Coding Error [OFF x Reader]

18. What We Have [Batter]

One of these puzzles unlocks the elevator. But which one?

You raise a hand to your chin. Contemplating your options, it isn't until your eyes land on the Batter that made up your mind. "Zacharie, you stay here in case something changes. Batter, let's swing~" you sing, waiting for the athlete to join you before leaving.

The Batter stood straight, following behind you like a chivalrous knight. While the two of you walk down the alley, you raise your view to Batter's stern expression. You couldn't help but playfully bump your shoulder against him in a silent way to catch his attention. "So... you still have a thing against Zacharie?"

Batter keeps his mouth in a straight line, humming to himself. "He's still alive isn't he?"

You chuckle. "Yeah, he sure is,"

"That should be enough."

You lower your view to the ground, your mind trailing back to his neutral and even helpful attitude in the first game. "Wait a minute, you weren't like that with Zacharie back then," you point out. "What changed?"

The Batter kept his mouth shut in a straight line, trying to avoid eye contact with you. Batter picks up the speed in his walk while you jog behind him, it's clear he wants nothing more than to reach the puzzle and avoid the topic.

The alleyways are narrow and plastered in a soft blue, matching with the bath house's squeaky clean design. At the turn of the next corner is the puzzle meant for the Batter. A row of floating rings meant to look like targets slowly float up and down just in front of a wall, it reminds you of those shooting gallery games at a carnival.

You step aside, allowing the man some space."Go ahead, you know what to do,"

The Batter silently nods in response. He pulled out a baseball from his inventory pocket, tossing it in the air a few times before catching it. He tosses it in the air and takes a swing, but he misses the target by just an inch. The Batter growls in annoyance, attempting to try it again.

You've known this man for a while, his skill is nothing to scoff at but after missing the target for the 3rd time you know something is bothering him.

It's not like you can talk it out like your previous attempts, so you pick on something more approachable and just... you.

You crouch down beside him, clapping your closed fist against your open palm like a catcher. "Let's play ball!" you chant. "Heeeey Bata bata, swiiiing~"

Batter cracks a smile at the gesture. He grabbed another baseball from his pocket, focusing on the puzzle at hand. He tosses it in the air and gives it a good hit, sending the ball flying into one of the targets before it disappeared in a blast. But the explosion triggered the rest of the targets to move slightly more frantic than before, haphazardly floating in horizontal directions. The Batter doesn't let it phase him, managing to hit another target which changed the movements of the rest again. They're almost blurring out of sight due to the speed, now rushing vertically this time which makes range all the more complicated.

The Batter keeps his attention glued to a specific one, following it with his eyes even when you couldn't. He tried batting a ball in their direction but it didn't work as the previous time. He bit his lip in frustration, trying again only to fail.

He quickly turns around only to hand you the baseball bat with a grunt. You were about to ask why but your question was silently answered when Batter used his dominant hand to pitch the ball straight into the moving target.

You know he's strong, but you can't fathom how strong he truly is.

The pitch sent gusts of wind ruffling your clothes and bits of hair, it even blew back his baseball cap off his head. The final target erupted in a small firework display, even hearing gears shift from under your feet.

"I knew you could do it!" you express with a joyous laugh. Unconsciously wrapping your arms around his torso from behind.

The athlete stood still, tensing up before relaxing in your hold.

You're worried you overstepped his boundaries and made him uncomfortable, but Batter raised his hand to hold your own, gently caressing the back of your hand.

"Anything bothering you?" you ask softly.

"It's nothin," he shakes his head.

You tighten your hold on the Batter's sides, not enough to cut his oxygen supply but just enough to comfort him. "Come on, I know you better than anyone. What's on your mind?"

The athlete sighs, opening up due to your physical attention. "Back then it was just you and me. But now you and Zacharie have full conversations about gaming things I don't understand, and it makes me feel..." he pauses.

"Jealous?" you try to finish for him.

"Left out,"

Ahh, so that's what it is.

"Well, it's hard to add you into the conversation when you're so focused on the mission. But there's no reason to feel that way. Sure Zach and I get along, but it's not the same as what we have."

"Even with everything I did...?"

"What we did," you correct him.

Batter envelop you in his arms, causing you to drop the bat out of surprise.

Even if I'm a monster? He wanted to ask but lacked the courage to do so.

You apologize, removing your arms from him only to wrapping from in front of him than behind. "Well, if it makes you feel any better you have all my attention."

Batter tried to hide the blush on his face by automatically grabbing his cap, but to his surprise, he forgot it blew away. Leaving his expression open for you to enjoy.

"I don't know what to do," he admits.

Your lips curl upwards in a smile, releasing him from your hold. "I know, how about you teach me how to swing?" you grab his baseball bat and his forgotten cap on the floor, imitating how Batter looks like.

"Purification in process," you even try to imitate his voice in a deeper tone.

This gained a small laugh from the Batter, patting the top of your head rather fondly. "You're right, I'm more thankful for what we have."