So here's chapter 14. I'm debating about stopping here but I don't know. Please let me know what you think of the chapter, the story as a whole, and/or both.
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Disc: I don't own anything having to deal with oofuri, but I do own Hikari Sakura and Aizawa Mai.
Chapter 14
The team had a meeting on January third bright and early. For the most part they had spent the majority of the break with each other talking amongst other things baseball. This meeting was simply a get together to go over the conditioning and early practice schedule while the weather still kept the team indoors. This was the first time they met as a full team; coach, manager, and advisor included.
Abe was groggy as he got ready. Mentally he promised himself to bring up moving back the time of morning conditioning. They were on break and as far as Abe was concerned he wanted to sleep in. Maybe he could even get a majority of the team to back him.
On the way to school Abe fell in stride with Oki, Mizutani, and Hanai. A blush blossomed on Abe's face when he made eye contact with Oki. The catcher was fairly sure that Oki wouldn't say anything in front of Mizutani and Hanai. But just in case he muttered a silent "please" to the first baseman and shook his head. Oki understood the silent communication and nodded his head in agreement.
Once the quartet entered the class room Abe broke off from the group to hunt down his boyfriend. Abe found the pitcher sitting at one of the desks absentmindedly tossing up the baseball he always carried and catching it. "Mihashi can we talk about something?" Abe asked his love. As they left Abe glanced at Oki who smiled at the couple causing the steely eyed catcher to blush once again.
Mihashi bobbed his head in agreement. Abe gently hooked the pitcher's arm with his hand and lead him out to the hall away from the team.
Once safely away from prying ears the catcher popped his question. "Mihashi, how do you feel about telling the team we're a couple?"
"I, I don't know," the pitcher mumbled. "I'm scared to tell them; but if Abe's with me I'll be alright."
Abe smiled. "My thoughts exactly," he said before giving Mihashi a quick kiss. "Are you ready now, or do you want to wait until after practice?"
"Let's do it now and get it over with," Mihashi decided. Together the couple walked back into the class room to address their teammates. Abe caught Oki's eye and gave the first baseman a warm smile and a small nod.
The pair of Mihashi and Abe walked to the front of the Shiga-sensei's class room. "Hey guys we have an announcement," Abe called, gathering the attention of the nine other teens and two adults. "Suyama and Izumi split the pot."
Coach Momoe and Shiga looked at each other with abrupt confusion on their faces while the rest of the Nishiura baseball team applauded. Abe felt his face heat up but was relieved when Mihashi gave his hand a firm squeeze.
"What's this all about?" The coach asked confused.
Hanai smirked at the big breasted coach. "We had a bet to see when Abe and Mihashi would hook up. Izumi and Suyama had December and it looks like we each owe them five bucks." He then turned to Tajima and yelled over the team's congratulations of both Suyama and Izumi for winning and the new couple, "Hey Taj, who won our side pot?" causing everyone in the room to quiet down.
"What side pot?" Shinooka exclaimed in confusion. "Why weren't we informed about a side pot? What did you two bet on?"
Hanai's devilish grin spread to his ears. "We bet on who was the Seme and who was Uke."
The team including the two adults turned their attention to the smallest player. Tajima mirrored Hanai's grin. "Looks like you owe me an extra five bucks."
The group all looked at the couple standing at the head of the room in unison. "Tajima, Hanai, I'm going to kill you guys for that. I swear to God I'm going to kill you two. And you're both wrong by the way."
"But I saw how you two kissed!" Tajima ejaculated. "Mihashi's definitely the Seme."
"All we've done is kissed." Abe hissed in contempt. "And I will not detail our sex lives to you guys."
With their announcement out of the way the pitcher-catcher duo took their seats among the rest of the team as if nothing had happened. Coach Momoe then after a moment's pause walked up to the front of the class room. "Well, now that that's out of the way we can get on to business," she said with a blush. "I was going to ask how everyone's breaks were but I can see that you all had fun." She sent a crooked smile towards the new couple before continuing. "We still have this weak before break ends. But I think that when it does that conditioning in the morning Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and weightlifting in the afternoon will be fine until we can get outside. I'm not going to require you guys play catcher or anything but if you can spare the time I highly recommend it. Except for Abe and Mihashi. What you two do in your free time is up to you, but I want you two throwing a baseball at least three times a week." The room chuckled at Momoe's offhand comment. Abe wanted to get mad at the woman but decided to let it go.
