Chapter Text
“Solidarity are you there?”
Jimmy cracked his knuckles against his side, an old habit of his.
“Yeah,” he breathed. “I’m still here.”
“Welcome to majors kid, you’ll be activated tomorrow.”
Something about baseball was that it moved too fast if you were lucky, sometimes you weren’t and it moved slow, or it didn’t move at all. Jimmy Solidarity had always been lucky.
From as long as he could remember, Jimmy lived and breathed baseball, so much so his whole family uprooted from England to America at twelve years old. Jimmy’s whole existence had been batting cages, bases, and cardio. Arguably, the last one was Jimmy’s least favourite.
Jimmy had been scouted in high school, something he’d dreamed. He wasn’t scouted by any of the teams he expected, he’d grown up in California so he’d assumed if he was drafted it would be one of the three MLB teams in that state but it was none other than the Arizona Diamonbacks who’d immediately drafted him upon graduation.
By nineteen years old, Jimmy was playing in Double A, the Amarillo Sod Poodles. He didn’t last long there before moving to Triple-A, the Reno Aces. Ten days before he turned twenty, he got the call.
“My jersey? Do I get to keep my number?” Jimmy asked quickly before the GM could hang up. He knew it was stupid but he was just in so much shock.
The GM laughed; “sure kid.”
Jimmy had been recalled due to an older player injuring his left ankle via sprain. Jimmy knew the recall could last just as quick as it came, but he also knew he was well talked about prospect, he knew he had to show up in the game and play the best he ever had.
— *✲ﾟ*｡✧ —
It was hard getting used to the dry desert heat again. Jimmy, as usual, was not a fan. From British weather to California to Toronto weather, he’d still admit Arizona had the worst weather no matter what time of year.
Besides feeling sticky and gross from the awful heat that day, Jimmy always felt extra on edge when he played the Arizona Diamondbacks. Though he wouldn’t admit it, not ever actually. He could never give Skizz that satisfaction.
Jimmy stretched out on the bench of his locker, he’d just changed into shorts and a simple shirt, they were only at the visiting clubhouse to drop off a few bags, they would come back later to start practising. His headphones were in, not unusual for him when he was alone. The tune of Carla’s Song made his leg bounce to the music.
Suddenly Joel appeared, a wide grin spread across his face. Grian appeared beside him, sharing that same devilish smile. “Don’t you two start,” Jimmy grumbled, taking out his headphones. “I’m too sweaty and sticky for this.”
Joel sat down beside Jimmy, clearly having no care for personal space. “Just how the fans like you then,” he laughed. “Some of the D-backs would love to see it too.”
Jimmy shouldered him while Grian snorted. “Please, we all know you’re the eye candy of the MLB,” Grian started. “Now can we please get lunch, I don’t know what they’re trying to serve us at the team buffet.”
Jimmy gladly jumped up. There was zero AC in the clubhouse at that moment and Jimmy genuinely thought he might just melt. “I’ve been waiting for you two,” Jimmy complained.
Martyn, their burly catcher who’d wandered over, grinned. “From what I’ve seen you’ve been staring at the floor.”
Joel ruffled his hair which earned a squeal from Jimmy. “See any D-Backs yet? I know one who would love to see you!” They all knew who Joel spoke about, and they all knew that was absolutely not correct.
Jimmy got up, stretching. “Tek would love it if one of his pitchers threw a fastball at my head.” Truth was, Jimmy couldn’t exactly blame him. He also wouldn’t mind if Tango told a pitcher to do it, at least Jimmy would know Tango was thinking of him.
Martyn lightly body checked him. “You dream about that?” Jimmy didn’t answer that, instead he put away his headphones in his bag and looked at his phone. Tango was a subject he didn’t often discuss.
Grian groaned again. “Can we please go now? I am starving!” Jimmy highly doubted that, he saw him, Scar, and Joel consume far too many airplane meals in a span of four and a half hours just this morning.
They’d asked Jimmy for suggestions on any good restaurants nearby and Jimmy immediately thought about a local eatery he used to go to in his rookie season. They had all kinds of meals and it was a quiet spot, Jimmy was quite sure it was the Diamondbacks who kept it open.
That’s why he shouldn’t have been so shocked when they got there and none other than number 65 was standing by the pickup area. The man turned, his smile huge. “Jiggles?” he asked.
Jimmy would have hoped Skizz would stop calling him that by now. Yet he couldn’t help but smile back. “Hey Skizz!” he exclaimed, genuinely happy. Jimmy liked the guy, Skizz was one of the few guys who still kept in touch and had nothing but kindness for him.
