saltinourstars | If it feels like falling you probably already fell

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.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

saltinourstars

If anything that's overly formal. Even Tsukki's teammates drop the honorific. Akiteru raises a brow, but doesn't press it. Yet.

"He definitely complained about that noise! Especially a couple of captains that kept pushing him. But Kei wouldn't have kept going if he didn't want to. Something worked."

There's a teasing glance at Bokuto.

"That have anything to do with you?"

From:

horned_owl

They drop the honorific because Tsukki annoys him into dropping it. It's just how things go apparently. But Bokuto- he's not sure how to act around Akiteru so better safe than sorry! Tsukki is his boyfriend, after all, he doesn't want to anger his family!

"W-Well! Um-" Bokuto looks puzzled, not sure how to respond to this. He can't tell the man he went stargazing with his brother!

Wait, why did his brain go there!? Akiteru didn't ask about that!! He's too nervous, he ought to chill a bit.

"Well, I hope so!" Bokuto grins sheepishly. "I mean, two days into the camp and practice was taking a full swing. Minimum nine matches a day. So Kuroo, Nekoma's captain, and I kind of dragged him into the extra practice. Which he obviously didn't want to do." He sighs and puts hands behind his head.

"Then he asked a few questions, which I tried to answer. I do not know how much it helped because he didn't look convinced but eventually he went through everything training camp threw at him. He was pretty amazing," Bokuto grinned.

From:

saltinourstars

Oh, poor kid, Akiteru's not actually out to fluster him like this! He may have... suspicions, but whatever is going on? Bokuto seems like a good guy. Especially with how he lights up when he he talks about Kei.

Patting his shoulder, Akiteru smiles. Trying to be reassuring.

"I'm glad he's enjoying volleyball again. And I'm grateful, to anyone who helps him with that."

From:

horned_owl

[ooc: and 2) Bokuto looks like this when talking about Tsukki]

Saved! Akiteru has some tact, huh? Not that he'd mind admitting he's dating Tsukki, but... that's something his boyfriend needs to tell his brother, not him.

Bokuto beams like a sun after the pat: "Volleyball is great! And probably the only thing where I excel. So, whenever I can help, I will!"

From:

saltinourstars

((OOC: Awww though Tsukki probably looks like this))

"Well, I hope you can excel at making Kei smile!"

Akiteru can't resist a little teasing. Look who he's related too. He smirks through any spluttering. Sure that whatever else, Bokuto can't resist a challenge.

From:

horned_owl

There isn't very loud spluttering. More like a sudden onset of the couch and crazy red color on Bokuto's cheeks.

"Ah hah, I hope so too!" WHAT ELSE IS HE SUPPOSED TO SAY!?

Tsukki, please be around the corner before he blurts out he's dating you. Unless Akiteru figured it out by himself.

...he's going to combust.

From:

saltinourstars

The universe decides to take pity. As they turn the bend there's a familiar figure heading towards them. Tsukki's deep in the music, but glances up when Akiteru calls. Raises his hand.

And there's an instant when his face goes soft when his eyes fall on Bokuto. A quick upturn of his lips. It flickers away, but it feels like everything's gone fifteen degrees warmer.

Maybe the universe isn't so merciful after all...

From:

horned_owl

"Hey, hey, hey!! Tsukki!" Honorifics are forgotten already. Bokuto is waving frantically as if he needs to catch his attention. He lit up like a Christmas tree.

"I got your bag with me! No need to head back!"

He's not sure if Tsukishima can hear him over the music so he keeps his voice loud. At 7:30AM.

From:

saltinourstars

"Hey quiet - !" "Shut up Bokuto!"

Both Tsukishimas start forward. Only adding to the chaos as they try to calm the noisy owl. Dogs begin barking, and then comes the high wail of a baby. Great.

Wincing, Akiteru begins back-pedaling. "W-well I'd better be going! Good luck today!"

With that he's off. Before the wrath of the neighbors or Kei can fall on him!