Instead the catcher spoke up to the group as a whole. "Mihashi and I will be throwing in the gym here on Tuesday and Thursday after school and probably again on Saturday. You guys are welcome to join us if you want."
Coach Momoe looked at the team in whole. "If nobody else has any announcements or anything then I'll let you guys get to practice. Hanai practice is up to you, run them however you want. I have to go to work so I won't be joining you." With that Coach Momoe dismissed the meeting.
Once in the hall Abe pulled Mihashi aside. The pitcher had been quiet through the entire meeting. But what worried Abe was Mihashi's hand. When he squeezed Abe's the pitcher's hand was frigid. "Mihashi, are you alright? Is anything worrying you?"
"No," Mihashi whispered. "I was just worried what they would say, what they would think."
Abe slid his arm around Mihashi's shoulders. "They're fine with us. I was a little worried too but if they had a bet going then they couldn't be too disgusted with us." The catcher gave his boyfriend a one armed man hug. "Besides, all that matters is us. I couldn't care less what they think as long as I have you."
The pitcher was silent again. This silence started to irritate Abe. Hadn't Mihashi opened up to the catcher? Hadn't he said he loved Abe?
"Come on guys, don't be late or Hanai'll be pissed," Mizutani called from down the hall.
Abe decided to let Mihashi be but kept an eye on the pitcher during practice. Hanai was generous in practice. Instead of the two hours they normally spent sprinting around the gym he called practice a half hour early. All the boys were exhausted. It was obvious whom had worked out over the break and who hadn't. Most of the boys were slow to warm up and slower than normal in their conditioning with the exception of Hanai and Izumi.
During practice Abe also paid close attention to the team as a whole. As confident as he was that he and Mihashi would be accepted, it still concerned him. Any derision between the team would hurt their progress as a whole, and if any of their teammates had a problem with his and Mihashi's relationship that would be something that they would have to deal with.
Everyone was thankful for the end of practice. Shinooka, Shiga-sensei, and Momoe had left soon after the meeting allowing Hanai to run the practice as he did throughout the winter break. By the time the team entered the locker room a few scattered members of the women's' volleyball club were just arriving for their practices. Abe quickly changed and waited outside for Mihashi.
Minutes passed and the dark haired catcher began to grow impatient. Tajima was the first to exit the locker room; his normally cheerful face drooped into a sullen frown. "Hey Taj, is Mihashi almost ready?" Abe inquired innocently.
When Tajima recognized that it was Abe who asked him the smallest teen's face perked back into its usual smile. "Na," he remarked, "Mihashi'll probably be a few minutes still." With a small wave Tajima disembarked out the nearby doors.
Abe sighed and went back to leaning against the brick wall. Moments after the doors to the school closed behind Tajima Sakaeguchi came out of the locker room with panic tainting his face. "Abe!" He exclaimed upon seeing the catcher. "Mihashi's in there crying but he wont tell us why. I think you need to go in there."
"Where is he?" Abe demanded his anger and temper rising rapidly.
Sakaeguchi quietly lead the way. When the duo entered the locker room every pair of eyes flickered to the catcher as he stormed passed. Nobody spoke to Abe or his guide. It was clear by the fire in his eyes that any comment could jeopardize their safety. Sakaeguchi lead Abe to Mihashi's locker where the smaller teen was curled up on the bench with his head in his knees sobbing quietly into them. Hanai was sitting next to a distraught Mihashi trying to comfort the pitcher.
It was déjà vu for Abe. For the second time the steely eyed catcher felt his world slide back in time, back to when all his efforts meant nothing and Mihashi was but a shell of a man enslaved by his past. The catcher was struck by the scene before him. His heart ached with the pain of seeing his best friend and boyfriend overcome with whatever had caused the turmoil. Slowly he reached out a shaking hand to the boy in front of him. "Mi…ha…shi," Abe gasped, the pain of his friend ripping through his own body choking off Abe's voice.