Skizz didn’t waste any time before pulling Jimmy into a headlock. “Kids famous now!” he cheered. “Saw that winning grand slam against the Astros last week, weekly recaps have been having a hay day with it.”
Jimmy snorted slightly shoving Skizz off him. “It wasn’t that impressive, the pitcher gave me a perfect ball to hit.”
A man turned from looking very closely at the wall painting. “You never did give yourself enough credit, Solidarity.” Jimmy’s smile brightened, Impulse was a steady presence in his time with D-backs.
Joel interrupted with a loud snort. “I have no idea what you mean, Jim’s always showing off against us.” Jimmy was quick to flip him off before hugging Impulse. The older catcher had genuinely been one of the steadiest presences in his rookie year, something Jimmy had needed.
Skizz ruffled his air, Jimmy made a squeak of protest, he hated having his hair touched, and everyone around him loved that fact. “He’s been showing us all up since he was twenty, when I was twenty I was still in college baseball.”
Impulse gently pushed Skizz away. “He was nineteen, even worse.”
“We get it, the kids good,” Martyn started. “Now can we talk about the burrito choices here? It is fantastic!”
While Skizz, Impulse, Martyn, and Joel sat down with their food, Grian was near Jimmy waiting for his own. Jimmy hadn’t ordered yet and Grian was staring him down. “Are you going to eat Tim? Or just stand there like a knobhead.”
Jimmy hummed. “Both, maybe, whatever bothers you the most.”
“You think too loud Jim. You get like this every time you have to face the Diamondbacks.”
Jimmy looked at him taken aback although he knew it was true. This was his third time returning as a Blue Jay rather than a D-back, still he denied. “I don’t know what you mean Grian.”
Grian only rolled his eyes before collecting the bag of food that had been placed on the counter. “Already ordered for you, I got you some tostadas,” he told the blonde. Jimmy had mentioned wanting them. “For the record, during BP, please don’t stare at Tek.”
— *✲ﾟ*｡✧ —
Jimmy couldn’t really ever describe the feeling of walking in his first major league locker room. On the outside he was an overly confident kid, on the inside he was clumsy and was unsure where to step.
The Diamondback roster was one he’d studied constantly, as a minor league player he always thought about the majors but sometimes he’d doubt it would ever happen despite being a top prospect.
He’d just arrived in Phoenix hours ago and now he was in Chase Field stadium, staring down a locker that had his name and number on it like he’d always been promised it.
“Solidarity, number 22?” a voice asked. “Heard you’re our saviour hitter tonight.”
Jimmy turned, he didn’t know whether he should speak to anyone but the guy who smiled at him was friendly and he was a familiar face. Impulse was two years with the Diamondbacks, started as a backup catcher but now he was used almost every day.
“You speak a lot more in interviews,” Impulse observed.
Jimmy held out his hand. “Sorry,” he apologised. “It’s nice to meet you Impulse, I just didn’t think I’d be here so soon I guess.”
“You were number 3 in the first round of drafting at eighteen, don’t be so shocked,” he assured. “I’d be more surprised if we didn’t see you called up.”
Jimmy smiled before putting his bag down at his locker. He looked around, there were a few guys around but not many, BP didn’t start for a bit. Jimmy looked next to him, his locker was in between Impulse’s and none other than Tango Tek.
Tango Tek was a modern legend in Diamondback history. Drafted at twenty one, dug his spots in all A affiliates before being sent to the real thing at age twenty three where he’d hit a grand slam as a pinch hitter at his first up to bat ever in the major leagues.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, he stayed above a .300 batting average for the first two years of his major career. He’d never made a move to any other teams either, after becoming a free agent at twenty seven, he chose to stay a D-back and signed a six year contract.
Four of those six years were up now, Jimmy figured he’d retire a Diamondback the way he was going. Although Tango’s career wasn’t like what it used to be (his at bat would fluctuate like all players), it still remained very good. Jimmy would be lying if he said he hadn’t been the most excited to meet him.
“Already bothering the new kid?” a voice hummed.
Jimmy turned to meet a man with white hair and peculiar eyes. Etho Labs, former Yankee, he’d signed with the Diamondbacks just that year on a five year deal for money that Jimmy couldn’t even imagine
Impulse chuckled. “We’re all curious aren’t we?” he inquired. “Not every day we have someone join us that could compete with Tango.”
