saltinourstars | Until we let the spectrum in - Nationals Final

Hm.

[Tsukki doesn't interrupt the story. Only listens. Putting Suga's 'reason' with the others he's carrying. His own. Bokuto's. Hinata's. His own. Singular moments that broke reality apart.

Suga loves volleyball, but in a different way. Slower, more intentional.]

So... Your reason was something you built up.

It didn't happen all at once.

Yeah, I guess that's right. If there was one "moment," it was probably the first time I played setter in a game we won - something clicked when I realized I'd found my place. That celebration felt different.

[That's still gradual, though, compared to a single moment in time like Tsukki's block.]

There have been some moments this year when I've really felt like my place still belonged to me, though. Those are more... singular.

[Tsukki smirks.]

Like the 5-person Synchro Attack.

I will never forget Inarizaki's faces!

[High risk, high reward. It didn't always work. But when it did - The results were glorious. Opponents left in slack-jawed shock.]

Yes!

[Oop, that was a bit too loud. Suga waits a moment and listens for any grumbled complaints - when there are none, he drops his voice back to his earlier whisper and continues.]

Did you catch when Tendou Satori told me he wanted to break my heart in two during the final? It felt extra-special getting under his skin, didn't it?

Edited 2024-06-17 21:57 (UTC)

[God. Tsukki's all too happy to dump on him.]

Tch.

Guess Monster's an ass. He kept calling me the 'Normal Guy' then he sang at Yamaguchi. Remember, when his serve got stopped early?

I could have punched that freak.

Mm, what you actually did made for much better revenge, though.

[Because that block reverberated through the entire team - he might as well have stolen that point from all of them, not just Ushijima.]

I felt that way about Oikawa, early on. As talented as you all are, the way he came in targeting first-years and practically ignoring the rest of us was cheap. [Unconsciously, his hand tightens around Tsukishima's for a moment as if there's still some need to protect him.] I'll never know how he developed a good reputation for anything other than his sheer talent and skill.

[Tsukki blinks at the tightening grip.]

It bothered you?

[It's jarring. Anyone (besides Yamaguchi) being so offended on his behalf. Tsukki has to dig for that match. Buried in the determination to not care not care not care.

He considers the game. Their first brush with Aoba Josai, the famed 'Great King.']

Oikawa's a pompous shit, but he's smart. He went for the weakness in our defense. The First Year who wasn't trying, without a Freak Quick or a Genius Set. It didn't feel personal. It felt obvious.

Really... It's not much different from what I do.

[Tsukki’s right, of course. And yet.

And yet…?

Ah, this is embarrassing.]

… huh. Maybe I’ve always been keeping an eye on you.

Yeah?

Well.

[That's... sweet, actually. Tsukki clears his throat. Watching the buildings go by as he tries to gather his wits.]

Thanks for letting me work things out.

I've never been the one who had any trouble with you, so it wasn't exactly a struggle.

[A fond smile plays on Suga's lips.]

And trouble would've been worth it, too, considering who I've gotten to know as a result.

You're a sap, you know that?

[He complains, while STILL not letting go of Suga's hand.

There's maybe a smile flickering in.]

I’ve heard that once or twice, yeah.

[Suga grins right back at him, and the moment draws out long enough to become a Moment. He swears the fluttering in his chest has gotten downright insistent, and he knows just what it wants.

Well, Nationals are over. Why not?]

Hey, Tsukki?

Yeah?

[This time, there's no question.

The BOOM is Tsukki's heart. Pounding against the walls. Trying to get out.

How does the whole bus not hear it?]

[On the contrary, Suga could almost swear that the bus gets even quieter. It's just the tunnel vision effect of staring into Tsukki's eyes, steeling himself to do this properly instead of stumbling into it like last time, he knows that, but...

He leans in closer, whispers the words into Tsukki's ear. Just in case.]

Will you be my boyfriend?

[No way anyone sitting behind them, eavesdropping eagerly behind their closed eyes and relaxed faces, could hear. Definitely not.]

Boyfriend?

[ Theoretical busybodies - IF they focused - could make that out. It's a distinctive sort of word.

Tsukki closes his eyes.

The answer isn't 'No.'

But 'Yes' means a strange path. Impossible to map. He could only take one step at a time. Hope the ground will hold, not crumble away underfoot. Send him plummeting. It's such a lot of trust to give.

He squeezes Suga's hand, hard. Feeling warmth.

More light on the path.]

[Suga thinks he should be more nervous about this silence, but he's not. After all, Tsukki always needs some time to process, and the best thing to do while he does so hasn't changed. Just stay close and be patient.

When Tsukki's hand clenches around his, Suga knows what the answer will be.

His eyes slide closed too and he presses his forehead against Tsukki's, settling into the moment. There's no way he can be afraid of silence when it's this warm and soft and comfortable.]

