Wet Data [PG; Hiyoshi/Renji]
Title: Wet Data
Author: worblehat
Genre: Prince of Tennis
Pairing: Hiyoshi/Renji
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Konomi's, thanks.
Notes: Written for illuminations. ♥!!
Word Count: 1,549
The street courts were emptying quickly in the rain, only a few players remaining, staring at the sky with disdain. Renji walked to his bag quietly, picking it up and shaking it slightly before placing it beneath one of the nearby benches. He walked back onto the court, racket held firmly in hand as he considered which angle to play. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out one of the still-dry tennis balls he'd brought with him.
He waited.
People continued to walk past, some walking under umbrellas, others running. Renji remained, ball in hand, poised to serve. In the wave of umbrellas, one head stopped, turning to face Renji in the steadily-increasing downpour. Renji recognised the outfit as being Hyotei - an interesting opponent, if not a particularly worthy one.
The umbrella closed and the boy walked, placing his items next to Renji's under the bench. He fumbled for his racket, kicking away his tennis bag and stalking towards the other end of the court. He waited, eyes sharp, seemingly ignorant of the rain.
Renji nodded.
He tightened his wrist, threw the ball, and served. Hiyoshi returned it easily; several turns passed like this, each gaging the other's strength until Hiyoshi's lips curved and he struck, landing the ball in the corner of the court, just a few inches shy of Renji's racket.
Renji walked towards the ball, picking it without bothering to brush it off. He calmly returned to his position, serving once more.
The game continued, both growing bolder in their attacks, Renji's face impassive and Hiyoshi smirked in response. Renji wondered if everyone at Hyotei believed themselves to be better than they were; Hiyoshi wondered why no one at Hyotei could be serious like this - why someone like Atobe had to be at the head of their team, all flashy moves and choreographed chanting.
"Game," called Renji, his voice muffled in the rain. It was the first word he'd spoken since they'd silently agreed to hold a match. Hiyoshi knew who he was, in the sort of passing way that a person is aware of who sits in front of them in a class; Renji, for his part, knew Hiyoshi's name, his style of play. Data was his strength and while he didn't rely on it as much when Sadaharu was not his opponent, he still made note of what went on around him, recalling events when necessary.
As he walked to the net, he held out his hand. Hiyoshi blinked, then did the same; they shook politely, both drenched and beginning to shiver.
"We shouldn't stand out here too much longer," said Renji.
"Right," said Hiyoshi, removing his hand. He looked at Renji. "My house is close by."
Renji glanced skyward, as if measuring the rain. He turned, walking towards the bench. Hiyoshi did the same, walking a few steps behind him, not sure if that was a yes or not.
They both returned their rackets to their respective bags, then stood. Hiyoshi watched Renji's face, wondering if he was supposed to say bye or what. Finally, Renji sighed. "I think it would be good if we left now."
"Oh," said Hiyoshi. You could have answered with a 'yes' or 'no,' he thought to himself. Out loud he said, "It's a five-minute walk."
Renji didn't react. He walked alongside Hiyoshi, both under the plain black of Hiyoshi's umbrella. They looked at each other halfway through their walk, smiling a little at the ridiculousness of covering themselves now, when they were both dripping wet. When Hiyoshi's house came into view, he pointed to it, saying "there" and feeling a little stupid when Renji just bowed his head to indicate he'd guessed as much.
They walked in, both shucking off their shoes. Luck seemed to be on Hiyoshi's side: his mother was out, his father busy watching something in the dining room. Hiyoshi introduced Renji briefly but his father waved him away, telling him to change quickly and not to drip over everything.
"Wait here," said Hiyoshi, running upstairs to grab two towels before returning.
Renji seemed surprised. "I thought you would change first, before coming back down," he said.
Hiyoshi gave him a strange look. He handed Renji a towel. "Come on," he said, heading back upstairs.
