Secret Spot(1)

February, a regular day in Baku, "Hi, you must be Dan. I'm Leo. Welcome to Baku." a man says. Dan looks at this kind man in front of him and offers his hand; they shake hands. Leo is the first man Dan talks to in the spring training. The first day of the training has arrived in the middle of February. Dan is the only rookie who received a call from the office to join the Fighters spring camp, while the rest of the rookies will have their spring training in Victoria.

Hours later, when the training on the first day is done, in the locker room, Dan walks to their ace, Ian, "Hey, do you have a second?" and asks him if he can stay around and show him some pitching skills. Ian is his favorite player and he has been looking forward to having a real conversation with him, since he was unavailable last time they met, but Dan couldn't find a chance to talk to him during the training, because he was surrounded by other players who were interested in the 'Top Prospect' and the only one word he could say to him was a simple "Hi." Dan wasn't even sure if Ian remembered him. Finally, there's only two of them in the locker room when others are taking showers. Dan doesn't want to waste this opportunity, he stops Ian before he leaves to take his shower.

"Are you kidding me?" Ian chuckles. He looks at Dan and is annoyed by Dan's request. He is willing to talk to him the next day but not this time; all he wants at the moment is to take a shower then take off.

While Ian is thinking about how to get out of it because he's tired and just wants to go home, someone walks up to them and speaks. "Hey, why are you still here? Aren't you taking your shower?" Ian and Dan both turn to him. It's Leo. "What's up?" he asks.

"Uh, I…" Dan looks at Leo and explains what is going on in the locker room.

"You did not!!!" Leo starts to laugh when Dan is trying to explain what he is doing. "Come on, kid, we are finished for the day. I know you are hungry to learn but now just give him a break. Do that tomorrow." Leo says.

"Yep. I totally agree with him." says Ian.

Hearing Leo's words, Dan is a little disappointed but he looks at Ian and realizes he might have just made an inappropriate move. He then apologizes to him and turns around to get his stuff for shower. Watching him walking away, Leo turns to Ian, "He's cute, isn't he? I like him." he smiles, "Hey, since he is here, should we take him to the spot? You guys can spend some time and talk over there."

Ian hears him and shrugs. "I don't know, maybe. I'm gonna go take a shower anyway." he walks in the shower room.

Leo laughs and shouts to Dan "Dan, we're gonna hang out after, do you wanna come with us?"

He's surprised by the invitation, "Yes, sir. I'd love to!!!" Dan turns back to them and replies with a big smile on his face; whatever it is, he's looking forward to it. He grabs his towel and other stuff he needs for shower, then goes into the shower room after Ian.

Leo walks to his car and waits for Dan and Ian while they're in the shower room. A couple minutes later, Ian shows up and asks him for a favor. "Could you give me a ride home after this? I'm too lazy to drive. I will get my car tomorrow after the practice."

"Sure, no problem. I will pick you up at your place tomorrow." Leo says. When two of them are talking, Dan interrupts them in the middle and tells them he's ready to go with them. Dan gets into the car and asks questions about the place they are going. Ian looks at him and explains that it is a small restaurant in Victoria, where the Fighters' minor team is located, 20 minutes driving away from Baku. Sometimes, Ian would drive to the restaurant to relax and chill after a game in Baku, so does Leo. He spends most of his career with the Dreamers, he visits the restaurant more often than Ian does. They both know the owner and have been the regular for that place for a decade.

In no time, Leo stops the car in front of the restaurant, the time's around 4 pm. There's only the owner and some employees inside. They get out of the car then walk in. Dan follows Ian and Leo into the place, he glimpses a man working in the kitchen. They walk to him, and Ian introduces the owner to Dan. "Hi, how are you? Boys?" The man smiles and asks.

"We're good. John." Ian and Leo both replied.

"Good. Is it a new one?" The man notices Dan's presence and asks.

"It is." Ian laughs. "It's Dan. One of the rookies."

"Hi, kid. How's it going?" The owner says.

Dan stares at the man who has white hair and white beard, "I'm good. How are you?" Then he goes.