9

Playing doubles is going a lot better than anyone expected. Even their fellow members are surprised by the perfect chemistry the two players worked around the court. People wonder if it they are practicing together without others knowing. As far as it is understood, the two players often play against each other rather than with each other. What is discussed is how the decision for the substitution was impulsive and made a couple hours after the doubles competition yesterday.

Fiat and Leo hardly broke sweat their first few games. They are even laughing before and after games as they felt little tension between. Ann, Fern and their friends come again and are surprised to find the new pairing and cheer even louder than they did the day before. Both give a polite bow and a shake of the hands of their opponents before pulling each other into a hug as they make it to the finals. By standers and other members of the club clasp their shoulders and comment about how clean the game was. Fiat tackles Leo's shoulders and Leo reacts quickly by holding his weight on his back as they parade around a little before stopping in front of Ann. Fiat hops down and gives her a smug smile. She rolls her eyes before poking his chest and reminding him not to get a big head as it is a doubles game and Leo has just as much right to the win as he does. "Well, of course, Pip. I'm not saying Leo didn't do anything, but let's be real here. The games would not be as easy as they have been. All we need to do is keep it up and Max and Mike have nothing on us."

"Whatever, Fiat. You always have such a big head after your games. Why can't you be humble like Leo?" Ann scowls at Fiat only to be shot down by her claim.

"Sorry, Ann, but winning these games as we have, I can't help but feel a bit confident for the finals," Leo slugs his arm around Fiat and gives a little shrug of his shoulders. Ann presses her lips together. Her and her friends are quick to compliment him and say he deserves to boast about his wins and feel confident about it. Fiat groans and rolls his eyes as he tosses Leo's arm off his shoulder and claims to use the restroom. He will rather walk out than be stuck to listen to Leo being raised onto a pedestal by his best friend. Fiat did not need to use the restroom and actually goes to the practice section and finds a vacant section on the stands and lays down. He stretches his arms over his head and hums as he feels his spine crack. His adrenaline was quickly draining from the games and the exhaustion from the day before is catching up with him. There is a thirty minute break before the finals and while he should not let his adrenaline drop, Fiat needed this nap. He throws his arm over his eyes and quickly loses consciousness.

A soft touch is brushing against his nose and Fiat 'hmphs' as he scrunches his face and shields it from being touched again. A low chuckle fills his ears and Fiat just sighs. "Don't be weird, Leo. Give me a sec."

"How about a massage? May as well since your laying here," Leo offers. A smile rises on Fiat's face and he flips to his stomach and happily exposed his back and shoulders to Leo. With eyes still shut, Fiat hears Leo shift and suddenly a weight is at the back of his thighs before a firm press against his lower back follows. Fiat moans in delight. Leo's hands place pressure all at the right places and Fiat audible lets him know how great it feels. Just before he really feels his muscles loose, everything disappears. "Alright, that's enough."

Leo clears his throat as he stands and falls onto the vacant seat at Fiat's feet. Fiat sits up with a frown, but thanks him anyway. He adjusts his clothes and rolls his neck out before turning to Leo. Fiat raises a brow to see a disgruntled man and questions, "Do you want a massage back? I'm not great at it, but I can try. Here, let me try the shoulders."

Fiat hops over the row they were on, to the one behind them and firmly holds Leo down. Unconfidently, Fiat works his hands into Leo's shoulders, neck and upper arms. His focus to do a good job makes his tongue poke out as he brows knit together. Fiat is unknowledgeable in massaging people and tries to copy what Leo did that he liked. With two hands rubbing over Leo's left shoulder, extending to the pectoral, a hand shoots out to stop him. Fiat pauses with fear that he was doing something wrong, but is reassured as Leo turns around with a smile. "I think I'm good now. Thanks, Fiat. We should actually head back out to the other side. I think finals will be starting soon. I was actually suppose to take you back earlier. Coach was asking for us."

