raised the remote, the video fasting forward until he stopped at that inning. The one that changed the whole game last year. Chris stopped just before he made his pitch, leaning back in his chair.

     “You know what went through my mind back then? That exact moment?”, he started, eyes on the screen. “He was trying to battle me, knowing that I’d use any trick on him if it meant getting a strike and cornering him with it. He was prepared for anything but a fastball right in the middle. I know, because I would’ve done the exact same in his shoes.” 

     Chris pressed play but didn’t pay attention to the scene playing in the back. His eyes were resting on Haruichi. “It wasn’t your fault. If anything, I wasn’t ready to carry the responsibility of an Ace. I know most of the time you get my way of thinking and you’re more than capable of adjusting to it, but in that situation I think - in a weird sense -  it made you trust me less. It’s strange that it was actually your brother’s behavior that made me realize how much I still need to grow.”

[mochi6]

Haruichi held Chris’ gaze but turned his head when he heard the crack of the bat. He watched the scene unfold and clenched his fist. “I’m sorry I lost your trust that day. I think Ryou’s opened my eyes too.”

He sighed and hung his head, not watching the run to home. “We’ve grown together, Chris.” Haru lifted his head and smiled at him from under his lashes. “Well take them all on. Our way.”

Then he nudged his side. “Then after, one of you will give the other a bj to cheer the other up.” He joked. “Not to be weird but I hope it’s you giving it to him because I wanna win.”

[seidossecondbase]

“You didn’t lose it. I did what I did because I trusted you more than my gut instinct.” Chris smirked, bringing his hand up to bump Haruichi’s forehead with his finger.

“You’re never gonna let me live this down, do you?” He huffed without sounding upset. “ I’ll pretend its not weird that you talk about my barely existing sex life with one of our biggest opponents.” He tried not to think back to their last date that ended more intimate than he would’ve imagined. Maybe later. Maybe with a little text to Miyuki. Or a call…

“So”, he quickly added in hopes of switching the topic. “You probably have already thought of countless strategies against them. Any you wanna share yet?”

[mochi6]

“Ha, I just like seeing you blush, my friend.” Haru smirked up at him. He straightened up though and glanced at the tv.

“It all depends on the final roster. But I want to use Miyuki’s methods against him. We’re attacking head on this time. No fancy tricks. I think if we stay to the edges of the strike zone we can jam them. You’re precise enough to do it. I trust our fielders to handle the rest. Let them hit, but nothing too easy for them.”

He nodded to himself. “Our batting is what I’m worried about though. Compared to them...”

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

“Honestly, I’m just glad Ryou is opening up some. I trust Kuramochi, whatever happens, he’ll do his best not to hurt him. Baseball is important but…it can’t be everything.” Haru looked up at Chris. “If one day you can’t play whether for reasons in your control or not, what would you do if you pushed everything else away?”

Haru shuddered. “Don’t remind me of that. My call was…I should’ve let you fight him the way you wanted. I won’t make the same mistake twice.” He looked back at the screen. “I trust you too, you know?”

     Chris took the remote to pause the video.

     “I think you’re being somewhat overdramatic with your brother’s situation”, he said as he looked back at the catcher. “He’s not as open and easy going as you. But I don’t think he’s necessarily been pushing everything else away. I actually think he’s overly focusing on protecting what’s important to him while figuring out… things.” He crossed his arms, his eyes warm as they lingered, only to change mood at the thought of last season.

     He didn’t say anything while he raised the remote, the video fasting forward until he stopped at that inning. The one that changed the whole game last year. Chris stopped just before he made his pitch, leaning back in his chair.

     “You know what went through my mind back then? That exact moment?”, he started, eyes on the screen. “He was trying to battle me, knowing that I’d use any trick on him if it meant getting a strike and cornering him with it. He was prepared for anything but a fastball right in the middle. I know, because I would’ve done the exact same in his shoes.” 

     Chris pressed play but didn’t pay attention to the scene playing in the back. His eyes were resting on Haruichi. “It wasn’t your fault. If anything, I wasn’t ready to carry the responsibility of an Ace. I know most of the time you get my way of thinking and you’re more than capable of adjusting to it, but in that situation I think - in a weird sense -  it made you trust me less. It’s strange that it was actually your brother’s behavior that made me realize how much I still need to grow.”

