(no subject)
Characters Saeki and Ryoga
Rating Um... PG-13?
Summary Ryoga and Saeki meet, snark, play, and talk.
Warning Implications of past violence and mentions of rape attempt
Notes Takes place... sometime last week >>
Wandering around was perhaps not the most productive of things to do, Ryoga knew, but it wasn't like there was much else to do. He'd heard there were clubs but was yet to join any. He figured he could just as well use his spare time to wander around and get used to his surroundings -- and maybe he'd run into someone, too, and could ask about the clubs and whatnot. Maybe even that Ryoma Echizen. Freaky coincidence, there -- it wasn't like his family name was the most common one in America.
Wondering whether there was a tennis club in this place -- at least that was something he knew very well -- Ryoga made his way towards the gym. Maybe there'd be someone who could tell him.
Saeki strapped some grip tape around the base of the racket. Almost done. The day had been fairly.. how to put it, exhausting? Not exactly. But rushed, yes. There were class duties and now there were club activities as well. But then tennis was always something to look forward to. He swung it around experimentally... just right. And when he looked up, he saw he had company in the gym.
Well. There was someone in the gym, all right -- and someone who was currently holding a tennis racquet. His lucky day, it seemed.
"Hello there," Ryoga said, walking closer. "You with the tennis club or what?"
"What does it look like?" Saeki spoke looking up, voice light as he leaned back against the wall where he was sitting. The boy who had just come here couldn't be older than 17, or maybe 16? He couldn't tell. But .. how to put it? Young necessarily did not mean social? Well, at least the kid was talking.
"Either you're with the club or you're messing around with the equipment just for the hell of it." Ryoga smirked, looking at the other guy. He wasn't bad-looking at all, but then, Ryoga'd hardly seen anything but good-looking guys since coming here. It was like he'd arrived at some model agency instead of a correctional facility, really.
"That's one way to put it. " A back talker. Interesting. It was helping him to loosen up though. He was kind of tired of being cautious when talking to people. But then it was still somewhat difficult to talk to people in the first place....And caution was not a half bad habit. Or so he had learned anyway. "Yes I'm in the tennis club..." He nodded. "Can I help you?"
"I wonder." Ryoga raised an eyebrow. "I was mainly just wondering whether there is a tennis club in this place, but I guess that takes care of that question. So, now that I know there is one, how do I join it, pretty-face?"
Saeki almost blinked at the nick name but heck he had heard that one before .. hadn't he? Just that he hadn't heard it in a while. That and more. Oh well, he could let it slip for now..."Basically you have to fill out forms and stuff...Tell why are you interested in joining the tennis club.." as a vice prefect, he supposed he could help out this kid here.
"Because it's the one thing I'm good at." Ryoga smirked. And because he wanted to win whenever he could, for a chance, instead of whenever he was told. "I'm afraid I'm not looking to bring about world peace by tennis or anything."
"I didn't know it was possible to. " Amusement tinged his voice and Saeki got up from his seat. Tennis for world peace huh? Of course it didn't sound like a bad idea. But then that was idealism. "How good do you think you are?" He twirled the racket around once.. "At tennis I mean.."
"I don't think it is." Ryoga tilted his head to the side. Something about this guy... amused him, in a strange way. "How good? Good enough to win most people I've ever gone against. Anyone I've played with since turning thirteen or so." He hadn't spent most of his life playing for nothing, after all.
That was kind of hard to believe. Was this kid simply telling tall takes. Or maybe this was the real deal. Saeki couldn't tell by simply looking... But then he for one was not going to complain if he got a decent tennis partner... "You must really like tennis then ..."
Ryoga shrugged. He hadn't told a single lie, there. "It's better a way to spend time than most. It's not like I dream of playing tennis all my life," not that he'd mind, if he was true to himself, he just... didn't do the whole dreaming thing and all that, "but, well, it's kind of fun. And I get to win." Now that he was no more working for Sakurafubuki, he did, anyway.
"So you are saying it would be no fun if you lost?" Saeki cocked his head to look behind and smiled a bit. The kid was interesting. A little too smirky maybe, he didn't know what the other was smirking about.. But not too annoying. Besides that. Saeki was getting curious about the type of game this one could show him.
"Nah, never said that~ I'm just saying I don't lose, period." He had lost matches, of course, but even those times he could have won, so he didn't count those losses. Raising his eyebrows once again, he continued, "What about you? You as good at tennis as you're pretty?"
Saeki's left eyebrow twitched faintly. It probably wasn't detectable unless one was staring really hard. Which he hoped his cocky companion was not. "Who are you calling pretty?" Saeki ran a hand through his hair quickly glancing at the somewhat old but still functional wall clock. If he returned to the room now, there was nothing but homework and sleep. Which meant he had time to spare.
Ryoga chuckled. "How many people do you see here?" he asked. The other was surely joking -- he couldn't very well be that pretty and not know it, even in a place like this.
