log: Atobe & Shiraishi - token number 2

[kanpekikura]

Who: Atobe Keigo & Shiraishi Kuranosuke
Where: Common room
When: 6th August
Rating: PG
Summary: Shiraishi comes for another token before his match against Yukimura.

In the 2nd round of the tournament, Shiraishi, despite paying the daily visit to Atobe’s bedroom to see how he was doing, didn’t ask for a token. The match was against Ootori and the younger boy being Atobe’s kouhai, he found it inappropriate. However, after the victory and his shower a, still late afternoon, once he found out he would definitely be playing Yukimura, he went looking for the Hyoutei buchou.

The Osakan didn’t even stop to ask why, because he had spent a few hours in the past few nights trying to figure out why Atobe had latched onto his mind. Whenever he wasn’t busy with something else, there he was, touching his knee, playing with his hair, kissing his cheek, speaking in that way only he spoke. It made him smile. Shiraishi opt not to question the hows and whys.

After trying the bedroom to no avail and deciding he wanted a snack, Shiraishi walked past the common room, just to see the one he was looking for behind the piano. He smiled, the hunger forgotten for now, and approached him.

Running his fingers over the keys Atobe was lost in thought. Stray notes filled the air, winding together into a slow, pondering melody. After the game and Echizen's little revelation he had had a rather frustrating discussion with Yuushi about how to handle things from here on out. Not to mention that both Shishido and Ootori had been defeated, meaning that no Hyoutei player was left to oppose the four (!) Rikkai players. So he had sought solace in his old companion - music.

Shiraishi was good at perceiving a person’s aura, and Atobe’s seemed different from that morning. He took his time to approach, not wanting to disturb him at once, but maybe so that Atobe noticed him slowly. Picking up a Japanese newspaper that was lying around, he sat on the sofa, just across the piano. He opened it but did not read, instead he watched the other and wondered what happened, besides tennis that gotten him like that.

Lost in thought as he may have been there was always a part of Atobe that was on the look-out, registering things most people would ignore. As such it wasn't surprising that he wasn't startled to see Shiraishi when he closed the lid of the piano and raised his head to glance over at the couch. "Congratulations on your win Shiraishi." He said without preamble. "It seems you will have your chance with Yukimura tomorrow."

“Thank you,” he said simply, scooting to the corner of the sofa and an invitation for the other to join him. “He is very strong, that Ootori-kun,” and that wasn’t just an empty compliment, Shiraishi did struggle to find a way to return those serves and he even thought he was going to lose a few times. “Tomorrow...” he paused and looked down at the newspaper, folding it and throwing it back on the table, “... might be the day” I realise my perfect tennis might not be so perfect, “I’ll confirm that Yukimura’s yips doesn’t work on me.”

"He still has room to improve." Atobe pointed out, though he didn't hold Ootori's loss against the second year. "You played a good game." Getting up he slipped past the piano, considering for a moment before taking the offered seat on the couch and turning toward Shiraishi. "Have you played him before?"

“Yukimura?” Shiraishi turned his body, slipping his feet off his slippers and bringing his leg up to rest on the sofa. “Never. Although I’ve kept my eyes on him since junior high, when he beat Kintaro before the final match. You weren’t there,” he pointed out, memory as clear as day. “He will cause me a lot of trouble.”

Atobe had no doubt about that - if anything trouble seemed to be Yukimura's second name - somehow fitting for the so called child of god. "Do you think you can win against him?" To be honest he really wouldn't mind seeing Yukimura lose for once, even if he wasn't the one actually doing it.

Shiraishi sighed thoughtful, touching his temple. “I don’t think he ever played someone like me before. He is used to stravagante displays. I understand if someone works hard to develop their movements and their shots, techniques, then to see them broken without any struggle. It’s disheartening.” It didn’t exactly answered Atobe’s question, so he continued, “To be able to do that alone requires great skill. Skill that I do not possess, I’m afraid, not to that extent.” He was actually preoccupied, but was doing his best not to show. “Either way, I believe I’m good enough to have a chance.”

“Then I hope to see you make the most of that chance.” Atobe nodded then raised an eyebrow at Shiraishi. “But there is something else on your mind.” He remarked, gesturing with his hand. “Care to share?”

“In my mind?” There were many things and one of them was why Atobe had such a murky aura about him. Shiraishi considered sharing more of his own worries about the match. He also considered sharing his desire to ask for a special token, but instead, as he reached to massage his own neck, he decided to ask rather than answer. “I believe there is something else in your mind.”

