Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
...
...
1st year – Too Academy
Mac smirked as she watched Sakurai shoot yet another perfect ball through the hoop. He had a determined look on his face as he did and caught the ball when she tossed him another one. Susa was doing his best in guarding him, but Sakurai was in a steam and with a quick release scored another point.
He was really getting better, Mac mused as she passed him another ball. His form was getting easier and his technique was finer than it had been when he started Too Academy. It was this part of basketball Mac found the most exciting, the working with the players and making them stronger. Though…there was the fact that some had gotten too strong and she still struggled with the consequences of that.
Pushing the depressing thoughts away before she could really get moody she focused on the here and now, Sakurai and Susa both worked hard to get stronger and still loved basketball. She could hear the rest of the team in the gym as well, but they were being led by Harasawa today while Mac worked with Sakurai and Susa.
Only Daiki was missing…again she pushed the thought away. He hadn't been at a practice for so long and was still avoiding her. Mac couldn't understand why he was avoiding her. Her mind was spinning with the possibilities of what she could have done to make him avoid her. Had he found out that she liked him? Was this his way of saying that he wasn't interested? Maybe he didn't know how to act around her now.
"Mac?" Sakurai's timid voice interrupted her wayward thoughts making her blink and realised that both Sakurai and Susa was watching her. "Ah, sorry!"
Mac almost sighed but refrained.
"What?" she asked.
"Are you alright, Mac?" Susa asked concerned.
"I'm fine," Mac blinked incomprehensively at him. "Why?"
"You haven't passed a new ball to Sakurai," Susa explained still looking worried. "You looked lost in thoughts."
"Oh," Mac said. "Right. Sorry."
Susa nodded his head once but didn't say anything as he looked at her, Sakurai looked at her as well looking worried and apologetic for some reason. She smiled and tossed the ball over to Sakurai.
"Come on," she said. "Again!"
...
"Coach," Mac called out and the older man turned toward her.
"Potter-san," he nodded. "You want to have the practice match now?"
Mac had talked to him about the possibility of having a practice match between the teams' regulars so they could test their skills even more. She had suggested having her play on the team with Imayoshi and Susa against Abe, Nakano, Sakurai, Inoue and Wakamatsu.
Yamaguchi was injured, so he was sitting on the sideline only observing the practice. While she would have Namamura referee the match.
"Yes," Mac nodded.
"Alright," Harasawa agreed.
He was curious about the idea and wanted to see what Mac had come up with, it was something he hadn't really done before. Splitting the team up like that to play against each other, but he knew Mac had a reason and she was good at getting the players to improve.
Mac rolled her eyes when Imayoshi smirked at her and ruffled her hair swatting his hand away making him laugh.
"I look forward to seeing what you have planned now, Mac," he smirked.
"Sure you do," Mac snorted.
He laughed.
"We will win!" Wakamatsu declared as he glared at Mac and the other two. "Don't take us lightly!"
Mac arched a brow but a small smirk played on her lips. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Wakamatsu scowled at her, "you're making fun of me, aren't you?!"
"Eh?" Mac blinked at him. "No way!"
Wakamatsu growled and got an even more determined look in his eyes. Mac nodded slightly in approval.
...
Mac passed the ball to Imayoshi who immediately was covered by Wakamatsu, but Imayoshi managed to get free and passed the ball to Susa who dunked the ball resolutely through the hoop.
Mac guarded Nakano who was pretty good at dribbling the ball, but she could see through his moves and when he went to fake to her left she was ready when he instead turned to her right and stole the ball from him before using her speed to get closer to the hoop.
Playing wall with Susa, she caught the ball again when she got past Sakurai and shot the ball through the hoop.
"I'll beat you," Sakurai scowled.
Ah…already, Mac mused as she took in the change of personality.
Sakurai got the ball and Mac knew he was going to shoot, she did her best to get there in time but his shot really was good and he made it before she could get there in time.
Mac shook her head impressed as she looked at Sakurai, he really was something…
...
"We're playing Seirin next," Imayoshi commented when the practice was over.
Mac had already changed and was carrying her bag over her shoulder ready to go home for the day. She glanced over at Imayoshi who was looking at her.
"Mm," Mac made a sound signalling she'd heard him.
"You looking forward to it?" the older teen asked.
Mac glanced at him before looking straight ahead. She was looking forward to it in some ways, but she couldn't help the unsettled feeling she got in her gut either when she thought about the upcoming match.