How many people...? Just two. Saeki resisted the temptation to sigh and explain that it was hard to interpret it as a compliment. There were times when he never really understood what he was doing posing for cameras in photo shoots and what not in the past. Those times were kind of fun though. He picked up a racket from the side"...Play first, then we can talk more. "
Hmm. Not one for compliments, then. Glancing around, Ryoga grasped on the nearest racquet, swinging it once experimentally. Not exactly like the one he'd used to have, but, well, it'd do. "As you wish." He was better at playing than talking, anyway.
"…Play till the ball drops " Saeki picked a ball from the basket and wet to stand at the end opposite to the buy, net separating them. This game could end it 2 minutes, 20 minutes .. it wouldn't go over 35. That was a rough estimate on his side. Of course there were some situations when a ball could not be returned. Like an out. But other than that ...
Whatever." Getting in the returning position, Ryoga kept his eyes on Saeki, waiting for the other boy to serve. Hopefully, this'd be interesting.
The ball bounced off the ground and into his hands as he prepared to serve. Saeki wanted to observe how this kid played if possible, but in a game like this... He tossed the ball in the air before hitting it with the racket. And it was sailing smoothly. "There you go."
Starting it easily, hmm? Really, now. Did he look like a little kid? Trying his best not to look frustrated, Ryoga returned the ball.
He was focusing more on each and every moment that the other was making more than the ball. There was energy in the shot fired back at him... he knew it even before his racket contacted with it and still watching Ryoga, Saeki lazily raised his hand, only to aim for a cross shot at the last moment, a light grin on his face. This could be fun.
Ahh, somewhat more challenging. This was great. Smirking a bit, Ryoga ran to reach the ball, returning it just in time.
It was back and forth from then. And the more they played, the more they were running around the courts, Saeki had to take his eyes off Ryoga and chase the ball. And even if he could see the way the other's body moved while hitting the ball, or just dashing around to get it - it was almost like watching art.; he still couldn't pick out any habit that was giving away the next move .. and Saeki deduced he had been thinking too much there. Because the ball bounced off his racket and on to the ground..
Ryoga's smirk turned into a grin as he ran after the ball, returning it time and time again. Once again he was reminded just why he'd spent so much time playing tennis. Maybe it wasn't his ultimate passion, but damn if it wasn't fun against a good player. And Saeki was a good player, a very good one, actually.
As the ball finally fell, he stopped, wiping sweat from his forehead. "You're good, pretty-face," he admitted.
So was that a new nick name or what...? But then Saeki was too distracted to get picky about it. He hadn't played like this in... ages. The rush was still inside him. "and you can do more than just talking...." Saeki nodded, a bead of sweat disappearing into his hair. That called for a shower...
"You doubt that?" Ryoga smirked slightly. "Usually at this point I'd tell you I'm not a bad player just because I'm young, but considering you can't be much older, yourself, I think I'll pass this time."
"Hai, hai. " Saeki spoke, racket loosely held in hand. Which was good. He was not all that eager to feel old. .. "I didn't get your name..." Come to think of it, had he even asked for it? Or told hi own name for that matter? Saeki was making his way to the lockers now and supposed it wouldn't be a big deal if Ryoga followed, especially if the other was going to join the club anyway.
"Because I didn't give it." Ryoga shrugged. "Ryoga Echizen. You?" He lazily followed the other; could just as well see more of the place while he was at it.
"Saeki Koujirou. " He opened the doors to what to him was an all too familiar place now. Even though he was fairly new to the place, he used to spend a lot of time here.
"Nice to meet you." Never let it be said Ryoga couldn't be polite when he didn't have anything else to do. "You been here long?"
"Not all that long." Saeki smiled, opening up his locker to pack the rackets inside, as well as to take out some things he would be needing now. Soap, towel, change of clothes. That was just about all of it.
Longer than me, though, I suppose." Seeing how he really hadn't been around that long... "How many people are there in the tennis club?"
"Longer than you. " Saeki hadn't seen Ryoga around in anywhere. And considering that the boy was looking for a club to join, he supposed it was safe to assume that. "As for how many people are there in the tennis club? I haven't all of them myself, but I think we have a decent number.. maybe 15 or so.."
"Well, that's kind of obvious, considering I've barely arrived, myself." Okay, so it wasn't like he'd just stepped out of the car, but still... "15? Sounds good. Good though you are, it would be kind of boring over the time to only play against you, pretty-face." Ryoga smirked. "But, well, I guess I've taken up enough of your time." That and, well, the combination of locker rooms and unfamiliar people got on his nerves the worst way after a moment...
"No problem. " Saeki smiled a bit unbuttoning his shirt, not slipping it off completely. Talking was healthy.. and he wanted to make a habit of it before he felt like shutting of to the rest of the world again. "Use the showers if you want? I have a spare uniform.. " Of course, it probably wouldn't fit Ryoga well, but something was better than nothing.
"Well... thanks for the offer, really, but I think I'll just head for my dorm." Ryoga did his best not to look too uncomfortable, but... Well. He'd have to get used to the locker rooms if he wanted to be on the tennis club, undoubtedly, but right now... the memory was just a bit too fresh.