“Hm?” Considering it Atobe rolled his eyes in a leisurely shrug. “Just a few little issues with my team.” He offered. “And of course the results of the tournament are all rather disappointing.” Slipping his own slippers off he curled both legs under him. “It seems the heat has gone to head of some.”

Shiraishi watched him carefully. He wanted to say that captains always had team issues, but it couldn’t be just a normal issue of it had thrown Atobe in such a fashion. Of course, he didn’t know Atobe all that well, but he didn’t seem the type to lose his focus to a minor problem. Nevertheless, the Osakan offered a gentle smile and leaned his head on the sofa slightly. “And what kind of heat is that?”

“I leave that open to interpretation.” Atobe retorted, lips quirking in the first hint of amusement. “For now I am just hoping it will pass in due time.” Propping his arm up on the backrest of the couch he gave Shiraishi a thoughtful look “Though I suppose you know the affliction I mean.”

It did not take Shiraishi too long to find the memory he believed Atobe was referring to. "I believe I do," the great first moment they had that was ruined by a bunch of the other's team members and Echizen. "I take the matter has worsened?"

“In a way.” Atobe sighed. “Though I suppose you could say the difference in opinion has simply become more obvious.” He was still frustrated that nobody thought he could be objective where Ryoma was concerned - certainly the first year had a way of being annoying without even trying, and he dared anybody not to find being referred to as monkey king irritating - but he could acknowledge the boy’s talent in tennis. Plus being warned off of talking with one of his oldest friends by the rest of the team had done nothing to lift his spirits. “But lets not talk about this any longer.”

The Osakan wouldn’t have minded. He praised himself for being a good listener and if Atobe needed he was all ears. However, maybe the other was just too tired to hear to yet another potential different opinion. Shiraishi wasn’t sure it would be that different. He has a younger sister after all, and he wouldn’t not want her near Echizen. “Let’s not then,” he complied offering another smiled, “let’s instead talk about you and I.”

“My, what an interesting change in topic.” Atobe remarked then gestured for Shiraishi to continue.”Do tell me what that you would like to talk about?” He gave Shiraishi an encouraging look.

Shiraishi laughed a little. He rather enjoyed at Atobe’s gestures for some reason. “I’m good at that,” he replied and and pulled the other leg to the sofa and crossed it. “My match tomorrow,” he started with a soft smile, “it won’t be easy. After my shower I found myself unconsciously seeking you out for a victory token.”

“Ah?” Pursing his lips Atobe considered it the nodded. “Another token - yes I think that would be possible.” He allowed. “The same as before?” He leaned in closer, angling for Shiraishi’s cheek again.

But Shiraishi moved his head to the side and looked into Atobe’s eyes. “It’s a difficult match, Atobe, I would like the same, but …” he looked for the right word, “... grander.”

“Grander, ahn?” Leaning back again as if it had been planned that way Atobe’s eyebrow inched up again. “What could be grander than a kiss from my magnificent self I wonder.”

The blonde’s smile widened. Not only he liked Atobe’s gestures, he quite liked that fancy way of speaking about himself too. He wondered for a moment if that was weird. Probably not, he judged, considering the whole Hyoutei liked it, or seemed to like it too. “There is nothing grander than a kiss from you, except,” he again considered his words, “a proper kiss.”

“A proper kiss.” Atobe echoed once again, his other eyebrow inching up to join the first. “I see.” Lounging back into the corner of the couch he stared contemplatively at Shiraishi. “Just as a token - nothing more, ahn?”

“Nothing more?” Shiraishi didn’t mean to sound it like a question, but that’s how it came out. Did Atobe consider anything other than that? A part of the Osakan wanted that to be the case. The same part that make his heart race slightly. His rational side, however, was forcing him to ignore any possibilities of ‘more’ than just a token. “A proper kiss,” he confirmed without answering.

Staring for a long moment Atobe licked lips unconsciously. “I don’t know if I would be comfortable kissing anybody.” He informed the other captain finally bluntly.

Shiraishi dropped his head and laughed lightheartedly. “I see,” he sighed dramatically and looked up at the other. “Well, it worth the shot,” he winked. Inside he was a little disappointed, but then again, what was he thinking to begin with? “You can’t go too far in life if you don’t at least try, right?”

That comment, as superficial as it might seem struck a chord in Atobe, remembering what Yuushi had told him about wallowing. “I suppose you have a point.” He agreed, pushing himself up then sliding fluidly across the distance of the couch so he was practically nose to nose with Shiraishi. “Close your eyes Shiraishi.” He commanded.