Fiat nods and the two of them make their way over. There was no surprise on who their last game is with. Mike and Max are already strong players alone. When put together, players need to be prepared in all ways. Endurance, stability, perception, strength, and game knowledge. Coach helps run down the recent games of both sides and gives tips on what to focus on. Fiat and Leo nod, absorbing all the information together. When the time comes, the two give a little cheers with their chocolate pieces and devour it for good measures. A little pick-me-up like that can do no harm.

As per usual, they meet at the net and exchange greetings. Mike and Max were never one to have simple greetings and they did not disappoint. "Aww, Max, we got some lovebirds playing with us. If you guys are really into polyamorous relationships, we don't bite - much."

"Three's a crowd, but five can have some fun," Max adds to Mike's statement. Leo and Fiat clench their hands as their jaw sets. They mentally prepared themselves for trash talk from the two, but this was getting out of hand. Max's eyes shine at the successful disturbance. "Don't be ashamed, my friends. What better time to be opened minded and accept the different kinds of relationships than now? We for sure would not want to ruin you more after beating you today than to judge that kind of relationship you guys are into-"

"Shut it, P'Max. You too, P'Mike. You don't know anything about us. Just play the game we're here to play. At least be respectful while we are on court," Leo snaps. Fiat puts a hand over Leo's flexed forearm in attempt to calm him. Leo glances down, his body relaxes, but his face was still scrunched with irritation and anger. Fiat chuckles, confusing not only his partner, but the opponents as well.

"No need, get so bothered by what they say, Leo. They lost the singles tournament because I kicked them off the leaderboards. This is all they have going for them. They're not as cracked as they once were." Fiat used their strategies against them. While Mike and Max are indeed out of the singles competition thanks to Fiat, they are still at their peak as athletes. Leo understands what Fiat is doing and smiles, his face now relaxing to match his broad and tall form. Fiat pats the tall man's shoulder. "Let's show them what it's like to play as perfect partners."

"Let's," Leo nods and it is true. After today, there is no doubting that they were a perfect pairing on court. All the games playing against each other has taught them more about how the other plays than playing with the person for hours on end. Fiat hooks his racket behind his head and wiggles his brows, annoyingly, at the pair of tall opponents on the other side. Once they take their spots, Fiat twirls the racket with his fingers and smirks. He was feeling the nerves, but the game with these people was the show, not the game play. The two teams are both strong players, so the next thing to win is to mess with their heads. While Mike and Max are quick with their words, Fiat and Leo agreed to act passively that would irritate the aggressor more than responding back to match them.

Unlike the previous games, this game took much longer and quickly broke sweat for all four players. A break is called for and they take the two minutes to catch their breath and hydrate. Leo and Fiat reserve their energy by little movements and lack of talking while the coach pinpoints everything that they and the other team had habits of doing this game. Returning back to court, both teams have a more information about approaching the game. This means it's a game to test each other's stamina and endurance.

It goes long past the regular time frame and neither side agreed to cut the game short, eating into their break time and lunch. While this is Mike and Max's last game, Fiat and Leo still had more. "Match point! We are cutting the deuces here for time restraints. First to make a point wins. Current score, 20-20 with both teams winning one game of three. The next point determines the champions of the doubles category!"

The crowd is bigger as they are the only ones playing now. All of them are heaving as their bodies are drenched with sweat. Their last two games went to a total of almost fifty rounds each. They are a match. When one gets a point, the other is soon to follow. Leo calls out to Fiat who tiredly looks over at him. "If we win this, grant me a wish?"

"And what do I get in return?" Fiat questions, his mind was to exhausted to even question the kind of wish Leo would have. Typical of them to still hold bets at a time like this, but in a way, it is how they motivate each other. Neither of them like losing. "I'll have a wish of my own. I can't think of anything right now."