[mochi6]

Haruichi held Chris’ gaze but turned his head when he heard the crack of the bat. He watched the scene unfold and clenched his fist. “I’m sorry I lost your trust that day. I think Ryou’s opened my eyes too.”

He sighed and hung his head, not watching the run to home. “We’ve grown together, Chris.” Haru lifted his head and smiled at him from under his lashes. “Well take them all on. Our way.”

Then he nudged his side. “Then after, one of you will give the other a bj to cheer the other up.” He joked. “Not to be weird but I hope it’s you giving it to him because I wanna win.”

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

Haru smirked, his eyes staying on the tv. “Oh? They’re getting along? That’s nice.” His smile only grew as he turned his head enough to look at Chris.

“What if I told you my brother has a little crush?” He leaned into Chris and sighed. “Young love, it’s so sweet. But I’m pretty sure he’s freaking out. Even though I may have just made him realize he actually cares about Kuramochi as more than a catcher.”

His eyes narrowed as Narumiya took the mound on the tv. “I know your wet dream plays for them but Chris, I gotta beat them before we graduate.”

     Chris needed a second to let Haruichi’s words sink in. It might seem obvious to the catcher, and maybe it was obvious for Chris too that something between them had changed, but he wouldn’t have gone as far as to imagine it to be this… intimate.

     “He did look like he just freaked out when I interrupted them. In fact, both of them somehow did.” Chris glanced over to Haruichi, not inching away from the proximity. “You look awfully happy about the possibility of them developing some deeper feelings. Are you sure it’s gonna help them become a battery?” Then again, was he the right one to judge them if he was basically dating his rival?

     He tilted his head enough to glance at the tv, his lips twitching slightly. “You do realize that I don’t plan on losing against them, do you?”, he replied and leaned back in his seat. “We won’t let anything that happens outside the field influence what’s going on the field. Plus, I haven’t forgotten about that nasty homerun last year. Still haunting me in my sleep even though I know it won’t happen again.”

[mochi6]

“Honestly, I’m just glad Ryou is opening up some. I trust Kuramochi, whatever happens, he’ll do his best not to hurt him. Baseball is important but...it can’t be everything.” Haru looked up at Chris. “If one day you can’t play whether for reasons in your control or not, what would you do if you pushed everything else away?”

Haru shuddered. “Don’t remind me of that. My call was...I should’ve let you fight him the way you wanted. I won’t make the same mistake twice.” He looked back at the screen. “I trust you too, you know?”

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

Kuramochi felt his face heat up. He sputtered but didn’t really have a comeback for Chris. He didn’t know why it was quiet, or why it felt like a weird silence, but it definitely did.

He watched Chris leave and closed his notebook, glancing at Ryousuke again. God, he was pretty.

No. No, he can’t think like that.

“I’m…gonna get some air before bed. Need anything from the vending machine?”

     He wondered how much his brother had told Chris. Or if it was just a mere coincidence that their Ace left Kuramochi with a face so deeply red that he must’ve said some comment upsetting the catcher. He pretended to read through the magazine although he only stared at the photo of some guy advertising new baseball themed fashion that he barely heard Kuramochi’s question.

     “I’m fine. I just had a drink but…” There was a pause and Ryosuke wanted to add that he’d love to join him but all that came out of his mouth was a weak “Thanks”.

     This was getting bad. He needed to get this thought out of his head before it would start affecting him or worse: Before Kuramochi might catch up on it and thinks would become super awkward.

     The pink haired male raised the magazine up so it would hide his face and suddenly act as a shield but the built up tension in his gut wouldn’t disappear. Instead, he became even more aware of himself, of what he had said to the second year up to this point and how stupid it was to even think about him in any other way than as someone he’d have to get along with if he wanted to continue playing as a pitcher…

     Fuck. Why did his brother have to call him out of something he really shouldn’t have started thinking about?

     “Do I want to know what you did to your brother that he can sit in a room with Kuramochi without trying to kill him?” Chris leaned against the back of a chair, eyes darting between the recordings of their past game against Inashiro Haruichi insisted on re-watching and the ball in his hand. 

[mochi6]

Haru smirked, his eyes staying on the tv. “Oh? They’re getting along? That’s nice.” His smile only grew as he turned his head enough to look at Chris.

“What if I told you my brother has a little crush?” He leaned into Chris and sighed. “Young love, it’s so sweet. But I’m pretty sure he’s freaking out. Even though I may have just made him realize he actually cares about Kuramochi as more than a catcher.”