Jimmy shrank, he was minorly flustered at the comment. There was a reason he’d moved through the A affiliates so fast, he couldn’t be coy about that. At the beginning of the season with the Reno Aces he’d been batting at 330. average and even if it had slightly gone down, by late May he had 11 HR and 32 RBI, it wasn’t minor league average, not at all.
“Compete? With me?” another voice sounded. Jimmy turned to see bright flame coloured hair and unusual red eyes. “We’ll see about that.”
Jimmy suddenly realised he looked dumb, standing in between their lockers and staring like a kid. He wasn’t shy, not ever. “Jimmy Solidarity,” he reached out with a hand, attempting to not sound too excited.
He failed, and Tango laughed. Still, he reached out. “Tango Tek,” he greeted. “You’re going to be our hero right? Our saviour from the minors, the one everyone's been talking about.”
Jimmy grinned. “Saviour? You guys have been praying for this?”
Tango rolled his eyes. “There we are, knew you weren’t humble,” he hummed. “We’ll see if you can take the heat of the majors. You got 15 days before Zed’s back, let’s see if you can prove yourself.”
Suddenly Jimmy felt bold, even under the red eyed gaze of his senior. “Prove myself? Think I’ve already done it,” Jimmy stated, his British accent notable more than ever, something he never lost even while moving around the globe.
Tango sat in his locker. “You’ve got some nerve rookie,” he said, it was quiet, a bit too quiet for Jimmy’s liking.
“Tango,” Impulse reminded. “Be nice.”
The reminder wasn’t needed, Tango smiled again. “Audacious, I like it,” he told truthfully. “I think we’re going to get along great, Solidarity.”
— *✲ﾟ*｡✧ —
Jimmy didn’t like warmups.
Well that was a lie.
He didn’t like warmups in the scorching midday sun. Jimmy couldn’t ever remember why he liked Ariona in times like these. Thirty minutes in and he just flopped down.
“Like a bloody cat,” Grian laughed loudly.
Jimmy looked up with as much anger he could muster (a small scowl); “I’m not a cat.”
Gem cheerfully threw a baseball at him making him yelp and sit up. “Like a cat,” Gem confirmed.
Gem was one of the few females in the MLB, she was an outfielder and a hell of one, Gem had insane stats as well for being brought in mid season the year before, in fact she gave a run for Jimmy’s money in terms of rookie stats. Jimmy put up a hand to get help from off the turf.
Mumbo walked over to Grian, he was much taller then the latter, in fact hilariously so but to be fair, Mumbo was just freakishly tall. “Pearl’s being weird again,” he shivered. “I had to get away from the bullpen.”
Gem snorted as she reached for Jimmy’s hand to pull him up. “Don’t talk to her on starts, we’ve told you this,” she informed. Jimmy dusted himself off and couldn’t help but laugh.
Pitchers were weird, especially starting pitchers, they all had weird traditions and superstitions on start days. Pearl was one, so was Mumbo actually, his method was practically hiding in the dugout, muttering to himself, before launching onto the field. He was a peculiar man.
Jimmy turned his attention to across the field, of course he did. There were the Diamondbacks warming up just the same.
False and Ren were throwing a ball back and fourth, Impulse was stretching while Skizz looked over him laughing, Bdubs was in the batting cage while Etho watched and Zed yapped.
Finally, Jimmy spotted the one he cared the most about.
Tango was testing a few different bats, swinging them around and he obviously appeared frustrated. He got into stance before giving it a huge swing, instead of trying again he threw it to the ground and seemed to kick at the dirt.
Jimmy knew if he was caught looking his teammates would dog on him, however if Tango caught him looking he knew he’d be worse off. Tango didn’t like to watched, not by Jimmy at least.
He could understand Tango’s frustration, Jimmy like everyone else saw the stats, saw the stories. 130. batting average, one HR with two months into the season, 6 RBI, and a 27% strikeout rate. He chased balls, he was struggling in his position at 1B. Any other player would be sent down to Triple A or be DFA, especially Tango, a regular player since signing his major league contract.
Tango was thirty four, he’d signed another three year contract with the Diamondbacks last year. It was up in the air whether he’d actually make it through all three years. He’d been placed on the IL late last year and just didn’t seem recovered.
Jimmy wanted to reach out, God he wanted to, but he knew the further damage it would cost. It wasn’t worth it, not now.
He watched Tango pick up another bat, hands grasping it desperately while his eyes closed. Jimmy would always remember how those hands felt, calloused and dry yet they were so gentle.
Jimmy just wondered how it had turned out to be like this?
— *✲ﾟ*｡✧ —
Jimmy couldn’t describe the feeling of going up to bat for the first time in the majors leagues. Emotions piled high, knowing his team counted on him, the fans, his own family in the stands.
