Updates: 4/28/2013

11. Pitching to Contact

The few remaining games of the season passed by in a relaxed atmosphere. Even the Unicorn herd had pretty much decided that Jack was OK … if fair game for ego deflation. The fans, naturally, were completely in love with Jack, chanting K-King whenever they saw him.

There were also plenty of calls of "Hey Prof!" when they saw Yusei because his average was climbing north of .325.

Yusei enjoyed the extra attention, but the routine kept everyone so busy that he hardly got a chance to relax. … Or see much of Jack, and he really wanted a chance to talk to him, really talk to him again.

But things were going in the right direction for them again, and that meant … his distraction was back. Only … now it didn't seem to mess up his game so much somehow.

"Hey, I say we have a guy's night out after tonight's game," called Yusei as Jack trotted near during laps while the infield was taking fielding practice.

"I'm in," Jack huffed.

Crow scooped up a grounder and flipped it to Yusei a step or two away at second and breathed, "Are you sure you wouldn't rather a boy's night in?"

"Hey, you're coming too …"

"Good point, that."

After an 8-3 laugher, the three stopped at the sports bar for a beer. "Jack, Kaz told me you were really good at pool."

"Yeah … billiards, pool, snooker, 8-ball, all that sort of thing."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well, it's not as though we've had a whole lot of time to tell each other our life stories and—"

"This I've gotta see."

"But … I don't brute this sort of thing around. You see … in Satellite …"

"Kaz said something about—"

"Yeah … I …" Jack looked embarrassed. "I was sorta … on the streets for a while, when I was in high school. I needed to make some cash somehow … so …"

Yusei's jaw dropped.

Jack shrugged. "It was either that or …" He didn't elaborate. Yusei didn't even want to think what the alternative to gambling was, but he thought he had a pretty good idea.

"Jack …" No wonder he didn't want to talk about Satellite.

Jack smiled. "It's all over, Yusei. I'm a rich pitcher now. Let's not look back."

Crow had a couple of cues. "OK, I'm challenging you."

"I'd really rather not …"

"I insist."

"One game. One. No bets."

"A beer."

"OK. That's all."

"I'm warning you, Crow's not bad."

"Not bad isn't good enough," said Jack. "I'm out of practice, but …" He shrugged. "Go ahead and break, Crow. Otherwise, you won't have a chance."

Crow had an excellent run, but eventually missed, allowing Jack to take over. Jack stepped in and began to give a clinic, quickly and efficiently pocketing the balls in order.

"Man, that was a thing of beauty!" admitted Crow. "Here's your beer. It was worth it!"

"Thanks … that wasn't anything special," Jack said. "None of the shots were all that difficult."

"You should show me some of your trick shots some time," smiled Yusei. He felt a slight flush touch his cheeks, though he didn't understand why it should. He was just so happy to be with Jack, and Jack seemed so relaxed and happy.

Kaz stepped by their table, beer in hand, and Jack said, "Want to join?"

"Sure, just for a minute though. I'm joining the herd to go to the club. We've got to hurry if we want to get home in time to get our rest in. What we do for the game, I tell you."

"No kidding."

"It really puts a kink in one's social life. Speaking of, where's the girlfriend, Jack?"

"Carly? She's so busy on her current story that she hardly thinks about me right now," he said with a trace of irony. He shrugged. "We're pretty much on hold until the end of the season anyway."

"Really? That's too bad. You're such a cute couple."

Yusei cringed inwardly and looked at Jack. His poker face hadn't changed, but there was a flicker in those violet eyes of his that made Yusei want to search them.

"Thanks," Jack said, and then put on a shameless grin. "I'd like to think any couple I'm part of is automatically cute."

While they were all laughing and ribbing Jack for that remark, the Unicorn herd showed. "Night's not getting any younger," reminded Jean.

"Gotta go," said Kaz. "I'll see you at the homestead, Jack."

"No problem."

"Speaking of the homestead, would you like to swing by my place and hang out?" said Crow. "Videos, games, food, stupidity … everything a ballplayer needs for serious time off."

"You had me at videos," said Yusei.

"Damn, you're easy," remarked Jack.

"When the right guy's asking—" Yusei said, then clapped a hand over his mouth. "Did I just say that?"

Jack's poker face had cracked and he was grinning outright at Yusei, amethyst eyes sparkling.

"I do believe you did. Wish I had that on tape," said Crow. "I'd give Jack a copy."

