saltinourstars | Open Post

[It's something you could get used to. People flowing in, chattering, excited to see your team play. It wasn't really that long ago Karasuno flew high. The hope of it is infectious. Catching up team and fans alike.

Even Tsukki finds himself smiling. A tiny bit.

He does catch the nickname, and is not surprised. In the least. He lets the Schemers catch up. Not feeling like being in the middle of their reunion/plotting.

Sinking into a stretch, he closes his eyes. Letting the familiar warmth flow into every muscle, paying special attention to his hands. The ache has faded from Shiratorizawa. However, he's planning on stopping Kenma today. Finally outwit Nekoma's sleepy-eyed, clever Setter. Everything needs to be working.

It's going to be interesting.

When Nagisa wanders up, there's a nod.]

It's bigger then I thought. Yachi did a good job.

[Whoah now unprompted compliments, who knew we would ever see this day! He must be excited!]

Edited 2018-11-05 16:17 (UTC)

[Nagisa could absolutely tackle-hug the wind right out of Mildly Excited Tsukki's lungs, he's so cute... but there are already some teammates nearby whispering about "Kei-chan," so maybe not.He just smiles big and bright enough for both of them - and then hugs a very red-faced and confused Yamaguchi instead.]

Kei-chan... can you do me a quick favour? I just need you to watch me for a sec, it won't get too much in the way of warm-up.

[The smile has slipped from Nagisa's face, and he's got his eye on Kuroo and a handful of other Nekomas nearby. Oh dear, what's happened now...]

[Fortunately it's only Sugawara and Daichi whispering. Both fixing their faces into Perfect Innocence when Tsukki shoots them a look. They won't shout it across a court, anyway.

But suspicion has been aroused.]

Mm? What are you up to?

[Wow, trust issues much? (Absolutely.) But Nagisa'a had a rough time of it, so Tsukki will humor him. This once. He straightens up and settles a hand on his hip.]

Just watch this. I need to know if I'm imagining things or not.

[With that stunning non-explanation, he jogs over to the cluster of Nekomas, which prompts Kuroo to call Lev over for an introduction - and then clamp a hand onto the back of Kenma's jersey as he tries to escape. Kenma's visibly nervous as he finally turns around to meet Nagisa, all while Kuroo delivers what appears to be a scolding for being so rude.

That's when spectators are asked to leave the court, so Nagisa doesn't get to check back with Tsukki right away, but Kuroo making a big deal of it has confirmed his worries: that's the disappearing friend, who appears to be afraid of Nagisa.

Now that Nagisa's seen him at close range, he also knows that the disappearing friend is really, really pretty. The level of pretty that makes Nagisa flustered, not flirtatious.

He gestures toward Kenma's back as they split, Nagisa headed for the bleachers and Nekomas for the opposite side of the court, as if to say: See? Did you see that?]

[Well. Kenma is strange. Tsukki can't remember exchanging a dozen words with him. If it isn't a video game - or Hinata - the guy seems to just disappear in Kuroo's shadow until game time. Perfectly content to be there.

The only answer to the query is a shrug.

Then Daichi's calling the team to circle up. Whatever Nagisa's worried about? At least it doesn't seem to be connected to Rei. That will need to do for now.

Tsukki has some Cats to outwit.]

[Not only is Kenma strange, but Nagisa's proven too be Too Much for people with far better social skills than Kenma. It could very possibly be nothing. Nagisa just hates the idea of anyone not liking him, so he can't shake the nagging worry that he's done something to frighten Kenma before even being introduced to him.

Not helping at all is the fact that he can't seem to tear his eyes from Kenma once the match starts, despite the boy easily being the least electric presence on either team. He plays as though sleepwalking, and yet Nagisa can tell that he's really good by the frustrated reactions from the Karasuno side of the net - mostly frustrated with themselves, like they've been fooled over and over again. He slouches, doesn't pull back his hair, barely opens his eyes... why is he so entrancing?

For a brief moment, Nagisa's able to make out Tsukki's expression behind his sports glasses and sees that he's scrutinizing Kenma with incredible focus, which only confirms Nagisa's impression that he's important in some way Nagisa doesn't know volleyball well enough to figure out. He ends up standing with his hands on the front rail when the next service happens, more wrapped up in a match than he ever remembers being in the past.]

