It had started as a game, for the most part.

It was simple, really. Aomine seemed like he was interested in Sakurai, so what was the harm with flirting a little? Wakamatsu knew he was the better choice, anyway- Aomine didn't deserve someone as understanding as Sakurai, especially when the poor kid was being used merely as a food dispenser and occasionally a punching bag. He didn't understand how anyone could stand to hurt him. He knew that with just one look in those giant brown eyes, he'd be giving Sakurai anything he asked for.

He could admit it to himself. He was jealous.

It was true even now, while they were eating lunch. Aomine had managed to steal Sakurai's lunch yet again (no wonder he was so skinny) and he looked like he was in the throes of ecstasy. Could Sakurai's lunch really be that good? He himself only had a couple rice balls left, but it didn't seem like Sakurai ate that much, anyway.

"Here. You need to eat." He handed Sakurai a rice ball, trying to pretend it was in the best interest of the team. "We can't win if our shooting guard is malnourished. It's a shame some people can only act in their own self-interest." Definitely one of the most hypocritical things he's ever said, but nobody else needed to know that. Even so, Sakurai managed to stutter out a thank you.

Meanwhile, Imayoshi watched the scene with his usual smile, while Susa looked rather indifferent about the whole thing. Momoi had started yelling at Aomine, telling him to "give back Sakurai's food, you asshole, you eat enough as it is anyway!" Aomine would never listen, but Wakamatsu appreciated her efforts regardless.

"You were lying earlier." As Wakamatsu was getting ready to go back to the dorms after practice let out, he heard that voice behind him. There was only one person it could belong to.

"Captain? What are you still doing here?"

"I know what you're up to. Going on about Aomine only acting in his own self-interest when you're doing the exact same thing. It makes you look better when you're trying to get into Sakurai's pants, like you aren't just using him to get back at Aomine."

"It's not like that at all! Sakurai deserves better than that asshat!"

"I'm not the one you need to convince here. Sakurai's smarter than he lets on, he's definitely figured out your game by now. Convince him that you're worth it."

"Why are you giving me advice like this?"

"It's more amusing this way." Imayoshi was gone before Wakamatsu could ask what that meant.

Sakurai knew that Wakamatsu wouldn't catch onto his plan, but he was genuinely surprised that Imayoshi hadn't. He knew that he'd asked Momoi to introduce him to Kise and Takao, knowing they were the best option to teach him how to flirt. Kise's natural charm and Takao having dealt with a similar situation meant they would know just what to do.

However, they failed to take into account Sakurai's naturally timid personality, meaning Wakamatsu would immediately notice something different if he ever tried any of them. (Sakurai knew he could never call him "Kou-chan," or "accidentally" sit in his lap at lunch. It was simply impossible for him.)

"Has he done anything nice for you?"

"He always stops Aomine from stealing my lunches. At first I thought he was doing it to get back at Aomine, but lately he's been blushing as he's been doing it. There have been times when he's given me some of his own lunch after that, too."

"So he definitely likes you. That's a good sign. But I'm going to have a serious talk with Aominecchi. I'll give you my number, and let me know if he bothers you again. He will be paying for it, believe me."

"Oh, the whole withholding sex thing again? How many times have you had to do that?"

"I lost count after ten, I think. How could he pick on someone so cute? How is this guy not eating out of the palm of your hand yet?"

Sakurai was still amazed that Kise and Takao could talk about sex so casually. Had they done it before? From the way it sounded, Aomine and Kise were having it pretty frequently, and Takao was with Midorima. He thought someone like Midorima seemed too fussy and proper for sex, but what did he know?

This left Sakurai with another question. If he and Wakamatsu got into a relationship, would they have sex, too? He hadn't pictured it before, but once he'd visualized Wakamatsu on top of him, taking what he wanted, he couldn't stop.

"Anyway, you're a really good cook, aren't you, Sakurai? You can use that. Find out what his favorite food is, and make it for him. It's really shojo manga, but it's effective. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, after all."

"One time, I made some honey soaked lemons for the team, and he ate all of them. Mostly so that Aomine couldn't have any, but I like to think that he couldn't resist them."

