Major Tags: None Other Tags: Supernatural elements? Word Count: 424
***
Visiting a fortune teller is not absurd. Akashi’s had Mibuchi read his tarot before games; it’s all part of the preparation process. He ought to try and know what he’s facing, whether that’s through natural means or supernatural (and whether those methods are reliable or not, as open to interpretation as they are).
“You are a Sagittarius, are you not?”
Akashi nods.
The fortune teller turns over his palm, peering through his glasses. The bandaged fingers of his left hand trace the lines on Akashi’s hand.
“Sagittarius is in twelfth place today. Terrible luck will befall you in competition; your lucky item is a pair of spectacles for the very nearsighted.”
Akashi blinks. “I have a poker match today.”
“Try to reschedule, then,” says the fortune teller. “You will lose.”
“I always win,” says Akashi.
The fortune teller looks at him.
“It’s the World Series of Poker,” says Akashi. “I can’t reschedule.”
The fortune teller’s stare is sharp; Akashi doesn’t like it.
“What was that about a lucky item? Spectacles?”
“Yes,” says the fortune teller. “Like these.”
He points to his own, slipping down his nose.
“Can I have your glasses?”
“I can’t see without them,” says the fortune teller. “As much as I understand the importance of lucky items—”
“Come with me,” says Akashi. “To the match. Are they still lucky if you’re wearing them?”
“I—I have a job.”
“I’ll see to it that you are handsomely compensated after I win the match,” says Akashi. “Come.”
-
The fortune teller (Midorima, he says his name is) huffs and stutters, but eventually agrees to be at the casino that night. Akashi considers it the first step toward victory. He’s never heard of lucky items before, but this is poker, and anything could make or break the game. Midorima, at least, seems to share Akashi’s views on preparation.
He shows up fifteen minutes later, smartly dressed; his hand is still bandaged but Akashi is beginning to realize how handsome he is, delicate features and pouting lips. There’s no time for that with the match so soon.
Akashi wins, of course; the game is close but he bluffs his way out and manages a royal straight flush in the last round. He slips a stack of twenties in Midorima’s hand after the winnings are divided, and Midorima pushes it back in his hand.
“I can’t take this.”
An honest man. He’s getting even better. Akashi reaches up and kisses him; he tastes faintly of sweet red beans.
FILL: TEAM HIMURO TATSUYA/NIJIMURA SHUUZOU, G
Other Tags: Supernatural elements?
Word Count: 424
***
Visiting a fortune teller is not absurd. Akashi’s had Mibuchi read his tarot before games; it’s all part of the preparation process. He ought to try and know what he’s facing, whether that’s through natural means or supernatural (and whether those methods are reliable or not, as open to interpretation as they are).
“You are a Sagittarius, are you not?”
Akashi nods.
The fortune teller turns over his palm, peering through his glasses. The bandaged fingers of his left hand trace the lines on Akashi’s hand.
“Sagittarius is in twelfth place today. Terrible luck will befall you in competition; your lucky item is a pair of spectacles for the very nearsighted.”
Akashi blinks. “I have a poker match today.”
“Try to reschedule, then,” says the fortune teller. “You will lose.”
“I always win,” says Akashi.
The fortune teller looks at him.
“It’s the World Series of Poker,” says Akashi. “I can’t reschedule.”
The fortune teller’s stare is sharp; Akashi doesn’t like it.
“What was that about a lucky item? Spectacles?”
“Yes,” says the fortune teller. “Like these.”
He points to his own, slipping down his nose.
“Can I have your glasses?”
“I can’t see without them,” says the fortune teller. “As much as I understand the importance of lucky items—”
“Come with me,” says Akashi. “To the match. Are they still lucky if you’re wearing them?”
“I—I have a job.”
“I’ll see to it that you are handsomely compensated after I win the match,” says Akashi. “Come.”
-
The fortune teller (Midorima, he says his name is) huffs and stutters, but eventually agrees to be at the casino that night. Akashi considers it the first step toward victory. He’s never heard of lucky items before, but this is poker, and anything could make or break the game. Midorima, at least, seems to share Akashi’s views on preparation.
He shows up fifteen minutes later, smartly dressed; his hand is still bandaged but Akashi is beginning to realize how handsome he is, delicate features and pouting lips. There’s no time for that with the match so soon.
Akashi wins, of course; the game is close but he bluffs his way out and manages a royal straight flush in the last round. He slips a stack of twenties in Midorima’s hand after the winnings are divided, and Midorima pushes it back in his hand.
“I can’t take this.”
An honest man. He’s getting even better. Akashi reaches up and kisses him; he tastes faintly of sweet red beans.
“For luck, then,” Akashi says.
“For luck,” Midorima echoes.