[Of course, Kuroo had insisted that Kenma be Social. He clearly thinks enough of Nagisa that he wants them to meet. Truly a puzzle. One Tsukki has no time for.

The tension is palpable from the first serve. Every player chompaing for their shot at the other side. Hinata battles Lev, a titanic clash of height verses timing. Tanaka and Yamamoto bellow. And through it all Kuroo grins like a madman. Stopping spike after spike.

Against these show-stoppers, It's easy for Kenma to fade to the background. And that's the danger. Forgetting he's watching. Until suddenly the ball is on the opposite side of where it should be. Or dropping dead in a feint. It's such small things, but left to his devices he can play Karasuno like a cat with a string.

Its Hinata who jumps into the trap. Kenma gently swatting the ball down instead of feeding it to Kuroo. Except Tsukki's there, diving under with inches to spare.]

"One touch!"

[The ball flies up to Daichi - Kageyama - Hinata again. Smacking it through so hard it booms like thunder. Getting an approving roar from the crowd.

There's actually a flicker of annoyance on Kenma's face. Good. That won't work every time, but good.]

[Nagisa doesn't quite follow how the play goes so wrong, but he sees the massively misjudged reactions and then - lord, it's a bizarre thing to watch that much arm and leg dive for the ground without warning. Tsukki seems to hit the ground in a slow series of collisions, more like a dropped rope than a person, then scoops the ball out with enough height to keep the play alive.

Nagisa's hands clench tighter around the rail. He's as silently rapt as the rest. Hinata's spike seems like it should throw him backward, like a sonic boom rather than just thunder.]

Alright, Kei-chan!! [Maybe he should be cheering for Sho-chan instead, but that dive was ridiculously fast and Nagisa still can't figure out how Hinata got fooled or how Tsukki didn't. Digging it out is just plain the more impressive play to him.

Kenma's strange, bright eyes find him for just a moment before he looks away, lips pulled into a taut line and cheeks bright red. Oh noooo, did he just make that worse? He'll have to cheer for their team at least once, as strange as it might appear to others.]

((feel free to wrap up the game or keep it going as you like, I'm cool with having Nagisa react to any amount of stuff but imagine you could run out pretty quickly.))

((Sounds good!))

[Kuroo pulls Kenma to him for a second. Murmuring something, then letting him go with a clap on the shoulder.

There's no more looks at the stands.

Nekoma squeaks out the first match and then Karasuno roars back to take the second. Forcing things to a third game.The battle of wits between Tsukki and Kenma crackles. Tsukki builds a wall, even stops one of Kuroo's attacks. Then Kenma finds cracks to sneak through. There's no getting used to it.

For either side.

Nagisa may not know much about volleyball, but surely the flow is familiar. No matter the sport. Both teams are havng an incredible day. It's really too close to call, coming down to last few points. Score climbing into the high 20s.]

Edited 2018-11-05 19:05 (UTC)

[There's no missing the fact that Tsukishima and Kenma have their very own battle going on within the game, even without intimate knowledge of strategy and how their roles play off each other. Those also happen to be the two people Nagisa watches with the most interest, of course, so he picks up on both the rising tension and the unusual ferocity between them - "ferocity" being relative when Kenma might actually show less outward reaction on average than Tsukishima.

All throughout, Nagisa makes a point of cheering for sensational plays by Kuroo and Kenma as well as Tsukki, though his team support still leans heavily toward Karasuno. Now that he's tuned into the game deeply enough to pick up on more of its intricacies, he's able to see both how unorthodox and how skilled Karasuno really are as a team - and he thinks this must be how Iwatobi look during their famous relays, Haru's natural gift clashing with Rei's precision and Makoto's steady pace clashing with Nagisa's startling burst of speed near the end but everything working perfectly when all the parts are in motion.

Rei would probably find this team beautiful, Nagisa thinks, fighting the wash of bitterness that follows.

As the end of the wild game approaches, Nagisa winds up having to sit down again because the tension's left him so exhausted, but he's on the edge of his seat. His hands are pressed together and tucked between his knees. He's so still that the sight of him would likely be unsettling to his close friends.]

[There's a certain irony. That the preview of this hoped-for Final - The Battle At The Garbage Dump - is indeed a very beautiful game. Later, Coach Ukai will insist that there was nothing to be sorry for. That they'll be ready for Tokyo.