His eyes narrowed as Narumiya took the mound on the tv. “I know your wet dream plays for them but Chris, I gotta beat them before we graduate.”

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

Kuramochi tracked the motion, watching those slim fingers glide through Ryousuke’s hair. He bets it’s soft…

“Ah, yeah, just gonna clean up my desk and change.” He didn’t move immediately, still staring at Ryousuke for a moment.

“And yeah, work and hang out. Sounds good.” Kuramochi finally tore his eyes away. What the hell was happening?

     He noticed that slight staring but immediately dismissed the thought of it having any deeper meaning. Not that he had a lot of time to rethink as the door opened and Chris entered the room, only stopping once he saw them.

     “Ah, my apologies. I only came to get my glove”, Chris said. Ryosuke averted the short glance and nodded, walking towards his bunk bed to sit down with some magazine. 

     The upcoming silence was utterly awkward. It seemed like no one knew what to say or there was just nothing good to say, so Chris was the one to pat Kuramochi on the shoulder once he grabbed his glove and started to move out, muttering: “Silence, huh? That’s a new one with you two.” If it was considered a tease, it was only a soft one, as Chris didn’t linger but left the room shortly after.

     Ryosuke was pretending to read his magazine, but his eyes hadn’t left first paragraph yet…

[mochi6]

Kuramochi felt his face heat up. He sputtered but didn’t really have a comeback for Chris. He didn’t know why it was quiet, or why it felt like a weird silence, but it definitely did.

He watched Chris leave and closed his notebook, glancing at Ryousuke again. God, he was pretty.

No. No, he can’t think like that.

“I’m...gonna get some air before bed. Need anything from the vending machine?”

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6

“Almost. Trying to wrap it up now…”. Kuramochi looked back over, eyes quickly raking down Ryosuke’s exposed back. He blinked and was about to turn back around but noticed the shirt.

He stood and walked over to Ryousuke. “Hey, man, this fell out.” Kuramochi said and he bent over to pick it up.

     Ryosuke froze at the sudden proximity. His hands clung to the fabric between his fingers, his eyes lingering on his roommates face, then his shoulder when he picked up the shirt. 

     There was a short pause before he reacted, slowly taking the shirt back.

     “Thanks.” His voice was horse from his dry throat and Ryosuke felt heat rising to his cheeks. “You… shouldn’t forget to eat though.” If that sudden change in topic made sense to anyone, it would’ve been a miracle. Then again, Ryosuke didn’t give the other time to react properly, quickly turning around to put the shirt down on his bed and slide into his shirt.

[mochi6]

Kuramochi tilted his head but smiled. “I’m good, I ate those snacks you guys got. I owe you…”. His eyes drifted down Ryousuke’s exposed back until the shirt was on, covering him. He blinked and stepped back.

“Anyway…you, uh, wanna work with me some tomorrow after practice? Or, maybe, just, hang out?”

[seidossecondbase]

“It’s fine. That’s what teammates are for… I guess.” He paused and turned around, sliding his fingers through his long hair.

“Sure.” Why was he so nervous now? It’s not like there was any meaning behind his question. “We could also work… and hang out though.” Whatever that was supposed to mean. Then again, if it meant having an excuse to look at Kuramochi without seeming like a creep, he’d take it.

“You heading to bed soon?”

[mochi6]

Kuramochi tracked the motion, watching those slim fingers glide through Ryousuke’s hair. He bets it’s soft...

“Ah, yeah, just gonna clean up my desk and change.” He didn’t move immediately, still staring at Ryousuke for a moment.

“And yeah, work and hang out. Sounds good.” Kuramochi finally tore his eyes away. What the hell was happening?

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6

“Almost. Trying to wrap it up now…”. Kuramochi looked back over, eyes quickly raking down Ryosuke’s exposed back. He blinked and was about to turn back around but noticed the shirt.

He stood and walked over to Ryousuke. “Hey, man, this fell out.” Kuramochi said and he bent over to pick it up.

     Ryosuke froze at the sudden proximity. His hands clung to the fabric between his fingers, his eyes lingering on his roommates face, then his shoulder when he picked up the shirt. 

     There was a short pause before he reacted, slowly taking the shirt back.

