Hello everyone in reader-ville. I'm glad to be back with another one-shot to add to my mix. I was happy to see so many people viewing this story and I want to thank everyone who has done as such. I also want to thank anyone who reviewed/followed/and-or/favorited this little bit of fun here.

In an answer to a question via review, I wanted to say; yes, this collection will have other characters. I will most likely make it just two characters at a time since the stories are so short. While Takumi and Gii will appear in most of the stories, I do have one Misu and Shingyoji planned. If I continue in order that one will be number seven on the list.

I also wanted to mention that these stories are in random order, so I may jump around between the second and third years of their schooling. I am debating jumping ahead to when they are in uni or possibly older. Not sure as of this moment.

Thanks for dropping by. I'll shut up now. Enjoy!

/GG/

Takumi-Kun Series

On Equal Ground

Second Year (After the hookup)

The sun beat shown down like a soft kiss from a lover atop his skin as he sat on a stone wall watching a few peers play football. The white and black sphere turned almost gray when kicked in any direction due to the force. Each time Gii's foot came into contact with the article Takumi's heart palpitated as he watched the one he'd given his heart to speed through the defenses toward the correct goal. He, himself, would never be able to play the sport as well as Gii. To him a soccer ball was as foreign as tatami mats were to an American.

That didn't stop him from observing how much each of the players enjoyed chasing after the ball. Everyone's face was alight with a smile, but none shone more brightly than Gii's. While he observed everyone else's faces in passing, no matter what he did, his eyes were always brought back to the handsome face of his roommate.

"He's good at football," Akaike mused, glancing up from his notebook ever so slightly.

"Mhn," came a quiet response. Takumi was a little caught up on how each day he'd seen the other male play a different sport. Gii was always asked by clubs to participate in their practices and since he had trouble turning down the invitation, both boys usually spent the nice days on a playing field or the not so nice days in the billiard room. Hayama didn't really mind as long as he could be near his lover. "He's good at everything, Akaike-kun. Sometimes it makes me feel a little inadequate."

"I don't really think he cares all that much about your sporting ability, Hayama-kun. Gii cares for you just the way you are."

Takumi nodded in response to the very true statement. Though he'd never want to admit such a thing, he knew that he had the campus star wrapped around his little finger. Of course he'd never do anything to abuse such power. He'd made a deal with himself that if such a thing occurred he'd not only break up with Gii, but he'd insist on changing rooms. That kind of power was something no one should have over another person.

A loud cheer erupted from the grounds as Gii scored another goal for the team he'd been assigned. Takumi smiled eagerly at the happenings on the field. Even the other team was gathered around the beautiful man; congratulating him and asking for tips. In a way the shy individual was envious at how well Gii related to people and made friends.

"No matter who he's with, he seems like he's part of the group. It makes me wonder why he'd choose to get close to someone like me."

Akaike put his book down and gazed intently at his friend. "He chose you because he feels something for you that he feels for no one else." The response was matter-of-fact, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Don't wonder on something like that, Hayama-kun. All you'll do is get foolhardy thoughts in your head."

"I know, but it still doesn't help that he's so accomplished at everything. There has to be a better match out there for him than me," he answered, completely dejected, indicating that those senseless thoughts had started to grow in his brain.

He watched as Gii switched sides to continue playing and again took command of the ball like it was part of his own anatomy. No one could nab the football from Gii no matter how hard they tried. After a few more seconds of running with it he eventually passed it to one of the less skillful players. Said boy was a little taken aback at first, but then ran with all of his might toward the goal; Gii keeping anyone out of the boy's path.

There he was, not only scoring goals himself, but helping the least of the team feel special as well. He does that for me, too, Takumi thought. Does that mean that I am just the same as everyone else? Moments after that thought he locked eyes with his match from across the way. Gii mouthed that he loved Takumi, causing the slighter boy to blush, but neither broke the gaze until the team jumped on Gii like he was the world's gift to soccer. Takumi looked over to see that the other player had scored a goal with Saki Giichi's assistance. It made him smile that someone like that was in his life.

"Do you think he treats me any differently than everyone else?"

Akaike chortled at this comment and shook his head in amazement. Hayama really needed to work on his self-esteem a little.

"While I'm going to claim ignorance on your activities that are inappropriate for this institution, I will say that I'm sure Saki Giichi-kun has yet to do that with anyone other than you. That in and of itself means that he treats you differently than everyone; not just at the school but in the world."

Another blush snaked its way across Takumi's face at the mention of intimacy. He was sure Akaike would have to turn them in for actions that were unbefitting of a high-class school, if he actually acknowledged they were occurring. Takumi was glad Akaike-kun was able to keep personal details of another's life to himself rather than expose them to others. If he'd already spoken up then Takumi and Giichi would have been separated as well as punished severely.

"I won't delve further into that topic, but I will say this: maybe you should think of all the ways you outshine that man out there," he said, indicating Gii, who was in the process of saying good-bye to the other soccer players.

Takumi looked a little bewildered at such a thought. "I don't get what you mean, Akaike-kun."

The other boy nodded. "You are a much better violin player than he is, correct?"

"Mhn," Takumi admitted.

"So that means that while my best friend might be good at a lot of things, you are better at violin than he is, and you'll always be better."

Those words hit home and Hayama's eyes widened as if stumbling upon the biggest realization in history. Akaike spoke the truth; he'd always be better at playing the violin than his lover. No matter how hard Gii might try, he'd never come close to the level he was at, even after not playing for years.

Hayama Takumi looked over at Gii, who was running toward them, a smile plastered on his sweaty face. The sun behind him created rays of light and made the man look like an angel. Saki Giichi may have been unequaled when it came to most, but Takumi had that one sliver of perfection that he too could be proud of. He returned the smile, which without his knowledge, was actually something that tied them on equal ground.