Pressure. So much of it, yet Jimmy stepped up to the plate. This was his second day as a Diamondback and they were down two with two runners on base (Bdubs and Tango) in the ninth inning. One out, a double play was very much possible for the other team.
This was an important game, Padres vs Diamondbacks, both in the National League West. It was a four series game and the Padres had already taken two wins, the D-backs couldn’t afford another series sweep from another team.
The pitcher was good, he knew good, hard hitting pitches, and he knew what hits players could hit vs what they could hit. Sliders, four-seam fastballs, curveballs, etc, they’d seen it all tonight.
However Jimmy was different, he was new, not everyone was aware of the way he hit. The way he hit? No rhythm or reason behind it. One of Jimmy’s old teammates at Triple A joked he didn’t know what a strike zone was, he could hit a homer from Heaven or Hell.
Jimmy spit once, his focus on the pitcher in front of him. He breathed once, long and deep.
Sinker, swing. 0-1
Slider into the dirt, no swing. 1-1
Cutter, appealed swing. 1-2
High fastball, out of the strike zone. 2-1
Foul ball.
Foul ball to stay alive.
Foul ball again.
Jimmy knew he wouldn’t walk, his walk rate was admittedly really low. He had to hit.
Eighth pitch, slider again, Jimmy swung, it wasn’t graceful, not at all. Yet the ball flew, and flew, and it kept going.
It looked like the left field guy might have had room to catch it but then it just missed and hit the stands. Homerun.
Jimmy had won the ballgame for the Diamondbacks. Most importantly, Tango waited at home plate after coming to score with the biggest grin. That itself was worth it.
It didn’t get much better than getting smothered by your own team after they’d won because of a ball you hit. It was there that Jimmy realised that the Arizona Diamondbacks really did believe in him, so he swore to give it back.
— *✲ﾟ*｡✧ —
Jimmy looked over the lineup once more. “Why am I the designated hitter today? I like playing centre field,” he complained.
fWhip, their general manager snorted. “You almost broke your back trying to catch a fly ball, it’s April, we cannot afford that.”
Jimmy rolled his eyes, muttering that “he almost had it”. He really hadn’t.
Truth be told, Jimmy did make the most sense to DH, he was the best hitter. It also helped that Jimmy was very aware he cost too much to get injured outfield.
Jimmy looked over the lineup once more.
2B Grian
DH Jimmy
LF Gem
1B Joel
RF BigB
3B Lizzie
CF Scott
C Martyn
SS Oli
SP Pearl
Jimmy could live with that, honestly the was the best lineup they’d had in a while, he doesn’t understand why fWhip didn’t try it during their series vs Tampa (who admittedly cooked them, Joel’s words). He wouldn’t say it out loud but the Diamondbacks kind of sucked right now, they didn’t have to put their best players forward for a sweep.
Though the Diamondbacks lineup wasn’t bad, Jimmy had looked at it on their instagram.
DH Etho
LF False
RF Zed
3B Skizz
SS Bdubs
CF Keralis
1B Tango
2B XB
C Impulse
SP Ren
It wasn’t a bad lineup by no means, Jimmy would admit there were some dangerous hitters on there. However seeing Tango down so low in the lineup was odd. Realistically they were screwing themselves over if they put him any higher though.
“Series sweep!” Joel yelled, shaking Jimmy from his thoughts.
Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Don’t let the fans hear you talking that,” he advised. “We have to at least win one game before we say that.”
Joel shoved him. “Mate we might as well have won, their best hitter is currently number 7 in the lineup.”
“Their best hitter is Etho, he’s basically batting 295., just because Tango’s in a slump doesn’t mean he can’t homer either.”
Jimmy was quick to defend him. Too quick. So much so that even Joel didn’t grin quite as big, in fact for once he seemed a bit apologetic for even bringing it up.
Lizzie, Jimmy’s saviour and just about the only person who could make Joel pathetic, came over. “Stop bothering Jimmy.”
Joel sheepishly grinned. “Hi Lizzie,” he greeted.
Lizzie smiled before flicking him. “Games in 10, get ready.”
Jimmy snorted as Joel nodded and practically ran away to the change rooms. Lizzie turned. “You’re a Blue Jay, Jimmy, right?”
He nodded once. She nodded back and walked away.
Jimmy was a Blue Jay no doubt, however the Diamondbacks were the ones who gave him a career, most importantly, the team was the one who had assured him that he was good and trusted him even as young as he was.
