Except for a blue shell, that hit Daisy right before the finish, of course. And for the umpteenth time that night, the tune that signalled that the race had been won rang out, along with Luigi's overly familiar and frankly annoying cheering.

The CPUs were far enough behind them for him to finish second, but he didn't care about that at all because Makoto had come in first yet again.

"Yes."

Makoto's own soft cry of triumph was much smaller and far more endearing than his character's, but it didn't make Haruka feel any better. He liked to think that he usually wasn't a sore loser, but after such a good race and being so close to winning, the fact that he was sabotaged in the last second by a blue shell of all things irked him to no end. Why did those stupid things even exist?

Defeated in every sense of the word, Haruka loosened his wrist strap and put his controller down on the table with a huff. "I hate Shy Guy Beach."

"No you don't; you picked it," Makoto disputed, "You just hate blue shells."

Makoto was right. Shy Guy Beach was actually one of his best tracks, like all the other tracks that involved water in one way or another. Haruka had all the ingredients to success: the fastest character, the best vehicle, one of his favourite tracks that also happened to be one of Makoto's worst. The stars were aligned, yet the universe decided that none of it mattered and cursed him with a blue shell to lead Makoto to victory yet again.

He was done. He wasn't a sore loser, he told himself once more, but playing like this just wasn't fun.

"Well, except when they hit me," Makoto added as an afterthought, snorting lightly.

"They never hit you right before the finish line," Haruka grumbled, and much to his dismay, Makoto chuckled at his grouchiness.

"I guess I'm just lucky."

"This has nothing to do with luck." No, Makoto was just so much better than him. It wasn't like blue shells didn't generate when Makoto was in the lead and near the finish, but he always managed to get a small drift boost so that it wouldn't hit him until he had already won.

"It does," Makoto insisted, "We both know you should have actually won that race, and you would have if it weren't for that blue shell."

Even when it came to things as trivial as this, Makoto's gentle soul always wanted to console him. As nice as it was of him, Haruka didn't really need his solace right now. "And yet blue shells are a part of the game, so you won fair and square," Haruka concluded, doing his best to push these silly feelings aside, for it truly was just a game. A game that Makoto was infinitely better at.

A tender smile softened Makoto's handsome features. "It's not entirely fair, since I've had a lot more practice over the years than you had."

His words held a point of truth, but that wasn't all there was to it. While Makoto might have played this game more often than Haruka had, they had played together frequently enough for Haruka to be familiar with the mechanics and gameplay too; fact was that even if he practiced for hours every single day, he probably still wouldn't become as good at it as Makoto. And dedicating that much time to a video game just so that he could beat his boyfriend simply wasn't worth it. There were better ways to spend his free time, with said boyfriend for example.

The only other option was playing dirty, which he didn't like to resort to because Makoto never played dirty either. He would use all the items the game provided him with as strategically as possible, but he never purposely bumped Haruka off the road or into an obstacle. If that was the only way he could win, then Haruka would rather not win at all.

Not wanting him to sulk over a blue shell for too long, Makoto grabbed Haruka's controller and offered it to him. "Ready for a rematch?" he asked with a playful grin.

"And ruin your winning streak? I'd rather not."

"Oh come on, show those blue shells what you're made of," Makoto said as he teasingly nudged Haruka's chest with the Wii remote. "You can pick the course. Which one do you want? Koopa Cape?"

Despite everything, Haruka couldn't suppress a tiny smile at Makoto's efforts. It was just a game, he reminded himself, a fun activity to do together with his boyfriend. Right now, it was like Makoto was the only one who was having fun, so that had to change, hadn't it?

"I'll play some more," Haruka started, smirk fighting its way onto his face as he accepted the controller, "on one condition."

"And that is?"

"You get a handicap."

Never one to back down from a challenge, Makoto agreed without protest. "Alright," he replied, amusement playing at his lips as he pondered about what this handicap could be, "What is it? You get a five second head-start? I can't use items?"

Unfortunately for him, that wasn't quite what Haruka had in mind. His suggestions were good, but not good enough. That would be far too easy. "You can only use one hand."

Upon processing that request, Makoto's eyebrows twisted into a cute frown of confusion. "What?"

"You heard me," Haruka said as he bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from snorting at Makoto's adorable expression. "One hand."

"That's impossible! How am I even going to hold the remote?"

"I don't know, figure something out." His hands were pretty large so it shouldn't be too hard to hold it and press all the buttons, but he could also try to use his face or perhaps even his feet. Haruka might not have had much fun playing, but he was definitely going to enjoy watching Makoto struggle.