Despite seeing Atobe coming closer to be a bit of a surprise, especially after he claimed not being comfortable to kissing anyone, Shiraishi didn’t move. He still had that smile in his face and looked calm, relaxed and composed. But, his heart must have stopped for a split second and soon had to catch up. He had nothing to say then. Nothing clever or flirty, so he did as he was told and closed his eyes.

Pleased that his order had been followed Atobe took a deep breath. Bridging the last few inches of distance between them he firmly pressed his lips against the other teen’s, his heart thudding loudly in his ears as he held himself there for a long moment.

Shiraishi felt Atobe’s approaching and he was fighting the urge to lean forward and kiss him first. It was his nature after all. But he managed to stay still, until Atobe’s lips met his. It was just a peck and the Osakan had first given a peck back in junior high school. Yet, his heart seemed to betray his years of experience by pounding faster than it should. Unable to keep still for that long, he raised a hand and softly touched Atobe’s face as he parted his lips just enough to take the other’s bottom lips between then.

Exhaling softly some of the tension drained out of Atobe and he rested his hand on Shiraishi’s thigh to steady himself as moved his lips slowly over Shiraishi’s, the common room around them forgotten as his focus narrowed in on the breath ghosting over his skin, the solid warmth of the other captain where they were touching and of course the soft lips sliding against his own, all set against the thrumming beat of his heart.

If it wasn’t for that hand touching Atobe’s face and feeling the pounding of his heart, Shiraishi would have assumed the other was relaxed. Slow and gentle, Shiraishi could feel Atobe being drawn into the kiss. They were really nice, those lips, and if anything, the Osakan was happily surprised at how he was fine with prolonging the token he had not wanted to give in the first place. Soon, Shiraishi dared to try a little extra and touched the tip of his tongue against the Atobe’s lips.

That was quite enough of that Atobe decided, drawing back and pressing his finger to Shiraishi’s lips instead. “I suppose that wasn’t so bad.” He hummed, licking his own lips thoughtfully. “What do you think, a successful first try, ahn Shiraishi?”

Shiraishi still had his eyes closed when Atobe pulled back, and his lips still slightly parted when he pressed his fingers on them. He felt tempted to kiss them and held back the urge for a moment but, as Atobe asked him a question he held his hand gently and kissed them. "I'd say..." he let go of the hand, "I hope I win and have more difficult matches ahead, because if this is the first try, I'd like to be there for the second." It was so cheesy, he knew, so he smiled.

"is that so." Taking his hand back Atobe smirked in satisfaction and folded them in his lap. "Well then, I suppose we will save that second try for after your game against Yukimura." Catching his bottom lip between his teeth he gave Shiraishi a coy look from under his lashes. "That ought to be enough motivation."

Oh, is was. It only added up to his wish to win that match. The odds were against him, considering that Yukimura was still undefeated, but he always gave his all and he was hoping it would be enough. Shiraishi smiled. Atobe seemed a little more distracted from his thoughts from earlier. "I don't believe my motivation will run out anytime soon but".. he would not mind topping it up. He shook his head, not wanting to finish his sentence, and touched a thumb over his own bottom lips.

"But?" Atobe smiled thinly. "No need to hold back on my account Shiraishi. Do go on." He prompted, eyes sliding down and coming to rest on the other teen's lips where Shiraishi's finger rested against them.

"Nothing..." Shiraishi laughed at little "I was going to say something semi-clever that implied I would like to kiss you again. It was really not that clever at all."

"Now, lets not be greedy." Atobe cautioned but he smiled slightly. "After all it is only the quarter finals."

"It is," and he knew winning this one would not be easy. He didn't want to get too deep into that unlikely victory though. Shiraishi returned the smile. "I'm not a greedy person, impulsive maybe."

"Hm." Impulsive wasn't Atobe's most favorite characteristic at the moment but at least Shiraishi wasn't confessing his undying love so that was definitely a point in his favour. "I do prefer impulsiveness to be tempered by forethought." He quirked his lips again. "And besides you are already taking quite a risk before such an important match spending this much time with me."

Shiraishi probably would never do such a thing. Romantic love, undying or not, wasn't the Osakan's forte. He hardly understood what was happening to him now. He smiled, "I'll keep that in mind," he said, "Spending time with or without you, it's the same," considering he had been thinking about the other a lot.

"I suppose you're right. If I am still contagious you will already have caught it." Turning his head away Atobe coughed into his hand before looking back at Shiraishi again. "You really shouldn't be this careless - not even for the sake of basking in the gloriousness of my presence." He twisted his lips into a wry smile. "But what's done is done."