“Ten minutes!” Martyn yelled, running down the halls like a maniac.
Jimmy shook off, he was already in his own jersey, 22, Solidarity. He headed to the dugout, taking in a deep breath. He wasn’t the lead off hitter which he didn’t mind, Grian usually got a good start anyway.
The blonde sat on the bench in the dugout. He watched the field slowly start to populate with the opposing team. Jimmy saw that the Diamondback GM was speaking with Tango on first base. Tango didn’t seem pleased.
Jimmy chewed on watermelon flavoured gum though it already was losing its taste. He wasn’t focused on that, not really. Grian was already preparing to bat which meant Jimmy and Gem should be too.
Often Jimmy took only 3 bats on the road with him, pretty unusual for a player but truthfully Jimmy usually used someone else’s bat, he never used the same bat twice in one game so it came in handy no one minded if he nabbed their bat.
His favourite lately was BigB’s bats, so naturally he walked up to him with a big grin. BigB only blinked. “Jimmy, bring your own bats to the dugout, please.”
“Can’t do that B, you know that,” Jimmy assured easily. “Your bat got me a homer last series.”
“It also got you two strikeouts,” Joel reminded as he walked by once more, jersey half tucked in his pants.
Jimmy shoved him as he went. “Ignore him BigB,” Jimmy told. “Please can I have your bat?”
BigB easily handled it over. “Just don’t snap it.”
Joyfully, Jimmy went to prepare to bat. He watched Grian closely. Admittedly, Ren was a damn good pitcher even at 31. He’d been with the Diamondbacks for six years now, Jimmy recalled he’d also played for the Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Grian didn’t strike out a lot, in fact he was almost strategic. He was shorter which meant his strike zone was smaller and that came in good use, especially with ABS challenges becoming a thing, Grian was right 90% of the time.
Ren didn’t walk often but Jimmy watched as the ball count went up with only one strike. On the fourth ball Grian dropped his bat and took off his batting gear before jogging off to first base.
Jimmy went to the plate, twisting his bat in his hands. Although he didn’t admit he was superstitious, Jimmy always had a way to place his feet and had to spin his bat at least three times as well as adjust his gloves lots.
His walk up song played, it was Aperture by Harry Styles. Previously it had been I was Made for Loving You and then it was Only Angel. Jimmy had a love for Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally which Joel and Martyn loved to have a hay day with.
From the field, Tango watched closely from 1B. Jimmy knew it was just because that was his job, to keep an eye on the ball but still, Jimmy always got feelings when Tango looked.
Sweeper. 0-1
Jimmy backed to adjust his gloves, he knew he shouldn’t have gone for that pitch but his approach was hit anything and honestly went good for him mostly.
High fastball, fouled far off into the stands. 0-2
Sweeper again, a mistake from Ren. Jimmy hit the ball like it personally wronged him. The ball kept going before flying into the outfield stands, Zed didn’t even bother trying to jump up and get it.
Jimmy started jogging to first base where Tango looked like he was fuming. Jimmy in a split second decision would smile slightly; “hi Tango.”
He wasn’t gloating.
He wasn’t trying to show off.
He just wanted Tango to look at him, maybe acknowledge him even if it was negative.
Tango glared and backed up from the base before turning completely. Jimmy frowned before turning towards second and then third and then back to the dugout.
Jimmy loved a homerun, he loved how his team had a jacket for it. Martyn put it on him before Jimmy descended the few steps. All around his teammates were touching him and excitedly yelled, not shockingly Martyn winded up and slapped his ass. Classic baseball players.
Jimmy sometimes wished they had normal HR. Then again, not really.
“What did you say to Tango?” Grian hissed as they got to the end of the dugout.
Jimmy shrugged. “I just wanted to say hi.”
He looked over to first where Tango was glaring in the dugout. He really shouldn’t, Jimmy knew that’s how fights started.
“That’s the problem Jim. Don’t do it again, he looks like he’s about to chase you with his bat once he’s up.”
Jimmy wouldn’t lie, he wouldn’t mind once again. Any attention was good attention.
“He’s welcome to,” Jimmy hummed. Grian groaned and removed his helmet before jogging to put it away.
Jimmy took off the jacket and hung it back up before leaning on the dugout, watching the next batter. His eyes kept risking a glance to 1st base.
Jimmy noticed how much older he looked, there were a few obvious fading streaks in his bright hair, the way he had a few more wrinkles by his eyes when he looked like he was focusing, or their way the light of eyes were slightly fading.
Tango never liked his odd eyes.
Jimmy loved them.
