Tarin, it seemed, was not a big fan of Queens. Not that Lee had really had much interest in the area herself. And Lee hadn't had a reason to go there in years, so she doubted there would be much of an issue in the near future.

Not that it mattered at the moment. Right then, what mattered was Tarin, and the game they were watching.

As the second inning progressed, Lee shifted closer to Tarin on the couch, still holding his hand. The game was certainly not going how she thought it would when she'd been so sure that the Mets would win. They hadn't even managed to get a single base hit yet, but the other team currently had two players on base. Great.

At least the inning ended without scoring.

The third inning started much better, getting someone on base finally. Hearing Tarin speak, Lee turned to look at him with a small smile. Yes, she had needed a lot of explanations in order to understand the game. But her need for that had dropped as the months went on.

And this was something that Lee had understood pretty early on.

But the game wasn't going great, and Lee suspected that this explanation was at least in part to reassure himself, so Lee just smiled and nodded. "Well, hopefully we get to a couple of them this inning," she replied.

Except, other than that base hit, the inning didn't go much better than the previous two, and soon the Mets were taking their places in the field.

"It's still okay," Lee told Tarin as she curled her legs up beside her on the couch. And the other team got someone on base. "We haven't scored, but they haven't either…"

As Lee finished speaking, the next batter made a good hit, and Lee's words tailed off slightly.

Lee scooted a bit closer on the couch and Tarin did the same so that they were nearly touching, still holding hands as they watched the game. Hopefully they’d get to the top of the batting order this inning. That would be excellent. If they made it to the top of the batting order that would mean that they’d score at least a couple of runs. Scoring would be good. The Braves had gotten too close in the last inning to continue to sit here scoreless.

The base runner stole second and things really did seem to be looking up.

Until they weren’t.

Three ground-outs in a row followed the stolen base and Tarin sighed in frustratation even as Lee said everything was still okay. Nodding and trying to stay positive, Tarin held his breath a bit as the first batter of the inning came up to the plate and almost immediately got a base hit.

Hearing Lee talk about the team in terms of ‘we’ was still a bit novel though and Tarin had to smile over at her as the current batter took their at-bat. Lee’s open-mindedness to baseball after her initial complete derision was still one of Tarin’s favorite things and it just made him happy.

Tarin was just thinking that maybe he needed to relax a little when a very distinctive CRACK split the relative silence of the moment before.

Slumping back into the couch, Tarin sighed and pulled his hat down over his eyes, ”Two-run homer…right?” he asked, unable to look.

Normally, Lee didn't work so hard, if at all, to keep Tarin calm when games weren't going well. But Tarin also didn't normally wake up before dawn because he was that excited about the game on that day.

But as he started to be getting himself worked up because the game was not going well, her reminders that it was still early and that there was still lots of game left to play seemed to be helping keeping Tarin…

Well not relaxed, but about in as good of a mood as he generally was when a Mets game wasn't going well.

He even turned away from the TV to smile at her, and Lee smiled right back at him. Yes, it would be nice if the game was going better, but this was more how Lee had pictured the day going when Tarin had told her that he was taking the day off work to watch the game.

At least it was until she actually heard the ball get hit, and Tarin pulled his hat down over his eyes.

Squeezing Tarin's hand again, Lee turned back to look at the TV.

And sighed softly. How had Tarin known simply from the sound of the bat? "Yes," Lee said softly as she turned back to look at Tarin. And used her free hand to gently turn his face back towards hers. "But remember, we still have 6 innings to go."

Yep. 2 run homer. Bottom of the third. The Mets were hitting like garbage and the Braves were just getting warmed up. This was bad. This was very bad.

In the past in games like this, Tarin could remember pacing in the shop. He didn’t tend to yell at the TV or hit walls or anything like that. He wasn’t crazy but a few louder than usual Oh Come ONs had definitely not been unheard of.

That was the benefit of watching games alone. There was nobody to witness when you were being just a little bit ridiculous.

The downside was that you were watching the game alone.

Tarin wasn’t watching the game alone now, he was watching it with Lee and like most things he did with Lee, it made the fact that the Mets were now down by two sting just a little bit less.

Tarin couldn’t see anything at the moment because he’d pulled his hat down over his eyes, but when she turned his head he looked at her, reaching up to pull his hat off.

“You’re right…” he said, leaning in for a quick kiss. Six innings to go.

Five innings to go. No scores.

Four innings to go. No scores.

Three innings to go. No scores.

The Mets were still scoreless as the bottom of the sixth and Tarin was starting to genuinely get nervous. So many three-and-outs. So many single batters left on base.

Maybe it wasn’t meant to be.

The first batter grounded out.