"Deal. Let's win this game, eat some food, devour the goods you still have left and take a well earned nap before singles," Leo nods. Fiat mirrors him and they take their stance. In seconds, they look as though it is the beginning of the game. As if they did not spend over an hour playing the same game. They were determined and rejuvenated. It shocks not only the onlookers, but their opponents as well. Mike and Max are heaving as they exchange glances and will themselves to squeeze out the last of their energy. The whistle blows and Fiat sends the shuttlecock over the net.

"Tew, Poy, 20 minutes before our game, okay? Wake us up 20 minutes," Leo reminds the two members who were lounging beside them on their phones. Fiat was already settled onto the floor with his bag under his head and a sweater over his body. Tew and Poy assure them that they will. Leo yawns before falling back into his own bag and hooks his arm behind his head. "Fiat, if we happen to ever play against each other. Just make the game quick. I don't think I have the energy to play another game like that."

"Just don't throw games in order to avoid meeting me at finals. There's no fun at that," Fiat grins with closed eyes and sighs before quickly passing out. His body and mind have been drained from that game. He is ready to go back to his apartment tonight and fall into his bed. The only dread he has, is that tomorrow is Monday and school has no breaks for club activities.

Leo ends up losing a few games in. It is not that he is a worse player, but his body is definitely slower than it normally is due to exhaustion. Even his opponent has agreed that it was not a fair game and hopes to meet again on better terms. Now it is time for Fiat's game before the finals. Currently, Fiat is moving thoroughly with reflexes as his mind is already to exhausted to create plays. The coach cannot even blame him as he notices the lack of attacks than usual. Fiat's default defense is strong and it keeps the game going longer than anyone wants it to be. Leo slides into the seat beside Ann to ask how it has been going and sighs knowing how Fiat is feeling. Fiat loosely moves around the court. He knows he has to make more attacks, but he is unable to react fast enough to get to the shuttle cock at the right time to smash it into the other side.

Somehow, it reaches game point and Fiat is bent over, leaning against his knees as he tries to regain his mentality. A hand settles onto his back and he looks up to see Leo. "You played great today, Fiat. Just finish the games and let's bring back two champion trophies. You got this in the bag. Every time Kin hits it to your left and you send it back to his left, the bird flies high. Just smash it down and move onto the finals. Bring your head back to the court."

Fiat just stares at Leo as he brings a finger to the middle Fiat's forehead and pokes at it before moving it in circles. Leo smirks and checks if Fiat is comprehending what he is saying. Fiat nods and Leo ruffles his head before returning back to the seat beside Ann. Fiat takes a deep breath and nods to the referee that he is ready. He watches Kin's movements and after one round of seeing the sequence that Leo told him, he does as planned and smashes it straight to the floor. The whistle blows and Fiat's body finally gets a moments rest. He shakes Kin's hand before dragging himself to the team. They congratulate him for reaching the finals and he can only make grunts and hums as responses.

"Chefs kiss," Leo says walking up to him with Ann and Fern.

"Drag on the game why don't you? You already knew that Kin has a weak left receive," Fern rolls her eyes. Fiat just glared at her and argues that she should try playing all the games that he has these past two days and see if she would not be in the same state as he is. "Whatever. Good job anyway. Try not to make this one and longer. We all still need to eat dinner and drive back home. School still starts early morning."

"Your free to leave, Ficus! You don't seem to want to be here anyway," Fiat sneers. Fern was about to retaliate when they were quickly separated by their friends. Fiat huffs and takes the towel from Ann's hands and wipes off his sweat. "Thirty minutes before the last game. I don't think I am going to step onto a court for a while."

"We both know we will be seeing each other by the end of this week," Leo chuckles as he takes the towel from Fiat's hands and helps dry his back. Fiat snickers and nods his head in agreement. It's the same thing every tournament. They claim to never want to come back to it, but end up there a few days later. Fiat finds the closest thing to him to lay his head against and it just so happens to be Leo's stomach. "Almost there, Fiat. Almost there."