Saeki shrugged slipping off the shirt and tossing it aside, it was too wet, He slung a towel over his shoulders. "....Hope to see you around in the club then. " Ryoga should be able to find his way around, he had come here on his own after all... And was in imagining things or was the other boy looking a little out of it? ".. Can you head back on your own? Or I could come with you in a few minutes if you want me to.."
"...Nah. Thanks, but I'll be fine." Honestly, he couldn't look that bad, now could he? And he would be fine, really. As soon as he got out of here, anyway.
If there was something wrong then Ryoga was sure as hell not telling him. And Saeki supposed it was not his place to meddle exactly. But then he wasn't eager to send off a potentially sick and new boy to wander off on his own. Did Ryoga know his way around properly? "Just take a seat. I'll be done soon."
"I -- I'm all right, really." Ryoga took a step back to get further from Saeki. Damn it, did he have to be so close? "I just... this place, kind of..."
"You simply don't look alright you know..." Saeki's hand went up to tentatively touch the other's forehead. Fever? It didn't seem like it. But then...
Backing away, Ryoga slapped Saeki's hand away, hissing, "Don't touch me!" Concerned gesture or not, he just... he just couldn't stand it, not now, not here.
Ok, so that had been a bad idea. And he didn't know what to do now. "Just calm down. " Saeki licked his lips, withdrawing his hand even though it was kind of hard to not try to reach out again. Thats how it had been back home. A touch or hug had always worked much better than words. But... that was not going to work here.
"Just... don't touch me." Ryoga kept backing away, his eyes fixed on Saeki. "I'm warning you. The last guy who tried bloody well regretted it."
"Then don't run away and wait here like a good kid. " Saeki spoke. That was the best way to deal with this wasn't it? Now he was really not eager to let Ryoga wander off. Not when he didn't look ok...
"...Fine. Whatever." Not that he was a kid, but as long as the idiot didn't come any closer to him... If Saeki took too long with his shower, though... He wasn't about to stay in the locker room for long.
Saeki just nodded to that and disappeared in the shower. So he supposed he would have to cut that long shower short, it was more like a quick wash up instead of a shower. And when he stepped out half dressed, his hair was still tousled and wet.
Ryoga half considered just making a run for it while Saeki was in the shower. However, while the chance of the other chasing him was rather small, it still existed, and he'd really rather not have that happen... It was bad enough he was close to freaking out in front of Saeki, he really didn't want anyone to see him running away with a half-dressed guy chasing him. Therefore, as Saeki returned, he was standing there with his arms crossed across his chest, looking rather defensive.
"See? Still here. Am I a good kid now?" he asked rather snappishly, trying to mask his still remaining nervousness.
"Hai, hai. " Saeki ran a hand through his hair, half distracted as he slipped on the shirt.. which got a bit damp too, there were still droplets of water sticking on skin and hair. So Ryoga sounded normal now. Saeki picked up his bag, stuffing some things into it. "Ready to go?" he asked, somewhat amused at the look he was getting.
Damn it, Saeki was even prettier now, still half wet and everything. Doing his best not to look that way, Ryoga just huffed, turning away from Saeki. "I would've gone a while ago, pretty-face..."
"I hope you are not going to make a habit of calling me that...." He sighed already knowing it was futile trying to reason that out. This was the third time he was getting called that. Or fourth? " And I didn't make you wait that long. " Saeki added falling in step with Ryoga.
Ryoga blinked. "You don't like it?" Most people liked being told they were pretty, after all. "And I still don't understand why you'd make me wait at all."
"Tell that to a girl and you'll make her happy. " Saeki frowned, "... And I didn't want to send you when you were like that.." he added, that was more or less it. It was rare for him to want to watch out for someone especially here. But then for some reason he had felt like that. Maybe it was because of the way Ryoga had reacted. He had known it was not a physical illness, but something else.
"Like what?" asked Ryoga, though he was pretty sure what Saeki meant. "There's nothing wrong with me." So what if he made sure to stay out of Saeki's reach.
Like what? Saeki opened his mouth only to shut it again. He had a feeling words were not going to work with this boy at all. And he wondered he had imagined everything that had happened before him showering "Like this. " Saeki simply raised his hand and brought it near Ryoga's face. Just cm's away from touching.
Oh, Hell no. Backing away, Ryoga swatted Saeki's hand away. "Stay the fuck away from me," he almost growled. Was the pretty boy stupid or what? One would think he'd learn from one time...
"You can stop pretending like you are ok you know." Saeki spoke after a moments silence, his hand had dropped to the side . Of course it was Ryoga's choice entirely, how he wanted to deal with things. But then ...
"...The Hell am I pretending," Ryoga muttered. "I'm just as okay as anyone in this damn place." Just because his quirk happened to show up didn't mean nobody else had any weird habits, right?
"Nobody is ok in this place. " Saeki spoke, a hint of a wistful smile on his face. That was why they were all in this school, somewhat reminiscent of a cage. Or at times prison. But then it was not all that bad.