Jimmy loved Tango.
Tango had loved Jimmy.
— *✲ﾟ*｡✧ —
Jimmy was still in the locker room when the stadium was mostly empty. It was hours after the 5 pm game, now it was around 11.
Jimmy had been well, bad.
He’d been trusted as the DH today and he’d struck out all except one time. The time he didn’t was in the ninth when he got a technical single but he made it a double.
Except he didn’t because it was called that the second base men had stepped on before he’d slid. Jimmy knew that wasn’t true and the GM had tried to challenge it but the umpire had overruled it.
Jimmy had come back to the dugout and didn’t look at anyone. It was September, they couldn’t afford to lose any game and Jimmy felt like he just did. They needed just one more run to tie the game. Jimmy couldn’t manage it.
Truly he knew he wasn’t a failure, sometimes you didn’t play your best game. Still it felt like Jimmy was losing his spark only after one bad game.
He didn’t hear Tango come in, it was only when he started to shuffle in his locker beside his own that Jimmy looked.
Tango smiled easily. “What’s up rookie?” he asked. “You look like somebody just stole your glove.”
Jimmy frowned. “I’m sorry.”
The older man stopped rummaging in his bag. “For what?”
Jimmy bit the inside of his cheek. He wasn’t known to be nervous and Tango knew that.
“For rightfully thinking that was a double? For trying your best?” Tango went on. “Major league baseball isn't a science Solidarity, we win some, we lose some. You’ve been in the majors since June, four whole months, we’re all bound to strike out.”
Jimmy was taken aback and fully looked at Tango, he was completely dead serious. “I shouldn’t have went Tango, you know I shouldn’t have.”
Tango sighed. “The umpire was stupid Jimmy.”
Jimmy. Tango called him Jimmy, not rookie, not Solidarity.
“You can’t say that Tango,” Jimmy snorted. In his youth, Jimmy use to curse out umpires, so realistically he shouldn’t be one to talk.
Unbothered, Tango looked around and raised his eyebrow. “Just did Solidarity, is he going to come and get me?”
Back to Solidarity.
Jimmy stayed silent and that was probably for the better.
Tango reached out his hand. “Come on Jimmy,” he said. “Let’s get out of here, you hungry?”
At first Jimmy just stared until Tango emphasised his hand again, finally he took it. “I guess I’m hungry,” Jimmy murmured as Tango pulled him up from where Jimmy was sitting in his locker.
Tango would lead him out to the players parking lot where Tango’s car waited. “Just leave your car here, someone will pick you tomorrow before BP.”
Jimmy nodded, he wasn’t going to disagree in going in Tango’s nice car. “What do you want?
“I’m good with anything, probably not spicy food though,” Jimmy said.
Tango snorted. “You don’t know what you’re missing out Jimmy, spicy food is the best.”
Jimmy laughed, for the first time that night. “We have an important game tomorrow, I think it’s best that we stay far away from spicy food.”
Tango smiled, actually smiled.
Jimmy thought he could die.
Tango would take them to McDonalds, simple and quick. They would eat in Tango’s car.
“I’ll run you over if you stain my seat,” Tango told him simply.
“Noted,” Jimmy muttered before gingerly grabbing a napkin just in case.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while until Tango looked at him. “You like Arizona?”
Jimmy blinked. “Of course, the team is great, the fans are great, I love it here.”
“Good, you got six years with us at minimum,” Tango hummed.
Jimmy hoped so. He wouldn’t be a free agent until six years after his signing to the majors. That was unless he was traded or DFA. He knew it wouldn’t be the latter, that was for sure.
He turned to Tango who looked at with a soft smile. Jimmy had never seen that look before. The older man’s red eyes were bright even in the lighting of the car.
“Your eyes are pretty,” Jimmy blurted out.
Tango blinked once and then twice. “Really?” he asked, Tango wasn’t weirded out, he was confused.
“Yeah,” Jimmy answered, probably too quickly.
“No one’s ever said that,” Tango told him. “Usually people find them quite freaky.”
That was true, Jimmy knew people were slightly weirded out by Tango’s red eyes but Jimmy didn’t find them scary, he found them uniquely beautiful.
Jimmy completely forgot about his food. “Well people are wrong then.”
Tango shook his head. “Shouldn’t say things like that Jimmy.”
Jimmy didn’t understand what he’d said wrong, Tango’s eyes were beautiful to him. “Why not?”
“I’m not interested Jimmy,” Tango told him, but it wasn’t stern. “We’re in the majors.”