The incredulity that was painted on Makoto's face morphed into a sly grin when he read Haruka's true motivation in his eyes. "It's impossible for me to play Mario Kart with one hand," he muttered, his voice low and sultry, "but there's one game I'm great at, even with only one hand."

That tone didn't predict any good, and paired with the piercing gaze he was subjecting Haruka to, it was downright dangerous. Haruka swallowed thickly and braced himself for the worst as Makoto loomed closer.

"Want to know what this game is?" he questioned as he slipped the strap of his Wii remote off his wrist and put it on the table.

"No thanks. I can imagine," Haruka muttered as he leaned back further out of Makoto's way, discarding his remote as well - whatever Makoto was planning, he would probably need both hands to defend himself. He knew Makoto loved him with all his heart, but when it came to games, he was ruthless.

"Oh come on," Makoto said again, but it was far more taunting and alarming now. He raised his right hand in the air and wiggled his fingers menacingly.

There it was. Haruka hadn't expected his plan to backfire like this, but he wasn't about to fall victim to his own curse. He wouldn't surrender himself to Makoto without a battle.

In one swift motion, Makoto brought his hand down to Haruka's abdomen but Haruka was faster and dodged him. His back hit the floor, and while he might have survived his first attack, he had brought himself into a rather compromising position, that Makoto could easily exploit; as long as he only used one hand, any other body part was fair game and he could simply use his weight to pin him down.

Haruka had to think fast, and he brought his knees to his chest to give himself two more weapons. He planted his socked feet against Makoto's pecs while Makoto swooped down in an attempt to tickle him. The tips of his fingers grazed over Haruka's side, but it would take more than that to coax laughter out of him. He pushed Makoto back, but while he was able to increase the distance between their bodies, it took a great deal of power and his legs began to quiver under Makoto's weight.

"What, did you want to reenact Nagisa and Rei's video?" Makoto questioned innocently, raising his upturned eyebrows in feigned surprise.

The mention of that video gave Haruka mental images that were pretty funny, but he had to pull through. He couldn't huff or laugh or else his grip might falter, and that was exactly what Makoto wanted. He wouldn't fall for Makoto's trap.

When Haruka didn't waver, Makoto simply shrugged. "Alright," he complied as he relaxed the muscles of his torso and pressed back against Haruka's feet to make it even heavier for him. "If that's what you want."

Haruka clicked his tongue and gritted his teeth as he did his best to hold on for just a tad longer. His legs were strong and he knew how to use them properly, to push off the wall and propel his body forward through the water, but now they were met with far more resistance. If so desired, Makoto could effortlessly shove his legs out of the way to get to his target immediately, but the fact that he wasn't meant that he enjoyed their current position a little too much. To slowly wear out Haruka's strength, so that his victory would be that much sweeter. Makoto truly was a monster when it came to games.

Though Haruka loved everything about Makoto's body, he couldn't deny that their size difference made things more difficult for him in situations like these. When it came to sheer power, Haruka could never win from Makoto, but their size difference wasn't all bad; he should always try to find a way to turn his weaknesses into strength. Makoto might have had his bulk, but Haruka was far more agile and supple than he was, and he could definitely use that to his advantage now.

So with Makoto's chest as leverage, he pushed himself away from him like he was the edge of the pool and he clambered backwards on his hands. Makoto instinctively caught one of his ankles to prevent him from escaping. Coincidentally, this happened to not only keep Haruka close, but it simultaneously provided him access to one of the best tickling-spots. Winning this game would be a piece of cake like this.

"Uh-uh!" Haruka yelled, feeling like his dear boyfriend could use a reminder of the rules of this particular game, "One hand."

Realising his mistake, Makoto released his hold and Haruka didn't waste any time before he backed up further, wanting to crawl around the coffee table to use it as a shield.

Alas, Haruka might have been more nimble, but Makoto was still faster than him. He reclaimed his grip on Haruka's ankle and tugged him downwards so his back was on the floor again. Then he instantly let go in favour of wiggling his fingers threateningly as he slowly lowered his hand towards Haruka's belly.

Pure amusement and glee twinkled in Makoto's gorgeous eyes, but Haruka wouldn't let that mesmerizing gaze enchant and distract him. Biting his lip to repress a giddy smile, Haruka aimed his foot at the edge of Makoto's shoulder in the hopes of knocking him off his balance so he could push himself up once more.

This wasn't what Haruka had in mind at all when he proposed for Makoto to have a handicap, but in one way or another, his goal was still accomplished; he was having a ton of fun, messing around with Makoto like this, probably more than he should have. It was alright, though, because Makoto was emitting nothing but joy as well.