Hanai looked up and upon seeing Abe quickly cleared away, knowing full well how unstable Abe's emotions could make him. "He won't tell us anything," was all Hanai was brave enough to say.
"Thank you," Abe whispered to the captain, never taking his eyes off the boy in front of him.
The catcher silently slid next to the pitcher. The only acknowledgement Abe received was a fearful sob from Mihashi followed by the pitcher sliding away from his boyfriend. This appalled Abe. As if being best friends with Mihashi wasn't enough the two had declared their love for each other. They had opened up to on another.
In response to Mihashi's isolation Abe again moved closer to his boyfriend but this time as tenderly as he could the steely eyed teen wrapped his arms around Mihashi and pulled the dirty blond pitcher into Abe's chest. This sent Mihashi over the edge. All control he previously had evaporated leaving nothing to stop the onslaught of tears that soaked Abe's shirt. Careful not to disturb the pitcher Abe gently stroked his love's hair, trying his hardest to soothe the distraught pitcher.
As the battery tenderly had their moment; Hanai silently directed the rest of Nishiura baseball team's attention away from the couple. Abe looked over to see the right fielder hurrying the rest of the team out of the area and gave his friend a weak smile. Hanai returned the smile with a pained look of concern before leaving the two alone in the locker room.
An agonizingly long minute passed as Abe held a crying Mihashi. "Mihashi," Abe soothed, "what's wrong? You can talk to me about anything, you know that. What's got you so upset?"
To Abe's satisfaction the pitcher started to calm down. The catcher was beside himself with speculation. There was no way someone from Mihoshi could be at Nishiura, and in their game against Mihoshi Mihashi had patched things up with his old team. There was always Tadashi but how would he know where to find Mihashi and why would he risk it after what Abe did to him at the arcade?
Then it dawned on Abe. Maybe it wasn't something involving baseball. Mihashi's parents were generous, loving people. So it would only be natural that some sick misguided fate would do something to them. "Mihashi I, I wont be able to help if you don't tell me what happened." Abe was on the verge of joining Mihashi's silent breakdown. The pitcher's parents had been so good to Abe. He recalled what the pitcher's mom did for him after he took a fastball to the forehead, how courteous his dad always was to Abe. Every inch of the catcher ached in apprehension.
"So…cruel…" Mihashi whispered between quiet sobs.
Abe didn't know what to do. If something had happened to Mihashi's family then the catcher would break down just like Mihashi. "Calm down love, calm down," Abe tried again. He waited patiently while Mihashi steadied himself.
Slowly the sobs subsided. When the tears stopped flowing Abe lifted Mihashi's tear-streaked face. It pained Abe to see this. With a shaky voice he spoke to his love again. "Now Mihashi, t-tell me what ha-happened."
"H-he is s-so mean," Mihashi gasped in his old unsteady voice.
"Who?" Abe asked relief over his friend's family adding confidence in his voice.
Mihashi turned his head away. "You w-wouldn't w-want to know," Mihashi mumbled. "It'll only u-upset you."
"It'll be even worse if you don't tell me," Abe warned. Even at the meeting Mihashi was acting weird. He wouldn't tell Abe what was on his mind and now he's keeping more secrets from Abe.
The pitcher took a deep breath. "It's…Tajima."
"Tajima?" Abe asked. He had just seen the third baseman a few minutes ago leaving the locker room. Then again, Tajima did mention seeing Mihashi and it was after Tajima left that Sakaeguchi came to get Abe. "What did he do? Did he hurt you?"
Mihashi shook his head. "He didn't do anything. It's what he said."
"And what did he say?" Abe pried hoping to get the smaller boy to finally tell him.
"He…no it's stupid; it's not worth it." Abe glared at the pitcher. He hated it when Mihashi kept stuff from him. Abe was a sane and logical person, so what did Mihashi have to fear? It was Tajima after all he probably just went too far while joking around. "Tajima said I'm turning Nishiura into Mihoshi all over again."
That was unacceptable, simply malicious. Tajima knew better than to say that to Mihashi. Abe had spent the past six months trying to break Mihashi of his middle school curse. How could Tajima be so heartless? Abe had no idea what brought this sudden change in the third baseman. But he had to find out. "Mihashi, I'm going to go talk to Tajima. He's walking home right now I can catch up to him."