Fiat's tired body is thrown into the air as he finishes the last game of this seasons tournament. Fiat and Leo stand side by side while holding their trophies while other members wear their medals for their placements. They take a photo and tiredly yet cheerfully make their way onto the bus. The club is going for a quick celebratory dinner. In a stark contrast to the quiet bus ride, the pizzeria is lively with the rambunctious players. The team trophies sit at the center of the table and they all suddenly forget the fatigue from the day.

"You going to be okay to drive home tonight?" Leo leans over while Fiat is munching onto a meat lovers slice. Fiat chews and swallows the bite in his hide mouth. He nods his head and mentions that he should bring his car anyway so he can drive in the morning anyway. "Your call. I don't mind ride sharing. Your place isn't that far from mine."

"It's alright. I also have to go to the market tomorrow-"

"You're still working in the morning? Are you crazy?" Leo's eyes widen when he hears what Fiat is saying. Fiat rubs his face and nods. Work and school keep going regardless. "Well what time do you have to get up? Your body is going to give out if you keep at this."

"I wake up at 6:30 to get to the market. I'll manage somehow. It's not all the time that this happens. It's the same every tournament," Fiat shrugs. He sips on his water knowing how tired he will be. "Just look out for me during class. I may doze off."

"Mm," Leo nods. Fiat yawns before laughing as he spots some of the members dance around between tables. It is late at night and they were the only ones in the restaurant. Not long after, they all arrive at campus and part ways. Fiat tiredly lugs his bag with him and tosses it into his car. He prepares to collapse into the drivers seat when his name gets called. "Oi! Fiat!"

He stops midway of stepping into his car and retracts his leg to turn towards Leo who was making his way over. "Leo? Need something?"

"Thanks for playing doubles with me when you didn't have to. I just realized I never actually thanked you for that." Leo grins tiredly and Fiat gives an airy chuckle.

"It was fun. I haven't played doubles competitively since high school. It was refreshing," Fiat smiles. It is true. While Fiat was excessively drained from his energy, Fiat would do it again. "I'm glad to do have done it with you, Leo, but you still have a bad habit of those feints. They're good until someone is ready for it and sends it high and far."

"That's why I have you there, don't I? To protect the backside and take all of the strikes?" Leo smirks making Fiat roll his eyes. "I'll be bringing you breakfast this week, so just make sure to rest as much as you can."

"You rest too. We both had a crazy day today. I'll see you before class," Fiat pats Leo's arm and slides into his car while Leo takes a step back to let him shut the door. Fiat smiles to himself all the way to his apartment and even when he lays in his bed after a shower. He brings his arm up and behind his head as he reflects on the great events that occurred today thanks to Leo. It does not even stop with today. Fiat acknowledges how much his life has shifted the moment he started noticing Leo. Albeit be because of Ann and her crush, but he still acknowledges that Leo had firmly made his way into Fiat's life whether he wanted it or not. Fiat goes to sleep for the night at 00:13. Unknowing to what the day will bring when he wakes up the next day.

*******

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ

thoughts??

They won! Fiat even brought home the singles winning trophy with a bit of guidance from Leo when he was at a stalemate in his gameplay. A bit more tourney focused, but let's not forget the amazing chemistry the two have on and off the court.

What do you think Leo and Fiat will use their wishes on? It seems that the two always play bets, but it is never to drive the other down. They have a different kind of competitiveness than what Fiat and Fern have, but a competitive drive nonetheless.

Also, are the massage scenes weird. Trying to have intimacy without actually having intimacy. Leo obviously reacts to it more than Fiat is and he is the one receiving the massage. I probably won't put them in again, because I'm not feeling it, but will keep it in where I've written them already.

Anyway, more of a filler chapter, but a closure to the tournament part of the storyline nonetheless. I will probably make a double update again and make a note at the beginning of next chapter to make sure people know!