YOWAMUSHI PEDAL

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ImaNaru

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Messy brains, hot b-days

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Summary: Why did he have to dream about Naruko just the night before the day of his birthday party? And dream about his friend –that- way too… Imaizumi wanted to die. B-day fic for our beloved Shunsuke-kun! ImaNaru/NaruIma, one-shot!

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Hi everyone!

I'm sorry I'm taking so long with this promised fic, but real life can be a b*tch...

That is why I decided to snap it in two parts, so I can publish faster!

As always, thank you guys for your support, you are AWESOME and I can't express this enough. Thank you.

Without further ado, here we go with the first part of my second fic for Shunshun's birthday! :D

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Imaizumi woke up with a start, his eyes wide and watery, and his whole body feeling hot and sweaty. He panted for air, mind blank, trying to calm down before he could explode first thing in the morning.

'Shunsuke… kun… h… hah!'

The all-rounder's face grew redder and redder while he shut his eyes and clutched his head with unsteady hands.

What… is… Going… on?!

He felt like screaming in frustration, but his pride didn't let him do it. It had been a while since he had felt this bothered, but he wasn't going to let it get to him. No. It was a dream. It could happen. Nothing wrong with it. He should just forget about it.

Yes, he was going to do exactly that. It wasn't like dreams meant anything. Really, those people who studied about them should have used that time to study something else entirely. Or maybe go biking.

Yes, yes, everything was alright.

Except the fact that a dream was affecting him that much was really, really irritating and upsetting him to no end. And a peculiar dream at that.

Imaizumi sighed, opened his eyes, let go of his head and made for crawling out of bed, when his eyes widened again and his face flushed so much, he thought he was going to faint.

He put a hand on his mouth before anything could escape out of it, his other hand lifting his sheet, and he looked at his crotch.

No… nonononooooononononooonoonoononononoooooonononono-

Definitely, this was a morning he needed to forget.

And he was also definitely avoiding everyone until tonight.

Not the greatest start for your birthday at all, really.

Imaizumi made sure his driver would leave him at school in the least noticeable way possible. Once in the entrance, he looked around himself like he was carrying guns.

'… ohy, hot shot'

he said with a low, eager voice. He was straddling his hips, their faces too close, and his lithe, small back was arched beautifully. He looked at him with feral, half-lidded eyes, paralysing him in place. He looked like a predator ready to taste its prey.

Imaizumi jumped, eyes wide, and turned. Naruko was leaning on the lockers a meter away from him, arms crossed on his chest and suspicion written all over his face. The all-rounder's heart was pounding hard, half of his brain replaying the dream he had, the other half desperately clutching to real life.

'Why are you avoiding everyone?'

He gulped slightly and looked away from the red-head before he could lose his poker face any further.

'I am not avoiding anyone'

'Heh… Is that so?', Naruko's voice grew lower while he got closer to the rival.

'Then why aren't you looking at me in the eyes while you talk?'

he whispered, hands travelling down his naked torso and stopping at his hips, refusing to move further.

'Tell me what you feel, and no half answers'

Imaizumi regretted turning his irises to look into Naruko's. He was too vulnerable for a confrontation now, and couldn't keep his usual blank face up well. He didn't want the other to stare at him like that, so close.

Maroon eyes were observing him, keeping track of every movement, trying to deduce and understand. He didn't want that to happen. He felt the sprinter would be able to read his thoughts, if he kept staring. Moreover, that intent look reminded him of the dream…

He had to turn away, now. But he couldn't.

He was losing his cool.

'Because your face is too close and you stare too much! Stop studying me!'

'… What? This is my usual face, stupid!'

'That's not true! You don't look at Onoda-kun this way! Or anyone else!'

Naruko's eyes widened, while his cheeks turned more and more the colour of his hair. The all-rounder blushed too, still unable to look away from him.

'Naruko-kun! Imaizumi-kun! There you are!', Onoda was running towards them, and stopped with a happy, relieved look on his face in front of the two. His expression changed soon though when he saw the others' troubled ones.

'A-are you both alright? Naruko-kun, you promised you'd try not to argue with Imaizumi-kun for today at least!'

'U-uh?!' Naruko turned towards him, his eyes still wide and the flush still in place. 'I didn't do anything!'

Both the red-head and the black-haired boy were grateful for Onoda's presence. They still felt their heartbeats going crazy and their faces boiling with embarrassment.

Imaizumi cleared his throat and started walking away.

'The class will start soon… we should go'

And they all proceeded with their morning lessons. Only Onoda paid attention to them though.