     “Thanks.” His voice was horse from his dry throat and Ryosuke felt heat rising to his cheeks. “You… shouldn’t forget to eat though.” If that sudden change in topic made sense to anyone, it would’ve been a miracle. Then again, Ryosuke didn’t give the other time to react properly, quickly turning around to put the shirt down on his bed and slide into his shirt.

[mochi6]

Kuramochi tilted his head but smiled. “I’m good, I ate those snacks you guys got. I owe you...”. His eyes drifted down Ryousuke’s exposed back until the shirt was on, covering him. He blinked and stepped back.

“Anyway...you, uh, wanna work with me some tomorrow after practice? Or, maybe, just, hang out?”

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

“Nice ball.” Haru threw it back and sighed. “My plans…well, I’ve decided to enter the draft.” He admitted. It wasn’t his original plan but something in his gut told him to go for it.

“I’m applying to Tokyo and a couple other universities too. Just in case.”

     “Oh”, Ryosuke caught the ball. “Not surprised. Actually I would’ve been disappointed if you didn’t try to go for playing ball.” It was only one of the reasons Ryosuke looked up to him.

     “If anyone can make it… it’s you.” A year ago he would’ve wanted to do the same, follow his brother’s path no matter where it would lead him. But now… he wasn’t so sure if that was what he should do. Or if it was what he wanted to.

     But it didn’t feel like it mattered right now. It was just nice to be around his brother, talking about things they might never mention and spending some time just doing what they haven’t done in years.

     Dinner time passed and Ryosuke saw Chris disappearing with Haruichi, while Ryosuke stood somewhat awkwardly in front of his dorm door. He took a deep breath and walked inside, seeing Kuramochi still sitting by his desk the same way he did when he left earlier.

[mochi6]

Kuramochi wanted to set this paper on fire. His head hurt, his eyes hurt, his butt hurt from sitting in this chair so damn long. He rested a hand on his cheek, allowing himself to close his eyes and get lost in the music.

He nearly dozed off, his head slipping off his hand. Kuramochi rubbed his face then he felt a draft. He turned his head seeing Ryousuke at the door. He blinked and offered him a small wave as he pulled an earbud from his ear. “Welcome back. Thanks for the snacks earlier…did you guys have fun?”

[seidossecondbase]

Ryosuke stood there awkwardly for a second before he recovered and walked past the other to his wardrobe.

“It was nice”, he replied and pulled his shirt over his head. “Just spent some time together. How was…your day? Did you finish the paper?” He looked over his shoulder, not noticing that a shirt slid out of the wardrobe to the floor.

[mochi6]

“Almost. Trying to wrap it up now...”. Kuramochi looked back over, eyes quickly raking down Ryosuke’s exposed back. He blinked and was about to turn back around but noticed the shirt.

He stood and walked over to Ryousuke. “Hey, man, this fell out.” Kuramochi said and he bent over to pick it up.

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

“Nice ball.” Haru threw it back and sighed. “My plans…well, I’ve decided to enter the draft.” He admitted. It wasn’t his original plan but something in his gut told him to go for it.

“I’m applying to Tokyo and a couple other universities too. Just in case.”

     “Oh”, Ryosuke caught the ball. “Not surprised. Actually I would’ve been disappointed if you didn’t try to go for playing ball.” It was only one of the reasons Ryosuke looked up to him.

     “If anyone can make it… it’s you.” A year ago he would’ve wanted to do the same, follow his brother’s path no matter where it would lead him. But now… he wasn’t so sure if that was what he should do. Or if it was what he wanted to.

     But it didn’t feel like it mattered right now. It was just nice to be around his brother, talking about things they might never mention and spending some time just doing what they haven’t done in years.

     Dinner time passed and Ryosuke saw Chris disappearing with Haruichi, while Ryosuke stood somewhat awkwardly in front of his dorm door. He took a deep breath and walked inside, seeing Kuramochi still sitting by his desk the same way he did when he left earlier.

[mochi6]

Kuramochi wanted to set this paper on fire. His head hurt, his eyes hurt, his butt hurt from sitting in this chair so damn long. He rested a hand on his cheek, allowing himself to close his eyes and get lost in the music.

He nearly dozed off, his head slipping off his hand. Kuramochi rubbed his face then he felt a draft. He turned his head seeing Ryousuke at the door. He blinked and offered him a small wave as he pulled an earbud from his ear. “Welcome back. Thanks for the snacks earlier...did you guys have fun?”