His room was in slight disarray, tennis magazines lining the floor near his bed. He kicked them further underneath, out of view. Renji was rubbing at his face with his towel, gently removing the water. Hiyoshi stood, feeling awkward. "...did you want to get changed in the bathroom or -"
"I have no spare clothing," said Renji. "Perhaps I could borrow some of yours."
"You're taller," said Hiyoshi but he moved towards his closet, shuffling his shirts back and forth until he found something suitable: a plain black shirt and matching cargo pants. He held them out to Renji. "Change where you want."
Renji took the items and turned away. Hiyoshi watched him walk towards the door, expecting him to walk through it; instead, Renji closed it, locking it solidly. He barely looked at Hiyoshi as he picked a corner of the room, carefully removing his socks; then his shirt. Hiyoshi began to feel uncomfortable, wondering if he was staring, why he was staring, what someone he barely knew was doing here getting undressed in his room.
If Renji noticed him staring, he didn't say anything, continuing to slip out of more and more clothing. Hiyoshi forced himself to turn around, trying to focus enough to pick clothing. He randomly grabbed sweatpants and an undershirt. As he undressed, he he tried not to look behind him. But then Renji said his name and he'd turned around before he knew it: Renji had already changed into the cargo pants. The black shirt he held in his hand, running his fingers across the material, face frowning slightly.
"Is this all cotton?" he asked.
"Um," said Hiyoshi, pulling his undershirt over his head quickly before walking closer. He found the tag and read it. "No, this has some polyester."
"Do you have anything with -"
Hiyoshi pulled his undershirt back off, shoving it at Renji. He slipped the black shirt on, patting his hair down as an afterthought.
Renji slipped his arms through the undershirt, pulling it on cautiously. He took a seat on the edge of Hiyoshi's bed, watching him. "The rain should pass in another hour."
"Did you hear that on the weather?" asked Hiyoshi, not completely sure if he should be standing or sitting.
Instead of answering, Renji continued looking at him. "You should sit," he said finally.
Hiyoshi flushed a little, wondering if he'd been muttering under his breath or if Renji was just one of those people who could read people easily. He knew there was someone like that at Seigaku, who took such extensive notes that he was able to predict entire games. People like that scared Hiyoshi a little - they seemed to scare a lot of people - but Renji seemed to have a slightly different twist. Where Seigaku's Inui recorded everything, Renji seemed to only keep data he needed, something that became obvious if you watched him for long enough. But maybe that was even more disquieting, thought Hiyoshi.
They sat together, watching Hiyoshi's walls in silence. When Renji asked for a blanket, Hiyoshi was only too eager to respond; things seemed to get stranger the more time they spent together, his body feeling antsy, cheeks over-warm and obviously red.
He handed the blanket to Renji, taking a seat next to him, a little further this time. Renji slid closer in one swift movement, throwing one edge of the blanket around Hiyoshi while curling the other around himself.
"What -"
"We'll warm faster this way," said Renji.
Hiyoshi didn't respond. He felt too warm as it was; he even felt tempted to run back outside, to welcome the cold chill of rain into his bones. But then Renji's hand moved to his knee and stayed there and Hiyoshi was pretty sure he wouldn't want to move again unless it was to slide Renji's hand a little higher.
Renji turned to him. He inclined his head and for a second Hiyoshi thought they were going to kiss; instead, Renji pressed his cheek against Hiyoshi's, exhaling. Renji's breath was warm against Hiyoshi's ear; his cheek was almost as warm as Hiyoshi's, the only sign of his hesitance, his own flushed, restrained excitement.
When the rain finally stopped, Renji pulled back, watching Hiyoshi's face.
"We should have another game sometime," said Hiyoshi, wanting to place his hand over Renji's but being too afraid.
Renji nodded and stood, gathering his clothes. Hiyoshi handed him a jacket and a spare umbrella; walked him to the door and waited, the sky still overcast but only a mild drizzle filtering through the clouds. Renji stepped close to him, running one hand over his cheek. "Sure."
Hiyoshi closed the door, leaning against it, thinking and remembering until his father called him to come see what was on television.
