If it feels like falling you probably already fell - for horned_owl

[saltinourstars]

Karasuno's come a long way from the "fallen rivals" no one could be bothered to practice against. Since they've qualified for Nationals, there have been several requests for scrimmages. Then Fukurodani asked for an entire weekend. Coach Ukai jumped on that one. True, they're competition. But after the improvements from Tokyo Summer Camp? Who knows what could come out of this.

So here it is. Crows vs. Owls. They've finished up their first joint practice and everyone's chattering. Excited about tomorrow's scrimmage, trading insults and tips. Tsukki wipes the sweat from his face, satisfied with the practice. Maybe even smiling a little. Definitely about the blocks, though. Nothing to do with any spiky-haired loud-mouths hooting around the court.

Or the fact Bokuto's sleeping at his house.

(Their school isn't set up for overnight guests. Solution? The Fukurodani players are staying with the Karasuno families.)

Comments

[horned_owl]

Bokuto didn't expect this turn of events. Ever since they left Tokyo, the whole team had to listen to his motivational speeches. Most of his teammates ended up ignoring him and trying to come up with a strategy against unpredictable Karasuno, while Akaashi had to calm Bokuto down with "You just do your thing".

And he did. He's been so pumped up about the practice matches that he had excess energy more than usual. And he was up against Tsukishima who got ten times better since the last time they met in a match. It was just the additional spark to his competitive nature.

By the time they were done, Bokuto was somewhat tired, but not enough to stop him from talking very loudly. And he didn't bother hiding his glee over the fact that he's staying at Tsukishima's house.

He runs up to him, towel in hand and wiping his face off from sweat.

"Hey, hey, hey! The coach said we're free for the rest of the evening. We can head out after the showers! That okay?"

[saltinourstars]

Tsukki just raises an eyebrow at Bokuto.

"You sure you're not going to kidnap people for extra practice?"

It's asked in an even tone. But the answer to that question had better be obvious. Just in case, he's enlisted Yamaguchi to corral Hinata. Tsukki is pretty sure he can keep Bokuto's attention... but extra insurance doesn't hurt.

Still, he stays where he is. Arms folded, instead of reaching for Bokuto's hand like he wants. He is not ready to broadcast they're dating. It's... personal, and he's still not good with that.

[horned_owl]

Bokuto laughs, hand on his hip.

"Well! If this was Tokyo, probably! But coach warned us" correction- warned HIM, " three times not to wander around." Bokuto's sense of direction is... challenging. All roads look the same to him.

They talked about it before and decided to wait for a bit. For both of them (mostly Tsukishima) to become more comfortable about it. On Bokuto's side, only Akaashi knows they are dating. And the smug setter is giving them a knowing grin from the other side of the court.

[saltinourstars]

At least Akaashi always looks a bit smug. Which Tsukki can respect.

As for the other partner-in-crime, Yamaguchi - he's shooting over nervous glances. But that, too, is still pretty normal. Especially with Hinata flailing so close to him about... something.

Tsukishima waves, and gets a grin in return.

"Showers," he drawls. Leading the way to the locker room. "Hurry up or I might leave you."

He wouldn't. But no matter how fast Bokuto is, Tsukki still beats him. Jacket buttoned against the cold, headphones already blaring.

[horned_owl]

Bokuto is off before Tsukishima can even finish that sentence. Spending time at Tsukishima's house meant meeting his mother, maybe his brother and he needs to look presentable and not sweaty.

The fact that Tsukishima beats him is not surprising Bokuto. He had to make sure his hair won't just flop over because he was in a steamy room. Refreshed, flushed in cheeks from the shower, in full Fukurodani uniform and bag slung over his shoulders, he joins Tsukishima in front of the gym.

"Hey, hey! I'm ready."

[saltinourstars]

Most of the other players have already left. There's more then a few "Good lucks" tossed to Tsukishima, and Daichi implores him not to smother Bokuto in his sleep. Good. So no one knows he volunteered for this.

Tsukki nods when Bokuto emerges. Keeping his face even, though he slides off the headphones. Almost as good as a smile. Then he turns and heads... toward the school? Well, maybe there are houses past the building.