But this time... it's not enough. Nekoma is still a step ahead.

They take Karasuno down with a familiar weapon - the multi-attack the Crows have become known for. Not as strong, not as clean, but the shocker is Kuroo sets. Which means - Tsukki bolts to the side. Catching up a fraction too late because who would expect Kenma to attack.

It's too late. There's a flash of gold, a gentle tap - and the ball lands right at Tsukki's feet. All he can do is fold his hands behind his head. Gasping for air.]

Well... All right, then. Next time.

[Kenma nods back. Smiling faintly.

"Next time."

Then Kuroo's sweeping Kenma up into a bear hug, despite his protests. Reaches through to ruffle Tsukki's hair.
Double Annoyance Attack!]

[As soon as the spectators are allowed to leave the stands, Nagisa bolts down to court level and catches the boys in the middle of Kuroo's attack. He doesn't even know where to start congratulations and it shows in the way he seems to begin in mid-sentence:]

- never been so into a game before but it was so exciting, you're all so, so good, holy, you must scare other schools half to death, all of you - !

[He looks from Kuroo to Tsukki and then - his heart stuttering nervously - to Kenma. Will he finally be acknowledged, or not...?]

[Kenma goes as red as his jersey. Staring at Nagisa. With Kuroo's arm still conveniently ~~trapping~~ around him, there's no other options but the unthinkable - accept the compliment. It's practically a whisper. Mouth barely moving at all.

"Um - I - Th-thanks -"

Kuroo and Tsukki only have a second to share an astonished look -

"KENMA!"

A streak of orange comes barreling in. Hinata, waving his arms so madly that Kuroo has to release his hostage or risk a broken nose. None of which interrupts the flood of words.

"ThatwasamazingI can't BELIEVE you HI NAGISA!!!!"]

[Kenma said thank you...

Nagisa stares right back at him just as blankly, cheeks just as red, a smile slowly dawning on his face. There's no chance to say more before Hinata descends, but to everyone who isn't caught in the moment happening between them, his face really says it all.]

Sho-chan - [Too late, Hinata's already swept the newly free Kenma away, leaving Nagisa with two smartasses who just saw him swoon so hard he was struck dumb.

This will not end well for Nagisa, will it?]

[It's Tsukki who recovers first. The one most used to the whirlwinds of his fellow teammate. Of course this isn't a hard read. That blush could be seen from space. He folds his arms and smirks.]

Ohhhhh.

[Kuroo chimes in at once. Unable to resist a cue. "Ohoho?" he chuckles. Leaning on Tsukki's shoulder with eyes glinting.

Wow, volleyball players are a lot taller then swimmers, huh?]

Wh -

[He looks waaaaay the hell up at Tsukki (who has to be looming over him on purpose now), then snaps his gaze over to Kuroo (who's doing the same, and that's a bit intimidating with the level of pure wickedness in his smirk), and it finally sinks in what's happening here.]

- nooooo, no, you can't - he's already scared of me, if you two -

[But then he manages to catch a glimpse of Kenma and Hinata just past Kuroo's shoulder, and the way Kenma jumps and whirls his head around makes it all too obvious that he was still watching Nagisa.]

- oh.

[Maybe that wasn't fear at all. And if that's the case, maybe he should just let these two keep plotting, because he's worn down lots of cold, distant, downright mean people but that level of skittishness could be something else entirely.]

[The Looming is absolutely on purpose, and Tsukki might be enjoying this. A little. As the protests fade out, he gives an exaggerated shrug. Looking to Kuroo.]

I don't know. Maybe that's a point. He's your best friend.

["I mean, I wouldn't want to fluster our Jinchou-chan," Kuroo muses. So casually it can only be a blatant lie.

"But Kenma doesn't waste his energy on scared."]

[Flustered? He's not flustered!!]

We don't even really know each other... [Since when has a little thing like that mattered to Nagisa? Since he got so wildly thrown off by Kenma's immediate reaction to him, that's when. It's like someone revealing a power he never knew he had - not only that, but it's the power he developed his extremely aggressive approach to compensate for not having.