Naruko didn't even care to act like he was listening to the class. He raised his book of Math I to a standing position, helping it with his pen case, then proceeded to hide his face in his hands for a few moments. He breathed deeply a few times, then uncovered his red cheeks, looking absentmindedly at the formulas in front of him.

He didn't even manage to say happy birthday to Imaizumi yet. He knew they'd all be partying that day in the evening so they were all going to congratulate him later, but… in his head, he had already planned to jump the other right on his back the moment he saw him, possibly screaming his ear off with a 'Happy birthday' so loud, the whole school would have learnt about it.

But the all-rounder looked too strange, that morning. He was tense, and he was avoiding as many people as possible. That threw Naruko off a little. He had been waiting at the gate of the school for at least twenty minutes just for him…

Yet, what actually petrified the sprinter, was the look in the taller boy's eyes that morning. He looked so bashful, shy… almost scared while looking at him, and he tried to avoid his gaze as much as he could. His usually serious face was marred with pink and uneasiness. And all Naruko could think at that point was only one thing:

C… cute…

It wasn't like the red-head was unconscious of the fact he had a soft spot for Imaizumi. He was his best friend and rival, and there wasn't a thing they could avoid sharing, whether it was their actions or their thoughts. Sometimes it felt insane, but it was so fulfilling. They were enough similar to understand each other to an unspoken level, yet different enough to not grow bored.

The more the smaller boy had thought about it, the more it left him in disbelief.

Sometimes he had even thought about talking to the all-rounder about it. Yet the truth was that, for the first time in his life, Naruko was scared. What if Imaizumi got it the wrong way? What if he didn't feel the same?

The red-head only wanted the other to know how much their relationship was important to him, and would have liked to know if the other felt the same too. Was Naruko special to him, as much as the taller boy was to him?

It wasn't like the sprinter wanted something more… of course not… they were just friends! And he wasn't into boys! Girls girls girls!

Naruko gritted his teeth and closed his eyes while pulling at his hair. Trust the hot shot to wake up one morning and decide to throw a bomb at him like that. Of course Imaizumi would blush like a school girl out of the blue. Wasn't he ashamed of himself, being all tall and big, for getting so cute? Of course the red-head would feel like… hugging… him…

URRRRRGHHHH.

Naruko pulled at his hair some more, using the pain to calm down.

He was an idiot. Even twice an idiot, because even if the all-rounder was feeling distressed and looked so adorably vulnerable for once, he had managed to almost get it out of the smaller boy. The fact that yes, of course he looked at Imaizumi in a different way from the others. He was special. But he didn't want him to know that. He'd freak him out.

Naruko let go of his head and sighed, leaning his flushing cheek on the desk while looking outside the window.

Not even the teacher had enough guts to ask Imaizumi anything that morning. The black-haired boy was gripping his book so hard his knuckles had turned white, and he was boring holes through the paper with fixed, unblinking eyes, luckily covered by his growing locks.

Willing down the creeping blush threatening to cover his whole face, and thinking about Naruko were enough tasks for him already. He didn't need to worry about class too.

Imaizumi's will was strong. He was as stubborn as he could get. Yet, a simple dream had thrown him off balance so quickly, and so swiftly. Why was it making him feel so restless?

He had just turned seventeen. Of course his hormones were getting crazy. It was bound to happen. But why did he have to dream about Naruko, of all people? And with such vivid images it almost felt real? Why not a huge-busted girl like everyone else?

He had known the red-head for a pretty long time now, and the friendship they shared was as important to him as his passion for his road racer. It was something unique he had never had before, and he had learnt a lot, even changed a lot thanks to it. He could even admit (only to himself though) that Naruko was his most precious person.

But that was it. They were friends, more than best friends, but… it stopped there. It wasn't like he was attracted to him or anything.

Then why the slightest memory of the dream he had was enough to make him go crazy? The fluttering touch of nimble, slightly tanned fingers on his chest, and warm, soft lips grazing his own… maroon eyes so sultry that made his stomach clench like never before…

He repressed another shiver, and grabbed a pencil with such force, he heard it crack a little.

How was he going to face Naruko?

The lessons went on, until lunch break came up. Imaizumi swallowed.

Onoda was worried.

As usual, they were having lunch together on the roof, but his best friends looked absolutely out of it.

Their faces were pink, and tended to get red when they accidentally looked at each other. Both would even jump if they involuntarily brushed shoulders.

Were they getting ill?

'Naruko-kun, Imaizumi-kun'

Both cyclists jolted, seemingly coming out of a reverie.

