English is not my first language and I only wrote it because suddenly I felt like it. Not sure how fast I'm gonna update this one. But I will keep writing it ^.^

If Himuro had thought that something would have changed after he had slept with Atsushi… Well, then he was dead wrong. Atsushi had come over the next day and they had spent almost all of it together, sitting on the couch, eating sweets, talking about the match and watching some basketball games from professional players. He even asked how Himuro was doing. After Himuro said he was doing fine they dropped the topic. No further talking about what it meant for them or if it would lead them somewhere.

Himuro sighted and put the dishes away that were still on the table from their last meeting. This evening they wanted to go out with the whole team. Going to drink and party a little bit. That was nice once in a while as well and maybe he could relax a little bit more. Now he had to try to feel comfortable with Atsushi again. But after they stepped over that line of friendship and had a sexual encounter he felt rather awkward in his presence, not to mention that his feelings weren't faltering one bit.

He took another glance at the clock above his door to the kitchen. It was time for a shower and then he had to get out if he wanted to be in time. He grabbed his wide, black pants and a dark blue sweater and threw it on the floor before he got naked to take a short shower. He didn't even notice the water rinsing over his spine. His thoughts were some place else, thinking way too much ahead. Hoping the evening would went smoothly he stepped out and grabbed a towel. Rubbing his black hair dry he was wondering if Atsushi would even appear. Maybe if he was bored he would or he would get lost trying. The thought of it amused him.

Half an hour later Himuro left his house dressed in his clothes, wearing a black jacket. He had put his purse in his back pocket. With his hands tucked in his front pockets he walked towards his destination a few blocks away from where he was living. The night was getting colder and gave him a chill. Why did the guys want to meet up this late at night? Never mind it, he thought to himself. Distraction was always good and kept his mood up no matter the time. He had started to get greedy after one night, thinking it had meant something, even more so after Atsushi checked on him. But probably he had felt guilty over what he had done to him so he was just reassuring himself. It made him almost laugh how much he was thinking about it. He never had thought he would end up like that. Girls were always like that right? When they were head over heels for one guy, there was nothing else on their mind anymore. And now the exact same thing happened to him. It really was time do get a bit drunk this night and sleep it off.

He held his head down to avoid the cold wind that was tugging at his clothes and his hair. Only when he stood in front of the bright sign of the pub where they were supposed to meet he looked up and stared at the yellow sign with the bloody red letters. Noises were coming from the inside. He could even hear it with the heavy front door closed, assuming that his team mates were already here. As he opened the door he caught a sight of Kensuke Fukui, their point guard. His hair was standing up in a wild mess. Probably he just came in as well after the wind had messed with his hair. The full glass of beer was almost proof of it. Himuro let his fingers run through his own hair, trying to bring them back down. When he was about to hang his jacket up the guys shouted at him. As suspected Atsushi was missing. Trying not be disappointed by the fact he joined the team that gathered around a round table and ordered a beer for himself. "We didn't hear from you Tatsuya. Were you alright after the game?" He sent Fukui a half smile. "Yeah. I was okay. Just a bit busy. But as you can see I'm here in one piece right? And I thought I might freeze to death on my way here. It really is getting colder." Yeah, he was exaggerating but at least with that he got rid of Fukui's worried face. A blonde waitress came up their table and put the beer in front of him and gave him a sweet smile before she left for another group. "Cheers!" Himuro took a sip from his beer and the cold drink went down his throat, prickling a bit and still warming him as it went down. The pub was full with guests and somehow they had managed to get one of the biggest tables with two benches around it so they would all fit. "The coach is not here?" "Not gonna come. She was kinda busy she said", one of his team mates let him know.

They took their time talking and Himuro was already at his fourth beer, feeling dizzy as the door opened from the outside once again as a new guest came in. His eyes widened a bit as he saw Atsushi entering. "Aren't you late Atsushi? Or did you get lost again?" Atsushi shook his head no. "Just got caught up. I met Kagami and Kuro-chin on my way." Kagami… Some day he had to talk to him as well. He also should talk with Alex. The last two days he kinda locked himself in his house. Atsushi sat down on the other site of the table ordering some snacks and a beer. He took of his white jacket. Wearing blue jeans, a black shirt he looked gorgeous. But what stunned him the most was his hair. It was hold back by a hair-band. How he loved that. That man just looked sexy as hell like that. His face looked even more masculine like that, the form even sharper, more like a predator. He forced his gaze away and stared into his half full glass. Fukui ordered a new one for him and leaned closer. "You sure you are okay Tatsuya?" He nodded. "Everything is good. You are drunk?" His own tongue seemed heavy and he had little problems forming the words. The alcohol already had some effect on him. He couldn't deny that. And it probably would kill him if he got outside and he would pay with a headache for it the next morning. He emptied his beer and took the fifth one from the waitress when she came up to their table to collect the empty ones.

