Anchor
Written by: RinoaDestiny
#14 – Ice Hockey
"What are you watching?" Iori sometimes left the television on for background noise, but when that happened, Kyo never paid attention to it. Different when he sat before it, smoking a cigarette and focused. He stepped inside the other's bedroom, drawn to the glow of the screen.
"Ice hockey. It's a rerun from last year."
"What?" He knew Iori was into sports – apparently, was good at all of them – but ice hockey was one sport he was decent at and…. "Are you reading my bio again?"
"Don't need to."
"Got it memorized?"
"Mostly." An idle flick of Iori's hand, the red glow of his cigarette like a firefly in the dark. "Have you here now, so unnecessary."
"Charmed."
Iori snorted. Kyo chuckled.
He took a seat beside the other man, resting against his warmth. Iori glanced at him, gaze fixed for a second or two, and then returned back to the television. From what Kyo saw, one of the players from the defending team had just been hit with a minor penalty. He'd missed the action from before, so he wasn't sure for what.
"That was stupid."
"What'd he do?"
"Tripped someone."
When Kyo used to play with his friends – some borrowed time in a designated ice rink – that occurrence was common. Came with the sport, which also had an international reputation for brawling. "You've played before?"
"A little here and there." Iori shrugged, shoulder rolling back against his. "My high school wasn't wealthy enough for an ice hockey club. I made do." The man took a long drag from his cigarette and blew out the smoke. It swirled in the air and disappeared. On the television, the challenging team was nearing the defending team's end zone. Kyo hoped the defending goaltender was ready.
"So if I wanted to play a game against you this winter…"
"Is that a challenge, Kusanagi?"
"You say you're good at all sports. But I've never –"
"So you want to put it to the test." A slight smile formed on Iori's face. "See if my boast is true."
"That, and see if you fall on your ass on the ice." Kyo smirked, enjoying this light banter. "You're not the only one who reads bios, Yagami."
"You have mine memorized?"
"Mostly."
Iori smirked, then, mirroring him. The sound of a goal scored – the game had shifted and the challenging team failed to defend their end zone – and the second round concluded. Kyo repositioned himself against Iori, sitting upright instead of slouching and pointed at the television. "Bet the home team wins."
"Bet they don't."
"Ha! What will you wager?" The smell of smoke and the clean scent of Iori's skin. "Should be something embarrassing."
"Should've let me decide."
"Something less embarrassing?"
"No, you idiot." Yagami sucked down another mouthful of smoke before letting it out and turning to him. "If you let me decide, you'd abide by the same. But since you want something embarrassing…" A familiar grin appeared, one that meant Iori was up to no good. "It'd be too easy having you wear a dress –"
"You've worn a dress before?"
Iori ignored him. "You never graduated high school, so…"
"Oh fuck. Don't tell me you're gonna…"
"Act out a play that you've never paid attention to in class. Male and female roles. Record it."
"You're a sadist, you know that?"
"So what will my penalty be?" There was a commotion on the television screen – one of those epic fights – but Kyo refocused on the thread of Iori's voice. "What will I do if I lose, Kyo?"
"Does anything embarrass you? I mean, it sounds like you've worn a dress –"
"There's always something," Iori said, leaving him with only that.
Kyo thought and dismissed all ideas of obvious embarrassments. He'd fluster easily with certain suggestions, but those would simply slide off Yagami without any aftereffects. If there was something that would make Iori squirm and not leave any major repercussions down the line, then…
He smiled.
"Next time we're together outside, kiss me."
"What?"
"I know public displays of affection aren't your thing. But if you're gonna have me act out a play –"
"Just like that? Outta the –"
"Not outside your apartment. Next time we're out. You know."
Iori colored perceptibly, even against the artificial glow of the television screen. The cigarette in his hand was forgotten, lying across his lap even as he glanced away. The game was back, several minutes before the end of round three; yet, none of them paid it any attention. Beside him, Iori cleared his throat. Turned back to look at him and nodded.
"So you're okay with it?"
"Deal."
"I'll find the easiest play. You don't want to hear my falsetto."
"Kyo?"
"Yeah?"
"I accept your challenge. Assemble your team. I'll play against you in winter."
"Don't fall on your ass, Yagami."
"Tch. Show me what you've got."