Scored from Deep

Back at the court, Nash sauntered in like he owned the block. Which, he kinda did now. 

The game going on was your typical streetball chaos, guys yelling, sneakers squeaking, some busted Bluetooth speaker coughing up half a beat, half a melody.

But the second Nash stepped into view, something shifted. 

Heads turned. Conversations trailed off mid-word. That passive he got from the Tier boost hit like pheromones in a closed room. People didn't just notice him, they felt him instantly.

"Yo, that's him," someone muttered.

Then louder, from three angles at once:

"Blaze!"

"Yo Nash, you killed out there!"

"Dawg, I heard you cooked Blacklist!"

"Yo, where were you? You missed the celebration games."

He barely made it ten paces before the swarm hit. Compliments flew like confetti, hands reaching for high fives, back pats, shoulder grabs, like he was the MVP of a finals game.

It was a new kind of feeling. For someone used to be a ghost playmaker, being treated like a superstar was inimaginable.

And then came the girls.

They slid up on him like oil across tile, smiling with parted lips and fluttered lashes. 

They got close, real close. Brushed their arms against his. One pressed a thigh against his side, casual as hell. Another tilted her head and whispered with breath sweet like cinnamon.

"Nash, if you got some time later... just say the word."

"I'll be waiting for you, okay? Don't leave me hanging."

"You better not forget me."

He could feel the heat off them. The kind of heat that didn't ask, didn't suggest. Willing bodies. Eager mouths. Wet thighs and short moans. All for him, just for a simple game.

But maybe he was too focused on the reality of the situation to realize how abnormal he had become.

It wasn't just the doors he could open for them, the system was turning him into a superhuman in every field, not only sport. 

He was biologically someone who could attract any human being.

At least to some extent.

He played it cool, staying calm.

"Of course," he said, voice like warm velvet. "We'll make it happen. I have time for everyone."

His passives handled the rest. Every syllable landed perfect. Charismatic baked tone, charm folded into the rhythm. 

Every words touched the perfect cord, every gaze increased their interest.

Guys who wouldn't even look at him two weeks ago now acted like they knew him since childhood. 

The ones who used to snicker now held their tongues. And the women moved like he was magnetic. Like he was the prize at the end of a game.

He laughed inside.

People cling to success.

You didn't need to be great. Just seem like you were about to be. That was enough to make them crawl. It was disgusting, but also intoxicating.

It was an exciting feeling, a game of control and power.

Superstars weren't people. They were Gods. And he'd just caught a glimpse of Olympus, he was still a talented guy.

He gave out a few more smiles. Some nods. A couple heavy glances that made two of the girls blush. 

He could've pulled three of them easily right now, dragged them somewhere quiet, used every new upgrade till their legs gave out and they begged for round two.

But he didn't.

Not yet.

He wasn't still certain to handle that challenge now, and there was still another unfinished.

A loose end from before all this.

From across the court, he saw them.

Lina and Sarra.

Lina was animated, bouncing, hands up, cheering for the players. Just as loud and wild as ever. And Sarra, hood pulled up, hands in her pockets, watched, more reserved.

His grin sharpened.

He didn't forget, there was a score to settle before sundown.

He strolled over, all loose limbs and laser focus. Didn't bother slowing down or giving a heads-up.

Lina's voice shot out from the sideline, slicing right through the thumping music and the squeak of sneakers.

"Rico, smack his ass! If he's guarding with his face, aim for the nose!"

She was grinning like she'd just heard the world's filthiest joke, fingers jammed in her mouth for a whistle that could shatter glass. "Swear, this squad built like those gas station condoms. Cheap as hell, full of hot air. Useless!"

She looked like chaos bottled up in lip gloss and denim, bouncing on her toes and tossing out trash talk like confetti.

Tight jeans, crop hoodie, lips slicked candy red, she knew exactly what she was doing and was loving every second.

She dragged her fingertip slow across her lower lip, then fired off a look at Sarra, mischievous as hell.

"Gotta give it up, though," she dropped her voice, half-whisper. "Lemar's crew is actually killing it. He might be our only real shot right now."

Sarra arched an eyebrow, skeptical.

"Weren't we waiting on Nash to play? That's what you said, right?"

"Yeah, that was the plan, anyway." Lina cocked her head, popping her gum with a smirk. "But if he's not here by now, odds are he isn't showing up."

She leaned close, all fake-conspiratorial, eyes darting around.

"Honestly? He's probably out grabbing Viagra or some dumb shit."

Sarra blinked, cheeks going a little pink.

"Viagra?"

Lina shot her a look, smug as ever.

"Girl, connect the dots. Some chick he nailed said something in his ear, and boom, he vanishes. Classic booty call. Trust me, I've seen it all before. And from experience, he might waste money on those pills."

Sarra glanced away, then back, not quite sure.

"Wait, you're saying 'from experience.' Like, what kind of experience? Are you saying you know about Nash's... sex stuff?"

Lina barely blinked, just snorted and flicked her hair back.

"Let's just say I've been close enough to notice a thing or two."

No way was she about to spill the story of Nash busting early like some high school teenager. That was his shame to carry. If anything, it made him more human.