From:

horned_owl

Oh. Ooops.

Bokuto goes pale for a second and laughs awkwardly. WELP. He should start working on that death will.

He scratches back of his head while watching Akiteru leave and slowly (pray for him older Tsukishima), carefully offers Tsukishima his bag.

"...morning!"

From:

saltinourstars

There is a deep sigh.

Then Tsukki pulls the headphones off and hoists the duffel over his shoulder. He considers chewing Bokuto out. What good would it do, though? He already looks sorry. It's not like he's a motor-mouth on purpose.

(And it's... a little flattering, that just seeing him makes Bokuto so excited.)

"Morning. Did you eat?"

It's a peace offering, of sorts.

From:

horned_owl

Bokuto is surprised at the gentle treatment. And because of that, he seems to glow even more. Is this morning amazing or what?!

"I did! Your mom gave me some croissants. Ah! Did you eat!? I didn't bring any for you! GAH!"

Goddamnit, how did he forget about it!?

From:

saltinourstars

Tsukishima picks up the pace, to get them away from the baying dogs. Soon the scene of the crime is far behind. Morning quiet descends. Then flies away again, unable to compete with Bokuto's enthusiasm.

"You don't need to bring me food. I'm not some baby bird."

He grabbed some fruit before heading out. It'll be fine.

From:

horned_owl

Bokuto is not as loud as earlier but remains enthusiastic as always.

"I know, I know. But I also know you don't eat a lot." And Bokuto wouldn't be surprised if Tsukishima left only on few bites of toast.

He had fun last night with whole Tsukishima family. Just thinking about it makes him smile. "By the way, thanks for letting me stay. Your mom is amazing!"

From:

saltinourstars

"I'm glad you like her."

And that his mother likes Bokuto. Tsukki hadn't doubted she would. He's the kind of guy a lot of people just - radiate towards. Still. It's nice to have it confirmed.

The argument about food probably continues until they reach the gym. With no real resolve.

For a split-second, when Tsukki spots the school roof he wants to repeat the kiss from last night. Even with both teams streaming in. Thankfully he's able to brush that temporary insanity aside. He just waves to Bokuto, saunters over to Karasuno end.

The next meeting is going to be on opposite sides of the net.

From:

horned_owl

And Bokuto has to hold himself back from giving Tsukishima a 'see you later' kiss. He tries to distract himself by yelling and cheering while bouncing off to his teammates. They are in good mood and everyone's in high spirits and Akaashi is relieved that 'moody' side of Bokuto is not rearing its head.

When they step on the court, Bokuto is so hyped up about a practice that he's miles in the warm-up running. Just for fun, he yells once at Tsukki to 'not drag his feet' while running. But his tone is more joking than actual reprimanding.

He can barely wait to play against Karasuno.

From:

saltinourstars

Tsukishima just rolls his eyes. But that sets Hinata off. Sprinting ahead, trying to catch the Fukurodani captain. Kageyama follows, then like domnioes half of Karasuno is in the race.

Tsukki is not. He sets a pace with Akaashi instead. So they can share sympathetic glances about Idiots.

From:

horned_owl

And all of that turns into a giant race. Letting Bokuto do things on his pace is like setting off a dynamite. The gym turns into a very loud place and the running is stopped by coaches (who decide that there are no winners to calm everyone down).

They start setting up for the first match. Bokuto fixes his leggings and then stretches his shoulders and arms while walking towards the court. Cross spikes, cross cuts- he needs to be in top form for those. They are his favorites after all. The team huddles around Akaashi, listening to the plan of the game before everyone takes their places.

From:

saltinourstars

The very first lineup has Tsukishima and Bokuto across from one another. There's a second when their eyes meet.

Then, with the shrill of a whistle, the murder and the parliament go to war.

The matches are fierce. This may be practice, but every single player wants to prove themselves. It's clear the Karasuno evolution has progressed, maybe even faster then Akaashi could have predicted. The teams are never more then a few points apart.