"Okay is relative. For someone in this kind of a place, I'm okay, aren't I?" At least he'd had a justification for his crime. He was sure many of the other students didn't even have as much as that.
"I suppose thats kinda true. " At least he was talking with Ryoga. And the other was doing the same for him. It was a start if nothing else....
"Then why so bloody worried? Or whatever you are." It made Ryoga feel uncomfortable. Extra attention was... well. Bad.
"Is it wrong to worry a little?" Saeki spoke, his voice tinged with mild confusion. He didn't think it was something out of the ordinary.. Or maybe it was. One didn't usually go around worrying about strangers. But then it was difficult to find people to talk to in this place. And after playing with Ryoga, he was kind of happy about meeting someone he could possibly get along with. Maybe that was it.
Ryoga ran a hand through his hair, sighing in something akin to frustration. "It's not wrong," he sighed. "I just have no idea why you would do something like that. Nobody ever worries about me." Well, aside from his mother, perhaps, but then he'd got rather skilful at ignoring her worrying. If he'd paid any attention to it, he wouldn't have run in the first place, after all.
"I'm better when I have someone to worry about." Saeki smiled a bit. That must have sounded like a strange explanation but it was the only one he could come up with. These days he had not been great with people. And there were times when he wanted everyone to go away. But then he knew that he still needed them in the end. Being alone was quiet. But it was lonely too.
"Really, now?" Ryoga chuckled somewhat humourlessly. "You're a strange one, aren't you? Well, worry all you want, as long as you don't touch me." Admitting the reason for his freak-out was somewhat embarrassing, but it wasn't like Saeki couldn't figure it out himself, unless he was an idiot. And if he said it aloud, at least Saeki couldn't claim not to have known.
"Hai, hai. I'll try" It was going to be somewhat troublesome, the not touching clause. They played tennis, the both of them. And simple gestures like handshakes or a slap on the back were almost unconcious actions during a game. "You know you should drop the habit of trying to kill anyone who accidentally touches you, it's dangerous..." he sighed.
"It's not like I've always gone after anyone who as much as comes close," Ryoga said dryly. "And I've never tried to kill anyone." Not that he'd really minded hearing that had happened… "Besides, I'm not always that bad. It's just… locker rooms." He had no idea why he was telling these things to Saeki - he'd hardly told anyone unless forced - but apparently he was still weak enough to go after concern where it was offered, however little he understood the motives behind it.
"We are not in a locker room now." Saeki pointed out as they walked. Locker rooms huh? So it was more related to the place? He found himself curious about the boy, but it ... was really not polite to probe, was it? If Ryoga wanted to talk, he was listening. If not, then he could take his own time to find out.
"I guess not. But we were." Ryoga sighed again. He probably seemed like a madman or something, but… maybe if he explained… "My former tennis coach? Was rotten to the core. Tried to… well. He started it as molesting, but he was trying to rape me. In the freaking locker room." He smiled somewhat wryly. "I made sure he wouldn't try again and landed myself here in the middle of bloody nowhere."
"Oh..." Well that.. made a whole lot of sense all of a sudden. The dislike of being touched. And in the locker rooms. He had heard about those kind of things happening, but then it had never happened with him, other than the occasional someone getting too touchy-feely, who used to lose that habit after getting a nice accidental kick in the shins. "You need to pick up on self defense or something..."
"Oh, I can defend myself well enough." Ryoga smirked. "Or why'd you think I'm here?"
"Well, you are kind of small." Saeki spoke. Maybe small was not the right word. Skinny? No matter how he saw it, Ryoga looked like .. well, easy prey.
"I'm perhaps not the biggest of guys around, but I'm tough enough to look after myself." He'd kind of had to learn to fight for himself, after all, given how easily irritated he sometimes was. "Thanks for the concern, though. I guess."
"If you need anything feel free to come to me. " Saeki spoke as they made their way down the halls. "I'm a vice prefect here... And I don't know if it'll help, but if you need something, you can ask. " having said that, he doubted if Ryoga would actually come to him. So he didn't know why he had bothered saying all of that..but..
"Not my dorm's, though... Presumably there's someone besides me in my dorm, but I'm yet to meet anyone. Not sure if I want to. But... I'll keep that in mind." He had no idea whether he'd actually talk to Saeki, but... at least he wasn't a complete stranger. Or something.
"I'll be seeing you in the club anyway, won't I?" Saeki spoke. So they were in different dorms, he knew as much. After all he hadn't been informed that someone was coming to their dorms. Speaking of which they were almost there.
"...I guess." Ryoga sighed. "...Sorry for being so difficult." He might've been a difficult person sometimes, but that didn't mean he wanted to make enemies on purpose -- and, well, he kind of liked Saeki in some weird way. It was rare enough that he liked anyone, so he didn't want to ruin that right away.
"Well, just keep that in mind. " Saeki shook his head, hand reaching out to almost ruffle Ryoga's hair before dropping away. No touching, right? It would be great if he had at least one person he could talk with in this place. "I'll see you around then."
"...Right. See you." And, with this, Ryoga headed towards his own dorm.
