Ascension│Bluelock x male reader

3.34. Tea and Peace

"Welcome to Neo Egoist League, Match 9!"

Two days later, Y/N found himself sitting in the same chair he had, in the same room he had before. The first five games of the Neo Egoist League, he'd been dying to play. The last few, he just... hadn't cared, really.

"We're back to see Manshine City play against FC Barcha!"

"Both of these teams have one win under their belt, and just above them, Ubers have two. This game therefore determines who is the third, fourth, and fifth places of the Neo Egoist League!"

"Whoever loses this game will be placed in fifth position, at the bottom of the league. The third and fourth spots will go off goal differential! And for the top two, they'll be decided in the last game of the league, where Bastard Munchen and PXG battle it out for the top spot!"

But this game, Y/N felt different. He was rested, he was calmer, he wasn't dying to prove himself. He was just... well, Y/N.

Of course, he wanted to play. He was excited, stomach tingling in anticipation. Y/N didn't quite believe Ego's words, but there was no harm in trying, right? There was no harm in allowing himself to be happy...?

That concept in itself was strange to Y/N. He'd been taught there was always a cost to being happy. But maybe, just maybe there wasn't.

The game rushed by in blurs of movement, shouts, and commands. Y/N watched silently. It was a strange sensation. He wanted to play, but if he didn't get the chance, Y/N felt like it wouldn't destroy him. For once in his life, it wouldn't send him into a spiral.

Is this called being healthy...?

On his phone, Y/N stared at the one picture he'd ever taken. It was of himself, that drawing he couldn't get out of his head. Him happy. Him free. Him living life with a carefree smile. For some reason, he hadn't thrown it away. He'd asked Sae to buy him a transparent plastic case, taken a picture of it, and tucked it away in the drawer next to his bed.

The past few days, Y/N had... been different. He'd found himself smiling in the mirror, slept just a bit better, and he would disappear from the apartment for hours at a time to just wander the streets. For fun. He didn't run himself ragged training, he still practised of course, but a healthier amount.

A roar from the substitutes drew his attention. Y/N glanced up, watching as the Barcha subs leapt to their feet.

"With that stunning goal by Bachira Meguru, Manshine City gain the Mercenary! I've been looking forward to seeing him in action again, and in the last game of the league for these two teams, I don't see any reason for them not to sub him in!"

Y/N headed for the Manshine substitutes' bench. Prince stood up, staring across the field at Lavinho. As Y/N got closer, he glanced towards him, wiggling his eyebrows. "Y/N, my man, my lamb, my strawberry jam!"

"What."

Prince clicked his tongue. "You see, I do want to sub you on, but also... it's kinda cheaty, no? You pretty much won your last two teams the game solo."

"Do you not want to win this one too?" Y/N didn't deny it, folding arms across his chest.

"I want to win this one, fair and square." Prince flashed him a model-worthy smile. Though, there was a hot fury in his eyes, as he went back to staring at Lavinho. "AndIalsowantthatguytostopcallingmeacoward."

"Coward?" Y/N glanced over at Lavinho. The other man caught him looking, did a flip for no reason whatsoever, and cupped both hands to his mouth.

"Don't hide behind your Mercenary!" He yelled across the space. On the pitch, a few players looked towards him with surprise. "You big, pale puss-"