"Yeah," Mac finally said.
"I am sure you have plenty of data on them," Imayoshi smirked. "When are you going to go over the data with us?"
"Soon," Mac shrugged.
...
Sato's home
"I think you are ready to learn the Vanishing Spell now," Sato said from where he was standing by the blackboard and Mac noticed it was already filled with notes and formulas that were easily recognised as used in transfiguration. "It's a very difficult spell to learn, and it will most likely be something you will be tested on for your OWLs. "
Mac scribbled down notes as he spoke listening closely to what he said. She enjoyed her magic class now, it was a place to escape her other problems and could get distracted from her worries about Daiki and just focus on magic.
"The incantation is Evanesco," Sato continued.
Mac scribbled down the spell and felt the familiar rush of excitement at the idea of trying a new spell. She wanted to skip all the theory he was now going over and just try the spell, but she knew that she couldn't do that. She needed to be patient, but it was difficult.
Finally, her professor waved his wand and a snail (?!) levitated over to her desk and landed neatly in front of her.
"I want you to practice the spell on the snail," Sato told her.
Mac wasn't sure if she should be discouraged that he had only levitated one snail over to her because that would mean that he expected her to struggle with it. But she pushed it away in order to focus on what she had to do.
She cleared her throat and pointed her wand at the snail.
"Evanesco!"
Nothing happened and Mac scowled.
"Evanesco!" a little firmer this time, but still nothing.
She tried and tried and tried. She quickly realised it would be a very difficult spell to conquer but that wouldn't stop her from trying.
"Evanesco!" Mac stated determinedly and felt how her magic worked inside of her.
She looked at the snail and blinked. It was…halfway there and halfway not?
"Ah," Sato said when he spotted the snail and Mac was sure he sounded amused. "You managed to vanish half the snail."
Only the head was there as the rest of the body was gone. Mac pouted slightly.
"I couldn't do it," she mumbled.
"Don't get depressed, Potter-san," Sato smiled at her, "you did very good. Most of the student doesn't manage it at all during their first lesson on the spell."
Mac still felt dejected and felt even more like pouting when Sato vanished the rest of the snail effortlessly.
"I want you to read more about the spell before your next Transfiguration lesson," Sato told her and she nodded in understanding.
...
"Hey," Mac looked up and saw Hermione standing there looking slightly nervous but she was smiling.
"Hey," Mac smiled slightly back.
She had been resting in the backyard a little before she had to finish her homework and go back to start her day all over again. She found that the idea of doing so didn't really tempt her right now. She didn't want to see Daiki avoiding her again. A soft sigh left her lips as she focused her eyes on Nao running around enjoying the freedom of having the space to play with.
"You ok?" Hermione asked sitting down next to her.
"Yeah," Mac said automatically. "I am."
Hermione glanced at her but didn't say anything else about it as she turned her eyes to look at Nao as well. Nao who was currently chasing his own tail, Mac knew that had they been alone he would have his other tails out as well but since Hermione was there he hid them.
"How's school, Hermione?" Mac asked trying to distract her thoughts again and focus on someone else.
"It's…alright," Hermione said.
Mac frowned slightly and glanced over at her again and saw the small worried frown on her face.
"That didn't sound very convincing," Mac commented casually.
Hermione smiled slightly before she sighed.
"I don't know why I always struggle to get friends," Hermione admitted quietly.
Mac made a sound of understanding as she realised the problem. Looking at the other girl showed the shadows under her eyes that told Mac that she hadn't been sleeping right. Mac felt a little worried as she observed the other girl.
"You have Sato-san, though," Mac said.
"Yeah, but she's two years older and in her seventh year," Hermione said. "I don't really see her that much around school anymore."
Mac bit her tongue to keep from saying something. She had never really liked Sachi, but she was the daughter of her professor so she refrained from saying anything negative about her. Also, Hermione seemed to like the other girl.
"I see," Mac settled with. "It's not easy to find friends."
"You have friends," Hermione said.
"Yeah, but mostly from the basketball team," Mac looked back at Nao. "My classmates…they don't like me too much. Neither at Teiko or at Too Academy."
"Why?" Hermione asked.
Mac shrugged.
"Who knows?" Mac rolled her eyes. "Some are jealous, I guess. Of my friendship with the basketball team, with the boys there. Intimidated, perhaps? I have no clue."