Rating Um... PG-13?
Summary Ryoga and Saeki meet, snark, play, and talk.
Warning Implications of past violence and mentions of rape attempt
Notes Takes place... sometime last week >>
Wandering around was perhaps not the most productive of things to do, Ryoga knew, but it wasn't like there was much else to do. He'd heard there were clubs but was yet to join any. He figured he could just as well use his spare time to wander around and get used to his surroundings -- and maybe he'd run into someone, too, and could ask about the clubs and whatnot. Maybe even that Ryoma Echizen. Freaky coincidence, there -- it wasn't like his family name was the most common one in America.
Wondering whether there was a tennis club in this place -- at least that was something he knew very well -- Ryoga made his way towards the gym. Maybe there'd be someone who could tell him.
Saeki strapped some grip tape around the base of the racket. Almost done. The day had been fairly.. how to put it, exhausting? Not exactly. But rushed, yes. There were class duties and now there were club activities as well. But then tennis was always something to look forward to. He swung it around experimentally... just right. And when he looked up, he saw he had company in the gym.
Well. There was someone in the gym, all right -- and someone who was currently holding a tennis racquet. His lucky day, it seemed.
"Hello there," Ryoga said, walking closer. "You with the tennis club or what?"
"What does it look like?" Saeki spoke looking up, voice light as he leaned back against the wall where he was sitting. The boy who had just come here couldn't be older than 17, or maybe 16? He couldn't tell. But .. how to put it? Young necessarily did not mean social? Well, at least the kid was talking.
"Either you're with the club or you're messing around with the equipment just for the hell of it." Ryoga smirked, looking at the other guy. He wasn't bad-looking at all, but then, Ryoga'd hardly seen anything but good-looking guys since coming here. It was like he'd arrived at some model agency instead of a correctional facility, really.
"That's one way to put it. " A back talker. Interesting. It was helping him to loosen up though. He was kind of tired of being cautious when talking to people. But then it was still somewhat difficult to talk to people in the first place....And caution was not a half bad habit. Or so he had learned anyway. "Yes I'm in the tennis club..." He nodded. "Can I help you?"
"I wonder." Ryoga raised an eyebrow. "I was mainly just wondering whether there is a tennis club in this place, but I guess that takes care of that question. So, now that I know there is one, how do I join it, pretty-face?"
Saeki almost blinked at the nick name but heck he had heard that one before .. hadn't he? Just that he hadn't heard it in a while. That and more. Oh well, he could let it slip for now..."Basically you have to fill out forms and stuff...Tell why are you interested in joining the tennis club.." as a vice prefect, he supposed he could help out this kid here.
"Because it's the one thing I'm good at." Ryoga smirked. And because he wanted to win whenever he could, for a chance, instead of whenever he was told. "I'm afraid I'm not looking to bring about world peace by tennis or anything."
"I didn't know it was possible to. " Amusement tinged his voice and Saeki got up from his seat. Tennis for world peace huh? Of course it didn't sound like a bad idea. But then that was idealism. "How good do you think you are?" He twirled the racket around once.. "At tennis I mean.."
"I don't think it is." Ryoga tilted his head to the side. Something about this guy... amused him, in a strange way. "How good? Good enough to win most people I've ever gone against. Anyone I've played with since turning thirteen or so." He hadn't spent most of his life playing for nothing, after all.
That was kind of hard to believe. Was this kid simply telling tall takes. Or maybe this was the real deal. Saeki couldn't tell by simply looking... But then he for one was not going to complain if he got a decent tennis partner... "You must really like tennis then ..."
Ryoga shrugged. He hadn't told a single lie, there. "It's better a way to spend time than most. It's not like I dream of playing tennis all my life," not that he'd mind, if he was true to himself, he just... didn't do the whole dreaming thing and all that, "but, well, it's kind of fun. And I get to win." Now that he was no more working for Sakurafubuki, he did, anyway.
"So you are saying it would be no fun if you lost?" Saeki cocked his head to look behind and smiled a bit. The kid was interesting. A little too smirky maybe, he didn't know what the other was smirking about.. But not too annoying. Besides that. Saeki was getting curious about the type of game this one could show him.
"Nah, never said that~ I'm just saying I don't lose, period." He had lost matches, of course, but even those times he could have won, so he didn't count those losses. Raising his eyebrows once again, he continued, "What about you? You as good at tennis as you're pretty?"
Saeki's left eyebrow twitched faintly. It probably wasn't detectable unless one was staring really hard. Which he hoped his cocky companion was not. "Who are you calling pretty?" Saeki ran a hand through his hair quickly glancing at the somewhat old but still functional wall clock. If he returned to the room now, there was nothing but homework and sleep. Which meant he had time to spare.
Ryoga chuckled. "How many people do you see here?" he asked. The other was surely joking -- he couldn't very well be that pretty and not know it, even in a place like this.