Shiraishi laughed. Was it just him who found Atobe's ways quite amusing? "Like I said, I'm a very healthy person. Besides, I'm sure that your immune system is just as glorious as the rest of you, and has defeated most of the viruses by now."

"You do raise a very good point." Atobe preened, then allowed himself to lounge further into the couch, stretching out his feet so they bumped into Shiraishi. "Lets hope your confidence isn't misplaced."

He was about to say goodbye and stand up to make his way to the kitchen for a snack when he saw Atobe’s foot poke onto his leg. “I’m usually right about things like that, so if that is worry over my health...,” he looked at the foot, the toes under the socks and he felt so tempted to touch and massage it, “... it runs in the family,” he smiled and held Atobe’s big toe and pressed skillfully. “Did you know that foot massage is good for your immune system as well as healing your body from stress?”

Jumping at the unexpected touch Atobe was visibly torn between pulling his foot back and cautiously intrigued by what Shiraishi was promising. "I have heard that every organ has a corresponding area on the sole of the foot." He agreed, though sounding sceptical.

“It’s called reflexology,” Shiraishi moved a little closer and slid a hand around Atobe’s ankle and lifted the foot so it would rest on his leg. He pressed against the toe again and looked at the other teen. “The zones on your feet reflex parts of your body, when pressed, it’s said to relieve tension. This zone is a reflex of your brain,” he touched the tip of the toe and moved to the pad, “the head...” then lower at the base of the toe, “the neck.” The Osakan stopped talking and looked down at Atobe’s foot. For a split second, he debated with himself whether he would just stop there or continue, but he not only enjoy massages, he also enjoyed giving them, so why stop? Both of his hands were soon working the rest of Atobe’s foot.

Biting his bottom lip Atobe was tense at first, waiting for that one touch that would tip the scale, that would be too much and would give him the reason to pull back and rebuke Shiraishi for being so forward. Instead though those skilled fingers somehow managed to draw out tension he hasn't been aware of and he found himself slouching into the embrace of the couch, sighing softly. "I think I am beginning to see the benefits." He agreed.

Shiraishi smiled and looked at Atobe again. He really wasn’t expecting to have his skills denied, no one has ever pulled away from his massages before, that would have been a first. He continued to work on the foot. “Not everyone agrees with reflexologists,” Shiraishi himself was a little skeptical of it being entirely true, however, one things was certain, “but it is still very good for relaxation. I love massages,” he added. “Anywhere for me feels good and relaxing. Being here and unable to get my weekly massage makes my body a little tense, despite yoga. I actually stress a lot about things.”

"Hmmm." Humming softly with a hint of an almost groan Atobe wiggled his newly massages toes curiously. "I'm sure if you offered a quid pro quo you could find somebody to give you a massage." He suggested. Of course he had had his own fair share of massages, but usually connected to some tennis or fencing related injury and never on a weekly basis. He certainly would assign himself any skill to perform it. "Maybe Fuji, ahn."

"Fuji-chan?" Shiraishi laughed a little trying to picture how badly, of rather how good, that would turn out. It would lead to sex, most likely, and not much massaging for relaxation would happen. “Are you recommending from experience?” Of course, he wasn’t going to tell Atobe what was going through his mind. “I really need a professional though... but I suppose a nice gentle massage done by any hand would also be nice. I’m a very tactile person,” he smiled softly as he massaged Atobe’s heel, “in case you haven’t noticed.”

"Really, you don't say." Atobe quipped back then shook his head. "No, not from experience. I don't exactly relish the thought of some person rubbing me all over. I have a physical therapist at home who gives me a massage when I need it - maybe you can find somebody like that here at school or in town?" He lazily nudged Shiraishi with his unoccupied foot. "Are you looking into doing this professionally after school?"

Shiraishi laughed a little, first at the comment then at the other foot that didn’t want to be left out of the fun. “You make is sound so crude,” he finished that foot and pulled the other one to his leg and started again, from the toe down, slowly and firm. “I see it differently I guess. For me massage is giving my body a treat. I suppose I disconnect from the idea that it is some random person touching me,” there was nothing sensual about those massages. That said, Shiraishi liked them before sex too, but again, not the time to say something like that. “I might ask Gotou-sensei, maybe they have someone. And, no, I don’t think so.” There was a pause and a sigh. “I’m not sure what I’m doing after school. Going to university to study Biochemistry, but job wise, after that, who knows...” he smiled lightheartedly, “might even turn out to be one of those who rub people all over for a living.”

Breathing a satisfied sigh Atobe pillowed both his feet in Shiraishi's lap. "Well...if you do I can write you a letter of recommendation if you want." Allowing his eyes to slide shut he tipped his head back, the very picture of feline satisfaction.