Hermione looked at Mac for a moment and she realised that Mac really didn't seem to care that they didn't like her. Again jealousy filled Hermione and she wished she could have that.
"How can you not care?" Hermione couldn't help asking.
Mac seemed to think about what to say so Hermione let her think without pressuring her. Even if she was curious and impatient for a response.
"I am happy with the ones I have," Mac finally said. "I think that having a few good friends, someone I can really trust is better than having many friends that are only there for the superficial part. I know I can rely on the friends I do have."
Mac knew that despite their differences at the moment, despite the fact that they were (mostly) spread around the country at different schools she could call either one of her friends from Teiko and they would come running if she needed it.
She was also starting to think that her team right now would also be there if she needed it, the scene from when she had overheard Fujimoto and the class crossed her mind and she felt a warmth spread in her chest. They had her back as well.
Mac shook her thoughts away as she looked over at Hermione who looked wistful as she stared at Nao playing in the grass, but Mac wondered if she really saw Nao at all.
Mac wasn't sure what to say because she didn't know anyone at that school and she really didn't have a right to give advice that might just make things worse.
"Just…don't close your eyes to the people around you and allow yourself to see them," Mac found herself saying despite her decision to not say anything. So much for not giving advice. "You never know who might show up."
That would be enough, Mac decided. She knew that Hermione had a tendency to hide in her books, she relied on them way too much in Mac's mind, but she couldn't get the other girl to stop. At least she seemed to realise that she couldn't trust all books now. Mac would take that as a baby step in the right direction.
...
Too Academy
Mac closed her books and packed her bag just as she heard the scraping of a chair behind her and she looked up in time to see Daiki walking quickly to the door. He seemed to hesitate for a moment and glanced over his shoulders. His blue eyes met hers and Mac felt like something was drawing her to them, she couldn't look away even if she wanted to.
But too quickly he tore his eyes away and turned around before almost running out of the room. Mac felt her shoulders slump as she was left behind in the classroom. She ignored the activity around her as she grabbed her bag and got up.
Sighing she walked out of the classroom and saw (predictably) that there was no sign of Daiki in the hallway. She really was starting to get sick of him always avoiding her and leaving her worried and speculating. She knew it couldn't keep going like this if Daiki…if he had found out that she liked him and couldn't handle it then he needed to tell her.
Without really planning on it Mac headed toward the training facilities she knew belonged to Riko's dad and she knew Seirin was using for practice before their game. Mac wasn't really sure why she made her way there, but going home to an empty apartment wasn't something that tempted her right now.
Nao was out of her bag and walking next to her, she noticed that he drew some looks from others but she ignored it. He needed to stretch his legs and he was now more confident being outside of her bag and walking on his own.
Mac walked into the large hall holding the swimming pool and immediately saw that most of the Seirin team was in the water. Only Taiga and Riko weren't, Riko was leading the exercises while Taiga was seated on a bench looking bored.
Nao barked and took off toward a black and white puppy that barked back, but stayed in place staring at Nao who came closer.
"Nao!" Mac called out not knowing how Nao would react to the dog.
"Eh?"
"Mac?"
She ignored the exclamations from Seirin as she focused on Nao. Luckily Nao stopped and tilted his head curiously as he watched the dog who responded by tilting his own head. Mac now noticed that he had very familiar blue eyes and she couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"Mac!" Taiga called out and Mac looked away from Nao and the dog and over to her cousin.
"Hey Taiga," Mac smiled. "You're doing good and listening to your coach, I see. That's good."
"You say it like I would defy her," Taiga grumbled.
"Well…" Mac smirked.
"Hello, Mac," Riko smiled. "What are you doing here?"
"Spying?" Izuki teased.
"I don't need the extra data," Mac shrugged but she smiled back. "Just… found myself here without really planning on it."
Tetsuya gave her a worried look but Mac looked back at Nao and the puppy who was still watching each other. She squatted down to their level and smiled as the dog pretended to be too important to look at her.
"Aw, come on," Mac smiled.
She reached out to pet the dog who eyed her hand warily before he leaned against her hand and she patted his head with a small laugh.
"Aw, so adorable," Mac cooed. "What's your name, huh?"
"Tetsuya II," Riko said.
Mac blinked before she let out an amused laugh and scratched his era, "I see, Tetsu II, you're adorable like your namesake."
"Mac," Tetsuya whined but Mac ignored him.