Author: worblehat
Genre: Prince of Tennis
Pairing: Hiyoshi/Renji
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Konomi's, thanks.
Notes: Written for illuminations. ♥!!
Word Count: 1,549
The street courts were emptying quickly in the rain, only a few players remaining, staring at the sky with disdain. Renji walked to his bag quietly, picking it up and shaking it slightly before placing it beneath one of the nearby benches. He walked back onto the court, racket held firmly in hand as he considered which angle to play. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out one of the still-dry tennis balls he'd brought with him.
He waited.
People continued to walk past, some walking under umbrellas, others running. Renji remained, ball in hand, poised to serve. In the wave of umbrellas, one head stopped, turning to face Renji in the steadily-increasing downpour. Renji recognised the outfit as being Hyotei - an interesting opponent, if not a particularly worthy one.
The umbrella closed and the boy walked, placing his items next to Renji's under the bench. He fumbled for his racket, kicking away his tennis bag and stalking towards the other end of the court. He waited, eyes sharp, seemingly ignorant of the rain.
Renji nodded.
He tightened his wrist, threw the ball, and served. Hiyoshi returned it easily; several turns passed like this, each gaging the other's strength until Hiyoshi's lips curved and he struck, landing the ball in the corner of the court, just a few inches shy of Renji's racket.
Renji walked towards the ball, picking it without bothering to brush it off. He calmly returned to his position, serving once more.
The game continued, both growing bolder in their attacks, Renji's face impassive and Hiyoshi smirked in response. Renji wondered if everyone at Hyotei believed themselves to be better than they were; Hiyoshi wondered why no one at Hyotei could be serious like this - why someone like Atobe had to be at the head of their team, all flashy moves and choreographed chanting.
"Game," called Renji, his voice muffled in the rain. It was the first word he'd spoken since they'd silently agreed to hold a match. Hiyoshi knew who he was, in the sort of passing way that a person is aware of who sits in front of them in a class; Renji, for his part, knew Hiyoshi's name, his style of play. Data was his strength and while he didn't rely on it as much when Sadaharu was not his opponent, he still made note of what went on around him, recalling events when necessary.
As he walked to the net, he held out his hand. Hiyoshi blinked, then did the same; they shook politely, both drenched and beginning to shiver.
"We shouldn't stand out here too much longer," said Renji.
"Right," said Hiyoshi, removing his hand. He looked at Renji. "My house is close by."
Renji glanced skyward, as if measuring the rain. He turned, walking towards the bench. Hiyoshi did the same, walking a few steps behind him, not sure if that was a yes or not.
They both returned their rackets to their respective bags, then stood. Hiyoshi watched Renji's face, wondering if he was supposed to say bye or what. Finally, Renji sighed. "I think it would be good if we left now."
"Oh," said Hiyoshi. You could have answered with a 'yes' or 'no,' he thought to himself. Out loud he said, "It's a five-minute walk."
Renji didn't react. He walked alongside Hiyoshi, both under the plain black of Hiyoshi's umbrella. They looked at each other halfway through their walk, smiling a little at the ridiculousness of covering themselves now, when they were both dripping wet. When Hiyoshi's house came into view, he pointed to it, saying "there" and feeling a little stupid when Renji just bowed his head to indicate he'd guessed as much.
They walked in, both shucking off their shoes. Luck seemed to be on Hiyoshi's side: his mother was out, his father busy watching something in the dining room. Hiyoshi introduced Renji briefly but his father waved him away, telling him to change quickly and not to drip over everything.
"Wait here," said Hiyoshi, running upstairs to grab two towels before returning.
Renji seemed surprised. "I thought you would change first, before coming back down," he said.
Hiyoshi gave him a strange look. He handed Renji a towel. "Come on," he said, heading back upstairs.