"Let's go."

[horned_owl]

Bokuto offers him a huge grin as he falls into step next to him.

"Those were some amazing blocks Tsukki! You and Akaashi went all out in trying to outsmart each other. It was awesome!"

Volleyball talk. Of course. What else?

They didn't get to stargaze back at Tokyo save from that one time so Tsukishima remembering that makes Bokuto at least ten times happier.

"Are we gonna stargaze!?"

[saltinourstars]

Tsukki certainly doesn't mind hearing how amazing he is. But he can't have Bokuto chattering the entire way. It's taken a lot of planning, and Tsukki's not about to have it spoiled.

"Shh!"

Glancing around, he ducks into one of the school doors. Slipping off his shoes and stuffing them into his bag.

"Stay quiet. The janitors might hear you."

With that, he's hurrying down the hall.

[horned_owl]

Bokuto immediately shuts up and even adds hand over his mouth- for reinforcement. He copies Tsukishima and takes off his own shoes, then runs after him, feeling as if they are doing some kind of crime, sneaking around like this.

Maybe it was a crime, he doesn't know.

But it's worth it because he will be able to spend time with Tsukishima.

[saltinourstars]

After a few more turns, they reach a utility door. Tsukki turns the knob, catching a piece of paper as it falls out. It probably is a crime. Trespassing at least, and definitely detention. Maybe worse. This is insane, an unnecessary risk. Except he wants to do it.

The only illumination is from the streetlights outside. But it's enough to catch a glint of teeth. Tsukki's smiling, swinging open the door to a flight of stairs. Next stop - the roof.

And an entire cascade of stars. Without Tokyo's light pollution, they're even brighter then at camp.

[horned_owl]

Bokuto is more than impressed when he sees how much planning Tsukishima had put into this. And feels flattered. The saltier-than-thou Tsukishima breaking quite a few laws of the school just to go stargazing with him? Bokuto can feel warmth settle in his cheeks and stomach.

Following Tsukishima up the stairs, Bokuto holds himself back from asking too many questions about this. The blond will probably explain him everything later. Thank god for practice for hours, skipping steps without getting tired has never been easier.

[saltinourstars]

Pulling the last door wide, Tsukishima holds it for Bokuto. This way he can see his face. Because it's not just the stars - the full moon is huge from up here. Painting the roof silver.

Tsukki doesn't say anything. Just waits for the reaction. (He maybe has been looking forward to this for weeks.)

[horned_owl]

"Woah..."

The sight of huge, full moon made Bokuto forget that talking is not allowed. He drops his bag and shoes close to the door and walks towards the middle of the rooftop, staring at the moon in awe.

"Who the fuck says we need Sun?!" He falls backward on the concrete, still staring.

"Hey Tsukki! Are you falling on me?" Bokuto tilts his head to look at Tsukishima upside down, grinning.

[saltinourstars]

"You're ridiculous."

There's a sigh with that, but a smile too. Really, Tsukki would be disappointed by anything less. He slides his shoes back on and ambles over. Lowering himself to sit next to Bokuto. He's always liked the moon better. Turning everything simpler, to shadow and light. It suits him.

"...Falling for you, maybe."

Bokuto is not the only one who gets to be absurd.

[horned_owl]

If Bokuto didn't see Tsukishima's mouth move as he said that, he'd think he's hallucinating from too much moonlight. The smile that spreads across his face is pure, undiluted happiness and he sits up.

"Hmmm. I'm so happy that I'm not the only one. Falling that is." He pauses looking away, shifting to sit cross-legged.

"I mean. I fell some time ago and I still feel like falling, y'know? It's a nice feeling though," he chuckles and looks back at Tsukishima. "The falling feeling with tons of crazy, flying butterflies in the stomach when you see the person you're falling for."

[saltinourstars]

"That's what you feel?"

Tsukki doesn't know if he'd call it nice. "Distracting," definitely, the sensation keeps popping up at weird times. When he's trying to concentrate. Sleep. Study. But if he thinks about it going away... it's like a pit opens under him.

