『✴To Fix a Broken Pride ✴』

Sweat trailed down Polnareff's brow, and he could feel his lip trembling. Never had he felt more pathetic standing before an opponent, and never had he felt less competent. He hadn't landed one hit.

Not one.

"That's game! Anubis is the winner!"

The words rang through his ears, and the French man felt numb. He frowned deeply, and shook his head as if thinking he had heard the announcer wrong. Lost? Had he really lost? Jean swallowed thickly and he tries to keep the tears from showing. Never has he felt so crushed. He glanced upwards to find that Aleric had his hand stretched out and wide toothy grin of victory was across his face.

Polnareff took his hand still in a state of shook, he could feel his own trembling. "Good game." He breathed, before spinning on his heel. He bit his lip harshly, and shook his head again feeling slow tears begining to fall down his face and he wiped at them desperately. Stupid, the tears were so stupid. He had lost before.

So, why did he feel so hurt?

Jean sighed, and managed to wipe most of the tears from his face before he was swarmed by concerned fans. He barely even paid them any attention, pushing through sloppily. He may have even snapped a few harsh words at them, until he ran into someone face first. Stumbling back he opned his mouth to snarl at the stranger, but the words died in his throat.

"I'm sorry." Avdol breathed and he took Jean's arm squeezing it. "That match was comepltely one sided. Please, don't be too angry with yourself, cause now..."he smiled slowly. "You know all his tricks."

The French man frowned, and he tried to force a smile but was shocked to find one was already flickering across his face. There was something so utterly calming about the way Avdol spoke. His voice was like honey, rumbling from somewhere deep within his broad chest.

"You're right, anyways, every true champion comes back stronger after defeat!" Polnareff replied and the Egyptian's face lit up with that crinkling smile.

"Exactly! Hey, if you dont mind, I wanted to take you out to lunch." At the raised eyebrow and smirk he was given the man quickly added. "Its not a date! My friend Kakyoin is gonna be there. I just noticed, you don't seem to have a lot of friends."

Polneraff huffed and he crossed his arms. Though, he knew that was true, often people couldn't handle his amount of pride. Or his dramatics.

"Well, I will gladly accept your request. Date or not."he shot the darker skinned man a wink, and he blushed himself. Jean cursed under his breath.

What are you doing! Don't flirt!

"Wonderful! C'mon Pol! "Avdol choked. "I mean Polnareff."

The fencer was suprised, mostly at his own reaction to the sudden nickname. He liked the sound of it rolling off of the Egyptian's tongue, and once more he found his head swirling. Was he really falling for this man? They had barely spoken! Yet, there was something so warm and comforting about the other. Shaking off these thoughts, he smiled. He looped his arm through the taller male's own. His still gathered crowd of fans seemed shocked, and he could even see jealousy lingering there.

"I dont mind the nickname, as long as I get to call you Av." Jean chuckled out, and he watched as the history student groaned.

"Really? Av? Hmph."he huffed a little little then shurgged, being hyper-aware of where the Franch man's arm was.

"What, would you prefer, doll?"Jean asked with a teasing tone, and he watched as Avdol shook his head.

"No, no. Av is fine."

Polnareff shurgged, and he frowned a little realizing that once more, he had caught himself flirting. He allowed Avdol to take the lead, and let his thoughts swirl. The silver haired man glanced over at his companion, and stared hard at him. Was the Egyptain attractive? Was that why he found himself flirting with him before he could catch up with his own thoughts?

He allowed himself to take a long, good look at the other. The sunlight that they had walked into made his honey colored eyes look like they were melted gold almost, and he could see the sunlight creating shadows along his dark skin. Polnareff found hismelf staring at the beast of an arm has was hanging onto, feeling the muscle beneath his hands. He pursed his lips, and glanced at the thick layers of clothing Avdol wore. It hung along his bulky yet somehow graceful frame perfectly framing the colors in his eyes. Gods, his eyes. Polneraff found himself finding more and more colors within them, from gold to heart melting deep brown.

Attractive? Check.
The French man said to himself, and was brought to reality as Avdol stopped. The red-head that the fencer had spotted earlier that week with the history student approached. He carried this strange aura around him, that Jean couldn't quite place with the male's lithe person.

"Oh," the violet eyes of the new arrival landed on Polneraff. "Looks like you brought your newest project."

Avdol shook his head, and without hesitant replied. "And you're still an asshole. We're even."

Sassy? Check.
Jean found himself snickering, and he held his hand out. "I'm Jean Polneraff."

"Noriaki Kakyoin." The other student grinned, and shook the French man's hand. He looked over at his Egyptian friend and put his hands on his hips. "Are you paying for him? Cause I don't have the money for any extras."

"I can pay for myself, thank you."the silver haired man snapped and stuck his nose up into the air. He pointed at the red-head. "And I am not an extra, I am just as worthy as you Mr.Snooty Pants."

Kakyoin laughed, and as he did so did Avdol who had looked momentarly shocked. Jean found that he soon joined in on the laughter, though his thoughts wondered towards the sound of the dark skinned man's laughter. It was a thundering almsot stunningly loud noise, but the utter beauty of it made the French man want to hear it more.

Wholesome laugh? Check.
The fencer found with shock, that this history student was meeting all his standards. He wondered if going to lunch with the male was a good idea after all.

He apparently, couldn't deny Avdol anything, as he gave him a soft smile. That smile that lit up something in the fencer with heat, the same way the sun did. "I'm sorry for Kak, he's always like this."

"Its fine, honestly." Polneraff glanced at the red-head. "So, where are we going for lunch?"