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 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!?

[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.

[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!"

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

complete shutdown = kiss :>

[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.

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.