"Abe wait!" Mihashi tried to cut in.
But Abe ignored the interjection. "You'll be fine while I'm gone. Get changed and I'll meet you back here in a few minutes." Before Mihashi could stop the steely eyed catcher Abe strode away. He didn't want Mihashi to see the anger building behind his cold grey eyes. Tajima was way out of line and Abe had to set things straight.
Tajima wasn't on the normal path he took home. If he ran the third baseman could have been home, but intuition told Abe that wasn't the case. The frigid grounds were empty spare a few stragglers on their way to club activities. Abe paced the grounds in search any sign of the smaller teen, all the way letting his emotions stew driving himself into a greater and greater frenzy.
And there he was. Leaning up against the trunk of the massive oak tree near the baseball filed was Tajima uncharacteristically deep in thought. Abe had a few things for the catcher to think about and in his irrational mind he made a bee-line straight for the lone figure.
Crunching snow signaled Abe's arrival. Abe stopped a few feet from the smaller teen, fearing that if he came any closer he would do something stupid. The catcher waited for Tajima to look up. The seconds ticked by agonizingly slow as he waited.
Sensing that Tajima wouldn't acknowledge his presence until he spoke, Abe decided to start things off. "I heard what you said to Mihashi. Why would you say that? I thought you two were friends. Why? What changed?" Abe demanded.
At Abe's words the third baseman looked up. Fire unlike anything he had ever seen blazed deep in Tajima's eyes. "Why? You want to know why I said what I did to Mihashi?"
"Do you have any idea how he feels?" Abe inquired.
"Have you ever thought about how I felt? How I feel?" The third baseman shot back
Abe was taken aback by Tajima's tone. "How you felt? What are you talking about? How does that have any affect on what you said to Mihashi? We're supposed–"
"I love you, Abe Takaya," Tajima cut in angrily. "And you knew that. I've loved you months before you and Mihashi ever got together."
This pissed Abe off. "You're mad at me. So why did you take it out on Mihashi? He has nothing to do with this!"
"To get back at you!" Tajima yelled. "I got to you the only way I knew how. You don't pay any attention to me but you do to Mihashi!"
"If you have a problem with me then talk to me about it like a man. You don't have to be a pansy and pussyfoot around behind my back." Abe was matching Tajima word for word now. "I told you we could never happen, so why waste your time? Are you a dumbass or something?"
"Don't call me names, you douche. This is all your fault in the first place. You told me you weren't gay, and now you're dating a guy. That kinda sorta makes you gay, you retard."
Abe was beyond pissed now. If Tajima was going to bring up the past he should get it right. "Tajima you damn idiot. I never said I wasn't gay. I told you I don't feel the same way. There's a difference you little shit."
The feisty third baseman took a threatening step forward. Abe knew full well that Tajima was just as volatile as he was when mad. But Abe had size, reach, muscle, and something worth fighting for backing him. He glared down at his teammate. "Don't get yourself hurt," he challenged the smaller boy.
To Abe's surprise Tajima smirked. "Threatening me huh? Maybe it would have been better for Mihashi if you would've quit the team. Then maybe he could've found someone worth loving."
"Go ahead and insult me all you want, I don't care," Abe chided.
"Then again," Tajima continued, "if you're all he's got Mihashi must be stupider than we all thought."
Abe's face blanched of all color. He didn't care if Tajima insulted him. Deep down he agreed with some of what the smaller teen was saying. But to insult Mihashi was just beyond tolerable. "You bastard," the catcher growled. "You little fucker I told you not to talk about Mihashi." In two quick strides Abe closed the gap. Rage mangled the catcher's face choking off all logic.
Tajima stood now face to face with the larger teen and realized just how big Abe really was. He wasn't scared of the larger teen, but he also wasn't as stupid as people gave him credit for. Tajima realized now that even though he was still pissed off at the catcher, he might have pushed just a little too far.
