Endorphins

Their team is losing. The score is five to two. The odds of them making four points in the last twenty minutes of the game is slim, but not impossible. There have been greater upsets in the history of soccer. Tabito isn't ready to throw in the towel but Rin is getting especially aggravated with the situation. It's clear that prior to coming to Blue Lock, he was not used to losing. Now it's something they all do regularly. They have to work harder and smarter than they ever have before. The growing frustration from their team's "captain" bleeds into the other players.

The timeout only gives them a two-minute reprieve, and there's only thirty seconds left of it. Everyone is tired with aching joins and sore muscles. They're downing bottles of water and sports drink, but it does little to quench their thirst or cool their bodies. Sweat drips from Tabito's brow as he gets up to approach Rin. Mr. Number One looks like he's about to loose his tongue on Isagi and Tabito knows they need to unite, not divide. He grabs Rin by the shoulder, forcing those beautiful green eyes to meet his. Whatever curse Rin had on his tongue is halted by the sudden distraction.

"Hey," says Tabito. Rin falters. "When that whistle blows, keep yer eyes on me. I'm gonna get us a goal and turn this around, ya'?"

A frown furrows Rins brows and his long lashes beat against his cheeks. He curls his lip into a sneer and says, "Not if I get one first."

Tabito smirks, satisfied by the reply. "Nah," he says. "I'll get it. Then you'll get the next one, and we're gonna beat those guys without goin' into additional time."

"Damn right," agrees Isagi, slapping Tabito on the back.

The whistle blows and they get into position on the field. It blows again and everyone starts moving. Chigiri gets the ball, sprinting downfield like a cheetah. Tabito calls out to him and the ball is passed smoothly to the midfield. He stops it between his feet, then takes off running, dribbling and sprinting until he's in range of the goal. The other team is hot on his heels and they attempt to box him in, but true to his word, Tabito makes the goal. Rin gets the next one, just as he said, and suddenly everyone is a hell of a lot more motivated to finish the game. They turn it around until they're tied up, and with only seconds left, it looks like they will go into additional time after all, but Rin manages to score the final goal just as the buzzer goes off.

The energy is electrifying and addictive. Adrenaline courses through everyone's veins and Tabito is breathing heavily as he comes down from the high of the win. His hands are shaking as they walk off the field and he's so caught up in his own thoughts that he doesn't notice Rin's approach, not until strong hands grab him by the front of his jersey and drag him down an empty corridor. He's about to ask what's wrong when Rin slams him into the wall and crushes Tabito's lips with his own.

It's an angry, searing kiss, and it steals Tabito's breath away. His eyes widen, then gradually close as he melts into Rin's warm mouth on his. They're both covered in sweat and probably reek of body odor, but all Tabito can find himself doing is grabbing Rin by the hips and drawing him in closer until their forms are fully slotted together.

Voices come from somewhere down the hall and they're forced to break apart. Tabito struggles for air and his voice is a bit hoarse but he manages to ask, "What was that for?"

Rin's cheeks flood with embarrassment and he turns his head away, staring at a speck on the wall rather than meeting Tabito's gaze. "Nothing," he says. "Just felt like it."

Tabito smirks. "Well, if ya' feel like it again, I won't say no."

Rin turns then, with a steely-eyed glare focused squarely on Tabito. "Don't get so full of yourself, Crow."

Tabito shrugs and ruffles Rin's hair. "Crows like shiny things," he says as he walks away towards the others, leaving Mr. Number One to stew on what that could possibly mean.