Tetsuya II barked happily and licked Mac's hand before jumping up in her lap making her fall back on the ground with a soft huff. He barked again and licked her cheek making Mac laugh more easily and the others smiled as they watched the small puppy 'attack' Mac.
Suddenly a soft growling sound alerted them that not everyone found the scene adorable and Nao growled and managed to push Tetsuya II out of Mac's lap and take his place with a growl and stern eyes. He turned and placed his face against Mac's neck and whine softly.
"Nao," Mac sighed fondly. "Shh…shh… it's alright, Nao."
She patted his head and soon his whines softened and stopped altogether, but he refused to let Mac shift him off her lap. She sighed as she somehow managed to get up still holding him in her arms. He eyed Tetsuya II with suspicious looks as he rested in her arms.
"Possessive," Koganei grinned.
"Tell me about it," Mac snorted fondly.
...
Taiga had gone to a park close by to just watching a court; he wasn't intending to play any basketball at all. He just wanted to see it, at least that was what he told himself as he stepped onto the court. He was impatient to get to play. He looked forward to the match against Mac and Daiki, but especially he looked forward to playing his cousin. He wanted to see if he was strong enough to beat her in an official match.
He had grown a lot since first meeting Mac since they had started to play together and she had a lot of the credit for his growth. He wanted to prove that he was stronger now. He wanted to show her that he could be a challenge for her and her friends.
Taiga grabbed the basketball he always had with him as he threw the bag to the side and started to lightly dribble the ball on the court. He told himself that he was only testing the feeling of the ball in his hands again. He felt the injury in his legs, but they didn't feel as stiff as they had before.
He thought about Mac again and felt a little worried, she had looked sadder lately but she refused to tell him what was wrong. Though, since she had come back a couple of days ago she had seemed to be in a slightly better mood.
He hoped that Tetsuya could help her now because he knew that the reason Mac came to the practice earlier wasn't him but Tetsuya. It bothered Taiga a little, but he understood. Tetsuya had been her friend for a long time and Taiga hoped that his teammate would be able to help his cousin.
He sighed but shook it off as he focused on basketball again and felt the sudden spark of excitement in his chest as he looked at the hoop. He just couldn't resist trying to take the shot.
He grimaced when he tried to jump but managed to do it anyway, but his leg felt stiff and it throbbed slightly. Though, he had expected it to hurt worse. He grinned when the ball went through the hoop and then fell to the ground.
Before Taiga could pick the ball up he suddenly noticed that someone else was there and picked the ball up before straightening up to look at him. Taiga immediately recognised Daiki, Mac's best friend.
"I thought you were injured," Daiki arched a brow as he looked at Taiga.
"I'm better," Taiga grumbled.
Daiki gave him a look that Taiga could only classify as searching. Taiga started to get pissed off when Daiki didn't say anything as he just stared at him.
"What!" Taiga snapped annoyed when Daiki still didn't say anything and kept holding the ball.
Daiki sighed and got an annoyed look on his face.
"Play me," Daiki said or more like ordered.
"What?" Taiga blinked but soon turned irritated as he stared at the slightly taller teen who had an arrogant look on his face. "I don't like to be told when to play someone who doesn't even have the decency to ask."
Daiki snorted.
"I'm not asking you how you feel," Daiki told him. "If I tell you to play, you play."
Taiga scowled as he stared at Daiki who smirked.
"Why?" Taiga demanded. "We're going to be playing against each other soon enough."
A shadow crossed Daiki's face as he stared at Taiga. He half-turned away from Taiga.
"I want to test you," Daiki said and too Taiga it sounded…ominous. "It's not like I think you're actually better than me, I'm not that…stupid. I just want to test something… I want to know what she sees…"
The last parts were said so quietly that Taiga wasn't sure if he heard it right or if it was meant for him or hear it at all.
"Seriously," Taiga grumbled as he reached up to massage his neck feeling annoyed, "first Kise and then Midorima… all of you Generation of Miracles is pissing me off. I'm starting to think that Kuroko and Mac are the only sane one in your group."
He paused and felt determination fill him as he looked up and stared at Daiki who was watching him with an impassive look on his face.
"I'll crush you!"
...
Mac sat on the bench overlooking the swimming pool, the rest of Seirin had already left seemingly understanding that she had wanted to talk to Tetsuya. She wasn't sure why she felt so…nostalgic and sad.