The second batter was up and the pitcher threw a pitch. Ball. That was fine.

The second pitch sailed right over the plate and again that distinctive CRACK sounded as the batter absolutely hammered the ball towards center field.

”Well. We were close.” Tarin said with a sad little smile at Lee.

”It’s been years since I ever even hoped we’d get this close.” The bottom of the sixth was not too early to start dooming.

At least when she urged him to look at her, Tarin moved his hat so that she could actually look at him rather thansit there looking at the brim of his hat. And he kissed her. Lee smiled and leaned in to steal another quick kiss before Tarin turned back to the game.

Only, the next three innings were no better.

The Mets didn't score once. But at least the other team didn't score again, either.

Until the bottom of the sixth inning when once again that loud crack could be heard. Even Lee slumped back against the couch slightly.

Even though it was only a game they were watching on TV, it was hard to see the sad defeat enveloping Tarin after the sheer excitement he had had earlier that day.

"Still close," Lee pointed out softly as she looked over. "The game isn't over yet. And I didn't put this hat on hours before the game started just for them to lose."

”You put that hat on hours early because you believe in interdimensional hat magic.” Tarin said with another small smile as he pulled his hat back onto his head.

”And maybe you’re ready to admit how good you look in it.” There was no reason to let the entire day be ruined simply because the Mets were bound and determined to ruin Tarin’s playoff dreams.

The top of the 7th went pretty much how the rest of the game had gone. Three up and three down. The Mets just couldn’t hit off of this guy. It was disappointing to say the least. Draping his arm around Lee, Tarin settled in to watch the rest of the game.

The bottom of the 7th didn’t go much better for the Braves and Tarin was glad that at least this wasn’t going to be a blow out.

The top of the 8th began and the Braves brought in their closer. The guy whose job it was the end put the game away. The way things were going it would be quick.

Only…the first batter smacked a solid hit to centerfield. ”That’s a double….”

The next batter came up to the plate and after a couple of pitches he smacked a solid hit to left, ”Drop….drop!”

It dropped.

The Mets scored.

”Lee…” Tarin said, removing his arm from around her shoulders to sit forward a bit on the couch.

Another batter. Another hit.

Another batter. Another hit. Another run. It was 2-3 now and the Mets fans in the crowd were starting to feel it.

New Pitcher.

”They’re gonna do it…” he said, in a stark reversal of the last several minutes. Tarin didn’t know how he knew though…but he knew.

Another batter. Another hit. Another run. 3-3.

Another batter. Sac fly to bring another run home. ”Mets take the lead…” Tarin whispered.

Another batter and another CRACK. This time for the Mets. 6-3 Mets.

”Oh my god…” Tarin said as another pitching change started.

Lee rolled her eyes slightly when Tarin said the reason she'd put the hat on so early was believing in the magic. That had certainly not been the reason she'd put it on so early. Not that she actually believed that there was magic with it.

Even if it had been rather uncanny how the Mets had started winning more as she had worn the hat more during games.

But there was a slight smile on her face even if she was rolling her eyes at Tarin.

"And I don't," Lee murmured as she turned back to the TV. Though there was a slight flush creeping up her cheeks as she sat there.

No, Lee hadn't put the hat on because of any potential magic, or because she thought it looked remotely good on her. Lee had put it on because of how happy such a little thing always seemed to make Tarin.

Feeling Tarin's arm move around her, Lee leaned slightly against him as yet another inning went horribly.

Then came the eighth inning. Almost the end. And a fresh pitcher was brought out as the Mets went up to bat.

And not only did the first batter hit the ball, he made it to second base. And then home when the second at bat also hit.

Tarin pulled his arm away as he leaned forward, and Lee could swear she could feel him getting excited again. Hesitant because of how the rest of the game had gone, but excited.

And it seemed that the Mets were really starting to do it as they scored another run and the pitcher got changed again.

"What have I been telling you?" Lee asked Tarin in reply, but if she was being honest with herself, Lee was a little surprised at how well the Mets seemed to have turned the game around.

As the Mets tied up the game, Lee's own excitement was growing, and she leaned forward as well.

Then they took the lead. Like really took the lead. Smiling happily, Lee turned to look at Tarin as yet another pitcher was brought in. Laughing softly as she heard his sudden disbelief. "Didn't I tell you they were going to win?" Lee asked, still looking at Tarin rather than the game. "But you didn't believe me."

Lee was saying things.

She had told him. She had told him over and over again that there was still time and that the Mets were still going to win.

He had been the one that hadn’t had faith. He’d been ready to roll over when things had gotten tough.

Looking away from the game and back towards Lee, Tarin shook his head a little.

”I was wrong.” he said. ”I’m sorry.”

