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The worst thing you could do in Blue Lock was have a strong bond with another player. No matter platonic or romantic, you would end up being separated and it would irreparably damage both parties involved.
You would feel your body struggling to keep its shape, trying to stop itself from becoming a blob of terribleness. A useless slush of a person who can’t even stand to kick a ball let alone revolutionize Japanese soccer.
Bachira knew this. He witnessed it first hand thrice. He heard of it happening even more times.
This is why after the second selection despite his increasing affection for Isagi he promised he wouldn’t let it grow any further. He vowed to not let himself get too attached to any other player. He needed to focus on being the best soccer player, the best striker. Besides if he failed to keep up with the others in soccer he would lose them all anyway.
So why was he currently caught in the world's oddest three person situationship? They were supposed to be a strategic triangle not a love triangle.
Bachira felt like it wasn’t his fault. He knew he liked Isagi romantically but he forced himself to think as long as they could keep playing soccer together it didn’t matter if they didn’t stay super close.
His crush on Isagi bothered him sometimes. It was like having a rock in his shoe at all times. It was bearable but always there. However he could live with it. He could have casual friends, he could learn to do that. In fact a lot of his teammates had become just that.
Despite this the universe just had to ruin his peace. It always wanted to beat him up either mentally or physically. Somehow Otoya had heard through the grape vine that Rin had a crush on Bachira.
His next course of action was to tell Bachira.
In the middle of practice.
Which immediately caused him to slam into a teammate.
They both took a break to plug up their bloody noses and ice their bruised limbs. Otoya apologized but Bachira wasn't listening to him at that point. His face held a blank expression while his mind raced.
Bachira had considered him liking Isagi. He had considered the idea of Isagi liking him back. He had even thought of Rin and Isagi liking each other.
Not ever did he consider Rin liking him? That simply couldn’t be true. Rin couldn’t be that stupid…no he couldn't be. Otoya must’ve heard wrong or just made something up to fuck with him.
It’s not that Bachira would be upset if Rin did like him. Rin was charming in an asshole way and was the second person he truly wanted to play soccer with at Blue Lock. He was a talented player and the monster inside him loved the thrill. Bachira always thought Rin barely tolerated him. He never smiled at him and actively avoided training with him. He got annoyed whenever Bachira opened his mouth. He didn’t even think Rin considered them friends.
However, through a series of questionings and one visual aid, Bachira concluded that in fact Rin maybe did like him. Several teammates confirmed it after some prying and Shidou started ranting about it. He apparently was the first to notice and had been torturing Rin about it. Typical.
Not only did Rin like him but he also liked Isagi and maybe Isagi liked him and Bachira back but-
This was all too confusing. How did this happen? How could any of them let this happen? Why was he not eating a sweet treat right now as a reward for being so brave?
So he did what he did best and slept on it.
——-
“Meguru no feeding wild animals,” Rin scoffed and snatched the bread crumbs from Bachira’s hands.
“Aw but Rin Chan they look hungry! Plus if they like it enough maybe I can bribe them to be my duck army!” Bachira giggled at the thought of several mallard ducks all in a row following him home. He’d make them a nest out of blankets and little hats out of origami.
“Rin’s right. Bread is bad for ducks Meg. Plus if they are fed by humans they could become too reliant and not able to hunt for their own food” Isagi chimed in. He was no duck expert but he noticed there was a sign explaining this all by the edge of the lake. Rin had probably already read it too but Bachira definitely had not. In fact Bachira probably hadn’t even noticed there was a sign.
“Mmm tough love I guess. I’ll eat all of it then,”
“No you are not eating stale bread,” Rin yanked the bag away and threw it towards trash. He missed by a foot. It didn’t even touch the can. It just plopped pathetically on the ground. The bag spilled open and the ducks noticed immediately. They circled and started to feast.
“Wow you’re terrible at throwing,” Isagi chuckled, trying to slightly subdue his laughter so as to not anger Rin. Bachira, however, was laughing too hard to even be annoyed at Rin for trying to trash his food.
“Shut it, the bag is light and not a good projectile. It’s not a ball,” Rin huffed, “Stupid ducks I hope they choke and die…” After grumbling some more he yanked Bachira up by his shirt.
“Don’t say that. I like ducks,” Bachira smiled. After seeing Rin pout he grabbed his face and kissed him quickly, “Owls too I guess,”
Rin rolled his eyes but a slight blush dusted his cheeks.
“Come on love birds we need to get going anyway,” Isagi grabbed both of them and dragged them toward the park’s central path.
“Worst date ever…” Rin muttered.
“Maybe if you’re a duck health enthusiast but I assure you that the worlds best striker loved it,” Bachira giggled as he swung his and Isagi’s arms.
“I sure did” Isagi said.
“I meant me Yo-chan,” Bachira flicked his arm before giving him a kiss as well. The sun was starting to set. A golden glow fading into the water behind them. Bachira sighed with contentment as the three of them walked back to their apartment.
Bachira woke up super confused. Was he not only gay for one but two of his competitors at Blue Lock? Also yeah he usually dreamed about soccer players but never did he have nights where he saw him and Zico on date. Also where was the soccer ball in that dream? How was there not one in sight?
Bachira sighed and looked up at the clock. It wasn’t even midnight. He flopped back into the bed hoping for a dream that had more answers. At the least one where he could get canned pineapple or something.