"We're going to be on opposite benches soon," Mac commented glancing over at Tetsuya who leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees as he stared at the water.
"Yeah," Tetsuya answered quietly.
"It'll be strange," Mac admitted.
Tetsuya nodded in agreement but didn't say anything. Mac sighed and looked down at Nao who had finally agreed to be put down on the floor, but he kept giving Tetsuya II the stink eye whenever the dog got close to Mac.
"I saw your match against Midorima," Mac said, "you played very well, Tetsu. I knew you could do it."
"Thank you," Tetsuya smiled slightly. "I knew you were there."
Mac nodded.
"You and Taiga play very well together," Mac continued. "I didn't really think about it right then, but… you look like you and Daiki did."
Mac couldn't hide the pain in her voice as she admitted that, but it was true. She had thought about it after she had gotten home from that match that Taiga and Tetsuya reminded her a lot of Daiki and Tetsuya. They played very similarly.
Tetsuya glanced over at her and frowned when he noticed the pain in her green eyes, he noticed that her hands were clenched tightly together like she was trying to keep a hold of something only she could see.
"I know," was all Tetsuya could think to say but he wished he could say something that made her feel better.
Mac inhaled shakenly and got up walking to the edge of the pool. She had her back to him, but he could see the tension in her shoulders.
"What's wrong, Mac?" Tetsuya asked.
Mac shrugged.
Tetsuya sighed softly as he too got to his feet and walked to stand beside Mac. He didn't say anything for a moment.
"You know…" Mac started. "I think…Daiki was the happiest when he got to play basketball with you, before the change. The way he loved basketball back then was…is something I've never seen before or since. Taiga is close, but still not quite there."
Tetsuya inhaled sharply as memories from before crossed his mind, the way Daiki laughed as he played a game or just practised, the way he smiled proudly when they managed something they hadn't before. He remembered how he would raise his hand for a fist-bump after he had scored a point.
Tetsuya was sure he wasn't the only one remembering the good days of their time at Teiko given the wistful smile on Mac's face before she sighed and the sad look returned.
"He loved playing with you too, Mac," Tetsuya said gently. "I think he enjoyed that more than he did with anyone else."
Mac shrugged.
"Why do you doubt it?" Tetsuya frowned.
"He seems to be avoiding me lately," Mac admitted. "I don't know anymore…"
Tetsuya blinked he hadn't expected that. He wondered what Daiki was thinking because he knew that the other boy never wanted Mac to doubt him and look so…hurt. So, what was he doing? He must be blind.
"Aomine-kun really cares for you, Mac," Tetsuya said looking over at her. "He's just…an idiot sometimes."
"He is, but…" Mac smiled sadly. "I won't push him."
"Talk to him," Tetsuya said. "Tell him how you feel like you normally would. Why are you keeping yourself back?"
Mac blinked and turned startled eyes to Tetsuya who gave a small smile at the surprise he saw in those green eyes.
"I…how…um…" Mac looked flustered.
"I know you, Mac," Tetsuya said. "And I'm good at observing people."
Mac sighed knowing it was true. She looked back at the water again and thought. She wasn't sure why she held back, or she knew…She didn't want to lose Daiki, but hadn't she lost him already if this was how it was going to be from now on? Maybe she should tell him and then they could deal with the fallout and move on?
Fear and worry swirled in her stomach, but at the same time, a new determination was starting to fill her. She couldn't keep this up anymore, she was going crazy and she would rather deal with Daiki honestly and directly. That was much better and honestly? Daiki needed to be confronted to deal with things, or he would hide away and brood over it by himself.
"Thanks, Tetsu," Mac suddenly said and gave him a small smile.
"Anytime, Mac," he smiled back.
Tetsuya watched as Mac walked away before pausing and turning around to wave at him before she turned a corner and disappeared. Nao right at her heel like the loyal little fox he was.
...
A worried frown crossed Tetsuya's face when she rounded the corner and he couldn't help but worry about her. She seemed sad and he hated to see her sad, they all hated that. He knew how she felt for Daiki, he had known for a long time that Mac cared for Daiki more as just her best friend. Though, he never said anything or really expected her to see it yet because of the familiarity of thinking that Daiki was only her best friend.
But now… it was clear to him that Mac had worked out what she felt and that she liked Daiki a lot. He also knew that Daiki really liked Mac, but he probably was still in denial and kept pushing her away because of the conflicting emotions he felt for her. He probably didn't understand it.