Jimmy just stared. “You’re the one making assumptions, Tango.” It was bold, especially since Tango was his senior.
High risk, high reward.
Suddenly Jimmy saw Tango had completely forgotten his food. Instead he leaned in closer, so much so Jimmy could see Tango’s red eyes flick between his own eyes and his mouth.
Jimmy couldn’t explain it, Tango couldn’t explain it. Yet they both leaned in over the console, Tango gently cupped Jimmy’s cheek. The kiss was soft, and Jimmy would never be able to describe how it felt.
They both knew they shouldn’t. MLB wasn’t a place for them, not as it stood currently, however Jimmy thought, just for one silly second, that maybe they could make it a place.
— *✲ﾟ*｡✧ —
The Blue Jays would win 6-2 against the Diamondbacks. Jimmy would go home that night thinking about one thing and one thing only.
Tango Tek.
The next day was no different, show up to the stadium, do BP, stare, and ignore Grian attempting to get him to actually focus.
Jimmy was the DH again, and he had a feeling that some of that was in part that they were worried he wouldn’t focus. They were right.
However they couldn’t keep Jimmy as DH every time, not when Joel had come back from a finger sprain a few weeks ago, right now he was having a hard time gloving the ball but could easily hit a bat still.
They’d win again, this time 3-1, the Diamondbacks had played good defense. Before they went back to the hotel that night, Jimmy went to fWhip.
“Can I please play outfield tomorrow?”
fWhip may have been his senior but Jimmy was well respected. “Jimmy you better not get injured, I’m serious.”
“Scouts honour! Outfield is home in my eyes,” Jimmy told him smoothly.
The GM hummed before rolling his eyes. “You’re our best hitter right now, keep the momentum.”
Jimmy planned it and he was pleased the next day when showed the lineup. He was in the outfield, centre specifically. He didn’t like being known as fragile, not when he was 24 and still in great shape.
One thing about Chase Field park was that if the roof was open on a mid day game, the sun was beating down on the players. Jimmy refused to wear sun glasses though, it messed with his head.
Grian however was insistent that the only thing getting messed up would be Jimmy’s face when a ball flew at him.
Jimmy was third in the lineup that day, just behind Gem. The pitcher for the Diamondbacks was Doc, he hadn’t been on the team when Jimmy was, Doc had been swooped up by the Diamondbacks after his contract with the Atlanta Braves ended.
Pitchers were always cautious as to what balls they threw to Jimmy. The problem was that Jimmy’s technique was swinging at anything that looked slightly good, despite this Jimmy still had a good eye for the strike zone. That’s how he ended up walking to first after ball four.
Jimmy assumed after ball three it was intentional, especially since Gem was on second and they didn’t want him to possibly hit a double or worse. On occasion Jimmy was straight up intentionally walking which he had to admit was a smart move.
He liked first base, Tango Tek was there. He was wearing sun glasses and Jimmy could still tell he looked more irritated than usual.
Joel came up to bat next but Impulse had to do a mound visit with Doc because their pitch com wasn't working. So Jimmy naturally shooted his shot.
“You alright Tango?” Jimmy asked, noticing how Tango was holding his shoulder.
Tango didn’t even look at him. “Keep to yourself.”
“I’m serious Tek,” Jimmy started. “You should talk to your trainer before the next inning.”
Tango finally looked at him. “Get in position and don’t fucking talk to me Solidarity, I’m serious.”
The first base couch stepped close. “Is there a problem guys?”
Jimmy watched as Impulse returned to home plate and the umpire was looking at them with curiosity. Jimmy got into position. “Nope.”
The game wasn’t that interesting, both pitchers were keeping it a scoreless game, in fact Mumbo had even managed to get his 1000th career strikeout in the second inning.
The one person who had tried to get to home plate was Oli, he had been on second and Grian hit a double. Oli didn’t stop at third because Zed had gained an error but thanks to Bdubs keen arm Impulse had tagged Oli with the ball.
Tango got taken out of the game by the third inning, the one batting he had done involved him striking out, the third he hadn’t even been looking near Mumbo. Jimmy heard it was from shoulder strain, Cleo pinch hit for him which meant she became the DH and Etho was moved to 1B (which he had no problem playing).
It was the fifth inning when Jimmy was in center field and the sun admittedly was getting bad. Etho ended up hitting a routine fly ball near him. Realistically it should have been an easy catch but Jimmy had lost the ball.
By the time he’d found it a diving catch was about the only option he had. Except JImmy missed the ball completely and ended up landing weirdly. Nothing IL worthy but fWhip and a trainer had to come out.