The inning seemed to be ending now, but Tarin didn’t really care at the moment.

The bottom of the 8th was starting now, but it could wait.

”Since when are you the one with all the faith in the team?” Tarin asked with a broad grin before he looked back at the game.

Things were happening now. The announcers were talking about hits and defensive moves to compensate for pinch hitters. There were people on base…

…the Mets pitcher hit the Braves batter with a pitch.

A base hit. Runner scored.

Stolen bases.

A walk.

A double with two runs scored. The Braves were leading again 7-6.

Looking back at Lee, Tarin grinned again, ”We’re going to win.” he said, as the Braves batter struck out and they moved into the top of the 9th.

Tarin was actually turning away from the game now to look at her. And apologize for not believing her. "I'll forgive you this time," Lee said, her voice light, almost teasing and playful. "It's been a stressful day for you."

Then Tarin was asking her since when she had been the one with more faith in the Mets out of the two of them. That, Lee knew exactly.

"Since I've never seen you even close to this excited about anything else," she told him simply. "And I didn't want to see you disappointed when they hadn't lost."

The inning was really continuing now, and after Tarin turned back to the game, Lee turned to the TV again as well.

Unfortunately, the other team seemed to have just as good of an inning as the Mets had just had, and were once again in the lead as the Mets came back to bat.

But only by one.

It also appears that Tarin's pessimism about the game had left, and as he announced that they were going to win, Lee grinned back at him. "Of course we are. What should we do to celebrate tonight?"

It had been a stressful day…but it was the kind of stress that Tarin wanted more of in his life. The kind of stress that left you breathless and excited. That was why you did things like this, why you followed teams and why leagues set up playoffs. It was fun to care about something big and outside yourself that only mattered because it was fun. These were the kinds of things that should be stressful. Not everything else that had happened to them over the past several weeks.

“Your patience never ceases to amaze me.” Tarin responded with a grin to the tone in Lee’s voice.

Lee wasn’t teasing when she answered Tarin’s next question though and at first he wanted to argue…he thought he could definitely think of a few times he’d been this excited.

The truth was though, Lee was probably right again. Even if he had been this excited about something before he probably hadn’t outwardly shown it like this.

Beyond that though, Lee’s words just emphasized the point that at least a decent chunk of what she connected to with the Mets was because of him and how much he cared. It had been months now, but it was still so strange for Tarin to wrap his head around someone doing things for and because of him.

It felt good and was going to make this win even better.

Because they were going to win.

And what were they going to do to celebrate?

”I feel like watching the second game of the double header isn’t what you have in mind?” he teased with a grin even as the Mets first batter popped out. ”We will have to brainstorm once I can think again…but we’re pretty good at figuring out things to do.”

It was going to be fine. The next batter came up, and a few pitches later he hit a solid line drive to center field to get on base.

The next batter came to the plate and Tarin held his breath as the bat connected with the ball. Lee had to be getting used to the sound now. Had to know the same thing Tarin knew as the ball sailed towards center field.

”8-7 Mets…” Tarin said, looking over at Lee again.

The current batter grounded out. The inning had to end sometime but Tarin had kind of hoped they could score a few more runs for padding going into the bottom of the ninth.

One more batter came up to the plate and struck out and it was time for the bottom of the ninth.

”Three. More. Outs.” Tarin said, reaching out again for Lee’s hand. He wanted to get up and pace, but so more than that he wanted to be right where he was.

Her patience amazed him? But the grin that was giving her made Lee just smile back at him. Lee knew that she wasn't always patient, that there were some things she had zero patience about. "Well, when it's something important, I can be patient," she told him, her voice more serious than it had been.

Lee hadn't necessarily meant the question about what they could do to celebrate immediately when this game ended, just that night in general since it was still so relatively early. But now Tarin was teasing back, even with the Mets getting an out.

"Watching the second game is definitely an option," Lee said, grinning over at Tarin. "But there's also nothing saying that you need to start thinking again for quite a while."

Then the Mets got another run. Seeing Tarin turn to her, Lee smiled again. "What did I tell you?" she simply asked.

At least Tarin's faith, and more importantly his excitement for his team had returned. And even though they were heading into the bottom of the 9th with only a single run lead, he seemed to again believe that the Mets were going to win.

When Tarin reached for her hand again, Lee gave his a squeeze in return. Three quick outs wasn't really asking for too much, was it? "They can do it," Lee whispered back.

When it was important she could be patient. “More things to mark on the calendar…baseball is important…” Tarin said, knowing that’s not what Lee meant, but taking every opportunity to tease. The mood had been far too tense a little bit ago.