How many people...? Just two. Saeki resisted the temptation to sigh and explain that it was hard to interpret it as a compliment. There were times when he never really understood what he was doing posing for cameras in photo shoots and what not in the past. Those times were kind of fun though. He picked up a racket from the side"...Play first, then we can talk more. "
Hmm. Not one for compliments, then. Glancing around, Ryoga grasped on the nearest racquet, swinging it once experimentally. Not exactly like the one he'd used to have, but, well, it'd do. "As you wish." He was better at playing than talking, anyway.
"…Play till the ball drops " Saeki picked a ball from the basket and wet to stand at the end opposite to the buy, net separating them. This game could end it 2 minutes, 20 minutes .. it wouldn't go over 35. That was a rough estimate on his side. Of course there were some situations when a ball could not be returned. Like an out. But other than that ...
Whatever." Getting in the returning position, Ryoga kept his eyes on Saeki, waiting for the other boy to serve. Hopefully, this'd be interesting.
The ball bounced off the ground and into his hands as he prepared to serve. Saeki wanted to observe how this kid played if possible, but in a game like this... He tossed the ball in the air before hitting it with the racket. And it was sailing smoothly. "There you go."
Starting it easily, hmm? Really, now. Did he look like a little kid? Trying his best not to look frustrated, Ryoga returned the ball.
He was focusing more on each and every moment that the other was making more than the ball. There was energy in the shot fired back at him... he knew it even before his racket contacted with it and still watching Ryoga, Saeki lazily raised his hand, only to aim for a cross shot at the last moment, a light grin on his face. This could be fun.
Ahh, somewhat more challenging. This was great. Smirking a bit, Ryoga ran to reach the ball, returning it just in time.
It was back and forth from then. And the more they played, the more they were running around the courts, Saeki had to take his eyes off Ryoga and chase the ball. And even if he could see the way the other's body moved while hitting the ball, or just dashing around to get it - it was almost like watching art.; he still couldn't pick out any habit that was giving away the next move .. and Saeki deduced he had been thinking too much there. Because the ball bounced off his racket and on to the ground..
Ryoga's smirk turned into a grin as he ran after the ball, returning it time and time again. Once again he was reminded just why he'd spent so much time playing tennis. Maybe it wasn't his ultimate passion, but damn if it wasn't fun against a good player. And Saeki was a good player, a very good one, actually.
As the ball finally fell, he stopped, wiping sweat from his forehead. "You're good, pretty-face," he admitted.
So was that a new nick name or what...? But then Saeki was too distracted to get picky about it. He hadn't played like this in... ages. The rush was still inside him. "and you can do more than just talking...." Saeki nodded, a bead of sweat disappearing into his hair. That called for a shower...
"You doubt that?" Ryoga smirked slightly. "Usually at this point I'd tell you I'm not a bad player just because I'm young, but considering you can't be much older, yourself, I think I'll pass this time."
"Hai, hai. " Saeki spoke, racket loosely held in hand. Which was good. He was not all that eager to feel old. .. "I didn't get your name..." Come to think of it, had he even asked for it? Or told hi own name for that matter? Saeki was making his way to the lockers now and supposed it wouldn't be a big deal if Ryoga followed, especially if the other was going to join the club anyway.
"Because I didn't give it." Ryoga shrugged. "Ryoga Echizen. You?" He lazily followed the other; could just as well see more of the place while he was at it.
"Saeki Koujirou. " He opened the doors to what to him was an all too familiar place now. Even though he was fairly new to the place, he used to spend a lot of time here.
"Nice to meet you." Never let it be said Ryoga couldn't be polite when he didn't have anything else to do. "You been here long?"
"Not all that long." Saeki smiled, opening up his locker to pack the rackets inside, as well as to take out some things he would be needing now. Soap, towel, change of clothes. That was just about all of it.
Longer than me, though, I suppose." Seeing how he really hadn't been around that long... "How many people are there in the tennis club?"
"Longer than you. " Saeki hadn't seen Ryoga around in anywhere. And considering that the boy was looking for a club to join, he supposed it was safe to assume that. "As for how many people are there in the tennis club? I haven't all of them myself, but I think we have a decent number.. maybe 15 or so.."
"Well, that's kind of obvious, considering I've barely arrived, myself." Okay, so it wasn't like he'd just stepped out of the car, but still... "15? Sounds good. Good though you are, it would be kind of boring over the time to only play against you, pretty-face." Ryoga smirked. "But, well, I guess I've taken up enough of your time." That and, well, the combination of locker rooms and unfamiliar people got on his nerves the worst way after a moment...
"No problem. " Saeki smiled a bit unbuttoning his shirt, not slipping it off completely. Talking was healthy.. and he wanted to make a habit of it before he felt like shutting of to the rest of the world again. "Use the showers if you want? I have a spare uniform.. " Of course, it probably wouldn't fit Ryoga well, but something was better than nothing.
"Well... thanks for the offer, really, but I think I'll just head for my dorm." Ryoga did his best not to look too uncomfortable, but... Well. He'd have to get used to the locker rooms if he wanted to be on the tennis club, undoubtedly, but right now... the memory was just a bit too fresh.
