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

In 3... 2...

[saltinourstars]

They're tied.

They're tied, and any tiny slip - if Tsukki's predicted wrong - but too late now. He sprints, jumps to the side as Kageyama and Asahi launch. It's a huge risk. Reinforces the corner but leaves a hole in their wall. If Bokuto catches it - goes for a straight instead of his beloved cross -

It's a cross.

It has to be a cross.

The smack booms through the gym.

The results don't register until Tsukki lands. Feels the heat stinging in his palm, registers the look on Bokuto's face. The ball rolling on the Fukurodani side.

Match Point.

Tsukishima slams both fists into the air. Triumph burning fierce and bright through him. He's shining from it, bright as the full moon last night. The glow isn't Hinata, Bokuto, anyone else, this is his.

"Ha!"

<3

[horned_owl]

After a resounding boom of the ball hitting the floor, the whole gym was in silence.

Bokuto didn't miss the spike this time, he didn't fool around. Akaashi was staring at the ball that slowly rolled away then at Tsukishima. The rest of the Fukurodani gaped in both shock and awe. For a singular moment, no one said a word. Not even coaches.

Something bubbled up in Bokuto. Seeing Tsukishima worked up about this, finally managing to block him- Kuroo style block him- he actually never felt so proud. So happy.

He acted on an impulse.

Before Tsukishima's teammates could all jump on him to celebrate, Bokuto slipped underneath the net. Akaashi opened his mouth to complain but it was too late.

Bokuto had grabbed Tsukishima for the front of his jersey and pulled him in for a kiss. A bit rougher, very heated from exertion and laced with indescribable happiness.

<3

[saltinourstars]

That's the moment you'll be hooked.

And Tsukki is.

But not on volleyball. This is the moment he's hooked on Bokuto, kissing him back fiercely. Everything falling into sudden clarity. He wants this, has this, never mind the circle of his gaping teammates.

Finally Daichi clears his throat.

"I... think that's the game."

It's true. A player crossing the net is a foul, a point for the other team. Which puts Karasuno at 25, Fukurodani 23.

[horned_owl]

Bokuto lets go of Tsukishima only when he hears Daichi's voice that the game is over.

Yeah... he completely forgot about the rules. His cheeks would be flushed from embarrassment if he wasn't flushed already from playing.

"Ahah... yeah. S..sorry about that..." he got carried away. He can feel a few glares from his team from basically handing Karasuno a win with a kiss and a soft sigh from Akaashi.

...Tsukki will not kill him, right?

[saltinourstars]

Tsukki wants to throttle Bokuto. Also to kiss him again immediately. But - thank God for idiots - Hinata is spluttering now. Pointing frantically between the pair.

"Wha - You - He kissed you?!!"

Rolling his eyes, Tsukki plants a hand on his hip. As though profoundly bored. (As though his heart is not trying to pound out of his chest.)

"Shouldn't he? He's my boyfriend, after all."

A smirk sneaks onto his face. An unspoken Maybe you should try it. Which gets Hinata squawking louder, before the coaches finally get over their shock. Calling their teams back into order for cool-downs.

[horned_owl]

Even though he's on the other side on the net, he can hear Tsukki call him his boyfriend. And his team can hear it too and it effectively wipes away any and all anger they had about him crossing under the net. They just sigh and roll their eyes while Akaashi looks over at Tsukishima- amused and happy.

Bokuto slaps his own cheeks to pull himself out of "boyfriend daze" and yells: "ALRIGHT! STRETCH OUT, PEOPLE! ONE TWO THREE WOO!" Fukurodani guys cheer a bit quieter and everyone proceeds with cooling down and stretching.

Offscreen Suga corners Bo to make sure he's treating his kouhai RIGHT

[saltinourstars]

Akaashi gets a shrug from Tsukki in return. Really, what can you do? There's only so far you can stop one Bokuto Kotaro. And okay, everybody knows now - weirdly, that's a relief. Getting it all out with one hell of a show from both parties.

Not that Bokuto's getting away with it completely. As Tsukki pushes into a lunge, he's close enough to murmur -

"I'm looking forward to next time, you know."

Both the complete shut down and the aftermath.

He will forever treat Tsukki RIGHT <3

[horned_owl]

When he gets in the mood, Bokuto is really hard to derail and distract. And having Tsukishima block, seriously block, one of his spikes like that, with such joy, is just so uplifting.

There's tons of groaning as everyone stretches, Bokuto lying flat on the floor, legs spread. Tsukishima's comment makes him smirk.

"Me too." He gives his boyfriend a wink.

[saltinourstars]

Tsukki has to avert his eyes, because that is very distracting Bokuto. Though he doesn't bother hiding the smile. For once. He is proud of this. Would even admit to being happy.

And getting better about letting people feel those things for him.