"If you can't ask him directly, you can ask Momocchi. She knows all that stuff. Depending on what it is, you could either make him a lunch, or you might have to invite him over to cook it. That might be better, actually, since then you'd be alone. If I know what day you do it, I'll keep Aominecchi away."

Was this what having friends felt like? Sakurai had never really had friends before, but if he had, he was sure it would feel as good as this.

"No matter what you do, you have to let us know how it goes!"

"Of course!"

Now that it was time for Sakurai to actually ask Wakamatsu what his favorite food was, he found himself freezing up. I've talked to him normally before, what's going on?

Meanwhile, Wakamatsu was panicking internally. Sakurai asked to talk to me, but he hasn't said anything. He's just been standing there, staring at his feet! Is he afraid of me? I don't want that!

"Wha-Wha-Wha-What's your favorite food?" There, I said it. This probably looks like he's trying to steal my lunch money or something.

"Probably yakisoba, if I had to pick one. Why?"

"Hmm, yakisoba's pretty easy to make. If you come over this weekend, I can make some."

"What about me, Ryo? My favorite food is teriyaki burger."

"I don't remember anyone asking you." Ha ha, Sakurai wants to cook for me and not you. Suck it! Sure, the yakisoba will probably be heavenly, but the prospect of being alone with him is better than any food, really.

Aomine scoffed. "Whatever, it's cool. I could probably go see Kise, anyway. Getting laid is better than food."

"I can't believe anyone could possibly want you to fuck them. Sakurai's food is better than any cheap lay."

"Wakamatsu, I don't think that's fair. Kise is actually really nice, please don't talk about him like that."

"Okay, but I still don't think you need to say those things about Sakurai, either. And to answer your question, yes, I would love to come over. Is Friday after practice okay?"

"Yes, I can get the ingredients by then."

"I'll look forward to it."

By the time Friday came around, Sakurai was beginning to regret his decision. What if he doesn't really like me? Does he just want free food? Why would he want a nervous wreck like me? He's not like that at all.

Wakamatsu, however, would disagree with that statement. I'm so screwed. I'm going to mess up and probably scare him by accident and he'll never want to see me again. I'll never forgive myself if he cries because of me. And if I do succeed with this? Nobody will be able to look at us without thinking of Beauty and the Beast!

Imayoshi, as usual, knew everything. Even though he hadn't been there for Sakurai asking Wakamatsu over in the first place, he seemed to mention the word date too much for a basketball practice.

Eventually, Wakamatsu and Sakurai managed to make their way to Sakurai's house, albeit silently. Neither of them could work up the courage to say anything due to their respective fears.

Before this, Imayoshi had asked Wakamatsu to stay a little late. He'd claimed it was for paperwork, but in hindsight, Wakamatsu knew he should've known better.

"So. You're making your move, huh? I didn't think it would take this long."

"Hardly. He's the one who invited me over!"

"See, I told you he knew what you were after. But since he's doing this, that means he's fine with it. Fine with being used as a pawn in your revenge plot against Aomine."

"It's not like that. I can't deny that it might've been at first, but it's not like that now. He's too good for any of us, but Aomine's not even good enough to lick the soles of his shoes."

"And you're saying you are?"

"No, but I'm better than Aomine, at least."

"That's fair. You don't steal anybody's lunches." After a moment, "You don't get it, do you? I'm saying you've proven yourself to me. I'm not the one you need to worry about anymore."

"Wakamatsu, we're here." Wakamatsu had nearly walked past the door to Sakurai's apartment building. "You've been here before, I don't know why you're lost now," he said, even if it ended up being mostly to himself. They went up to the third floor before stopping at a door with a nameplate that read "Sakurai." Wakamatsu wasn't too surprised to see a completely average apartment, although there was one thing missing that he had imagined a few times, after having watched a scene from Snow White on the TV at the store.

"Where are the animals?"

"Sorry?"

"I thought there would be animals."

"This building doesn't allow pets." How crazy or high would I have to be to actually think that Sakurai would have woodland creatures helping him clean? "Anyway, you can sit there-" he pointed to the dinner table, "and it should be ready in about 15 minutes."

