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aya_magicAuthor:
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iris_aya Beta:
randomicicle Rating: PG- 13 (because of the f-bomb used more than once) subject to change in later chapters
Genre: Romance, fluff, what-if AU
Word Count: 6,214.
Warnings: boyxboy pairing, my general crackiness, what-if AU, soccer balls+Kame’s head, the standards.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with JE, and obviously I cannot "own" these people. I also, in no way, make monetary profit off this.
Summary: Sometimes, change is rooted in a seemingly small incident.
Author’s Note: The fic I wrote for
kattunberry for ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif){kind=small}
kizuna_exchange , I was extremely rushed while writing it because of school and I wish I could change some things but here it is! The name and summary have very little to do with anything… I was panicking and tired and iTunes on shuffle might have been involve ;D. Because of that here’s the basics: what-if AU meaning Pro-soccerplayer!Jin and KAT-TUN!Kame. Lisa wanted me to warn for balls + Kame’s head (and it’s really not as dirty as one might hope it’d be). Decided to post this and x-post is quickly before I forget. For once, no glossary/list of terms at the end. I hope you enjoy!♥♥♥♥ to my amazing beta who edited this at the very last second for me and probably stayed up way too late for me and to Tori who brainstormed this out with me, it wouldn’t have happened without them or my cheerleaders.
Edit: I'm so sorry! While I was editing this post I member-locked the second part and forgot to unlock it! It is not unlocked and viewable, I'm sorry for my fail.
--
“Tonight’s guests are the guys of the Japanese men’s soccer team Samurai Blue. They just greatly helped the team win the AFC Asia Cup; MVP Honda Keisuke, Japan’s ace Akanishi Jin, and the Man of the Match, Kawashima Eiji!” Junno loudly announced, “Check it out, yo.”
Kame almost sighed when Koki jumped forward to kick Junno in response.
“Tonight’s guests are Honda Keisuke, Akanishi Jin, and Kawashima Eiji. Welcome!” He continued loudly.
He watched as Maru was barely able to contain his excitement as the three football players bowed and greeted them. He could suppress his own grin at the reaction; he knew he’d be reacting similarly if they were national baseball team players.
“Nice to meet you,” Akanishi murmured to him, acting for the cameras though they’d be introduced backstage previously. His smile was warm and Kame smirked at the barely noticeable hint of something in his eyes.
“It should be me saying that,” he answered, his smile growing slightly as the other moved on to greet Koki and Junno.
--
“Alright, we’re going to take a twenty minute break before moving on to the next segment!” the AD announced.
“Ah,” Maru sat back, relieved for a break.
“Ah, is it ok if I go out for some air for a bit?” Jin asked. And fidgeted a bit with his watch until Keisuke clapped him on the shoulder. He shrugged in response.
“It should be fine, just don’t go too far,” Maru answered.
“Thanks,” Jin smiled lightly. “I’ll be back soon then.”
It took him a few tries but thanks to a helpful assistant he found a door out. The fresh air brought a brief smile to his face before he crouched down to lean against the side of the building. He felt the itch to reach into his pocket, but he knew it wouldn’t find what his body craved there. The guys had made him leave the pack in his car.
He spent the next few minutes collecting his thoughts, trying to plan out how to get through the next portions of the taping without making a fool of himself, or the others. The door to his right opened suddenly.
“Do I need to… oh-”
Kamenashi stepped out and started, “I didn’t realize you were out here. I just wanted to…” he moved his hand holding a cigarette.
“Go ahead, don’t let me stop you,” Jin murmured, he could smell the smoke as Kame lit up. “Hey…”
“Yes?” Kamenashi looked over to him.
“Could I have a cigarette?” he sighed. His nerves wouldn’t calm and now more than before he needed something to suppress them.
“Yeah, sure.” Kame pulled the pack from his pocket and tapped a stick out. His outstretched hand came with a smile, “should you be smoking though?”
“No, but I only do it when stressed. Or extremely nervous,” he explained. He gratefully accepted the offered cigarette as Kamenashi lit it. Almost immediately he felt a settling, a rush on the first inhale. Jin almost itched for another drag but it was enough. It sat between his fingers, smoke rising into the air.
“Why would you be nervous about this?” Kamenashi chucked, “Don’t the Red Diamonds have the biggest crowds? You perform in front of countless football fans for a living, this must be nothing compared to the pressure to win…”
“It’s different,” he admitted quietly, unsure of how he came to admit this to the cause of his increasing nerves in front of the camera. He saw the encouraging smile on Kamenashi’s face and cleared his throat. “That I can handle, it’s what I’m accustomed to of course. But the interviews are something I don’t think I’ll ever like. I’ve never been particularly good at having a poker face. It’s been an issue before…”
“I see,” the other stepped over and sat down against the wall next to him. He tilted his head, “would you care for some advice? You may not think much of it from me, but-”
“Please, I’m sure you have some great advice,” he ran a hand through his hair and flashed a small smile. Please?”
Kamenashi grinned widely, “To start, when I played baseball, for nerves…”
--
Jin couldn’t be sure exactly how much time had passed but he knew time was almost up when an AD was sticking his head out of the door.