Decidedly he was taken out of the game. Grian had run over from 2B and helped him up. “You are a big fat idiot,” he told Jimmy. What he really meant was; “I’m so glad you’re okay”.
By the time the trainer left him alone, Jimmy sat in the locker room already bored out of his mind. Naturally he decided that Chase Field park was interesting and he wanted to explore while his team mates attempted to win.
Jimmy technically could have sat in the dugout but he didn’t really want to listen to his team mates telling him all the way he could have prevented the pointless dive.
One thing about Jimmy was that he was known for playing baseball, absolutely nothing was to be said about his smarts.That’s how Jimmy ended up in a hall he hadn’t even seen before. Unfortunately for him, the area had been updated after he left.
Fortunately he wandered to another place that looked like a lounge. Jimmy saw a bowl of dubble bubble and immediately unwrapped a piece and popped it in his mouth.
He wandered more, following a narrow hallway until it led to a bigger room. Specifically a locker room. If Jimmy were to go even more specific, the locker room belonged to none other than the D-backs.
Since Jimmy was so lucky, Tango Tek was at his locker until he heard footsteps. Immediately his face turned into an irritated look once more. “Get the hell out, are you out of your mind?”
Unfortunately Jimmy didn’t do well in the sun so yes, he was slightly not all there. “Hi Tango!” he greeted. “I’m sorry I totally turned around, man.”
“Turn right back around and move your ass out of here.”
Jimmy always liked it when Tango was a tad snappy towards him, it built character.
“You okay mate? Like seriously,” Jimmy attempted to reason. “I don’t want to tread on any toes but I’m worried.”
Jimmy didn’t know why on earth he’d admit that. He didn’t know why Tango cackled loudly about it either.
“Oh you fucking wanker, that’s what they say in England right?” Tango snapped, he got up and started heading towards Jimmy. “Worried about what? My shit at bat? My bad fielding? Oh what kind of advice does the all great Jimmy Solidarity have for me?”
By now Tango had gotten real close, not that Jimmy really minded. “Tango please,” Jimmy attempted to plead. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
Tango grabbed a fistful of his blue jersey and slammed Jimmy against the wall. “If I was okay I’d be in the game hitting homers Jimmy,” Tango growled. “Instead I’m stuck here about to be sent down to the minors and you are making it so much worse.”
Jimmy was calm, and honestly that might have been the wrong move. “Tango they can’t send you to the minors.”
The older shoved Jimmy’s chest before slightly backing off. “You’re so stupid Jimmy, of course they fucking can! Now you waltz right in and pretend nothing even happened.”
Jimmy grabbed Tango’s wrist. “I pretend a lot Tango but don’t you dare suggest I forgot what we had.”
The blond never got sharp, however for Tango to suggest he’d forgot about their relationship was crazy.
Tango didn’t like the touch, both his hands held Jimmy against the wall. “You were so fucking glad to be signed to the big shot Jays Jimmy, so happy you were traded because we needed cash.”
Jimmy had been traded to the Blue Jays for an older closing pitcher and “cash considerations” everyone knew it was because Jimmy was very valuable and the Diamondbacks at the time had been slightly in the negatives.
“I couldn’t not sign Tango, you know that!” Jimmy exclaimed. “You broke up with me Tango, you told me you couldn’t be with someone who was a sellout, I was in love with you!”
Both men stared for far too long. Then, Tango’s lips crashed on Jimmy’s and suddenly things felt slightly less heavy. Jimmy fisted one hand in Tango’s hair and the other on his neck.
It was heated, and it was overdue. Tango didn’t let Jimmy take a breath, not until he bit Jimmy’s lip and pulled back only to immediately back off. Jimmy wiped a bit of blood off his lip, he wasn’t angry, not at all.
“We’re so screwed,” Tango whispered.
“You kissed me.”
Jimmy stated it like a fact, he did it purposely, he needed Tango to know he wasn’t just high off the feeling, Jimmy had been wanting the kiss, dreamed of it.
“Go Jimmy,” Tango told him. He didn't sound angry, in fact he sounded slightly defeated. “Please Jimmy.”
Jimmy attempted to protest. “Don’t walk away again.”
“Please Jimmy,” Tango begged once more.
With far too much regret, Jimmy moved off the wall and slowly backed away. “Tango this isn’t the end, not us, not your career.”
Tango turned before retreating to his locker, not looking back once.
Jimmy shrunk before turning away and leaving.
At least Jimmy had learned one thing.
He was hopelessly and completely still in love with Tango Tek.