He noticed Atsushi talking with Kenichi Okamura, not noticing him in the least. "I guess I will be going after that one." "Seriously? Man, you are no fun." "I'm wasted already Fukui. Let me leave for today. I will pay you guys back another time. I promise." Fukui bumped his fisted against Himuro's shoulder. "I will take you home. You look like you will pass out any moment and you already looked pale when you entered." Did he? Really? He hadn't noticed so far. As far as he knew he was feeling fine except his aching heart. But damn, he was a guy. Somehow he would survive it. "Don't worry Fukui. You stay here and get drunk." "What are you gonna do with your love letters?" Stunned he looked at Fukui. "Which love letters? Again from the girls?" He nodded shortly. "Yep. You are a real girl magnet. I will just stick around you and hope some of that will rub off me so I will get lucky too." Himuro laughed at that. "Good luck with that. Guess I will take a look at them." "Yeah and anyone you don't like pass on to me please." He took a mouthful from his beer and nodded. "Sure thing. They are all yours then." Wei Liu, their small forward with the chinese origins, had overheard their discussion. "How about a mixer the next time?" Fukui instantly supported the idea. "That's going to be without me", Atsushi said. It was to be expected anyway. He couldn't picture Atsushi with a girl. But then again, he couldn't picture him with anyone. That guy was unlike any other he had met so far and he had met lots of people. Back in the USA as well as in Japan. "Well, count me in guys. But for now I'm going home." His legs felt a bit shaky when he stood up but he was sure he would manage to get home without falling into a bush or something.

Fukui was instantly on his feet and escorted him outside. The night got even colder now and he closed his jacket. Somehow… he had a weird feeling about Fukui. The whole evening he was kind of clingy. He didn't mind the guy. With his light hair he was sure a bit outstanding and he had a kind personality. Actually it was easy to get along with him. But something was up. He just could feel it. "You know Tatsuya. You can tell me when something is wrong. I would lend you a shoulder to lean on. You are not a bad guy." "You are not bad either. But I promise you I'm fine." For a few moments neither of them said something, standing outside the pub in the cold, just staring at each other. When Himuro was about to leave, Fukui moved forward, leaning in. As he was about to brush his lips against Himuros he felt a heavy hand on his forehead, pulling him back against a broad, hard chest.

"Are you teasing Muro-chin?" Atsushis voice was right next to his right ear and made his heart beat faster. Fukui went a little bit pale. "Not at all. Was just about to hug him and say good bye. And what about you?" "I will make sure he is going home." Slightly nervous Fukui took a step back. "Take good care of him. See you, Tatsuya." With Atsushi by his side he took off, walking the road back he came earlier, his heart still pounding in his chest like mad. "You are going home now Atsushi?" "Yeah, I just came because I thought it might kill some boredom." "Atsushi, let us play basketball tomorrow. We have weekend and no training. Let us practice on our own. We could give the others a call as soon as their heads are clear." He probably needed to get a clear head himself. Himuro was pretty sure his lights would go out as soon as his head hit the pillow. The oxygen now got to him and his legs felt shakier then before. His vision got blurry too.

Silently walking beside him, making sure he was not going to walk on the road, Atsushi suddenly stopped. For a few seconds Himuro was confused until he registered the white façade of his house. They were already here and he hadn't even noticed at all. With a smile on his face he turned to Atsushi. "Thanks for taking me home. You won't get lost a second time now?" Atsushi gave him a peeved glare. "I will be fine Muro-chin. Instead of someone else who got drunk after a few drinks. If you want to play tomorrow give me a call as soon as you feel like you are up to it." "Okay, will do that. Good night Atsushi." He waved at him, already on his way home. Himuro stared at the back until the darkness swallowed his figure. The wind played with his hair, giving him another chill and still he felt hot. At least they were going to play tomorrow. Actually he had wanted to ask why Atsushi was wearing a hair-band today. With a sigh he turned around and opened his door and went straight for his bed.