Saeki shrugged slipping off the shirt and tossing it aside, it was too wet, He slung a towel over his shoulders. "....Hope to see you around in the club then. " Ryoga should be able to find his way around, he had come here on his own after all... And was in imagining things or was the other boy looking a little out of it? ".. Can you head back on your own? Or I could come with you in a few minutes if you want me to.."
"...Nah. Thanks, but I'll be fine." Honestly, he couldn't look that bad, now could he? And he would be fine, really. As soon as he got out of here, anyway.
If there was something wrong then Ryoga was sure as hell not telling him. And Saeki supposed it was not his place to meddle exactly. But then he wasn't eager to send off a potentially sick and new boy to wander off on his own. Did Ryoga know his way around properly? "Just take a seat. I'll be done soon."
"I -- I'm all right, really." Ryoga took a step back to get further from Saeki. Damn it, did he have to be so close? "I just... this place, kind of..."
"You simply don't look alright you know..." Saeki's hand went up to tentatively touch the other's forehead. Fever? It didn't seem like it. But then...
Backing away, Ryoga slapped Saeki's hand away, hissing, "Don't touch me!" Concerned gesture or not, he just... he just couldn't stand it, not now, not here.
Ok, so that had been a bad idea. And he didn't know what to do now. "Just calm down. " Saeki licked his lips, withdrawing his hand even though it was kind of hard to not try to reach out again. Thats how it had been back home. A touch or hug had always worked much better than words. But... that was not going to work here.
"Just... don't touch me." Ryoga kept backing away, his eyes fixed on Saeki. "I'm warning you. The last guy who tried bloody well regretted it."
"Then don't run away and wait here like a good kid. " Saeki spoke. That was the best way to deal with this wasn't it? Now he was really not eager to let Ryoga wander off. Not when he didn't look ok...
"...Fine. Whatever." Not that he was a kid, but as long as the idiot didn't come any closer to him... If Saeki took too long with his shower, though... He wasn't about to stay in the locker room for long.
Saeki just nodded to that and disappeared in the shower. So he supposed he would have to cut that long shower short, it was more like a quick wash up instead of a shower. And when he stepped out half dressed, his hair was still tousled and wet.
Ryoga half considered just making a run for it while Saeki was in the shower. However, while the chance of the other chasing him was rather small, it still existed, and he'd really rather not have that happen... It was bad enough he was close to freaking out in front of Saeki, he really didn't want anyone to see him running away with a half-dressed guy chasing him. Therefore, as Saeki returned, he was standing there with his arms crossed across his chest, looking rather defensive.
"See? Still here. Am I a good kid now?" he asked rather snappishly, trying to mask his still remaining nervousness.
"Hai, hai. " Saeki ran a hand through his hair, half distracted as he slipped on the shirt.. which got a bit damp too, there were still droplets of water sticking on skin and hair. So Ryoga sounded normal now. Saeki picked up his bag, stuffing some things into it. "Ready to go?" he asked, somewhat amused at the look he was getting.
Damn it, Saeki was even prettier now, still half wet and everything. Doing his best not to look that way, Ryoga just huffed, turning away from Saeki. "I would've gone a while ago, pretty-face..."
"I hope you are not going to make a habit of calling me that...." He sighed already knowing it was futile trying to reason that out. This was the third time he was getting called that. Or fourth? " And I didn't make you wait that long. " Saeki added falling in step with Ryoga.
Ryoga blinked. "You don't like it?" Most people liked being told they were pretty, after all. "And I still don't understand why you'd make me wait at all."
"Tell that to a girl and you'll make her happy. " Saeki frowned, "... And I didn't want to send you when you were like that.." he added, that was more or less it. It was rare for him to want to watch out for someone especially here. But then for some reason he had felt like that. Maybe it was because of the way Ryoga had reacted. He had known it was not a physical illness, but something else.
"Like what?" asked Ryoga, though he was pretty sure what Saeki meant. "There's nothing wrong with me." So what if he made sure to stay out of Saeki's reach.
Like what? Saeki opened his mouth only to shut it again. He had a feeling words were not going to work with this boy at all. And he wondered he had imagined everything that had happened before him showering "Like this. " Saeki simply raised his hand and brought it near Ryoga's face. Just cm's away from touching.
Oh, Hell no. Backing away, Ryoga swatted Saeki's hand away. "Stay the fuck away from me," he almost growled. Was the pretty boy stupid or what? One would think he'd learn from one time...
"You can stop pretending like you are ok you know." Saeki spoke after a moments silence, his hand had dropped to the side . Of course it was Ryoga's choice entirely, how he wanted to deal with things. But then ...
"...The Hell am I pretending," Ryoga muttered. "I'm just as okay as anyone in this damn place." Just because his quirk happened to show up didn't mean nobody else had any weird habits, right?
"Nobody is ok in this place. " Saeki spoke, a hint of a wistful smile on his face. That was why they were all in this school, somewhat reminiscent of a cage. Or at times prison. But then it was not all that bad.