By the time lunch rolls around, Karasuno and Fukurodani are at a set apiece. Tsukishima himself hasn't scored, but he's more concerned with keeping the wall up, the ball in the air. It's been broken through more then once.

From:

horned_owl

Bokuto seems more fired up than usual, which Akaashi even comments on. There aren't big dips in his mood and he seems oddly focused as the sets go on one by one. And he's specifically eager to do cross spikes, which scored more than 70% of the time. The times when they don't work, it's Tsukishima redirecting his spike into Nishinoya's receive. But instead of getting annoyed, Bokuto gets even more fired up.

And shouts a lot. Cheers a lot when he scores. As promised, he is not going easy on Tsukishima at all. His blocks have certainly gotten better since last time they played and Bokuto is not scared anymore that he'll snap his hands in two with his spikes.

Tsukishima was getting used to his movements, he could tell. He could feel blond's eyes follow his movements, soaking in everything he does on the court. It is an odd pressure in the back of his head, and there is an evergrowing feeling that he will be blocked before the last set of the day is over.

From:

saltinourstars

The trap with Fukurodani is focusing only on Bokuto. He's the show-stopper. Trying to grab the spotlight, and he deserves it. However, there are five other Owls on the court. Every single one belongs there.

Tsukishima of all people knows how dangerous the "ordinary" players can turn out to be. So he keeps an eye on the whole field. Calculating how to shut them down, one by one. Karasuno can't afford any lapses. (Even if he would rather watch Bokuto. Has it really only been a few months? Was it this magnetic before, seeing him fly?)

It's beginning to pay off. Tsukishima can read those crosses. Not from Akaashi's poker face, but Bokuto. He wants them so badly it's palpable. But the timing still isn't right. Tsukki registers it a second too late. Never quite ready for the reaction.

But he knows what it feels like. That want. He's talking closely with Kageyama right before they jog back out.

From:

horned_owl

Bokuto seemed like an endless fountain of energy that everyone from his team drank from. Even with the matches getting more and more taxing the more they play, Bokuto didn't look as if he was slowing down at all. Or showed any signs of slowing down.

Between the sets, he'd look over to Karasuno's side, hoping to catch Tsukishima's eyes looking at him. But he was so engrossed in talking with the setter that he didn't notice. Bokuto didn't mind. It just made smirk slip on his face. This last set will be one to remember.

The last set starts of as usual. Strong serves coming up from both sides. They fumble around a bit because the receive was bad but the toss was good. So Bokuto, of course, aimed and shot. The tingle of spiking is still there, slowly turning his hand numb. Just this last match, just a few more points and they will be done for the day. Then he can spend even more time with his Tsukki.

From:

saltinourstars

There. Not in time to stop, but Tsukki sees it a split-second faster. Manages to get a brush on the ball. Slow it a fraction.

"Nishinoya!"

Nishinoya to Kageyama, and Hinata's already a blur. Soaring high above the net, too late for an Owl to catch. The ball rockets through.

Tsukki lets his eyes match Bokuto's. Just for an instant, enough to share his own smirk.

I see you.

The score climbs higher.

From:

horned_owl

They share a smirk.

Bokuto isn't sure if he's annoyed for his spike to go awry or if he's proud that Tsukishima's blocking is getting better. Akaashi notices that Bokuto's torn over something and sets up the next one perfectly.

One straight. Blasting past Hinata and Tsukishima. His fingers tingle from the spike and Akaashi gives him a nod. It was a good one. And Bokuto feels it too.

The next few points are a blur. Bokuto spikes only once, his position in the corner of the back row making it a bit odd. But when he moves back to the front line, he's more than ready for more action.

When Akaashi gives him a toss, Bokuto gets in a dilemma. Cross or straight? Did Tsukishima really read that far into his spike to predict it? It is a practice game and he still wants to win, but the question is nagging him. So he does it.

A cross spike.

From:

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!"