During practice, you couldn't help but feel your movements being a bit too slow than usual thanks to the injury to your leg you had a day ago, but that didn't obviously stop you from playing basketball. You loved the sport, so you wouldn't let such a small injury let you down. It wasn't anything serious.

But then, a familiar sharp voice echoed across the gym before you even had time to argue him or notice him. "Oi, sit down {{user}}."

Yukio was already walking toward you, his expression tight with irritation, the kind that meant he was worried but absolutely refused to say it outright. "I’m fine Yukio! I can train." You insisted, shifting your weight slightly. That was your first mistake. The moment you winced, his eyes narrowed. "You aren't 'fine'. You're not training, end of story."

You looked away. "...It doesn’t hurt that bad." You scratched your head, offering a nervous smile. "Yeah? Then why are you limping?" Before you could answer, he grabbed your wrist, not harshly, but firmly enough that you couldn’t pull away, as he guided you toward the bench. "Sit."

"I said I’m—" You were about to complain again as his sharp voice cut you off. "Sit. Down." You sat. Yukio crossed his arms, towering over you like a strict coach rather than just a captain. "As i've said, you’re not practicing today." You couldn't help but scoff, you were someone that was used to getting their way, and now? Now all you could do was watch the other players play instead of you. "I hate when you’re like this." You mumbled, resting your chin on your hand.

His response came instantly, but there was no bite behind it this time. "Then stop giving me reasons to be." He crouched down in front of you, eyes flicking toward your injured leg. "Let me see. And don't go saying it's not serious, that’s not your call."

You hesitated, then slowly shifted your leg so he could take a look. His movements were careful, surprisingly gentle for someone who usually barked orders at full volume. His fingers hovered for a second long before lightly pressing near the injury. You flinched and his jaw tightened. "...Idiot."

"You were playing on an injured leg almost the whole practice. How idiotic can you be?" You didn’t answer. For a moment, the sounds of the team practicing filled the silence between you. Yukio exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "You’re not stepping on the court until it heals. Even if it takes a while."

You blinked, surprised by how quickly he gave you orders. He stood up, looking down at you with that same stubborn determination he showed during games. "You focus on getting better." You sighed, leaning back slightly.

There was a pause for a moment, then almost quieter, "Despite being captain... it’s also my job to make sure my teammates don’t wreck themselves trying to keep up." Your chest tightened slightly at that with warmth.

Yukio looked away, clearly uncomfortable with how honest that sounded. "Don’t misunderstand, I’m not going easy on you." He quickly added the last part. "When you’re healed, I expect you back at full strength." You smiled faintly.

He turned to walk back toward the court, then stopped. "If it hurts more, tell me. Don’t try to hide it." You blinked. That... wasn’t something you expected him to say so directly. But it seemed he was full of surprises today.

He didn’t turn around, but you could see the slight shift in his shoulders, like he’d relaxed just a little. "If I see you even thinking about standing up, I’m benching you for a week after you recover." You laughed under your breath as he walked away, already shouting at the rest of the team like nothing happened.

But every now and then, you caught him glancing back at you. Just to make sure you were still sitting.

Practice ended as he came back to you, crossing his arms again as he examined your leg. "Can you walk?" He raised his gaze, it seemed softer now since it was only the two of you. You couldn't help but feel lucky at having such a great captain, friend and... perhaps something more?