“Here you are, we’re starting the next segment in a few minutes. We need you both back on set, please,” the man explained quickly.
“Of course, sorry for the trouble,” Kamenashi smiled and stood from his spot.
The AD nodded and went on ahead to prepare things.
Before the other could leave, Jin reached forward and grabbed his wrist, “Wait, Kamenashi. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome… and Kame or Kazuya is just fine,” Kame’s eyes gleamed slightly; he didn’t quite want that grasp on his wrist to leave.
Jin grinned, “Then please call me Jin. We should probably head in,” he reluctantly let go of the other’s wrist but felt lighter. The smile tugging on his lips was unavoidable whenever he glanced at the younger man now.
--
The next question floated onto the screen, [What do you want to do with KAT-TUN?] Free-style soccer tricks!
Maru quickly reached forward to ‘hit’ the stream of questions and nearly bounced, “Really? You’d show us some tricks?”
“Well, we wouldn’t just be showing them to you. It’s ‘What do you want to do with KAT-TUN?’ right?” Honda grinned.
“We figured we’d show you a trick and then you can try it as well,” Jin offered.
“Sure!” Junno happily agreed.
[Let’s make things interesting…]
“This probably won’t be good,” Koki mumbled and Kawashima chuckled slightly, “how bad could it be?”
[Anyone who can’t successfully do the trick will have to do push-ups.]
“Eeeeeeh,” KAT-TUN collectively exclaimed.
“Push-ups really aren’t that bad of a punishment,” Kawashima mused.
“You guys probably have to do them all the time in training and practice, I bet,” Koki sighed. “But it’s usually worse.”
“Alright, so what are we trying?” Maru stood as eight footballs were brought on stage.
“Well first, you might want to spread out a bit, hopefully we can avoid any accidents,” Jin suggested, twirling the football in his hands for a moment.
Kame smiled at him, it seems the other was a bit more in his element during this segment.
“So the trick is a neck stall, this one is actually pretty easy,” Honda offered. “We’ll demonstrate first and then you guys can try.”
The demonstration was quick, for they simple had to balance their footballs, kick them up, and then catch it on their necks but the guys watched, knowing they most likely would fail.
“Pretty easy?” Koki asked, “That’s pretty easy?”
“I think I’d rather do the push-ups,” Ueda mumbled, considering the option of giving up and showing off just how many push-ups he could do.
“How about this?” Koki dribbled his football as if it were a basketball.
“You’re doing it wrong! You’re supposed to do this at least!” Junno ran over and kicked the ball out of Koki’s grasp.
“No, I’m pretty sure I’m actually supposed to do this,” Koki yelled while kicking Junno in the back.
Kame burst into laughter, clapping and occasionally kicking the ground in the process. Jin looked over from where he was helping Maru and covered his own smile with a hand. He couldn’t help but find the reaction to be one of the most adorable things he’d seen.
“They’re not even trying,” Maru complained as Koki held up a football for Ueda.
“Uepi, try this! You can use it like a punching bag!” Koki prompted and Ueda lined up to try it. “Wait, wait! Don’t miss, DON’T MISS!” he closed his eyes and cringed, “NOT TOO HARD!”
Honda laughed. “That’s really not what you’re supposed to be doing!”
“It’s fine,” Jin assured Maru, “But you’re doing great, you can probably manage it on this next one, just try to get the ball more centered.”
“This… is so awesome,” Maru couldn’t resist his inner fanboy. “Being helped by Samurai Blue players!”
“I swear we’re really not that interesting, promise,” Jin chuckled, glancing over to where Kawashima was assisting the now fumbling Kame.
“You should see him play baseball. You’d probably get a better impression of him then,” Maru suggested, looking to where Jin glanced.
“Ah, really? I guess he really likes baseball then. Now try again, you’ve almost gotten it,” Jin encouraged.
“As you can guess… a bit more height next time,” Kawashima pat Kame’s shoulder after catching the football that had ricocheted off Kame’s head.
“This is a lot more difficult that it looks,” Kame laughed at his attempt. “I’m pretty sure the push-ups will be my best option now.”
Koki was counting as Ueda did push-ups, and Kame watched as he reached thirty and still kept going. Junno approached Honda and Kawashima to show them his attempts. After a few attempts Junno managed it with a bright smile.
“That was a lot easier than learning some other tricks,” he explained as the football players clapped him on the back.
“What other sorts of tricks?” Kawashima asked.
Junno backed away from them and quickly did a back flip. “That’s easiest to do in a space like this.”
“That was awesome! Can you do other tricks?” Honda asked and then noted how the rest of KAT-TUN were still in their own worlds and had missed the trick, “Ah, the others didn’t see.”
“It doesn’t matter, they’re used to it and wouldn’t care much,” Junno joked.
Jin clapped and smiled brightly when Maru successfully caught the football on his neck. “That was awesome! You’ve officially avoided push-ups too.”
“Thanks,” Maru sheepishly shifted the football from hand to hand. “I don’t think the others are going to try anymore…”
“Probably not, but they’re having fun,” Jin ducked his head and grinned at Koki and Kame trying to add weight onto Ueda’s back. “You guys remind me of the team when we’re all together.”
