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Chunkz was, by all professional standards, a terrible host.
He wasn't bad at talking. Far from it. The mic loved him. Audiences loved him. Even the rival team managers gave him side-hugs and cheeky grins like he was everyone's cousin at a family gatherings.
But when it came to Sharky?
He had zero chill.
"Here we are at Baller League UK, another beautiful day in the world's most serious and intense football league" Chunkz said as he grinned into the camera, mic in hand.
"We've got SDS up and you know the main event is watching my boy cook today" Chunkz added.
"You're not supposed to be bias" His co-host had said.
"I didn't say which boy" Chunkz said as he winked, but he was already pointing at the sidelines, where Sharky was, clipboard in hand, tracksuit tailored to sin and paced with hyper-focused energy.
Chunkz knew he wasn't supposed to be biased.
He was on camera. He had a mic. He had a lanyard that said MEDIA ACCESS ONLY like it meant something.
But when SDS FC walked out of the tunnel, and Sharky was there hood up, hands clasped behind his back, jaw set with that focused determination that made him look like a Marvel character in a documentary and Chunkz forgot he was meant to be neutral.
"Oh, he's locked in" Chunkz said to the camera, not even bothering to hide the smile blooming on his face.
"SDS manager Sharky stepping out like it's champions league final. Look at the aura. Look at the tactical drip. You lot aren't ready" Chunkz said.
"You do know you're not part of the team, right?" His co-host said as he shot him a look a playful look.
"I am part of their team" Chunkz muttered proudly.
Sharky stood on the sideline, arms folded, shouting instructions. The kind of shouting that didn't need to be loud to cut through.
Chunkz watched from the media tent, mic forgotten, eyes locked on the man who had probably only slept five hours over the last three nights prepping for this match.
There were strands of hair curling at his forehead from the rain. There was a crease between his brows he only got when he felt responsible for everything. And there was that glint, just behind his irritation of pure, stubborn love for the sport.
"He's doing everything" Chunkz said quietly, to no one.
"Who?" The camera guy asked.
"My manager" Chunkz said as he smiled softly.
////_////_////_////
At the end, SDS won 4 - 3. Fans screaming. Players celebrating. Sharky hunched with his hands on his knees, smiling so wide Chunkz swore he could feel it in his ribs.
He didn't wait for cue. Didn't wait for permission. He was on that pitch in ten seconds flat, mic in hand.
"Sharky!" Chunkz called, waving.
Sharky turned, eyes lighting up, his hoodie clinging to him and laughed.
"I knew you were gonna run on like a groupie" Sharky said.
"I am a groupie" Chunkz said proudly.
"Interview me next" Chunkz teased.
Sharky rolled his eyes and handed over a brief quote to the camera.
"Team played their hearts out. All love to the fans. You already know" Sharky said.
The mic lowered. Cameras cut. Chunkz didn't.
"You alright?" Chunkz asked as he leaned in, eyes on him.
Sharky nodded. But then his voice dropped, barely above the rain.
"I thought we were gonna lose. I thought I messed it" Sharky said.
Chunkz stepped closer, hand gently brushing his wrist.
"Hey" Chunkz said.
Sharky looked at him.
"I'll always back you. Win or not. You're it for me, yeah?" Chunkz said.
There was a pause.
The kind where everything you've said but never said sits between you like breath you forgot you were holding.
Then, softly, Sharky smiled.
"You always have my back, it seems shameless" Sharky said.
"Not shameless. Just a fan" Chunkz said as he grinned.
"Greatest one?" Sharky asked as his eyes warmed.
"Greatest fan of your life" Chunkz said, no hesitation as he gave Sharky a kiss on the side of his head.
////_////_////_////
They sat with tea mugs and aching legs.
Rain tapped the window like applause they hadn't asked for.
Sharky leaned on him, hoodie borrowed, legs tangled.
"You're still wearing your press badge" Sharky mumbled.
"I'm considering making it permanent" Chunkz replied.
"Official 'Sharky Protection Unit' member" Chunkz added.
Sharky chuckled, half-asleep already.
"You're ridiculous" Sharky said.
"You're brilliant" Chunkz said back.
Silence.
Then, quietly.
"I'll be better when I'm older" Chunkz murmured, quoting something soft in the back of his brain.
Sharky looked up, matching the same fondness in Chunkz's eye.
"But I'll still be yours" Chunkz said.
Sharky smiled.
And in a voice barely louder than the rain.
"I already know" Sharky said.