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

“I feel giving today.” Haru tossed the ball back and went to crouch down behind home plate. He placed his mitt and waited. “Throw whatever you like but make sure it goes to my mitt.”

He smiled and shrugged a little. “Studying mostly. Looking at universities…what about you?”

     Ryosuke hesitated, waiting for his brother to tell him that he was just kidding and they would only do anything boring. He relaxed at his smile though, tilting his head and throwing a fastball that went almost to Haruichi’s mitt.

     “Practicing. School. Nothing much aside of that, really”, he replied. “Well, now I guess I could add teasing my brother since that’s what I’ll definitely do whenever I see you space out.” He gestured him to throw the ball back.

     “What are your plans so far for the future? Any interesting unis you want to go to?”

[mochi6]

“Nice ball.” Haru threw it back and sighed. “My plans...well, I’ve decided to enter the draft.” He admitted. It wasn’t his original plan but something in his gut told him to go for it.

“I’m applying to Tokyo and a couple other universities too. Just in case.”

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

Haru snickered to himself but spared Ryou any further teasing. For now. “I’ll be there shortly. Do your stretches and lower body exercises.”

He turned to room 5 and opened the door, not bothering to knock. “You-chan! I gave snacks~. How’s the homework going?” Haru put the bag on his desk and leaned over his back, chin on Kuramochi’s shoulder.

     Kuramochi had his headphones on, as music strangely helped him focus more than plain silence. He almost jumped from his seat at the sudden feel of something on his shoulder but only shivered slightly, pulling his headphones off his ears. He wouldn’t have needed to turn around, because the smell already gave Haruichi’s presence away and it made him turn blush just slightly.

     “Ah, you’re back”, he said. “Thanks. I was about to take a break, so I could give you back the money now.” He didn’t move though, not wanting to push him away when Kuramochi felt warm from that much affection… even if he knew this would never be anything more.

     “Did you come back by yourself?” Obviously he didn’t sense those sharp eyes on him, so he assumed that the first year didn’t come back too.

[mochi6]

“Mm, don’t worry about paying me back, just buy me a juice sometime after practice and we’ll call it even.” Haru glanced at his paper and chuckled. It was a paper for coach’s class.

“Yeah, just me.” Haru raised at that. “Told Ryou we’d spend some time together on the field.” He leaned against Kuramochi’s desk and looked down on him. “I won’t keep him out too late.” He winked

[seidossecondbase]

Kuramochi nodded and uttered his thanks. He leaned back in his chair and looked up at his upperclassman.

“That’s fine. I planned on crashing pretty early today anyway. And if he is with you, at least he has fun, right?” Maybe, one day that would be the case too when him and Ryosuke would hang out. “Don’t wanna hold you back. I’ll leave him all to you.”

[mochi6]

Haru smiled and leaned over to ruffle Kuramochi’s hair. No doubt his underclass man was cute. He couldn’t blame Ryou for his…interest.

“I’ll leave you to it then. See you at morning practice~”. He took his leave and sent Furuya a quick text, telling him he’d call him in about an hour. Now though, his focus was on his brother.

He felt like something needed fixed there between them. This could be the chance to do that.

[seidossecondbase]

Ryosuke was sitting by the field, his hair tied up and a ball in his hand. It was late afternoon, the sun slowly setting.

He looked up when his brother approached him. “Took you some time. Busy flirting with Kuramochi-senpai?” It was supposed to be a tease but he was curious. And maybe he also wanted to get a hint if Kuramochi was fine…

[mochi6]

“Maybe a little. He seemed disappointed you didn’t come in.” Haru smirked and walked over. “He looked tired and needed some cheering up.” He joked and stretched his arms up.

“He said he was going to bed soon, so be quiet when you head back in, Ryou-chan.” Haru bent over and touched his toes. “So, what would you like to do?”

[seidossecondbase]

“Disappointed?” Was he really talking about Kuramochi? “I think he was disappointed about you leaving probably.”

He stood up and tilted his head, throwing the ball to his brother.

“I wouldn’t mind playing catch. Or you catching for me. But I know you won’t just do that, so what are you up to? Aside from talking to your boyfriend?”

[mochi6]

“I feel giving today.” Haru tossed the ball back and went to crouch down behind home plate. He placed his mitt and waited. “Throw whatever you like but make sure it goes to my mitt.”