He can't hold the gaze. Not if he wants to talk about this. So instead he looks back up to the stars.

"It feels like falling. But it's more like... gravity. Like somehow you're the center now, and it's pulling me."

It's been getting stronger, too. When Bokuto walked into the gym today it took everything not to head straight for him. Stay on the correct side of the net.

[horned_owl]

Bokuto stares at Tsukishima in amazement, hardly believing his ears. After their aquarium date, he prayed to every deity out there that Tsukki will end up liking him. And apparently, the deities fulfilled his wish.

With what Tsukishima just said, Bokuto feels encouraged and gently takes his hand with his own, entwining their fingers. He even scoots closer to him, looking all like a love-struck idiot.

Which is not wrong. He is completely love-struck and dazzled.

"...you like me?"

[saltinourstars]

Tsukishima planned on this being another lesson in constellations. Seeing if Bokuto remembered anything from the summer. Unlikely - So Tsukki would teach him again, take his hand on purpose this time.

But Bokuto beats him to it. Tsukki's fingers close tight. The warmth a shock against the chill.

"...I like you."

Then he presses his mouth to Bokuto's. Determined not to lose this chance too.

[horned_owl]

And Tsukishima keeps managing to surprise him. With his acceptance, confession, and now a kiss. He can feel the hair stand up on the nape of his neck and warmth spread through his body.

...Tsukishima is really kissing him. Him, Bokuto, of all people in the world. Is he luckiest man live or what!?

He kisses him back, feeling tingles go down his back. Hopefully, there is a way that this amazing feeling remains on his lips forever.

[saltinourstars]

Tsukki's at least has experience with this. How to fit two faces together, keep from crashing teeth. Where hands should settle. The mechanics were the one thing he hadn't worried about.

He should have.

Because none of the past practice was with Bokuto. There is no way to be ready for the rush. It feels like touching a live wire, energy bursting through him when the kiss gets returned.

Tsukki pulls back, gasping. Cheeks dark in the moonlight.

sorry for slow, we have some house repairs ;;

[horned_owl]

Bokuto's breath is ragged as well, the kiss leaving him without air for a few seconds there. Or was that just excitement? He can't put these feelings properly into words. The only thing he can do is smile like an idiot and scoot even closer to him, their shoulders and legs brushing.

He tilts his head, a bit in a deep thought.

"Ehh... I know that you're pretty but somehow I always forget how pretty you actually are. Huh."

No worries hope it goes well!

[saltinourstars]

Tsukki splutters.

"Pretty?!"

That is the last thing in the world he ever expected to hear about himself. Even from Bokuto. Who specializes in the ridiculous.The word curls strange in Tsukishima's head, the response automatic.

"I'm not pretty."

(Probably going to be as effective as trying to stop 'Tsukki' from happening, isn't it?)

/makes sure to send at least one tag per day bcs precious, beautiful threads

[horned_owl]

"Yes, you are!"

And Bokuto will, of course, argue back. "You just don't get to see how you look in this moonlight. So I don't blame you! But trust me-! You're gorgeous!"

The moon is giving Tsukishima's face and eyes such glint that he just can't look away.

[saltinourstars]

Don't forget the eyelashes, Bokuto. It is maybe a crime how long they are.

Anyway. Great. Now Tsukki's completely stuck. Because the insane thing? He does trust Bokuto. He's honest. Probably couldn't lie if he tried. Which means this is the truth.

Bokuto Kotaro thinks he's pretty.

Which is somehow more of a head-fuck then them kissing. And before Tsukki can even begin to process that - form any kind of response - Bokuto ups the ante. Because of course he does.

"Tch."

(Tsukishima is not smiling at Gorgeous he isn't he isn't.)

[horned_owl]

Eyelashes especially.

When he sees Tsukishima crack a smile, Bokuto matches it with a grin of his own. He can complain and 'tch' all he wants, but nothing can change Bokuto's mind on this.

He looks back up at the sky.

"SO! Constellations! Are you sure we'll be able to find some with moon this big and close?"