While the kick to his shoulder did surprise Makoto and gave Haruka enough time to sit up, it also gave Makoto the upper hand in the fight. He simply shoved Haruka's leg away with the back of his forearm and inched closer so he was between Haruka's legs. With his back to the table and Makoto hovering over him, there was nowhere for Haruka to run.

"Checkmate, Haru-chan," Makoto murmured in a honeysweet and almost seductive voice. And then, without a second of hesitation, he began to mercilessly tickle Haruka.

Haruka took a deep breath and tensed his abs, wanting to hold out for as long as possible. Swatting Makoto's hand away wasn't quite effective when it seemed like Makoto's fingers teleported from one spot on his body to the next, like he was tickling him everywhere at once. He tried to roll from one side to the other, but covering up one area only meant exposing another, so that didn't help his case either. Makoto was right about this too; even with one hand, he was a tickling-master - Haruka wasn't sure if he should blame this on Ran and Ren, or pity them for it.

At last, he could no longer avoid the inevitable. A soft snort broke out of the back of his throat, and it was soon followed by loud laughter.

A triumphant grin stretched Makoto's cheeks upon hearing Haruka's defeat; his laughter was a sound that always made Makoto smile because of its beauty, but the reason behind it made it even better this time.

"I told you-" Haruka managed to get out between giggles, "to stop with the -chan!"

"What's that, Haru-chan?"

Makoto was enjoying this a bit too much for Haruka's liking. He was going to get back at him for this, but first he had to get himself out of this situation. Tears were welling up in his eyes, and that was a sign that this had gone on for far too long already.

So Haruka began to squirm wildly, using all of his limbs to fight back against this agonising torture. He jerked backwards as his attempts to kick Makoto away from him were in vain. A hollow thud sounded out as Haruka hit the back of his head on the wooden surface of the table.

"Ow!" he groaned as he clutched his head in his palms, curling up into himself as pain spread through his skull in dull shocks.

Instantly Makoto withdrew his hand and the mischievous grin was wiped off his face to be replaced with genuine concern. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry! Are you alright?"

"No," Haruka scoffed in annoyance.

"I'm so sorry," Makoto repeated, and unlike all the times he apologised for adding '-chan' to his name, this time it was filled with sincere remorse. "Let me see," he murmured as he pried Haruka's hands away to check the damage.

Although his mood had dropped considerably, Haruka allowed Makoto to do as he pleased.

"I can't see anything, but it's probably going to be a bump," Makoto muttered as he lightly ran his fingers through his black locks and over his scalp. Then he leaned in and pressed a series of soft kisses against the offended area.

"I'm not five years old, Makoto," Haruka sneered in response, "you can't kiss it better." His head already hurt enough from hitting it, and Makoto buzzing around him like this certainly wasn't helping.

"I know! I just… I'm sorry," Makoto sighed as he pulled back, "I just wanted to tease you a little, but I never meant for you to get hurt. Sorry."

Regret immediately flooded Haruka's senses when he peered up at Makoto. He looked like a lost, forsaken puppy with large sad eyes and his tail between his legs, which made Haruka the owner who had abandoned him. Of course it was never Makoto's intention for him to get hurt, and yet here he was acting like he did it on purpose.

"I know," Haruka said, voice a lot gentler now, "I'm sorry too."

"You don't have to apologise. It's my fault: if I hadn't started to tickle you then-"

"It's not your fault," Haruka interrupted as he grabbed his hand, "If anyone is to blame, it's me, cause I started it. There was no reason for me to lash out to you like that when you only meant well. So I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Makoto assured, "It was a normal reaction. It hurts a lot, doesn't it?" With his free hand, Makoto reached down to Haruka's face to catch a stray tear that was gliding over his cheek.

"Oh, this is not from that," Haruka mumbled as he lifted his own hand to wipe his cheeks. "It's from earlier."

"Still," Makoto insisted as he carded his hand through Haruka's hair again, over his soon-to-be bruise, "I'll get you some aspirin."

He was about to get up to do as he promised, but Haruka pulled him back to the floor. Releasing his hand, Haruka grasped the collar of Makoto's shirt with both hands, tugging him down to meet his lips. The kiss was chaste, but it expressed both gratitude and amends, and of course the love that was ever-present between them.

After a moment he ended their kiss to look at Makoto's face. "It's fine," he murmured, and he let go of Makoto's shirt in favour of wrapping his arms around Makoto's neck, "It doesn't hurt that much; the pain is already fading."