He smiled and shrugged a little. “Studying mostly. Looking at universities...what about you?”

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

Haru snickered to himself but spared Ryou any further teasing. For now. “I’ll be there shortly. Do your stretches and lower body exercises.”

He turned to room 5 and opened the door, not bothering to knock. “You-chan! I gave snacks~. How’s the homework going?” Haru put the bag on his desk and leaned over his back, chin on Kuramochi’s shoulder.

     Kuramochi had his headphones on, as music strangely helped him focus more than plain silence. He almost jumped from his seat at the sudden feel of something on his shoulder but only shivered slightly, pulling his headphones off his ears. He wouldn’t have needed to turn around, because the smell already gave Haruichi’s presence away and it made him turn blush just slightly.

     “Ah, you’re back”, he said. “Thanks. I was about to take a break, so I could give you back the money now.” He didn’t move though, not wanting to push him away when Kuramochi felt warm from that much affection… even if he knew this would never be anything more.

     “Did you come back by yourself?” Obviously he didn’t sense those sharp eyes on him, so he assumed that the first year didn’t come back too.

[mochi6]

“Mm, don’t worry about paying me back, just buy me a juice sometime after practice and we’ll call it even.” Haru glanced at his paper and chuckled. It was a paper for coach’s class.

“Yeah, just me.” Haru raised at that. “Told Ryou we’d spend some time together on the field.” He leaned against Kuramochi’s desk and looked down on him. “I won’t keep him out too late.” He winked

[seidossecondbase]

Kuramochi nodded and uttered his thanks. He leaned back in his chair and looked up at his upperclassman.

“That’s fine. I planned on crashing pretty early today anyway. And if he is with you, at least he has fun, right?” Maybe, one day that would be the case too when him and Ryosuke would hang out. “Don’t wanna hold you back. I’ll leave him all to you.”

[mochi6]

Haru smiled and leaned over to ruffle Kuramochi’s hair. No doubt his underclass man was cute. He couldn’t blame Ryou for his…interest.

“I’ll leave you to it then. See you at morning practice~”. He took his leave and sent Furuya a quick text, telling him he’d call him in about an hour. Now though, his focus was on his brother.

He felt like something needed fixed there between them. This could be the chance to do that.

[seidossecondbase]

Ryosuke was sitting by the field, his hair tied up and a ball in his hand. It was late afternoon, the sun slowly setting.

He looked up when his brother approached him. “Took you some time. Busy flirting with Kuramochi-senpai?” It was supposed to be a tease but he was curious. And maybe he also wanted to get a hint if Kuramochi was fine…

[mochi6]

“Maybe a little. He seemed disappointed you didn’t come in.” Haru smirked and walked over. “He looked tired and needed some cheering up.” He joked and stretched his arms up.

“He said he was going to bed soon, so be quiet when you head back in, Ryou-chan.” Haru bent over and touched his toes. “So, what would you like to do?”

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

Haru snickered to himself but spared Ryou any further teasing. For now. “I’ll be there shortly. Do your stretches and lower body exercises.”

He turned to room 5 and opened the door, not bothering to knock. “You-chan! I gave snacks~. How’s the homework going?” Haru put the bag on his desk and leaned over his back, chin on Kuramochi’s shoulder.

     Kuramochi had his headphones on, as music strangely helped him focus more than plain silence. He almost jumped from his seat at the sudden feel of something on his shoulder but only shivered slightly, pulling his headphones off his ears. He wouldn’t have needed to turn around, because the smell already gave Haruichi’s presence away and it made him turn blush just slightly.

     “Ah, you’re back”, he said. “Thanks. I was about to take a break, so I could give you back the money now.” He didn’t move though, not wanting to push him away when Kuramochi felt warm from that much affection… even if he knew this would never be anything more.

     “Did you come back by yourself?” Obviously he didn’t sense those sharp eyes on him, so he assumed that the first year didn’t come back too.

[mochi6]

“Mm, don’t worry about paying me back, just buy me a juice sometime after practice and we’ll call it even.” Haru glanced at his paper and chuckled. It was a paper for coach’s class.

“Yeah, just me.” Haru raised at that. “Told Ryou we’d spend some time together on the field.” He leaned against Kuramochi’s desk and looked down on him. “I won’t keep him out too late.” He winked

[seidossecondbase]

Kuramochi nodded and uttered his thanks. He leaned back in his chair and looked up at his upperclassman.