"Anyway," Lina said, voice getting softer, real for a second. "Bottom line? We stick together. Nash is blowing up, and fast. People like us, we either catch the wave or get washed out. I'm not about to get left in the dust. You shouldn't be, either."

"And why would I leave you in the dust?" a voice cut in behind them.

Both girls whipped around, caught off guard.

Nash was there, arms hanging easy at his sides, like he'd just wandered in from another planet.

"Why would I ever want to toss you two aside?"

Lina's eyes went wide, then narrowed to a sly smile. Sarra tensed, pulling her hand from her hoodie.

Neither of them had heard him sneak up.

Lina's eyes did a full scan, top to bottom, and for a second, just the briefest one, her breath caught.

"Okay, what the actual hell," she muttered, flicking her gaze from his face to his arms, zeroing in on how his shirt definitely fit way different now. "You get a plastic surgery overnight or what?"

Sarra kept her mouth shut, but her body gave her away. She edged back, just a little, eyes snagged on Nash's jaw like she'd never seen it before. Or maybe she was just comparing it to yesterday, who knows.

He was taller. No, really. Not like a giant, but enough. Shoulders looked like he'd been hitting the gym and actually enjoying it. He held himself different, like he knew he was hot and, honestly? It wasn't wrong.

His scent hit next, clean sweat with this extra edge. Not cologne but… something engineered. Like the system had its own brand of pheromones, custom built.

[PASSIVE: Smooth Talker I triggered] [+5 Charm Bonus] [+10% Affection and Lust thanks to Devil's Threeway proximity boost]

Nash shot them that grin, slow, cocky, all teeth.

"Viagra, huh? Is that my vibe now?"

Lina blinked, then cracked up, brushing hair behind her ear, still checking him out.

"I dunno, man. You ghosted after that whisper. Had me thinking you got abducted by hot aliens or something." She bit her lip, grinning like she knew exactly how that sounded.

"Yeah," Nash said, stepping in, closing the gap like he was allergic to personal space. "Had to dip out, train a little. Now I'm back. Wanna test out the new model? I'm right here."

Lina's grin deepened, and her voice went all low and smoky.

"Careful. You know I don't ride for free."

"Oh, I know," Nash fired back, smile getting downright filthy. "Good thing I came ready to fill a mouth."

Lina's eyes lit up, she caught that double meaning. She tilted her head, all predatory.

"So it's like that now? Game on."

Sarra turned pink, but didn't look away. Not this time. She watched, mouth just barely open, eyes darting from one to the other, soaking in the back-and-forth and whatever the hell was heating up between them.

It hit her then. The relationship they had, whatever they called it. The kind of thing she was supposed to hate when it happened in her presence.

Except… she didn't. Watching them made something twist in her chest, but it wasn't bad. Not even close.

It made her want to see where it went.

[Devil's Threeway]

→ Reduces jealousy when affection is 50%+, when both targets are present

[Trigger Event - Flirty Banter: +2% Lust, +1% Affection to Lina]

Some guys on the sidelines finally noticed Nash.

"Yo, Blaze! You running?"

"Got a spot, man! Get over here!"

Suddenly everyone's yelling, calling his name, hyping him up like he was a lottery ticket.

"You here to play or what? Don't flake on us!"

Nash just grinned, small and sharp.

"Yeah. That's why I'm here."

The crowd closed in, everyone jostling for his attention, but he didn't back off. He moved forward, slid a hand onto Lina's shoulder, the other on Sarra's.

"Already made my team," he said, eyes hard as steel. "Rolling with these two."

The noise cut out for a second. Dead quiet, then a wave of reactions, groans, laughter, a couple guys nodding like, respect.

"Damn, alright. Guess we're not betting today. Who else is left?"

"Whatever, as long as Blaze's playing."

Behind him, Sarra blinked, but the warmth hit her all at once, like a sucker punch. That tiny gesture, his hand, the public claim, sent a ripple through her chest.

[Trigger Event - Private Loyalty: +3% Trust to Sarra] [Public Choice Boost: +2% Lust to Lina, +1% Affection]

Lina arched a brow, looking him over like she was reassessing the whole situation.

"You sure? Could've padded your win record easy if you went solo."

Nash leaned in, gaze locked.

"I'm not here to pad stats. I'm here to conquer. Starting with you two."

[Teasing Dominance + Confident Comeback: +3% Affection, +2% Lust to Lina]

[Subtle Praise and Inclusion: +2% Affection, +2% Trust to Sarra]

Sarra straightened, like the words hit her right in the feels. Couldn't hide it if she tried.

Lina let out a low whistle, eyes narrowed, clearly into it.

"Damn. You eat a lion for breakfast or something?"

Nash's smirk just got wider.

"Close enough."

[BOND STATUS UPDATE]

Lina: Affection 72% | Lust 80% | Trust 51% | Bond Sync: 2/5 - Growing Flames 

Sarra: Affection 65% | Lust 22% | Trust 69% | Bond Sync: 1/5 - Glimmering Thread

And with that, Nash headed for the court.

Game on.