Ascension│Bluelock x male reader

38. Loki

Y/N had thought he was ready. He'd foolishly thought he was prepared, eating his breakfast fast and hoping it'd go down before the match started.

They'd done the warmups as a team. While they weren't that good together, with Rin and Y/N bickering at every opportunity, Rin and Isagi fighting each other in their heads for the ball, and Bachira finding opportunities everywhere to karate chop people in the head, they weren't bad.

Isagi and Rin could link up and... not work together, but use each other in the twisted way only two egoists could. Y/N heard Isagi refer to it as 'devouring', but there was no way he was going to bring himself to say that.

Bachira dished out good passes all the time, dribbling well, and he'd evolved to the point where he could challenge Rin and Isagi, push them beyond their own boundaries and make them work harder. Aryu paired well with him, able to receive all high passes well, as well as being a defensive anchor.

So, Y/N had thought he was ready. He'd laced up his shoes, taking deep breaths as they did some basic stretches. He'd put a confident, excited smile on his face, breathing in through his nose and out through his mouth.

He'd laughed with the rest of them as they prepared, he'd talked with them as they discussed strategies and their opponents. One of the major advantages they had, Aryu pointed out, was that they already knew a little bit about the World Five's strengths and abilities. On the other hand, they knew nothing.

Y/N had stood up with a skip in his step, ready to face his childhood best friend again. He'd been ready.

So why, as soon as he walked onto the pitch, as soon as he spotted a flash of dark skin, and a glimpse of honey-brown eyes, had his knees buckled and he'd collapsed to the floor. The field was normal as ever - just, he was there. 

He hit the ground in an undignified manner, nose first as his arms shot out to catch himself. Isagi and Bachira were immediately by his side, the latter grabbing onto his shoulders to keep him from hurting himself. "Jeez, Y/N. Nervous, much?"

"Not at all." Y/N managed. "Just..." Wanting to be sick. Wanting to hide in a corner and cry. Wanting to be anywhere but here. He chose not to continue.

"It's that Loki guy, isn't it?"

Y/N immediately glanced up with surprise, face reddening. He didn't notice how fast his heart was beating just at the mention of the name. He stammered, wide eyes staring at Bachira. "W-what?!"

Bachira just grinned. "Am I right?" 

"I..." Y/N hesitated. "Guess so..."

"What's up with you and him? Yesterday, when you saw his image, you looked pretty messed up. I did notice that, by the way." He helped to lift Y/N to his feet, gently. "Past lovers?"

Y/N nearly choked on his saliva. "No!" He sighed. "We knew each other when we were kids. Childhood best friend."

Humming with thought, Bachira nodded once. "Mkay. Well, still time to be friends again!" Bachira tugged Y/N towards the centre of the pitch, giggling like a young kid.

Julian was standing in the middle of the field, alongside the other four members of the World Five. They all wore white jerseys, chatting between themselves. They looked perfectly at ease in the Bluelock environment, smiles all round. 

Gradually, they noticed Team Red coming onto the field, Y/N basically being held upright by Bachira. The bumblebee boy was grinning like a madman, waving to Loki as he lugged Y/N into the field. "Yoohoo! Mr French!"

Once Y/N realised what Bachira's intent was, the blush spread from his face, all the way up to his ears and bloomed down his neck. He squirmed out of Bachira's grip, mortally embarrassed as he stumbled a little and barely managed to stay standing. He didn't dare look over at the World Five, though. My heart would implode.