Work Text:
Jaylen
I miss it. The layup. The. Fucking. Layup.
Huffing, I grab another ball and pull up for a 3-pointer against the trainer... and miss it, too.
Then I grunt, grab another ball, dribble and go to jink the invisible person, then shoot a free throw fadeaway, which also comes up short.
I grumble again, for the I-don't-know-what'th time, this practice. I almost lose it and slam a ball on the court to make it thunder, but I manage to keep my composure when my eyes meet Jayson's smizing ones. 'Right. I have to act like the professional I am around our star rookie.'
He smiles widely, with sympathy and reassurance, as he gets ready to repeat the same process. I smile back and calmly walk to the bench.
'Not that that's too much of a task anyway.'
I smile to myself as I watch him nail every single shot. Like the effortless shooter/scorer he is. He turns and smiles at me as the last shot, the free throw fadeaway, fades away freely to swish in the basket.
"You'll get it now, Jay. Just calmly go through your shooting routine. Don't think too hard", he reminds me from a tutor that I had given him a few days earlier.
I pat his shoulder and.... at least I make the layup 😂, but I miss the three and make the fadeaway. I pump my fist discreetly.
We trade spots once more, smiling along the way.
I love how much he smiles. It's like I have the sudden urge to smile when he does. All the time. When I visit his apartment, when we're alone, doing late-night shooting practices and lessons and he's eager to learn, when we just hang out, everywhere. I know Duke had a ball with him, especially his best friend, Harry.
I just can't wait to play with this kid.
Jayson
So, I've made a friend in Jaylen real quick. Him being only a year older than me in age and professional experience, we kind of were bound to hit well. We were both the #3 picks, so that's just a plus!
He was kinda extra pushy to mentor me, but then Iiiiii was kiiinda extra eager to learn. Can't help myself.
We call each other Jay, which is real funny cuz of the similarities our names have.
I think I may be pushing off on him too hard with the smiling thing. Do you think I should stop?? I don't wanna come off as little-kiddish. But I mean, if he smiles when I do, why change? Can't stop myself.
I don't try to, either, when I walk past him again. 'Kool-Aid smile.' Maybe it's because that's his favorite drink?
Anyways, I like him. A lot. Not more than Harry. And boy do I miss the crap outta Harry. But Jay's a good anodyne off of me missing him. But, still....