The steely eyed catcher glared down at the third baseman. The idiotic expression on Tajima's face continued to fuel the rage taking control of Abe. He relished the feeling of loosing control, of letting his emotions guide his body instead of his mind. In pure instinct Abe raised his fist, cocking it behind his head. Tajima was too close for Abe to miss, and the smaller teen's head was right there waiting. Abe never thought about the consequences. No matter what happened afterward as long as Mihashi still loved him then it would all be worth it.
A yellow flashed flickered before Abe's eyes before he suddenly found himself looking at the sky instead of Tajima. Something heavy had his arms pinned to the ground preventing him from moving. Abe stared at whatever it was pinning him to the ground, completely taken aback. It took a few seconds for the catcher to recognize Mihashi laying on top of him preventing the steely eyed teen from moving. "Mihashi? What? Where did you come from?" He spluttered in shock.
"I heard you two arguing and ran over," the pitcher explained to his boyfriend.
As the bigger teen processed the information Mihashi rose to his feet. Turning to Tajima he locked eyes with third baseman who looked just as stunned as Abe. "Tajima, I heard what you two were saying. I was always watching Abe and saw how much you liked him."
"Mihashi, you…?" Abe trailed off.
"I'm not as dumb as everyone thinks," continued Mihashi. "I wasn't sure how Abe would react to your confession, or even if you would confess at all, but I wanted to give you the chance."
"Mihashi…" Tajima repeated.
The pitcher gave Tajima a smile laced with more sugar than confectionary before walking over and giving the third baseman a hug. "Tajima, you're still my friend and a part of the baseball club."
Abe was amazed at what he was seeing. Mihashi claimed to have heard the argument, which made sense because the pitcher was able to stop Abe from pounding the third baseman into nothingness. He also claimed to know that Tajima was infatuated with Abe and had been for a while, to the point where Mihashi actually put aside his own feelings so that Tajima would have his shot at Abe. The catcher's world had been shaken up. Tentatively he rose to his feet, hoping not to disturb the amends that Tajima and Mihashi were making. Now that Abe's brain was working again he started to process what had happened from a logical standpoint and silently prayed that he and Tajima could overcome their fight.
The smile remained on Mihashi's face as he pulled away from Tajima. The look on the third baseman's face told Abe that he wasn't expecting Mihashi's reaction either. "And Tajima," Mihashi murmured.
"Yes Mihashi?" The third baseman asked, mimicking the relaxed tone Mihashi used.
In one fluid motion Mihashi's hand arced from his side and slapped Tajima across the face. The surprise and force of the blow sent Tajima staggering. "Don't ever insult my boyfriend. You may be the baby in your family Tajima, but not out here. If you have something to say, then say it."
Never had Abe seen Mihashi act so confident, never had the pitcher stuck up for himself or anyone like that, and never had Abe loved Mihashi more. Abe looked in awe at his boyfriend, fighting the urge to kiss him then and there. He had to remind himself that Tajima, whom he had just had a fight with, was still there watching. So Abe settled with a simply holding Mihashi's hand, which to Abe's surprise was blazing hot.
An awkward silence ensued. Abe and Mihashi stood facing Tajima, both sides waiting for the other to make a move. The catcher, reverting back to his rational self, decided to end the silence. They were a team, they were friends, and from the bottom of Abe's heart he didn't want that to change. It was hard enough taking the gamble to be with Mihashi. "Tajima," Abe said, trying to summon the warmth simply being with Mihashi gave him and project it into his voice. "We're still teammates, and above all else still friends. I acted stupidly and I'm sorry. What do you say we put this behind us and go back to being friends?" Abe reluctantly let go of Mihashi's hand and stuck it out for Tajima.
Tajima looked at the hand Abe held out then at the couple standing before him. "I'm sorry Mihashi, Abe. I, I guess I just lost myself. I'm normally not this jealous but I guess seeing you two happy together sent me over the edge." Tajima grasped Abe's hand and did the same with Mihashi. "I hope you two can forgive me. I mean I'm no Nishihiro but that was pretty dumb of me."
"I acted pretty stupid too," Abe chimed in.
"But you had a reason. I just wanted some attention."
"You'll always be a friend Tajima," Mihashi added. "I just hope we can go back to being friends."
