Title: Just Like A Blur
By: Bridget McKennitt
Pairing: RPS - Leandro Barbosa/Steve Nash
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1260
Summary: Five times Leandro almost fell in love with Steve, and the one time he did.
Contains: No warnings in as far I know that can't be extrapolated from the header itself.
Disclaimer: Any real person, location, or organization mentioned in the story below own themselves. This is only a fictional story meant for entertainment and not intended for profit or believing the real people mentioned are like this in real life.
Author's Notes: Written for darkladyvamp who adores this pairing. <3
The first time Leandro saw Steve Nash was on some small television screen somewhere, it'd been so many years ago, he couldn't exactly remember where, but it was in 1998 when Steve first joined the Mavericks. He was at some press conference with Dirk Nowitzki, though Leandro didn't know who Dirk was at the time, or who Steve was for that matter, but both of them had awful haircuts. Steve's haircut was the worst and it was probably why Leandro paid attention to him in the first place.
Steve's hair was short, spiky and blond - and Leandro really thought it looked liked Steve was trying too hard. He watched as Steve smiled widely for the cameras, holding up his Mavericks' jersey, with the number 13 printed across it. The smile saved Steve, by a little, and instead of looking awful, he looked goofy in Leandro's eyes.
Steve turned to Dirk, laughing at something a reporter said, and Leandro smiled with him, somewhere in a place far removed from Dallas. Someday that would be him in the NBA.
***
It was the year 2004 when Leandro officially met Steve face to face, when Steve rejoined the Phoenix Suns. The first thing he noticed, besides the fact that this time around Steve's hair was more appealing than when he first joined the Mavericks, was that they were the same height. Everyone else on the team was taller than him and he always had to look up at them during conversations. But with Steve, he could look at him directly into his blue eyes, and he liked it.
Steve grinned and held out his hand. "Hey there. I'm Steve Nash, your new teammate."
Leandro faltered for a second before clasping Steve's hand in return. "Leandro Barbosa. It's great to have you back with the Suns. Everyone's been talking about you."
Steve laughed and Leandro soaked up the sound. It was a very nice sounding laugh, not unlike some of the other guys on the team who laughed like donkeys. "I hope only good things about me."
"The best. You were amazing on the Mavericks. I can't wait to see you play up close here."
"Thanks. I've seen you play on the court before. You're pretty good."
It was in that moment that Leandro vowed to train to be at Steve's level.
***
An internet article in April, 2007 caused Leandro to blush and hoped no one on the Suns read it. Of course, they all probably did because they were assholes like that, but it was his own fault for getting quoted to saying "I watch the DVD and then I watch again to be more like Steve." Now everyone knew he took home DVDs to watch Steve.
Okay, to watch Steve's moves but...that still sounded wrong. Leandro smacked his palm against his face as he reread that line one more time on his computer screen. The next time some reporter asked about his opinion on Steve, he would decline to comment. He'd look better in the end.
Leandro stood outside the locker room, dreading to step inside. He could hear Steve laughing with Coach and sucked in a breath of air. There was no use waiting any longer. He couldn't avoid Steve forever.
As he entered the room, Steve saw him and broke off his conversation with Coach. Leandro's eyes widened as Steve headed towards him.
Steve clasped him on his shoulder, a grin on his face. "Didn't realize you were such a fan, LB."
Leandro's mouth opened and closed, uncertain what to say. Steve noticed and reached up to rub Leandro's head. "Well yeah. You're a great basketball player. I want to copy everything you do."
"Even my clothes?" Steve's hand trailed down to touch the long sleeved shirt Leandro wore and Leandro flushed, glad that his darker skin couldn't show his embarrassment as clearly as it could have on Steve.
"You said it helps."
Steve nodded. "It does. Hey, don't be embarrassed. How about this? I'll work with you during practice so you don't have to take home DVDs of me."
Leandro grinned. "That'd be great. Thanks."
***
Leandro was busy guarding when he heard the unmistakable noise of a hard fall. He turned around and stared in horror at Steve lying on the floor outside the line, clutching his stomach. The referee called out something, he didn't hear what, but he had to get to Steve.
He knelt in front of his teammate, whispering if he was okay. Leandro touched Steve's arm, watching as Steve fought against the pain.
"I'm okay," Steve gritted out and fought to stand up. Leandro immediately reached out to help him stand, wrapping Steve's arm around his shoulder.
As he helped Steve to their bench, Leandro sought the eyes of the asshole who knocked Steve down. Rage began to build inside of him and Leandro fought to not let it overwhelm him. He still had a game to play and Coach wouldn't like it if he got suspended for fighting.
But that asshole hurt his mentor. He was going to pay one way or another. Leandro vowed it.
***
Long ago, Steve and his best friend Dirk sang a silly song as they played on their guitars in the Mavericks' locker room. Leandro watched the YouTube video several times, laughing at how goofy the both of them looked with their headbands on and singing off key.
Now? Steve had conned him into singing with him on the court for his charity classic. Steve hugged him close as cameras zoomed in on them, and would rub Leandro's head over and over to calm him down.
Not that it helped. He was nervous.
Steve started off. "All night long..."
Leandro warbled, "All night!"
"All night long..."
"All night!" Leandro laughed after he baaed the lyrics like a goat.
"All night long..."
"All night!" Leandro baaed again and laughed, pulling away from Steve. Steve rubbed the back of Leandro's head one more time before speaking into his mic and clapping.
It wasn't as bad as he thought it would be and he just knew this clip was going to be on YouTube the following night. He'd be happy to watch it in the privacy of his own home.
***
It was after a home game when Leandro became aware of something he should have known for years. He was at his locker gathering his clothes to take a shower when Steve came towards him. Steve had already taken a shower, there was a towel tied around his waist, his hair was wet, and his skin glistened.
It was the latter thing that caught Leandro's eye. He had never noticed before how good Steve looked with his skin glistening like that. Leandro saw a spot of water on Steve's shoulder about to run down his chest and he wanted to lick it off.
That's when it hit him; he liked Steve. No, he had always liked Steve. He had always wanted to be like Steve. But now? He wanted Steve for his own.
Steve smiled at him and reached up to rub Leandro's head. "You look like you need a night out. Clean up and I'll take you for a late night dinner."
"Thanks, Steve," Leandro said, managing to get the words out as he fought not to do anything stupid.
"You're welcome. We'll call it a date." Steve winked and turned towards his locker to change.
Leandro's mouth dropped open, staring at Steve's naked back before hurrying towards the showers.
He had a date with Steve!
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