'Are you alright? You both look like you have a fever…'

'A-ahahah, no, Onoda-kun, don't worry!', Naruko started, his laugh as forced as ever, while he scratched his nape. 'It's just…'

'…the sun. It's pretty warm, at this time of the year', Imaizumi finished for him, looking at the climber with blank eyes, before staring again at his lunch. '… Thanks for worrying, though'

'A-ah, you're welcome!', Onoda answered immediately, feeling awkward. 'Mh, so… about this evening… you said you invited the guys from Hakone too, Imaizumi-kun?'

The all-rounder shrugged one shoulder a little.

'I wanted this to be more of a cyclists' party than an actual birthday… it's nice to have around people who enjoy the same thing you do… and they are pretty nice…', he stated softly, still looking at his lunch, before putting in his mouth the last chew and setting it to the side. When he raised his head, both Naruko and Onoda were staring at him.

'Hot shot…', the red-head started, the look in his eyes almost affectionate under the surprise he was showing, making the taller boy blush again.

'W-what?'

'You changed so much over an year, Imaizumi-kun!', the climber exclaimed happily, beaming happiness from every pore.

Imaizumi clicked his tongue in embarrassment.

'Anyway… let's stop at the conbini for the last stuff we need for tonight after school… you can get changed later when we're back at mine'

'Yeah!'

Preparing everything for the party proved enough distraction for both Naruko and Imaizumi, and both managed to relax and enjoy their time together. Onoda was happy to see them back to their normal selves.

After moving chairs and tables in order to create an open space in the room, leaving them in a corner, they started on a few decorations and set the speakers and the computer for the music as well. Then they started on the food.

'Naruko, why don't you go shower first? Imaizumi-kun and I can get the rest, there's not much left to do!', Onoda said after some time, opening a packet of crisps and grabbing a bowl to put them in.

'Good idea… I'm dying!', the red-head said, pulling on his shirt's neck. He did feel a little too warmed up… even more so when Imaizumi murmured, 'This way' and showed him where the bathroom with the shower (and also a bathtub) was.

'Sank you!' the sprinter said loudly, before closing himself inside the bathroom and avoiding the other's look.

It was going to be a long, awkward night…

The taller boy blushed, and went back to the kitchen. At least he was managing his reactions better than before… even the flashbacks of the dream seemed to be resting in a corner of his mind at the moment. His shoulders relaxed while he prepared the pizza. He put it in the oven, ready for later to be cooked.

Yes, everything was going to turn out alright. It wasn't as if he could keep going crazy every time his eyes fell on Naruko, right?

The moment Imaizumi thought that, his rival came back to the kitchen, and the black-haired boy's face fell. He knew he was blushing again, and his mouth was a little open, he knew it, really, but it was the first time the had ever seen the sprinter like that.

His hair was still partially wet, half of his fringe pulled backwards, and he was wearing a dark red pin-striped shirt with short sleeves over black tight jeans. His usual necklace was resting between his collarbones, a nice steel watch at his wrist and black, shiny combat boots to match the elegant yet punk-like style.

'… Ohy, hot shot. I stole some of your cologne', he announced, walking to the counter to see if there was anything else he could do. When he didn't receive an answer, he raised his head towards the all-rounder. His cheeks turned pink at the look on the other's face.

'No problem', Imaizumi answered, before occupying himself again. He needed to hide the flush creeping on his face. Naruko tried to concentrate on his tasks as well, and after a few minutes, both he and Onoda turned to the taller boy, telling him he had to get out of the kitchen.

'W-what?'

'Just shut up and go, you can't see this, hot shot!', the sprinter said, and patted him on the back with the climber, pushing him out of the room.

'Please, Imaizumi-kun!'

'Okay, okay…', the all-rounder sighed, and went to the living room. He finished arranging everything he could, including the playlist for the background music. His lips curved into a smile when he added the opening to Love Hime to it.

After an hour, Onoda called him back to the kitchen, saying it was alright to go now, and that they could finish setting the food on the table while he took a shower. Imaizumi showed him the way to the bathroom and then walked back to the kitchen.

Unfortunately for him, the moment he chose wasn't a good one.

As he pushed the door open, his eyes feel on Naruko, who was licking cream off his hand, and wearing an apron.

His eyes turned wide, his brain shut down, and he went out the kitchen again. He made a bee line to the computer, counting the songs he had in the playlist even if the number was already there, trying to not think about anything.

Everything's alright. Absolutely alright. Yes, yes, all alright.

The taller boy was concentrating so much he almost jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

'O-ohy, hot shot…', Naruko said, his voice not as loud as usual. His face was as bashful as Imaizumi's.

'I'm gonna get the Hakone guys, they are almost there. I'll show them the way. When Onoda's done, get your shower'

'Yeah', he said, gulped, and watched the other practically run out his house. He wanted to slap himself really hard.

