Burning Hearts

The practice match went fairly well with Kunikuzushis team winning thanks to Kunis and Ajaxes performance. But Aether performed very well despite the break he took. He was an amazing shooting guard for the team and had adjusted well despite playing with the guys for the first time. He had helped the team score most points but Kunikuzushi was an outstanding Power forward with Ajax being an aggressive point guard that they ended up winning with a score of 31 to 24.

"I am delighted that you have not lost your touch Kuni," The coach patted Kunikuzushis back laughing in delight, "And you young man, you have done an amazing job and in no time, you will be the ace." he patted Aether in the back as well.

"Oh umm thank you," Aether blushed with praise and started staring at the ground with interest.

Kunikuzushi chuckled at his reaction and ruffled his hair affectionately, "I did not expect you to do this good."

"Ugh stop, you are ruining my hair" Aether said, swatting his hand away.

"Hey man you did well, can't wait to play with you again." Aether other teammate, Theo approached Aether and swung his arm around Aether's shoulders that made Kunikuzushi frown.

"Umm thanks," Aether looked a bit shy so Kunikuzushi grabbed his hand and said, " Well we have plans so we have to go." which earned a surprised look from Aether but he ignored it and went on his way. He was making his way towards the way back when the coach called out to them.

"See you guys on Monday for a practice match at 9 am, don't be late."

"Yes sir!" Aether replied and bowed while Kuni just gave a thumbs up and kept walking.

"You look happy." Kuni commented on their walk back to the university.

"Yess," Aether said with joy, "I don't know but I am happy to play as I liked basketball and it kept me fit you know."

Kuni looked at Aether from head to toe and commented, "You look pretty fit to me." Aether had a small frame but he looked sturdy. His overall body complimented his pretty face and damn, he was totally Kinis type.

"No I am not," Aether sighed, " I rarely workout but what about you? It looks like you workout well."

"Hmm I workout and jog every morning." Kuni agreed, blushing as Aether suddenly started feeling his arms.

"Oh you lift weights? Your arms are pretty nice."

"Cough, yeah thanks." Kuni did not know what to say so he played it cool by pretending that Aether holding his arm with both of his hands does not make Kuni stomach do somersaults.

"By the way," Aether started as they made their way towards the cafe in the university, "I was wondering if you can help me practice basketball a bit."

"Why?"

"Well I am not that good and I want to improve," Aether said with determination.

"Hmm sure," Kuni pretended to think about it but internally he was happy to spend more time with Aether, "When should we schedule our practices?"

"Probably after the classes. What about 4Pm onwards? My last class ends at 4."

"Sure thing"

They were done with their classes today so Kuni does not know why they are in a cafe having coffee but he does not complain, after all, he's willing to follow Aether to the depths of hell.

.

.

.

"Another one!" Kuni laughs as he easily dumps the ball into the basket.

"Ugh you jump so well." Aether huffs with his hands resting on his waist.

They have been playing basketball for an hour and they are beat. Aether plays fairly well and Kuni has been showing him the ropes around the court. Kuni realised that they make a great duo if they play basketball together in teams due to Aethers flexibility and Kunis power.

"I'm done, Imma lay down." Aether comments as he lays on the field and pats the area beside him, "Come join me."

Kuni decides to lay face up beside Aether, looking at the clear blue sky. Kuni wonders about how far they have come. They started as rivals but now look at them playing basketball and lying down on the grass, enjoying the weather. Who could have predicted that they would end up as friends.

Love was never an emotion he thought he could feel again, his heart was crushed into so many pieces that nothing was left of it. So this strange emotion he felt in the presence of Aether bothered him to his core that it took a shape of rivalry but now he knew what this emotion was, it was his love and care of Aether that he had a hard time accepting.

"What are you doing this weekend?" Aether broke the silence and looked at Kuni.

"Nothing."

"Would you mind practising with me? I don't want to lose the match."

"It's cute how serious you are taking this."

"I'm just competitive."

"Same place?"

"Same place."

Kuni actually really likes playing with Aether, he is a good player that doesn't bore him and is an eye candy for Kuni so it's a win-win situation for him. Hopefully, Aether would not notice his stares and his 'on so accidental' bumps.

Aether is a nervous mess when the match day rolls around, he had been pacing the changing room for quite some time already.

"Loosen up comrade." Ajax swung his arm around Aether and ruffled his hair, gaining a scowl from Kuni, Ajax just grinned at him meaningfully.