Wakamatsu had intended to get some homework done while he waited, but the way Sakurai stirred the noodles proved too irresistible for him to resist. I could watch this every day, he thought, not caring about the implications. I didn't think I could get this weak over something like this. So it's true after all. I could do just about anything for him.

Sakurai walked over carrying two plates and two sets of chopsticks. Wakamatsu had been distracted before, but now he could smell the yakisoba, and it was a divine experience, to the point where he almost hadn't noticed that Sakurai had started talking.

"Remember when we got yakisoba at the festival? I swear, Imayoshi had more mayonnaise on it than noodles."

"I could swear on my life that I've seen him put it in coffee, too. I wonder how Hanamiya feels about it." He laughed. "Maybe why that's why he looks so pissy all the time." A moment passed before Wakamatsu remembered something he'd wanted to ask. "I heard you've been talking to Kise lately. How did that happen?"

"Well…" Sakurai began to fidget. How can I say it without giving my whole plan away?

Fuck my life. "It's fine if you don't want to tell me. I'll understand."

"He was giving me some advice. Takao from Shutoku was there, too. I asked Momoi to introduce me. They're the ones who gave me this idea in the first place."

"What idea?" This was all Wakamatsu could say when Sakurai was gazing up at him with those eyes and that smile.

"I know I'm not much to look at, and there's nothing good about me, but I wanted to impress you." Wakamatsu felt his anger rising at this, at the thought that Sakurai could possibly see himself this negatively.

"There's nothing good about you, huh? There's nothing good about the guy who's constantly being picked on by that idiot Aomine, but has the strength to return because he loves basketball? There's nothing good about the guy who's obviously terrified of both his teammates and the opposition, but takes it on anyway? I think there's a lot of good things about that guy. I think that guy's far too good to want to impress some ugly loudmouth with anger issues. If I hurt you, I'd never forgive myself. And that's without going into your looks. You're always cute, but that other side that comes out during games is seriously sexy."

Sakurai felt the tears welling up in his eyes. "These are seriously the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. But there's one thing wrong. If I can't be down on myself, you can't be, either. You aren't ugly. You're like the delinquent in a manga that secretly stands up for little kids and pets stray animals."

"Well, get used to it. You'll be hearing them a lot more from now on. I'll come up with new ones, too. I don't want you to get bored of me."

And then Sakurai did something amazing, at least in Wakamatsu's eyes- he laughed. "I don't think that's possible." Wakamatsu found himself leaning toward Sakurai's adorable face, now devoid of any tears, and somehow, Sakurai was returning the gesture.

"You're sure you want this?"

"If we don't do this right now, I'm kicking you out."

Just as Wakamatsu was about to close the final distance…

He felt his hand land in something that felt like cold noodles.

Shit, the yakisoba! I got so distracted, I never actually ate it! It was a little upsetting to know he had forgotten about the initial reason for his visit, but there was something far better happening now. He wasn't the type to hold off on kissing Sakurai because he'd stuck his hand in yakisoba. However, he knew the mood had been ruined when he heard Sakurai laughing again.

Kiss or not, one thing was for certain. Wakamatsu knew he could never let Sakurai go.

A week later, Wakamatsu had another question for Sakurai.

"So, did Takao ever give you any advice?" He didn't know him very well, but he had seen Midorima turn bright red after Takao whispered something in his ear, so he could only imagine what kind of advice he would give. Come to think of it, it was a similar shade to the one Sakurai was turning at that moment…

"I… I don't think I can say it out loud. It's not something I'd be able to get away with. I wouldn't be able to handle it."

What could that possibly mean? How dirty are we talking here? But before he could ask out loud, Sakurai started talking again.

"I don't think I could sit in your lap in front of people or anything like that." I'm the one who wouldn't be able to handle it. "I definitely couldn't handle using the nickname he told me to call you." What the hell kind of nickname is it if even saying it is too much? "I don't know if you could either, K-K-Kou-chan."

It took both Sakurai and Susa to get Wakamatsu to the nurse's office.

I don't know how this happened. I am trapped in a deep, dark hell. One of my ideas was to post this at midnight, but then midnight came and I was still at work.

Next month is Nijimura and Himuro. (Yeah, it's only once a month, since I'm doing a Daiya no Ace story, too.)

Thanks for reading!

~Aurora