Post-game celebration was another topic alltogether though and when Lee pointed out he didn’t necessarily have to think for a while, Tarin laughed, ”Or maybe I’ll just let you do all the thinking for me…” he said, “You’re the one with all the good ideas.”

Lee had told him and told him and told him that the Mets were going to win. Was this what the kids meant when they said they were manifesting things? Had they managed to manifest a win from a three run deficit in the eighth inning?

Now there just three outs between the Mets and a playoff berth. Sure it was a wildcard game, and sure, for people who had grown up on this side of the rift success for the Mets wasn’t all that big a deal. For Tarin though…it meant so much.

Lee whispered that they could do it and the first battle came to the plate. It only took a couple of pitches for the batter to connect with the ball and Tarin held his breath until it became clear that the ball was going to fall far short of a home run.

1 out.

The next batter singled to center and then managed to steal second. The tying run was on second. Still holding Lee’s hand Tarin again resisted getting up to pace. The next batter fought a good battle, but struck out.

2 outs.

The next batter was at the plate and Tarin realized he was holding his breath again when little dots started to swim in front of his eyes. Letting that breath out in a whoosh, he was just starting to take a deep breath when the bat connected with the ball and a hard grounder flew towards the short stop.

They caught it.

They threw it to first.

3 outs.

”Oh my god.” Tarin said, blinking in disbelief at the television screen. ”Oh my god….” he said again in stunned disbelief. It had happened.

Dammit. He was getting a little emotional. Over a baseball game. Shouldn’t he be yelling or jumping up and down or something equally emotive? Tarin didn’t know, but he felt stuck where he was.

”That’s what I get for doubting.” he said, watching as the dugout cleared and the team started to celebrate.

”This has been the best six months of my life…” he said suddenly….not caring what all got lumped into it…because it was true.

Baseball was important. Lee had known that it was important to Tarin months ago. Even if she hadn't known that, Lee would have been able to figure that out today.

But Tarin was also teasing a bit, so Lee continued the playfulness. "What? You mean I'm actually supposed to know there's a game before you tell me the day of?" Lee asked as though this was brand new information to her. In reality, Lee had known about more and more of the games in advance for a while now.

The game was continuing now. First batter got out, and while the second player to bat did make it on base, there was another out right after him.

Fourth batter up, hit and Lee's eyes widened slightly as she watched. The player that had been on second was running home.

But the Mets caught the ball, throwing it to first base.

And got tagged out.

"Oh my god. Oh my god….”

They had actually done it. Despite how confidently Lee had been speaking, with how the game had been going, it was a little surprising and shocking.

"The best six months of your entire life?" Lee asked, a little surprised. She knew that there had been a lot of good things that had happened to him since that night at the park and that weekend had ended, but not everything had been so good. He really thought this was the best time of his life? "I'm glad the Mets have been able to give you that." she continued, having recovered a bit from her surprise.

Had he actually said that out loud?

Lee repeated Tarin’s words back to him and he could feel the heat rushing up his neck and into his face as he realized what had just popped, unbidden, out of his mouth.

Watching the team celebrating on the field, Tarin nodded right as Lee pointed out how glad she was that the Mets had been able to do that for him.

She was teasing again, right? Lee didn’t look like she was teasing though, she just looked surprised.

”The Mets…” he said, then reached out and grabbed the remote from the coffee table to turn the TV off before he turned back to Lee.

“I didn’t mean to say that out loud…” Tarin started, “But it’s absolutely true.”

Tarin sat there and thought for a minute. “Every moment hasn’t been great…” That was definitely an understatement, “But overall, I can’t think of any time since I was very small that I’ve actually been happy.”

Here, Tarin looked Lee right in the eyes, ”And the Mets making the playoffs is only a tiny bit of it…it all just kind of overflowed at that moment.”

The Mets had just made the playoffs and were going to play their second game in the double header, and Tarin reached for the remote.

And turned the TV off.

That was something Lee was not expecting, and as Tarin admitted that he hadn't meant to say that out loud, Lee turned on the couch to face him more directly.

As she had just thought, Tarin said that not everything had been great. A lot of things had been far from great.

Lee knew that Tarin's first years in New York had not been good, and that a lot of the time since then had been lonely since he'd tended to keep everyone at arms length. Or further.

But he hadn't been actually happy since he'd been a young child? Not until after she had unceremoniously pushed herself into his life.

By the time Tarin looked her in the eyes, telling her the Mets winning had only been a small part of his happiness the last six months, Lee had a slightly sad smile on her face. "I know baseball isn't the only reason," Lee replied, leaning in to give Tarin a soft kiss. As her lips lingered on his, her hand came up to rest on his cheek.

"I do wish you'd have had more happiness in your life…" she finally murmured against his lips.