Take your time.

[Tsukki can feel the other boy's breath, there's so little space between them. He waits for panic. For walls to go up, for the spikes to rise. Instead, it stays quiet. Could be the growth, or the exhaustion, but he doesn't want to push away.

He sits with that.

After a few more minutes, he opens his eyes. Decision made.]

...Okay.

[And like that, with no warning, before either of them can enjoy the massive shift that just occurred in their lives, the silence is shattered by a whoop of victory.]

YEEEEESS!! I KNEW IT! ENNO, RYUU, YOU OWE ME 1000 YEN!!!

[Goddamned Nishinoya. He's been seated behind them the entire time and appeared to be dozing with his cheek resting on Asahi's arm, but apparently not.

All around them, people start to grumble and stir and peer at the source of the commotion through bleary, confused eyes, with the exception of Ennoshita and Tanaka who are already digging out their wallets.

When Suga sits back and lets go of Tsukki's hand, it's with an impressive amount of calm self-restraint. In fact, there's a beatific smile on his face. So the time has finally come, has it? They couldn't escape these two years unscathed. Ah well, what must be done will be done.

He's about to fucking murder those three.]

[Poor Asahi starts awake at the yelling, flails, grabs at Nishinoya. Which sends both of them crashing into the aisle. In the chaos of limbs, Tanaka's wallet gets kicked out of his hand. Sending out a confetti storm of cash and candy wrappers.

It lands on top of Kageyama's head.

Tsukki can't help it.

He starts laughing.]

[It's the strangest feeling.

One moment, Suga's consumed by blind, seething rage and ready to wring necks; the next, Tsukki's laughing hysterically beside him and the worst of his anger is reduced to nothing but smoking coals.

Besides, he thinks as he looks around at the total chaos that's consumed the bus, is this really so bad? More and more people keep bursting into laughter as their exhaustion and confusion turn to helpless hysteria and Suga's not about to deny anyone their release. He can't even keep himself from joining in, though his laughter's a bit more restrained.]

Suga, what the hell's going on back there?! [That's Daichi. It appears that the adults are leaving this one to them. Okay, okay, time to grow up.]

Alright, everyone back in their seats. [There's clear reluctance in Suga's voice, but he does stand up to assert some authority.] Kageyama, give that back to Tanaka. Tanaka and Nishinoya, clean up your mess. Asahi, you're fine.

[A pause.]

Tanaka, Nishinoya, and Ennoshita - stay behind when we get back. Your departing vice-captain has some words for you.

[Then he sits down with the most long-suffering sigh - and the fondest smile. If anyone keeps acting up, Daichi will have to deal with them.]

[Half the bus is in trouble, and Tsukki is not. Also, he has a boyfriend. Maybe this isn't such a bad end to Nationals.

Smiling brightly, he leans around Suga.]

Shoulda bet more, Nishinoya!

[No way 2000 yen is worth the lecture coming his way!]

[Oh, this feels wonderful. Someone tried to make Tsukishima the butt of a joke based on his connection to Sugawara, and Tsukki's clearly not feeling a sliver of shame. He's preening, even. For a moment there, Suga was terrified that he would just wind up driving a wedge between Tsukki and several of his teammates right when he's getting along with all of them so well -

That's when it finally sinks in.]

You... said yes.

[The chaos kind of distracted him before he could process that information. And yeah, he knew that answer was coming, but that doesn't mean his mind isn't reeling with the newly absorbed knowledge that Tsukishima Kei is his boyfriend.]

[Nishinoya squawks, but even he's not going to piss off Suga twice. He turns to harass the other 2nd years. Bickering over whose fault/idea this was.

Smug, Tsukki settles back into the seat.]

I did.

Too late to back out now!

[He snickers, then a yawn nearly cracks his jaw in half.]

[Thank god for Tsukishima's reticence about physical affection and the caution Suga's developed as a result - if this were anyone less reserved, Suga would grab his face in both hands and kiss him on the mouth.

As it is, he just beams at Tsukki until that massive yawn snaps him out of his reverie and he settles more comfortably into his seat.]

Sleep. I've kept you up long enough.

[If Tsukki obeys that affectionate order, Suga will pull out his phone and shoot a quick text to Daichi - that technically has some relevance to to the scene at their end of the bus!]

I asked him to be my bf and he said yes
We're dating me and Tsukki are dating ahhhhhhHHHHHHHHH

Mmph.

[Can't argue with that.

It takes only a few seconds for Tsukki to switch glasses for a sleep mask, huddle into his jacket. Sleep comes almost instantly. Another unique talent that suits him to this sport. Road trips suck much less when unconscious.

As the hours roll on, he begins leaning.

Shoulder pressing into Suga's. ]

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I love Tendou, Tsukki does NOT XD

it's like a clip show episode :')

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