"I'm glad," Makoto said, knowing that Haruka was being honest, "It sounded so painful and I felt so bad, it really wasn't my intention to-"

Having had enough of Makoto's rambled apologies, Haruka cut him off by yanking him down into another kiss. A small noise of astonishment slipped out of Makoto's throat before he melted against Haruka's lips. He reached down to cup Haruka's cheeks as Haruka deepened the kiss. It might have come as a surprise, but Haruka knew Makoto would never object to indulging himself in his affection.

When their lips parted, Makoto gazed down into the ocean of Haruka's irises and gently nuzzled his nose with his. Of all the ways to express his feelings, this was certainly the most adorable one and it never failed to make Haruka smile in fondness.

"I was wrong," he whispered, maintaining their eye-contact as he tangled his fingers in the strands of hair at the base of Makoto's neck, "Maybe you can actually kiss it better."

Makoto smiled at that. "Well, it doesn't hurt to try," he reasoned with an excited grin, and he didn't waste another second before leaning in for another deep and sensual kiss.

A familiar fire was ignited in Haruka's lower belly. As the minutes ticked by and their lips met again and again, it began to burn brighter and Haruka ran his hands over Makoto's back, under his shirt in a need to feel his bare skin.

Judging by the careful roughness that slipped into Makoto's kisses and the way his hands began to roam over his torso, Haruka could tell that the hunger he felt was very much shared. His breathing got heavier and his heartbeat accelerated as he tried to pull Makoto's body closer, so no more distance would separate them.

Contrary to what he wanted, Makoto broke the passionate kiss. Haruka wanted to complain, but before he could get a single word out, he was captivated by the lust that was swimming in Makoto's eyes. That gorgeous green told him that the desire for more was entirely mutual, yet Makoto wasn't one to rush into anything and liked to drag some things out a little. Good things take time, was what he would say, and depending on Haruka's particular mood, this could both be a blessing and a curse.

This time, it appeared to be a blessing. "Besides kissing it better," he started, slowly stroking his fingertips over Haruka's side. The touch was so light that it made goosebumps erupt and his skin tingled in the wake of Makoto's blunt nails. Haruka held his breath as he waited for Makoto to continue. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

The husky tone of his beautiful voice sounded like pure sex to Haruka's ears and hearing that low whisper made him even more aroused. Now this was a game he wouldn't mind delving deeper into.

"You know, I've heard that orgasms are a great painkiller," Haruka stated, biting his bottom lip in anticipation because he knew Makoto liked that while he gently circled his thumb around Makoto's nipple, "But first, please turn off the Wii." Without Makoto's touch and kisses to drown out all white noise, the music was really getting annoying. It wasn't quite suitable background music for what was about to go down, and he'd rather not have the mood be ruined halfway through by the memory of blue shells coming to haunt him.

Makoto did as he was told right away. Within an instance of pressing the button, the music died out and the room fell silent, with the exception of their breathing and their hearts beating in sync.

"You know," Makoto said, sitting up between Haruka's legs while he ran his hands over Haruka's thighs, "I happen to know this game that doesn't require any hands."

Haruka definitely liked where this was going. "And, are you good at this game?"

"I think I am…" Makoto leaned closer until his mouth was only an inch away from Haruka's. "But why don't you be the judge of that."

Oh, Haruka was more than familiar with this game, and he took pride in the fact that he was the only one in the entire universe who could confirm that yes, Makoto was excellent at it. Probably even better than at Mario Kart - and he knew that this game was infinitely more fun. "Gladly."

That was all the permission Makoto needed before he closed the distance between them in a fervent kiss. Haruka's hands wandered over his torso and found their way to Makoto's ass. Using his grip for leverage, he thrust his hips against Makoto's in search for friction and to encourage him.

Makoto's mouth strayed from his lips to Haruka's neck, kissing and sucking at all of Haruka's most sensitive spots, lightly to not leave any marks yet prominent enough to make Haruka yearn for more. His hands trailed over Haruka's body once more, fingers seeking the hem of his pyjama pants to uncover Haruka's growing erection.

"Hey," Haruka panted, calling Makoto to attention and making him cease his endeavors. "I thought you said you could play this game with no hands."

The only response Makoto gave was a lustful grin before he moved his hands to caress Haruka's thighs again. Then he lowered his head to Haruka's crotch and sank his teeth into the hem, looking Haruka straight into the eyes as he pulled his pants down with his mouth.

The game had only just begun, but Haruka already knew that this was going to be his favourite game of the entire night.