"Okay is relative. For someone in this kind of a place, I'm okay, aren't I?" At least he'd had a justification for his crime. He was sure many of the other students didn't even have as much as that.
"I suppose thats kinda true. " At least he was talking with Ryoga. And the other was doing the same for him. It was a start if nothing else....
"Then why so bloody worried? Or whatever you are." It made Ryoga feel uncomfortable. Extra attention was... well. Bad.
"Is it wrong to worry a little?" Saeki spoke, his voice tinged with mild confusion. He didn't think it was something out of the ordinary.. Or maybe it was. One didn't usually go around worrying about strangers. But then it was difficult to find people to talk to in this place. And after playing with Ryoga, he was kind of happy about meeting someone he could possibly get along with. Maybe that was it.
Ryoga ran a hand through his hair, sighing in something akin to frustration. "It's not wrong," he sighed. "I just have no idea why you would do something like that. Nobody ever worries about me." Well, aside from his mother, perhaps, but then he'd got rather skilful at ignoring her worrying. If he'd paid any attention to it, he wouldn't have run in the first place, after all.
"I'm better when I have someone to worry about." Saeki smiled a bit. That must have sounded like a strange explanation but it was the only one he could come up with. These days he had not been great with people. And there were times when he wanted everyone to go away. But then he knew that he still needed them in the end. Being alone was quiet. But it was lonely too.
"Really, now?" Ryoga chuckled somewhat humourlessly. "You're a strange one, aren't you? Well, worry all you want, as long as you don't touch me." Admitting the reason for his freak-out was somewhat embarrassing, but it wasn't like Saeki couldn't figure it out himself, unless he was an idiot. And if he said it aloud, at least Saeki couldn't claim not to have known.
"Hai, hai. I'll try" It was going to be somewhat troublesome, the not touching clause. They played tennis, the both of them. And simple gestures like handshakes or a slap on the back were almost unconcious actions during a game. "You know you should drop the habit of trying to kill anyone who accidentally touches you, it's dangerous..." he sighed.
"It's not like I've always gone after anyone who as much as comes close," Ryoga said dryly. "And I've never tried to kill anyone." Not that he'd really minded hearing that had happened… "Besides, I'm not always that bad. It's just… locker rooms." He had no idea why he was telling these things to Saeki - he'd hardly told anyone unless forced - but apparently he was still weak enough to go after concern where it was offered, however little he understood the motives behind it.
"We are not in a locker room now." Saeki pointed out as they walked. Locker rooms huh? So it was more related to the place? He found himself curious about the boy, but it ... was really not polite to probe, was it? If Ryoga wanted to talk, he was listening. If not, then he could take his own time to find out.
"I guess not. But we were." Ryoga sighed again. He probably seemed like a madman or something, but… maybe if he explained… "My former tennis coach? Was rotten to the core. Tried to… well. He started it as molesting, but he was trying to rape me. In the freaking locker room." He smiled somewhat wryly. "I made sure he wouldn't try again and landed myself here in the middle of bloody nowhere."
"Oh..." Well that.. made a whole lot of sense all of a sudden. The dislike of being touched. And in the locker rooms. He had heard about those kind of things happening, but then it had never happened with him, other than the occasional someone getting too touchy-feely, who used to lose that habit after getting a nice accidental kick in the shins. "You need to pick up on self defense or something..."
"Oh, I can defend myself well enough." Ryoga smirked. "Or why'd you think I'm here?"
"Well, you are kind of small." Saeki spoke. Maybe small was not the right word. Skinny? No matter how he saw it, Ryoga looked like .. well, easy prey.
"I'm perhaps not the biggest of guys around, but I'm tough enough to look after myself." He'd kind of had to learn to fight for himself, after all, given how easily irritated he sometimes was. "Thanks for the concern, though. I guess."
"If you need anything feel free to come to me. " Saeki spoke as they made their way down the halls. "I'm a vice prefect here... And I don't know if it'll help, but if you need something, you can ask. " having said that, he doubted if Ryoga would actually come to him. So he didn't know why he had bothered saying all of that..but..
"Not my dorm's, though... Presumably there's someone besides me in my dorm, but I'm yet to meet anyone. Not sure if I want to. But... I'll keep that in mind." He had no idea whether he'd actually talk to Saeki, but... at least he wasn't a complete stranger. Or something.
"I'll be seeing you in the club anyway, won't I?" Saeki spoke. So they were in different dorms, he knew as much. After all he hadn't been informed that someone was coming to their dorms. Speaking of which they were almost there.
"...I guess." Ryoga sighed. "...Sorry for being so difficult." He might've been a difficult person sometimes, but that didn't mean he wanted to make enemies on purpose -- and, well, he kind of liked Saeki in some weird way. It was rare enough that he liked anyone, so he didn't want to ruin that right away.
"Well, just keep that in mind. " Saeki shook his head, hand reaching out to almost ruffle Ryoga's hair before dropping away. No touching, right? It would be great if he had at least one person he could talk with in this place. "I'll see you around then."
"...Right. See you." And, with this, Ryoga headed towards his own dorm.