Luckily for Naruko, he had the chance to distract himself and get out of Imaizumi's house for some time. He took his bike and pedalled leisurely to the meeting place where he would welcome the Hakone guys and show them the way.

It was nice to think they had managed to become friends with all of them, even though their rivalry was as alive as ever. They were cool. And the more people, the more fun!

And the more distractions from the awkward situation he managed to put himself in, as well.

Much to his surprise, he had to try his best to survive to the strength of a real tight bear hug from Izumida, and to the embarrassment of Toudou's assessing stare.

'It's always nice to see how a man tries his best to look pretty! I understand the cause! Although I don't need to try', he exclaimed, his tone full of drama while he put a hand to his chest and turned his face to the sky while closing his eyes.

When the black-haired climber opened them again, everyone was already ahead, following Naruko.

'HEY wait for me!'

Once they got back and set their bikes in the garage, they noticed there were three more parked there. Toudou started getting excited like a kid, and the others sweat-dropped.

'Ah, Maki-chan! Maki-chan!'

They decided to ignore him while he chanted his friend's name like the crazy fan in love he was, and Naruko rang the bell.

He was laughing at a comment Fukutomi made on Arakita's gaping mouth at the house, when the door opened, and it was his turn to gape.

Imaizumi probably did his best to be as fast as possible, because his hair was still wet. He was wearing a black shirt, dark jeans and black tennis shoes. Even though the look was simple, the details captured the red-head's eyes. The sleeves turned up to half his arm, the ethnic bracelet on his wrist, the pair of unfastened buttons that showed how a very, very lucky drop of water was rolling down the side of his neck and riding his collarbone…

Not even the most fashionista look could have competed. Definitely. Unless it was Imaizumi wearing it, again.

Okay.

He was degenerating.

Maybe he needed to stop staring and talk.

Naruko was just opening his mouth to say something, when Toudou wished happy birthday to the all-rounder, thanked for the hospitality and ran inside to jump and hug a very unsettled Makishima. The other members of Hakugaku apologized for his behaviour, but Imaizumi only smiled a little at the other's antics. They went inside as well and when he turned to the sprinter, who was still looking at him with surprised eyes and mouth slightly open, the black-haired boy' smile grew smaller and softer.

'Com'on'

Even though he felt his cheeks getting hotter, the taller boy grabbed Naruko by the wrist and dragged him inside, refusing to meet his gaze. The red-head let him drag him, his cheeks warmer and warmer. Once inside and close to the leaving room, the presence of the other's hand left his skin, and made him feel lost for a moment. The black-haired boy's touch was still lingering on his wrist.

'Oooohy, Naruko! You're looking too warmed up. Com'on and have a fresh drink!', Tadokoro exclaimed, giving his kohai a glass of bepsi and ice.

'Thanks, old man'

'Don't call me old man!'

They laughed, although the smaller boy's maroon eyes stayed fixed on Imaizumi, who was now chatting with Arakita.

'Ohy, red-head'

'Mh?'

'Something happen with Imaizumi?'

Naruko turned swiftly towards his senpai, and gritted his teeth while his face flushed.

'W-wha?!'

'Ahahahahah, now you're loud again! So I was right', he laughed, then put a hand on the kohai's head while he grinned. 'What are you waiting for? You know that timing is important. You're Sohoku's number one sprinter now', he said, ruffling red locks and gaining a few swats.

'Yeah… I know. But what if I make a mistake?', Naruko murmured, looking into his glass. Tadokoro stood silent for a moment, then put a hand on his shoulder. Somehow, his junior looked even smaller than usual.

'Whatever you're thinking, you're thinking too much. I know you well. Trust your instinct, 'cause it will never let you down! And if you do something wrong, worry about it then, and fix it!'

'Tadokoro-san…', Naruko's eyes were wide while he looked at his senpai.

'Ohy, now, don't get sentimental on me! Gulp down that absurd drink and go do what you gotta do! Then, come back and eat, you small bean!'

'I get it, I get it! And I'm not gonna eat your cakes, old man! They're just too big!'

'Hah, you'll feel sorry for it later!'

Both grinned and chuckled, before the smaller boy turned, his eyes looking for Imaizumi.

He needed to talk to him, now.

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To be continued...

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... somehow I am not really 100% happy with how this fic turned out. Must be 'cause I'm writing too much and I'm better at shorter stuff ahah

Also, I have other fics I want to complete so much... Argh!

Anyway, before I auto-criticize my work enough to decided to cancel it (lol), I hope you liked this even if it's not my best, and hope you'll like the next part even more!

Just a spoiler: I'll have to change the rating. Ahah.

Reviews are food and water to my brain and fangirl/writer heart so please feed me! :D

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