He really could be clueless, Tetsuya thought. He wished he could tell Daiki, but he knew that he couldn't. It was something Daiki and Mac had to resolve themselves, though it wasn't really like he talked to Daiki much anymore. He did miss the friendship with the other boy.
If only Daiki would change back to the way he had been. Tetsuya didn't like to think that, but he thought that the old Daiki would have caught on by now. But…Maybe Daiki could change? If he were to lose then he might change and actually start to care about basketball again. Tetsuya knew that alone he didn't stand a chance, but with Taiga… there was a chance they could do it.
Strengthening his resolve he straightened up. He would do it. He would win and beat Daiki so that he would find his love for basketball again and then maybe realise that Mac was more to him than just his best friend.
...
"This is ridiculous!" Daiki scoffed as he stared unimpressed at Taiga who was breathing heavily and sweat was dripping from his forehead as he stood slightly hunched over. "Did you really beat Midorima?"
"Bastard," Taiga growled slightly breathlessly.
"Hmph," Daiki huffed, "I don't know what Tetsu and Mac see in you…You can't draw out his full potential. He's a shadow. The stronger the light, the darker the shadow. In other words, he becomes stronger or weaker depending on the strength of the light."
Daiki sighed and bounced the ball before he moved, effortlessly and gracefully he got past Taiga who didn't stand a chance of stopping him. It was like something entirely out of this world a flash of blue and red, but the blue was overpowering and forceful.
"Your light is too dim," Daiki said before he scored another point.
Taiga breathed out trying to catch his breath and calm down, his legs throbbed painfully and he could only imagine the lecture he would get from Riko never mind Mac. He grimaced at the last thought. Maybe he could avoid her?
Daiki was staring at Taiga again and he really couldn't see why Mac had gone out of her way to play basketball with him, to train him like she had. He knew that Taiga was her cousin and in a way not a threat to Daiki (why that thought mattered was lost on Daiki), but at the same time…He had Mac's attention and she was impressed with him and Daiki didn't like it.
He didn't like the way she seemed to think that Taiga's strength was good enough for Tetsuya, or for her. He was the one who could get Tetsuya's strength out to the fullest. He was the one Mac should be playing basketball with.
He completely ignored the fact that he was the one who had pulled away from them both, in his mind that was just a minor detail and he didn't like to see someone take his place in any way.
...
Mac looked up from her place on the sofa when she heard the door open and she saw Taiga walk in. He looked…shocked and exhausted, but more importantly…he was limping.
"Taiga!" Mac snapped.
"What?" Taiga grumbled.
"You've played!" Mac got up and stared at his legs. "I told you not to!"
Taiga scowled and crossed his arms, "I had to."
Mac arched a brow at him. "Really?"
Taiga winced because he really didn't want to tell her and he was still shocked by what had happened. How could anyone be that strong? He realised that he hadn't really believed Mac or Tetsuya when they talked about Daiki and just how good he was.
"I just had to," Taiga mumbled.
Mac huffed and arched a brow at him as she pointed to the couch. Taiga found it best not to argue as he limped his way to the couch and sat down a slight grimace on his face as he did so.
Mac watched Taiga as he sat down and frowned slightly as she observed the almost lost expression on his face and the pure shock in his eyes. She couldn't understand what had him look like that, but right now she had to work to help him with his legs or he would be unable to play against them in a few days.
She found the salve and went back to the living room. She could tell that Taiga hadn't heard her come back and seemed lost in thought. She bent down and pulled up the leg of his trousers making him jump slightly.
"Honestly, Taiga," Mac muttered. "You really are an idiot."
"Hey!" Taiga protested but it was weak.
Mac shot him a worried look.
"Why did you have to play?" Mac asked as she applied the salve.
Taiga shrugged.
"Why don't you want to tell me?" Mac frowned.
"No reason," he said.
Mac huffed and shook her head as she stopped asking him, she wouldn't press him if he didn't want to tell her. Though she was curious. She massaged the salve on his legs and he seemed to relax slightly as she did and she could feel the muscles in the leg also start to loosen up some.
"Now, can I trust you not to go out and play any basketball before you're ready?" Mac asked with a small glare daring him to protest.
"Yeah, yeah," Taiga mumbled.
...
...
AN: Thank you for reading! Hope you liked it :)