“Surely you’re not this ridiculous…” Maru’s eyebrows rose.
“You’d be surprised,” Jin pat him on the shoulder as the AD called everyone over so the ‘losers’ could officially do their push-ups and to sign the footballs for the performers to keep.
--
Jin checked to make sure he hadn’t left anything in the dressing room once Kawashima and Honda had left for appointments. After checking for the third time that his iPhone and wallet were securely in his pocket, he made to leave the room, replaying the past events in his head. Comparably, the interview, particularly the questions and soccer section after speaking with Kame, had gone better than usual. He and Maru had even spoken at length after filming and now the other’s number was safely in his phone.
When he turned down the next hallway, Kame waved him over on his way out.
“Hey,” he smiled.
Kame grinned, “You did great today. You were practically made to be in front of the camera so it’s hard to believe it makes you nervous. You should share that gorgeous, smiling face more often.” He placed a hand on Jin’s back to help guide him to the right hallway when the other turned towards the front exit. “That won’t take you to your car…” His heart beat a bit faster at the new color on Jin’s face and his reaction.
Jin tried to hide the blush creeping up his cheeks but at the other’s smile he knew it was too late. “Thanks. Today was because of your advice though, really.”
“I don’t know if I believe that, maybe I’ll have to look up some past ones to find out,” Kame joked. “Well, I’m parked over here, have a great day Jin.”
“You too,” Jin waved lightly before finding his keys.
--
After practice, Jin sat rifling through his duffel for his keys. He nearly dumped his whole bag out just to find the small item.
“Ah, Akanishi. Do you have a moment?” Petrović requested, pausing once he caught sight of Jin still in the room.
Jin stopped his hunt for his keys and looked up at their manager. “Of course.”
“I received these tickets for the upcoming baseball game but I can’t go myself. I remembered you said you and your family go sometimes and thought you would enjoy them the most,” the man explained, a white envelope in hand.
“Ah… well, thank you. I’ll be sure to go, if I can make it,” Jin answered, already trying to decide whom to give them to. He knew the other wouldn’t be offended; after all, it wasn’t a secret he wasn’t fond of baseball, probably the reason behind the gift.
“Good, now go get some rest, it’s been a long day.” Petrović prompted.
Jin nodded in thanks before continuing his previous search. Dad doesn’t really like baseball that much… and Reio…
It was on his drive home that he had a brief flash of a memory, a wide grin and, “To start, when I played baseball, for nerves I…”
A quick message to Maru followed, Do me a favor? He could always try another method but it was easiest to start close, after all.
If it’s concert tickets then you’re on your own. I know you can get them yourself if you really wanted You’re not sick or stranded, are you?
He chuckled; it figured the other man’s insuppressible worry showing through in the end.
The opposite, really. Come clubbing tonight. I have a day off tomorrow, can’t waste it lying around tonight.
Maybe. MAYBE, but I won’t stay long if I do. Some of us have a real schedule to deal with. Is that all you wanted? It’s not like you to be secretive. It’s not something stupid, right?
All you need to do is deliver something to someone for me. I’ll give it to you tonight.
I only said maybe.
You’ll be there, you know it. Just wait ;)
--
Jin chuckled when Maru did show up at his table. “I knew I could count on you, Maru.”
“Yeah, yeah. Get me a drink before I rethink this.” Maru grumbled.
Jin gestured for another round of shots to be brought over. “Now… about that favor.”
Maru sighed as if he were being asked to move Mt. Fuji. “Do I want to know what it is?”
“Oh come on, what could I ask you for that would be that bad? It’s extremely easy too,” Jin pouted at Maru.
“How much have you had to drink?” Maru eyed the other, “Alright, so what is it?”
“I haven’t been here too long,” Jin waved off his worry and pulled an envelope from his jacket. Kamenashi Kazuya was written across the front, “If you could just deliver this to Kame for me, you would eternally have my love.” He flashed his puppy eyes to the older man.
“Didn’t you promise me your eternal love for getting you home last month?” Maru took the envelope and eyed it suspiciously, “What are you giving Kame and why?”
“Hm, true. Well what else do you want from me? Isn’t undying love enough?” Jin joked then tilted his head. “Why do you want to know?”
“He’s my friend and bandmate, I know you’re nice but I need to make sure you’re not messing with him or anything,” Maru eyed the shots at the table and sighed before tipping one back.
“I wouldn’t do that. Team manager had some baseball tickets he probably didn’t want and so he gave them to me. I’m not particularly a fan and I know he enjoys baseball,” He explained. “He helped me out, his advice has really helped and so now I have an opportunity to thank him. Is this a pure enough reason for you, mom?”
“Remind me why I hang out with you?” Maru arched an eyebrow. “But I guess I could pass this over to Kame, I am seeing him in the morning anyway.”
“You’re the best, Maru,” Jin grinned, he nodded to a friend passing by the table. “And I’ve no idea, why do you hang out with me?”
“I suppose you aren’t actually that bad,” he conceded and Jin’s grin grew wider.