The three headed out the door for Crow's place, laughing amongst themselves.

"So this is your place," Jack commented, looking around.

"Yeah, make yourself at home," said Crow.

"It's … big."

"Heh, heh … yeah," Crow said, a little embarrassed. "I'm planning ahead. I want to fill the place with kids."

"Have you talked to Aki about that yet?" asked Yusei.

Crow reddened a little. "We've … sorta … We've talked a little, but … She knows I want to adopt a lot of kids, so it's not going to be all up to her, even if we get married, and … it's not like I'm not putting away the bucks right now … and … She's got the brains to invest it so—"

"Honest Crow, I'm not trying to give you the third degree!"

"Yeah, well, I've given it some thought …"

"Apparently …"

"This hasn't come up before?" asked Jack. "I mean, I thought you guys were tight."

"Uh, we don't generally talk about kids," said Yusei.

"Or Aki … see, she used to kinda …"

"She was interested in me for a while," said Yusei, blushing. "We met her in high school, you see."

"Oh, I see. Does … does she—"

"She knows about me, yeah, and she won't say anything. If you want to let her in on the secret, she won't say anything, I promise. It would make things easier if … if we wanted to get together." Yusei scowled. "Damn sports, anyway."

He and Jack shared a look. "Come here," Jack said.

Yusei stepped forward and Jack pulled him into an embrace.

"Lemme rustle up some snacks," mumbled Crow. "Yusei, bring Jack down into the den when you're ready. Remember we can't stay up too late, we're still on orders to get our rest."

"Mmm-hmm," Yusei only half-heard Crow. It felt so good to have Jack's arms around him.

Jack glanced toward the door to make sure Crow was gone and leaned down, softly pressing his lips to Yusei's. "Another down payment, Yus," he said. "I've missed you. Did I mention that?"

"I think you mentioned something about that, but … we've barely talked. I mean, really talked."

"See how special you are to me?"

… special … ?

Yusei's heart leapt and he followed it, throwing his arms around Jack's neck, surprising him and causing him to stumble backward a couple of steps. "Am I really?" he asked, nuzzling Jack's neck. Jack struggled to support him. "Am I really special to you?"

"Yes … why … ? Oh … Oh." Jack seemed to realize what Yusei was asking and became a little more thoughtful. "Yeah, I … I guess … I think that … wow. Things really are changing for me. Is that … Is it OK? Are you ready for that? Can you feel serious about me?"

"Jack … I am serious about you. I want to be special to you. I want us to be … us."

"Yusei, I …" One of his hands found its way into Yusei's wild hair to pull him into an even softer kiss. "Me too. … I … I think we'd better find that den …"

"Oh, yeah … right, Crow will think I forgot the way …" He laughed.

"Or he'll think we decided to just make out in the hallway." He let Yusei down.

Yusei laughed again, taking Jack's hand and starting to guide him down toward the den.

"Not that I'm not tempted," Jack continued, "but … we really don't have the time to do anything until after the season … not properly, anyway."

"I guess not …"

"I know … but I'll make it worth the wait, I promise."

Yusei knew that Jack was right, hurrying would leave them feeling rushed and frustrated, but still …

It was hard to wait. There was the playoffs, and then … hopefully … the series. And then …

"Glad you finally came down here!" said Crow. "You like martial arts, right, Jack? How about Hero?"

"Sure." He and Yusei plopped down into Crow's sectional sofa. It was deep and inviting. Yusei hadn't remembered how soft and yielding it was. He and Jack cuddled together to watch and found that it was very difficult to keep his attention on the movie.

Part way thorough, Jack noticed that Crow had started to nod off and pulled Yusei into his lap despite having his hands playfully slapped at. "No one's going to notice. If it's uncomfortable, say something," he whispered.

What was Yusei going to say? He only wished he was even more distracted from the movie. He pressed himself against Jack's chest with his arms linked around Jack's neck and his face against Jack's shoulder, but who cares? He could always watch the movie later. This was heaven.

As the movie was reaching its climax, Yusei heard a yawn. Then, "I do have a guest room, you know."

"We're fine."

"I don't know if I am. Just because I'm fine with this doesn't mean I want lessons, Yusei."

"We're not doing anything."

"You look like you really want to start, though."

"Well, I sorta do, but we can't really, not yet, so … sorry, dude, you're our chaperone."

"Fine, just don't do the wild thing right on the couch, OK?"

"Would I do that to you?"