“That’s fine. I planned on crashing pretty early today anyway. And if he is with you, at least he has fun, right?” Maybe, one day that would be the case too when him and Ryosuke would hang out. “Don’t wanna hold you back. I’ll leave him all to you.”

[mochi6]

Haru smiled and leaned over to ruffle Kuramochi’s hair. No doubt his underclass man was cute. He couldn’t blame Ryou for his...interest.

“I’ll leave you to it then. See you at morning practice~”. He took his leave and sent Furuya a quick text, telling him he’d call him in about an hour. Now though, his focus was on his brother.

He felt like something needed fixed there between them. This could be the chance to do that.

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

Haru snickered to himself but spared Ryou any further teasing. For now. “I’ll be there shortly. Do your stretches and lower body exercises.”

He turned to room 5 and opened the door, not bothering to knock. “You-chan! I gave snacks~. How’s the homework going?” Haru put the bag on his desk and leaned over his back, chin on Kuramochi’s shoulder.

     Kuramochi had his headphones on, as music strangely helped him focus more than plain silence. He almost jumped from his seat at the sudden feel of something on his shoulder but only shivered slightly, pulling his headphones off his ears. He wouldn’t have needed to turn around, because the smell already gave Haruichi’s presence away and it made him turn blush just slightly.

     “Ah, you’re back”, he said. “Thanks. I was about to take a break, so I could give you back the money now.” He didn’t move though, not wanting to push him away when Kuramochi felt warm from that much affection… even if he knew this would never be anything more.

     “Did you come back by yourself?” Obviously he didn’t sense those sharp eyes on him, so he assumed that the first year didn’t come back too.

[mochi6]

“Mm, don’t worry about paying me back, just buy me a juice sometime after practice and we’ll call it even.” Haru glanced at his paper and chuckled. It was a paper for coach’s class.

“Yeah, just me.” Haru raised at that. “Told Ryou we’d spend some time together on the field.” He leaned against Kuramochi’s desk and looked down on him. “I won’t keep him out too late.” He winked

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

Haru followed his brother. He had a good idea what this could be about, why he was so curious. But Haru didn’t have any real proof yet, just his intuition.

He sat next to Ryou and hummed, leaning forward to look out the window next to him. “It’s okay to form relationships with people Ryousuke. You can’t treat everyone like a potential rival or enemy…or push anyone else to the back burner if they don’t fit in some baseball mold.”

     Ryosuke leaned back automatically when his brother tried to look out of the window. He hugged his bag with groceries, eyes lingering on pink hair in front of him.

     “I think I’m fine with the way I handle things”, he said slowly after a pause. “I just don’t like… distraction. Especially not when I know I’m still not good enough. You should know me well enough to be aware that I’m not the type to keep shallow friendships or–” He stopped, realizing he might step into that topic again.

      Shaking his head, he averted his gaze and looked out of the window too. “I don’t really have a lot of things to talk to people aside of baseball though.”

[mochi6]

Haru chuckled and leaned against him. “I know. I just don’t want to see you get burned out. Some people get so focused on one thing it starts to become more of a chore than something they actually enjoy.”

He sighed. “You’re doing really well though. And if you feel like I’m not spending more time with you out of meanness or something, just know I don’t want you to get too comfortable with me. I won’t be at Seidou much longer. The sooner you can learn to work with others the better it will be for you.”

[seidossecondbase]

He wanted to reply that there was no way that he would ever feel burned out from baseball, That nothing in the world would make him stop loving this sport. But He also knew that his brother didn’t need to hear that.

“Is it really about ue playing together though?” He paused, obviously hesitating. “I came to play with you, yes. But i also came to spend time with my brother.” There. He said it. Maybe not the most expressive way but at least he spoke out what he was feeling. What he was sincerely feeling.

“That Furuya-guy. If he doesn’t like you back that way, he’s an idiot.”

[mochi6]

“Awww, Ryou-chan~. You’re such a caring younger brother.” He put and arm around him and leaned closer. “Do I need to warm Furuya about how protective you might be?” Haru teased with a chuckle.

His expression turned more serious and warm though. “I want to spend time with you too. I’ll work on being better about that okay?”