Haru makes people nervous but intrigued. Makoto inspires crushes so fierce that people hardly dare approach him (despite his being the world's biggest, buffest puppy.) Rin outright terrifies people, who occasionally happen to be scaroused by him as well. Nagisa doesn't think he's ugly, nor unappealing, nor even unlikable, but he's always needed a little something extra in the company he keeps.]

I - don't know what to do if someone likes me first.

[And that's honestly so sad that it might just put a pin in their mirth.]

[That does sober the mood a bit, yes. Tsukki and Kuroo are only mostly smug assholes. Both aware of the emotional wringer Nagisa's been through. And who would have called this? Nagisa being less then violently confident about anything?

Before they can really form a plan - either attack or defense - their coaches are calling them over.

"Don't run away, Jinchou-chan," instructs Kuroo. "We'll be right back."

Tsukki hangs behind a moment longer.]

Funny. This sounds familiar. Someone who couldn't believe a person could like them first.

[With a knowing smile, he ambles towards his own huddle.]

[It's a good thing they warn him not to run, because he's not a runner - he's a chaser, for goodness sake - but everything is so upside down that part of him does want to escape. Instead he puts his back to the bleachers and waits, trying not to watch Kenma too directly and doing it in spite of himself.

What is it about Kenma? There are his otherworldly eyes, of course, but his tentative posture and sleepy expression also give him an endearing air. The little hitch in his voice when he's taken off-guard. Another thing that's upside down: the cute one has fallen for another cute one.

Kenma looks over again, seeming to feel Nagisa's eyes on him, and Nagisa forces himself to smile warmly instead of startling. This time Kenma holds his gaze for a second, then offers a tentative smile in return.

Oh, help, when will Tsukki and Kuroo be done?]

[Not terribly soon. They do have to shower, after all. For the public good. Have fun processing that bit of knowledge, Nagisa!

Tsukki returns first. Hair damp, wiping his glasses. He hadn't been at the right angle to observe interactions... but Nagisa's still here. That's a start. Sitting down, he fixes the swimmer with a firm look. Not in the mood for any dancing around.]

Hey. Do you actually want to try for this?

[It's actually quite a comfort when Tsukki reappears in no-nonsense mode, because Nagisa really doesn't feel secure enough to let teasing roll right off him this time. He's made much more snap decisions than the one Tsukki's asking him to make now, and yet -]

Yeah. [- and yet nothing, apparently, since that's what leaves his mouth when he dares open it.] Maybe it's dumb when we don't even know each other and I'm still figuring out how to make - everything work with my other friends now and we live in different towns and all we've done is have a really hard time looking at each other but -

[Is Nagisa about to say something really inspiring about taking chances and trusting things that feel different and scary because they're the only ones that'll ever bring about different results?]

- but I do lots of dumb things! So why not this too? [Of course not.]

[Tsukki blinks at him.

Then throws his head back laughing.]

I can't argue with that!

[Just then, Kuroo comes jogging up. Judging from the dampness soaking his collar, he might have rushed a bit. But hey. There's plotting to be done."Okay, talked Kenma into getting food. Chibi-chan's probably coming too, so Tsukki and I will run interference!"

He ignores the dirty look from Tsukki. But there's nothing for it. Of course Kenma would want Hinata to come, there's no reasonable way around it. Which means someone needs to step in. Or there will be no room for conversation at all.

You're welcome, Nagisa.]

[Nagisa makes a noise that sounds a lot like "hrk!" He has to compete with Hinata for Kenma's attention? When he can barely string together three words to Kenma's face??

Then he nods, looking for all the world like a soldier who just got his marching orders. There's no way of saying when the stars will align for him this way again - he likes someone, someone likes him right back, he's got friends helping him out and very little to lose if they're not successful - so he can't wimp out now.]

((this seems like a reeeeeeally complicated action thread to pull off with that many NPCs, so do you want to skip to Nagisa and Tsukki talking about how it went afterwards? Probably texting again because that's how they do?))

((OOC: Sounds good! It got crazy but also I couldn't figure out a way Hinata WOULDN'T come that isn't wildly out of canon? (Or stuffing him in a closet. Tsukki voted for that one. :3))

[One montage of Cute Sport Boys Having a Day Out and a little later in the evening - ]

So?

Where did you two disappear to??

AHAHAHA Kuroo calls him Penguin OF COURSE

OBVS

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