"I don't think so … don't know about Mr Confidence there."

"You mean Mr Closeted?"

"I don't see you scheduling any press conferences, Yusei," said Jack a little sleepily.

"Urk … Watch the movie," Yusei said, planting a kiss on Jack's Adam's apple.

The movie ended and it was late. Yusei decided to stay over at Crow's house, but Jack headed on back to Kaz's. He and Yusei untangled with difficulty.

"This is a great season," Yusei said at the door "… the best ever, in more ways than one. And … funny as it seems, I can't wait until it's over."

"I know, but … you need to enjoy the post season … however far we go. People can go their whole careers and never get the chance. Let's make the most of it. You'll do great!"

"And you—" In the shadows like this, Jack's eyes looked dark purple. "You're always magnificent. It's like you put your whole soul into the game. Jack … you inspire me to work harder, to prepare better. To become a better ballplayer." He scowled. "It sounds so corny."

Jack reached out and traced Yusei's jaw with his fingers. "No, it … it sounds just right. It sounds …"

Whatever he was going to say was lost as Jack leaned forward and stole one last, gentle kiss and then quickly turned and walked away swiftly, as though reluctant to linger.

Yusei watched him go, then closed the door, turned, and leaned against it.

"I'm nuts," he said to himself. "Completely insane."

"I heard the door," said Crow. "You finally managed to tear yourselves away from each other? Damn but you guys make a cute couple. And they say he and Carly are cute. Ha! Shows what they know."

"Did I ever tell you that you're the best friend ever, Crow?"

The other team in the league playoffs were the Vikings, naturally. The Dragons couldn't wait to face them, they were so upbeat and confident.

And why not? They were on a roll.

There were a couple of days off before the series started and Godwin insisted on a dinner meeting with his young client. Jack wasn't particularly eager for the meeting, but accepted.

Again, it was at a fancy steakhouse. Jack thought how much he'd rather be here with Yusei, making plans for their future together, instead of sitting here wondering what Godwin wanted from him.

Bleh.

He tried to enjoy his salad despite the side of bleh.

"This season has been great for you. Did you see your final ERA?"

"It's around 1.80. I can do better."

Godwin laughed. "Better! That's my boy! I'll tell that to them when I negotiate."

"Negotiate?"

"Yeah, your contract is going to be ripe for re-negotiation soon. Didn't I say something about that?"

"It's not going to mean another trade is it? I just got used to this team. It wasn't that easy, either—"

"Don't tell me you're attached."

"No …" He shrugged. "It's just a bother to get settled over and over. Plus I don't want to get a reputation as a journeyman. That can be trouble even if you're top talent. Maybe especially then."

"Why don't you let me worry about the management while you worry about being the best possible pitcher you can be. Looks like we're a damn good team so far."

"Yeah … you're right …"

"Now, about that girlfriend …"

"Do we need to talk about that? I talked to her and she doesn't want to decide anything until after the season. It's not like things are going to change. But, Godwin, it's not like I can exactly … you know how things are. What do you want me to do about it?"

"You're doing fine. I'm not asking you to do anything drastic. I'm just want you to be honest with yourself. And with me. Do you think you can do that?"

"Yeah, I can," Jack said. After the season. When I have a new agent, I'll tell you all about it.

The thought made him feel so much better that he felt good enough to eat his steak.

Author's notes:

4/28/2013: Corrected italic; changed to to on.

Comin' into the home stretch ... Thanks to everyone who's stuck with me thus far. I feel like things are coming together a little slowly, but I hope you will enjoy the climax of the story!

pitching to contact: A pitcher is said to pitch to contact when he wants the batter to make contact with the ball, hopefully weakly for outs (rather than trying for a strikeout). This can take fewer pitches.

his average was climbing north of .325: If Yusei's batting average is over .325, it's probably good enough to place him in the top 10 for the season.

You're such a cute couple: Yeah, in reality I don't see guys bandying this phrase about all that much, but ... what the hell.

Crow dating Aki: Not really a couple I see that easily, but ... I didn't really want to create an OC for this purpose, plus there was the prior connection with Yusei.

It's [his ERA] around 1.80: In other words, insanely good. Naturally Jack thinks he can do better.

Guess what? I have a preview for you!

Yusei stood up and turned toward the door only to have a paper thrust into his chest.

"Did you see this?!" exclaimed an irate redhead.

"What?!∙!" screeched the shortstop. "Jack—!"

"Guess not."