His room was in slight disarray, tennis magazines lining the floor near his bed. He kicked them further underneath, out of view. Renji was rubbing at his face with his towel, gently removing the water. Hiyoshi stood, feeling awkward. "...did you want to get changed in the bathroom or -"
"I have no spare clothing," said Renji. "Perhaps I could borrow some of yours."
"You're taller," said Hiyoshi but he moved towards his closet, shuffling his shirts back and forth until he found something suitable: a plain black shirt and matching cargo pants. He held them out to Renji. "Change where you want."
Renji took the items and turned away. Hiyoshi watched him walk towards the door, expecting him to walk through it; instead, Renji closed it, locking it solidly. He barely looked at Hiyoshi as he picked a corner of the room, carefully removing his socks; then his shirt. Hiyoshi began to feel uncomfortable, wondering if he was staring, why he was staring, what someone he barely knew was doing here getting undressed in his room.
If Renji noticed him staring, he didn't say anything, continuing to slip out of more and more clothing. Hiyoshi forced himself to turn around, trying to focus enough to pick clothing. He randomly grabbed sweatpants and an undershirt. As he undressed, he he tried not to look behind him. But then Renji said his name and he'd turned around before he knew it: Renji had already changed into the cargo pants. The black shirt he held in his hand, running his fingers across the material, face frowning slightly.
"Is this all cotton?" he asked.
"Um," said Hiyoshi, pulling his undershirt over his head quickly before walking closer. He found the tag and read it. "No, this has some polyester."
"Do you have anything with -"
Hiyoshi pulled his undershirt back off, shoving it at Renji. He slipped the black shirt on, patting his hair down as an afterthought.
Renji slipped his arms through the undershirt, pulling it on cautiously. He took a seat on the edge of Hiyoshi's bed, watching him. "The rain should pass in another hour."
"Did you hear that on the weather?" asked Hiyoshi, not completely sure if he should be standing or sitting.
Instead of answering, Renji continued looking at him. "You should sit," he said finally.
Hiyoshi flushed a little, wondering if he'd been muttering under his breath or if Renji was just one of those people who could read people easily. He knew there was someone like that at Seigaku, who took such extensive notes that he was able to predict entire games. People like that scared Hiyoshi a little - they seemed to scare a lot of people - but Renji seemed to have a slightly different twist. Where Seigaku's Inui recorded everything, Renji seemed to only keep data he needed, something that became obvious if you watched him for long enough. But maybe that was even more disquieting, thought Hiyoshi.
They sat together, watching Hiyoshi's walls in silence. When Renji asked for a blanket, Hiyoshi was only too eager to respond; things seemed to get stranger the more time they spent together, his body feeling antsy, cheeks over-warm and obviously red.
He handed the blanket to Renji, taking a seat next to him, a little further this time. Renji slid closer in one swift movement, throwing one edge of the blanket around Hiyoshi while curling the other around himself.
"What -"
"We'll warm faster this way," said Renji.
Hiyoshi didn't respond. He felt too warm as it was; he even felt tempted to run back outside, to welcome the cold chill of rain into his bones. But then Renji's hand moved to his knee and stayed there and Hiyoshi was pretty sure he wouldn't want to move again unless it was to slide Renji's hand a little higher.
Renji turned to him. He inclined his head and for a second Hiyoshi thought they were going to kiss; instead, Renji pressed his cheek against Hiyoshi's, exhaling. Renji's breath was warm against Hiyoshi's ear; his cheek was almost as warm as Hiyoshi's, the only sign of his hesitance, his own flushed, restrained excitement.
When the rain finally stopped, Renji pulled back, watching Hiyoshi's face.
"We should have another game sometime," said Hiyoshi, wanting to place his hand over Renji's but being too afraid.
Renji nodded and stood, gathering his clothes. Hiyoshi handed him a jacket and a spare umbrella; walked him to the door and waited, the sky still overcast but only a mild drizzle filtering through the clouds. Renji stepped close to him, running one hand over his cheek. "Sure."
Hiyoshi closed the door, leaning against it, thinking and remembering until his father called him to come see what was on television.