[Good. Tsukki always seems a little calmer after eating something sweet, so Yamaguchi counts it as a silent victory that his offering was accepted.
If only Tsukki would actually eat the dang thing. Yamaguchi nibbles at his own lunch, letting the silence stretch out for a little while before he starts in tentatively.]
I think it sounds like the whole thing kinda sucked. I'm sorry.
[He carefully avoids looking too much, sensing that Tsukki won't want to be scritinised right now. Instead he stares at his own hands, wondering why he can't use them just a little better. Be a little less clumsy. Maybe taller, and more able to think on his feet, too. If he had more raw talent, maybe he could have gone along, too. And then Tsukki wouldn't have had to grit his teeth through the whole experience all alone.
...He shakes his head. Getting caught up in self-loathing isn't going to help anything. He has to focus on Tsukki right now.]
I'm still amazed they let him stay. I mean, that's gotta be unprecedented, right?
[Hinata wants to be on the court more than he wants to sleep or eat or breathe. Instead, he'll have to watch everyone else play. All week. In another situation Tsukki would take notes. This is a masterclass in Petty.]
[He doesn't want to pry too much, or push too hard. So he just toys with his chopsticks, fighting the urge to fuss, to encourage Tsukki to please just eat something already.]
Would it kill him if someone else had the spotlight? If it for once was not about him?
[It sounds so pathetic.
Tsukki didn't even ask to go to this camp. It was going to be exhausting and hard and full of people who'd happily spike a ball at his head. But he was invited. One of the few from the entire league. After months of struggling to find his own place, his own moment.
Ripping off a bite of bread, Tsukki chews like it has Wronged Him.]
[Yamaguchi's mouth drops open for a second... but he's quick to snap it shut again, trying to hide his amazement.
Tsukki, taking pride in being recognised for his achievements? Tsukki, caring enough to get this worked up about it? Yamaguchi has to swallow back a wave of emotion. This is what he's always wanted for his best friend in the world. Just for him to have pride in himself, and in something they've become a part of together.]
...You're amazing, Tsukki. Seriously. And that's not just me... everyone sees it.
[Tsukki misses the jaw drop. Too busy demolishing the bread.
Probably for the best.]
Hmph.
[He can't argue with Yamaguchi. Doesn't try. If today proved anything? Tsukki's accomplishments were being recognized, and all right - It hurt to have that growing pride stepped on.]
[Ah... Tsukki doesn't even protest! Yamaguchi can't help but smile a bit to himself
And then, after checking that no one is really around, he leans against Tsukki's shoulder. Just a little.]
I'm sorry it's not going like it was supposed to. Ennoshita-san was talking about it to... like, that he's not sure how he'd keep it together in your position. And that's Ennoshita-san, you know? Keeping it together is like his whole thing.
[People keep calling Tsukki prickly. They're not wrong. He's surrounded by guys who think headlocks and tackles are affectionate. The spikes are self-defense.
Yamaguchi's never been like that. He goes gently. Looks for openings, what's needed.
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What? Oh. Thanks.
[He just fiddles with the bread, though.
Waiting for the onslaught.]
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If only Tsukki would actually eat the dang thing. Yamaguchi nibbles at his own lunch, letting the silence stretch out for a little while before he starts in tentatively.]
So, um... are you, like, okay?
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I just screamed at my idiot teammate in front of an entire gym of people.
What do you think?
[Keeping his head has always been a point of pride. Smirking while other people throw tantrums. Losing it like that... ]
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[He carefully avoids looking too much, sensing that Tsukki won't want to be scritinised right now. Instead he stares at his own hands, wondering why he can't use them just a little better. Be a little less clumsy. Maybe taller, and more able to think on his feet, too. If he had more raw talent, maybe he could have gone along, too. And then Tsukki wouldn't have had to grit his teeth through the whole experience all alone.
...He shakes his head. Getting caught up in self-loathing isn't going to help anything. He has to focus on Tsukki right now.]
I'm still amazed they let him stay. I mean, that's gotta be unprecedented, right?
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[Hinata wants to be on the court more than he wants to sleep or eat or breathe. Instead, he'll have to watch everyone else play. All week. In another situation Tsukki would take notes. This is a masterclass in Petty.]
...Why doesn't that feel like enough?
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[Folding his arms, Tsukki drops his head to the table. Quiet for a few beats. Then sighs.]
I don't think that's the only thing.
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[He doesn't want to pry too much, or push too hard. So he just toys with his chopsticks, fighting the urge to fuss, to encourage Tsukki to please just eat something already.]
What do you mean?
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Would it kill him if someone else had the spotlight? If it for once was not about him?
[It sounds so pathetic.
Tsukki didn't even ask to go to this camp. It was going to be exhausting and hard and full of people who'd happily spike a ball at his head. But he was invited. One of the few from the entire league. After months of struggling to find his own place, his own moment.
Ripping off a bite of bread, Tsukki chews like it has Wronged Him.]
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Tsukki, taking pride in being recognised for his achievements? Tsukki, caring enough to get this worked up about it? Yamaguchi has to swallow back a wave of emotion. This is what he's always wanted for his best friend in the world. Just for him to have pride in himself, and in something they've become a part of together.]
...You're amazing, Tsukki. Seriously. And that's not just me... everyone sees it.
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Probably for the best.]
Hmph.
[He can't argue with Yamaguchi. Doesn't try. If today proved anything? Tsukki's accomplishments were being recognized, and all right - It hurt to have that growing pride stepped on.]
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And then, after checking that no one is really around, he leans against Tsukki's shoulder. Just a little.]
I'm sorry it's not going like it was supposed to. Ennoshita-san was talking about it to... like, that he's not sure how he'd keep it together in your position. And that's Ennoshita-san, you know? Keeping it together is like his whole thing.
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Yamaguchi's never been like that. He goes gently. Looks for openings, what's needed.
So Tsukki leans back. A fraction.]
Really?
I guess that helps to know.