Shiraishi watched him and smiled. That was pretty cute and it seemed like Atobe was really enjoying himself. Part of him was so tempted to be naughty. Foot massage could be very sensual depending how and where it was pressed. The Osakan knew those too and it would be so easy to do it without Atobe even realising. He would eventually notice he was turned on, but then to blame it on Shiraishi would be silly. Coming to that conclusion, he decided to try.

Sighing again Atobe stretched his arms up above his head before lacing them leisurely behind his head, blinking slowly at Shiraishi with a pleased smile ghosting across his lips. He was warm, content and for the moment not stressed out about Echizen and Kabaji, the island and their kidnapping or any other of the myriad of worries that seemed to haunt his thoughts lately. "You're really not bad at this." He praised in a muted drawl.

It wasn’t even that much of a contact, after all, Atobe still had his socks on, but even then, Shiraishi’s was feeling his heart again. Beating a little faster for no apparent reason other than enjoying the view. Oddly enough, it was nothing much either, just Atobe humming a little and looking relaxed. That was way troubling. As one hand continued the massage at the sole of the foot, the other slid to the back of the ankle, just above the heel, pressing there too. “Aww thank you,” he smiled, “I’m good with my hands in general.”

"Not at all." Shifting on the couch Atobe pulled his free foot back to bend his leg, pushing his hips up to settle more comfortably again, his thighs splayed apart with a kind of innate grace. "Since I am enjoying the benefits." He wiggled his toes playfully.

The Osakan was wondering if it was working. Atobe was shifting a little that could mean that instead of relaxing completely he was feeling other things. "And this is just the beginning, you will feel even better after the massage. It is usually how it goes." Only in his mind he couldn't stop thinking dirty now.

"Mmm-Hm." Atobe practically purred, his eyes glittering from underneath thick lashes. "Are you telling me that so I will let you stop?"

"What?" Shiraishi laughed, "No, of course not, I wouldn't be able to stop now even if I wanted. You look so relaxed it would break my heart."

Chuckling lowly Atobe closed his eyes again and arched his back with a throaty groan of pure, hedonistic pleasure. "It's good to know my relaxation is so important to you." He teased.

The blonde chuckled and changed to the other foot, after all, the sensual massage had skipped that one first round. “If you could see your face now...” he replied in a soft tone with a gentle smile, “...you would understand.” Looking at Atobe like that made him relax too, strangely enough.

"Hm?" Blinking lazily Atobe arched an eyebrow at Shiraishi before smiling easily. "Be careful or you will be chanting my name before you know it."

Shiraishi sighed lightheartedly. “If I remember right, I did do it back in the U17 camp in junior high,” they were in the same group back then and Atobe clearly needed the chanting then. “Different circumstances however,” he paused and looked at the other teen. Damn it, he was handsome. “But, despite being intrigued, I’m not a fanboy,” he winked.

"Such a pity." Atobe drawled, eyes twinkling in amusement. "You obviously haven't been exposed to enough of my amazing, awe inspiring glory."

He couldn’t help it, so he dropped his head briefly and laughed, then looked at him again, running a hand through his hair since it had fallen over his face. Still chuckling a little, the Osakan shook his head. “There is no end to your inspiring glory, Atobe, so there will never be enough exposure,” he said playfully with a smile, “But, being a fanboy sounds very plain, I don’t do well with just being one of many.”

"You could always become president." Atobe tempted, lips twitching into a wry smile. "Since you will have to stick around for quite a while to make sure that's true, you should have plenty of time."

Shiraishi shot a flirty look at Atobe. He hadn’t really tried flirting with him. It just seemed harder than with most people to do it the traditional way, but right then, the Osakan felt like maybe they were flirting, but in a unique way,- much expected from someone like Atobe actually. “Spending a lot of time with you,..” he winked and his tone softened, “I could do that.”

"Really." Atobe smirked slightly, pulling his feet back and stretching again as he sat up. "I'd like to see that." Leaning over he placed a hand on Shiraishi's leg, squeezing lightly before using it to lever himself upright. "Sadly we both have other pressing issues to deal with first." Standing over Shiraishi he winked. "how about you let me know if you still think like this afterward."

There were no words to say then. Shiraishi leaned back on the sofa and stretched his arms up with a smile and simply gave Atobe a nod. Whatever that conversation meant, whatever was supposed to have been read between the spoken lines, didn’t seem to matter to the Shitenhoji captain. That weird feeling in his stomach, that was what he wanted to keep in mind.