[seidossecondbase]

“Only if he plans on hurting you”, he replied and nudged his brother, the slightly teasing tone not hiding the warning. “You better keep your word or I might change my mind about your new boyfriend.”

The bus stopped just a few minutes away from the dorms and they made their way back. Before they reached Ryosuke’s room, he stopped.

“You can go Inside and give him those snacks he asked for. And…here, take mine too. I’ll head to the field.” He pushed his bag in Haruichi’s hands and almost looked like he ran away, just to not see a certain handsome catcher.

[mochi6]

Haru snickered to himself but spared Ryou any further teasing. For now. “I’ll be there shortly. Do your stretches and lower body exercises.”

He turned to room 5 and opened the door, not bothering to knock. “You-chan! I gave snacks~. How’s the homework going?” Haru put the bag on his desk and leaned over his back, chin on Kuramochi’s shoulder.

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

Haru followed his brother. He had a good idea what this could be about, why he was so curious. But Haru didn’t have any real proof yet, just his intuition.

He sat next to Ryou and hummed, leaning forward to look out the window next to him. “It’s okay to form relationships with people Ryousuke. You can’t treat everyone like a potential rival or enemy…or push anyone else to the back burner if they don’t fit in some baseball mold.”

     Ryosuke leaned back automatically when his brother tried to look out of the window. He hugged his bag with groceries, eyes lingering on pink hair in front of him.

     “I think I’m fine with the way I handle things”, he said slowly after a pause. “I just don’t like… distraction. Especially not when I know I’m still not good enough. You should know me well enough to be aware that I’m not the type to keep shallow friendships or–” He stopped, realizing he might step into that topic again.

      Shaking his head, he averted his gaze and looked out of the window too. “I don’t really have a lot of things to talk to people aside of baseball though.”

[mochi6]

Haru chuckled and leaned against him. “I know. I just don’t want to see you get burned out. Some people get so focused on one thing it starts to become more of a chore than something they actually enjoy.”

He sighed. “You’re doing really well though. And if you feel like I’m not spending more time with you out of meanness or something, just know I don’t want you to get too comfortable with me. I won’t be at Seidou much longer. The sooner you can learn to work with others the better it will be for you.”

[seidossecondbase]

He wanted to reply that there was no way that he would ever feel burned out from baseball, That nothing in the world would make him stop loving this sport. But He also knew that his brother didn’t need to hear that.

“Is it really about ue playing together though?” He paused, obviously hesitating. “I came to play with you, yes. But i also came to spend time with my brother.” There. He said it. Maybe not the most expressive way but at least he spoke out what he was feeling. What he was sincerely feeling.

“That Furuya-guy. If he doesn’t like you back that way, he’s an idiot.”

[mochi6]

“Awww, Ryou-chan~. You’re such a caring younger brother.” He put and arm around him and leaned closer. “Do I need to warm Furuya about how protective you might be?” Haru teased with a chuckle.

His expression turned more serious and warm though. “I want to spend time with you too. I’ll work on being better about that okay?”

[seidossecondbase]

mochi6​:

Haru followed his brother. He had a good idea what this could be about, why he was so curious. But Haru didn’t have any real proof yet, just his intuition.

He sat next to Ryou and hummed, leaning forward to look out the window next to him. “It’s okay to form relationships with people Ryousuke. You can’t treat everyone like a potential rival or enemy…or push anyone else to the back burner if they don’t fit in some baseball mold.”

     Ryosuke leaned back automatically when his brother tried to look out of the window. He hugged his bag with groceries, eyes lingering on pink hair in front of him.

     “I think I’m fine with the way I handle things”, he said slowly after a pause. “I just don’t like… distraction. Especially not when I know I’m still not good enough. You should know me well enough to be aware that I’m not the type to keep shallow friendships or–” He stopped, realizing he might step into that topic again.

      Shaking his head, he averted his gaze and looked out of the window too. “I don’t really have a lot of things to talk to people aside of baseball though.”

[mochi6]

Haru chuckled and leaned against him. “I know. I just don’t want to see you get burned out. Some people get so focused on one thing it starts to become more of a chore than something they actually enjoy.”

He sighed. “You’re doing really well though. And if you feel like I’m not spending more time with you out of meanness or something, just know I don’t want you to get too comfortable with me. I won’t be at Seidou much longer. The sooner you can learn to work with others the better it will be for you.”