"You guys are up!" The coach called out to them and they marched towards the ground.

"We got this." Kuni patted Aether on back and gave him the tiny smile that was barely noticeable but it worked as Aether smiled back and nodded.

The match was fun despite their opponents being too passionate, Kuni and Aether performed perfectly and their rhythm matched as if they were dancing with the ball.

Kuni successfully slam dunks another score thanks to Aether's decoy, Aether gestures to Kuni for a high five that he returns happily. They are enjoying the game so far but little did they know that the opponent team is scheming something against them quietly.

Just as Kuni is about to score, a guy from the opposing team bumps into him subtly pretending to get the ball.

"Foul." Kuni looks at the referee but is met with a deny.

"Don't mind, don't mind." Ajax pats him while Aether smiles at him saying "Must be a one time thing, we'll get the next one."

Turns out that this was not a one time thing, the players of the opposing team kept bumping or tripping their team but the referee signalled only a single loose ball foul. But things started escalating as they reached the match point.

Kuni got injured while chasing the ball as a player decided to trip him and he fell hard on his chin, his tongue caught up in the impact and started bleeding.

"Fuck!" Kuni said as Aether helped him stand, his knees were all scratched too due to aggressive contact with the ground and were bleeding.

This thankfully earned a flagrant foul from the referee and earned them a free throw opportunity.

"We should get you to the infirmary." Aether said to Kuni, looking at him with worry in his eyes.

"Let's get this over with first, I am fine and we have a match point." Kuni said, giving Aether a barely noticeable reassuring smile.

Aether nodded and grabbed the ball to score. Everything went still as he easily scored the final point for the team, winning the match. But before they could celebrate, Aether announced that he will take Kuni to the infirmary.

"I am okay."

"No you are obviously not!" Aether grabbed his hand and started walking towards the nurse office while Ajax grinned at Kuni and gave him a thumbs up.

In the infirmary, just as the nurse was about to clean his knee scratches, another student came in with a head injury, bleeding profoundly.

Seeing the nurse's confusion on who to attend first, Aether interjected, smiling, "I can take care of my friend, I have done a first aid course." She said her thanks and gave Aether the supplies to use and went to the severely bleeding student.

"What else have you done mister perfect?" Kuni raised his eyebrows at him, earning a laugh.

"Well" Aether sat on his knees to tend to his scratches, "I like learning so I enrol in whatever courses that are being offered." he softly cleaned his wounds and dressed them with trained accuracy.

"So, a perfectionist?" Kuni asked, fondly looking at Aethers head, wanting to feel them under his hands but he shook the thought out of his mind.

"I guess?" Aether replies and finishes patching his knees up, "There you go."

"Mhm not bad."

"Now open your mouth."

"Ex-excuse me?" Kuni asked flustered.

"Open your mouth? I need to apply this on your tongue." Aether waved around a soothing gel in his hands.

"I can do it myself."

"Without knowing where to apply it? I don't think so."

"Just give it to me."

Aether closed the distance between them and grabbed Kunis' chin, a portion of gel in his other hand's finger and said, "Don't argue and show me your tongue."

That made Kuni shut up and obediently follow Aethers order, he felt the argument die on his lips, too distracted by Aethers beauty.

Aether gently applied it on his cut, Kuni could not help but stare at Aethers well defined lips, if he moved just a bit he could-

"Great, we are done." Aether said moving back and putting the things away, "You should rest up, don't move for now. I'll go grab some drinks"

Kuni stared at Aether's retreating figure and groaned to himself, lying down on the bed. He put his arms over is eyes, a soft blush on his face, "Fuck me." he mumbles, trying to calm his hammering heart with soft breaths. He has fallen so hard, it's no use getting back up.

Aether returns with some drinks in his hands and tosses one to Kuni, its mango flavored milk. "Thanks," Kuni mumbles.

"How are you getting home?"Aether asks him to sip his own banana milk.

"By foot?"

"You literally injured your knees."

"It's okay, it's not that serious."

"What do you mean by that? Nevermind, I'll be taking you home."

"Uhh that's a bit of an overreaction."

"Sure anyways, when are you going back? I have no classes for today."

"Me too, I'll go after drinking this."

"Okay, let me call a taxi over." without hearing Kuni's reply, Aether went out to grab a taxi. And after a moment, he's helping Kuni get in the taxi to go home.