"I'll get over Abe soon enough. Hikari keeps telling me she's going to hook me up with one of her friends at in Saitama. She showed me a picture and he's pretty cute."
With that Abe and Mihashi bid Tajima farewell. As they walked toward the CD shop Abe reflected back over everything that happened and all of the questions he had built up inside. "Mihashi," Abe asked after they left the school grounds.
"Yes Abe?"
"What exactly did Tajima say to you?" Abe was curious. The third baseman never actually told Abe what he said.
Mihashi blushed. "It's nothing, don't worry about it."
"I'm just curious about it. He never did tell me. I swear I won't get mad," Abe said innocently.
Mihashi was silent for a second as he thought. Finally he asked "promise?"
"I promise," Abe replied.
"Well, he said that I was causing a rift in the team. He said that because I was going out with you I was driving the team apart with our drama."
This surprised Abe. "Really? And that's what set you off?"
The pitcher shook his head. "No. I was crying because not only was I hurt that he would say something like that to me, but I was mad that…never mind." He concluded, leaving Abe in the dark.
"Mad at what Mihashi?" Abe asked.
Mihashi shook his head again. "You don't wanna hear it. It's nothing important."
Abe let out a loud sigh. "I hate it when you do that you know. If you're thinking it then I want to hear it."
A deep scarlet blush crept over the pitcher's face. "S-sorry Abe," Mihashi replied. "It's just that I was mad because, well…" Mihashi took a deep breath, preparing himself for the worst. "Because it's you. I was mad because he was blaming you. And whenever I get mad I start to cry, it's so embarrassing."
Words failed Abe. It was a foreign feeling, being taken care of by someone else. Abe was always the one doing the parenting and yet here was "meek little Mihashi" fighting to the point of tears all for Abe. It was a humbling feeling for the catcher, knowing that someone besides his parents needed him, wanted him, strived for Abe and him alone.
Abe turned to the pitcher. He moved his mouth, trying in vain to form the words his heart was speaking. But all that came out were gasps and shadows of the poetry ringing inside him. So Abe did the only thing he could think of. Standing on the corner with the gently falling snow swirling around them Abe embraced his lover. With feverish desire Abe attacked Mihashi's lips. In an instant both boys dropped their bags. Mihashi's arm shot around the small of Abe's back pulling the larger catcher closer to his love. Abe responded by slipping his tong past Mihashi's lips invading the smaller teen's cavity, dominating their kiss. Abe continued forward until he had Mihashi pinned against the wall of the CD store. The two boys continued their attacks; Mihashi's hands exploring every inch of Abe's back while Abe's tong caressed each nook and cranny of the pitcher's mouth. The two were oblivious to the world. All Abe knew, the one solid and undeniable fact, was that he was completely and utterly in love with Mihashi Ren, and he wanted nothing to change.
After a minute of intense excitement their need for air trumped all other needs. When they split Abe was hyperaware of Mihashi's hands; one of which was sliding up the skin of his back sending shivers of pleasure quaking through his body while the other was firmly squeezing Abe's right butt cheek just over his boxers. Abe's hands however weren't much better. His left had slipped under the pitcher's shirt and traveled half way up the smaller teen's stomach effectively lifting Mihashi's shirt off. Abe's other arm was cushioning Mihashi's back while his hand had a handful of the dirty blond spikes.
The two looked at each other and blushed before lithely slipping apart, adding conservative space between the two lovers. Both had lust etched in their faces and pure love in their eyes. "Um, maybe we should get going," Abe said, realizing that they were still in public.
"Y-yeah, good idea," Mihashi concurred. "Where to?"
Abe thought for a moment. He knew for a fact his mind was nothing but a hormone soup, bust he still decided to act on his feelings. "My parents are at work and my brother's at a friend's house. We could go there?"
Mihashi knew fully the implications in the catcher's words. He knew, and agreed whole heartedly. "Sure, just let me run home to take a shower."
A coy grin erupted on Abe's face, accompanying the strawberry blush. "You could take one at my house."
So what do you guys think? I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this chapter and then the idea for Tajima hit me. Anyway, I'm debating on doing one of three things. First is to end the story where it is and call it good; second is to continue on and make it longer. Third is to write a sequel. Any thoughts??